What are the most common problems with the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu?

Owners name steering more than any other group. Electrical, seats and exterior lighting follow. See the problems section for details.

Does the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu have recalls?

Yes. The by-year record lists recalls for this model year. The Recalls section on this page shows them.

How many complaints does the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu have?

NHTSA has 1,697 owner complaints on file. They are unverified reports and not adjusted for sales.

Is the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu reliable?

Owner reports point to steering and electrical trouble more than anything else. Read the problems and recalls sections before you decide.

What is the gas mileage of the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu?

See the fuel economy section of this page for the figures.

2004 Chevrolet Malibu Problems, Recalls and MPG

NHTSA has 1,697 owner complaints on file for the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu^[1]. Steering is the group named in 1,073 of them^[2].

1,697owner complaints^[1]

7recalls^[3]

22–25MPG combined (EPA)^[4]

Problems
Recalls
Fuel economy
Safety
Engine and size
By year
Verdict
FAQ

Most reported problems

Here are the complaint groups owners name, biggest first. - Steering. 1,073 complaints^[2]. In the stories we read, owners describe power steering that quits without warning, a wheel that locks or goes heavy mid turn, and an ignition key that sticks. Several say the dealer could not find the cause on early visits. - Electrical System. 247 complaints^[5]. Owners describe sudden loss of power, alarms that go off on their own, dash parts that stop working, and a car that seems to start or shut off by itself. Some say repeat shop visits did not settle it. - Seats. 163 complaints^[6]. Owners describe a driver seat that suddenly drops or lurches to one side while driving after a weld or bracket under it gave way. A few also mention noises and other small faults. - Exterior Lighting. 132 complaints^[7]. Owners describe headlights, turn signals and tail lights that stop working, sometimes again after bulbs were replaced. Some link dash light failures to the same trouble. - Power Train. 89 complaints^[8]. - Brakes. 84 complaints^[9]. - Engine. 57 complaints^[10]. - Air Bags. 43 complaints^[11].

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2004 Malibu is necessarily included.

Electrical System › Ignition (14V400), July 2014. About 5,877,718 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[12]
Electronic Stability Control (Esc) (14V252), May 2014. About 2,440,524 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[13]
Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Lever And Linkage › Floor Shift (14V224), April 2014. About 1,131,113 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, the car rolling away. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[14]
Steering › Electric Power Assist System (14V153), March 2014. About 1,373,177 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, steering problems.^[15]
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip › Control Unit/Module (04V190), April 2004. About 65,439 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash.^[16]
Seat Belts › Front › Anchorage (04V188), April 2004. About 84,474 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury.^[17]
Equipment › Other › Labels (04V094), February 2004. About 51,715 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names.^[18]

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Version	City / highway / combined MPG	Annual fuel cost
Malibu, 2.2L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[4]	21 / 31 / 25	$2,700
Malibu, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[19]	20 / 29 / 23	$2,900
Malibu Maxx, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[20]	19 / 28 / 22	$3,050

Safety ratings

NHTSA lists these versions as not rated: 4 DR None^[21].

Engine and size

These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.

Version	Length	Width	Height	Wheelbase	Curb weight
MALIBU 4DR SEDAN FWD BASE^[22]	188 in	70 in	57 in	106 in	3,175 lb
MALIBU 4DR SEDAN FWD LS/LT^[23]	188 in	70 in	57 in	106 in	3,296 lb
MALIBU MAXX 4DR WAGON FWD LS/LT^[24]	188 in	70 in	58 in	113 in	3,459 lb

How 2004 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Malibu model year. The 2004 is highlighted^[3].

Show the numbers

Model year	Complaints	Recalls
1997	446	4
1998	981	3
1999	793	1
2000	933	3
2001	734	2
2002	583	2
2003	585	2
2004	1,697	7
2005	1,393	4
2006	1,387	6
2007	1,036	3
2008	1,017	4
2009	1,534	5
2010	1,365	3
2011	978	3
2012	907	2
2013	924	11
2014	363	6
2015	270	3
2016	865	10
2017	725	4
2018	711	6
2019	195	1
2020	199	1
2021	90	2
2022	99	1
2023	71	2
2024	43	2
2025	11	1

NHTSA's counts for the Malibu show 1,697 complaints and 7 recalls for 2004^[3]. Among the 29 model years listed, 28 have fewer complaints than 2004 and 0 have more^[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2025 (11) and the most are for 2004 (1,697)^[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.

Should you buy a used 2004 Malibu?

