FaultScore

2003 Chevrolet Malibu fuel system problems

42 of the 773 complaints about the 2003 Chevrolet Malibu are about the fuel system — 5% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 87,000 miles.

A

42

Complaints

0

Crashes

0

Fires

0

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Fuel System, Gasoline 17 40.5%
Fuel/Propulsion System 13 31.0%
Fuel Pump 7 16.7%
Fuel System, Other 2 4.8%
Fuel Gauge System 2 4.8%
Delivery 1 2.4%

Fuel & Propulsion across every Chevrolet Malibu year

1997 15 1.3%
1998 35 3.1%
1999 39 3.5%
2000 82 7.3%
2001 42 3.7%
2002 29 2.6%
2003 42 3.7%
2004 31 2.7%
2005 71 6.3%
2006 97 8.6%
2007 89 7.9%
2008 53 4.7%
2009 34 3.0%
2010 39 3.5%
2011 37 3.3%
2012 56 5.0%
2013 34 3.0%
2014 26 2.3%
2015 18 1.6%
2016 53 4.7%
2017 59 5.2%
2018 101 9.0%
2019 18 1.6%
2020 18 1.6%
2021 10 0.9%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

Ennis, TX

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Unknown

NHTSA complaint #11621164 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Overland Park, KS

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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.

NHTSA complaint #11544842 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Saint Clair, PA

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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

NHTSA complaint #11516292 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 132 miles Camp Verde, AZ

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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. ALMOST CRASHED INTO HOME, MY CAR WAS IN MOTION AND WOULD TURN OFF AMD STEERING WHEEL GOT HARD AND BRAKES DIDN'T WORK, SCARED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE ENGINE MAKES WIERD BOGGING SOUND AMD SQUEAKING SOUND, SMELL OF GAS. EXHAUST HAS WHITE SMOKE COMING OUT OF IT. HAS TROUBLE IDLING AT TIMES AND LOW RPMS.

NHTSA complaint #11030501 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 138,000 miles Grandview, MO

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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.

NHTSA complaint #10732211 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Conway, SC

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH VEHICLE SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. *MW THE CONSUMER STATED SHE HAD TO REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE FIRST TIME WAS SEPTEMBER 28, 2006 AND THE SECOND TIME WAS JUNE 3, 3014. AFTER THE SECOND SWITCH WAS INSTALLED, THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED OTHER PROBLEMS. SHE WAS INFORMED THE VEHICLE NEEDED A BODY CONTROL MODULE AND LOCK SWITCHES. THE DEALER INSTALLED A CHIP IN THE KEYS, WHICH DID NOT CORRECT THE IGNITION PROBLEM. THE FRONT STRUTS WERE REPLACED AND THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #10663875 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Warren, RI

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU CUSTOMER REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPLACEMENT OF IGNITION SWITCH. *MW ALSO, THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #10661699 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 264,000 miles Lawrence, IN

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

I TELL DEALER CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON "HE SAYS NOT TO BE CONCERNED THERE IS WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM TAILPIPE IGNITION CAN TAKE UP TO 5 MIN TO GET ON CODE SAYS CAR NEEDS EGR VALVE CAR NEEDED BRAKES AND ROTORS ALL THE WAY AROUND AND TYROD DEALER WILL NOT RESPOND TO CALLS CAR WAS RECALLED FOR IGNITION SWITCH NEVER REPAIRED I NEED TO KNOW IF I CAN TAKE IT IN TO CHEVY DEALER ONY HAD 1 MONTH VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE AND I AM 76 THERE IS A WARANTY ON ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION.

