2004 Chevrolet Malibu Recalls
NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. A recall applies only to vehicles built within the affected range, so check your own VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for recalls are free at a franchised dealer.
- Electronic stability control (esc)Covers: Chevrolet Malibu 2004–2012, Pontiac G6 2005–2010, Chevrolet Malibu Maxx 2004–2007 +1 more
Reported issue: 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…
Possible consequence: 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…
- Power train › Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Floor shiftCovers: Chevrolet Malibu 2004–2008, Malibu Maxx 2004–2007, Pontiac G6 2005–2008 +1 more
Reported issue: 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…
Possible consequence: 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…
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.
- Steering › Electric power assist systemCovers: Chevrolet Malibu 2004–2006, 2008–2009, Saturn Ion 2004–2007, Pontiac G6 2005–2006, 2008–2009 +4 more
Reported issue: 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.
Possible consequence: 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…
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Control unit/moduleCovers: Chevrolet Malibu 2004
Reported issue: Some of these passenger vehicles have an electronic control unit (ecu) that may calculate a higher than actual vehicle speed because of an erratic rear-wheel speed sensor signal, and cause abs activation where it is not needed or needed abs activation to be extended during braking as the vehicle speed drops to about 3 mph.
Possible consequence: Unexpected abs activiation could increase stopping distance up to about 11 feet dpending on the grade of the road, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the abs controller. Owner notification began on june 16, 2004. Owners should contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438.
- Seat belts › Front › AnchorageCovers: Chevrolet Malibu 2004
Reported issue: On certain passenger vehicles, analysis of an a side impact crash test conducted by the nhtsa;s new car assessment program (ncap) indicated that the outboard anchorage of the driver's seat belt could disconnect because of contact between the seat trim and the anchorage connector when the seat was adjusted to its lowest position.
Possible consequence: If this occurred in a crash, the driver could receive greater injuries.
Remedy: Dealers will insert a retainer on both the driver's and passenger's belt anchorages. Owner notification began on june 16, 2004. Owners should contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438.
- Equipment › Other › LabelsCovers: Chevrolet Malibu 2004
Reported issue: Certain passenger vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard (fmvss) no. 208, "occupant crash protection." some of these vehicles that were not equipped with an advanced occupant restraint system (aors) have driver and passenger side sun visors with aors labels. The aors labels do not include statements and the illustration required by fmvss no. 208 for vehicles without…
Remedy: Owners will be sent replacement labels with instructions on how to install them. Owner notification began on april 21, 2004. Owners should contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438.
NHTSA investigations
- EA09004Turn Signal LampsClosed · Mar 20, 2009
- PE08062Turn signal lampsClosed · Oct 21, 2008
- EA04018Loss of electric power steeringClosed · Jul 1, 2004
- PE04031Loss of electric power steeringClosed · Mar 30, 2004
← All problems reported for the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.