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 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that gears failed to shift properly and the transmission slipped. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, he lost control of the vehicle as the gear slipped from drive and upon turning the steering wheel to the right, the vehicle went to the left and crashed into a barrier. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed and there were no injuries reported. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign id number: 14V224000 (power train) however, the part was not available. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 154,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving approximately 15 MPH, the transmission shift cable failed. As a result, the contact lost braking and steering functions. The failure resulted in a front end collision. The air bags did not deploy. Prior to this failure, the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 14V224000 (power train). A police report was filed. There were no injuries sustained that required medical attention. The vehicle was towed but it was unknown if it was diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 315,000.
Vehicle experienced steering and transmission problems. The steering went out, forcing the vehicle to the right side of the road and into an embankment. Consumer had the vehicle towed to a service center. Transmission will not engage into the interlock. If going into reverse and changing into drive it was difficult to control vehicle. Consumer must use about 45 lbs of pressure to get the gear shift to operate smoothly. Also, vehicle was having brake problems. Consumer was driving on an off ramp and applied the brakes down to the floor. Vehicle slowed down but did not stop completely. Consumer contacted the manufacturer and the dealership, who told the consumer that there was a brake recall, and that the brake problem was electrical. The brakes were electronically programmed controlled. Recall campaign; 04V190000. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the gear shifter failed to move into gear when attempting to drive or reverse. Also, the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The contact called tracy Chevrolet at [phone] (located at 3400 auto plaza way, tracy, ca 95304) and was informed to schedule an appointment. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer due to the diagnostic and repair fees. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact to take the vehicle to a dealer. No further assistance was offered. The approximate failure mileage was 295,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the vehicle would not accelerate over 15 MPH. In addition, the engine warning light illuminated and flickered on the instrument panel. The contact also stated that there was a transmission fluid burning odor. The contact stated that the burning door did not occur until after the vehicle was serviced under NHTSA campaign number: 14V224000 (power train). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 106,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. The vehicle was serviced under NHTSA campaign number: 14V224000 (power train), but the remedy failed to repair the vehicle. The contact mentioned that when the gear shifter stick was changed from park to drive and while driving at various speeds or coming to a stop, the vehicle jerked. In addition, the vehicle stalled and the check engine warning light illuminated. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 144,067. Updated 02/05/16; updated 05/04/18
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. Prior to the contact owning the vehicle, the dealer indicated that a recall repair was completed for the transmission shift cable. Upon driving the vehicle, the gear failed to properly shift into park and other gears. As a result, the contact could only shift into the drive low gear at an extremely low rate of speed. The dealer replaced the transmission shift cable twice after the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 180,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. While reversing at 5 MPH, the vehicle failed to shift gears. The contact stated that the emergency brake had to be applied in order to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and was informed that the vehicle was previously repaired under a manufacturer recall related to the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 161,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle went into reverse instead of neutral and there was a loud grinding noise. The contact merged to the side of the road, where the transition failed. The failure recurred once. The vehicle was towed to the contact's resident. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 167,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. While the contact's son was parking the vehicle, he was unable to shift the gear out of reverse and turn off the engine. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. An independent mechanic associated the failure with NHTSA campaign number: 14V224000 (power train). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 218,381.
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 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu?
NHTSA has 64 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu, 6% of the model year's 1,147 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Chevrolet Malibu 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 100,000 miles, and 16% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.