NHTSA complaint #10664000 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100,000 miles East Point, GA

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING INSPECTED, THE INSPECTOR STATED THAT THE FUEL WAS NOT TRAVELING THROUGH THE VEHICLE PROPERLY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILED AND DAMAGED THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA complaint #10638775 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 56,586 miles Port Huron, MI

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WAS ABLE TO TURN TO THE ON POSITION IN THE IGNITION, BUT WOULD NOT TURN COMPLETELY TO START THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE CONTACT WAS LATER INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), BUT THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE DEALER DID NOT PROVIDE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE REMEDY WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000. UPDATED 11/05/14*LJ

NHTSA complaint #10633268 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 120,000 miles Manteno, IL

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

I HAVE HAD THREE INCIDENTS RELATED TO THE IGNITION SYSTEM. THE FIRST TIME ,THE ANTI-THEFT LIGHT CAME ON AND AFTER DRIVING AND THEN PARKING THE CAR, I COULD NOT START IT. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THE IGNITION MAY HAVE BEEN WORN. HE REPLACED THE KEY CYLINDER AND OF COURSE THE KEYS. THE CAR WAS FINE FOR ALMOST A YEAR WHEN THE SAME THING HAPPENED. I TRIED A DIFFERENT MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD HE COULD RESET THE COMPUTER SO AS TO CHANGE THE ANTI-THEFT ALERT. I WAS TOLD THAT IT COULD HAPPEN AGAIN BUT HE FELT IF I REPLACED THE IGNITION SYSTEM($300) THAT IT WOULD SOLVE THIS. I DECIDED TO WAIT. NOW THE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AND WITHIN A DAY OR TWO THE CAR WOULD NOT START.I HAD HIM RESET THE COMPUTER AGAIN. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY SOMEONE WITH GM THAT THIS IS NOT RELATED TO THE RECALL. BOTH MYSELF AND THE MECHANIC BELIEVE IT IS RELATED. I WOULD LIKE GM TO COVER THIS REPAIR AND ALL THE TOWING AND OTHER FEES FOR HAVING MY CAR BACK ON THE ROAD.

NHTSA complaint #10627770 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 90,000 miles Lehigh Acres, FL

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

2003 MALIBU OWNERS MANUAL STATES THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH MAY SHIFT THE CAR OFF FOR NO REASON. IT SHUTS THE CAR DOWN BY SHUTTING OFF THE FUEL PUMP.THIS RESULTED IN THE FUEL PUMP BREAKING ON MY CAR. SINCE CHEVROLET KNEW ABOUT THE FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH, THIS IS WHY THEY PUT THE INFO IN THEIR OWNERS MANUAL. CHEVROLET MUST TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR COSTS INCURRED BY OWNERS WHO MUST REPAIR FUEL PUMPS AND IGNITION SWITCHES.

NHTSA complaint #10621319 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 121,000 miles West Columbia, SC

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED AN INACCURATE FUEL LEVEL READING. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 121,000.

NHTSA complaint #10616355 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 140,000 miles Roanoke, VA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

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. HELP THIS IS EXTREMLY SERIOUS I CANNOT DRIVE MY VEHICLE AND I NEED TO WHEN ARE THEY GOING TO ISSUE REMEDIES FOR THESE HORRIBLE PROBLEMS WE ARE HAVING WITH THESE VEHICLES.

NHTSA complaint #10611360 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 38,916 miles LAS Vegas, NV

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

STALLED, REPLACED FUEL FILTER, FUEL PUMP AND BATTERY.

NHTSA complaint #10609819 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 59,000 miles Detroit, MI

