2004 Chevrolet Malibu
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Steering is the leading concern among 1,697 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the highest complaint count among 26 Malibu model years with reports.
Of the 2004 reports, 81 involved a crash and 15 involved a fire. 55 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
SteeringJul 21, 2014
Dorman Products, Inc. (Dorman) is recalling certain replacement intermediate steering shafts sold under the Dorman, OE Solutions, and Solutions brand names, part numbers 425-167, 2425167, and 7-3074, for installation on 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6, and 2007-2009 Saturn Aura vehicles. The affected steering shafts may have a yoke that inadequately supports the u-joint bearing resulting in a premature failure.
A joint bearing that fails prematurely may cause separation of the u-joint resulting in a complete loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Dorman will notify owners, and dealers will refund the purchase price or replace the steering shafts, free of charge. The recall began in September 2014. Owners may contact Dorman customer service at 1-800-523-2492.
Campaign 14E044000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical system, wiringMay 14, 2014
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured May 16, 2003, through October 11, 2012, 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured May 26, 2004, through January 4, 2010, and 2007-2010 Saturn Aura vehicles manufactured April 24, 2006, through May 26, 2009. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the Body Control Module (BCM) connection may result in voltage fluctuations in the Brake Apply Sensor (BAS) circuit. These fluctuations can cause one or more of these conditions: the brake lights to illuminate without the brake pedal being pushed; the brake lights to not illuminate when the pedal is pushed; difficulty disengaging the cruise control; moving the gear shifter out of the 'PARK' position without pushing the brake; and disablement of crash avoidance features such as traction control, electronic stability control, and panic braking assist features.
Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will attach the wiring harness to the BCM with a spacer, apply dielectric lubricant to both the BCM and harness connector and the BAS and harness connector, and will relearn the brake pedal home position, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed an Interim letter to customers on July 14, 2014. The recall began on August 18, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-762-2737 (Pontiac), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). GM's number for this recall is 13036.
Campaign 14V252000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, automatic transmissionApr 30, 2014
General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on April 29, 2014, that they are recalling 56,214 model year 2007 and 2008 Saturn Aura vehicles. On May 22, 2014, GM increased the recall to include an additional 1,074,899 model year 2004-2008 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured from May 16, 2003, through October 5, 2007, model year 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured from June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, and model year 2005-2008 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured from May 26, 2004, through September 28, 2007, and equipped with 4-speed transmissions. The total number vehicles being recalled is now 1,131,113.
If the transmission shift cable fractures while the vehicle is being driven, the transmission gear selection may not match the indicated gear and the vehicle may move in an unintended or unexpected direction, increasing the risk of a crash. Furthermore, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, despite selecting the PARK position, the transmission may not be in PARK. If the vehicle is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
GM will notify owners, and GM dealers will replace the shift cable assembly and mounting bracket, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for this recall is 14152.
Campaign 14V224000 on NHTSA.gov
Steering, electric power assist systemMar 31, 2014
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 and 2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2006 Malibu Maxx, 2009-2010 HHR (non-turbo), 2010 Cobalt, 2008-2009 Saturn Aura and 2004-2007 Ion, and 2005-2009 Pontiac G6. In the affected vehicles, there may be a sudden loss of electric power steering (EPS) assist that could occur at any time while driving.
If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will perform one of four bulletins. Parts are not currently available. GM expects to send an interim notification around May 28, 2014. When parts are available, owners will be mailed a second letter to come in to have the applicable bulletin applied. Bulletin 14115 covers model year 2004-2007 Saturn Ion, 2009-2010 Chevrolet HHR and 2010 Chevrolet Cobalts. Dealers will replace the EPS motor. Bulletin 14116 covers model year 2004-2006 Chevrolet Malibu and Malibu Maxx, 2005-2006 Pontiac G6 and 2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from March 1, 2008, through June 27, 2008. Dealers will replace the torque sensor assembly. Bulletin 14117 covers model year 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from February 1, 2008, through February 28, 2008. Dealers will replace the torque sensor assembly and EPS motor controller unit. Bulletin 14118 covers model year 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from October 1, 2007, through January 31, 2008. Dealers will replace the EPS motor controller unit. The recall began on July 17, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, Saturn at 1-800-553-6000, and Pontiac at 1-800-620-7668. GM's number for this recall is N140115. Note: GM bulletin number 14119 will be implemented for model year 2006-2008 and early production of 2009 Chevrolet HHR (non-turbo) and model year 2003 Saturn ION to provide EPS Motor replacement for the life of the vehicle.
