This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
The car will not start due to antitheft light being on. It started happening occasionally, now it happens all the time. Some days every time you try to start it will not start. Have to turn key to on position wait 10 plus minutes until antitheft light stops flashing then turn off and restart. This is getting very frustrating and I have read millions of complaints from others online about this. GM is well aware of the issue and will do nothing to fix this. This car is for my 17 year old daughter and I feel uncomfortable with her driving this vehicle as I am now reading where this also happens while driving in traffic the car will just shut off. This is a major risk and GM needs to do something to repair this constantly happening problem. If they will not recall then they need to publicly issue the correct remedy for this not just the 10 minute restart quick, but temporary fix which causes many problems. My daughter has been stranded in places until her car will start. This happened once while my husband was driving on highway in June 2013 we thought it was the fuel pump and had that replaced approximately 4-5 months later the antitheft issue started. Obviously the fuel pump was not the issue rather than the beginning of this never ending problem. Thankfully my daughter was not driving at that time as the car just died going down the highway. I feel that GM needs to do something to address this problem as it does affect millions and with this vehicle I seen a lot of young, new drivers, in this type of vehicle. There has been a lot of complaints regarding this issue and GM refuses to do anything about it. Hopefully they will address this before they begin being sued for serious accidents or deaths due to their lack of action and regard for the safety of consumers.
When I am driving the key will just fall out of the ignition while running for no reason, especially while going over bumps. The car recently has also started to continue running while the key is turned into. The off position!
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled without warning more than one time. The check engine light illuminated intermittently. The key made a clicking noise when attempting to start the vehicle. The vehicle continued to make a ticking noise at random once the vehicle was driven. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer who was unable to replicate nor diagnose the failure. The vehicle continued to shake violently while traveling at any speed above 60 mph. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer who was unable to diagnose the failure on more than one occasion. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.
We own a 2003 chev Malibu, sold and serviced in Canada, but manufactured at GM's lansing, Michigan assembly plant. Chev Malibu are not yet included on the GM ignition switch recall list, but in Oct/11 we had exactly the same problems reported by those vehicles currently on the recall list: For perhaps 5 seconds, a total loss of all power (engine, lights, power steering, power brakes, etc.,) while driving on a highway at 60 mph, at night. After that 5 second delay, all power resumed, (lights, engine, etc) and the car operated perfectly for the rest of the drive home. A day later, we again had a total loss of all power, this time while turning a corner at slow speed. The loss of power steering and braking made it very difficult to avoid an accident then. A couple of days later, on 25 Oct/11, I had my ignition switch replaced at my local GM chev dealership, at a cost of $416.51. At no time did the dealer mention any known problems with these ignition switches. In light of the recent recall, I contacted my GM dealership, who stated they could not comment on whether the replacement switch is potentially faulty or not - and how would dealers know, if GM replaced the original switches without changing the part number" were dealers told to get rid of the "old stock", or to return it to GM" the dealer stated that, if and when my vehicle is added to the current recall list, they would "replace the replacement". in other words, I could be driving with a faulty switch - a potential danger to myself and to others....and, to date, GM apparently doesn't plan to do anything about it. I'm out $416 and may still have a defective ignition switch. I recognize that your department's authority doesn't extend to Canada. However, although my vehicle was sold and serviced in Canada, it was manufactured in lansing, Michigan - like hundreds of thousands of other chev Malibu.
- Vernon British Columbia Canada, WA, USA
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The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the vehicle would sporadically stall without warning. The contact was usually able to restart the vehicle however, there were instances when the vehicle would not immediately restart. The failure was recurring and the ignition switch was replaced three times by an authorized dealer however, the failure continuously recurred. The contact also stated that the power steering assist would intermittently fail. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign id number: 14V153000 (steering) but the vehicle was not included in the recall campaign. The manufacturer was notified of the failure multiple times and provided no remedy. The approximate failure mileage was 53728.
The car would randomly stop running. This could happen while on the highway or when the car was in motion. Daughter was caught a couple of time in the situation. No power steering of brakes. Could have had a fatal accident. If you look at this car and other GM cars, there have been a lot of complaints, the problem lies with the pass lock system (anti theft). The car thinks that its the wrong key and kills the ignition. I found a work around online. Which involves wiring a resistor into the ignition system....the car has been fine since.
The car has cut off while I was driving on at least 10 occasions since 2012. Usually, if driving at normal speed it would happen as I slowed down to turn a corner, although it has also happened once or twice while I was driving on the highway. Each time, I was fortunate enough to either drift over onto the shoulder or complete the turn without getting hit. When the car cuts off I lose the ability to steer. During that period I also experienced significant electrical problems: Sometimes the turn signals would not come on, the auto locks would come on and off by themselves while driving and the air conditioner would not stay on. On 5/3/12 my key would not turn the ignition. I had the car towed to a mechanic who advised that I probably had too many keys on my ring and it wore down the ignition. Shortly after having the ignition replaced, I noticed the anti-theft system light stayed on and it affected my ability to start the car. For the past 2 years, in order to start my car, I have to put the key in the ignition, then turn it to the "accessory" position for about 15 seconds, then to the "on" position and wait for the gas gauge and dash to light up (perhaps another 15-40 seconds) in order to start the car. I researched online and found similar problems for my make and model. This is how I learned how to start the car under these conditions. I have my repair receipts and internet searches for this problem from 2012 as well as every oil change and service ticket from 2003. I think that the 2003 Malibu should be investigated for inclusion in the ignition switch recall.
