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
Electrical system, Sep 10, 2012
MY 2004 MALIBU MAXX HAS SOME SORT OF ELECTRICAL ISSUE HAS HAD IT FOR YEARS AND DRIVES ME CRAZY. THE TURN INDICATOR LIGHT WAS TELLING ME THE BULB WAS BURNED OUT WHEN WE WENT TO CHANGE THE BULB THE WHOLE BULB COVER WAS MELTED WE REPLACED THE BULB IT WOULD LAST A FEW WEEKS SOMETIMES A FEW MONTHS. WE DECIDED TO ORDER A WHOLE NEW LIGHT ASSEMBLE FOR THAT SIDE SINCE THE GLOBE WAS MELTED. WE INSTALLED IT A WEEK LATER THE WHOLE TURN INDICATOR LIGHT AND SOCKET WERE MELTED TOGETHER. WE COULD NOT EVEN GET THE BULB OUT. SO WE WENT BACK TO THE ORIGINAL LIGHT ASSEMBLY SAME ISSUE BULBS BURN OUT. ALSO INSIDE INTERIOR LIGHT SOMETIMES WON'T SHUT OFF NO MATTER HOW THE SWITCH IS POSITIONED. THIS CAR HAS ELECTRICAL ISSUES. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Sep 9, 2012
IN JULY 2011 THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. ABOUT A WEEK LATER IT STARTED GOING OUT WHILE DRIVING. HAD THE STEERING COLUMN, AND RACKET AND PINION REPLACED, AND THE THEN THE RADIO STOPPED PLAYING CDS, AND THE SEAT BELT LIGHT CONSTANTLY STAYS ON EVEN IF YOU HAVE THE SEAT BELT ON. *TR
Electrical system, Aug 26, 2012
MY 2004 CHEVY MALIBU KEEP SHUTTING OF AT VARIOUS TIMES .THE ALARM KEEP ENGAGING AND DISABLES THE CAR .THIS HAS HAPPENED 5 TIMES IN THE LAST 2 MONTHS .I HAVE BEEN READING AND EVEN ON THE COMPLAIN SITE IT SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM .THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE I HAVE READ THAT THIS COULD HAPPEN WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION .I HAVE LOOKED AN THIS IS A VERY EXPENSIVE TASK . LIKE I SAID I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO IS HAVING THIS PROBLEM .I ALSO ASKED CHEVY AND THEY SAY THERE IS NOTHING TO BE DOME IT IS ALL WEAR AND TEAR THE CAR .I HOPE YOU CAN HELP ME AND THE OTHERS OUT THERE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM . THANKS *TR
Electrical system, Jul 29, 2012
I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 45 MILES WHEN THE CAR CUT OFF WITH NO WARNING,WHEN THE CAR CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP I WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE CAR .THIS HAS HAPPENED 7 DIFFERENT TIMES . MY SON THOUGHT I NEEDED A TUNE UP, I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER,I WAS TOLD IT WAS ELECTRICAL BUT DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS CAUSING IT. *JS
Electrical system, Jun 12, 2012
THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT COMES ON FOR NO REASON AND CAR WON'T START. HAVE TO PUT KEY IN IGNITION FOR 10-15 MIN BEFORE IT WILL START. RECURS AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK NOW. SHOULD BE A RECALL! *TR
Electrical system, Engine, Jun 9, 2012
SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE (USED), THERE HAVE BEEN MORE THAN 12 INSTANCES WHERE THE CAR CUTS OUT WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAS OCCURRED AT SPEEDS AS HIGH AS 55 MPH. THERE IS A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER AND THE CAR MUST BE BROUGHT TO A ROLLING STOP OUTSIDE OF THE TRAFFIC FLOW. ALSO, THERE HAVE BEEN WEEKLY INSTANCES OF THE CAR FAILING TO START. THIS HAS SINCE INCREASED TO DAILY. THE KEY WILL ONLY START THE IGNITION WHEN THE DASH LIGHTS (BATTERY, OIL, ETC) ARE ON, AND THEY ARE ON AND OFF COMPLETELY AT RANDOM. SOMETIMES I HAVE TO WAIT UP TO 10 MINUTES WITH THE KEY PARTIALLY TURNED BEFORE THE LIGHTS COME ON AND I CAN TURN IT THE REST OF THE WAY AND START THE CAR. THE OTHER ELECTRICAL ISSUE THAT HAS HAPPENED IS THAT THE BLOWER FAN HAS GONE ON AND OFF AND THE POWER WINDOWS HAVE GONE ON AND OFF. *JS
