2004 Chevrolet Malibu Electrical Problems

I was driving to work with my son and sister in the car when the steering wheel suddenly got very tight and started jerking when I attempted to make a left or right turn. I then stopped at a gas station and as soon as I came to a complete stop the vehicle shut off before I could turn it off manually. I then attempted to turn the key on and start the vehicle but it would not turn over, it would only make a clicking sound. I called a friend that was close by to come and assist me so when they arrived I asked them to jump my vehicle off via jumper cables which did get my vehicle's engine to finally start. The car sounded very weak as if it was going to shut off again once we disconnected the jumper cables but it didn't shut off. Nothing was working inside the car or outside meaning I had no radio, no interior lights and nothing on my dash was working. The speedometer wasn't working, the rims Guage wasn't working, the temp Guage wasn't working nor was anything else working on my dash. The turn signals were not working for either side and none of my headlights or taillights were working either. And I still did not safely have control of the steering. The only warning lamp, which didn't appear until my friend jumped my car off, was what looked like a symbol of a vehicle with a symbol of a locked lock in front of it. This failure just happened so I have not taken the car to a certified mechanic to inspect it but the car is available for inspection at any time. I can not afford to put my car in the shop, I work part time at a restaurant in my town and I'm also disabled and I also care for my 8 year old son who is severely autistic so I have no extra money to fix these problems. Please I need help.

NHTSA ID

11436957

Incident

Oct 15, 2021

The power steering went out while driving. The car was being backed out of the driveway. The car had lights go off when it happened. Once the car was restarted power steering worked again. This problem has only occurred once as far as known. The steering was incredibly hard to move when the issue occurred. It is foreseeable that if issue happens at the wrong time on the freeway it could lead to injury or death of driver, passenger, or others outside the vehicle. If it happens at high speeds during a turn any number of serous damage or injuries could occur. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic who said a dealership would have the equipment properly diagnose the problem. If the mechanic did it himself he would have to replace several parts one a time and it might not be fixed. I will have my son take it to a dealership to look at it. Lights went off during the problem, but it is UNKNOWN which ones lit up. The lights went off, but since significant force had to be used to pull the wheel even slightly the exact lights that went off are unknown.

NHTSA ID

11429981

Incident

Aug 8, 2021

THE SENSOR AND OR POWER STEERING ASSIST IS MALFUNCTIONING AND SENDING WARNING AND SHUTS DOWN THE ELECTRIC STEERING ASSIST. MUST TURN VEHICLE OFF AND THEN RESTART SEVERAL TO GET STEERING TO RELEASE. THERE WAS NO NOTICE GIVEN TO [XXX] WHEN THE RECALL(S) WERE ISSUED FOR 2004 CHVY MALIBU. STATIONARY THUS FAR. PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ID

11413507

Incident

Sep 15, 2020

Mileage

74,000 mi

AFTER STARTING ENGINE, ENGINE WILL TURN OFF AND RADIO DISPLAY SCREEN WILL READ 'ENGINE POWER REDUCED.' ENGINE WILL NOT START FOR SEVERAL MINUTES, BUT THE LIGHTS, RADIO, DASH LIGHTS AND EVERYTHING WILL STILL WORK. THIS HAS HAPPENED IN MY DRIVEWAY. THE FIRST TIME THIS EVER HAPPENED I WAS ON A BUSY MAIN ROAD AT A STOP LIGHT IN THE LEFT TURN LANE. THE CAR SHUDDERED AND THE ENGINE LOST POWER. AGAIN, THE DISPLAY SCREEN DISPLAYED THE SAME MESSAGE. THE CAR WAS ROLLING BACKWARDS AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS THE ENGINE DID START AGAIN. THANKFULLY IT WAS 6:00 AM AND I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK SO THERE WAS VERY LIGHT TRAFFIC.