Campaign 14V153000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, fuel pumpFeb 28, 2011
TI AUTOMOTIVE IS RECALLING CERTAIN FUEL PUMPS, PART NUMBERS TU456 AND TU303, SOLD UNDER VARIOUS BRAND NAMES AS AFTERMARKET AND REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE MOTOR VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP MAY SEIZE, STOPPING THE FUEL FLOW TO THE ENGINE CREATING A STALLING CONDITION.
A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR SHOULD THE ENGINE STALL WHILE IN USE.
TI AUTOMOTIVE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND WILL REPLACE ANY DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP WITH A NEW OR REWORKED FUEL PUMP FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 22, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TI AUTOMOTIVE AT 1-866-867-3759 OR LOG ON TO WWW.RECALLRESPONSE.COM.
Campaign 11E009000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lightingApr 7, 2009
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
Campaign 09E012000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, hydraulic, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, control unit/moduleApr 19, 2004
SOME OF THESE PASSENGER VEHICLES HAVE AN ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU) THAT MAY CALCULATE A HIGHER THAN ACTUAL VEHICLE SPEED BECAUSE OF AN ERRATIC REAR-WHEEL SPEED SENSOR SIGNAL, AND CAUSE ABS ACTIVATION WHERE IT IS NOT NEEDED OR NEEDED ABS ACTIVATION TO BE EXTENDED DURING BRAKING AS THE VEHICLE SPEED DROPS TO ABOUT 3 MPH.
UNEXPECTED ABS ACTIVIATION COULD INCREASE STOPPING DISTANCE UP TO ABOUT 11 FEET DPENDING ON THE GRADE OF THE ROAD, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ABS CONTROLLER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 16, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438.
Campaign 04V190000 on NHTSA.gov
Seat belts, front, anchorageApr 16, 2004
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, ANALYSIS OF AN A SIDE IMPACT CRASH TEST CONDUCTED BY THE NHTSA;S NEW CAR ASSESSMENT PROGRAM (NCAP) INDICATED THAT THE OUTBOARD ANCHORAGE OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT COULD DISCONNECT BECAUSE OF CONTACT BETWEEN THE SEAT TRIM AND THE ANCHORAGE CONNECTOR WHEN THE SEAT WAS ADJUSTED TO ITS LOWEST POSITION.
IF THIS OCCURRED IN A CRASH, THE DRIVER COULD RECEIVE GREATER INJURIES.
DEALERS WILL INSERT A RETAINER ON BOTH THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S BELT ANCHORAGES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 16, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438.
Campaign 04V188000 on NHTSA.gov
Equipment, other, labelsFeb 24, 2004
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD (FMVSS) NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." SOME OF THESE VEHICLES THAT WERE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AN ADVANCED OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEM (AORS) HAVE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SUN VISORS WITH AORS LABELS. THE AORS LABELS DO NOT INCLUDE STATEMENTS AND THE ILLUSTRATION REQUIRED BY FMVSS NO. 208 FOR VEHICLES WITHOUT AORS.
OWNERS WILL BE SENT REPLACEMENT LABELS WITH INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO INSTALL THEM. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 21, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438.
