2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx: 3 recalls, 434 owner complaints and up to 22 mpg combined.
Recalls
3 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Steering Vehicle recall #14V153000 · 2014 · 1,373,177 vehicles
What's wrong: In the affected vehicles, there May be a sudden loss of electric power steering (eps) assist that could occur at any time while driving.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will perform one of four bulletins. Parts are not currently available. Gm expects to send an interim notification around May 28, 2014. When parts are available, owners will be mailed a second letter to come in to have the applicable bulletin applied. Bulletin…
Transmission & drivetrain, Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #14V224000 · 2014 · 1,131,113 vehicles
What's wrong: 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…
Why it matters: 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…
The 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.
Stability control, Speed control / throttle Vehicle recall #14V252000 · 2014 · 2,440,524 vehicles
What's wrong: 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. These fluctuations can cause one or more of these conditions: the brake lights to illuminate without the brake pedal being pushed; the brake lights to not illuminate when the pedal is pushed; difficulty disengaging the cruise control; moving the gear…
Why it matters: Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will attach the wiring harness to the bcm with a spacer, apply dielectric lubricant to both the bcm and harness connector and the bas and harness connector, and will relearn the brake pedal home position, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed an interim…
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 6 mention a fire, 20 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Steering (251): the most common themes are steering problems (245), warning light on (48).
- Seats (93): the most common themes are electrical failure (3).
- Electrical (37): the most common themes are electrical failure (11), door / lock issues (7).
- Exterior lights (37): the most common themes are electrical failure (7), fire / smoke (7).
The 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx has 434 owner complaints, ranking #1 of 4 Malibu Maxx model years for complaints (1.6× the average Malibu Maxx year). Complaints peaked in 2010 (63 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 6 years old, at a median of 74,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2005 (326 complaints, 3 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 28 | 22 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx.
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FAQ
Does the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 vehicle recalls for the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx problems?
Owners have filed 434 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are steering (251), seats (93), electrical (37).
What gas mileage does the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx get?
EPA ratings run up to 22 mpg combined (3.5 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 1 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.