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, Jan 16, 2006
PROMINENT NOISE IN STEERING SYSTEM. DEALER TRIED TO ORDER DEFECTIVE PARTY, BUT GM SAID NONE WOULD BE FURNISHED UNTIL A NEW PART WAS DESIGNED. THE PART IS THE "INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT". THEY CLAIM THAT IT CAUSES NO HAZARD, BUT NOISE IS ANNOYING AND VEHICLE, 2004 MALIBU LT, HAS ONLY 17,600 MILES. PURCHASED 12/23/03. *NM
Steering, Jan 10, 2006
STEERING FAILURE, STEERING REPLACED THREE TIMES. STEERING WENT OUT WHEN CAR WAS 11 MONTHS OLD, AGAIN FALL 2005, JAN 2006. TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS HAVE WORKED ON CAR, NOTING THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF STEERING PROBLEMS WITH THIS MODEL. *JB
Steering, Jan 9, 2006
THERE WAS A CLUNKING NOISE IN STEERING WHEN TURNING OR ACCELERATION AND OR STEERING WHEEL SHAKES WHEN STANDING STILL. *TS *JB
Steering, Jan 9, 2006
PURCHASED 2004 CHEVY MALIBU, CERTIFIED USED WITH 27,000 MILES. WHEN TURNING I HEAR CLICKS AND FEEL VIBRATIONS. DEALER SAY'S IT'S NOT A SAFETY ISSUE AND GENERAL MOTORS WILL FIX IN FIRST QUARTER OF 2006. I CONTACTED CHEVROLET AND CAN'T GET AN ANSWER ON THE SAFETY ISSUE OR WHEN THIS PROBLEM WILL BE CORRECTED. I HAVE BEEN READING MANY AUTOMOBILE WEBSITES AND READ 100'S OF MESSAGES FROM PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME NOISE WHEN TURNING AND EVENTUAL LOSS OF STEERING. THE CAR IS TWO YEARS OLD, WHY HASN'T CHEVY FIXED THESE VEHICLES? ARE THEY OR ARE THEY NOT SAFE? WHAT CAN CONSUMERS LIKE MYSELF DO ABOUT THE ISSUE. *NM
Steering, Jan 5, 2006
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE I LOST ALL POWER STEERING. I WAS PULLING OUT OF A PARKING LOT ACROSS 3 LANES OF TRAFFIC. A SENSOR LIGHT CAME ON AND I COULD NOT TURN THE WHEEL. I WAS ABLE TO PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE AND BACK INTO THE LOT. I TURNED OFF MY CAR AND WHEN I TURNED IT BACK ON MY POWER STEERING WAS BACK. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Air bags, Seat belts, Dec 24, 2005, crash
I AM A FORMER STATE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER WITH EXTENSIVE SAFE DRIVING TECHNIQUES FOR OVER TWENTY YEARS. I NOW WORK WITH UPS AND HAVE EXTENSIVE SAFE HABITS WITH THIS CORPORATION. TODAY WAS A CLEAR, COOL AND CRISP DAY WITH NO WATER OR OIL SPOTS ON THE HIGHWAY. MY 15 MONTH OLD WAS IN HER CHILD RESTRAINT SEAT IN THE REAR AND I WAS IN THE DRIVER SEAT. WHILE COMING TO A STOP MY BRAKES LOCKED UP AND THE ABS DID NOT WORK. THE SEAT BELT I WAS WEARING DID NOT WORK PROPERLY CAUSING ME TO BREAK MY GLASSES AS MY HEAD HIT THE STEERING WHEEL. THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO WORK ALSO. *JB THERE WAS EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE WHICH WAS CAUSED BY THE IMPACT OF RUNNING INTO THE REAR OF A DUMP TRUCK. HAD THE ABS AND SEAT BELT WORKED PROPERLY THE ACCIDENT COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED BY MANEUVERING MY VEHICLE AROUND THE DUMP TRUCK.
