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 vehicle will not turn on every few times when trying to turn it on. The theft light begins to blink. I have to turn it to the "on" position for 10 minutes for it to restart, then it will work.
Passlock anti-theft system engaging and not allowing car to start. Started happening about two years ago. Researched on the internet and asked professional ase mechanics. No warranty or tsb available to fix problem, but plenty of complaints. Car has not shut off while driving.
After a year the lights on the dashboad/radio and window wouldn't come on right away. Then the engine light would come on but there's was nothing wrong with it. Then the service light would come on month after I had a oil change done. While I was driving, the car just slowed up and stop. Told by my mechanic it was the fuel pump but while he had it for half the day; the car started right up with no problem. Also sometimes there's a clicking noise like my signal is on but its not. I was told it was my alarm key. Every time there is a incident computer shows it but can't explain the problem and it stop for awhile but comes back. Been like this since I had it and I have taken it to the dealer they keep it over night same thing.
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the anti theft system would engage, involuntarily, and the vehicle would not start. On a few occasions, the vehicle would start, but the warning theft light would continue to illuminate. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer, where they could not duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 68,000.
I had trouble with the car starting/stopping in traffic. Replaced the key switch which solved the problem. Also have had trouble with the heating/air-conditioning fan system. The system will lose the ability to run except on setting 4 or 5. also the switch that puts the system on recycled air has stopped working. This is the second time in 5 years that this has happened.
- Ft Wayne, IN, USA
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
Passlock system is not working properly. Occasionally the theft system light comes on and occasionally the fuel system gets shut off so that the vehicle doesn't start. I have seen many complaints on the internet about this problem with all GM models that have this passlock system.
TL- the contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving, the contact stated that the vehicle would cut off; in order for the vehicle to start, the contact would have to reset the vehicle. The dealer and manufacturer were notified, but did not assist the contact. The failure was not repaired. The failure mileage was 157,000 and the current mileage was 170,000.
My 2003 Chevrolet Malibu shuts off while driving. It happens two or three times each day. Initially I only had problems with the engine not starting and having to wait 10 minutes before starting. It is a very dangerous situation. I went to a repair shop nd they said it was my ignition. This is a scary and dangerous situation.
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the anti-theft system would engage sporadically causing the vehicle to shut down independently when the failure occurred. In addition, the directional lights were inoperable. The vehicle was taken to a local repair shop where the mechanic was unable to diagnose the problem. The mechanic advised the contact on how to reset the alarm when the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but did not offer any assistance. The vehicle was repaired. The failure and current mileage was 68,000.
I have been having repeated problems with my cars theft system defaulting and not allowing my car to start randomly on several occasions, this problem has been reoccurring for about the past 4-5 years.there were no events leading up to this failure, it just happend. It occurs almost daily and is a huge inconvenience. I have taken the vechile to several GM dealerships and have been told its the passlock, BCM, car not reading the key, and several other issues. I have been told they could not duplicate the problm as well but wanted to charge me over 900 dollars for fix something they think it could be as well. I can place the key in the on setting in the ignition for anywhere from 15-30 minutes plus sometimes and this eventually works, but it a huge inconvenience. I have been stranded several times due to this same issue as well.
GM Chevy Malibu passlock system. Originally I had a 1998 Malibu and thought that it was unrepairable so I sold it for scraps and bought a 2003 Malibu and about every month (2 times per month for the past 3 months) I go to work or store just fine and when I come out it doesn't start. I've been taken through several different scenarios by the mechanic at the Chevy dealership where I purchased the 2003 Malibu from, only to be told that there were several issues with it and they have fixed it costing me about $500 every time it occurs. It wasn't until it happened last month while leaving work and a co-worker called a mechanic friend of hers who informed me of the pass lock system failure and told me to wait 10 minutes then start it up. Since then it's happened 2 more times, once while my daughter was driving (luckily I was with her to know how to handle it). I've called the GM to no avail; they seem to know nothing of this issue and their mechanics don't acknowledge it being a problem either so because they've "replaced" or "fixed" several issues (not the issue plaguing the vehicle) which they probably made up; I'm out of thousands of dollars! this is an issue that has apparently been going on with this model for several years and they (GM) refuses to recall the issue or make any effort to fix the problem. Thank god I put away money for rainy days but I am livid thinking about how much I would have saved if it weren't for GM or Chevy! the government needs to recall this piece of equipment immediately; before GM swindles anymore unsuspecting drivers out of their money! fyi check this website www.car-forums.com/talk/showthread.php?S=af8ae0D52C5E7E7E95D95A891B99fbcf&T=1545&page=2 or just google (or what ever search engine you use) "issues with Chevy Malibu" and see what comes up!
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact attempted to start the vehicle but it failed to start. The contact had to hold the key in place for approximately ten minutes in order to start the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the ignition switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure continued to occur intermittently. The failure mileage was 95,000 and the current mileage was 97,000.
I have a 2003 Chevy Malibu with a passlock system. The "theft system" light comes on even while I'm driving! or the car simply won't start, even though it's in my own driveway and no one has messed with it. The only 'solution' is to wait 10 minutes (sometimes longer) until the car will start again. This is ridiculous! I've checked online and there's complaints about the passlock system everywhere. Why has this not been recalled yet" I'm a single mother and I can't afford -- literally or figuratively -- to pay for unnecessary car repairs....especially when the passlock is a *known* problem and Chevy refuses to do anything about it. I also can't afford another car and now I'm worried every time I shut off the car, will it let me start it back up again" help!
