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, Jun 17, 2014
2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE POWER STEERING ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE POWER STEERING LOSS OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. HE WAS INFORMED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, AND THE BEST THING TO DO, WAS TO SELL IT, OR GIVE IT TO A JUNK YARD, AS THE COST TO REPAIR IT, EXCEEDED THE VALUE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A SECOND OPINION, AND IT WAS DETERMINED THERE WERE NO LEAKS AND THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. A FEW WEEKS PRIOR, THE INNER AND OUTER RODS WERE REPLACED.*JB
Steering, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jun 16, 2014
MY CAR HAS HAD INTERIOR ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS SINCE THE DAY THAT I BOUGHT. I HAVE HAD THINGS LIKE THE CD DECK AND THE BRAKES AND ALLOY RIMS FIXED AFTER HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THEM HOWEVER I HAVE HAD THE FRONT LEFT BLINKER FAIL TO WORK AND THEN AN HOUR LATER IT WORKS, THE NEXT HOUR DOES NOT WORK. THE INTERIOR LIGHTING ALL STOPPED WORKING AND THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THAT IT IS ELECTRICAL, AT THE SAME TIME THAT THE LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING I STARTED TO BE UNABLE TO SHIFT MY CAR FROM LOW INTO 1 OR 2. I HAVE HAD MY POWER STEERING GO OUT MULTIPLE TIMES AND THEN AFTER PULLING OVER, SHUTTING OFF MY CAR AND TURNING IT BACK ON IT WORKED AGAIN. I HAVE ALMOST GO INTO AN ACCIDENT MULTIPLE TIMES BECAUSE THE FRONT LEFT BLINKER STOPS WORKING MID DRIVE, OR THE POWER STEERING STOPS WORKING. THIS CAR CLEARLY HAS MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS THAT SHOULD BE RECALLED AND FIXED BECAUSE THEY ARE VERY DANGEROUS. *TR
Steering, Jun 15, 2014
AS I TURNED ONTO AN EXIT RAMP MY POWER STEERING WENT AND THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND CHIME SOUNDED. NO WARNING, JUST NO POWER. THERE SEEMS TO BE A RECALL, BUT I NEVER RECEIVED ANY INFORMATION. THIS VEHICLE ALSO HAS A PROBLEM WITH HEADLIGHTS AND DIRECTIONAL LIGHTS BLOWING OUT CONSTANTLY. THE MOST RECENT DIRECTIONAL LIGHT BLEW OUT, I REPLACED IT, AND WITHIN MINUTES BLEW OUT AGAIN. IT SEEMS THEY ARE OVERHEATING AND MELTING THE PLASTIC COVER. *JS
Electrical system, Jun 11, 2014
2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED OCCASIONALLY, HE WOULD EXPERIENCE A WEAK CRANK WHEN TRYING TO START THE VEHICLE, AS IF THE BATTERY WAS FAILING. AFTER TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF, AND WAITING 15 SECONDS, HE WOULD ATTEMPT TO START THE VEHICLE AGAIN. IT WOULD CRANK, BUT NOT FIRE AS IF IT WERE FLOODED. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG. THE CONSUMER CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE THE PROBLEM. *JB
Seats, Jun 9, 2014
THE DRIVER'S SEAT IS BROKEN AND ROCKS TO THE REAR RIGHT. IT APPEARS THE WELD BROKE IN THE SEAT FRAME. I HAVE READ MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS OF THIS IN THE CHEVY MALIBU AND WONDER WHY A RECALL HASN'T BEEN ISSUED. *TR
Steering, Jun 9, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING), BUT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT FELT THAT SINCE THE FAILURE OCCURRED IN MARCH OF 2014 THAT A REMEDY SHOULD HAVE BEEN PROVIDED BEFORE JUNE OF 2014. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
Steering, Jun 6, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TURNING AT 40 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRICAL RACK PINION SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,163.
