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exact model and see every recall for it.
Recalls are issued for a make, model and model year. Whether the repair has already been done on one specific car is known only to its manufacturer and dealers. Check your vehicle's official status at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with a dealer.
US recalls (2)
Electrical system: ignition
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk: 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.
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk: 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.
Canadian recalls (2)
Show 2 Canadian recalls
Electrical
2014-07-03 · campaign 2014-284
On certain vehicles, a defect in the ignition switch could allow the switch to move out of the "run" position if the key ring is carrying added weight or the vehicle goes off-road or is subjected to some other jarring event. If this were to occur, engine power, power steering and power braking would be affected, increasing the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property. The timing of the key movement out of the “run” position, relative to the activation of the sensing algorithm of the crash event, may also result in the airbags not deploying in a subsequent collision, increasing the risk of injury. Correction: For each key, dealers will install two key rings and modify the key ring opening shape. Note: Until the correction is performed, all items should be removed from the key ring.
Other
2004-10-29 · campaign 2004-391
On certain vehicles, 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 removes the actuating force from the accelerator pedal. If the accelerator pedal does not return to the engine idle position, the throttle valve will not close, which may result in an increased stopping distance. Correction: Dealers will inspect the accelerator pedal arm and, if necessary, replace the accelerator and brake pedal assembly.
Owner complaints (569)
Owners filed 569 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Chevrolet Malibu (35 crashes, 4 fires, 23 injuries, 1 deaths reported). Among 40 model years of this model, it ranks #18 for the most complaints (median 443).
| Most-reported problem | Complaints | |
|---|
| Electrical system | 289 | |
| Vehicle speed control | 85 | |
| Engine | 47 | |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 45 | |
| Engine and engine cooling | 41 | |
| Exterior lighting | 28 | |
| Air bags | 27 | |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 24 | |
Crash test ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2003 Chevrolet Malibu.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|
| 2003 Chevrolet Malibu 4-DR. | – | – | – | – |
Fuel economy
EPA ratings for each 2003 Chevrolet Malibu version.
| Version | City MPG | Highway MPG | Combined | Yearly fuel cost |
|---|
| Malibu 3.1 L Automatic 4-spd | 18 | 26 | 21 | $3,200 |
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Recalls, complaints, crash ratings and fuel economy as a JSON API. Decode up to 50 VINs per call and get a daily feed of new recalls.
Explore the API →Sources: NHTSA recalls, complaints and 5-Star Safety Ratings, US EPA fuel economy and Transport
Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database (contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada).
Recalls updated 2026-10-29.