NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2003 Chevrolet Malibu. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026
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 DEALER INSTALLED A CHIP IN THE KEYS, WHICH DID NOT CORRECT THE IGNITION PROBLEM. THE FRONT STRUTS WERE REPLACED AND THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *JB
MY 2003 CHEVY MALIBU IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE TURN SIGNALS AND FOUR WAY FLASHERS AS NOTED IN YOU POSTED INFORMATION BELOW. ODI OPENED THE INVESTIGATION BASED ON 9 COMPLAINTS OF TURN SIGNALS OPERATING SPORADICALLY ON THE 2000-2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE TURN SIGNALS QUIT WORKING WITHOUT WARNING AND MAY OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION OR STANDING STILL. GM IDENTIFIED THE HAZARD SWITCH AS THE ROOT CAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. ELECTRICAL CURRENT TO THE TURN SIGNAL PASSES THROUGH THE HAZARD SWITCH. FAILURE OF THE HAZARD SWITCH RESULTS IN LOSS OF TURN SIGNALS AND HAZARD LIGHTS. GM REPORTS 318, 184 AND 201 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS FOR THE MALIBU, ALERO AND GRAND AM RESPECTIVELY. GM ALSO REPORTS THE FOLLOWING MODELS HAVE THE SAME DESIGN TURN SIGNAL/HAZARD SWITCH AS THE CHEVROLET MALIBU: CHEVROLET CORVETTE, MONTE CARLO, AND IMPALA; OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE AND ALERO; AND THE PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA SHOW THE HIGHEST OCCURRENCE OF THE PROBLEM IN THE MY 2000-2001 MALIBU, ALERO, AND GRAND AM. *NM
COMPONENT: FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:FUEL GAUGE SYSTEM DETAILS: DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE FUEL GAUGE READ EMPTY WHEN THE FUEL TANK WAS JUST FILLED UP. THE DEALERSHIP WAS ALERTED, AND THE FUEL SENSOR WAS REPLACED WHEN A INSPECTION WAS MADE AND FIXED. I HAVE HAD FIVE INCIDENTS PRIOR TO GETTING IT REPAIRED. I HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS AFTER THE FUEL SENSOR WAS REPLACED BY THE FACTORY WARRANTY. *JB
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. *JB
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WOULD STICK. EXCESSIVE PRESSURE HAD TO BE APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL FOR THE VEHICLE TO STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND TWO RETAINER CLIPS WERE REPLACED. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL #04V528000, REGARDING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. UPDATED 9/15/2006 - *NM
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 SWITCH MALFUNCTIONED CAUSING THE ELECTRONIC CHIP IN KEY LOST COMMUNICATION WITH THE ELECTRONIC MODULE CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURE INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS REGARDING THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
CAR WOULD NOT START AT WORK WEDNESDAY MORNING, APPROXIMATELY 9:30 AM. MY HUSBAND CAME TO LOOK AT IT AFTER WORK, APPROXIMATELY 5:45 PM. CALLED CHEVROLET TO HAVE THEM TOW IT UNDER WARRANTY. TOW TRUCK SHOWED UP AROUND 8:30 PM AND TOWED TO DOMINION CHEVROLET. DOMINION DID NOT RETURN ANY PHONE CALLS ON THE 6TH UNTIL A LITTLE AFTER 5:00 PM. THEY INFORMED US THAT THE ANTI-THEFT / IGNITION SWITCH HAD GONE BAD AND IT WOULD BE REPLACED THE NEXT DAY. DID NOT RECEIVE KEY OR PAPERWORK WHEN PICKED UP, JUST 10+ SCRATCHES ALL OVER MY CAR. *JB
WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT ABOUT 30MPH CHANGED LANES AND SPED UP TO ABOUT 45MPM WHEN A CAR SWITCHED LANES AT THE SAME TIME IN FRONT OF ME JUS AS TRAFFIC CAME TO A STOP. WENT TO PRESS ON THE BRAKE BUT MY CAR WASN'T REALLY SLOWING DOWN LIKE I WAS STILL PRESSING ON THE GAS. ENDED UP CRASHING INTO THE BACK OF THE CAR THAT CHANGED LANES IN FRONT OF ME. AT THE TIME I THOUGHT IT WAS JUS AN AVERAGE ACCIDENT WHERE I WASN'T GIVEN ENOUGH TIME TO COME TO A FULL START SO ALL THE ORIGINAL PARTS ARE STILL ON THE CAR. THERE WAS NO INJURY JUS MAJOR DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END OF MY CAR AND AIRBAGS . *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 30-50 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL STICKS. THE CONTACT MUST APPLY THE BRAKES AND ATTEMPT TO REACH DOWN AND PULL THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL UP MANUALLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE BEGAN ON MAY 30, 2005 AND THERE IS SAFETY RECALL # 04V528000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL) ON THE VEHICLE. SHE CALLED A DEALER THAT SOLD GM CARS BUT WAS NOT ACTUALLY A GM DEALER AND INFORMED HER THAT THE RECALL WAS CLOSED. THE CONSUMER HEARD SO MANY NEGATIVE THINGS ABOUT THAT SPECIFIC DEALER THAT REPAIRS WERE DONE AT ANOTHER LOCATION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER ACCELERATOR PEDAL HAD BEEN INSPECTED MONTHS EARLIER. THE ENGINE SIZE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 65,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A CHEVROLET DEALER WHO FIXED THE VEHICLE VIA THE RECALL IMMEDIATELY AT NO CHARGE. UPDATED 07/24/07 *TR
I HAVE A 2003 CHEVY MALIBU. IT WON'T START DUE TO A FLAW IN THE THEFT DETECTION SYSTEM. THIS HAS CAUSED ME MANY PROBLEMS!! AS I UNDERSTAND, THIS IS PRETTY COSTLY TO REPAIR. DUE TO FINANCES, I HAVE NOT HAD THE PROBLEM REPAIRED. A MECHANIC GAVE ME AN ALTERNATIVE WAY TO START THE CAR WHICH INVOLVES GETTING UNDER THE CAR AND BYPASSING THE IGNITION. CHEVY IS FULLY AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND IT SHOULD BE RECALLED!!!!*JB
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 2006 AND HAS CONTINUED TO DO THIS 1 OR 2 TIMES A MONTH SINCE THEN. *TR
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. *NM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE FUEL GAUGE READ EMPTY WHEN THE FUEL TANK WAS FULL. ALTHOUGH THE DEALERSHIP WAS ALERTED, NO INSPECTION WAS MADE.
TURN SIGNAL FAILS TO OPERATE UNLESS I PRESS LIGHTLY ON THE HAZARD SWITCH. OCCURS VERY FREQUENTLY ON WARM TO HOT WEATHER. *TR
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE STARTS INTERMITTENTLY. IT WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, UPON INSPECTION THE IGNITION NEEDED TO REPLACED DUE TO THE ANTI THEFT DEVICE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN ALERTED.
MY TURN SIGNALS DO NOT ALWAYS WORK. APPARENTLY THERE IS A FAULTY HAZARD LIGHT SWITCH THAT SHORTS OUT AND CAUSES THE TURN SIGNALS TO NON FUNCTION. I WAS READING ON THE CONSUMER AFFAIRS WEBSITE THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH MALIBUS. *NM
I HAVE A 2003 MALIBU SEDAN, AND THE ALARM/HORN HAS A DEFECT. LAST YEAR WE HAD A HIGH POWER WIND STORM AND MY ALARM BLEW FOR ABOUT 45 MINUTES (2 HORNS). THEY FINALLY DIED DOWN BY THEMSELVES. MY CAR WAS NOT HIT BY ANYTHING EXCEPT FOR THE HIGH WINDS. I HAD TO TAKE FUSE #43 OUT TO MAKE THE HORN STOP BLOWING EVERY TIME I STARTED MY CAR. MY CAR NEED TO PASS INSPECTION, BUT THE DEALERSHIP WANT TO CHARGE ME $95.00 AN HOUR, TO DO AN EXPLORATORY DEAL ON THE CAR, TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM. ANOTHER CAR REPAIR COMPANY TOLD ME THE COST WOULD BE $900.00, BUT COULD NOT JUSTIFY, WHAT THEY WERE GOING TO DO. THEY STATED IT COULD BE THE TURN SIGNAL OR IT COULD BE THE FUSE UNDER MY AIR BAG ON THE STEERING