Page 2 of 3 · complaints 51–100 of 116

2004 Chevrolet Malibu Classic complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2004 record →

Power Train
Filed May 22, 2014120,000 milesNV

WHEN IN REVERSE, BUT NOT MOVING, THE WHOLE FRONT OF THE CAR SHIMMIES AND MAKES NOISES. THE AFFECTED PART WAS JUST REPLACED (SUPPOSEDLY) IN FEB. 2012. NOW THEY SAY THAT THE PARTS AGAIN MUST BE REPLACED BECAUSE THEY ARE JUST FINDING IT NOW, A COUPLE OF MONTHS AFTER THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. *TR

Electrical System
Filed May 18, 2014107,543 milesCA

AFTER STARTING THE CAR THERE WAS NO POWER TO WINDOWS RADIO OR AC ALSO GAUGES FOR TEMPERATURE AND FUEL DID NOT WORK. *JS

Electrical System
Filed May 15, 2014100,000 milesMI

I OWN A 2004 CHEVY MALIBU. MY ANTI-THEFT DEVICE KEEPS ME FROM STARTING CAR. UNCERTAIN WHY THIS WAS HAPPENING AT FIRST, KEPT HAVING IT GO FOR SERVICE. THEY COULD NEVER FIND ANYTHING WRONG. NOW I FIND IT'S THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM. SO I HAVE TO WAIT 10-15 MINUTES WITH IGNITION TO THE ON POSITION BEFORE THEFT LIGHT TURNS OFF & CAN START CAR. I END UP LEAVING CAR RUNNING NOW TO GO INTO STORES, ANYPLACE I EXPECT TO BE LESS THAN 5 MINUTES. THIS IS HAPPENING 1-3 X'S A WEEK FOR OVER 6 MONTHS. GM DEALER STATES WILL FIX FOR $400. HUNDREDS OF SAME COMPLAINTS I'VE FOUND ON-LINE, EVEN FACE-BOOK PAGE, DOZENS OF Y-TUBE VIDEO'S SHOWING HOW TO TURN OFF SYSTEM-BUT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT REQUIRES SOME MECHANICAL EXPERTISE WHICH I DON'T HAVE. SAFETY CONCERN-MAY HAVE EMERGENCY AND NEED MY CAR TO START, NOT WAIT PATIENTLY FOR 10 MINUTES THEN HOPE IT WILL START. *TR

Electrical System
Filed May 1, 201410,112 milesOK

I HAD MY KEY STUCK IN ACCESSORY THE IGNITION SO MY CAR BATTERY WOULD RUN DEAD. I WAS TOLD I MIGHT NEED A IGNITION CYLINDER FOR MY VEHICLE BUT LOOKING ON THE INTERNET I SEE THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE FOR THIS MAKE, MODEL, AND YEAR. THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED A FIX THAT THE MANUFACTURE TO PAY FOR A KNOWN PROBLEM. TO GET THIS REPLACED IS ALMOST $900.00. *TR

Steering
Filed Apr 7, 2014105,000 milesIN

THE STEERING HAS GONE OUT TWICE ON ME NOW. SO I DID SOME RESEARCH AND IT SHOWS THERE IS A RECALL FOR STEERING PARTS BUT NOT FOR MY VIN # OF MY MALIBU? WHAT IS THE DEAL? *TR

Engine
Filed Apr 3, 201455,000 milesMD

AT FIRST, THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE AT RANDOM INTERVALS. THEN ENGINE SHUT OFF WHILE CAR WAS MOVING. THE PROBLEM HAPPENED MORE FREQUENTLY AS TIME PROGRESSED. THEN THE CAR WOULD NOT START INTERMITTENTLY. FINALLY IT WOULD NOT START AT ALL. THE SHOP FOUND THE BAD PART WAS THE IGNITION SWITCH. TOTAL COST TO REPLACE THE SWITCH AND DO THE ASSOCIATED WORK WAS $900. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Mar 22, 2014CA

SINCE AT ABOUT 110,000 MILES (CAR NOW HAS 160,000) THE THEFT SYSTEM PREVENTS ME FROM STARTING MY CAR BY DISABLING THE INJECTORS INTERMITTENTLY. I FIND THIS TO BE A SAFETY HAZARD AS DO MANY OTHERS THAT HAVE POSTED COMMENTS ONLINE. IT HAS STRANDED ME AT 1:30 IN THE MORNING IN FRONT OF CONVENIENCE STORES. NOT A SAFE PLACE TO BE STUCK. CHEVY SAYS ITS A $300-$1000 FIX BUT I HAVE READ THAT IT STILL DOES NOT FIX THE PROBLEM IN SOME INSTANCES. I'M SURPRISED THAT THERE HAS NOT BEEN A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST GM FOR THIS. ANY ASSISTANCE WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. THANK YOU. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Mar 14, 201450,841 milesWI

