2004 Chevrolet Malibu Electrical System Problems
- 111
- Owner complaint records in our dataset
Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.
Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.
Among these 111 stored complaint records:
- 7 indicate a crash
- 3 indicate injury
- 2 indicate fire
What owners report
- power steering · 42 records
- steering wheel · 24 records
- ignition switch · 13 records
- failure mileage · 11 records
- notified failure · 10 records
- electrical system · 10 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 60–100k mi | 30 |
| 100–150k mi | 15 |
| 150–400k mi | 12 |
| 1–30k mi | 11 |
| 30–60k mi | 9 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Electrical System · Electronic Stability Control · Steering
While pulling out of a business parking lot with my mother in the vehicle, i turned the steering wheel to back out and it wouldn't turn at first. I cut the car off and restarted it once again, this tie the steering wheel turned for about half a turn and the just kept on turning with a knock every full rotation. The wheels were not moving at all.no matter how many times i restarted the car it never worked. So i was…
ODI 10519599
Electrical System · Steering
While driving my battery light will flash on and chirp and my steering wheel sort of locks up, the display on my radio says power steering and the wrench light lights up on the panel. It is quite scary considering i have young children in my car about 95% of the time. I have been very close to crashing into other cars more than once. I would love to get rid of this car but am afraid this will happen to the next…
ODI 10585942
Air Bags · Electrical System
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…
Crash reported · 1 injury
ODI 10633365
Electrical System
While driving down the road the vehicle just randomly shut off theft light came on as if i was stealing my own car had to wait 10 mins with ignition on to reset the theft system when looking online this is a known issue most of the time it is when starting but for me i was driving this is a serious concern for me. *tr
ODI 10508782
Electrical System · Service Brakes · Steering
While on my way home, driving north on i-95 near washington, dc, i experienced lots of electrical problems (noise and grabbing to the left in the steering column, repeated bulb and light unity failures) then suddenly, a total loss of power steering. I became so scared while needing both hands to manage in heavy traffic traveling at an average of 65mph that i immediately threw a lit cigarette out the window in a…
1 injury
ODI 10509117
Electrical System
My complaint is that i have received two letters informing me of recalls on my brakes, and the electrical power steering. I received the first letter a month ago regarding the ( eps), i called gm and i also called chevrolet, i have not heard anything, now i receive a letter two days ago recalling (bcm), (bas), i don't understand how you can send out letters stating there are recalls but parts are not available, but…
ODI 10614734
Electric Power Assist System · Electrical System · Steering
Driving down the road when the radio panel started blinking with power steering. I then lost my power steering and my car began to shake this failure occurs without any warning and sometimes the power steering light will illuminate and it will show in the radio panel. As a woman, driving without power steering was extremely difficult. This is not the first time this happened to me it has happened several times and…
ODI 10502983
Electrical System · Steering · Wheels
Since 2012 i have nothing but problems with my malibu. Power steering going out causing the whole front end to become unstable, causing the car to pull the left and the right. Hard to keep it centered; causing busted belts in tires, bad brakes, torn up rotors. Fuel gage not working properly, traction control on break censor going off and on. Ignition switch not working properly, i have received 4 recall notices so…
ODI 10651754
Electrical System · Exterior Lighting · Power Train
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated the brake lights failed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the vehicle was not included in recall nhtsa campaign number:14v252000 (exterior lighting). The failure and current mileage was 95,000....updated 09-05-14 *bf the consumer stated the vehicle the vehicle has also had issues…
ODI 10608906
Electrical System
I was driving about 45 miles when the car cut off with no warning,when the car came to a complete stop i was able to restart the car .this has happened 7 different times . My son thought i needed a tune up, i took the car to the dealer,i was told it was electrical but didn't know what was causing it. *js
ODI 10468167
Electrical System · Power Train
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu. The contact noticed smoke underneath the vehicle and it became difficult to shift gears from drive into reverse. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer for diagnostic testing, but was not repaired. The contact was later notified of nhtsa campaign numbers: 14v252000 (electrical system, electronic stability control, exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic,…
