2003 Chevrolet Malibu Complaint Log

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED HE WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ANTI THEFT SYSTEM ACTIVATED AND AS A RESULT, IT PREVENTED HIM FROM TURNING ON THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

PASSLOCK ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM ENGAGING AND NOT ALLOWING CAR TO START. STARTED HAPPENING ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO. RESEARCHED ON THE INTERNET AND ASKED PROFESSIONAL ASE MECHANICS. NO WARRANTY OR TSB AVAILABLE TO FIX PROBLEM, BUT PLENTY OF COMPLAINTS. CAR HAS NOT SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. *TR

ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM KICKS IN EVEN WHEN ORIGINAL KEY IS USED TO START VEHICLE AND VEHICLE WILL NOT START WITHOUT WAITING 10 MINUTES TO RESTART SYSTEM. THIS HAPPENS AT IRREGULAR INTERVALS, USUALLY WHEN IT IS LEAST CONVENIENT. I HAVE HAD TO BE TOWED TWICE UNTIL I LEARNED THE OVERRIDE TRICK. I AM GOING INTO THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN TODAY TO TRY TO GET A PERMANENT FIX. *TR

ENGINE CUTSOFF WHILE DRIVING CAUSING THE CAR TO LOSE POWER AND COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. *TR

I HAVE A 2003 CHEVY MALIBU WITH APPROX 72,000 MILES THAT HAS BEEN LEAKING ANTIFREEZE (SMALL VISIBLE MARKS ON PAVEMENT) THAT REQUIRE REFILLING COOLANT EVERY 3 TO 4 WEEKS. I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR A DIAGNOSIS, AND IT WAS FOUND TO HAVE A LEAK AROUND THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE PRICE ESTIMATE IS $878 AND 7 HOURS TO REPAIR. THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST DEXCOOL FOR THIS PROBLEM, BUT WINDOW FOR CLAIMS ENDED ON OCT. 2008. I SPOKE WITH GM DEALERSHIP, AND THERE IS NO GM RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE, EVEN THOUGH THERE ARE MANY CARS WITH THIS PROBLEM (LEAKY INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET). WILL HAVE WORK DONE, BUT UNHAPPY WITH THE COST INVOLVED. *TR

VEHICLE WON'T START AND SECURITY LIGHT IS ON. I HAVE TO WAIT 10 MINUTES WITH KEY IN THE ON POSITION TO RESTART ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM AND THEN ENGINE WILL START. THE CAR AS WELL DIED AND SECURITY LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT SPEEDS OF 60 MPH AND HAD TO COAST OVER 2 LANES AND WAS LUCKILY NOT HIT OR INJURED. AFTER THIS I TOOK IT TO MY NORMAL MECHANIC TO LOOK AT IT. HE FIXED IGNITION SWITCH ON 3/3/2009 WHICH I HAVE DOCUMENTATION OF PROBLEM I WAS HAVING AND HIM FIXING IT. THIS DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM AND THE CAR STILL DOES NOT START. I HAVEN'T HAD IT STOP WHILE DRIVING SINCE THEN BUT IN THE BACK OF MY HEAD I'M TELLING MYSELF I NEED TO GET RID OF THIS CAR BEFORE SOMETHING TERRIBLE HAPPENS. SOMETIMES THE CAR IS FINE FOR MONTHS AND THEN IT WON'T START TWICE IN ONE WEEK. THIS IS ESPECIALLY A PAIN WHEN IT IS FREEZING COLD AND I HAVE NO WHERE ELSE TO WAIT 10 MINUTES BUT IN MY CAR. SEEMS TO BE VERY INTERMITTENT. BUT ONE THING IS FOR SURE THAT IF I TRY TO REMOTE START THE CAR WITH THE KEY FAB IT WILL MOST LIKELY ENDS IN TRIPPING THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM AND THE CAR WILL NOT START. I'VE SEEN SO MANY COMPLAINTS ON-LINE ABOUT THIS ISSUE. AND I ASK WHY HAS IT NOT BEEN RECALLED ESPECIALLY IF THE CAR CAN STOP RUNNING WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAS MADE ME LOSE CONFIDENCE IN GM, AND IF I BUY ANOTHER CAR I WILL THINK TWICE ABOUT BUYING ANOTHER CHEVY EVEN THOUGH I LIKE EVERYTHING ELSE ABOUT MY CAR. I AM NOT ABOUT TO TAKE IT IN AND SPEND HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS GETTING IT FIXED WHEN I CAN SAVE MY MONEY AND BUY SOMETHING MORE DEPENDABLE BESIDES A GM CAR. IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF YEARS I WILL BE ABLE TO BUY A NEW CAR AND I WILL BE GLAD WHEN I DON'T HAVE TO DEAL WITH THIS PROBLEM AGAIN. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHEN THE ANTI-THEFT LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED, THE CONTACT IS UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. A MECHANIC REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP BECAUSE THE VEHICLE CONSTANTLY STALLED; HOWEVER, THE FUEL PUMP WAS NOT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO STALL, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED, AND THE ANTI-THEFT LIGHT REMAINS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WILL TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE REPAIR SHOP FOR FURTHER INSPECTION. REPORT NUMBER 71-74-9932502 WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 88,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC FUEL PUMP HAD TO BE REPLACED IN HIS VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL OTHER THAN THE BATTERY INDICATOR, WHICH REMAINED ILLUMINATED. HE STATED THAT THIS FAILURE HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR QUITE SOME TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY A MECHANIC AND THEN REPAIRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR HIS VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000. UPDATED 6/8/09 *CN UPDATED 06/11/09.*JB