Campaign 04V094000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: electrical system
247 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Electrical system, Engine, Apr 3, 2014
AT FIRST, THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE AT RANDOM INTERVALS. THEN ENGINE SHUT OFF WHILE CAR WAS MOVING. THE PROBLEM HAPPENED MORE FREQUENTLY AS TIME PROGRESSED. THEN THE CAR WOULD NOT START INTERMITTENTLY. FINALLY IT WOULD NOT START AT ALL. THE SHOP FOUND THE BAD PART WAS THE IGNITION SWITCH. TOTAL COST TO REPLACE THE SWITCH AND DO THE ASSOCIATED WORK WAS $900. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Apr 2, 2014
I WAS DRIVING THE CAR THROUGH AN INTERSECTION APPROACHING THE RAMP ONTO THE INTERSTATE. I LOST STEERING CONTROL FOR ABOUT 2 SECONDS, JUST MISSING THE GUARD-RAIL AND HAVING AN ACCIDENT. THE NEXT MORNING, THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE 2004 MALIBU. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP FOR A LOANER CAR, ONLY TO BE TOLD THE CAR VIN NUMBER IS NOT AN APPROVED MODEL FOR THE RECALL. I NEED TO KNOW WHY IT IS NOT IF IT IS HAVING THE SAME ISSUES. I HAVE REPORTED TO THIS SITE AT LEAST TWICE ABOUT ISSUES WITH THIS CAR. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Apr 1, 2014
THE ABOVE DATE IS APPROXIMATE BECAUSE I HAVE HAD PROBLEM WITH THIS SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR IN 2004. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP, GM CORPORATE, AND NHTSA FOR YEARS. I ALWAYS GOT THE SAME RESPONSE, "CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM". GM OWES ME MONEY FOR ALL THE AGGRAVATION AND MONEY FOR PAYING SERVICE DEPT. FOR NOTHING. MY CAR LOST STEERING ON THE HIGHWAY WHILE TRYING TO PASS AN 18 WHEELER, THIS MEANT I WAS IN THE LEFT LANE. BY THE GRACE OF GOD, I'M STILL HERE!! I STILL HAVE MY CAR, BUT I HAVE NOT RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER! *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Mar 31, 2014
FRONT TURNING SIGNALS OR RUNNING LIGHTS GET VERY HOT AND MELT THROUGH THE AMBER LENS THAT THE BULB SITS IN. THESE BULBS BURN OUT QUITE OFTEN, WHICH HAVE CREATED SOME NEAR MISSES WHILE MAKING TURNS BECAUSE THE BULBS WOULD BURN OUT WITHOUT NOTICE. THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM ON ALL THE 04 AND 05 MALIBU. I HAVE CONTACTED THE CHEVY DEALERS AND THE DENY AND KNOWLEDGE OF THE PROBLEM, BUT THERE MANY COMPLAINTS OF THIS ONLINE. EVERY MALIBU OF THESE YEARS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Mar 22, 2014
POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON AND RINGING SOUND SOUNDED AND POWER STEERING WENT COMPLETELY OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY INTERSECTION AS I WAS MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN. I MANAGED TO GET IT TO THE CURB AND CALL FOR HELP. AFTER SITTING A WHILE IT BECAME NORMAL, BUT I AM AFRAID THIS WILL HAPPEN AGAIN. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER ABOUT THIS. SEE NHTSA ACTION NUMBER EA 04018 AND LOTS OF GM SERVICE BULLETINS. MY DEALER CANNOT HELP BECAUSE THE RECALL WAS FOR 2005 MALIBU MAX ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING AND NOT THE 2004, BUT IT IS THE SAME POWER STEERING UNIT. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Electrical system, Mar 22, 2014
