I OWN A 2004 CHEVY MALIBU CLASSIC, THE "UNKNOWN CAR". UNKNOWN FOR ANYTHING WORTHWHILE THAT IS. ANYWAYS THIS CARS THEFT SYSTEM FROM WHAT I CAN TELL IS TOTALLY FAULTY AND RANDOMLY MAKES YOU HAVE TO WAIT 10 MINUTES SO YOUR CAR WILL START. RESETTING THE THEFT SYSTEM IS THE ONLY THING THAT SEEMS TO FIX THE PROBLEM OF NOT STARTING. MA…
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I OWN A 2004 CHEVY MALIBU CLASSIC, THE "UNKNOWN CAR". UNKNOWN FOR ANYTHING WORTHWHILE THAT IS. ANYWAYS THIS CARS THEFT SYSTEM FROM WHAT I CAN TELL IS TOTALLY FAULTY AND RANDOMLY MAKES YOU HAVE TO WAIT 10 MINUTES SO YOUR CAR WILL START. RESETTING THE THEFT SYSTEM IS THE ONLY THING THAT SEEMS TO FIX THE PROBLEM OF NOT STARTING. MAYBE REPLACING THE LOCK CYLINDER WOULD HELP BUT NOT FROM WHAT SOME PEOPLE SAY... I HAVEN'T TRIED IT YET BECAUSE IT IS EXPENSIVE. SO FAR THIS HAS ONLY HAPPENED TO ME 3 TIMES IN THE LAST 2 YEARS, I JUST HOPE IT DOESNT GET WORSE.
MY HUSBAND WAS TAKING OUR FOUR YOUNGEST CHILDREN TO SCHOOL OCT. 18, 2005, TRAVELING SOUTH ON I-45 IN THE HOUSTON AREA IN OUR 2004 MALIBU CLASSIC WHICH HAD APPROXIMATELY 40,000 MILES ON IT. WITNESSES SAID HE SWERVED AROUND SEVERAL CARS AND WAS GOING 80+ MPH. HE PULLED ONTO THE SHOULDER, PASSED AND CLIPPED A CAR; AND THEN PULLED O…
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MY HUSBAND WAS TAKING OUR FOUR YOUNGEST CHILDREN TO SCHOOL OCT. 18, 2005, TRAVELING SOUTH ON I-45 IN THE HOUSTON AREA IN OUR 2004 MALIBU CLASSIC WHICH HAD APPROXIMATELY 40,000 MILES ON IT. WITNESSES SAID HE SWERVED AROUND SEVERAL CARS AND WAS GOING 80+ MPH. HE PULLED ONTO THE SHOULDER, PASSED AND CLIPPED A CAR; AND THEN PULLED OFF THE FREEWAY INTO THE GRASSY MEDIAN. HE SWERVED AROUND A POST, A LARGE ELECTRIC BOX AND A LARGE SIGN PILLAR. HIS LEFT FRONT TIRE HIT A CULVERT AND WAS FLATTENED. ACCORDING TO AN EXPERT, THIS PULLED HIS CAR TO THE LEFT, LEAVING THE CAR HARD TO STEER. THE CAR HIT A SIGN SUPPORT STRUCTURE. ALL FIVE WERE KILLED; THE CAR WAS DEMOLISHED AND CAUGHT FIRE. ACCORDING TO THE POLICE REPORT, THIS ALL TOOK PLACE IN LESS THAN 15 SECONDS. ACCORDING TO THE EXPERT REPORT, THE THROTTLE BODY WAS FOUND STUCK AT THE NEAR FULL THROTTLE POSITION; THE BRAKE PEDAL HAD SIGNIFICANT DEFORMATION IN THE FORWARD DIRECTION (BENT FROM THE REAR TO THE FRONT) INDICATING THE DRIVERS FOOT WAS ON THE PEDAL AT THE TIME OF IMPACT; THERE WAS LITTLE FIRE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, HOWEVER, THE FRONT BRAKE PAD MATERIAL WAS OVERHEATED AND SPALLED, INDICATING HARD BRAKE/PEDAL APPLICATION; ALL FIVE SEATBELT LATCHES WERE FOUND AND STILL LOCKED; AND THE TIRES PLOWED UP THE DRY GRASS AND SOIL FROM THE TIME THE VEHICLE LEFT THE FREEWAY UNTIL IT HIT THE POLE, LEAVING A TRAIL THAT SCREAMED FOR HELP AND WAS STILL VISIBLE FOR WEEKS AFTER THE ACCIDENT OTHER VEHICLES DROVE ALL OVER THE MEDIAN AND LEFT NO IMPRESSIONS. THE EXPERT CONCLUDED THE BRAKE SYSTEM, THROTTLE CONTROL, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL AND CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM ARE DEFECTIVELY DESIGNED AND MANUFACTURED. THE FAMILY HAS HAD A LAWSUIT AGAINST GM SINCE OCT. 2007 WITH NO RESOLUTION.
