2004 Chevrolet Malibu Complaint Log

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE TURN SIGNAL, RUNNING LIGHTS, AND HAZARD LIGHTS AND NOTICED THEY WERE NOT ILLUMINATING PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

IN JULY 2011 THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. ABOUT A WEEK LATER IT STARTED GOING OUT WHILE DRIVING. HAD THE STEERING COLUMN, AND RACKET AND PINION REPLACED, AND THE THEN THE RADIO STOPPED PLAYING CDS, AND THE SEAT BELT LIGHT CONSTANTLY STAYS ON EVEN IF YOU HAVE THE SEAT BELT ON. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED UNEXPECTEDLY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST OVER TO SIDE OF THE ROAD AND RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 210,000.

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AROUND 11 PM I WENT TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND THE CAR STARTED BEEPING ABOUT THE POWER STEERING. THE NEXT DAY I GO TO HAVE THE CAR INSPECTED AND IT DRIVES NORMAL NO POWER STEERING LIGHTS ON. I HAVE CALLED TO FIND OUT IF THERE ARE ANY RECALLS AND THERE ARE NOT THIS HAPPENS TOO OFTEN TO JUST BE IGNORED MY FATHER WAS THE PREVIOUS OWNER AND IT WAS HAPPENING TO HIM AS WELL. I HAVE REPLACED THE RACK AND PINION, CONTROL ARMS AND TIE RODS AND STILL NOTHING IS WORKING. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION WHILE MAKING A TURN, THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN INTO THE MEDIAN CAUTIOUSLY AND TURNED OFF. AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THERE WAS NO RECALL RELATED TO THE DEFECT. THERE WAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN NHTSA ITEM NUMBER 10018531 (STEERING: ELECTRIC POWER; ASSIST SYSTEM). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000. UPDATED 09/21/11*LJ UPDATED 10/03/11

I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY DOOR LOCKS STARTED TO GO UP AND DOWN. THAN AFTER THAT THE DOORS WOULD JUST START TO LOCK AND UNLOCK ON THEIR OWN. NOW NONE OF THE LOCKS ON THE DOOR WORK AND THE ALARM GOES OFF EVERYTIME I OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE AND WHEN I'M INSIDE THE CAR I GET LOCKED IN MY CAR. *JS

POWER STEERING WENT OUT IN MY 2004 CHEVY MALIBU. CONTACTED DEALER - THEY WOULDN'T DO ANYTHING. VERY DANGEROUS THE POWER STEERING IS VERY INTERMITTENT, LOCKS UP AND STAYS FROZEN/LOCKED UP UNTIL YOU CUT THE CAR OFF. WHEN I CUT THE CAR BACK ON IT IS UNFROZEN/UNLOCKED AND THE STEERING WORKS - HOWEVER IT GOES OUT INTERMITTENTLY AND ALWAYS HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING. MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ON THIS VEHICLES STEERING, WHICH IS VERY EXPENSIVE TO REPLACE. I HAVE HEARD THAT THERE WERE RECALLS ON SOME OF THE 04 MALIBUS, BUT NOT ALL OF THEM FOR THE POWER STEERING MOTOR. *TR

2004 MALIBU MAXX HAS LOST POWER STEERING. WEEKS PRIOR THE STEERING TO THE LEFT IS LOOSE AND STEERING TO THE RIGHT IS TIGHT. MECHANIC CANNOT FIND AN ISSUE. FOUND OVER 40 COMPLAINTS IN ONLINE CAR BLOGS OF THE SAME ISSUE. SEVERAL HAD REPLACED STEERING COLUMN ONLY TO FIND THE ISSUE OCCURRED AGAIN. *TR

SINCE LAST YEAR 3 OR 4 TIMES I HAVE THE DCI WARNING AND MESSAGE POWER STEERING, ITS HARD TO DRIVE,STOP THE CAR TURN OFF AND TURN ON AGAIN AND THE POWER CAME BACK, THE WARNING COMES WHEN I START DRIVING.EVERY DAY I DRIVE WORRY BECAUSE I DONT KNOW WHEN IT WILL HAPPEND AGAIN,SPECIALLY WHEN IM DRIVING IN THE HIGHWAY OVER 50 MILES AN HOUR.THANK YOU FOR RECOMEND ME WHAT TO DO. *TR

