Chevrolet Malibu Complaints (2003)

569 consumer complaints on file.

#10532045July 26, 2013
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
WHEN IT RAINS THE TAIL LIGHTS FILL UP WITH WATER AND THE LIGHTS DO NOT WORK CORRECTLY. AND SOMETIMES THEY DO NOT WORK AT ALL. IT HOLDS WATER AND THE LIGHTS FLASH IN A CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHT MANNER. ALSO WHEN THE BREAKS ARE STEPPED ON THE BLINKERS DO NOT WORK. ALSO WHEN YOU STEP ON THE BREAK THE BLINKER INDICATORS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL REMAIN LIT UP GREEN. I HAVE REPLACE BULBS AS WELL AS THE WHOLE LIGHT HOUSING. EVEN DRILLED WHOLES IN THE BOTTOM OF THE LIGHT HOUSING UNITS SO THE WATER CAN DRAINED. NOTHING CAN REMEDY THIS PROBLEM IT IS VERY DANGEROUS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10531828July 25, 2013
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CAR FAILED TO START, ONLY CRANKED. HAD SPARK PLUGS,WIRES,IGNITION SWITCH,FUEL PUMP, FUEL FILTER,RELAYS,COIL PACKS,ETC... REPLACED. GOT IT RUNNING DROVE ABOUT 40 MILES, NOW IT JUST DIES WHILE DRIVING... NO WARNING JUST CUTS OFF. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO VARIOUS MECHANICS AND HAVE SPENT ALOT OF $$. I EVEN HAD NEW GM MOTOR INSTALLED. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT AS SEVERAL TIME I WAS ON HIGHWAY. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. THIS WILL CAUSE AN ACCIDENT OR WORSE DEATH. DEALERSHIP HAS GIVEN NO HELP. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10525974July 21, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES, ENGINE, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
AFTER MY 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU HAD BEEN PARKED IN THE SUN FOR A WHILE, ON A SHORT TRIP OF 4 MILES, THE CAR STARTED REVVING UP AND TAKING OFF ON IT'S ON. IT ALSO CAUSED MY A/C HOSE TO BURST (I AM CONVINCED IT IS RELATED). I TOOK IT TO DEALER FOR REPAIR AND THEY CLEANED THE THROTTLE AND REPLACED THE A/C HOSE. THERE IS STILL THE SAME PROBLEM. IT SEEMS AS THOUGH IT HAPPENS WHEN IT IS VERY HOT WEATHER AND I AM MAKING SHORT TRIPS RUNNING ERRANDS WHICH CALLS FOR TURNING ENGINE OFF AND RESTARTING. I DROVE BACK HOME WITH MY FOOT ENTIRELY ON THE BRAKES WHILE TRYING TO KEEP THE CAR FROM RUNNING OUT OF CONTROL. I AM VERY RELUCTANT TO DRIVE IT NOW, UNTIL I CAN FIND SOMEONE TO "REALLY" FIX THE PROBLEM (AS I WAS STUCK WITH A $487 REPAIR BILL). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10524588July 12, 2013
WHEELS, SUSPENSION
WHILE TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE, RELATIVELY NEW FIRESTONE AFFINITY TIRE ON THE DRIVER SIDE REAR DEVELOPED A LARGE BUMP AND BEGIN FRAYING. RECOGNIZED PROBLEM QUICKLY AND PULLED OVER BUT COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. PASSENGER SIDE REAR TIRE SHOWS VERY LITTLE WEAR AND NO SUCH ISSUES, INDICATING THAT IT WAS NOT WORN OUT, JUST A BAD QUALITY TIRE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10521884June 26, 2013
ENGINE
MY 2003 MALIBU(65000 MILES) STARTED TO IDLE HIGH (2000-2500RPM). WE TOOK IT TO OUR REGULAR MECHANIC SHOP, THEY DECIDED IT WAS THE IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE, REPLACED IT AND IT WORKED FINE UNTIL EARLY JUNE WHEN IT STARTED IDLING HIGH, INTERMITTENTLY. THE RISING IDLE WOULD START WITH A ROUGH ACCELERATION, THEN THE RPM'S WOULD START TO RISE AND NOT COME BACK DOWN. WE TOOK IT BACK AND THEY COULD NOT GET THE PROBLEM TO RECUR, SO THEY TOLD US TO BRING IT IN WHEN IT WAS ACTING UP, SINCE IT WAS NOT CONSTANT. THEY ASSUME AT THIS POINT IT WAS A FAULTY IAC THAT HAD BEEN REPLACED. 