CAR WENT COMPLETELY DEAD, AND WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A DEFECTIVE IGNITION SWITCH. COST TO REPAIR WAS $542.85 IS THIS GOING TO BE COVERED IN THE CURRENT GM RECALL? *TR

Steering
Filed Mar 13, 2014163,000 milesMD

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND TOTALLY LOST POWER STEERING. I PULLED MY CAR INTO A PARKING LOT AND LET THE CAR SIT FOR A COUPLE OF HOURS. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR HOME WHERE I LOST POWER STEERING AGAIN WHILE PULLING INTO MY DRIVEWAY. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE MY CAR TO THE REPAIR SHOP A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER WHERE I HAD TO HAVE THE ENTIRE STEERING SYSTEM REPLACED. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Sep 12, 2013OK

THE PASSLOCK SECURITY SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS DISABLING THE VEHICLE. YOU HAVE TO RESET THE SYSTEM WHICH CAN TAKE UP TO 30 MINUTES. THIS CAN BE A SAFETY ISSUE WHEN IT HAPPENS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. I HAVE SEEN THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS FOR THIS ISSUE. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. *TR

Electronic Stability Control (esc)CrashFire2 injured
Filed Aug 30, 2013165,000 milesCA

THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM AND FUEL RAIL COMBINED CREATED A INJURY TO PEDESTRIANS THAT IS UNBELIEVABLE THE CAR TOOK OFF AFTER LEFT TURN INTO A PARKING LOT

Electrical System
Filed May 25, 201383,000 milesOH

TURN SIGNALS WORKING INTERMITTENT AND INOPERATIVE COULD RESULT IN A CRASH WHEN TURN SIGNALS NOT WORKING THIS IS A BIG SAFETY CONCERN GM KNOWS OF THIS PROBLEM AND HAS A RECALL NO. 03043 MY VEHICLE IS A 2004 AND GM SAID NO RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE THIS CAR HAS THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE RECALLED VEHICLES TURN SIGNALS STOP WORKING COULD CAUSE A FATAL CRASH I WANT GM TO PAY FOR REPAIRS THEY KNOW OF THIS BIG PROBLEM. *TR

Steering
Filed May 13, 2013121,510 milesOH

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD TO DROP OFF THE KIDS AT MY MOTHERS HOUSE AND POWER STEERING FAILED. *TR

Steering
Filed Feb 19, 201365,000 milesIL

I WAS DRIVING ALONG THE ROAD, AND THE YELLOW WRENCH POPPED UP,THE WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. ALSO, WHILE TURNING THE CAR THE WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN. THIS PROBLEM OCCURS AT LEAST 3-4 TIMES A YEAR. MY BRAKE PEDDLE ACTS UP IN THE SNOWY MONTHS. WHEN I PRESS THE BRAKE PEDDLE-THE PEDDLE JUMPS PUSHES UP AND DOWN INTO MY FEET. WHEN IT SNOWS, I WORRY ABOUT RUNNING INTO A CAR. *TR

Steering
Filed Nov 7, 201280,000 milesNY

WHILE DRIVING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE RODE, STEERING WHEEL WILL LOCK UP CAUSING ME TO HAVE TO RESTART IGNITION- AS IF THE CAR IS RESETTING, IN ORDER FOR THE STEERING WHEEL TO TURN PROPERLY. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 1-2X/MONTH SINCE THE FIRST INCIDENT. I OFTEN DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY AND ITS HAPPENED WHILE OTHER CARS ARE DRIVING AROUND ME. THE STEERING WHEEL WILL NOT TURN OR IT TAKES A GOOD AMOUNT OF FORCE TO MAKE THE WHEEL TURN. ITS QUITE DANGEROUS AND VERY SCARY. I CONTACTED THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THERE ARE NO WARRANTY'S OR RECALLS. CHECKED ONLINE AND DISCOVERED THAT OTHERS ARE HAVING A SIMILAR ISSUE. NOW I HAVE TO PAY MECHANIC TO FIX THE PART. *TR

