2004 Chevrolet Malibu: won't start

Filed Oct 15, 2021 · Electrical, Lights · TX

I was driving to work with my son and sister in the car when the steering wheel suddenly got very tight and started jerking when I attempted to make a left or right turn. I then stopped at a gas station and as soon as I came to a complete stop the vehicle shut off before I could turn it off manually. I then attempted to turn the key on and start the vehicle but it would not turn over, it would only make a clicking sound. I called a friend that was close by to come and assist me so when they arrived I asked them to jump my vehicle off via jumper cables which did get my vehicle's engine to finally start. The car sounded very weak as if it was going to shut off again once we disconnected the jumper cables but it didn't shut off. Nothing was working inside the car or outside meaning I had no radio, no interior lights and nothing on my dash was working. The speedometer wasn't working, the rims Guage wasn't working, the temp Guage wasn't working nor was anything else working on my dash. The turn signals were not working for either side and none of my headlights or taillights were working either. And I still did not safely have control of the steering. The only warning lamp, which didn't appear until my friend jumped my car off, was what looked like a symbol of a vehicle with a symbol of a locked lock in front of it. This failure just happened so I have not taken the car to a certified mechanic to inspect it but the car is available for inspection at any time. I can not afford to put my car in the shop, I work part time at a restaurant in my town and I'm also disabled and I also care for my 8 year old son who is severely autistic so I have no extra money to fix these problems. Please I need help.

Filed Jan 11, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · 143,000 miles · MI

After starting engine, engine will turn off and radio display screen will read 'engine power reduced.' engine will not start for several minutes, but the lights, radio, dash lights and everything will still work. This has happened in my driveway. The first time this ever happened I was on a busy main road at a stop light in the left turn lane. The car shuddered and the engine lost power. Again, the display screen displayed the same message. The car was rolling backwards and would not accelerate. After several attempts the engine did start again. Thankfully it was 6:00 am and I was on my way to work so there was very light traffic.

Filed Dec 17, 2018 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · 120,000 miles · FL

When driving my steering wheel would become hard to turn as if I don't have any power steering fluid while driving the car... And the odometer will stop working and then go up and down my drive control lights will stop working and below where the odometer is the numbers will turn into saying error then my car will not crank please help me with this problem

Filed Dec 3, 2015 · 261,000 miles · TN

The car was running fine gradually ran out of power and would not start I was left in the middle of a busy street with no power and not moving. The car would not start it was pulled home.

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 Oct 2, 2014 · Electrical · 120,000 miles · NC

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that the vehicle would not start properly on multiple occasions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the ignition switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact received a recall notice for the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v400000 (electrical system) and stated that the parts were unavailable. The dealer was uncertain when the parts would become available. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.

Filed Jun 17, 2014 · Electrical · NC

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated the engine would not turn over when turning the key in the ignition. The anti-theft protection light illuminated on the instrument panel after the key was placed in the ignition. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technician was unable to find a failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown and the current mileage was 117,000.

Filed Apr 3, 2014 · Electrical · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that the day after purchasing her vehicle it would not start. The vehicle was taken back to the dealership where they diagnosed that the wiring was not connected. The contact experienced multiple electrical issues with the vehicle since the failure was diagnosed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown and the current mileage was 282,456.

Filed Aug 22, 2013 · Electrical · 99,041 miles · MD

Theft system light came on for 2004 chevy malibu classic. Car would not start. Had to have it towed to sport chevrolet. Google search revealed theft passlock system complaints on chevy cars I was charged $634.84 plus tax, sport chevrolet in silver spring md to replace the ignition lock cylinder, wiring and connector. 2 days later the same thing happened. The issue was resolved by leaving the key in acc for 10 minutes thus resetting theft system. Why was I charged $600 for a defect?

Filed Aug 18, 2013 · Electrical · 89,000 miles · CA

Car would not start because the anti-theft system was activated for no reason. Was able to start it by leaving the ignition switch in the on position for 10 min. There have been many many complaints about this issue.

Filed Aug 12, 2013 · Electrical · GA

On two occasions the car would not crank the anti theft light will blink. Had to get someone to start it up by waiting on the light to stop blinking, which is time consuming and costly .something has to be done about this. There is a lot of complaints on this matter. Something has to be done.!!!

Filed May 6, 2013 · Body, Seats · 82,600 miles · NJ

I purchased this vehicle in 2006 with 17,000 miles at the carmax superstore in naperville illinois and have had several serious issues since. The leaking sunroof with the innumerable failed attempts at repair. The leak has never been resolved and I have resorted to covering the vehicle with a tarp during inclement weather. The constant clicking noise in the steering when moving the steering wheel back and forth and the severe stiffness in the steering wheel when curb side parking between parked vehicles. The intermittent ignition failure, the vehicle will not turn over unless you depress the accelerator slightly. There were countless futile attempts at repair for all these defects through out the years of warranty and extended warranty coverage. The failed attempts of correctly diagnosing and properly repairing these defects by the englewwood auto group in englewood new jersey have left me unsatisfied and super frustrated. Today I am writing because the operators seat has now tilted to the right and is leaning against the center console. There was nothing of significance that occurred while driving that immediately alerted me of this problem, I was simply adjusting the seat when I noticed that the seat was rubbing against the center console. Upon inspecting underneath the seat I observed that the right rear corner does not rise when engaging the electric seat controls. The angle of the lean is so bad that it affects my posture and pains my lower back. I am also afraid that the seat will completely collapse while I am driving. When the seat is lowered all the way down it does level to its acceptable norm, but at 5 feet 4 inches tall I cannot operate safely that low to the floor. For a vehicle that is driven on average once a week it is plagued with some serious manufacturer defects that the dealerships' service department is unable or unwilling to repair.