Page 4 of 23 · complaints 151–200 of 1,148

2004 Chevrolet Malibu 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 →

SteeringCrash
Filed Aug 29, 2015131,000 milesDE

I WAS AT A STOP SIGN, HEADED STRAIGHT, ON A ROAD THAT IS A HILL, AND I WAS HEADED DOWN HILL. THE STEERING WHEEL DIDNT SEEM TO BE TO BE RESPONDING PROPERLY, SO I ATTEMPTED TO MOVE FORWARD SLOWLY AND TRIED TO GET OVER TO THE RIGHT. I WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE CAR AND DRIFTED DOWN THE HILL AND INTO A TREE. THE WHOLE FRONT END , HOOD AND BOTH FENDERS ARE DAMAGED. I AM SURE WE HAD PAOWER STEERING RECALL WORK DONE, THIS IS AWFUL. THE CAR WAS NOT WORTH A WHOLE LOT BUT IT WAS IN PRETTY GOOD CONDITION. WE DIDNT HAVE COLLISION COVERAGE SO NOW I HAVE A REAL TOTAL LOSS.

Electrical System
Filed Aug 21, 2015152,000 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE AND ANTI THEFT LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 152,000.

Electrical System
Filed Aug 18, 201541,000 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT, AN ABNORMAL NOISE EMITTED FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON TRYING TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION, THE KEY HAD TO BE ADJUSTED BACK AND FORTH SEVERAL TIMES IN ORDER FOR IT TO RELEASE FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V153000 (STEERING) AND 14E044000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED NO REMEDY. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,000.

Steering
Filed Aug 10, 2015100,000 milesNJ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS MAKING A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL EMITTED AN ABNORMAL CLICKING SOUND AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME LOOSE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

Unknown or Other
Filed Jul 13, 2015128,124 milesCA

UNDERNEATH THE FRONT SEAT WHERE A SMALL PIPE CONNECTING THE SEAT TO THE RAILS BROKE OFF AT THE WELD. THIS MADE THE DRIVER SEAT TO LEAN TO THE RIGHT AND MOVES FROM SIDE TO SIDE WHILE DRIVING. IT'S VERY UNSTABLE! IT WILL BE A CAUSE OF DEATH OR INJURY SINCE THE SEAT BELT IS PART OF THE SYSTEM. UPON CLOSER LOOK, IT APPEARS THE JOB WAS NOT DONE PROPERLY. POOR WELDING AND POOR WORKMANSHIP IS VERY OBVIOUS UPON INSPECTION. A QUICK SEARCH IN THE INTERNET SHOWS IT'S A COMMON PROBLEM ON CHEVY MALIBU. THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AS IT POSES DANGER TO THE DRIVING PUBLIC.

Seats
Filed Jul 2, 201580,000 milesIL

DRIVER'S SEAT RAIL BROKE. SEAT TILTS TOWARDS CONSOLE, NOT ALLOWING PROPER SEAT POSITIONING AND ROCKS BACK AND FORTH.

Seats
Filed Jul 1, 201560,000 milesIA

FRAME ON DRIVERS SEAT FAILED WHILE ADJUSTING SEAT. SEAT NO LONGER FIRMLY ATTACHED TO FRAME, RISK OF GOING THROUGH WINDSHIELD IN FRONT END CRASH SINCE SEAT NO LONGER ATTACHED.

Power Train
Filed Jun 18, 201568,000 milesCA

WHILE DRIVING MY CAR THROUGH AN INTERSECTION, THE TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY GAVE OUT AND I LOST ALL POWER TO THE ENGINE AND HAD TO SWERVE. HAVING SUDDENLY LOST ALL POWER TO THE ENGINE I MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND NARROWLY AVOIDED A COLLISION. THE CAR IS PERFECTLY MAINTAINED AND THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVES AT THE CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP (BUNNIN CHEVY) CONCLUDED THIS WAS A MANUFACTURER ERROR.

Structure › Body › DoorFire
Filed Jun 18, 2015118,000 milesRI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THERE WAS A BURNING ODOR COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND A DOOR CAUGHT ON FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. IT WAS UNKNOWN WHO EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000.

