Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
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).
Electrical wires/components issues, instrument cluster lights not turning on, vehicle with a wrench indicator light comes on & off, traction control with a slash on tc indicator light comes on & off (tc/), when my car is running an idling or parked or idling at a stop light or driving in a certain speed limit the steering wheel shacks/shudders repeatedly moving on its own once in a awhile but now it constantly getting worse lasting longer, engine light stays on even after I replaced the parts obdll scanner say what to fix & replace, owned the car over a 1 year an build knowledge about the car and google recalls after owning it. I believe it's (power steering wheel components or power steering wheel assist motor) I was driving in the freeway with my babies going 65 speed limit & I literally seen life flashed before my eyes when the steering wheel won't turn/locks up in a busy freeway. …
Both rear coil springs broke part # 22714392 ( both have the same codes of ora and 301024p00 on the paper tag on spring ) this car has never pulled a trailer or had any heavy loads both of these springs broke in the same place ( I have the broken springs) driving straight on a smooth road you do not notice problem it is when you have to do fast lane change or hard braking then vehicle is hard to control I went to a Chevrolet dealer and asked what they could for me I said it was not safe to drive and I never heard of 2 coil springs breaking in the same place they said there was not anything they were willing to do they said I could call general motors but they would not do anything either I stopped driving car for several months then ordered 2 after market moog brand springs which are made of thicker metal and I installed replacement springs on 11/15/2016
I received a letter from general motors explaining they knew issues with the rack and pinion for my 2004 Chevrolet Malibu during the first 150,000 miles of the vehicle at no charge. It also states if I paid for repairs I would get reimbursed for this. Currently I have 48,857 miles. My steering column went out of control while I was in motion. I had the rack and pinion and outer tie rod replaced on my vehicle on (4/4/17). I called GM on 4/11/17. In the morning, they said I would get re-imbursed. In the afternoon I received a phone call stating I would not get re-imbursed. I believe there are currently 12 recalls for this vehicle. I would like this matter of the rack and pinion issue be looked at further by the safety board to impose a safety recall. If it happened to my car, it May happen to other GM cars.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the front driver side hub assembly was defective and vibrated while driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the hub assembly needed to be replaced due to defective bolts that caused the hub to separate and wear prematurely. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 62,000.
The dash has ABS, tch and security light comes shortly after car has been started with in scound comes a beeping sound were all three lights stay on until engine is cut off. The light bulbs has melted plastic cover on the front turn signal/park lamp drl. When speed is increasing on high way free way car tends to pull left on its own
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. While the vehicle was being serviced by an independent mechanic, it was discovered that the tie rod and front brakes needed to be replaced.the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 89,000.
There was a cluncking sound every time I turn the wheel to the left or the right. I took the car to the dealer on two occasions for repair, and they replaced the steering column both times, the car still cluncked. .the dealer said the cluncking sound was okay and not to bring it back.the right wheel bearing was replaced, and now the gas gauge did not work. Also, I was told when the gas gauge failed it wa s an early warning that the fuel pump will soon need to be replaced.
"Takata recall" my 2004 Malibu does not have working cruise control , my wiring is barely working as in my locks won't work , my heat we only blows cold air on defrost my defrost barely clears my windows , my t\c light is the only light that stays on all the time and I barely have traction while driving if I'm trying to accelerate getting on the highway my wheel will lock or barely move and I have to let completely off the gas to free the wheel I get any alerts on my speedometer.
There wa sa cluncking sound every time I turned the wheel to the left or the right. I sent the car to the dealer on two occasions for repairs, and they replaced the steering column both times, the car still cluncked. .the dealer said the cluncking sound was okay and not to bring it back.the right wheel bearing was replaced, and now the gas gaug efailed. 1 was told when the gas gauge failure was an early warning that the fuel pump will soon need to be replaced.
The vehicle pulls to the left. The dealer repaired the vehicle. Currently, it pulls to the right. The vehicle was serviced on four occasions. About two miles from the dealer the vehicle pulled to the left. The consumer corrected the problem with the steering wheel. The dealer shifted the tires, then it seemed to pull to the right. The rear view mirror cracked.
Suspension complaints in other Malibu years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu?
NHTSA has 31 complaints about the suspension of the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu, 3% of the model year's 1,147 complaints. The component named most often is front (7 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Chevrolet Malibu suspension problems?
No. NHTSA lists no suspension recall for the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu, though it has 6 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 suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 36,000 miles, and 38% 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.