Print this page

2.0

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
78,352 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

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.

2003 Chevrolet Malibu fuel system problems

fuel system problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2003 Chevrolet Malibu:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2003 Chevrolet Malibu Owner Comments

problem #12

Aug 012023

Malibu

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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 steering.

- Overland Park, KS, USA

problem #11

Mar 272023

Malibu

  • miles
Car shuts off while driving.Will start up when fuel gauge gets power also windows, radio, lightening work airbag light&service engine soon light

- Saint Clair, PA, USA

problem #10

Sep 042017

Malibu

  • 132 miles
Took car to walmart one night and begins to overheat after Napa told me it had no leaks. Car overheats I pull aside and turn it off for a bit I noticed the car would crank but hesitate to start. Once got it to start it would accelerate but at low rpms. Check engine light went on and I noticed car shaking and weird noise coming from the engine. Once started car squeaked and mad terrible noise. Car did not turn back on and did not make it home. Cranks and rare when starts, charged battery but drains, doesn't maintain charge. White smoke coming out of exhaust and when car would stall it would turn off, now theft system light is on. Now car wont even crank or turn on. Once I got it to turn on with trouble it would turn off once put into reverse or drive. Turned off while driving it one night and brakes did not work. Almost crashed into home, my car was in motion and would turn off amd steering wheel got hard and brakes didn't work, scared to drive the vehicle engine makes wierd bogging sound amd squeaking sound, smell of gas. Exhaust has white smoke coming out of it. Has trouble idling at times and low rpms.

- Camp Verde, AZ, USA

problem #9

Jun 232015

Malibu

  • 138,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the anti-theft system light illuminated and the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The fuel pump was replaced. The failure recurred and the vehicle was towed to the mechanic. The technician assessed that the fuel pump was working up to specifications and determined that the anti-theft system caused the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 138,000.

- Grandview , MO, USA

problem #8

Oct 012013

Malibu

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Malibu. While the vehicle was being inspected, the inspector stated that the fuel was not traveling through the vehicle properly. The dealer stated that the intake manifold failed and damaged the engine. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was notified. The VIN was unavailable. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

- East Point, GA, USA

Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...

problem #7

Aug 132013

Malibu

  • 90,000 miles
2003 Malibu owners manual states that the ignition switch may shift the car off for no reason. It shuts the car down by shutting off the fuel pump.this resulted in the fuel pump breaking on my car. Since Chevrolet knew about the faulty ignition switch, this is why they put the info in their owners manual. Chevrolet must take responsibility for costs incurred by owners who must repair fuel pumps and ignition switches.

- Lehigh Acres, FL, USA

problem #6

Jul 072014

Malibu

  • 121,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 mph, the fuel gauge displayed an inaccurate fuel level reading. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic, who was unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 121,000.

- West Columbia, SC, USA

problem #5

Jun 112007

Malibu 6-cyl

  • 59,000 miles
I have had several issues with my car over the years. The first was when the fuel pump failed and my car stalled in traffic in 2006 and repair was $600. The intake manifold gaskets failed about 10 months later that was repaired at the dealer for $1200. I have replaced the engine twice ($600 each time) because of the head gaskets and too much oil inside the engine. Now I have a strong odor of gasoline inside my car when I start it up that lasts for about 15-20 minutes each day. I've replaced the ignition switch twice now and the gear shift does not lock properly. Now anti theft security light comes on often and I have to wait approximately 11 minutes to reset it before I can leave my location. The hood latch recently broke and now the wire must be replaced from the inside to the exterior of the car.

- Detroit, MI, USA

problem #4

Jul 032008

Malibu

  • 65,000 miles
I was driving down a main highway in our town when my car stopped in the middle of the intersection. I was able to pull off the side of the road before getting hit, in rush hour traffic. The car acted like it wasn't getting any fuel, it would turn over, but not start. My husband thought it was the fuel filter, so we changed it in the parking lot. It didn't fix the problem. We ended up towing the car to the dealer and had the fuel pump replaced. Come to find out, the dealer theft system had turned on while I was driving. This has happened several times. It happened again this morning. After sitting for 10 minutes with my 3 year old in the car, I tried to start the car, to find out my battery was now dead from sitting with the key in the on position to reset the theft system. This is becoming a major inconvenience and liability while driving down busy highways with my child in the car. If this happened on a major freeway it could be fatal. Please look into this problem. After searching the internet I have found that I am not the only one with this problem. The dealership refuses to fix it.

- Bakersfield, CA, USA

problem #3

Jul 112012

Malibu

  • 123,000 miles
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.

- Pomona, NY, USA

problem #2

Jun 122012

Malibu

  • 113,000 miles
The anti theft system activated about 4 times for no reason in the past 3 months. Each time I followed the instructions in the owners manual and re booted the system. Then while I was driving the car sputtered and stalled. The car won't start. The fuel pump is broken. Why you ask did the fuel pump break. Because each time the anti theft system activated itself for no reason it shut off the fuel pump. This repeatedly shutting off the fuel pump causes the pump to break. This results in a $500+ repair bill plus the cost to tow the car plus sales tax making the repair $600. Chevy is aware that this is a very common problem with Malibu's. the defective anti theft system in effect causes other parts such as the fuel pump to break. Chevy profits by selling fuel pump modules each time there is breakage and this is why Chevy is covering up the problem! the Chevy Malibu's should be recalled immediately and repairs made to fuel pumps and anti theft systems because cars stalling on roadways are a safety hazard.

- Lehigh Acres, FL, USA

problem #1

May 122012

Malibu

  • 131,086 miles
My 2003 Chevy Malibu wouldn't turn over noticed the anti theft light was blinking had to reset the system with the key because it wasn't getting gas. Before my vehicle would start read online about other people having the same problem this isn't safe GM needs to recall and fix this problem. With the passlock 2 system they have installed in these vehicles I have kids and am glad it didn't happen on the freeway with them in the car.

- Akron , OH, USA

Not what you are looking for?