2003 Chevrolet Malibu: hesitation when accelerating

5 of the 569 complaints about the 2003 Chevrolet Malibu describe hesitation when accelerating.

owner complaints: 5
of this car's complaints: 1%
typical mileage: 72,000
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 22 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Hesitation when accelerating by model year

2023
3
2022
1
2021
1
2020
5
2019
5
2018
11
2017
4
2016
13
2015
5
2014
14
2013
9
2012
5
2011
10
2010
15
2009
9
2008
6
2007
4
2006
4
2005
3
2004
3
2003
5
2002
8
2001
6
2000
3
1999
1
1998
2

What owners say

Filed Sep 29, 2017 · Driver assistance, Engine · 132 miles · AZ

Took car to walmart one night and begins to overheat after napa told me it had no leaks. Car overheats I pull aside and turn it off for a bit I noticed the car would crank but hesitate to start. Once got it to start it would accelerate but at low rpms. Check engine light went on and I noticed car shaking and weird noise coming from the engine. Once started car squeaked and mad terrible noise. Car did not turn back on and did not make it home. Cranks and rare when starts, charged battery but drains, doesn't maintain charge. White smoke coming out of exhaust and when car would stall it would turn off, now theft system light is on. Now car wont even crank or turn on. Once I got it to turn on with trouble it would turn off once put into reverse or drive. Turned off while driving it one night and brakes did not work. Almost crashed into home, my car was in motion and would turn off amd steering wheel got hard and brakes didn't work, scared to drive the vehicle engine makes wierd bogging sound amd squeaking sound, smell of gas. Exhaust has white smoke coming out of it. Has trouble idling at times and low rpms.

Filed Jun 18, 2015 · Acceleration, Brakes · 130,000 miles · NY

Computer problem 2003 chevy impala 6 cyl front wheel drive automatic 130000 miles this recently started, the traction on light and the ABS yellow lights on dash stay on. Rarely do they go off, only a few times. The square indicator light says "service traction control" light comes on when I start the vehicle, stays on for 1-2 minutes then goes off. But the traction control light and the ABS light remains on. How can I reset this or what to not have a trip to the expensive auto repair shop. I have no problem with the ABS brakes to operate correctly, no delays or brake hesitation when I press the brake pedal in use. Help me out with a good solution. I will greatly appreciate your response.

Filed Nov 3, 2014 · Electrical · 190,000 miles · NH

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated to start and, after several attempts, the vehicle was able to start. The failure occurred on numerous occasions. The contact also stated that the key failed to unlock all four doors. The contact stated that the dealer refused to repair the vehicle under the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v400000 (electrical system) due to the key not being the original. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 190,000.

Filed Oct 2, 2014 · Acceleration · 72,000 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet malibu. While the vehicle was stopped with the brake pedal depressed, the vehicle accelerated independently. The contact released the brake pedal and depressed the accelerator pedal. As a result, the vehicle hesitated and accelerated with force. The failure occurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 72,000.

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.