2 WEEKS LATER, IT DID AND WE TOOK IT IN. THE RPM'S WERE CLOSE TO 4000 AND IT WAS STARTING TO OVERHEAT WHILE THE MECHANIC WAS CHECKING IT. THAT WAS ON MONDAY, JUNE 24, 2013. THE MECHANIC REACHED INTO THE ENGINE AND DID SOMETHING TO STOP THE RPMS FROM CONTINUING TO INCREASE. TODAY IS WEDNESDAY AND THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. IF ANYONE HAS ANY INFORMATION ON IF THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL, PLEASE LET ME KNOW. THANK YOU. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10521709June 25, 2013
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO PARK AND THE VEHICLE HAD HIGH REVS WHILE IDLING. THE CONTACT DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER OR LOCAL MECHANIC. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10513352May 23, 2013
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TWO WEEKS AGO, MY CAR WOULDN'T START, BUT EVERYTHING INSIDE WAS WORKING. WE THOUGHT IT WAS A FUEL PUMP ISSUE, BUT LATER FOUND OUT THAT IT WAS THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM. IT TURNS OUT THAT THE THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT COMES ON, AND MY CAR WON'T START. THANK GOODNESS I HAVE A SMART MECHANIC WHO REALIZED THE ISSUE BEFORE REPLACING ANY UNNECESSARY PARTS! HE WAS ABLE TO RESET THE SYSTEM, BUT IT HAPPENED AGAIN THIS WEEKEND. I READ UP ON HOW TO RESET THE SYSTEM, BUT IT KILLS MY BATTERY BEFORE I CAN EVEN WAIT FOR THE 10 MINUTES. MY BATTERY IS BRAND NEW AND IT SUCKS IT DRY! THIS IS NOT AN ACCEPTABLE FIX FOR ME, AS I DON'T TYPICALLY HAVE THE SPARE TIME TO KEEP RESETTING/RECHARGING MY CAR. I HAVE SMALL CHILDREN AND NEED A RELIABLE VEHICLE, AND THIS IS TURNING OUT TO BE THE OPPOSITE! THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AND A RECALL NEEDS TO HAPPEN. IT MAKES NO SENSE AT ALL, WHEN I HAVE JUST READ SO MANY OF THE SAME COMPLAINTS! SHAME ON CHEVROLET! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10512714May 19, 2013
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ANTI-THEFT DEVICES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I HAVE A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU AND THE THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT COMES ON ALL THE TIME. THEN I WAS COMING OUT OF WORK FROM WORKING A LONG NIGHT SHIFT AND WENT TO TURN MY CAR ON BUT IT WOULD NOT TURN ON. I HAVE READ UP ON THE THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT AND ACCORDING TO A LOT OF PEOPLE THIS PROBLEM IS QUITE FREQUENT AND NOTHING IS BEING DONE ABOUT IT. I AM A SINGLE MOTHER OF 3 KIDS AND I NEED MY VEHICLE TO WORK. I READ THAT IT WILL HAPPEN A LOT AND THE GM PEOPLE KNOW OF THIS AND THEY DON'T DO ANYTHING BECAUSE THEY SAY THERE'S NOT ENOUGH COMPLAINTS. I WANT THIS PROBLEM FIXED BUT I DON'T HAVE THE EXTRA MONEY TO DO IT SO IT WOULD BE HELPFUL IF THIS PROBLEM WAS RECALLED SO MY CAR CAN BE FIXED FROM THIS ANNOYING ISSUE. I AM AFRAID THAT IF I GET IT TO START I'M GOING TO END UP SOMEWHERE STRANDED WITH MY KIDS. PLEASE I HOPE SOMETHING IS DONE ABOUT THIS ISSUE BECAUSE I HAVE READ IT HAPPENS TO A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO OWN CHEVY MALIBUS FROM THE YEAR 1997-2005. I HOPE THIS HELPS TO GET THIS PROBLEM RESOLVED FOR ME AND EVERYONE ELSE WHO OWNS THIS VEHICLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10511191May 8, 2013
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THIS CAR WAS A GIFT TO MY WIFE AND I AFTER MY GRANDMOTHER DIED.IT HAS VERY LOW MILES AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS STAY ON WITHOUT THE PRESSURE BEING APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10509474April 24, 2013
ENGINE
INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET AT LESS THEN 55,000 MILES DUE TO PLASTIC GASKETS.. AFTER NUMEROUS MECHANICS SAY A CHEAP UNRELIABLE PART THAT WILL COST ANYONE FROM 600$ OR MORE DEPENDING ON HOW SERVER IT COULD BE. I AM SURPRISE THERE ARE NO RECALLS ON THIS... THIS SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO PLUS REIMBURSEMENT TO THOSE WHOM HAVE RECEIPTS FOR THIS PARTICULAR PROCEDURE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10503987March 21, 2013
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE CAR IS A 2003 CHEVY MALIBU. OCCASIONALLY, THE "THEFT SYSTEM" LIGHT WILL TURN ON FOR NO REASON, AND THE CAR WILL NOT START. THE MANUAL RESET IS TO WAIT 10 MINUTES AND TRY TO RESTART THE CAR. THIS WAS DISCOVERED AFTER SEVERAL EXPENSIVE REPAIRS, INCLUDING FUEL PUMP AND IGNITION, WERE DONE. IT HAS BEEN INCONVENIENT AND SOMETIMES DANGEROUS TO WAIT AROUND FOR 10-30 MINUTES TO RESTART THE CAR. THE THEFT SYSTEM IS FLAWED AND THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL TO HELP OWNERS FIX THIS WITHOUT HAVING TO PUT HUNDREDS OR THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS INTO FIXING THINGS THAT WILL NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10503070March 14, 2013
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I HAVE HIGH RPMS SOMETIMES EVEN WHEN MY FOOT IS NOT ON THE ACCELERATOR, HIGH IDLE AND MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10501016March 2, 2013
SEATS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
HEATING ELEMENT OF THE HEATED SEAT FEATURE BURNED A HOLE COMPLETELY THROUGH THE FRONT OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT BACK. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10493025January 15, 2013
WHEELS, TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION AND THE LOW TIRE PRESSURE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CONTINUOUSLY UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO A FAULTY TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM, IN WHICH THE TECHNICIAN RESET. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED FOR MOST RECENT MALFUNCTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000. .. UPDATED 02-07-13 *BF UPDATED 2/13/13 *CN UPDATED 02/14/2013 *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10492394January 13, 2013
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I'M VERY UNHAPPY AS A CHEVROLET CLIENT. MY CAR HAS COMPLETELY LOCKED UP AND WILL NOT START DUE TO THE ANTI THEFT SYSTEM. UPON A DIAGNOSIS, THE CHEVY MECHANIC TOLD ME IT ITS MY DUTY TO GET IT TOWED TO A SHOP ONLY TO HAVE IT HOOKED TO A MACHINE FOR $110 AN HOUR ONLY TO GET THE CAR TURNED BACK ON. I HAVE SEEN THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL OF CAR AND I'M VERY MAD THAT IT COSTS ME AND NOT CHEVY FOR THIS AVOIDABLE, TEDIOUS PROBLEM. I THOUGHT THEIR CARS WERE SUPPOSE TO BE RELIABLE. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER CHEVY AGAIN! -VERY DISAPPOINTED CHEVY OWNER *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10491853January 8, 2013
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WOULD BECOME STUCK AND THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V528000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 33,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10485916November 24, 2012
STRUCTURE:BODY, AIR BAGS
WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY I WAS REAR ENDED AND PUSHED INTO THE CENTER DIVIDER AND BOUNCED OFF ONLY TO BE STRUCK AGAIN FROM THE REAR. THE FRONT AND REAR QUARTER PANELS WERE DAMAGED THE FRAME WAS COMPROMISED. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT THE AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. I SUFFERED BACK, ARM, LEG & KNEE INJURIES IN THE COLLISION. THE CAR HAS BEEN TOTALED BY MY INSURANCE COMPANY BUT I AM STILL CURIOUS AS TO WHAT HAPPENED TO THE SAFETY AIR BAGS. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10478633October 4, 2012
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, SHE ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MOVE THE CAR OFF THE ROAD WHEN SHE HEARD THE ENGINE ROARING ABNORMALLY LOUD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS AND A SENSOR WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF THE EXACT SENSOR THAT WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED OF A RECALL FOR THE FAILURE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V528000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED HER THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 160,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10477159September 26, 2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE IGNITION/PASSLOCK SYSTEM PROBLEM OF INTERMITTENT NO START THAT MANY OTHERS HAVE WITH THE 2003 MALIBU LEFT ME STALLED IN TRAFFIC. LUCKY FOR ME THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT (NOT YET ANYWAY). I HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH THIS PROBLEM FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS BY DOING THE 10 MINUTE RESET AS DESCRIBED IN THE OWNERS MANUAL. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED CONTROL & CABLE BINDING. REPLACED FLOOR SHIFT CONTROL. REPLACED SHIFTER CABLE & IGNITION SWITCH CABLE. THE PROBLEM REMAINS. I BASICALLY GAVE UP COMPLAINING TO THE DEALER AND WENT BACK TO THE 10 MINUTE RESET PROCEDURE. A COUPLE HUNDRED DOLLARS DOWN THE DRAIN. MY SON ASKED WHY THE CAR WAS NEVER FIXED. HE FOUND THE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN DESCRIBING THE EXACT PROBLEM AS I AND MANY OTHERS HAVE WITH THE 2003 MALIBU: IT STATES THAT "ENGINEERING WOULD LIKE TO INSPECT ANY VEHICLE BEFORE THE ACTUAL REPAIR HAS BEEN PERFORMED WHERE THE REPAIR DIAGNOSIS LEADS TO REPLACING THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER FOR AN INTERMITTENT OR HARD NO START TYPE OF CONDITION OR CUSTOMER COMPLAINT." (NHTSA ITEM NUMBER 10002562) (SERVICE BULLETIN #022003). MY SON COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THEY FIXED THE STALLING PROBLEM. THEY SAID I DIDN'T MENTION ANYTHING ABOUT THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER. MY STATEMENT IN THE SERVICE ORDER READS AS FOLLOWS: OWNER STATES CAN'T TURN IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER AT TIMES. FROM WHAT I HAVE LEARNED, THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED. THE IGNITION/PASSLOCK SYSTEM IS DEFECTIVE AND SHOULD HAVE NEVER BEEN INSTALLED IN THE 2003 MALIBU. GM KNEW THIS BUT INSTALLED IT ANYWAYS. THEY EVEN HAVE A REMEDY IN THEIR OWNERS MANUAL DESCRIBING THE 10 MINUTE RESET SOLUTION. GM CREATES THE PROBLEM AND THEN HAVE UNSUSPECTING CUSTOMERS PAY $$$$$ TO FIX SOMETHING ELSE INSTEAD OF FIXING THE REAL PROBLEM. THIS DEFECT IS AN UNSAFE AND AN UNETHICAL SCAM!!!!!!!!!! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10474784September 6, 2012
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO A TSB FOR VEHICLE *TGW
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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