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2004 Chevrolet Malibu Classic

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

92 reports with mileage · 24 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 59 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

8 crash reports2 fire reports7 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

59 reports
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55,000 miles · Apr 3, 2014
Electrical SystemEngineSteering

AT FIRST, THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE AT RANDOM INTERVALS. THEN ENGINE SHUT OFF WHILE CAR WAS MOVING. THE PROBLEM HAPPENED MORE FREQUENTLY AS TIME PROGRESSED. THEN THE CAR WOULD NOT START INTERMITTENTLY. FINALLY IT WOULD NOT START AT ALL. THE SHOP FOUND THE BAD PART WAS THE IGNITION SWITCH. TOTAL COST TO…

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AT FIRST, THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE AT RANDOM INTERVALS. THEN ENGINE SHUT OFF WHILE CAR WAS MOVING. THE PROBLEM HAPPENED MORE FREQUENTLY AS TIME PROGRESSED. THEN THE CAR WOULD NOT START INTERMITTENTLY. FINALLY IT WOULD NOT START AT ALL. THE SHOP FOUND THE BAD PART WAS THE IGNITION SWITCH. TOTAL COST TO REPLACE THE SWITCH AND DO THE ASSOCIATED WORK WAS $900. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10577110

Mileage unknown · Mar 22, 2014
Electrical System

SINCE AT ABOUT 110,000 MILES (CAR NOW HAS 160,000) THE THEFT SYSTEM PREVENTS ME FROM STARTING MY CAR BY DISABLING THE INJECTORS INTERMITTENTLY. I FIND THIS TO BE A SAFETY HAZARD AS DO MANY OTHERS THAT HAVE POSTED COMMENTS ONLINE. IT HAS STRANDED ME AT 1:30 IN THE MORNING IN FRONT OF CONVENIENCE STORES. NOT A SAFE PLACE TO BE …

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SINCE AT ABOUT 110,000 MILES (CAR NOW HAS 160,000) THE THEFT SYSTEM PREVENTS ME FROM STARTING MY CAR BY DISABLING THE INJECTORS INTERMITTENTLY. I FIND THIS TO BE A SAFETY HAZARD AS DO MANY OTHERS THAT HAVE POSTED COMMENTS ONLINE. IT HAS STRANDED ME AT 1:30 IN THE MORNING IN FRONT OF CONVENIENCE STORES. NOT A SAFE PLACE TO BE STUCK. CHEVY SAYS ITS A $300-$1000 FIX BUT I HAVE READ THAT IT STILL DOES NOT FIX THE PROBLEM IN SOME INSTANCES. I'M SURPRISED THAT THERE HAS NOT BEEN A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST GM FOR THIS. ANY ASSISTANCE WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10574191

50,841 miles · Mar 14, 2014
Electrical System

CAR WENT COMPLETELY DEAD, AND WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A DEFECTIVE IGNITION SWITCH. COST TO REPAIR WAS $542.85 IS THIS GOING TO BE COVERED IN THE CURRENT GM RECALL? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10569288

Mileage unknown · Sep 12, 2013
Electrical System

THE PASSLOCK SECURITY SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS DISABLING THE VEHICLE. YOU HAVE TO RESET THE SYSTEM WHICH CAN TAKE UP TO 30 MINUTES. THIS CAN BE A SAFETY ISSUE WHEN IT HAPPENS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. I HAVE SEEN THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS FOR THIS ISSUE. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10543235

165,000 miles · Aug 30, 2013
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Fuel/propulsion SystemCrashFireInjury

THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM AND FUEL RAIL COMBINED CREATED A INJURY TO PEDESTRIANS THAT IS UNBELIEVABLE THE CAR TOOK OFF AFTER LEFT TURN INTO A PARKING LOT

NHTSA ODI #10538077

83,000 miles · May 25, 2013
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

TURN SIGNALS WORKING INTERMITTENT AND INOPERATIVE COULD RESULT IN A CRASH WHEN TURN SIGNALS NOT WORKING THIS IS A BIG SAFETY CONCERN GM KNOWS OF THIS PROBLEM AND HAS A RECALL NO. 03043 MY VEHICLE IS A 2004 AND GM SAID NO RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE THIS CAR HAS THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE RECALLED VEHICLES TURN SIGNALS STOP WORKING…

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TURN SIGNALS WORKING INTERMITTENT AND INOPERATIVE COULD RESULT IN A CRASH WHEN TURN SIGNALS NOT WORKING THIS IS A BIG SAFETY CONCERN GM KNOWS OF THIS PROBLEM AND HAS A RECALL NO. 03043 MY VEHICLE IS A 2004 AND GM SAID NO RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE THIS CAR HAS THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE RECALLED VEHICLES TURN SIGNALS STOP WORKING COULD CAUSE A FATAL CRASH I WANT GM TO PAY FOR REPAIRS THEY KNOW OF THIS BIG PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10513513

177,000 miles · Aug 26, 2012
Electrical System

MY 2004 CHEVY MALIBU KEEP SHUTTING OF AT VARIOUS TIMES .THE ALARM KEEP ENGAGING AND DISABLES THE CAR .THIS HAS HAPPENED 5 TIMES IN THE LAST 2 MONTHS .I HAVE BEEN READING AND EVEN ON THE COMPLAIN SITE IT SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM .THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE I HAVE READ THAT THIS COULD HAPPEN WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION .I HAVE LO…

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MY 2004 CHEVY MALIBU KEEP SHUTTING OF AT VARIOUS TIMES .THE ALARM KEEP ENGAGING AND DISABLES THE CAR .THIS HAS HAPPENED 5 TIMES IN THE LAST 2 MONTHS .I HAVE BEEN READING AND EVEN ON THE COMPLAIN SITE IT SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM .THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE I HAVE READ THAT THIS COULD HAPPEN WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION .I HAVE LOOKED AN THIS IS A VERY EXPENSIVE TASK . LIKE I SAID I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO IS HAVING THIS PROBLEM .I ALSO ASKED CHEVY AND THEY SAY THERE IS NOTHING TO BE DOME IT IS ALL WEAR AND TEAR THE CAR .I HOPE YOU CAN HELP ME AND THE OTHERS OUT THERE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM . THANKS *TR

NHTSA ODI #10472521

Mileage unknown · Jun 12, 2012
Electrical System

THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT COMES ON FOR NO REASON AND CAR WON'T START. HAVE TO PUT KEY IN IGNITION FOR 10-15 MIN BEFORE IT WILL START. RECURS AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK NOW. SHOULD BE A RECALL! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10461308

100,000 miles · Jun 5, 2012
Electrical System

IN MARCH MY STARTER WENT OUT IN MY CAR. AFTER REPLACING IT I HAD NO PROBLEMS FOR ABOUT A WEEK. THEN I FOUND OUT THAT MY IGNITION SWITCH HAD GONE OUT AS WELL. I REPLACED THAT AND HAD NO PROBLEM FOR ABOUT 5 DAYS. THEN FOR NO REASON MY CAR WOULD NOT START. WE GOOGLED IT AND FOUND OUT THAT I JUST NEEDED TO RESET MY ANTI THEFT SYSTEM…

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IN MARCH MY STARTER WENT OUT IN MY CAR. AFTER REPLACING IT I HAD NO PROBLEMS FOR ABOUT A WEEK. THEN I FOUND OUT THAT MY IGNITION SWITCH HAD GONE OUT AS WELL. I REPLACED THAT AND HAD NO PROBLEM FOR ABOUT 5 DAYS. THEN FOR NO REASON MY CAR WOULD NOT START. WE GOOGLED IT AND FOUND OUT THAT I JUST NEEDED TO RESET MY ANTI THEFT SYSTEM. NOW EVER SINCE THAT EVERY 1-5 DAYS I GET STUCK WHEREVER I HAPPEN TO BE BECAUSE MY ANTI THEFT SYSTEM KICKS IN AND THINKS THAT MY CAR IS STOLEN WHEN IT IS NOT. 9 TIMES OUTTA 10 AFTER A 10 OR 15 MINUTE RESET MY CAR STARTS JUST FINE. BUT NOW FOR THE 3RD TIME IT HAS BEEN SITTING FOR 2 DAYS AND WILL NOT START. IN ORDER TO FIX THIS PROBLEM MECHANICS ARE TELLING ME THAT I HAVE TO PAY WELL OVER A HUNDRED DOLLAR FOR THEM TO HOOK IT UP TO A COMPUTER AND RESET THE SYSTEM. IF IT IS A SYSTEM ERROR AND I DID NOTHING WRONG BUT FIX THE PROBLEM WITH MY CAR THEN WHY IS THE DEALERSHIP ASKING SO MUCH MONEY SIMPLY TO PLUG IT IN AND HIT SOME BUTTONS??????? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10460708

