2004 Chevrolet Malibu
This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
- Complaints
- 1,147
- Recalls
- 9
- Investigations
- 4
- Top problem
- Steering
Campaigns on file for 2004
Opened by NHTSA
81% of complaints
Complaints per year
2004: 1,147 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1980 | 5 |
| 1981 | 3 |
| 1982 | 2 |
| 1983 | 1 |
| 1986 | 1 |
| 1989 | 3 |
| 1997 | 443 |
| 1998 | 976 |
| 1999 | 789 |
| 2000 | 922 |
| 2001 | 721 |
| 2002 | 567 |
| 2003 | 569 |
| 2004 | 1,147 |
| 2005 | 975 |
| 2006 | 1,116 |
| 2007 | 977 |
| 2008 | 987 |
| 2009 | 1,509 |
| 2010 | 1,360 |
| 2011 | 978 |
| 2012 | 907 |
| 2013 | 836 |
| 2014 | 351 |
| 2015 | 270 |
| 2016 | 836 |
| 2017 | 703 |
| 2018 | 697 |
| 2019 | 190 |
| 2020 | 196 |
| 2021 | 88 |
| 2022 | 97 |
| 2023 | 66 |
| 2024 | 41 |
| 2025 | 10 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Steering
81% · 933 reportsMost commonly citing electric power assist system and column.
Show complaint excerpts
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving at 60 MPH, the steering wheel seized not allowing the contact to have control of the vehicle. As a result, the vehicle ran into a side bearing.
NHTSA ODI report, 2021-05-05
One evening while driving on the expressway @ aprox 55MPH the wrench light came on and three chimes the steering wheel locked causing loss of control resulting in a collision with the concrete wall causing suspension damage and body damage to a tune...
NHTSA ODI report, 2013-04-20
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, the steering became difficult to maneuver. The vehicle regained steering on its own.
NHTSA ODI report, 2012-11-26
Electrical system
13% · 154 reportsMost commonly citing ignition and switch.
Exterior lighting
8% · 90 reportsMost commonly citing turn signal and headlights.
Seats
6% · 69 reportsMost commonly citing seat heater/cooler.
Power train
6% · 67 reportsMost commonly citing automatic transmission and seal.
Safety timeline
9 recalls · 4 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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2004Complaint volume 1,147 complaints filed for this model year.
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2004-03-30Preliminary evaluationClosed 2004-07-01 Loss of electric power steering
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2004-04-21Equipment04V094000 Certain passenger vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 208, "Occupant crash protection." Some of these vehicles that were not equipped…
Remedy: Owners will be sent replacement labels with instructions on how to install them. Owner notification began on April 21, 2004. Owners should contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438.
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2004-05-07Seat belts04V188000 On certain passenger vehicles, analysis of an a side impact crash test conducted by the NHTSA;s new car assessment program (Ncap) indicated that the outboard anchorage of the driver's seat belt…
Remedy: Dealers will insert a retainer on both the driver's and passenger's belt anchorages. Owner notification began on June 16, 2004. Owners should contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438.
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2004-06-16Service brakes, hydraulic04V190000 Some of these passenger vehicles have an electronic control unit (ECU) that may calculate a higher than actual vehicle speed because of an erratic rear-wheel speed sensor signal, and cause ABS…
Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the ABS controller. Owner notification began on June 16, 2004. Owners should contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438.
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2004-07-01Engineering analysisClosed 2005-05-10 Loss of electric power steering
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2008-10-21Preliminary evaluationClosed 2009-03-20 Turn signal lamps
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2009-03-20Engineering analysisClosed 2010-08-12 Turn Signal Lamps
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2009-05-11Exterior lighting09E012000 Sabersport is recalling 16,270 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to…
Remedy: Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on May 11, 2009. Owners may contact sabersport at 1-909-598-7589.
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2011-02-22Fuel system, gasoline11E009000 Ti automotive is recalling certain fuel pumps, part numbers TU456 and TU303, sold under various brand names as aftermarket and replacement equipment for the motor vehicles listed above. The…
Remedy: Ti automotive will notify owners of record and will replace any defective fuel pump with a new or reworked fuel pump free of charge. The safety recall began on February 22, 2011. Owners may…
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2014-06-27Power train14V224000 General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on April 29, 2014, that they are recalling 56,214 model year 2007 and 2008 Saturn Aura vehicles.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and GM dealers will replace the shift cable assembly and mounting bracket, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-553-6000.
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2014-07-17Steering14V153000 General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 and 2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2006 Malibu Maxx, 2009-2010 HHR (non-turbo), 2010 Cobalt, 2008-2009 Saturn Aura and 2004-2007 Ion, and 2005-2009 Pontiac G6.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will perform one of four bulletins. Parts are not currently available. GM expects to send an interim notification around May 28, 2014.
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2014-08-18Electrical system, electronic stability control (esc), exterior lighting, vehicle speed control14V252000 General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured May 16, 2003, through October 11, 2012, 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6...
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will attach the wiring harness to the BCM with a spacer, apply dielectric lubricant to both the BCM and harness connector and the BAS and harness connector, and will relearn the brake pedal home position, free of...
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2014-09-08Steering14E044000 Dorman Products, Inc.
Remedy: Dorman will notify owners, and dealers will refund the purchase price or replace the steering shafts, free of charge. The recall began in September 2014. Owners may contact Dorman customer service at 1-800-523-2492.
Buy-smart checklist
2004 Chevrolet Malibu — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Steering: 933 reports on file for this year.
- Electrical system: 154 reports on file for this year.
- Exterior lighting: 90 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 04V094000 · Equipment
- Recall 04V188000 · Seat belts
- Recall 04V190000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
- Recall 09E012000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 11E009000 · Fuel system, gasoline
- Recall 14V224000 · Power train
- Recall 14V153000 · Steering
- Recall 14V252000 · Electrical system, electronic stability control (esc), exterior lighting, vehicle speed control
- Recall 14E044000 · Steering
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu is rated "worse than typical".
- What are the most common problems with the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu?
- The most-reported component is steering, accounting for 81% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu have?
- 9 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.