THE THEFT SYSTEM ON MY CHEVY MALIBU 2003 HAS LEFT ME STRANDED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS AND COST ME MORE THAN $300 IN REPAIR COSTS. THE THEFT SYSTEM BELIEVES MY CAR IS BEING STOLEN AND SHUTS OFF THE FUEL TO THE ENGINE. SOME POSTS SAY IT'S WHEN YOU USE AN COPIED KEY, BUT I'M USING THE FACTORY ORIGINAL. AT FIRST, THIS HAPPENED ONCE EVERY MONTH THEN INCREASED WITH FREQUENCY TO ONCE AND WEEK AND NOW EVERY TWO/THREE DAYS. THE 1ST THIS HAPPENED, I REPLACED THE BATTERY. THIS ONE 1 1/2 YRS AGO AND NOW THE BATTERY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. WHEN THE THEFT SYSTEM LOCKS ME OUT, I HAVE TO WAIT 10 MINUTES FOR THE LIGHT TO TURN OFF AND TRY TO TURN THE KEY OVER AGAIN. WITH THE AMOUNTS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SYSTEM, I WOULD THINK GM WOULD CHANGE SYSTEMS OR REMOVE THE PROBLEM. IT'S A DISGRACE THAT THEY CONTINUE TO PUT THIS SYSTEM IN A CAR EFFECTIVELY LOCKING OUT THE VERY OWNER INSTEAD OF DOING ITS INTENDED JOB. *TR

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. *TR

IN OUR CASE, WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED IS MORE EXTREME! AFTER RUNNING TO AND FROM THE STORE, OUR CAR WOULD NOT RESTART. IT HAPPENED IN OUR OWN DRIVEWAY--- THANK GOD!!! FROM WHAT I HAVE READ AS TO SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON OUR EXACT VEHICLE'S DEFECT, WE COULD HAVE BEEN IN TRAFFIC! SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS WERE IN LIFE-THREATENING POSITIONS WHEN THEIR CAR BROKE DOWN! WE WERE FORTUNATE!! WE HAVE SINCE HAD IT LOOKED AT BY A FRIEND WHO KNOWS CARS AND IS A MECHANIC, AND HE TELLS US THAT IT IS A DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP. HE ALSO TELLS US THAT IT MAY ALSO INCLUDE REPLACING THE FUEL RELAY, BUT WILL DEFINITELY INCLUDE REPLACING THE FUEL FILTER! WITH HIS LABOR COST AND PARTS, WE ARE LOOKING AT A COST (MINIMUM--- BARRING NO FURTHER COMPLICATIONS) OF AROUND $400.00!! THE DEALERSHIP WOULD BE MUCH MORE!!! AT THIS TIME, DUE TO FINANCIAL DISTRESS, WE CANNOT AFFORD TO GET IT FIXED! MY WIFE WORKS 20+ MILES AWAY, AND I AM OUT OF WORK DUE TO A HEART CONDITION! THIS COULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED AT A WORSE TIME FINANCIALLY FOR US!! *TR

