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8.5

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$370
Average Mileage:
71,150 miles
Total Complaints:
26 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (14 reports)
  2. leave key at start for 10 min and anti theft system resets (7 reports)
  3. have the car towed, pay for new part (2 reports)
  4. had to repace ignition switch (1 reports)
  5. new black box (1 reports)
  6. they say turn the key in the on posistion and bump it (1 reports)
2004 Chevrolet Malibu electrical problems

electrical problem

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2004 Chevrolet Malibu Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #26

Jun 072012

Malibu Classic

  • Automatic transmission
  • 63,454 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I am completely surprised that this is not a recall issue. This has happened to me 4 times now and each time has been an inconvenience. I was late returning to work from my lunch break, my son was late for school and missed the bus and it took me an hour to drop him off at school and get back home and then my two other children were late for school, I got stuck in the hot sun with 3 kids packed and ready to go on a family vacation (it took me 30 minutes to get the car packed and three kids in their car seats and then we had to wait the 10 minutes in the hot sun), and the last time was at the gas pump...how embarrassing the line behind me was backing up. I have to say that this is dangerous, annoying, and SHOULD BE RECALLED. I have to hold my breath and pray every time I go to start my car. I have to leave 10 minutes early for everything just in case the anti-theft kicks in. Come on Chevrolet, this is poor customer service!!!!!!!!! I have lost my faith in you!!!

- Tam K., Pearl City, HI, US

problem #25

Jul 012011

Malibu Classic 2.2L 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 133,326 miles

I was about to go on vacation when my car would not start the morning of, so it started off well. I still decided to go because I have been waiting to just relax. I will deal with it when I get back. I started checking the spark plugs for spark even though I replaced those 5 months ago along with the fuel pump that went out in February of 2011. I changed the Ignition Control Module (ICM) and the Coil Pack. The car still did not start. I had fuel pressure in the rail, spark from the plugs and compression which is what you need to start and run your vehicle. I then replaced the crank sensor, which I had to remove the starter under the motor to do this. After I replaced it the motor still just cranked, but would not fire up. Now getting pissed and frustrated, I was running out of things to replace. I read the anti-theft system can prevent the car from starting due to faulty equipment. I turn the key to ON for 10 minutes, turned it off, then turn the key to START. The car FIRED right up!!!

I still need to replace the IGNITION SWITCH ($29.99) and the IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER ($180), Replacing these will eliminate the problem with the no start. Defintely an awful problem to have with 2 kids in 100 degree heat. Today is the first time I have driven my car in 25 DAYS!!!!!! Unacceptable Chevy (GM). You need to recall this and replace part free of charge. Own up to poorly manufactured equipment and save your reputation.

- Jared M., Overland Park, KS, US

problem #24

Mar 312011

Malibu Classic 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 55,000 miles

tired of having to wait ten minutes to start my car, and now it acts like it doesn't even want to start at all, this si soooo dam annoying, there should a recall

- jonel, Philadelphia, Penna., US

problem #23

Nov 122010

Malibu

  • Automatic transmission
  • 105,675 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Ive had this car for a year and it started acting up on me almost immediately after the warranty expired. First. Fuel pump. Next hazard light switch malfunction. Now. Passlock anti-theft system activates. Seems like every other day. Light comes on and all i can do is swear. I'm afraid to stop where i have to turn my car off and when i do i pray it starts. Sometimes is does and sometimes it doesn't. This is getting irritating and unsafe. I'm not always in a spot where i can do the ten minute thing(gas station pump)and I'm getting tired of it! Was told so many different ways it can be repaired but all cost highly. Chevy! Step up! Repair this problem you made for your consumer for free! MAN UP!!!

- Valva H., Decatur, GA, US

problem #22

Dec 172010

Malibu

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,587 miles

The car does not start often. It happens more when I'm out running errands. I will run in a store or post office, come back out and the car won't start. I will have to sit and wait for a few minutes, then try to restart the car. It's been a real pain and could be a safety issue.

- norriskj, Cleveland, OH, US

problem #21

Jan 012010

Malibu Maxx 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles

The car has factory remote start, which stopped working since beginning of the year. When remote is pressed, the lights flash and then the horn starts blaring out as if there was a security breach.

Any advise?