Electrical System › Ignition › Anti-theft › Control Module
Filed Aug 26, 2012177,000 milesAZ

MY 2004 CHEVY MALIBU KEEP SHUTTING OF AT VARIOUS TIMES .THE ALARM KEEP ENGAGING AND DISABLES THE CAR .THIS HAS HAPPENED 5 TIMES IN THE LAST 2 MONTHS .I HAVE BEEN READING AND EVEN ON THE COMPLAIN SITE IT SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM .THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE I HAVE READ THAT THIS COULD HAPPEN WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION .I HAVE LOOKED AN THIS IS A VERY EXPENSIVE TASK . LIKE I SAID I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO IS HAVING THIS PROBLEM .I ALSO ASKED CHEVY AND THEY SAY THERE IS NOTHING TO BE DOME IT IS ALL WEAR AND TEAR THE CAR .I HOPE YOU CAN HELP ME AND THE OTHERS OUT THERE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM . THANKS *TR

Electrical System
Filed Jun 12, 2012AL

THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT COMES ON FOR NO REASON AND CAR WON'T START. HAVE TO PUT KEY IN IGNITION FOR 10-15 MIN BEFORE IT WILL START. RECURS AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK NOW. SHOULD BE A RECALL! *TR

Electrical System
Filed Jun 5, 2012100,000 milesMN

IN MARCH MY STARTER WENT OUT IN MY CAR. AFTER REPLACING IT I HAD NO PROBLEMS FOR ABOUT A WEEK. THEN I FOUND OUT THAT MY IGNITION SWITCH HAD GONE OUT AS WELL. I REPLACED THAT AND HAD NO PROBLEM FOR ABOUT 5 DAYS. THEN FOR NO REASON MY CAR WOULD NOT START. WE GOOGLED IT AND FOUND OUT THAT I JUST NEEDED TO RESET MY ANTI THEFT SYSTEM. NOW EVER SINCE THAT EVERY 1-5 DAYS I GET STUCK WHEREVER I HAPPEN TO BE BECAUSE MY ANTI THEFT SYSTEM KICKS IN AND THINKS THAT MY CAR IS STOLEN WHEN IT IS NOT. 9 TIMES OUTTA 10 AFTER A 10 OR 15 MINUTE RESET MY CAR STARTS JUST FINE. BUT NOW FOR THE 3RD TIME IT HAS BEEN SITTING FOR 2 DAYS AND WILL NOT START. IN ORDER TO FIX THIS PROBLEM MECHANICS ARE TELLING ME THAT I HAVE TO PAY WELL OVER A HUNDRED DOLLAR FOR THEM TO HOOK IT UP TO A COMPUTER AND RESET THE SYSTEM. IF IT IS A SYSTEM ERROR AND I DID NOTHING WRONG BUT FIX THE PROBLEM WITH MY CAR THEN WHY IS THE DEALERSHIP ASKING SO MUCH MONEY SIMPLY TO PLUG IT IN AND HIT SOME BUTTONS??????? *TR

Electrical System
Filed Apr 27, 2012120,000 milesOH

MY CAR HAS NOW FAILED TO START SEVERAL TIMES. I HAD THE FUEL RELAY SWITCH REPLACED WHICH SEEMED TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM FOR ABOUT A WEEK. NOW IT IS DOING IT AGAIN, I CALLED CHEVROLET AFTER RESEARCHING THE ISSUE (SEEMS TO BE A BIG ISSUE) AND THEY JUST RECOMMENDED ME TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. NOT GOOD, AND WORRIED THAT THE VEHICLE WILL SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. PLEASE HELP. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Apr 9, 2012NY

THE AUTO THEFT LIGHT COMES ON WHEN I UNLOCK MY DOORS AND HEADLIGHTS FLASHES AND THE RADIO CLOCK LIGHT FLASH UNTIL I START THE CAR, SOMETIME I HAVE TO SHUT THE CAR OFF AND RESTART IT TO GET IT TO STOP. THEN THE CAR DOORS UNLOCK AND LOCK WHEN I AM DRIVING DOWN THE STREET. WHEN I PUT MY CAR IN DRIVE THERE IS A HORN SOUND. WHAT IS WRONG WITH MY CAR? *TR

