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.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Interior lighting, Jan 13, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. IMMEDIATELY AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE IN FEBRUARY OF 2007, THE EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD LOSE POWER INTERMITTENTLY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50-60 MPH, THE EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR LIGHTS LOST POWER AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. SHE TURNED OFF AND PARKED THE VEHICLE FOR A WHILE AND EVENTUALLY THE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AGAIN. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. APPROXIMATELY A YEAR LATER, SHE DROVE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER DUE TO THE EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR LIGHTS LOSING POWER INTERMITTENTLY. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED A MONTH LATER. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT LIABLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 112,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jan 5, 2009, fire
FIRST MY HORN FUSE CONTINUED TO BLOW. I REPLACED THE FUSE MULTIPLE TIMES. THEN MY TURN SIGNAL LIGHT WENT OUT. I LOOKED AT IT AND NOTICED THAT BOTH SIDES HAD HOLES BURNT THROUGH THE AMBER GLOBE. I WAS OUT OF TOWN AND DIDN'T WANT TO RECEIVE A TICKET FOR NON WORKING LIGHT SO I HAD IT REPLACED, HOWEVER WITHIN A DAY THE BULB BLEW AGAIN AND THE HORN FUSE BLEW AGAIN. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY HAD NO CLUE WHAT WAS CAUSING IT HOWEVER I HAD TO PAY OVER $500 TO HAVE THE HEADLIGHT PARTS REPLACED ON BOTH SIDES. I HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY AND THEY DENIED THE CLAIM B/C THEY DON'T REPLACE LIGHTS, HOWEVER THE FACT THAT THE CAR IS BURNING UP I DON'T THINK I JUST WANTED NEW LIGHTS. I DO NOT FEEL I SHOULD BE OUT MONEY FOR A PROBLEM THAT HAS OBVIOUSLY OCCURRED ON OTHER VEHICLES AND NOW MINE. I FEEL THAT A CAR THAT IS ACTUALLY MELTING/BURNING IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN....BUT I GUESS UNTIL A FEW PEOPLE BLOW UP IN THERE VEHICLES PEOPLE WILL BE OUT MONEY TO PAY FOR A FAULTY AUTOMOBILE. I WISH I STILL HAD MY FORD..IT NEVER GAVE ME THE PROBLEMS THIS CAR HAS. I STARTED WITH STEERING GOING OUT, THEN BACK HATCH NEVER OPENED, CAR REMOTE SYSTEMS DOESN'T WORK (AND I WON'T PAY TO REPLACE THAT), NOW THE CAR IS BLOWING FUSES, LIGHTS, AND BURNING UP MELTING THE PLASTIC. I THINK THEY SHOULD JUST START REPLACING THE 2004 WITH SOMETHING A LITTLE MORE SAFE....LIKE A FORD. *TR
Steering, Equipment, Dec 22, 2008
THE PART IN QUESTION IS THE RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY PART # 25902150 OF A CHEVY MALIBU MAXX 2004. THE FIRST PART WAS REPLACED JULY 8 2008, THAT PART FAILED AND WAS REPLACED AGAIN ON OCTOBER 3 2008. THAT PART IS NOW FAILED AGAIN AND IT HAS NOT BEEN 3 MOTHS SINCE IT WAS REPLACED. SO THE PART HAS FAILED BY MAKING EXTREME NOISE, CLICKING OR THUMPING HEARD IN THE FRONT END. MY MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THE GM DEALER THAT PROVIDED THE PART TOLD HIM THEY KEEP MANY IN STOCK BECAUSE THEY HAVE THIS PROBLEM A LOT. MY MECHANIC ALSO TELLS ME THAT GM REFUSED TO PAY HIS LABOR COST EVEN THOUGH THEY ADMITTED THE PART FAILURE IN SUCH A SHORT TIME. MY MECHANIC TELLS ME THAT NOT REPLACING THE PART CAN RESULT IN MY LOSING CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE AND POSSIBLY AT RISK OF CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY TO ME OR OTHERS. *TR
Electrical system, Dec 11, 2008
AFTER RADIO WAS REPLACED I EXPERIENCED MY BLINKERS DO NOT WORK CONSISTENTLY. I HAD A WARRANTY AT THAT TIME TOOK IT TO DEALER THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM TOLD ME COME BACK WHEN IT STARTED AGAIN, HOWEVER THE DEALER SAID THAT IF I JIGGLED THE HAZARD BUTTON THE BLINKERS WOULD WORK THAT THEY HAD SEEN THIS PROBLEM MANY TIMES AND THAT THEY THOUGHT IT WOULD BE A RECALL MATTER. OF COURSE THE SITUATION CONTINUED MY WARRANTY RAN OUT AND I'M STUCK WITH THIS DANGEROUS ELECTRICAL ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE A RECALL. THE A/C IS ALSO AFFECTED, IT COMES ON AND OFF AND IT SEEMS THE HAZARD BUTTON SOMEHOW HELPS TO RESET THE PROBLEM SOMETIMES SO IT COMES BACK ON JUST LIKE THE BLINKERS WILL STAY ON IF I HOLD THE LEFT CORNER OF THE HAZARD BUTTON. IF ANYONE OUT THERE HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM PLEASE LET ME KNOW HOW IT WAS CORRECTED. HELP! *TR
Steering, Dec 4, 2008
POWER STEERING FAILURE ON 2004 CHEVY MALIBU. WHEN BACKING OUT OF PARKING SPACE, POWER STEERING FAILED. SINCE THEN, STEERING HAS INTERMITTENTLY FAILED, SOMETIMES RESULTING IN VIOLENT SHAKING OF STEERING WHEEL. *TR
Steering, Dec 1, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE FORCE IN ORDER TO BARELY TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. SHE HEARD A LOUD CLICKING NOISE FROM THE STEERING SYSTEM PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE STEERING COLUMN. THE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AGAIN. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,100 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 20,000.
