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 14, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER WAS DRIVING 40 MPH WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE POWER STEERING LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE DRIVER STOPPED AND SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE. THE STEERING WHEEL FUNCTIONED AS NORMAL UPON RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.
Steering, Jun 14, 2012
STARTING SOON AFTER PURCHASE, SEVERAL TIMES SINCE (APPROX 3-15 TIMES A WEEK DEPENDING ON SEASON). POWER STEERING SHUTS OFF RANDOMLY. IF DONE WHILE TURNING, IT WILL REQUIRE EXTRA FORCE AND CONCENTRATION TO KEEP ON COURSE. MOST TIMES ISSUE CANNOT BE RESET FOR FULL DURATION OF TRAVEL (15 MIN - 3HRS), THIS IS DONE BY SHUTTING OFF VEHICLE, AFTER STOPPING ON SIDE OF ROAD, AND RESTARTING. USUALLY OCCURS WHEN WARM, EITHER FROM SUNNY DAY FOR FIRST START OR WINTER ONCE HEATER IS WARM. MANY CLOSE CALLS! *JB
Steering, Jun 13, 2012
DRIVING APPROX 20 MILES PER HOUR WHEN TURNING LEFT AT AN INTERSECTION AND THE VEHICLE SERVICE LIGHT CAME ON, POWER STEERING MESSAGE DISPLAYED ON THE INFORMATION CONSOLE AND THE POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING. THE UNEXPECTED LOSS OF POWER STEERING CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ENTER INTO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM WORKED AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF AND THEN BACK ON. HOWEVER THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CONTINUED TO SHOW ON THE INFORMATION PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR AND THE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED. NO FURTHER INFORMATION MESSAGE CONCERNING THE POWER STEERING HAS BEEN SEEN SINCE THE REPAIR. *TR
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
Steering, Jun 6, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 208,000.
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
Seats, May 28, 2012
WAS BACKING OUT OF PARKING SPACE AND HEARD A METALLIC CLANK FROM UNDER THE DRIVER SEAT. THE SEAT TIPPED BACK AND TO THE RIGHT, AS IF THE RIGHT REAR CORNER OF THE SEAT IS NO LONGER SUPPORTED. THE CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE, AS THE SEAT MOVES AROUND FREELY AND WOULD NOT BE AS SAFE IN AN ACCIDENT. AFTER A VERY SHORT INTERNET SEARCH, I FOUND THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM TO THIS MODEL AND YEAR. *TR
Steering, May 25, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED BUT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WAS NOT AFFECTED. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE BATTERY COULD POSSIBLY HAVE BEEN CAUSING THE FAILURE. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,000.
Steering, May 21, 2012
I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE BRAND NEW IN AUGUST 2004. THE POWER STEERING WENT WHILE I WAS TURNING ON TO A STREET IN I BELIEVE DECEMBER 2004. IT WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE STEERING COLUMN WAS SUPPOSEDLY REPLACED. A COUPLE OF MONTHS LATER, THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN, I QUESTIONED WHY IT WAS NOT RECALLED AT THE TIME, SINCE THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME IT HAPPENED. I WAS ADVISED THAT IT WAS A BAD BATCH OF STEERING BOOTS AND THERE WERE NOT ENOUGH PROBLEMS TO REPLACE THEM. AGAIN, THE STEERING COLUMN WAS SUPPOSEDLY REPLACED. ALL SEEMED TO BE FINE UNTIL I BELIEVE DECEMBER 2010. THE STEERING WENT AGAIN. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND GM TO SEE WHAT COULD BE DONE. I WAS ADVISED THAT MY PROBLEM HAD BEEN TAKEN CARE OF IN 2004/2005 AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. I TOOK THE CAR TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO HAD TO REPLACE EVERYTHING ONCE AGAIN. THIS TIME IT COST ME OVER $1500. *TR
Seats, May 13, 2012
THE DRIVERS SEAT RIGHT SIDE DROPPED SUDDENLY. MY INSPECTION REVEALED A WELD TO A STRUCTURAL MEMBER FAILED. THE STRUCTURAL MEMBER ACTUALLY FAILED IN THE WELD HEAT AFFECTED ZONE. THE WALL THICKNESS OF THE STRUCTURAL MEMBER WAS A TUBE WITH INADEQUATE WALL THICKNESS FOR THE DESIGN. I AM A CIVILIAN NUCLEAR ENGINEER FOR THE DOD (NAVY) AND CAN SEND A DIGITAL IMAGE OF THE FAILED PART. IT APPEARS FROM AN INTERNET SEARCH THAT THIS IS NOT AN UNCOMMON FAILURE AS I WOULD EXPECT FROM MY INSPECTION. *TR
Seats, May 12, 2012
THE DRIVER SEAT LEANS DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE WELDS BREAK. THE FRONT AND THE REAR SUPPORTS BROKE. I HAVE READ THIS HAPPENS TO MOST OF THE SEAT. THEY DON'T MAKE A REPLACEMENT FRAME AND THEREFORE WANT ME TO BUY A WHOLE SEAT AT A COST OF 800 JUST FOR THE SEAT. SO HERE I AM TO SAY THIS ISN'T RIGHT AND I'D LIKE TO HAVE THIS FIX AT THERE EXPENSE SINCE THEY WANT TO MAKE ME BUY THE WHOLE THING AND NOT JUST A FRAME. *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
