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 21 through 30 of 121.00

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  Nice car, underappreciated. - 2003 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Dennis - July 25 - 8:49 pm

  I bought my Malibu LS new in April 2003, and am in the market for a new car now. NOTHING has ever gone wrong with it, its given me zero problems. Its been a while though, Im a little bored with it, I make more money than I did, so Im shopping again. Ive test driven BMW, Lexus, Mercedes and Audi, expecting to be "wowed"......and I really wasnt. Granted, my Malibu has every option there is, and I dont pretend its in the class of any of those cars I mentioned - but it really stands up very well comparatively, in features, drive and quality. Its certainly made me appreciate it more. Certainly not an exciting car, but definitely both reliable and nice.

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  piece of....well you know - 2003 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Carolinagirl - July 12 - 11:17 am

  This was my first actual car and I was so excited...until. I got stranded in the middle of a road trip because of the fuel pump. Then the thermostat went, replaced rotors twice. Leaking coolant, had to replace gaskets and water pump. I havent had the car two years. Locks went weird. Overall its been disappointing to say the least. im in school and cant afford a new car any time soon >:[

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  surprisingly good car - 2003 Chevrolet Malibu
  By johnathanwills - April 1 - 6:42 pm

  I am biased to GM as I work for them but this car has been nothing but a pleasure. Ive replaced one wheel bearing since 2004. It has great fuel economy on the highway, not great in the city. The car is plain and nobody notices it which is nice when its parked in a lot overnight. One tip dont skimp on brake parts. Mine squeak constantly and have before when Ive used so-so parts.

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  Great family car - 2003 Chevrolet Malibu
  By JackD - February 20 - 10:00 am

  Much improved over previous Malibus we have owned. Quiet, reliable, responsive. Very comfortable, roomy. Perfect size

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  Poor engineering in abundance - 2003 Chevrolet Malibu
  By twomacho - January 30 - 12:38 pm

  Bought new - lots of price incentives - good initial reports, including CU. GM just doesnt get it. Poor brake / rotor design - expensive to fix. Flasher problems should have been a recall - hard to get at - poor design. Radio buttons show "wear" - mats slip - ash tray comes out doesnt go back in easily. Glove box opens - bottom falls out. Just the kind of garbage you never see in a Toyota or Honda who "sweat the details". GM deserves to go under - they have had years to get it right and disappoint.

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  But American cars! - 2003 Chevrolet Malibu
  By EVA CRANDALL - January 14 - 4:18 pm

  I have a 2003 Chevy Malibu LS.I love my car!I have had to replace the catalytic converter & the fuel pump but I had over 100000 miles on it before I had any repairs. Now I live in Tennessee & I only paid $250 for the Converter & $400 for the fuel pump & w/ having a car payment Im cool with that. Now My girlfriend had a 2003 Honda Civic & she thought he car was better than mine because its a Honda but at 56000 miles on her civic the A/C unit went out & she did not get the extended warrenty & we went to 3 mechanics & the cheapest to replace & fix the A/C was $1350. She never got the A/C fixed she Traded it and bought a 2006 Chevy Malibu. You are gonna have problems with any car you buy. I will always buy GM or Ford to support our domestic car manufacturers!

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  Shame on Chevrolet - 2003 Chevrolet Malibu
  By JVJR - December 27 - 6:53 pm

  I bought this car new in 2003. Being a Chevy guy I thought I could look over a couple of things. However at 60,000 and 5 brake changes and 1 rotor change enough is enough! ( I could mention more problems but will not embarrass Chevy futher ) There is a problem with the brakes on the 2003 Malibu. Everyone knows it and us new car purchasers should be given some compensation. My wife drives this car to a part time job plus takes my daughter tom Pre-K. It is lucky if she gets the car up to 45 mph. We live in a rural area with not alot of stop and go traffic. Come on Chevy before you go belly up and amit this problem or I am done with GM cars....

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  Very Happy With Malibu LS - 2003 Chevrolet Malibu
  By anotherhappycamper - November 20 - 2:00 am

  Have Maliby LS for 2 years. No problems at all, very reliable, comfortable. Great value.

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  The reason well never buy GM again - 2003 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Dissatisfied Owner - October 5 - 2:30 pm

  This has got to be the worst car Ive ever owned. The air conditioner wont stay in recirculation (coldest) mode. Weve had it serviced six times in five years (after warranty expired $400 a pop). It works for a few months, then breaks again. Local Chevy dealer kept it for over a week last time to figure out what is going wrong. Still cant figure it out. Living in North Central Texas, cold a/c in summer (and sometimes spring and fall) isnt an option -- its a necessity. Our next car will definitely not be a GM product -- from two people who bought exclusively GM for our entire driving lives.

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  leased car - 2003 Chevrolet Malibu
  By zvi - October 3 - 2:00 am

  on the whole it has been a good car. had problems with the brakes- replace pads and rotors at about the 25000 mile mark.