2003 Chevrolet Malibu Consumer Reviews
Editors Rating
Not Yet Rated
Recent Consumer Reviews
(87 Total Reviews)
Pretty Good
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 8 | Fun-to-Drive: | 3 | Build Quality: | 5 |
| Comfort: | 6 | Interior Design: | 5 | Reliability: | 9 |
| Fuel Economy: | 7 | Exterior Design: | 5 | ||
Vehicle
2003 Chevrolet Malibu 4dr Sedan (3.1L 6cyl 4A)
Review
Car now has 90K miles on it. The car is reliable and has never broken down on me. Gas mileage is pretty good. Responsive car. OK to drive. Had brake problems in the early year. I replaced the rotors with quality rotors and replaced both wheel bearings. Since those replacements, I have not had problems with the rotors or stopping power. Don't use lifetime pads on this car. At 70K miles I replaced the intake manifold gasket. THis is the only major repair.
Favorite Features
Reliability
Suggested Improvements
Brakes, intake gasket
2 redeeming qualities
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 3 | Fun-to-Drive: | 4 | Build Quality: | 5 |
| Comfort: | 4 | Interior Design: | 5 | Reliability: | 5 |
| Fuel Economy: | 10 | Exterior Design: | 5 | ||
Vehicle
2003 Chevrolet Malibu LS 4dr Sedan (3.1L 6cyl 4A)
Review
The only reason we purchased this car was to tow behind our Class A motorhome. The Malibu is one of only a few cars with automatic transmission that can be towed without expensive modifications. The build quality being a GM product is questionable at best of course. Not much acceleration. A mundane "bread and butter" auto.
Favorite Features
Gas mileage (31 hwy, 23 city). Tow-ready from factory
Suggested Improvements
GM, let Daewoo build these cars for you.
Sleek Malibu
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 7 | Build Quality: | 9 |
| Comfort: | 9 | Interior Design: | 7 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 6 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
2003 Chevrolet Malibu LS 4dr Sedan (3.1L 6cyl 4A)
Review
I've had this car a little over two years and I haven't had one problem.The v6 engine is powerful, it rides very smooth, and it's very easy to work on. The only money I have had to put in to this car was gas, oil change, brakes, and a tail light bulb. The A/C blows ice cold and if you take car of it, I recommend this car to anyone.
Favorite Features
Powerful v6 engine. Big moonroof, sport suspension, comfortble seats, tinted glass
Suggested Improvements
GM should offer rear vents, heated seats and a much better sound system. If I'm going to pay $16,000 for top of the line, I want it all, and that sound system just won't work. 6 speaker Bose sounds nice.
1 out 1 people found this review helpful
Silver Malibu LS
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 8 | Fun-to-Drive: | 8 | Build Quality: | 8 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 8 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
2003 Chevrolet Malibu LS 4dr Sedan (3.1L 6cyl 4A)
Review
I've enjoyed my Malibu LS. The only problems I've been having lately are starting and staying charged up. And the radiator seems to run hot. But other than that I have enjoyed my vehicle. I would recommend it to anyone.
Favorite Features
Suggested Improvements
1 out 1 people found this review helpful
OK for long distance driving
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 8 | Fun-to-Drive: | 5 | Build Quality: | 8 |
| Comfort: | 4 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 8 |
| Fuel Economy: | 3 | Exterior Design: | 5 | ||
Vehicle
2003 Chevrolet Malibu LS 4dr Sedan (3.1L 6cyl 4A)
Review
Stiff, uncomfortable seats. Lack of lumbar controls. Has a tendency to hestiate on start. Overall a good car. Could have better gas mileage and more comfortable seats.
Favorite Features
Standard features on LS and acceleration power
Suggested Improvements
Better seats, improved gas mileage. Better radio/sound system. Split/fold rear seat
2 out 3 people found this review helpful
Best vehicle I have ever had!
