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
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that the vehicle had trouble starting after numerous attempts of using the ignition key. The contact stated that the vehicle was able to be operated after approximately 15 minutes. The anti-theft warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where the vehicle could not be daignosed. The vehicle was not repaired and the…
ODI 10820281
Electrical System
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet malibu. While the vehicle was parked, it failed to start until after several attempts. In addition, while driving various speeds, the vehicle shut off without warning. The contact mentioned that it took multiple attempts to restart the vehicle. The failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The…
ODI 10745355
Air Conditioner · Brake Lights · Electrical System
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start and the key would not eject from the ignition. The dealer repaired the vehicle according to a recall for the ignition switch, but the failure recurred. The contact also stated that the brake lights failed to illuminate and the air conditioner did not function. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures. The nhtsa…
ODI 10733789
Electrical System · Engine
My malibu will start on its own and run without the key. I have found it running several times or attempting to start when the doors are locked and the keys are no where near the vehicle. This is happening when the vehicle is parked. And the horn goes off randomly and now is burned out.
ODI 10823965
Electrical System
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet malibu. While driving various speeds, the security system activated and the vehicle shut off. The vehicle had to be towed to a dealer. The failure mileage was unknown.
ODI 10713727
Electrical System
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that the repair for nhtsa campaign number: 14v400000 (electrical system) was performed; however, the key does not release from the ignition. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who inspected the ignition switch and advised that the ignition cylinder needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the…
ODI 10713709
Electrical System
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet malibu. While driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle stalled. In addition, the check engine light, power steering, traction control, and air bag warning lights illuminated. The contact mentioned that the vehicle was preciously repaired under nhtsa campaign number: 14v40000 (electrical system); however, the recall remedy failed to repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was made…
ODI 10705370
Electrical System
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet malibu. When attempting to start the vehicle, the ignition key failed to turn into any position. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, but was not repaired. In 2013, the vehicle was repaired under nhtsa campaign number: 14v400000 (electrical system); however, the remedy was insufficient. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 118,285.
ODI 10713506
Electrical System · Engine
The car was being driven and the engine suddenly shut off. Fortunately the car was being driven through a parking lot at the time rather than on a roadway. This evening the car wouldn't start at all. My personal mechanic has already advised that there is an ignition problem. However neither gm or the chevy dealership will fix the issue. They insist on charging for a second diagnostic even though we've already pd…
ODI 10692180
Electrical System
There was no accident. Took vehicle in for safety recall 14350 unintended ignition key rotation. The switch is still exactly as it was before, no resistance between key position 1(off) and key position 2(run). There is no difference in the feel of the switch key rotation. Don't feel recall problem was resolved. Thought this was worth a note to nhtsa since gm is saying recalls cost 4.1b. *tr
ODI 10692941
Electrical System
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that while driving at 35 mph, the left turn signal stayed illuminated. The vehicle was restarted and the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the bcm module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 104,364.…
ODI 10691818
Electrical System
2003 chevrolet monte carlo. Consumer writes in regards to unsatisfactory recall repair work at dealership. *smd the consumer stated the ignition defect still exists. *jb
ODI 10691434
Electrical System
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that after several attempts, the vehicle was able to start. In addition, the horn would independently activate. The vehicle was included in nhtsa campaign number: 14v400000 (electrical system). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 216,000.
ODI 10673056
Electrical System · Power Train
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that the shift lever failed to shift into park leaving the vehicle in the accessory mode, which would drain the battery. The failure recurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the shifter linkage failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the vin was not included in…
ODI 10690791
Electrical System
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 65 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was repaired under nhtsa campaign id number: 14v400000 (electrical system) however, the failure persisted on numerous occasions. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 65,200.
ODI 10690062
Electrical System
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that the anti-theft warning light illuminated when the ignition key was turned to start the vehicle. The contact also stated that the key failed to turn after numerous attempts. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic on several occasions but the failure was unable to be determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified…
ODI 10732687
Electrical System
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet malibu. While driving 10 mph, the engine stalled and all of the instrument panel lights illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle started to exhibit the failure immediately after being repaired under nhtsa campaign number: 14v400000 (electrical system). The dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 168,000.
ODI 10655059
Electrical System · Fuel System, Gasoline · Service Brakes · Suspension
I tell dealer check engine light on "he says not to be concerned there is white smoke coming from tailpipe ignition can take up to 5 min to get on code says car needs egr valve car needed brakes and rotors all the way around and tyrod dealer will not respond to calls car was recalled for ignition switch never repaired i need to know if i can take it in to chevy dealer ony had 1 month vehicle is not safe and i am 76…
ODI 10664000
Electrical System
2003 chevrolet classic. Consumer writes in regards to ignition key recall notice. *smd according to the recall notice, the parts were not available. *jb
ODI 10651201
Electrical System
2003 chevrolet malibu. Consumer had to have the anti-theft system reset due to recall, and would like to be reimbursed.
ODI 10661685
Electrical System
Ignition switch failed. After putting keys in the ignition, ignition switch locked and would not start the car. Gm has a recall on 2003 chevy malibu's for this problem, but says that this vehicle does not have a recall on it?
ODI 10651220
Electrical System
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet malibu. The contact received a recall notification for nhtsa campaign number: 14v400000 (electrical system); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
ODI 10648328
Electrical System · Engine
When i was leaving the regal chevrolet dealership after having been there for 2 hours for them to place a piece in the key loop of my key ring my car shut off. I asked them why it was still cutting off after it suppose to have been fixed and they stated that they did not know. I had my 13 month old son in the car with me and the entire approximately 5 miles it took for me to get back to my residence the car cut off…
ODI 10644590
Electrical System
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet malibu. The contact received a recall notification for nhtsa campaign number: 14v400000 (electrical system); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
ODI 10650807
Electrical System
In latejune/early july 2014, we bought the malibu from a private party. We don't know what kind of key chain the girl we got the car from used, however after the cobalt recall, i know that my daughter only uses the ignition key with no weight on the chain. Now there is a recall on the keys for this car, gm recall 14350, and this cars ignition is messed up. Is it possible that this ignition needs to be replaced too?…
ODI 10640460
Catalog parts for this system
Catalog year/make/model rows for 2003 Chevrolet Malibu.
Catalog fitment does not by itself prove OEM-equivalent compatibility.