Major Problems with 2003 Chevrolet Malibu Derived from Complaints & Recalls
Custom-fit Add-ons
Worst 3 complaints of 2003 Chevrolet Malibu
2003 Chevrolet Malibu
BRAKE LIGHTS
Victims: 5
2003 Chevrolet Malibu
ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
Victims: 2
2003 Chevrolet Malibu
FRONTAL
Victims: 2
Browse 2003 Chevrolet Malibu complaints by category
Problems with ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, CONTROL MODULE and VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL are the most frequent issues recorded by the NHTSA from Chevrolet Malibu owners.
| Problem Category | Number of Problems |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM cd player inoperative - dealership diagnosed as manufacturer defect- internal radio/cd failure. dealership service removed radio/cd and sent out for... |
211
~ 78703 miles |
| CONTROL MODULE > ANTI-THEFT > IGNITION i drove my 2003 malibu to a friends house and parked it for about 10 minutes. could not restart the... |
55
~ 50996 miles |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL while driving 30 mph and without warning vehicle suddenly accelerated. driver was able to maintain control of the vehicle and... |
53
~ 68102 miles |
| ENGINE tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet malibu. the contact stated that in early may 2012 she was unable to... |
46
~ 72148 miles |
| ACCELERATOR PEDAL > VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL vehicle experienced sudden acceleration. consumer took the vehicle to the dealer for repairs on 6 separate occasions. however this problem |
25
~ 51852 miles |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING brakes started to make a rubbing noise which progressed to a squeaking noise. also brake pedal would go down to... |
24
~ 55966 miles |
| ROTOR > DISC > FOUNDATION COMPONENTS chevrolet 2003 malibu - the car was leased in march 2003. the brakes were failing and the car was taken... |
21
~ 10162 miles |
| STEERING the steering wheel was loose and had too much play in it. vehicle was driven to the dealership who replaced |
20
~ 63597 miles |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE the anti-theft system in my 2003 chevrolet malibu is defective apparently this is a problem for just about every owner... |
17
~ 71001 miles |
| AIR BAGS while driving vehicle was involved in a collision. air bags did not deploy and seat belt did not restrain consumer. |
16
~ 64527 miles |
| SWITCH > IGNITION > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM car would not start so had it towed to the shop they said computer said nothing was wrong and it... |
15
~ 101555 miles |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER i have own three chevy malibu a 1998 2002 and i just got a 2003. however i noticed that gm... |
15
~ 40802 miles |
| SUSPENSION while driving the vehicle pulled to the left and the right when turning. the consumer had the tires rotated but |
14
~ 43698 miles |
| SERVICE BRAKES after my 2003 chevrolet malibu had been parked in the sun for a while on a short trip of 4... |
13
~ 87932 miles |
| PADS > DISC > FOUNDATION COMPONENTS chevrolet 2003 malibu - the car was leased in march 2003. the brakes were failing and the car was taken... |
12
~ 9615 miles |
| ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP > SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC when the brakes were applied the vehicle vibrated and the pedal traveled to the floor. *ak *scc the brakes on |
12
~ 16581 miles |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM my 2003 chevy malibu wouldn't turn over noticed the anti theft light was blinking had to reset the system with... |
10
~ 94022 miles |
| POWER TRAIN the car is a 2003 chevrolet malibu. the car was purchased used and therefore the events leading up the failure... |
10
~ 82872 miles |
| IGNITION > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 2003 chevy malibu has defective ignition lock cylinder. my car has 49000 miles on it and this is the second... |
10
~ 68100 miles |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING the design of the automatic light control for the headlamps subjugates the responsibility state law places on the vehicle operator.... |
10
~ 65743 miles |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC brakes started to make a rubbing noise which progressed to a squeaking noise. also brake pedal would go down to... |
10
~ 12982 miles |
| TURN SIGNAL > EXTERIOR LIGHTING my 2003 chevy malibu is having the same problem with the turn signals and four way flashers as noted in... |
8
~ 66134 miles |
| ENGINE > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING while driving 40 mph engine failed. as result consumer engaged the vehicle in neutral and coasted to the side of |
7
~ 40065 miles |
| FRONTAL > AIR BAGS the vehicle hit a guard rail and the air bags did not deploy. *jb the dealer stated that they replaced |
7
~ 15111 miles |
| FUEL PUMP > DELIVERY > FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE while driving 65 mph the vehicle stalled. the driver tried to restart the vehicle and was able to start it.... |
7
~ 59713 miles |