SINCE AT ABOUT 110,000 MILES (CAR NOW HAS 160,000) THE THEFT SYSTEM PREVENTS ME FROM STARTING MY CAR BY DISABLING THE INJECTORS INTERMITTENTLY. I FIND THIS TO BE A SAFETY HAZARD AS DO MANY OTHERS THAT HAVE POSTED COMMENTS ONLINE. IT HAS STRANDED ME AT 1:30 IN THE MORNING IN FRONT OF CONVENIENCE STORES. NOT A SAFE PLACE TO BE STUCK. CHEVY SAYS ITS A $300-$1000 FIX BUT I HAVE READ THAT IT STILL DOES NOT FIX THE PROBLEM IN SOME INSTANCES. I'M SURPRISED THAT THERE HAS NOT BEEN A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST GM FOR THIS. ANY ASSISTANCE WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. THANK YOU. *TR
Electrical system, Mar 14, 2014
CAR WENT COMPLETELY DEAD, AND WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A DEFECTIVE IGNITION SWITCH. COST TO REPAIR WAS $542.85 IS THIS GOING TO BE COVERED IN THE CURRENT GM RECALL? *TR
Electrical system, Mar 6, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER TURNING THE ENGINE OFF, HE WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE DEFECT HAD OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER AND THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,000. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Feb 20, 2014
RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD MY POWER STEERING HAS GONE OUT MULTIPLE TIMES. I LISTED THE MOST RECENT DATE. NOW THEY SAY IT WILL COST AROUND 1000 TO FIX. IF MULTIPLE PEOPLE HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS SHOULDN'T THEIR BE A RECALL? IF THE ROADS WERE ICY I COULD'VE CRASHED AND KILLED SOMEONE. *TR
Electrical system, Seats, Equipment, Jan 16, 2014
IN JUNE THE DRIVERS SEAT BEGAN LISTING TO THE RIGHT AND ROCKING. THE DEALER LOOKED AT IT AND SAID IT IS A BROKEN WELD AND QUOTED ME $800.00 TO FIX IT. THEN IN SEPT OF 2012 I WAS TRYING TO MANEUVER OUT OF A PARKING LOT AND THE POWER STEERING LOCKED UP. IT WAS REALLY SCARY, IT TOOK ALL MY MIGHT TO GET TO A SAFE PLACE TO STOP WITHOUT HITTING ANYONE. WHEN I RESTARTED IT WAS OKAY AND MY MECHANIC DID NOT SEE ANY OBVIOUS PROBLEM WITH IT. ALSO THE CD PLAYER NO LONGER WILL LOAD UP CDS ALTHOUGH THE OTHER FUNCTIONS AND INFO ON THE LITTLE SCREEN WORK. ALSO THE SIDE MIRRORS NO LONGER CAN BE ADJUSTED IN THE VERTICAL PLANE ALTHOUGH THEY STILL MOVE HORIZONTALLY. *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Sep 25, 2013
I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY DOOR LOCKS STARTED TO GO UP AND DOWN. THAN AFTER THAT THE DOORS WOULD JUST START TO LOCK AND UNLOCK ON THEIR OWN. NOW NONE OF THE LOCKS ON THE DOOR WORK AND THE ALARM GOES OFF EVERYTIME I OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE AND WHEN I'M INSIDE THE CAR I GET LOCKED IN MY CAR. *JS
Electrical system, Sep 12, 2013
THE PASSLOCK SECURITY SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS DISABLING THE VEHICLE. YOU HAVE TO RESET THE SYSTEM WHICH CAN TAKE UP TO 30 MINUTES. THIS CAN BE A SAFETY ISSUE WHEN IT HAPPENS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. I HAVE SEEN THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS FOR THIS ISSUE. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. *TR
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 30, 2013, crash, fire
THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM AND FUEL RAIL COMBINED CREATED A INJURY TO PEDESTRIANS THAT IS UNBELIEVABLE THE CAR TOOK OFF AFTER LEFT TURN INTO A PARKING LOT
Electrical system, Aug 22, 2013
THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT CAME ON FOR 2004 CHEVY MALIBU CLASSIC. CAR WOULD NOT START. HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO SPORT CHEVROLET. GOOGLE SEARCH REVEALED THEFT PASSLOCK SYSTEM COMPLAINTS ON CHEVY CARS I WAS CHARGED $634.84 PLUS TAX, SPORT CHEVROLET IN SILVER SPRING MD TO REPLACE THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER, WIRING AND CONNECTOR. 2 DAYS LATER THE SAME THING HAPPENED. THE ISSUE WAS RESOLVED BY LEAVING THE KEY IN ACC FOR 10 MINUTES THUS RESETTING THEFT SYSTEM. WHY WAS I CHARGED $600 FOR A DEFECT? *TR
