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1.6

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
101,555 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

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.

2003 Chevrolet Malibu electrical problems

electrical problem

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2003 Chevrolet Malibu Owner Comments

problem #15

Apr 012018

Malibu

  • 145,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the ignition switch failed and the contact was unable to start the engine. The contact spoke with doug henry Chevrolet tarboro (809 West wilson street, tarboro, nc 27886, (252) 823-3145). The dealer did not perform a diagnostic test, but advised the contact that the ignition switch needed to be replaced and the security system needed to be updated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted. The failure mileage was 145,000.

- Pinetops, NC, USA

problem #14

Oct 032014

Malibu 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 103,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that a piece of clothing became caught in the ignition key while driving 30 mph. The ignition key then haphazardly released from the ignition switch but the vehicle continued to drive normally without the key being in the ignition switch. The contact reinserted the key while the vehicle was still powered on and running. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 103,000. Updated 04/13/15 updated 9/20/2017

- Baltimore , MD, USA

problem #13

May 152009

Malibu

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated he was unable to remove the key from the ignition switch. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

- Elyria, OH, USA

problem #12

May 162014

Malibu

  • 191,176 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who stated that the ignition switch needed to be replaced. The contact received a NHTSA campaign number: 14V400000 (electrical system) but the manufacturer declined to honor the recall. The failure mileage was 191,176.

- Searcy, AR, USA

problem #11

Jul 012014

Malibu

  • 122,884 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving approximate 25 mph, the engine stalled and the air bag warning light illuminated. The failure recurred multiple times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis. The technician stated that the ignition switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle has not been repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 122,884.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #10

Mar 282014

Malibu

  • 60,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the key failed to turn in the ignition switch and prevented the vehicle from starting. The failure occurred several times. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA campaign number: 14V400000 (electrical system); however, the parts needed to repair the vehicle were not available. The dealer was unable to provide a specific date for when the part would become available. The manufacturer was notified. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.

- Milwaukee, WI, USA

problem #9

Dec 172013

Malibu 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 45,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that it took several attempts to start the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the ignition switch housing assembly needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 45,000. Updated 11/24/14 the consumer stated the vehicle was repaired at the owner's expense. The consumer would like to be reimbursed the cost of the repairs due to being made aware of a recall for the failure. Updated 05/6/2015

- Sequim, WA, USA

problem #8

Jul 042014

Malibu

  • 86,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Malibu. While the vehicle was parked, the engine remained on when the ignition was turned off. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic who stated that the ignition switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 86,000.

- Indianola, MS, USA

problem #7

Sep 042012

Malibu 6-cyl

  • 46,942 miles
On 9/4/2012 brought my car into king Chevrolet, in longmont, Colorado, because my 'check engine light' kept coming on. Also I lost my electrical system, nothing electrical worked!! I was told that there was an internal short in the BCM, and was charged $639.99 after my senior discount of $71.28. Fine! two days later the same thing happened, check engine light came on!!! king Chevrolet told me they could not find anything wrong. Finally, on May 16, 2013 my vehicle was scanned with a tech tool scanner and the stored BCM codes indicated the ignition switch was bad. This was done by a king mechanic!!! it was misdiagnosed causing this outrageous charge of $639.99!! the ignition switch was fixed (not by king), for $100, and I have not had a problem since. I repeatedly emailed king about this, with no response. I don't think I should have been charged $639.99 foe a misdiagnosed.error by king Chevrolet. I always liked Chevy, but I will not ever go to king Chevrolet again. It may not seem like a lot of money to you, but I am on a fixed income and had to put this on a credit card and pay interest. Not very good customer service. I put my complaint on facebook so all my friends and family would know what happened. I still would like my charge of $639.99 returned to me. Is there anything you can do for me"?"

- Longmont, CO, USA

problem #6

Aug 142013

Malibu

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the key could be removed from the ignition switch when the shift lever was positioned in any gear. The failure occurred while the vehicle was parked and in motion. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the ignition switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

- Rockford, IL, USA

problem #5

Jan 012005

Malibu

  • 240,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact own a 2003 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the ignition switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the repair failed to remedy the vehicle. The contact mentioned that the ignition switch was replaced on three occasions. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V171000 (electrical system). The approximate failure and current mileage was 240,000.

- Byron , MI, USA

problem #4

May 262014

Malibu

  • 106,000 miles
My 2003 Chevy Malibu would shut off if I hit even a small bump. If I hit a bump while driving, everything would go dead. Fortunately I was able to avoid accidents when this happened as it happened on both surface streets and the highway. Had this looked at by my mechanic and they determined that the ignition switch failed, causing the engine to shut off. No recall yet on this vehicle. Paid for out of pocket.

- Madison Heights, MI, USA

problem #3

Oct 212011

Malibu 6-cyl

  • 65,245 miles
We own a 2003 chev Malibu, sold and serviced in Canada, but manufactured at GM's lansing, Michigan assembly plant. Chev Malibu are not yet included on the GM ignition switch recall list, but in Oct/11 we had exactly the same problems reported by those vehicles currently on the recall list: For perhaps 5 seconds, a total loss of all power (engine, lights, power steering, power brakes, etc.,) while driving on a highway at 60 mph, at night. After that 5 second delay, all power resumed, (lights, engine, etc) and the car operated perfectly for the rest of the drive home. A day later, we again had a total loss of all power, this time while turning a corner at slow speed. The loss of power steering and braking made it very difficult to avoid an accident then. A couple of days later, on 25 Oct/11, I had my ignition switch replaced at my local GM chev dealership, at a cost of $416.51. At no time did the dealer mention any known problems with these ignition switches. In light of the recent recall, I contacted my GM dealership, who stated they could not comment on whether the replacement switch is potentially faulty or not - and how would dealers know, if GM replaced the original switches without changing the part number" were dealers told to get rid of the "old stock", or to return it to GM" the dealer stated that, if and when my vehicle is added to the current recall list, they would "replace the replacement". in other words, I could be driving with a faulty switch - a potential danger to myself and to others....and, to date, GM apparently doesn't plan to do anything about it. I'm out $416 and may still have a defective ignition switch. I recognize that your department's authority doesn't extend to Canada. However, although my vehicle was sold and serviced in Canada, it was manufactured in lansing, Michigan - like hundreds of thousands of other chev Malibu.

- Vernon British Columbia Canada, WA, USA

problem #2

Mar 222007

Malibu 6-cyl

  • 32,073 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced several failures in which the electric windows would not function, the headlights stopped illuminating, and the air conditioning unit failed. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the ignition switch was replaced. The failure recurred approximately one year later. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and the ignition switch was replaced a second time but the failure again recurred a year later. The vehicle ignition switch was replaced for the third time. The contact also stated that the vehicle stalled while driving 25 mph. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer and the ignition switch was replaced for the fourth time. The manufacturer was notified of the recurring failure and offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 32,073. The ignition switch was replaced four times. Updated 07/19/12

- Williamstown, NJ, USA

problem #1

Aug 132007

Malibu 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles
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!!!

- Pearl, MS, USA

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