10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
5 / 0
Average Mileage:
98,289 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

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problem #8

Jan 142012

Malibu Classic

  • 86,509 miles
I was driving my 2004 Malibu classic, when all the vehicle, turned off, causing me to hit the vehicle in front of me and that vehicle hitting another car, there where 3 vehicle involved with injury's, my vehicle was tolled and was sent to a tow yard, at the time of the incident I was working as a maintenance worker and would carry my work keys with my vehicle keys, never would have thought it would have turned the ignition

- Chula Vista, CA, USA

problem #7

Jan 142012

Malibu Classic

  • 124,356 miles
On 01/14/2012 I was driving a 2004 Malibu classic in which I ended up in a crash involving 3 vehicles, I was driving on a street about 30 miles per hour when my Malibu had suddenly turned off without power steering and breaks I hit the car in front of me, then that car hit the car in front of him, my 2004 Malibu was totaled, the insurance company, was a total loss, at the time I was ticketed for following too closely, however I knew that this Malibu had loss power causing the accident

- Chula Vista, CA, USA

problem #6

Nov 102019

Malibu Classic

  • 183,000 miles
My theft light came on a month after the ignition was repaired due to recall. It is always on now. I have replaced the fuel pump, spark plugs, and timing chain. My car still wont start after all of that and the theft light is still on. I have been without a car for 2 months now due to it not starting. It will roll over but nothing more happens.when all of this happened it was stationary and it was parked in a parking lot where I work.

- Hesperia, MI, USA

problem #5

Nov 022019

Malibu Classic

  • 69,000 miles
There is a problem with the rear brake lights. I had the circuit boards changed and all fuses checked and changed and I still don't had brake lights. There is a recall listed concerning this issue it is recall number 13036. I have researched is situation and found out that the Chevy Malibu models from 1997 to 2012 all seem to have problems with the brake lights failing to operate. So when a recall be issued or do people have to continue taking chances that while they are driving that the brake lights may or may not be working. I was driving when someone informed me that my rear brake lights were not working thankfully I arrived home, parked my car and have not driven it since. I discussed the situation with my mechanic and he advised me about the failed rear brake assembly of the Chevy Malibu and to contact the dealership. I spoke with a representative who basically told me there was nothing I could do that I could had it serviced pay out of pocket and if and when a recall for the brake system is issued I could be reimbursed. Because of this huge issue I can't and don't feel safe driving. Therefore, it is an extra cost on me to take public transportation to travel and I'm on a fixed income so who is going to reimburse me for my inconvenience.

- Washington, DC, USA

problem #4

Jan 102018

Malibu Classic

  • 113,788 miles
The theft system light has been an issue with this car for some time. The theft system light comes on and stays on by itself as well the systems makes the horn honk when opening or closing the car door. The theft system has made it so that I cannot start my car & this has been an on going problem with my car.

- Hawthorne, CA, USA

problem #3

Jun 132015

Malibu Classic

  • 81,000 miles
The car won't start. Dealer said some problem with the passlock system. A new passlock sensor is needed. I did a search online and found many Chevy/GM cars owners reported the same problem. Some even reported that the car stopped during driving in the highway, which is soooooo dangerous. GM needs to start a recall on this.

- Blacksburg, VA, USA

problem #2

Aug 262011

Malibu Classic

  • 128,656 miles
Chevy Malibu classic 2004. Anti-theft light is staying on and the car will not turn over at all. I have owned the car for several months now and this is the first time that I have had any problem with it. The car will sit in the "on" position and the power will be on, but once it is turned to "start" everything goes off and there is no power for several minutes.

- Lima, OH, USA

problem #1

Jun 202010

Malibu Classic 6-cyl

  • 0 miles
I own a 2004 Chevy Malibu. The anti-theft device continually causes my car to have a delayed start. I have had to put so much money into this vehicle that fixing it to the tune of $500 is out of the question. My dealer told me that even fixing the vehicle does not guarantee the replacement parts will not be defective. My car recently stalled in a dark parking lot and I had my two year old baby with me. Does Chevy have no shame for selling products that they know are dangerous" if I would have been attacked and my little girl hurt it would have been their fault. It really doesn't make much sense to have a defective anti-theft device does it? will it take a wrongful death suit to make them be more responsible" I know they are aware of the problem because a co-worker of mine has a 2002 Chevy Malibu and she had the same problem, two years later they are still selling the same crap. If I can afford to buy another car again it will definitely be a foreign car. The following information is general because this happens all the time, not just on one date!!!!

- Clinton, IA, USA