10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 6 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 6 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 129,493 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.
Power steering upon ignition lights up and locks power steering. Turn off and restart several times before operational. ABS light intermittently comes on while driving. Electric assist power steering. Both in stationary and while driving in city and highway.
- Palm Bay, FL, USA
On Friday, February, 8, 2019 my 2004 Chevrolet Malibu, VIN [xxx] had to be towed off of the road and home because the front brakes were locking and the vehicle was smoking from the same original location. On Sunday, February 10, 2019 the vehicle was towed to the South charlotte Chevrolet, the nearest dealership. On Monday, February 11, 2019 kb from South charlotte Chevrolet informed me that the front calipers, brakes and rotors needed to be replaced. I explained that the work was done only three and a half months ago by lancaster motor company. Kb informed me that the previous technician at lancaster motor company installed the parts incorrectly and as a result the same problem was occurring and that I needed to contact Chevrolet/GMC regarding my warranty. Chevrolet/GMC is not honoring their warranty and the failed rotors almost caused my daughter to be in a car accident on February 8, 2019. The same vehicle was take to lancaster motor company, SC for a front brake concern; smoke and screeching on Saturday, October 6, 2018. I received a follow up call from the lancaster motor company, SC service department on October 6, 2018 that the car could not be driven until the brakes were repaired and that they could not return it me because it was "unsafe to drive". the technician; told me that they were keeping the car and that they would follow up with me on Monday, October 8, 2018. During a discussion with lancaster motor company the week of October 8, 2018 I was informed by [xxx] that my front calipers had to be replaced along with the brakes and rotors. The invoice number [xxx] totaled $1114.29 for the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu and I was informed that the parts were covered under warranty for twelve (12) months. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
- Waxhaw, NC, USA
Clunking sound that you can feel in the foot pedal and when you rock steering wheel back in forth and clunking noise coming from front endin steering wheel and unable to control vehicle felling over loosing control of car
- Fredericksburg, VA, USA
There was a recall on fuel system my engine light is on and had it diagnosed and its reading I need a fuel pump cant understand why when work was already done sometimes when I accelerate to 25-30 stutters and putts
- Akron, OH, USA
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving at various speeds, the brakes engaged independently and without warning. The contact mentioned that the failure recurred several times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the hydraulic anti-lock control was faulty and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 120,000.
- Memphis, TN, USA
Brakes failed while driving, causing me to crash into another car.
- Battle Creek , MI, USA
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. While the vehicle was being serviced by an independent mechanic, it was discovered that the tie rod and front brakes needed to be replaced.the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 89,000.
- Science Hill , KY, USA
The driver was traveling on a two lane road and came to a curve in the road at which time she reported that the brakes would not slow or stop the car and the car began to veer in an unintended (and unsteered) direction. The driver attempted to correct the car's path and speed and it went out of control striking four cars, crossing a divider and impacting head on with a 4 X 4 truck. The driver commented that the "car went wild".
- Washington Crossing, PA, USA
The traction control sensor light keeps going on and off. I'm not even sure that it is working at all I have a recall notice on this issue but once again no one seems to have any parts to correct the issue.
- Huntington, IN, USA
With the shaking steering wheel and the power steering going in and out my front tires where feeling out of balance so I pulling into wal-mart and had them look at it. Both of my front tires had busted belts in them and my breaks were pretty much gone and the rotors were torn up. The alignment was way off causing the car to not steer. I was told all this is because of the power steering going out. This car is not safe to drive, however its my only means of transportation and with so many of these problems I have no money to have he problems fixed. Something needs to be done. There are so many others with the same problem.
- Huntington, IN, USA
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.
- Newville, AL, USA
The traction light, ABS brake light, and service light are coming on and do not go out. The shift gear also has a problem.
- Newark, NJ, USA
When I apply my brakes to stop or slow down my brakes seem to go out or not work intermittently. My husband thinks it has to do with the ABS. This has almost caused me to hit the vehicles in front of me so I must leave a rather large stopping distance between myself and the front car which is fine but when I must make a quick stop to avoid an accident my brakes cut out.
- Valois, NY, USA
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving 70 mph, the brakes activated independently and the engine stalled. The vehicle was able to restart after several attempts. The failure occurred on multiple occasions. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA campaign number: 14V252000 (electrical system, electronic stability control, exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic, vehicle speed control), but the part was not available to perform the repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.
- Downey , CA, USA
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the brakes, steering, and electrical wiring for the headlights failed. The failures have occurred since 2004. While making left turns, the steering wheel was difficult to maneuver. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact had been submitting complaints to the manufacturer since 2004. The failure mileage was 35,000. Updated 10/23/14 updated 4/13/2015
- Irving, TX, USA
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA campaign number: 14V252000 (electrical system, electronic stability control, exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic, vehicle speed control); however, the parts needed for the repairs were unavailable. The manufacturer was notified. The contact had not experienced a failure.
- Mineola, TX, USA
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.
- Stillwater, OK, USA
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 mph, he depressed the brake pedal and the vehicle would not respond. The contact had to use the emergency brake in order to stop the vehicle. The failure was not diagnosed nor was the vehicle repaired. The contact also stated that the power steering warning light illuminated and when making a right or left turn the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V153000 (steering); however, the part was unavailable. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
- Providence , RI, USA
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving approximately 30 mph, the vehicle stalled and multiple warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle stalled while driving over speed bumps or any other terrain. The contact attempted to remove the key from the ignition, but the key would not eject. The key would continuously become stuck between the off position and auxiliary position and would not restart the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for diagnostic testing and the mechanic stated that the lock assembly needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V400000 (electrical system). The approximate failure mileage was 79,000. Updated 01/12/15 updated 08/28/2017
- Binghamton, NY, USA
- Forest, VA, USA