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I HAVE HAD SEVERAL ISSUES WITH MY CAR OVER THE YEARS. THE FIRST WAS WHEN THE FUEL PUMP FAILED AND MY CAR STALLED IN TRAFFIC IN 2006 AND REPAIR WAS $600. THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS FAILED ABOUT 10 MONTHS LATER THAT WAS REPAIRED AT THE DEALER FOR $1200. I HAVE REPLACED THE ENGINE TWICE ($600 EACH TIME) BECAUSE OF THE HEAD GASKETS AND TOO MUCH OIL INSIDE THE ENGINE. NOW I HAVE A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE INSIDE MY CAR WHEN I START IT UP THAT LASTS FOR ABOUT 15-20 MINUTES EACH DAY. I'VE REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH TWICE NOW AND THE GEAR SHIFT DOES NOT LOCK PROPERLY. NOW ANTI THEFT SECURITY LIGHT COMES ON OFTEN AND I HAVE TO WAIT APPROXIMATELY 11 MINUTES TO RESET IT BEFORE I CAN LEAVE MY LOCATION. THE HOOD LATCH RECENTLY BROKE AND NOW THE WIRE MUST BE REPLACED FROM THE INSIDE TO THE EXTERIOR OF THE CAR.

NHTSA complaint #10598136 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Vallejo, CA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION SWITCH AND FUEL PUMP REPAIRS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE PASSLOCK SENSOR HAD TO BE REPLACED, BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. ALSO, THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED, BECAUSE GAS WAS NOT GOING FROM THE TANK INTO THE ENGINE, THE CRUISE CONTROL OCCASIONALLY WOULD NOT WORK, THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON INTERMITTENTLY, AND ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS, SUCH AS THE RADIO AND WINDOWS STOPPED WORKING.

NHTSA complaint #10596124 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 128,846 miles Simi Valley, CA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

VEHICLE WILL IDLE HIGH, 3000 RPM, DRIVING IS DANGEROUS AND BRAKING IS DIFFICULT. I CALLED CHEVY ON 03/12/14 AND THEY MADE AN APPT. AND SAID IT WOULD BE NO PROBLEM UNDER RECALL #04092. I WENT DOWN TODAY 03/17/14 FOR MY APPT AND THEY TOLD ME RECALL HAD BEEN COMPLETED ON 12/13/2004. THIS IS NEW INFORMATION AND NOW THEY WILL NOT INSPECT MY VEHICLE TO TELL ME WHAT IS WRONG. THE DEALERSHIP GAVE ME A DOCUMENT WHICH STATES THAT ON 12/31/04 THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS INSPECTED BUT NO ACTIONS WERE TAKEN. THIS INFORMS ME THAT THEY HAD NOT PROPERLY REPLACED RECALLED ITEMS WHICH WERE REQUIRED.

NHTSA complaint #10572809 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 124,947 miles Randallstown, MD

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

THE CAR HAS CUT OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON AT LEAST 10 OCCASIONS SINCE 2012. USUALLY, IF DRIVING AT NORMAL SPEED IT WOULD HAPPEN AS I SLOWED DOWN TO TURN A CORNER, ALTHOUGH IT HAS ALSO HAPPENED ONCE OR TWICE WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. EACH TIME, I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO EITHER DRIFT OVER ONTO THE SHOULDER OR COMPLETE THE TURN WITHOUT GETTING HIT. WHEN THE CAR CUTS OFF I LOSE THE ABILITY TO STEER. DURING THAT PERIOD I ALSO EXPERIENCED SIGNIFICANT ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS: SOMETIMES THE TURN SIGNALS WOULD NOT COME ON, THE AUTO LOCKS WOULD COME ON AND OFF BY THEMSELVES WHILE DRIVING AND THE AIR CONDITIONER WOULD NOT STAY ON. ON 5/3/12 MY KEY WOULD NOT TURN THE IGNITION. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THAT I PROBABLY HAD TOO MANY KEYS ON MY RING AND IT WORE DOWN THE IGNITION. SHORTLY AFTER HAVING THE IGNITION REPLACED, I NOTICED THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT STAYED ON AND IT AFFECTED MY ABILITY TO START THE CAR. FOR THE PAST 2 YEARS, IN ORDER TO START MY CAR, I HAVE TO PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, THEN TURN IT TO THE "ACCESSORY" POSITION FOR ABOUT 15 SECONDS, THEN TO THE "ON" POSITION AND WAIT FOR THE GAS GAUGE AND DASH TO LIGHT UP (PERHAPS ANOTHER 15-40 SECONDS) IN ORDER TO START THE CAR. I RESEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND SIMILAR PROBLEMS FOR MY MAKE AND MODEL. THIS IS HOW I LEARNED HOW TO START THE CAR UNDER THESE CONDITIONS. I HAVE MY REPAIR RECEIPTS AND INTERNET SEARCHES FOR THIS PROBLEM FROM 2012 AS WELL AS EVERY OIL CHANGE AND SERVICE TICKET FROM 2003. I THINK THAT THE 2003 MALIBU SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED FOR INCLUSION IN THE IGNITION SWITCH RECALL.

