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We cover the Malibu from 2000 to 2024. The 2004 to 2007 car moved to the Epsilon platform with 2.2-liter and 3.5-liter engines. Later generations use 2.4-liter and 3.6-liter V6 engines, then 2.5-liter, 1.5-liter turbo and 2.0-liter turbo engines, plus a hybrid.


The 2003 Chevrolet Malibu belongs to the fifth-generation Malibu, built for model years 1997–2003. It is the last model year of this generation and includes the running changes made during production, which is why a manual for the exact year matters.
Check the model year on your VIN: on a 2003 vehicle the 10th character of the 17-digit VIN is “3”. Vehicles built for North America always carry the model year in that position; on some European or Australian vehicles it may be left unused, so in that case go by the registration papers or the build plate.
At about 23 years old, a 2003 vehicle is in the age range where wiring, rubber hoses, seals and corrosion repairs take most of the work, and where original factory information is hardest to find.
Same generation: 2000 Chevrolet Malibu, 2001 Chevrolet Malibu, 2002 Chevrolet Malibu.
All Chevrolet Malibu model years: 2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024
Engine
3.1L
Transmission
Automatic Transaxle - 4T40-E/4T45-E