Steering
Filed Jan 17, 201213,400 milesTX

1ST TIME:DRIVING IN THE DROP OFF AREA OF SON'S SCHOOL AND POWER STEERING WENT OUT ON MY WIFE. WE HAD TO SIGNAL THE OTHER CARS AROUND OUR CAR (2004 CHEVY MALIBU). MY WIFE COULD NOT MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL SO I HAD TO BACK THE CAR UP OUT OF THE CHILDREN' DROP OFF AREA WITH NO POWER STEERING INTO A PARKING SPACE AFTER ALL THE CHILDREN WERE DROPPED OFF. SECOND TIME:PER THE MESSAGE ON SERVICE INDICATOR POWER STEERING WENT OUT ON A MAIN ROAD IN OUR TOWN AFTER REPAIRS BY CERTIFIED CHEVROLET MECHANICS AT DON HEWLETT CHEVROLET WAS A YEAR LATER RIGHT AFTER THE WARRANTY WENT OUT. I WAS TOLD I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS SINCE THE WARRANTY WAS UP. THERE HAVE BEEN 46 COMPLAINTS ON A WEBSITE CALLED WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM REGARDING THIS SAME ISSUE AND THE 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU WAS RECALLED FOR THIS SAME ISSUE OF THE POWER STEERING FAILURE. *TR

Steering
Filed Oct 19, 2011OH

THE POWER STEERING CONSTANTLY GOES OUT ON THIS CAR. I CAN BE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND IT WILL GO OUT WITHOUT WARNING. I HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL, YET THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH THESE VEHICLES. THE QUOTE I'VE BEEN GIVEN TO REPAIR IS OVER $500 AND SEVERAL PEOPLE HAD TO GET THE REPAIR DONE MORE THAN ONCE. CHEVY SHOULD DO A RECALL AND COMPENSATE THE CONSUMERS. *TR

Steering
Filed Sep 14, 2011CA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD FAIL INTERMITTENTLY. IN APRIL 2011, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE RACK AND PINON HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,000 AND THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Unknown or Other
Filed Aug 27, 2011128,656 milesOH

CHEVY MALIBU CLASSIC 2004. ANTI-THEFT LIGHT IS STAYING ON AND THE CAR WILL NOT TURN OVER AT ALL. I HAVE OWNED THE CAR FOR SEVERAL MONTHS NOW AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT I HAVE HAD ANY PROBLEM WITH IT. THE CAR WILL SIT IN THE "ON" POSITION AND THE POWER WILL BE ON, BUT ONCE IT IS TURNED TO "START" EVERYTHING GOES OFF AND THERE IS NO POWER FOR SEVERAL MINUTES. *TT

Steering
Filed Jul 17, 201119,000 milesMI

POWER STEERING GOES OUT WHILE DRIVING, TWICE IN THE LAST TWO DAYS. *TR

Exterior Lighting
Filed Jun 27, 2011142,500 milesNY

HAZARD/TURN SIGNAL WORKS INTERMITTENTLY. DOES NOT APPEAR ON THE INDICATOR PANEL WHEN NOT WORKING. WILL WORK FOR PART OF A TRIP AND THEN STOP OR NOT WORK AT ALL WHEN THE VEHICLE IS FIRST STARTED AND THEN WORK 20 MINS. LATER. THE SPEED/WEATHER CONDITIONS DO NOT SEEM TO HAVE AN EFFECT AS TO WHEN IT WORKS. CONSEQUENCE COULD BE A TICKET. THE TOWN OF AMHERST HAS MADE THE NEWS FOR HOW MUCH THEY TICKET AND A PLEA DOWN TO A PARKING TICKET WOULD COST A PERSON $200+. I HAVE HESITATED TO REPLACE IT AS I HAVE READ THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM OF CHEVY MALIBU'S. THESE CARS NEED SO MANY REPAIRS THAT I HATE TO PUT MORE MONEY (YET AGAIN) INTO SOMETHING THAT WILL NOT WORK. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jun 5, 201189,564 milesNC

A/C HOSES RUB THE FRAME AND CREATE A HOLE IN THE LINE THAT CAUSES FREON 134A TO BE RELEASED IN TO THE AIR AND THE EXPENSE IS OVER 500. TO REPAIR ON THE 2004 CHEVY MALIBU. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed May 5, 201140,272 milesNY

ENGINE FAILURE AND INTERMITTENT STARTING PROBLEMS. WHILE DRIVING A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU, ITS ENGINE CUT OUT WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOSE ALL POWER CONTROLS IE. STEERING AND BRAKING. AFTER THIS INCIDENT, THE CAR WOULD INTERMITTENTLY NOT START FOR APPROXIMATELY 2 WEEKS. AFTER THE 2 WEEKS, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AT ALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A FAULTY PASSLOCK CYLINDER, WHICH IS PART OF THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM ON GM CARS. THE PASSLOCK CYLINDER WAS REPLACED. THE PART IS NOT AVAILABLE. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Mar 26, 2011128,000 milesMO

