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: steering
1,073 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, May 31, 2009
LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING 2004 CHEVY MALIBU. NO ACCIDENT RESULTED AS GOING DOWN A STRAIGHT ROAD. HEARD A NOISE WHEN TURNING THE VEHICLE FOR THE PAST WEEK AND NOW NO POWER STEERING THOUGHT IT HAD TO BE A BAD BALL JOINT BUT AFTER RESEARCH IT TURNS OUT TO HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING. SHUT VEHICLE OFF AND STARTED AGAIN AND THE POWER STEERING WAS NORMAL. WILL NEED TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN. VERY DANGEROUS IF I WASN'T GOING DOWN A STRAIGHT ROAD AS I MOST LIKELY WOULD HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO TURN. *TR
Steering, May 27, 2009
TURNING LEFT AT A MAJOR INTERSECTION THE POWER STEERING WENT DEAD. THE ORANGE SERVICE INDICATOR CAME ON, AND POWER STEERING CAME ON THE CENTER DISPLAY. I WAS ABLE TO GLIDE INTO A GAS STATION PARKING LOT. THE SERVICE DEPT SAID THE WHOLE STEERING COLUMN WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED BUT I NEEDED TO HAVE THAT DONE AT A DEALER. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO THEN FOUND THE CAR TO BE OPERATIONAL. THERE WERE ERROR CODES IN THE SYSTEM BUT THEY ARE SO FAR UNABLE TO RECREATE THE PROBLEM. THEY WILL TRY AGAIN TOMORROW BUT IF THEY CAN'T RECREATE IT I AM SUPPOSED TO COME PICK UP THE CAR AND DRIVE IT AS NORMAL. THIS IS VERY SERIOUS AS HAD IT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A BAD ACCIDENT HAD I NOT BEEN GOING VERY SLOWLY AT THE TIME. *TR
Steering, May 7, 2009
SAME PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING... INTERMITTENTLY THE POWER STEERING WILL NOT WORK. *TR
Steering, Apr 20, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT HAD TO EXERT FORCE IN ORDER TO MANEUVER THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE, BUT COULD NOT LOCATE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000.
Steering, Electrical system, Apr 19, 2009
ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING SYSTEM FAILURE WITH NO WARNING. I STARTED UP MY 2004 CHEVY MALIBU AND AS I WAS BACKING UP OFF THE DRIVE WAY, MY STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO LOCK UP. NO WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM, WHAT IF THIS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH WAY SPEEDS! HERE IS A LINK TO THIS PARTICULAR CONCERN THAT I FOUND ONLINE. HTTP://WWW.LEMONLAWCLAIMS.COM/MALIBU_BRAKE_AND_STEERING_PROBLEM.HTM I HOPE YOU GUYS CAN BE ABLE TO CHECK IT OUT AND MAKE IT SAFE FOR THE DRIVER AND THE PUBLIC TO DRIVE IN PEACE. *TR
Steering, Apr 11, 2009
MY POWER STEERING HAD TO BE REPLACED WITHIN THE FIRST YEAR - AT 7800 MILES. NOW, AT 46,688 MILES, IT HAS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. I HAVE CALLED GM, AND THE REPRESENTATIVE STATED THEY HAVE NO RECALLS ON THE STEERING, AND IN FACT WOULD NOT EVEN ADMIT TO THE INVESTIGATION THAT WENT ON ABOUT THE STEERING IN THESE CARS. GM WILL NOT REPLACE THE STEERING. MY HUSBAND HAS THE SAME MODEL CARE AS I, AND HIS STEERING HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE, AND NOW HE IS GETTING A WARNING LIGHT AGAIN, SO WE ARE LEFT HAVING TO REPLACE 2 STEERING COLUMNS? WHY DO CONSUMERS HAVE TO PAY OVER AND OVER AGAIN. *TR
Steering, Apr 6, 2009
MILEAGE 31,610 REPLACED THE STEERING GEAR ASS'Y., MILEAGE 37,018 INSTALLED NEW STEERING COLUMN, MILEAGE 39,565 REPLACED NEW GEAR, MILEAGE 40,167 REPLACE RR STR INTERMEDIATE SHAFT LOWR UJOINT AND NOW AT 86,333 03APR09 NEED TO REPLACE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT. WHEN WILL THIS STOP? A CUSTOMER AT THE DEALER SHIP WAS TOLD BY A SALESMAN THAT THERE HAS BEEN TROUBLE WITH THESE STEERING UNITS SINCE 2004 AND NOW GM DEV. A NEW ELECTRIC STEERING SYSTEM. NOW WHAT ABOUT ALL THESE OLDER CARS LIKE MIND? WHY SHOULD THE CONSUMER KEEP PAYING FOR THIS MESS UP. *TR THANK YOU TOM STANICH
Steering, Mar 20, 2009
