Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
40–25K
1325–50K
1350–75K
1575–100K
33100–150K
14150K+
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
80,000 miles · May 22, 2014
Electrical System
I PURCHASED MY CAR IN 2005 AND THIS PROBLEM DIDN'T START UNTIL 2012. MY CAR WILL NOT START AT TIMES AND THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED I HAD NO IDEA THAT IT WAS THE IGNITION SWITCH/ANTITHEFT SYSTEM KICKING IN. FOR SOME REASON MY CAR THOUGHT I WAS TRYING TO STEAL IT. I HAD THE FUEL SYSTEM LOOKED INTO AND CHANGED A COUPLE OF PARTS …
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I PURCHASED MY CAR IN 2005 AND THIS PROBLEM DIDN'T START UNTIL 2012. MY CAR WILL NOT START AT TIMES AND THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED I HAD NO IDEA THAT IT WAS THE IGNITION SWITCH/ANTITHEFT SYSTEM KICKING IN. FOR SOME REASON MY CAR THOUGHT I WAS TRYING TO STEAL IT. I HAD THE FUEL SYSTEM LOOKED INTO AND CHANGED A COUPLE OF PARTS THINKING THAT WAS THE PROBLEM, BUT OBVIOUSLY NOW I KNOW IT WASN'T. I HAVE HAD IT PLUGGED IN AND NO DIAGNOSIS WAS FOUND. I DID BRING IT TO A MAN THAT WORKS ON CHEVROLETS AND HE TOLD ME I PROBABLY NEED A NEW IGNITION SWITCH. SO FOR TWO YEARS NOW, I HAVE TO RESET MY IGNITION SWITCH/ANTI THEFT SYSTEM ON MANY OCCASIONS, WHICH TAKES 10 MINUTES WHILE YOUR SITTING WHERE EVER YOU MAY BE. I DO STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT THIS NEEDS TO BE A RECALL AS I SEE SOOO MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS. UNFAIR THAT WE ALL HAVE TO FIX THIS ISSUE OURSELVES WHEN THE GM SHOULD BE FIXING THE ISSUE!!!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10593397
107,543 miles · May 18, 2014
Electrical System
AFTER STARTING THE CAR THERE WAS NO POWER TO WINDOWS RADIO OR AC ALSO GAUGES FOR TEMPERATURE AND FUEL DID NOT WORK. *JS
NHTSA ODI #10592258
100,000 miles · May 15, 2014
Electrical System
I OWN A 2004 CHEVY MALIBU. MY ANTI-THEFT DEVICE KEEPS ME FROM STARTING CAR. UNCERTAIN WHY THIS WAS HAPPENING AT FIRST, KEPT HAVING IT GO FOR SERVICE. THEY COULD NEVER FIND ANYTHING WRONG. NOW I FIND IT'S THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM. SO I HAVE TO WAIT 10-15 MINUTES WITH IGNITION TO THE ON POSITION BEFORE THEFT LIGHT TURNS OFF & CAN ST…
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I OWN A 2004 CHEVY MALIBU. MY ANTI-THEFT DEVICE KEEPS ME FROM STARTING CAR. UNCERTAIN WHY THIS WAS HAPPENING AT FIRST, KEPT HAVING IT GO FOR SERVICE. THEY COULD NEVER FIND ANYTHING WRONG. NOW I FIND IT'S THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM. SO I HAVE TO WAIT 10-15 MINUTES WITH IGNITION TO THE ON POSITION BEFORE THEFT LIGHT TURNS OFF & CAN START CAR. I END UP LEAVING CAR RUNNING NOW TO GO INTO STORES, ANYPLACE I EXPECT TO BE LESS THAN 5 MINUTES. THIS IS HAPPENING 1-3 X'S A WEEK FOR OVER 6 MONTHS. GM DEALER STATES WILL FIX FOR $400. HUNDREDS OF SAME COMPLAINTS I'VE FOUND ON-LINE, EVEN FACE-BOOK PAGE, DOZENS OF Y-TUBE VIDEO'S SHOWING HOW TO TURN OFF SYSTEM-BUT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT REQUIRES SOME MECHANICAL EXPERTISE WHICH I DON'T HAVE. SAFETY CONCERN-MAY HAVE EMERGENCY AND NEED MY CAR TO START, NOT WAIT PATIENTLY FOR 10 MINUTES THEN HOPE IT WILL START. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10588534
10,112 miles · May 1, 2014
Electrical System
I HAD MY KEY STUCK IN ACCESSORY THE IGNITION SO MY CAR BATTERY WOULD RUN DEAD. I WAS TOLD I MIGHT NEED A IGNITION CYLINDER FOR MY VEHICLE BUT LOOKING ON THE INTERNET I SEE THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE FOR THIS MAKE, MODEL, AND YEAR. THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED A FIX THAT THE MANUFACTURE TO PAY FOR A KNOWN PROBLEM. TO GET THIS REPLACED IS …
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I HAD MY KEY STUCK IN ACCESSORY THE IGNITION SO MY CAR BATTERY WOULD RUN DEAD. I WAS TOLD I MIGHT NEED A IGNITION CYLINDER FOR MY VEHICLE BUT LOOKING ON THE INTERNET I SEE THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE FOR THIS MAKE, MODEL, AND YEAR. THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED A FIX THAT THE MANUFACTURE TO PAY FOR A KNOWN PROBLEM. TO GET THIS REPLACED IS ALMOST $900.00. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10586043
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
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
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
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
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.)
2004 Chevrolet Malibu Classic Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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