FaultScore

2004 Chevrolet Malibu engine problems

37 of the 1,639 complaints about the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu are about the engine — 2% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 75,444 miles.

A

37

Complaints

0

Crashes

0

Fires

0

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Engine 17 45.9%
Engine AND Engine Cooling 16 43.2%
Engine 2 5.4%
Exhaust System 1 2.7%
Cooling System 1 2.7%

Engine & Cooling across every Chevrolet Malibu year

1997 77 2.4%
1998 159 5.0%
1999 151 4.8%
2000 199 6.3%
2001 198 6.3%
2002 89 2.8%
2003 91 2.9%
2004 37 1.2%
2005 66 2.1%
2006 59 1.9%
2007 35 1.1%
2008 73 2.3%
2009 71 2.3%
2010 126 4.0%
2011 172 5.5%
2012 102 3.2%
2013 215 6.8%
2014 128 4.1%
2015 71 2.3%
2016 303 9.6%
2017 257 8.1%
2018 284 9.0%
2019 62 2.0%
2020 62 2.0%
2021 14 0.4%
2022 37 1.2%
2023 16 0.5%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 143,000 miles Marshall, MI

ENGINE

AFTER STARTING ENGINE, ENGINE WILL TURN OFF AND RADIO DISPLAY SCREEN WILL READ 'ENGINE POWER REDUCED.' ENGINE WILL NOT START FOR SEVERAL MINUTES, BUT THE LIGHTS, RADIO, DASH LIGHTS AND EVERYTHING WILL STILL WORK. THIS HAS HAPPENED IN MY DRIVEWAY. THE FIRST TIME THIS EVER HAPPENED I WAS ON A BUSY MAIN ROAD AT A STOP LIGHT IN THE LEFT TURN LANE. THE CAR SHUDDERED AND THE ENGINE LOST POWER. AGAIN, THE DISPLAY SCREEN DISPLAYED THE SAME MESSAGE. THE CAR WAS ROLLING BACKWARDS AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS THE ENGINE DID START AGAIN. THANKFULLY IT WAS 6:00 AM AND I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK SO THERE WAS VERY LIGHT TRAFFIC.

NHTSA complaint #11387454 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 225,000 miles Cordova, TN

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOOSE. THE CHECK ENGINE AND POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SERRA CHEVROLET 7850 US-64, MEMPHIS, TN 38133, (901) 328-9262) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN BAD CONDITION. THE DEALER DECLINED TO COMPLETE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 225,000.

NHTSA complaint #11383780 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 295,000 miles Manteca, CA

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER FAILED TO MOVE INTO GEAR WHEN ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE OR REVERSE. ALSO, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED TRACY CHEVROLET AT (209) 835-4500 (LOCATED AT 3400 AUTO PLAZA WAY, TRACY, CA 95304) AND WAS INFORMED TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER DUE TO THE DIAGNOSTIC AND REPAIR FEES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 295,000.

NHTSA complaint #11170163 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 166,000 miles Milington, TN

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE AND POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE STEERING WHEEL REQUIRED EXCESSIVE FORCE IN ORDER TO MAKE A TURN. WHEN THE CONTACT TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, IT RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL OTHER TIMES. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED TO WORK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE RECALLS WERE EXPIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER DEALER WHERE THEY ESTIMATED THAT THE DIAGNOSTIC CHECK WOULD COST $114. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 166,000.

NHTSA complaint #10984696 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 120,000 miles Milton, FL

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V224000 (POWER TRAIN), THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED DURING THE THIRTY TWO MILE DRIVE FROM THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. PRIOR TO HAVING THE RECALL REPAIR PERFORMED, THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000.

NHTSA complaint #10809678 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 125,000 miles Middletown, DE

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE IGNITION WAS TURNED TO THE ON POSITION, ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AND THE ENGINE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CONTROL MODULE AND THE BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.

NHTSA complaint #10795154 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 162,000 miles Elkins, WV

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN AND THERE WAS A SUDDEN INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE JERKED BEFORE SHIFTING INTO GEAR AND THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V153000 (STEERING) AND 14V224000 (POWER TRAIN). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 162,000.

