2003 Chevrolet Malibu: sudden loss of power

Filed May 23, 2017 · Electrical, Steering · 94,652 miles · FL

Vin: [xxx] I received a recall notice involving "possible unintended key rotation" and on may 11, 2017 I took the vehicle to a chevy dealer in sanford, fl. Both of the keys were fitted with a "plug" and two rings were added,. On my way home from the dealership, on I-4 at almost 70 MPH, I had to brake when debris began flying up ahead. The battery and oil lights came on and I felt the car lose power and the steering began to lock. The other cars braked & I coasted to the emergency lane. I put the car in park and started it up again. Approximately 4 miles later, as I exited the ramp in deltona, the car did exactly the same thing. I called the dealership from the side of the road and asked why the car had never done this until the recall for the key issue had been completed and I was told to come back and they would do a diagnostic. I drove to a local mechanic & based on the symptoms determined it was the ignition switch and they also purged the solenoid, costing $366. Today, may 23, 2017, I was traveling on I-4 at about 65mph when it became necessary to brake. The stretch of road is rough, and while braking I saw the two lights come on and felt the engine shut off. I was in the passing lane with easy access to the emergency lane, and once again the car started up and I continued on my way and back home. I drove in the right lane the remainder of the trip down and back so I could bail out if needed. On the day of the original repair, after the car shut down twice on the way home, I checked the government recall page to see if there were other recall issues and I learned that the fob is not recommended to be attached to the key. I removed the fob from the key and attached it to a lanyard, but apparently that does not help the problem. The dealership returned both "corrected" keys to me on the fob, with a second ring on each. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Mar 21, 2017 · Engine · 88,000 miles · MN

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that the while driving at various speeds, the vehicle experienced a loss of engine power the failure occurred with no warning. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 88,000. Updated 05/31/17*lj

Filed Oct 19, 2015 · Engine · 111,000 miles · ID

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet malibu. While driving 60 MPH, the vehicle lost power and the anti-theft warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 111,000.

Filed Feb 25, 2015 · Brakes, Engine · 76,300 miles · CA

Car will not start. Solid "theft" light comes on dashboard and car will not turn over, or if it turns over, will cut out shortly after. This anti-theft issue causes the power steering and brakes to disable, and am not able to turn the steering wheel. Have also had car stall out in traffic and lose all power. Had to have car towed several times due to the issue. I have tried several fixes and mechanical repairs, but this issue continues to get worse. No matter what I try and do, at random times, my car will not start, while the "theft" light comes on and completely disables my vehicle. And sometimes while driving, the car just shuts off. I am the original owner of the vehicle, and am using an original key to start the car. I do not have any type of security system installed in my car. There is no reason for the "theft" light to come on when I am just trying to start my vehicle, not steal it. The ignition recall for my specific vehicle only involves replacing the keys, but this anti-theft issue, which I and other chevrolet malibu owners are experiencing, is a serious safety issue that could cause a crash or other accident to occur if it causes the car to cut out (lose power) for no reason while driving, and at the same time disabling the steering and braking systems. This should definitely be a safety recall.

Filed Jan 22, 2015 · Brakes, Electrical · 110,000 miles · PA

The car shut off with no warning while driving on the road. This was a total shut-down of the car; including the loss of power steering and the functionality of the brake booster. The car afterwards becomes difficult to start. It may take several tries or a prolonged waiting period until the car will want to start. After it does start there's no telling if it will shut off again while driving. It has shut off while going through turns, and pulling out into traffic.

Filed Sep 2, 2014 · Electrical, Steering · MI

Driving car on highway when it powered down, turned off, lost power steering, etc. Had to pull over, stop car, and restart it. Prior to this, had been driving it in town on side street and the same thing happened.

Filed Jun 24, 2014 · Electrical · 58,800 miles · NY

There are multiple electrical issues associated with this vehicle. So much so that the fact that gm has not instituted a recall is beyond my belief. It must be because there are so many issues to rectify, it is not cost effective for them to do so. So put everyday lives at risk instead.these issues have been intermittently ongoing just before the car hit 50,000 miles or so. It started with the anti theft system. I can't tell you how many times I've had to reset the car alarm in order for it to start, during the warm summer weather it's an abomination. Sometimes I must reset it 2-3 times a day. Next is the hazard light it intermittently clicks incessantly. During this time it's a crapshoot if your turn signals work. I've had to remove the hazard light from its housing in order to manipulate it to get turn signals to work when it's clicking. Also the vehicle chimes at times when I'm driving. It's the type of chime you hear when you leave the key in the ignition and have the door open.this is less frequent then the hazard light clicking but an annoyance just the same. I've also have had a situation on way to employment and the car lost power. Luckily no accident resulted. Whether this was due to similar issues associated with recent the gm recalls presently or associated with my current issues, I do not know. I do not let anyone else use car and minimize my use of it as well. Luckily my job is local but I do wonder if my safety's compromised every time I get into this vehicle.

