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.
2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx lights complaints
Page 2 of 2: complaints 11 to 38 of 38, newest first, as owners wrote them.
While driving down the street approaching the corner preparing to stop lost the ability to steer the wheel, could not continue to drive had to stop the car. On saturday may 17,2014 while doing 65 miles on the highway a car lit up on the left corner of the dash and the power steering words appear. I immediately pulled off the highway in fear. Several times while backing out or pulling out of a space the steering wheel tightens. Every month I'm constantly changing light bulbs and the fuses for the interior and the exterior of the car. *tr updated 12/9/2014
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.
Turn signal bulbs are being melted by defective sockets!!! Need replacement.
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.
Right front signal bulb socket and bulb over heating (melting) and resulting in inoperative front turn signal. Repeatedly occurring - having to remove melted plastic and replace bulb. 4 times since first occurrence.
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.
The dashboard lights and tail lights didn't work after only 8,00 miles and then the left turn signal didn't work after only 15,000 miles. There was a relay switch that was replaced at 8,000 miles that cost $125.00 including parts and labor and then at 15,000 miles the left turn signal didn't work and after two days in the shop they "repaired and recrimped terminal at bcm". No parts, just labor $459.80. Both of these jobs were done at chevy dealerships. It turns out that these electrical problems especially the left turn signal problem is very common but it took the dealership two days to fix it.
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.
Experiencing loss of function of front and rear, turn, stop or daytime running lamps (drl). Have replaced or repositioned bulbs on numerous occasions over the years. Recent examination revealed that front turn signal lens is melting on both sides.
Power steering failure. When I start car and making sharp turns, in addition to just driving down the road. Here clicking in the front right end when going up hill. Told by mechanic that it is a prob with the electric power steering system and rack and pinion. Oddly enough there was and 2006 mailbu in at the same time with the same problem mechanic felt it should be a recall issue. Also have issue with the turn signals failing I have replaced many times. I also have a hole that melted on the front right side in the plastic housing.
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu maxx. The left turn signal was inoperative. Upon further inspection, he noticed that the left turn signal amber cover was burned with a hole in it. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified; however, he has not received a response. The failure mileage was 41, 140 and the current mileage was 41,167.
Exterior lamp socket overheated, melted, resulting in loss of turn signal indicators.
The day time running lights/turn signal lights on my 2004 malibu maxx are melting through the amber colored housing and starting to melt the clear housing that covers the entire headlight. I think at some time this might lead to a fire. The problem was just noticed at a routine oil change and may have been melting for a long time before it was realized.
The front drivers side turn signal / park lamp was not working. I removed the headlight assembly to access the turn signal bulb. Before removing the bulb I noticed; a) the old bulb glass was white. B) theouter clear plastic and chrome reflective surface of the head light assembly are discolored, directly above the turn signal bulb, from heat. C) the round amber lens directly around the turn signal bulb was melted at the top and a melted piece of this plastic extended down and was melted to the top of the turn signal bulb. Currently all I have done was to replace the bulb. Note: both front head lamp housings have the same heat discoloration and melting.
2004 chevrolet malibu maxx lt both front parking light / turn signal light housings are melting, both lamps have failed, both lamp sockets are scorched.
First my horn fuse continued to blow. I replaced the fuse multiple times. Then my turn signal light went out. I looked at it and noticed that both sides had holes burnt through the amber globe. I was out of town and didn't want to receive a ticket for non working light so I had it replaced, however within a day the bulb blew again and the horn fuse blew again. I took it to the dealer and they said they had no clue what was causing it however I had to pay over $500 to have the headlight parts replaced on both sides. I have an extended warranty and they denied the claim b/c they don't replace lights, however the fact that the car is burning up I don't think I just wanted new lights. I do not feel I should be out money for a problem that has obviously occurred on other vehicles and now mine. I feel that a car that is actually melting/burning is a major safety concern....but I guess until a few people blow up in there vehicles people will be out money to pay for a faulty automobile. I wish I still had my ford..it never gave me the problems this car has. I started with steering going out, then back hatch never opened, car remote systems doesn't work (and I won't pay to replace that), now the car is blowing fuses, lights, and burning up melting the plastic. I think they should just start replacing the 2004 with something a little more safe....like a ford.
