2004 Chevrolet Malibu: engine overheating

Filed Jan 20, 2021 · Lights, Steering · 5 miles · IL

First, the car routinely burns out turn signals, and overheats the turn signal to the point that it melts the housing thta the light bulb snaps into. I have had to replace the headlight housing/lamp wirings harness multiple times along with many light bulbs. Second, there is a recall for the electronic power steering. My particular VIN was recalled for an electronic power steering sensor. The power steering has gone out on me while driving twice, so I brought it to the dealer. They indicated the electronic power steering motor needs to be replaced,and is not covered under and recalls. There appears tobe numerous recalls on gm vehicles related to the electronic power steering, and replacing motors for that matter, but the dealer has indicated there is no such recall related to my particular vehicle/VIN. This seems rather suspect with the number of recalls related to these vehicles, and for me to have the steering go out, but my particular vehicle does not qualify. I was driving on a city street when it went out once. I made it home safely, albeit very hard to turn the wheel, and then the power steering worked after turning off the vehicle and back on again. It went out again in the parking lot of the car dealer when dropping it off the be looked at.

Filed Sep 30, 2014 · Lights · 34,000 miles · WA

Front turn signals have been constantly overheating for the life of the car. Has 113000 miles on it now and have had to replace turn signal bulbs constantly. Also had to replace left front turn signal socket because of severe overheating.

Filed Jul 21, 2014 · Lights · 168,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that the headlight bulbs constantly overheated and need to be replaced. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician was unable to diagnose the failure. However, the headlight covers were replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 200 and the current mileage was 168,000. Updated 08/19/14

Filed Jul 2, 2014 · Acceleration, Engine · 80,000 miles · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu. While driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle stalled and the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The dealer stated that the fuel relay switch overheated and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact also indicated that the brake lights failed and were replaced multiple times. In addition, the headlights would not illuminate bright enough to see in front of the vehicle while driving at night. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that the headlight assembly needed to be replaced. While activating the cruise control at any speed, the vehicle would suddenly accelerate on its own. The failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer stated that the vehicle was excluded from the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v252000 (electrical system, electronic stability control, exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic, vehicle speed control). The failure mileage was 80,000.

Filed Jun 15, 2014 · Steering · 80,555 miles · RI

As I turned onto an exit ramp my power steering went and the engine light came on and chime sounded. No warning, just no power. There seems to be a recall, but I never received any information. This vehicle also has a problem with headlights and directional lights blowing out constantly. The most recent directional light blew out, I replaced it, and within minutes blew out again. It seems they are overheating and melting the plastic cover.

Filed Mar 11, 2013 · Electrical, Steering · 100,000 miles · IL

Driving down the road when the radio panel started blinking with power steering. I then lost my power steering and my car began to shake this failure occurs without any warning and sometimes the power steering light will illuminate and it will show in the radio panel. As a woman, driving without power steering was extremely difficult. This is not the first time this happened to me it has happened several times and thankfully I was able to avoid an accident. I took the car to the dealer, and after running diagnostics, they told me that the 2004 malibu's have electronic power steering, and that there is an issue with the power steering motor and that it overheats, causing loss of power steering. The car seat belts are froze and the hazard light button fell inside its hole and the headlight covers don't allow the lights to fully illuminate . This car should have been recalled because it poses life threatening issues. My research shows a high volume of complaints on this 2004 model but the 2005's and above were recalled, I also collected statements from factory workers who left their personal info on the internet and I found this : during my employment contract with delphi automotive (delphi saginaw steering system, 3900 e. Holland ave., saginaw, michigan 48601), I was instructed to conduct a screw "strip-out" study on the electric motor/controller assembly of the electric power steering (eps) system of the general motor's epsilon platform (my 2003.5 - 2006 malibu). This study was conducted in may of 2004 at delphi's plant 1, assembly. The study included ten production motor and ten production controller assemblies that were assembled on the production equipment and process(es). The controller is attached to motor by three m 5.0x 0.8 screws. The result of that study concluded that four of the ten motor/controller assemblies had at least one of the screws fully strip

Filed Aug 28, 2010 · Electrical · 44,500 miles · IL

2004 chevrolet malibu ls, the left turn, parking, & drl bulb overheated and caused a fire that melted the amber plastic lens inside if the headlight assy causing it to scorch the inside of the headlight assy around the amber part. The right side had previously just melted the top of the amber lens. These were the original headlight assys with 3157 bulbs that caused the problem. The daytime running lights are very bright all the time. The bulb caused a fire that went out by itself that is the safety problem. Bought certified replacement headlight assys.

Filed Jun 3, 2010 · Lights · 77,083 miles · MI

Purchased a used 2004 chevrolet malibu in april 2009 at a saturn dealer. A month after the purchase the front left turn signal stopped working. I replaced the bulb with the part number identified in the owners manual. A few weeks later it stopped working. I continued to remove and/or replace the light bulb until it worked for a few days or weeks. After several times of replacing the bulb I took the car to the saturn dealer in august 2009. They supposedly replaced the entire head light assembly which cost several hundred dollars. The issue seemed to have been resolved until june 1 2010 when the light bulb stopped working. After investigation I noticed the left turn light bulb was mostly white in color and the turn signal amber colored lens was melted with a hole in it. It seems that during the summer months when it is hot the lamp is overheating. My left turn signal light is currently not working. The saturn dealer went out of business and closed. After research I found this is a common problem with the 2004 malibu (url below). Please investigate to see if a recall exists for this problem and if this can be permanently fixed by a chevrolet dealer. Http://www.arfc.org/complaints/2004/chevrolet/malibu/?q=turn+signal.

Filed Jan 28, 2010 · Steering · 102,000 miles · FL

I was driving down the road when the radio panel started blinking with power steering. I then lost my power steering and my car began to shake. As a woman, driving without power steering was extremely difficult. I was able to make it to a parking lot (barely), and safely park the car. This is the first time this happened to me, and thankfully I was able to avoid an accident. I took the car to the dealer, and after running diagnostics, they told me that the 2004 malibu's have electronic power steering, and that there is an issue with the power steering motor and that it overheats, causing loss of power steering.

Filed Jul 31, 2008 · Lights · 50,000 miles · 00

Left and right front turn signals/daytime running lights are overheating and causing the yellow plastic lens surrounding the bulb to overheat and melt. The melting plastic is dripping down onto the hot bulb were is it burning. Although I have not seen it smoke or flame the damage and cause is obvious. This is a major fire hazard yet when I contacted gm they refused to do anything about it. Citing the age and mileage on the vehicle. It is a 2004 with 55,000 miles on it. I have checked out many other malibu's and the problem is occurring on the majority of them. With molten plastic dripping down onto a hot bulb or its metal base it is only a matter of time until a fire occurs. I have the same problem on both sides. This is a design issue that needs to be corrected.

Filed Oct 22, 2007 · Electrical, Lights · 95,000 miles · OH

I have had several issues with my steering column that hopefully now have been repaired. My most recent problem is related to the headlights. The front marker lights have burned through the plastic casing. It has overheated my bulb resulting in turn signal going out. In the process of repairing.

Filed Dec 6, 2006 · Engine · 45,500 miles · GA

Coolant low indicator came on dash board. Took car to dealership was advised coolant leaking on gasket. Parts were replaced, engine light then came on next day took car back was advised needed to order part for catalytic converter. Parts still haven't came in and engine light still on. Was told the malibu has a complex exhaust system.