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Electronic stability controlPart report

2003 Chevrolet Malibu Electronic stability control Problems

Complaints
3about this part
Share
1%of 569 total for the year
Median mileage
6,750miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the electronic stability control of the 2003 Chevrolet Malibu, 1% of the 569 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 6,750 miles.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“Took car to walmart one night and begins to overheat after napa told me it had no leaks. Car overheats I pull aside and turn it off for a bit I noticed the car would crank but hesitate to start. Once got it to start it would accelerate but at low rpms. Check engine light went on and I noticed car shaking and weird noise coming from the engine. Once started car squeaked and mad terrible noise. Car did not turn back on and did not make it home. Cranks and rare when starts, charged battery but drains, doesn't maintain charge. …”

NHTSA complaint #11030501, filed 2017-09, 132 miles

“The theft system light stays on and affected driving my vehicle. I would go to leave for work or go to the store or get gas, etc and when I would go to start my car with the new repaired key by making the hole smaller in the plastic top of the key that was done when I took my car in for the ignition system recall the theft system activated and I had to call a tow truck who showed me how to reset the theft system. This has happened 4 times and I had to take my car in and have the ignition replaced which costs me approx $200!!! Obviously the ignition recall did not fix my car properly. …”

NHTSA complaint #10967463, filed 2017-03, 143,000 miles

Electronic stability control: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202311%
202021%
201911%
2018213%
2017538%
2016769%
2015166%
2014319%
2013729%
201212914%
201117418%
201022717%
200925517%
2008687%
2007222%
2006293%
2005303%
2004222%
200331%
200210%
200120%
200010%
199910%
199810%

Other parts of the 2003 Chevrolet Malibu

Electrical system
289 complaints
Vehicle speed control
85 complaints
Brakes
63 complaints
Engine
47 complaints
Fuel system
42 complaints
Engine cooling
41 complaints
Exterior lighting
28 complaints
Air bags
27 complaints
Suspension
23 complaints
Steering
21 complaints
Other or unknown
16 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
13 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2003 Chevrolet Malibu

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology