2003 Chevrolet Malibu Review: A Decent Mid-Size Car Outclassed by a Whole Bunch of Great Ones

The 2003 Chevrolet Malibu would be an easier car to love if it weren’t so obviously outdone by the competition. The Taurus is more powerful, the Altima is more comfortable, and the Accord is more reliable. The fifth-gen Malibu was feeling its age by 2003 and the 2004 relaunch was well past due.

Is the 2003 Chevrolet Malibu a Good Used Car?

• Overall Rating 7/10 – The 2003 Malibu is hard not to like, and even harder to love. A very middle of the road car outclassed in more ways than not by other 2003 mid-sizes.
• Interior, Comfort & Cargo 8/10 – It’s a comfortable and spacious mid-size car with solid suspension and decent cargo space for its size class.
• Reliability 7/10 – The powertrain will probably pass 200,000 miles easy. But the car is loaded with chintzy electronics and accessories that will break before their time.
• Safety 7/10 – Good crash test ratings, outdated safety tech.
• Gas Mileage 8/10 – For a twenty year old mid-size car, you could do a lot worse than 20/29 miles to the gallon, city/highway.
• Value 7/10 – The 2003 Malibu is priced fairly, you could even say it’s a good deal. But there are too many good mid-size cars in this price range for anyone to give the Malibu an enthusiastic recommendation.

What Do Critics Say About the 2003 Chevrolet Malibu?

Consumer Reports found the 2003 Malibu to be pretty mediocre all around. They note the roomy interior, acceptable handling, noisy engine, and cheap interior quality adding up to an outdated C-grade package.

Kelley Blue Book reviewers find the car reliable and comfortable, but criticize the generally poor build quality and all the little repairs you have to make here and there.

Edmunds found the interior roomy and comfortable, and they liked the generous features, but conclude that the car is outclassed by pretty much every single Japanese mid-size car released in the 2003 model year.

What Common Problems Does the 2003 Chevrolet Malibu Have?

With 306 reports on file, electrical issues make up more than half of the Malibu’s 606 complaints registered with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Issues are all over the place, with a common one being that the anti-theft may engage and prevent ignition.

Throttle body failure has been reported in a number of 2003 Malibus. There have been no recalls for this problem, but Chevrolet have issued vouchers to cover the repair costs.

The transmission has held up well over the years, with just 15 powertrain complaints on file. Most of these complaints point to issues with the throttle body or ignition failure, rather than the transmission itself.

Overall, the 2003 Malibu is built on a dependable engine and transmission, but you can expect all those little nickel-and-dime repairs for faulty air conditioning and fidgety wiring to add up over the years.

How Long Will the 2003 Chevrolet Malibu Last?

A 2003 Chevy Malibu can reach 200,000 to 250,000 miles with good maintenance and smart driving habits. We’ve explored in the past how these cars really have their best days before the 150,000 mile mark, but if you start out with a Malibu in decent condition and you change your fluids regularly, we’ve seen mileage reported as high as 300,000.

According to RepairPal, older Malibus should cost around $344 a year in maintenance. The most expensive common repair will be a new air conditioner compressor, starting at around $934.

How Is the Technology?

Entertainment technology is decent for a mid-size car from 2003. The entry level Base features a CD player and four speakers, but that’s about as high tech as it gets.

Safety technology is adequate. Anti-lock brakes, full airbags, and a LATCH anchorage system for child seats bring the car up to code, but it was hardly ahead of its time.

Is the 2003 Chevrolet Malibu a Good Value?

The 2003 Malibu sells at a pretty good price for what you’re getting. An LS sedan typically lists at around $3,050, with a fair market average of $2,695. This is for a car with around 150,000 miles on the odometer, so if it passes the test drive and inspection, you can expect to get another 100,000 miles out of it with proper maintenance.

What are the Different Models of the 2003 Chevrolet Malibu?

The 2003 Malibu is available in just two trim levels, being the entry level Base and the more luxurious LS.

The Base model features:

• Cloth bucket seats
• AM/FM radio with four speakers and CD player
• Power trunk release
• PASSLock theft-deterrent
• 12v power outlet
• Manual air conditioning

The high-end LS adds:

• 6-way power seat adjust for the driver
• Remote keyless entry
• Power windows
• Premium cloth seating trim
• Fog lights

What Engines Come In the 2003 Chevrolet Malibu?

• The 2003 Malibu comes packed with a 3.1L V6 delivering 170 horsepower and 190 lb.-ft. of torque. Thi is paired to a 4-speed automatic transmission and configured in front wheel drive. You’ll get about 20/29 miles to the gallon, city/highway, and it comes with a 13.1 gallon gas tank.

What Colors Does the 2003 Chevrolet Malibu Come In?

How Comfortable Is the 2003 Chevrolet Malibu?

You won’t find many complaints for the 2003 Malibu’s roomy interior. Hip room maxes out at about 52 inches, so it might be a tight fit for five full grown adults, but for four adults or two adults and a few kids, you won’t have any issues.

Suspension complaints are few and far between, although one driver reports to the NHTSA that they had a strut mount break before they’d even hit 69,000 miles, and it keeps breaking every 17,000 or so. But these instances are rare. For the most part, the shocks and struts have held up well over the years.

How Much Storage Space Does the 2003 Chevrolet Malibu Have?

With 17.3 cubic feet of storage space, the 2003 Malibu has plenty of room for just about anything you could reasonably expect a mid-size car to carry, from groceries and luggage to tailgating supplies and coolers. Fold-down seats would be nice but, hey, that’s what SUVs are for.

What Are the Differences Between Years?

The 2003 Malibu was the final model year for the 5th Generation, and the fourth since the V6 update released in 2000.

2000: Chevrolet dropped the 2.4L i4 that had got them through the 90s, and the 3.1L V6 got an upgrade bringing the horsepower to 170.

2001: Power door locks and defogger became standard features for 2001, and conveniences like seatback map pockets and CD players were added.

2002: No major updates for 2002, but the car did a few more color options, and the CD player became standard on the Base model.

2003: 2003 was another same-old-same-old year for the Malibu. Color options were expanded again, but by this point Chevy was more interested in gearing up the 2004 relaunch of the iconic mid-size.

How Does the 2003 Chevrolet Malibu Compare to the Competition?

The Malibu’s closest competition, the Taurus, had a pretty good year in 2003. The Ford is a little less powerful than the Malibu at the base level, 155 horsepower, and a little stronger at the higher end, 200 horsepower. Both vehicles sell at around the same price at the entry level, but the high-end SEL averages $500 more than the LS Malibu.

A 2003 Nissan Altima is comparable in price and specs, but interior features are a bit more generous, with velour seat trim and power windows at the entry level. The Altima is more likely to pass 250,000 miles on the odometer, and has far fewer complaints on file for little electrical components and accessories breaking.

The Altima is arguably the best mid-size car of 2003. There’s plenty to like about the Malibu, it has that nice All-American feel to it with a powerful engine and spacious interior. But the Altima simply costs the same, performs the same, lasts longer, and feels nicer.

Do Owners Recommend the 2003 Chevrolet Malibu?