Filed May 2, 2014 · Electrical, Engine · NC

I would like to commend your company for making a durable product. However, I purchase a 2003 chevy-malibu in 2004 from carmax-raleigh, n.c. According to the carfax, there was only one previous owner. I purchased the extended warranty for only three years and had the vehicle serviced by rick hendrix chevrolet in durham, n.c. After the warranty expired, I would take my vehicle to a certified mechanic in norfolk, va that I have dealt for the past 20 years. Consequently, I would have repairs done and he kept the car running as required. However, about year 2010, during regular maintenance - the check engine light came on, followed by the service engine light - then the vehicle would start but no display on the dash and no electrical functions worked? About 5-10 minutes later with car still running - the dash would light up and electrical functions operable. My mechanic was able to eliminate to check engine/service engine displays with required maintenance. However, the dash display and power loss continued? He decided to replace the ignition switch and shortly afterwards the same problems reappeared? Now I have two separate keys, one for door/trunk locks and one for the ignition. Presently, even after maintenance, the vehicle has started missing/putting or possibly losing power? I contacted gm (800)222-1020 and (800)630-2438 and was told that my vehicle was not on the gm recall list? Can you confirm that information and the reason why it is not on the list? Do I really need to wait until my family is injured or worst before a defect is acknowledge?

Filed Apr 3, 2014 · Electrical, Engine · 65,245 miles · WA

We own a 2003 chev malibu, sold and serviced in canada, but manufactured at gm's lansing, michigan assembly plant. Chev malibus are not yet included on the gm ignition switch recall list, but in oct/11 we had exactly the same problems reported by those vehicles currently on the recall list: for perhaps 5 seconds, a total loss of all power (engine, lights, power steering, power brakes, etc.,) while driving on a highway at 60 MPH, at night. After that 5 second delay, all power resumed, (lights, engine, etc) and the car operated perfectly for the rest of the drive home. A day later, we again had a total loss of all power, this time while turning a corner at slow speed. The loss of power steering and braking made it very difficult to avoid an accident then. A couple of days later, on 25 oct/11, I had my ignition switch replaced at my local gm chev dealership, at a cost of $416.51. At no time did the dealer mention any known problems with these ignition switches. In light of the recent recall, I contacted my gm dealership, who stated they could not comment on whether the replacement switch is potentially faulty or not - and how would dealers know, if gm replaced the original switches without changing the part number? Were dealers told to get rid of the "old stock", or to return it to gm? The dealer stated that, if and when my vehicle is added to the current recall list, they would "replace the replacement". In other words, I could be driving with a faulty switch - a potential danger to myself and to others....and, to date, gm apparently doesn't plan to do anything about it. I'm out $416 and may still have a defective ignition switch. I recognize that your department's authority doesn't extend to canada. However, although my vehicle was sold and serviced in canada, it was manufactured in lansing, michigan - like hundreds of thousands of other chev malibus.

Filed May 6, 2011 · Electrical · MI

I own a 2003 chevy malibu with the passlock anti-theft system. Over the past 2 1/2 years I have been stranded 6 times and have paid hundreds of dollars due to my car failing to start at any given moment. The scariest incident of all happened as I was driving with my children and lost all power steering as it started to stall out. As of now, may 6, 2011, it is again sitting at the shop unable to start. The turn the key to on, wait 10 minutes trick, doesn't even work any longer.

Filed Mar 13, 2009 · Engine · 118,000 miles · MI

Engine cutsoff while driving causing the car to lose power and come to a complete stop.

Filed Dec 7, 2006 · Engine · 12,000 miles · FL

Dt*: the contact stated the vehicle engine hesitated and lost all power at various speeds under normal road conditions. The vehicle was taken to the service dealer, who could not identify the problem.