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.

- Noblesville, IN, USA

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 updated 02/10/09.

- Rockwood , TN, USA

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 the first failure, I read that the car can switch off while driving. I am concerned as my 16 year old daughter also drives this car, and that she may be endangered.

- Alpharetta, GA, USA

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" position and let it sit for 10 minutes and then turn the key to "off" and start the car as normal. Well for about 1 year this worked, it was a hassle, but it worked. Now after about a year of this pain in the butt routine twice a week to start my car, finally it died on me while driving and will no longer start. GM is obviously aware of this malfunction because they have given instructions on how to deal with it in the owner's manual, the problem is they haven't done anything to correct the problem, after their suggestion fails to start the car. This malfunction needs to be recalled!!!!!!!

- Farmington Hills, MI, USA

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 in parts and even after that, once I got the car running again I had a check engine light on and a very rough idle. So, I took the car to a garage to have it scanned for fault codes. Now, I have discovered a faulty ignition switch (fault code U1000) has been behind these incidents. And, in reading various internet forums/discussion boards, I am not alone!! (Chevrolet is well aware of this defect !!) this is a manufacturer defect in the passive theft system on General Motors cars. There should be a national investigation and subsequent recall on these vehicles to have this problem remedied. The dealers are getting 300-350.00 per repair and most times this problem re-occurs. I wanted to bring this to your attention as I am about to spend $300 plus at my local Chevrolet service department to have my faulty ignition switch replaced. The new one must be "programmed" to your vehicle and only a Chevrolet dealer can do this. Please render any assistance you can in this matter. Thank you very much......................................chris merckx

- Holland, PA, USA

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 - $1,300 to do the repairs and most people can't afford it. Chevrolet is aware of the problem.

- Cairo, GA, USA

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.

- Frederick, MD, USA

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 exists. (carcomplaint.com has several complaints of this exact nature listed online.)

- Granite City, IL, USA

Anti-theft light flashing on my 2003 Chevy Malibu.

- Flint, MI, USA

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 needs to be issued, or at the very least the cost of repair should be covered under warranty.

- Johnstown, PA, USA

When driving after a rain noticed there was water in right rear taillight. When trying to start the car the only way to get it started was to disconnect the negative battery terminal and reset the computer. Well that was great except you might not want the car started then because everytime you step on the brake the radio shut off, gauges would peg out and not be able to be reset. Then car would die in the middle of highway driving. If it takes the nhsta to have a death for someone I am not the one if it is water the car doesn't like I will send it back to detroit where they can put it in it's final resting place, lake Michigan. Let our voices be heard because these small inconveniences to them are major expenses to us all. And they wonder why the car industry is struggling own up to the problem General Motors.

- Raeford , NC, USA

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 avail. Two days later, the car was crank/no start again and again.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

06/17/05 car stopped with no warning on a hot day with 4 kids not good! cylinder 2.188/ BCM 2.560 08/01/05 car stopped with no warning hot day 3 kids heading out of town! module3.107/fuel filter 3.890 just purchased the vehicle 01/28/05.

- Conyers, GA, USA

Cd player inoperative - dealership diagnosed as manufacturer defect- internal radio/cd failure. Dealership service removed radio/cd and sent out for an exchange unit. Dealership service reinstalled radio new cd player and, again, inoperative. Equipment-electrical system failure/inoperable. Dealership still trying to reorder exchange units that would work without success and great inconvenience to owner.

- Chandler, AZ, USA