ON MARCH 9TH, 2009 MY HUSBAND WAS PULLING OUT OF OUR DRIVEWAY IN OUR 2004 CHEVY MALIBU WHEN HE TURNED THE WHEEL THERE WAS A LOUD POP AND THE STEERING WHEEL COULD BE MOVED LIKE A SECOND HAND ON A CLOCK. THANK GOODNESS HE WAS NOT ON THE HIGHWAY GOING 65 MPH WHEN THIS HAPPENED HE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED AND AS WELL AS ANYBODY WITHIN HIS PATH. I HAVE DONE MY RESEARCH ON THIS AND I KNOW THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE HOWEVER IT IS NOT ON THE RECALL. 3 DIFFERENT MECHANICS ESTIMATES HAVE BEEN $1,200.00-$1,800.00. MEANWHILE OUR CAR SETS IN THE DRIVE WAY INDEFINITE, YET WE ARE STILL MAKING PAYMENTS AND CARRYING INSURANCE FOR A USELESS VEHICLE THAT DO TO MANUFACTURER DEFAULT IS UNDRIVABLE. THERE ARE A TON OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE LISTED COMPLAINTS ON THE SAME OR SIMILAR SITUATION AS MINE DATING BACK AS FAR 2004 AND NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO HELP US WITH THE COST OF REPAIR. WE HAVE FAMILIES AND WANT TO FEEL SAVE IN OUR VEHICLES! I FEEL THIS SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED AND REPAIRED. ENOUGH ALREADY!!!!! DO SOMETHING..... *TR
Steering, Mar 6, 2009
CAR HAS MAJOR STEERING PROBLEMS SINCE 2 MONTHS AFTER BOT THE CAR AND HAS GOT WORSE AFRAID TO DRIVE FEAR FOR LIFE GOT LAWYER NO ONE IS DOING ANY THING. *TR
Steering, Equipment, Mar 5, 2009
2004 CHEVY MALIBU WAS TAKEN IN DUE TO POWER STEERING COLUMN AND SERVICE CAR LIGHT COMING ON AND CLUNKING COMING FROM CAR. HAD IT IN THE FIRST DEALERSHIP FIRST TIME NOTIFIED ME THAT IT WAS THE STEERING COLUMN $1500 LATER AND IT WASN'T REPAIRED. TOOK BACK TO SAME LOCATION. THEN THEY NOTIFY ME THAT THE SAME STEERING COLUMN WAS BAD AGAIN AND NOW MY RACK AND PINION HAD TO BE REPLACED. $650.00. LIGHT AGAIN NOW LOOSING POWER STEERING HAD TO TAKE TO ANOTHER DEALER. THE FIRST ONE NOTIFIES ME BY LETTER THAT I CAN NOT COME BACK WITH MY CAR. NOW I HAD TO PAY $52.00 TO HAVE THE SENOR THAT ARE PART OF THE STEERING COLUMN ADJUSTED. THAT WHEN I FOUND OUT ABOUT THE SERVICE NOTICES. BECAUSE THIS IS NOT A RECALL THE OWNER HAS TO CONTINUE TO PAY. MY CAR IS A SALVAGE HOWEVER, THAT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE GENUINE GMC PARTS THAT HAVE BEEN INSTALLED NOT ONCE BUT TWICE AND GUESS WHAT. THE LIGHT HAS COME ON AGAIN. $2400.00 LATER AND ITS NOT FIXED. I HAVE TALKED DIRECTLY TO GM AND THEY ARE NOT GOING TO HELP. THE GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO PROTECT CONSUMER FROM BEING TAKEN TO THE CLEANERS FROM A MANUFACTURER THAT KNOWS THERE IS A PROBLEM. *TR
Steering, Power train, Mar 5, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT GEARS. SHE WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND SHIFT INTO PARK. SHE DROVE TO THE DEALER AND THEY ASSISTED HER IN PLACING THE VEHICLE INTO PARK AND SHUTTING IT OFF. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. WHILE AT THE DEALER, A TECHNICIAN DETERMINED THAT THE SHIFT LEVER ASSEMBLY FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE COST OF $206. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,378 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 22,382. UPDATED 03-30-09 *BF UPDATED 03/31/09. *JB UPDATED 11/22/11*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE DEALER STATED THE STEERING COLUMN WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 03/05/12
Steering, Mar 3, 2009
STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT REPLACED 06/29/07. *TR
Steering, Mar 3, 2009
STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY REPLACED 12/21/06. *TR
Steering, Mar 2, 2009, crash
DRIVING IN RUSH HOUR AT 75MPH, ALARM CHIME CAME ON, DISPLAY SAYS POWER STEERING, AND ORANGE LIGHT WITH A WRENCH. I LOST POWER STEERING, AND COULDN'T CONTROL MY VEHICLE WHATSOEVER. I RAN INTO A DITCH, CRASHED, AND SMASHED THE FRONT END IN. AFTER DOING RESEARCH, THIS ISSUE IS COMMON WITH MANY USERS OF THE SAME VEHICLE, BUT CHEVY NEVER RELEASED A RECALL. THEY REFUSED ANY DAMAGE COSTS CITING MY HIGH MILEAGE AS AN EXCUSE TO NOT PAY FOR IT. *TR
