Model year record

2003 Chevrolet Malibu

2 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 774 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 14V400000

Electrical system: ignition

Component: Electrical system: ignition
Manufacturer: General Motors LLC
Vehicles affected: 5,877,718
Reported to NHTSA: 2014-07-03
Owners notified: 2014-09-08

Defect description

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 5,877,718 model year 2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala and Monte Carlo, 1997-2003 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2005 Malibu Classic, 1999-2004 Oldsmobile Alero, 1998-2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1999-2005 Pontiac Grand Am and 2004-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.

Safety risk

If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 04V528000

Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal

Component: Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal
Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected: 92,863
Reported to NHTSA: 2004-11-01
Owners notified: 2004-12-20

Defect description

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 PEDAL.

Safety risk

FAILURE TO RETURN TO IDLE COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer 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 1-800-630-2438, PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

Component	Complaints	Median mileage
Electrical system	216	85,945 mi
Vehicle speed control	59	68,300 mi
Electrical system: ignition: anti-theft: control module	55	70,000 mi
Engine	47	85,600 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal	25	70,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling	24	71,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor	21	12,000 mi
Steering	21	65,245 mi
Air bags	19	111,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline	17	80,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch	15	100,000 mi
Unknown or other	15	61,000 mi
Service brakes	14	84,000 mi
Suspension	14	44,370 mi
Fuel/propulsion system	13	100,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip	12	29,100 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads	12	12,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition	11	80,000 mi
Power train	11	50,000 mi
Exterior lighting	10	70,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic	10	14,000 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal	8	87,000 mi
Air bags: frontal	7	8,780 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine	7	15,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump	7	84,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper	6	28,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system	4	68,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe	4	65,647 mi
Structure: body	4	100,000 mi
Suspension: front: hub	4	44,900 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)	3	6,750 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner	3	12,165 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights	3	2,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch	3	41,000 mi
Service brakes, air	3	97 mi
Structure	3	70,000 mi
Wheels	3	12,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring	2	50,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly	2	56,586 mi
Equipment	2	77,000 mi
Exterior lighting: brake lights	2	33,345 mi
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch	2	—
Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights: unit	2	80,000 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal: flasher unit	2	—
Fuel system, other	2	46,000 mi
Fuel system, other: storage: fuel gauge system	2	11,200 mi
Seat belts	2	80,000 mi
Seats	2	53,900 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm	2	11,434 mi
Tires	2	—
Vehicle speed control: cruise control	2	74,000 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls	2	59,290 mi
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module	1	30,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery	1	—
Electrical system: horn	1	—
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash	1	2,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: hoses/lines/piping/fittings	1	70,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system	1	—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: crankcase (PCV)	1	—
Equipment: electrical	1	—
Equipment: electrical: anti-theft devices	1	59,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch	1	3 mi
Fuel system, other: delivery	1	40 mi
Latches/locks/linkages	1	87,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission	1	—
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft	1	—
Seat belts: front	1	—
Service brakes, air: disc: rotor	1	—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: shoes/linings	1	—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: wheel cylinders	1	—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder	1	—
Structure: body: door	1	56,586 mi
Structure: body: trunk lid	1	—
Suspension: front	1	66,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint	1	31,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: upper ball joint	1	31,000 mi
Suspension: front: macpherson strut	1	57 mi
Suspension: front: wheel bearing	1	83,197 mi
Tires: pressure monitoring and regulating systems	1	12,000 mi
Tires: tread/belt	1	17,800 mi
Unknown	1	12,085 mi
Visibility/wiper	1	32,073 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system	1	44,000 mi

The 2002 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 2004 model has about half as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.