NHTSA complaint #10569446 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 75,000 miles Harrisburg, PA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

CAR FAILED TO START. A LOCAL MECHANIC WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM THAT GM WAS HAVING WITH THE MALIBU'S. HE SHOWED ME HOW TO TURN THE KEY TO ON FOR 10 MINUTES AND THEN THE THEFT LIGHT WOULD STOP BLINKING AND YOU COULD THEN START THE CAR. THIS PAST YEAR IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING ABOUT DAILY OR EVERY 5 TO 6 TIMES THAT YOU GO TO START THE CAR. MOSTLY ON SHORT TRIPS OF LESS THAN 2 MILES. I CONTACTED 2 LOCAL CHEVY DEALERS AND THEY CLAIM TO KNOW NOTHING ABOUT THE PROBLEM! I HAVE BEEN TOLD TO BRING IT IN AND THEY WOULD CHECK IT OUT - AT A CHARGE. WHAT IF THIS HAPPENED IN AN AREA THAT WAS NOT SAFE FOR MY FAMILY OR ME - WE COULD NOT START THE CAR AND WOULD HAVE TO JUST SIT THERE FOR 10 MINUTES!

NHTSA complaint #10567235 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 65,000 miles Bakersfield, CA

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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. IF THIS HAPPENED ON A MAJOR FREEWAY IT COULD BE FATAL. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM. AFTER SEARCHING THE INTERNET I HAVE FOUND THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO FIX IT.

NHTSA complaint #10532657 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 123,000 miles Pomona, NY

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

CAR FAILED TO START, ONLY CRANKED. HAD SPARK PLUGS,WIRES,IGNITION SWITCH,FUEL PUMP, FUEL FILTER,RELAYS,COIL PACKS,ETC... REPLACED. GOT IT RUNNING DROVE ABOUT 40 MILES, NOW IT JUST DIES WHILE DRIVING... NO WARNING JUST CUTS OFF. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO VARIOUS MECHANICS AND HAVE SPENT ALOT OF $$. I EVEN HAD NEW GM MOTOR INSTALLED. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT AS SEVERAL TIME I WAS ON HIGHWAY. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. THIS WILL CAUSE AN ACCIDENT OR WORSE DEATH. DEALERSHIP HAS GIVEN NO HELP.

NHTSA complaint #10531828 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 113,000 miles Lehigh Acres, FL

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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! THE CHEVY MALIBU'S SHOULD BE RECALLED IMMEDIATELY AND REPAIRS MADE TO FUEL PUMPS AND ANTI THEFT SYSTEMS BECAUSE CARS STALLING ON ROADWAYS ARE A SAFETY HAZARD.

NHTSA complaint #10462048 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 131,086 miles Akron, OH

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

MY 2003 CHEVY MALIBU WOULDN'T TURN OVER NOTICED THE ANTI THEFT LIGHT WAS BLINKING HAD TO RESET THE SYSTEM WITH THE KEY BECAUSE IT WASN'T GETTING GAS. BEFORE MY VEHICLE WOULD START READ ONLINE ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM THIS ISN'T SAFE GM NEEDS TO RECALL AND FIX THIS PROBLEM. WITH THE PASSLOCK 2 SYSTEM THEY HAVE INSTALLED IN THESE VEHICLES I HAVE KIDS AND AM GLAD IT DIDN'T HAPPEN ON THE FREEWAY WITH THEM IN THE CAR.