THE THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEM ON MY 2004 MALIBU CLASSIC MALFUNCTIONS REPEATEDLY IT DOES THIS APPROXIMATELY ONCE A WEEK RESET THE THEFT SYSTEM USING THE KEY ON ENGINE OFF LET THE CAR SET LIKE THIS FOR 10 MIN. THE CAR THEN STARTS IMMEDIATELY AFTERWARDS. *TR

Steering
Filed Mar 21, 201180,000 milesPA

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE EXPRESSWAY,MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT. I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND SHUT MY CAR OFF AND STARTED IT UP AGAIN AND IT STARTED WORKING AGAIN.GM HAS RECALLED OTHER MODELS FOR DOING THE SAME THING,BUT NOT THE 2004 MALIBU. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND SOMEBODY IS GOING TO GET KILLED UNLESS GM TAKES CARE OF THIS PROBLEM. THE 2004 CHEVY. MALIBU HAS ELECTRIC ASSISTED POWER STEERING. THE THING IS THAT GM,THE DEALERS AND NHTSA ALL KNOW ABOUT THE PROBLEM,BUT ARE NOT DOING ANYTHING UNTIL PEOPLE ARE HURT AND KILLED. I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW AND HAVE TAKEN VERY GOOD CARE OF IT. *TR

Steering
Filed Mar 1, 2011115,000 milesAZ

ELECTRIC POWER STEERING MALFUNCTION. *TR

Steering
Filed Jan 31, 201186,000 milesPA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKED UP. THE VEHICLE BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER BUT IT WAS NOT INSPECTED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 86,030.

Electrical System › Ignition › Anti-theft › Control Module
Filed Jan 25, 201138,000 milesLA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE ANTI-THEFT LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE CONTAC STATED THAT THE WOULD HAVE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION AND WAIT APPROXIMATELY 5-10 MINUTES BEFORE BEING ABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR AT LEAST ONCE DAILY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUSE, IGNITION SWITCH AND THE COMPUTER WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT HE COULD NOT GUARANTEE THAT THE REPAIR WOULD REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 54,000.

Electrical System
Filed Dec 8, 201070,000 milesCA

SOMETIMES MY 2004 CHEVY MALIBU CLASSIC WILL NOT START, DUE TO THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM, I THINK IT'S NOT RECONIZING MY KEY. IT OCCURS LIKE 4 TIMES IN A WEEK IF I'M LUCKY, I FEEL LIKE IM PLAYING A GAME OF CHANCE EVERYTIME I START MY CAR. SO NOW I PRAY TO THE CAR GODS EVERYTIME I GET IN MY CAR, RIGHT BEFORE I START MY CAR, IT SEEMS TO WORK MOST OF THE TIME(PRAYING MAY NOT WORK FOR MOST PEOPLE). *TR

Electrical System
Filed Dec 4, 201041,000 milesMO

PROBLEMS STARTED OVER 3 YEARS AGO. ELECTRICAL PROBLEM INVOLVING INTERIOR ELECTRONICS, SOMETIMES RADIO AND CLIMATE ELECTRONICS WILL TURN OFF AND AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHTS AND DASH LIGHT WILL TURN OFF, USUALLY RIGHT AFTER STARTING, BUT SOMETIMES IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING. RECENTLY THE CAR ENGINE STALLED ON THE INTERSTATE IN ADDITION TO THE ABOVE ISSUES AND THE SECURITY LIGHT CAME ON. THEN THE NEXT WEEK THE CAR STALLED ON A STREET WITHOUT LIGHTING THE SECURITY LIGHT AND WOULDN'T RESTART, AFTER BEING TOWED THE CAR DID RESTART. *TR

Exterior Lighting
Filed Sep 18, 201050,000 milesMI

INTERMITTENT TURN SIGNAL FAILURE. THERE IS NO CAUSE OR EFFECT. SOME DAYS THEY WORK SOME DAYS NOT. SOMETIMES THEY WORK OR NOT IN THE SAME DAY. WE HAVE FOUND NO SHORTS IN THE SYSTEM AND EVERYTHING ELSE WORKS FINE ON THE SELECTOR SWITCH WITHOUT FAIL. WE TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC TWICE WHO COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. WE HAVE HAD SEVERAL NEAR ACCIDENTS DUE TO THIS MALFUNCTION. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Jul 21, 2010AL