| CALIPER > DISC > FOUNDATION COMPONENTS i have had serious brake wearing issue in one years time a total of 40 000 mi i used 3... |
6
~ 21500 miles |
| BODY > STRUCTURE tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet malibu. while driving approximately 25 mph there was a loss of control in... |
4
~ 109250 miles |
| MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE > EXHAUST SYSTEM > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING tl*the contact owns a 2000 chevrolet malibu. while driving 30 mph for approximately ten minutes the temperature gauge displayed hot.... |
4
~ 87443 miles |
| COOLING SYSTEM > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING coolant is leaking mechanic said it is our lower intake manifold gasket that has failed. also he says to flush |
4
~ 72000 miles |
| HUB > FRONT > SUSPENSION manufacturing safety issue - chevrolet malibu 2003 front wheel assembly hubs rotors and brakes. continuous problems. dealer and general motors... |
4
~ 34774 miles |
| ANTI-THEFT DEVICES > ELECTRICAL > EQUIPMENT chevy malibu 03 has issue with anti theft system. many many complains online concerning this. you get into the car... |
3
~ 19667 miles |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL theft system replaced ignition cylinder and switch replaced bcm. reprogrammed theft system. *tr... |
3
~ 49961 miles |
| LATCH > DOORS > LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES i drove my 2003 malibu to a friends house and parked it for about 10 minutes. could not restart the... |
3
~ 41000 miles |
| WHEELS i had to replace the brakes on this car at 6 000 miles. since then i have had to replace... |
3
~ 27333 miles |
| STRUCTURE driver side arm rest cracked without warning. the part had been replaced once before. *ak plastic that held the |
3
~ 68500 miles |
| SERVICE BRAKES, AIR the breaks on my 2003 malibu sedan seem to not be as responsive as other vehicles i have owned. you... |
3
~ 366 miles |
| HEADLIGHTS > EXTERIOR LIGHTING headlights in my 2003 chev malibu continualy stay fogged up with water inside the lens and chevy is aware of |
3
~ 27333 miles |
| ELECTRICAL > EQUIPMENT car has stalled numorus times in traffic. at city speeds and highway speeds even in the fast lane at rush... |
3
~ 23333 miles |
| AIR CONDITIONER > APPLIANCE > EQUIPMENT brakes started to make a rubbing noise which progressed to a squeaking noise. also brake pedal would go down to... |
3
~ 15626 miles |
| SEAT BELTS the rear shoulder belts do not hold tight. a pastic piece broke of the buckel. it no longer hold tight |
2
~ 40000 miles |
| SEATS tl*the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet malibu. the contact stated that the rear seat cushion separated from the frame of... |
2
~ 54950 miles |
| EQUIPMENT car fails to start cranks and no starts took it to dealer and promise nothing spend almost 1000.00 dollars and |
2
~ 81723 miles |
| POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS > VISIBILITY 2003 chevrolet malibu. consumer states unintended acceleration. *tgw the consumer stated his primarily drove the vehicle. in june 2007 the... |
2
~ 29645 miles |
| FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER i own a 2003 chevy mailbu. i have had numerous problems with the anitfreeze draining out. i have had it... |
2
~ 73184 miles |
| UNIT > HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS > EXTERIOR LIGHTING the blinkers and hazard lights have sporadically stopped working for short periods of time over the past couple of years.... |
2
~ 40000 miles |
| FUEL GAUGE SYSTEM > STORAGE > FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER dt*: the contact stated the fuel gauge read empty when the fuel tank was full. although the dealership was alerted |
2
~ 41098 miles |
| WIRING > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM my turn signals do not always work. apparently there is a faulty hazard light switch that shorts out and causes... |
2
~ 65000 miles |
| RADIATOR ASSEMBLY > COOLING SYSTEM > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING coolant is leaking mechanic said it is our lower intake manifold gasket that has failed. also he says to flush |
2
~ 63293 miles |
| BRAKE LIGHTS > EXTERIOR LIGHTING brake lights were not working. *ak... |
2
~ 16673 miles |
| CRUISE CONTROL > VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL dt: the consumer states that on 2003 chevrolet malibu the cruise control was still active even when the driver had... |
2
~ 37000 miles |
| LOWER ARM > CONTROL ARM > FRONT when driving on the expressway when ever i brake the front end shook really hard took the car in rotors... |
2
~ 5717 miles |
| TIRES rotors on my 2003 malibu have been turned twice. there are only have 7000 miles on my vehicle. affinity tires |
2
|
| SWITCH > BRAKE LIGHTS > EXTERIOR LIGHTING chevrolet 2003 malibu - the car was leased in march 2003. the brakes were failing and the car was taken... |
2
|
| FLASHER UNIT > TURN SIGNAL > EXTERIOR LIGHTING i have a chevrolet malibu and the turn signals don't work at all times. *nlm... |
2
|
| MECHANICAL > EQUIPMENT i have had to replace not only the brake pads but the rotors as well every 20 000 miles dealer... |
2