I OWN A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU WITH 51,000 MILES ON IT. I WAS CHECKING MY OIL WHEN THE DIP STICK SHOWED IT A QUART LOW. I THEN CHECKED THE ENGINE COOLANT AND DISCOVERED THE OIL HAD GOTTEN INTO THE COOLANT. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND HE CONFIRMED THAT THE COOLANT HAD OIL IN IT. HE SAID THE MANIFOLD GASKETS HAD TO BE REPLACED WHICH INCLUDED FLUSHING THE COOLING SYSTEM. I KNOW GM DOESN'T CARE ABOUT OUR PROBLEMS WITH THEIR SORRY BUILT CAR. THE TOTAL COST OF THE REPAIR WAS OVER $600. THIS IS THE FIRST CAR THAT I HAVE EVER OWNED THAT A MANIFOLD OR HEAD GASKET HAD TO BE REPLACED. *TR

2003 CHEVY MALIBU WITH 88K. DURING ROUTINE OIL CHANGE WAS ADVISED OF OIL IN COOLANT. UPON TAKING TO MECHANIC WAS TOLD I HAD BAD HEAD/INTAKE GASKET AND NEEDED REPLACED , ESTIMATE COST $2400. UPON RESEARCHING FARTHER I FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS COMMON ON SOME GM VEHICLES WITH THE SAME ENGINE AND THAT IN FACT A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT HAD BEEN SETTLED IN CALIFORNIA EARLIER THIS YEAR. IN ANY CASE, I'M STUCK WITH THE BILL ON A REPAIR THAT WAS CAUSED BY THE COOLANT THAT THE GM USED AND REQUIRED AS APART OF THE WARRANTY. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE ANTI-FREEZE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. THE CONTACT PULLED BACK INTO THE DRIVEWAY AND NOTICED THAT THE RESERVOIR WAS EMPTY. HE HAD TO REFILL THE VEHICLE WITH ANTI-FREEZE. APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH LATER, THE RESERVOIR WAS ALMOST EMPTY AGAIN AND HE HAD TO REFILL THE VEHICLE WITH ANTI-FREEZE. IN JANUARY OF 2009, THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WAS SOME ANTI-FREEZE ON THE ENGINE DUE TO THE MANIFOLD GASKET BEING DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 79,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,500. UPDATED 2/5/09 *CN THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE GASKET WAS MADE OUT OF PLASTIC THAT WAS THE REASON FOR THE FAILURE. UPDATED 02/10/09. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE WITH HER VEHICLE. THE TURN SIGNALS WOULD OPERATE WITHOUT INITIALIZATION AND THE POWER DOOR LOCKS WERE ALSO INOPERABLE. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL; HOWEVER, THERE WERE NO OTHER FAILURES. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER COULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIRS BECAUSE THERE WERE NO RECALLS AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 87,000.

THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET ON MY 2003 CHEVY MALIBU HAD TO BE REPLACED SINCE IT WAS PLASTIC. HAS THEIR BEEN A RECALL ON THIS PART? IF SO, WHAT FORMS NEED TO BE FILLED OUT TO GET PROPER REFUNDING? *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. SHE NOTICED THAT THE ANTI THEFT LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. SHE PLACED THE IGNITION IN AUXILIARY MODE FOR 10 MINUTES. THE CONTACT THEN TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD TO CLIMB IN THE BACK SEAT TO EXIT BECAUSE THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER'S SIDE DOORS WOULD NOT UNLOCK. UPON EXITING, SHE WOULD THEN HAVE TO LIFT THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE AND SLAM THE HOOD BACK DOWN IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE ANTI THEFT SYSTEM WAS FAILING. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED AT THE COST OF $1,168. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT BECAUSE REGULAR MAINTENANCE, OTHER THAN OIL CHANGES, WERE NOT PERFORMED AT A CHEVROLET DEALER, NO COMPENSATION WOULD BE PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,943.

I HAD A PROBLEM WITH MY TURN SIGNALS. THEY WOULD WORK WHEN THEY WANTED TO. I TOOK MY CAR TO A CHEVY DEALER TO FIND OUT WHAT IT WAS AND HOW MUCH IT WAS GOING TO COST TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE SERVICE ATTENDANT WAS VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD THAT THEY HAD RECALL UP TO 2002 MALIBUS FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM BUT OF COURSE MINE IS A2003 SO I HAD TO PAY FOR IT TO BE REPAIRED. THE COST WAS $110.00 WHICH WASN'T BAD BUT THE 2002 AND 2003 PARTS INTERCHANGE. SO WHY WOULDN'T THEY HAVE SAME RECALL? *TR

STEERING COLUMN STARTED SMOKING, THEN BURST INTO FLAMES. *TR

ACCELERATOR WILL STICK AND WOULD NOT RETURN TO IDLE POSITION WHEN I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CONTINUING TO SPEED AT 50 MPH. DEALER REPLACED THE THROTTLE CABLE TOLD ME IT WAS DAMAGED SOMEHOW. ON 6/25/09 ACCELERATOR BEGAN STICKING AGAIN. DEALER REPLACED THE ACCELERATOR AND BRAKE PEDAL ASSEMBLY WHICH THEY HAD FAILED TO DO THE FIRST REPAIR. ALL REPAIRS DONE AT MY EXPENSE AT A TOTAL COST OF $283.82 NOT INCLUDING RENTAL CAR COST. *TR

BOUGHT A 2003 CHEVY MALIBU 1 1/2 YEARS AGO (USED). SINCE THAT TIME THE ANTI-THEFT DEVICE HAS FAILED TWICE. THE FIRST TIME IT WAS AT HOME, THE 2ND TIME LEFT ME STRANDED AN HOUR AWAY FROM HOME. I HAVE SPENT OVER $300.00 FOR TOWING, PLUS THE COST OF REPAIRS ON THE VEHICLE. I AM A COLLEGE STUDENT WHO AS LIMITED FUNDS. GM IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, BUT REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE OR FIX THE PROBLEM. IT WILL TAKE GM SEVERAL DEATHS WHEN THESE CARS SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD BEFORE THEY GET OFF THEIR "BUTTS" TO FIX THE PROBLEM. GM DOESN'T KNOW HOW TO KEEP THEIR CUSTOMERS! *TR

AFTER ENGINE COOLANT LIGHT COMING ON AND RESERVOIR BEING ALMOST EMPTY SERVICE STATION ADDED COOLANT. SAME THING HAPPENED APPROX 2 MONTHS LATER SAME ACTION TAKEN. WENT TO GET OIL CHANGED AND PERSON SAID DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY BECAUSE YOU HAVE OIL MIXED WITH YOUR RADIATOR FLUID, YOU HAVE SOME MAJOR ENGINE PROBLEMS. TOOK CAR TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC AND HE SAID THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM ON THE 2003 MALIBU AND THAT THE MANIFOLD GASKET WAS THE PROBLEM AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. HE REPLACED IT AT GREAT EXPENSE TO MYSELF,AND HE DID MAKE THE COMMENT THAT THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW WITH THIS PARTICULAR PART. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR SEAT CUSHION SEPARATED FROM THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH. HE WAS ABLE TO RE-ATTACH THE SEAT BY SNAPPING THE CLIPS BACK INTO PLACE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 56,000.

