10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
75,339 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.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Classic:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #31

Jul 082014

Malibu Classic

  • 151,201 miles
I was in the process of slowing down for a red light on a busy highway when my car just died. I had two kids in the car with me. Something bad could have happened. Good thing it the car died at a red light. I waited a few minutes and the car started up. I had the car tested for any codes and nothing showed for a reason why the car did this. This has happened several times. The first time it happened was about 3 years ago.

- Bardstown, KY, USA

problem #30

Apr 052011

Malibu Classic

  • 90,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu classic. The contact stated that the anti-theft and the ABS warning lights illuminated intermittently. Additionally, the instrument panel, dimmer switch, radio, speedometer, air conditioning lights, and the air conditioning controls all failed. The contact had to reposition the key in the ignition switch and attempted numerous times to start the vehicle. The contact also stated that the anti-theft feature would not allow the vehicle to be started. The contact mentioned that the vehicle would stall intermittently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign id number: 14V252000 (electrical system, electronic stability control and service brakes, hydraulic). The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.

- Commack, NY, USA

problem #29

May 272014

Malibu Classic 4-cyl

  • 110,800 miles
Security system went haywire. I got in my car tried to start it, it will start, but dies in seconds, no dash lights, if I leave the ignition turn to on after so long 10 minutes or longer sometimes the dash lights will turn on again. And then I am able to start my car and drive it, however sometimes the car even after waiting a half hr will not reset the passlock security system. It costs over $500 to fix and this is the second one I have had to replace in my car. The dealer should be fixing this issue as it is a known issue and has had multiple complaints all over the internet. This is ridiculous how can the charge such an outrageous amount and yet it go bad again and not recall this.

- Boise, ID, USA

problem #28

Jan 062014

Malibu Classic 4-cyl

  • 120,000 miles
Intermittent problems w/ signal light. No signal (from stopped or waiting position) signal, then no signal (any speed). No signal, then suddenly signal (any speed or driving condition) I've had it in to the dealership multiple times but they have never been able to replicate, so they say there isn't a problem.

- Henderson, NV, USA

problem #27

Jun 012012

Malibu Classic 4-cyl

  • 80,000 miles
I purchased my car in 2005 and this problem didn't start until 2012. My car will not start at times and the first time it happened I had no idea that it was the ignition switch/antitheft system kicking in. For some reason my car thought I was trying to steal it. I had the fuel system looked into and changed a couple of parts thinking that was the problem, but obviously now I know it wasn't. I have had it plugged in and no diagnosis was found. I did bring it to a man that works on Chevrolet and he told me I probably need a new ignition switch. So for two years now, I have to reset my ignition switch/anti theft system on many occasions, which takes 10 minutes while your sitting where ever you may be. I do strongly believe that this needs to be a recall as I see sooo many complaints about this. Unfair that we all have to fix this issue ourselves when the GM should be fixing the issue!!!!

- Hibbing, MN, USA

problem #26

May 152014

Malibu Classic 4-cyl

  • 107,543 miles
After starting the car there was no power to windows radio or ac also gauges for temperature and fuel did not work.

- Little Rock, CA, USA

problem #25

Nov 202013

Malibu Classic

  • 100,000 miles
I own a 2004 Chevy Malibu. My anti-theft device keeps me from starting car. Uncertain why this was happening at first, kept having it go for service. They could never find anything wrong. Now I find it's the anti-theft system. So I have to wait 10-15 minutes with ignition to the on position before theft light turns off & can start car. I end up leaving car running now to go into stores, anyplace I expect to be less than 5 minutes. This is happening 1-3 X's a week for over 6 months. GM dealer states will fix for $400. Hundreds of same complaints I've found on-line, even face-book page, dozens of Y-tube video's showing how to turn off system-but this is something that requires some mechanical expertise which I don't have. Safety concern-may have emergency and need my car to start, not wait patiently for 10 minutes then hope it will start.

- Fenton, MI, USA

problem #24

Apr 282014

Malibu Classic 4-cyl

  • 10,112 miles
I had my key stuck in accessory the ignition so my car battery would run dead. I was told I might need a ignition cylinder for my vehicle but looking on the internet I see this is a known issue for this make, model, and year. This should be recalled a fix that the manufacture to pay for a known problem. To get this replaced is almost $900.

- Tulsa, OK, USA

problem #23

Mar 012013

Malibu Classic 4-cyl

  • 55,000 miles
At first, the service engine soon light would illuminate at random intervals. Then engine shut off while car was moving. The problem happened more frequently as time progressed. Then the car would not start intermittently. Finally it would not start at all. The shop found the bad part was the ignition switch. Total cost to replace the switch and do the associated work was $900.