WHEEL. NO ONE CAN ACTUALLY EXPLAIN TO ME WHAT'S WRONG, BUT THEY WANT TO CHARGE THE HECK OUT OF ME. I DO NOT HAVE THAT TYPE OF MONEY FOR EXPLORATORY EXAMINATIONS ON MY CAR. I AM QUITE SURE THE MANUFACTURER KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS WITH THIS MALIBU, AND CAN FIX IT WITHOUT A PROBLEM. I CAN NOT AFFORD THIS, I WAS NOT TOLD THE CAR HAD TWO RECALLS ON IT WHEN I BROUGHT THE CAR. I FEEL THIS IS VERY WRONG, I WOULD HAVE NEVER PURCHASE THE CAR, IF I KNEW OF RECALL PROBLEMS. NOW I AM STUCK IN THE MIDDLE WITHOUT A HORN/ALARM SYSTEM. SINCE THE DEALERSHIP WANTED TO GO INTO MY STEERING WHEEL TO CHECK THE FUSE FOR $95.00 AN HOUR, MY AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON. *TR
COOLANT IS LEAKING, MECHANIC SAID IT IS OUR LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET THAT HAS FAILED. ALSO HE SAYS TO FLUSH OUT THE DEX COOL BECAUSE IT IS A HORRIBLE COOLANT. *TR
I HAVE A 2003 CHEVY MALIBU. ONE DAY AFTER WORK, I COULD NOT GET MY CAR TO START. IT SOUNDED LIKE IT WANTED TO CRANK, BUT WOULD NOT. MYSELF AND A FEW OF MY COWORKERS CONTINUED TO PLAY WITH IT AND FINALLY, ABOUT 10 MINUTES LATER, IT STARTED. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC NEAR MY WORK PLACE. I WAS INFORMED BY THE MECHANIC THAT HE HAD A CHEVY THAT DID THE SAME THING. HE INFORMED ME THAT CHEVY IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT DOES NOT KNOW WHAT CAUSES IT. HE SHOWED ME THAT IF I TURN THE IGNITION ON WITHOUT STARTING THE CAR AND ALL THE DASH LIGHTS APPEAR, IT WILL START. IF I TURN THE IGNITION ON AND ONLY THE THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT APPEARS, IT WILL NOT START AND I WOULD HAVE TO CONTINUE TO PLAY WITH IT UNTIL ALL THE DASH LIGHTS APPEAR. IT DID OKAY FOR THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS BUT STARTING AGAIN AND DOES IT FREQUENTLY NOW. A LITTLE OVER A WEEK AGO, I WAS DRIVING HOME AND WAS APPROACHING A RAILROAD TRACK. AS I NEARED THAT TRACK I HEARD MY DOORS UNLOCK (WHICH DOES NOT HAPPEN UNLESS I MANUALLY UNLOCK THEM OR THE IGNITION IS TURNED OFF). I REALIZED THAT MY CAR HAD CUT OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING. THANKFULLY, IT HAD ENOUGH MOMENTUM TO CRUISE ACROSS THE RAILROAD TRACK AND I WAS ABLE TO STEER IT OFF THE MAIN ROAD UNTIL I COULD START IT AGAIN. THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *NM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED AT 75 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND AFTER A HALF AN HOUR, IT RESTARTED. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND THERE ARE NO CODES ON THE COMPUTER.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE DRIVER SIDE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR. SIX MONTHS LATER, THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN, THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. UPDATE 2/24/2006 - THE CONSUMER PREVIOUS VEHICLE, A 2000 CHEVROLET MALIBU, ALSO HAD THE SAME BRAKE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR FAILURE. *NM
BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING. *AK
I PURCHASED A PRE-OWNED 2003 CAVALIER LS EARLIER THIS YEAR. ON A REGULAR BASIS, THE DRIVERS SEAT BELT SLIPS OUT OF THE LOOP ON THE TOP OF THE SEAT THAT IS SUPPOSED TO HOLD IT, WHILE I AM BUCKLING UP, AND SMACKS ME IN THE NECK. SOMETIMES I DRIVE WITH IT THIS WAY, BUT WAS SINCE TOLD BY MY MECHANIC THAT I SHOULDN'T BECAUSE THE SEAT BELT IS NOT DOING ITS JOB EFFECTIVELY THAT WAY. THE LATEST TIME BEING TODAY, BUT THIS HAS HAPPENED EVER SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. THE NUMBER OF FAILURES I HAVE BELOW IS 15, BUT THIS IS JUST AN ESTIMATE. *JB
