MYRModel Year Report

2003 Chevrolet Malibu

● Typical for this model
2003 Chevrolet Malibu
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Chevrolet Malibu Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2003 highlighted. 1980: 5 complaints 1980 1981: 3 complaints 1982: 2 complaints 1983: 1 complaints 1986: 1 complaints 1989: 3 complaints 1989 1997: 443 complaints 1998: 976 complaints 1999: 789 complaints 2000: 922 complaints 2001: 721 complaints 2001 2002: 566 complaints 2003: 569 complaints 2003 2004: 1147 complaints 2005: 975 complaints 2006: 1115 complaints 2006 2007: 977 complaints 2008: 987 complaints 2009: 1509 complaints 2010: 1357 complaints 2011: 976 complaints 2011 2012: 904 complaints 2013: 834 complaints 2014: 349 complaints 2015: 267 complaints 2016: 834 complaints 2016 2017: 696 complaints 2018: 687 complaints 2019: 188 complaints 2020: 190 complaints 2021: 74 complaints 2021 2022: 86 complaints 2023: 49 complaints 2024: 24 complaints 2025: 7 complaints 2025
2003: 569 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19805
19813
19822
19831
19861
19893
1997443
1998976
1999789
2000922
2001721
2002566
2003569
20041147
2005975
20061115
2007977
2008987
20091509
20101357
2011976
2012904
2013834
2014349
2015267
2016834
2017696
2018687
2019188
2020190
202174
202286
202349
202424
20257

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 38%

38% of complaints: electrical system — 215 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Multiple times, the vehicle, while driving, electrically shuts down. security light comes on, sometimes, many attempts to restart will work. These shutdowns cause me to revet to manual bakes and steering.

NHTSA ODI report, 20230915

TAMARA RECALL . IGNITION GETS STUCK IN THE ACC POSITION WHEN SHUTTING CAR OFF AFTER PLACING VEHICLE IN PARK. KEY CAN BE REMOVED IN ACC POSITION AND ALLOWS CAR TO BE STARTED WITHOUT THE KEY AND ALLOWS VEHICLE THE BE SHIFTED OUT OF PARK AND INTO GEAR.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180326

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE, BUT THE IGNITION WOULD NOT TURN TO THE OFF POSITION. THE VEHICLE'S BATTERY HAD TO BE DISCONNECTED IN ORDER TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180222

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 10%

10% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 59 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 10%

10% of complaints: electrical system — 55 distinct reports on file.

ENGINE 8%

8% of complaints: engine — 47 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Multiple times, the vehicle, while driving, electrically shuts down. security light comes on, sometimes, many attempts to restart will work. These shutdowns cause me to revet to manual bakes and steering.

NHTSA ODI report, 20230915

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 4%

4% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 25 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE DEATH

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20041220 — vehicle speed control

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 124, 'ACCELERATOR CONTROL SYSTEMS.' IN HOT AMBIENT CONDITIONS, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ARM M

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ARM AND REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR AND BRAKE PEDAL ASSEMBLY WITH A NEW ASSEMBLY, IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 20, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CH

Campaign 04V528000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20070427 — fuel system, other

CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNI

Remedy: DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.

Campaign 07E021000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20140908 — electrical system

This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 9, 2014. GM's number for this recall is 14350.

Campaign 14V400000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2003 Chevrolet Malibu — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (215 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (59 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (55 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 04V528000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 07E021000 (fuel system, other) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 14V400000 (electrical system) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2023 ▲ 2021 ▲ 2022

WORST YEARS

■ 2009 ◆ 2010 ◆ 2004

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2003 Chevrolet Malibu reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2003 Chevrolet Malibu is rated "typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Chevrolet Malibu?

The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 38% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2003 Chevrolet Malibu have?

3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.