One problem related to starter solenoid has been reported for the 2003 Chevrolet Malibu. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2003 Chevrolet Malibu based on all problems reported for the 2003 Malibu.
VIN: 1g1ne52j73m672590 I received a recall notice involving "possible unintended key rotation" and on may 11, 2017 I took the vehicle to a chevy dealer in sanford, FL. Both of the keys were fitted with a "plug" and two rings were added,. On my way home from the dealership, on I-4 at almost 70 mph, I had to brake when debris began flying up ahead. The battery and oil lights came on and I felt the car lose power and the steering began to lock. The other cars braked & I coasted to the emergency lane. I put the car in park and started it up again. Approximately 4 miles later, as I exited the ramp in deltona, the car did exactly the same thing. I called the dealership from the side of the road and asked why the car had never done this until the recall for the key issue had been completed and I was told to come back and they would do a diagnostic. I drove to a local mechanic & based on the symptoms determined it was the iginition switch and they also purged the solenoid, costing $366. Today, may 23, 2017, I was traveling on I-4 at about 65mph when it became necessary to brake. The stretch of road is rough, and while braking I saw the two lights come on and felt the engine shut off. I was in the passing lane with easy access to the emergency lane, and once again the car started up and I continued on my way and back home. I drove in the right lane the remainder of the trip down and back so I could bail out if needed. On the day of the original repair, after the car shut down twice on the way home, I checked the government recall page to see if there were other recall issues and I learned that the fob is not recommended to be attached to the key. I removed the fob from the key and attached it to a lanyard, but apparently that does not help the problem. The dealership returned both "corrected" keys to me on the fob, with a second ring on each.