2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx: headlights failing or too dim

Filed Apr 22, 2015 · Lights · VA

My drivers side headlamp assembly the lightbulb kept on burning out and finally dealership got me a replacement bulb but than the bulb got really hot and burned the orange cover and it melted on the bulb and even got into where the lightbulb goes in. So I ended up buying a whole new headlamp assembly from dealership and replaced it. So I thought it fixed the problem nope here we are in april 2015 and sure enough the bulb is getting to hot and is causing the exact same problem. I've seen several other malibu max and they also have the same issue so when is chevrolet going to recall the malibu max for this specific issue?

Filed Jul 10, 2014 · Brakes, Lights · 70,000 miles · MD

The seat belt do not lock in case of an accident. The drivers seat rocks while you are driving an adjusts by itself you can not keep the seat still. The welding has come apart from the base. The head lights are melting the bulbs for the signal and running light. I just caught that last weekend the lights stopped working when I look at the bulb it was melted which could have started an fire. I am waiting for the letter for the recall on the stern now. This would be the second time for it. I keep my car up to date with everything oil and whatever need to be done I am on top of it. But I have to many safety issue with it right. Seat belt, stern,drivers seat, headlights. Not only that the rotor warps every six months.

Filed Jul 10, 2014 · Brakes, Lights · 70,000 miles · MD

The seat belt do not lock in case of an accident. The drivers seat rocks while you are driving an adjusts by itself you can not keep the seat still. The welding has come apart from the base. The head lights are melting the bulbs for the signal and running light. I just caught that last weekend the lights stopped working when I look at the bulb it was melted which could have started an fire. I am waiting for the letter for the recall on the stern now. This would be the second time for it. I keep my car up to date with everything oil and whatever need to be done I am on top of it. But I have to many safety issue with it right. Seat belt, stern,drivers seat, headlights. Not only that the rotor warps every six months.

Filed Jun 20, 2014 · Electrical, Lights · CA

Drls bulbs on headlights run too hot causing the bulb to burn out constantly and causing assembly to and melt. I have to drive with my headlights on at all times, or my turning signals will not work. I've already had to replace headlight assembly twice.

Filed Jun 6, 2014 · Lights, Steering · 175,000 miles · OH

On three separate occasions over the past year I would hear a loud chime and my power steering would go out in my 2004 malibu maxx, making it very difficult to drive. Each time this has occurred, I would turn the car off and restart it which would resolve the power steering problem. Initially, I took the car to a mechanic who said there were no leaks in the power steering system and it must have been an electronic problem. I chalked it up to old age (for the car) and continued to drive the car with care. My wife has not been able to drive the car since this happened because she could not control the car if the power steering goes out. Recently I heard of a recall on t.v. Regarding my year, make, and model. The recall description fit my experience with this car. I contacted the gm dealer (sweeney chevrolet in boardman ohio) and was told 'there had not been a recall on my car as of yet'. They went on to say that if I wanted it fixed, to bring it in and pay out of pocket. I would later be reimbursed by gm if, in fact, there was an eventual recal. My complaint is that I don't have $500-$1000 for a repair that I may not get reimbursed for. It is obvious that my car should be covered by this recall that was announced nationally on t.v. Is there anything that can be done so that gm can be made to fix this car before it causes an accident? Additionally, I have been brushed off by them regarding the turn signals since this car has been under warranty. I have replaced over 100 bulbs since this car was new. They overheat and melt the surrounding materials. I have already replaced the entire headlamp assembly, to no avail. I now drive this car without a left front turn signal because it will burn out the bulb within a day or two of replacing it. I'm not sure if this has been brought to the attention of gm in the past, but it seems to be a fire hazard.

Filed May 28, 2014 · Lights · 125,000 miles · VA

Front headlamps and turn signal bulbs are having to be replaced around every 6 months. Using bulbs specified by the owner's manual. Plastic orange bulb casing has holes melted on the top and warped.

Filed May 10, 2014 · Lights · 76,241 miles · UT

I have replaced the front turn signal bulbs many time with original part numbers using standard bulbs, they have a problem with over heating and melted the orange turn signal globes inside the head lights to the point that it made holes in the top of the inner globes and its yellowing the inside of my headlight. I have heard many others having problems as well, I also work for a company where we service car, it is very noticeable on the 2004 - 2006 chevy malibu's that come into my shop as well. When the plastic melts it touches the bulb and pops it, now I don't have any way to warn the other drives that I need to make a turn from the front of the car.

