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
I bought a chevy malibu new in 2003. I never knew it had any anti theft device. Three weeks ago the anti theft light came on. I ignored it. After a few days the car would not start. The engine started to run but sputtered out. I looked in the instruction manual that came with the car. It says if the anti theft light comes on (for no reason) turn ignition to on position wait ten minutes turn car off and the car will…
ODI 10440582
Control Module · Electrical System
The anti- theft device in the 2003 chevrolet malibu has left me stranded 12 different times beginning november of last year. This vehicle needs to be recalled for this reason. I have read hundreds of complaints online for the exact same problem. General motors is aware of the problem and does nothing. General motors is personally responsible for lost jobs. General motors is personally responsible for elderly people,…
ODI 10461812
Electrical System · Engine · Steering · Switch
We own a 2003 chev malibu, sold and serviced in canada, but manufactured at gm's lansing, michigan assembly plant. Chev malibus 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…
ODI 10577239
Electrical System
Parked the car, came back out and it wouldn't start, though there was power from the battery and the engine acted like it was trying to turn over (indicating that it wasn't the alternator). Had to have car towed. Turned out that the "theft system" (passlock) locked me out. Mechanics "reset" it. It happened again about 10 days later. *tr
ODI 10433123
Electrical System · Fuel System, Gasoline
My 2003 chevy malibu would not start. I learned that the reason it would not start was due to the theft system pass lock. Somehow the theft system was triggered and cut the fuel supply to the engine. I did what the manual said and waited 10 minutes with the key in the on position. The car started after that; however two weeks later, the car does the same thing. The process is repeated to reset the theft system. But…
ODI 10430396
Electrical System · Fuel System, Gasoline
Car will not start fuel pump shuts down, car thinks it is being broken into. Have to sit in car for 10 minutes with key in ignition to override system. Has happened 4 times in last month. Also, fuel pump shut down while driving on parkway- lucky to get to side of road without an accident. By the way, new fuel pump and module replaced at 60,000 so that is not the issue.. How many people need to get into accidents or…
ODI 10430664
Air Bags · Electrical System
2003 chevrolet malibu. Consumer writes in regards to ignition switch recall, steering and airbag malfunctions. *smd the consumer was involved in an accident on may 19, 2011. She lost control of the steering which sent the vehicle in the opposite lane hitting another car. Her vehicle went out of control and ended up going backwards into a sign and then hitting two parked vehicles in a parking lot. The air bag did not…
Crash reported
ODI 10701585
Electrical System
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that the anti theft system would engage, involuntarily, and the vehicle would not start. On a few occasions, the vehicle would start, but the warning theft light would continue to illuminate. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer, where they could not duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage…
ODI 10413308
Electrical System
My 2003 chevrolet malibu shuts off while driving. It happens two or three times each day. Initially i only had problems with the engine not starting and having to wait 10 minutes before starting. It is a very dangerous situation. I went to a repair shop nd they said it was my ignition. This is a scary and dangerous situation. *tr
ODI 10402011
Electrical System
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that the key would not release from the ignition. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic where the contact was advised to place the gear in park in order to release the key from the ignition. The vehicle was not repaired. The vin was not available. The failure mileage was 17,000 and the current mileage was 17,100.
