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.
Air Bags · Electrical System · Engine
My check engine light has been coming on and giving me problems. Just took it in to my car repair they said now its shows air bag error also. They want to change out the ignition switch. This car has had nothing but trouble with only 66 thousand miles! Now the air bags probably wont work when needed. I want this fixed on the ignition recall. Every time i pull up to my home after driving this car i am just waiting…
ODI 10608864
Electrical System
The ignition lock failed resulting in an inability to start the engine. *tr
ODI 10654483
Electrical System
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated to start and, after several attempts, the vehicle was able to start. The failure occurred on numerous occasions. The contact also stated that the key failed to unlock all four doors. The contact stated that the dealer refused to repair the vehicle under nhtsa campaign number: 14v400000 (electrical system) due to the key not…
ODI 10652022
Electrical System
Ignition switch and gear shift lock up and cannot shut engine off or get key out. Cannot put gear shift into park only reverse. Wrecker had to be called the last time it happened and tow to dealer. Dealer had just worked on the car and replaced the ac control panel for the second time since new. You could hit the dash and get the ac on and sometimes the key out of the ignition switch. This all cost me $ 1,118.00…
ODI 10593580
Electrical System
After driving from our house to a family members house, we had parked our car to visit for a while. When we returned not even 30 mins later, we went to start the car and it wouldn't start. After many past issues with this, we sent it in to a shop to have them take a look at it. They stated that the theft-alert system was malfunctioning. I wish chevy would finally recall this issue. *tr
ODI 10588448
Electrical System · Engine
I would like to commend your company for making a durable product. However, i purchase a 2003 chevy-malibu in 2004 from carmax-raleigh, n.c. According to the carfax, there was only one previous owner. I purchased the extended warranty for only three years and had the vehicle serviced by rick hendrix chevrolet in durham, n.c. After the warranty expired, i would take my vehicle to a certified mechanic in norfolk, va…
ODI 10586099
Door · Electrical System · Fuel Pump · Radiator Assembly
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that the key was able to turn to the on position in the ignition, but would not turn completely to start the vehicle. The failure occurred on several occasions. An independent mechanic replaced the ignition switch, but the failure recurred. The vehicle stalled. The vehicle was able to restart after several attempts. The contact was later informed that…
ODI 10633268
Electrical System
Antitheft ignition problem car cuts out while driving. *tr
ODI 10583606
Electrical System · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Suspension
2003 chevrolet malibu. Consumer states vehicle stalls. *tgw the consumer stated the fuel pump, battery and remote control were all replaced. However, the stalling continued. The ignition switch was eventually replaced. Also, t he brakes and struts needed to be replaced. *jb
ODI 10648098
Air Bags · Electrical System
Tl* the contact owned a 2003 chevrolet malibu. While driving at approximately 55 mph and attempting to merge into another lane, the vehicle crashed into two barrels. The air bags failed to deploy. The vehicle stalled. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a junk yard. The contact sustained a left knee, left ankle, and whiplash injuries that needed medical attention. The vehicle was destroyed. The vin…
Crash reported · Fire reported · 1 injury
ODI 10837823
Electrical System
Vehicle would not start after i came out from grocery store. Could see anti theft system light on dashboard but i had no idea what that meant this has never happened before. I would laugh when you lock the car using the lock on the door when you get out to lock all the doors then you hear a beep like other peoples vehicles who have alarm systems which this car doesn't have. I mean i don't have a key lock for my…
ODI 10562621
Electrical System
The anti-theft system kicked in approximately after 35 minutes of driving while at 65 miles an hour. It cut power to the fuel pump which turned off the car and we had to coast to the side of a highway. We were very nearly in an accident due to this device malfunctioning and could have killed me, my husband, and our unborn child. This problem is well documented all over the web and current fixes are not working. This…
ODI 10562524
Electrical System
2003 chevrolet classic. Consumer writes in regards to ignition key recall repairs and seeks reimbursement. *smd the consumer stated the ignition switch was replaced prior to the recall. *jb