When using the turn signals the dash blinkers operated very fast. Upon checking the turn signal bulbs, both front bulbs were burned out and the amber lens on each had hole in the top of the lens where they had melted. There appears to be flash burns on the outer lens cover. This is a first occurrence at about 68000 miles. The bulbs have been replaced and now operate ok.
For approximately one year, the right front turn light continues to go out. We have replaced the bulb many times. Sometimes it will last a few weeks and sometimes only a few days.
Front blinker lights have melted nickel sized holes in the tops of the amber plastic globes the light bulbs go into. Melted plastic dripped on the light bulbs causing bulbs to fail. Strong melted/burnt plastic odor in the car. Smoke from the melted plastic has discolored headlight assemblies. Have to replace front and back blinker lights at least monthly. Front casings are the only one that caught fire, burned through the orange globish cover through to the outside cover. The lights burning out started within the first year but the fire did not start until 2006. I see more malibu's on the road with only one day time running light working at a time. It has to be a know problem but the dealership denies it every time I've called over the years.
Front blinker lights have melted nickel sized holes in the tops of the amber plastic globes the light bulbs go into. Melted plastic dripped on the light bulbs causing bulbs to fail. Strong melted/burnt plastic odor in the car. Smoke from the melted plastic has discolored headlight assemblies.
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu maxx. The contact stated that the vehicle veers to the right due to steering failure, the interior lights illuminate and dim at random, and the starter on the vehicle was malfunctioning. The failures generally occur while driving 35 MPH. The main failure, however, is that the vehicle fails to start occasionally. When she starts the vehicle, it sounds as if it is attempting to engage, but never does. The vehicle also makes a cranking sound. The vehicle has been to the dealer approximately 8-10 times. The dealer will make a repair, but the failures always continue. The VIN and engine size were unknown. The current mileage was 39,900 and failure mileage was 33,000.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the headlights and interior lights went out. The contact had to hold the headlight switch up all the way to keep the lights illuminated. Later, when the vehicle was parked, the tail lights stayed illuminated once the vehicle was shut off, and the battery had to be disconnected to shut the tail lights off. The vehicle was not seen by a dealer.
Dt*: the contact stated the driver's side headlight assembly melted from the original equipment bulbs. The lamp fogged up and caused poor visibility while driving. The dealership was notified. Updated 10/18/2006 -
Driving to work normally, turn signals worked normally, then tried to signal a turning after 5 more minutes of driving, turn signal system was completely dead (could not signal turn). System stayed dead for 5 minutes. Applied brakes several times to park. When parked, turn signal systems worked ok. Other posters on the www.edmunds.com chevrolet malibu forum have reported same problem.
I have replaced the left front turn signal bulb three times in three months. The filaments are ok but the connecting wire on the bulb is burnt through. It appears that the bulb do not seat properly into the socket and vibration causes the connection to arc. I expect this problem to continue until the socket is replaced by the dealer (assuming I can convince the dealer to do so under warranty).
Left front turn signal/light assembly. I replaced the amber bulb three times in the space of 3 months. The filaments were fine, but the part where the bulb meets the assembly was burned. On may 20th, the entire light assembly was replaced.
I own a 2004 chevy malibu maxx, which has automatic headlights. When the headlights work in automatic mode, everything works fine. Unfortunately the solar sensor that activates them "thinks" the sky is bright when it is very overcast. For the most part not a problem, as you can turn the lights on manually. Un-fortunately, the dash-board lights do not come on when you do this, unless the sensor "thinks" it's dark. To rememdy this, I put something over the sensor, but should not have to, and if I don't, even though I can see in front of my car, I can't see how fast I'm going, tachometer, battery meter readings, etc. When I took the vehicle for service, they replaced the body control module 3 times, told me it was fixed, I went to pick it up, same thing happened. We got into another malibu, and it happened with that car as well. In other words the system is working the way it was designed. Unfortunately, that does not mean it is working correctly. I believe this to be a safety issue as I can not see dash indicators when I need to turn the lights on manually. I also own a 2002 chevrolet avalanche with automatic headlights, and this problem does not exist. I've also owned a 1998 chevrolet malibu with automatic headlights, and this problem did not exist. My friend owns a 2004 gmc yukon with automatic headlights, and it does not exist on that either. It appers to be only with the the 2004 (and possibly above) malibu, and possibly only the malibu maxx. I would appreciate any help that you may be able to provide. Thank you in advance.
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