Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
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).
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.
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. …
Tl* 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.
Car shuts off while driving.Will start up when fuel gauge gets power also windows ,radio,lightening work airbag light&service engine soon light on
Passlock system is defective due to nickel plating on starter tumbler causing oxidation. Dealers are able to make a killing on this defective connector because they have to troubleshoot a full fuel pump system and wiring harness before they will replace the passlock system. Occurs once every few months intermittently and becomes more serious as the oxidation worsens. Potentially dangerous situations occur when vehicle would stall in an unsafe location (ie: railroad tracks or highway) and vehicle will not restart. Coupled with the recall these vehicles had with the accelerator sticking (which mine did on a highway) this could be a very dangerous problem. …
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. …
This anti theft lamp is on in my car and I cannot drive. Have a husband who had a stroke and I need to be at the hospital this is horrible. Driving during the first week of the month in a 40mph zone the car turned off and that anti theft lamp was on, I was able to put the car in neutral and avoid an accident very scary situation. Last night I could not get home and was stranded after stopping the vehicle and it would not start. Car towed home today and this lamp is still on. I am being told that it is probably the keys, there are 3 keys all of which are no longer working. I have been able to drive utilizing putting the key to the on position waiting 10 minutes and the car will start well this time it is not working. Realized a few weeks ago after locking the doors on the car you would hear a beep like I had a keyless entry which I do not have. …
In our case, what could have happened is more extreme! After running to and from the store, our car would not restart. It happened in our own driveway--- thank god!!! From what I have read as to similar complaints on our exact vehicle's defect, we could have been in traffic! Several other complaints were in life-threatening positions when their car broke down! We were fortunate!! We have since had it looked at by a friend who knows cars and is a mechanic, and he tells us that it is a defective fuel pump. He also tells us that it May also include replacing the fuel relay, but will definitely include replacing the fuel filter! With his labor cost and parts, we are looking at a cost (minimum--- barring no further complications) of around $400.00!! The dealership would be much more!!! At this time, due to financial distress, we cannot afford to get it fixed! …
The anti-theft system in my 2003 Chevrolet Malibu is defective, apparently this is a problem for just about every owner of a Chevy Malibu. This needs to be recalled by GM!!!! About once or twice a week when I attempt to start my car I pray the anti-theft system does not blink, because when it blinks that means the car isn't going to start. The owner's manual states that if this occurs then turn the key to the "on" position and let it sit for 10 minutes and then turn the key to "off" and start the car as normal. Well for about 1 year this worked, it was a hassle, but it worked. Now after about a year of this pain in the butt routine twice a week to start my car, finally it died on me while driving and will no longer start. …
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! …
Fuel System complaints in other Malibu years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 2003 Chevrolet Malibu?
NHTSA has 42 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 2003 Chevrolet Malibu, 7% of the model year's 569 complaints. The component named most often is delivery › fuel pump (7 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Chevrolet Malibu fuel system problems?
No. NHTSA lists no fuel & propulsion system 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 fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 90,000 miles, and 13% before 25,000 miles.
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.