Steering, Dec 13, 2005
I BOUGHT THE CAR BRAND NEW IN 2003. HAVE HAD TO TAKE IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. AND IT'S HAPPENING AGAIN SO THIS NEXT TIME WILL BE THE FOURTH. PROBLEM OCCURS EVERY 6K OR SO. PLAY IN THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING ASSEMBLY BEGINS TO OCCUR. FIRST INDICATION IS A KNOCKING NOISE HEARD WHILE TURNING. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THREE DIFFERENT DEALERS AND THEY STILL CAN NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. IT IS JUST GOING TO GET FRUSTRATING OVER THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE TO CONSTANTLY HAVE TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. VERY CONCERNED WITH THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE. ALSO, IF I TRIED TO SELL IT, THIS PROBLEM COULD SERIOUSLY AFFECT THE VALUE OF THE VEHICLE. *JB
Steering, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Equipment, Dec 12, 2005, crash
ON DECEMBER 2, 2005 I WAS TRAVELING TO WORK USING MY TYPICAL ROUTE HIGHWAY 74 ALSO KNOWN AS THE ORTEGA HIGHWAY WHEN COMING TO A SHARP AND NARROW CURVE MY BRAKE PEDAL DID NOT WORK AND MY STEERING WAS LOCKED. I WAS NOT ABLE TO CONTROL THE DIRECTION OF MY VEHICLE AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE MERGED TO ON COMING TRAFFIC AND TUMBLED FOUR TIMES . *NM
Steering, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Dec 7, 2005, crash
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKES AND STEERING MALFUNCTIONED, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. THE STEERING LOCKED UP WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN. PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT SHE HEARD A SQUEAKING NOISE IN THE BRAKES. SHE TOOK THE CAR TO A MECHANIC, AND WAS TOLD BRAKES WERE IN GOOD WORKING CONDITION. SHE HAS NOT CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. . THE CONTACT SUFFERED A CONCUSSION, AND HAD NERVE DAMAGE. *AK UPDATED 12/30/05. *JB
Latches/locks/linkages, Nov 2, 2005
DT: THE CONTACT'S CHILD OPENED THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR WHILE IN MOTION. BY THE TIME SHE PULLED VEHICLE OVER THE CHILD WAS STILL IN CAR SEAT HANGING OUT OF THE DOOR. THE CONTACT COMPLAINED SEVERAL TIMES TO DEALERSHIP THAT THE CAR DID NOT HAVE CHILD SAFETY LOCKS ON IT. THE DEALER TOLD HER THAT IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE TO INSTALL THE CHILD LOCKS AT THIS POINT.*AK
Steering, Engine and engine cooling, Oct 17, 2005
DT CONTACT STATED THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD MOVE BY ITSELF. THE CONTACT WOULD TRY TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD TURN IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION THIS HAPPENED ON MAY 15, 2004, AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN. ON OCTOBER 17, 2005 . ,THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN AND THE VEHICLE WAS GOING INTO THE LOCAL DEALER TODAY. THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING. THIS HAPPENED ON DRY ROAD CONDITIONS. ALSO ON SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 THE GAS LIGHT KEPT COMING ON. , TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND THEY SAID THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. THE DEALER REPLACED THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. NOW , THE LIGHT IS BACK ON, AND THE DEALER IS GOING TO CHECK THAT TOO. *AK UPDATED 11/16/2005 - *NM
Steering, Oct 9, 2005
