RoadVitals

2004 Chevrolet Malibu Classic Electrical Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Electrical reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
59
Latest Feb 5, 2021
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
51%
of 116 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
3
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
3

What this page shows

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Classic submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 59 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming electrical

The 25 most recent of 59, in the owner's own words

ElectricalEngineExterior lighting
Filed Feb 5, 2021

WELL MY IGNITION SWITCH WENT OUT I REPLACE THAT.NOW IT'S SHORTAGES IN WIRING AND LIGHTS HEAT ON AN OFF SOMETIMES SHOCKS

NHTSA ID
11394823
Incident
Jan 19, 2021
Mileage
175,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jun 3, 2020

THE ANTI THEFT GAS CUT OFF FEATURE HAS RENDERED MY VEHICLE UNABLE TO START. I HAVE TRIED MANY METHODS BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. IT STARTS WHEN IT WANTS TOO, BUT NOT WHEN I DO. *TR

NHTSA ID
11327121
Incident
Jun 3, 2020
Mileage
117,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jul 23, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT HAD TO LEAVE THE KEY IN THE "ON" POSITION FOR APPROXIMATELY TEN MINUTES BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE AND THE THEFT WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000.

NHTSA ID
11113005
Incident
Jul 17, 2018
Mileage
190,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jul 18, 2018

MY THEFT SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. WHEN I TURN THE KEY OFF AND TRY TO RESTART THE CAR IT WILL NOT START BACK. I HAVE TO TURN IT TO THE ON POSITION AND WAIT UNTIL THE THEFT LIGHT QUITS FLASHING WHICH IS USUALLY 10 MINUTES AND THEN RESTART THE CAR. I WAS TOLD BY A CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP MECHANIC THAT THE PROBLEM WAS THE IGNITION CYLINDER WHICH COST AROUND $180. WHY IS THERE NOT A RECALL FOR THIS.

NHTSA ID
11112070
Incident
Jul 15, 2018
Mileage
120,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jun 15, 2018

I TURN MY KEY YO TURN OFF MY CAR IN IT WANT GO PASS THE ACC.

NHTSA ID
11102002
Incident
Jun 15, 2018
Electrical
Filed Jul 12, 2017

DUE TO THE PASSLOCK SENSOR INSIDE THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER CASE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WILL STALL AT ANY MOMENT AND ANYWHERE, WHICH MAKES MORE LIKELY TO BE INVOLVED IN A WRECK BECAUSE OF THIS. GM STATED THAT THE PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE STALLING WAS DUE TO THE KEY COMING OUT FROM THE IGNITION CYLINDER. GM ADDED WEIGHT TO THE PLASTIC PORTION OF THE KEY AS A SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM BUT THE REAL PROBLEM FOR THE VEHICLE TO STALL IS NOT THAT, IT IS DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE PASSLOCK SENSOR.

NHTSA ID
11004834
Incident
Jan 3, 2017
ElectricalFuel system
Filed Sep 13, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND WAS UNABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE SECURITY PASS LOCK AND ANTI-LOCK WARNING INDICATORS RANDOMLY FLASHED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO STALL AT RANDOM. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY A MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP REGULATOR FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT CONTINUED TO STALL. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA ID
10906086
Incident
Jul 1, 2016
Mileage
80,000 mi
Electrical
Filed May 21, 2016

REC'D RECALL ON IGNITION SWITCH. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER AND SERVICE REP TOOK 1OF MY VEHICLE KEYS, BROUGHT KEY BACK AND SAID REPAIR COMPLETES. NEVER DID HE TOUCH MY CAR. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THIS, VEHICLE WOULDN'T START. WHATEVER WAS DONE TO MY KEY THREW OFF MY ALARM SYSTEM AND LOCKED UP VEHICLE .DEALER REFUSED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. CONTACTED GM AND WAS CONTACTED BACK. THEY MADE NOTE OF COMPLAINT. NOW WATCHING C CNBC AND THE IGNITION RECALL. I AM CONCERNED AS ONLY 1KEY WAS TOUCHED BY DEALER AND THAT WAS IT.

NHTSA ID
10870176
Incident
Nov 18, 2014
Mileage
120,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Aug 10, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE THEFT SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE ENGINE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER OFF THE ROAD AND SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE AFTER RESETTING THE THEFT SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 175,000.

NHTSA ID
10747482
Incident
Aug 4, 2015
Mileage
175,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jul 6, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED UNEXPECTEDLY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST OVER TO SIDE OF THE ROAD AND RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 210,000.

