2004 Chevrolet Malibu: stuck in gear or won't shift

6 of the 1,148 complaints about the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu describe stuck in gear or won't shift.

owner complaints: 6
of this car's complaints: 1%
typical mileage: 112,000
recalls: 1

Is there a fix? There is 1 recall and 32 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below

Stuck in gear or won't shift by model year

2023
1
2022
8
2021
2
2020
3
2019
3
2018
9
2017
14
2016
13
2014
1
2013
5
2012
2
2011
15
2010
14
2009
11
2008
13
2007
2
2005
5
2004
6
2003
1
2001
1
2000
2
1999
1
1998
3

What owners say

Filed Jan 13, 2019 · 160,000 miles · GA

Car is stuck in drive. Wont shift out of gear.

Filed Jul 10, 2014 · Brakes, Electrical · 112,000 miles · MO

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that the parking brake would malfunction and the vehicle would roll away when parked on an incline or a flat surface. Additionally, the vehicle would sporadically hesitate when the contact attempted to accelerate. The contact also stated that the transmission would become stuck in first gear and began to exhibit an abnormal jerking motion. The key would also become stuck in the ignition and the vehicle would intermittently fail to start. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 112,000.

Filed Sep 10, 2012 · Transmission · 125,191 miles · IA

Came home from work on 9/10/12 and pulled into the driveway. When I placed the car in park it did not go into park and the car kept on rolling almost hitting my other vehicle. I tried putting into other gears but they were off (shift to drive it might be in neutral, shift to reverse it might be in neutral too). It's like it doesn't know what gear it is in and you have to kinda play with it to get it into the right gear. Also, since it's not reading that it's in park I cannot pull the keys out of the ignition. Thank god my kids were not in front of my car when I got home....pretty dangerous as you don't know if it's in park or not and the car will just roll.

Filed Dec 22, 2011 · Steering · 55 miles · NC

My power steering has went out on my vehicle on its on with out warning I was driving when it happened. In the beginning I could power the car off and then turn it back on the check engine light would disappear. But now the light stays on. Its absolutely hard to make turns and I get stuck in parking lots and turns that are narrow I need space to turn like I am driving a 18 wheeler. I have had my car read and no codes appeared, even though the steering was locked and the service engine light was on.

Filed Mar 10, 2010 · Transmission · 53,618 miles · NY

Tl*the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu. When the contact drives the vehicle at any speed he noticed that the transmission will not shift smoothly. A loud noise could be heard coming from the transmission. The vehicle was taken to the dealership where the contact had the transmissions computer updated and was informed that the left and right output shaft seals will also need to be replaced. The current and failure mileages were 53600.

Filed Jan 16, 2007 · Transmission · 52,000 miles · IN

Tl* - the contact has a 2004 chevrolet malibu ls. The contact stated that when she turned the ignition on the enhanced traction system warning light, the engine light, and the service light came on. The car would start and all of the dashboard features would work, but the car would not shift into the reverse or drive gears. The contact stated she could put the car in the drive gear and it would not drive. The car began to jerk and shake without the contact adding pressure to the accelerator pedal, and the RPM level increased. The contact stated that the vehicle has never done this before. The weather was really cold and there were snow flurries, but no accumulation.

Service bulletins that may apply

Jul 24, 2024 Service bulletinGM is receiving damaged (cracked or broken) transmission cores returned to the reman facilities
Sep 1, 2023 Service bulletinThe service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle...
Sep 16, 2022 Service bulletinThis service bulletin provides information on OEM and Remanufactured Engine and Automatic...
Sep 1, 2022 Service bulletinThis diagnostic tip advises the tech not to separate the flexplate from the torque convertor or damage my...
Sep 1, 2022 Service bulletinPower train
Jun 14, 2019 Service bulletinThis informational bulletin informs the technician and provides a Service Procedure to correct a shifter...
Dec 1, 2015 Service bulletinOEM and Remanufactured Engine and Automatic Transmission/Transaxle Identification
Oct 13, 2015 Service bulletinThis informational bulletin provides information to technicians on a revised installation procedure to...

Related recalls

Power train: automatic transmissionReported April 30, 2014 · 1,131,113 vehicles affected

What is wrong: General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on April 29, 2014, that they are recalling 56,214 model year 2007 and 2008 Saturn Aura vehicles. On May 22, 2014, GM increased the recall to include an additional 1,074,899 model year 2004-2008 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured from May 16, 2003, through October 5, 2007, model year 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured from June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, and model year 2005-2008 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured from May 26, 2004, through September 28, 2007, and equipped with 4-speed transmissions. The total number vehicles being recalled is now 1,131,113.
Risk: If the transmission shift cable fractures while the vehicle is being driven, the transmission gear selection may not match the indicated gear and the vehicle may move in an unintended or unexpected direction, increasing the risk of a crash. Furthermore, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, despite selecting the PARK position, the transmission may not be in PARK. If the vehicle is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and GM dealers will replace the shift cable assembly and mounting bracket, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact General Motors at 1‑800‑553‑6000. GM's number for this recall is 14152.

Recall number 14V224000 · Recall details

Questions about the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu won't shift

Is stuck in gear or won't shift a common problem on the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu?

6 of 1,148 owner complaints about the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu (1%) mention stuck in gear or won't shift. The model year with the most reports is 2011.

Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu?

There is 1 recall and 32 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.

All model years of the Chevrolet Malibu

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used 2004 Chevrolet Malibu?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history