I have a 2003 chevrolet malibu the passlock anti-theft system messes up it either wont allow the vehicle to start or it stops the vehicle while driving on the highway or road and wont start this is problematic for chevy owners and could be very dangerous if on a busy highway could cause an accident numerous people have contacted gm about this problem they refuse to recall and fix this problem.
2003 Chevrolet Malibu electrical complaints
Page 10 of 11: complaints 251 to 280 of 289, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Passlock system activates unpredictably on a 2003 chevy malibu. The only remedy is to wait 10 minutes for it to reset and then the car will start. This caused my son to be late in getting to his job that day. Car was brought to a mechanic about a year ago for this very problem, and it was temporarily fixed by reprogramming and replacing the passlock sensor. The problem was fixed until now. It is a recurring issue, and is unpredictable in its occurrence. If this were to happen in the wrong place, like a darkened parking garage, someone could be mugged or attacked, or it happened in the winter, they could freeze or suffer hypothermia waiting 10 minutes for the car to start.
I have 2003 chevy malibu, I have problem with my theft system, every time it turns on I have to wait for 10 min, please advise...thanks.
The passlock system in my vehicle continually malfunctions, and causes me to wait 10 minutes in order to start my car. I am aware that this is an ongoing and very common problem with gm vehicles with the passlock system. It is inexcusable that gm allows this problem to go on unacknowledged.
I went out to start my car and it would not turn over. After waiting and trying several times, still nothing. I had the card towed and learned that it was the anti-theft device which meant that the ignition would also need to be replaced. I had it repaired for $650. Thirty days later, same problem. Another 30 days, it would not start again. It has been over 6 months now and not problems starting; however the anti-theft light has come on once while driving and my understanding is that the car can cut off immediately when this happens. It was a bad time when it first happened in april. I had my grandchildren at my house for easter break and we had great plans...never mind! I did contact gm and they assured me if there was a recall that I could claim my expenses for reimbursement.
Anti-theft light flashing on my 2003 chevy malibu.
The passlock system disabled my car, and I was unable to start it. There were no events leading up to this, and my car is only 4 yrs old with 50,000 miles on it, so I don't believe this amounts to a wear-and-tear related problem. Repair cost was $200; no parts were replaced.
I have a 2003 malibu sedan, and the alarm/horn has a defect. Last year we had a high power wind storm and my alarm blew for about 45 minutes (2 horns). They finally died down by themselves. My car was not hit by anything except for the high winds. I had to take fuse #43 out to make the horn stop blowing every time I started my car. My car need to pass inspection, but the dealership want to charge me $95.00 an hour, to do an exploratory deal on the car, to locate the problem. Another car repair company told me the cost would be $900.00, but could not justify, what they were going to do. They stated it could be the turn signal or it could be the fuse under my air bag on the steering wheel. No one can actually explain to me what's wrong, but they want to charge the heck out of me. I do not have that type of money for exploratory examinations on my car. I am quite sure the manufacturer know what the problem is with this malibu, and can fix it without a problem. I can not afford this, I was not told the car had two recalls on it when I brought the car. I feel this is very wrong, I would have never purchase the car, if I knew of recall problems. Now I am stuck in the middle without a horn/alarm system. Since the dealership wanted to go into my steering wheel to check the fuse for $95.00 an hour, my air bag light comes on.
Passlock anti-theft system engaged with no identifiable cause. Using original key and no tampering occurred prior to problem. Theft system light went on randomly 3 weeks ago, but was on only for a few minutes and never on again prior to this no-start. Able to re-set the system, according to the manual, by waiting 10 minutes for the computer to re-set, but this is not acceptable when parked in certain areas (malls during the evening, etc). Happens frequently enough that it gets to be very inconvenient, and in need of repair. Repair can only be done at a gm dealer - which is very profitable for the dealer.
Car would not start so had it towed to the shop they said computer said nothing was wrong and it started for them. They said maybe a weak fuel pump. Drove it for a week and same thing happened. Had it towed to the shop again and they replaced the fuel pump. Drove it for 2 days and same thing. Now they said it was the antitheft the whole time. Out of pocket total expense was $1300.00. There should be recalls on this stupid thing I went to start my car and it would not turn over so I had to have it towed to the dealership and they told me it would be $650 to fix the ignition switch. In the mean time the car is now running because the dealership told me they "reset" the computer. I told them I would take my chances with it and drove off after paying the $85 diagnostic charge. Well 2 weeks later it does not start again. I call aaa and the tow comes out and the driver tells me it's the anti-theft device, wait 10 minutes and the car will start. Low in behold it worked. So why didn't the dealership tell me this is the problem. Funny they told me the "reset" could last 3 weeks, a year, or forever... But they still wanted to milk me for $650. So I do a google on this and find I am not the only one with the problem. What the hell is wrong with gm if they know this problem exist and don't fix the problem with a recall or a fix! I will never buy a gm car again!!!
My car would not start. I thought it was the battery. The battery was fine. I took it to the dealership and they said my passlock sensor failed. To replace it was $1200. I don't even have an alarm on my car just the factory installed theft system. I feel it is a defect with the car manufacturer, nothing I did to the car.
