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8.5

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$300
Average Mileage:
85,600 miles
Total Complaints:
8 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (5 reports)
  2. dealer reset 3 times (2 reports)
  3. had to install new ignition switch by dealer (1 reports)
2004 Chevrolet Malibu Classic electrical problems

electrical problem

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2004 Chevrolet Malibu Classic Owner Comments

problem #8

Aug 012016

Malibu Classic

  • Automatic transmission
  • 24,600 miles

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

Bought my Chevy Classic 2 years ago with around 10,000 miles from an individual who's elderly father hardly drove it, i.e.. why the low mileage. In that time I have had to fix many things mainly because the vehicle was not driven much. A year after I purchased it the engine would randomly lock and refuse to start. If I lock and unlock it or take the key out over and over trying to start it finally it would start. Now recently it has begun to not want to start and nothing works to get it started. This occurs many mornings and my only recourse is to wait for some time to pass and finally it will start. Only once has it not wanted to start after the initial morning start, most times any time the rest of the day it will restart. After reading the many complaints with the problem looks like a recall should have been made on the locking mechanism. Guessing Chevy simply does not care about the people who buy their products. If I wasn't stuck with not being able to buy another car I would be getting rid of it. This is truly frustrating two mechanics have looked at the vehicle and were unable to find a problem. The dealership just said leave it with us, yea right and they would charge me so much I wouldn't be able to afford to pay. Really Upsetting!

- becca13, San Antonio, US

problem #7

Aug 122016

Malibu Classic

  • Automatic transmission
  • 99,000 miles

I have to say a prayer every time I get into my car. it starts when it wants to otherwise the security light blinks and I have to wait the 10 minutes before I restart it. very annoying when your trying to get some place in a hurry. First time it happened I had to have it towed to a garage and they kept it for 2 days and charged me $189.00 to reset the ignition plus $50.00 towing fee. which was also bad business because my son looked it up on line and found out I only had to turn the key to on position and wait 10 minutes

- Eleanor V., Albuquerque, NM, US

problem #6

Jun 302014

Malibu Classic HD 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 145,000 miles

I have found this is a common problem with this car and chey is doing nothing about the problem, and getting money for repairs that don't fix the problem. my 2004 malibu classic shut down on me at 1:00 in the morning and they can't locate the problem. computer gives a code u1000 which is a communication problem. this could have been tragedy if my wife had been driving at the time. gm needs to solve the electric problem with the security system. I see that they recalled some cars for ignition problems, but the problem is in all 2004 and up and maybe more. I still haven't got my car fixed. unknown when or how much it's going to cost. this is a dealer problem that needs to be fixed. thanks, raymond garris

- raymondgarris, Waynewsburg, KY, US

problem #5

Jun 122013

Malibu Classic 2.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 74,000 miles

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

March 3, 2014 still on hold with GM motors seeing why there is STILL NO RECALL YET !!! FOR THE ANTI THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT GOES ON AND YOU CAN NOT START YOUR CAR AND THEN YOU HAVE TO PUT THE KEY ON THE FIRST CLICK AND WAIT 10 -15 MINUTES THEN TRY TO START IT. THIS IS A MANUFACTURE DEFAULT AND THEY ARE SAYING YOU WILL HAVE TO BRING IT TO A DEALER AND PAY OUT OF POCKET TO FIX IT. THAT'S CRAZY WHEN IT IS THE MANUFACTURES FAULT !!!

- gp1068, Westfield, MA, US

problem #4

Jul 122012

Malibu Classic LS 2.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 165,400 miles

Went to start the car at night and it wouldn't - it would turn over but I could tell that the fuel line had shut off similar to having a bad fuel pump. I was not aware of the the common failure of the anti-theft system until I had it towed and had to pay $600 to have a new ignition switch put in. After talking to others this was a common complaint and I felt like I was in good company as we all had similar experiences.

- Mike I., St. Ann, MO, US

problem #3

May 202006

Malibu Classic

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75,000 miles

Here is the problem with my car. At any time the car may not crand, if you let it set for any given amount of time it will crank when you go back. First time this happen I was in Columbia SC at a discount store, when to turn the key and the car wont crank. My husband towed the car home and when we got home turn the key and it crank. We took the car to a mechanic the next day and he put on machine and found nothiing wrong. Several months later my kids and I went to Carowinds and got ready to leave and the car wont crank. Call a towing company and we were towed to the Hotel next door to Carowinds and when he let the car down, my son decided to turn the keys and you guest it. (the car started). On anothe occassion, my kids and I were going to Columbia and we stop at a station for gas. Got back in and turn the keys and it wont crank, this time it took a week for it to crank. Next time we were in Columbia again and at my daughter's house, got back in the car to leave and it wont crank. This is very disturbing because you never know when it will not crank.

- hickmon, Cameron, SC, US

problem #2

Apr 222009

Malibu Classic

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,514 miles

Ive been having lots of problems with the Pass Lock System, unfortunately i've had the ignition replaced $200, the Pass-Lock Codes that the system lost $105. and yet this morning got off work and ... Nothing waited the BS 20 minutes, and ... Nothing. I wish this had a fuse or a switch that can be switched off, or actually recalled.

- kyetan21, Dallas, OR, US

problem #1

Jul 192004

Malibu Classic V4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 36,000 miles

This car has been towed 3 times since being bought. Dealer service department says it might be because of keys hanging off of ignition. To only use the ignition key which has helped but from time to time the security light goes on for no reason. I am afraid to drive the car for any long distance as car will not start when this happens. This should be fixed under a re-call as even the dealership knew it was a re-occurrence problem.

- andersen, Charlotte, NC, US

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