Model year record

2004 Chevrolet Malibu Classic recalls & problems

The 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Classic has 1 safety recall and 116 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (62 complaints).

Recalls1safety recalls

Complaints116filed by owners

Crashes · fires8 · 2reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths13 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Electrical systemJul 3, 2014

Ignition

Recall 14V4000005,877,718 vehicles

Problem: This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on July 3, 2014, that they are recalling 5,877,718 model year 2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala and Monte Carlo, 1997-2003 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2005 Malibu Classic, 1999-2004 Oldsmobile Alero, 1998-2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1999-2005 Pontiac Grand Am and 2004-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.
Risk: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 9, 2014. GM's number for this recall is 14350.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Electrical systemIgnition › Anti-theft › Control module; Ignition › Switch	62	1	2	3	100,000 mi
SteeringHydraulic power assist system	24	1	0	0	80,000 mi
Exterior lightingTurn signal; Hazard flashing warning lights › Switch	12	0	0	0	90,000 mi
Unknown or other	8	2	0	5	113,788 mi
Engine	6	0	0	0	91,000 mi
Power train	5	0	0	0	120,000 mi
Air bags	4	4	0	5	—
Fuel/propulsion system	4	1	1	2	105,000 mi
VisibilityPower window devices and controls; Rearview mirrors/devices	3	0	0	0	66,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling	3	0	0	0	89,564 mi
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components › Disc	2	1	0	1	—
EquipmentAppliance › Air conditioner	2	0	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Engine
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Classic. The contact stated that while stopped at a red light, the vehicle lost motive power and abnormal noises were heard coming from the dashboard. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle when the door locks began to lock and unlock inadvertently. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and drove the vehicle to a locksmith. The locksmith informed the contact that there was no failure with the ignition switch. The dealer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that they could not repair the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was…
Sep 15, 2021 · 91,000 miles
Unknown or otherCrash2 injuries
I WAS DRIVING MY 2004 MALIBU CLASSIC , WHEN ALL THE VEHICLE , TURNED OFF ,CAUSING ME TO HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME AND THAT VEHICLE HITTING ANOTHER CAR , THERE WHERE 3 VEHICLE INVOLVED WITH INJURY'S, MY VEHICLE WAS TOLLED AND WAS SENT TO A TOW YARD , AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT I WAS WORKING AS A MAINTENANCE WORKER AND WOULD CARRY MY WORK KEYS WITH MY VEHICLE KEYS , NEVER WOULD HAVE THOUGHT IT WOULD HAVE TURNED THE IGNITION
Jan 14, 2012 · 86,509 miles
Electrical system
WELL MY IGNITION SWITCH WENT OUT I REPLACE THAT.NOW IT'S SHORTAGES IN WIRING AND LIGHTS HEAT ON AN OFF SOMETIMES SHOCKS
Jan 19, 2021 · 175,000 miles
Unknown or otherCrash3 injuries
ON 01/14/2012 I WAS DRIVING A 2004 MALIBU CLASSIC IN WHICH I ENDED UP IN A CRASH INVOLVING 3 VEHICLES, I WAS DRIVING ON A STREET ABOUT 30 MILES PER HOUR WHEN MY MALIBU HAD SUDDENLY TURNED OFF WITHOUT POWER STEERING AND BREAKS I HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME, THEN THAT CAR HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF HIM, MY 2004 MALIBU WAS TOTALED, THE INSURANCE COMPANY, WAS A TOTAL LOSS, AT THE TIME I WAS TICKETED FOR FOLLOWING TOO CLOSELY, HOWEVER I KNEW THAT THIS MALIBU HAD LOSS POWER CAUSING THE ACCIDENT
Jan 14, 2012 · 124,356 miles
Electrical system
THE ANTI THEFT GAS CUT OFF FEATURE HAS RENDERED MY VEHICLE UNABLE TO START. I HAVE TRIED MANY METHODS BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. IT STARTS WHEN IT WANTS TOO, BUT NOT WHEN I DO. *TR
Jun 3, 2020 · 117,000 miles
Power train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE STEERING WHEEL INDEPENDENTLY TURNED TO THE LEFT WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND BACK ON BUT FAILED TO FIX THE ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE RACK AND PINION DETACHED FROM THE SUBFRAME AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONLY THE BUSHING WAS REPLACED AND NOT THE RACK AND PINION. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED ON ANOTHER OCCASION THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT TO REVERSE OR GO INTO FORWARD GEAR WHILE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT…
Apr 3, 2019 · 157,000 miles
Unknown or other
MY THEFT LIGHT CAME ON A MONTH AFTER THE IGNITION WAS REPAIRED DUE TO RECALL. IT IS ALWAYS ON NOW. I HAVE REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP, SPARK PLUGS, AND TIMING CHAIN. MY CAR STILL WONT START AFTER ALL OF THAT AND THE THEFT LIGHT IS STILL ON. I HAVE BEEN WITHOUT A CAR FOR 2 MONTHS NOW DUE TO IT NOT STARTING. IT WILL ROLL OVER BUT NOTHING MORE HAPPENS.WHEN ALL OF THIS HAPPENED IT WAS STATIONARY AND IT WAS PARKED IN A PARKING LOT WHERE I WORK.
Nov 10, 2019 · 183,000 miles
Unknown or other
THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS. I HAD THE CIRCUIT BOARDS CHANGED AND ALL FUSES CHECKED AND CHANGED AND I STILL DON'T HAD BRAKE LIGHTS. THERE IS A RECALL LISTED CONCERNING THIS ISSUE IT IS RECALL NUMBER 13036. I HAVE RESEARCHED IS SITUATION AND FOUND OUT THAT THE CHEVY MALIBU MODELS FROM 1997 TO 2012 ALL SEEM TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILING TO OPERATE. SO WHEN A RECALL BE ISSUED OR DO PEOPLE HAVE TO CONTINUE TAKING CHANCES THAT WHILE THEY ARE DRIVING THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS MAY OR MAY NOT BE WORKING. I WAS DRIVING WHEN SOMEONE INFORMED ME THAT MY REAR BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING THANKFULLY I ARRIVED HOME, PARKED MY CAR AND HAVE NOT DRIVEN IT SINCE. I DISCUSSED…
Nov 2, 2019 · 69,000 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

LOSS OF ELECTRIC POWER STEERINGClosed
IN PERFORMING THIS ENGINEERING ANALYSIS, ODI DETERMINED THAT THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING SYSTEM IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES CAN MALFUNCTION OR FAIL, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE POWER STEERING ASSISTANCE; HOWEVER, DUE TO THE FOLLOWING REASONS, ODI HAS DECIDED THAT FURTHER EXPENDITURE OF AGENCY RESOURCES ON THIS INVESTIGATION IS NOT WARRANTED AT THIS TIME: - GM ISSUED CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN (CSC) 04050A INDECEMBER 2004 TO ADDRESS THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN APPROXIMATELY58,700 SUBJECT VEHICLES, ENCOMPASSING AT LEAST 97 PERCENT OF THECOMPLAINT AND WARRANTY CLAIMS POPULATION.VEHICLES OUTSIDE THECSC 04050A POPULATION CONTAIN A NEWLY DESIGNED TORQUE ANDPOSITION SENSOR AND HAVE EXPERIENCED A RELATIVELY LOW COMPLAINTRATE.THIS CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN PRESENTLY HAS ACOMPLETION RATE OF 52%. - THE IMPACT ON THE DRIVER?S ABILITY TO CONTROL THESE RELATIVELYSMALL AND LIGHT VEHICLES WAS…
EA04018 · opened Jul 1, 2004 · closed May 10, 2005