The complaint record for this Malibu leans heavily on steering^[2]. Electrical trouble comes next, and some owner stories link it to loss of power steering^[5]. Seat frame failures and lighting faults round out the larger groups^[6]^[7], and recalls are shown in the Recalls section^[3]. These are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales^[1]. If you are shopping for one, check the steering and electrical items first and read the recall list.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu?: Owners name steering more than any other group^[2]. Electrical, seats and exterior lighting follow^[5]^[6]^[7]. See the problems section for details.
Does the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu have recalls?: Yes. The by-year record lists recalls for this model year^[3]. The Recalls section on this page shows them.
How many complaints does the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu have?: NHTSA has 1,697 owner complaints on file^[1]. They are unverified reports and not adjusted for sales.
Is the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu reliable?: Owner reports point to steering and electrical trouble more than anything else^[2]^[5]. Read the problems and recalls sections before you decide.
What is the gas mileage of the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu?: See the fuel economy section of this page for the figures.

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Chevrolet Malibu

2004 this page
2005 1,393 complaints, 4 recalls
2009 1,534 complaints, 5 recalls
2010 1,365 complaints, 3 recalls
2011 978 complaints, 3 recalls
2012 907 complaints, 2 recalls
2013 924 complaints, 11 recalls
2014 363 complaints, 6 recalls
2015 270 complaints, 3 recalls
2016 865 complaints, 10 recalls
2017 725 complaints, 4 recalls
2018 711 complaints, 6 recalls

Compare all model years of the Chevrolet Malibu

Other Chevrolet models from 2004

2004 Chevrolet Cavalier 330 complaints, 1 recall
2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1,420 complaints, 8 recalls
2004 Chevrolet Tahoe 467 complaints, 2 recalls
2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer 1,342 complaints, 2 recalls
2004 Chevrolet Venture 124 complaints, 3 recalls

All Chevrolet models

Similar cars from 2004: large cars

2004 Buick LeSabre 162 complaints, 0 recalls
2004 Dodge Intrepid 129 complaints, 0 recalls
2004 Ford Taurus 375 complaints, 1 recall
2004 Lincoln Town Car 83 complaints, 0 recalls
2004 Mercury Grand Marquis 348 complaints, 1 recall
2004 Toyota Avalon 205 complaints, 3 recalls

All large cars we cover

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 1,697 owner complaints on file for the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu (81 mention a crash, 15 a fire, 55 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
1,073 complaints name the steering component group (45 crashes, 1 fires, 24 injuries, median mileage at failure 65,000). NHTSA vehicle records
Owner complaints and recalls for every Chevrolet Malibu model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Malibu, 2.2L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 31 highway / 25 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
247 complaints name the electrical system component group (10 crashes, 5 fires, 8 injuries, median mileage at failure 90,000). NHTSA vehicle records
163 complaints name the seats component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 95,000). NHTSA vehicle records
132 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (2 crashes, 8 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 73,000). NHTSA vehicle records
89 complaints name the power train component group (5 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 100,000). NHTSA vehicle records
84 complaints name the brakes component group (13 crashes, 1 fires, 10 injuries, median mileage at failure 55,000). NHTSA vehicle records
57 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 80,000). NHTSA vehicle records
43 complaints name the air bags component group (28 crashes, 2 fires, 22 injuries, median mileage at failure 76,000). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 14V400, filed July 3, 2014: Electrical System › Ignition. NHTSA recall database
Recall 14V252, filed May 14, 2014: Electronic Stability Control (Esc). NHTSA recall database
Recall 14V224, filed April 30, 2014: Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Lever And Linkage › Floor Shift. NHTSA recall database
Recall 14V153, filed March 31, 2014: Steering › Electric Power Assist System. NHTSA recall database
Recall 04V190, filed April 19, 2004: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock / Traction Control / Electronic Limited Slip › Control Unit / Module . NHTSA recall database
Recall 04V188, filed April 16, 2004: Seat Belts › Front › Anchorage. NHTSA recall database
Recall 04V094, filed February 24, 2004: Equipment › Other › Labels. NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Malibu, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 29 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Malibu Maxx, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 28 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR None: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, MALIBU 4DR SEDAN FWD BASE: length 188 in, width 70 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 106 in, curb weight 3,175 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, MALIBU 4DR SEDAN FWD LS/LT: length 188 in, width 70 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 106 in, curb weight 3,296 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, MALIBU MAXX 4DR WAGON FWD LS/LT: length 188 in, width 70 in, height 58 in, wheelbase 113 in, curb weight 3,459 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

2004 Chevrolet Malibu: problems, recalls and fuel economy