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, Nov 16, 2010
I OWN A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX VIN [XXX]. EVERY TIME I ACCELERATE DURING A TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS, MAKING IT NEAR IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN THE WHEEL. THE LOCK STOPS WHEN I LET UP ON THE GAS. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Seat belts, Seats, Nov 15, 2010
2004 CHEVY MALIBU DRIVER SIDE SEAT FRAME BROKEN WELDS. THE WELDS IN THE FRAME HAVE BROKEN CAUSING THE SEAT TO BECOME UNSTABLE. GIVEN THAT THE WELDS ARE BREAKING UNDER NORMAL USE AND THAT THE SEAT RESTRAINTS ARE ANCHORED TO THIS FRAME CAUSES SAFETY CONCERNS. IF THE VEHICLE OWNERS ARE UNAWARE OF A DEFECTIVE WELD AND THE SEAT SHOULD BREAK UNDER CRASH IMPACT THE SAFETY RESTRAINT COULD FAIL POSSIBLY CAUSING GREATER HARM. I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS AND CAN SEE THAT THE INTEGRITY OF THE SEAT AND SAFETY RESTRAINT COULD BE COMPROMISED. I SUBSCRIBED TO SOME CAR FORUMS AND WAS SURPRISED TO SEE THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM ON THE 2004 AND 2005 CHEVY MALIBU MODELS WHICH INDICATES SOME FORM OF DEFECT. I AM OF AVERAGE HEIGHT AND WEIGHT AND DID NOT MISUSE THE SEAT IN ANYWAY. *TR
Steering, Nov 12, 2010
WE PURCHASED THE CAR IN 2006. ITS A 2004 CHEVY MALIBU. THE FIRST TIME WE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING WAS ABOUT 4 YEARS AGO WHEN WE WENT TO TURN THE WHEEL AND THE HORN STARTED HONKING. THE DEALER TOLD US TO BRING IT IN AND COULDN'T MAKE IT HAPPEN. IT DID IT AGAIN AND THEN THEY DETERMINED IT WAS THE STEERING COLUMN AND REPLACED A PART. THE 2ND TIME IT DID IT, THE CAR/WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON AND THE STEERING LOCKED UP AND WAS MAKING AN ODD NOISE. THEY STATED THEY REPLACED STEERING COMPONENT. I WAS DRIVING THE CAR JUST LAST WEEK AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY STEERING LOCKED UP, THE CAR/WRENCH CAME ON AND MY PANEL SAID STEERING. I AM FEARFUL TO EVEN DRIVE THE CAR OR ALLOW MY DAUGHTER TO DRIVE IT AND HAVE FOUND THOUSANDS OF THE SAME ISSUES ON LINE. IT GIVES YOU NO WARNING AND JUST GOES OUT. *TR
Steering, Nov 10, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO WANDER INTO THE NEXT LANE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO GAIN CONTROL AND DRIVE ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY INFORMED HER THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNAVAILABLE.
Steering, Nov 1, 2010
I HAVE HAD MY 2004 MALIBU MAXX SINCE NOVEMBER 2007. I HAVE NEVER HAD ANY ISSUES WITH THE POWER STEERING UNTIL TODAY (NOVEMBER 1ST, 2010). I WAS TRYING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, A FEW "DINGS" SOUNDED, AND THE STEERING LOCKED UP. I WAS ABLE TO STEER IT TO THE SHOULDER TO GET OUT OF THE WAY OF TRAFFIC. I HAD ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA WHAT TO DO AFTER THAT. I TURNED THE CAR OFF, THEN ON AGAIN, AND THE LIGHT WAS NO LONGER ON AND THE STEERING WAS FINE. ABOUT 15 MINUTES AFTER THAT WHEN I WAS TRYING TO MAKE A SLIGHT RIGHT TURN TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY, IT HAPPENED ALL OVER AGAIN. THANK GOD I WASN'T GOING THAT FAST BOTH TIMES. THE SECOND TIME, I TURNED THE CAR OFF AGAIN AND THE CAR WAS FINE AFTER I TURNED IT BACK ON. I DECIDED TO RESEARCH THE ISSUE AND I AM AMAZED THAT THERE ARE SO MANY ISSUES WITH THE STEERING WITH THIS YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL AND NOTHING IS BEING DONE ABOUT IT. I AM SCARED OUT OF MY MIND TO DRIVE THAT CAR NOW. *TR
Steering, Oct 25, 2010
2004 CHEVY MALIBU POWER STEERING RANDOMLY GOES OUT. STARTED AT UNDER 100,000 MILES. *TR
Steering, Oct 25, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 2 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY LOCKED. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTED IT; IT PERFORMED NORMALLY AFTER. THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE IT WAS REPLACED (REPAIR DETAILS WERE NOT GIVEN). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 6,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 7,730.