Power Train
Filed Jun 15, 2015167,000 milesMS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE WENT INTO REVERSE INSTEAD OF NEUTRAL AND THERE WAS A LOUD GRINDING NOISE. THE CONTACT MERGED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, WHERE THE TRANSITION FAILED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ONCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 167,000.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jun 8, 201572,000 milesPA

UPON DRIVING THE VEHICLE IT MADE 3 RINGING NOISES AND THEN ON THE DASHBOARD IT SAID ENG PWR REDUCED. THE CAR THEN WENT FROM 60 TO ABOUT 30 MPH INSTANTLY, I PUSHED MY FOOT ENTIRELY TO THE FLOOR AN THE CAR STILL WOULDN'T SPEED UP. IT HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES AT LEAST 40 IN THE PAST FEW YEARS. NO DEALER CAN PIN POINT WHAT IT IS THAT'S WRONG. SHUT THE CAR OFF AND START IT UP AND ITS FINE AGAIN. OTHER THAN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STILL ON.

Service BrakesCrash
Filed Jun 1, 2015116,000 milesMI

BRAKES FAILED WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING ME TO CRASH INTO ANOTHER CAR.

Steering
Filed May 27, 2015159,672 milesGA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH, THE POWER STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL LINE FRACTURED AND LEAKED FUEL INTO THE MUFFLER. THE FAILURE RECURRED ONCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 159,672.

Electrical System
Filed May 26, 2015162,825 milesCA

WHILE DRIVING I5 NORTH I ADJUSTED MY ELECTRONIC FRONT SEAT FOR MORE COMFORT, AND WHEN I DID I FOUND THE SEAT MOVING CLOSER TO THE DASH BOARD, I COULDN'T STOP IT OR REVERSE IT SO I FRANTICALLY WENT FROM THE FAST LANE TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD ALMOST CRASHING INTO SOMEONE. WHEN I STOPPED I FOUND MYSELF ALMOST TRAPPED BETWEEN THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE SEAT MY LEGS WERE ALMOST JAMMED INTO THE UNDERSIDE OF THE DASH BOARD AND THE ELECTRONIC SEAT NON RESPONSIVE. WHAT I FOUND OUT WAS THAT THE SWITCH HAD COME OFF THE CONTROL KNOBS AND WHEN THAT HAPPENS THE SEAT WENT ALL THE WAY FORWARD AND YOU HAVE NO CONTROL OVER IT. SOMEBODY SHOULD LOOK INTO THIS MATTER. THERE IS NO RECALLS FOR THIS BUT THERE SHOULD BE.

Seats
Filed May 22, 201580,000 milesCT

POWER DRIVERS SEAT FRAME BROKE AT A WELD. THIS OCCURRED WHILE I WAS TRAVELLING AT 65MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. I STARTLED ME AND I SWERVED ALMOST HITTING ANOTHER CAR. I HAVE SEEN MANY PEOPLE COMPLAIN OF THE SEAT FRAME BREAKING IN THE EXACT SAME SPOT AT A WELD. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND BECAUSE THIS CAN BE A SAFETY ISSUE A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED. ALSO - I BELIEVE THE SEATBELT IS CONNECTED TO THE SEAT. DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE SEEN COMPLAINTS FROM MANY PEOPLE OF VARYING SIZES/WEIGHTS. EVEN A SMALLER, 125LB WOMAN HAD THE SAME THING HAPPEN.

