Print this page

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
28,926 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2004 Chevrolet Malibu brakes problems

brakes problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2004 Chevrolet Malibu Owner Comments

problem #10

Jun 022014

Malibu 6-cyl

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

2004 Chevrolet Malibu. Customer states that he has received three recall notices for vehicle in June 2014 and July 2014. All three noticed indicated the parts are not available and hasn't heard any response since.

- Middleton, WI, USA

problem #9

May 012014

Malibu 6-cyl

  • miles
2004 Chevrolet Malibu experiencing power steering problems, ABS and shift cable, all replaced. The consumer stated the vehicle was taken to the repair shop seven times, due to power steering failure, which resulted in the steering locking up. The consumer was involved in two accidents, in which the air bags failed to deploy. The consumer received a transmission, steering and brake recall. However, the parts were not available.

- Aurora, CO, USA

problem #8

Oct 012014

Malibu 6-cyl

  • miles
2004 Chevrolet Malibu. Consumer writes in regards to GM recall #13036* ld the consumer stated the recall fix, did not fix the problem. The consumer stated he did not know, if the brake lights worked and the cruise control rarely worked. The traction control and ABS light was on. The consumer returned to the dealer. An inspection revealed a problem was speed sensor on the right front wheel, which was not related to the recall. The cost to replace the sensor was $460.

- Pierre, SD, USA

problem #7

Sep 152009

Malibu

  • 60,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

All brakes seem to engage while driving and will not release until car seats for several hours. Brakes became very hot and caused steering problems.

- Lavale, MD, USA

problem #6

Jul 112006

Malibu

  • 56,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. In July of 2006, the steering column was replaced at only 15,000 miles. Recently, the contact felt the steering loosen while driving 20 mph. On July 21, 2009, the steering knuckle failed and she lost control of the steering. She had to place the gear into park in order to stop the vehicle. A report was filed with the manufacturer. The current and failure mileages were 56,000.

- Rochester , NY, USA

problem #5

Oct 152008

Malibu

  • 37,500 miles
At 37500 miles inspection of all (4) four rotors and respective brake pads followed hearing screeching scraping noises and slight increase in breaking distance. Excessive wear was observed on rotor discs. Driven mileage was city (35) thirty-five percent and interstate (65) sixty-five percent. Non-dealership tire/brake specialty shop with known competent business reputation of (25) twenty-five years stated the GM product of recent (2002-2004) make have exhibited early failure rates due to 'soft alloy" used in the oem brake discs.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #4

Dec 062004

Malibu

  • Automatic transmission
  • 34,517 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My 2004 Chevrolet Malibu was parked legally in front of my house. The street was covered with black ice. The driver of a 1999 Ford Ranger truck slipped on the ice and hit the front of my car. His auto insurance, state farm, paid for a rental car for 40 days and paid $5,338.10 in body repairs, including replacing the radiator. However, when it came time to pay $527.18 to replace the steering shaft and the gear shifter, they refused. The reason given was that these parts in the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu have a history of wearing out prematurely. The car ran fine before the accident. However, after reading the complaints on your web site, I would also like to add my complaint. I bought this car as a GM certified used vehicle on August 2, 2007, 17 months before the accident. The car had 31,720 miles on it when I bought it and 34,517 miles at the time of the accident, a difference of 2,797 miles I think people should know that insurance companies do not pay for certain components on the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. This car is still being sold all over the country. I found 7 GM certified used vehicles, Chevrolet 2004 Malibu's for sale within a radius of 250 miles ranging in price from $9,500 to $14,000. People think they are safe when they buy these 2004 Malibu's; they are not. Is there some way they can be taken off the road? the intermediate shaft needed to be replaced. Updated 03/18/09. The consumer was also informed the brakes and gear shift needed to be replaced. Updated 04/09/09.

- Chillicothe, OH, USA

problem #3

May 082008

Malibu

  • 80,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. While attempting to slow down from 60 mph, the brakes would apply automatically. As a result, the contact experienced difficulty when she attempted to accelerate. The failure was intermittent. Through online research, the contact discovered a recall for the ABS. In may of 2008, she took the vehicle to the dealer and they reprogrammed the ABS activation module in regards to NHTSA campaign id number 04V190000 (service brakes, hydraulic:antilock:control unit/module).; however, the failure worsened a couple of days later. The contact felt as if she were driving on four flat tires. She called the manufacturer and dealer multiple times, but has not received any assistance or satisfaction. The current mileage was 81,318 and failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

- Albany, OH, USA

problem #2

Jan 022005

Malibu 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 8,800 miles
I own a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. At present time, I have had to have the steering column replaced twice, due to intermittent power steering failure and a constant pull to the left. The first time was at approximately 8800 miles, the second time at 17700 miles. I have also had to have the brake rotors and pads replaced twice. The brakes still make a rubbing noise in the right front, however the dealers tells me they cannot fix that. The car currently has 18000 miles on it. I still have steering issues, such as twitches in the steering wheel and thunks and clunks when driving. I am very uncomfortable driving the car because I am afraid the steering will go out again.

- Lantana, FL, USA

problem #1

Sep 282004

Malibu

  • 12,443 miles
When coming to a stop power steering failed, and the steering wheel locked up. Consumer had to restart the vehicle to stop. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. Ea04018_cat found the wheel position sensor not reading consistently. There was an intermittent grinding noise.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

Not what you are looking for?