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2004 Chevrolet Malibu Classic Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 116 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Classic, most often about the electrical (51% of complaints, typically around 100,000 miles). It is the most complained-about Malibu Classic model year since 2000 and has 1 recall.
Most common 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Classic problems
Electrical
59 complaints · 51%Half of these problems showed up before 100,000 miles. Parts named most often: ignition.
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…
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…
Steering
24 complaints · 21%Half of these problems showed up before 80,000 miles. Parts named most often: hydraulic power assist system.
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…
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…
Lights
11 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 90,000 miles. Parts named most often: hazard flashing warning lights, turn signal.
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Classic. The contact stated that the turn signal failed to operate at times or would operate intermittently do to a defective hazard switch. The contact replaced the hazard switch and the defect was remedied. The contact also indicated that while driving exhaust fumes were…
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…
Engine
9 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 90,500 miles.
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.
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…
Other or unspecified
8 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 114,000 miles.
The theft system light has been an issue with this car for some time. The theft system light comes on and stays on by itself as well the systems makes the horn honk when opening or closing the car door. The theft system has made it so that I cannot start my car & this has been an on going problem with my car.
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…
Transmission
5 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 120,000 miles.
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.
I turn my car on drive go to get out the key won't come out sometimes it does and most time is doesn't. I try turn the car back on putting the car in drive then park and turning the key to off position and the car still doesn't go into the park position so the key doesn't go into off position to take key out. The car…
Air bags
4 complaints · 3%The contact owned a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Classic. The contact stated that the driver lost control of the vehicle, drove down an embankment, and crashed into a creek. During the crash, the front end of the vehicle sustained significant damage. The air bags did not deploy and no injuries were reported. The vehicle was…
Fuel system
4 complaints · 3%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
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Classic. While driving 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled when the fuel pump exploded without warning. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who confirmed that the fuel pump exploded. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2004 Chevrolet Malibu Classic recalls
Electrical: ignition
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Loss of electric power steering
Summary
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 relativel
Questions about the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Classic
- What are the most common problems with the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Classic?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (59 complaints, typically around 100,000 miles); steering (24 complaints, typically around 80,000 miles); lights (11 complaints, typically around 90,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Classic have?
- 1 recall listed by NHTSA, the latest from July 3, 2014 (electrical). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2004 a bad year for the Chevrolet Malibu Classic?
- It is the most complained-about Malibu Classic model year since 2000, with 116 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.
Other Chevrolet Malibu Classic years
- 2004
- 2005