2003 Chevrolet MALIBU problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
569 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
70,084 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 model year. Data snapshot: . 428 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 215 of 569 complaints (37.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 115 | 20.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 70 | 12.3% |
| Engine operation | 54 | 9.5% |
| Steering behavior | 40 | 7.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 37 | 6.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 16 | 2.8% |
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 | 215 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 59 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Anti-Theft:Control Module | 55 |
| Engine | 47 |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal | 25 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 24 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 21 |
| Steering | 21 |
Electrical System: 215; Vehicle Speed Control: 59; Electrical System:Ignition:Anti-Theft:Control Module: 55; Engine: 47; Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal: 25; Engine And Engine Cooling: 24; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor: 21; Steering: 21
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 61 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 66 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 98 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 71 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 97 |
| 150,000 and above | 35 |
Under 25,000: 61; 25,000 to 49,999: 66; 50,000 to 74,999: 98; 75,000 to 99,999: 71; 100,000 to 149,999: 97; 150,000 and above: 35
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (98). 141 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 |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 24 |
| 2004 | 46 |
| 2005 | 29 |
| 2006 | 16 |
| 2007 | 29 |
| 2008 | 42 |
| 2009 | 26 |
| 2010 | 41 |
| 2011 | 36 |
| 2012 | 24 |
| 2013 | 21 |
| 2014 | 113 |
| 2015 | 56 |
| 2016 | 24 |
| 2017 | 12 |
| 2018 | 7 |
| 2019 | 9 |
| 2020 | 4 |
| 2021 | 5 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2003: 24; 2004: 46; 2005: 29; 2006: 16; 2007: 29; 2008: 42; 2009: 26; 2010: 41; 2011: 36; 2012: 24; 2013: 21; 2014: 113; 2015: 56; 2016: 24; 2017: 12; 2018: 7; 2019: 9; 2020: 4; 2021: 5; 2023: 3; 2024: 1; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 115 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 70 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 54 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 10022233 · 2003-08-07 (August 7, 2003)
WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED THE VEHICLE VIBRATED AND THE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR. *AK *SCC THE BRAKES ON THE VEHICLE LOCKED UP WHEN THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO MAKE AND TURN, AND THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HIT ANOTHER MOTORIST. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10022233 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10029007 · 2003-07-23 (July 23, 2003)
I HAVE HAD SERIOUS BRAKE WEARING ISSUE, IN ONE YEARS TIME A TOTAL OF 40,000 MI I USED 3 SETS OF BRAKES PADS FOR THIS CAR.I HAD HAVE BRAKE CALIPERS CHANGES, IN FRONT (LOADED) AND REAR WHEEL CYLINDERS, (2), AND NEW DRUMS FOR REAR BRAKES. *AK BRAKE CONTINUED TO BE A PROBLEM AND HAVE HAD COMPLETELY BLEED THE SYSTEM AT CHEVROLET DEALER. NOW I HAVE TURN SIGNAL PROBLEMS. THEY WORK WHEN THEY WANT TO. DUE TO MY BUSY WORK SCHEDULE I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO HAVE REPAIR DONE. CHEVROLET REPAIR HOURS ARE LIMITED. MY COMMUTE IS LONG OVER 60 MILES ONE W…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10029007 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10071202 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)
CAR HAS STALLED NUMORUS TIMES IN TRAFFIC. AT CITY SPEEDS AND HIGHWAY SPEEDS, EVEN IN THE FAST LANE AT RUSH HOUR.HAVE YOU EVER SEEN A SEMI THAT IS TAILGATING TRY TO STOP AT SIXTY-FIVE IN YOUR REARVIEW MIRROR BECAUSE YOUR ENGINE JUST STALLED? I FEAR FOR MY LIFE EVERY TIME THE DEALER CALLS AND SAY'S COME PICK IT UP I THINK WE GOT IT FIXED? HOW CAN THEY SEND ME OUT WITH A VEHICLE THAT THEY DONT EVEN KNOW IF ITS FIXED? WHEN THEY CAN'T EVEN FIND OUT WHAT IS CAUSING IT TO HAPPEN? IT'S BEEN IN THE SHOP EIGHT TIMES FOR STALLING. THEY REPLACE A PART AND …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10071202 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10110395 · 2005-02-12 (February 12, 2005)
