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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  2003 GM fuel pumps defective. - 2003 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Eric Puckett - August 6 - 12:45 pm

  My 2003 Chevy Malibu fuel pump went out. While looking for a new one I found some interesting facts. 1 website had over 90 complaints on that part for that model and year of GM cars. Normally parts for cars interchange every 5 years. The 2003 GM models fuel pump was only put on cars that year. That makes me believe that GM knew the pump was defective. Wy else would GM only install that pump for 1 year when they always use parts for 5 years. Something to think about.

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  Great Car - 2003 Chevrolet Malibu
  By alan1945 - June 30 - 4:04 pm

  Purchased as a used rental car in 2004 with 15,000 miles. I now have 203,000 miles and change the oil at 5,000 intervals. Non maintenance repairs have only been a fuel pump, thermostat, and alternator. MPG is great. Consistently averages 30-32 highway at 70+ MPH and 26-28 city. Will easily go 55,000 to 60,000 miles on a set of tires. Nothing great to look at but the most reliable car I have owned, especially considering the price. Would like to get something newer but the thing just wont quit.

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  Great value... - 2003 Chevrolet Malibu
  By elbarto247 - February 4 - 12:44 pm

  Purchased the car in 2004 with 9K miles. always taken care of the care by doing the maintenance myself. Car has had no major problems since i purchased. Just had my transmission oil and radiator flushed a replaced. Car still performs very well. Taken it on multiple trips a year and always average between 26-28 MPG. Have highly rated All season tires and always perform regular oil changes. Acceleration always begins to be a problem right before oil changes are necessary, but the car performs very well otherwise. Interior is differently not of high quality and things do brake but nothing a little lover and attention wont fix.

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  honeymoon is over - 2003 Chevrolet Malibu
  By bordelon - June 22 - 7:48 pm

  Loved car until intake gasket leak, warped brake rotors, anti-theft sensor went out, 4 AC control plates, and now has a slight jerking when softly accelerating. Bought used in 2004, am second owner. Up to 98,000 miles. Decent acceleration from stop if you press gas 3/4 way down. For passing on interstate, floor it and itll downshift. Am doing mild hypermiling. Average between 22 to 24 mpg in city. Use cushion with opening for tailbone. Seat bucket now painful to my tailbone. Very little rust caused by rocks and parking lot car doors.

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  Not Bad, Not Great - 2003 Chevrolet Malibu
  By rswanson101 - December 19 - 6:24 pm

  Ive been driving my 03 Malibu LS (fully loaded) for about a year now. I purchased it used with only 26,000km on it! I really like the way the car rides. Its so quiet, even on the highway, and it soaks up bumps really well. The interior fit ad finish is ok, but nothing amazing. Its got nice pickup in the city, and really good passing power on the highway (Ive passed with ease at 150 km/h on a steep hill. The worst drawback for me are fuel economy. I only get about 16 city and 22 hwy carefully, watching my driving habits, 15 & 19 driving normally. The other thing is that it feels cheap at times (ie some of the buttons/knobs). Its not too bad, but should be thought of as just a car.

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  Dont buy it - 2003 Chevrolet Malibu
  By kevpa1 - September 13 - 9:36 am

  I bought the car under with 90,000 miles. At first the car has no problem and after a while it started making a clunking noise randomly and it feels like its about to break down any minute. I cant want to trade this car in.

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  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.

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  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.

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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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  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.