2003 Chevrolet MALIBU CLASSIC problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
16 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
130,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 model year. Data snapshot: . 13 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 9 of 16 complaints (56.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 25.0% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 12.5% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 12.5% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 12.5% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 9 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 2 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Anti-Theft:Control Module | 1 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 1 |
| Engine | 1 |
| Power Train | 1 |
| Steering | 1 |
| Unknown Or Other | 1 |
Electrical System: 9; Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 2; Electrical System:Ignition:Anti-Theft:Control Module: 1; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 1; Engine: 1; Power Train: 1; Steering: 1; Unknown Or Other: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 9 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 9; 150,000 and above: 2
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (9). 3 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2014 | 6 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 1 |
2014: 6; 2015: 3; 2016: 1; 2017: 3; 2018: 2; 2019: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 4 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10614842 · 2014-07-20 (July 20, 2014)
WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, MY CAR JUST SHUT OFF. I MANAGED TO PUT IN NEUTRAL AND RESTART THE CAR AFTER A LONG ATTEMPT TO DO SO. I ENDED UP REPEATING THE PROCESS AGAIN WITHIN A FEW MINUTES, BUT SINCE WE WERE SO FAR FROM AN EXIT WE CONTINUED TO DRIVE SLOWLY IN THE RIGHT LANE UNTIL WE REACHED AN EXIT WHILE LEAVING OUR HAZARD LIGHTS ON. THE CAR HAS NOW CONTINUED TO SEEMINGLY RANDOMLY REPEAT THE PROCESS AT ODD TIMES WITH SIGNIFICANT INTERVALS BETWEEN EACH EPISODE. I HAVE ALSO HAD A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF TROUBLE WITH THE VEHICLES ANTI THEFT SYSTEM…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10614842 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10637642 · 2014-09-19 (September 19, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START ON THE FIRST ATTEMPT. THE CONTACT WAITED TEN MINUTES AND THE VEHICLE STARTED NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 100,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10637642 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10643600 · 2014-10-09 (October 9, 2014)
ONE OF THE TIRES SLID ON A PUDDLE OF WATER AND STALLED OR VICE OR VISA AND HYDROPLANED OFF THE HIGHWAY ROLLING OVER SEVERAL TIMES AND LANDING UPSIDE DOWN IN A DITCH TOTALING THE CAR. I WAS GRATEFUL TO HAVE SURVIVED THE CRASH. I HAD JUST GOTTEN THE CAR OUT OF THE SHOP THAT SAME DAY. AND THE MONTH BEFORE. THE CAR REPAIRS AND THE CAR NOTES AND INSURANCE PAYMENTS WERE COLLIDING. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 70 miles reported. Look up ODI 10643600 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10864200 · 2016-05-10 (May 10, 2016)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 144,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 144,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10864200 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10721141 · 2015-05-23 (May 23, 2015)
WHEN DRIVING MY CAR THE THE ENGINE SHUTOFF AND THE BRAKES FAILED.
Owner-reported narrative. 130,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10721141 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11012732 · 2017-08-04 (August 4, 2017)
THE DRIVERS SIDE BRAKE LIGHT DOESN'T WORK.I HAVE TRIED CHANGING THE BULB SEVERAL TIMES, BUT IT WILL NOT WORK.A FEW YRS BACK I SAW A RECALL ON THIS BUT I DIDN'T TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT AND NOW I CANNOT FIND IT ANYMORE I WOULD LIKE INFO ON WHAT I SHOULD DO NOW AS I GOT A WARNING TICKET !! THANKS
Owner-reported narrative. 143,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11012732 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10615082 · 2014-07-21 (July 21, 2014)
UPON ACCELERATING AND WITH A SLIGHT TURN OF THE STEERING WHEEL, THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT AND ACTUALLY THE STEERING WHEEL PULLS BACK THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. THIS HAPPENS DAILY AND OCCURS MOST FREQUENTLY UPON TURNING WHILE ACCELERATING. WE HAVE HAD SOME VERY SCARY SITUATIONS. FOR EXAMPLE, WHEN PULLING ONTO A ROAD AND THE STEERING DOES NOT GO THE DIRECTION INTENDED. I BELIEVE THIS IS PART OF THE RECALL FOR THE POWER STEERING, BUT EVIDENTLY PARTS ARE NOT READY FOR THE RECALL. ?? *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 130,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10615082 at NHTSA ↗