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.
Seats, Dec 15, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. THE DRIVERS SEAT FRAME THAT SUPPORTS THE SEAT WAS BROKEN SINCE 2008. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INFORMED HIM THAT IT WOULD COST HIM $1000 FOR REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NEVER REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NEVER NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Steering, Electrical system, Dec 11, 2010
I OWN A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. THE POWER STEERING IN THE VEHICLE GOES OUT WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION. WHEN POWER STEERING GOES OUT, I HAVE TO STOP THE VEHICLE WHERE I AM AND TURN THE CAR OFF AND RESTART THE VEHICLE TO GET POWER STEERING TO COME BACK ON. ALSO THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL LIGHT CONTINUES TO GO OUT. I HAVE REPLACED THE LIGHT SEVERAL TIMES AND IT CONTINUES TO BLOW AFTER A DAY. THE TURN SIGNAL BEING OUT MAKES IT HARD FOR ME TO TURN WHEN AT STOP SIGNS. OTHER DRIVERS DON'T KNOW I AM TURNING AND TRY TO DRIVE WHILE I AM MAKING A TURN. *TR
Steering, Dec 9, 2010, crash
STEERING COLUMN FAILURE, LACK OF CONTROL OVER VEHICLE. *TR
Steering, Dec 9, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LOST POWERING STEERING MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT DID NOT INFORM THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 139,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Electrical system, Dec 8, 2010
SOMETIMES MY 2004 CHEVY MALIBU CLASSIC WILL NOT START, DUE TO THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM, I THINK IT'S NOT RECONIZING MY KEY. IT OCCURS LIKE 4 TIMES IN A WEEK IF I'M LUCKY, I FEEL LIKE IM PLAYING A GAME OF CHANCE EVERYTIME I START MY CAR. SO NOW I PRAY TO THE CAR GODS EVERYTIME I GET IN MY CAR, RIGHT BEFORE I START MY CAR, IT SEEMS TO WORK MOST OF THE TIME(PRAYING MAY NOT WORK FOR MOST PEOPLE). *TR
Seats, Dec 8, 2010
DATE: 11/15/10. 2004 MALIBU MAXX LT. WHILE EXITING A LIMITED ACCESS HIGHWAY AT 25 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SEAT SUDDENLY DROPPED TWO OR THREE INCHES DOWN AND TO THE RIGHT, NEARLY CAUSING THE OPERATOR TO CRASH INTO THE SAFETY BARRIER. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED, AN INSPECTION REVEALED THE SEAT FRAME WELD HAD SEPARATED. RESEARCH SHOWS THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT HAS BEEN REPORTED TO THE NHTSA ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS WITHOUT CORRECTIVE ACTION. THE DEALER HAS INSPECTED THE DAMAGE AND CLAIMS THIS IS A RECURRING ISSUE. REPAIR IS OVER $1,000. THE RESULTING LITIGATION WILL RUN IN THE 10'S OF MILLIONS AS THE DEALERSHIP NOTES THAT IN A COLLISION THE SEAT MAY NOT STAY ANCHORED. THE SAFETY RESTRAINT IS ALSO ATTACHED TO THE SEAT, SO IT WILL BE INEFFECTIVE AS WELL. INVESTIGATE AND ISSUE THE RECALL! *TR
Steering, Dec 7, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT WAS ATTEMPTED TO EXIT A PARKING SPACE WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED ABNORMALLY. THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED FOLLOWING THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF FOR MOMENTS AND WHEN RESTARTING, THE STEERING RETURNED TO NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND DIAGNOSED. THE DEALER LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE STEERING COMPUTER AND ADVISED THAT IT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 115,000.
Steering, Dec 6, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD BECOME EXTREMELY STIFF AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE ON THE DASHBOARD. AFTER THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT WOULD STOP AND RESTART THE VEHICLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY AND DURING SOME OF THE FAILURES, THE POWER STEERING LIGHT DID NOT ILLUMINATE. THE FAILURE WAS NEVER DIAGNOSED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NEVER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 109,000.