- Brookeville, MD, USA

problem #22

Mar 132014

Malibu Classic

  • miles
Since at about 110,000 miles (car now has 160,000) the theft system prevents me from starting my car by disabling the injectors intermittently. I find this to be a safety hazard as do many others that have posted comments online. It has stranded me at 1:30 in the morning in front of convenience stores. Not a safe place to be stuck. Chevy says its a $300-$1000 fix but I have read that it still does not fix the problem in some instances. I'm surprised that there has not been a class action lawsuit against GM for this. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

- Vacaville, CA, USA

problem #21

Sep 122011

Malibu Classic 4-cyl

  • 50,841 miles
Car went completely dead, and was diagnosed with a defective ignition switch. Cost to repair was $542.85 is this going to be covered in the current GM recall?

- Green Bay, WI, USA

problem #20

Sep 092013

Malibu Classic

  • miles
The passlock security system malfunctions disabling the vehicle. You have to reset the system which can take up to 30 minutes. This can be a safety issue when it happens while the vehicle is in motion. I have seen thousands of complaints for this issue. This is a common problem that needs to be recalled.

- Oklahoma City, OK, USA

problem #19

Aug 072013

Malibu Classic

  • 165,000 miles
The passlock system and fuel rail combined created a injury to pedestrians that is unbelievable the car took off after left turn into a parking lot

- Sacramento, CA, USA

problem #18

May 232013

Malibu Classic

  • 83,000 miles
Turn signals working intermittent and inoperative could result in a crash when turn signals not working this is a big safety concern GM knows of this problem and has a recall no. 03043 my vehicle is a 2004 and GM said no recall on this vehicle this car has the same problem as the recalled vehicles turn signals stop working could cause a fatal crash I want GM to pay for repairs they know of this big problem.

- Stratton, OH, USA

problem #17

Feb 212012

Malibu Classic

  • miles
Theft system light comes on for no reason and car won't start. Have to put key in ignition for 10-15 min before it will start. Recurs at least once a week now. Should be a recall!

- Hoover, AL, USA

problem #16

Mar 272012

Malibu Classic

  • 100,000 miles
In March my starter went out in my car. After replacing it I had no problems for about a week. Then I found out that my ignition switch had gone out as well. I replaced that and had no problem for about 5 days. Then for no reason my car would not start. We googled it and found out that I just needed to reset my anti theft system. Now ever since that every 1-5 days I get stuck wherever I happen to be because my anti theft system kicks in and thinks that my car is stolen when it is not. 9 times outta 10 after a 10 or 15 minute reset my car starts just fine. But now for the 3rd time it has been sitting for 2 days and will not start. In order to fix this problem mechanics are telling me that I have to pay well over a hundred dollar for them to hook it up to a computer and reset the system. If it is a system error and I did nothing wrong but fix the problem with my car then why is the dealership asking so much money simply to plug it in and hit some buttons"?????"

- Blaine, MN, USA

problem #15

Apr 022012

Malibu Classic

  • 120,000 miles
My car has now failed to start several times. I had the fuel relay switch replaced which seemed to solve the problem for about a week. Now it is doing it again, I called Chevrolet after researching the issue (seems to be a big issue) and they just recommended me to take it to the dealership. Not good, and worried that the vehicle will shut off while driving. Please help.

- Gilboa, OH, USA

problem #14

Mar 212012

Malibu Classic

  • miles
The auto theft light comes on when I unlock my doors and headlights flashes and the radio clock light flash until I start the car, sometime I have to shut the car off and restart it to get it to stop. Then the car doors unlock and lock when I am driving down the street. When I put my car in drive there is a horn sound. What is wrong with my car?

- Ogdensburg, NY, USA

problem #13

Oct 172010

Malibu Classic

  • 128,000 miles
The theft deterrent system on my 2004 Malibu classic malfunctions repeatedly it does this approximately once a week reset the theft system using the key on engine off let the car set like this for 10 min. The car then starts immediately afterwards.

- Arcadia, MO, USA

problem #12

Jun 152009

Malibu Classic

  • 70,000 miles
Sometimes my 2004 Chevy Malibu classic will not start, due to the anti-theft system, I think it's not reconizing my key. It occurs like 4 times in a week if I'm lucky, I feel like im playing a game of chance everytime I start my car. So now I pray to the car gods everytime I get in my car, right before I start my car, it seems to work most of the time(praying may not work for most people).

- Redwood City, CA, USA

Read the next 11 complaints »