I WAS DRIVING DOWN A MAIN HIGHWAY IN OUR TOWN WHEN MY CAR STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BEFORE GETTING HIT, IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. THE CAR ACTED LIKE IT WASN'T GETTING ANY FUEL, IT WOULD TURN OVER, BUT NOT START. MY HUSBAND THOUGHT IT WAS THE FUEL FILTER, SO WE CHANGED IT IN THE PARKING LOT. IT DIDN'T FIX THE PROBLEM. WE ENDED UP TOWING THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND HAD THE FUEL PUMP REPLACED. COME TO FIND OUT, THE DEALER THEFT SYSTEM HAD TURNED ON WHILE I WAS DRIVING. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. IT HAPPENED AGAIN THIS MORNING. AFTER SITTING FOR 10 MINUTES WITH MY 3 YEAR OLD IN THE CAR, I TRIED TO START THE CAR, TO FIND OUT MY BATTERY WAS NOW DEAD FROM SITTING WITH THE KEY IN THE ON POSITION TO RESET THE THEFT SYSTEM. THIS IS BECOMING A MAJOR INCONVENIENCE AND LIABILITY WHILE DRIVING DOWN BUSY HIGHWAYS WITH MY CHILD IN THE CAR. IF THIS HAPPENED ON A MAJOR FREEWAY IT COULD BE FATAL. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM. AFTER SEARCHING THE INTERNET I HAVE FOUND THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO FIX IT. *TR

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. *TR

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!!!!!!! *TR

TL*THE CONTACT'S SPOUSE OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING, FAILED TO RESTART, AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT SUSPECTED THAT THE FUEL PUMP FAILED. THERE IS AN OPEN INVESTIGATION (PE07033) REGARDING THE FUEL PUMP. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 117,000.

TOOK THE CAR TO THE SERVICE STATION FOR MAINTENANCE. WHEN I PULL INTO THE DRIVE WAY OF THE SERVICE STATION THE CAR ACCELERATED BY ITSELF. I RAN INTO THE DOOR AND THE BUILDING. I TURNED THE IGNITION OFF AND INSPECTED THE DAMAGE TO THE CAR AND THE BUILDING. THE CAR HAD SOME SCRATCHES AND DAMAGE TO THE FRONT BUMPER. THE BUILDING DAMAGE WAS SUPERFICIAL. THE SERVICE STATION DID THE MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRED THE FAULTY ACCELERATION CABLE. I REMEMBERED LATER THAT THERE WAS A RECALL SERVICE THAT WAS DONE IN 2005 ON THIS VEHICLE. THIS ALSO HAPPEN AGAIN, I HAD IT REPAIRED AGAIN. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE CAR IS UNSAFE. *TR

THIS MORNING WHEN GETTING GAS, I GOT BACK IN THE CAR, STARTED IT UP AND THE HORN RANDOMLY BEEPED. ONCE I GOT TO WORK, AND LOCKED THE CAR THE HORN BEEPED AGAIN, KEEP IN MIND THE REMOTE LOCKS DON'T SOUND THE HORN. WHEN I GOT HOME LATER WHEN LOCKING THE CAR THE HORN DIDN'T SOUND. WHEN SOMEONE ELSE USED THE CAR LATER TONIGHT, WHEN STARTING THE CAR THE HORN SOUNDED AGAIN. I ASKED HER TO TURN IT OFF AND TRY AGAIN, AND ONCE AGAIN IT SOUNDED. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65-70 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK AND WOULD NOT RELEASE. THE CONTACT WAS FORCED TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL AND TURN OFF THE VEHICLE. HE COASTED SAFELY TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD UNTIL THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS OFF, HE APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND IT RELEASED. AFTER RESEARCHING RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT REALIZED THAT HIS FAILURE WAS IDENTICAL TO THAT DESCRIBED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V528000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL). THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND, SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. AS OF JUNE 10, 2008, THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 130,000. UPDATED 07/08/08. *BF UPDATED

