2004 Chevrolet Malibu Power Train Problems
Owners have filed 64 complaints with NHTSA about power train problems on the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu, 6% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 100,000 miles. The words owners use most often: “steering power train” (8% of reports).
- 64power train complaints
- 100,000median miles at failure
- 5mention a crash
- 0mention an injury
- 1related recalls
- 33%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Steering power train: mentioned in 5 of 64 complaints (8%)
- Failed shift: mentioned in 5 of 64 complaints (8%)
- Exterior lighting: mentioned in 5 of 64 complaints (8%)
At what mileage do power train problems happen?
Based on 49 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 64 complaints, 5 mention a crash.
Chevrolet Malibu power train complaints by model year
| Model year | Power Train complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Malibu | 1 | 9% | — |
| 2024 Malibu | 6 | 14% | 45,000 |
| 2023 Malibu | 8 | 11% | 30,310 |
| 2022 Malibu | 23 | 23% | 38,000 |
| 2021 Malibu | 28 | 31% | 60,000 |
| 2020 Malibu | 58 | 29% | 72,500 |
| 2019 Malibu | 67 | 35% | 48,000 |
| 2018 Malibu | 171 | 24% | 43,150 |
| 2017 Malibu | 139 | 20% | 48,875 |
| 2016 Malibu | 166 | 20% | 42,000 |
| 2015 Malibu | 31 | 11% | 83,000 |
| 2014 Malibu | 52 | 15% | 51,890 |
| 2013 Malibu | 54 | 6% | 66,500 |
| 2012 Malibu | 49 | 5% | 74,500 |
| 2011 Malibu | 112 | 11% | 78,225 |
| 2010 Malibu | 133 | 10% | 74,200 |
| 2009 Malibu | 121 | 8% | 88,000 |
| 2008 Malibu | 86 | 9% | 88,000 |
| 2007 Malibu | 47 | 5% | 88,921 |
| 2006 Malibu | 43 | 4% | 100,000 |
| 2005 Malibu | 65 | 7% | 88,500 |
| 2004 Malibu | 64 | 6% | 100,000 |
| 2003 Malibu | 13 | 2% | 54,500 |
| 2002 Malibu | 5 | 1% | 114,045 |
| 2001 Malibu | 18 | 2% | 50,000 |
| 2000 Malibu | 26 | 3% | 47,597 |
| 1999 Malibu | 21 | 3% | 60,000 |
| 1998 Malibu | 50 | 5% | 60,000 |
| 1997 Malibu | 9 | 2% | 57,800 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (1)
Power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:floor shift
Problem: 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, and model year 2005-2008 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured from May 26, 2004, through September 28, 2007, and equipped with 4-speed transmissions. The total number vehicles being recalled is now 1,131,113.
Risk: 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 selecting the ÂPARK position, the transmission may not be in ÂPARK. If the vehicle is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
Fix: 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.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu. While the contact's son was parking the vehicle, he was unable to shift the gear out of reverse and turn off the engine. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. An independent mechanic associated the failure with nhtsa campaign number…
First steering wheel turned all the way around and secondly then car nor going backward and forward did not move
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER FAILED TO MOVE INTO GEAR WHEN ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE OR REVERSE. ALSO, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED TRACY CHEVROLET AT [redacted] (LOCATED AT 3400 AUTO PLAZA WAY, TRACY, CA…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2004 Chevrolet Malibus have power train problems?
No. NHTSA has 64 owner complaints about power train for the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu (6% of the 1,147 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu power train?
Yes: 1 safety recall list power train. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do power train problems start?
The median reported mileage is 100,000 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
What do owners say about power train problems on the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu?
The most frequent phrase is “steering power train”, in 5 of 64 complaints, followed by “failed shift” (5).
Other 2004 Chevrolet Malibu problems
- Steering problems (798)
- Electrical System problems (151)
- Exterior Lighting problems (84)
- Seats problems (69)
See all 2004 Chevrolet Malibu problems or power train problems across all Malibu years.