ODI 10428696
Electrical System
Nhtsa action number (pe05055) was initially issued in 2004 for a defective turn signal/hazard flashers that become inoperative on model year 1999-2000 malibu, alero, grand am, and 1999 cutlass. This action number was later revised in 2005 to include model year 2001-2002 malibu, alero, and grand am vehicles. The resulting document from gm for the initial model year range was: special policy adjustment - turn…
ODI 10432976
Electrical System · Equipment
I had trouble with the car starting/stopping in traffic. Replaced the key switch which solved the problem. Also have had trouble with the heating/air-conditioning fan system. The system will lose the ability to run except on setting 4 or 5. Also the switch that puts the system on recycled air has stopped working. This is the second time in 5 years that this has happened. *tr
ODI 10413229
Cruise Control · Electrical System · Engine · Fuel System, Gasoline
2003 chevrolet malibu. Consumer writes in regards to ignition switch and fuel pump repairs. *smd the consumer stated the passlock sensor had to be replaced, because the vehicle would not start. Also, the fuel pump was replaced, because gas was not going from the tank into the engine, the cruise control occasionally would not work, the service engine light would come on intermittently, and electrical components, such…
ODI 10596124
Electrical System
The ignition/passlock system problem of intermittent no start that many others have with the 2003 malibu left me stalled in traffic. Lucky for me there was no accident (not yet anyway). I have been dealing with this problem for a couple of years by doing the 10 minute reset as described in the owners manual. I took it to the dealer who replaced control & cable binding. Replaced floor shift control. Replaced shifter…
ODI 10477159
Electrical System
The vehicle will not turn on every few times when trying to turn it on. The theft light begins to blink. I have to turn it to the "on" position for 10 minutes for it to restart, then it will work. *tr
ODI 10426493
Electrical System
Gm chevy malibu passlock system. Originally i had a 1998 malibu and thought that it was unrepairable so i sold it for scraps and bought a 2003 malibu and about every month (2 times per month for the past 3 months) i go to work or store just fine and when i come out it doesn't start. I've been taken through several different scenarios by the mechanic at the chevy dealership where i purchased the 2003 malibu from,…
ODI 10386936
Electrical System
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet malibu. The contact attempted to start the ignition but the engine failed to operate with the illumination of the anti-theft security system warning indicator. The engine was restarted after ten to fifteen minutes. In addition, the same failure would occur while driving and result in the vehicle stalling. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer who advised that the…
ODI 10436385
Electrical System
The car is a 2003 chevy malibu. Occasionally, the "theft system" light will turn on for no reason, and the car will not start. The manual reset is to wait 10 minutes and try to restart the car. This was discovered after several expensive repairs, including fuel pump and ignition, were done. It has been inconvenient and sometimes dangerous to wait around for 10-30 minutes to restart the car. The theft system is…
ODI 10503987
Electrical System · Steering
Was not able to get keys out of the ignition switch. The keys would stick, and i was not able to remove the keys. Took it to a chevrolet dealership, and they had to replace the shifter and knob assembly. I am the original owner of the vehicle and used the original keys. Furthermore, this car had low mileage, 56,040 miles, for a seven year old car, and was barely driven to have to have such a serious repair. I see…
ODI 10690718
Electrical System
While driving the car on freeway it just stalled. I coasted to berm. It then restarted. I've had all kinds of electrical problems with this car, but this is a safety problem. I've read that this engine cutting out is probably associated with the passlock system. I've had problems with that system ever since i've had the car. *tr
ODI 10368240
Electrical System
The passlock anti theft system is a very dangerous system. There have been thousands of complaints about this system. Thousands of angry, frustrated people that are being left with no recourse. The problem dates from the 1990s.through 2010. The problem should have been addressed before now. I just spent over $5000. For a car that cannot be moved out of my drive way i don't think congress heard the screams i've heard…
ODI 10365745
Electrical System · Fuel System, Other
2003 chevy malibu passlock passive security system failure. The passlock system engages on my car frequently. It costs over $245 to reset and $800 to fix. I did an internet search and thousands of other gm car owners with passlock systems are having the problem. My car will suddenly stop while driving and i've narrowly avoided serious accidents because of it. Other times it will simply not start. *tr
ODI 10355189
Electrical System
Tl- the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet malibu. While driving, the contact stated that the vehicle would cut off; in order for the vehicle to start, the contact would have to reset the vehicle. The dealer and manufacturer were notified, but did not assist the contact. The failure was not repaired. The failure mileage was 157,000 and the current mileage was 170,000. Nw
ODI 10410845
Electrical System
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet malibu. The contact attempted to start the vehicle but it failed to start. The contact had to hold the key in place for approximately ten minutes in order to start the vehicle . The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the ignition switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure continued to occur intermittently. The failure mileage…
ODI 10384758
Electrical System
2003 chevy malibu: the theft light comes on and the car will not start for a period of time. This happens just about every day, and we have to wait for the car to start. The car also dies on us while we are driving, putting us in a very serious and dangerous situation. Without warning it just shuts off. *tr
ODI 10348978
Catalog parts for this system
Catalog year/make/model rows for 2003 Chevrolet Malibu.
Catalog fitment does not by itself prove OEM-equivalent compatibility.