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.
Exterior lighting, Apr 22, 2007
AUTO: 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU LS - FRONT TURN SIGNAL-DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT MELTED A HOLE IN THE AMBER LENS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE CAR. GRAND PRIZE CHEVROLET OF MIAMI REPLACED BOTH HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY'S . HAVE SEEN OTHER MALIBUS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND I AM TRYING TO FIND OUT IF THIS IS GOING TO BE A RECURRING PROBLEM. I HAVE NOTICED THAT ON NEWER MODELS THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS ARE NOW THE HEADLIGHTS INSTEAD OF THE TURN SIGNAL LAMPS. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Apr 9, 2007
SEVER VIBRATION WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. ONE ROTOR WAS CHANGED WHILE VEHICLE WAS UNDER WARRANTY. NOW THERE IS 50,000 MILES ON THE CAR AND NO WARRANTY AND THE PROBLEM IS BACK. THIS WAS A PROBLEM THE DEALER WAS AWARE OF AND SHOULD HAVE REPLACED THE OTHER ROTOR ALSO.
Steering, Apr 3, 2007
POWER STEERING WAS DISPLAYED ON MESSAGE CENTER AND A LIGHT WITH VEHICLE AND WRENCH CAME ON FOR A SHORT PERIOD. DIAGNOSTICS WERE PERFORMED AND FOUND CODE CC0460. THIS WAS TRACED TO A SHORTED STEERING SENSOR. THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE WHOLE STEERING COLUMN BECAUSE THE SENSOR IS PART OF THE ASSEMBLY. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE POWER STEERING LIGHT BEING DISPLAYED ON THE MESSAGE CENTER AND THEN THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT ON THE CAR. MY POWER STEERING DID NOT GO OUT ON THE CAR BECAUSE I DROVE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP RIGHT AWAY. I WAS WONDERING IF THERE IS A RECALL OR SERVICE BULLETINS ON THIS PROBLEM TO OFF SET THE COST OF REPAIRS FOR THE SENSOR, WHICH HAS TO BE REPLACED WITH A WHOLE STEERING COLUMN, FOR A TOTAL OF $850.12 IN PARTS AND LABOR. THANK YOU. *JB
Power train, Exterior lighting, Visibility, Vehicle speed control, Seats, Equipment, Steering, Mar 15, 2007
2004 MALIBU CUSTOMER HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH LOSS OF ELECTRIC POWER STEERING AND WANTS OUT OF THE LEASE WITHOUT PENALTY**CC THE RADIO WAS INOPERATIVE, THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS INOPERATIVE AT TIMES, IT WOULD TURN OFF, BUT NOT ENGAGE. THE PCM WAS REPLACED. THE PASSENGER SIDE DIRECTIONAL LIGHTS AND BRAKE LIGHTS WERE INOPERATIVE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BULBS. THE HEATED SEATS CAME ON BY THEMSELVES. THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT WAS REPLACED, BECAUSE THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A NOISE WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. THE TRANSMISSION COOLING LINES WERE LEAKING, THE REAR DEFOGGER ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS INOPERATIVE. WHEN THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE ON INTERMITTENT, THEY WOULD GO FULL SPEED BY THEMSELVES. *JB
Steering, Mar 15, 2007
AROUND 40,000 MILES ON ODOMETER, A THUNK COULD BE HEARD WHEN TURNING STEERING WHEEL LEFT. DEALERSHIP WHERE CAR WAS PURCHASED COULD NOT DETERMINE CAUSE. AT 45,000 MILES ON ODOMETER, TOOK VEHICLE TO 2ND DEALERSHIP WHO KNEW OF A TECHNICAL BULLETIN - RACK AND PINION STEERING UNIT WAS FAILING. *JB
Steering, Mar 9, 2007
TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING ON 09/23/06 THE STEERING BECAME VERY HARD. THE CONTACT WAS JUST ABLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE AND PARK IT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED, AND IT WAS FOUND THAT THE STEERING MODULE DID NOT WORK. THE STEERING MODULE WAS REPLACED ON 09/27/06. HOWEVER, BECAUSE THE VEHICLE OWNER BELIEVED THIS WAS A HAZARD HE WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE BOTH 10905 MILES.*AK UPDATE 4/9 *TR
Steering, Suspension, Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Seats, Mar 8, 2007
I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND TRADED MY SATURN VUE FOR THE 2004 MALIBU MAXX. WHEN I TEST DROVE THE CAR, AFTER THE ACCELERATION REACHED 4RPMS, THERE WAS A HIGH PITCHED WHINE FROM THE ENGINE CLOSEST TO THE TIRE. THEY LOOKED AT IT AND SAID THAT IT WAS A LOOSE BELT. SO I BOUGHT THE CAR AND THEY SAID TO BRING IT THE CHEVY DEALERSHIP TO GET IT FIXED. I TOOK IT IN AND THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM SO I HAD TO RIDE WITH THEM. ALSO, MY SEAT HEATERS WERE TURNING ON AUTOMATICALLY, CAR CONSTINTLY PULLS TO THE RIGHT, I HAVE TO TURN THE KEY OVER FOR A LONG TIME TO GET THE CAR TO FULLY START UP. THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE ANY OF THE PROBLEMS SO I AM STILL DEALING WITH ALL OF THEM. FOR THE WHINING NOISE, THEY SAID IT IS A DRIVE BELT THAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, BUT IT IS OUT OF STOCK. HOW CONVIENIENT. *JB
Suspension, Feb 14, 2007
TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX LT. THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, IT WAS MUCH WORSE WHEN DRIVING 70 MPH. WHEN DRIVING WITH LEFT HAND THE STEERING WHEEL THE WHEEL PUSHES THE HAND THE LEFT AND THE VEHICLE WENT TO THE LEFT. THE MECHANIC PERFORMED AN ALIGNMENT, BUT HAD INDICATED THAT THE ALIGNMENT WAS WITHIN FACTORY SPECS. THE MECHANIC STATED THEY COULD TRY TO ADJUST THE CASTOR, BUT NOT TO FACTORY SPECS. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR AFTER THE ALIGNMENT WAS FINISHED AND BECAME WORSE. THERE WERE NO BULLETINS ON THIS VEHICLE . HOWEVER, THERE WERE ON 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU, NOT FOR THE MAXX THAT RELATED TO THIS FAILURE ,PER THE CONTACT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 6400. *AK
Steering, Feb 7, 2007, crash
2004 MALIBU CLASSIC WITH POWER STEERING PROBLEMS. **CC THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE THE POWER STEERING WENT COMPLETELY OUT. *JB
Power train, Jan 16, 2007
TL* - THE CONTACT HAS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU LS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHE TURNED THE IGNITION ON THE ENHANCED TRACTION SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT, THE ENGINE LIGHT, AND THE SERVICE LIGHT CAME ON. THE CAR WOULD START AND ALL OF THE DASHBOARD FEATURES WOULD WORK, BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO THE REVERSE OR DRIVE GEARS. THE CONTACT STATED SHE COULD PUT THE CAR IN THE DRIVE GEAR AND IT WOULD NOT DRIVE. THE CAR BEGAN TO JERK AND SHAKE WITHOUT THE CONTACT ADDING PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, AND THE RPM LEVEL INCREASED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAS NEVER DONE THIS BEFORE. THE WEATHER WAS REALLY COLD AND THERE WERE SNOW FLURRIES, BUT NO ACCUMULATION.
