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8.8

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$590
Average Mileage:
81,900 miles
Total Complaints:
36 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. replace fuel pump (33 reports)
  2. not sure (3 reports)
2003 Chevrolet Malibu fuel system problems

fuel system problem

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2003 Chevrolet Malibu Owner Comments (Page 2 of 2)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #16

Nov 152008

Malibu 3.1L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 63,000 miles

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

The lemon of a malibu's fuel pump failed. After just having the ignition replace 6 months prior due to the theft switch shutting the pump off, I didn't know what to think the problem was. I did a lot more trouble shooting than normal to verify it was the pump.

- yachem, Parma, MI, US

problem #15

Jan 192009

Malibu LS 3100ls V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 97,000 miles

Since we know that we are not the only ones to experience this (untimely & post-warranty coincidental) malfunction of our car that has been running perfectly (up until now), I am only going to vent a little. According to what I have read of similar complaints so far, we were blessed to have it stop running in our own driveway! I thank God for that because I had just run to the store to get cigarettes. It could have happened at any time en-route to or from the store!! I am an out of work truck driver with a bad heart and bum left arm trying to get back to work to take the financial and emotional load off of my wife. Now, I am going to need an absolute miracle to get to my doctor's appointment that hopefully will get me my release to go back to work. It is 60 miles away!! Thank you GM. I pray that you do what is right and just for us unsuspecting victims of what by ALL APPEARANCES is a scam on your part. GOD WILL JUDGE AND FIND YOU WANTING! I'M THROWING YOU ON THE MERCY OF HIS COURT AS HE REPRESENTS THE UNDERDOG WITH ALL GOOD GRACE! If you are even reading these complaints, know this--- WORSE COULD HAPPEN TO YOU!! WHERE WILL GOD'S MERCY BE THEN FOR YOU IF YOU DON'T SHOW ANY??? THINK ABOUT IT... Your fuel pump and delivery system for this make, model and year of car SERIOUSLY NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED POST HASTE!!

- David I., Elm Mott, TX, US

problem #14

Oct 212008

Malibu LS 3.1L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 48,156 miles

Seems like GM has found a new profit center - the dealer charged $672Cdn for a new pump.... Total repair costs were $962Cdn (roughly $850 US)).

LIke other reports, the car simply quit while going down the street, requiring a tow to the dealer.

My extended warranty was up exactly 2 months ago.

Front brakes have worn out for the second time, and, No, I don't drive with my foot on the brake.

- Al H., Quesnel, BC, Canada

problem #13

Jul 112008

Malibu

  • Automatic transmission
  • 87,000 miles

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

Bought my piece of sh*t Malibu used in March. Drove great for 3 months, then while on a two lane busy bridge during rush hour, the car dies. Seemed like the battery. We got it off the road and were able to avoid an accident. Unfortunately, this was not a great part of town to break down in. We decided to run to Wal-mart and get a battery and come back for the car. This did not work, so I decided to call for a tow. Happened on a Friday night, so it could not even be looked at until Monday. 874.00 later and a new fuel pump, relay, and fuel filter installed, I was back on the road. Exactly 11 days later, It does the exact same thing. I was driving along, and just lost power. RPM's drop and car dies, leaving me stranded again in 110 degree weather. I call same repair shop because fuel pump was under warranty for 12 months, and since it was the exact same thing again, I really had no option. They come get it, and tow truck driver cannot start it either. Again it is Friday at 2pm, so I would have to wait til Monday for them to look at it. Monday rolls around and they cannot find anything wrong with it. It starts up and they say fuel pump is working. Ok. I go get said piece of sh*t, and drive it 12 miles and It wont start when I come out of store. Now, there is no way the shop drove the damn thing without it quitting on them. I call them and asked them why they charged me fot 158.00 for labor if nothing was done and after almost 1000 bucks, I still have no diagnosis for the problem!!! Shop told me I was S.O.L. and no refund, so I stopped pmt on check to them. Now... Just got car back from dealership yesterday morning. They replaced the ignition switch and rewired the ground wire on my fuel pump, which cost me another 500 bucks. It ran fine all day, I drove around 60 miles and it died going home, doing the exact same thing again. I am F*KING FED UP!!!!!! I am almost 1500 bucks in the hole over this piece of sht CHEVY!!!!! I am still paying on this car and have a loan through my bank. I have put bills off to pay repairs, but have managed to stay caught up on my payment to avoid hurting my credit. I do not know what to do. This is my only car and my only means of transportation to get to and from work, in which I have a job that requires me to drive out of town once a week. If ANYONE has any idea what the problem could be, please e-mail me at mnmgck@yahoo.com..I just want a solution to this problem. This is ONLY ONE problem I have had with this car.

