2003 Chevrolet Malibu Engine Problems
- 46
- 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 46 stored complaint records:
- 2 indicate a crash
- 1 indicate injury
- 0 indicate fire
What owners report
- failure mileage · 12 records
- repaired notified · 8 records
- diagnosed repaired · 7 records
- notified failure · 7 records
- failure failure · 7 records
- several times · 5 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 60–100k mi | 17 |
| 100–150k mi | 10 |
| 30–60k mi | 6 |
| 1–30k mi | 2 |
| 150–400k mi | 2 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Engine · Vehicle Speed Control
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet malibu. When the engine warmed up and the rpms reached their maximum level, the accelerator pedal automatically dropped to the floorboard. An independent mechanic diagnosed that the throttle body failed. The vehicle was repaired. The dealer was not notified. The manufacturer was contacted and provided case number: 9-5413563462. The manufacturer also provided a $100 voucher. The…
ODI 11242468
Electronic Stability Control · Engine · Fuel/Propulsion System
Took car to walmart one night and begins to overheat after napa told me it had no leaks. Car overheats i pull aside and turn it off for a bit i noticed the car would crank but hesitate to start. Once got it to start it would accelerate but at low rpms. Check engine light went on and i noticed car shaking and weird noise coming from the engine. Once started car squeaked and mad terrible noise. Car did not turn back…
ODI 11030501
Electrical System · Engine · Steering
Yesterday i was driving on a straight road with a few turns in a rural community. All of a sudden the theft system light starts flashing, my speed drops by force, my steering wheel tightens, and the engine shuts off. Thankfully the driver behind me was not up to speed as he had just turned onto the street after me. Otherwise, he would have slammed into the back of my car. I put the car in park and started my routine…
ODI 10992429
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that the while driving at various speeds, the vehicle experienced a loss of engine power the failure occurred with no warning. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 88,000. Updated 05/31/17*lj *as
ODI 10967436
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet malibu. While driving 40 mph, the check oil warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the camshaft failed and caused severe damage to the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was…
ODI 10914268
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet malibu. While driving approximately 10 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was unable to restart and was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
ODI 10862642
Engine · Vehicle Speed Control
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet malibu. While driving at any speed, the vehicle accelerated uncontrollably and required the contact to exert extra brake force to stop the vehicle, including the engagement of the abs. The vin was excluded from nhtsa campaign number: 04v528000 (vehicle speed control). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage…
ODI 10882993
Electrical System · Engine
Ehgine dies while driving on the streets many times. Horn honks after turning on engine and not drive for about 1 minute. A/c automatically switched from fresh to recycle air buttons
ODI 10826082
Engine · Steering · Vehicle Speed Control
My son was driving the 2003 chevrolet malibu on the highway when the theft protection system suddenly kicked in an shut off the engine causing him to lose speed and power steering and forcing him to stop on the highway. Then he had to sit there 10 minutes with the key turned on to reset the theft system before he could start the car again and get out of a dangerous situation. The ignition and key was already ready…
ODI 10808538
Electrical System · Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that the vehicle would fail to start in cold inclement weather. The contact stated that the vehicle would only start during temperatures higher than 40 degrees. The contact took the vehicle to a local mechanic who replaced the battery, starter, alternator, neutral safety switch, crank shift sensor, and the exhaust system; however, the failure recurred.…
ODI 10819947
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet malibu. While driving 60 mph, the vehicle lost power and the anti-theft warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 111,000.
ODI 10783340
Engine · Power Train · Vehicle Speed Control
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet malibu. While driving approximately 60 mph, the vehicle failed to accelerate and the check engine warning light illuminated intermittently. In addition, after stopping the vehicle, it stalled. The vehicle was restarted. The contact mentioned that the failure occurred after the vehicle was serviced under nhtsa campaign numbers: 14v400000 (electrical system) and 04v528000 (vehicle…
ODI 10781989
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 mph, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle would not restart. The engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was recommended to take the vehicle to a dealer for diagnosis. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate…
ODI 10762483
Engine · Service Brakes · Steering
This has happened five times now, i am driving and the engine just shuts off, i can not brake i can not steer, i still have lights on the dashboard. It happens when i am gong about 20 to about 35 miles per hour. I am afraid to drive on the highway. I do not know if it will happen at a higher speed! It did it the first time back in june 2015 my daughter was driving, then again last friday august 7th four more times…
ODI 10748075
Electrical System · Engine
On july 20, 2015 could not adjust the front driver seat. Also power windows in the back driver window would not roll down or up. July 23, 2015 when to get an oil change at sears which they didn't peform due to they needed drive time to approve. Checked the oil it was very low added 1 quart on august 10 i was on the freeway going speed limit car started reducing its speed heard a loud noise pulled over couldnot drive…
ODI 10763748
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
Accelerator Pedal · Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet malibu. While driving approximately 5 mph, the accelerator pedal became stuck without warning. The contact depressed the brake pedal and the rpms failed to decrease. The failure occurred on several occasions. While the vehicle was parked with the engine running, the rpms increased without warning. The vehicle was turned off and restarted several times before the rpms returned to…
ODI 10717358
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
Engine
While driving at stop intervals i noticed that my temp guage was reaching the hot mark, i made it home and my reservoir was boiling. Then i notice coolant leaking from the manifold housing. When i had it checked out, i was told that my manifold gaskets had to be replaced at a costly expense. Upon further investigations i found out that gm knew that this was a default issue and only sent out recalls to certain…
ODI 10716163
Engine · Service Brakes · Steering
Car will not start. Solid "theft" light comes on dashboard and car will not turn over, or if it turns over, will cut out shortly after. This anti-theft issue causes the power steering and brakes to disable, and am not able to turn the steering wheel. Have also had car stall out in traffic and lose all power. Had to have car towed several times due to the issue. I have tried several fixes and mechanical repairs, but…
ODI 10690707
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
Engine · Service Brakes
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet malibu. While driving various speeds, the engine rpms suddenly increased and the driver was unable to apply the brakes. The driver had to crash into a curb in order to stop the vehicle. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable.
Crash reported
ODI 10637574
Electrical System · Engine
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that the service engine warning light illuminated intermittently. The contact mentioned that the cruise control functioned intermittently as the instrument panel gauges and sensors flashed several times. The vehicle was not included in nhtsa campaign id number: 14v400000 (electrical system). The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who…
ODI 10681731
Engine · Suspension
We had to have the intake manifold replaced, at 55,000 miles, which didn't occur until 2012, because i don't put a large amount of miles on my car annually. I could not get any money from the recall, because the class action suit payout ended in 2008, and i was never made aware. Both the front and rear struts are leaking fluid. I was told all four need, replacement, and the mounts as well. . The mechanics said…
ODI 10669902
Electrical System · Engine
6-10-14 no crank start ,had to reset security systems code b2960 and p1626c firestone [redacted] store#026514 chicago,il 60610 6-19-14 was diving on lake shore dr got on off ramp and the car just cut off no power it did start back up but lucky it didn't happen went i was going fast. *tr
ODI 10605109