Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
The vehicle continually goes into "engine low power mode" while on the highways. This is now occurring daily. I've tried to get it fixed but no one seems to know what it is. I am very fortunate that no one has hit me when the vehicle goes from high speeds down to 20 miles per hour with no response by pressing the gas pedal. There have been multiple things failing on this car: passenger side window no longer opens, cruise control will not work, 2 of the 3 chargers in the car do not work (after fixing those fuses, they just blew immediately) power locks went from barely working to not working at all, the latest being the low power mode and traction control being activated in the heat of a tennessee spring (already 80 degrees) - it's not a water issue. The first few months I had this car it was in the shop almost every weekend. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx. The contact stated that while making a left turn the vehicle shifted into neutral independently without warning. The contact depressed the brake pedal to stop the vehicle. The contact attempted to manually shift the vehicle into park however, the transmission failed to engage. The contact pushed the vehicle over to the side of the roadway. The vehicle was towed to midway Chevrolet (2323 w bell rd, phoenix, az) where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission failed and needed to be replaced. The contact mentioned NHTSA campaign number: 14V224000 (power train) as a possible solution to the failure, however the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was contacted however, no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx. After reversing and attempting to place the vehicle in park, the transmission gear selection did not match the indicated gear. The vehicle was taken to an unknown local dealer where it was serviced per NHTSA campaign number: 14V224000 (power train), but the remedy failed to repair the vehicle. The contact stated that the gear shifter still failed after the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 129,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx. The contact stated that the gear lever failed to shift from reverse into drive. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the shift cable fractured. In 2015, the vehicle was serviced under NHTSA campaign number: 14V224000 (power train); however, there was no failure. Recently, a failure occurred and the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 173,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx. The contact stated that the vehicle remained on after the key was removed from the ignition, the transmission slipped out of gear, and there was an abnormal noise coming from the steering column. The failures occurred without warning. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 51,000.
A few days after purchasing the car new, the "check gas cap" warning started displaying. The dealer diagnosed the problem as a cracked carbon canister, and after a few weeks, the part came in and the dealer installed it, fixing the problem. At the same time, there was a moaning noise coming from the drivetrain under acceleration. The dealer found a service advisory about a defective chain sprocket in the transmission, ordered the parts, and when they came in, took the transmission apart and installed the new parts. This apparently solved the noise problem. The next time the car was driven after taking it home, the transmission quit working. The engine sped up, but the transmission did not pull. I am waiting for the dealership to open to report this latest problem. …
I've received 3 letters in the last approx. 8 months. First was recalling power steering, then one for brakes,and then transmission. As soon as car was paid off I literally had to buy another trany twice in two years . The last letter said I can definitely crash because of this recall problem specially said I would it is in the letter. I couldn't believe my eyes. Every letter said sorry parts aren't available we will notify you. Never has contacted me and it has been half a year. I'm driving a very unsafe vehicle written by Chevrolet company. Please advise me soon. Also there was no trany listed above so we put other. And there wasn't any accidents however going off ramp at 30 MPH I spun in 3 circles another time driving slow in town around a easy turn it just spun for no reason. Please help its only transportation[redacted]
I bought a Malibu Maxx in July 2004 brand new with 30 miles on it the second day I had it I heard a noise fron the front end took it back to taylor Chevrolet in taylor michigan service adviror rode with me heard it also wrote on work order noise coming form possible trnsmission I have driven 3 Maxx other than my own no nosie also a rattling noise in the inside while driving when sunroof is open no noise but when it is closed rattling noise all the time this has been a on going problem with this car have discussed a possible return to get another car everyone has refused I have taked with allen siver who is the GM at taylor Chevrolet and jim authur who is the severice manager nothing I will never by another GM product when you looking to buy everyone is in your face but when something goes wrong you get no attention they are just out to sell not service.
I started the car, put the car in drive and accelerated. When I went to turn the wheel, a light appeared on the dash (looks like a wrench) and on the radio display said power steering. I lost all power steering. This has now happened multiple times in the last month. I pulled out on to another road and while in the process of turning, I lost my power steering. I had to pull over into a parking lot, which was very difficult to do since I did not have power steering. Turned the car off and restarted the car. The light went away and my power steering came back. The car is very unsafe because the failure happens while driving. My husband called Chevy dealer and they stated that this car is not covered under the service recall notice!!
2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx. Consumer seeking reimbursement for previous repairs, prior to recall. The consumer stated the steering wheel was noisy, the wheel was loose, the vehicle pulled to the right. An alignment was performed twice, she experienced steering problems during the entire year of 2013. There was a recall on the steering issue, but she continued to experience problems. The intermediate shaft and rack and pinion were replaced. Also, the turn signals and shifter cable were replaced.
Related recalls
Power train › Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Floor shift
General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on April 29, 2014, that they are recalling 56,214 model year 2007 and 2008 Saturn Aura vehicles. 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…
Remedy: 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.
Transmission complaints in other Malibu Maxx years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx, 5% of the model year's 434 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 14V-224 (floor shift, Apr 30, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 90,000 miles, and 23% before 25,000 miles.
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.