Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.
2004 Chevrolet Malibu recalls
Electronic stability control (ESC) · Vehicle speed control: cruise control · Exterior lighting: brake lights, switch · Exterior lighting: brake lights · Electrical system: wiring
NHTSA campaign 14V252000 · reported May 14, 2014 · General Motors LLC · 2,440,524 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- 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 Aura vehicles manufactured April 24, 2006, through May 26, 2009. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the Body Control Module (BCM) connection may result in voltage fluctuations in the Brake Apply Sensor (BAS) circuit. These fluctuations can cause one or more of these conditions: the brake lights to illuminate without the brake pedal being pushed; the brake lights to not illuminate when the pedal is pushed; difficulty disengaging the cruise control; moving the gear shifter out of the 'PARK' position without pushing the brake; and disablement of crash avoidance features such as traction control, electronic stability control, and panic braking assist features.
- The risk
- Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- 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 pedal home position, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed an Interim letter to customers on July 14, 2014. The recall began on August 18, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-762-2737 (Pontiac), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). GM's number for this recall is 13036.
Power train: automatic transmission, lever and linkage, floor shift · Power train: automatic transmission
NHTSA campaign 14V224000 · reported April 30, 2014 · General Motors LLC · 1,131,113 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- 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 year 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured from June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, and model year 2005-2008 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured from May 26, 2004, through September 28, 2007, and equipped with 4-speed transmissions. The total number vehicles being recalled is now 1,131,113.
- The risk
- If the transmission shift cable fractures while the vehicle is being driven, the transmission gear selection may not match the indicated gear and the vehicle may move in an unintended or unexpected direction, increasing the risk of a crash. Furthermore, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, despite selecting the PARK position, the transmission may not be in PARK. If the vehicle is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
- The fix
- 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. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for this recall is 14152.
Steering: electric power assist system
NHTSA campaign 14V153000 · reported March 31, 2014 · General Motors LLC · 1,373,177 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 and 2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2006 Malibu Maxx, 2009-2010 HHR (non-turbo), 2010 Cobalt, 2008-2009 Saturn Aura and 2004-2007 Ion, and 2005-2009 Pontiac G6. In the affected vehicles, there may be a sudden loss of electric power steering (EPS) assist that could occur at any time while driving.
- The risk
- If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will perform one of four bulletins. Parts are not currently available. GM expects to send an interim notification around May 28, 2014. When parts are available, owners will be mailed a second letter to come in to have the applicable bulletin applied. Bulletin 14115 covers model year 2004-2007 Saturn Ion, 2009-2010 Chevrolet HHR and 2010 Chevrolet Cobalts. Dealers will replace the EPS motor. Bulletin 14116 covers model year 2004-2006 Chevrolet Malibu and Malibu Maxx, 2005-2006 Pontiac G6 and 2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from March 1, 2008, through June 27, 2008. Dealers will replace the torque sensor assembly. Bulletin 14117 covers model year 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from February 1, 2008, through February 28, 2008. Dealers will replace the torque sensor assembly and EPS motor controller unit. Bulletin 14118 covers model year 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from October 1, 2007, through January 31, 2008. Dealers will replace the EPS motor controller unit. The recall began on July 17, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, Saturn at 1-800-553-6000, and Pontiac at 1-800-620-7668. GM's number for this recall is N140115. Note: GM bulletin number 14119 will be implemented for model year 2006-2008 and early production of 2009 Chevrolet HHR (non-turbo) and model year 2003 Saturn ION to provide EPS Motor replacement for the life of the vehicle.
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, control unit/module
NHTSA campaign 04V190000 · reported April 19, 2004 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP. · 65,439 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- Some of these passenger vehicles have an electronic control unit (ECU) that may calculate a higher than actual vehicle speed because of an erratic rear-wheel speed sensor signal, and cause ABS activation where it is not needed or needed ABS activation to be extended during braking as the vehicle speed drops to about 3 mph.
- The risk
- Unexpected ABS activiation could increase stopping distance up to about 11 feet dpending on the grade of the road, increasing the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- Dealers will reprogram the ABS controller. Owner notification began on june 16, 2004. Owners should contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438.
Seat belts: front, anchorage
NHTSA campaign 04V188000 · reported April 16, 2004 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP. · 84,474 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- On certain passenger vehicles, analysis of an a side impact crash test conducted by the NHTSA;s new car assessment program (ncap) indicated that the outboard anchorage of the driver's seat belt could disconnect because of contact between the seat trim and the anchorage connector when the seat was adjusted to its lowest position.
- The risk
- If this occurred in a crash, the driver could receive greater injuries.
- The fix
- Dealers will insert a retainer on both the driver's and passenger's belt anchorages. Owner notification began on june 16, 2004. Owners should contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438.
Equipment: other, labels
NHTSA campaign 04V094000 · reported February 24, 2004 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP. · 51,715 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- Certain passenger vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard (FMVSS) no. 208, "occupant crash protection." some of these vehicles that were not equipped with an advanced occupant restraint system (aors) have driver and passenger side sun visors with aors labels. The aors labels do not include statements and the illustration required by FMVSS no. 208 for vehicles without aors.
- The fix
- Owners will be sent replacement labels with instructions on how to install them. Owner notification began on april 21, 2004. Owners should contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438.
What owners report
Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.
Dec 19, 2025 · Steering
Electric Power Steering has failed on my car. Warning shows up saying power steering. Live in a snowy deer populated area impossible to turn wheel in these situations to avoid a collision. There was no actual accident that occured but there more than likely could be.
Mar 27, 2025 · Steering
The steering system gets extremely sensitive towards highway speeds to where a slight touch of the steering wheel could cause the car to move a significant amount no warning lamps or messages
Apr 30, 2024 · Steering · 85,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the power steering failure message was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed however, there was no DTC code retrieved for the power steering failure. The local dealer was contacted…
Mar 24, 2024 · Service brakes · crash reported
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. […] was the driver of the USPS Grumman LLV at the time of accident sustaining neck injuries requiring medical…
Sep 19, 2023 · Steering · 100,000 miles
The contact's friend owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while his friend was driving at various speeds, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist. The oil and theft warning lights were illuminated. The Service Power Steering message was displayed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or…
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received December 19, 2025.