NHTSA complaint #10668973 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 298,000 miles Waynesville, GA

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING AND SERVICE ENGINE SENSORS ILLUMINATED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN SERVICED THE VEHICLE ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING) AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC AND VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED SEVERAL TIMES AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR AND THE POWER STEERING FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION, DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 298,000.

NHTSA complaint #10648335 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 13,916 miles Macon, GA

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED. HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF THE DIAGNOSIS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,916.

NHTSA complaint #10644945 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 23,000 miles Stantonsburg, NC

ENGINE

THEFT SYSTEM KEPT CAR FROM CRANKING.

NHTSA complaint #10609023 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 130,000 miles Kansas City, MO

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA complaint #10607711 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 80,000 miles Muskegon, MI

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FUEL RELAY SWITCH OVERHEATED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO INDICATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED AND WERE REPLACED MULTIPLE TIMES. IN ADDITION, THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE BRIGHT ENOUGH TO SEE IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. WHILE ACTIVATING THE CRUISE CONTROL AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA complaint #10607750 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 233,272 miles Fontana, CA

ENGINE

MY BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON THIS MORNING AND I CAME HOME FROM LUNCH TRIED MAKING A LEFT TURN ONTO A STREET AND MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED ON ME. I COULDN'T TURN MY CAR, NOW MY CAR WON'T EVEN START. I BARELY MADE IT HOME, THANK GOD BECAUSE I ALMOST CRASHED INTO MY NEIGHBORS HOUSE FROM MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKING.

NHTSA complaint #10586025 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100,000 miles White Bear Lake, MN

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THE CONTACT REFUSED DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE WAS 205,000.

NHTSA complaint #10584393 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Manitowoc, WI

ENGINE

WHILE DRIVING AROUND A CORNER THE ENGINE SHUT OFF, THE KEY WAS NOT TURNED TO THE OFF POSITION. I WAS ABLE TO GLIDE THE CAR TO A PARKING LOT, TURNED THE KEY TO THE OFF POSITION, LET THE CAR SIT FOR A FEW MINUTES, TURNED IT BACK ON AND CONTINUED DRIVING.

NHTSA complaint #10578413 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 28,000 miles Yonkers, NY

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKING, THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS ADVISED TO THE CONTACT THAT THE MOTOR AND THE POWER STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000.

NHTSA complaint #10519800 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 108,000 miles Richmond, IL

ENGINE

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.

NHTSA complaint #10461103 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 88,010 miles Houston, TX

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

CAR ENGINE WILL SHUT DOWN AT RANDOM TIMES SHOWING ANTI-THEFT LIGHT. EVEN WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION.

NHTSA complaint #10434827 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 35,000 miles Carmel, IN

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

VEHICLE'S ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM FREQUENTLY LOCKS UP, PREVENTING DRIVER FROM STARTING CAR FOR A MINIMUM OF 10-15 MINUTES. HAS FAILED ON AVERAGE ONCE PER TWO MONTHS SINCE 2005. HAVE HAD THE IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED MULTIPLE TIMES YET THE PROBLEM PERSISTS.

NHTSA complaint #10430553 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 80,000 miles Savannah, GA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

MY CAR HAS ALWAYS HAD LITTLE QUIRKS THAT DIDN'T SEEM RIGHT ABOUT IT SINCE I PURCHASED IT FROM MY CHEVY DEALER. IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY AT THE TIME SO MY LEVEL OF CONCERN WASN'T AS HIGH AS IT IS NOW. THINGS LIKE A SPORADIC START TO THE ENGINE WHILE TRYING TO CRANK THE CAR AND THE CAR SHIMMING OR QUIVERING WHEN DRIVEN FASTER THEN 70 MPH (HIGHWAY). I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR ASSESSMENT WHICH ALL CAME BACK INCONCLUSIVE. THIS LAST EXPERIENCE MERITS THIS COMPLAINT. I STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT TAKING MY HANDS OFF THE WHEEL TO ADJUST MY SEAT BELT. I GLANCED OVER TO MY STEERING WHEEL AND IT BEGIN TO DANCE/ROCK RIGHT TO LEFT AND LEFT TO RIGHT. MY HANDS WERE CLEAR OF THE STEERING WHEEL AND MY FOOT FIRM ON THE BRAKES. WHEN I PROCEEDED TO DRIVE ONCE THE LIGHT WAS GREEN, I PUT MY FOOT ON THE GAS THAT IS WHEN MY WARNING SIGNAL CHIMED, AND THE POWER STEERING MESSAGE FLASHED ON THE MESSAGE CENTER SCREEN. SIMULTANEOUSLY THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND IT BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STEER. I BEGIN TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE INTO A NEARBY PARKING LOT. I REALIZED THAT TURNING THE VEHICLE TOOK A GREAT AMOUNT OF EFFORT. AFTER GETTING IN TO THE PARKING LOT AND TURNING THE ENGINE OFF I WAITED FOR ABOUT THIRTY MINUTES THEN I PROCEEDED TO RESTART MY ENGINE TO SEE IF THE SAME TROUBLE WOULD OCCUR. I DROVE AROUND IN THE PARKING LOT FOR ABOUT FIFTEEN MINUTES TO SEE THE I WOULD ENCOUNTER THE SAME ISSUE. THE CAR SEEMED FINE CONSIDERING, I DROVE IT HOME. I HAVE NOT HAD ANY PROBLEMS SINCE BUT IT WAS A HORRIFYING ORDEAL.

