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
Passlock anti-theft system engaging and not allowing car to start. Started happening about two years ago. Researched on the internet and asked professional ase mechanics. No warranty or tsb available to fix problem, but plenty of complaints. Car has not shut off while driving. *tr
ODI 10422960
Electrical System
Anti-theft system kicks in even when original key is used to start vehicle and vehicle will not start without waiting 10 minutes to restart system. This happens at irregular intervals, usually when it is least convenient. I have had to be towed twice until i learned the override trick. I am going into the dealership again today to try to get a permanent fix. *tr
ODI 10262753
Electrical System
Vehicle won't start and security light is on. I have to wait 10 minutes with key in the on position to restart anti-theft system and then engine will start. The car as well died and security light came on while driving on the highway at speeds of 60 mph and had to coast over 2 lanes and was luckily not hit or injured. After this i took it to my normal mechanic to look at it. He fixed ignition switch on 3/3/2009…
ODI 10662578
Electrical System
Theft light comes on and anti-theft system disables the vehicle, driving and parked. We have been stranded several times because of this. Vehicle will not start it turns over but will do nothing. I have had to take the vehicle in several times to have the system reset, at a cost to me everytime. *tr
ODI 10256053
Electrical System · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Turn Signal
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that there was an electrical issue with her vehicle. The turn signals would operate without initialization and the power door locks were also inoperable. The check engine warning light continued to illuminate on the instrument panel; however, there were no other failures. The independent mechanic advised the contact to take the vehicle to the dealer.…
ODI 10272768
Electrical System · Turn Signal
I had a problem with my turn signals. They would work when they wanted to. I took my car to a chevy dealer to find out what it was and how much it was going to cost to fix the problem. The service attendant was very knowledgeable about this particular problem. I was told that they had recall up to 2002 malibus for this same problem but of course mine is a2003 so i had to pay for it to be repaired. The cost was…
ODI 10264283
Electrical System
I went to the doctor today. My car was fine. On returning to my car, it would not start. I called aaa. They showed me the passlock anti-theft system was engaged -- with no identifiable cause. The gentleman who helped me, told me he has seen this often. I am using the original key, and i am sure the car was not tampered with. Reading online, i get a sense that this will probably start happening more. Although this is…
ODI 10233086
Electrical System · Fuel System, Gasoline · Unknown Or Other
The anti-theft system in my 2003 chevrolet malibu is defective, apparently this is a problem for just about every owner of a chevy malibu. This needs to be recalled by gm!!!! About once or twice a week when i attempt to start my car i pray the anti-theft system does not blink, because when it blinks that means the car isn't going to start. The owner's manual states that if this occurs then turn the key to the "on"…
ODI 10232634
Electrical System
I own a 2003 chevrolet malibu, i have experienced on 3 separate occasions a no start incident, twice the car was towed to repair facilities where various components were changed after the car started right up. This most recent incident happened in my driveway at home and, i decided to thoroughly check out this problem. I have replace various components on the car and spent upwards of 250.00 in parts and even after…
ODI 10230542
Electrical System
I have a 2003 chevrolet malibu and the theft deterrent system keeps activating for no reason. The vehicle use to have a problem starting and now has started dying on me in the middle of driving. This is very dangerous and nearly caused an accident. There are many people having this same problem but chevrolet refuses to do a recall. It is going to cause someone to crash. It costs anywhere from $700.00 - $1,300.00 to…
ODI 10228900
Electrical System
Passive anti-theft would not allow us to start the car. We sat there for over 15 minutes. No other odd had occurred before that but suddenly it would not allow us to start. *tr
ODI 10227594
Electrical System · Engine
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet malibu. The vehicle has been shutting off intermittently for the past eight months. The dealer keeps resetting the computer, but the failure persists. The weather was not a factor. The power steering and brakes fail without warning. The failure occurs while accelerating or cruising. The failure mileage was 132,000. Updated 2/5/09 *cn updated 02/10/09. *jb
ODI 10253874
Electrical System
