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
1,697 reports, newest first.
Steering, Power train, Electrical system, Aug 29, 2014
I HAVE 3 RECALL LETTERS AND EACH STATES THE PARTS AREN'T AVAILABLE. THOSE RECALLS ARE:14116,14152;13036. THESE RECALL REPAIRS STATE THAT THEY AFFECT THE SAFETY OF THIS VEHICLE AND YET WE ARE FORCED TO DRIVE A VEHICLE WITH POSSIBLE LIFE THREATENING ISSUES WHILE THE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE. THE SAFETY ISSUES ASIDE, THE RECALLS AFFECT THE VALUE OF THIS PRODUCT BY THE IMPLICATION IT'S DEFECTIVE. THESE ISSUES SHOULD BE DEALT WITH SWIFTLY AS TO MINIMIZE POSSIBLE FATALITIES AND IF NO PARTS ARE AVAILABLE, THEN A SAFE RENTAL VEHICLE OF LIKE KIND SHOULD BE AVAILABLE AT NO COST TO THE OWNERS. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Aug 28, 2014
IN SUMMER 2013 I ELECTED TO REPLACE BOTH HEADLAMP CASING WITH A NEW HEADLAMP KIT BECAUSE OF INTERNAL DISCOLORATION AND YELLOW LIQUID FLUID SEEPING FROM DAYTIME RUNNING LAMP. APPROXIMATELY 1 WEEK LATER THE NEW DAYTIME RUNNING LAMP CASING MELTED AND BURNT THE NEW BULB. THE BULB WAS REPLACED AT NO COST. AT MY NEXT SERVICE 5-6 MONTHS LATER I INQUIRED ABOUT REPLACING THE DEFECTIVE HEADLAMP CASING BECAUSE THE BULB ON BOTH DAYTIME RUNNING LAMP BURNT THROUGH ITS PLASTIC CASING, AGAIN CAUSING INTERNAL DISCOLORATION OF HEADLAMP KIT. I WAS TOLD WARRANTY EXPIRED. THE DEALERSHIP SENT AN INQUIRE TO GM REGARDING SUCH DEFECT BUT I AM TOLD THERE WAS NO RESPONSE FROM GM AND I HAVE NO RECOURSE. I NO LONGER USE DAYTIME RUNNING LAMP. I PURPOSELY SHUT OFF THE DAYTIME RUNNING LAMPS (WHICH DEFEATS THE PURPOSE) FOR FEAR THE BULB WILL CONTINUE TO MELT THE CASING CAUSING FURTHER DISCOLORATION AND BURN THE BULB. THIS IS NOT HOW THE PRODUCT SHOULD BE MADE; POOR CRAFTSMANSHIP AND POOR WORKMANSHIP. *TR
Steering, Aug 28, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Aug 28, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL); HOWEVER, THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Steering, Electrical system, Aug 27, 2014, crash
AFTER PURCHASING MY MALIBU I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE INCIDENTS WHERE I WAS UNABLE TO UNLOCK MY DOORS ELECTRICALLY FROM INSIDE/OUTSIDE (AFTER A FIGHT WITH THE DEALER THAT ISSUE WAS FIXED AFTER BEING TOLD I NEEDED TO BRING THE CAR BACK AND FORTH FOR 3 WEEKS), SINCE THEN I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE MY TURN SIGNAL BULBS ONCE A MONTH, MY LEFT TURN SIGNAL SOCKET LOOKS LIKE IT HAS BEEN BURNT AND IS VERY BLACK IN COLOR, STILL CANT GET GM TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE WERE PROBLEMS WITH THIS ON THESE MALIBU'S EVEN THOUGH THERE ARE SERVICE BULLETINS ON THIS ISSUE. NEXT I HAVE HAD MY DIC SYSTEM SHOW ME MESSAGES SAYING LOCKED AND MY RADIO SHUTS OFF ERRATICALLY AND MY IGNITION WILL SHUT OFF. GM DEALER WILL NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY, NEXT I HAVE HAD THE MESSAGE ON MY DIC SHOW NO POWER STEERING AND 3 OUT OF THE 4 TIMES I HAVE LOST STEERING ALL TOGETHER AND LUCKILY WAS BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY, HAD TO SHUT CAR OFF AND WAIT FOR SYSTEM TO GIVE ME BACK STEERING CONTROL. THE 4TH TIME I VEERED INTO A GUARD RAIL GOING ABOUT 25 MPH AND CRUNCHED MY FRONT PASSENGER QUARTER PANEL WHEN THE PS ASSIST FAILED AND I HAD NO STEERING. AGAIN, SHUT CAR OFF AND HAD TO WAIT FOR SYSTEM TO RESET AND AGAIN HAD STEERING CONTROL. I AM NOW HAVING ISSUES WHERE MY ENTIRE CONSOLE IN THE VEHICLE IS ALWAYS HOT TO THE TOUCH AND MY IGNITION SWITCH INSIDE THE CAR IS EXTREMELY HOT EVEN RIGHT AFTER THE CAR IS STARTED. GM WILL NOT ADDRESS THIS ISSUE EITHER WHEN I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE. I AM NOW HAVING STEERING ISSUES WHERE MY MALIBU WANTS TO GO LEFT WHEN I AM ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN AND WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN IT WANTS TO GO WAY LEFT ALL BY ITSELF. I HAVE MULTIPLE RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE AND TO NO AVAIL THEY ARE NOT BEING ADDRESSED. I AM WONDERING IF I HAVE TO BE IN A WORSE CRASH AND BE INJURED SEVERELY OR ANOTHER PERSON IN ORDER TO GET ANYONE TO FIX THESE ISSUES OR TAKE THIS CAR BACK. *TR