NHTSA complaint #10422422 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 111,282 miles Racine, WI

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

12/24/2010 WHILE DRIVING A 2004 CHEVY MALIBU MY ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THEN THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP WHILE DRIVING AND IT MADE A SUDDEN JERKING STOP. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED BUT IT SCARED BOTH MY DAUGHTER AND I. THEN IN ADDITION TO KEEP REPLACING MY HEADLIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS PRETTY MUCH EVERY OTHER MONTH THEY BLOW OUT AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. FOR BOTH INCIDENTS A LOCAL MECHANIC WAS CONSULTED AND HE RECOMMENDED THAT I CONTACT A GM DEALER SHIP TO CHECK FOR RECALLS. I DID THAT AND RECEIVED INFORMATION THAT THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL FOR THE CURRENT SITUATIONS BUT THERE HAS BEEN MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS WITH THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL CAR AND WAS REFERRED ME TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP TO BE CHECKED.

NHTSA complaint #10372699 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 300 miles Philadelphia, PA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

I HAVE A 2004 MALIBU LS, WHEN I FIRST PURCHASED THE CAR DURING THE WINTER OF 04 I HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING. IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY, I TOOK IT BACK EVERY WINTER FOR 4 YEARS AND THE DEALERSHIP ALWAYS REPAIRED THE CAR. IN 2010 MY POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON AND I LOST POWER TRYING TO TURN INTO A PARKING SPOT. THE NEXT TIME IT OCCURRED, I WAS DRIVING 50 MPH I WENT TO CHANGE LANES THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON AND I COULD NOT TURN THE WHEEL. I WAS PULLING OUT FROM A PARKING SPOT THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON AND I COULD NOT STEER THE CAR. THIS YEAR THE SEAT BELT LIGHT STAYS ON WHEN MY SEAT BELT IS ON. IT HAPPENS EVERY DAY THE LIGHT STAYS ON. THE DEALER THAT I USE TO USE WENT OUT OF BUSINESS AND DID NOT NOTIFY THE CUSTOMERS. I FOUND OUT WHEN I WENT TO HAVE SOME WORK CORRECTED THAT THEY DID. THIS PROBLEM IS SCARY BECAUSE I NEVER KNOW WHEN THE POWER STEERING LIGHT IS GOING TO COME ON. THAT IS VERY VERY SCARY. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND THEY CAN NEVER FIND ANYTHING WRONG. I RECENTLY HAD MY CAR INSPECTED THEY WOULD NOT PASS IT BECAUSE OF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT.I HAD TO DRIVE THE CAR FOR 300 MILES AND THE LIGHT WENT OFF AND THEY PASSED IT FOR INSPECTION. THE ORIGINAL BRAKES WERE REPLACED 3 TIMES IN THE FIRST 2 YEARS OF HAVING THE CAR. I ONLY HAVE 45, 000 MILES. PURCHASED 2 BATTERIES FROM GM THE 2ND ONE LASTED LESS THEN 2 YEARS AND DIED. AN AUTHENTIC GM BATTERY.

