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 approximately 91,000.
The worst 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Classic problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Electrical59
- Steering24
- Lights11
- Engine9
- Transmission5
- Airbags4
- Fuel system4
- Brakes3
- Visibility3
- Body1
- Driver assistance1
- Locks1
- Seat belts1
- Seats1
- Suspension1
- Tires1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Classic
Recalls 1
Electrical system: ignition
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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 number 14V400000 · Recall details
See all 1 recalls for the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Classic
Defect investigations
Loss of electric power steering
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 limited.vrtc test engineers wereunable to induce a failure mode that would cause the eps tosubstantially limit the driver?s ability to turn the vehicle in aparticular direction or to provide the driver with unintendedpower assistance.- there is no risk of fire.accordingly, this investigation is closed.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that a safety-related defect does not exist.the agency will continue to monitor complaints and other information relating to the alleged defect in the subject vehicles and take further action in the future if warranted by the circumstances.(for further details see attached engineering analysis (ea04-018)closing report.)
EA04018
Technical service bulletins for the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Classic 92
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.
- Unknown or other
- Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles
- GM is receiving damaged (cracked or broken) transmission cores returned to the reman facilities
- This service bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves...
- This bulletin provides information for use on a Product Assistance Claim (PAC), which is formerly known as...
- This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Service Programming System (SPS)...
- This Warranty Administration bulletin provides retail and wholesale service personnel with the...
- This bulletin provides information for electrical ground repairs using new General Motors replacement...
- This technical bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake...
What 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Classic owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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
Well my ignition switch went out I replace that.now it's shortages in wiring and lights heat on an off sometimes shocks
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
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.
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 mechanic and was diagnosed that the shift cable was fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 157,000.
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.
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 the situation with my mechanic and he advised me about the failed rear brake assembly of the chevy malibu and to contact the dealership. I spoke with a representative who basically told me there was nothing I could do that I could had it serviced pay out of pocket and if and when a recall for the brake system is issued I could be reimbursed. Because of this huge issue I can't and don't feel safe driving. Therefore, it is an extra cost on me to take public transportation to travel and I'm on a fixed income so who is going to reimburse me for my inconvenience.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu classic. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The contact had to leave the key in the "on" position for approximately ten minutes before attempting to start the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure occurred twice and the theft warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 190,000.
My theft system warning light keeps coming on. When I turn the key off and try to restart the car it will not start back. I have to turn it to the on position and wait until the theft light quits flashing which is usually 10 minutes and then restart the car. I was told by a chevrolet dealership mechanic that the problem was the ignition cylinder which cost around $180. Why is there not a recall for this.
Compare the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Classic
Other model years
Questions about the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Classic
Is the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Classic reliable?
Owners have filed 116 complaints about the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Classic, 7.3 times a typical Malibu Classic model year. It is one of the years we flag to avoid.
What is the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Classic year score?
The 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Classic scores 5 out of 100 (poor). The score compares it with the other model years of the Chevrolet Malibu Classic: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Classic?
Electrical system, with 59 complaints, typically around 100,000 miles. Next is steering (24).
How many recalls does the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Classic have?
1 recall, covering electrical system.
Was there a recall on the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Classic electrical?
Yes, 1 recall: 14V400000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Chevrolet Malibu Classic have the most electrical problems?
The Chevrolet Malibu Classic model years with the most electrical complaints are 2004 (59 complaints), 2005 (41 complaints) and 2001 (12 complaints).
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Classic?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history