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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

What owners actually said

116 reports
146,000 miles · Jul 20, 2014
Electrical System

UPON SHUTTING CAR OFF MY CAR KEY WOULD NOT COME OUT IGNITION AFTER DANGLING THE KEY I CAME OUT BUT THE IGNITION WASN'T IN THE OFF POSITION. LM ATTEMPT TO PUT THE KEY BACK IN TO TURN IT TO OFF POSITION IT DIDN'T BUDGE. THE NEXT MORNING THE CAR WOULDN'T START I HAD TO GET A JUMP AND THEN THE FOLLOWING MORNING THE CAR WOULDN'T S…

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UPON SHUTTING CAR OFF MY CAR KEY WOULD NOT COME OUT IGNITION AFTER DANGLING THE KEY I CAME OUT BUT THE IGNITION WASN'T IN THE OFF POSITION. LM ATTEMPT TO PUT THE KEY BACK IN TO TURN IT TO OFF POSITION IT DIDN'T BUDGE. THE NEXT MORNING THE CAR WOULDN'T START I HAD TO GET A JUMP AND THEN THE FOLLOWING MORNING THE CAR WOULDN'T START I HAD TO GET A JUMP. I WENT ADVANCE AUTO PARTS AND WAS TOLD THAT BECAUSE THE CAR IS NOT IN OFF POSITION COMPLETELY ITS DRAINING MY BATTERY, I ALSO WAS INFORMED OF A RECALL FOR MY VEHICLE THAT I WASN'T AWARE OF. I WILL TAKE TO DEALERSHIP ON MONDAY. THE OTHER PROBLEMS I HAVE IS THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW AFTER LETTING DOWN WONT COME BACK UP. TURN SIGNALS NOT WORKING ONE MINUTE POP ON OTHER MINUTE. I CHECK THE FUSE BOX IT WAS FINE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10614833

110,000 miles · Jul 10, 2014
Equipment

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM STOPPED WORKING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

NHTSA ODI #10609575

151,201 miles · Jul 10, 2014
Electrical System

I WAS IN THE PROCESS OF SLOWING DOWN FOR A RED LIGHT ON A BUSY HIGHWAY WHEN MY CAR JUST DIED. I HAD TWO KIDS IN THE CAR WITH ME. SOMETHING BAD COULD HAVE HAPPENED. GOOD THING IT THE CAR DIED AT A RED LIGHT. I WAITED A FEW MINUTES AND THE CAR STARTED UP. I HAD THE CAR TESTED FOR ANY CODES AND NOTHING SHOWED FOR A REASON WHY THE C…

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I WAS IN THE PROCESS OF SLOWING DOWN FOR A RED LIGHT ON A BUSY HIGHWAY WHEN MY CAR JUST DIED. I HAD TWO KIDS IN THE CAR WITH ME. SOMETHING BAD COULD HAVE HAPPENED. GOOD THING IT THE CAR DIED AT A RED LIGHT. I WAITED A FEW MINUTES AND THE CAR STARTED UP. I HAD THE CAR TESTED FOR ANY CODES AND NOTHING SHOWED FOR A REASON WHY THE CAR DID THIS. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED WAS ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10609548

109,000 miles · Jun 30, 2014
Exterior Lighting

MY VEHICLE DRIVERS SIDE LIGHT HAS GONE OUT VARIOUS TIMES. THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS ON THAT SIDE HAVE STOPPED WORKING AS WELL. TURN SIGNALS WILL STOP WORKING WHILE MERGING IN TRAFFIC. THE POWER WINDOWS WILL STOP WORKING AS WELL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10607075

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

90,000 miles · Jun 19, 2014
Exterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TURN SIGNAL FAILED TO OPERATE AT TIMES OR WOULD OPERATE INTERMITTENTLY DO TO A DEFECTIVE HAZARD SWITCH. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE HAZARD SWITCH AND THE DEFECT WAS REMEDIED. THE CONTACT ALSO INDICATED THAT WHILE DRIVING EXHAUST FUMES WERE EMITTED INS…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TURN SIGNAL FAILED TO OPERATE AT TIMES OR WOULD OPERATE INTERMITTENTLY DO TO A DEFECTIVE HAZARD SWITCH. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE HAZARD SWITCH AND THE DEFECT WAS REMEDIED. THE CONTACT ALSO INDICATED THAT WHILE DRIVING EXHAUST FUMES WERE EMITTED INSIDE THE VEHICLE DUE TO A DEFECTIVE BLEND DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA ODI #10604528

