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
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet malibu. While driving 55 mph, the vehicle's rpms decreased and the engine stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and the engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but the cause of the failure could not be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was unknown.
ODI 10632695
Engine · Switch
My 2003 chevy malibu would shut off if i hit even a small bump. If i hit a bump while driving, everything would go dead. Fortunately i was able to avoid accidents when this happened as it happened on both surface streets and the highway. Had this looked at by my mechanic and they determined that the ignition switch failed, causing the engine to shut off. No recall yet on this vehicle. Paid for out of pocket. *tr
ODI 10598855
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 · 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
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet malibu. While attempting to start the vehicle, it failed to start intermittently. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the failure was undetermined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
ODI 10810545
Engine · Vehicle Speed Control
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle suddenly accelerated independently and the engine stalled. The problem occurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken dealer. The technician was unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was made aware the failure. The vin was unavailable. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
ODI 10651458
Air Bags · Engine
I was traveling with the right of way at the posted speed limit when someone pulled into my path causing me to hit them. My air bags did not deploy and i took the full force of the collision into my chest. *tr
Crash reported · 1 injury
ODI 10610362
Electrical System · Engine · Unknown Or Other
Started having problems starting my car, theft light would come on and i would have to sit and wait to get the car started, very annoying problem having to play a waiting came to start your car. Then one day i was driving and the car just shut off in the middle of the high way, i had no idea the car was even off until i tried to acclerate or turn because the radio remains on. Have to stop and put my hazzards on and…
ODI 10537097
Engine
Intake manifold gasket at less then 55,000 miles due to plastic gaskets.. After numerous mechanics say a cheap unreliable part that will cost anyone from 600$ or more depending on how server it could be. I am surprise there are no recalls on this... This should be looked into plus reimbursement to those whom have receipts for this particular procedure. *tr
ODI 10509474
Engine
My 2003 malibu(65000 miles) started to idle high (2000-2500rpm). We took it to our regular mechanic shop, they decided it was the idle air control valve, replaced it and it worked fine until early june when it started idling high, intermittently. The rising idle would start with a rough acceleration, then the rpm's would start to rise and not come back down. We took it back and they could not get the problem to…
ODI 10521884
Engine
I along with a friend was riding from phila. To chester,pa. About 25miles south on. Interstate 95. .i was in the middle lane about 10 miles in and the engine cut off..i remained calm and glad my friend was with me i shifted into neutral turned the key and the engine started right away. This happened two other times before getting to my destination. On the way home the engine cut off two more times.this time i was…
ODI 10619468
Engine
As i was turning on a street the car shut off and would not crank back up. When it shut off it locked up and i was unable to turn the wheel. I was going about 30mph the next time it happened i was going over a bridge and the car shut off. It would not crank back up immediately and i had to engage the emergency brake so that the car did not drift backward. The next time that it happened i was on a main highway and…
ODI 10630784
Engine · Service Brakes · Vehicle Speed Control
After my 2003 chevrolet malibu had been parked in the sun for a while, on a short trip of 4 miles, the car started revving up and taking off on it's on. It also caused my a/c hose to burst (i am convinced it is related). I took it to dealer for repair and they cleaned the throttle and replaced the a/c hose. There is still the same problem. It seems as though it happens when it is very hot weather and i am making…
ODI 10525974
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated while driving various speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact mentioned that the failure occurred several times. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 28,000. The current mileage was 33,500.
ODI 10593591
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that in early may 2012 she was unable to start the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who reprogrammed the key. The failure continued. The vehicle was then taken to a private mechanic, who diagnosed no failure. The manufacturer was notified and provided a case number which was not available. The manufacturer advised to take the vehicle back…
ODI 10465771
Engine
Over the last year, 2003 chevy malibu has not started on four different occasions. It was started and driven to another location (ie work, shopping, class, etc) and then upon returning to the car, it would not start. This is a major safety concern and especially so if one of the children is using the car. As i have read, others are having similar issues - this is a safety issue and warrants attention by the…
ODI 10535739
Electrical System · Engine · Fuel System, Gasoline
The car has cut off while i was driving on at least 10 occasions since 2012. Usually, if driving at normal speed it would happen as i slowed down to turn a corner, although it has also happened once or twice while i was driving on the highway. Each time, i was fortunate enough to either drift over onto the shoulder or complete the turn without getting hit. When the car cuts off i lose the ability to steer. During…
ODI 10569446
Electrical System · Engine
The first time this happened i tried to start my car and it would not start and ended up having it towed to a garage hundreds of dollars later to find out it was an theft system part that needed to be replaced. So we did that then the same thing started happening again. I got out the owners manual and was reading about turn the key for 10 minutes. Well this has been a on going problem for some time now. It was not…
ODI 10595406
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
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
Anti-Theft Devices · Engine · Fuel/Propulsion System · Ignition · Power Train · Unknown Or Other
I have had several issues with my car over the years. The first was when the fuel pump failed and my car stalled in traffic in 2006 and repair was $600. The intake manifold gaskets failed about 10 months later that was repaired at the dealer for $1200. I have replaced the engine twice ($600 each time) because of the head gaskets and too much oil inside the engine. Now i have a strong odor of gasoline inside my car…
ODI 10598136