Exterior lighting, Interior lighting, Oct 23, 2010
HAZARD SWITCH IS DEFECTIVE AND CAUSING THE DIRECTIONALS NOT TO WORK. THE EXTERNAL LIGHTS , FRONT AND BACK FAIL TO WORK ALSO, AND ITS CREATING A HAZARD WHERE THE CARS COMING IN FRONT US OR THE CARS IN BACK OF US DON'T SEE OUR BLINKER. WE THOUGHT THEY WHERE WORKING AND THEY ARE NOT. IF WE TURN ON THE EMERGENCY FLASHER AND THEN TURN ON THE DIRECTIONAL EVERYTHING WOULD WORK ONLY TO FAIL NEXT TIME YOU MAKE A TURN. *TR
Steering, Oct 22, 2010
2004 MALIBU MAXX POWER STEERING CUTS OUT WHILE DRIVING. MUST PUT CAR IN PARK TURN IT OFF AND RESTART. HAPPENS IN THE WINTER. FOUND ON INTERNET THAT OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES LAST WINTER. *TR
Exterior lighting, Oct 14, 2010, fire
THE FRONT PASSENGER BULB STOPPED WORKING. AFTER ATTEMPTING TO REPLACE THE BULB, NOTICED THAT THE LIGHTING ASSEMBLY WAS MELTED AND INOPERABLE. WAS ADVISED BY A MECHANIC THAT THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *TR
Seats, Oct 13, 2010
THE WELDING UNDER THE DRIVER SEAT IS BROKEN CAUSING THE SEAT TO TILT TO ONE SIDE AND SOMETIMES ROCK. IF A COLLISION OCCURS THE SEAT WILL NOT HOLD THE DRIVER SECURELY IN THE SEAT. *TR
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Oct 13, 2010
2004 CHEVY MALIBU LT 74,000 MILES. I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE REMOTE START NOT WORKING. THE CRUISE WILL NOT WORK ALL THE TIME, BEARINGS IN STEERING COLUMN, CHECK GAS CAP AND ANTI THEFT LIGHT. IT ALSO WILL NOT START UNLESS I GIVE IT GAS. AND WHEN I TAKE IT IN THEY FIND NOTHING. FUEL PUMP HAS BEEN REPLACED AND THAT IS NOT THE PROBLEM. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME COMPLAINTS. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL SAME YR OF CARS ALL WITH THE SAME ISSUE SOMETHING IS NOT RIGHT. *TR
Electrical system, Oct 13, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AT TIMES AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO SUDDENLY STOP WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING. SHE HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED SEVERAL TIMES AS A RESULT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE A PASSLOCK SENSOR WAS REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 125,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 18,000. UPDATED 01/06/11*LJ
Steering, Oct 8, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED WITHOUT WARNING. THE SPEED RATE WAS REDUCED AND THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND AFTER THREE ATTEMPTS, THE STEERING WHEEL RESET INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION YET THE FAILURE RECURRED FOUR SEPARATE TIMES. THE CONTACT WAS IN THE PROCESS OF TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THERE WAS CONCERN OF THE POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD INVOLVED WITH THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 44,000.
Steering, Oct 6, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 55-60 MPH, THERE WAS A COMPLETE LOSS OF THE POWER STEERING. THE CHECK ENGINE AND WRENCH SYMBOL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. THE CONTACT RESUMED CAUTIOUSLY WITH A PERMANENT LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS A RELATED DEFECT ASSOCIATED WITH THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V073000 (STEERING: ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 05/04/11 *BF UPDATED 06/06/11
Exterior lighting, Oct 4, 2010, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIGHT BULBS OF THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY WERE TOO HIGH IN VOLTAGE THAT THEY WERE LEAVING BROWN BURN MARKS. THE DEALER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE AND THEY STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE FAILURE DUE TO THE MILEAGE AND AGE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
Seats, Oct 3, 2010
2004 CHEVY MALIBU MAXX - 55K MILES, DRIVEN BY SMALL WOMAN IN HER 70'S. CROSSMEMBERS IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT FRAME FAILED, ALONG WITH WELDS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE REAR CROSSMEMBER. THE SEAT TILTED SIGNIFICANTLY TO THE RIGHT, PREVENTING THE DRIVER FROM SITTING PROPERLY & SAFELY. AFTER FAILURE, THE SEAT WOULD SHIFT NOTICEABLY IN TURNS, AND THE REPAIR SHOP SAID IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT, IT WAS HIGHLY UNLIKELY THE SEAT WOULD REMAIN ANCHORED. THE FACT THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT WAS ANCHORED TO THE SEAT CAUSED FURTHER CONCERN, AS IT WOULD NOT STOP A DRIVER FROM BEING THROWN FORWARD IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. COST TO REPAIR IS $1000 - OUTRAGEOUS FOR WHAT IS CLEARLY A MANUFACTURER DEFECT, GIVEN IT IS SUCH A COMMON PROBLEM. CHEVY SHOULD BE RECALLING THESE VEHICLES OR OFFERING TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM AT NO COST TO THE VEHICLE OWNER. *TR
