2003 Chevrolet Malibu
The Verdict
The 2003 Chevrolet Malibu has 611 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are electrical (294 complaints) and engine (129 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 19/100, it earns a "Total Klunk" rating. If you're shopping for a Chevrolet Malibu, consider the 2025 model year which has 98% fewer complaints.
Safe Bet
The 2025 has 98% fewer complaints
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Klunk Score: Total Klunk
Among the most complained-about vehicle years on record. Strongly consider alternatives.
How is this calculated?
The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.
Recalls 1
Active safety recalls from NHTSA for this vehicle year.
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 124, 'ACCELERATOR CONTROL SYSTEMS.' IN HOT AMBIENT CONDITIONS, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AR...
Risk
FAILURE TO RETURN TO IDLE COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ARM AND REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR AND BRAKE PEDAL ASSEMBLY WITH A NEW ASSEMBLY, IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 20, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT...
Reported Jan 11, 2004
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Under the Hood
Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.
| Year | Body | Brakes | Electrical | Engine | Transmission |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 105 | 207 | 379 | 253 | 15 |
| 2001 | 95 | 73 | 355 | 205 | 14 |
| 2002 | 65 | 51 | 362 | 112 | 6 |
| 2003 | 119 | 56 | 294 | 129 | 13 |
| 2004 | 1120 | 77 | 314 | 100 | 84 |
| 2005 | 754 | 78 | 338 | 162 | 59 |
| 2006 | 921 | 76 | 176 | 161 | 51 |
| 2007 | 644 | 39 | 150 | 117 | 42 |
| 2008 | 480 | 75 | 256 | 124 | 77 |
| 2009 | 744 | 150 | 404 | 100 | 107 |
| 2010 | 538 | 184 | 368 | 153 | 114 |
| 2011 | 324 | 38 | 320 | 200 | 91 |
| 2012 | 280 | 60 | 384 | 146 | 33 |
| 2013 | 247 | 44 | 337 | 256 | 37 |
| 2014 | 95 | 35 | 56 | 142 | 33 |
| 2015 | 67 | 13 | 82 | 81 | 24 |
| 2016 | 215 | 75 | 110 | 334 | 122 |
| 2017 | 182 | 41 | 98 | 299 | 99 |
| 2018 | 145 | 34 | 83 | 313 | 111 |
| 2019 | 26 | 10 | 33 | 69 | 50 |
| 2020 | 21 | 29 | 30 | 66 | 44 |
| 2021 | 19 | 0 | 18 | 18 | 19 |
| 2022 | 21 | 2 | 14 | 33 | 16 |
| 2023 | 19 | 2 | 10 | 17 | 1 |
| 2024 | 11 | 2 | 8 | 2 | 2 |
| 2025 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
By Category
By Severity
Worst Problems
Complaints
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact discovered that while driving at various speeds, the key could be removed from the ignition while the engine was still running. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). The vehicle was taken to the dealer for service, and the vehicle was returned in less than 30 minutes. The contact was suspicious about the work that was performed on the vehicle. The contact stated that soon after the recall repair, the key remained stuck in accessory mode while attempting to turn off the vehicle. Due to the failure, the contact was forced to remove the key from the ignition while the engine was running and used pliers to unhook the battery to turn off the vehicle. Additionally, while driving 20 MPH over a bump in the road, the key was knocked out of the ignition, causing the vehicle to abruptly shut off. The contact lost control of the vehicle, and the vehicle veered off into the grass before coming to a complete stop. Despite the failure, the contact was able to restart the vehicle and drove to the residence and parked the vehicle. The contact alerted the dealer of the failure and that the recall was not properly serviced. The contact was given an estimate for a diagnostic test, and the contact refused to pay for the diagnostic test. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and the contact was informed that a representative would give a follow-up call. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 220,000.
Unknown
Multiple times, the vehicle, while driving, electrically shuts down. security light comes on, sometimes, many attempts to restart will work. These shutdowns cause me to revet to manual bakes and steering.
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the ignition switch was inoperable and had been replaced three times by the dealer; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with ignition switch failure. The contact was informed that the ignition switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.
Car shuts off while driving.Will start up when fuel gauge gets power also windows ,radio,lightening work airbag light&service engine soon light on
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while stopped at a red light, the vehicle occasionally accelerated independently. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer nor an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was relating the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 04V528000 (Vehicle speed control). The manufacturer had been informed of the failure but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 58,000.
EXPERIENCING INTERMITTENT FAILURE OF PASSCODE SYSTEM, SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT. VEHICLE REPEATEDLY WILL NOT START DUE TO ACTIVATION OF PASSCODE SYSTEM. WARNING LIGHT WILL COME ON WHILE DRIVING, BUT GOES AWAY UPON RESTART. EXPERIENCING LOSS OF DASH CONTROLS WHILE DRIVING, BUT RETURN WITHIN A FEW MINUTES VEHICLE MILEAGE IS 205000
CHEVY MALIBU 2003, 24000 MILES ON THE CAR. WHILE DRIVING ON ANY STREET OR HIGHWAY, THE CAR ACCELERATES ON IT OWN, REVS ANYWHERE FROM 3000 RPM TO 6000RPM, THEN NEED TO SHIFT CAR ON NEUTRAL, KICK THE ACCELERATOR TO UNSTICK AND PROCEED. HAD CAR AT GM DEALER AT 2 INTERVALS, 2 WEEKS AT A TIME. CANNOT REPRODUCE PROBLEM WHEN I RECIEVE CAR DRIVING OUT OF DEALER, TROUBLE IS VERY APPARENT. OPENED CASE FIE WITH GM BUT NO ONE SEEMS TO CARE FOR MY SAFETY. DON' KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO....BTW, MY CAR IS STILL AT DEALER.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS WIFE WAS DRIVING 25 MPH AND APPROACHING A RED TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WENT THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. THE CONTACT'S WIFE PLACED THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL, ALLOWING THE VEHICLE TO SLOW DOWN AND EVENTUALLY STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,481.