Seats
Filed May 17, 2015100 milesMI

REPORTING MULTIPLE ISSUES. INCREASED PROBLEMS AFTER RECALL WORK PERFORMED..ITEMS 2 AND 3. ITEM 1 FROM THE ORIGINAL PURCHASE AND NO GM SOLUTION ON WHAT HAS BEEN A WIDE SPREAD PART QUALITY PROBLEM DOCUMENTED. DRIVERS SIDE SEAT EARLY ON FROM PURCHASE DEALER WELDED BREAK ONCE. BROKE AGAIN DRIVING WITH BROKEN SEAT NOW LEG NERVE BACK PROBLEMS. CONCERN ON SAFETY IF IN ACCIDENT A..NO RECALL WHY NO OPTION TO GET REPLACEMENT PARTS OR SEAT WHY????? WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE POWER STEERING WENT OUT REDUCED ACCELERATION DASHBOARD VARYING LIGHTS RANDOM VARIES OFF AND ON ABLE TO COAST OUT OF TRAFFIC. NO ABILITY TO RESTART. TOWED DEALER INDICATED NEED TO REPLACE GENERATOR AND BATTERY BOTH PERFORMED VEHICLE DRAINS UNABLE TO START JUMP START RUNS FAILS AGAIN LATER - NO SOLUTION PROBLEM STARTED AFTER DEALERSHIP RECALL WORK DONE ON IGNITION SWITCH RELATED TO RECALL WORK???? SITTING IN DRIVEWAY - DO WE TOW BACK TO DEALERSHIP THAT HAD US REPLACE THE GENERATOR AS AN UNNECESSARY EXPENSE??? SELECTOR MALFUNCTION NOT WORKING SERVICED NOW NO ABILITY TO USE LOW GEAR SELECTION PUSH BUTTON. STAYS ON 3 WHY AGAIN RELATED TO RECALL WORK PERFORMED??? SOME SENSATIONS OF SLIPPAGE BETWEEN GEARS AS WELL. WHY?? LIKE THE VEHICLE AND WANT IT TO BE SAFE TO DRIVE AND KEEP IN SERVICE. LOYAL GM FAMILY MEMBER THAT IS CONSIDERING CHANGING MANUFACTURERS. SATURN OWNER - NO LONGER AVAILABLE PONTIAC OWNER GRAND AM NO LONER AVAILABLE PONTIAC VIBE OWNER CHEVROLET BLAZER OWNER CHEVROLET CAMERO. CHEVROLET IMPALA OUR FAMILY LIST GOES O

Unknown or Other
Filed May 15, 201515,968 milesNY

I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, WHEN THE CAR SHUTS OFF. I TURNED THE CAR BACK ON, BUT IF I WENT SLOWER THEN 10 MPH THE CAR WOULD SHUT OFF. I PULLED INTO A LOCAL GROCERY STORE PARKING LOT, AND THE CAR WAS RUNNING HOT. I CHECKED THE OIL AND FOUND THAT THE OIL WAS COMPLETELY EMPTY. I HAD CHANGED THE OIL JUST A WEEK BEFORE AND HAD NO ISSUES WITH THE OIL. THE CAR WOULD NOT START. I HAD TO GET THE CAR TOWED HOME.I CHECKED THE OIL PLUG AND FILTER AND NOTHING SEEMED TO BE OUT OF THE ORDINARY. EVERYTHING WAS TIGHT AND IN PLACE. THE NEXT DAY THE CAR WOULD START, BUT HAD A HORRIBLE KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE MOTOR. HAVING TWO LITTLE BABIES, I HAVE NOT DRIVEN IT SINCE. I DO NOT WANT TO TAKE A CHANCE ON THIS PROBLEM HAPPENING AGAIN, NOR TO ANYONE ELSE.

Steering
Filed May 12, 2015170,000 milesMI

DRIVING GRAND CHILDREN HOME FROM SCHOOL, TURNED IN DRIVEWAY AND CAR MADE LOUD CHATTER AND CLUNK SOUND LIKE SOMETHING WAS COMING APART OR FALLING OUT. WHEN THE NOISE HAPPENED STEERING WHEEL KEPT SPINNING FREELY! RECEIVED A LETTER SAYING THIS EXACT THING MAY HAPPEN WOULD BE FIXED FREE OF CHARGE UNDER 150,000 MILES. CAR IS AT 170,000 THEY WILL NOT REPAIR SAYING EXTENDED WARRANTY ISSUE AND NOT RECALL. MIND BOGGLING HOW THEY CAN BE ALLOWED TO ISSUE RECALL FOR STEERING MOTOR THAT MAY CAUSE VECHILE TO STEER HARDER A SAFETY ISSUE AND WHEN YOUR IN THE PROCESS OF TURNING AND STEERING WHEEL SPINS FREELY ISN'T A SAFETY ISSUE BUT EXTENDED WARRANTY ISSUE. HAD WE BEEN TURNING AS WE WERE A SHORT TIME BEFORE THAT AT A BUSY INTERSECTION WE COULD HAVE BEEN INJURED OR KILLED!! THIS SEEMS COMPLETELY IDIOTIC HOW HARD STEERING THAT COULD HAPPEN SUCH AS LIKE WHEN A CAR DIDN'T HAVE POWER STEERING WAS DECLARED SAFETY ISSUE BUT EXTENDED WARRANTY ISSUE WHEN YOU LOSE THE ABILITY TO STEER AND STEERING WHEEL JUST SPINS. HOW MANY INJURIES OR DEATHS HAVE TO OCCUR BEFORE THEY ARE MADE TO FIX THIS ISSUE. THEY WANT $900 FOR PART ALONE. HOW COULD THEY POSSIBLY PUT A MILE LIMIT OF 150,000 ON SOMETHING THAT CAN CAUSE CRASH CAUSING INJURY OR DEATH!!! THIS DANGEROUS CONDITION NEEDS TO BE MADE PUBLIC AND CORRECTED. BECAUSE MANUFACTURER NEGLECTED TO PUT AN UMBRELLA SEAL A VERY CHEAP PART PEOPLES LIVES ARE AT RISK AND IT IS A COSTLY REPAIR DUE TO NEGLECT ON MANUFACTURERS PART!!