NHTSA ID
10732254
Incident
Jul 13, 2011
Mileage
210,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jun 24, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. WHEN THE IGNITION WAS TURNED TO THE ON POSITION, THE VEHICLE DID NOT START. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION HAD TO BE TURNED TO THE OFF POSITION THEN BACK TO THE ON POSITION IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO START. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.

NHTSA ID
10730193
Incident
May 31, 2015
Mileage
100,000 mi
ElectricalFuel system
Filed May 5, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WHEN THE FUEL PUMP EXPLODED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE FUEL PUMP EXPLODED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

NHTSA ID
10714597
Incident
May 2, 2013
Mileage
75,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Apr 16, 2015

THE KEY CAUSED THE IGNITION SWITCH TO SEPARATE AND BECOME LOOSE. NOW THE IGNITION SWITCH IS OUT OF POSITION AND START OUT OF PLACE AND IS VERY DANGEROUS. I ASKED TOLD THEM ABOUT IT WHEN THEY WERE REPLACING THE RECALL KEYS. THEY REFUSE TO FIX OR LOOK INTO IT BECAUSE IT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE LAW SUIT. WHICH IT SHOULD HAVE BECAUSE THEY BOTH GO TOGETHER TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM IS STILL THERE AND NOT RESOLVE. THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS THE MAIN PROBLEM ALONG WITH THE KEYS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10706075
Incident
Feb 12, 2009
Electrical
Filed Mar 7, 2015

THE 2004 CHEVY MALIBU CLASSIC IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME BRAKE APPLY SENSOR (BAS) CIRCUIT MALFUNCTION AS OTHER 2004 GM VEHICLES LISTED IN GM RECALL 13036. THE BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT COME ON WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS PUSHED, EVEN THOUGH THE LIGHT BULBS ARE BRAND NEW. I AM ASKING GM TO INVESTIGATE AND CONSIDER ADDING THE 2004 CHEVY MALIBU CLASSIC TO THE LIST OF VEHICLES TO BE RECALLED IN RECALL 13036. THE CONDITIONS THAT THE 2004 MALIBU CLASSIC ARE EXPERIENCING ARE IDENTICAL TO THE CONDITIONS STATED IN THE RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10692706
Incident
Mar 2, 2015
Electrical
Filed Feb 24, 2015

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY FAILED TO RELEASE OUT OF THE ACCESSORY MODE INTO THE OFF POSITION. IN ADDITION, THE KEY REMAINED IN THE IGNITION CYLINDER AND THE BATTERY WAS DISCONNECTED UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE IGNITION CYLINDER WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 162,808.

NHTSA ID
10690223
Incident
Aug 6, 2014
Mileage
162,808 mi
ElectricalSteering
Filed Nov 19, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTI-THEFT SENSOR AND THE SERVICE ENGINE SENSOR KEPT RANDOMLY ILLUMINATING AND THE VEHICLE STALLED SEVERAL TIMES. THE CONTACT ALSO EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY REMOVING THE KEY AND GETTING THE KEY TO TURN OVER INTO AN ON POSITION TO START THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HEARD A CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL, WHICH OCCURRED FREQUENTLY AND THE NOISE CONTINUED WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND INDICATED THAT THE DEALER WAS NOT ABLE TO DETERMINE WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED FOR MONTHS AND WAS NOT ABLE TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ID
10659331
Incident
Oct 1, 2014
Mileage
100,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Oct 16, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 5 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND BELIEVED THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,177.

NHTSA ID
10645050
Incident
Sep 25, 2014
Mileage
10,177 mi
Electrical
Filed Oct 8, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE AN EXPECTED DATE FOR THE PART TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ID
10643362
Incident
Sep 17, 2014
Electrical
Filed Sep 12, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START PROPERLY MULTIPLE TIMES. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO EJECT THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION, THE KEY FAILED TO TURN ALL THE WAY TO THE OFF POSITION. THE KEY WAS ABLE TO TURN FROM ACCESSORY TO THE ON POSITION AND VICE VERSA, BUT IT WOULD NOT TURN TO THE OFF POSITION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH AND KEYS COULD BE REPLACED FOR A FEE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10632736
Incident
Sep 12, 2012
ElectricalVisibility
Filed Aug 19, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WINDOW FAILED TO ROLL DOWN. IN ADDITION, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES, AIR CONDITIONING, AND RADIO FAILED TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.

