2004 Chevrolet Malibu Classic Recalls, Complaints & Specs
1 safety recall lists the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Classic, and owners have filed 116 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
1 safety recall for the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Classic
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Ignition (electrical system)
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on July 3, 2014, that they are recalling…
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 9, 2014. GM's number for this…
116 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Classic have filed 116 complaints with NHTSA; 8 describe a crash and 2 describe a fire. Reports cite 13 injuries and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 96,978 miles. Complaints peaked in 2014 with 27 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Classic. The contact stated that while stopped at a red light, the vehicle lost motive power and abnormal noises were heard coming from the dashboard. The cont”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, September 16, 2021 · Engine
“I was driving my 2004 malibu classic , when all the vehicle , turned off ,causing me to hit the vehicle in front of me and that vehicle hitting another car , there where 3 vehicle involved with injury”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, March 8, 2021 · Unknown or other
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu (Malibu Maxx). Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 22–25 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 19–21 / 28–31 |
| Fuel | Regular |
| EPA class | Large Cars, Midsize Cars |
| Engine | 4/6 cyl, 2.2/3.5 L |
| Transmission | Automatic 4-spd |
Compare Chevrolet Malibu Classic model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Chevrolet Malibu Classic model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1978 Chevrolet Malibu Classic | 1 | 0 |
| 1997 Chevrolet Malibu Classic | 0 | 3 |
| 1998 Chevrolet Malibu Classic | 0 | 5 |
| 1999 Chevrolet Malibu Classic | 0 | 4 |
| 2000 Chevrolet Malibu Classic | 0 | 11 |
| 2001 Chevrolet Malibu Classic | 0 | 13 |
| 2002 Chevrolet Malibu Classic | 0 | 16 |
| 2003 Chevrolet Malibu Classic | 0 | 16 |
| 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Classic | 1 | 116 |
| 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Classic | 1 | 92 |
| 2007 Chevrolet Malibu Classic | 0 | 15 |
| 2008 Chevrolet Malibu Classic | 0 | 21 |
Checking a specific 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Classic
How do I know if my 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Classic has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 1 campaign currently lists the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Classic; your car may already have been repaired under it.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Chevrolet dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 14V400000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other Chevrolet models
- Malibu19,364 complaints
- Silverado 150018,029 complaints
- Impala10,434 complaints
- Tahoe10,032 complaints
- Equinox9,161 complaints
- Silverado8,799 complaints
- Blazer8,192 complaints
- Suburban8,164 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.