2003 Chevrolet Malibu speed control problems

The 2003 Chevrolet Malibu has 86 speed control complaints filed with NHTSA — 11% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

Speed Control complaints

11%

Share of year

Crash-involved

Related recalls

Speed Control complaints by year

Malibu speed control complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

04V528000Speed ControlNovember 1, 2004 · 92,863 units

Defect

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 124, 'ACCELERATOR CONTROL SYSTEMS.' IN HOT AMBIENT CONDITIONS, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ARM MAY STICK AT THE ATTACHMENT TO THE BRACKET AND NOT RETURN TO THE ENGINE IDLE POSITION WHEN THE OPERATOR LIFTS HIS FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL.

Consequence

FAILURE TO RETURN TO IDLE COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ARM AND REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR AND BRAKE PEDAL ASSEMBLY WITH A NEW ASSEMBLY, IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 20, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537.

What owners report

“WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, AND CONSUMER'S FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKES VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD. VEHICLE'S FRONT END COLLIDED WITH A CEMENT POLE, DIVIDING THE PARKING LOT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES INVOLVED NOR DID THE POLICE ARRIVE. THE NEXT DAY THE SAME THING OCCURRED, BUT APPLYING THE BRAKES PREVENTED…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · June 12, 2004 · crash

Common questions

How many speed control complaints does the 2003 Chevrolet Malibu have?

NHTSA has 86 complaints about the 2003 Chevrolet Malibu speed control — 11% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2003 Chevrolet Malibu speed control?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the speed control: 04V528000.

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.