Electrical system, Jun 5, 2012
IN MARCH MY STARTER WENT OUT IN MY CAR. AFTER REPLACING IT I HAD NO PROBLEMS FOR ABOUT A WEEK. THEN I FOUND OUT THAT MY IGNITION SWITCH HAD GONE OUT AS WELL. I REPLACED THAT AND HAD NO PROBLEM FOR ABOUT 5 DAYS. THEN FOR NO REASON MY CAR WOULD NOT START. WE GOOGLED IT AND FOUND OUT THAT I JUST NEEDED TO RESET MY ANTI THEFT SYSTEM. NOW EVER SINCE THAT EVERY 1-5 DAYS I GET STUCK WHEREVER I HAPPEN TO BE BECAUSE MY ANTI THEFT SYSTEM KICKS IN AND THINKS THAT MY CAR IS STOLEN WHEN IT IS NOT. 9 TIMES OUTTA 10 AFTER A 10 OR 15 MINUTE RESET MY CAR STARTS JUST FINE. BUT NOW FOR THE 3RD TIME IT HAS BEEN SITTING FOR 2 DAYS AND WILL NOT START. IN ORDER TO FIX THIS PROBLEM MECHANICS ARE TELLING ME THAT I HAVE TO PAY WELL OVER A HUNDRED DOLLAR FOR THEM TO HOOK IT UP TO A COMPUTER AND RESET THE SYSTEM. IF IT IS A SYSTEM ERROR AND I DID NOTHING WRONG BUT FIX THE PROBLEM WITH MY CAR THEN WHY IS THE DEALERSHIP ASKING SO MUCH MONEY SIMPLY TO PLUG IT IN AND HIT SOME BUTTONS??????? *TR
Electrical system, Apr 27, 2012
MY CAR HAS NOW FAILED TO START SEVERAL TIMES. I HAD THE FUEL RELAY SWITCH REPLACED WHICH SEEMED TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM FOR ABOUT A WEEK. NOW IT IS DOING IT AGAIN, I CALLED CHEVROLET AFTER RESEARCHING THE ISSUE (SEEMS TO BE A BIG ISSUE) AND THEY JUST RECOMMENDED ME TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. NOT GOOD, AND WORRIED THAT THE VEHICLE WILL SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. PLEASE HELP. *TR
Electrical system, Apr 9, 2012
THE AUTO THEFT LIGHT COMES ON WHEN I UNLOCK MY DOORS AND HEADLIGHTS FLASHES AND THE RADIO CLOCK LIGHT FLASH UNTIL I START THE CAR, SOMETIME I HAVE TO SHUT THE CAR OFF AND RESTART IT TO GET IT TO STOP. THEN THE CAR DOORS UNLOCK AND LOCK WHEN I AM DRIVING DOWN THE STREET. WHEN I PUT MY CAR IN DRIVE THERE IS A HORN SOUND. WHAT IS WRONG WITH MY CAR? *TR
Electrical system, Apr 4, 2012
MY ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM ACTIVATES AND LEAVES ME AND MY ONE YEAR OLD CHILD STRANDED IN FLORIDA HEAT. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Feb 3, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH WHEN THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THERE WAS A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. UPON RESTARTING, THE VEHICLE RESUMED AS NORMAL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED THREE DIFFERENT TIMES. ALSO INTERMITTENTLY, THE FOUR POWER WINDOWS AND POWER DOOR LOCKS FAILED TO OPERATE WHEN THE CONTROL MECHANISM WAS ENGAGED. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION THE THE KEY WOULD NOT RELEASE FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH UNTIL AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Jan 17, 2012
FOR ABOUT 3 YEARS THE THEFT LIGHT WOULD COME ON WHEN TRYING TO START. THEN YOU WOULD HAVE TO WAIT 10 MINUTES TO START. IN DECEMBER WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPS THE ENGINE STOPPED, POWER STEERING WAS LOST AND THE THEFT LIGHT WAS ON. AFTER 10 MINUTES THE CAR STARTED AGAIN. THEN TWO TIMES LATER THE ENGINE STOPPED WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 60 & 65 MPH, POWER STEERING WAS LOST. ONE OF THESE TIMES THE CAR STARTED UP AGAIN AND POWER STEERING RECOVERED. I TOOK THE UNIT TO THE CHEVROLET DEALER IN EMPORIA, KANSAS. THEY SAID THE SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THAT THE FUEL PUMP CUTS OFF BECAUSE OF THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE. BOTH