NHTSA complaint #10458327 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Wilbur, OR

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I AM HAVING THIS PROBLEM...THE SAME PROBLEM EVERYONE ELSE IS HAVING....CAR WONT START DUE TO ANTI THEFT ISSUE....LUCKILY MY CAR WAS IN A PARKING LOT AT A GROCERY STORE. THIS REALLY NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY GM BECAUSE EVERYONE I KNOW IS AWARE AND IF I AM INJURED IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE THIS FAILS WHILE DRIVING - I WILL FIND A VERY GOOD LAWYER AND COLLECT ALL THE OTHER COMPLAINERS ONLINE FOR THIS SAME ISSUE AND FILE A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT - THERE ARE PLENTY ENOUGH TO DO SO....THIS IS GETTING REDICULOUS. HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE TO DIE BEFORE GM STEPS UP AND ACTUALLY FIXES THE PROBLEM? THEY RECALLED FOR THE CRUISE CONTROL ACCELERATOR AND WHILE I DID RESPOND AND TAKE MY CAR IN THEY TOLD ME MINE WAS NOT AN ISSUE...ONLY TO DISCOVER A YEAR LATER IT IS AN ISSUE...I JUST DEAL WITH IT LIKE I WILL THIS ONE I GUESS....UNBELIEVABLE THAT NO ONE CARES EXCEPT THE FAMILY MEMBERS OF THE PEOPLE DRIVING THESE 23K DOLLAR VEHICLES....I CANT SELL THE CAR BECAUSE EVERYONE OUT THERE KNOWS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND I WOULD BE SELLING A LEMON....NOW WHAT?

NHTSA complaint #10443878 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 62,300 miles West Long Branch, NJ

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

CAR WILL NOT START FUEL PUMP SHUTS DOWN, CAR THINKS IT IS BEING BROKEN INTO. HAVE TO SIT IN CAR FOR 10 MINUTES WITH KEY IN IGNITION TO OVERRIDE SYSTEM. HAS HAPPENED 4 TIMES IN LAST MONTH. ALSO, FUEL PUMP SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING ON PARKWAY- LUCKY TO GET TO SIDE OF ROAD WITHOUT AN ACCIDENT. BY THE WAY, NEW FUEL PUMP AND MODULE REPLACED AT 60,000 SO THAT IS NOT THE ISSUE.. HOW MANY PEOPLE NEED TO GET INTO ACCIDENTS OR DIE BEFORE THE NHTSA GETS INVOLVED AND MAKES CHEVY DO THE RIGHT THING AND REPLACE THIS IGNITIONS AND PASSLOCK PARTS THAT ARE DEFECTIVE!!!! OH, AND THEY GOT A BAIL OUT- BUT THE CONSUMERS DON'T GET ANY AND HAVE TO CONTINUE TO PAY THEM FOR REPAIRS THAT THEY CAUSED IN THE FIRST PLACE GM MAKES AN ASTRONOMICAL AMOUNT OF MONEY ON THESE REPAIRS. I HOPE THE NHTSA GETS A SHARE OF THAT MONEY BECAUSE YOU CERTAINLY AREN'T INTERESTED IN CORRECTING THE SITUATION. HOW MANY YEARS AND TENS OF THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS DOES IT TAKE???????