2003 CHEVY MALIBU HAS HAD RECURRING BRAKE PROBLEMS FOR THE LAST 10,000 MILES IT HAS 33,000 MILES . BRAKES WOULD GRAB AND VIBRATE THE FRONT END. FINALLY WAS TOLD THAT IT NEEDED NEW ROTORS AND PADS, IT IS DRIVEN ON A REGULAR BASIS AND FROM ALL THE OTHER BRAKE COMPLAINTS I READ ABOUT THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED. *JB
I HAVE A 2003 CHEVY MAILIBU AND LEARNED THAT MY ANIT-THEFT SYSTEM WILL NOT ALLOW ME TO START MY CAR EVEN WITH THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. FROM WHAT I HAVE LEARN IS THAT I HAVE TO WAIT 10 MINUTES WHEN I AM "LOCKED OUT" FROM DRIVING MY CAR BEFORE THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT GOES OUT THEN I CAN START THE CAR AND DRIVE. I RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND OUT THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY OWNER OF A CHEVY MAILBU WHO EXPERIENCE THIS ISSUE. I LEARNED THAT OTHER OWNERS HAD TO PAY LARGE AMOUNTS OF MONEY TO GET THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER REPLACED, BUT THIS DID NOT ALWAYS SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE SAME OWNERS HAD TO GO BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND PAY EVEN MORE MONEY TO GET OTHER PARTS REPLACE. THE REPLACEMENT OF ALL THE PARTS DID NOT ALWAYS FIX THE ISSUE COMPLETELY. ALSO, FOUND OUT THAT GM DOES KNOW ABOUT THE ISSUE BUT WON'T RECALL THE CARS BECAUSE IT IS NOT CONSIDER A SAFETY ISSUE. BUT I WILL LIKE TO DISAGREE WITH THAT, BECAUSE IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE TO ME. I MAY HAVE AN EMERGENCY AND BE IN A NEED TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL BUT MY CAR MAY NOT START AND I WOULD HAVE TO CALL 911 FOR HELP ALL THE TIME. SOME PEOPLE CAN'T NOT ALWAYS AFFORD THE AMBULANCE RIDE TO THE HOSPITAL. ALSO, I MAY BE TRAVELING THROUGH SOME UNFAMILIAR PLACES AND I DON'T THINK THAT I CAN SIT IN MY CAR FOR 10 MINUTES WHILE SOMEONE MAY WANT TO DO HARM TO ME. THIS IS A BIG SAFETY ISSUE TO ME. I ALSO FEAR THAT ONE DAY MY CAR MAY CUT OFF ON ME WHILE I AM DRIVING DUE TO MY ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM AND I MAY GET INTO AN ACCIDENT. FROM RESEARCHING THE ISSUE, I READ ABOUT SOME OWNERS WHO ARE PARENTS AND THEY FEAR THAT THE CAR WILL ONE DAY NOT WORK DUE TO THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM AND THEY MAY NEED TO GET MEDICAL ATTENTION FOR THEIR CHILD, BUT ARE UNABLE TO DO SO DUE TO THEIR CAR NOT WORKING. I KNOW THAT OTHER CAR OWNERS HAVE COMPLAINT ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE. I ALSO BELIEVE THAT GM SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR FIXING THIS ISSUE SINCE IT IS A "KNOWN" ISSUE. AND ARE THE NEW 2006 CHEVY MAILBU " CURED" OF THIS ISSUE? *JB
2003 CHEVY MALIBU HAS DEFECTIVE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER. MY CAR HAS 49000 MILES ON IT AND THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER HAS KEPT ME STRANDED. THIS TIME I WAS IN A SOMEWHAT DANGEROUS AREA, AND HAD NO PHONE OR WAY TO GET TO ONE. WHEN CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY THE DEALER REPLACED THE CYLINDER AND NOW THEY WANT A COUPLE OF HUNDRED BUCKS TO DO IT AGAIN. *JB