Luckily i was not on the highway on my way to work when this occurred or a crash would have been unavoidable. Engine shuts off without any warning and then does not restart for 10 to 15 minutes. Dashboard lights do not come on during this time. You can tell when it will restart as the lights finally come back on. Gm dealership is aware of problem but is unable to fix - they keep replacing parts and the problem still…
ODI 10226701
Control Module · Electrical System
ANTI-THEFT LIGHT FLASHING ON MY 2003 CHEVY MALIBU. *TR
ODI 10212386
Air Bags · Electrical System
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet malibu. While driving 25 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning and caused another vehicle to crash into the rear of the vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained minor injuries that required medical attention. A police report was not filed. The dealer stated that the ignition needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The…
Crash reported · 1 injury
ODI 10641701
Electrical System
I have been having repeated problems with my cars theft system defaulting and not allowing my car to start randomly on several occasions, this problem has been reoccurring for about the past 4-5 years.there were no events leading up to this failure, it just happend. It occurs almost daily and is a huge inconvenience. I have taken the vechile to several gm dealerships and have been told its the passlock, bcm, car not…
ODI 10395330
Electrical System
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet malibu. While starting the vehicle, the theft passlock sensor and the ignition lock cylinder lights illuminated and the vehicle would not start. The vehicle was able to start after ten minutes of holding the key in the ignition and restarting the vehicle. The failure recurred approximately 15 times. The vehicle was taken the dealer where it was confirmed that the theft passlock…
ODI 10715281
Electrical System
Without warning while on a shopping trip (we are in our late 70's), the car would not start and had to be towed. We were told that it was the anti-theft security system, and it was re-set. We were told that it may or may not happen again. Well, it happened again about 6 weeks later, and we had to take a two hour bus ride just to get home. I believe that the dealers are fully aware of this problem and that a recall…
ODI 10188516
Electrical System · Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that the vehicle would sporadically stall without warning. The contact was usually able to restart the vehicle however, there were instances when the vehicle would not immediately restart. The failure was recurring and the ignition switch was replaced three times by an authorized dealer however, the failure continuously recurred. The contact also…
ODI 10576406
Electrical System · Exterior Lighting · Switch · Visibility/Wiper
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced several failures in which the electric windows would not function, the headlights stopped illuminating, and the air conditioning unit failed. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the ignition switch was replaced. The failure recurred approximately one year later. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and…
ODI 10461364
Electrical System
Anti-theft system activates very frequently & under various conditions. *tr
ODI 10257472
Electrical System · Fuel System, Gasoline · Suspension
2003 chevrolet malibu faulty ignition switch vehicle shut off in the middle of the road. *mw the consumer stated she had to replace the ignition switch on two different occasions. The first time was september 28, 2006 and the second time was june 3, 3014. After the second switch was installed, the consumer experienced other problems. She was informed the vehicle needed a body control module and lock switches. The…
ODI 10663875
Electrical · Electrical System
At some point, i triggered my alarm system by not using the remote key and manually unlocked my car door. Right after, i tried to restart my car, at which time it cranked, but did not start. Since this incident of triggering my alarm, i have been daily reminded of this.. With the crank, no start. I have taken the car to the dealer who informed me that i need a pcm (power control module) which they replaced but to no…
ODI 10167224
Electrical System
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated the vehicle failed to start when the key was inserted into the ignition. The contact mentioned that several attempts had to be made before the vehicle started and the theft system warning light illuminated intermittently. The problem recurred multiple times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the ignition…
ODI 10616093
Electrical System
Own 2003 chevy malibu that will just shut off. The anti theft system built in the vehicle will do this. Have to wait 10 min before it resets itself then it will start. Chevy dealership that i went to is aware of this problem in this model and offered to fix it for $400. I was told that this is fairly common. Sounds like a defect to me and needs to be fixed for free by gm. Bought the car brand new. This started in…
ODI 10351725
Catalog parts for this system
Catalog year/make/model rows for 2003 Chevrolet Malibu.
Catalog fitment does not by itself prove OEM-equivalent compatibility.