Steering
Filed May 8, 2015157,856 milesVA

I WAS LEAVING OUT OF WALMART TO ENTER ONTO HWY 301 WHEN I ACCELERATED MY STEERING WHEEL HAD TIGHTENED UP LIKE THE CAR WAS GOING TO SHUT DOWN. IT HAPPENED AGAIN ON APRIL 24, 2015 SAME THING. THEY HAD A RECALL ON THE POWER STEERING (RECALL #14116). I HAD IT SERVICED ON 10/27/2014. WHICH I THOUGHT WAS CORRECTED UNTIL THIS HAPPENED. I TOOK MY CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP ON MAY 6, 2015,WHICH WAS STILL THE POWER STEERING, AND I END UP PAYING 525.76, FOR SOMETHING GMC WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE FIXED IN THE RECALL. I SURE I'M NOT THE ONLY WHO IS HAVING THIS PROBLEM. BECAUSE I COULD'VE BEEN HIT NOT ONCE BUT TWICE. *TR

Electrical System
Filed May 6, 201590,000 milesNC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WAS PERMANENTLY STUCK IN THE IGNITION SWITCH AND WOULD NOT EJECT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

Steering
Filed May 4, 2015147,000 milesCT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHEN ACCELERATING, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,000.

Steering
Filed May 4, 2015168,000 milesPA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH AND TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL, THE TIRES FAILED TO TURN. THE FAILURE RECURRED ONCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RACK AND PINION FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 168,000.

Service Brakes
Filed May 1, 201589,000 milesKY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE TIE ROD AND FRONT BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000.

Power Train
Filed Apr 29, 2015VA

2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TRANSMISSION RECALL NOTICE. *SMD THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE *JB

Steering
Filed Apr 27, 2015IN

MY POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON FRIDAY APRIL 24,2015 .AND WHERE I BOUGHT MY CAR SAID I WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR GETTING IT FIXED. SO WHAT DO I DO BECAUSE I NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL PAPER ON IT. BUT WHEN I LOOKED IT UP IT SAYS THEY HAVE BEEN RECALLED BUT NO ONE HAS NOTIFIED ME TO GET THIS CHECKED. *TR

Steering
Filed Apr 27, 2015190,394 milesMI

WHEN TRYING TO TURN LEFT OR RIGHT IT WON'T TURN AND MAKES A POPPING NOISE IN STEERING SHAFT ? UNDER CAR INSPECTION NOTICED THAT STEERING SPLINE OR SHAFT WHERE IT MEETS THE YOKE IT JUST SPINS WHEN TURNING WHEEL! WHEELS WILL NOT TURN. CAN'T DRIVE. THIS CAR IS MY DAUGHTERS AND I'M DOING THE RESEARCH FOR HER. *TR