Electrical system, Aug 18, 2013
CAR WOULD NOT START BECAUSE THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM WAS ACTIVATED FOR NO REASON. WAS ABLE TO START IT BY LEAVING THE IGNITION SWITCH IN THE ON POSITION FOR 10 MIN. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE. *TR
Electrical system, Aug 12, 2013
ON TWO OCCASIONS THE CAR WOULD NOT CRANK THE ANTI THEFT LIGHT WILL BLINK. HAD TO GET SOMEONE TO START IT UP BY WAITING ON THE LIGHT TO STOP BLINKING, WHICH IS TIME CONSUMING AND COSTLY .SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS. THERE IS A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ON THIS MATTER. SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE.!!! *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Jul 10, 2013
WE BOUGHT THE CAR USED WITH 34,000 MILES ON IT IN 3/2006.THERE WAS A CLUNKING IN THE STEERING WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN ON 12/2007 WITH 66,000 MILES. THE CLUNKING WAS STILL THERE AND WE WERE TOLD THAT THIS IS NORMAL. SINCE THEN THE STEERING HAS GOTTEN WORSE. THE DEALERSHIP HAS TRIED TO FIND THE PROBLEM BUT SAYS IT CAN FIND NOTHING WRONG. YET SOMETIMES THE STEERING WILL LOCKUP AT LOW SPEED WHEN BACKING UP OR TURNING WHILE STOPPED. IT HAS NOT DONE THIS WHILE DRIVING AT ROAD SPEED (OR I WOULD NOT DRIVE IT). HOWEVER AT ROAD SPEED THE STEERING IS VERY VAGUE. IT REQUIRES AN ALMOST QUARTER TURN OF THE STEERING WHEEL TO GET THE CAR TO RESPOND TO A STEERING INPUT TO TURN LEFT OR RIGHT. THIS IS NOT SAFE. THERE IS ALSO WARNING LIGHTS THAT COME ON THE DASH, AND WARNING BELLS THAT SOUND, AND SOMETIMES THEY GO BACK OFF OTHER TIMES CAR NEEDS TO SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED AND IT IS OK THEN. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON MOST OF THE TIME, AGAIN DEALERSHIP CAN NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. SOMETIMES THE WHOLE DASH CLUSTER GOES OUT, THE CAR STAYS RUNNING AND THEY COME BACK ON AFTER A TIME AND AGAIN IF YOU CUT OFF AND RESTART THE CAR IT IS OK AGAIN FOR A WHILE. THE CAR CURRENTLY HAS 150,000 ON IT AND I HAVE AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC CHECKING IT OVER TO SEE IF HE CAN FIND THE PROBLEM. THE CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP CAN'T FIND WHAT IS WRONG TO FIX IT, OR SO THEY SAY. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jun 13, 2013
WHILE PULLING OUT OF A BUSINESS PARKING LOT WITH MY MOTHER IN THE VEHICLE, I TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL TO BACK OUT AND IT WOULDN'T TURN AT FIRST. I CUT THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTED IT ONCE AGAIN, THIS TIE THE STEERING WHEEL TURNED FOR ABOUT HALF A TURN AND THE JUST KEPT ON TURNING WITH A KNOCK EVERY FULL ROTATION. THE WHEELS WERE NOT MOVING AT ALL.NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES I RESTARTED THE CAR IT NEVER WORKED. SO I WAS FORCED TO BLOCK HALF OF THE PARKING LOT UNTIL MY CAR WAS FLAT-BEDDED BACK TO MY HOUSE. PREVIOUS TO THIS INCIDENT I HAD EXPERIENCED THE WHEEL STIFFEN UP AT LOW SPEEDS BUT IT ALWAYS WENT RIGHT AWAY, I HAVE SEEN COUNTLESS PEOPLE ONLINE POSTING STORIES ABOUT THIS HAPPENING TO THEM, AND I WAS JUST DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY MINUTES EARLIER AND THIS COULD'VE HAPPENED THEN AND BEEN A TRAGEDY, WHY HAS THIS NOT BEEN RECALLED????? *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, May 25, 2013
