The Lemon Index2003 Chevrolet Malibu.
The 2003 Chevrolet Malibu is about average by owner complaints: 115 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 101, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about brakes, it has 3 recalls, and it gets 21 mpg combined. The best Chevrolet Malibu year is 2022.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 585 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Chevrolet Malibu year. 2003 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 45K to 108K miles on the car (441 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- electrical complaints mostly came at 55K–120K miles
- speed control complaints mostly came at 43K–108K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 62K–113K miles
Recalls 3
- electrical 2014
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.
- fuel system, other 2007
CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS.
- speed control 2004
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 ATTAC…
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★☆ · side ★★★☆☆ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $3050 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.1L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
The vehicle's rotors warped and the brake pads wore out which caused the brakes to pulsate.
2003 Chevrolet Malibu owner · NHTSA complaint 10109774
More owner reports
Front brake pads and rotors keep needing to be replaced. Car was purchased new in sept of 2003, need new pads/resurfaced rotors at 13,000 miles and again at 28,000 miles.
NHTSA complaint 10133180
When the brakes were applied there was a delay before vehicle would stop. Dealer inspected vehicle 22 times, and problem still occurring.
NHTSA complaint 10043988
Quick answers
Is the 2003 Chevrolet Malibu reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew about the average number of complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 101; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Chevrolet Malibu year by this measure is 2022.
What are the most common 2003 Chevrolet Malibu problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (52%), electrical (17%) and speed control (13%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2003 Chevrolet Malibu have?
3 safety recalls (latest: electrical). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2003 Chevrolet Malibu get?
21 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2003 Chevrolet Malibu problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 45,000 and 108,400 miles. The middle report was at 71,200 miles, from 441 complaints.
Does the 2003 Chevrolet Malibu have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2003 Chevrolet Malibu cost in fuel a year?
About $3050 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2003 Chevrolet Malibu have?
3.1L 6-cyl.
What Chevrolet Malibu year is better than the 2003?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2022, 2014 and 2015.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works