WHILE DRIVING OUR 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX WITH A 6 POSITION DRIVER SEAT, I HIT A POTHOLE AND THE DRIVER SEAT BROKE LOOSE. THIS CAUSED THE SEAT TO DROP DOWN, BACK AND TO THE RIGHT. THIS RESULTED IN A MOMENTARY LOSS OF CONTROL CAUSING ME TO PULL THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT AND ENDING UP OFF THE ROAD AND HITTING A SMALL TREE. THE CONTACT TO THE TREE CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE TRIM AROUND THE HEADLIGHT AND THE LENS. INSPECTION FOUND 2 WELDS ON THE SEAT FRAME HAD BROKEN. THE 1ST WELD IS ON THE FRONT CROSS BAR AND RIGHT FRAME RAIL. THE 2ND WELD HAD BROKEN ON THE REAR CROSS BAR AND THE FRAME WHERE THE SEATBELT RECEPTACLE IS ATTACHED. WE CALLED THE CHEVY CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE AND WE WERE TOLD THAT CHEVY HAD NOT HAD RECEIVED COMPLAINTS ABOUT BROKEN WELDS ON THE SEAT FRAME BUT WOULD BE HAPPY TO RECORD OUR CONCERN. WE TALKED TO THE DEALER AND WE WERE INFORMED THAT THIS WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I ASKED ABOUT RECALLS AND TSB'S REGARDING THIS ISSUE AND WAS INFORMED THERE HAD BEEN NO RECALLS OR TSB'S REPORTED ON THE SEAT FRAME. IN FACT THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME OUR LOCAL DEALER HAD EVER SEEN THIS TYPE OF FAILURE. REPAIR FOR THE SEAT ALONE WILL BE OVER $1,000 NOT TO MENTION THE OTHER DAMAGE CAUSED BY RUNNING OFF THE ROAD.I CALLED IN OUR AREA AND WAS TOLD THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM AND THEY COULD NOT KEEP SEATS IN STOCK. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) *TT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY LOSE POWER STEERING WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,188.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME STIFF AND THE STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, THE POWER STEERING FUNCTIONED NORMALLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND REPLACED THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING MOTOR. AFTER THE REPAIR THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 260,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD CONSTANTLY DISPLAY AN ERRONEOUS FULL READING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

THE 2004 CHEVY MALIBU MAXX HAS A FAULTY DRIVERS SEAT. THE BASE AND FRAME FRACTURE AND CAUSE THE SEAT TO LEAN TO THE RIGHT AND PROHIBIT IT FROM RISING. THIS HAPPENED ONCE AND WE HAD IT REPLACED AT A COST OF $900. IT HAS HAPPENED AGAIN. I SEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND A NUMBER OF OTHERS WITH THIS VEHICLE WITH THE EXACT PROBLEM. MY WIFE CANNOT EVEN DRIVE THE CAR WITH THE SEAT SO LOW AND IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. CHEVY NEEDS TO DO A RECALL AND STOP THOSE OF US WHO HAVE TRIED MULTIPLE FIXES AND IT CONTINUES TO BREAK. *KB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING WOULD INTERMITTENTLY FAIL WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH. IN ORDER TO CORRECT THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT WOULD PULL THE VEHICLE OVER AND RESTART IT. THE VEHICLE WAS NEVER TAKEN TO ANY MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION ON THE STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000.

POWER STEERING WENT OUT SUMMER 2010; REPLACED POWER STEERING @40,000 MILES. NOW AT 45,000 MILES HAVING SAME PROBLEM. POWER STEERING GOES OUT..NO WARNING; HAVE ALMOST HAD SEVERAL ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF IT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING BECAME EXTREMELY RESISTANT. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE DEALER AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