Steering, Jan 5, 2007
TL * - THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE RECEIVED RECALL LETTER 04050. THE CONTACT HAD A COMPUTER CHIP IN THE POWER STEERING MODULE REPLACED IN JAN 2005 BECAUSE OF THE RECALL. THE CONTACT STATED THE POWER STEERING FAILURE RETURNED THREE MONTHS LATER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER ,AND THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING ANOTHER COMPUTER CHIP FOR THE POWER STEERING. THE DEALER WOULD NOT REPLACE THE CHIP FOR FREE BECAUSE IT HAD ALREADY BEEN REPLACED UNDER THE RECALL. THE POWER STEERING FAILED INTERMITTENTLY FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS. THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT CAME ON WHEN THE POWER STEERING WAS NOT WORKING. *AK UPDATED 1/31/2007 - *NM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Dec 28, 2006
ROTORS REPEATEDLY WARP. HAVE HAD THE BRAKES SERVICED TWICE WITHIN THE 24000 WARRANTY FOR BRAKES AND IT IS REQUIRING A THIRD SERVICE AT 26,000 MILES OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY. ROTORS WOULD NEED TO BE RECUT OR REPLACED EVERY 4,000 MILES ON THIS CAR TO ELIMINATE THE PULSATION. THERE IS A SYSTEMATIC ISSUE WITH THE BRAKING SYSTEM, INCLUDING THE ABS AND/OR THE TRACTION CONTROL. THIS IS NOT A MATERIAL OR SERVICE ISSUE, BUT A DESIGN ISSUE. THE DEALER HAS INDICATED THAT ALL SYSTEMS ON THE CAR ARE WORKING PROPERLY AND THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO OTHER THAN RECUT OR REPLACE THE ROTORS. GENERAL MOTORS HAS DENIED THERE IS A PROBLEM WHICH IS EXPECTED POSSIBLY FACING A RECALL OF MANY CARS. ALTHOUGH THE DEALER UNOFFICIALLY ADMITTED THIS PROBLEM IS A REGULAR AT THEIR FACILITY NO ONE WILL OFFICIALLY ADMIT THIS IS AN ISSUE. NOW THAT THE BRAKES ARE OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY AT 26,000 MILES, I AM FORCED TO PAY FOR THE SERVICE EVERY 4,000 MILES ON MY OWN. THIS COULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE ALTHOUGH THE BRAKES HAVE NEVER FAILED TO WORK. THE AFFECT OF THE DESIGN ISSUE IS THAT THE BRAKES PULSATE AND PROGRESSIVELY GET WORSE AS TIME GOES ON. EVEN AFTER A FEW THOUSAND MILES THE DEFECT BEGINS TO SURFACE. BY 4,000 MILES IT IS A BIG ENOUGH NUISANCE TO HAVE IT SERVICED. THIS IS AN EXPENSE I HAD NOT BARGAINED FOR WHEN I BOUGHT THIS CAR. *NM
Steering, Dec 13, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING CONTROL NEARLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE ISSUE.
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 6, 2006
COOLANT LOW INDICATOR CAME ON DASH BOARD. TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP WAS ADVISED COOLANT LEAKING ON GASKET. PARTS WERE REPLACED, ENGINE LIGHT THEN CAME ON NEXT DAY TOOK CAR BACK WAS ADVISED NEEDED TO ORDER PART FOR CATALYTIC CONVERTER. PARTS STILL HAVEN'T CAME IN AND ENGINE LIGHT STILL ON. WAS TOLD THE MALIBU HAS A COMPLEX EXHAUST SYSTEM. *NM
Exterior lighting, Dec 2, 2006
AFTER ONE YEAR OF DRIVING OUR 2004 MALIBU (ABOUT 20, 000 MILES), THE SIGNAL LIGHTS BEGAN FAILING. REPLACEMENT OF THE BULBS BY A GM DEALER SOLVED EACH PROBLEM (4 INCIDENTS). THEN ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO THE RIGHT FRONT SIGNAL REVEALED AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE WIRING HARNESS, WHICH WAS REPLACED AT OUR EXPENSE. TODAY THE LEFT REAR SIGNAL SOCKET AND HARNESS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THERE APPEARS TO BE A MANUFACTURING OR DESIGN DEFECT IN THE SIGNAL LIGHT SYSTEM. *NM
Exterior lighting, Interior lighting, Nov 17, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS AND INTERIOR LIGHTS WENT OUT. THE CONTACT HAD TO HOLD THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH UP ALL THE WAY TO KEEP THE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. LATER, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE TAIL LIGHTS STAYED ILLUMINATED ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF, AND THE BATTERY HAD TO BE DISCONNECTED TO SHUT THE TAIL LIGHTS OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SEEN BY A DEALER.
