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EquipmentPart report

2003 Chevrolet Malibu Equipment Problems

Complaints
7about this part
Share
1%of 569 total for the year
Median mileage
46,172miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the equipment of the 2003 Chevrolet Malibu, 1% of the 569 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 46,172 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.

“I have had several issues with my car over the years. The first was when the fuel pump failed and my car stalled in traffic in 2006 and repair was $600. The intake manifold gaskets failed about 10 months later that was repaired at the dealer for $1200. I have replaced the engine twice ($600 each time) because of the head gaskets and too much oil inside the engine. Now I have a strong odor of gasoline inside my car when I start it up that lasts for about 15-20 minutes each day. I've replaced the ignition switch twice now and the gear shift does not lock properly. …”

NHTSA complaint #10598136, filed 2014-06, 59,000 miles

“I had trouble with the car starting/stopping in traffic. Replaced the key switch which solved the problem. Also have had trouble with the heating/air-conditioning fan system. The system will lose the ability to run except on setting 4 or 5. Also the switch that puts the system on recycled air has stopped working. This is the second time in 5 years that this has happened.”

NHTSA complaint #10413229, filed 2011-07, 77,000 miles

“Brakes started to make a rubbing noise which progressed to a squeaking noise. Also, brake pedal would go down to the floor to stop the vehicle. Dealer has replaced brake pads/front rotors/ brake booster/calipers, and brake lines, but the problem still exists. The front driver window failed to roll up, the engine light illuminated, the A/C control was inoperative and cooling properly, the vehicle pulled to the right while driving down the road, the vehicle overheated.”

NHTSA complaint #10042674, filed 2003-11, 1,368 miles

“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. …”

NHTSA complaint #10071202, filed 2004-01

“The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start and the key would not eject from the ignition. The dealer repaired the vehicle according to a recall for the ignition switch, but the failure recurred. The contact also stated that the brake lights failed to illuminate and the air conditioner did not function. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures. The NHTSA campaign number was unknown. The failure mileage was 33,345.”

NHTSA complaint #10733789, filed 2015-07, 33,345 miles

Related service bulletins

Equipment: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202412%
201911%
201710%
201521%
201320%
201210%
201110%
201030%
200960%
2008101%
200710%
200671%
200591%
2004131%
200371%
2002132%
2001213%
2000334%
1999294%
1998384%
1997102%

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 31, 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