HAZARD/TURN SIGNAL WORKS INTERMITTENTLY. DOES NOT APPEAR ON THE INDICATOR PANEL WHEN NOT WORKING. WILL WORK FOR PART OF A TRIP AND THEN STOP OR NOT WORK AT ALL WHEN THE VEHICLE IS FIRST STARTED AND THEN WORK 20 MINS. LATER. THE SPEED/WEATHER CONDITIONS DO NOT SEEM TO HAVE AN EFFECT AS TO WHEN IT WORKS. CONSEQUENCE COULD BE A TICKET. THE TOWN OF AMHERST HAS MADE THE NEWS FOR HOW MUCH THEY TICKET AND A PLEA DOWN TO A PARKING TICKET WOULD COST A PERSON $200+. I HAVE HESITATED TO REPLACE IT AS I HAVE READ THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM OF CHEVY MALIBU'S. THESE CARS NEED SO MANY REPAIRS THAT I HATE TO PUT MORE MONEY (YET AGAIN) INTO SOMETHING THAT WILL NOT WORK. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 55 MPH WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED ABNORMALLY AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO MANEUVER THE STEERING WHEEL. HE ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE, STATING THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 113,000.

WHILE DRIVING, THE SERVICE WARNING LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WOULD GO AWAY. I AM LEFT WITH NO POWER ASSISTED STEERING. THIS IS A VERY SCARY AND DANGEROUS PROBLEM TO HAVE. MOST OF THE TIME I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO PULL OVER, SHUT OFF THE CAR, AND THEN STEERING WOULD COME BACK. THIS MORNING, THE STEERING WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING ON A CURVY ROAD. FIRST THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK WHILE ENTERING A TURN, THEN I ALMOST LOST CONTROL AND HIT ANOTHER CAR HEAD-ON WITH MY KIDS IN THE CAR. AS I SEARCHED THE INTERNET I DISCOVERED THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED THOUSANDS OF TIMES. HOW CAN THIS NOT BE A RECALL? IS IT BECAUSE ENOUGH PEOPLE HAVEN'T DIED YET? *TT

I OWN A 2004 MALIBU MAXX,IMY POWER STEERING GOES OUT CONSTANTLY,WHILE DRIVING AT A SPEED OF 30 MPH OR 60 MPH.I RECENTLY WAS ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY CHILDREN AND IT WENT OUT WHILE I WAS MAKING A TURN AND I ALMOST WENT OFF THE ROAD .SCARED ME AND MY KIDS TO DEATH....SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS....I HAVE READ TOO MANY STORIES ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH VARIOUS PEOPLE..DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO LOOSE THEIR LIFE TO GET A RECALL ON THIS OR WHAT!!!!!!!! *TR

ON TUESDAY, JUNE 7, 2011 THE POWER STEERING ON MY 2004 CHEVY MALIBU LS SUDDENLY WENT OFF WHILE USING THE TURN SIGNAL TO CHANGE LANES AT 5-10MPH. A POWER STEERING PROBLEM WAS POSTED ON THE DIGITAL DISPLAY AND THE CAR ICON WITH A WRENCH LIT UP. STEERING WAS VERY DIFFICULT, WORSE THAN MANUAL AND FELT LOCKED. I WAS TERRIFIED AND IMMEDIATELY DROVE TO THE MECHANIC AND LEFT THE CAR FOR THEM TO INSPECT. THEY REPORTED THAT THE CAR STARTED UP PROPERLY AND THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH THE POWER STEERING THAT THEY COULD DETECT. THEY DROVE IT SEVERAL TIMES DURING THE DAY BUT DID NOT EXPERIENCE THE POWER STEERING FAILURE. THEIR RESEARCH INDICATED THAT THERE WERE COMPLAINTS ON THIS MODEL AND THE STEERING COLUMN MAY BE DEFECTIVE. I ALSO CHECKED ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND MANY COMPLAINTS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I BELIEVE THAT THIS PROBLEM IS POTENTIALLY A SERIOUS ACCIDENT THREAT WITH POSSIBLE DEATH OCCURRING AND SHOULD BE RECOMMENDED FOR RECALL. *TR

POWER STEERING KEEPS GOING OFF, FOR NO APPARENT REASON, THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL THERE ARE TOO MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE HAPPENING THE SAME WAY, AND AT TIMES WHEN DRIVING HAPPY NO ONE HAS HAD TO LOOSE THEIR LIFE DUE TO A FAULTY SYSTEM DEFECT. *TR

