This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
The theft system on my Chevy Malibu 2003 has left me stranded on multiple occasions and cost me more than $300 in repair costs. The theft system believes my car is being stolen and shuts off the fuel to the engine. Some posts say it's when you use an copied key, but I'm using the factory original. At first, this happened once every month then increased with frequency to once and week and now every two/three days. The 1st this happened, I replaced the battery. This one 1 1/2 yrs ago and now the battery needs to be replaced again. When the theft system locks me out, I have to wait 10 minutes for the light to turn off and try to turn the key over again. With the amounts of complaints about this system, I would think GM would change systems or remove the problem. It's a disgrace that they continue to put this system in a car effectively locking out the very owner instead of doing its intended job.
Bought a 2003 Chevy Malibu 1 1/2 years ago (used). Since that time the anti-theft device has failed twice. The first time it was at home, the 2nd time left me stranded an hour away from home. I have spent over $300 for towing, plus the cost of repairs on the vehicle. I am a college student who as limited funds. GM is aware of the problem, but refuses to acknowledge or fix the problem. It will take GM several deaths when these cars shut off while driving down the road before they get off their "butts" to fix the problem. GM doesn't know how to keep their customers!
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Malibu. Intermittently, the vehicle would not start because the anti-theft system kept locking the vehicle. It takes 10-15 attempts to start the vehicle when this occurs. The failure has gotten progressively worse over time. The vehicle has not been taken to the dealer. The current mileage was 49,000 and failure mileage was 30,000. Updated 05/05/08. The dealer would not disconnect the theft system. Updated 05/05/08.
Pass lock system failure on a 2003 Chevy Malibu. Or the theft system will activate and not allow the car to be started. This has happened on numerous occasions.
- Black River Falls, WI, USA
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
I have a 2003 Chevrolet Malibu the passlock anti-theft system messes up it either wont allow the vehicle to start or it stops the vehicle while driving on the highway or road and wont start this is problematic for Chevy owners and could be very dangerous if on a busy highway could cause an accident numerous people have contacted GM about this problem they refuse to recall and fix this problem.
Passlock system activates unpredictably on a 2003 Chevy Malibu. The only remedy is to wait 10 minutes for it to reset and then the car will start. This caused my son to be late in getting to his job that day. Car was brought to a mechanic about a year ago for this very problem, and it was temporarily fixed by reprogramming and replacing the passlock sensor. The problem was fixed until now. It is a recurring issue, and is unpredictable in its occurrence. If this were to happen in the wrong place, like a darkened parking garage, someone could be mugged or attacked, or it happened in the winter, they could freeze or suffer hypothermia waiting 10 minutes for the car to start.
The passlock system in my vehicle continually malfunctions, and causes me to wait 10 minutes in order to start my car. I am aware that this is an ongoing and very common problem with GM vehicles with the passlock system. It is inexcusable that GM allows this problem to go on unacknowledged.
I went out to start my car and it would not turn over. After waiting and trying several times, still nothing. I had the card towed and learned that it was the anti-theft device which meant that the ignition would also need to be replaced. I had it repaired for $650. Thirty days later, same problem. Another 30 days, it would not start again. It has been over 6 months now and not problems starting; however the anti-theft light has come on once while driving and my understanding is that the car can cut off immediately when this happens. It was a bad time when it first happened in April. I had my grandchildren at my house for easter break and we had great plans...never mind! I did contact GM and they assured me if there was a recall that I could claim my expenses for reimbursement.
The passlock system disabled my car, and I was unable to start it. There were no events leading up to this, and my car is only 4 yrs old with 50,000 miles on it, so I don't believe this amounts to a wear-and-tear related problem. Repair cost was $200; no parts were replaced.
I have a 2003 Malibu sedan, and the alarm/horn has a defect. Last year we had a high power wind storm and my alarm blew for about 45 minutes (2 horns). They finally died down by themselves. My car was not hit by anything except for the high winds. I had to take fuse #43 out to make the horn stop blowing every time I started my car. My car need to pass inspection, but the dealership want to charge me $95 an hour, to do an exploratory deal on the car, to locate the problem. Another car repair company told me the cost would be $900, but could not justify, what they were going to do. They stated it could be the turn signal or it could be the fuse under my air bag on the steering wheel. No one can actually explain to me what's wrong, but they want to charge the heck out of me. I do not have that type of money for exploratory examinations on my car. I am quite sure the manufacturer know what the problem is with this Malibu, and can fix it without a problem. I can not afford this, I was not told the car had two recalls on it when I brought the car. I feel this is very wrong, I would have never purchase the car, if I knew of recall problems. Now I am stuck in the middle without a horn/alarm system. Since the dealership wanted to go into my steering wheel to check the fuse for $95 an hour, my air bag light comes on.