I HAVE A 2004 CHEVY MALIBU & IM HAVING PROBLEM WITH THE ANTI THEFT SYSTEM. THIS CAUSES MY CAR NOT TO START & TO SHUT OFF ON ME WHILE DRIVING. I HAD THIS HAPPEN WHILE GOING DOWN A MOUNTAIN WITH MY 7 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER IN THE BACKSEAT!!! I CAN NOT BELIEVE CHEVY HAS NOT DONE A RECALL ON THIS YET!!! EVERYDAY MY CAR DOESN'T WANT TO START & I HAVE TO TURN THE IGNITION ON & SIT AND WAIT FOR THE ANTI THEFT SYSTEM TO RESET! BY THE WAY ITS ALMOST 100 DEGREES THIS SUMMER!!! *TR

Electrical System
Filed Jul 2, 201038,600 milesOH

THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT CAME ON FOR 2004 CHEVY MALIBU FOR ONE DAY. CAR WOULD NOT START THE NEXT DAY. HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED. GOOGLE SEARCH REVEALED OVER 33,000 COMPLAINTS FOR THEFT SEARCH. ON CHEVY CARS. FOR $616 PLUS TAX, TIM LALLY CHEVROLET IS CHARGING ME FOR: IGNITION CYLINDER, WIRING AND CONNECTOR. *TR

Steering
Filed Jul 1, 201030,000 milesNC

2004 CHEVY MALIBU AT 30,000. MILES THE STEERING WENT OUT CLUNKING NOISE WHEN I TURN AT 42K IT DID IT AGAIN AT 68K IT DID IT AGAIN THIS TIME CHEVY WOULD NOT PAY FOR REPAIRS NO MORE WARRANTY IT HAPPENED AGAIN IN 2009 AND NOW IT'S IN THE SHOP FOR ANOTHER STEERING PROBLEM COST 1622.00 TO REPAIR PLUS RENTAL AR FOR THREE DAYS. CHEVY SAYS MY FAULT THE PROBLEMS ARE NOT RELATED. I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM AND IT'S NOT ONE TWO OR EVEN THREE TIMES IT MANY TIMES.. *TR

Exterior Lighting
Filed Jun 23, 2010118,400 milesMO

I AM EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH BOTH OF MY TURN SIGNALS. THEY ARE CURRENTLY NOT WORKING AT 100%. SOMETIMES THEY COME ON AND SOMETIMES THEY DO NOT. ALSO, THEY HAVE TURNED ON AND IMMEDIATELY STOPPED WORKING. THIS HAS CAUSED GREAT CONCERN BECAUSE I AM NOT ALWAYS ABLE TO SIGNAL TO CHANGE LANES WHICH MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. NOTHING HAPPENED DIRECTLY BEFORE THE FAILURE OCCURRED. ONE NIGHT WHEN A FRIEND WAS FOLLOWING ME SHE NOTICED THAT I HAD "STOPPED" USING MY TURN SIGNALS WHEN IN FACT I NOTICED LATER THAT THEY WERE NO LONGER WORKING. THE NEXT DAY, THEY WORKED ON AND OFF THROUGHOUT THE DAY. WHEN I CALLED THE DEALER AND REPORTED THAT PROBLEM AND ASKED ABOUT THE RECALL, THE DEALER STATED THAT MY 2004 MALIBU WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL THOUGH IT WAS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS AS PREVIOUS MODELS. *TR