Steering, Nov 20, 2008
ON MY 2004 CHEVY MALIBU MAXX, THE POWER STEERING FAILED COMPLETELY AS I WAS DRIVING YESTERDAY. LAST MONTH, THE STEERING WAS "STIFF" TURNING TO THE RIGHT. MY DEALER LUBRICATED SOMETHING AND THE PROBLEM SEEMED TO BE RESOLVED. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THAT THE PARTS WERE LUBRICATED, HOWEVER THE COMPLETE FAILURE CAME YESTERDAY. IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING AND COULD NOT STEER THE CAR SINCE THE POWER STEERING SHUT OFF. I DID CONTACT MY DEALER WHO INFORMED ME THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE 2004 CHEVY MALIBU (RECALL #7126) FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM, BUT MY VIN NUMBER WAS NOT ONE THAT WAS LISTED. ACCORDING TO MY DEALER, THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, WHICH WAS ALSO THE PART REPLACED IN THE RECALL OF THE 2004 CHEVY MALIBU. MY VEHICLE SHOULD DEFINITELY BE ADDED TO THE LIST OF RECALLED VEHICLES SINCE THE POWER STEERING FAILURE IS AN OBVIOUS DESIGN OR PART FLAW THAT HAS ALREADY BEEN RECALLED AND REPLACED IN SIMILAR MODELS OF THE SAME PRODUCTION YEAR. PLEASE ADVISE. *TR
Steering, Nov 19, 2008
THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONS, THE WHEEL DOES NOT TURN. THE MESSAGE CENTER READS POWER STEERING, THIS HAS HAPPENED ONCE A WEEK FOR THE PAST 4 WEEKS. TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP BUT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING. THE VEHICLE HAS APPROX. 40K MILES. I GOOGLED THIS ISSUE AND SEEMS THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE AND SEE THAT GM HAS NOT ISSUED A FIX. WE ALREADY DID THE RECALL BACK IN 2005 ON THE STEERING COLUMN. *TR
Steering, Oct 28, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT'S SPOUSE OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND MAKING A TURN, THE CONTACT HEARD A CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES AND THEY REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN UNDER WARRANTY, THE PS GEAR, AND THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT; HOWEVER, THE CLUNKING NOISE STILL PERSISTS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 45,523 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,557. UPDATED 2/23/09 *CN UPDATED 02/27/09. *JB
Steering, Oct 27, 2008
POWER STEERING MESSAGE COMES ON AND THERE IS ONLY 85,000 MILES. NO WARRANTY TO COVER THIS ISSUE AT THIS EARLY IN ITS LIFE! *TR
Exterior lighting, Oct 20, 2008
FRONT TURN SIGNALS HAVE BURNED OUT NUMEROUS TIMES. THE PLASTIC HOUSING FOR THE BULBS HAS MELTED THROUGH. THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM FOR THE 2004 MALIBU. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Oct 10, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE EMANATING FROM THE VEHICLE. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, HE NOTICED A LARGE PUDDLE OF GASOLINE NEAR THE FUEL TANK. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THEY WOULD NEED TO REPLACE THE DELIVERY PUMP AND ASSOCIATED HOSES AT THE COST OF $513. THE TECHNICIAN ADDED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 101,143.
Steering, Oct 10, 2008
THE STEERING WHEEL ON MY CHEVROLET MALIBU LOCKED UP ON A BUSY STREET WITHOUT WARNING. THE CHECK ENGINE/SERVICE LIGHT DID NOT COME ON UNTIL AFTER MY STEERING WHEEL HAD ALREADY LOCKED ON ME. AFTER RESTARTING MY CAR 3 TO 4 TIMES THE STEERING WHEEL UNLOCKED. MY STEERING WHEEL HAS LOCKED UP FOUR TIMES SINCE THEN. I PHONED CHEVROLET BECAUSE MY SUPERVISOR AT WORK INFORMED ME THAT SHE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH HER CHEVY MALIBU,AND SHE HAD A RECALL/DEFECT NOTIFICATION. CHEVROLET INFORMED ME THAT BECAUSE MY VIN# WAS NOT FROM THE FACTORY WITH THE DEFECTS THEY ARE NOT LIABLE FOR REPAIRS. *TR
Steering, Oct 1, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. IMMEDIATELY AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE IN NOVEMBER OF 2005, THE CONTACT BEGAN EXPERIENCING FAILURE WITH THE STEERING COLUMN. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE STEERING COLUMN STOPPED MOVING. SHE TURNED THE WHEEL AS HARD AS SHE COULD IN ORDER TO PULL THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN WAS DEFECTIVE. THEY ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER RECALL AND THE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED. FOR THE PAST THREE YEARS, THE CONTACT HAS HAD TO REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN EVERY SIX MONTHS. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT REIMBURSE HER FOR THE REPAIRS OF THE STEERING SHAFT WHICH WAS BELIEVED TO BE RELATED TO OTHER PROBLEMS. . UPDATED 11/14/08 *CN THE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED 4 TIMES AND THE LASST TIME IT WAS REPLACED, THE STEERING SHAFT WAS REPLACED AS WELL. UPDATED 11/19/08. *JB
Electrical system, Sep 30, 2008
CAR WOULDN'T START SO TOOK IT TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND REMOVED BATTERY AND THEN REPLACED IT AND CAR STARTED. INFORMED US HE HAS WORKED ON OTHERS THAT HAD SAME PROBLEM AND IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE ANTI-THEFT DEVICE THAT HAD TO BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE TAKEN CARE OF. THE CAR STARTED AND RAN FOR 3 DAYS THEN IT WON'T START AGAIN. SO HAD IT TOWED TO THE CHEVY DEALER. MECHANIC TALKED TO ON THE PHONE INSTANTLY KNEW THE PROBLEM. THEY HAVE HAD TO REPAIR IT ON MANY CARS. TOLD US IT WAS THE ANTI-THEFT DEVICE AND THE ONLY WAY AROUND IT WAS TO REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE CAR IS STILL CURRENTLY AT THE DEALERS SO CANT GIVE A TOTAL ACCOUNT YET OF WHAT WAS DONE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. I'VE HAD TO MISS DAYS AT WORK BECAUSE OF THIS AND WONDERING IF IT IS SUCH A COMMON PROBLEM WHY SOMETHING ISN'T BEING DONE ABOUT IT. HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE ANTI-THEFT DEVICE BEFORE BUT CAUSED A DIFFERENT PROBLEM. IT WENT OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND DIDN'T LET ME USE CRUISE CONTROL, AND THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. IT ALSO WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO STOP. I HAD TO PULL OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURN THE CAR OFF AND WAIT A FEW MINUTES. THEN IT STARTED BACK UP AND HAD NO PROBLEMS TILL NOW. *TR
Seats, Sep 18, 2008
THE WELD BROKE ON THE DRIVER'S SEAT MOUNTING BRACKET. THERE WAS NO ABUSE OF THE SEAT TO CAUSE THIS TO FAIL. IT DID NOT CAUSE CRASH OR INJURY. THE DRIVERS SEAT MOUNTING BRACKET WAS REPLACED. *TR
Air bags, Sep 17, 2008, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 69 MPH IN THE RAIN, THE VEHICLE APPROACHED A PUDDLE AND HYDROPLANED. THE VEHICLE STRUCK THE MEDIAN AND SPUN OUT BEGINNING ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. NEITHER FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT AND DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALLY DESTROYED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 48,000.