120,000 miles · Apr 27, 2012
Electrical System

MY CAR HAS NOW FAILED TO START SEVERAL TIMES. I HAD THE FUEL RELAY SWITCH REPLACED WHICH SEEMED TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM FOR ABOUT A WEEK. NOW IT IS DOING IT AGAIN, I CALLED CHEVROLET AFTER RESEARCHING THE ISSUE (SEEMS TO BE A BIG ISSUE) AND THEY JUST RECOMMENDED ME TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. NOT GOOD, AND WORRIED THAT THE VEHICL…

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MY CAR HAS NOW FAILED TO START SEVERAL TIMES. I HAD THE FUEL RELAY SWITCH REPLACED WHICH SEEMED TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM FOR ABOUT A WEEK. NOW IT IS DOING IT AGAIN, I CALLED CHEVROLET AFTER RESEARCHING THE ISSUE (SEEMS TO BE A BIG ISSUE) AND THEY JUST RECOMMENDED ME TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. NOT GOOD, AND WORRIED THAT THE VEHICLE WILL SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. PLEASE HELP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10456686

Official recalls

1

14V400000 · Electrical System:ignition

Jul 3, 2014

This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on July 3, 2014, that they are recalling 5,877,718 model year 2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala and Monte Carlo, 1997-2003 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2005 Malibu Classic, 1999-2004 Oldsmobile Alero, 1998-2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1999-2005 Pontiac Grand Am and 2004-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 9, 2014. GM's number for this recall is 14350.

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

1

EA04018 · Loss Of Electric Power Steering

Opened Jul 1, 2004 · Closed May 10, 2005

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering; Steering:electric Power Assist System

IN PERFORMING THIS ENGINEERING ANALYSIS, ODI DETERMINED THAT THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING SYSTEM IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES CAN MALFUNCTION OR FAIL, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE POWER STEERING ASSISTANCE; HOWEVER, DUE TO THE FOLLOWING REASONS, ODI HAS DECIDED THAT FURTHER EXPENDITURE OF AGENCY RESOURCES ON THIS INVESTIGATION IS NOT WARRANTED AT THIS TIME: - GM ISSUED CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN (CSC) 04050A INDECEMBER 2004 TO ADDRESS THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN APPROXIMATELY58,700 SUBJECT VEHICLES, ENCOMPASSING AT LEAST 97 PERCENT OF THECOMPLAINT AND WARRANTY CLAIMS POPULATION.VEHICLES OUTSIDE THECSC 04050A POPULATION CONTAIN A NEWLY DESIGNED TORQUE ANDPOSITION SENSOR AND HAVE EXPERIENCED A RELATIVELY LOW COMPLAINTRATE.THIS CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN PRESENTLY HAS ACOMPLETION RATE OF 52%. - THE IMPACT ON THE DRIVER?S ABILITY TO CONTROL THESE RELATIVELYSMALL AND LIGHT VEHICLES WAS LIMITED.VRTC TEST ENGINEERS WEREUNABLE TO INDUCE A FAILURE MODE THAT WOULD CAUSE THE EPS TOSUBSTANTIALLY LIMIT THE DRIVER?S ABILITY TO TURN THE VEHICLE IN APARTICULAR DIRECTION OR TO PROVIDE THE DRIVER WITH UNINTENDEDPOWER ASSISTANCE.- THERE IS NO RISK OF FIRE.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR COMPLAINTS AND OTHER INFORMATION RELATING TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IN THE FUTURE IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.(FOR FURTHER DETAILS SEE ATTACHED ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA04-018)CLOSING REPORT.)

