What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2003 Chevrolet Malibu

Typical pattern

4.1% of complaints about the 2003 Chevrolet Malibu came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2003 vehicle — around the middle of the 228 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 8.6 yr in service. The most-reported system is electrical system (301 complaints), typically at 9.4 yr or about 80,000 miles.

Complaints
757
Median age at failure
8.6 yr
Median mileage
70,167 n=576
Crash / fire / tow
8.2% of reports
Safety recalls
3

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Electrical system
301 reports · 80,000 mi
9.4 yr
2.7%
Speed control
86 reports · 70,000 mi
8.3 yr
15.1%
Service brakes, hydraulic
60 reports · 16,375 mi
1.7 yr
8.3%
Engine
47 reports · 85,600 mi
12.0 yr
8.5%
Engine cooling
42 reports · 70,000 mi
5.8 yr
4.8%
Exterior lighting
29 reports · 80,000 mi
5.1 yr
6.9%
Air bags
27 reports · 93,000 mi
8.7 yr
63%
Fuel system
22 reports · 84,000 mi
9.0 yr
4.5%
Suspension
21 reports · 57,500 mi
4.6 yr
0%
Steering
21 reports · 70,000 mi
10.3 yr
9.5%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

14V400000 2014-07-03
Electrical system:ignition

This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on July 3, 2014, that they are recalling 5,877,718 model year 2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala and Monte Carlo, 1997-2003 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2005 Malibu Classic, 1999-2004 Oldsmobile Alero, 1998-2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1999-2005 Pontiac Grand Am and 2004-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles. In the

If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

07E021000 2007-03-12
Fuel system, other:storage:tank assembly:pressure relief devices

CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.

FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.

04V528000 2004-11-01
Vehicle speed control:accelerator pedal

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 ARM MAY STICK AT THE ATTACHMENT TO THE BRACKET AND NOT RETURN TO THE ENGINE IDLE POSITION WHEN THE OPERATOR LIFTS HIS FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL.

FAILURE TO RETURN TO IDLE COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

In owners’ own words

Air bags 8,780 mi 5 mo in service crash / fire / tow
THE VEHICLE HIT A GUARD RAIL AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *JB THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY REPLACED THE CLOCKSPRING IN THE STEERING THAT SHORTED. SCC
Air bags mileage not reported 1.0 yr in service crash / fire / tow
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, AND SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN CONSUMER. *AK
Air bags mileage not reported 1.8 yr in service crash / fire / tow
WHILE PULLING INSIDE OF A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CONSUMER PUT BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS STUCK TO THE FLOOR. THIS CAUSED THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE TO HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. *AK THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER ON FOUR OCCASIONS. THIS PROBLEM REMAINED THE SAME. GM WOULD NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. *SC *JB
Exterior lighting mileage not reported 1.0 yr in service
HEADLIGHTS IN MY 2003 CHEV MALIBU CONTINUALY STAY FOGGED UP WITH WATER INSIDE THE LENS AND CHEVY IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. I THINK IT COULD CAUSE POTENTIAL PROBLEMS WITH THE LIGHTS WORKING PROPERLY.

Other Malibu model years

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