I HAVE BEEN HAVING POWER STEERING PROBLEMS WITH MY 2004 CHEVY MALIBU FOR SEVERAL YEARS. IT FEELS LIKE THE STEERING GOES COMPLETELY OUT WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY OR OTHER ROADS AND FIND THIS TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE. I ORIGINALLY HAD DEALERSHIP CHECK STEERING AND WAS TOLD IT WAS FINE AND THERE WAS NO RECALL, BUT I HAVE READ WHERE SEVERAL OTHERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS, THE PROBLEM HAS GOTTEN WORSE FOR MY DAUGHTER, WHO NOW DRIVES THE CAR. THE POWER STEERING LIGHT HAS BEEN COMING ON AND GOES OFF WHEN YOU PARK OR RESTART THE CAR. SHE RECENTLY LOST ALL POWER STEERING AND HAD DIFFICULTY STEERING THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD. TODAY, WE TOOK THE MALIBU TO THE GM DEALERSHIP WHERE WE PURCHASED IT, AND OUCH!...WAS TOLD THE REPAIRS TOTAL $900 PLUS TAX. DEALERSHIP WILL NEED TO REPLACE STEERING COLUMN AS MOTOR HAS GONE BAD AND ALSO NEED TO REPLACE THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT THAT CONNECTS TO THE COLUMN SINCE IT IS BINDING UP. I DON'T KNOW WHETHER TO GET A SECOND OPINION AND WONDER IF WE CAN WAIT TO HAVE THE SHAFT REPLACED? SHOULD I ALSO CONTACT GM TO SEE IF THEY WILL REIMBURSE FOR PARTS? *TR

A/C HOSES RUB THE FRAME AND CREATE A HOLE IN THE LINE THAT CAUSES FREON 134A TO BE RELEASED IN TO THE AIR AND THE EXPENSE IS OVER 500. TO REPAIR ON THE 2004 CHEVY MALIBU. *TR

DRIVER SEAT BROKEN AT WELD MOUNT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED AND COULD NOT BE TURNED. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE STEERING WHEEL RETURNED TO NORMAL FUNCTION AFTER THE ENGINE WAS SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000. UPDATED 07/16/13*LJ

1ST INCIDENCE ON HIGHWAY, 2 YRS. AGO STEERING TIGHTENED UP AND LIGHT WITH CAR/WRENCH CAME ON. IT RESOLVED ON ITS OWN QUICKLY SOON AFTER CALLING ON STAR FOR ASSISTANCE. JUST RECENTLY MORE RANDOM INCIDENCES OF LIGHT COMING ON WITH NO NOTICEABLE STEERING DIFFICULTY. TODAY, WHILE PULLING OUT OF DRIVEWAY, STEERING FROZEN, CAR/WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON, STUCK IN MIDDLE OF THE STREET. TURNED CAR OFF AND RESTARTED. STEERING LOOSENED UP THEN FROZE AGAIN, COULD NOT TURN WHEEL AT ALL, STILL STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. TURNED CAR OFF AND ON AGAIN. IT LOOSENED UP AGAIN AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT WITHOUT FURTHER LIGHT OR STIFFNESS. PLANNING ON VISITING THE DEALERSHIP THIS WEEK FOR A CHECK UP. THIS SHOULD BE COVERED ALONG WITH THE RECALL FOR 2005 MALIBU SINCE IT IS THE POWER STEERING ISSUE. *JS

BOUGHT MY 2004 CHEVY MALIBU IN JUNE OF 2010 AND JUST RECENTLY THE SUPPORT BEAM ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE SEAT GAVE WAY. I DON'T JERK AROUND IN MY SEAT I JUST GET IN AND DRIVE MY CAR. NEVER HAD THIS HAPPEN BEFORE AND I WAS HEAVIER WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR! I HAVE A WARRANTY WHICH I HOPE COVERS IT. HOWEVER, I HAVE NOTICED OTHER PEOPLE HAVE MADE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS VERY SAME THING HAPPENING ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE SEAT AND DOCUMENTED IT ONLINE. I WANT IT TO BE CHECKED OUT AS A SAFETY ISSUE FOR POSSIBLE RECALL BY CHEVY. *TR

SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE (USED), THERE HAVE BEEN MORE THAN 12 INSTANCES WHERE THE CAR CUTS OUT WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAS OCCURRED AT SPEEDS AS HIGH AS 55 MPH. THERE IS A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER AND THE CAR MUST BE BROUGHT TO A ROLLING STOP OUTSIDE OF THE TRAFFIC FLOW. ALSO, THERE HAVE BEEN WEEKLY INSTANCES OF THE CAR FAILING TO START. THIS HAS SINCE INCREASED TO DAILY. THE KEY WILL ONLY START THE IGNITION WHEN THE DASH LIGHTS (BATTERY, OIL, ETC) ARE ON, AND THEY ARE ON AND OFF COMPLETELY AT RANDOM. SOMETIMES I HAVE TO WAIT UP TO 10 MINUTES WITH THE KEY PARTIALLY TURNED BEFORE THE LIGHTS COME ON AND I CAN TURN IT THE REST OF THE WAY AND START THE CAR. THE OTHER ELECTRICAL ISSUE THAT HAS HAPPENED IS THAT THE BLOWER FAN HAS GONE ON AND OFF AND THE POWER WINDOWS HAVE GONE ON AND OFF. *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE POWER STEERING STOPPED FUNCTIONING WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO APPLY EXTREME FORCE TO THE STEERING WHEEL AND MANEUVER THE VEHICLE INTO A PARKING LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

2004 CHEVY MALIBU LT FRONT LEFT & RIGHT AMBER HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES ARE MELTED. LEFT SIDE IS 9 MONTHS OLD AND ALREADY MELTED THROUGH. RIGHT SIDE LOOKS LIKE ORIGINAL, HAS PLASTIC AMBER BULB MELTED ON TOP. ON LEFT SIDE BULB SOCKET IS BURNT. I AM USING THE APPROPRIATE BULBS REQUIRED FOR THE FRONT AND THEY WERE INSTALLED CORRECTLY. THIS CAN BE A FIRE HAZARD. *TR

I HAVE A 2004 CHEVY MALIBU. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR ITS 48K SERVICE AND HAD STEERING TROUBLE EVER SINCE. THE PROBLEM STARTED OUT EASY TO TURN ONE WAY AND HARD TO TURN THE OTHER, THEN THE DIFFICULTY WOULD GO AWAY. AFTER A WEEK OF THIS, IT WENT OUT COMPLETELY WHILE TURNING INTO A PARKING LOT. I HAD NO POWER ASSISTED STEERING AT ALL AND ALMOST HIT A PARKED CAR. AFTER SHUTTING OFF THE ENGINE AND STARTING IT BACK UP AGAIN, IT STARTED WORKING. DID BILL GATES HELP BUILD THIS CAR??? SEARCHING THE WEB I FOUND MANY, MANY COMPLAINTS WITH THE SAME TYPE OF CONCERN. ONE PERSON LOST CONTROL AND HIT A GUARDRAIL. THIS HAS TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. THANK YOU! *TR

2004 MALIBU MAXX STEERING FAILURE. VEHICLE PURCHASED IN SEPTEMBER 2009. SPORADIC DIFFICULTY WITH POWER STEERING GOING OUT, HAS INCREASED TO A DAILY OCCURRENCE. WHEN ACCELERATING INTO A TURN, MUST HOLD ONTO STEERING WHEEL TIGHTLY AND LEAN HEAVILY INTO TURN TO NAVIGATE SUFFICIENTLY TO AVOID COLLISION WITH OTHER VEHICLES/OBJECTS/PEDESTRIANS. PROBLEM ALSO OCCURS ON HIGHWAY, CHANGING LANES, AND WHEN NAVIGATING EXIT RAMP WHEN THERE IS A CURVE. HAVE HAD STEERING WHEEL CLEANED AND GREASED, BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. THE COLUMN CLICKS DURING THE TURN IF THE POWER STEERING HAS FAILED. I SEE THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL FOR THIS FAILURE, AND AM LOOKING FOR RECOMMENDATION FOR REPAIR, AS MY RESEARCH HAS FOUND LITTLE TO REMEDY. A OLDER SENIOR FRIEND WITH THE SAME VEHICLE HAD DIFFICULTY NAVIGATING A TURN IN EFFINGHAM NH A COUPLE MONTHS AGO, AND WENT OFF THE ROAD, RESULTING IN TOTAL LOSS OF VEHICLE AND FORTUNATELY, MINIMAL INJURY TO THE DRIVER. *TR