NEED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF OVER $1,100 ACCORDING TO THEM. NORMALLY THE CAR OPERATES GREAT! I CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHY A PRODUCT IS ALLOWED ON THE MARKET WITH A FUEL PUMP THAT WORKS PART-TIME. PRIOR TO GOING TO THE EMPORIA CHEVROLET, I EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM TO THE BURLINGTON, KANSAS CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IT HAD TO DO THAT AT THE TIME THEY WERE CHECKING IT OR THEY COULD NOT FIND OUT THE PROBLEM. THIS IS A DISASTER WAITING TO HAPPEN. I AM GLAD THAT MY WIFE OF 4'11" WAS NOT DRIVING IT WHEN THE POWER STEERING WAS LOST BECAUSE OF THE ENGINE STOPPING. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Nov 25, 2011
PURCHASED VEHICLE FOR DAUGHTER ON 8/17/2011 FROM ASSET RECOVERY DEALERSHIP COLORADO. WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING ON A MAJOR ROAD (APPROX. 40 MPH), A WARNING LIGHT ON DASH WENT ON AND THE POWER STEERING WENT AWAY (ALMOST TO THE POINT OF FEELING LIKE IT WAS TOTALLY LOCKED). SHE WAS IN RH LANE, PUT ON FLASHERS, TURNED OFF CAR AND RESTARTED CAR. WARNING LIGHT WENT OFF AND POWER STEERING WAS BACK. THIS HAPPENED TWO OTHER TIMES WHILE PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE. IT HAPPENED INTERMITTENTLY. TOOK THE VEHICLE IT TO MY MECHANIC WHO RAN DIAGNOSTICS AND FOUND THE POWER STEERING ASSIST RELAY TO BE FAULTY AND REPLACED ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN AT $580 (THE RELAY CANNOT BE REPLACED WITHOUT REPLACING ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN). SINCE THEN I HAVE FOUND A NUMBER OF WEBSITES (WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM) WERE 100+ OTHER 2004 MALIBU OWNERS HAVE HAD THE EXACT PROBLEM. THERE DOES NOT SEEM TO BE A RECALL ON THE 2004 MALIBU FOR THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM BUT SOME HAVE WRITTEN THERE WAS A RECALL OR BULLETIN FOR 2005+ MALIBU FOR THIS PROBLEM. THIS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY (AND SCARY) ISSUE TO LOOSE YOUR POWER STEERING ASSIST OUT OF NO WHERE AND A VERY COSTLY REPAIR. I ALSO READ IN SOME OF THE POSTED COMPLAINTS THAT THEIR REPAIR DID NOT LAST AND THE PROBLEM RECURRED. I PURCHASED THIS CAR FROM A"RECOVERY" TYPE CAR DEALERSHIP. I WOULD LIKE TO GET REIMBURSEMENT FROM GM. THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED WITH PEOPLE AT VARIOUS MILEAGE RANGES SOME AS LOW AS 7,000 WHICH WOULD SEEM TO ME TO INDICATE A DEFECT. ALTHOUGH THE STEERING COLUMN HAS BEEN REPLACED, I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM RECURRING. THANK YOU. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Nov 8, 2011
CAR ENGINE WILL SHUT DOWN AT RANDOM TIMES SHOWING ANTI-THEFT LIGHT. EVEN WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Oct 17, 2011
VEHICLE'S ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM FREQUENTLY LOCKS UP, PREVENTING DRIVER FROM STARTING CAR FOR A MINIMUM OF 10-15 MINUTES. HAS FAILED ON AVERAGE ONCE PER TWO MONTHS SINCE 2005. HAVE HAD THE IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED MULTIPLE TIMES YET THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Aug 1, 2011
