2003 Chevrolet Malibu Latches, locks and linkages Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 1%of 569 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 41,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the latches, locks and linkages of the 2003 Chevrolet Malibu, 1% of the 569 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 41,000 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.
“Regarding my previous complaint about my 2003 Chevrolet Malibu that wouldn't start, doors were locking themselves,and warranty was up... I carried the car to the dealership where I purchased it new and upon checking the car and finding a code for a problem that showed up with my body control module while they had it on thier computer, the service man informed me that he was ordering a new body control module and was going to cover it for me under warranty.”
NHTSA complaint #10079177, filed 2004-07, 41,000 miles“I drove my 2003 Malibu to a friends house and parked it for about 10 minutes. Could not restart the car. It would turn over and sound like it wanted to crank, but wouldn't start. Had to have it towed. Mechanic said that it was some sort of body computer problem and the anti theft system wasn't letting the car start. Said that it had shorted out internally. The mechanic reset the thing but after cranking the car 4 times, the problem recurred. Mechanic said computer would have to be replaced at a cost of about $500. At just over 41,000 miles, the warranty is no good on my car anymore. …”
NHTSA complaint #10079154, filed 2004-07, 41,000 miles“The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that there was an electrical issue with her vehicle. The turn signals would operate without initialization and the power door locks were also inoperable. The check engine warning light continued to illuminate on the instrument panel; however, there were no other failures. The independent mechanic advised the contact to take the vehicle to the dealer. The dealer could not assist with the repairs because there were no recalls available. The current and failure mileages were less than 87,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10272768, filed 2009-06, 87,000 milesLatches, locks and linkages: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 1 | 1% |
| 2017 | 1 | 0% |
| 2016 | 1 | 0% |
| 2014 | 1 | 0% |
| 2013 | 1 | 0% |
| 2012 | 1 | 0% |
| 2011 | 2 | 0% |
| 2010 | 17 | 1% |
| 2009 | 56 | 4% |
| 2008 | 71 | 7% |
| 2007 | 1 | 0% |
| 2006 | 3 | 0% |
| 2005 | 14 | 1% |
| 2004 | 8 | 1% |
| 2003 | 4 | 1% |
| 2001 | 4 | 1% |
| 2000 | 6 | 1% |
| 1999 | 4 | 1% |
| 1998 | 2 | 0% |
| 1997 | 3 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2003 Chevrolet Malibu
289 complaintsVehicle speed control
85 complaintsBrakes
63 complaintsEngine
47 complaintsFuel system
42 complaintsEngine cooling
41 complaintsExterior lighting
28 complaintsAir bags
27 complaintsSuspension
23 complaintsSteering
21 complaintsOther or unknown
16 complaintsTransmission 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