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 250.00 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 300.00 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 *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V528000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: ACCELERATOR PEDAL). SHE WAS ADVISED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING TO DETERMINE IF THEY WILL ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 64,000. UPDATED 07/28/09. *LJ UPDATED 07/30/09.*JB

THIS 2003 CHEVY MALIBU HAS A BAD REPUTATION ON ITS PASSLOCK SYSTEM. THE CAR COULDN'T BE STARTED WHEN I TURNED THE KEY. THE THEFT SYSTEM LIGHTS WAS ON. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. ON MAY 25, 2008, WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN ACCELERATING FASTER THAN NORMAL. THE CONTACT HAD TO MERGE OUT OF TRAFFIC. SHE COULD NOT FEEL THE BRAKES WORKING AND SPED THROUGH A STOP SIGN. SHE DROVE INTO A PARKING LOT TO AVOID CRASHING INTO OTHER VEHICLES. THE VEHICLE FINALLY STOPPED WHEN IT CRASHED INTO AN EMBANKMENT. THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE BODY SHOP TO REPLACE THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR AND HEADLAMP. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT AN INVESTIGATOR WOULD INVESTIGATE THE FAILURE. THEY ARE CURRENTLY STATING THAT DUE TO THE BODY WORK THAT WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE, THEY WILL NOT INVESTIGATE THE ACCELERATION FAILURE, ONLY THE AIR BAG FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAS A BACK INJURY THAT WAS AGGRAVATED DUE TO THE CRASH. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 24,000.

ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO WHEN IT STARTED GETTING HUMID, I WOULD BE DRIVING AT A CONSTANT SPEED, AND ALL OF A SUDDEN I WOULD BEGIN TO SPEED UP. I WOULD LET OFF THE ACCELERATOR, AND THE CAR WOULD CONTINUE TO GAIN SPEED. WHEN I TRIED TO COME TO A STOP, THE CAR STILL WANTED TO GO FORWARD, AND THE RPM WAS STUCK AT 1.5. I NEED TO STICK MY FOOT UNDER THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO LIFT IT UP, AS IF IT GETS STUCK. IT TYPICALLY DOESN'T DO IT IN THE WINTER MONTHS, BUT DOES IT ALL SUMMER LONG, ESPECIALLY ON HOT, HUMID DAYS. I'VE ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH BLINKER NOISE: I WILL BE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, AND FOR NO PARTICULAR REASON, I WILL HEAR THE NOISE IT MAKES WHEN SIGNALING. MY TURNING LIGHTS DON'T COME ON, BUT IT DOES MAKE THE NOISE AND HAS CONTINUED TO DO IT EXCESSIVELY FOR PERIODS OF 10 MINUTES OR LONGER. MY CAR HAS ALSO STARTED TO MAKE A DINGING NOISE, AS IF A DOOR WERE OPEN, AS I'M DRIVING ALONG....EXTREMELY ANNOYING!! *TR

INTERMITTENTLY THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START BECAUSE THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM KEPT LOCKING THE VEHICLE. IT TAKES SEVERAL MINUTES (TEN MIN OR SO) FOR THE SYSTEM TO RE-SET AND ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO START. DEALERSHIPS ARE NOT ABLE TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. COM- PLAINTS REGISTERED ON WWW.MYSTATS.COM/SAFETY STATION ARE NUMEROUS (AT LEAST 40) CONCERNING THIS PROBLEM. SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE REPORTED THAT THE VEHICLE WILL SUDDENLY STOP RUNNING WHILE DRIVING IN MOTION. GM SHOULD RECALL AND CORRECT THIS IMMEDIATELY. *TR

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 $700.00 - $1,300.00 TO DO THE REPAIRS AND MOST PEOPLE CAN'T AFFORD IT. CHEVROLET IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *TR