DT: THE CONSUMER STATES THAT ON 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS STILL ACTIVE EVEN WHEN THE DRIVER HAD HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE. THE SWITCH ON THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED OFF AND THE CRUISE WAS STILL ACTIVATING AND SPEEDING THE CAR UP. THE CONSUMER PUT HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKES SEVERAL TIMES TRYING TO GET THE CAR TO STOP. THE CONSUMER FINALLY WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR TO STOP, BUT HE HAD TO PUT THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL. THE CAR HAD TO BE TURNED OFF COMPLETELY. IT SET FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES AND THEN VEHICLE RESTARTED. THE CAR SAT FOR A FEW MINUTES AND THEN THE CAR WAS BACK TO NORMAL. THE CONSUMER CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND CHECKED TO SEE IF THERE WERE ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR, AND THE DEALERSHIP HAD NOT EVER HEARD OF THIS HAPPENING BEFORE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED AT THIS POINT. THE SPEED WAS 65 MPH AND THAT WAS WITH THE DRIVER'S FOOT ON THE BRAKE. *AK *JB
ANTI -LOCK BRAKE LIGHT (ABS) IS ON AND THE ABS SOMETIMES ACTIVATES WHEN THE USING THE BRAKES AT A SLOW SPEED. *JB
MY TRANSMISSION IS GOING OUT OF MY TAHOE IT IS A 2003 MODEL AND HAS LESS THAN 40,000 MILES ON IT. *NM
FRONT BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS KEEP NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW IN SEPT OF 2003, NEED NEW PADS/RESURFACED ROTORS AT 13,000 MILES AND AGAIN AT 28,000 MILES. *JB
HVAC SYSTEM HAS HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS FROM THE FAN NOT WORKING IN SELECTED SPEEDS TO THE AIR RECIRCULATE FUNCTION FAILING TO ENGAGE OR TO REMAIN ENGAGED. THE AC WOULD CUT ON AND OFF DURING USE THE RECIRCULATE FUNCTION WOULD STOP WORKING THE AC SYSTEM WOULD NOT TURN ON THE SYSTEM CONTROL UNIT, EVAPORATOR CORE AND COMPRESSOR WAS REPLACED WITHOUT ANY RESOLUTION OF THE PROBLEM. THE SYSTEM STILL FAILS TO WORK. MULTIPLE REPAIRS DONE WITHOUT RESOLUTION. *TR
I HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT I NEED A NEW INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. I WAS TOLD THAT GM WENT TO A CHEAP CAM SHAFT AND INTAKE GASKET ON MOST OF THE 3.1 TO 3.8 LITRE V6 ENGINES ABOUT 7 YEARS AGO AND THAT OVER 90% OF THESE ENGINES HAVE A LEAKING INTAKE GASKET WHICH CAUSES THE CHEAP CAM SHAFT TO RUST AND THEN BREAK DESTROYING THE ENGINE. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS HAPPENS BETWEEN 50,000 AND 90,000 MILES ON THESE ENGINES, THAT THERE ARE NO REPLACEMENT ENGINES AVAILABLE IN THE SALVAGE YARDS AND THAT GM CONTINUES TO PRODUCE THIS DEFECTIVE PRODUCT. NOW IM LOOKING AT APPROX. $600.00 TO REPLACE JUST THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. I DON'T THINK THAT I SHOULD HAVE TO FOOT THIS BILL TO REPLACE A PROBLEM THAT GM HAS KNOWN ABOUT FOR A LONG TIME AND REFUSES TO CORRECT. *TR
DT: 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES FAILED. THE CONSUMER STATES WAS DRIVING 40 MPH WHEN THIS OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY STATE THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THIS PROBLEM HAPPENED TWICE. *AK
TWICE NOW, MY CAR HAS NOT STARTED DUE TO THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM. I HAVE ONLY HAD THE CAR A YEAR AND HALF AND IT IS ABOUT TO DO IT A THIRD TIME. I KNOW THIS BECAUSE EACH TIME THE THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF FOR ABOUT THREE WEEKS BEFORE THE CAR WON'T START. I CANNOT GET THE CAR TO A DEALERSHIP RIGHT AWAY, I HAVE TO REMEDY THE SITUATION MYSELF BY RESETTING THE COMPUTER WHICH ERASES ANY CODE THAT WAS STORED, AND THEREFORE THE CAR CANNOT GET FIXED. *JB