Additional source detail variants (2)

Steering:electric Power Assist System

IN PERFORMING THIS ENGINEERING ANALYSIS, ODI DETERMINED THAT THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING SYSTEM IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES CAN MALFUNCTION OR FAIL, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE POWER STEERING ASSISTANCE; HOWEVER, DUE TO THE FOLLOWING REASONS, ODI HAS DECIDED THAT FURTHER EXPENDITURE OF AGENCY RESOURCES ON THIS INVESTIGATION IS NOT WARRANTED AT THIS TIME: - GM ISSUED CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN (CSC) 04050A INDECEMBER 2004 TO ADDRESS THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN APPROXIMATELY58,700 SUBJECT VEHICLES, ENCOMPASSING AT LEAST 97 PERCENT OF THECOMPLAINT AND WARRANTY CLAIMS POPULATION.VEHICLES OUTSIDE THECSC 04050A POPULATION CONTAIN A NEWLY DESIGNED TORQUE ANDPOSITION SENSOR AND HAVE EXPERIENCED A RELATIVELY LOW COMPLAINTRATE.THIS CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN PRESENTLY HAS ACOMPLETION RATE OF 52%. - THE IMPACT ON THE DRIVER?S ABILITY TO CONTROL THESE RELATIVELYSMALL AND LIGHT VEHICLES WAS LIMITED.VRTC TEST ENGINEERS WEREUNABLE TO INDUCE A FAILURE MODE THAT WOULD CAUSE THE EPS TOSUBSTANTIALLY LIMIT THE DRIVER?S ABILITY TO TURN THE VEHICLE IN APARTICULAR DIRECTION OR TO PROVIDE THE DRIVER WITH UNINTENDEDPOWER ASSISTANCE.- THERE IS NO RISK OF FIRE.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR COMPLAINTS AND OTHER INFORMATION RELATING TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IN THE FUTURE IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.(FOR FURTHER DETAILS SEE ATTACHED ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA04-018)CLOSING REPORT.)

Steering

IN PERFORMING THIS ENGINEERING ANALYSIS, ODI DETERMINED THAT THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING SYSTEM IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES CAN MALFUNCTION OR FAIL, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE POWER STEERING ASSISTANCE; HOWEVER, DUE TO THE FOLLOWING REASONS, ODI HAS DECIDED THAT FURTHER EXPENDITURE OF AGENCY RESOURCES ON THIS INVESTIGATION IS NOT WARRANTED AT THIS TIME: - GM ISSUED CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN (CSC) 04050A INDECEMBER 2004 TO ADDRESS THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN APPROXIMATELY58,700 SUBJECT VEHICLES, ENCOMPASSING AT LEAST 97 PERCENT OF THECOMPLAINT AND WARRANTY CLAIMS POPULATION.VEHICLES OUTSIDE THECSC 04050A POPULATION CONTAIN A NEWLY DESIGNED TORQUE ANDPOSITION SENSOR AND HAVE EXPERIENCED A RELATIVELY LOW COMPLAINTRATE.THIS CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN PRESENTLY HAS ACOMPLETION RATE OF 52%. - THE IMPACT ON THE DRIVER?S ABILITY TO CONTROL THESE RELATIVELYSMALL AND LIGHT VEHICLES WAS LIMITED.VRTC TEST ENGINEERS WEREUNABLE TO INDUCE A FAILURE MODE THAT WOULD CAUSE THE EPS TOSUBSTANTIALLY LIMIT THE DRIVER?S ABILITY TO TURN THE VEHICLE IN APARTICULAR DIRECTION OR TO PROVIDE THE DRIVER WITH UNINTENDEDPOWER ASSISTANCE.- THERE IS NO RISK OF FIRE.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR COMPLAINTS AND OTHER INFORMATION RELATING TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IN THE FUTURE IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.(FOR FURTHER DETAILS SEE ATTACHED ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA04-018)CLOSING REPORT.)