2003 Chevrolet Malibu Recalls, Complaints & Specs
2 safety recalls list the 2003 Chevrolet Malibu, and owners have filed 569 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
- 1964
- 1973
- 1974
- 1975
- 1977
- 1978
- 1979
- 1980
- 1981
- 1982
- 1983
- 1986
- 1989
- 1997
- 1998
- 1999
- 2000
- 2001
- 2002
- 2003
- 2004
- 2005
- 2006
- 2007
- 2008
- 2009
- 2010
- 2011
- 2012
- 2013
- 2014
- 2015
- 2016
- 2017
- 2018
- 2019
- 2020
- 2021
- 2022
- 2023
- 2024
- 2025
2 safety recalls for the 2003 Chevrolet Malibu
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
-
Ignition (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. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on July 3, 2014, that they are recalling…
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…
-
Accelerator pedal (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 may stick at the attachment to the bracket and not return to the engine idle position when the operator lifts his foot from the accelerator…
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 chevrolet at…
569 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 2003 Chevrolet Malibu have filed 569 complaints with NHTSA; 35 describe a crash and 4 describe a fire. Reports cite 23 injuries and 1 death. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 78,129 miles. Complaints peaked in 2014 with 113 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact discovered that while driving at various speeds, the key could be removed from the ignition while the engine was still running. The contact later”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, June 15, 2026 · Electrical system
“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 steer”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, September 15, 2023 · Electrical system
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 2003 Chevrolet Malibu. Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 21 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 18 / 26 |
| Fuel | Regular |
| EPA class | Midsize Cars |
| Engine | 6 cyl, 3.1 L |
| Transmission | Automatic 4-spd |
Compare Chevrolet Malibu model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Chevrolet Malibu model year in NHTSA's database.
Checking a specific 2003 Chevrolet Malibu
How do I know if my 2003 Chevrolet Malibu has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 2 campaigns currently list the 2003 Chevrolet Malibu; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Chevrolet dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 04V528000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other Chevrolet models
- Silverado 150018,029 complaints
- Impala10,434 complaints
- Tahoe10,032 complaints
- Equinox9,161 complaints
- Silverado8,799 complaints
- Blazer8,192 complaints
- Suburban8,164 complaints
- Cobalt7,681 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.