NHTSA ID
10626385
Incident
Feb 15, 2014
Mileage
35,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Aug 14, 2014

THEFT SYSTEM DID NOT ALLOW THE CAR TO START. THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT APPEARS INTERMITTENTLY. FOLLOWING THE "WAIT 10 MINUTES" PROCEDURE DESCRIBED IN OTHER COMPLAINTS RESULTS IN START ON SOME OCCASIONS BUT DOES NOT WORK ON OTHERS. CONSIDERING THE GM IGNITION PROBLEM RECALLS, I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THIS HAS NOT BEEN THE SUBJECT OF ONE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10622222
Incident
Aug 7, 2014
Mileage
118,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jul 20, 2014

UPON SHUTTING CAR OFF MY CAR KEY WOULD NOT COME OUT IGNITION AFTER DANGLING THE KEY I CAME OUT BUT THE IGNITION WASN'T IN THE OFF POSITION. LM ATTEMPT TO PUT THE KEY BACK IN TO TURN IT TO OFF POSITION IT DIDN'T BUDGE. THE NEXT MORNING THE CAR WOULDN'T START I HAD TO GET A JUMP AND THEN THE FOLLOWING MORNING THE CAR WOULDN'T START I HAD TO GET A JUMP. I WENT ADVANCE AUTO PARTS AND WAS TOLD THAT BECAUSE THE CAR IS NOT IN OFF POSITION COMPLETELY ITS DRAINING MY BATTERY, I ALSO WAS INFORMED OF A RECALL FOR MY VEHICLE THAT I WASN'T AWARE OF. I WILL TAKE TO DEALERSHIP ON MONDAY. THE OTHER PROBLEMS I HAVE IS THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW AFTER LETTING DOWN WONT COME BACK UP. TURN SIGNALS NOT WORKING ONE MINUTE POP ON OTHER MINUTE. I CHECK THE FUSE BOX IT WAS FINE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10614833
Incident
Jul 18, 2014
Mileage
146,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jul 10, 2014

I WAS IN THE PROCESS OF SLOWING DOWN FOR A RED LIGHT ON A BUSY HIGHWAY WHEN MY CAR JUST DIED. I HAD TWO KIDS IN THE CAR WITH ME. SOMETHING BAD COULD HAVE HAPPENED. GOOD THING IT THE CAR DIED AT A RED LIGHT. I WAITED A FEW MINUTES AND THE CAR STARTED UP. I HAD THE CAR TESTED FOR ANY CODES AND NOTHING SHOWED FOR A REASON WHY THE CAR DID THIS. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED WAS ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO. *TR

NHTSA ID
10609548
Incident
Jul 8, 2014
Mileage
151,201 mi
Electrical
Filed May 30, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTI-THEFT AND THE ABS WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. ADDITIONALLY, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, DIMMER SWITCH, RADIO, SPEEDOMETER, AIR CONDITIONING LIGHTS, AND THE AIR CONDITIONING CONTROLS ALL FAILED. THE CONTACT HAD TO REPOSITION THE KEY IN THE IGNITION SWITCH AND ATTEMPTED NUMEROUS TIMES TO START THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE ANTI-THEFT FEATURE WOULD NOT ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO BE STARTED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL AND SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA ID
10595164
Incident
Apr 5, 2011
Mileage
90,000 mi
Electrical
Filed May 27, 2014

SECURITY SYSTEM WENT HAYWIRE. I GOT IN MY CAR TRIED TO START IT, IT WILL START, BUT DIES IN SECONDS, NO DASH LIGHTS, IF I LEAVE THE IGNITION TURN TO ON AFTER SO LONG 10 MINUTES OR LONGER SOMETIMES THE DASH LIGHTS WILL TURN ON AGAIN. AND THEN I AM ABLE TO START MY CAR AND DRIVE IT, HOWEVER SOMETIMES THE CAR EVEN AFTER WAITING A HALF HR WILL NOT RESET THE PASSLOCK SECURITY SYSTEM. IT COSTS OVER $500.00 TO FIX AND THIS IS THE SECOND ONE I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE IN MY CAR. THE DEALER SHOULD BE FIXING THIS ISSUE AS IT IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND HAS HAD MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ALL OVER THE INTERNET. THIS IS RIDICULOUS HOW CAN THE CHARGE SUCH AN OUTRAGEOUS AMOUNT AND YET IT GO BAD AGAIN AND NOT RECALL THIS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10594331
Incident
May 27, 2014
Mileage
110,800 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .