The Lemon Index2004 Chevrolet Malibu.
The 2004 Chevrolet Malibu is one of the worst years by owner complaints: 338 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 221, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about steering, it has 9 recalls, and it gets 22 to 25 mpg combined. The best Chevrolet Malibu year is 2022.
Lemon alert. 2.2× the average car's complaints.
Best year 2022
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 1,697 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Chevrolet Malibu year. 2004 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 40K to 116K miles on the car (1,413 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- steering complaints mostly came at 33K–112K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 42K–119K miles
- seats complaints mostly came at 67K–120K miles
Recalls 9
- steering 2014
The affected steering shafts may have a yoke that inadequately supports the u-joint bearing resulting in a premature failure.
- electrical 2014
In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the Body Control Module (BCM) connection may result in voltage fluctuations in the Brake Apply Sensor (BAS) circuit.
- transmission & drivetrain 2014
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 vehicle…
Show all 9 recalls
- steering 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.
- fuel system, gasoline 2011
TI AUTOMOTIVE IS RECALLING CERTAIN FUEL PUMPS, PART NUMBERS TU456 AND TU303, SOLD UNDER VARIOUS BRAND NAMES AS AFTERMARKET AND REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE MOTOR VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.
- lights 2009
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- brakes 2004
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 …
- seat belts 2004
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 O…
- equipment 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 OCCUPA…
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Chevy told dealers about
Chevy sent dealers 646 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Inoperative park lamps, tail lamps, interior lamps, backup lamps, remote keyless entry, rear…
- Rattle noise from front of vehicle while driving over rough roads when vehicle is hot on…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedTurn signal lamps2009–2010
- ClosedTurn signal lamps2008–2009
- ClosedLoss of electric power steering2004–2005
- ClosedLoss of electric power steering2004
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★☆ · side ★★★★☆ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $2550–2900 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.2L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
Power steering assist failed while driving 35 mph. The dealer was notified.
2004 Chevrolet Malibu owner · NHTSA complaint 10097840
More owner reports
My power steering fails while driving. This happens many times. I have to stop the car and restart it to bring back the power steering. It will work for awhile, then fail again at a random time.
NHTSA complaint 10072561
When turning steering wheel towards the right steering wheel locked up, causing the consumer to lose control of the vehicle. Consumer took the vehicle to the dealership to be inspected.
NHTSA complaint 10054006
Quick answers
Is the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu reliable?
No, it is one of the worst by government complaints. It drew 2.2× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 221; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Chevrolet Malibu year by this measure is 2022.
What are the most common 2004 Chevrolet Malibu problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are steering (115%), electrical (12%) and brakes (9%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu have?
9 safety recalls (latest: steering). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu get?
22 to 25 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2004 Chevrolet Malibu problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 40,000 and 116,000 miles. The middle report was at 80,000 miles, from 1,413 complaints.
Does the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu cost in fuel a year?
About $2550 to $2900 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu have?
2.2L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl.
What Chevrolet Malibu year is better than the 2004?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2022, 2014 and 2015.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works