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. …
Was not able to get keys out of the ignition switch. The keys would stick, and I was not able to remove the keys. Took it to a Chevrolet dealership, and they had to replace the shifter and knob assembly. I am the original owner of the vehicle and used the original keys. Furthermore, this car had low mileage, 56,040 miles, for a seven year old car, and was barely driven to have to have such a serious repair. I see that there is some kind of technical bulletin for this issue, but Chevrolet should have paid for the repair instead of charging me the $346.56 to repair a known issue that should have been recalled. I have had so much trouble with my 2003 Chevrolet Malibu that I would never purchase a Chevrolet or GM product ever again. Most of the issues that I see in the service bulletins are issues that I have also had. …
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 that while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle veered to the left and the steering wheel failed to straighten. The vehicle crashed into an unknown object and flipped upside down. A police report was filed and the contact sustained bruising from the glass which required medical attention. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was unaware of the issue. The VIN was unavailable. The approximate mileage was 100,000.
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.
My son was driving the 2003 Chevrolet Malibu on the highway when the theft protection system suddenly kicked in an shut off the engine causing him to lose speed and power steering and forcing him to stop on the highway. Then he had to sit there 10 minutes with the key turned on to reset the theft system before he could start the car again and get out of a dangerous situation. The ignition and key was already ready replaced under the recall too.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH, there was an abnormal popping noise coming from the steering wheel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the wheel bearing needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 38,000.
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
VIN: [redacted] I received a recall notice involving "possible unintended key rotation" and on May 11, 2017 I took the vehicle to a Chevy dealer in sanford, fl. Both of the keys were fitted with a "plug" and two rings were added,. On my way home from the dealership, on I-4 at almost 70 MPH, I had to brake when debris began flying up ahead. The battery and oil lights came on and I felt the car lose power and the steering began to lock. The other cars braked & I coasted to the emergency lane. I put the car in park and started it up again. Approximately 4 miles later, as I exited the ramp in deltona, the car did exactly the same thing. I called the dealership from the side of the road and asked why the car had never done this until the recall for the key issue had been completed and I was told to come back and they would do a diagnostic. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the vehicle would sporadically stall without warning. The contact was usually able to restart the vehicle however, there were instances when the vehicle would not immediately restart. The failure was recurring and the ignition switch was replaced three times by an authorized dealer however, the failure continuously recurred. The contact also stated that the power steering assist would intermittently fail. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign id number: 14V153000 (steering) but the vehicle was not included in the recall campaign. The manufacturer was notified of the failure multiple times and provided no remedy. The approximate failure mileage was 53728.
Steering complaints in other Malibu years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2003 Chevrolet Malibu?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the steering of the 2003 Chevrolet Malibu, 4% of the model year's 569 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2003 Chevrolet Malibu steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering 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 steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 70,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 1 injury to steering 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.