CAR WON'T START KEY SWITCH SETS OFF ANTI THEFT ALWAYS LEAVING US STRANDED
MY DAUGHTER GOT A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE FOR HER 2003 CHEVY MALIBU. SHE TOOK THE CAR TO MAGUIRE CHEVROLET 2073 ROUTE 96 IN TRUMANSBURG, NY 14886 (607)-387-6111 (THIS DEALER WAS PRINTED ON THE RECALL CARD) IN AUGUST TO HAVE THE RECALL REPAIRED. SOMEONE AT THAT DEALERSHIP TOLD HER THAT THERE IS NO SUCH RECALL. I FOUND IT FISHY AT THE TIME. WE HAVE RECEIVED ANOTHER RECALL NOTICE EXACTLY THE SAME AS THE OTHER ONE. SO, I HAVE RESEARCHED IT ONLINE. THERE IS INDEED A RECALL, AND IT CAN BE SERIOUS. IT CLEARLY STATES THAT THERE COULD BE A POSSIBILITY OF THE AIR BAGS NOT DEPLOYING. WHAT IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO MY DAUGHTER OR MY GRANDSON, IN THE MEANTIME, BECAUSE MAGUIRE CHEVROLET WERE TOO LAZY TO MAKE THE REPAIRS? I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW THIS IS ACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOR BY A DEALERSHIP? THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER.
WHILE DRIVING THE CAR ON LOCAL STREETS CAR SELF ACCELERATED ONCE I REACHED AROUND 40MPH. WAS UNABLE TO STOP SAFELY AT LIGHTS TRYING TO GET THE CAR BACK HOME. WHEN PRESSING THE BRAKE THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. THANKFUL WAS ONLY ABOUT 5 MILES FROM HOME AND TRAFFIC WASN'T HEAVY. PUTTING IN NEUTRAL DID NOT SEEM TO HELP. ONCE ARRIVING HOME HAD TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK WHICH COULD HAVE RUINED THE ENGINE THE WAY I HAD TO DO IT TO KEEP FROM HITTING MY GARAGE. VERY DANGEROUS AND COULD HAVE EASILY RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. HAVE NOT HAD FIXED YET, AS READ SO MUCH ON MESSAGE BOARDS ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND ALL OVER THE BOARD. NO CLEAR FIX. HAVE NOT DRIVEN THE CAR SINCE AS AFRAID TO. ONLY 89,000 MILES ON CAR.
MY DAUGHTER WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT SHE WAS GOING 25 TO 30 MPH ON A SURFACE STREET AND REAR ENDED A CAR IN TRAFFIC THE AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. SHE HIT HER HEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL.
CAR ACCELERATES ON ITS OWN WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROAD
FIRST TIME, WOULDN'T SHIFT INTO PARK AND COULDN'T TURN KEY TO OFF AND TAKE OUT OF IGNITION. SECOND TIME, SHIFT IS STUCK IN PARK AND WILL NOT BUDGE. JUST SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY.
I WAS DRIVING MY CAR IN TOWN, I WENT TO SLOW DOWN MY 2003 MALIBU THE CAR KEPT SPEEDING UP, THE THROTTLE WOULD NOT DISENGAGE UNTIL I PHYSICALLY LIFTED UP ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE GAS PEDAL. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK IT OVER TO HAVE IT CHECKED BY A CERTIFIED MECHANIC AND THEY ALSO EXPERIENCED THE SAME EXACT ISSUES ONLY WHEN THE CAR IS MOVING. THEY PUT IT ON THEIR SERVICE COMPUTER AND I WAS TOLD THAT NO CODES CAME UP AND THE THE ONLY WAY THEY WERE ABLE TO GET THE AUTOMATIC ACCELERATION TO STOP WAS TO DISCONNECT THE CRUISE CONTROL MODULE. THE MECHANICS SHOP DISCONNECTED THE CRUISE CONTROL AND IT HAS NOT HAPPENED AGAIN SINCE THAT WAS DISCONNECTED HOWEVER, THIS WAS A EXTREMELY SCARY SITUATION BECAUSE BRAKING DOESN'T HELP THE CAR STILL CONTINUES TO ACCELERATE & PEEL OUT, PUTTING THE CAR IN NEUTRAL DOESN'T HELP EITHER THE RPM JUST SHOOT UP & KEEPS GOING FORWARD.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHEN THE KEY WAS INSERTED IN THE IGNITION SWITCH, THE VEHICLE WENT INTO ANTI-THEFT MODE AND FAILED TO START. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED HOSELTON AUTO MALL (909 FAIRPORT RD, EAST ROCHESTER, NY 14445, (585) 586-7373), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD AND FAILED TO RETRACT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V528000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHEN THE ENGINE WARMED UP AND THE RPMS REACHED THEIR MAXIMUM LEVEL, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AUTOMATICALLY DROPPED TO THE FLOORBOARD. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 9-5413563462. THE MANUFACTURER ALSO PROVIDED A $100 VOUCHER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
BATTERY KEEPS DYING DUE TO IGNITION SWITCH NOT TOTALLY OFF
611 total