BRAKES (ROTORS AND FRONT PADS) KEEP NEEDING TO BE REPLACE. FIRST AT 14,000 MILES AND THEN AGAIN AT 28,000 MILES. THE FIRST TIME THEY WERE REPLACED UNDER THE 36,000 MILE WARRANTY, BUT THE SECOND TIME THE DEALER REFUSED TO DO IT UNDER THE WARRANTY AND WANTED $500 FOR JOB. DEALER FIRST SAID THE REAR BRAKES WERE NOT ADJUSTED BUT WOULDN'T BLAME THE SELF ADJUSTERS THAT SHOULD KEEP THEM ADJUSTED. THEN THEY SAID THAT IT WAS MY DRIVING HABITS, REFUSING TO REFER TO ALL THE OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT MALIBU'S BRAKES AND THE FACT THAT NONE OF MY OTHER CARS HAVE EVER HAD BRAKES WERE OUT SO SOON. NOW THEY SAY IT IS "NORMAL" FOR MALIBU BRAKES TO WEAR OUT AFTER 14,000 MILES AND AGAIN THEY WON'T COVER THEM UNDER WARRANTY. BRAKES DO NOT WEAR OUT AFTER 14,000 MILES. *JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. AFTER THE KEY WAS ENTERED INTO THE IGNITION, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO OPERATE. IN ADDITION, THE ANTI THEFT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASS LOCK SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED AND THE IGNITION SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
AFTER A YEAR THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOAD/RADIO AND WINDOW WOULDN'T COME ON RIGHT AWAY. THEN THE ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON BUT THERE'S WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. THEN THE SERVICE LIGHT WOULD COME ON MONTH AFTER I HAD A OIL CHANGE DONE. WHILE I WAS DRIVING, THE CAR JUST SLOWED UP AND STOP. TOLD BY MY MECHANIC IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP BUT WHILE HE HAD IT FOR HALF THE DAY; THE CAR STARTED RIGHT UP WITH NO PROBLEM. ALSO SOMETIMES THERE'S A CLICKING NOISE LIKE MY SIGNAL IS ON BUT ITS NOT. I WAS TOLD IT WAS MY ALARM KEY. EVERY TIME THERE IS A INCIDENT COMPUTER SHOWS IT BUT CAN'T EXPLAIN THE PROBLEM AND IT STOP FOR AWHILE BUT COMES BACK. BEEN LIKE THIS SINCE I HAD IT AND I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER THEY KEEP IT OVER NIGHT SAME THING.
VEHICLE SAFETY ISSUE: 2003 CHEVY MALIBU HAS BEEN INTO THE DEALER THREE (3) TIMES FOR BRAKE REPAIRS. FIRST COMPLAINT I WAS TOLD BRAKES NEEDED TO "WEAR IN", CAR ONE (1) WEEK OLD. SECOND COMPLAINT, SOFT AND PULSATING PEDAL WITH POOR STOPPING, ROTORS WERE "REFINISHED", VEHICLE MILEAGE 6,800. THIRD COMPLAINT, VEHICLE UNCONTROLLABLE WHEN STOPPING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, DEALER ADVISED THAT ROTORS HAVE "EXCESSIVE RUN-OUT" AND INNER PADS ARE "LOW". COST TO REPAIR THREE HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS ($350.00), VEHICLE MILEAGE 30,000. DEALER AND GENERAL MOTORS REFUSE TO ADMIT THE BRAKE WEAR IS CAUSED BY A SAFETY DEFECT IN THE BRAKING SYSTEM. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE AND VEHICLE WAS RELEASED FROM THE DEALER AND IS NOW UNSAFE TO OPERATE DUE TO UNCONTROLLABLE STEERING WHILE BRAKES ARE APPLIED.
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. *NM
ON 5/24/05 I PURCHASED A 2003 CHEVY MALIBU FROM SUBURBAN CHEVY. FROM THE MOMENT I TEST DROVE IT THERE WERE ISSUES WITH BRAKE NOISE FROM THE CAR'S FRONT TIRES. I ALSO NOTICED THAT THE PEDAL WAS VERY SOFT WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. ON MY FIRST VISIT I WAS INFORMED BY THE TECHNICIAN THAT IT WAS BRAKE RUST FROM SITTING IN THE LOT AND THAT IT WOULD BURN OFF IN A COUPLE OF DAYS. A WEEK LATER, I RETURNED WITH THE SAME NOISE AND A PULSATING STEERING WHEEL WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THIS TIME ANOTHER TECHNICIAN INFORMED ME THAT THE ROTORS WERE INCORRECTLY MACHINED AND THAT THEY WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM. HE ALSO INFORMED ME THAT BECAUSE THE BRAKES WERE PARTIALLY METALLIC, I WOULD EXPERIENCE SOME NOISE. WHAT HE DIDN'T TELL ME WAS THAT I WOULD STILL EXPERIENCE THE SOFT PEDAL AND PULSATING STEERING AT SLOWER SPEEDS. TO DATE THE PROBLEM PERSISTS.