ODI 10651195
Electrical System · Power Train
I parked the car in the driveway which is sloped downwards, and thought i put the car in park and turned the ignition off and took out the keys. After i got out of the car, it started rolling forward into the garage door. I quickly jumped into the seat and slammed on the brake. Thank g-d, no real damage was done, but i am pregnant and got really shocked. I realized the extent of this safety issue which i previously…
Crash reported
ODI 10560082
Electrical System
Safety issue. The car went dead several instances at stop sign, when making a turn, and while driving. On july 2, 2014, i did contacted gm at [redacted] about the ignition switch recall for malibu 2003 and they told me that i would receive a letter to take to a gm dealer but i never received it. I did call then again and now i was told that the vin was not being recalled. Yesterday, i did replace the ignition switch…
ODI 10632854
Electrical System
Car wouldn't start at shopping center, had it towed 50.00. Mechanic said it stared right up, nothing wrong. 6 months later, after work, car wouldn't start again 50.00 tow. Mechanic said car computer issue 1,000 fix! 2 months later same issue when leaving for work, towed again 50.00! 500.00 later i figure maybe more people are having the same problem so i got online and found out it's an anti theft/not recognizing…
ODI 10627928
Electrical System
The car will not start due to antitheft light being on. It started happening occasionally, now it happens all the time. Some days every time you try to start it will not start. Have to turn key to on position wait 10 plus minutes until antitheft light stops flashing then turn off and restart. This is getting very frustrating and i have read millions of complaints from others online about this. Gm is well aware of…
ODI 10585187
Electrical System
LOUD NOISE. REPLACED STARTER ASSEMBLY. *TR
ODI 10609822
Electrical System · Fuel/Propulsion System
2003 malibu owners manual states that the ignition switch may shift the car off for no reason. It shuts the car down by shutting off the fuel pump.this resulted in the fuel pump breaking on my car. Since chevrolet knew about the faulty ignition switch, this is why they put the info in their owners manual. Chevrolet must take responsibility for costs incurred by owners who must repair fuel pumps and ignition…
ODI 10621319
Electrical System · Exterior Lighting
Turn signal switch does not work all the time will also make the turn signal sound when not using it and if you let it go to long before getting a new one it starts to smoke i have replaced it two time and it is out again. *tr
ODI 10595757
Electrical System · Fuel System, Gasoline
I have had three incidents related to the ignition system. The first time ,the anti-theft light came on and after driving and then parking the car, i could not start it. The mechanic told me the ignition may have been worn. He replaced the key cylinder and of course the keys. The car was fine for almost a year when the same thing happened. I tried a different mechanic and was told he could reset the computer so as…
ODI 10627770
Electrical System · Exterior Lighting
I turned my left turn signal on, and it wouldn't work. Since this the turn signals work when they want to.i took it to have it tested and they said it was the control board and i replaced that. But still the signals work when they want to. I was told about another malibu that was a year older that done the same thing. But i have a young son and a baby on the way, i don't want to be rear-ended because i have no turn…
ODI 10638912
Electrical System
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 mph, the anti-theft warning light illuminated intermittently. In addition, when the air conditioner activated the air flow did not properly circulate through the vents. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 63,000.
ODI 10609261
Anti-Theft Devices · Electrical System
I have a 2003 chevrolet malibu and the theft system light comes on all the time. Then i was coming out of work from working a long night shift and went to turn my car on but it would not turn on. I have read up on the theft system light and according to a lot of people this problem is quite frequent and nothing is being done about it. I am a single mother of 3 kids and i need my vehicle to work. I read that it will…
ODI 10512714
Electrical System
We started having different problems with the fan not wanting to work for the air conditioning, lights not wanting to work and failure to start. We had it fixed by a local mechanic on 5/21/2014. I feel like this ignition switch recall from gm needs to be extended to older vehicles and that the key fob is a cover up for the bigger issue. *tr
ODI 10640176
Catalog parts for this system
Catalog year/make/model rows for 2003 Chevrolet Malibu.
Catalog fitment does not by itself prove OEM-equivalent compatibility.