Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
One night when it was snowing, I was leaving work and three lights came on when I went to stop my vehicle. The ABS, traction control and service engine lights came on and I had trouble stopping my vehicle. After this little incident I noticed the brakes was not working properly. Took the car to auto zone and put it on the code reader. A code pooped up, but could not be told what it was. They said you would have to take it the dealer for them to tell you what the code is. I had to go to work, so didn't have time to take it there. Well I was driving down the road and the lights pooped back on and when I went to hit my brakes there was none. I hit a truck that stopped in front of me.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx. The contact received a notice for NHTSA campaign number: 14V153000 (steering) and the vehicle was repaired. Less than a month later, the torque sensor assembly and the EPS unit failed. After having the vehicle repaired according to NHTSA campaign number: 14V252000 (service brakes), the vehicle began to feel as though the brakes were grabbing. The contact stated that it was difficult to accelerate from a complete stop and the brakes were smoking. The vehicle had not been back to the dealer. The contact felt that both recall repairs failed. The failure mileage was 45,500.
Dt: the contact stated the brakes and steering malfunctioned, resulting in an accident. The steering locked up while attempting to make a right turn. Prior to this incident she heard a squeaking noise in the brakes. She took the car to a mechanic, and was told brakes were in good working condition. She has not contacted the dealership. A police report was taken. . The contact suffered a concussion, and had nerve damage. Updated 12/30/05.
While driving on rough roads or breaking noises rattles an severe shake in steering coming from steering column an an steering binding when first starting car hard to turn wheels strange noises when applying breaks
Rotors repeatedly warp. Have had the brakes serviced twice within the 24000 warranty for brakes and it is requiring a third service at 26,000 miles outside of warranty. Rotors would need to be recut or replaced every 4,000 miles on this car to eliminate the pulsation. There is a systematic issue with the braking system, including the ABS and/or the traction control. This is not a material or service issue, but a design issue. The dealer has indicated that all systems on the car are working properly and there is nothing they can do other than recut or replace the rotors. General motors has denied there is a problem which is expected possibly facing a recall of many cars. Although the dealer unofficially admitted this problem is a regular at their facility no one will officially admit this is an issue. …
The driver seat on this car has come off the rails on right side causing it to tilt. If the seat is not moved to the lowest setting the tilts with the movement of the car. I had the seat repaired once; it failed again after about 6 months. At the same time I had the emergency brake repaired. When setting the brake, I heard a loud bang. The repair failed about 2 months ago for the second time. I am also going through new brakes on this car at an alarming rate - three brake replacements already and the car has 90,000 miles. The car is again beginning to shimmy/shudder when going down steep hills and the brakes are applied. The car seems not to slow down at all (I.e. Shifting gears) when going down hill other than by the brakes - it feels like a free fall. The signals, headlights, taillights and brake lights also need frequent replacement. …
The seat belt do not lock in case of an accident. The drivers seat rocks while you are driving an adjusts by itself you can not keep the seat still. The welding has come apart from the base. The head lights are melting the bulbs for the signal and running light. I just caught that last weekend the lights stopped working when I look at the bulb it was melted which could have started an fire. I am waiting for the letter for the recall on the stern now. This would be the second time for it. I keep my car up to date with everything oil and whatever need to be done I am on top of it. But I have to many safety issue with it right. Seat belt, stern,drivers seat, headlights. Not only that the rotor warps every six months.
The seat belt do not lock in case of an accident. The drivers seat rocks while you are driving an adjusts by itself you can not keep the seat still. The welding has come apart from the base. The head lights are melting the bulbs for the signal and running light. I just caught that last weekend the lights stopped working when I look at the bulb it was melted which could have started an fire. I am waiting for the letter for the recall on the stern now. This would be the second time for it. I keep my car up to date with everything oil and whatever need to be done I am on top of it. But I have to many safety issue with it right. Seat belt, stern,drivers seat, headlights. Not only that the rotor warps every six months.
Bought car April 2004, every few weeks to once a month car has been in the shop for noises. Since 4/05 dealer has replaced rotors 3 times, calipers and struts replaced, and still with a vibrating in steering wheel and windy noise. When you push on the brakes you have a grinding noise, like a metal sound, very loud can hear over the radio. Dealer says windy noise is normal for new parts. Still vibrating feeling in steering wheel while braking from over 50 MPH. Dealer now says parts are not covered by GM.
Brake lights flashed intermittently when I was not braking. I was stopped and informed of this by at state trooper. "check engine" light was on. The cruise control has disengaged involuntarily since 2005. I had a new brake pedal position sensor installed, but the cruise control still disengages and the check engine light comes on during trips of more than 10 miles.
Brake complaints in other Malibu Maxx years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the brakes of the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx, 5% of the model year's 434 complaints. The component named most often is foundation components › disc › rotor (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 61,000 miles, and 20% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 1 fire and 3 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.