Steering, Exterior lighting, Jun 6, 2014
ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS OVER THE PAST YEAR I WOULD HEAR A LOUD CHIME AND MY POWER STEERING WOULD GO OUT IN MY 2004 MALIBU MAXX, MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE. EACH TIME THIS HAS OCCURRED, I WOULD TURN THE CAR OFF AND RESTART IT WHICH WOULD RESOLVE THE POWER STEERING PROBLEM. INITIALLY, I TOOK THE CAR TO A MECHANIC WHO SAID THERE WERE NO LEAKS IN THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM AND IT MUST HAVE BEEN AN ELECTRONIC PROBLEM. I CHALKED IT UP TO OLD AGE (FOR THE CAR) AND CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE CAR WITH CARE. MY WIFE HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR SINCE THIS HAPPENED BECAUSE SHE COULD NOT CONTROL THE CAR IF THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT. RECENTLY I HEARD OF A RECALL ON T.V. REGARDING MY YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL. THE RECALL DESCRIPTION FIT MY EXPERIENCE WITH THIS CAR. I CONTACTED THE GM DEALER (SWEENEY CHEVROLET IN BOARDMAN OHIO) AND WAS TOLD 'THERE HAD NOT BEEN A RECALL ON MY CAR AS OF YET'. THEY WENT ON TO SAY THAT IF I WANTED IT FIXED, TO BRING IT IN AND PAY OUT OF POCKET. I WOULD LATER BE REIMBURSED BY GM IF, IN FACT, THERE WAS AN EVENTUAL RECAL. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT I DON'T HAVE $500-$1000 FOR A REPAIR THAT I MAY NOT GET REIMBURSED FOR. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT MY CAR SHOULD BE COVERED BY THIS RECALL THAT WAS ANNOUNCED NATIONALLY ON T.V. IS THERE ANYTHING THAT CAN BE DONE SO THAT GM CAN BE MADE TO FIX THIS CAR BEFORE IT CAUSES AN ACCIDENT? ADDITIONALLY, I HAVE BEEN BRUSHED OFF BY THEM REGARDING THE TURN SIGNALS SINCE THIS CAR HAS BEEN UNDER WARRANTY. I HAVE REPLACED OVER 100 BULBS SINCE THIS CAR WAS NEW. THEY OVERHEAT AND MELT THE SURROUNDING MATERIALS. I HAVE ALREADY REPLACED THE ENTIRE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY, TO NO AVAIL. I NOW DRIVE THIS CAR WITHOUT A LEFT FRONT TURN SIGNAL BECAUSE IT WILL BURN OUT THE BULB WITHIN A DAY OR TWO OF REPLACING IT. I'M NOT SURE IF THIS HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF GM IN THE PAST, BUT IT SEEMS TO BE A FIRE HAZARD. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Jun 5, 2014
THROUGH THE YEARS WE HAVE HAD OFF AND ON EPISODES OF THE CAR NOT STARTING EVEN WHEN WE HAD A GOOD BATTERY AND IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING THE POWER STEERING GIVING OUT. WE FINALLY TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AFTER BEING ADVISED TO REPLACE THE BATTERY. THE MECHANIC, GM DEALER, ADVISED WE NEED A WHOLE NEW STEERING COLUMN, THIS WAS 6-25-13. IN LESS THEN A YEAR THE CAR CONTINUES TO NOT START AND TODAY THE POWER STEERING AGAIN WENT OUT ON MY 15 YEAR OLD SON AS HE WAS DRIVING HOME. WE HAVE LEFT E-MAILS WITH CHEVROLET WITH NO RETURN. THE LAST AFOREMENTIONED GM DEALER SAID THAT WE WOULD GET A CALL ABOUT THE RECALL ON THE STEERING BUT APPEARS THERE IS NO RECALL ON THE IGNITION, DESPITE SEVERAL NEWS ARTICLES SAYING THERE WAS. WE ARE NOW OUT OF A VEHICLE DUE GM NOT RESPONDING. *TR