NHTSA ID

11387454

Incident

Dec 15, 2020

Mileage

143,000 mi

ELECTRICAL WIRES/COMPONENTS ISSUES, INSTRUMENT CLUSTER LIGHTS NOT TURNING ON, VEHICLE WITH A WRENCH INDICATOR LIGHT COMES ON & OFF, TRACTION CONTROL WITH A SLASH ON TC INDICATOR LIGHT COMES ON & OFF (TC/), WHEN MY CAR IS RUNNING AN IDLING OR PARKED OR IDLING AT A STOP LIGHT OR DRIVING IN A CERTAIN SPEED LIMIT THE STEERING WHEEL SHACKS/SHUDDERS REPEATEDLY MOVING ON ITS OWN ONCE IN A AWHILE BUT NOW IT CONSTANTLY GETTING WORSE LASTING LONGER, ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON EVEN AFTER I REPLACED THE PARTS OBDLL SCANNER SAY WHAT TO FIX & REPLACE, OWNED THE CAR OVER A 1 YEAR AN BUILD KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THE CAR AND GOOGLE RECALLS AFTER OWNING IT. I BELIEVE IT'S (POWER STEERING WHEEL COMPONENTS OR POWER STEERING WHEEL ASSIST MOTOR) I WAS DRIVING IN THE FREEWAY WITH MY BABIES GOING 65 SPEED LIMIT & I LITERALLY SEEN LIFE FLASHED BEFORE MY EYES WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WON'T TURN/LOCKS UP IN A BUSY FREEWAY. IT WAS BEYOND THE WORSE EXPERIENCE OF MY LIFE BECAUSE MY BABIES IS IN THE CAR WHEN IT HAPPENED, I DON'T EVER WANT IT TO HAPPEN AGAIN EVER OR TO ANYONE ELSE. PLEASE & THANK YOU IF YOU CAN FIX IT, IT'S OUR ONLY TRANSPORTATION FOR MY SPOUSE & BABIES. AN ONE MORE OTHER THING IS "I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S A PART OF IT THE THROTTLE BODY MALFUNCTION". I HOPE THAT'S ENOUGH & ACCURATE INFORMATION ABOUT IT

NHTSA ID

11374793

Incident

Oct 21, 2020

Mileage

114,881 mi

HAD TO REPLACE HEAD LIGHT BULBS HAS MELTED PLASTIC COVER DASHBOARD HAS WARNING LIGHTS THAT COME ON AND STAY ON

NHTSA ID

11338166

Incident

Jun 4, 2020

Mileage

2 mi

POWER STEERING FAILS UNDER HARD ACCELERATION. WHEN THIS OCCURS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON AND THE STEERING HAS NO ELECTRIC ASSIST. THIS CONTINUES UNTIL THE ACCELERATION IS REDUCED. AFTER REDUCED ACCELERATION THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GOES OFF THE THE POWER STEERING RETURNS TO NORMAL. THIS OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY, BUT TYPICALLY ON A FREEWAY ON RAMP WHILE GETTING UP TO SPEED AND TRYING TO MERGE WITH TRAFFIC.

NHTSA ID

11300210

Incident

Jan 6, 2020

Mileage

90,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED INTERMITTENT FAILURE WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE CONTACT HAD TO JIGGLE THE KEY FOR THE VEHICLE TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TECHNICIAN JIGGLED THE KEY AND THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO START. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE MAY BE AN UNKNOWN RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000. *DT*JB

NHTSA ID

11281769

Incident

Sep 4, 2019

Mileage

90,000 mi

O2 SENSOR, ING FUSE KEEPS BLOWING CAUSING CAR NOT TO START

NHTSA ID

11204757

Incident

Mar 10, 2019

TAKATA RECALL. MY RADIO STARTED DISPLAYING A SERVICE AIR BAG MESSAGE AND MY HORN STOPPED WORKING. THE WIRING IN THE CAR HAS STOPPED WORKING. I BEGAN TO REPLACE LIGHTBULBS THINKING THEY WERE BLOWN BUT JUST WILL NOT WORK. HEARD THIS CAR WAS RECALLED FOR THESE EXACT PROBLEMS I AM HAVING BUT FOR SOME REASON MY CAR HAS NO RECALLS. MY STEERING WHEEL MAKES A KNOCKING NOISE WHEN TURNING VERY SHARP. SOUNDS LIKE A PIECE IS BROKEN KNOCKING AROUND

NHTSA ID

11162446

Incident

Dec 4, 2018

Mileage

160,000 mi

TAKATA INFLATORS PLEASE FIX MY CAR I WENT TO THE LOCAL AUTO PARTS STORE AND THEY CHECKED THE SYSTEM FOR ME AND ALL THESE PROBLEMS PLUS MORE HAVE POPPED UP AND THEY'RE ALL ON THE RECALL LIST

NHTSA ID

11141515

Incident

Oct 18, 2018

2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION KEY FAILURE TO RE-START VEHICLE, TOWED TO DEALERSHIP FOR FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH REPAIRS AND CONSUMER SEEKS REIMBURSEMENT FOR RECALL REPAIRS. *SMD *TR

NHTSA ID

10898833

Incident

Sep 24, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHEN THE CONTACT REACHED HIS DESTINATION, THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN PARK AND ATTEMPTED TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE CONTACT HAD TO MOVE THE KEY IN AN UP AND DOWN, SIDE TO SIDE MOTION FOR SEVERAL MINUTES IN ORDER TO REMOVE IT FROM THE IGNITION. THE IGNITION FAILURE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE JUNE OF 2017. THE CONTACT PURCHASED A NEW KEY, WHICH WORKED FOR A FEW MONTHS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT AUTO MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPAIRED AT THE CHEVROLET DEALER BECAUSE SPECIFIC TOOLS NEEDED TO BE USED. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ID

11061985

Incident

Jun 1, 2017

Mileage

100,000 mi

POWER STEERING REPEATEDLY GOES OUT WHILE DRIVING. BLINKERS ONLY WORK SOMETIMES. CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT ENGAGE. I LOST POWER STEERING GOING DOWN A BUSY HIGHWAY.