Seats, Dec 5, 2010
I NOTICED THE DRIVER SEAT WAS "ROCKING" TO THE RIGHT WHEN I SAT DOWN. WHEN I LOOKED UNDER THE SEAT I NOTICED THAT THE CROSSBAR WAS BROKEN AT THE WELD JOINT ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE SEAT. *TR
Electrical system, Dec 4, 2010
PROBLEMS STARTED OVER 3 YEARS AGO. ELECTRICAL PROBLEM INVOLVING INTERIOR ELECTRONICS, SOMETIMES RADIO AND CLIMATE ELECTRONICS WILL TURN OFF AND AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHTS AND DASH LIGHT WILL TURN OFF, USUALLY RIGHT AFTER STARTING, BUT SOMETIMES IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING. RECENTLY THE CAR ENGINE STALLED ON THE INTERSTATE IN ADDITION TO THE ABOVE ISSUES AND THE SECURITY LIGHT CAME ON. THEN THE NEXT WEEK THE CAR STALLED ON A STREET WITHOUT LIGHTING THE SECURITY LIGHT AND WOULDN'T RESTART, AFTER BEING TOWED THE CAR DID RESTART. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Dec 3, 2010
2004 CHEVY MALIBU MAXX WILL NOT START DUE TO PASSLOCK. CAR CRANKS OVER AND OFTEN TAKES A WHILE TO START. EVENTUALLY CAR STARTS. OFTEN LEFT STRANDED WAITING FOR IT TO START. *TR
Steering, Dec 2, 2010
THIS IN REGARDS TO NHTSA CASE # [XXX] 2004 CHEVY MALIBU. POWER STEERING IS CUTTING OUT INTERMITTENTLY WITH NO WARNING. MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING TO SCHOOL AND WHILE MAKING A TURN ON SCHOOL GROUNDS NEAR BUSES AND KIDS WALKING, THE STEERING CUT OUT. SHE ALMOST HIT A NUMBER OF KIDS AS THE SUDDEN UNEXPECTED LOSS OF POWER STEERING CAUSED HER TO LOSE CONTROL AS THE CAR JERKED IN THE OTHER DIRECTION AND ALMOST WINDING UPON THE SIDEWALK. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN AND NOT ONLY SHOULD GM TAKE CARE OF THIS AT THEIR EXPENSE, I AM ALSO WORRIED THAT GM HAS NOT COME UP WITH A 100% PROVEN FIX FOR THIS PROBLEM. SOMEONE IS GOING TO BE KILLED IF SOMETHING ISN'T DONE RIGHT AWAY. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).*TR
Steering, Dec 1, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME STIFF AND SHE WAS UNABLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE. THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THERE WAS ALSO AN ALERT THAT INDICATED A PROBLEM WITH THE POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR A MECHANIC TO BE REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000.
Steering, Equipment, Nov 26, 2010
2004 MALIBU PURCHASED 04/05/04 STEERING COLUMN FAILURE 01/10/05 9,225 MILES REPLACED AGAIN 06/16/05 13,430 MILES 01/30/06 INTERMITTENT SHAFT NEEDED REPLACEMENT BUT NO "GOOD PARTS AVAILABLE" FINALLY REPLACED 08/24/06 24,636 MILES RACK & PINION STEERING GEAR 04/17/07 31,846 MILES REPLACED INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT 09/14/09 54,841 MILES REPLACED RACK & PINION STEERING GEAR. CAR NOW HAS 3RD RACK GEAR. ON 11/11/10 AT 68,209 MILES WE WERE TOLD IT NEEDS REPLACEMENT OF RACK & PINION STEERING GEAR. IT HAS ONLY BEEN 14 MONTHS AND 13,368 MILES SINCE LAST TIME REPLACED. *TR
Steering, Nov 23, 2010
LOSS OF POWER STEERING. WAS LEAVING A PARKING LOT AND PULLING OUT ONTO STREET WHEN POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING. STEERING WHEEL THEN ABRUPTLY FELT SEIZED FOR A MOMENT CAUSING ME TO GO STRAIGHT INTO OPPOSITE LANE. THEN WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL HOWEVER STEERING WITH GREAT DIFFICULTY TO NEAREST DEALER. WHEN AT DEALER ASKED ABOUT RECALL OR BULLETIN. DEALER SAID THERE WAS NONE, HOWEVER THEY OFFERED A FIFTY /FIFTY SPLIT TO REPAIR. STRANGE IF THEY DIDN'T THINK IT WAS A DEFECT. REFUSED SERVICE AND CONTACTED MANUFACTURE, THEY SAID MY VEHICLE DIDN'T QUALIFY FOR "SPECIAL RECALL" . MY CAR WAS AN 04 "SPECIAL RECALL" IS FOR 05, I ASKED FOR AN EXCEPTION STATING THAT IT IS THE SAME PART, THEY REFUSED. ONE MONTH LATER MY CAR IS TOTALED AND IT NO LONGER HAS POWER STEERING. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 23, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED WHEN THE ANTI-THEFT LIGHTS FLASHED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE CONTACT HAD TO DRIVE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND WAIT FOR THE ANTI-THEFT LIGHT TO STOP FLASHING IN ORDER TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER NOR NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE SAFETY ISSUE COULD CAUSE CRASH TO OCCUR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.
