2003 Chevrolet Malibu Vehicle speed control Problems
- Complaints
- 85about this part
- Share
- 15%of 569 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 70,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 85 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 2003 Chevrolet Malibu, 15% of the 569 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 70,000 miles. 11 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was at a red light and the car felt like it wanted to go then when I let go of the break, the car started to drive itself 45mph. When I try to stop I could not had to put the car in natural and two feet on the break to hold it. When I let the break go it did it again and then when I found a place to pull over and turn the car off it reved to a high rate I then shut the car off. Nhtsa id number 04v52000”
NHTSA complaint #11128225, filed 2018-09, 85,000 miles“Chevy Malibu 2003, 24000 miles on the car. While driving on any street or highway, the car accelerates on it own, revs anywhere from 3000 RPM to 6000rpm, then need to shift car on neutral, kick the accelerator to unstick and proceed. Had car at GM dealer at 2 intervals, 2 weeks at a time. Cannot reproduce problem when I recieve car driving out of dealer, trouble is very apparent. Opened case fie with GM but no one seems to care for my safety. Don' know what else to do....btw, my car is still at dealer.”
NHTSA complaint #11398405, filed 2021-03, 23,000 miles“While driving the car on local streets car self accelerated once I reached around 40mph. Was unable to stop safely at lights trying to get the car back home. When pressing the brake the vehicle would not stop. Thankful was only about 5 miles from home and traffic wasn't heavy. Putting in neutral did not seem to help. Once arriving home had to put the car in park which could have ruined the engine the way I had to do it to keep from hitting my garage. Very dangerous and could have easily resulted in an accident. …”
NHTSA complaint #11353686, filed 2020-09, 89,000 miles“The gas pedal is stick. It accelerates the car by itself. I have to use my foot to get it out to avoid acceleration. I called GM and they told me there is no recall for this. I don't understand why toyota's sticky pedal is a big deal, while GM does nothing for it. I saw postings of the same problem for a long time. I hope GM take action before it is too late.”
NHTSA complaint #10348874, filed 2010-08, 20,234 miles“Driving car at about 30mph, took my foot off the accelerator pedal and the car continued to accelerate. Brought to Chevrolet service,, and they replaced accelerator cable. I researched the issue, and there was a campaign id 04v528000. To replace sensing and diagnostic module. Service manager said that was done 1-10-05 on this car. If this is not that issue, then this is a new safety issue with a different part failing that could result in a vehicle crash.”
NHTSA complaint #10760355, filed 2015-08, 61,450 milesRelated recalls
- 04V528000Nov 1, 2004Certain passenger vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 124, 'accelerator control systems.' in hot…Covers: Chevrolet Malibu 2003, Oldsmobile Alero 2003, Pontiac Grand AM 2003
Vehicle speed control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1 | 2% |
| 2023 | 2 | 3% |
| 2022 | 4 | 4% |
| 2021 | 1 | 1% |
| 2020 | 18 | 9% |
| 2019 | 12 | 6% |
| 2018 | 114 | 16% |
| 2017 | 135 | 19% |
| 2016 | 152 | 18% |
| 2015 | 28 | 10% |
| 2014 | 17 | 5% |
| 2013 | 28 | 3% |
| 2012 | 52 | 6% |
| 2011 | 87 | 9% |
| 2010 | 116 | 9% |
| 2009 | 73 | 5% |
| 2008 | 42 | 4% |
| 2007 | 31 | 3% |
| 2006 | 35 | 3% |
| 2005 | 27 | 3% |
| 2004 | 27 | 2% |
| 2003 | 85 | 15% |
| 2002 | 6 | 1% |
| 2001 | 25 | 3% |
| 2000 | 21 | 2% |
| 1999 | 7 | 1% |
| 1998 | 22 | 2% |
| 1997 | 13 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2003 Chevrolet Malibu
289 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 complaintsBody and structure
9 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