2003 Chevrolet Malibu
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Electrical
Electrical leads by volume: 289 of 569 complaints (51%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Driver Assistance & Speed Control include more deaths (1) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 567 in 2002 to 569 in 2003.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | vs. 2003 Midsize Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,950 | 2,950 | 2,950 | 2,500–2,850 | 2,500–2,700 | |
| Combined MPG | 21 | 21 | 21 | 22–25 | 23–25 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 18 / 26 | 18 / 26 | 18 / 26 | 19–21 / 28–31 | 20–21 / 28–32 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 423 | 423 | 423 | 355–404 | 355–386 | |
| Complaints filed | 721 | 567 | 569 | 1,147 | 975 | |
| Recalls issued | 4 | 4 | 3 | 9 | 6 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 36 | 18 | 35 | 47 | 46 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 1 | 1 | 4 | 7 | 34 | |
| Injuries reported | 29 | 19 | 23 | 22 | 55 | |
| Deaths reported | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | |
| Configurations compared | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2003 Chevrolet Malibu have?
3 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2003 Chevrolet Malibu?
Electrical: 289 of 569 NHTSA complaints (51%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2003 Chevrolet Malibu get?
EPA rates it 21 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2003 Chevrolet Malibu?
EPA estimates $2,950 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (1)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 3.1L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 18 mpg | 26 mpg | 21 mpg | $2,950 | 423 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 88 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 13 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 42 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 289 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| Brakes | 66 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Steering | 21 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 28 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 29 | 16 | 1 | 13 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 85 | 11 | 1 | 3 | 1 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 15 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 31 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 0 |
| Other | 22 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (3)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION · Campaign 14V400000 · Jul 7, 2014
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
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.
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES · Campaign 07E021000 · Mar 12, 2007
Defect: CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.
Consequence: FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL · Campaign 04V528000 · Nov 3, 2004
Defect: 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.
Consequence: FAILURE TO RETURN TO IDLE COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
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.