NHTSA ID

11013563

Incident

Aug 7, 2017

Mileage

178,000 mi

I TOOK MY 2004 MALIBU MAX CHEVY TO.RAY CHEVROLET IN ANTIOCH ILLINOIS.WE GOT RECALLS ON THE STEERING THEY TOLD US THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE PART .THEY TOLD US THEY WOULD LET US KNOW WHEN THE PART CAME IN .ITS BEEN A YEAR.ITS REALLY DANGEROUS DRIVING IS WAY.THE STEERING WENT OUT A COUPLE OF TIMES.I NEED HELP.

NHTSA ID

11010998

Incident

May 5, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE AND POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE STEERING WHEEL REQUIRED EXCESSIVE FORCE IN ORDER TO MAKE A TURN. WHEN THE CONTACT TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, IT RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL OTHER TIMES. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED TO WORK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE RECALLS WERE EXPIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER DEALER WHERE THEY ESTIMATED THAT THE DIAGNOSTIC CHECK WOULD COST $114. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 166,000.

NHTSA ID

10984696

Incident

Apr 13, 2017

Mileage

166,000 mi

"TAKATA RECALL" MY 2004 MALIBU DOES NOT HAVE WORKING CRUISE CONTROL , MY WIRING IS BARELY WORKING AS IN MY LOCKS WON'T WORK , MY HEAT WE ONLY BLOWS COLD AIR ON DEFROST MY DEFROST BARELY CLEARS MY WINDOWS , MY T\C LIGHT IS THE ONLY LIGHT THAT STAYS ON ALL THE TIME AND I BARELY HAVE TRACTION WHILE DRIVING IF I'M TRYING TO ACCELERATE GETTING ON THE HIGHWAY MY WHEEL WILL LOCK OR BARELY MOVE AND I HAVE TO LET COMPLETELY OFF THE GAS TO FREE THE WHEEL I GET ANY ALERTS ON MY SPEEDOMETER. *TR

NHTSA ID

10939475

Incident

Nov 23, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 23 MPH IN THE RAIN, THE VEHICLE SPUN OUT OF CONTROL AND CRASHED INTO A CEMENT BARRIER. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. TWO DAYS LATER, THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FIRE WAS DUE TO THE ELECTRICAL WIRING IN THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TOWED OR TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 153,000.

NHTSA ID

10896496

Incident

Aug 14, 2016

Mileage

153,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ALTERNATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

NHTSA ID

10888236

Incident

Jul 11, 2016

Mileage

200,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 252,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10852726

Incident

Mar 31, 2016

Mileage

252,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. AFTER THE KEY WAS INSERTED IN THE IGNITION SWITCH, THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED TO RESPOND. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID

10839191

Incident

Feb 22, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD TRANSMISSION WIPER LINKAGE BUSHING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TAIL LIGHTS FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT REMOVING THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION WAS DIFFICULT AT TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000.

NHTSA ID

10824874

Incident

Jan 24, 2016

Mileage

53,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE IGNITION KEY PULLED OUT WHILE THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING. THE CONTACT ALSO WAS ABLE TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF WITHOUT THE KEY TURNING TO THE OFF POSITION. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS ADVISED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL DEALER TO CHECK FOR RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHO STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE CONTACT INSISTED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 157,048.

NHTSA ID

10824021

Incident

Jan 7, 2016

Mileage

157,048 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WOULD GET JAMMED IN THE IGNITION AND THERE WAS DIFFICULTLY SHIFTING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE COULD BE SHIFTED AFTER IT WAS WARMED UP. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V224000 (POWER TRAIN). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 109,821...UPDATED 04/26/16 *BF *CN

NHTSA ID

10822634

Incident

Sep 10, 2015

Mileage

109,821 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, THE IGNITION FAILED WHILE THE ANTI THEFT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED RANDOMLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION CYLINDER WAS FAILING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 145,691.

NHTSA ID

10807705

Incident

Jun 23, 2015

Mileage

145,691 mi