Steering, Sep 16, 2008
THE STEERING WENT OUT ON MY 2004 CHEVY MALIBU LS. FORTUNATELY I WAS IN A DRIVEWAY WHEN IT HAPPENED. HAD THIS HAPPENED ON MY WAY TO WORK I AM SURE THAT I WOULD HAVE DIED. I WAS TURNING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY AND HEARD A CLUNK AND THEN WAS UNABLE TO STEER. MY STEERING WHEEL WENT ALL THE WAY AROUND. I CHECKED OUT RECALL AND COMPLAINT WEBSITES AND FOUND THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL 2004 MALIBU OWNERS AND CHEVY REFUSES TO MAKE THIS A RECALL. *TR
Exterior lighting, Sep 15, 2008
THE TURN SIGNAL ON THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE (DRIVER'S SIDE) IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. IT WAS BLINKING FASTER THAN NORMAL WHICH USUALLY MEANS THE BULB NEEDS REPLACED. I REPLACED THE BULB, BUT THAT DID NOT RESOLVE THE ISSUE. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THE ENTIRE MODULE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAS 54000 MILES AND IT IS A CHEVROLET MALIBU LS V6 2004. *TR
Steering, Sep 10, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WITHIN 60 DAYS OF PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD THUD COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO FIRESTONE AND THEY DISCOVERED THAT THE RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE BUSHINGS WERE FAILING. THE CONTACT WAS ADAMANT ABOUT HAVING THE VEHICLE FURTHER INVESTIGATED. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE RACK AND PINION FAILED AND MADE THE REPLACEMENT. IN LESS THAN A YEAR AFTER THE REPLACEMENT, THE RACK AND PINION FAILED AGAIN. THE INDEPENDENT DEALER STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE WITH THE RACK AND PINION; HOWEVER, NOTHING COULD BE DONE. A SECOND REPLACEMENT WAS ALSO RECOMMENDED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,200 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS LESS THAN 54,000.
Steering, Sep 9, 2008
WHEN DRIVING, THE POWER STEERING WILL JERK SIDE TO SIDE AND SEVERAL TIMES HAS COMPLETELY FAILED MAKING THE VEHICLE EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE FAILURE CAUSED ME TO LOSE CONTROL ON THE INTERSTATE SLAMMING ME AGAINST THE DOOR OF THE VEHICLE, THANKFULLY I WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL ALTHOUGH IT WAS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER. THE DRIVER INFORMATION CONSOLE DISPLAYED "POWER STEERING." AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH I SAW THAT THERE ARE HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE. THAT IS WHY I DECIDED TO FILE A COMPLAINT. *TR
Steering, Sep 5, 2008
POPPING IN STEERING COLUMN WHEN TURNING, OCCURS ALL THE TIME. *TR
Air bags, Aug 29, 2008, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT DROVE DOWN AN EMBANKMENT. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OUT OF THE WOODS AND TOWED AWAY. BOTH OCCUPANTS WERE SLIGHTLY INJURED, ALTHOUGH THEY WERE WEARING THEIR SEAT BELTS. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE AIR BAGS WERE NEVER SERVICED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
Steering, Aug 26, 2008
I WAS STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN ON MON 8/25/08 WHEN THE INDICATOR NOISE SOUNDED AND THE WORDS "POWER STEERING" SHOWED UP ON MY RADIO TUNER. I FELT A SMALL CLICK IN MY STEERING WHEEL AT THE SAME TIME THIS OCCURRED. WHEN I STARTED DRIVING AGAIN, I COULD TELL MY POWER STEERING HAD DEFINITELY GONE OUT AS THE WHEEL WAS EXTREMELY HARD TO TURN. I HAD ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING THAT THIS WOULD HAPPEN. THE CAR HAD BEEN WORKING GREAT UP TO THAT POINT. (2004 CHEVY MALIBU W/ 68,673 MILES). THE POWER STEERING WAS OUT FOR THE REST OF MY DRIVE HOME. TODAY, WHEN I WENT TO DRIVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR, THE POWER STEERING WAS WORKING AGAIN. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER ANYWAY AND THEY ARE TELLING ME I NEED A NEW STEERING COLUMN. I'M CONCERNED THAT IF I DON'T GET THIS REPAIRED, THE POWER STEERING WILL GO OUT AGAIN RANDOMLY. *TR
Exterior lighting, Aug 26, 2008
WHEN USING THE TURN SIGNALS THE DASH BLINKERS OPERATED VERY FAST. UPON CHECKING THE TURN SIGNAL BULBS, BOTH FRONT BULBS WERE BURNED OUT AND THE AMBER LENS ON EACH HAD HOLE IN THE TOP OF THE LENS WHERE THEY HAD MELTED. THERE APPEARS TO BE FLASH BURNS ON THE OUTER LENS COVER. THIS IS A FIRST OCCURRENCE AT ABOUT 68000 MILES. THE BULBS HAVE BEEN REPLACED AND NOW OPERATE OK. *TR