Seats, Aug 26, 2014
I WAS MAKING A RIGHT TURN WHEN SOMETHING UNDER MY SEAT POPPED AND FLUNG ME TO THE PASSENGER'S SIDE. WHEN I GOT TO MY DESTINATION, I LOOKED UNDER THE SEAT TO FIND THE HORIZONTAL METAL BAR ON THE SEAT FRAME SNAPPED AT THE WELD. *TR
Air bags, Service brakes, Aug 26, 2014, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOP IN A PARKING LOT, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO CONTACT VEHICLE AND THE HORN MALFUNCTIONED. AS RESULT, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO ALERT THE OTHER VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKE LIGHTS BECAME INOPERABLE INTERMITTENTLY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED ABOUT THE FAILURES. THE FAILURES RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSE OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Steering, Service brakes, Aug 26, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, HE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND WHEN MAKING A RIGHT OR LEFT TURN THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING); HOWEVER, THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Electrical system, Service brakes, Aug 25, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND MULTIPLE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING OVER SPEED BUMPS OR ANY OTHER TERRAIN. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION, BUT THE KEY WOULD NOT EJECT. THE KEY WOULD CONTINUOUSLY BECOME STUCK BETWEEN THE OFF POSITION AND AUXILIARY POSITION AND WOULD NOT RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE LOCK ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000. UPDATED 01/12/15*LJ UPDATED 08/28/2017*CT
Steering, Aug 25, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Steering, Electrical system, Service brakes, Aug 22, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND EXCESSIVE FORCE ON THE STEERING WHEEL WAS REQUIRED. THE SERVICE SOON WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL), NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING) AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V224000 (POWER TRAIN). HOWEVER, THE PARTS NEEDED WERE UNAVAILABLE TO SERVICE THE VEHICLE UNDER THE RECALL. THE DEALER WAS UNCERTAIN WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.
Steering, Aug 22, 2014
HEAVY SNAPPING SOUND (HARD ENOUGH TO BE FELT) UPON TURNING WHEELS IN EITHER DIRECTION. IT HAS BEEN NOTED TO ME THAT THIS IS A "QUIRK" OF THE STEERNG FOR THIS MODEL AND CAN NOT BE REMEDIED. THE CAR WAS BOUGHT USED AND TOLD THAT THE RACK AND PINION STEERING HAD BEEN REPLACED BUT DID NOT REMEDY THE SITUATION AND WAS NOT A SAFETY CONSIDERATION. IN MY OPINION, WHEN SOMETHING MAKES A SNAPPING SOUND AND CAN BE FELT, THIS IS SURELY A SAFETY FACTOR. CAN YOU ADVISE IF THIS IS A SAFETY FACTOR OR NOT? I'M NOT REALLY COMFORTABE DRIVING THIS CAR. *TR
Seats, Aug 21, 2014
WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN THE RIGHT SIDE OF MY DRIVER POWER SEAT DROPPED AND ROCKED IN AN UNSTABLE CONDITION. I WAS UNAWARE THE PROBLEM IS A COMMON ONE AND HAVE ATTEMPTED TO HAVE THE WELD REPAIRED TWICE, HOWEVER IT WOULD REQUIRE FOR THE SEAT TO BE TOTALLY REMOVED AND AT GREAT EXPENSE SINCE THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Aug 21, 2014
THE TURN SIGNALS AND FLASHER WORK INTERMITTENTLY. *TR
Seats, Aug 20, 2014
THE WELD ON THE SEAT BROKE AND THE SEAT LEANS RIGHT AND BACK, VERY UNCOMFORTABLE AND A REAL SAFETY HAZARD IF YOU ASK ME. THE SEAT DOES NOT MOVE UP AND DOWN CORRECTLY OR FRONT TO BACK EITHER.WE HAD FIXED AT TODD WENZEL IN HUDSONVILLE MI A USED SEAT COST US $472.95 WE FEEL THIS WAS A DEFECTIVE SEAT AND A SAFETY HAZARD. *TR
Steering, Aug 20, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY MALFUNCTIONED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. DURING THE FAILURE, THE POWER STEERING SENSOR AND SERVICE VEHICLE SENSOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,531.
