2003 Chevrolet Malibu Electrical System Problems
- 211
- Owner complaint records in our dataset
Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.
Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.
Among these 211 stored complaint records:
- 6 indicate a crash
- 3 indicate injury
- 1 indicate fire
What owners report
- ignition switch · 46 records
- failure mileage · 27 records
- anti theft · 20 records
- electrical system · 20 records
- notified failure · 15 records
- needed replaced · 15 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 60–100k mi | 57 |
| 100–150k mi | 41 |
| 30–60k mi | 34 |
| 150–400k mi | 23 |
| 1–30k mi | 11 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Electrical System
When driving down the street my malibu just shuts down ..i bought a battery and alternator and sensors to fix my car .put in shop to find out it was the ignition switch. I'm sacred to drive on the highway it might stop and cause an fatal accident . This is a real safety issue that need to be addressed..thank you
ODI 11190598
Electrical System
Tamara recall . Ignition gets stuck in the acc position when shutting car off after placing vehicle in park. Key can be removed in acc position and allows car to be started without the key and allows vehicle the be shifted out of park and into gear.
ODI 11081413
Electrical System
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet malibu. The contact attempted to turn off the vehicle, but the ignition would not turn to the off position. The vehicle's battery had to be disconnected in order to turn off the vehicle. There were no warning indicators illuminated before the failure. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the ignition switch failed. The dealer was not…
ODI 11074313
Electrical System
Odi number 10593580 was filed in may 2014. This has not been corrected as this date 10/20/17. The car will not shut off and the key will not come out as stated in the complaint of may 2014. I keep spending $$ on this and no action. Surly all these cars do the same thing.
ODI 11034769
Electrical System · Service Brakes
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that the brake system failed. While the brake pedal was depressed, the brake system failed to engage and the vehicle vibrated. The contact had to engage the emergency brake to bring the vehicle to a stop. The contact also mentioned that the key had to be released from the ignition with force. The manufacturer was notified of the failures and stated…
ODI 11019279
Electrical System
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that the vehicle would not function after the key was shifted into the on position. The vehicle was towed to an unknown chevrolet dealer where it was diagnosed that the alarm system independently shut down the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
ODI 11005253
Electrical System
Previously submitted complaint on 5-23-2017 nhtsa #10991171. Took car in for recall repair on may 11, 2017. Random shut down on the road continued. Took car back in for "diagnostic" on june 15, 2017. David maus chevy had car for over 4 hours and could not find a problem. I received new keys on the off-chance that the 14-year-old original keys could be the issue. Today, 6-23-2017, the car again turned off on the…
ODI 11000860
Electrical System · Engine · Steering
Yesterday i was driving on a straight road with a few turns in a rural community. All of a sudden the theft system light starts flashing, my speed drops by force, my steering wheel tightens, and the engine shuts off. Thankfully the driver behind me was not up to speed as he had just turned onto the street after me. Otherwise, he would have slammed into the back of my car. I put the car in park and started my routine…
ODI 10992429
Electrical System · Steering
Vin: [xxx] i received a recall notice involving "possible unintended key rotation" and on may 11, 2017 i took the vehicle to a chevy dealer in sanford, fl. Both of the keys were fitted with a "plug" and two rings were added,. On my way home from the dealership, on i-4 at almost 70 mph, i had to brake when debris began flying up ahead. The battery and oil lights came on and i felt the car lose power and the steering…
ODI 10991171
Electrical System
Malibu anti-theft? Device keeps stalling my car and shutting it off while it is in motion. I am going to the news on this as this is an ongoing issue that is affecting millions of customers and is very dangerous.
ODI 10981102
Electrical System · Exterior Lighting
Both headlights suddenly won't work, bulbs fine, checked relays too, fuses fine.
ODI 10938611
Electrical System
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start without any warnings. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the theft system needed to be replaced. The manufacturer not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 59,476.
ODI 10865749
Electrical System
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that the after the ignition key was turned to the on position, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the ignition key failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure and it was unknown if the vin was included in nhtsa campaign number: 14v400000…
ODI 10852389
Electrical System
I've been having serious issues with my 2003 chevrolet malibu. For the past 2 days i haven't been able to get it started, theft light starts flashing every time i get back into my car to try and start it up. I've done the 10 minute waiting game over and over. My car is doing this every time i get into it now. Also, the dealership confirmed the body control module is not communicating with the vehicle. Now, i don't…
ODI 10836314
Electrical System · Engine
Ehgine dies while driving on the streets many times. Horn honks after turning on engine and not drive for about 1 minute. A/c automatically switched from fresh to recycle air buttons
ODI 10826082
Electrical System
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that the key was stuck in the ignition switch and failed to release after numerous attempts. The vin was included in nhtsa campaign number: 14v400000 (electrical system); however, the recall remedy did not correct the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 119,000.
ODI 10822209
Electrical System
Key will not turn ignition; would not shut off completely; steering wheel unlocked.
ODI 10821156
Electrical System
While driving on a busy road during rush hour, vehicle theft system light began flashing, disabling the engine while vehicle was moving. Dealer was contacted for advice, told that most likely solution is replacement of the body control module, for a cost of $700. $700 for a known and potentially very dangerous safety issue is unbelievable.
ODI 10809542
Electrical System · Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that the vehicle would fail to start in cold inclement weather. The contact stated that the vehicle would only start during temperatures higher than 40 degrees. The contact took the vehicle to a local mechanic who replaced the battery, starter, alternator, neutral safety switch, crank shift sensor, and the exhaust system; however, the failure recurred.…
ODI 10819947
Electrical System
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that while driving at 35 mph and attempting to make a right turn, the vehicle stalled without warning. After a few minutes, the vehicle was able to be restarted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 68,000.
ODI 10790048
Electrical System
Ignition module switch bad, car will not start, theft device will not re-set causing car not to start. Many complaints online. This has to be defect.
ODI 10786679
Electrical System
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet malibu. While driving approximately 50 mph, the vehicle stalled and the anti theft warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart after numerous attempts. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 185,000.
ODI 10780132
Electrical System
Not sure what the problem is but there are other complaints for same vehicle. Some have noted repair and still the problem occurs. Car will not start (some have stalled while driving) and must leave key in certain position for 10-15 minutes before it will start again. This is my mother's car and i was with her several weeks ago and we pulled out of parking space and it died and would not start (anti-theft light also…
ODI 10777872
Electrical System
Car tries to start, stalls and will not start. Security system light flashes. Have to leave key in run position for 15 minutes until security system light quits flashing, turn key off and then start the engine. Happens multiple times per week and is happening more frequently now. Was told the problem was caused by an after market remote starter, had it removed and am still having the same problem.
ODI 10763913
Electrical System · Engine
On july 20, 2015 could not adjust the front driver seat. Also power windows in the back driver window would not roll down or up. July 23, 2015 when to get an oil change at sears which they didn't peform due to they needed drive time to approve. Checked the oil it was very low added 1 quart on august 10 i was on the freeway going speed limit car started reducing its speed heard a loud noise pulled over couldnot drive…
ODI 10763748
Catalog parts for this system
Catalog year/make/model rows for 2003 Chevrolet Malibu.
Catalog fitment does not by itself prove OEM-equivalent compatibility.