FaultScore

Chevrolet Malibu Classic electrical problems

169 of the 406 complaints filed about the Chevrolet Malibu Classic are about the electrical system — 42% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2004.

169

Complaints

42%

Share of all complaints

4

Crashes

4

Fires

Electrical System complaints by model year

Median failure at 83,100 miles

Median failure at 40,012 miles

Median failure at 160,000 miles

Median failure at 80,000 miles

Median failure at 78,000 miles

Median failure at 69,650 miles

Median failure at 139,500 miles

Median failure at 100,000 miles

Median failure at 90,000 miles

Median failure at 75,000 miles

Median failure at 57,200 miles

What owners said

2004 Chevrolet Malibu Classic at 175,000 miles Corcoran, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WELL MY IGNITION SWITCH WENT OUT I REPLACE THAT.NOW IT'S SHORTAGES IN WIRING AND LIGHTS HEAT ON AN OFF SOMETIMES SHOCKS

NHTSA complaint #11394823 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Chevrolet Malibu Classic Glendale, AZ

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

IGNITION SWITCH PROOBLEMS

NHTSA complaint #11351037 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2004 Chevrolet Malibu Classic at 117,000 miles MI - Saint Clair Shores, MI

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE ANTI THEFT GAS CUT OFF FEATURE HAS RENDERED MY VEHICLE UNABLE TO START. I HAVE TRIED MANY METHODS BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. IT STARTS WHEN IT WANTS TOO, BUT NOT WHEN I DO.

NHTSA complaint #11327121 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Chevrolet Malibu Classic at 190,000 miles Otsego, MI

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE ANTI-THEFT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START. MIDWAY CHEVROLET(381 12TH ST, PLAINWELL, MI) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000.

NHTSA complaint #11256454 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Chevrolet Malibu Classic at 36,000 miles ST. Louis, MO

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR FLASHED AND THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE STARTED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS DEFECTIVE. THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000.

NHTSA complaint #11243945 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Chevrolet Malibu Classic at 223,000 miles Memphis, TN

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT TOOK SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 223,000.

NHTSA complaint #11208666 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Chevrolet Malibu Classic at 179,000 miles Plano, TX

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I HAVE A 2005 MALIBU - THAT IS A MONEY PIT- THIER IS A WIRING IGNITION PROBLEM - MY CAR IS AN INTERMITTENT STARTER - I'VE CHANGED FUSES- ALTERNATOR - FUEL PUMP- BEEN TOLD THIS AND THAT - I'M A SINGLE FEMALE - AND CAN'T DRIVE THIS CAR ANYWHERE - IT STOPS WHEN EVER IT WANTS TO - IN ORDER HE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD - OR GOING TO THE GROCERY STORE AAA HAS RETIRED MY TOWING - I'M ONLINE READING AND EVERYBODY HAS WENT THROUGH MY HE SAME - I CALLED LAST WEEK BEFORE HAVING MY CAR TOWED AGAIN - TO SEE IF THIER HAS BEEN A RECALL AND I HEARD NO- I HAD IT TOWED - SPENT 320 DOLLARS BEING TOLD IT WAS THE ALTERNATOR AFTER GOING THROUGH 2 BATTERIES - FOR THE SAME THING - I JUST GOT MY CAR BACK - WENT OUT TO GET SOME COFFEE - COME OUT AND THE CAR WON'T START AGAIN - WOULD SOMEONE CALL ME ABOUT THIS - 214 755 -3606

NHTSA complaint #11172396 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2003 Chevrolet Malibu Classic Clinton, MD

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS NO FAILURE WITH THE TWO VEHICLE KEYS UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) BY AUTONATION CHEVROLET LAUREL (500 WASHINGTON BLVD, SUITE A, LAUREL, MD 20707, 301-725-2700). THE DEALER WAS INFORMED NUMEROUS TIMES THAT THE REPLACEMENT KEYS FROM THE RECALL FAILED TO REMEDY THE DEFECT. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND WAS UNABLE TO BE RESTARTED NUMEROUS TIMES. FOR OVER FOUR YEARS, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ORIGINAL OEM KEYS FUNCTIONED PROPERLY. IN ADDITION, THE ANTI-THEFT FUNCTION FAILED TO OPERATE PROPERLY. THE CONTACT REFERENCED THE OWNER'S MANUAL TO REPROGRAM THE FUNCTION AND TURNED THE VEHICLE ON AND OFF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTI-THEFT FEATURE DID NOT WORK FOR THIS YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL VEHICLE, THE ANTI-THEFT WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START WHEN THE KEY WAS INSERTED IN THE IGNITION. THE DEALER KEPT THE TWO OEM KEYS AND STATED THAT THE PLASTIC INSERT PIECE THAT WAS TO BE PROVIDED AS A KEY INSERT FAILED AS A REMEDY FOR THE RECALL. THE TWO KEYS DID NOT WORK FOR THE CONTACT'S MODEL VEHICLE. THE DEALER REPORTED TO THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE PLASTIC COVER AND THE KEY MODIFICATION FAILED TO FUNCTION MANUALLY AND ELECTRONICALLY. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #11154914 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2003 Chevrolet Malibu Classic Clinton, MD

