Chevrolet Malibu Complaints (2004)

1,582 consumer complaints on file.

#10376739January 14, 2011
STEERING
I HAVE A 2004 CHEVY MALIBU (NEW BODY STYLE). I HAVE BEEN HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE POWER STEERING. LAST WEEK I WAS DRIVING AND ABOUT TO TURN AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP ON ME. I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AND HAD TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND RESTART IT TO UNLOCKED IT. THEN TODAY I STARTED THE CAR AND THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT MOVE I HAVE TO TURN IT OFF AND RESTART IT TO UNLOCK IT. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN AND MY DEALER SAYS THEIR IS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY CAR. I HAVE AS ON TODAY 45484 MILES ON THIS CAR AND NEVER BEEN IN A WRECK. WHEN I AM DRIVING STRAIGHT ON A ROAD THE POWER STEERING MESSAGE DISPLAYS ON THE DIC. THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM THAT THE OWNERS OF THE 2005 AND LATER MODELS ARE AND HAVE HAD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10373865January 3, 2011
SEATS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH OVER A SPEED BUMP, THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT COLLAPSED THREE TO FOUR INCHES INTO A TILTED POSITION. THE CONTACT ADJUSTED THE POWER SEAT TO THE LOWEST LEVEL TO SECURE THE SEAT AND THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESUME DRIVING THE VEHICLE WITH CAUTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE DEALER WHERE THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE DRIVER SEAT MOUNTING BRACKET WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10373961January 3, 2011
STEERING
TWICE IN THE LAST 3 WEEKS POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN AT THE BOTTOM OF A HILL. FORTUNATELY I HAD NOT YET PULLED OUT INTO TRAFFIC OR I WOULD HAVE BEEN FORCED INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10373520December 30, 2010
STEERING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH THE POWER STEERING LOCKED AND THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. AFTER TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF AND THEN BACK ON THE STEERING RESET ITSELF. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE STEERING WHEEL AND DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME. THE DEALER NOR MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10373303December 29, 2010
STEERING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, SHE NOTICED THAT THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL FOLLOWED BY A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT SHE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE POWER STEERING COLUMN. THE POWER STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 46,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10373261December 29, 2010
STEERING
POWER STEERING FAILURE. WARM STARTUP, AFTER REST STOP ON HIGHWAY TRIP, VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING AND THE "POWER STEERING MALFUNCTION" LIGHT CAME ON DASH. PULLED OVER AND CHECKED FUSES - ALL OK. RESTARTED, PROBLEM STILL THERE. RESTARTED AGAIN IN AN HOUR, PROBLEM WENT AWAY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10372699December 28, 2010
STEERING, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
12/24/2010 WHILE DRIVING A 2004 CHEVY MALIBU MY ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THEN THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP WHILE DRIVING AND IT MADE A SUDDEN JERKING STOP. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED BUT IT SCARED BOTH MY DAUGHTER AND I. THEN IN ADDITION TO KEEP REPLACING MY HEADLIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS PRETTY MUCH EVERY OTHER MONTH THEY BLOW OUT AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. FOR BOTH INCIDENTS A LOCAL MECHANIC WAS CONSULTED AND HE RECOMMENDED THAT I CONTACT A GM DEALER SHIP TO CHECK FOR RECALLS. I DID THAT AND RECEIVED INFORMATION THAT THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL FOR THE CURRENT SITUATIONS BUT THERE HAS BEEN MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS WITH THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL CAR AND WAS REFERRED ME TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP TO BE CHECKED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10373193December 28, 2010
STEERING
2004 CHEVY MALIBU STEERING LOCKS UP TURN CAR OFF AND RESTART CAR AND POWER STEERING COMES BACK WHEN IT LOCKS UP IT CAN HAPPEN AT ANY TIME WHILE DRIVING OR SITTING STILL,HAD POWER STEERING MOTOR AND SHAFT REPLACED WHEN CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND CHEVY MUST RESOLVE. HAVE NOT HAD E RESPONSE FROM CHEVY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10372499December 27, 2010
STEERING
I HAVE A 2004 CHEVY MALIBU AND THE POWER STEERING LIGHT COMES ON AND MY STEERING SYSTEM IS INOPERABLE AND MAKES IT VERY HARD FOR ME TO STEER IN TRAFFIC. I HAVE TO TURN MY CAR OFF TO RESET IT. THIS IS VERY SCARY WHILE DRIVING AND COULD BE A HAZARD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10372408December 26, 2010
STEERING
I HAVE A 2004 MALIBU, 6-CYLINDER, WITH 97,000+ MILES. RECENTLY, THE SERVICE VEHICLE LIGHT STARTED COMING ON WITH A COMPUTER DISPLAY INDICATION OF A POWER STEERING PROBLEM. THEY HAVE SINCE APPEARED ESPECIALLY IN WET WEATHER, WITH LOW RPMS (ABOUT 600) AND ON MAKING SLOW-SPEED RIGHT TURNS. MY NOT-YET-YEAR-OLD, 75-MONTH BATTERY ALSO JUST GAVE OUT, BUT REPLACING IT DID NOT STOP THE FAULT INDICATIONS. TURNING OFF THE CAR AND RESTARTING TO REBOOT THE SYSTEM USUALLY DID, BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED. TWO DAYS AGO, WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY, FAULT INDICATIONS WERE NOT DISPLAYED AND STEERING RESPONSE WAS NORMAL. HOWEVER, ON NEGOTIATING AN S-SHAPED EXIT RAMP, THE POWER ASSIST FAILED AND THE INDICATORS CAME ON. STEERING BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT AND I ONLY MANAGED TO STAY ON THE ROAD AT THE EXPENSE OF A WRENCHED SHOULDER. THE 2004 MALIBU HAS AN ELECTRIC POWER STEERING ASSIST SYSTEM (EPS) - WHICH WAS THE SUBJECT OF NHTSA ACTION NUMBER EA4018. THE DOOR STICKER ON MY CAR SHOWS A MANUFACTURE DATE OF 5/04. SO, ACCORDING TO YOUR REPORT, THE "NEWLY DESIGNED TORQUE AND POSITION SENSOR" IN VEHICLES PRODUCED AFTER 2/4/04, SHOULD HAVE BEEN INSTALLED. (I'LL BE EMAILING GM TO CONFIRM WHETHER THAT'S THE CASE.) IN ANY EVENT, JUDGING BY THE SPATE OF COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER MALIBU OWNERS, IT DOES NOT SEEM THAT THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN RESOLVED'OR THAT GM HAS EVEN CARED TO SERIOUSLY LOOK INTO IT. PLEASE SEE CAR COMPLAINTS LINK FOR A SAMPLING: HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/CHEVROLET/MALIBU/2004/STEERING/POWER_STEERING_GOING_OUT_INTERMITTENTLY.SHTML I ALSO TAKE ISSUE WITH YOUR REPORT THAT DRIVER IMPACT WOULD BE INSUBSTANTIAL AS THE CAR IS RELATIVELY SMALL AND LIGHT. BASED ON MY EXPERIENCE, THERE IS A CLEAR SAFELY HAZARD. THE MALIBU OBVIOUSLY IS NOT A CAR FOR 20-SOMETHINGS. PEOPLE WHO ACTUALLY DRIVE IT WOULD NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT STRENGTH TO STEER WITHOUT THE POWER ASSIST TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. AS ALLUDED TO AT THE END OF YOUR REPORT, I FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT CIRCUMSTANCES NOW WARRANT FURTHER ACTION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10372302December 23, 2010
STEERING
DRIVING IN CITY TRAFFIC. POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ENGAGED SUDDENLY. POWER STEERING NOT EFFECTED. CAR SHUT OFF. RESTART AND DRIVES NORMALLY THEN LIGHT GOES ON AGAIN. I HAVE FOUND OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY GOING OUT, SO I AM ADDING MY VOICE TO THOSE TO REQUEST CHEVY RECALL. *LN
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10371241December 20, 2010
STEERING
IN A TURN AT HIGHER SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL BECOMES STIFF, HARD TO TURN, AND THE BELL ALARM GOES OFF. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10371123December 17, 2010
STEERING, SEAT BELTS, PARKING BRAKE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM, EQUIPMENT
I HAVE A 2004 MALIBU LS, WHEN I FIRST PURCHASED THE CAR DURING THE WINTER OF 04 I HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING. IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY, I TOOK IT BACK EVERY WINTER FOR 4 YEARS AND THE DEALERSHIP ALWAYS REPAIRED THE CAR. IN 2010 MY POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON AND I LOST POWER TRYING TO TURN INTO A PARKING SPOT. THE NEXT TIME IT OCCURRED, I WAS DRIVING 50 MPH I WENT TO CHANGE LANES THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON AND I COULD NOT TURN THE WHEEL. I WAS PULLING OUT FROM A PARKING SPOT THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON AND I COULD NOT STEER THE CAR. THIS YEAR THE SEAT BELT LIGHT STAYS ON WHEN MY SEAT BELT IS ON. IT HAPPENS EVERY DAY THE LIGHT STAYS ON. THE DEALER THAT I USE TO USE WENT OUT OF BUSINESS AND DID NOT NOTIFY THE CUSTOMERS. I FOUND OUT WHEN I WENT TO HAVE SOME WORK CORRECTED THAT THEY DID. THIS PROBLEM IS SCARY BECAUSE I NEVER KNOW WHEN THE POWER STEERING LIGHT IS GOING TO COME ON. THAT IS VERY VERY SCARY. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND THEY CAN NEVER FIND ANYTHING WRONG. I RECENTLY HAD MY CAR INSPECTED THEY WOULD NOT PASS IT BECAUSE OF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT.I HAD TO DRIVE THE CAR FOR 300 MILES AND THE LIGHT WENT OFF AND THEY PASSED IT FOR INSPECTION. THE ORIGINAL BRAKES WERE REPLACED 3 TIMES IN THE FIRST 2 YEARS OF HAVING THE CAR. I ONLY HAVE 45, 000 MILES. PURCHASED 2 BATTERIES FROM GM THE 2ND ONE LASTED LESS THEN 2 YEARS AND DIED. AN AUTHENTIC GM BATTERY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10370744December 15, 2010
SEATS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. THE DRIVERS SEAT FRAME THAT SUPPORTS THE SEAT WAS BROKEN SINCE 2008. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INFORMED HIM THAT IT WOULD COST HIM $1000 FOR REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NEVER REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NEVER NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10369989December 11, 2010
STEERING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I OWN A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. THE POWER STEERING IN THE VEHICLE GOES OUT WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION. WHEN POWER STEERING GOES OUT, I HAVE TO STOP THE VEHICLE WHERE I AM AND TURN THE CAR OFF AND RESTART THE VEHICLE TO GET POWER STEERING TO COME BACK ON. ALSO THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL LIGHT CONTINUES TO GO OUT. I HAVE REPLACED THE LIGHT SEVERAL TIMES AND IT CONTINUES TO BLOW AFTER A DAY. THE TURN SIGNAL BEING OUT MAKES IT HARD FOR ME TO TURN WHEN AT STOP SIGNS. OTHER DRIVERS DON'T KNOW I AM TURNING AND TRY TO DRIVE WHILE I AM MAKING A TURN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10369771December 9, 2010
STEERING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LOST POWERING STEERING MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT DID NOT INFORM THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 139,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10369792December 9, 2010
STEERING
STEERING COLUMN FAILURE, LACK OF CONTROL OVER VEHICLE. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10369606December 8, 2010
SEATS
DATE: 11/15/10. 2004 MALIBU MAXX LT. WHILE EXITING A LIMITED ACCESS HIGHWAY AT 25 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SEAT SUDDENLY DROPPED TWO OR THREE INCHES DOWN AND TO THE RIGHT, NEARLY CAUSING THE OPERATOR TO CRASH INTO THE SAFETY BARRIER. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED, AN INSPECTION REVEALED THE SEAT FRAME WELD HAD SEPARATED. RESEARCH SHOWS THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT HAS BEEN REPORTED TO THE NHTSA ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS WITHOUT CORRECTIVE ACTION. THE DEALER HAS INSPECTED THE DAMAGE AND CLAIMS THIS IS A RECURRING ISSUE. REPAIR IS OVER $1,000. THE RESULTING LITIGATION WILL RUN IN THE 10'S OF MILLIONS AS THE DEALERSHIP NOTES THAT IN A COLLISION THE SEAT MAY NOT STAY ANCHORED. THE SAFETY RESTRAINT IS ALSO ATTACHED TO THE SEAT, SO IT WILL BE INEFFECTIVE AS WELL. INVESTIGATE AND ISSUE THE RECALL! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10369453December 7, 2010
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT WAS ATTEMPTED TO EXIT A PARKING SPACE WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED ABNORMALLY. THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED FOLLOWING THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF FOR MOMENTS AND WHEN RESTARTING, THE STEERING RETURNED TO NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND DIAGNOSED. THE DEALER LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE STEERING COMPUTER AND ADVISED THAT IT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 115,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10369292December 6, 2010
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD BECOME EXTREMELY STIFF AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE ON THE DASHBOARD. AFTER THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT WOULD STOP AND RESTART THE VEHICLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY AND DURING SOME OF THE FAILURES, THE POWER STEERING LIGHT DID NOT ILLUMINATE. THE FAILURE WAS NEVER DIAGNOSED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NEVER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 109,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Chevrolet Malibu