Unknown or Other
Filed Jun 20, 2010IA

I OWN A 2004 CHEVY MALIBU. THE ANTI-THEFT DEVICE CONTINUALLY CAUSES MY CAR TO HAVE A DELAYED START. I HAVE HAD TO PUT SO MUCH MONEY INTO THIS VEHICLE THAT FIXING IT TO THE TUNE OF $500 IS OUT OF THE QUESTION. MY DEALER TOLD ME THAT EVEN FIXING THE VEHICLE DOES NOT GUARANTEE THE REPLACEMENT PARTS WILL NOT BE DEFECTIVE. MY CAR RECENTLY STALLED IN A DARK PARKING LOT AND I HAD MY TWO YEAR OLD BABY WITH ME. DOES CHEVY HAVE NO SHAME FOR SELLING PRODUCTS THAT THEY KNOW ARE DANGEROUS? IF I WOULD HAVE BEEN ATTACKED AND MY LITTLE GIRL HURT IT WOULD HAVE BEEN THEIR FAULT. IT REALLY DOESN'T MAKE MUCH SENSE TO HAVE A DEFECTIVE ANTI-THEFT DEVICE DOES IT? WILL IT TAKE A WRONGFUL DEATH SUIT TO MAKE THEM BE MORE RESPONSIBLE? I KNOW THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BECAUSE A CO-WORKER OF MINE HAS A 2002 CHEVY MALIBU AND SHE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM, TWO YEARS LATER THEY ARE STILL SELLING THE SAME CRAP. IF I CAN AFFORD TO BUY ANOTHER CAR AGAIN IT WILL DEFINITELY BE A FOREIGN CAR. THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS GENERAL BECAUSE THIS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME, NOT JUST ON ONE DATE!!!! *TR

Steering
Filed May 31, 201049,364 milesMI

WHILE COMING OFF THE HIGHWAY, I NOTICED I NO LONGER HAVE POWER STEERING. THE ENTIRE REST OF THE WAY HOME, NO POWER STEERING. I SEARCHED ON LINE TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RESERVOIR TO PUT MORE POWER STEERING FLUID IN, AND THERE APPEARS TO BE NONE AND I WILL HAVE TO FORK OUT OVER $500 FOR A NEW STEERING COLUMN. I WAS NEVER INFORMED OF ANY PROBLEM WITH THE 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU AND A POWER STEERING PROBLEM. *TR

Electrical System › Ignition › Anti-theft › Control Module
Filed May 18, 2010109,540 milesWI

2004 CHEVY MALIBU THEFT SYSTEM FAILURE. *TR

Electrical System
Filed May 1, 2010110,000 milesMI

MY CAR SUDDENLY WOULDN'T START THIS MORNING WHILE TRYING TO GET TO WORK. AFTER RESEARCHING A LITTLE BIT ON THE INTERNET I CAME TO REALIZE THAT THIS HAS TO DO WITH THAT ANNOYING ANTI-THEFT LIGHT THAT IS ALWAYS LIT UP IN THE CORNER. SO I GO BACK OUT TO MY CAR, HOPING THAT THE 10 MINUTE PROCEDURE WILL WORK FOR ME AS WELL. BUT AS I AM SITTING THERE WITH MY CAR IN THE "ON" POSITION MY BATTERY DIES ON ME. SO NOW I AM STUCK HERE WITH A CAR THAT WONT TURN ON, AND NO WAY TO GET TO WORK! I'M NOT SURE IF THIS IS AS WELL RELATED BUT ABOUT 2 MONTHS PRIOR MY POWER STEERING HAD GONE OUT. MECHANICS THOUGHT IT WAS A BAD FUEL PUMP AND HAD TO HAVE THAT FIXED. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Mar 10, 2010109,000 milesVA

2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU TIMING CHAIN FALLING APART DUE TO ROTATING COLLARS ON THE CHAIN WHICH GO BETWEEN GEAR TEETH FALLING OFF. MECHANIC SAID I PROBABLY HAVE 30 - 40 PIECES IN MY OIL PAN. THIS WERE MADE WITH A SLIT INSTEAD OF SOLID WITH JUST A HOLE TO SLIDE A PIN THROUGH FOR ATTACHMENT. GM HAD A RECALL OF THE SATURN WITH THE SAME ENGINE FOR THE SAME PROBLEM BUT GM CLAIMS THAT ALL RECALLS ARE VIN SPECIFIC AND MY CAR DIDN'T FALL UNDER THE RECALL. I'VE READ OF OTHER INCIDENTS WHERE THIS HAS CAUSED BREAKAGE, RESULTING IN ACCIDENTS DUE TO THE ENGINE STOPPING AND BEING DESTROYED. *TR