Steering, Mar 1, 2009
WE OWN AN 04 MALIBU MAXX, AT 50000 MILES APP THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. IT STOPPED WORKING ON THE HIGHWAY .IF YOU TURN THE CAR OFF AND RE START POWER STEERING RETURNS. THIS IS HAPPENING TO MORE THAN PEOPLE ACCORDING TO INTERNET CAR FORUMS, SO WHY NO RECALL? *TR
Steering, Feb 24, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. SHORTLY AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE IN THE MORNING, THE CONTACT PLACED THE GEAR INTO REVERSE. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, SHE TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL AND IT SUDDENLY BECAME LOCKED. IMMEDIATELY AFTER, THE POWER STEERING AND CHECK ENGINE INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THROUGH ONLINE RESEARCH, THE CONTACT FOUND AN INVESTIGATION FOR THE SAME ISSUE (NHTSA ACTION NUMBER EA04018 (STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM)). SHE HAS NOT YET TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, BUT BELIEVES THAT THIS INVESTIGATION SHOULD HAVE ISSUED A RECALL. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 30,000.
Steering, Feb 9, 2009
I HAVE HAD AN ONGOING COMPLAINT ABOUT A CLUNKING NOISE IN THE STEERING WHEEL OF MY 2004 MALIBU MAXX. ALMOST AS SOON AS I GOT THE VEHICLE I FELT A FAINT VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND HAVE TAKEN IT TO CHEVROLET ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS EACH TIME THEY CLAIM THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THIS KNOCKING HAPPENS EVERYTIME I TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AND IT IS GETTING LOUDER AND LOUDER. NOW THAT IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY GM IS TELLING ME TO ONCE AGAIN GO AND HAVE IT DIAGNOSED, WHICH COST ABOUT $90 AND THEY DO NOT GUARANTEE TO FIX IT AT NO COST. I TALKED TO A CSR AND SHE DOES NOT ADMIT OR ADMIT TO KNOWING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. I REFERRED TO CAMPAIGN # 04050A 12/2004 POSTED ON YOUR WEBSITE. *TR
Steering, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Power train, Jan 29, 2009
MY 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU WAS PARKED LEGALLY IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE. THE STREET WAS COVERED WITH BLACK ICE. THE DRIVER OF A 1999 FORD RANGER TRUCK SLIPPED ON THE ICE AND HIT THE FRONT OF MY CAR. HIS AUTO INSURANCE, STATE FARM, PAID FOR A RENTAL CAR FOR 40 DAYS AND PAID $5,338.10 IN BODY REPAIRS, INCLUDING REPLACING THE RADIATOR. HOWEVER, WHEN IT CAME TIME TO PAY $527.18 TO REPLACE THE STEERING SHAFT AND THE GEAR SHIFTER, THEY REFUSED. THE REASON GIVEN WAS THAT THESE PARTS IN THE 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU HAVE A HISTORY OF WEARING OUT PREMATURELY. THE CAR RAN FINE BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. HOWEVER, AFTER READING THE COMPLAINTS ON YOUR WEB SITE, I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO ADD MY COMPLAINT. I BOUGHT THIS CAR AS A GM CERTIFIED USED VEHICLE ON AUGUST 2, 2007, 17 MONTHS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. THE CAR HAD 31,720 MILES ON IT WHEN I BOUGHT IT AND 34,517 MILES AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT, A DIFFERENCE OF 2,797 MILES I THINK PEOPLE SHOULD KNOW THAT INSURANCE COMPANIES DO NOT PAY FOR CERTAIN COMPONENTS ON THE 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THIS CAR IS STILL BEING SOLD ALL OVER THE COUNTRY. I FOUND 7 GM CERTIFIED USED VEHICLES, CHEVROLET 2004 MALIBU'S FOR SALE WITHIN A RADIUS OF 250 MILES RANGING IN PRICE FROM $9,500 TO $14,000. PEOPLE THINK THEY ARE SAFE WHEN THEY BUY THESE 2004 MALIBU'S; THEY ARE NOT. IS THERE SOME WAY THEY CAN BE TAKEN OFF THE ROAD? *TR THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 03/18/09.*JB THE CONSUMER WAS ALSO INFORMED THE BRAKES AND GEAR SHIFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 04/09/09. *JB
Steering, Jan 21, 2009