2003 MAILBU 6 CY. I JUST HAD $1,300.00 CAR REPAIR THAT COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED IF GMC WOULD HAVE RECALLED ALL CARS THAT HAVE THE ANTIFREEZE WITH ACID IN IT. THIS IS A REPAIR THAT THEY ARE FIGHTING IN A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT BLAMING THE DRIVERS WHEN OUR BOOKS STATE NO CHANGING ANTIFREEZE FOR 150,000 MILES. IN STEAD THEY ARE PUTTING PEOPLE WHO BOUGHT AMERICAN MADE CARS HAVE THIS UNNECESSARY EXPENSE. THIS IS MONEY THAT I HAD TO BORROW AND NOW FIND SOME WAY TO PAY BACK SO THAT I MAY CONTINUE TO WORK. THIS SHOULDN'T EVEN BE A LAW SUIT. THEY SHOULD OWN TO THEIR MISTAKE AND MAKE GOOD THE ERROR THAT THEY MADE. *TR

YOU CAN ADD MY NAME TO THE LIST OF INDIVIDUALS SHELLING OUT AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF MONEY TO REPLACE WHAT APPEAR TO BE DEFECTIVE PARTS AND/OR MANUFACTURING DESIGNS IN THE 2003 CHEVY MALIBU. WE PURCHASED THE CAR NEW IN FEB 2003 AND REPAIR COSTS TO DATE ARE IN EXCESS OF $2,000 AND THE CAR ONLY HAS 52,000 MILES ON IT. FIRST, THE BRAKES AND ROTORS NEEDED PLACED AFTER ABOUT 40,000 MILES (MOST OF WHICH WERE INTERSTATE DRIVING)...COST WAS OVER $300. NEXT, WE WERE GETTING THE CAR REPAIRED AFTER AN INCIDENT WITH A DEER AND THE MECHANIC INFORMED US THAT COOLANT WAS STARTING TO LEAK INTO THE ENGINE BECAUSE OF A FAULTY INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET...REPAIR COST ALMOST $1,000. FINALLY, MY WIFE WAS RECENTLY STRANDED BECAUSE THE FUEL PUMP FAILED...REPAIR COST $1,000. ALL OF THESE INCIDENTS OCCURRED WITHIN THE PAST 6 MONTHS. BY FAR THE MOST FRUSTRATION THING IS THAT ALL THESE ITEMS APPEAR TO BE VERY COMMON FAILURES WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL MADE BY CHEVROLET AND THERE HAS YET TO BE ANY RECALLS...VERY DISAPPOINTING. MY ENTIRE EXPERIENCE HAS CONTINUED TO SNOWBALL EVER SINCE WE HAD ISSUES WITH GETTING THE DEALERSHIP TO FIX ITEMS THAT WERE STILL UNDER WARRANTY. GENERAL MOTORS SEEMS TO BE MORE FOCUSED ON EARNING PROFITS THAT COMPETE WITH THE FOREIGN PRODUCERS RATHER THAN TAKING CARE OF THEIR CURRENT CUSTOMERS. IF THINGS DON'T CHANGE, THE COMPANY WILL HAVE VERY LIMITED REPEAT CUSTOMERS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LEFT AND RIGHT TURN SIGNALS SEEM TO SHUT OFF IMMEDIATELY AFTER THEY WERE ENGAGED WHICH MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO ALERT THE OTHER DRIVER THAT SHE WAS MAKING A TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER NOR HAD IT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED HER THAT HE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 75,000.

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. *TR

TL*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 *CN UPDATED 02/10/09. *JB

THE CAR HAS DIED AT NIGHT IN NOT A VERY GOOD SIDE OF TOWN AND WOULD NOT START ON 10/07. HAD IT TOWED AND THEY FOUND THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET DAMAGED $1,000.00. FEB 08 CAR WOULD NOT START AFTER WORK. 10 MILES AWAY FROM HOME. HAD THE CAR TOWED BACK TO FIRESTONE THINKING IT WAS THE SAME THING INSTEAD THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM HAD CAUSED THE CAR NOT TO START. 4/08 CAR AGAIN WOULD NOT START AFTER WORK. PLEASE FORCE GM TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR VEHICLES MALFUNCTIONS BEFORE SOME ONE GETS HURT BECAUSE OF THE ANTI THEFT SYSTEM. *TR

