2004 Chevrolet Malibu Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 64about this part
- Share
- 6%of 1,148 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 100,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 64 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu, 6% of the 1,148 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 100,000 miles. 5 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“While driving my car through an intersection, the transmission completely gave out and I lost all power to the engine and had to swerve. Having suddenly lost all power to the engine I maneuvered to the side of the road and narrowly avoided a collision. The car is perfectly maintained and the service representatives at the Chevrolet dealership (bunnin chevy) concluded this was a manufacturer error.”
NHTSA complaint #10726073, filed 2015-06, 68,000 miles“I was driving my sons 2004 Malibu when suddenly there was a few dings followed by the car symbol light with the wrench inside it on the dash light up. The wheel immediately became difficult to turn . It's as if the power steering stopped working. I drove to a safe location, turned off the car and the problem was gone. This does not seem right to me. Please have GM rectify this issue.”
NHTSA complaint #10496234, filed 2013-02, 83,456 miles“While shifting from park to reverse to back out of my driveway the shift handle popped up and is no longer attached completely to the shift lever. I have to push down on the handle while pushing in the button to shift or else the handle pops up and I am not able to shift.”
NHTSA complaint #10631976, filed 2014-09, 99,271 miles“I came to a stop at a red light and 3 seconds later I heard a chime and a car with a wrench through it appeared on my dash. My wheel locked up and the only way to unlock it was to turn the care off and back on. The same thing happened on two other occasions while stopped at a light.”
NHTSA complaint #10480701, filed 2012-10, 149,862 miles“I own a 2004; 4 cyl; chevy Malibu with electronic power steering. The system failed while I was on the interstate. I narrowly escaped causing a collision because of this failure. When towed to chevy ... Their computer shows no problem... . Baloney, I have since found out by going on-line that lots of chevy malibus have this problem. Chevy will not own up to it because it is a major expensive repair.”
NHTSA complaint #10285214, filed 2009-09, 23,000 milesRelated recalls
- 14V224000Apr 30, 2014General 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…Covers: Chevrolet Malibu 2004–2008, Malibu Maxx 2004–2007, Pontiac G6 2005–2008 +1 more
Related service bulletins
- 11006421Jul 24, 2024GM is receiving damaged (cracked or broken) transmission cores returned to the reman facilities. The damage is being caused either in the removal process by the technician, or…
- 10249579Jan 12, 2024This PI bulletin advises the technician on the proper way to install the pistons in an engine.
- 10245395Nov 6, 2023This service bulletin provides a vibration analysis worksheet the technician can use in conjunction with the appropriate Vibration Analysis-Road testing procedure when diagnosing…
- 10242843Sep 1, 2023The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the…
- 10222770Sep 16, 2022This service bulletin provides information on OEM and Remanufactured Engine and Automatic Transmission/Transaxle Identification.
- 10224273Sep 1, 2022This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician to not remove the torque converter bolts and start the engine as this may cause damage to the…
- 10220319Sep 1, 2022This diagnostic tip advises the tech not to separate the flexplate from the torque convertor or damage my occur if the engine is started while diagnosing for noise from the…
- 10163250Jun 14, 2019This informational bulletin informs the technician and provides a Service Procedure to correct a shifter sticking or Difficulty selecting Desired Gear condition, possibly caused…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 8% |
| 2024 | 6 | 14% |
| 2023 | 8 | 11% |
| 2022 | 24 | 24% |
| 2021 | 28 | 31% |
| 2020 | 59 | 30% |
| 2019 | 68 | 35% |
| 2018 | 171 | 24% |
| 2017 | 139 | 20% |
| 2016 | 166 | 20% |
| 2015 | 31 | 11% |
| 2014 | 52 | 15% |
| 2013 | 54 | 6% |
| 2012 | 49 | 5% |
| 2011 | 112 | 11% |
| 2010 | 133 | 10% |
| 2009 | 121 | 8% |
| 2008 | 86 | 9% |
| 2007 | 47 | 5% |
| 2006 | 43 | 4% |
| 2005 | 65 | 7% |
| 2004 | 64 | 6% |
| 2003 | 13 | 2% |
| 2002 | 5 | 1% |
| 2001 | 18 | 3% |
| 2000 | 26 | 3% |
| 1999 | 21 | 3% |
| 1998 | 50 | 5% |
| 1997 | 9 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
799 complaintsElectrical system
151 complaintsExterior lighting
84 complaintsSeats
69 complaintsBrakes
64 complaintsSuspension
31 complaintsFuel system
29 complaintsVehicle speed control
27 complaintsAir bags
26 complaintsElectronic stability control
22 complaintsOther or unknown
21 complaintsEngine cooling
20 complaints
← 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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology