Representative model. Photo: Mr.choppers, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

Recalls & complaints · NHTSA data

2004 Chevrolet Malibu recalls

Every recall campaign and owner complaint NHTSA has on file for the 2004 model year. Not every vehicle is affected by every campaign: check a specific car by VIN below.

Recall campaigns: 10
Park-it warnings: 0
Complaints: 1,697
Latest campaign: Jul 21, 2014

Recall summary by component10

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

Component	Campaigns	Latest	Campaign IDs
Steering	2	Jul 21, 2014	14E044000 14V153000
Electrical system	2	Jul 3, 2014	14V400000 14V252000
Power train	1	Apr 30, 2014	14V224000
Fuel system, gasoline	1	Feb 28, 2011	11E009000
Exterior lighting	1	Apr 7, 2009	09E012000
Service brakes, hydraulic	1	Apr 19, 2004	04V190000
Seat belts	1	Apr 16, 2004	04V188000
Equipment	1	Feb 24, 2004	04V094000

Safety recalls10

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

0Park-it warnings

0Fixable over the air

Jul 21, 2014Latest campaign


Jul 21, 201414E044000	Steering A joint bearing that fails prematurely may cause separation of the u-joint resulting in a complete loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash. DetailsHide details for campaign 14E044000 What's wrong Dorman Products, Inc. (Dorman) is recalling certain replacement intermediate steering shafts sold under the Dorman, OE Solutions, and Solutions brand names, part numbers 425-167, 2425167, and 7-3074, for installation on 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6, and 2007-2009 Saturn Aura vehicles. The affected steering shafts may have a yoke that inadequately supports the u-joint bearing resulting in a premature failure. Risk A joint bearing that fails prematurely may cause separation of the u-joint resulting in a complete loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash. Remedy Dorman will notify owners, and dealers will refund the purchase price or replace the steering shafts, free of charge. The recall began in September 2014. Owners may contact Dorman customer service at 1-800-523-2492. Filed under Malibu Campaign NHTSA 14E044000 · Jul 21, 2014
Jul 3, 201414V400000	Electrical system: ignition If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. DetailsHide details for campaign 14V400000 What's wrong This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on July 3, 2014, that they are recalling 5,877,718 model year 2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala and Monte Carlo, 1997-2003 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2005 Malibu Classic, 1999-2004 Oldsmobile Alero, 1998-2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1999-2005 Pontiac Grand Am and 2004-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine. Risk If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Remedy GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 9, 2014. GM's number for this recall is 14350. Filed under Malibu Classic Campaign NHTSA 14V400000 · Jul 3, 2014
May 14, 201414V252000	Electrical system: wiring Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash. DetailsHide details for campaign 14V252000 What's wrong General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured May 16, 2003, through October 11, 2012, 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured May 26, 2004, through January 4, 2010, and 2007-2010 Saturn Aura vehicles manufactured April 24, 2006, through May 26, 2009. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the Body Control Module (BCM) connection may result in voltage fluctuations in the Brake Apply Sensor (BAS) circuit. These fluctuations can cause one or more of these conditions: the brake lights to illuminate without the brake pedal being pushed; the brake lights to not illuminate when the pedal is pushed; difficulty disengaging the cruise control; moving the gear shifter out of the 'PARK' position without pushing the brake; and disablement of crash avoidance features such as traction control, electronic stability control, and panic braking assist features. Risk Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash. Remedy GM will notify owners, and dealers will attach the wiring harness to the BCM with a spacer, apply dielectric lubricant to both the BCM and harness connector and the BAS and harness connector, and will relearn the brake pedal home position, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed an Interim letter to customers on July 14, 2014. The recall began on August 18, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-762-2737 (Pontiac), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). GM's number for this recall is 13036. Filed under Malibu, Malibu Maxx Campaign NHTSA 14V252000 · May 14, 2014
Apr 30, 201414V224000	Power train: automatic transmission If the transmission shift cable fractures while the vehicle is being driven, the transmission gear selection may not match the indicated gear and the vehicle may move in… DetailsHide details for campaign 14V224000 What's wrong General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on April 29, 2014, that they are recalling 56,214 model year 2007 and 2008 Saturn Aura vehicles. On May 22, 2014, GM increased the recall to include an additional 1,074,899 model year 2004-2008 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured from May 16, 2003, through October 5, 2007, model year 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured from June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, and model year 2005-2008 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured from May 26, 2004, through September 28, 2007, and equipped with 4-speed transmissions. The total number vehicles being recalled is now 1,131,113. Risk If the transmission shift cable fractures while the vehicle is being driven, the transmission gear selection may not match the indicated gear and the vehicle may move in an unintended or unexpected direction, increasing the risk of a crash. Furthermore, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, despite selecting the PARK position, the transmission may not be in PARK. If the vehicle is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders. Remedy GM will notify owners, and GM dealers will replace the shift cable assembly and mounting bracket, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for this recall is 14152. Filed under Malibu, Malibu Maxx Campaign NHTSA 14V224000 · Apr 30, 2014
Mar 31, 201414V153000	Steering: electric power assist system If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash. DetailsHide details for campaign 14V153000 What's wrong General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 and 2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2006 Malibu Maxx, 2009-2010 HHR (non-turbo), 2010 Cobalt, 2008-2009 Saturn Aura and 2004-2007 Ion, and 2005-2009 Pontiac G6. In the affected vehicles, there may be a sudden loss of electric power steering (EPS) assist that could occur at any time while driving. Risk If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash. Remedy GM will notify owners, and dealers will perform one of four bulletins. Parts are not currently available. GM expects to send an interim notification around May 28, 2014. When parts are available, owners will be mailed a second letter to come in to have the applicable bulletin applied. Bulletin 14115 covers model year 2004-2007 Saturn Ion, 2009-2010 Chevrolet HHR and 2010 Chevrolet Cobalts. Dealers will replace the EPS motor. Bulletin 14116 covers model year 2004-2006 Chevrolet Malibu and Malibu Maxx, 2005-2006 Pontiac G6 and 2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from March 1, 2008, through June 27, 2008. Dealers will replace the torque sensor assembly. Bulletin 14117 covers model year 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from February 1, 2008, through February 28, 2008. Dealers will replace the torque sensor assembly and EPS motor controller unit. Bulletin 14118 covers model year 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from October 1, 2007, through January 31, 2008. Dealers will replace the EPS motor controller unit. The recall began on July 17, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, Saturn at 1-800-553-6000, and Pontiac at 1-800-620-7668. GM's number for this recall is N140115. Note: GM bulletin number 14119 will be implemented for model year 2006-2008 and early production of 2009 Chevrolet HHR (non-turbo) and model year 2003 Saturn ION to provide EPS Motor replacement for the life of the vehicle. Filed under Malibu, Malibu Maxx Campaign NHTSA 14V153000 · Mar 31, 2014
Feb 28, 201111E009000	Fuel system, gasoline: delivery fuel pump A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR SHOULD THE ENGINE STALL WHILE IN USE. DetailsHide details for campaign 11E009000 What's wrong TI AUTOMOTIVE IS RECALLING CERTAIN FUEL PUMPS, PART NUMBERS TU456 AND TU303, SOLD UNDER VARIOUS BRAND NAMES AS AFTERMARKET AND REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE MOTOR VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP MAY SEIZE, STOPPING THE FUEL FLOW TO THE ENGINE CREATING A STALLING CONDITION. Risk A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR SHOULD THE ENGINE STALL WHILE IN USE. Remedy TI AUTOMOTIVE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND WILL REPLACE ANY DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP WITH A NEW OR REWORKED FUEL PUMP FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 22, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TI AUTOMOTIVE AT 1-866-867-3759 OR LOG ON TO WWW.RECALLRESPONSE.COM. Filed under Malibu Campaign NHTSA 11E009000 · Feb 28, 2011

Merged from NHTSA model names: Malibu, Malibu Classic, Malibu Maxx. Not every vehicle of a model year is affected by every campaign.

To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Chevrolet recall lookup. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer (federal law; see limits).

Buying a used 2004 Chevrolet Malibu? Recalls cover the model; a history report checks one car's title, odometer and accident records. VinAudit history report → Sponsored · disclosure

Owner complaints by component1,697

NHTSA Complaints API · cached ≤24 h

1,697Complaints filed

81Involving a crash

15Involving a fire

55Injuries reported

Component	Complaints	%	Crashes	Fires	Injuries
Steering	1,073	63	45	1	24
Electrical system	247	15	10	5	8
Seats	163	10	1	0	0
Exterior lighting	132	8	2	8	1
Power train	89	5	5	0	0
Service brakes	85	5	14	1	10
Air bags	43	3	28	2	22
Hydraulic	42	2	5	0	4
Suspension	39	2	0	0	0
Vehicle speed control	33	2	4	0	2
Equipment	30	2	2	0	3
Engine	29	2	1	0	1
Unknown or other	29	2	2	0	5
Engine and engine cooling	28	2	0	0	0
Electronic stability control (ESC)	25	1	2	1	2

20 more components with fewer complaints not shown. An owner can tag several components, so percentages add up to more than 100. Complaints are unverified owner reports, de-duplicated by NHTSA ODI number.

Latest reports

Steering
“Electric Power Steering has failed on my car. Warning shows up saying power steering. Live in a snowy deer populated area impossible to turn wheel in these situations to avoid a collision.”
Filed 12/19/2025 · ODI 11706192
Steering
“The steering system gets extremely sensitive towards highway speeds to where a slight touch of the steering wheel could cause the car to move a significant amount no warning lamps or messages”
Filed 03/27/2025 · ODI 11651207
Steering
“The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the power steering failure message was displayed on the instrument panel.”
Filed 04/30/2024 · ODI 11586159

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2004 Chevrolet Malibu recall questions

How many recalls does the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu have?

NHTSA lists 10 safety recall campaigns for the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. The most recent, 14E044000 (reported July 21, 2014), concerns steering. Not every vehicle is covered by every campaign; check a specific car by VIN.

What are the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu recalls for?

The largest group is steering, with 2 campaigns. Others: electrical system (2), power train (1), fuel system, gasoline (1). Each campaign below lists the defect, the risk and the free remedy.

What is the most common complaint about the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu?

Steering is the most-reported component, named in 1,073 complaints out of 1,697 filed with NHTSA (63%). Across all complaints, owners reported 81 crashs and 15 fires. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How do I check if a recall is open on my 2004 Chevrolet Malibu?

Enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Chevrolet recall lookup. That shows campaigns still unrepaired on that exact car. Safety recall repairs are free at a franchised Chevrolet dealer.

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Recall summary by component10

Safety recalls10

Steering

Electrical system: ignition

Electrical system: wiring

Power train: automatic transmission

Steering: electric power assist system

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery fuel pump