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 1 through 10 of 121.00

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  Stay Away From This Car! - 2003 Chevrolet Malibu
  By maria1101 - April 24 - 10:31 pm

  Where do I begin...I bought this car used four years ago with 77k, it was my first car so you cant really be picky. After three months the problems began, head gasket, bad electrical wiring, brakes needed replaced every 6 months, rotors needed replaced once a year, the fuel pump needed replaced, also replaced the ignition and the body control module due to the fact they told me it would solve my problem of my car not starting while sitting in the sun...no mechanic could ever figure out what the problem was! Signals occasionally didnt work, sun visor fell off, seat recliner handle fell off. I took good care of this car, always kept it well maintained but this car did not take care of me!

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  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!

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  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.

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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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  Lemon all the way - 2003 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Yvonne Lancaster PA - March 16 - 7:41 pm

  I have had this car for 4yrs and it has had nothing but issues. I probably spent as much in repairs as I have on the sales price. Replaced catalytic converter,starter,fuel pump,several sensors, and now they say the gasket needs replaced, talk about a lemon, I will never, never buy another GM car which was all I believed in buying previous to this money gouging vehicle. Get with the program GM.

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  Junk1 - 2003 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Eric Herbst - September 27 - 10:12 pm

  Plan on replacing brakes and rotors every 22-24000 miles. Roughly $90, if you do it yourself. Lower intake manifold gasket went at 44,000 miles. I have found this is quite common, and look forward to replacing it at least once more before I can get rid of the car. If you are not a mechanic or know a good friend as one, expect to pay between $700-$1100. This will occur roughly every 40-50,000 miles. If you do not catch it in time, your engine will cease to run. Rear window motor is failing. It will roll down, but fails to travel back up. If you are considering purchasing a 97-2003 Malibu, I highly recommend against it. Perhaps you should buy a Ford Edsel instead.

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  Poor Brakes / Bad Service - 2003 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Brake-Broke - May 24 - 2:00 am

  The car was fair to good until having to replace the brakes TWICE in less than 30k miles. Great prices to buy, but service is as bad as it gets with them. Gas mileage is not even close to the 32 Hwy mpg, Im lucky if I get 25- 26. do yourself a favor and DO NOT BUY THIS CAR. I will never get another GM vehicle. Cant wait to get rid of this car.

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  2003 Malibu LS - 2003 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Seahrse - February 12 - 2:00 am

  My car has been in the shop three times in six weeks for three different mechanical problems. My enjoyment of the vehicle has been replaced with trepidation. Every time I drive it I wait to see what goes wrong.

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  my malibu - 2003 Chevrolet Malibu
  By cat123 - August 23 - 2:00 am

  Alternater went out after 4 years...just after the warrenty expires, imagine that! Air conditioning went out right about the same time!