Steering, Oct 2, 2010
2004 MALIBU HAS INTERMITTENT POWER STEERING FAILURE. IT GOES OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF A TURN AND ALMOST MAKE YOU WRECK. DEALER SAYS THERE IS NOT PROBLEM. COMES AND GOES AT WILL. SOMETIME TURNING THE KEY OFF THEN BACK ON FIXES IT BUT NOT ALWAYS. *TR
Steering, Sep 30, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE POWER STEERING WOULD SUDDENLY FAIL AND HE WAS UNABLE TO STEER OR TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH MUCH DIFFICULTY. THE POWER STEERING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE FAILURE. AT TIMES, HE WOULD TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTART IT WHICH WOULD REMEDY THE PROBLEM TEMPORARILY. MOST RECENTLY, THE STEERING WAS UNABLE TO BE RESET BY RESTARTING AND HAD TO BE TOWED. IT WAS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY THREE TIMES. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED AND THE CONTACT PAID FOR REPAIRS AT HIS EXPENSE. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 55,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,206.
Seats, Sep 29, 2010
2004 MALIBU MAXX DRIVER'S SEAT WELD BROKEN MAKING THE SEAT ROCK DURING VEHICLE OPERATION. *TR
Steering, Sep 29, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY FAILED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT PULLED AND NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTED IT; THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE CONTACT DROVE HOME. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 143,264 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 143,266.
Steering, Sep 28, 2010
I HAVE A 2004 CHEVY MALIBU MAXX THAT I BOUGHT IN MAY, 2006. ABOUT A YEAR AGO, WHILE DRIVING, THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. I SEARCHED FOR RECALLS AND CALLED A CHEVROLET DEALER. IN MY RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. NOT LONG AFTER THIS, GM RECALLED THE CHEVY COBALT AND SOME PONTIAC MODELS FOR THE SAME THING. EVERYTHING THAT I HAVE READ SAYS THAT YOU CAN STILL STEER AT THE SPEED CONSISTENT WITH BEING ON THE INTERSTATE. MY PROBLEM IS, I LIVE AND WORK IN A SMALL TOWN. IT HAS NOW DONE THIS ON ME SEVERAL TIMES AND AT THE SLOW SPEEDS FOR A SMALL TOWN, I HAVE TROUBLE STEERING. TWO OF THESE TIMES THAT THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT I WAS AT AN INTERSECTION. TRYING TO TAKE OFF AND CROSS THE INTERSECTION WHEN THIS HAPPENS IS VERY DIFFICULT. THIS IS GOING TO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. I WANT TO KNOW WHAT GM IS GOING TO DO ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Power train, Sep 28, 2010
I HAD DRIVEN THE CAR A MILE FROM HOME, AND WHILE SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT THE CAR ALERT SOUND HAPPENED, I LOOKED DOWN AT THE RADIO, AND THE DISPLAY READ "POWER STEERING". I TURNED INTO THE NEXT BUSINESS PARKING LOT, AND HAD A GREAT DEAL OF DIFFICULTY CRANKING THE WHEEL TO TURN THE CAR. I DECIDED TO RETURN HOME WITH GREAT DIFFICULTY. I TURNED THE CAR OFF, ENLISTED SOME HELP TO TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND WHEN I STARTED THE CAR, THE POWER STEERING WORKED PROPERLY AGAIN. THE DEALERSHIP RAN A DIAGNOSTIC AND DETERMINED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDS REPLACING. CAR WILL BE REPAIRED WHEN PART COMES INTO DEALERSHIP - ON BACKORDER. *TR
Steering, Sep 28, 2010
POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY. GOES OFF AFTER RESTART. POWER STEERING UNIT REPLACED ONCE UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY. *TR
Steering, Sep 28, 2010
MY STEERING HAD GONE IN MY 2004 CHEVY MALIBU 2 MONTHS AGO. THE COLUMN HAS BEEN REPLACED 2 TIMES NOW AND IS STILL NOT FIXED. I AM ALSO BEING TOLD THAT THERE ARE NO STEERING COLUMNS LEFT IN MY AREA. MY CAR IS A DANGER TO EVERYONE ON A ROAD INCLUDING MYSELF AND I HAVE NO IDEA WHY CHEVY HASN'T RECALLED THESE. *TR