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact was driving 45 mph when the vehicle abnormally accelerated. The contact able to maneuver the vehicle as the engine exhibited an abnormally high increase in rpms. The manufacturer was contacted who informed him that his vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign id number: 04V528000 (vehicle speed control: Accelerator pedal). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 50,000. Updated 02/23/11 the consumer also stated there were times when the vehicle would not start, unless he turned the key and let the vehicle sit for 15 minutes. The theft system light would stay on all the time. Updated 06/02/11
While driving the car on freeway it just stalled. I coasted to berm. It then restarted. I've had all kinds of electrical problems with this car, but this is a safety problem. I've read that this engine cutting out is probably associated with the passlock system. I've had problems with that system ever since I've had the car.
The passlock anti theft system is a very dangerous system. There have been thousands of complaints about this system. Thousands of angry, frustrated people that are being left with no recourse. The problem dates from the 1990S.through 2010. The problem should have been addressed before now. I just spent over $5000. For a car that cannot be moved out of my drive way I don't think congress heard the screams I've heard and read about this problem ('I'll never buy another GM car again', or 'if there is ever a class action suite, count me in') we don't know how many people have been hurt because they have been left stranded, or their cars caused wrecks because the passlock system kicked in and cut off the fuel while they were going down the highway at 70 miles an hour. It is very difficult to read about so many unhappy people. I came from a generation of people that worked for fifty years. We did all the things we were supposed to. We worked hard, paid our bills and trusted that we would be treated fairly. To really find out about passlock, just google passlock complaints. These are just a few of the links to complaints. www.consumeraffairs.com/search.html"cx=partner-pub-0200629403145096%3aqt7mbbqybbg&cof=forid%3A10&ie=iso-8859-1&Q=passlock&sa=search&siteurl=www.consumeraffairs.com%2F&siteurl=www.consumeraffairs.com%2fautomotive%2fgm_chev_malibu_P2.html#906 www.aboutautomobile.com/complaint/2003/Chevrolet/Malibu/electrical+system www.carcomplaints.com/Chevrolet/Malibu/2002/electrical/passlock_problem_wont_start_anti-theft_light_is_on.shtmlwww.car-forums.com/talk/showthread.php?T=2349 www.chevroletproblems.com/search/results.shtml?cx=partner-pub-6745124734283845%3A635tfyw220Y&cof=forid%3A10&ie=iso-8859-1&Q=passlock&sa=search&siteurl=www.chevroletproblems.com%252finvestigations%252fmalibu%252F#931 is there no hope'..ever"
2003 Chevy Malibu, 1 out of 3 starts forced to wait 10 minutes before trying a restart, usually twice before succeeding. Forces waiting in the dark or in unsafe places at night, such as finishing work. Extremely unsafe for any female. $300 quote at stealership to repair. Fitted 20cent resistor to feed correct resistance value to anti-theft system, which is also guaranteed to fail eventually. Will have to build a circuit to bypass this also to remove the problem completely. Shame on the stealerships for not correcting this problem as a recall. The potential for criminal activity personal injury/death are high and the high cost of repair is a disgusting tactic for any company to use to coerce customers to line their coffers replacing defective equipment.
2003 Chevy Malibu passlock passive security system failure. The passlock system engages on my car frequently. It costs over $245 to reset and $800 to fix. I did an internet search and thousands of other GM car owners with passlock systems are having the problem. My car will suddenly stop while driving and I've narrowly avoided serious accidents because of it. Other times it will simply not start.
Own 2003 Chevy Malibu that will just shut off. The anti theft system built in the vehicle will do this. Have to wait 10 min before it resets itself then it will start. Chevy dealership that I went to is aware of this problem in this model and offered to fix it for $400. I was told that this is fairly common. Sounds like a defect to me and needs to be fixed for free by GM. Bought the car brand new. This started in 2006 and has continued to do this 1 or 2 times a month since then.
For years, car stalls while driving and can not be re-started, or more frequently, just won't start. No warning except a fine, dim red anti-theft system light which is unlikely to be noticed at all, and certainly not immediately. Can happen several times per day, or can go two weeks without a problem. Short term remedy is reliable if inconvenient and in some situation, dangerous; with car in "park, " turn off all system, turn on ignition switch but do not start, do not disturb for at least en minutes. System will then be reset. There is evidence that this problem had multiple causes. Got partial, temporary improvement (less frequent failure) by replacing defective ds lock switch, which is also used to program that locking system features. Because the users is supposed to initiate locking system programming by holding the switch closed, and the lock was sticking closed and opening unpredictably, it was surely creating inputs not anticipated by the system's programmers. I believe the ignition switch system, including the interface with the transmission selector system, is still causing this problem, and frequency of occurrence increases. Have not found satisfactory solution. Can't afford the $400 dealer says it will cost for (possible) fix, ambiguous explanations make me doubt the dealer really understands the cause. No actual property damage or crash yet, but obviously risk is high when car suddenly stall in traffic.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Maiden, NC, USA