2003 Chevrolet Malibu problems
Owners have filed 773 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Chevrolet Malibu. Electrical system is the most reported problem area, at 39% of complaints. After that come cruise control (11%) and engine (11%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 773 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Electrical system 39% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 52 and 5
- Injuries and deaths
- 32 and 1
- Typical mileage
- 70,000 miles 583 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 72 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 51 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 100 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 106 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 77 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 66 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 52 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 22 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 14 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 7 |
| 200k+ miles | 16 |
What the data shows
Among the 583 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 70,000 miles. For electrical system specifically, the median reported mileage is about 80,000 miles (234 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 52 complaints mention a crash; 5 complaints mention a fire; 32 injuries reported; 1 death reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2003 ranks 22nd most-complained-about out of 28 model years of the Chevrolet Malibu with enough data (290 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 2 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
'recall campaign' for chevrolet malibu 2003, vehicle also involved in 2 accidents. The consumer husband believed both accidents were the result of a recall GM had issued regarding the accelerator pedal. (husband on behalf of wife doris nell deceased)
Tl* the contact owned a 2003 chevrolet malibu. While driving at approximately 55 MPH and attempting to merge into another lane, the vehicle crashed into two barrels. The air bags failed to deploy. The vehicle stalled. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a junk yard. The contact sustained a left knee, left ankle, and whiplash injuries that needed medical attention. The vehicle was destroyed. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 14v40000 (electrical system).
When the brakes were applied there was a grinding noise and metal scraping against metal sound. Took vehicle to mechanic, and mechanic indicated that they were using genuine parts from dealer, and the parts only lasted 12000 miles, and in some cases 6000 miles.
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.