IN THE MIDDLE OF MAKING TURNS, RIGHT AND LEFT, THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING WILL DEACTIVATE CAUSING CAR TO JERK, THEN STEERING WILL BE EXTREMELY DIFFICULT. CAR CAN BE TURNED OFF AND THEN RESTARTED AND THE ISSUE WILL STOP FOR A SHORT TIME. THERE HAS BEEN RECALLS FOR THIS ISSUE ON OTHER GM MODELS BUT NOT MY MODEL. THIS ISSUE FIRST OCCURRED WHILE MY 16 YR OLD DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING AND ALMOST RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. I AM EXTREMELY CONCERN FOR MY DAUGHTER SAFETY WILL DRIVING THIS VEHICLE. I TOOK THE CAR OUT SHORTLY AFTER THIS HAPPEN TO HER AND WITHIN 3 TURNS THE STEERING WHEEL JERKED, LIGHT ON DASH LIGHT, DISPLAY SHOWED POWER STEERING AND STEERING REVERTED TO WHAT CAN BEST BE DESCRIBED AS PREPOWER STEERING X 2. I AM A MUSCULAR 300 POUND MALE AND I HAD A DIFFICULT TIME GETTING THE CAR TO TURN SAFELY INTO THE LANE AND LATER OFF THE ROAD. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT WAS NO COVERED BY GM AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BEFORE SOMEONE IS INJURED. PLEASE REOPEN YOUR INVESTIGATION INTO THIS ISSUE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Latches/locks/linkages, Vehicle speed control, Seats, Electrical system, Steering, Apr 25, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD BECOME LOOSE WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND THE WHEEL WOULD SPORADICALLY SHAKE WHEN DRIVING OVER 50 MPH. IN ADDITION THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED WHEN THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE WAS THE SECOND OCCURRENCE AND THE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED IN 2007. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED FOR THE RECENT FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 115,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE MADE A CLUNKING, KNOCKING AND RATTLING SOUND WHEN DRIVEN AT A LOW GRADE SPEED AND WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED. THE VEHICLE ALSO SHOOK VIOLENTLY. THE DRIVER SEAT DIDN'T TO STAY ON TRACK AND WAS DIFFICULT TO ADJUST FORWARD AND BACKWARD. THE HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL WERE INOPERATIVE. THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS NO LONGER ADJUSTED. THE SAFETY LOCKS DID NOT LATCH AT TIMES WHEN THE BUTTON WAS PUSHED AND THE GAS CAP CONTINUED TO OPEN AFTER IT WAS LOCKED CAUSING THE ENGINE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE. UPDATED 02/01/12
Electrical system, Mar 26, 2011
THE THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEM ON MY 2004 MALIBU CLASSIC MALFUNCTIONS REPEATEDLY IT DOES THIS APPROXIMATELY ONCE A WEEK RESET THE THEFT SYSTEM USING THE KEY ON ENGINE OFF LET THE CAR SET LIKE THIS FOR 10 MIN. THE CAR THEN STARTS IMMEDIATELY AFTERWARDS. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Latches/locks/linkages, Seats, Mar 16, 2011
BOUGHT 2004 MALIBU MAXX BRAND NEW. SWITCH IN AC FIRST TO GO AT JUST UNDER 10000 MILES. 18000 MILES BRAKES AND ROTORS HAD TO REPLACE COST ALMOST $800.00. HEADLIGHTS BURNED UP REPLACE WIRING HARNESS ON BOTH ANOTHER $1000.00. REPLACED BOTH HEAD LIGHTS COULD NOT SEE THROUGH EITHER OF THEM ANOTHER $385.00 CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEPT COMING ON AND COME TO FIND OUT THERE WAS NOT A FUSE IN THE EMISSION SPOT. REPLACED THAT ANOTHER $400.00 WHEN THEY FOUND THE PROBLEM. LEAKS IN THE HATCH WHEN IT RAINS OR CAR IS BEING WASHED. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON WILL NOT RESET. DRIVER SEAT SUPPORTS ARE BROKEN AND EVERYONE THAT I KNOW THAT HAS THIS CAR HAS THE SAME PROBLEM AND NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED ON THIS, GUESS WHEN THERE IS AN ACCIDENT AND SOMEONE REALLY GETS HURT THEN SOMETHING WILL BE DON. IT IS ASHAMED THAT YOU PAY SO MUCH FOR A VEHICLE AND THIS IS WHAT YOU GO THROUGH. I AM A FIRM BELIEVER IN OIL CHANGES AND GENERAL MAINTENANCE AND NO ONE FROM THE COMPANY SEEMS TO CARE ABOUT PROBLEMS THAT IS FAULT OF THE MANUFACTURING OF THIS CAR AND IT SEEMS THAT NO ONE WANTS TO REPLACE WHAT IS WRONG. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Mar 10, 2011
THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS DIDN'T WORK AFTER ONLY 8,00 MILES AND THEN THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL DIDN'T WORK AFTER ONLY 15,000 MILES. THERE WAS A RELAY SWITCH THAT WAS REPLACED AT 8,000 MILES THAT COST $125.00 INCLUDING PARTS AND LABOR AND THEN AT 15,000 MILES THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL DIDN'T WORK AND AFTER TWO DAYS IN THE SHOP THEY "REPAIRED AND RECRIMPED TERMINAL AT BCM". NO PARTS, JUST LABOR $459.80. BOTH OF THESE JOBS WERE DONE AT CHEVY DEALERSHIPS. IT TURNS OUT THAT THESE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS ESPECIALLY THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL PROBLEM IS VERY COMMON BUT IT TOOK THE DEALERSHIP TWO DAYS TO FIX IT. *TR
Electrical system, Jan 25, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE ANTI-THEFT LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE CONTAC STATED THAT THE WOULD HAVE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION AND WAIT APPROXIMATELY 5-10 MINUTES BEFORE BEING ABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR AT LEAST ONCE DAILY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUSE, IGNITION SWITCH AND THE COMPUTER WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT HE COULD NOT GUARANTEE THAT THE REPAIR WOULD REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 54,000.
Steering, Electrical system, Dec 11, 2010
I OWN A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. THE POWER STEERING IN THE VEHICLE GOES OUT WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION. WHEN POWER STEERING GOES OUT, I HAVE TO STOP THE VEHICLE WHERE I AM AND TURN THE CAR OFF AND RESTART THE VEHICLE TO GET POWER STEERING TO COME BACK ON. ALSO THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL LIGHT CONTINUES TO GO OUT. I HAVE REPLACED THE LIGHT SEVERAL TIMES AND IT CONTINUES TO BLOW AFTER A DAY. THE TURN SIGNAL BEING OUT MAKES IT HARD FOR ME TO TURN WHEN AT STOP SIGNS. OTHER DRIVERS DON'T KNOW I AM TURNING AND TRY TO DRIVE WHILE I AM MAKING A TURN. *TR
Electrical system, Dec 8, 2010
SOMETIMES MY 2004 CHEVY MALIBU CLASSIC WILL NOT START, DUE TO THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM, I THINK IT'S NOT RECONIZING MY KEY. IT OCCURS LIKE 4 TIMES IN A WEEK IF I'M LUCKY, I FEEL LIKE IM PLAYING A GAME OF CHANCE EVERYTIME I START MY CAR. SO NOW I PRAY TO THE CAR GODS EVERYTIME I GET IN MY CAR, RIGHT BEFORE I START MY CAR, IT SEEMS TO WORK MOST OF THE TIME(PRAYING MAY NOT WORK FOR MOST PEOPLE). *TR
Electrical system, Dec 4, 2010
PROBLEMS STARTED OVER 3 YEARS AGO. ELECTRICAL PROBLEM INVOLVING INTERIOR ELECTRONICS, SOMETIMES RADIO AND CLIMATE ELECTRONICS WILL TURN OFF AND AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHTS AND DASH LIGHT WILL TURN OFF, USUALLY RIGHT AFTER STARTING, BUT SOMETIMES IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING. RECENTLY THE CAR ENGINE STALLED ON THE INTERSTATE IN ADDITION TO THE ABOVE ISSUES AND THE SECURITY LIGHT CAME ON. THEN THE NEXT WEEK THE CAR STALLED ON A STREET WITHOUT LIGHTING THE SECURITY LIGHT AND WOULDN'T RESTART, AFTER BEING TOWED THE CAR DID RESTART. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Dec 3, 2010
2004 CHEVY MALIBU MAXX WILL NOT START DUE TO PASSLOCK. CAR CRANKS OVER AND OFTEN TAKES A WHILE TO START. EVENTUALLY CAR STARTS. OFTEN LEFT STRANDED WAITING FOR IT TO START. *TR