I PURCHASED A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU LS IN APRIL OF 2004. SINCE THAT TIME THERE HAVE BEEN MANY SAFETY ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICLE. THE FIRST OF THE ISSUES WAS THE BRAKES LOCKING UP WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP REPAIRED THIS UNDER A RECALL ALONG WITH SOME SEAT BELT AND AIR BAG RELATED RECALLS. THE VEHICLE HAS ALSO NEVER STEERED CORRECTLY AND THE ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES. I CURRENTLY HAVE AROUND 33,000 MILES ON THE CAR NOW AND THE STEERING HAS FAILED AGAIN. I WILL HAVE IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP THIS WEEK TO SEE IF THEY CAN EVER REPAIR THE STEERING ISSUES. THERE WERE ALSO ISSUES OF THE KEY GETTING STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND THE SHIFTER MOVING OUT OF THE PARK POSITION WITHOUT ANY KEYS IN THE IGNITION. I ALSO SUED GM FOR $6,500 - ACCORDING TO THE ATTORNEY GM WOULD NOT BUY BACK THE VEHICLE. IN MY OPINION THIS VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE AT ALL. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. *NM
Steering, Sep 29, 2005
STEERING WHEEL QUIVERS WHEN STOPPED, CHECK STEERING DISPLAYED, POWER STEERING WENT OUT (1ST TIME SERVICE 10/28/04) THUMP NOISE WHEN TURNING (2ND TIME SERVICE 08/29/05) BOTH SERVICE ORDERS STATE REPLACE FAILED STEERING COLUMN. VEHICLE IS MAKING THE SAME THUMP NOISE AGAIN SO IT WILL BE TAKEN IN FOR 3RD TIME SERVICE.*JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 28, 2005
CONSUMER BRAKE ROTORS BEGAN TO WARP AFTER ONLY 20000 MILES. *TS THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE ROTORS ON THE VEHICLE WHICH WERE ALUMINUM COULD NOT BE PROPERLY RESURFACED. THE MANUFACTURER DISCONTINUED THE USE OF THOSE PARTICULAR ROTORS AND THE COST TO REPLACE THEM WAS 900.00 *JB
Fuel system, Gasoline, Sep 23, 2005, fire
ON 9-3-05 I FILLED MY FUEL TANK AND DROVE THE CAR THE REST OF THE WEEKEND. ON 9-5-05 AROUND 12 NOON THE ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE..THE FIRE DEPT CONTACTED AND THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT..THE REPORT IM GETTING FROM G.M AND THE DEALER IS THAT I PUT TO MUCH FUEL IN THE CAR AND THAT CAUSED THE FIRE..I WAS TOLD THAT THE FUMES CAUSE THE FIRE ON TOP OF THE ENGINE...I DO NOT FELL SAFE DRIVING THIS CAR I DO NOT BY THE FACT THAT OVER FUELING THE CAR WAS THE CAUSE I HAVE FUEL THE CAR MANY TIME IN THE PAST WITH NO PROBLEMS..AND EVER TIME I MADE CONTACTED WITH A G.M REP. WAS GIVEN A DIFFERENT REASON ON WHY THIS CAR CAUGHT FIRE....*NM
Steering, Sep 18, 2005
I WAS DRIVING THE STEERING COLUMN SHUT DOWN ON ME WHILE DRIVING, THE SECOND TIME THE STEERING COLUMN WAS JERKING AND THE THIRD TIME I COULD HEAR CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. *NM
Steering, Sep 14, 2005
CAR DEVELOPED A NOISE IN THE FRONT END IN OCTOBER OF 2004. CAR WAS BROUGHT TO DEALERSHIP 11/2/2004 AND THE STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED (6491 MILES). CAR AGAIN DEVELOPED NOISE IN MARCH 2005. STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED AGAIN ( 5/11/2005 8908 MILES). NOISE WAS AGAIN APPARENT MAY 2005. POWER STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED ( 5/11/2005 9596 MILES). NOISE NOT REPAIRED 5/16/2005 POWER STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY REPLACED AGAIN (9657 MILES). NOISE CAME BACK AGAIN 7/5/2005 AND STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED (10275 MILES). ON 9/11/2005 THE POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE TRYING TO TURN RIGHT. VEHICLE BECAME VERY HARD TO STEER AND PULLING UNCONTROLLABLY TO THE LEFT. THE CAR NEEDED TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. ON 9/12/2005 A NEW STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY WAS INSTALLED (11388 MILES). A VEHICLE INQUIRY SUMMARY WAS OBTAINED FROM THE DEALERSHIP ( SYLVESTER CHEVROLET, PECKVILLE). THE REPORT REVEALED A STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY REPLACEMENT ON 1/21/2005 ALSO TOWING. *NM
Steering, Sep 9, 2005
2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU DEVELOPED MAJOR STEERING PROBLEMS.*MR THE STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY HAD TO BE REPLACED THREE TIMES IN THE LAST THIRTEEN MONTHS. *NM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 2, 2005
2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU HAS RUSTED ROTORS.*MR THE DEALER TOLD THE CONSUMER THE PROBLEM WAS NORMAL. *JB
Steering, Aug 26, 2005, crash
