2003 Chevy Malibu Review
2003 Chevy Malibu Review
View more photos
View more photos
View more photos
View more photos
View more photos+36
See Edmunds pricing data
Has Your Car's Value Changed?
Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.
Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Comfortable and roomy interior, low price, ample feature content.
Cons
- Poor expected resale value, not as refined as top-selling Japanese family sedans.
What’s new
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.
Edmunds says
Chevy's non-descript Malibu is one of the best cars General Motors makes. Roomy and loaded with features, the often-overlooked and affordable Malibu is worth consideration.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2003 Chevrolet Malibu 4dr Sedan (3.1L 6cyl 4A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.57 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia
$207/mo for Malibu Base
Malibu Base
vs
$185/mo
Avg. Midsize Car
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2003 Chevrolet Malibu.
5 star(48%)
4 star(24%)
3 star(19%)
2 star(5%)
1 star(4%)
127 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
5 out of 5 stars
Great Experience
Bob, 09/16/2006
2003 Chevrolet Malibu 4dr Sedan (3.1L 6cyl 4A)
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.
5 out of 5 stars
No complaints
chevyok, 04/24/2014
2003 Chevrolet Malibu LS 4dr Sedan (3.1L 6cyl 4A)
Going on 16th year since new. Fairly reliable car given normal maintenance.
Beside the normal problems others have reported, such as sticky flasher, stuck A/C button, wrapped rotor, etc, I really cannot complaint too much. I did replace the water pump and thermostat, shocks all around 100K miles, the ABS sensors at 115K and again at 153K (though it started to go intermittently at 175K) , … by-passed the anti theft system at 147K, fuel pump at 159k, alternator at 175K, starter at 179K, all of these problems were well documented for the model year. Corner of body panel kickers started to rust. The trunk latch hook finally rusted away and came out of the bottom of the trunk at 179K, but it was an easy fix by simply drilling a few holes and riveting the thing right back on. Other than that, everything still works approaching 180K. My goal with this car is 250K miles, but I am not using the car as much as I did before and I will see when and if it can get there.
5 out of 5 stars
One Hell Of A Car
jc775, 02/09/2013
2003 Chevrolet Malibu LS 4dr Sedan (3.1L 6cyl 4A)
To Start off, I don't care about the negative comments foreign
car fans have to say. The Chevy Malibu is an amazing car! I got my '03 in'04 as a first car and i'm happy i did. This car got me home EVERY time. Yes i've changed the Intake manifold gasket and fuel pump but like they say, take care of the car, car will take care of you. Just recently, I was coming down the mountain road … covered in black ice. Going the 50 mile speed limit, the car hits the black ice and crashes, hitting the side wall. She still started right up and drove us down not to far to safety at a chain instal shoulder. She took all the damage which cost her her life. This car saved my life and the lives of my friends.
3 out of 5 stars
2003 GM fuel pumps defective.
Eric Puckett, 08/06/2015
2003 Chevrolet Malibu 4dr Sedan (3.1L 6cyl 4A)
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.
2003 Malibu Highlights
Base
| Base MSRP | $18,075 |
|---|---|
| Engine Type | Gas |
| Combined MPG | 21 MPG |
| Cost to Drive | $207/month |
| Seating | 5 seats |
| Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 17.3 cu.ft. |
| Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
| Warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
Safety
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver4 / 5Passenger4 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriver3 / 5Passenger4 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRollover4 / 5Dynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalAcceptable
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintPoor
People who viewed this also viewed
| 3.8 average Rating out of 40 reviews. |
| Starting at $26,320 |
| 3.6 average Rating out of 20 reviews. |
| Starting at $26,600 |
| 4.5 average Rating out of 37 reviews. |
| Starting at $23,450 |
Related Used 2003 Chevrolet Malibu info
Recommended
- Best Ford Transit Cargo Van Lease Deals in Scranton, PA
- Best Audi A4 Allroad Lease Deals in Oxnard, CA
- Best Chrysler Pacifica Lease Deals in New Orleans, LA
- Best Chrysler Pacifica Lease Deals in Midland, TX
- Best Lexus Ux 250H Lease Deals in Elizabeth, NJ
Other models
- Used Audi E-Tron-S-Sportback in Kailua Kona, HI
- New Chevrolet Silverado-3500Hd for Sale in Brighton, MA
- Used Lexus LX-600 in Skokie, IL
- Used Ford E-Series-Wagon in Hinsdale, IL
- Used Lexus RX-330 in Vidalia, GA
- New BMW I5 for Sale in Ringgold, GA
- New GMC Yukon for Sale in Bryan, OH
- Used Kia Rio in Sterling, VA
- Used Cadillac DTS in East Northport, NY
- Used Hyundai Santa-Fe-Xl in Lutz, FL
- New Genesis Electrified-G80 for Sale in East Wenatchee, WA
- New GMC Terrain for Sale in Lake Forest, IL
- New Mercedes-Benz G-Class for Sale in Bend, OR
- Used Chevrolet Corvette in Greenville, SC
- Used Buick Reatta in Brunswick, GA
Shop used vehicles in your area
- Used Maserati E-PACE 2021
- Used Mazda Mazdaspeed 3 2013
- Used Mazda CX-9 2015
- Used Lexus RX 450HL 2019
- Used Mercedes-Benz SLC-Class 1999
- Used Maserati Golf R 2008
- Used Chevrolet Silverado 2500 1998
- Used Hyundai Accent 2009 For Sale
- Used BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo 2019
- Used Kia Sportage 2010
Vehicle reviews of used models
- Hyundai Accent 2021 Review
- Hyundai Elantra 2021 Review
- Hyundai Accent 2020 Review
- Hyundai Elantra GT 2020 Review
- Hyundai Elantra 2020 Review
Popular new car reviews and ratings
- 2022 Honda Odyssey
- Lexus ES 350 2022
- Jeep Compass 2022
- Lexus NX 2024
- Jaguar I Pace
- Cadillac CT4 V Blackwing
- 2022 Ford Mustang
- 2023 X5
- 2023 Encore GX
- Jeep Grand Cherokee4Xe
Shop similar models
Research recent models from same make
- 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
- 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer
- 2022 Chevrolet Camaro
- 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
- Chevrolet Blazer 2022
- 2022 Chevrolet Traverse
- 2022 Chevrolet Equinox
- Chevrolet Camaro 2024
- 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
- 2022 Chevrolet Express Cargo