Steering, Nov 7, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE'S POWER STEERING LOCKED UP. THE SERVICE DEALER DETERMINED THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW STEERING COLUMN TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE. UPDATED 12/15/2006 - *NM
Steering, Nov 3, 2006
LOSS OF POWER STEERING IN MY 2004 MALIBU. HAD STEERING SYSTEM REPLACED BY RECALL 05, SINCE THEN, THE STEERING STARTING MAKING NOISE, HAD TO HAVE STEERING RODS ADJUSTED, NOW I HAD TO REPLACE THE STEERING GEAR AT COST OF $495.00. IT STILL MAKES SOME NOISE WHEN TURNING TO RIGHT, NEED GM TO COMPENSATE FOR THESE EXPENSES, HAD NOTHING BUT STEERING PROBLEMS FROM ON SET. HELP. *NM
Steering, Oct 25, 2006
THE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED IN APRIL OF 2005 AS A RESULT OF A RECALL STATING THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST CAN FAIL WITHOUT WARNING. UP TO THIS TIME, NO ACTUAL FAILURE HAD OCCURRED. IN SEPTEMBER OF 2006 THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED FOR THE FIRST TIME AS DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL NOTICE. SIMULTANEOUS WITH THE FAILURE, AN AUDIBLE BEEPING OCCURRED AND A FAILURE MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED ON THE CONSOLE. RE-STARTING THE CAR WILL CORRECT THE PROBLEM TEMPORARILY, BUT IT RECURS ON A REGULAR BASIS. BOTH THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER REFUSE TO REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN AT THEIR EXPENSE BECAUSE IT WAS DONE ONCE IN 2005. *NM
Steering, Oct 11, 2006
BOUGHT A MALIBU LT MAXX IN APR 04, ENCOUNTERED STEERING WHEEL PROBLEMS SEVERAL. THE WORST WAS THAT IT LOCKED MY STEERING WHEEL WHILE DRIVING ON THE HWY 401. I HAD TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HWY TO RE-START MY ENGINE TO TRY MY LUCKY TO GET BACK THE STEERING POWER. I HAVE THE PROBLEM TILL NOW AND YET UNSOLVED. NO CHOICE BUT TO GET INTO A NEW CAR NOW, JUST TO ADVISE BEING KILL ON THE ROAD. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Oct 10, 2006
AT 40,000 BOTH FRONT ROTORS HAD TO BE TURNED AND CALIPERS REPLACED. CALIPERS WERE STICKING CAUSING UNEVEN WEAR. BRAKE PADS HAD PLENTY OF MATERIAL AND DID NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED. *NM
Steering, Electrical system, Equipment, Oct 5, 2006
THREE ISSUES WITH MY 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU LS V6... 1. THE STEERING GEAR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT 48,000 MILES. 2. THE STARTER STAYS ENGAGED PERIODICALLY OR HAS TROUBLE TURNING OVER TO START THE CAR. 3. A/C NOT COOLING VEHICLE. ENTIRE UNIT EVENTUALLY REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN BROUGHT IN NUMEROUS (13) TIMES TO VARIOUS GM DEALERS AND ONLY HAS 48,000 MILES. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Oct 2, 2006
FRONT AND REAR BRAKES HAVE HAD TO BE CHANGED PREMATURELY. REAR BRAKES HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 20K MILES. FRONT BRAKES CHANGED AT 60K MILES. CALIPERS STICKING AND CAUSING NOISE AND UNEVEN WEAR ON NEW BRAKE PADS. GM DEALERSHIP ADVISES THAT THIS IS NOT A DEFECT. *NM
Exterior lighting, Sep 25, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY MELTED FROM THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT BULBS. THE LAMP FOGGED UP AND CAUSED POOR VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED. UPDATED 10/18/2006 - *NM
Steering, Structure, Sep 13, 2006
2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAX STEERING FAILED MAKING THE VEHICLE UNDRIVEABLE. REAR HATCHBACK DOOR IS RUSTING. *KB WHEN THE STEERING FAILED THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED 38 MILES TOT HE CONSUMER'S HOME. THE REAR HATCH MOLDING CLIPS AND GASKETS FAILED TO PREVENT SALT INDUCED SWIRL RUST