- Angela E., Hollister, MO, US

problem #12

Jul 292008

Malibu LS V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 74,000 miles

Well, I didn't know about the lovely fuel pump bullshit until the little f*cker went out on Tues, the 29th. I was driving along, fine, when I lose acceleration and the gas pedal feels loose and basically stuck to the floor (which wasn't accelerating like it's suppose to in that position!). I pull over, shut the car off, move the mat, shake the gas pedal, try to turn the car back on, and nothing. Had to have my father push my car to his house (thanks for the scratches on the bumper now, by the way), got it towed to a repair shop and now it's costing me $500 that I don't have!!!!

So help me GM, will you be getting a letter. You need to recall this piece of junk car when there's that many damn problems with it!!!!!!!!!

- Ashley J., Detroit, MI, US

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problem #11

Oct 222008

Malibu V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles

I was on my way to pick up my daughter from daycare, was driving towards a ramp and noticed I was losing speed so I kicked my floor mat from under the pedal thinking it was stuck under there causing my pedal to stick. As I was coming of the ramp I was really losing power and pushing the pedal to the metal wasn't helping so I pulled over in a turning lane trying to get out of the traffic and then the car died!!

Cars were blowing b/c I was stuck in the turning lane on a busy street, I sat there for a minute in disbelief b/c just two week earlier my car wouldn't even start. My husband put gas in it since I was almost on empty it started then the next wouldn't start. We got a new battery it drove for 2 weeks then it died.

So we get it towed and was told the fuel pump needed to be replaced. $864.00

My car will be paid off next year, I love the look of the 2009 Malibu BUT!! I will NEVER buy another Chevy Ever!! I have a list of things wrong with my car!

- k-boogie, Glen Burnie, MD, US

problem #10

Jul 152005

Malibu

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles

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

Pain in the butt. Not just a fuel pump -- an entire ASSEMBLY!

- elgabachonaco, Orem, UT, US

problem #9

Oct 172007

Malibu LS 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,000 miles

I have had multiple problems with my 2003 Malibu. Last fall, my car failed to start and had to be towed to the dealership. It was the fuel pump...cost me over $700. Then my coolant light came on. They told me I would need to replace some sort of main gasket which costs about $700. It's a slow leak at the moment, so I haven't had it fixed yet. Yesterday, my "Check Oil" light came on. I was over as quart low, got the oil changed and they told me both gaskets, front and rear, would need to be replaced, because I have oil leaks. I have a little over 50,000 miles on the car. It seems too soon to have this many problems. I've also had to replace the battery.

- Janis B., Louisville, KY, US

problem #8

Jan 172008

Malibu V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 59,000 miles

For the past 2 years maybe 20-30 times total, the car would randomly act like it's not getting gas when starting. Always cranked fine, let sit a few seconds or maybe a minute and would start fine. Then one dark and cooooold night below zero, The car quit late Saturday night, and left me stranded. No fuel pump whine when cranking. $30 taxi ride and $700 bucks later, a new fuel pump solved the problem.

- Mike A., Freeland, MI, US

problem #7

May 132007

(reported on)

Malibu 3.1

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,952 miles

I also was entering the passing lane on the highway when my car started to sputter out and hesitate. RPM not moving and not going anywhere. After spending the day at a theme park with my 7 year old we just wanted to go home. I finally made it over to the slow lane and still not getting anywhere. I pulled over onto the shoulder and it died. I was able to start it but it would die seconds later. Finally after getting a hold of towing they were able to get us off the highway. Now remember, this is a Saturday night and there is jack open at this time. I was still 180 KM from home and needed to get the car back. So I had to tow the car home for $250 CAD. I had to rent a car today to get my life duties done. And the car should be done tomorrow. SO... all in all my total expense for this is around $1000.

