2004 Chevrolet Malibu: headlights failing or too dim

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 Aug 25, 2021 · Lights · NY

The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked and the engine running the contact noticed that their front driver and passenger headlight were very low in both low beam and high beam and that the light eventually burned out. The contact inspected the vehicle and saw that the light bulb sockets for both the front driver side and passenger had melted. The contact stated the cause of the failure is the wiring behind the headlight assembly that is causing the headlight socket to melt. The contact replaced the headlight bulb sockets themselves with aftermarket parts to repair the failure, however, the failure persisted and reoccurred. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

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 Jul 8, 2020 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 2 miles · CA

Had to replace head light bulbs has melted plastic cover dashboard has warning lights that come on and stay on

Filed Feb 8, 2019 · Lights · 165,000 miles · OR

The dim headlight on passenger side keeps going out. The wires are melted where it plugs in to the light

Filed Sep 12, 2014 · Brakes, Electrical · 35,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that the brakes, steering, and electrical wiring for the headlights failed. The failures have occurred since 2004. While making left turns, the steering wheel was difficult to maneuver. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact had been submitting complaints to the manufacturer since 2004. The failure mileage was 35,000. Updated 10/23/14*cn updated 4/13/2015

Filed Aug 28, 2014 · Electrical, Lights · 148,000 miles · FL

In summer 2013 I elected to replace both headlamp casing with a new headlamp kit because of internal discoloration and yellow liquid fluid seeping from daytime running lamp. Approximately 1 week later the new daytime running lamp casing melted and burnt the new bulb. The bulb was replaced at no cost. At my next service 5-6 months later I inquired about replacing the defective headlamp casing because the bulb on both daytime running lamp burnt through its plastic casing, again causing internal discoloration of headlamp kit. I was told warranty expired. The dealership sent an inquire to gm regarding such defect but I am told there was no response from gm and I have no recourse. I no longer use daytime running lamp. I purposely shut off the daytime running lamps (which defeats the purpose) for fear the bulb will continue to melt the casing causing further discoloration and burn the bulb. This is not how the product should be made; poor craftsmanship and poor workmanship.

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 18, 2014 · Lights, Steering · 33,000 miles · NJ

I purchased this vehicle used from crane chevrolet, clifton, new jersey, within six months after purchase I observed that the power steering would suddenly stop operating while the engine was running. I discovered that the only corrective was to shut the car off and restart the engine. The power steering would then reengage. This failure has persisted for nearly the entire time I've owned the vehicle. During that entire time, crane chevrolet has claimed there was/is no defect in the power steering, and no recall notice outstanding. I just received a gm safety recall notice 14116, which claims, among other things, that "previously, you had the steering column replaced under customer satisfaction program 04050". That is false! Neither crane chevrolet, nor gm has ever contacted me concerning the steering column, or made any attempt to replace it! I also notified crane chevrolet that the front headlamp assembly turn signal lamps repeatedly burned out, and that the bulb housings were burnt and completely melted through!! Both gm and crane chevrolet denied there was any defect in the lamp/housing design or function. I have to replace the front turn signal lamps about every six months. Finally, the undercarriage support struts, shocks, and springs are woefully underdesigned. The car runs like it has stone tires. I now have to replace the entire strut, shock, and spring undersupports for the second time. And I just run the vehcile on asphalt smooth roads in a develped suburban city!! This was serious underdesign. Fortunately, these parts are available on the web and I've got a good mechanic that charges fairly for this difficult work. Go to crane and gm and you'd need to mortgage your home to do the work!!

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 Apr 9, 2014 · Lights, Steering · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated while driving at various speeds the power steering would suddenly malfunction making the steering wheel very difficult to turn. When the failure occurred the check engine, ABS and tc (traction control) sensor lights illuminated. The failure was not diagnosed nor was the vehicle repaired. The manufacturer was notified and no solution was offered. The contact also indicated that while driving various speeds the vehicle would drift from side to side. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the control arms were faulty. The control arms were replaced but the defect was not remedied. While driving the headlights, turn signal lights and rear lights would intermittently shut on and off. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the defect was caused by an electrical short. The defect was not repaired. The failure mileage was 17,000.