Filed Jul 12, 2012 · Brakes, Lights · 80,000 miles · WA

The driver seat on this car has come off the rails on right side causing it to tilt. If the seat is not moved to the lowest setting the tilts with the movement of the car. I had the seat repaired once; it failed again after about 6 months. At the same time I had the emergency brake repaired. When setting the brake, I heard a loud bang. The repair failed about 2 months ago for the second time. I am also going through new brakes on this car at an alarming rate - three brake replacements already and the car has 90,000 miles. The car is again beginning to shimmy/shudder when going down steep hills and the brakes are applied. The car seems not to slow down at all (I.e. Shifting gears) when going down hill other than by the brakes - it feels like a free fall. The signals, headlights, taillights and brake lights also need frequent replacement. I typically have to replace at least one of these at each oil change and have on several occasions needed to make replacements between oil changes. I would estimate the headlights/blinkers have been replaced at least a dozen times. The rear lights have been replaced perhaps ten times. Currently the third brake light is out and cannot be repaired without taking off the interior cover of the car to access the wiring - the bulb is not the problem.

Filed Jul 12, 2011 · Seats · 129,282 miles · NC · crash

While driving our 2004 chevrolet malibu maxx with a 6 position driver seat, I hit a pothole and the driver seat broke loose. This caused the seat to drop down, back and to the right. This resulted in a momentary loss of control causing me to pull the steering wheel to the right and ending up off the road and hitting a small tree. The contact to the tree caused damage to the trim around the headlight and the lens. Inspection found 2 welds on the seat frame had broken. The 1st weld is on the front cross bar and right frame rail. The 2nd weld had broken on the rear cross bar and the frame where the seatbelt receptacle is attached. We called the chevy customer service line and we were told that chevy had not had received complaints about broken welds on the seat frame but would be happy to record our concern. We talked to the dealer and we were informed that this was not covered under warranty. I asked about recalls and tsb's regarding this issue and was informed there had been no recalls or tsb's reported on the seat frame. In fact this was the first time our local dealer had ever seen this type of failure. Repair for the seat alone will be over $1,000 not to mention the other damage caused by running off the road.I called in our area and was told this was a common problem and they could not keep seats in stock. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)

Filed Mar 16, 2011 · Electrical, Lights · LA

Bought 2004 malibu maxx brand new. Switch in AC first to go at just under 10000 miles. 18000 miles brakes and rotors had to replace cost almost $800.00. Headlights burned up replace wiring harness on both another $1000.00. Replaced both head lights could not see through either of them another $385.00 check engine light kept coming on and come to find out there was not a fuse in the emission spot. Replaced that another $400.00 when they found the problem. Leaks in the hatch when it rains or car is being washed. Check engine light on will not reset. Driver seat supports are broken and everyone that I know that has this car has the same problem and no recall has been issued on this, guess when there is an accident and someone really gets hurt then something will be don. It is ashamed that you pay so much for a vehicle and this is what you go through. I am a firm believer in oil changes and general maintenance and no one from the company seems to care about problems that is fault of the manufacturing of this car and it seems that no one wants to replace what is wrong.

Filed Sep 2, 2010 · Electrical, Lights · 91,000 miles · MN

My friend has a 2004 chevy malibu, she asked me to check her front turn signals as they were not working. I noticed the light bulbs were covered by a orange plastic globe. I was amazed to see the plastic globes had burn holes in them and the melting plastic was dripping on the light bulbs and destroying them. I also noticed burn marks on the headlamp lenses on both sides. I removed the plastic globes and put new bulbs in. The globes are way too close to the hot bulbs which are burning the plastic. It is happening on higher mileage malibus that have had time to melt the plastic. I feel this is a design flaw and a possible fire hazard. I checked on the internet and there are hundreds if not thousands of complaints about this same problem. Gm has no bulletins on this matter.

Filed Mar 17, 2010 · Body · 19,235 miles · NY

My 2004 chevrolet malibu maxx leaks from the roof area between the windshield and the sunroof. When we have heavy rain. Such as what we had on saturday 3/13/10, water was leaking from the overhead lights onto the console. It also leaks from under the drivers area. Puddles in the left rear passenger area. It happens in moderate to heavy rain fall.