Why hasn't this been recalled yet when there has been so may problems? I will contact GM regarding this. Come on, it's a four year old car !! This is why I purchased a new car, to avoid this crap with the older ones !! This is the second time we have owned a GM product, last one was a Jimmy (years ago) and had a hell of a time with the electrical system on that. Really, I think I will have to go back to Ford or what the hell, might as well go foreign. It's can't get much worst than this !

So now I am getting it fixed and plan on selling it before it gets too old and lose any more money.

All and all we had a great time at the amusement park, just a hell of a time after !

- Lisa T., London, ON, Canada

problem #6

Apr 172007

(reported on)

Malibu V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 52,000 miles

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

Car has struggled with power issues for years, and wouldn't accelerate properly. Dealership originally diagnosed as having a clogged fuel filter and they also ran some fuel injector cleaner. A year later, the car died on the highway exit ramp, nearly getting us hit by dozens of cars slamming on their brakes going around the corner. Had the car towed to a nearby mechanic and they diagnosed the fuel pump failed. Since we had the car in the dealership before about the acceleration struggle, they covered everything except a $100 deductible. The cost without warranty would've been about $500 for the part and $100 for labor.

- Derek S., Grand Rapids, MI, US

problem #5

Sep 052007

Malibu LS

  • Automatic transmission
  • 52,000 miles

I was on my way to work when my car sputtered and died. I had to have it towed to the Chevy dealer. I was told the fuel pump modulator had failed and needed to be replaced. My extended warranty had expired only 2000 miles earlier. This was the first of 3 major failures on this car in the next three months.

- Charlotte S., Minneapolis, MN, US

problem #4

Jun 142007

(reported on)

Malibu LS

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40,000 miles

Fuel pump went out right after warranty expired, what a coincidence!!!! i had to replace personally because dealer was charging $400.00.

- Julie D., Santa Ana, CA, US

problem #3

Feb 022007

(reported on)

Malibu V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 71,000 miles

I was on the interstate trying to accelerate and get in the fast lane, when the car started to hesitate and sputter. I tried pumping the gas a couple of times, but to no avail... I was losing speed quickly during rush hour traffic, so I made my way to the emergency lane and just in the nick of time. No sooner did I get to the side of the road, did the car sputter one last time and died. I tried several times, unsuccessfully to restart the car. It would turn over, but it would not crank. I called a few people I know and they all suggested the same thing, push the gas pedal to the floor and crank... NO LUCK!! A tow truck pulled over and towed my car to my dad's house, approximately 18 miles from where I was, for a mere $102.50!!!! I was told that it is probably the fuel pump, but I have no idea. Can anyone tell me what to try first, that doesn't cost $265?? What really gripes my butt about this is, just 2 weeks ago I was telling my dad I thought it was time to trade this car in before it started giving me problems. Dad, being the very opinionated man that he is, said that there was nothing wrong with the car and all I'd be doing is giving myself 5 more years of payments when I only have 1 year left on this one. So, for a change, I took his advice... and NOW LOOK WHERE I AM! Stranded without a vehicle!!! I finally got to say I TOLD YOU SO to him, but at what expense??? If you have any ideas or suggestions, please let me know!! I need my car fixed, so I can trade it in!!!

- adjohnson27, McDonough, GA, US

problem #2

Jan 312007

(reported on)

Malibu LS V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 49,000 miles

Both of our 2003 Malibus at around the same mileage the fuel pump went bad. The cars would not start and they were towed to a shop. I contacted BP about their bad gasoline, which was incorrect. I want GM to recall this car and re-reimburse our money for both cars. I also wrote a letter of complaint about my faulty brake system at less than 20,000 miles three times.

- Terri H., Bedford Hts., Ohio 44145, US

problem #1

Nov 292006

(reported on)

Malibu 3.4L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40,000 miles

Started having an intermittent problem with the fuel pump not working. Eventually it just completely failed. This was an expensive part and expensive repair.

- Joshua Y., Warren, MI, US

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