Steering, Jun 5, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO BECOME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND WAS ABLE TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Steering, Jun 4, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY MALFUNCTIONED MAKING THE STEERING WHEEL VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. AFTER TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTING IT, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE DEFECT RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Steering, Jun 3, 2014
RECALL WAS ANNOUNCED MONTHS AGO FOR THE STEERING, BUT STILL HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY RECALL NOTICE OR INFORMATION. I HAD TO HAVE IT REPLACED AND PAID FOR IT BECAUSE IT FAILED. WAS TOLD BY GM 800 SERVICE NUMBER THAT I WOULD BE GETTING A NOTICE, WHICH WOULD HAVE INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO BE REIMBURSED. AS OF TODAY,06/03/14, I HAVE RECEIVED NOTHING. *TR
Steering, Jun 2, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE MAKING A U-TURN THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE PROBLEM RECURRED WHILE PULLING OUT OF A PARKING LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TORQUE INPUT SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE. THE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000. AN
Electrical system, May 30, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTI-THEFT AND THE ABS WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. ADDITIONALLY, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, DIMMER SWITCH, RADIO, SPEEDOMETER, AIR CONDITIONING LIGHTS, AND THE AIR CONDITIONING CONTROLS ALL FAILED. THE CONTACT HAD TO REPOSITION THE KEY IN THE IGNITION SWITCH AND ATTEMPTED NUMEROUS TIMES TO START THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE ANTI-THEFT FEATURE WOULD NOT ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO BE STARTED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL AND SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
Steering, May 29, 2014
GOING 20 MPH OUT OF A TUNNEL....WHILE TURNING RIGHT (WRENCH SIGNAL CAME ON) I STOPPED AT THE TRAFFIC LIGHT. WHEN I WENT TO PROCEED THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT STEER. I WAS ABLE TO STRUGGLE WITH THE WHEEL TO DRIVE UNTIL I COULD PULL INTO A PARKING SPACE. WHAT A FRIGHTENING EXPERIENCE. I WAITED 1/2 HOUR TURNED THE CAR ON AND THE STEERING WAS NORMAL. I WENT ON LINE AND FOUND THAT ON MARCH 31, 2014 THERE WAS A RECALL FOR MY CAR AND IT'S PROBLEM WAS WITH THE POWER STEERING. WHEN CAN I EXPECT GM TO STARTS SENDING OUT THE PARTS THAT THEY ARE OUT OF AT THIS TIME TO MY CAR DEALER SERVICE CENTER? IT IS UNFAIR THAT BECAUSE GM IS OUT OF THE PARTS I AM UNABLE TO DRIVE MY CAR FOR FEAR I WOULD BE IN A CRASH AND BE KILLED OR SOMEONE ELSE INJURED OR KILLED. *TR
Exterior lighting, May 28, 2014
FRONT HEADLAMPS AND TURN SIGNAL BULBS ARE HAVING TO BE REPLACED AROUND EVERY 6 MONTHS. USING BULBS SPECIFIED BY THE OWNER'S MANUAL. PLASTIC ORANGE BULB CASING HAS HOLES MELTED ON THE TOP AND WARPED. *TR
Seats, May 28, 2014