Passlock anti-theft system engaged with no identifiable cause. Using original key and no tampering occurred prior to problem. Theft system light went on randomly 3 weeks ago, but was on only for a few minutes and never on again prior to this no-start. Able to re-set the system, according to the manual, by waiting 10 minutes for the computer to re-set, but this is not acceptable when parked in certain areas (malls during the evening, etc). Happens frequently enough that it gets to be very inconvenient, and in need of repair. Repair can only be done at a GM dealer - which is very profitable for the dealer.
Car would not start so had it towed to the shop they said computer said nothing was wrong and it started for them. They said maybe a weak fuel pump. Drove it for a week and same thing happened. Had it towed to the shop again and they replaced the fuel pump. Drove it for 2 days and same thing. Now they said it was the antitheft the whole time. Out of pocket total expense was $1300. There should be recalls on this stupid thing I went to start my car and it would not turn over so I had to have it towed to the dealership and they told me it would be $650 to fix the ignition switch. In the mean time the car is now running because the dealership told me they "reset" the computer. I told them I would take my chances with it and drove off after paying the $85 diagnostic charge. Well 2 weeks later it does not start again. I call aaa and the tow comes out and the driver tells me it's the anti-theft device, wait 10 minutes and the car will start. Low in behold it worked. So why didn't the dealership tell me this is the problem. Funny they told me the "reset" could last 3 weeks, a year, or forever... but they still wanted to milk me for $650. So I do a google on this and find I am not the only one with the problem. What the hell is wrong with GM if they know this problem exist and don't fix the problem with a recall or a fix! I will never buy a GM car again!!!
My car would not start. I thought it was the battery. The battery was fine. I took it to the dealership and they said my passlock sensor failed. To replace it was $1200. I don't even have an alarm on my car just the factory installed theft system. I feel it is a defect with the car manufacturer, nothing I did to the car.
My daughter drove my car to work. It would not start after a trip to mall. She was left stranded due to a Chevrolet Malibu defective anti-theft system. My car had to be towed in a strange city, and it is still there. The major consequence of this breakdown is that a 19 year old girl was left vulnerable in a mall parking lot. Is it a safety hazard that could affect her" I think so. I am feeling vulnerable because my vehicle is no longer 'safe' to drive. Has this issue been investigated by the NHTSA? what was the outcome? why does GM feel this is not an issue? a pattern of breakdown has been established, and a solution, whether monetary or in repair, should be offered. Will it take someone being injured from a second- hand incident as a result of 'equipment failure' to make GM notice? there was no prior warning with this 'shutdown' of the car. As a mother, I cannot let my children take this car on the highway. In good faith I purchased this car, expecting a reliable mode of transportation. This was supposed to be a kid-car for college this year. How can we send our child off and always wonder if a call will come in from her that she is stranded on a deserted road that she has to travel to get to school?aaa should be furious about the magnitude of calls for design failure on this vehicle. There is a moral issue here, and I believe that GM is not interested in the 'human' factor of car sales. The right thing to do would be to figure out the problem, address it and fix it like the good old days of customer service used to be and move on. I would be willing to pay for the repair in order to have a reliable car again. I am now worrying that my 2001 Malibu with another daughter out of state will have the same problems. A car that could not start on a whim does not offer peace of mind to me. Do the executives at GM drive Chevrolet Malibu? would they let their children drive a car like mine? ps. Why don't you list 'website' under the referral sources"
My car stalled on my daughter and I, recently took my car to the dealer because my theft system light came on every once and a while had to pay $115 just to put on the machine and they told me that my ignition switch have to be replaced at a tune of $515 plus tax, well my car stopped on my daughter and I had to push it on the side of the road. Had the battery replaced and still would not start. I'm tired they're should be a recall on this model(2003 Malibu).
Got in my car, put my key in the ignition and turned it to the start position. The vehicle would not start. The anti-theft light came on. I tried the procedure from the manual to correct the problem, and it did not work. It's a 2003 Chevy Malibu.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Port Orangw, FL, USA