Electrical system, Visibility, Aug 19, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WINDOW FAILED TO ROLL DOWN. IN ADDITION, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES, AIR CONDITIONING, AND RADIO FAILED TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.
Power train, Aug 18, 2014
FIRST, MY TRANSMISSION SHIFTER CABLE WENT OUT (THANKFULLY IN MY DRIVEWAY WHERE NO ONE WAS HARMED) SO AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH WE DISCOVERED GM HAD A RECALL FOR THIS PART, THAT SUPPOSEDLY COVERED MY MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR. AFTER CALLING GM WITH MY VIN THEY CLAIMED MY CAR WAS NOT A PART OF THIS RECALL. THIS MAKES VERY LITTLE SENSE TO ME BECAUSE MY CAR HAD THE SAME PROBLEM THE RECALL STATED. THEY REFUSED TO COVER MY CAR. ALL WHILE THEY HAD THIS PART ON A NATIONAL HOLD, MAKING IT NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO FIX THEIR MISTAKE. NOW, MY CAR HAS A USED AND POSSIBLY FAULTY PART IN IT BECAUSE THEY STILL WILL NOT COVER IT. WELL NOW ABOUT A MONTH LATER I'M HAVING A HAZARD SWITCH PROBLEM WITH THE SAME CAR. COME TO FIND OUT THEY RECALLED THIS PART ON 2000-2001 MALIBUS, BUT THEY'RE ARE MANY REPORTS OF 2002-2004 MALIBUS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM THAT THEY REFUSE TO COVER. MY POINT HERE IS THAT GM CONTINUALLY MAKES MISTAKES THAT NEED FIXING, BUT PICK AND CHOOSE WHAT THEY WILL BE FIXING. BOTH OF THESE PROBLEMS COULD BE POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS AND COULD EASILY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS SITUATION WITH GM. *TR
Steering, Aug 18, 2014
WHILE OPERATING THIS CAR THE POWER STEERING WILL GO OUT. IN ORDER TO RE-SET THIS YOU MUST PUT THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL, SHUT THE CAR OFF, TURN THE CAR BACK ON AND PUT BACK IN GEAR. IF THIS DOES NOT WORK WE MUST START THE PROCESS OVER. ALL AT THE SAME TIME OF TRYING TO GET THE CAR OFF THE ROAD. GM HAS IGNORED MY REQUEST FOR A REPLACEMENT CAR DUE TO A COUPLE OTHER ISSUES. NO PARTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALLS ON MY CAR& GM DOES NOT KNOW WHEN THEY WILL BE AVAILABLE. I HAVE A 3 MONTH OLD BEING TRANSPORTED IN THE VEHICLE. THIS VEHICLE ALSO TRAVELS 65 MILES A DAY ON THE INTERSTATE TO & FROM WORK. GM DOES NOT SEE THE IMPORTANCE OF THE SAFETY ISSUES BEING PRESENTED ON A DAILY BASIS NOT ONLY TO ME & MY FAMILY BUT TO ANYONE TRAVELING AROUND ME ON THE INTERSTATE. I AM TIRED OF GETTING THE RUN AROUND. I HAVE SEVERAL EMAILS THAT SHOW NO RESPONSE TO THE SITUATION. *TR
Power train, Aug 14, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF, THE GEAR LEVER FAILED TO SHIFT INTO PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN MADE THE CONTACT AWARE OF RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V224000 (POWER TRAIN). HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.
