27 of the
1,639 complaints about the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu are about the
airbag system — 2% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
91,000 miles.
The Grumman LLV was hit by the driver of the Chevy Malibu. The Grumman LLV had seatbelt issues with impact. The LLV was forced over on two wheels with left side impact from the driver of Chevy Malibu. [XXX] was the driver of the USPS Grumman LLV at the time of accident sustaining neck injuries requiring medical attention. Multiple medical procedures paid out of pocket followed to include surgeries The driver of Chevy Malibu was injured and received coverage by State Farm insurance. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11579145 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 156,000 milesNEW Martinsville, WV
AIR BAGS
THE RACK AND PINION WENT OUT WHEN MAKING LEFT TURNS IN CITY SETTING. STEERING WHEEL TURNED BUT WHEELS DID NOT. FELT A JUMPING IN THE WHEEL. GEARS IN RACK WERE STRIPPED WHEN MAKING A HARD LEFT TURN. STEERING WHEEL SPUN 3/4 AND RUINED AIR BAG AND NO CRUISE CONTROL. IVE HAD TO GET A NEW RACK AND PINION.
NHTSA complaint #11209704 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 215,000 milesSyracuse, UTCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT AND WAS REAR-ENDED BY A CAR GOING 15-20 MPH (THE AT-FAULT DRIVER WAS DISTRACTED BY THEIR PHONE). I WAS KNOCKED UNCONSCIOUS AND HAD A BUMP OVER MY LEFT EYE FROM HITTING SOMETHING. I HAD A CONCUSSION. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICY REPORT WAS FILED. I STILL SUFFER MID AND LOWER BACK PAIN (DISC BULGES AND FISSURES). AFTER THE WRECK, I STARTED TO GET A WARNING ABOUT NEEDING TO SERVICE THE AIRBAGS.
NHTSA complaint #11192055 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 160,000 milesClanton, AL
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL. MY RADIO STARTED DISPLAYING A SERVICE AIR BAG MESSAGE AND MY HORN STOPPED WORKING. THE WIRING IN THE CAR HAS STOPPED WORKING. I BEGAN TO REPLACE LIGHTBULBS THINKING THEY WERE BLOWN BUT JUST WILL NOT WORK. HEARD THIS CAR WAS RECALLED FOR THESE EXACT PROBLEMS I AM HAVING BUT FOR SOME REASON MY CAR HAS NO RECALLS. MY STEERING WHEEL MAKES A KNOCKING NOISE WHEN TURNING VERY SHARP. SOUNDS LIKE A PIECE IS BROKEN KNOCKING AROUND
NHTSA complaint #11162446 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mabank, TX
AIR BAGS
MY AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ILLUMINATED EVEN THOUGH I REPLACED THE AIRBAGS. MY BREAK LIGHTS COME ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING WITHOUT ME PUSHING THE BREAKS. MY CAR FOR SOME REASON WON'T COME OUT OF PARK AT TIMES. IT'S LIKE IT DOESN'T KNOW THAT'S IT'S IN PARK. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING EVER SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR USED. I LOOKED UP RECALLS ON MY TYPE OF CAR AND THERE ARE RECALLS THAT MATCH THE DESCRIPTION I'M SAYING BUT WHEN I PUT IN MY VIN NUMBER IT SAYS I HAVE 0 WITH MY CAR. I'M WONDERING IF I DO HAVE RECALLS ON IT BUT NONE THAT HAVE BEEN REPORTED YET. EVEN IN PARK MY CARS BREAK LIGHTS WILL BE ILLUMINATED AND I CAN NOT PULL IT OUT OF PARK. ALSO FUSES BURN OUT IN MY CAR LIKE A CIRCUIT PROBLEMS. IF I TURN MY CAR OFF AND THEN ON TO SEE IF IT REGISTERS THAT IT'S IN PARK AT TIMES MY CAR WILL MAKE A STALLING SOUND LIKE IT'S NOT GETTING GAS OR SOMETHING TO RESTART THE CAR. I WOULD CLICK MORE ON AFFECTED PARTS BUT ONLY ALLOWS 3.
NHTSA complaint #11082617 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesAzusa, CACrash
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE SPED INTO THE CONTACT'S LANE AND CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT WAS SHAKEN UP, BUT WAS UNINJURED. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED, BUT DRIVABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.
NHTSA complaint #10953936 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Altoona, PA
AIR BAGS
INFLATED.
NHTSA complaint #10927336 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 153,000 milesSAN Antonio, TXCrashFire
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 23 MPH IN THE RAIN, THE VEHICLE SPUN OUT OF CONTROL AND CRASHED INTO A CEMENT BARRIER. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. TWO DAYS LATER, THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FIRE WAS DUE TO THE ELECTRICAL WIRING IN THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TOWED OR TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 153,000.
NHTSA complaint #10896496 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 116,700 milesBAY City, TX
AIR BAGS
AIR BAG LIGHT WARNING LIGHT STAYING ON WHILE IN MOTION
NHTSA complaint #10861991 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 315,000 milesBrick, NJCrash
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE FAILED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT LOST BRAKING AND STEERING FUNCTIONS. THE FAILURE RESULTED IN A FRONT END COLLISION. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. PRIOR TO THIS FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V224000 (POWER TRAIN). A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BUT IT WAS UNKNOWN IF IT WAS DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 315,000.
NHTSA complaint #10817065 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Aurora, COCrash
AIR BAGS
2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU EXPERIENCING POWER STEERING PROBLEMS, ABS AND SHIFT CABLE, ALL REPLACED. *CW 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.
NHTSA complaint #10653277 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Newville, ALCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND FAILED TO RESPOND. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A TREE STUMP AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A CHEST INJURY THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED HOWEVER, THE BODY DAMAGE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10648225 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Amarillo, TXCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE TRAVELING THROUGH A STOP SIGN AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE ADDITIONAL ITEMS ON THE KEY RING AT THE TIME OF THE CRASH. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A BRUISED KNEE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10633365 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Stillwater, OKCrash
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOP IN A PARKING LOT, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO CONTACT VEHICLE AND THE HORN MALFUNCTIONED. AS RESULT, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO ALERT THE OTHER VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKE LIGHTS BECAME INOPERABLE INTERMITTENTLY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED ABOUT THE FAILURES. THE FAILURES RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSE OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #10628522 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 91,000 milesGreat Falls, MT
AIR BAGS
FIRST OF ALL IM WAITING ON PARTS FOR TWO RECALLS FOR MY 2004 CHEVY MALIBU. I FIND IT A LITTLE DANGEROUS AND FOR SOME REASON NOBODY HAS BEEN ABLE TO GIVE ME ANY INFORMATION ON WHAT I NEED TO DO OR HAVE NO IDEA WHEN THE PARTS ARE GOING TO BE AVAILABLE. MY SEAT ON THE DRIVER SIDE FEELS LIKE IT IS DETACHED ON ONE SIDE. I HAVE READ SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS HAPPENING TO OTHER PEOPLE. MY CAR RANDOMLY DECIDES TO ACCELERATE SOMETIMES. I CANNOT GIVE YOU MILEAGE OR TELL YOU EXACT TIMES WHEN IT HAPPENS BECAUSE IT'S ABOUT FIVE TIMES A YEAR. I THINK IT'S WHEN I'M ON CRUISE CONTROL SO I FIND IT BIZARRE THAT ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR STARTS SPEEDING. I HAVE HAD MY CAR SERVICED AND EVEN A NEW ENGINE PUT IN AND RESET BUT MY SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHT IS STILL ON? MY HORN WILL WORK RANDOMLY BUT NOT ALL THE TIME AND THIS MAKES ME FEEL A LITTLE UNSAFE BECAUSE A HORN IS NEEDED FOR WARNING PEOPLE OF DANGER. THANKS [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #10616653 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 37,800 milesDES Moines, IACrash
AIR BAGS
LADY LOST CONTROL OF CAR AND HIT A TRUCK AND SMASHED PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SECTION AND AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. SHE DID NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO PAY THE TOW COMPANY SO SHE LET THEM HAVE THE CAR. I FOUND THIS INFORMATION ON CAR FACTS ONLINE. MY SON LIVES IN MO AND PURCHASED THE CAR AND I PURCHASED THE CAR DUE TO THE LOW MILES ON THE CAR AND NOW HAVING PROBLEMS GETTING THE AIR BAGS TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. I ALSO CALLER DEERY BROTHERS CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP AND THEY CHECKED MY VIN AND THIS CAR DOES HAVE A RECALL ON IT.
NHTSA complaint #10604699 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 68,000 milesAlbany, NY
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE POWER STEERING STOP WORKING AND THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 68,000.
