Chevrolet Malibu Maxx Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 1,074 consumer complaints across the 4 model years of the Chevrolet Malibu Maxx (2004–2007) that have at least 5 complaints. 2004 has the most, with 434. Across all years, the part named most often is steering (653 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
Best and worst Malibu Maxx years →
All Malibu Maxx model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 44 | 75,000 | 3 | 165 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2006 | 270 | 82,956 | 4 | 172 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2005 | 326 | 85,000 | 3 | 169 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2004 | 434 | 74,000 | 3 | 136 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Steering653 55%
- Seats141 12%
- Electrical system112 9.4%
- Exterior lighting101 8.5%
- Brakes63 5.3%
- Air bags43 3.6%
- Transmission and drivetrain41 3.4%
- Fuel system36 3.0%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
2005: “When I was driving on the highway, I heard a chime and a message popped up and stated 'power steering' my steering wheel locked up and made it hard to turn. I was still able to drive to my destination. I was also able to turn my car off and it'll reset and the power steering message would go away and it'll be easier to use my steering wheel”
NHTSA complaint #11151717, filed 2018-11, 320,000 miles2006: “Takata recall the security system locked up and the ingnition won't turn over so the car refuses to start. This all happened when I put it in neutral and it just shutoff. Then refuses to start.the car was technically stationary, my foot was in the brake while it was in neutral. We were about to turn into a church parking lot when it stalled out and would not come back on.”
NHTSA complaint #11119508, filed 2018-08, 154,041 miles2004: “Steering out of whack. I have had my control arm on both sides changed along with axles and a alignment. No luck its still all over road. I drive from sylvester ga to tifton ga everyday. It does the same thing everytime. Also I have had my lights replaced 3 times in the last year. Why arent the lasting. Gas cap keeps reading error. Whole car. I can let someone drive it to see what I am saying.”
NHTSA complaint #11193420, filed 2019-04, 140,000 milesOther Chevrolet models
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About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology