2003 Chevrolet Malibu Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 9about this part
- Share
- 2%of 569 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 92,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the body and structure of the 2003 Chevrolet Malibu, 2% of the 569 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 92,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
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 was traveling on a snowy/icy road when I lost control of my vehicle at about 50 MPH. My vehicle went sideways until traveling into a ditch at which point the vehicle collided with a tree. The front end was completely destroyed and pushed the motor back a good 2 feet. My head slammed into the windshield and airbags were not deployed. The impact of the front end was just a little off center to the passenger side.”
NHTSA complaint #10558124, filed 2014-01, 130,000 miles“While driving on the freeway I was rear ended and pushed into the center divider and bounced off only to be struck again from the rear. The front and rear quarter panels were damaged the frame was compromised. My complaint is that the airbags never deployed. I suffered back, arm, leg & knee injuries in the collision. The car has been totaled by my insurance company but I am still curious as to what happened to the safety air bags.”
NHTSA complaint #10485916, filed 2012-11, 123,000 miles“When driving after a rain noticed there was water in right rear taillight. When trying to start the car the only way to get it started was to disconnect the negative battery terminal and reset the computer . Well that was great except you might not want the car started then because everytime you step on the brake the radio shut off, gauges would peg out and not be able to be reset. Then car would die in the middle of highway driving . …”
NHTSA complaint #10168213, filed 2006-09, 70,000 miles“Driver side arm rest cracked without warning. The part had been replaced once before. Plastic that held the arm rest was deformed and weak inside the arm rest. Dealer replaced driver's door arm rest assembly.”
NHTSA complaint #10067293, filed 2004-04, 35,500 miles“The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the key was able to turn to the on position in the ignition, but would not turn completely to start the vehicle. The failure occurred on several occasions. An independent mechanic replaced the ignition switch, but the failure recurred. The vehicle stalled. The vehicle was able to restart after several attempts. The contact was later informed that the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 14v400000 (electrical system), but the part needed for the repair was unavailable. …”
NHTSA complaint #10633268, filed 2014-09, 56,586 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10213818May 31, 2022This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an unusual noise and is difficult to identify, isolate or pinpoint…
- 10197294May 12, 2021This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an unusual noise and is difficult to identify, isolate or pinpoint…
- 10114894Oct 14, 2015This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vibration complaints that are one of the most challenging complaints to accurately…
Body and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2 | 3% |
| 2022 | 2 | 2% |
| 2021 | 2 | 2% |
| 2020 | 2 | 1% |
| 2019 | 2 | 1% |
| 2018 | 7 | 1% |
| 2017 | 19 | 3% |
| 2016 | 40 | 5% |
| 2015 | 13 | 5% |
| 2014 | 11 | 3% |
| 2013 | 25 | 3% |
| 2012 | 16 | 2% |
| 2011 | 19 | 2% |
| 2010 | 44 | 3% |
| 2009 | 31 | 2% |
| 2008 | 21 | 2% |
| 2007 | 6 | 1% |
| 2006 | 6 | 1% |
| 2005 | 12 | 1% |
| 2004 | 8 | 1% |
| 2003 | 9 | 2% |
| 2002 | 12 | 2% |
| 2001 | 14 | 2% |
| 2000 | 25 | 3% |
| 1999 | 20 | 3% |
| 1998 | 18 | 2% |
| 1997 | 13 | 3% |
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 28, 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