NHTSA complaint #10577050 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 147,000 milesBourbonnais, IL
AIR BAGS
I WAS DRIVING HEARD A POP AND THEN THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. I THEN NOTICED THE WHEEL WAS TURNED HALF WAY AND I WAS STILL GOING STRAIGHT. THIS WAS VERY DANGEROUS THANK GOD I WAS ON A STREET ALONE. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER (HOVE) THEY TOLD ME MY EXTENDED WARRANT HAD EXPIRED DUE TO MILEAGE AND IT WAS 1300.00 TO FIX. ON TOP OF THE ISSUE OF SAFETY I ALSO DON'T HAVE THE CASH AND I NEED MY CAR. I HAVE SEEN ALL THE REPORTS FROM THIS PROBLEM AND STRONGLY FEEL THIS SHOULD BE A RECALLED PIECE.
NHTSA complaint #10535450 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 78,000 milesSterling, VA
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU LT. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL CLICKING SOUND SPORADICALLY COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES BUT THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE HE WAS ADVISED THE FAILURE WAS WITHIN THE POWER STEERING. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE POWER STEERING COLUMN AND THE AIR BAG SENSOR AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000 AND THE CURRENTMILEAGE WAS 79,000.
NHTSA complaint #10342883 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 74,000 milesTorrance, CA
AIR BAGS
THE DRIVER INFORMATION CENTER WOULD RESET THE TIME. IT ALSO DISPLAYED "SERVICE AIR BAG" AS SOON AS THE CAR TURNS ON. WHEN DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, MY STEERING WHEEL LOST ITS POWER STEERING AND THE DRIVER INFORMATION CENTER DISPLAYED "POWER STEERING" ALONG WITH A CAR AND WRENCH LIGHT FLASHING FROM THE GAUGE WINDOW. THIS HAS NOT BEEN FIXED DUE TO READING A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM THAT AFFECTED CERTAIN 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU'S. SHOULD NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR A DEFECT THAT THE DEALER WAS AWARE OF. A REAL SCARE WHEN DRIVING ON THE ROAD, LET ALONE ON THE FREEWAY.
NHTSA complaint #10315257 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesGretna, VACrashFire2 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU SEDAN. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, SHE CRASHED INTO A DIRT MOUND AND BLACKED OUT. WHEN THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DETACHED. THERE WAS SMOKE AND SOME FLAMES PRESENT AROUND THE STEERING WHEEL. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONSCIOUSNESS, SMELLED SMOKE AND STOPPED THE VEHICLE BY SHIFTING THE GEAR INTO PARK. THE SEAT BELT ALSO BROKE, THREW THE CONTACT INTO THE REAR SEAT AND THE VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER INTO A FIELD AND WAS DESTROYED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION, WHIPLASH AND THE PASSENGER HAD MINOR INJURIES. THE PASSENGER AIR BAG DEPLOYED NORMALLY. PICTURES AND A POLICE REPORT AND PICTURES ARE AVAILABLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ATTEMPTED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FIRE AND WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 100,000. RK UPDATED 5/5/08
NHTSA complaint #10224017 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 23,500 milesDetroit, MI
AIR BAGS
THE CAR CUT OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND IN HEAVY TRAFFIC MORE THAN ONCE. THERE WAS NO WARNING THAT THIS WOULD HAPPEN. THE CAR WAS SERVICED BEFORE FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT IT CONTINUED TO HAPPEN. I HAVE HAD 3 RECALLS, THE HORN FUSE HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE, AND THE BLINKER IS CURRENTLY OUT. THE STEERING COLLAR HAS ALSO BEEN REPLACED. THIS CAR WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A NEW CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10123684 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Elmont, NYCrash
AIR BAGS
PROBLEMS WITH POWER STEERING AND AIR BAGS ON 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT IN WHICH THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. WHILE DRIVING THE POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING.
NHTSA complaint #10117732 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 8,900 milesPlainfield, WICrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
WHEN HIT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDEAT 55 MPH SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER SUSTAINED NECK INJURIES. VEHICLE WAS TOWED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10117103 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 8,900 milesPlainfield, WICrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
WHEN HIT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDEAT 55 MPH SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER SUSTAINED NECK INJURIES. VEHICLE WAS TOWED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10117103 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 7,100 milesBrentwood, CACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION, WHERE IT STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE AT 25 MPH DEAD CENTER, AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMERS SUSTAINED NECK INJURIES. *AK THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *BF
NHTSA complaint #10115353 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 150 milesPittsburgh, PA
AIR BAGS
WHILE DRIVING, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE MECHANIC TOLD THE CONSUMER NOT TO PANIC, BECAUSE IT WAS NORMAL. *AK THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WAS PERMANENTLY LOCK FROM THE OUTSIDE.
NHTSA complaint #10091582 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.