THE CHEROLET MALIBU WE OWN THINKS IT IS BEING STOLEN AS THE KEY HAS A COMPUTER CHIP IN IT AND AT TIMES WON'T COMMUNICATE WITH THE COMPUTER IN THE CAR.TODAY I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED FOR THE THIRD TIME BECAUSE THERE IS NO OTHER WAY TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM OTHER THAN GETTING IT TO THE DEALER.MY HUSBAND AND I ARE IN POOR HEALTH AND NEED A RELIABLE CAR.IT HAS ONLY 49000 MILES ON IT.
STARTED IN 2005 WHEN CAR WAS BOUGHT USED, AUTO THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT WILL COME ON AND SOON AFTER CAR WILL NOT START DID THIS FOR 5 YEARS STRAIGHT OFF AND ON THEN COMPLETELY STOPPED FOR 3 YEARS NOW HAS STARTED BACK UP IN 2013. THIS IS VERY ANNOYING AFRAID CAR WON'T START WHEN NEEDED FOR AN EMERGENCY. ALSO WHEN PUT INTO PARK KEY WILL NOT COME OUT UNTIL YOU MESS WITH SHIFTER AND YOU HEAR THE CLICK OF IT GOING INTO PARK. *TR
I PURCHASE A USED 2003 CHEV CAVALIER ON APRIL 20, 2005 AND THE ODOMETER DOESN'T LIGHT UP PROPERLY I AM UNABLE TO SEE THE MILAGE ON THIS VEHCILE
FRONT BRAKE FAILURE. 4 REPAIRS OF MACHINING / REPLACING ROTORS. CAR HAS UNDER 15,000 MILES. BOUGHT IT NEW. CAR SHAKES UNCONTROLLABLY ON HIGHWAYS WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. STEERING WHEEL LITERALLY BOUNCES 1.5 INCHS IN ALL DIRECTIONS. SERVICE DEALER KEEPS ON REPLACING AND MACHINEING THE ROTORS. SOMETHING IS CAUSING THEM TO WARP ... MY COMPLAINT IS HEARD BY DEAF EARS... HELP. *AK
WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 30-35 MPH A METAL TO METAL NOISE OCCURRED UPON DEPRESSION OF THE BRAKE PEDAL. VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO A MECHANIC, WHO INDICATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER BRAKE PAD BROKE IN HALF. *AK
THE REAR BRAKES WERE BRAND NEW, THEY NEVER HAVE BEEN USED. THE FRONT BRAKES WERE COMPLETELY WORN OUT. MECHANIC STATED THAT SOMETHING IN THE REAR BRAKES THAT HAD NOT BEEN ADJUSTED CORRECTLY WAS CAUSING THE FRONT BRAKES TO PERFORM FOR THE REAR BRAKES.*AK *BF *NM
BRAKE PROBLEMS RESULTED IN MINOR ACCIDENT. 2 WEEKS FOLLOWING ACCIDENT BRAKE NOISE BEGAN. INSPECTION REVEALED THAT ONLY THE INSIDE BRAKE PADS ON EACH FRONT WHEEL HAD FAILED, INDICATING FAULTY BRAKE DESIGN. NUMEROUS SERVICE BULLETINS ARE NOTED FOR BRAKE RELATED ISSUES FOR THIS VEHICLE ARE POSTED ON THE NHTSA SITE. GM REFUSED TO ASSIST CLAIMING NORMAL WEAR.
THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM CHECK LIGHT HAS TURNED ON A TOTAL OF FOUR TIMES AND HAS CAUSED THE FUEL SUPPLY TO CUT OFF AND NOT START THE VEHICLE. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED BY CONSUMER. *JB
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. *JB
VEHICLE MADE METAL AGAINST METAL RUBBING NOISE. CALLED FOR APPOINTMENT BEFORE 45,000 MILES. APPOINTMENT OCCURRED AT 45,100 MILES. WAS ADVISED THAT HUB ASSEMBLY AND WHEEL BEARINGS NEED REPLACED ON BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT. CAR IS PRIMARILY DRIVEN ON HIGHWAY/EXPRESSWAY 52 MILES PER DAY. *NM