Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2004 Chevrolet Malibu owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The Grumman LLV was hit by the driver of the Chevy Malibu. The Grumman LLV had seatbelt issues with impact. The LLV was forced over on two wheels with left side impact from the driver of Chevy Malibu. [redacted] was the driver of the USPS Grumman LLV at the time of accident sustaining neck injuries requiring medical attention. Multiple medical procedures paid out of pocket followed to include surgeries The driver of Chevy Malibu was injured and received coverage by State Farm insurance.
1. A known about the recall for the power steering to go out. This was repaired as a recall a in 2014. It was replaced at no charge. In the last year the same thing happened again. I was charged over $1400 for repair at the dealership. Why was this not covered as well. Same part. Same problem a second time. ? 2. Also, cruise control has gone out over a year ago. No one told me there was a recall. I did not get it fixed due to cost.
I bought the car last April 2016. Shortly after my cruise control was hard to turn on, had to keep hitting the button. So the dealership said it was the switch and replaced it free of charge. Now it's aug 2017 and the cruise control sometimes turns on and when it does it only stays on maybe 10 min or less and then kills on its own! The speed drops quickly and this is unexpected and can be dangerous. This happened while I was driving on the highway. I specifically bought a car with cruise control, I love it, need it and use it regulary.
Upon driving the vehicle it made 3 ringing noises and then on the dashboard it said eng pwr reduced. The car then went from 60 to about 30 MPH instantly, I pushed my foot entirely to the floor an the car still wouldn't speed up. It has happened numerous times at least 40 in the past few years. No dealer can pin point what it is that's wrong. Shut the car off and start it up and its fine again. Other than the check engine light still on.
Daughter was turning the corner and the steering wheel stop turning and she ran into a snow bank. Car is inoperable now. The car had been difficult to turn since I purchased it. I took it to a mechanic who couldn't find anything wrong with it. I also took it back to the dealership where I purchase and they would not honor the warranty, and this was only a couple of weeks after I purchased it.
When driving my steering wheel would become hard to turn as if I don't have any power steering fluid while driving the car... And the odometer will stop working and then go up and down my drive control lights will stop working and below where the odometer is the numbers will turn into saying error then my car will not crank please help me with this problem
The rack and pinion went out when making left turns in city setting. Steering wheel turned but wheels did not. Felt a jumping in the wheel. Gears in rack were stripped when making a hard left turn. Steering wheel spun 3/4 and ruined air bag and no cruise control. Ive had to get a new rack and pinion.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the steering column would become loose while driving at any speed and the wheel would sporadically shake when driving over 50 MPH. In addition the power steering warning light was illuminated when the failure would occur. The contact stated the failure was the second occurrence and the steering column was replaced in 2007. The vehicle was not inspected or repaired for the recent failure. The failure mileage was 100,000 and the current mileage was 115,000. The consumer stated the vehicle made a clunking, knocking and rattling sound when driven at a low grade speed and when the steering wheel was turned. The vehicle also shook violently. The driver seat didn't to stay on track and was difficult to adjust forward and backward. The horn and cruise control were inoperative. …
First of all im waiting on parts for two recalls for my 2004 Chevy Malibu. I find it a little dangerous and for some reason nobody has been able to give me any information on what I need to do or have no idea when the parts are going to be available. My seat on the driver side feels like it is detached on one side. I have read several complaints about this happening to other people. My car randomly decides to accelerate sometimes. I cannot give you mileage or tell you exact times when it happens because it's about five times a year. I think it's when I'm on cruise control so I find it bizarre that all of a sudden my car starts speeding. I have had my car serviced and even a new engine put in and reset but my service airbag light is still on? My horn will work randomly but not all the time and this makes me feel a little unsafe because a horn is needed for warning people of danger. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle stalled and the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The dealer stated that the fuel relay switch overheated and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact also indicated that the brake lights failed and were replaced multiple times. In addition, the headlights would not illuminate bright enough to see in front of the vehicle while driving at night. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that the headlight assembly needed to be replaced. While activating the cruise control at any speed, the vehicle would suddenly accelerate on its own. The failure was not diagnosed or repaired. …
Related recalls
Vehicle speed control › Cruise control
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured May 16, 2003, through October 11, 2012, 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured May 26, 2004, through January 4, 2010, and 2007-2010 Saturn…
Remedy: 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…
Acceleration complaints in other Malibu years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu?
NHTSA has 27 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu, 2% of the model year's 1,147 complaints. The component named most often is cruise control (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Chevrolet Malibu acceleration problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 14V-252 (cruise control, May 14, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2004 Chevrolet Malibu acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 91,000 miles, and 13% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to speed control & acceleration 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.