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 10 | Interior Design: | 9 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
2003 Chevrolet Malibu 4dr Sedan (3.1L 6cyl 4A)
Review
I bought this vehicle in 2004 for only $8,000. It was the best purchase I had ever made on a vehicle. I have owned a Mazda and Corsica and had nothing but problems. When I purchased this vehicle it had 17,000 miles on it and I was working at a state agency so I did a lot of traveling. I now have 83,000 miles on it and the only problem I had with it was a couple weeks after I got it the factory CD player stopped working but I was in a the process of getting a CD player installed anyways and all I have needed done is brakes changed twice and oil changes. Mechanically I have had absolutely no problems and it drives smoothly.
Favorite Features
I love everything about the vehicle.
Suggested Improvements
The only things I would ask for in the car is better ashtrays because they are hard to get in and out, power seats, and more cup holders.
6 out 7 people found this review helpful
My Malibu
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 9 | Build Quality: | 9 |
| Comfort: | 9 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 9 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
2003 Chevrolet Malibu LS 4dr Sedan (3.1L 6cyl 4A)
Review
I enjoy driving my Malibu because of the way it handles on the road. The interior is very nice and comfortable.
Favorite Features
The automatic headlights and interior. It has a great get up and go.
Suggested Improvements
A more updated stereo system, and better gas mileage.
6 out 6 people found this review helpful
Wouldn't buy again
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 4 | Fun-to-Drive: | 3 | Build Quality: | 4 |
| Comfort: | 6 | Interior Design: | 7 | Reliability: | 5 |
| Fuel Economy: | 7 | Exterior Design: | 7 | ||
Vehicle
2003 Chevrolet Malibu LS 4dr Sedan (3.1L 6cyl 4A)
Review
I've had numerous problems with this vehicle. So far, I've had the flywheel replaced due to noises when the vehicle started(this was one month into ownership), the entire fan/blower system replaced (one year into ownership, power steering gear replaced and lower intake gasket replaced (2 1/2 years into ownership). Now that I am out of warranty, the fan system that was replaced does not work - again. This is not to mention that this V6 vehicle has no power or pickup. I would not recommend that anyone buy a Malibu.
Favorite Features
Suggested Improvements
1 out 3 people found this review helpful
Great Experience
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 9 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 9 | Interior Design: | 9 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 10 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2003 Chevrolet Malibu 4dr Sedan (3.1L 6cyl 4A)
Review
We bought the Malibu new in September 2003. Actually we bought two (one basic and one LS), and have been very pleased. This review is based on our experience involving the basic Malibu after 59,000 miles. Mainly interstate driving, 20,000 miles per year. Using cruise control, I consistently average 30 MPG. New tires at 43,000 miles. Replaced front brakes at 56,000 miles, at a dealership cost of $127.90. Rear brakes still good shape. Oil changes every 3,000 miles. We are happy Malibu owners, and armed with hindsight, we would make the same purchase decision as we did in Septemer 2003.
Favorite Features
Quiet and comfortable ride. Great acceleration on entrance ramps. Good CD/cassette/radio. Provides dependable transportation at a reasonable cost. We are pleased with the overall performance.
Suggested Improvements
Sun visors were improved in later models to provide extenders.
2 out 3 people found this review helpful
Bad on brakes, power windows and fans
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 6 | Fun-to-Drive: | 5 | Build Quality: | 5 |
| Comfort: | 6 | Interior Design: | 5 | Reliability: | 7 |
| Fuel Economy: | 6 | Exterior Design: | 5 | ||
Vehicle
2003 Chevrolet Malibu 4dr Sedan (3.1L 6cyl 4A)
Review
One thing after another. Front brakes and rotors. Tire sizes hard to find, never on sale like others. Driver side window loose. Blower motor resistor just went. Back of driver seat broke earlier. CD player does not eject fully anymore. Plus, the CDs get extremely hot after a short play time. Not the best on gas either. Just my opinion. Hard to resell.
Favorite Features
Get what you pay for.
Suggested Improvements
Alternate tire sizes. Better front seats. Improve the braking system.
1 out 1 people found this review helpful
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