Seats
Filed Apr 22, 2015134,295 milesWI

I SAT DOWN IN THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE DRIVERS SEAT WAS LEANING. I LOOKED ON LINE TO SEE IF I COULD FIX IT MYSELF. I FOUND A LOT OF COMPLAINTS THAT THE WELDS BREAK AND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES. I CONTACTED CHEVROLET AND THEY TOLD ME I HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE CHECKED BY A CHEVY DEALER. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IN AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE SEAT WELDS DID BREAK. I AM NOT AN OVERLY HEAVY PERSON, SO I THOUGHT THAT EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS OLDER, THAT THIS IS A DESIGN PROBLEM, AND NOT AN AGE OR NEGLECT PROBLEM BY THE OWNER. CHEVROLET TOLD ME THAT SINCE THE CAR WAS TOO OLD, I WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR GETTING IT FIXED. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, AS IF I GET IN AN ACCIDENT WITH THE VEHICLE, THE FACT THAT THE SEAT BELT IS ATTACHED TO THE SEAT, AND THE SEAT IS NOT SECURED, I CAN BE HURT BADLY. IF I WERE THE ONLY PERSON WITH THE PROBLEM, I COULD SEE WHY I SHOULD FIX IT. SINCE THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES, IT APPEARS THAT IT IS A DESIGN FLAW, AND POOR QUALITY WORKMANSHIP FROM CHEVROLET. I HAVE ATTACHED THE WEB SITE THAT I SAW THE COMPLAINTS ON. IT IS: HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/CHEVROLET/MALIBU/2004/ACCESSORIES-INTERIOR/SEATS.SHTML. SOME OF THOSE COMPLAINTS STATE THAT THEY FILED COMPLAINTS WITH YOU. PLEASE CHECK ON THIS AS THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM AND COULD CAUSE LIVES LOST. I WOULD APPRECIATE A REPLY TO TELL ME HOW I GO ABOUT GETTING THIS PROBLEM RESOLVED. THANK YOU *TR

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Apr 10, 2015140,000 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

Unknown or Other
Filed Apr 3, 2015100,000 milesCA

CAR CURRENTLY HAS 3 RECALLS. CALLED LOCAL CHEVY (650-994-2400) AND WAS TOLD 2-3 DAYS TO FIX. WILL NOT PROVIDE LOANER AND I DO NOT HAVE ANY OPTIONS FOR WORK TRANSPORTATION WITHOUT IT FOR 3 DAYS. SO I'M FORCED TO CONTINUE DRIVING IT WITHOUT GETTING THE PARTS FIXED ANYTIME SOON. ALL 3 RECALLS ITEMS CAN BE DONE IN 1 DAY BASED ON APPROXIMATIONS BUT CHEVY CAN'T GUARANTEE IT WILL BE DONE IN 2 DAYS AND THEY REFUSED TO SETUP AN APPOINTMENT TIME TO BRING IN TO SCHEDULE TASKS ACCORDINGLY. GROSS NEGLIGENCE BY GM TO GIVE NO PRIORITY FOR CARS THEY SOLD BUT CUSTOMERS THEY CAN'T PROFIT OFF OF. FILING THIS COMPLAINT INCASE I GET INJURED OR KILLED DUE TO RECALL PARTS AS I WILL WANT THEM TO BE HELD LIABLE. THANKS. *TR

Seats
Filed Apr 2, 2015130,000 milesMN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, AN ABNORMAL NOISE EMITTED FROM THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT MOVED INTERMITTENTLY AND LEANED TO THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME SECTION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. UPDATED 5/29/15*CN THE CONSUMER STATED AN INSPECTION REVEALED TWO WELDS WITHIN THE DRIVER'S SEAT FRAME BROKE AWAY CAUSING THE SEAT TO WOBBLE. UPDATED 06/04/15*JB

Electrical System
Filed Mar 30, 2015LA

2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SWITCH REPLACEMENT RECALL REPAIRS AND SEEKS REIMBURSEMENT. *SMD UPDATED 10/23/2017*JS

Steering
Filed Mar 22, 2015184,017 milesNC

I'VE HAD LOTS OF PROBLEMS WITH THE POWER STEERING GOING OUT ON MY 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. I CALLED GM MANY TIMES ASKING IF THERE WERE ANY TYPE OF RECALLS. THERE WERE NONE. HAD POWER STEERING FIXED AT MY COST. SEVERAL YEARS LATER I RECEIVED RECALLS ABOUT THE POWER STEERING ON MY 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. TWO MONTHS AGO I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO A GM DEALERSHIP TO BE CHECKED. THE POWER STEERING PARTS WERE REPLACED. TODAY I WAS ALMOST IN AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THE POWER STEERING GOING OUT IN MY CAR AGAIN. THIS TIME IT WAS WORSE THAN EVER BEFORE. TODAY THE POWER STEERING NOT ONLY LOCKED UP, BUT THEN THE STEERING WHEEL POPPED BACK IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION WITH FORCE AND A LOUD NOISE. HAD TO HAVE VEHICLE TOWED HOME BECAUSE IT WAS ON A SUNDAY AND NOW GOING TO HAVE TO HAVE IT TOWED BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP ON MONDAY. FOR 4 YEARS I'VE HAD NOTHING BUT TROUBLE WITH MY POWER STEERING. VERY DANGEROUS AND SCARY, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU HAVE GRANDCHILDREN IN THE CAR!!! *TR

