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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

Steering complaints

24 reports
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157,000 miles · Feb 24, 2020
Power TrainSteering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE STEERING WHEEL INDEPENDENTLY TURNED TO THE LEFT WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND BACK ON BUT FAILED TO FIX THE ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTAC…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE STEERING WHEEL INDEPENDENTLY TURNED TO THE LEFT WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND BACK ON BUT FAILED TO FIX THE ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE RACK AND PINION DETACHED FROM THE SUBFRAME AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONLY THE BUSHING WAS REPLACED AND NOT THE RACK AND PINION. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED ON ANOTHER OCCASION THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT TO REVERSE OR GO INTO FORWARD GEAR WHILE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SHIFT CABLE WAS FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 157,000.

NHTSA ODI #11311038

130,000 miles · May 13, 2015
Equipment Adaptive/mobilitySteering

FOR SOME REASON THE ENTIRE INTERIOR TRIM ON THE DOOR PANELS HAVE COME UNGLUED AND DETACHED FROM THE DOORS. IT LOOKS TERRIBLE. I RECENTLY RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE REGARDING A KNOCKING NOISE IN THE STEERING. OF COURSE, THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR YEARS AND NOW THE NOTICE SAYS MY CAR MUST HAVE LESS THAN 150K MILES ON IT. I DARE …

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FOR SOME REASON THE ENTIRE INTERIOR TRIM ON THE DOOR PANELS HAVE COME UNGLUED AND DETACHED FROM THE DOORS. IT LOOKS TERRIBLE. I RECENTLY RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE REGARDING A KNOCKING NOISE IN THE STEERING. OF COURSE, THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR YEARS AND NOW THE NOTICE SAYS MY CAR MUST HAVE LESS THAN 150K MILES ON IT. I DARE SAY THERE ARE NOT MANY 2004 VEHICLES WITH LESS THAN 150K MILES? MINE IS AROUND 164K. WE USE TO SPRAY GREASE ON THE JOINT WHERE IT HITS WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED. I HAD BEEN TOLD A DEALER WOULD WANT TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE RACK N PINION ON THE VEHICLE, BUT THAT WOULD NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. GUESS I AM JUST OUT OF LUCK.

NHTSA ODI #10716363

100,000 miles · Nov 19, 2014
Electrical SystemSteering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTI-THEFT SENSOR AND THE SERVICE ENGINE SENSOR KEPT RANDOMLY ILLUMINATING AND THE VEHICLE STALLED SEVERAL TIMES. THE CONTACT ALSO EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY REMOVING THE KEY AND GETTING THE KEY TO TURN OVER INTO AN ON POSITION TO START THE VEHICLE. TH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTI-THEFT SENSOR AND THE SERVICE ENGINE SENSOR KEPT RANDOMLY ILLUMINATING AND THE VEHICLE STALLED SEVERAL TIMES. THE CONTACT ALSO EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY REMOVING THE KEY AND GETTING THE KEY TO TURN OVER INTO AN ON POSITION TO START THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HEARD A CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL, WHICH OCCURRED FREQUENTLY AND THE NOISE CONTINUED WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND INDICATED THAT THE DEALER WAS NOT ABLE TO DETERMINE WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED FOR MONTHS AND WAS NOT ABLE TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ODI #10659331

49,000 miles · Jul 23, 2014
Steering

I WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AND MY CAR CHIMED AND LOST ALL POWER STEERING FOR APPROXIMATELY 3-4 SECONDS AND THEN THE POWER CAME BACK. THIS TYPE OF POWER LOSS HAS HAPPENED TO ME TWICE SINCE I HAVE OWNED MY VEHICLE WHICH I PURCHASED IN 2008. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10615561

109,000 miles · Jun 24, 2014
Steering

STEERING WHEEL WAS HARD TO CONTROL FELT MY CAR MOVING IN OUTSIDE LANES, THE NEXT MORNING I BEGAN TO PULL MY CAR OUT STEERING WHEEL WAS SO HARD TO TURN IT JUST BROKE AND STARTED SPINNING AROUND. I WAS IN TOTAL SHOCK AND HAPPY TO BE ALIVE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10605579

105,000 miles · Apr 7, 2014
Steering

THE STEERING HAS GONE OUT TWICE ON ME NOW. SO I DID SOME RESEARCH AND IT SHOWS THERE IS A RECALL FOR STEERING PARTS BUT NOT FOR MY VIN # OF MY MALIBU? WHAT IS THE DEAL? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10578030

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

163,000 miles · Mar 13, 2014
Steering

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND TOTALLY LOST POWER STEERING. I PULLED MY CAR INTO A PARKING LOT AND LET THE CAR SIT FOR A COUPLE OF HOURS. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR HOME WHERE I LOST POWER STEERING AGAIN WHILE PULLING INTO MY DRIVEWAY. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE MY CAR TO THE REPAIR SHOP A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER WHERE I HAD TO HAVE TH…

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I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND TOTALLY LOST POWER STEERING. I PULLED MY CAR INTO A PARKING LOT AND LET THE CAR SIT FOR A COUPLE OF HOURS. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR HOME WHERE I LOST POWER STEERING AGAIN WHILE PULLING INTO MY DRIVEWAY. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE MY CAR TO THE REPAIR SHOP A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER WHERE I HAD TO HAVE THE ENTIRE STEERING SYSTEM REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10569068

121,510 miles · May 13, 2013
Steering

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD TO DROP OFF THE KIDS AT MY MOTHERS HOUSE AND POWER STEERING FAILED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10511747

65,000 miles · Feb 19, 2013
Power TrainService BrakesSteering

I WAS DRIVING ALONG THE ROAD, AND THE YELLOW WRENCH POPPED UP,THE WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. ALSO, WHILE TURNING THE CAR THE WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN. THIS PROBLEM OCCURS AT LEAST 3-4 TIMES A YEAR. MY BRAKE PEDDLE ACTS UP IN THE SNOWY MONTHS. WHEN I PRESS THE BRAKE PEDDLE-THE PEDDLE JUMPS PUSHES UP AND DOWN INTO MY FEET.…

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I WAS DRIVING ALONG THE ROAD, AND THE YELLOW WRENCH POPPED UP,THE WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. ALSO, WHILE TURNING THE CAR THE WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN. THIS PROBLEM OCCURS AT LEAST 3-4 TIMES A YEAR. MY BRAKE PEDDLE ACTS UP IN THE SNOWY MONTHS. WHEN I PRESS THE BRAKE PEDDLE-THE PEDDLE JUMPS PUSHES UP AND DOWN INTO MY FEET. WHEN IT SNOWS, I WORRY ABOUT RUNNING INTO A CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10499314

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.)