Steering, Nov 22, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT LOWER SPEEDS, HE HEARD A THUMPING NOISE WHILE MAKING A TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND REPAIRED THREE TIMES BY A LOCAL DEALER. THE CURRENT FAILURE WAS WITHIN THE RACK AND PINION COMPONENT; THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDTATED 2/17/11 *CN UPDATED 11/30/2011 *LN
Seats, Nov 21, 2010
FRONT WELD OF THE DRIVER SEAT BROKE, CAUSING THE SEAT TO SOMETIMES LEAN TOWARDS THE FRONT RIGHT. WE TOOK IT TO CHEVY, ASKED THEM TO CHECK THE SEAT AND DO A STATE INSPECTION. THEY SAID THAT THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT IT WAS AND HAD TO PULL THE SEAT OUT. THEY THEN TOLD ME THAT IT WOULD BE $1,000 TO REPAIR THE SEAT, THEN TOLD ME IT WOULD NOT PASS INSPECTION WITHOUT REPAIRING THE SEAT. WHEN I PICKED UP THE CAR, MORE WELDS HAD BROKEN AND THE SEAT WOBBLED A LOT. THEY TOLD ME THAT IF I PUT THE SEAT IN THE TOTALLY DOWN POSITION THAT IT WOULD NOT WOBBLE. WE COMPLAINED TO THE MANAGER, AND HE HAS AGREED TO CALL GM TO SEE ABOUT GETTING AN ALLOWANCE TO GET IT REPAIRED. NOW I AM LOOKING ONLINE AND SEE THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT BROKEN WELDS ON THE SEAT. I HOPE THAT THERE WILL BE AN INVESTIGATION INTO THIS ISSUE. *TR
Steering, Nov 21, 2010
TRAVELING AT 45 KPH IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND POWER STEERING ASSIST WAS LOST MAKING VEHICLE VERY, VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD RESULT IN A PRODUCT RECALL. AFTER VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND IGNITION TURNED OFF AND BACK ON AGAIN, POWER STEERING RESUMED. *TR
Steering, Nov 19, 2010
MY 2004 CHEVORLET MALIBU MAXX HAS HAD REPEATED FAILURE OF THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING. THE POWER STEERING HAS FAILED AT BOTH LOW AND HIGH RATES OF SPEED. THE POWER STEERING ASSIST GOES OUT AND MAKES THE VEHICLE NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER. *TR
Steering, Nov 19, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL WITH EXTREME DIFFICULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. WHEN THE ENGINE RESTARTED THE STEERING WHEEL UNLOCKED AND FUNCTIONED PROPERLY. A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WILL BE PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Nov 18, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. THERE WAS FUEL LEAKING AND A FUEL SMELL IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP FAILED AND IT WOULD COST A $1000 TO REPAIR IT. THERE WERE NO RECALLS OR WARRANTIES FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE WAS MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
Steering, Nov 17, 2010
I WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT 35MPH AND I CHANGED LANES. UPON STEERING TO THE RIGHT, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP COMPLETELY AND A NOISE LIKE THE DING AN OPEN DOOR MAKES SOUNDED TWICE. I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I TURNED OFF THE CAR WHILE I TRIED TO CATCH MY BREATH FROM BEING FRIGHTENED. WHEN I RESTARTED THE CAR EVERYTHING WAS FINE. I DECIDED TO DRIVE THROUGH THE PARKING LOT MAKING TURNS TO SEE IF IT WOULD HAPPEN AGAIN AND IT DIDN'T. I AM JUST VERY LUCKY THAT TRAFFIC WAS LIGHT TODAY AND I WASN'T HIT!
Steering, Electrical system, Nov 17, 2010
GETTING "POWER STEERING ERROR" INTERMITTENTLY SINCE LAST ONE YEAR. THE ERROR MESSAGE GOES AWAY AT RESTART, BUT COMES BACK AGAIN LATER. THIS IS SERIOUS MATTER AS IT COULD MEAN LOSS OF POWER TO THE STEERING AND MAY RESULT IN A CRASH. PLEASE INVESTIGATE IT AND HAVE IT RECALLED BEFORE SOME ONE GETS KILLED. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Nov 16, 2010, crash
WHEN I START MY CAR, I CAN HEAR SOME CLICK NOISE FROM TRANSMISSION OR BRAKE CONTROL. I HAD NOT BEEN AWARE OF THAT COULD LEAD TO SERVER ACCIDENT AFTERWARDS, BECAUSE THE CAR IS PRETTY NEW AND I KEEP IT IN MAINTENANCE PERIODICALLY. ON NOVEMBER 13, 2010, I DROVE AT 40-50MPH, ALONG HWY 128 TO MENDOCINO. IT RAN OUT OF CONTROL, RUSH A SMALL MOUND OF ROAD SIDE, ROLLED OVER ON THE ROAD. I WAS TRAPPED IN THE CAR, ALL FROND WINDSHIELD WAS BROKEN. I ESCAPED SAFELY. I DOUBT THE CONTROL HAS SOME PROBLEM, LEAD THE CAR IMBALANCE. *TR