TURN SIGNALS WORKING INTERMITTENT AND INOPERATIVE COULD RESULT IN A CRASH WHEN TURN SIGNALS NOT WORKING THIS IS A BIG SAFETY CONCERN GM KNOWS OF THIS PROBLEM AND HAS A RECALL NO. 03043 MY VEHICLE IS A 2004 AND GM SAID NO RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE THIS CAR HAS THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE RECALLED VEHICLES TURN SIGNALS STOP WORKING COULD CAUSE A FATAL CRASH I WANT GM TO PAY FOR REPAIRS THEY KNOW OF THIS BIG PROBLEM. *TR
Electrical system, Apr 25, 2013
SOMETIMES YOU CAN'T TAKE YOUR KEYS OUT OF THE IGNITION AFTER PUTTING IT IN PARK. I HAVE TO SHIFT IT BACK TO REVERSE AND THEN BACK IN PARK FOR IT TO LET THE IGNITION SWITCH TO TURN ALL THE WAY OFF SO I CAN REMOVE MY KEYS. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Service brakes, Apr 22, 2013
WHILE ON MY WAY HOME, DRIVING NORTH ON I-95 NEAR WASHINGTON, DC, I EXPERIENCED LOTS OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS (NOISE AND GRABBING TO THE LEFT IN THE STEERING COLUMN, REPEATED BULB AND LIGHT UNITY FAILURES) THEN SUDDENLY, A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER STEERING. I BECAME SO SCARED WHILE NEEDING BOTH HANDS TO MANAGE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC TRAVELING AT AN AVERAGE OF 65MPH THAT I IMMEDIATELY THREW A LIT CIGARETTE OUT THE WINDOW IN A DESPERATE EFFORT TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THE STEERING WHEEL IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLY DIFFICULT TO STEER. I WAS UNAWARE THAT IT HAD BLOWN BEHIND MY BACK ONTO THE DRIVER?S SEAT UNTIL IT BURNT ME, MY SHIRT AND THE SEAT. IT IS BY THE GRACE OF GOD THAT I DIDN?T HAVE A FATAL ACCIDENT. IT IS PROBABLY NEEDLESS TO SAY THAT I CONTINUE TO EXPERIENCE BACK PAIN. A DISASTER IS WAITING TO HAPPEN! THE FACT IS THAT SOMETIMES WHILE DRIVING THE POWER STEERING WILL START WORKING AGAIN AS QUICKLY AS IT WENT OUT. CONSIDER THAT I COULD BE TURNING THE WHEEL AS HARD AS I CAN AND AT THAT SECOND THE POWER RETURNS TO SEND ME SPINNING. KEEP IN MIND THAT THIS IS OCCURRING MORE FREQUENTLY EVERYDAY. SOMETIMES IT DOES STOP WHEN THE CAR IS TURNED OFF AND SOMETIMES IT DOES NOT. WITH REGARD TO THE BRAKES THEY MAKE A LOUD AND GRINDING SOUND WHEN I LIFT OFF OF THEM. *TR
Electrical system, Apr 19, 2013
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE VEHICLE JUST RANDOMLY SHUT OFF THEFT LIGHT CAME ON AS IF I WAS STEALING MY OWN CAR HAD TO WAIT 10 MINS WITH IGNITION ON TO RESET THE THEFT SYSTEM WHEN LOOKING ONLINE THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE MOST OF THE TIME IT IS WHEN STARTING BUT FOR ME I WAS DRIVING THIS IS A SERIOUS CONCERN FOR ME. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Engine, Apr 7, 2013
UPON ACCELERATION USING THE GAS PEDAL, THE CAR LOSES TOTAL CONTROL OF ITS STEERING. ALL ENGINE LIGHTS AND FAILURE LIGHTS GO ON.SOMETIMES JUST MAKING A SIMPLE TURN AT AN INTERSECTION, THE CAR LOSES COMPLETE STEERING CAPABILITY. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, INCLUDING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 50 MPH ACCELERATING OVER A SLIGHT INCLINE OR AT 10 MPH AT AN INTERSECTION WHILE MAKING A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN. I NOTICED TROUBLE WITH THE STEERING WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT MY CAR UNDER WARRANTY BUT IT WASN'T AS SEVERE. JUST WHEN BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE THE STEERING WAS TIGHT, BUT THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. I HAVE HAD THE SHORT RACK STEERING GEAR, STEERING RACK, INTERMEDIATE