- Ashok K., Akron, OH, US

problem #20

Aug 032010

Malibu ES 3.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

This should be a recall damn computer chip in the key wont let the car start i was stranded in 109 degrees wasted money on a tow truck and having it put on a computer not to mention the work i missed due to this problem Chevy should recall this and fix this

- Rita P., Jackson, TN, US

problem #19

May 012010

Malibu

  • Automatic transmission
  • 82,000 miles

Well, the theft light has been coming on for the past 2 months and I was able to reset it by fallowing the directions in the user manual. Today it wouldn't reset - had to have it towed to the closest Chev dealership with my 85 yr old mother in tow. Don't know what this is going to cost or if it is going to be covered by the dealer. More to come.

- akaren, Mesquite, TX, US

problem #18

Apr 192010

Malibu

  • Automatic transmission
  • 61,891 miles

I bought this 2004 Malibu in 2007, only 50,011 miles. Now has 61,891 miles. Went to start the other day, it started & stopped, started & stopped & started no more. husband is out of country and didn't know what to do. Thought it was fuel pump, filter. i had no idea. My son-in-law tried many things. we finally realized that the anti theft lite was blinking. Never noticed it before. Talked to some people, they said it was the dam lock thing and would cost lots of $$ to fix. No way to disable it or by pass is. I have no $$ to fix it now. I have about 80 miles per day to drive. I had to use our ford focus that was recently in an accident and only had the temporary spare on it. Can't afford to buy a new rim & tire. I been scared chitless every mile. I've been looking on net about this prob. and then i found this site. Tonight when i read #46 about the 10 min.thing i went & tried it. Dam if it didn't start. I know it's only a temp fix, but maybe it will last till i can afford to fix it or repair the focus. that person said something about resetting the passlock system and getting a new key cut and programed for the car. I just pray that this is the prob & won't cost alot to fix. From everything I been reading, this is an old hazard that Chevy SHOULD HAVE RECALLED AND FIXED IN THE BEGINNING. WE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR THEIR CARELESS MANUFACTURING. THEY ARE JUST DAMN LUCKY THAT NO ONE WAS EVER KILLED BECAUSE OF THIS. ALTHOUGH IT MAY HAVE HAPPENED AND NO ONE FIGURED IT OUT. I'LL TELL YOU ONE THING. IF THIS CAR CAUSES AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THIS, I'LL SUE THEIR FAT ASSES FOR EVERYTHING. MAYBE THAT WILL PAVE THE WAY FOR OTHER VICTIMS. OTHER THAN OLDSMOBILE, I THOUGHT CHEVY WAS THE 2nd BEST. BUT NOW I SEE THAT IT IS CRAP. NAVE MEANS SH*T IF YOU CAN'T TRUST IT. WORRY ALSO ABOUT THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS!!!!

- Carol P., Beaver Dam, WI, US

problem #17

Jan 012010

Malibu LX V6 V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles

Dealership very unsympathetic, unwilling to share the cost for something that should not wear out. This device is solid state with fuses. How can it suddenly be junk and a total replacement. If is works for a year it should work for the life of the vehicle. I suppose they are trying to get me to start buying foreign automobiles. I have been a faithful GM/domestic car buyer and do not like being made to feel that my efforts to keep Americans working has been used to fill GM's bottom line with no regard to the customer.

- Mike M., Sterling Heights, MI, US

problem #16

Sep 252009

Malibu

  • Automatic transmission
  • 84,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The "theft system" in my Chevy Malibu is useless. My car is a 2004 Malibu starting in 2006 this problem occurred, the first time my car had to be towed to a shop, and fixed there costing me close to 200.00. they probably laughed all the way to the bank as they knew the secret to getting it to start back up. You have to turn the key to the "on" position, wait 10 minutes then it will start. It happens randomly usually about 1 time every two weeks, now it is happening more and more often. Everywhere I go I leave 10 minutes early just in case I have this problem. If you don't whallah it will leave you stuck and late!!!!!!!! I under stand the fix to this is about 300 to 500 dollars, I think this is a Chevy issue as I see all the other complaints. My car is more apt to be stolen now than if I did not have this theft system as I start my car early let it run while I finish getting ready in the morning, I also leave the car running while I run into a store to get a quick item. If I get stuck I turn the key to "on" and run into another store while I wait the 10 minutes. this happened 3 times this week. I dont have the money for the repair, I dont have the money to lose my car. I know I wont buy another Chevy. this is the most annoying thing.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

- Paula C., Xenia, OH, US

problem #15

Mar 312009

Malibu 4dr Sedan 4 cyl. Fuel Injected

  • Automatic transmission
  • 99,000 miles

My car has always been great, until lately. I hope someone can let me know what this annoying problem is caused from. No one seems to have the answer. My car won't start, it turns over, but it will not start. I had the fuel pump and filter replaced. All seemed well, until a couple of days later. Same symptoms. Stalling, theft light flashing every now and then, along with the battery light. This happens when I am driving down the highway accelerating and or letting off the gas. When I sit with the car idling, the horn will blow on it's own and the door locks are all messed up. I then had the ignition replaced, only to have the same problem start up again. I hope someone has an answer to this dilemma as I am out of money. Right now my car sits in the driveway, and will not start. Help!!

