The 2003 Chevrolet Malibu has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 5,970,581 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 773 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system. Last updated July 5, 2026.
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,…
Consequence
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.
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…
Consequence
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.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
21
STEERING
21
1crashes1fires1injuries
AIR BAGS
19
11crashes1fires7injuries
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
17
Total complaints773
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“The contact owns a 2003 chevrolet malibu. The contact discovered that while driving at various speeds, the key could be removed from the ignition while the engine was still running. The contact later received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 14v400000 (electrical system). The vehicle was…”
“Unknown”
“Unknown”
“The contact owns a 2003 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that the ignition switch was inoperable and had been replaced three times by the dealer; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with ignition switch failure. The contact was…”
“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.”
“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.”
“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.”
“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”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2003 Chevrolet Malibu as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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