I LOSE POWER IN MY STEERING ON MY 2004 CHEVY MALIBU LS. *TR
Steering, Equipment, Dec 22, 2008
THE PART IN QUESTION IS THE RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY PART # 25902150 OF A CHEVY MALIBU MAXX 2004. THE FIRST PART WAS REPLACED JULY 8 2008, THAT PART FAILED AND WAS REPLACED AGAIN ON OCTOBER 3 2008. THAT PART IS NOW FAILED AGAIN AND IT HAS NOT BEEN 3 MOTHS SINCE IT WAS REPLACED. SO THE PART HAS FAILED BY MAKING EXTREME NOISE, CLICKING OR THUMPING HEARD IN THE FRONT END. MY MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THE GM DEALER THAT PROVIDED THE PART TOLD HIM THEY KEEP MANY IN STOCK BECAUSE THEY HAVE THIS PROBLEM A LOT. MY MECHANIC ALSO TELLS ME THAT GM REFUSED TO PAY HIS LABOR COST EVEN THOUGH THEY ADMITTED THE PART FAILURE IN SUCH A SHORT TIME. MY MECHANIC TELLS ME THAT NOT REPLACING THE PART CAN RESULT IN MY LOSING CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE AND POSSIBLY AT RISK OF CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY TO ME OR OTHERS. *TR
Steering, Dec 4, 2008
POWER STEERING FAILURE ON 2004 CHEVY MALIBU. WHEN BACKING OUT OF PARKING SPACE, POWER STEERING FAILED. SINCE THEN, STEERING HAS INTERMITTENTLY FAILED, SOMETIMES RESULTING IN VIOLENT SHAKING OF STEERING WHEEL. *TR
Steering, Dec 1, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE FORCE IN ORDER TO BARELY TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. SHE HEARD A LOUD CLICKING NOISE FROM THE STEERING SYSTEM PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE STEERING COLUMN. THE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AGAIN. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,100 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 20,000.
Steering, Nov 20, 2008
ON MY 2004 CHEVY MALIBU MAXX, THE POWER STEERING FAILED COMPLETELY AS I WAS DRIVING YESTERDAY. LAST MONTH, THE STEERING WAS "STIFF" TURNING TO THE RIGHT. MY DEALER LUBRICATED SOMETHING AND THE PROBLEM SEEMED TO BE RESOLVED. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THAT THE PARTS WERE LUBRICATED, HOWEVER THE COMPLETE FAILURE CAME YESTERDAY. IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING AND COULD NOT STEER THE CAR SINCE THE POWER STEERING SHUT OFF. I DID CONTACT MY DEALER WHO INFORMED ME THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE 2004 CHEVY MALIBU (RECALL #7126) FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM, BUT MY VIN NUMBER WAS NOT ONE THAT WAS LISTED. ACCORDING TO MY DEALER, THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, WHICH WAS ALSO THE PART REPLACED IN THE RECALL OF THE 2004 CHEVY MALIBU. MY VEHICLE SHOULD DEFINITELY BE ADDED TO THE LIST OF RECALLED VEHICLES SINCE THE POWER STEERING FAILURE IS AN OBVIOUS DESIGN OR PART FLAW THAT HAS ALREADY BEEN RECALLED AND REPLACED IN SIMILAR MODELS OF THE SAME PRODUCTION YEAR. PLEASE ADVISE. *TR
Steering, Nov 19, 2008
THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONS, THE WHEEL DOES NOT TURN. THE MESSAGE CENTER READS POWER STEERING, THIS HAS HAPPENED ONCE A WEEK FOR THE PAST 4 WEEKS. TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP BUT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING. THE VEHICLE HAS APPROX. 40K MILES. I GOOGLED THIS ISSUE AND SEEMS THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE AND SEE THAT GM HAS NOT ISSUED A FIX. WE ALREADY DID THE RECALL BACK IN 2005 ON THE STEERING COLUMN. *TR
Steering, Oct 28, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT'S SPOUSE OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND MAKING A TURN, THE CONTACT HEARD A CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES AND THEY REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN UNDER WARRANTY, THE PS GEAR, AND THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT; HOWEVER, THE CLUNKING NOISE STILL PERSISTS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 45,523 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,557. UPDATED 2/23/09 *CN UPDATED 02/27/09. *JB