STUCK ACCELERATOR: ON 4/22/08, TOOK FOOT OFF GAS PEDAL -- CAR DID NOT DECELERATE AND MAINTAINED 47 MILES PER HOUR FOR 0.86 MILES. MADE SURE CRUISE CONTROL WAS TURNED OFF. RPM'S STILL STUCK AT 1.5. PROCEEDED THROUGH A GREEN LIGHT AND CAR CONTINUED AT 1.5 RPM'S FOR THE NEXT 2 MILES. APPROACHING A 2ND INTERSECTION, I DECIDED TO PULL OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO BE ABLE TO TURN OFF THE ENGINE, BUT THERE WASN'T A SHOULDER; SO APPLIED BRAKES TO TURN ON TO QUIETER SIDE ROAD. BARELY MADE TURN. HAD BRAKES DOWN HARD AND CAR STILL TRAVELED AT 20 MILES PER HOUR. HIT EMERGENCY BRAKE AND CAR SLOWED TO 5 MPH. I THEN PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. TOOK IT TO SPUR CHEVY FOR REPAIR. THEY FOUND THE PRIOR OWNER HAD WORK DONE PER RECALL CAMPAIGN # 04V528000. NOTHING CAME UP ON THEIR SCAN TEST, NO FAULT CODES. CRUISE CONTROL CHECKED OUT OK. THEY DIAGNOSED IT AS THE TOP OF THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDING CLEANING. THIS IS THE 4TH TIME THE THROTTLE HAS BEEN CLEANED IN THE 1 1/2 YEARS I'VE OWNED THIS VEHICLE. PRIOR 3 SERVICES PERFORMED BY THE SELLER (BARRY DODGE) ON 8/7/07, 6/5/07 AND 4/5/07 WERE REQUESTED AS THE ENGINE ROUTINELY IDLED AT 1500 RPMS. THE 4/22/08 INCIDENT WAS THE FIRST TIME THE BRAKES WEREN'T ABLE TO STOP THE CAR. THE ENGINE WAS ACTING SLUGGISH IN THE WEEKS PRIOR TO 4/22. THE OIL CHANGE WASN'T DUE FOR ANOTHER 1000 MILES (BARRY DODGE OR VALVOLINE). I DON'T USE SYNTHETIC OIL. I ALWAYS ADD FUEL INJECTOR CLEANER AFTER AN OIL CHANGE. I PREFER SUNOCO GAS AND USE THEIR LEAST EXPENSIVE GRADE. *TR

ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM: CAUSES THE CAR NOT TO START ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. TAKES SEVERAL MINUTES FOR SYSTEM TO RESET. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. INTERMITTENTLY, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START BECAUSE THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM KEPT LOCKING THE VEHICLE. IT TAKES 10-15 ATTEMPTS TO START THE VEHICLE WHEN THIS OCCURS. THE FAILURE HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER TIME. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 49,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. UPDATED 05/05/08. *LJ THE DEALER WOULD NOT DISCONNECT THE THEFT SYSTEM. UPDATED 05/05/08. *JB

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.) *TR

I HAVE A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU THE PASSLOCK ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM MESSES UP IT EITHER WONT ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO START OR IT STOPS THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY OR ROAD AND WONT START THIS IS PROBLEMATIC FOR CHEVY OWNERS AND COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS IF ON A BUSY HIGHWAY COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT NUMEROUS PEOPLE HAVE CONTACTED GM ABOUT THIS PROBLEM THEY REFUSE TO RECALL AND FIX THIS PROBLEM. *TR

THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM IN MY VEHICLE CONTINUALLY MALFUNCTIONS, AND CAUSES ME TO WAIT 10 MINUTES IN ORDER TO START MY CAR. I AM AWARE THAT THIS IS AN ONGOING AND VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH GM VEHICLES WITH THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM. IT IS INEXCUSABLE THAT GM ALLOWS THIS PROBLEM TO GO ON UNACKNOWLEDGED. *TR