IllustrationTHE 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
2004 Chevrolet Malibu Classic
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Malibu Classic years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
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 reportsTURN 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
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD TO DROP OFF THE KIDS AT MY MOTHERS HOUSE AND POWER STEERING FAILED. *TR
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
WHILE DRIVING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE RODE, STEERING WHEEL WILL LOCK UP CAUSING ME TO HAVE TO RESTART IGNITION- AS IF THE CAR IS RESETTING, IN ORDER FOR THE STEERING WHEEL TO TURN PROPERLY. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 1-2X/MONTH SINCE THE FIRST INCIDENT. I OFTEN DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY AND ITS HAPPENED WHILE OTHER CARS ARE DRIVING AROU…
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WHILE DRIVING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE RODE, STEERING WHEEL WILL LOCK UP CAUSING ME TO HAVE TO RESTART IGNITION- AS IF THE CAR IS RESETTING, IN ORDER FOR THE STEERING WHEEL TO TURN PROPERLY. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 1-2X/MONTH SINCE THE FIRST INCIDENT. I OFTEN DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY AND ITS HAPPENED WHILE OTHER CARS ARE DRIVING AROUND ME. THE STEERING WHEEL WILL NOT TURN OR IT TAKES A GOOD AMOUNT OF FORCE TO MAKE THE WHEEL TURN. ITS QUITE DANGEROUS AND VERY SCARY. I CONTACTED THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THERE ARE NO WARRANTY'S OR RECALLS. CHECKED ONLINE AND DISCOVERED THAT OTHERS ARE HAVING A SIMILAR ISSUE. NOW I HAVE TO PAY MECHANIC TO FIX THE PART. *TR
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
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
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
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
THE AUTO THEFT LIGHT COMES ON WHEN I UNLOCK MY DOORS AND HEADLIGHTS FLASHES AND THE RADIO CLOCK LIGHT FLASH UNTIL I START THE CAR, SOMETIME I HAVE TO SHUT THE CAR OFF AND RESTART IT TO GET IT TO STOP. THEN THE CAR DOORS UNLOCK AND LOCK WHEN I AM DRIVING DOWN THE STREET. WHEN I PUT MY CAR IN DRIVE THERE IS A HORN SOUND. WHAT I…
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THE AUTO THEFT LIGHT COMES ON WHEN I UNLOCK MY DOORS AND HEADLIGHTS FLASHES AND THE RADIO CLOCK LIGHT FLASH UNTIL I START THE CAR, SOMETIME I HAVE TO SHUT THE CAR OFF AND RESTART IT TO GET IT TO STOP. THEN THE CAR DOORS UNLOCK AND LOCK WHEN I AM DRIVING DOWN THE STREET. WHEN I PUT MY CAR IN DRIVE THERE IS A HORN SOUND. WHAT IS WRONG WITH MY CAR? *TR
Official recalls
114V400000 · 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
1EA04018 · 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.)