CD PLAYER INOPERATIVE - DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED AS MANUFACTURER DEFECT- INTERNAL RADIO/CD FAILURE. DEALERSHIP SERVICE REMOVED RADIO/CD AND SENT OUT FOR AN EXCHANGE UNIT. DEALERSHIP SERVICE REINSTALLED RADIO NEW CD PLAYER AND, AGAIN, INOPERATIVE. EQUIPMENT-ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE/INOPERABLE. DEALERSHIP STILL TRYING TO REORDER EXCHANGE UNITS THAT WOULD WORK WITHOUT SUCCESS AND GREAT INCONVENIENCE TO OWNER. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10110395 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10073815 · 2004-05-18 (May 18, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE DRIVER TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND WAS ABLE TO START IT. THE DRIVER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND REPLACED IT, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL CONTINUED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10073815 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10011121 · 2003-03-07 (March 7, 2003)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 8,780 miles reported. Look up ODI 10011121 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10033303 · 2003-08-22 (August 22, 2003)
CHEVROLET 2003 MALIBU - THE CAR WAS LEASED IN MARCH 2003. THE BRAKES WERE FAILING AND THE CAR WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER. THEY COULD NOT DETECT ANY PROBLEMS SINCE NO LIGHTS CAME ON IN THE CAR. THE PROBLEM OCCURRENCE IS UNPREDICTABLE. BRAKES BECOME VERY HARD AND CAR DOESN'T STOP, STEERING WHEEL VIBRATES, CAR DOES NOT ACCELERATE, CONSUMES A LOT OF GAS. PROBLEM DETECTED WAS BRAKE PEDAL REMAINED DOWN EVEN WHEN IT WASN'T BEING USED. THE CAR WAS BROUGHT BACK TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES BEFORE THE DEFECT WAS DETECTED BY THE SERVICE MANAGER. THE C…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10033303 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10083727 · 2004-07-23 (July 23, 2004)
DEFECT WITH ELECTRONIC FUEL PUMP SYSTEM ON 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU.*MR THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL UNLESS THE GAS PEDAL WAS CONTINUOUSLY PUMP DOWN. WHEN THIS WAS NECESSARY THE DRIVER HAD TO KEEP ONE FOOT ON THE GAS AND THE OTHER FOOT ON THE BRAKE TO KEEP THE VEHICLE FROM STALLING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE FIRST TIME THEY COULD FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THE SECOND TIME THEY REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP. AFTER THE PUMP WAS REPLACED THE PROBLEM RECURRED. SINCE THE STALLING IS INTERMITTENT THE MANUFACTURER …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10083727 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10178156 · 2007-01-09 (January 9, 2007)
ACCELERATOR PEDAL STICKS CAUSING ENGINE TO IDLE AT 1500 TO 2000 RPM. ENGINE WILL NOT IDLE BACK DOWN TO NORMAL RPM'S UNTIL TRANS IS SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL. CAUSES ADDITIONAL BRAKING IN ORDER TO SLOW AND STOP VEHICLE.
Owner-reported narrative. 30,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10178156 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10230469 · 2008-06-10 (June 10, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65-70 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK AND WOULD NOT RELEASE. THE CONTACT WAS FORCED TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL AND TURN OFF THE VEHICLE. HE COASTED SAFELY TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD UNTIL THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS OFF, HE APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND IT RELEASED. AFTER RESEARCHING RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT REALIZED THAT HIS FAILURE WAS IDENTICAL TO THAT DESCRIBED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V528000 (VEHICLE …
Owner-reported narrative. 130,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10230469 at NHTSA ↗