Overview & Reviews

The Malibu gets little in the way of upgrades for 2003. There are two new colors to choose from -- Summit White and Medium Gray Metallic -- and a new seat fabric on LS models. ABS brakes are now optional on base models, but remain standard on the LS.

• Comfortable and roomy interior, low price, ample feature content.

• Poor expected resale value, not as refined as top-selling Japanese family sedans.

User Reviews:

Showing 11 through 20 of 121.00

• 

  03 malibu - 2003 Chevrolet Malibu
  By erinjeanmck - April 5 - 2:00 am

  I bought the car in 06. I was the 2nd owner of this car. It had low miles on it & was in good condition. I had to replace all the tires on it at the time of purchase. I bought a car remote for it within the 1st yr. I get regular oil changes & last summer had to "fix" the car after it over heated--$600ish. The car remote decided to stop working this past winter. I also had to replace one of the tires this winter. I dont drive it excessively & have never taken it out of state. Farthest I have traveled away from home is 2 hrs 3 times. Its a good family car, but Im usually the only one traveling around in it. It does guzzle gas--16-20 mpg city. Good car if you have a family.

• 

  Oh, my. - 2003 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Oh, my. - September 8 - 11:01 am

  I got this from my mother who purchased it new. I prefer a different brand, but had to keep her from driving. Im having same problems as others. Ive had to have the AC button fixed several times. Youd think that Chevy would offer some kind of rebate or recall to those of us who have to have it fixed since this is a problem with most of the 03s, but they dont. Once is bad, twice is inexcusable. I also have trouble with the brakes when it rains. Glad to know others are having the same problems. I thought it was just me.

• 

  Dump this vehicle - 2003 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Rick Ganczar - April 30 - 12:39 am

  Bought new in Dec 2002. Well maintained with regular oil changes. Replaced brakes every 20k, replaced fuel pump,replaced fuel filters every 20k, shock absorber gone, required head gaskets, just dump it, not worth fixing.

• 

  Has problems.... - 2003 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Patrick - April 4 - 8:28 pm

  I bought this car used with only 2,400 miles on it. The engine is up to the task, and the transmission does a good job of using the power at hand. My problems center around the cooling system. This is the second GM car that Ive had in which the coolant is just disappearing. The thermostat is also broken (locked open I think), and will have to be fixed. Dont know where the coolant is going, as there are no leaks. Probably a blown head gasket. Otherwise I like this car, but those are major repairs that the car will need. Air conditioning isnt working now, and hasnt for over two years. Now the fan control is screwed up too (only works on 4 and 5 settings, nothing lower).

• 

  Tires are really important - 2003 Chevrolet Malibu
  By tires are important - March 22 - 11:09 pm

  Got the car for my son. I noticed HUGE road noise, especially interstate driving, and just figured that the car was a noisy cheap car. I was trying to sound proof it, but did some research on the tires, and saw that the tires that were on there EVERYONE complained about the road noise, so i switched them out, and the car rides like a dream..much, much quieter

• 

  Fuel pumps in Chevrolet Malibu poor - 2003 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Katherine Knudsen - January 13 - 12:29 pm

  I have had trouble with the cooling system and now the fuel pump. This is my second malibu and the second time I have had to deal with a fuel pump. The seat is difficult to pull down in back for trunk room.

• 

  2003 Malibu - 2003 Chevrolet Malibu
  By M - November 6 - 2:54 pm

  Purchased in 8/2003, and I beat drive this car hard! I rarely give it an oil change or any of the recommended maintenance.....The car runs perfectly! I have never gotten stuck! Front rotors and brake pads need to be replaced fairly frequently. The air conditioning has not worked since 2004. I had a problem with water filling the trunk in 2007. The passenger side gets rust spots which I have noticed on many of the Malibus. But, I have never owned a vehicle for this many (6) years! It has been good to me, I have 107, 000 miles on it!

• 

  Good Vehicle - 2003 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Malibu03 - November 4 - 9:10 pm

  Purchased vehicle at 31,000 miles, 2 years old. I always have my cars serviced at the appropriate times. Never had to do anything to it until the brakes went after 3 years of driving it (20,000 mi/yr). This past week the fuel pump went, but I purchased a 7yr/100,000 service contract which paid for the replacement. Have always liked the car. No other issues and Im at 90,000 miles.

• 

  Changed MInd - 2003 Chevrolet Malibu
  By broker037 - October 22 - 2:03 pm

  Rated good before...changed mind. At 64,000 miles worst car ever owned. Head gasket broke down at 40,000 miles due to DexCool AntiFreeze ... GM only would pay for 1/2 "IF" you take to dealer. Cheaper to go to private shop. No wonder they went bankrupt. DO NOT BUY!

• 

  A Lemon Disguised As A Car!! - 2003 Chevrolet Malibu
  By BigP81 - August 20 - 11:48 pm

  Purchased w/ 111K, now has 122K. The ignition switch needs replacing (ignition cylinder/theft system issue), theres a major electric short/issue with ground(using foglights blows fuse for Sunroof). The Heating/Cooling does what it wants, AC doesnt stay on, nor does the Circulate Air feature. Antifreeze needs to be refilled about every 1.5mos (dealership found no leak). The vehicles has major braking issues in the rain...Need I go on? I bought this car by hearing of its reliability...well approx 7mos & 11K later, I admit that I bought a lemon disguised as a car! Im quite turned off by GM this is the 4th GM Ive owned with Electrical issues.