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS NO FAILURE WITH THE TWO VEHICLE KEYS UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) BY AUTONATION CHEVROLET LAUREL (500 WASHINGTON BLVD, SUITE A, LAUREL, MD 20707, 301-725-2700). THE DEALER WAS INFORMED NUMEROUS TIMES THAT THE REPLACEMENT KEYS FROM THE RECALL FAILED TO REMEDY THE DEFECT. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND WAS UNABLE TO BE RESTARTED NUMEROUS TIMES. FOR OVER FOUR YEARS, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ORIGINAL OEM KEYS FUNCTIONED PROPERLY. IN ADDITION, THE ANTI-THEFT FUNCTION FAILED TO OPERATE PROPERLY. THE CONTACT REFERENCED THE OWNER'S MANUAL TO REPROGRAM THE FUNCTION AND TURNED THE VEHICLE ON AND OFF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTI-THEFT FEATURE DID NOT WORK FOR THIS YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL VEHICLE, THE ANTI-THEFT WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START WHEN THE KEY WAS INSERTED IN THE IGNITION. THE DEALER KEPT THE TWO OEM KEYS AND STATED THAT THE PLASTIC INSERT PIECE THAT WAS TO BE PROVIDED AS A KEY INSERT FAILED AS A REMEDY FOR THE RECALL. THE TWO KEYS DID NOT WORK FOR THE CONTACT'S MODEL VEHICLE. THE DEALER REPORTED TO THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE PLASTIC COVER AND THE KEY MODIFICATION FAILED TO FUNCTION MANUALLY AND ELECTRONICALLY. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #11154914 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2004 Chevrolet Malibu Classic at 190,000 miles Riverside, OH

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT HAD TO LEAVE THE KEY IN THE "ON" POSITION FOR APPROXIMATELY TEN MINUTES BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE AND THE THEFT WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000.

NHTSA complaint #11113005 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2004 Chevrolet Malibu Classic at 120,000 miles Jonesboro, AR

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MY THEFT SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. WHEN I TURN THE KEY OFF AND TRY TO RESTART THE CAR IT WILL NOT START BACK. I HAVE TO TURN IT TO THE ON POSITION AND WAIT UNTIL THE THEFT LIGHT QUITS FLASHING WHICH IS USUALLY 10 MINUTES AND THEN RESTART THE CAR. I WAS TOLD BY A CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP MECHANIC THAT THE PROBLEM WAS THE IGNITION CYLINDER WHICH COST AROUND $180. WHY IS THERE NOT A RECALL FOR THIS.

NHTSA complaint #11112070 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2004 Chevrolet Malibu Classic Memphis, TN

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I TURN MY KEY YO TURN OFF MY CAR IN IT WANT GO PASS THE ACC.

NHTSA complaint #11102002 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1998 Chevrolet Malibu Classic at 25 miles Wann, OK

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

IGNITION WORT TURN AT TIMES, HAVE TO WIGGLE.

NHTSA complaint #11092597 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2003 Chevrolet Malibu Classic at 136,000 miles Jackson, MI

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT START AND THE ANTI-THEFT WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED FOR APPROXIMATELY TWO MINUTES. ALL OF THE INDICATORS ILLUMINATED BECAUSE THE KEY WAS IN THE ON POSITION, BUT THE ENGINE DID NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (ART MOEHN CHEVROLET IN JACKSON, MICHIGAN) AND HAD THE IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED IN AUGUST OF 2017. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED THIS TIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,000.

NHTSA complaint #11047770 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2000 Chevrolet Malibu Classic at 180,000 miles Mason, OH

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE KEY WAS PLACED IN THE IGNITION; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATORS REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

NHTSA complaint #11034601 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2003 Chevrolet Malibu Classic at 143,000 miles Columbus, GA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE DRIVERS SIDE BRAKE LIGHT DOESN'T WORK.I HAVE TRIED CHANGING THE BULB SEVERAL TIMES, BUT IT WILL NOT WORK.A FEW YRS BACK I SAW A RECALL ON THIS BUT I DIDN'T TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT AND NOW I CANNOT FIND IT ANYMORE I WOULD LIKE INFO ON WHAT I SHOULD DO NOW AS I GOT A WARNING TICKET !! THANKS

NHTSA complaint #11012732 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2003 Chevrolet Malibu Classic at 130,000 miles Compton, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE PAD LOCK SENSOR BECAME ACTIVATED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTI-THEFT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED ON ONE OCCASION. THE WINS CHEVROLET DEALER IN CARSON, CALIFORNIA WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PURCHASE A NEW IGNITION SYSTEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000.

NHTSA complaint #11011258 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2001 Chevrolet Malibu Classic at 85,000 miles Covina, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. WHILE STATIONARY, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START WHEN PROMPTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTI-THEFT SECURITY INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED THREE TIMES BY AN UNKNOWN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE IGNITION WAS REPLACED, THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM WAS REPROGRAMMED, AND THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED AFTER EACH REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 85,000.

NHTSA complaint #11011126 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2004 Chevrolet Malibu Classic Fort Worth, TX

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

DUE TO THE PASSLOCK SENSOR INSIDE THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER CASE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WILL STALL AT ANY MOMENT AND ANYWHERE, WHICH MAKES MORE LIKELY TO BE INVOLVED IN A WRECK BECAUSE OF THIS. GM STATED THAT THE PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE STALLING WAS DUE TO THE KEY COMING OUT FROM THE IGNITION CYLINDER. GM ADDED WEIGHT TO THE PLASTIC PORTION OF THE KEY AS A SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM BUT THE REAL PROBLEM FOR THE VEHICLE TO STALL IS NOT THAT, IT IS DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE PASSLOCK SENSOR.

NHTSA complaint #11004834 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2001 Chevrolet Malibu Classic at 62,000 miles Pompano Beach, FL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. AFTER INSERTING THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. IN ADDITION, THE TURN SIGNALS AND HAZARD LIGHTS WOULD RANDOMLY NOT OPERATE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.

NHTSA complaint #11002103 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Chevrolet Malibu Classic problems