10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 6 / 1
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 3 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 79,651 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
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.
- Powderville, MT, USA
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that when the vehicle was turned off and parked, moments later she discovered that the entire instrument panel was illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that when the ignition key was turned to the on position, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V400000 (electrical system). The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was unavailable.
- East Pointe, GA, USA
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the key was stuck in the ignition switch and failed to release after numerous attempts. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V400000 (electrical system); however, the recall remedy did not correct the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 119,000.
- Fort Worth, TX, USA
Key will not turn ignition; would not shut off completely; steering wheel unlocked.
- Kansas City, KS, USA
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the vehicle had trouble starting after numerous attempts of using the ignition key. The contact stated that the vehicle was able to be operated after approximately 15 minutes. The anti-theft warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where the vehicle could not be daignosed. The vehicle was not repaired and the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The VIN and failure mileage were not provided.
- Van Alstyne, TX, USA
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. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the air conditioning compressor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 85,600.
- Elizabeth, PA, USA
While driving on a busy road during rush hour, vehicle theft system light began flashing, disabling the engine while vehicle was moving. Dealer was contacted for advice, told that most likely solution is replacement of the body control module, for a cost of $700. $700 for a known and potentially very dangerous safety issue is unbelievable.
- Shippensburg, PA, USA
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at 35 mph and attempting to make a right turn, the vehicle stalled without warning. After a few minutes, the vehicle was able to be restarted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 68,000.
- Palm Bay, FL, USA
Ignition module switch bad, car will not start, theft device will not re-set causing car not to start. Many complaints online. This has to be defect.
- Collegeville, PA, USA
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving approximately 50 mph, the vehicle stalled and the anti theft warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart after numerous attempts. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 185,000.
- Austintown, OH, USA
Not sure what the problem is but there are other complaints for same vehicle. Some have noted repair and still the problem occurs. Car will not start (some have stalled while driving) and must leave key in certain position for 10-15 minutes before it will start again. This is my mother's car and I was with her several weeks ago and we pulled out of parking space and it died and would not start (anti-theft light also flashes). Thank goodness we were not in the line of heavy traffic and a nice man pushed our car out of the way of incoming traffic to the lot. And thank goodness we were at a dr's office (where my ill 85 year old mom had been) so we could go inside out of the 90 degree heat. This car needs to be recalled and don't know why it has not been. I am extremely concerned that my mom will be driving and this car will quit and she will be hit and god forbid there be a fatality. I have also just emailed GM about this as well. My mom obviously is not in a financial shape to run out and buy a new car. It only has 43K miles and she should not have to purchase another car just because GM will not take care of their improperly functioning cars! they must have seen all of the other complaints for this same thing. So, not sure if electrical, engine, but something is obviously wrong! and putting lives at risk!
- Lavergne, TN, USA
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving approximately 30 mph, the vehicle stalled. After several attempts, the vehicle restarted. The failure recurred multiple times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was serviced under NHTSA campaign number: 14V400000 (electrical system) previously, but the contact experienced the failure after the recall remedy. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 103,000.
- Richland Center, WI, USA
Car tries to start, stalls and will not start. Security system light flashes. Have to leave key in run position for 15 minutes until security system light quits flashing, turn key off and then start the engine. Happens multiple times per week and is happening more frequently now. Was told the problem was caused by an after market remote starter, had it removed and am still having the same problem.
- Bay City, MI, USA
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 it so I had it towed home next day ain had to have it towed to the shop where drivetime told me to take it they had it from 8/11/2015-8/25/2015 on Aug 26 they so called put a new engine it was only 1 day later the check engine light came on and it overheated took it back to the shop and they said it needed the cat converter replaced in which it was not covered at that time on the 28 it was approved by the time I was informed drive time had my car repo due to nonpayment I feel that I should not make a payment until my car was fixed the right way.
- Moreno Valley, CA, USA
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Malibu. While the vehicle was parked, it failed to start until after several attempts. In addition, while driving various speeds, the vehicle shut off without warning. The contact mentioned that it took multiple attempts to restart the vehicle. The failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 104,000.
- Lansing, MI, USA
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.
- Princeton , IN, USA
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start and the key would not eject from the ignition. The dealer repaired the vehicle according to a recall for the ignition switch, but the failure recurred. The contact also stated that the brake lights failed to illuminate and the air conditioner did not function. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures. The NHTSA campaign number was unknown. The failure mileage was 33,345.
- Cantonment, FL, USA
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the anti-theft warning light illuminated when the ignition key was turned to start the vehicle. The contact also stated that the key failed to turn after numerous attempts. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic on several occasions but the failure was unable to be determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 47,000.
- Plymouth, MI, USA
2003 Chevrolet Malibu. Consumer writes in regards to ignition switch recall, steering and airbag malfunctions. The consumer was involved in an accident on May 19, 2011. She lost control of the steering which sent the vehicle in the opposite lane hitting another car. Her vehicle went out of control and ended up going backwards into a sign and then hitting two parked vehicles in a parking lot. The air bag did not deploy until after she hit the sign. The consumer stated she was unaware there was a problem with ignition switch. She stated she had several keys on her ring at the time of the accident.
- Tannersville, PA, USA
- Oklahoma City, OK, USA