90,000 miles · May 30, 2014
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTI-THEFT AND THE ABS WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. ADDITIONALLY, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, DIMMER SWITCH, RADIO, SPEEDOMETER, AIR CONDITIONING LIGHTS, AND THE AIR CONDITIONING CONTROLS ALL FAILED. THE CONTACT HAD TO REPOSITION THE KEY IN…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTI-THEFT AND THE ABS WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. ADDITIONALLY, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, DIMMER SWITCH, RADIO, SPEEDOMETER, AIR CONDITIONING LIGHTS, AND THE AIR CONDITIONING CONTROLS ALL FAILED. THE CONTACT HAD TO REPOSITION THE KEY IN THE IGNITION SWITCH AND ATTEMPTED NUMEROUS TIMES TO START THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE ANTI-THEFT FEATURE WOULD NOT ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO BE STARTED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL AND SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA ODI #10595164

110,800 miles · May 27, 2014
Electrical System

SECURITY SYSTEM WENT HAYWIRE. I GOT IN MY CAR TRIED TO START IT, IT WILL START, BUT DIES IN SECONDS, NO DASH LIGHTS, IF I LEAVE THE IGNITION TURN TO ON AFTER SO LONG 10 MINUTES OR LONGER SOMETIMES THE DASH LIGHTS WILL TURN ON AGAIN. AND THEN I AM ABLE TO START MY CAR AND DRIVE IT, HOWEVER SOMETIMES THE CAR EVEN AFTER WAITING A H…

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SECURITY SYSTEM WENT HAYWIRE. I GOT IN MY CAR TRIED TO START IT, IT WILL START, BUT DIES IN SECONDS, NO DASH LIGHTS, IF I LEAVE THE IGNITION TURN TO ON AFTER SO LONG 10 MINUTES OR LONGER SOMETIMES THE DASH LIGHTS WILL TURN ON AGAIN. AND THEN I AM ABLE TO START MY CAR AND DRIVE IT, HOWEVER SOMETIMES THE CAR EVEN AFTER WAITING A HALF HR WILL NOT RESET THE PASSLOCK SECURITY SYSTEM. IT COSTS OVER $500.00 TO FIX AND THIS IS THE SECOND ONE I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE IN MY CAR. THE DEALER SHOULD BE FIXING THIS ISSUE AS IT IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND HAS HAD MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ALL OVER THE INTERNET. THIS IS RIDICULOUS HOW CAN THE CHARGE SUCH AN OUTRAGEOUS AMOUNT AND YET IT GO BAD AGAIN AND NOT RECALL THIS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10594331

120,000 miles · May 22, 2014
Power Train

WHEN IN REVERSE, BUT NOT MOVING, THE WHOLE FRONT OF THE CAR SHIMMIES AND MAKES NOISES. THE AFFECTED PART WAS JUST REPLACED (SUPPOSEDLY) IN FEB. 2012. NOW THEY SAY THAT THE PARTS AGAIN MUST BE REPLACED BECAUSE THEY ARE JUST FINDING IT NOW, A COUPLE OF MONTHS AFTER THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10593519

120,000 miles · May 22, 2014
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS W/ SIGNAL LIGHT. NO SIGNAL (FROM STOPPED OR WAITING POSITION) SIGNAL, THEN NO SIGNAL (ANY SPEED). NO SIGNAL, THEN SUDDENLY SIGNAL (ANY SPEED OR DRIVING CONDITION) I'VE HAD IT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP MULTIPLE TIMES BUT THEY HAVE NEVER BEEN ABLE TO REPLICATE, SO THEY SAY THERE ISN'T A PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10593517

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.)