Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2003 Chevrolet Malibu owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Car will not start. Solid "theft" light comes on dashboard and car will not turn over, or if it turns over, will cut out shortly after. This anti-theft issue causes the power steering and brakes to disable, and am not able to turn the steering wheel. Have also had car stall out in traffic and lose all power. Had to have car towed several times due to the issue. I have tried several fixes and mechanical repairs, but this issue continues to get worse. No matter what I try and do, at random times, my car will not start, while the "theft" light comes on and completely disables my vehicle. And sometimes while driving, the car just shuts off. I am the original owner of the vehicle, and am using an original key to start the car. I do not have any type of security system installed in my car. …
Tl contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Malibu. On May 25, 2008, while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle began accelerating faster than normal. The contact had to merge out of traffic. She could not feel the brakes working and sped through a stop sign. She drove into a parking lot to avoid crashing into other vehicles. The vehicle finally stopped when it crashed into an embankment. The front driver's side air bag failed to deploy. The vehicle was taken to the body shop to replace the driver's side door and headlamp. The manufacturer stated that an investigator would investigate the failure. They are currently stating that due to the body work that was performed on the vehicle, they will not investigate the acceleration failure, only the air bag failure. The contact has a back injury that was aggravated due to the crash. A police report was filed. The failure and current mileages were 24,000.
Computer problem 2003 Chevy impala 6 cyl front wheel drive automatic 130000 miles this recently started, the traction on light and the ABS yellow lights on dash stay on. Rarely do they go off, only a few times. The square indicator light says "service traction control" light comes on when I start the vehicle, stays on for 1-2 minutes then goes off. But the traction control light and the ABS light remains on. How can I reset this or what to not have a trip to the expensive auto repair shop. I have no problem with the ABS brakes to operate correctly, no delays or brake hesitation when I press the brake pedal in use. Help me out with a good solution. I will greatly appreciate your response.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving 25-30 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed and traveled to the floorboard. The vehicle came to a stop after an extended period of time. After the vehicle was parked overnight, the contact noticed excessive brake fluid leaking underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the brake lines were rusted and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 95,000. The VIN was not available.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the brake system failed. While the brake pedal was depressed, the brake system failed to engage and the vehicle vibrated. The contact had to engage the emergency brake to bring the vehicle to a stop. The contact also mentioned that the key had to be released from the ignition with force. The manufacturer was notified of the failures and stated that there were no open recalls. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 37,000.
This has happened five times now, I am driving and the engine just shuts off, I can not brake I can not steer, I still have lights on the dashboard. It happens when I am gong about 20 to about 35 miles per hour. I am afraid to drive on the highway. I do not know if it will happen at a higher speed! It did it the first time back in June 2015 my daughter was driving, then again last Friday August 7th four more times with in 10minutes and a few miles apart. It is like someone just turned the car off while I am driving?
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the brakes failed without warning. The vehicle continued to accelerate while the brakes were applied, causing the contact to crash into another vehicle. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 29,332. Upadated 06/24/14 ma updated 06/30/2014
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while his wife was driving 25 MPH and approaching a red traffic light, the brake pedal was depressed however, the vehicle continued to accelerate. The vehicle went through the intersection. The contact's wife placed the vehicle in neutral, allowing the vehicle to slow down and eventually stop. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 52,481.
The car shut off with no warning while driving on the road. This was a total shut-down of the car; including the loss of power steering and the functionality of the brake booster. The car afterwards becomes difficult to start. It May take several tries or a prolonged waiting period until the car will want to start. After it does start there's no telling if it will shut off again while driving. It has shut off while going through turns, and pulling out into traffic.
Brake problems resulted in minor accident. 2 weeks following accident brake noise began. Inspection revealed that only the inside brake pads on each front wheel had failed, indicating faulty brake design. Numerous service bulletins are noted for brake related issues for this vehicle are posted on the NHTSA site. GM refused to assist claiming normal wear.
Brake complaints in other Malibu years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2003 Chevrolet Malibu?
NHTSA has 63 complaints about the brakes of the 2003 Chevrolet Malibu, 11% of the model year's 569 complaints. The component named most often is foundation components › disc › rotor (21 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Chevrolet Malibu brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2003 Chevrolet Malibu, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2003 Chevrolet Malibu brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 28,000 miles, and 50% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 7 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.