NHTSA complaint #10371123 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 29,000 miles Frankfort, KY

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 25-35 MPH; PROCEEDING TO MAKE A TURN. THERE WAS A LOUD POPPING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. ALSO, THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AT A DIFFERENT TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR SERVICE REPAIRS. THE COMPONENTS WERE REPLACED ON SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHICH CONSISTS OF THE STEERING COLUMN, GAS CAP, FUEL MODULE, AND TIE-ROD. THE PCM WAS ALSO REPROGRAMMED. THE SERVICE REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED AT THE DEALER ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000.

NHTSA complaint #10320382 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 128,000 miles Newtone Falls, OH

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 3 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE CONTACT DROVE FORWARD OUT OF A PARKING SPOT, BUT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN. SHE HAD TO EXERT GREAT FORCE IN ORDER TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT ASSIST BECAUSE THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE STEERING. THE MANUFACTURER REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 128,000.

NHTSA complaint #10277169 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 70,889 miles Baltimore, MD

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WILL NOT START ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MOST RECENT FAILURE OCCURRED ON APRIL 12, 2008. AFTER DRIVING OFF THE DEALER LOT, THE CONTACT MADE A STOP AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER, BUT THEY ARE STILL UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THEY ALSO WILL NOT ATTEMPT TO CHANGE ANY PARTS TO LOCATE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,889. UPDATED 05/21/08 *BF UPDATED 05/20/08

NHTSA complaint #10226423 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 45,500 miles Alpharetta, GA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

COOLANT LOW INDICATOR CAME ON DASH BOARD. TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP WAS ADVISED COOLANT LEAKING ON GASKET. PARTS WERE REPLACED, ENGINE LIGHT THEN CAME ON NEXT DAY TOOK CAR BACK WAS ADVISED NEEDED TO ORDER PART FOR CATALYTIC CONVERTER. PARTS STILL HAVEN'T CAME IN AND ENGINE LIGHT STILL ON. WAS TOLD THE MALIBU HAS A COMPLEX EXHAUST SYSTEM.

NHTSA complaint #10175422 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 42,782 miles Belgium, WI

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

VEHICLE LOSES POWER STEERING CAUSING LOSE OF CONTROL WHILE DRIVING. THIS FIRST OCCURRED 12/7/04 AND WAS REPAIRED UNDER GM CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN 04050A (RECALL). VEHICLE LOST STEERING CONTROL AGAIN WHILE DRIVING ON 2/20/06, VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. VEHICLE LOST STEERING CONTROL, ENGINE STALLED AND BRAKES FAILED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH ON INTERSTATE FREEWAY ON 2/27/06, VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. VEHICLE LOST STEERING CONTROL AGAIN ON 5/11/06. VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED TO MAKE SAFE.

NHTSA complaint #10158676 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 33,751 miles Pittsburgh, PA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

DT CONTACT STATED THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD MOVE BY ITSELF. THE CONTACT WOULD TRY TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD TURN IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION THIS HAPPENED ON MAY 15, 2004, AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN. ON OCTOBER 17, 2005 . ,THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN AND THE VEHICLE WAS GOING INTO THE LOCAL DEALER TODAY. THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING. THIS HAPPENED ON DRY ROAD CONDITIONS. ALSO ON SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 THE GAS LIGHT KEPT COMING ON. , TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND THEY SAID THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. THE DEALER REPLACED THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. NOW , THE LIGHT IS BACK ON, AND THE DEALER IS GOING TO CHECK THAT TOO. *AK UPDATED 11/16/2005 -

NHTSA complaint #10139836 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 1,000 miles Joliet, IL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

VEHICLE CONTINUED TO STALL AND CUT OFF. THERE HAVE BEEN INSTANCES WHERE THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN AND HAD TO BE TOWED. VEHICLE IS AT THE DEALERSHIP, AGAIN THEY ARE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10110903 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 2,700 miles Orlando, FL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WILL JUST STALL. HOWEVER, THE VERY FIRST TIME THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. THE VEHICLE HAS DONE THIS A TOTAL OF 5 TIMES. CONSUMER HAS TAKEN THE VEHICLE IN SEVERAL TIMES. DEALER HAD THE VEHICLE ELEVEN DAYS, AND THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. *AK

NHTSA complaint #10107076 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2004 Chevrolet Malibu problems

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