Anti-theft system keeps shutting down the car.
My daughter drove my car to work. It would not start after a trip to mall. She was left stranded due to a chevrolet malibu defective anti-theft system. My car had to be towed in a strange city, and it is still there. The major consequence of this breakdown is that a 19 year old girl was left vulnerable in a mall parking lot. Is it a safety hazard that could affect her? I think so. I am feeling vulnerable because my vehicle is no longer 'safe' to drive. Has this issue been investigated by the federal safety agency? What was the outcome? Why does gm feel this is not an issue? A pattern of breakdown has been established, and a solution, whether monetary or in repair, should be offered. Will it take someone being injured from a second- hand incident as a result of 'equipment failure' to make gm notice? There was no prior warning with this 'shutdown' of the car. As a mother, I cannot let my children take this car on the highway. In good faith I purchased this car, expecting a reliable mode of transportation. This was supposed to be a kid-car for college this year. How can we send our child off and always wonder if a call will come in from her that she is stranded on a deserted road that she has to travel to get to school?aaa should be furious about the magnitude of calls for design failure on this vehicle. There is a moral issue here, and I believe that gm is not interested in the 'human' factor of car sales. The right thing to do would be to figure out the problem, address it and fix it like the good old days of customer service used to be and move on. I would be willing to pay for the repair in order to have a reliable car again. I am now worrying that my 2001 malibu with another daughter out of state will have the same problems. A car that could not start on a whim does not offer peace of mind to me. Do the executives at gm drive chevrolet malibus? Would they let their children drive a car like mine? Ps. Why don't you list 'website' under the referral sources?
My car stalled on my daughter and I, recently took my car to the dealer because my theft system light came on every once and a while had to pay $115.00 just to put on the machine and they told me that my ignition switch have to be replaced at a tune of $515.00 plus tax, well my car stopped on my daughter and I had to push it on the side of the road. Had the battery replaced and still would not start. I'm tired they're should be a recall on this model(2003 malibu).
Got in my car, put my key in the ignition and turned it to the start position. The vehicle would not start. The anti-theft light came on. I tried the procedure from the manual to correct the problem, and it did not work. It's a 2003 chevy malibu.
I own a 2003 chevrolet malibu with 47000 miles every couple of days the anti theft system light comes on while im driving. I called the dealers and explained what happened, and they stated that they have to put it on the machine and it was going to cost me $105.00 just to put it on the machine. I wa s upset because I bought this car brand new, and I only have 47,000 miles on it. Vehicle should not be having this problem this early. I have read complaits on this vehicle, and there should be a recall for the 2003 malibu because this should not be happening. Also, sometimes the car will not start. So I read in the owners manual that you have to wait 10 minutes to try to restart the car . This did not make any sense. There should be a recall on this vehicle.
Car failed to start on random occasions. Became more frequent. Anti-theft system was causing it not to start. Would have to wait for ten minutes to start - in places like at a gas pump with others waiting to use it. Theft system light would occasionally stay on even when it started. It became like playing russian roulette hoping the car would start and hoping against hope that the car would never stall in traffic and then not re-start. Dealer finally had to replace the ignition switch, ignition cylinder and lock cylinder to the tune of $682.00. This was done at 71,190 miles. The ignition switch and ignition cylinder were already replaced at 46,000 miles. Others I have spoken to have had the same problem with this year's model of the malibu but they never recalled it. The theft system is obviously defective.
No events occurred prior to this problem. Theft system activated on its own while I was driving. Since having no knowledge of this problem I had work done that was unnecessary. The theft system and key cylinder were supposedely be replaced back in 10/06. I paid over $700.00. It has started to activate again as of may 1st. The orginal dealer nor manufacturer nor chevy dealer repair center I paid the $700.00 to have any helpful of underline knowledge of why it suddenly activated by itself. This was a reckeless safety hazard waiting to happen.
Without warning while on a shopping trip (we are in our late 70's), the car would not start and had to be towed. We were told that it was the anti-theft security system, and it was re-set. We were told that it may or may not happen again. Well, it happened again about 6 weeks later, and we had to take a two hour bus ride just to get home. I believe that the dealers are fully aware of this problem and that a recall needs to be issued, or at the very least the cost of repair should be covered under warranty.
I am the owner of a 2003 malibu. I have only had it for 6 months. The car has cut off on me 3 times with my 3 year old in the car. I have read many complaints about the same problem. I took my car to the dealership, and they said that it was the ignition switch, and it was going to cost me $400.00 to fix it. I don't have that kind of money to put into a car when there should be a recall on it. I am highly upset with gm because they won't do anything about it. Also, I have heard that they won't do a recall on this problem because they don't consider it to be a safety issue. I don't see how a company can put off a recall like this when someone can get seriously hurt or even killed. I don't know what else to do, and another of course the extended warranty that I bought doesn't cover it. Why do they even have an extended warranty when it doesn't cover a blasted thing.