NHTSA ODI #10322665
103,000 miles · Nov 29, 2009
Electrical System
2004 CHEVY CLASSIC ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM ENGAGES EVERY TIME THE ENGINE FAILS TO START ON THE FIRST SPARK. IT HAS LEFT ME STRANDED ONCE (TILL I FIGURED OUT THE PROBLEM) AND SINCE HAS OCCURRED ABOUT 8 TIMES A WEEK. ENGINE COLD OR HOT DOES NOT MATTER. THE TEN MINUTES IS CERTAINLY INCONVENIENT AND AT TIMES A SAFETY HAZARD. THE PROBL…
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2004 CHEVY CLASSIC ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM ENGAGES EVERY TIME THE ENGINE FAILS TO START ON THE FIRST SPARK. IT HAS LEFT ME STRANDED ONCE (TILL I FIGURED OUT THE PROBLEM) AND SINCE HAS OCCURRED ABOUT 8 TIMES A WEEK. ENGINE COLD OR HOT DOES NOT MATTER. THE TEN MINUTES IS CERTAINLY INCONVENIENT AND AT TIMES A SAFETY HAZARD. THE PROBLEM BEGAN AT WORK ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO. I HAVE TRIED BETTER FUEL, FUEL ADDITIVES, DIFFERENT STARTING PROCEDURES. NOTHING WORKS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10293917
54,000 miles · May 9, 2009
Electrical System
I SIMPLY TRIED TO TURN ON MY CAR AFTER A LONG DAY AT WORK AND THE "SECURITY" SYSTEM WONT ALLOW THE CAR TO TURN ON. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10268290
94,112 miles · Apr 16, 2009
Electrical System
CHEVY CLASSIC 2004 WOULD NOT START. FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. OUT OF WARRANTY. NOTICED ANTI-THEFT LIGHT ON A FEW TIMES, FOR A FEW MINUTES, 3 OR 4 TIMES IN LAST MONTH. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, BATT, STARTER, ALTERNATOR FINE. LOTS OF FUEL. STARTS IN NEUTRAL FOR 2-3 SECONDS THEN DIES. PASSLOCK ASSEMBLY, PART OF THE ANTI-THEFT …
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CHEVY CLASSIC 2004 WOULD NOT START. FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. OUT OF WARRANTY. NOTICED ANTI-THEFT LIGHT ON A FEW TIMES, FOR A FEW MINUTES, 3 OR 4 TIMES IN LAST MONTH. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, BATT, STARTER, ALTERNATOR FINE. LOTS OF FUEL. STARTS IN NEUTRAL FOR 2-3 SECONDS THEN DIES. PASSLOCK ASSEMBLY, PART OF THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM WAS DIAGNOSED AS FAILED. IT IS A COMPUTER COMPONENT BUILT-IN TO THE IGNITION SYSTEM. MECHANIC CLAIMS NEW PASSLOCK ASSEMBLY AND NEW KEY ARE REQUIRED. THIS VEHICLE WAS NEVER IN AN ACCIDENT. THIS VEHICLE HAS NO AFTER-MARKET PARTS INSTALLED I.E. RADIO, ALARM, ETC. THIS VEHICLE IS KEPT IN 2 CAR GARAGE AND IS ONLY CAR IN THE GARAGE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10265574
95,000 miles · May 5, 2008
Electrical System
I OWN A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. FOR THE PAST YEAR OR MORE I'VE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS STARTING MY CAR AND THE ONLY RESOLUTION IS TO WAIT 10MIN. WITH THE IGNITION IN THE ON POSITION UNTIL THE THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT GOES OFF. I FIGURED THIS OUT BY READING THE OWNERS MANUAL BUT I FEEL SORRY FOR THE MANY FOLKS WHO SPENT HUNDREDS OF…
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I OWN A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. FOR THE PAST YEAR OR MORE I'VE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS STARTING MY CAR AND THE ONLY RESOLUTION IS TO WAIT 10MIN. WITH THE IGNITION IN THE ON POSITION UNTIL THE THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT GOES OFF. I FIGURED THIS OUT BY READING THE OWNERS MANUAL BUT I FEEL SORRY FOR THE MANY FOLKS WHO SPENT HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS BEFORE DOING SO. IT WAS ONLY HAPPENING EVERY COUPLE OF MONTHS AND HAS PROGRESSED TO HAPPENING 1-2 TIMES A DAY. THE THEFT LIGHT WILL NOW EVEN COME ON AT TIMES WHILE DRIVING. I'M JUST AFRAID THE CAR MIGHT SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THE GM DEALER SAYS IT'S PROBABLY THE IGNITION CYLINDER OR THE BODY CONTROL MODULE THAT NEED REPLACED. FROM WHAT I'VE READ ON THE INTERNET FORUMS THAT HAS NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM RESIDES IN THE PASSLOCK SECURITY SYSTEM AND THE ONLY WAY TO REMEDY IT IS TO HAVE IT DISABLED OR BYPASSED, BUT NOT BY GM OF COURSE BECAUSE THEY WON'T ADMIT TO THE PROBLEM. SINCE GM WON'T FIX THE PROBLEM, THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL THAT WILL FORCE THEM TO. I CHALLENGE YOU TO READ THE FORUMS FOR YOURSELF ON THIS ISSUE. I FEEL THE EVIDENCE IS COMPELLING AS I EXPECT YOU WILL ALSO. SOMEONE NEEDS TO STEP IN AND TAKE CONTROL ON THIS ONE AND I'M AFRAID THAT YOU ARE THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN. AMERICANS ARE STRUGGLING TO AFFORD DRIVING WITH FUEL AT $4.00/GAL LET ALONE BEING DECEIVED BY GM INTO SPENDING HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS FOR UNJUSTLY REPAIRS. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10226761
Mileage unknown · Sep 3, 2007
Electrical System
CAR WOULD NOT START. REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP. NOT THE PROBLEM. FOUND OUT THAT THE THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT WAS THE PROBLEM AFTER MY BROTHER IN LAW CALLED A FRIEND OF HIS THAT WORKED AT GM. THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT COMES ON WHILE DRIVING AND THERE ARE TIMES THAT THE CAR WILL NOT START AND I HAVE TO LEAVE KEYS IN IGNITION FOR 10-15 MINUTES …
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CAR WOULD NOT START. REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP. NOT THE PROBLEM. FOUND OUT THAT THE THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT WAS THE PROBLEM AFTER MY BROTHER IN LAW CALLED A FRIEND OF HIS THAT WORKED AT GM. THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT COMES ON WHILE DRIVING AND THERE ARE TIMES THAT THE CAR WILL NOT START AND I HAVE TO LEAVE KEYS IN IGNITION FOR 10-15 MINUTES AND THEN COME BACK, TURN OFF AND THEN TURN ON AGAIN, AND IT STARTS. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE CHEVY MALIBU'S. I AM FORTUNATE THAT I HAVE NOT BEEN DRIVING AND MY CAR CUT OFF ON ME LIKE OTHER MALIBU OWNERS WHO ARE EXPERIENCING THE WHOLE THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT COMING ON. I AM TAKING IT TO THE SHOP TONIGHT TO HAVE THE IGNITION CYLINDER REPLACED BUT HAVE READ FORUMS WHERE THAT DIDN'T HELP EITHER. GM /CHEVY KNOWS THAT HAVE A PROBLEM AND AREN'T DURING ANYTHING ABOUT IT. WHY NOT INVESTIGATE BEFORE YOU HAVE FATALITIES ON THE ROAD AND IT COMES BACK TO FAULTY EQUIPMENT ON CHEVY. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10201738
38,000 miles · Apr 7, 2006
Electrical SystemService Brakes, Electric
I PURCHASED MY CAR LESS THAN A YEAR AGO AS A CERTIFIED USED CAR, AND THE BRAKES ARE BECOMING A VERY BIG PROBLEM. I HAVE RESEARCHED RECALLS THAT HAVE BEEN MADE TO THE MAKE AND MODEL OF MY VEHICLE AND NOTICE THAT THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL CONCERNING THE BRAKES. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY, IF MY CAR WAS IN FACT A CERTIFIED USED CAR, …
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I PURCHASED MY CAR LESS THAN A YEAR AGO AS A CERTIFIED USED CAR, AND THE BRAKES ARE BECOMING A VERY BIG PROBLEM. I HAVE RESEARCHED RECALLS THAT HAVE BEEN MADE TO THE MAKE AND MODEL OF MY VEHICLE AND NOTICE THAT THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL CONCERNING THE BRAKES. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY, IF MY CAR WAS IN FACT A CERTIFIED USED CAR, HOW IT IS POSSIBLE FOR MY BRAKES TO BE WORKING SO POORLY. THIS PROBLEM IS ONE THAT IS POTENTIALLY LIFE THREATENING DUE TO THE INCREASING TIME THAT IT TAKES TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THIS CAR WAS PURCHASED LESS THAN A YEAR AGO AND THEREFORE I FEEL STRONGLY THAT I WAS DECEIVED INTO BUYING A CAR THAT IS A DEATH TRAP!!! *JB
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH A FUEL TANK THAT DOES NOT MEET SPECIFICATION. A WELD ON THESE FUEL TANKS MAY BE INSUFFICIENT, RESULTING IN A FUEL LEAK.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL TANK, AND REPLACE IT, IF NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 23, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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