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TORQUE SENSOR IN THE STEERING COLUMN HAD TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT IN JANUARY BECAUSE THE STEERING LOCKED . THE DEALERSHIP STATED THERE WERE MULTIPLE CARS OF THIS MAKE AND MODEL THAT HAD THIS PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICES ON THE POWER STEERING AND THE BRAKES , BUT THE RECALL NOTICES WERE RECEIVED AFTER THE ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED AFTER THE ACCIDENT TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT, BUT IT WAS TAKEN TO A BODY SHOP TO BE REPAIRED. THE POLICE REPORT STATED THAT THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE IN THE REAR. THE CONTACT CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, AND RECEIVED A LETTER STATING THERE WAS NO BASIS FOR REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE DEDUCTIBLE. *AK
Electrical system, Aug 25, 2005
THIS VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH REMOTE START, WHICH ALLOWS YOU TO START THE VEHICLE FROM THE KEY REMOTE. ON FRIDAY 8-19 THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT" CAME ON BRIEFLY WHEN VEHICLE WAS STARTED BUT DID NOT COME BACK ON AFTER I SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTED. THE FOLLOWING MONDAY 8-22-05 AFTER MAKING A STOP, SHUTTING OFF THE ENGINE, AND GETTING OFF THE CAR THE ENGINE STARTED ON ITS OWN AND STAYED ON FOR APPX A MINUTE, IT THEN SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED IN LESS THAN A MINUTE. THIS CYCLE REPEATED FOR ABOUT 8 MINS OR SO ON ITS OWN. I GOT BACK ON THE CAR AFTER DROPPING MY CHILD OFF AT SCHOOL AND DROVE AT HWY SPEEDS WITH THE CRUISE ON, AFTER A FEW MINUTES OF HWY SPEEDS THE CRUISE CONTROL SHUT OFF AND WAS NON RESPONSIVE. I GOT OFF THE HWY PARKED AND SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF. AGAIN THE ENGINE STARTED ON ITS OWN, THIS TIME STAYING ON FOR SEVERAL MINUTES. I DROVE THE VEHICLE TO A CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP AND EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM. THE SERVICE DEPT REPLACED THE KEYLESS ENTRY MODULE AND REPROGRAMMED THE BRAKE ECU AS THEY SAID THE KEYLESS MODULE WAS MALFUNCTIONING AND CAUSING THE ENGINE TO START USING THE REMOTE START FEATURE. THEY ALSO SAID THE BRAKE MODULE COULD HAVE CAUSED THE CRUISE CONTROL TO BE NON RESPONSIVE. THIS MALFUNCTION CONCERNED ME GREATLY AS THE VEHICLE WAS GARAGED KEPT UNTIL THIS HAPPENED AND I NO LONGER TRUST TO PUT THE CAR IN THE GARAGE IN FEAR OF POSSIBLE CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING FROM THE ENGINE STARTING ON ITS OWN WHILE IN THE GARAGE, SPECIALLY AT NIGHT WHILE ASLEEP.
Equipment, Aug 22, 2005
DT: WHEN THE CONSUMER WENT TO CHANGE A FLAT TIRE THE JACK THAT CAME WITH THE VEHICLE COLLAPSED WHILE HE HAD THE VEHICLE RAISED UP. THIS WAS THE ORIGINAL JACK THAT CAME WITH THE VEHICLE. IT COLLAPSED WHEN HE HAD THE TIRE OFF AND WAS TRYING TO PUT THE SPARE ON. IT COLLAPSED UNDER THE WEIGHT OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. *AK
Other or unspecified, Aug 22, 2005
I WAS CHANGING A FLAT TIRE ON MY 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU WHEN THE JACK GAVE IN UNDER THE WEIGHT OF THE VEHICLE AND THE CAR CAME CRASHING TO THE GROUND.
Fuel system, Other, Aug 22, 2005
POOR GAS MILEAGE, GAS CAP IS RATTLING LOOSE DUE TO RATCHET PIECE COMING APART, RATCHET PIECE REPLACED AND ONE WEEK LATER SAME PROBLEM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jul 31, 2005
BRAKE PEDAL SUDDENLY HAD NO RESISTANCE. IT HAPPENED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK SO THERE WERE NO CONSEQUENCES. IF IT HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING, THERE WOULD BE NO WAY TO STOP THE VEHICLE. UPON VISUAL INSPECTION, THE BRAKE PEDAL PUSHROD WAS DISCONNECTED FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE CAUSE APPEARS TO BE THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL PUSHROD RETAINER WAS MISSING. *NM