Tires
Filed Mar 7, 201089,400 milesOR

WE WERE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 84 WESTBOUND AT CASCADE LOCKS WHERE THERE IS CONSTRUCTION. WE HAD A SIDEWATT BLOWOUT ON THE LEFT FRONT TIRE. THE TIRE WAS PURCHASED NEW FROM LES SCWAB TIRES IN PORTLAND OREGON. WE ARE TAKING THE CAR THERE TOMORROW MARCH 8, 2010 FOR THE TIRE TO BE REPLACED. THE INFORMATION OFF OF THE INVOICE IS A FOLLOWS. 205/65R-15 94T TOUREVO ALL SEASONS BLACKWALL. WE HAD THE TIRES REPLACED ON JUNE 9, 2008 JUST PRIOR TO A VACATION. WE DID NOT SEE ANYTHING HIT THE CAR OR THE TIRE, AND THERE DID NOT APPEAR TO BE ANY CUTS ON THE TIRE PRIOR TO THE TRIP. THE TREAD THAT IS LEFT ON THE TIRE IS ABOUT 3/16TH OF AN INCH OR MORE. THE TREAD LOOKS FAIRLY GOOD. *TR

Visibility › Rearview Mirrors/Devices
Filed Mar 3, 201066,000 milesIL

HAD TO REPLACE THE REAR VIEW MIRROR. IT JUST FELL OFF WHILE DRIVING. *TR

Steering
Filed Sep 22, 2009CA

STEERING WHEEL WOULD SHIMMY WHILE IN MOTION, OFTEN ACCOMPANIED BY KNOCKING THAT IS HEARD AND ALSO FELT THROUGH THE STEERINGWHEEL WHILE APPLYING BRAKES, AND WOULD STOP ONLY WHEN THE VEHICLE CAME TO AN NEAR OR COMPLETE STOP. OTHER NOTABLE EVENTS INCLUDE A ROUGH VIBRATION WITH AN AUDIBLE REPETITIVE THUMPING THAT WAS FELT FROM THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL THAT WOULD SLIP ON REGULAR INTERVALS WHILE APPLYING BRAKES. THE FAILURE HAPPENED SUDDENLY WHILE DRIVING MY 2 SPECIAL NEEDS BOYS TO SCHOOL. THE FAILURE STARTED WITH LITTLE WARNING IN FRONT OF THE SCHOOL WHICH IS LOCATED RIGHT OFF THE BOULEVARD. I WAS ABLE TO BRING THE CAR SAFELY TO A STOP DUE TO THE 25MPH SCHOOL ZONE RULE. THE MAXIMUM SPEED LIMIT IS 35 DURING NON SCHOOL HOURS AND 40 MPH FURTHER DOWN THE BOULEVARD. THE POWER STEERING BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STEER WITH IN SECONDS BEFORE THE SERVICE (WRENCH) LIGHT CAME ON. I PARKED MY VEHICLE, AND CALLED MY INSURANCE COMPANY TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED TO AN REPUTABLE CARE REPAIR SHOP BECAUSE THE CAR WASN'T SAFE FOR ME TO DRIVE. AFTER 50 MINUTES THE TOW TRUCK ARRIVED AND WHEN THE DRIVER STARTED MY CAR, THE CAR WAS AGAIN STEER-ABLE AND THE MAINTENANCE LIGHT WAS NO LONGER ON. THE MECHANICS WERE UNSUCCESSFUL IN REPRODUCING THE STEERING MALFUNCTION. SEPTEMBER 9TH, 2009 , THE SAME FAILURE REPEATED ITSELF, SAME LOCATION SAME TIME AS BEFORE, THE MAINTENANCE LIGHT TURNED ON AND THEN UNLIKE THE FIRST EVENT ON SEPTEMBER 8TH, THE RADIO DISPLAYED AN POWERSTEERING FAILURE MESSAGE ON ITS' SCREEN. THE MECH

Electrical SystemFire1 injured
Filed Aug 5, 2009121,000 milesGA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER UNIT IN THE VEHICLE BURNED INTO PIECES. SHE USED THE LIGHTER REGULARLY AND WHEN THE LIGHTER POPPED BACKED OUT TO BE USED, THE ENTIRE UNIT OVERHEATED AND BURNED. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS OR ISSUES WITH THE LIGHTER UNIT. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED SCARRING FROM THE FAILURE. SHE STATED THAT HER VEHICLE MAY BE AT RISK OF CATCHING FIRE OR EXPERIENCING OTHER ELECTRICAL FAILURES. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 121,000.

Electrical System
Filed Apr 9, 2009NC

THE THEFT SYSTEM COMES ON IN MY CAR ABOUT EVERY 3 TIMES I USE IT. WHEN THIS HAPPENS I NEED TO WAIT TEN MINUTES BEFORE STARTING ME CAR. IT CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS AT NIGHT IN MY PARKING DECK. *TR

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NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Full record for the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Classic → · Every Malibu Classic year → · How the figures are calculated →