The car will turn off by itself. We will be driving along and then for what seems like no reason the car shuts off - the ps/pb don't work, nothing. The car starts right back up but this is very dangerous. We took the car back to the dealer and they said that there were too many keys on our key ring and that is why it was turning off - well it doesn't happen with the same key ring on any of the other cars we own so why just on this car? I believe this relates back to tsb 052203, but it is still very dangerous and GM isn't doing anything about it. This has been an ongoing problem and hasn't gone away.
Car stalled while driving. Everything quit, even power steering and power brakes. This has happened twice. Both times, I took the vehicle to the Chevy dealership and they said the ignition was faulty. I've replaced the ignition both times. I'm afraid this will happen when we are driving it and we will get into an accident because the power steering and power brakes quit when all the electrical components quit.
Car failed to start. A local mechanic was aware of the problem that GM was having with the Malibu's. he showed me how to turn the key to on for 10 minutes and then the theft light would stop blinking and you could then start the car. This past year it has been happening about daily or every 5 to 6 times that you go to start the car. Mostly on short trips of less than 2 miles. I contacted 2 local Chevy dealers and they claim to know nothing about the problem! I have been told to bring it in and they would check it out - at a charge. What if this happened in an area that was not safe for my family or me - we could not start the car and would have to just sit there for 10 minutes!
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact was driving approximately 75 mph when the steering wheel shook violently. The failure also occurred when the brakes were applied. Additionally, the door chimes would sound sporadically and the turn signals would engage independently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 49,882.
Vehicle would not start after I came out from grocery store. Could see anti theft system light on dashboard but I had no idea what that meant this has never happened before. I would laugh when you lock the car using the lock on the door when you get out to lock all the doors then you hear a beep like other peoples vehicles who have alarm systems which this car doesn't have. I mean I don't have a key lock for my vehicle. One repair person told me it was the fuel pump estimated $800, I had the car towed to a shop and found out on Sunday that it was the anti theft system, they had to reprogram my keys and I had more than one ignition key on my ring was told not to do that anymore and cost me hundred dollars, this is a problem though and it needs to be addressed. I have gone on line and found many complaints and people have spent a lot more money than I had to.
The anti-theft system kicked in approximately after 35 minutes of driving while at 65 miles an hour. It cut power to the fuel pump which turned off the car and we had to coast to the side of a highway. We were very nearly in an accident due to this device malfunctioning and could have killed me, my husband, and our unborn child. This problem is well documented all over the web and current fixes are not working. This car has never known another owner and I have tried to reset the device with the key fobs that were issued with the vehicle back in 2003. I performed the reset procedure properly and it did not work. These security devices need to be recalled and fixed before someone gets hurt or worse killed.
I parked the car in the driveway which is sloped downwards, and thought I put the car in park and turned the ignition off and took out the keys. After I got out of the car, it started rolling forward into the garage door. I quickly jumped into the seat and slammed on the brake. Thank G-D, no real damage was done, but I am pregnant and got really shocked. I realized the extent of this safety issue which I previously disregarded. The issue is that the keys can come out of the ignition while it is in the on position. Therefore if I forget to put the car in park and take the keys out they come out. Most cars have a safety feature which prevents removing the keys until the ignition is off, which cannot be done unless the car is in park. In my car however this is not the case as the keys come out in the on position and I am therefore lacking the feature to remind me to put the car in park. This can G-D forbid cause a terrible accident. I subsequently checked my brother in law's car which is also an 03 Malibu and it has the same problem.
Started having problems starting my car, theft light would come on and I would have to sit and wait to get the car started, very annoying problem having to play a waiting came to start your car. Then one day I was driving and the car just shut off in the middle of the high way, I had no idea the car was even off until I tried to acclerate or turn because the radio remains on. Have to stop and put my hazzards on and start the car again, some days it does repeat stalls which causes me to almost get hit by cars behind me (very very dangerous), some days it drives fine. Then one day while shutting my car off and returning home the horn started honking and would not turn off for about a 1/2 hour, and after that it hasnt worked again. Took the car in to the shop because im fed up and they said it is all linked to a faulty pass key/anti theft system that causes these electrical problems. Did some research and noticed this is and has been a reaccuring problem in the Malibu's.
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.
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.
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!
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 Malibu from the year 1997-2005. I hope this helps to get this problem resolved for me and everyone else who owns this vehicle.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Lansing, MI, USA