- Sue L., Danielson, CT, US

problem #14

Jan 012006

Malibu LS V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40,000 miles

I show this problem as starting in 2006. It is a reoccurring problem.

I've changed plugs. Had injectors cleaned and carbon removal treatment at Oil Change business. This seemed to help. But the problem is back. The car always starts, but sometimes takes several tries. It will crank and crank then it may start. This is an intermittent problem. Some days its fine.

- Carl H., Pflugerville, TX, US

problem #13

Dec 102008

Malibu Classic Normal

  • Automatic transmission
  • 85,000 miles

How do I steal my own car? Everything had to be reprogrammed. I had to be towed on a Sunday, walk two miles to a train station to find a cab, get my son-in-law to drive 100 miles to pick up the grand kids at the rest stop where the car decided I was stealing it from myself.

- germanio, Mechanicsburg, PA, US

problem #12

Oct 202008

Malibu LX V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 30,000 miles

I bought this car with 300 miles on the odometer. I started having slight problems with it starting around 5000 miles..but felt they were probably isolated events. Over the past 2 years of ownership, the problem has progressed to this. Frequently the car will not start at all or I have to pump the gas repeatedly and then turn the ignition to get it started. This is a new level of it not wanting to start. My husband has had to jump it twice in a 2 week period to get it started. After doing research on the web, I find that many consumers are having the same problem. I'm afraid my problem will only get worse and I still have 2 more years left on the note. My husband is in the market for a truck and was interested in Chevy Silverado..but after reading how GM has jerked consumers around with this problem..I'm going to insist he buys foreign for the 10yr warranty protection. It wouldn't be so bad if the problem could be fixed permanently, but many of the complaints I have read online say that consumers have had repairs made repeatedly for the same problem. What a shame American Made doesn't account for integrity and quality and fairness anymore.

- thelchytam, Decatur, GA, US

problem #11

Sep 272008

Malibu Classic 2.1L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 101,004 miles

I was stranded at a flee market 40 miles away from home, My car insurance towed the car to pep boys, Which found out it was the anti theft system GM should recall this problem. I will not stop until a recall has been placed my god sister had a 1999 Malibu with same problem all customers of the GM products lets take a stand and help America produce quality cars speak out make calls send emails tell a friend talk to the news

- Cedric J., Dallas, TX, US

problem #10

Aug 152008

Malibu Classic 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 73,000 miles

I too, have a 2004 Chevy Malibu. My car is temperamental and starts when it wants to. If it does NOT want to start, I have to leave the key in"start" position and wait about 20 minutes. I guess it reprograms then and will start. What a pain this has been!

I am currently looking for a new job and I cannot tell a potential new boss that I won't be in due to my car not starting.

Please help.

Please advise.

Thank you,

Lynda

- Lynda S., Aurora, IL, US

problem #9

Aug 232007

Malibu Classic V4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 48,000 miles

first started at the dealership when they tried to start it to take it in for a oil change. they put it on there diag. machine .and they reset it it worked fine for about a month. after repeating this about 4 times I took it to my reg mechanic and he told me the best thing to do was to have the dealer replace the ignition switch. because the passlock anti-theft device was tied to it. it has been about a year and no more problems.

- Kevin G., El Dorado, KS, US

problem #8

Feb 192008

Malibu V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,000 miles

It just wouldn't start when I tried to drive home. I was told by the mechanic that if you don't wait long enough between tries, after 3x it locks up and won't start at all. I tried several times so I must've used up my 3 tries. I had to have it towed and it will be fixed tomorrow. I just want to know if this is a recall.

- Joseph S., Kansas City, MO, US

problem #7

Feb 012008

Malibu Classic V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,000 miles

Replaced brakes rotor, just bought new tires, and now the dam thing will not start it feels as if it's possessed, the gauges move back and forth, the auto theft light turns on, the car has powered off while I was driving my daughters to school.

- beckye, Phoenix, AZ, US

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