~ 5500 miles |
| DOOR > BODY > STRUCTURE tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet malibu. the contact stated that the key was able to turn to the... |
1
~ 56586 miles |
| DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM > VISIBILITY the heating/cooling blower does not operate at low speed setting (1-3). works only at high (4) speed setting. at times... |
1
~ 44000 miles |
| PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS > TIRES tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet malibu. the contact started the ignition and the low tire pressure warning indicator... |
1
~ 12000 miles |
| FRONT > SUSPENSION my 2003 chevy malibu has noise due to the front strut mounts being broke noticed on web site 7 other... |
1
~ 66000 miles |
| EXHAUST SYSTEM > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 2003 chevy malibu with 88k. during routine oil change was advised of oil in coolant. upon taking to mechanic was... |
1
|
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES tl*the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet malibu. the contact stated that there was an electrical issue with her vehicle. the... |
1
~ 87000 miles |
| HORN > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM this morning when getting gas i got back in the car started it up and the horn randomly beeped. once... |
1
|
| TREAD/BELT > TIRES tl*the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet malibu. the vehicle has firestone affinity touring tires size p215-60r15. the rear driver side... |
1
|
| WHEEL BEARING > FRONT > SUSPENSION wheel hub bearings - since i bought the 2003 malibu new in january 203 i had to replace the wheel... |
1
~ 83197 miles |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet malibu. the contact stated that the vehicle experienced several failures in which the... |
1
~ 32073 miles |
| SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE > FRONTAL > AIR BAGS my horn went out on my 2003 chevy malibu due to a defect in the airbag module...i don't have a... |
1
~ 30000 miles |
| HOSES/LINES/PIPING/FITTINGS > COOLING SYSTEM > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING coolant is leaking mechanic said it is our lower intake manifold gasket that has failed. also he says to flush |
1
~ 70000 miles |
| MASTER CYLINDER > FOUNDATION COMPONENTS > SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC consumer had to change brakes 3 times. while driving consumer heard a grinding noise in the front of vehicle. consumer... |
1
|
| ROTOR > DISC > SERVICE BRAKES, AIR rotors on my 2003 malibu have been turned twice. there are only have 7000 miles on my vehicle. affinity tires |
1
|
| DELIVERY > FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER driving down the road at 60 mph the car won't get any gas and stalls then dies. it won't restart.... |
1
~ 40 miles |
| SHOES/LININGS > DRUM > FOUNDATION COMPONENTS dt: the contact states that she owns a 2003 chevrolet malibu ls . she purchased the vehicle in september of... |
1
|
| AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION > POWER TRAIN when driving at an undetermined speed the vehicle would not accelerate when passing other vehicles. this caused the driver to... |
1
|
| INTERIOR/UNDER DASH > WIRING > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM headlights dashlights go dim flicker when step on brakes. also heater fan slows down when step on brakes. *la... |
1
~ 2000 miles |
| FRONT > SEAT BELTS while driving vehicle was involved in a collision. air bags did not deploy and seat belt did not restrain consumer. |
1
|
| 12V/24V/48V BATTERY > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM car has stalled numorus times in traffic. at city speeds and highway speeds even in the fast lane at rush... |
1
|
| MACPHERSON STRUT > FRONT > SUSPENSION consumer stated that while driving vehicle at 40 mph a creaking noise was heard under vehicle. upon taking vehicle to... |
1
~ 57 miles |
| WHEEL CYLINDERS > DRUM > FOUNDATION COMPONENTS i have had serious brake wearing issue in one years time a total of 40 000 mi i used 3... |
1
|
| TRUNK LID > BODY > STRUCTURE water leaked inside the rear tail light into the trunk area and caused a bad odor and mold to grow |
1
|
| SWITCH > HEADLIGHTS > EXTERIOR LIGHTING the design of the automatic light control for the headlamps subjugates the responsibility state law places on the vehicle operator.... |
1
~ 3 miles |
| CRANKCASE (PCV) > EMISSION CONTROL > EXHAUST SYSTEM problems with pc valve on chevrolet malibu. *mr emission error-the computer had given incorrect readings/pcv valve smog valve. (ongoing problem) |
1
|
| AXLE SHAFT > AXLE ASSEMBLY > POWER TRAIN while exiting an intersection consumer heard a noise coming from the front. consumer was able to pull over and noticed... |
1
|
| LOWER BALL JOINT > CONTROL ARM > FRONT while driving ball joint broke and the driver side tire spun . this resulted in loss of control .*ak... |
1
~ 31000 miles |
| UPPER BALL JOINT > CONTROL ARM > FRONT while driving ball joint broke and the driver side tire spun . this resulted in loss of control .*ak... |
1
~ 31000 miles |
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