2004 Chevrolet Malibu: engine knocking or ticking

Filed Dec 19, 2018 · Airbags, Electrical · 160,000 miles · AL

Takata recall. My radio started displaying a service air bag message and my horn stopped working. The wiring in the car has stopped working. I began to replace lightbulbs thinking they were blown but just will not work. Heard this car was recalled for these exact problems I am having but for some reason my car has no recalls. My steering wheel makes a knocking noise when turning very sharp. Sounds like a piece is broken knocking around

Filed May 15, 2015 · 15,968 miles · NY

I was stopped at a red light, when the car shuts off. I turned the car back on, but if I went slower then 10 MPH the car would shut off. I pulled into a local grocery store parking lot, and the car was running hot. I checked the oil and found that the oil was completely empty. I had changed the oil just a week before and had no issues with the oil. The car would not start. I had to get the car towed home.I checked the oil plug and filter and nothing seemed to be out of the ordinary. Everything was tight and in place. The next day the car would start, but had a horrible knocking noise coming from the motor. Having two little babies, I have not driven it since. I do not want to take a chance on this problem happening again, nor to anyone else.

Filed Jun 13, 2013 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 129,662 miles · MI

While pulling out of a business parking lot with my mother in the vehicle, I turned the steering wheel to back out and it wouldn't turn at first. I cut the car off and restarted it once again, this tie the steering wheel turned for about half a turn and the just kept on turning with a knock every full rotation. The wheels were not moving at all.no matter how many times I restarted the car it never worked. So I was forced to block half of the parking lot until my car was flat-bedded back to my house. Previous to this incident I had experienced the wheel stiffen up at low speeds but it always went right away, I have seen countless people online posting stories about this happening to them, and I was just driving on the freeway minutes earlier and this could've happened then and been a tragedy, why has this not been recalled?????

Filed May 16, 2011 · Fuel system · 114,484 miles · SC

My 2004 malibu has given me problems since I first purchased it. My check engine light has always been on. If I stopped and start the car 4 or 5 times a day it would not start right away. The car has been in the shop a few times. The dealership could never found out why it was on. Recently, I've been having this knocking sound when I turn the wheel, my fuel gauge stopped working. Took it to the shop, I was told that I needed a fuel reader which came with the fuel pump. The fuel pump was good. As long as I know how much gas I have in the car I'm good. A month later the car starts but doesn't stay on. I had the car towed to the shop. It took them 24 hours to tell me that I needed to replace the fuel pump. $997.00. This is after the computers had been going down all day. Thinking about getting a new car. Online looking at a hyundai. Checked to see if they had any recalls. Decided to check my malibu and see if it ever had a recall. Yes, just recently on the fuel pump. I wonder if my fuel pump was part of the recall. I want my money back.

Filed Apr 25, 2011 · Acceleration, Brakes · 100,000 miles · IN

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that the steering column would become loose while driving at any speed and the wheel would sporadically shake when driving over 50 MPH. In addition the power steering warning light was illuminated when the failure would occur. The contact stated the failure was the second occurrence and the steering column was replaced in 2007. The vehicle was not inspected or repaired for the recent failure. The failure mileage was 100,000 and the current mileage was 115,000. The consumer stated the vehicle made a clunking, knocking and rattling sound when driven at a low grade speed and when the steering wheel was turned. The vehicle also shook violently. The driver seat didn't to stay on track and was difficult to adjust forward and backward. The horn and cruise control were inoperative. The brake and accelerator pedals no longer adjusted. The safety locks did not latch at times when the button was pushed and the gas cap continued to open after it was locked causing the engine light to illuminate. Updated 02/01/12

Filed Jun 9, 2006 · Steering · 59,650 miles · OH

Dt*: the contact stated while attempting to make either a left or right turn there is a knocking noise present in the steering of the vehicle. While driving at any speed the vehicle pulls to left. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on 3 occasions and the manufacturer has been alerted however there is no fix for these problems.

Filed May 30, 2006 · Steering · 15,204 miles · NY

Dt*: the contact stated while driving at various speeds the steering light illuminated. After inspection the dealership replaced the computer chip in the electronic steering system. Afterwards there was a knocking sound while turning. Although the dealer replaced the steering shaft the knocking continued. The vehicle was returned to the dealer where the steering rack and pinion is being replaced.

Filed Mar 27, 2006 · Suspension · FL

2004 malibu makes a constant knocking and popping sound in the front end. *ts the manufacturer is aware of the problem but hasn't identified the cause of the problem.

Filed Dec 13, 2005 · Steering · 6,000 miles · CA

I bought the car brand new in 2003. Have had to take it into the dealership on three separate occasions. And it's happening again so this next time will be the fourth. Problem occurs every 6k or so. Play in the intermediate steering assembly begins to occur. First indication is a knocking noise heard while turning. I have taken it to three different dealers and they still can not correct the problem. It is just going to get frustrating over the life of the vehicle to constantly have to have it repaired. Very concerned with the safety of the vehicle. Also, if I tried to sell it, this problem could seriously affect the value of the vehicle.

Filed Nov 5, 2004 · Steering · 22,000 miles · PA

While driving on highway at 50 MPH steering jerked from side to side, nearly losing control. When on regular street problem was not so noticeable. Also, heard continuous knocking noises when making turns. Have taken vehicle to dealer, and mechanic replaced steering column. It worked for awhile but got worse in september. Took vehicle back to dealer, and mechanic replaced the rack and pinion. It partially resolved problem, but knocking continued. Took vehicle back, and mechanic replaced the steering shaft. Knocking noise was not resolved.*ak ea04018_cat

Filed Sep 28, 2004 · Steering, Suspension · 40 miles · MI

A knocking/clicking noise came from the steering wheel/column when turning. Vehicle had been to the dealer, and dealer replaced steering shaft , but problem recurred. *ak *tc ea04018_cat deleted ea04018 annotation - have not validated this is second power steering loss incident cat

Filed Sep 13, 2004 · Steering · 5,720 miles · NC

Our 2004 chevrolet malibu lt (v6, loaded with all options except for onstar) has between 5500 and 6000 miles on it now. Recently, my wife reported an issue with the steering wheel brating "nervously" while idling in line to drop my daughter off to school. This vibration / movement did not actually move the wheels, and she returned home safely.the problem was intermittent, but one morning as she prepared to leave, she noticed the vibration problem again, and wishing to show it to me, called me to the garage. I witnessed the palsy-like movement of the steering wheel and again noted that the tires didn't move with the wheel. After this occurred, I returned to the house (making a note to myself for our next visit to the dealership's service department). Less than five minutes later, I heard a knock at the door, which turned out to be my 8 year old daughter (who had gone with my wife). She told me that the steering had "broken" and that my wife was trying to maneuver the car back to the house. I went out to the end of the drive, to find my wife attempting to fight to get the car back onto our street. I stopped her, took over the car, turned off the ignition, then restarted the car. This restored the power steering, at which point I parked the car in the garage, and the wife took our other vehicle. I had already read of this issue on several bulletin boards around the web, and my car is a relatively early 2004 build malibu. However, there has as yet been no official recall from chevrolet, and as I see that there is an ongoing investigation by the federal safety agency into this issue, I felt I should report yet another instance of the same problem as was experienced by the other 8 drivers mentioned by the investigation. I consider the twitching steering wheel to be a single failure, and combined with the actual loss of power assist once so far, have indicated 2 failures. My car is currently scheduled to be looked at by the local dealership later today.*ak ea04018_cat