ELECTRIC ASSIST POWER STEERING UNIT FAILED. NEARLY CAUSING A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. *TR

MY MALIBU MAXX POWER STEERING LIGHT COMES ON WHILE DRIVER INTERMITTENTLY. I HAD THE STEERING COLUMN REPLACED IN 2008 FOR ANOTHER ISSUE. I KNOW SOME DAY THE STEERING WILL FAIL AT A MOST CRITICAL TIME. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS AND OTHER STEERING COLUMN PROBLEMS CONTINUE TO OCCUR. I CAN NOT BUY ANOTHER CHEVY WITH THIS KIND OF WORKMANSHIP. NOT LOOKING GOOD FOR THE BAILOUT REPAYMENT PROMISE. *TR

ONE DAY, I WAS ADJUSTING THE POWER SEAT WHILE SITTING IN IT AND THE SEAT SUDDENLY DROPPED DOWN ON THE RIGHT SIDE, SO THAT I WAS TILTING BACK AND RIGHT. THE FRAME WELD HAD BROKEN, SO NOW ADJUSTING THE SEAT UP/DOWN ONLY AFFECTS THE LEFT SIDE. SINCE THE SEATBELT IS ATTACHED TO THIS FRAME, IT STRIKES ME AS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD; IN A CRASH, MORE STRESS WOULD BE PUT ON THE INTACT LEFT WELD AND IF IT FAILED THEN THE SEAT WOULD COME FREE FROM THE REST OF THE CAR... I HAVE NOT SOUGHT TO GET THIS FIXED YET AS I AM WEIGHING MY OPTIONS ON A POTENTIAL $1,000+ REPAIR/REPLACEMENT. *TR

THE FRONT DRIVER'S BECOME LOOSE AND ROCKET TO THE RIGHT SIDE. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO SAID THE SEAT FRAME BROKE. DEALER STATES FRAME MUST BE REPLACED - COST $1200.00 I ASKED IF IT COULD BE WELDED AND HE SAID NO BECAUSE IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE. I'VE NEVER HAD A CAR WHOSE FRAME BROKE FROM NORMAL USE. I SEE ON THE INTERNET THAT THERE ARE MANY OTHER SIMILAR COMPLAINTS AND FEEL THIS SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED FOR A RECALL. I ONLY FOUND OUT ABOUT OTHER BECAUSE OF A AUTOMOTIVE FORUM. THERE ARE MANY OTHERS LIKE THIS WHO I'M SURE DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOUR WEBSITE. *TR

THE FRONT DRIVERS SEAT RAIL IS BROKEN. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN SINCE THE SEAT BELT IS CONNECTED TO THE FRAME. I HAVE SEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR MANY OWNERS OF THE 2004 MALIBU MAXX. THE BROKEN FRAME CAUSE THE SEAT TO FALL AND SHAKE WHILE DRIVING. I HAD A MECHANIC TRY TO FIX IT AND HE SAID IT IS NOT POSSIBLE AND CHEVY HAS DISCONTINUED THE CAR. I HAVE BEEN UNABLE THUS FAR TO FIND A NEW SEAT BUT SUSPECT EVEN IF I BUY A NEW ONE THE SAME FAULTY ISSUE WITH THE WELD WILL OCCUR. HTTP://WWW.AUTOMOTIVEFORUMS.COM/T919217-DISCUSS2004_CHEVY_MALIBU_MAXX_BROKEN_POWER_SEAT.HTML *KB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN WAS NOT RECEIVING THE MESSAGE TO ACTIVATE AND CAUSED THE MALFUNCTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALL. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 81,000.

DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY I-81 AND STEERING FAILED COMPLETELY STOP AND LOCKED WHILE DRIVING MAJOR DEFECT NEEDS SERIOUS ATTENTION GM REALLY NEEDS TO RECALL OR PARTS MANUFACTURER. CHEVY MALIBU IS A DEATH TRAP A BAD ACCIDENT TO HAPPEN. *TR

MY 2004 MALIBU HAS GIVEN ME PROBLEMS SINCE I FIRST PURCHASED IT. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS ALWAYS BEEN ON. IF I STOPPED AND START THE CAR 4 OR 5 TIMES A DAY IT WOULD NOT START RIGHT AWAY. THE CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP A FEW TIMES. THE DEALERSHIP COULD NEVER FOUND OUT WHY IT WAS ON. RECENTLY, I'VE BEEN HAVING THIS KNOCKING SOUND WHEN I TURN THE WHEEL, MY FUEL GAUGE STOPPED WORKING. TOOK IT TO THE SHOP, I WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED A FUEL READER WHICH CAME WITH THE FUEL PUMP. THE FUEL PUMP WAS GOOD. AS LONG AS I KNOW HOW MUCH GAS I HAVE IN THE CAR I'M GOOD. A MONTH LATER THE CAR STARTS BUT DOESN'T STAY ON. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE SHOP. IT TOOK THEM 24 HOURS TO TELL ME THAT I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP. $997.00. THIS IS AFTER THE COMPUTERS HAD BEEN GOING DOWN ALL DAY. THINKING ABOUT GETTING A NEW CAR. ONLINE LOOKING AT A HYUNDAI. CHECKED TO SEE IF THEY HAD ANY RECALLS. DECIDED TO CHECK MY MALIBU AND SEE IF IT EVER HAD A RECALL. YES, JUST RECENTLY ON THE FUEL PUMP. I WONDER IF MY FUEL PUMP WAS PART OF THE RECALL. I WANT MY MONEY BACK. *TR

I BOUGHT THIS CAR IN 2010. THE STEERING PROBLEM HAS BEEN INTERMITTENT SINCE THE CAR PASSED 33K. I HAVEN'T HAD THIS HAPPEN ON THE ROAD, BUT USUALLY AFTER I PARK AND TURN THE CAR BACK ON. THERE WILL BE NO POWER STEERING MAKING IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE. IF I SHUT IT OFF AND TURN IT BACK ON AGAIN, THE PROBLEM ISN'T THERE. QUITE UNNERVING. THE CAR ALSO HAS A CLUNK SOUND IN THE LEFT FRONT UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL. THE WARNING FOR POWER STEERING IS ON MORE THAN IT IS OFF. I WISH THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS. THERE HAVE BEEN SO MANY COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET AND MY MECHANIC SAYS THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS. I HAVEN'T HAD IT FIXED BECAUSE I CAN'T AFFORD IT. *TR

WAS MAKING A SHARP RIGHT TURN FROM A FULL STOP AND THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE POWER STEERING CEASED WORKING AS WE TURNED INTO TRAFFIC. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED (5/3/2011), BUT WE HAVE ONLY OWNED THE CAR SINCE 3/11/11. I HAVE A MECHANIC LOOKING INTO THE ISSUE, BUT ONLINE SEARCHES REVEAL THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH 2004 CHEVY MALIBU'S AND WAS PART OF THE REASON FOR RECALLS OF THE 2005 MODEL. HUGE SAFETY ISSUE AS THE STEERING BECOMES ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE AND THE ONLY KNOWN REMEDY IS TO SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTART AFTER WHICH THE POWER STEERING COMES BACK. *TR

I HAVE A 2004 CHEVY MALIBU AND LOST POWER STEERING ON THE HIGHWAY ALMOST CRASHED INTO THE DIVIDER. MY PREGNANT WIFE WAS IN THE CAR WITH ME AT THE TIME. AFTER DOING RESEARCH ON THE WEB I FIND THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH ALL CHEVY MALIBU'S WHY IS THERE NO RECALL!!! SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET KILLED IN ONE OF THESE CARS LUCKY ENOUGH IT WASN'T MY PREGNANT WIFE OR I !!!! THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON THE DASH AND LOST ALL STEERING ABILITIES PULLED OVER THE VEHICLE AND SHUT THE CAR OFF AND THEN TURNED IT BACK ON AND IT WAS AS IF THE PROBLEM HAD GONE AWAY DROVE ABOUT ANOTHER MILE AND IT HAPPENED AGAIN. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED. WE HAVE ALREADY REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN ONCE ALREADY, NOW IT LOOKS LIKE WE WILL HAVE TO DO IT AGAIN. WHY IS THE AUTO MAKER NOT REQUIRED TO HAVE A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM AS STATED ABOVE IT CONTINUES TO BE AN ON GOING PROBLEM IN ALL CHEVY MALIBU"S REGARDLESS OF THE YEAR!!! *TR