Steering
Filed Mar 19, 2015140,000 milesMI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL INDEPENDENTLY TURNED LEFT AND RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING BOX ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES AND THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN AND STEERING BOX NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Steering
Filed Mar 2, 201598,000 milesMI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME STIFF AND POWER STEERING WAS LOST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING) HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

Power Train
Filed Feb 26, 2015NC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V153000 (STEERING) AND 14V224000 (POWERTRAIN) AND STATED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED WERE UNAVAILABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO INFORM WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

Seats
Filed Feb 25, 201550,000 milesMN

WHEN SEAT WAS MOVED, IT BECAME VERY LOOSE AND ROCKS BACK AND FORTH AS WELL AS SIDE TO SIDE. DEALER TECH SAID THERE WAS AN INFERIOR WELD WHICH CONNECTS THE SEAT TO THE BASE AND IT IS BROKEN. TOLD ME IF WE WELD IT BACK TOGETHER IT CANCELS THE WARRANTY ON IT AS WE'RE PUTTING A NEW WELD ON TOP OF AN INFERIOR ONE AND IT MAY NOT HOLD. HAVE NOT DONE ANYTHING TO FIX IT. COST IS TOO MUCH AND NOT GUARANTEED. I HAVE THE SEAT PROPPED UP WITH WOODEN BLOCKS AND IT IS ALWAYS MOVING SO NEEDS CONTINUAL ADJUSTING WHICH IS DIFFICULT TO GET JUST RIGHT. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AS THIS SEAT WILL MOVE IN A SUDDEN STOP OR SHARP TURN. ONLY SEAT BELT WILL HOLD ME AND SEAT IN PLACE. COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY TO ME. I LISTED THE PART ABOVE BUT IT WOULDN'T STAY THERE. I BELIEVE IT IS THE DRIVER SEAT ASSEMBLY. THIS CHANGE IS URGENT - DON'T KNOW WHY GM WON'T FIX IT SINCE IT WAS A MISTAKE IN THE ASSEMBLY PROCESS AND IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE WITH THE SEAT CONSTANTLY MOVING. IT'S LIKE SITTING ON A BALL. *JS

Power Train
Filed Feb 24, 2015WI

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V224000 (POWER TRAIN) HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

Steering
Filed Feb 24, 2015PA

2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER REQUESTS REIMBURSEMENT FOR STEERING COLUMN RECALL NOTICE REPAIRS. *SMD THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT AND RACK AND PINION WERE REPLACED. *JB

Steering
Filed Feb 22, 201521,510 milesMN

STEERING WHEEL APPEARS TO LOCK UP AND POWER STEERING LOST. STEERING COLUMN APPEARS LOOSE. HAPPENS DAILY AND APPROX. TEN TO TWELVE TIMES WEEKLY. OFTEN NOISE RATTLING LIKE IN LOWER OR BASE STEERING SHAFT AREA. SOMETIMES HAPPENS A MINUTE OR TWO AFTER WE START CAR AND VEHICLE MOVES. SOMETIMES AT ABOUT 20-45 MPH IN CITY DRIVING. OTHER TIMES WHEN CAR IS GOING 50-75 MPH IN HIGHWAY DRIVING. IT IS INTERMITTENT AND UNPREDICTABLE. IT SEEMS TO HAPPEN MORE OFTEN ON POT HOLED OR OTHERWISE ROUGH ROADS. OUR ONLY KNOWN STEERING RELATED GM RECALL WAS COMPLETED RECENTLY BY GMC DEALER. HOWEVER, PROBLEMS CONTINUE. *TR

Steering › Rack and Pinion
Filed Feb 18, 201531,000 milesMI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH AND MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,000.

Steering
Filed Feb 14, 2015IN

AFTER I TOOK MY 2004 CHEVY MALIBU IN TO GET FIXED UNDER THE RECALLS, MY CAR KEEPS FLASHING THE MAINTENANCE LIGHT AND ON MY RADIO THE "CHECK POWER STEERING" COMES ON FOLLOWED BY A CHIME. *TR

SteeringCrash
Filed Feb 4, 2015123,000 milesMN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE VEHICLE STARTED MAKING A LOUD NOISE AND THE POWER STEERING SEIZED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A CURB AND A POLE. IT WAS UNKNOWN IF ANY INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED OR IF A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,000.

Steering
Filed Feb 3, 2015180,000 milesOH

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AS THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT AFTER TEN MINUTES OF DRIVING, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS FLASHED AND THE STEERING WHEEL RESUMED TO NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14R044000 (STEERING) BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRICAL POWER SYSTEM MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT DID NOT DISCLOSE IF THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED OR NOT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000. UPDATED 03/30/15*LJ UPDATED 10/21/2015 *JS

Power Train
Filed Feb 3, 2015106,000 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OVER 15 MPH. IN ADDITION, THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND FLICKERED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS A TRANSMISSION FLUID BURNING ODOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BURNING DOOR DID NOT OCCUR UNTIL AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V224000 (POWER TRAIN). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Jan 30, 2015163,629 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11E009000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 163,629.

Electrical System
Filed Jan 29, 2015NC

2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. VEHICLE ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING, WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY. *MW THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. IT WAS DETERMINED THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS FAULTY. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE AND SUBMITTED DOCUMENTATION ALONG WITH THE REIMBURSEMENT CLAIM. THE CONSUMERS REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT WAS DENIED. ACCORDING TO CHRYSLER, HIS CLAIM FOR REIMBURSEMENT WAS NOT VALID, THEREFORE IT WAS NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL. *JB

Steering
Filed Jan 28, 2015123,000 milesWI

I WAS AT A STOP SIGN AND AS I ACCELERATED AND MADE A LEFT TURN THE STEERING WENT OUT COMPLETELY HALF WAY THROUGH MY TURN. THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SPIN FREELY IN EITHER DIRECTION AND IT IN NO WAY ALLOWED ME TO STEER. MY VEHICLE WENT INTO THE DITCH BY THE TIME I STOPPED. I HAD JUST MINUTES BEFORE GOTTEN OFF THE INTERSTATE. HAD SOMEONE BEEN WALKING ALONG THE ROAD THAT DAY I COULD HAVE HIT AND KILLED THEM. THIS FAILURE CAME WITHOUT WARNING. THE STEERING HAD A SMALL AMOUNT OF PLAY BEFORE THE INCIDENT, HOWEVER NO MORE THAN I FELT WAS NORMAL FOR A CAR OF THIS AGE. THE ISSUE WAS FOUND TO BE THAT THE STEERING SHAFT PULLED OUT OF THE RACK AND PINION. I HAVE A PICTURE OF THE PART AFTER THE FAILURE, BUT BEFORE IT WAS REPLACED THAT I CAN SEND IF YOU WISH. IF THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE IT IS VERY DANGEROUS TO THE OWNERS AND THOSE AROUND THEM. *TR

Service BrakesCrash2 injured
Filed Jan 23, 201554,000 milesPA

THE DRIVER WAS TRAVELING ON A TWO LANE ROAD AND CAME TO A CURVE IN THE ROAD AT WHICH TIME SHE REPORTED THAT THE BRAKES WOULD NOT SLOW OR STOP THE CAR AND THE CAR BEGAN TO VEER IN AN UNINTENDED (AND UNSTEERED) DIRECTION. THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT THE CAR'S PATH AND SPEED AND IT WENT OUT OF CONTROL STRIKING FOUR CARS, CROSSING A DIVIDER AND IMPACTING HEAD ON WITH A 4 X 4 TRUCK. THE DRIVER COMMENTED THAT THE "CAR WENT WILD". *TR

Seats
Filed Jan 17, 2015150,000 milesCT

ELECTRIC POWER SEATS FRAME BROKE. SEATS WON'T ADJUST, AND LEANS TO THE SIDE. *TR

Power TrainCrash
Filed Jan 16, 2015154,000 milesIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT GEARS FAILED TO SHIFT PROPERLY AND THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, HE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AS THE GEAR SLIPPED FROM DRIVE AND UPON TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT, THE VEHICLE WENT TO THE LEFT AND CRASHED INTO A BARRIER. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V224000 (POWER TRAIN) HOWEVER, THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 154,000.

Reading these

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.

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