Steering, Apr 26, 2012
I WAS DRIVING AND THE POWER STEERING FLASHED ON DASHBOARD. AFTER THAT MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. I HAD TO PULL OVER CAUSE I COULD TURN STEERING WHEEL AT ALL. I TURNED MY CAR OFF AND RESTARTED THE STEERING WHEEL WAS BACK TO NORMAL. I AM UNDERSTANDING WHY THIS IS NOT A RECALL THIS VERY MUCH A SAFETY CONCERN. *TR
Seat belts, Seats, Apr 21, 2012
THE WELDS ON THE DRIVER SEAT FRAME BREAK. I FIRST NOTICED THIS IN FEBRUARY 2010 WHEN MY SEAT WOULD RAISE AT AN ANGLE. RECENTLY I WAS CLEANING MY CAR AND I NOTICED THE SEAT BELT WAS NOT ATTACHED SECURELY. THE WELD HOLDING THE SEAT BELT TO THE SEAT FRAME HAD CRACKED AND BROKEN FREE. I FOUND A USED SEAT AND WHEN IT WAS DELIVERED, THIS SEAT HAD THE SAME EXACT PROBLEMS, MULTIPLE WELDS ON THE SEAT FRAME THAT ARE CRACKED AND BROKE. THIS FRAME IS CRITICAL TO THE SAFETY OF THE DRIVER. THIS WEBSITE SHOWS THAT THERE ARE MANY MORE COMPLAINTS OF REGARDING THE SAME DEFECT. HTTP://WWW.ARFC.ORG/COMPLAINTS/2005/CHEVROLET/MALIBU_MAXX/SEATS/PROBLEM.ASPX THERE ARE MORE PLACES ONLINE TALKING ABOUT THIS VERY ISSUE. MY CAR HAS 55000 MILES ON IT. I AM 150LBS. THESE WELDS SHOULD NOT BE BREAKING SO EASY, AND SO PREMATURELY. *JS
Steering, Apr 16, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MALIBU MAXX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TURNING AT 3 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND WAS DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AND SHUT OFF. THE STEERING WHEEL FUNCTIONED AS NORMAL UPON RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 89,050.
Steering, Apr 11, 2012
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THERE WAS NO POWER STEERING. SHE WEIGHS 110 POUNDS AND COULD NOT STEER IT AT ALL. WHAT IF SHE WAS GOING 70 MPH? I HAVE READ ALL OF THE COMPLAINTS BUT GMC DECIDES NOT TO RECALL THIS YEAR BUT RECALL 2005? THAT IS A AWFUL WAY OF DOING BUSINESS. HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE TO BE INJURED OR DIE BEFORE THEY FIX THIS? I WANT ANSWERS BECAUSE THIS IS NOT A COUPLE OF PEOPLE THAT IT HAPPENS TO. THIS IS CRAP! *TR
Steering, Apr 10, 2012
THIS WAS APPROXIMATELY THE FIRST TIME SINCE WE HAD THE PROBLEM FIXED UNDER THE WARRANTY WHEN WE FIRST PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. THE POWER STEERING JUST WENT OUT ON MY WIFE WHILE SHE WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN INTO A PARKING LOT AND DIDN'T HAVE FULL CONTROL OF THE CAR AND ALMOST GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT. IT HAS SINCE HAPPENED TO MY DAUGHTER ONCE ABOUT THREE WEEKS AFTER MY WIFE'S EXPERIENCE. NOW IT JUST HAPPENED TO MY WIFE AGAIN ON 4-10-12 AT MILEAGE 144216 APPROX. THIS TIME SHE WAS IN THE PARKING LOT AND IT WENT OUT CAUSING HER TO NOT HAVE COMPLETE CONTROL AGAIN JUST MISSING GETTING INTO AN ACCIDENT. IT DOES COME BACK ON AFTER TURNING OFF THE VEHICLE AND LETTING IT SIT. MY MAIN CONCERN IS THAT IT JUST GOES OUT WITHOUT ANY WARNING AND DOESN'T ALLOW THE DRIVER TO HAVE COMPLETE CONTROL OF STEERING THE CAR BECAUSE IT IS EXTREMELY HARD TO STEER WITHOUT THE POWER STEERING IF THEY CAN STEER IT AT ALL. *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, Mar 31, 2012, crash
IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING, MY POWER STEERING TURNED ON AND I COULD NOT TURN THE WHEEL. I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION, AND A CAR CRASHED INTO MY BACK BUMPER. I JUST RECENTLY GOT IT FIXED, AND FOUND IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE THAT COST ME 700. WHEN SPEAKING TO THE MECHANIC, THE TOLD ME THERE IS A GOOD CHANCE IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN IF IT GETS JERKED THE WRONG WAY. *JS
Steering, Mar 28, 2012
I JUST EXITED THE HIGHWAY AND WAS TURNING INTO A PARKING LOT AND HEARD A LOUD CLUNK AND THE STEERING FAILED. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME THAT THE STEERING RACK AND GEARS TO THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH THE SPRING AND SENSOR FOR AIRBAG ON THE STEERING COLUMN. THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD THEN HAVE TO BE RE-CENTERED AND THE CAR REALIGNED.
Seats, Mar 26, 2012
WELD BROKE ON FRONT FRAME OF DRIVERS SEAT CAUSING THE SEAT TO TILT TO RIGHT AND NOT GO UP AND DOWN PROPERLY. LOOKS LIKE IT IS BROKE AT A WELD POINT. *TR
Steering, Mar 25, 2012
POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT APPEARS IN DIC AND CAR LOSES ELECTRONIC ASSISTED STEERING FOR A PERIOD OF 5-10 SECONDS. THIS PROBLEM OCCURS AT SEVERAL DIFFERENT SPEED INTERVALS AND IS VERY DANGEROUS. *TR
Steering, Mar 21, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER WAS TRAVELING 55 MPH WHEN THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 83,500.