I BOUGHT MY 2004 CHEVY MALIBU ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO FROM A USED CAR LOT. A DAY AND A HALF AFTER I GOT THE CAR I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE POWER STEERING. IT WOULD JUST LOCK UP WHILE DRIVING. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS. IT IS ALL I CAN DO TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHEN THIS HAPPENS. I COULD BE KILLED AND SO COULD MY KIDS WHILE RIDING WITH ME. I HAD A USED POWER STEERING MOTOR PUT ON, NOW I FIND OUT THAT I REALLY SHOULD HAVE HAD THE WHOLE POWER STEERING STUFF REPLACED. ALL TOGETHER THE POWER STEERING HAS DONE THIS ABOUT 6 TIMES SINCE I GOT THE CAR. AFTER DOING A LOT OF RESEARCH ONLINE, I FIND THAT THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. HOW LONG DO WE HAVE TO WAIT FOR THERE TO BE A RECALL. DOES THERE HAVE TO BE A LOT OF DEATHS BEFORE SOMEONE WILL DO SOMETHING. IT IS A SHAME THAT GM DOES NOT CARE MORE ABOUT THEIR CUSTOMERS THAN THEY DO THEMSELVES. *TR

ENGINE FAILURE AND INTERMITTENT STARTING PROBLEMS. WHILE DRIVING A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU, ITS ENGINE CUT OUT WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOSE ALL POWER CONTROLS IE. STEERING AND BRAKING. AFTER THIS INCIDENT, THE CAR WOULD INTERMITTENTLY NOT START FOR APPROXIMATELY 2 WEEKS. AFTER THE 2 WEEKS, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AT ALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A FAULTY PASSLOCK CYLINDER, WHICH IS PART OF THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM ON GM CARS. THE PASSLOCK CYLINDER WAS REPLACED. THE PART IS NOT AVAILABLE. *TR

DRIVING THROUGH A RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT THE CHECK POWER STEERING MESSAGE FLASHED ON THE DASHBOARD AND THEN THE POWER STEERING JUST STOPPED FUNCTIONING. CAR WAS VERY HARD TO MANEUVER AND STEER. ONCE RESTARTED, POWER STEERING RESUMED. SINCE THAT INCIDENT, THE POWER STEERING FAILED ONCE AGAIN WHILE CAR WAS IN PARK ON 6/20/2011. THEN ONCE CAR WAS RESTARTED THE POWER STEERING RESET ITSELF. VERY VERY DANGEROUS!!!

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED SPORADICALLY WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE SERVICE ENGINE AND POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING WOULD RESET ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED ON AND OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 128,000.

I HAVE REPLACED THE FRONT TURN SIGNAL BULBS MANY TIME WITH ORIGINAL PART NUMBERS USING STANDARD BULBS, THEY HAVE A PROBLEM WITH OVER HEATING AND MELTED THE ORANGE TURN SIGNAL GLOBES INSIDE THE HEAD LIGHTS TO THE POINT THAT IT MADE HOLES IN THE TOP OF THE INNER GLOBES AND ITS YELLOWING THE INSIDE OF MY HEADLIGHT. I HAVE HEARD MANY OTHERS HAVING PROBLEMS AS WELL, I ALSO WORK FOR A COMPANY WHERE WE SERVICE CAR, IT IS VERY NOTICEABLE ON THE 2004 - 2006 CHEVY MALIBU'S THAT COME INTO MY SHOP AS WELL. WHEN THE PLASTIC MELTS IT TOUCHES THE BULB AND POPS IT, NOW I DON'T HAVE ANY WAY TO WARN THE OTHER DRIVES THAT I NEED TO MAKE A TURN FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR. *TR