THE WELD ON THE SUPPORT BEAM UNDERNEATH MY DRIVER'S SEAT SNAPPED AND BROKE. MY SEAT IS NOW TILTED TO THE RIGHT AND BOBBLES EVERY TIME I GO OVER A SPEEDUP OR TURN. I'M ALREADY DEALING WITH THE DEFECTIVE POWER STEERING FAILURE IN WHICH THE WHEEL BECOMES UNABLE TO TURN FOR A FEW SECONDS. AND PARTS UNDER RECALL WON'T BE AVAILABLE TILL OCTOBER...WORST PURCHASE EVER, GET IT TOGETHER GM. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, May 27, 2014
THIS IS THE 5TH TIME THIS HAD HAPPENED WITH MY 2004 MALIBU, BUT THE SCARIEST. SIMILAR TO THE OTHER TIMES,BUT THIS TIME ON A CURVE. I HEARD A CHIME& "POWER STEERING" APPEARED IN THE MESSAGE BOX. MY CAR VEERED TO THE IEFT INTO TRAFFIC AND I COULD BARELY STEER IT. IT TOOK ALL MY 66 YEA OLD STRENGTH TO TURN THE WHEEL & GET INTO MY LANE. I PULLED OFF ASAP & TURNED CAR OFF IN A SAFE LOCATION. SHAKING FOR 15 MIN. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THIS CAR IS SAFE TO DRIVE. IT DOES NOT REVERT TO MANUAL STEERING. THE CEO IS LYING. I HAVE OWNED MANUAL STEERING CARS AND THIS DOES NOT STEER THAT WAY. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT IT HAS ALSO STALLED WITH NUMEROUS LIGHTS COMING ON. ABS, ENGINE, AND ONE I THINK IS ANOTHER STEERING LIGHT, YELLOW WITH A LINE THROUGH IT. WHY AREN'T THEY PULLED?CRUISE CONTROL COMES ON BY ITSELF & WON'T SHUT OFF. *TR
Electrical system, May 27, 2014
SECURITY SYSTEM WENT HAYWIRE. I GOT IN MY CAR TRIED TO START IT, IT WILL START, BUT DIES IN SECONDS, NO DASH LIGHTS, IF I LEAVE THE IGNITION TURN TO ON AFTER SO LONG 10 MINUTES OR LONGER SOMETIMES THE DASH LIGHTS WILL TURN ON AGAIN. AND THEN I AM ABLE TO START MY CAR AND DRIVE IT, HOWEVER SOMETIMES THE CAR EVEN AFTER WAITING A HALF HR WILL NOT RESET THE PASSLOCK SECURITY SYSTEM. IT COSTS OVER $500.00 TO FIX AND THIS IS THE SECOND ONE I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE IN MY CAR. THE DEALER SHOULD BE FIXING THIS ISSUE AS IT IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND HAS HAD MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ALL OVER THE INTERNET. THIS IS RIDICULOUS HOW CAN THE CHARGE SUCH AN OUTRAGEOUS AMOUNT AND YET IT GO BAD AGAIN AND NOT RECALL THIS. *TR
Steering, May 23, 2014
I WAS LEAVING WORK AND STARTED MY CAR AND THE POWER STEERING WAS NOT WORKING. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON MY DASH PANEL ALSO CAME ON. THIS HAPPENED IN A SEPARATE INSTANCE A COUPLE DAYS PRIOR. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTED IT AND THE POWER STEERING WAS FINE. THE SECOND INSTANCE I TRIED TO RESTART THE CAR A COUPLE TIMES WITH NO CHANGE. I TOOK THE CAR HOME AND THEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I GET MY MAINTENANCE DONE THE NEXT DAY. THEY REPLACED A POWER STEERING COMPONENT AND I PAID FOR THE CHARGES. THIS ALL HAPPENED PRIOR TO MY KNOWLEDGE OF THESE RECALLS. *TR
Power train, May 22, 2014
WHEN IN REVERSE, BUT NOT MOVING, THE WHOLE FRONT OF THE CAR SHIMMIES AND MAKES NOISES. THE AFFECTED PART WAS JUST REPLACED (SUPPOSEDLY) IN FEB. 2012. NOW THEY SAY THAT THE PARTS AGAIN MUST BE REPLACED BECAUSE THEY ARE JUST FINDING IT NOW, A COUPLE OF MONTHS AFTER THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, May 22, 2014
INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS W/ SIGNAL LIGHT. NO SIGNAL (FROM STOPPED OR WAITING POSITION) SIGNAL, THEN NO SIGNAL (ANY SPEED). NO SIGNAL, THEN SUDDENLY SIGNAL (ANY SPEED OR DRIVING CONDITION) I'VE HAD IT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP MULTIPLE TIMES BUT THEY HAVE NEVER BEEN ABLE TO REPLICATE, SO THEY SAY THERE ISN'T A PROBLEM. *TR
Electrical system, May 22, 2014
I PURCHASED MY CAR IN 2005 AND THIS PROBLEM DIDN'T START UNTIL 2012. MY CAR WILL NOT START AT TIMES AND THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED I HAD NO IDEA THAT IT WAS THE IGNITION SWITCH/ANTITHEFT SYSTEM KICKING IN. FOR SOME REASON MY CAR THOUGHT I WAS TRYING TO STEAL IT. I HAD THE FUEL SYSTEM LOOKED INTO AND CHANGED A COUPLE OF PARTS THINKING THAT WAS THE PROBLEM, BUT OBVIOUSLY NOW I KNOW IT WASN'T. I HAVE HAD IT PLUGGED IN AND NO DIAGNOSIS WAS FOUND. I DID BRING IT TO A MAN THAT WORKS ON CHEVROLETS AND HE TOLD ME I PROBABLY NEED A NEW IGNITION SWITCH. SO FOR TWO YEARS NOW, I HAVE TO RESET MY IGNITION SWITCH/ANTI THEFT SYSTEM ON MANY OCCASIONS, WHICH TAKES 10 MINUTES WHILE YOUR SITTING WHERE EVER YOU MAY BE. I DO STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT THIS NEEDS TO BE A RECALL AS I SEE SOOO MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS. UNFAIR THAT WE ALL HAVE TO FIX THIS ISSUE OURSELVES WHEN THE GM SHOULD BE FIXING THE ISSUE!!!! *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Wheels, May 22, 2014
I GOT IN MY CAR AND TRIED TO CRANK IT AND IT MADE A CLICKING NOISE. IT TOOK HOURS BEFORE IT STARTED, ON ANOTHER INCIDENT; SEVERAL TIMES I COULDN'T SHIFT MY CAR FROM PARK. MY POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON AND WHEN I WAS COMING TO A STOP AT A LIGHT THE CAR LIST CONTROL SERVING LEFT TO RIGHT UNTIL I CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. I ALWAYS HAVE TO GAS THE CAR TO GET GAS TO THE ENGINE FOR THE CAR TO START. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER HE SAID THAT IT WAS A RECALL PROBLEM AND HE'S HAD SEVERAL CUSTOMERS WITH MY CAR COME TO HIM WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. WHEN I LOOKED UP THE RECALL I NOTICED THAT MY CAR WAS HAVING THE SAME ISSUES AS REPORTED. *TR
Steering, May 21, 2014
I LOST COMPLETE CONTROL IN THE STEERING COLUMN AS I WAS TURNING LEFT AT AN INTERSECTION IN TRAFFIC. THE STEERING WHEEL FREELY TURNED 360 DEGREES, BUT THE TIRES DID NOT MOVE. I HAD NO WAY OF CONTROLLING THE VEHICLE AS IT WAS MOVING IN TRAFFIC. HAD I BEEN ON A HIGHWAY OR TRAVELING AT A HIGHER SPEED, I COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED AND INJURED OTHER DRIVERS! THE MECHANIC MY VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO STATED THAT IT WAS THE RACK AND PINION COMPONENT OF THE VEHICLE AND THERE IS CURRENTLY A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THAT COMPONENT. STEERING FUNCTION IS A VITAL COMPONENT OF ANY VEHICLE AND I FIND IT SCARY AND APPALLING THAT THIS OCCURRED AND IS NOT COVERED BY A GM RECALL. DRIVING A CAR AT ANY SPEED, NOT TO MENTION HIGHWAY SPEEDS, WITHOUT ANY STEERING CONTROL IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. *TR