Electrical system, Aug 14, 2014
THEFT SYSTEM DID NOT ALLOW THE CAR TO START. THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT APPEARS INTERMITTENTLY. FOLLOWING THE "WAIT 10 MINUTES" PROCEDURE DESCRIBED IN OTHER COMPLAINTS RESULTS IN START ON SOME OCCASIONS BUT DOES NOT WORK ON OTHERS. CONSIDERING THE GM IGNITION PROBLEM RECALLS, I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THIS HAS NOT BEEN THE SUBJECT OF ONE. *TR
Steering, Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Aug 11, 2014
WE HAVE RECEIVED THREE RECALL NOTICES FOR THE ABOVE MENTIONED PROBLEMS. ALL OF THE NOTICES SAY THAT THE CAR WILL BE FIXED FREE OF CHARGE BY THE DEALER BUT PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE AT THE CURRENT TIME. WHEN I GOT THE SECOND NOTICE I CALLED AND TALKED TO A WOMAN AT THE CHEVROLET DIVISION OF GM AND WAS TOLD THE PARTS SHOULD BE AVAILABLE WITHIN TWO WEEKS. A MONTH LATER WE GOT OUR THIRD NOTICE OF A DIFFERENT PROBLEM AND WHEN I CALLED AGAIN I WAS TOLD THAT THEY HAD NOT DETERMINED THE "ROOT" OF THE PROBLEM SO THEY DON'T KNOW WHICH PARTS NEED TO BE REPLACED. ALSO THEY COULD NOT TELL ME WHEN THE SOLUTION WOULD BE FOUND AND THEREFORE WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE. IN ADDITION I WOULD THINK AN AMERICAN COMPANY LIKE GM WOULD BE HIRING AMERICANS TO ANSWER THEIR CUSTOMER'S COMPLAINTS. IT WAS PRETTY OBVIOUS THAT THE PERSON I TALKED TO TODAY WAS MOST LIKELY A CALL PERSON FROM INDIA. ANY IDEAS WHEN THESE PROBLEMS WILL BE SOLVED?? WHO SHOULD I COMPLAIN TO NEXT?? *TR
Electrical system, Aug 2, 2014
KEY IS STUCK IN THE IGNITION. *TR
Seats, Aug 1, 2014
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE EXPRESSWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 70MPH I HIT A DIP IN THE ROAD HEARD A LOUD POP FROM UNDER THE FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT. THE SEAT DROPPED TO THE RIGHT CAUSING ME TO NEARLY LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. I REALLY THINK THAT THERE SHOULD BE SOME SORT OF RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE AS THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SEAT INCIDENT. FIRST SEARCH ON GOOGLE BROUGHT UP THIS WEBSITE WHICH MAY BE OF CONCERN TO YOU. PLEASE LOOK AT THIS SINCERELY AND CONSULT WITH GM AND ISSUE A RECALL OR SOMETHING. THIS IS GOING TO GET SOMEONE KILLED IF ITS NOT FIXED NOW. THIS IS AN OBVIOUS DESIGN FLAW AS WHEN I INSPECTED THE SUPPORT BAR IT WAS ONLY WELDED ON EITHER CORNER OF THE BRACKET HOLDING IT ON. THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A FULL AND PROPER WELD PLACED IN THIS LOCATION AS THEY HAD TO KNOW IT WOULD BE A HEAVY STRESS POINT. *TR
Seats, Aug 1, 2014
I WAS DRIVING ALONG A WINDING CURVY ROAD IN MY AREA AND REALIZED MY SEAT KEPT ROCKING TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT EVERY TIME I WOULD GO AROUND A CURVE. IT HAS NEVER DONE THIS BEFORE. AFTER GETTING HOME MY HUSBAND TOOK A LOOK AND COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING BUT IT APPEARS ONE OF THE BOLTS IN THE SEAT ADJUSTMENT MUST BE BROKEN OR GONE AS THE SEAT WILL NOT MOVE IF LOWERED ALL THE WAY DOWN BUT ROCKS EXTENSIVELY THE HIGHER WE RAISE THE SEAT. THIS BECOMES A ISSUE FOR ME BOTH WAYS AS I NEED THE HIGHER SEAT TO SEE CLEARLY AND IF I DO RAISE IT THEN I AM AFRAID I WILL GET INTO AN ACCIDENT WHILE TRYING TO DRIVE AROUND CORNERS ETC DUE TO THE ROCKING OF MY SEAT. TRYING TO GET INTO CHEVROLET DEALER TO HAVE THEM LOOK AND FIX BUT SERVICE DEPT IS BACKED UP. *TR