SHAFT, AND SERPENTINE BELT REPLACED BUT TO NO AVAIL. ON THE WEBSITE WWW.LEMONLAWCLAIMS.COM THERE HAVE BEEN AT LEAST 42 STEERING COMPLAINTS OF SIMILAR NATURE REGARDING THE SAME YEAR MAKE FOR THE MALIBU. AN NHTSA INVESTIGATION WAS PERFORMED PE04-031 BASED ON EIGHT REPORTS OF ALLEGED POWER STEERING FAILURES. THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS BASED ON THE REPORT I PRINTED UP IN 2010, HOWEVER I AM NOT CERTAIN OF THE CURRENT STATUS OF THIS INVESTIGATION. I'M SURE THERE ARE A LOT MORE FAILURE REPORTS THAT HAVE BEEN OPENED, THOUGH I CANNOT FIND A RECALL REGARDING THIS FAILURE. AS A SIDE NOTE, SOMETIMES THE CAR HAS TROUBLE STARTING - IT ALWAYS HAS AND THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT DETERMINE THE FAILURE. WHEN TRYING TO START IT UP, HITTING THE GAS PEDAL WILL CAUSE THE ENGINE TO KICK OVER AND NOT STALL. THERE IS ALWAYS THE SMELL OF FUEL. I AM NOT SURE IF THIS IS PART OF THE FAILURE. IN ADDITION WHEN THE STEERING FAILS OR THE STEERING WHEEL JERKS UPON ACCELERATION, A CLICKING SOUND CAN BE HEARD. THE ORIGIN OF THIS CLICKING IN UNKNOWN. I REALLY DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THERE HASN'T BEEN A RECALL ON THIS OR BETTER YET A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Mar 26, 2013
TURN SIGNAL BULBS ARE BEING MELTED BY DEFECTIVE SOCKETS!!! NEED REPLACEMENT. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Mar 11, 2013
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN THE RADIO PANEL STARTED BLINKING WITH POWER STEERING. I THEN LOST MY POWER STEERING AND MY CAR BEGAN TO SHAKE THIS FAILURE OCCURS WITHOUT ANY WARNING AND SOMETIMES THE POWER STEERING LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE AND IT WILL SHOW IN THE RADIO PANEL. AS A WOMAN, DRIVING WITHOUT POWER STEERING WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED TO ME IT HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES AND THANKFULLY I WAS ABLE TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER, AND AFTER RUNNING DIAGNOSTICS, THEY TOLD ME THAT THE 2004 MALIBU'S HAVE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING, AND THAT THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE POWER STEERING MOTOR AND THAT IT OVERHEATS, CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE CAR SEAT BELTS ARE FROZE AND THE HAZARD LIGHT BUTTON FELL INSIDE ITS HOLE AND THE HEADLIGHT COVERS DON'T ALLOW THE LIGHTS TO FULLY ILLUMINATE . THIS CAR SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED BECAUSE IT POSES LIFE THREATENING ISSUES. MY RESEARCH SHOWS A HIGH VOLUME OF COMPLAINTS ON THIS 2004 MODEL BUT THE 2005'S AND ABOVE WERE RECALLED, I ALSO COLLECTED STATEMENTS FROM FACTORY WORKERS WHO LEFT THEIR PERSONAL INFO ON THE INTERNET AND I FOUND THIS : DURING MY EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT WITH DELPHI AUTOMOTIVE (DELPHI SAGINAW STEERING SYSTEM, 3900 E. HOLLAND AVE., SAGINAW, MICHIGAN 48601), I WAS INSTRUCTED TO CONDUCT A SCREW "STRIP-OUT" STUDY ON THE ELECTRIC MOTOR/CONTROLLER ASSEMBLY OF THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING (EPS) SYSTEM OF THE GENERAL MOTOR'S EPSILON PLATFORM (MY 2003.5 - 2006 MALIBU). THIS STUDY WAS CONDUCTED IN MAY OF 2004 AT DELPHI'S PLANT 1, ASSEMBLY. THE STUDY INCLUDED TEN PRODUCTION MOTOR AND TEN PRODUCTION CONTROLLER ASSEMBLIES THAT WERE ASSEMBLED ON THE PRODUCTION EQUIPMENT AND PROCESS(ES). THE CONTROLLER IS ATTACHED TO MOTOR BY THREE M 5.0X 0.8 SCREWS. THE RESULT OF THAT STUDY CONCLUDED THAT FOUR OF THE TEN MOTOR/CONTROLLER ASSEMBLIES HAD AT LEAST ONE OF THE SCREWS FULLY STRIP