Electrical System:wiring
NHTSA campaign 14V252000 · 2014 · reported 05/14/2014
Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
2004 Chevrolet Malibu Problems & Recalls
Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026
High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Steering — runs 12.5× the fleet median for that category across the 1656 model-years tracked on this site.
1,147Complaints
9Recalls
47Crashes
7Fires
22Injured
0Deaths
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Is this problem acknowledged?
The most-reported problem — Steering (62.3% of complaints) — is covered by 2 NHTSA recall campaigns.
Steering complaints here are 12.5× the median for that category across the 1656 model-years tracked on this site.
5 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 1 rests on owner reports alone.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 715 · 62.3% | Recalled | Recall 14V153000 · Recall 14E044000 |
| Steering:electric Power Assist System | 139 · 12.1% | Recalled | Recall 14V153000 · Recall 14E044000 |
| Electrical System | 117 · 10.2% | Recalled | Recall 14V252000 |
| Seats | 68 · 5.9% | No official action | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 60 · 5.2% | Recalled | Recall 09E012000 |
| Power Train | 49 · 4.3% | Recalled | Recall 14V224000 |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Complaints by component
Percentages are the share of the 1,147 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
Recalls — 9 campaigns
Steering:electric Power Assist System
NHTSA campaign 14V153000 · 2014 · reported 03/31/2014
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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Power Train:automatic Transmission
NHTSA campaign 14V224000 · 2014 · reported 04/30/2014
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.… Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Steering
NHTSA campaign 14E044000 · 2014 · reported 07/21/2014
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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump
NHTSA campaign 11E009000 · 2011 · reported 02/28/2011
A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR SHOULD THE ENGINE STALL WHILE IN USE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Exterior Lighting
NHTSA campaign 09E012000 · 2009 · reported 04/07/2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module
NHTSA campaign 04V190000 · 2004 · reported 04/19/2004
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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Seat Belts:front:anchorage
NHTSA campaign 04V188000 · 2004 · reported 04/16/2004
IF THIS OCCURRED IN A CRASH, THE DRIVER COULD RECEIVE GREATER INJURIES. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Equipment:other:labels
NHTSA campaign 04V094000 · 2004 · reported 02/24/2004
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… Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What owners report
“A KNOCKING/CLICKING NOISE CAME FROM THE STEERING WHEEL/COLUMN WHEN TURNING. VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO THE DEALER, AND DEALER REPLACED STEERING SHAFT , BUT PROBLEM RECURRED…”NHTSA complaint 10089981 — filed 09/28/2004 · STEERING
“WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT THE VEHICLES TILT STEERING UNLOCKED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ROLL FORWARD EVEN WITH THE…”NHTSA complaint 10087747 — filed 09/14/2004 · STEERING
“POWER STEERING. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE STEERING WHEEL JERKS UP TO 45 DEGREES, SIDE TO SIDE, IN BOTH DIRECTIONS. NO LOSS OF CONTROL…”NHTSA complaint 10088862 — filed 08/31/2004 · STEERING
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Complaint trend by year filed
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu?
Steering issues are the most-reported category, cited in 715 of 1,147 NHTSA complaints (62.3%), followed by steering:electric power assist system (139), electrical system (117), seats (68). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many complaints does the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu have?
1,147 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 47 involved a crash, 7 involved a fire, and 22 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Does the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu have any recalls?
Yes — 9 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 14V252000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Has NHTSA acted on the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu's reported problems?
5 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.
Is a complaint proof of a defect?
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.