NHTSA complaint #10430664 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 80,000 miles Slidell, LA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

MY 2003 CHEVY MALIBU WOULD NOT START. I LEARNED THAT THE REASON IT WOULD NOT START WAS DUE TO THE THEFT SYSTEM PASS LOCK. SOMEHOW THE THEFT SYSTEM WAS TRIGGERED AND CUT THE FUEL SUPPLY TO THE ENGINE. I DID WHAT THE MANUAL SAID AND WAITED 10 MINUTES WITH THE KEY IN THE ON POSITION. THE CAR STARTED AFTER THAT; HOWEVER TWO WEEKS LATER, THE CAR DOES THE SAME THING. THE PROCESS IS REPEATED TO RESET THE THEFT SYSTEM. BUT NOW I WONDER HOW MANY MORE TIMES THIS PROBLEM WILL OCCUR AND WHY HASN'T ANYTHING BEEN DONE ABOUT A RECALL. OVER 30 INCIDENTS HAVE REPORTED ONLINE AT HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/CHEVROLET/MALIBU/2003/ SO WHY HASN'T THERE BE A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I AM SURE THAT MORE PEOPLE HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THIS THEY JUST HAVE NOT REPORTED IT. THIS PROBLEM IS VERY INCONVENIENT AND YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN YOUR CAR IS ACTUALLY GOING TO START. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

NHTSA complaint #10430396 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Paterson, NJ

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

AFTER A YEAR THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOAD/RADIO AND WINDOW WOULDN'T COME ON RIGHT AWAY. THEN THE ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON BUT THERE'S WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. THEN THE SERVICE LIGHT WOULD COME ON MONTH AFTER I HAD A OIL CHANGE DONE. WHILE I WAS DRIVING, THE CAR JUST SLOWED UP AND STOP. TOLD BY MY MECHANIC IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP BUT WHILE HE HAD IT FOR HALF THE DAY; THE CAR STARTED RIGHT UP WITH NO PROBLEM. ALSO SOMETIMES THERE'S A CLICKING NOISE LIKE MY SIGNAL IS ON BUT ITS NOT. I WAS TOLD IT WAS MY ALARM KEY. EVERY TIME THERE IS A INCIDENT COMPUTER SHOWS IT BUT CAN'T EXPLAIN THE PROBLEM AND IT STOP FOR AWHILE BUT COMES BACK. BEEN LIKE THIS SINCE I HAD IT AND I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER THEY KEEP IT OVER NIGHT SAME THING.

NHTSA complaint #10418809 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100,367 miles Burlingame, CA

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

2003 CHEVY MALIBU PASSLOCK PASSIVE SECURITY SYSTEM FAILURE. THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM ENGAGES ON MY CAR FREQUENTLY. IT COSTS OVER $245 TO RESET AND $800 TO FIX. I DID AN INTERNET SEARCH AND THOUSANDS OF OTHER GM CAR OWNERS WITH PASSLOCK SYSTEMS ARE HAVING THE PROBLEM. MY CAR WILL SUDDENLY STOP WHILE DRIVING AND I'VE NARROWLY AVOIDED SERIOUS ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF IT. OTHER TIMES IT WILL SIMPLY NOT START.

NHTSA complaint #10355189 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 15,000 miles Norfolk, VA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

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 HAVE RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM ONLINE (ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS GOOGLE "PASSLOCK PROBLEM" AND YOU WILL GET THOUSANDS OF RESULTS AND CONSUMER FIXES COMPLAINING ABOUT HOW GM IGNORES EVERY SERVICE REQUEST FOR A SOLUTION THAT DOESN'T GOUGE CUSTOMERS. THERE IS PRACTICALLY AN UNDERGROUND CLUB DESIGNED TO HANDLE THIS PROBLEM.) ACCORDING TO THE SHOP FOREMAN AT COLONIAL CHEVROLET IN NORFOLK, VA, AFTER HIS 14 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE WITH SERVICE THIS IS A PROBLEM HE IS INTIMATELY ACQUAINTED WITH AND RECOMMENDS REPLACING THE KEY TUMBLER (PASSLOCK CHIP INTEGRATED INSIDE) AND THE CONNECTOR THAT LEADS TO THE BODY CONTROL MODULE.

NHTSA complaint #10339820 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2003 Chevrolet Malibu problems

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