ODI 10632432
Electrical System
My anti-theft system activates and leaves me and my one year old child stranded in florida heat. *tr
ODI 10454044
Electrical System · Fuel System, Gasoline
For about 3 years the theft light would come on when trying to start. Then you would have to wait 10 minutes to start. In december while driving at 60 mps the engine stopped, power steering was lost and the theft light was on. After 10 minutes the car started again. Then two times later the engine stopped while driving between 60 & 65 mph, power steering was lost. One of these times the car started up again and…
ODI 10444042
Electrical System · Steering
Purchased vehicle for daughter on 8/17/2011 from asset recovery dealership colorado. While she was driving on a major road (approx. 40 mph), a warning light on dash went on and the power steering went away (almost to the point of feeling like it was totally locked). She was in rh lane, put on flashers, turned off car and restarted car. Warning light went off and power steering was back. This happened two other times…
ODI 10437293
Electrical System · Engine And Engine Cooling
Car engine will shut down at random times showing anti-theft light. Even while driving. This is a dangerous situation. *tr
ODI 10434827
Electrical System
Car would not start because the anti-theft system was activated for no reason. Was able to start it by leaving the ignition switch in the on position for 10 min. There have been many many complaints about this issue. *tr
ODI 10535911
Electrical System · Steering
In july 2011 the power steering went out. About a week later it started going out while driving. Had the steering column, and racket and pinion replaced, and the then the radio stopped playing cds, and the seat belt light constantly stays on even if you have the seat belt on. *tr
ODI 10474417
Electrical System · Latches/Locks/Linkages
I was driving my vehicle and all of a sudden my door locks started to go up and down. Than after that the doors would just start to lock and unlock on their own. Now none of the locks on the door work and the alarm goes off everytime i open the door from the outside and when i'm inside the car i get locked in my car. *js
ODI 10545408
Electrical System · Engine · Ignition
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…
ODI 10461103
Electrical System · Fuel Gauge System
Fuel gauge stopped working , would not indicate fuel level. *js
ODI 10579418
Electrical System
The theft system automatically engages randomly when ignition is attempted. Reset with key in on position for approximately 10 minutes is the only way to get the car to start. Can happen multiple times per day, regardless of weather or parking conditions. Replaced ignition in 2013 and computer in 2011 with no change in issue to a detriment of over $1,000.00. Occasionally pressing gas when ignition first catches will…
ODI 10598759
Electrical System · Electronic Stability Control · Equipment · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Steering
The electric power steering in my vehicle is faulty. The steering wheel will move by its self while driving or in park. Also my power steering will go out without warning while driving at any speed. When the steering wheel locks up due to power steering i have a very hard time turning and controlling car. I have barely avoid several accidents because of this issue. I have taken car to dealership to see if can be…
ODI 10353222
Electrical System · Exterior Lighting
2004 chevrolet malibu - both front headlights assemblies are melting from the heat coming off of the turn signal/marker light. The plastic bulb housing is actually melting enough to drip onto the bulb causing them to break and need replaced. This is definitely a fire hazard. *tr
ODI 10344328
Electrical System
2004 chevrolet malibu ls, the left turn, parking, & drl bulb overheated and caused a fire that melted the amber plastic lens inside if the headlight assy causing it to scorch the inside of the headlight assy around the amber part. The right side had previously just melted the top of the amber lens. These were the original headlight assys with 3157 bulbs that caused the problem. The daytime running lights are very…
ODI 10352448
Electrical System · Steering
Wife started up her car after work on june 30th, come to find out, the electronic power steering failed and, good thing, she wasn't driving when it went out or else there could have been an accident. Now, it fails every once and awhile, still steerable, but very hard to steer. If you shut the car off, then, it goes a way for a while but then power steering fails again later on. We were driving down the interstate…
ODI 10344815
Catalog parts for this system
Catalog year/make/model rows for 2004 Chevrolet Malibu.
Catalog fitment does not by itself prove OEM-equivalent compatibility.