My turn signals do not always work. Apparently there is a faulty hazard light switch that shorts out and causes the turn signals to non function. I was reading on the consumer affairs website that this is a common problem with malibus.
When driving after a rain noticed there was water in right rear taillight. When trying to start the car the only way to get it started was to disconnect the negative battery terminal and reset the computer . Well that was great except you might not want the car started then because everytime you step on the brake the radio shut off, gauges would peg out and not be able to be reset. Then car would die in the middle of highway driving . If it takes the nhsta to have a death for someone I am not the one if it is water the car doesn't like I will send it back to detroit where they can put it in it's final resting place, lake michigan. Let our voices be heard because these small inconveniences to them are major expenses to us all . And they wonder why the car industry is struggling own up to the problem general motors.
At some point, I triggered my alarm system by not using the remote key and manually unlocked my car door. Right after, I tried to restart my car, at which time it cranked, but did not start. Since this incident of triggering my alarm, I have been daily reminded of this.. With the crank, no start. I have taken the car to the dealer who informed me that I need a PCM (power control module) which they replaced but to no avail. Two days later, the car was crank/no start again and again.
Car would not start at work wednesday morning, approximately 9:30 am. My husband came to look at it after work, approximately 5:45 pm. Called chevrolet to have them tow it under warranty. Tow truck showed up around 8:30 pm and towed to dominion chevrolet. Dominion did not return any phone calls on the 6th until a little after 5:00 pm. They informed us that the anti-theft / ignition switch had gone bad and it would be replaced the next day. Did not receive key or paperwork when picked up, just 10+ scratches all over my car.
I have a 2003 chevy malibu. It won't start due to a flaw in the theft detection system. This has caused me many problems!! As I understand, this is pretty costly to repair. Due to finances, I have not had the problem repaired. A mechanic gave me an alternative way to start the car which involves getting under the car and bypassing the ignition. Chevy is fully aware of the problem and it should be recalled!!!!
Dt*: the contact stated the vehicle starts intermittently. It was taken to the dealer, upon inspection the ignition needed to replaced due to the anti theft device. The manufacturer has not been alerted.
I have a 2003 chevy malibu. One day after work, I could not get my car to start. It sounded like it wanted to crank, but would not. Myself and a few of my coworkers continued to play with it and finally, about 10 minutes later, it started. I took it to a mechanic near my work place. I was informed by the mechanic that he had a chevy that did the same thing. He informed me that chevy is aware of the problem but does not know what causes it. He showed me that if I turn the ignition on without starting the car and all the dash lights appear, it will start. If I turn the ignition on and only the theft system light appears, it will not start and I would have to continue to play with it until all the dash lights appear. It did okay for the next couple of days but starting again and does it frequently now. A little over a week ago, I was driving home and was approaching a railroad track. As I neared that track I heard my doors unlock (which does not happen unless I manually unlock them or the ignition is turned off). I realized that my car had cut off while I was driving. Thankfully, it had enough momentum to cruise across the railroad track and I was able to steer it off the main road until I could start it again. The local dealership has been notified.
I have a 2003 chevy mailibu and learned that my anit-theft system will not allow me to start my car even with the key in the ignition. From what I have learn is that I have to wait 10 minutes when I am "locked out" from driving my car before the anti-theft system light goes out then I can start the car and drive. I researched the problem on the internet and found out that I am not the only owner of a chevy mailbu who experience this issue. I learned that other owners had to pay large amounts of money to get the ignition lock cylinder replaced, but this did not always solve the problem. The same owners had to go back to the dealership and pay even more money to get other parts replace. The replacement of all the parts did not always fix the issue completely. Also, found out that gm does know about the issue but won't recall the cars because it is not consider a safety issue. But I will like to disagree with that, because it is a safety issue to me. I may have an emergency and be in a need to go to the hospital but my car may not start and I would have to call 911 for help all the time. Some people can't not always afford the ambulance ride to the hospital. Also, I may be traveling through some unfamiliar places and I don't think that I can sit in my car for 10 minutes while someone may want to do harm to me. This is a big safety issue to me. I also fear that one day my car may cut off on me while I am driving due to my anti-theft system and I may get into an accident. From researching the issue, I read about some owners who are parents and they fear that the car will one day not work due to the anti-theft system and they may need to get medical attention for their child, but are unable to do so due to their car not working. I know that other car owners have complaint about the same issue. I also believe that gm should be responsible for fixing this issue since it is a "known" issue. And are the new 2006 chevy mailbu " cured" of this issue?
06/17/05 car stopped with no warning on a hot day with 4 kids not good! Cylinder 2.188/ bcm 2.560 08/01/05 car stopped with no warning hot day 3 kids heading out of town! Module3.107/fuel filter 3.890 just purchased the vehicle 01/28/05.
2003 chevy malibu has defective ignition lock cylinder. My car has 49000 miles on it and this is the second time the ignition lock cylinder has kept me stranded. This time I was in a somewhat dangerous area, and had no phone or way to get to one. When car was under warranty the dealer replaced the cylinder and now they want a couple of hundred bucks to do it again.
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