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 · Engine And Engine Cooling
For years, car stalls while driving and can not be re-started, or more frequently, just won't start. No warning except a fine, dim red anti-theft system light which is unlikely to be noticed at all, and certainly not immediately. Can happen several times per day, or can go two weeks without a problem. Short term remedy is reliable if inconvenient and in some situation, dangerous; with car in "park," turn off all…
Crash reported
ODI 10350297
Electrical System
2003 chevy malibu, 1 out of 3 starts forced to wait 10 minutes before trying a restart, usually twice before succeeding. Forces waiting in the dark or in unsafe places at night, such as finishing work. Extremely unsafe for any female. $300 quote at stealership to repair. Fitted 20cent resistor to feed correct resistance value to anti-theft system, which is also guaranteed to fail eventually. Will have to build a…
ODI 10355863
Accelerator Pedal · Electrical System
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet malibu. The contact was driving 45 mph when the vehicle abnormally accelerated. The contact able to maneuver the vehicle as the engine exhibited an abnormally high increase in rpms. The manufacturer was contacted who informed him that his vehicle was not included in nhtsa campaign id number: 04v528000 (vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal). The vehicle was not repaired. The…
ODI 10373895
Electrical System
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet malibu. While parked, the vehicle failed to start and the anti- theft light illuminated. The failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the ignition switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.
ODI 10734815
Electrical System · Engine And Engine Cooling · Fuel System, Gasoline
Car failed to start. A local mechanic was aware of the problem that gm was having with the malibu's. He showed me how to turn the key to on for 10 minutes and then the theft light would stop blinking and you could then start the car. This past year it has been happening about daily or every 5 to 6 times that you go to start the car. Mostly on short trips of less than 2 miles. I contacted 2 local chevy dealers and…
ODI 10567235
Electrical System
03 malibu with electrical problems.... The car shuts itself off while in motion... *tr
ODI 10335757
Electrical System
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that the anti-theft system would engage sporadically causing the vehicle to shut down independently when the failure occurred. In addition, the directional lights were inoperable. The vehicle was taken to a local repair shop where the mechanic was unable to diagnose the problem. The mechanic advised the contact on how to reset the alarm when the…
ODI 10399219
Electrical System
The anti-theft light has been coming on and off for the last four years - and when it flashes i need to reset by turning ignition to on and wait ten min. - now the light stays on all the time and i'm concerned that at some point the car will not start and i will be stranded. *tr
ODI 10336126
Electrical System
I have a 2003 malibu the anti theft comes on alot to fix this u have to have the key in the on for about 10 min,then turn the key in the off and turn the car on, and it starts, but that trick is taking longer and longer each time one day it will leave me there, i think chevy should recall this and fix it... There is no way of knowing when and why this happens. Chevy says they need more people to campaign about this…
ODI 10330102
Electrical System
Car would not start , theft lamp flashing, went online and found issues with gm theft deterrent system[pass key] many others are having same issues, also some claim the car quits on them and they have to wait 10 min. To restart car. Even in my owners manual it states that this system may fail. And it gives a procedure to follow. Car may or may not start//recommend fix is a new ignition switch/passlock sensor at a…
ODI 10328150
Electrical System
I own a 2003 chevy malibu. In the last 6 months, the theft system light pops on and doesn't allow me to drive my car. I found out if i turn the key in the on position for 10 minutes, the light will stop flashing and will allow me to start my car. This has happened 4 times now where my car will not start and i have to do the 10 minute wait for it to restart. My car is the only means of transportation for me and my…
ODI 10324795
Electrical System
2003 chevy malibu anti theft system light comes on and car won't start. Car is sitting won't start. *tr
ODI 10319913
Electrical System
Anti-theft light continuously comes on. Replaced ignition lock cylinder two months ago. Now the car does not start at all and the anti-theft light is still on! This is a serious safety issue. I cannot travel with my kids, especially during the winter cold b/c i never know if i have to wait 10 minutes for the theft system to reset. I called the dealership today and they told me they need to hook it up to a $5000…
ODI 10317812
Electrical System
I have a 2003 chevy malibu with a passlock system. The "theft system" light comes on even while i'm driving! Or the car simply won't start, even though it's in my own driveway and no one has messed with it. The only 'solution' is to wait 10 minutes (sometimes longer) until the car will start again. This is ridiculous! I've checked online and there's complaints about the passlock system everywhere. Why has this not…
ODI 10379502
Electrical System
During normal operation of my car, i will randomly have issues with the passlock theft system not allowing me to start my vehicle. I had the modules replaced at a gm dealership approximately 15 months ago. At that time, i simply parked my car for the night in my driveway. I came out the next morning to take my daughter to school and the car would not start. I had to have my car towed to the nearest chevy dealership.…
ODI 10299982
Electrical System
Car is not starting. Anti theft system light will not turn off. *tr
ODI 10303738
Electrical System
Okay, this complaint is about chevrolet malibu. They are having a huge problem with their anti theft system. The car would run perfectly and then the next time you turn the key it wouldn't start. This has happened 3 times to us within a week. And if you google it, you'll see that there are thousands of people who are having the same problem! It's a real safety issue and has to be taken seriously and dealt with.…
ODI 10290751
Electrical System
2003 chevrolet malibu. First ignition switch faulty, had work done at non gm dealership, consumer wants reimbursement. *ta the ignition lock cylinder was replaced. *jb
ODI 10661684
Electrical System
2003 chevrolet malibu signal and hazard lights have an intermittent failure. Relay switch may be bad. *tr
ODI 10290492
Electrical System
Passlock system is not working properly. Occasionally the theft system light comes on and occasionally the fuel system gets shut off so that the vehicle doesn't start. I have seen many complaints on the internet about this problem with all gm models that have this passlock system.
ODI 10413049
Electrical System
I have a 2003 chevy malibu. The passlock anti theft system has left me stranded many times. I have recently been stuck at night in a dark parking lot waiting the ten minutes for the system to reset. This is a personalsafety issue for anyone having to sit in an unsafe location waiting for the system to work. This problem occurs often (two or three times a week). This should be recalled and fixed on gm's dollar…
ODI 10280996
Electrical System
For the second time in two years, as i started my car the theft system light came on and the car would not start. The dealer says that the ignition has to be replaced due to the pass key theft system not recognizing my key (the original key) and breaking the ignition. This has left me with a dead car alone as a woman at night. This is the second time this has happened and i have had to replace the ignition. *tr
ODI 10279671
Electrical System
The theft system (passlock) engages on my car for no reason. The first time this happened, back in 2003, shortly after purchasing my car. I was at a bank, with my young daughter, getting money out of an atm. After returning to my car, the vehicle would not start. I had to pay money for a tow, and the mechanic charged me $800 to replace the fuel pump. Car did not need a fuel pump, it only needed the theft deterrent…
ODI 10279352
Electrical System · Switch
Tl* 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.
ODI 10672480
Electrical System
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that the vehicle anti theft system activated and as a result, it prevented him from turning on the ignition. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who diagnosed that the ignition cylinder needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 50,000 and the current mileage…
ODI 10457954
Catalog parts for this system
Catalog year/make/model rows for 2003 Chevrolet Malibu.
Catalog fitment does not by itself prove OEM-equivalent compatibility.