| 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
2004 Chevrolet Malibu repairs by problem area
Engine (29%)
Transmission and Drivetrain (4%)
Brakes and Traction Control (6%)
Suspension and Steering (29%)
Electrical and Air Conditioning (20%)
Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (6%)
Other (6%)
Chart based on 163 repairs.
2004 Chevrolet Malibu repair cost distribution
$2500+ (1%)
$1000 - $2499 (5%)
$500 - $999 (5%)
$100 - $499 (39%)
< $100 (50%)
Chart based on 133 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.
2004 Chevrolet Malibu
Engine not specified
| Chevrolet Malibu in Ontario, Canada Sep 2014 - Feb 2015 | |||
| Sep 2014116560 miC $350 | Replaced Alternator & Battery Gm had a recall on the electrical power steering, took it in. Even after the fix, car still losses its power steering sometimes. Very, very dangerous. | ||
| Chevrolet Malibu in Alabama, United States Sep 2008 - Mar 2010 | |||
| Oct 200851000 miUS $200 | CD stuck in the CD-rom. Rear mirror broken. | ||
| Dec 200854000 miUS $200 | Both remote are not working. Changed to new ones for 100$ each with 50$ labor. | ||
2004 Chevrolet Malibu 4dr Sedan
200-horsepower 3.5L V6 4-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| Chevrolet Malibu in New York, United States Jul 2011 - Mar 2016 | |||
| Aug 2011126000 mi | Left Front Wheel bearing crapped out slowly and noisily. Replacement from NAPA did not fit but only barely so it took about 2 hours to figure out what was going on. Finally got it sorted by end of day. Fine now Rear sway bar bushings have been shot for a year leading to major clunkage over bumps at low speed. $20 and two hours fixed it perfectly. Very satisfying. HORRIFIC clunking when turning the steering at low speeds. After years of replacing expensive steering parts, figured out that you just have to smear grease on the steering column spline every 6 months or so and it stops completely... | ||
| Oct 2011131000 miUS $6 | Dimmer switch for dash lights crapped out after a long slow decline. $6 part, 5 minute fix. :-) | ||
| Nov 2011133000 miUS $136 | Rough idle. Check engine light eventually came on and code was mis-fire on cyl 1. Decided to try replacing coil assembly. This fixed it. | ||
| Dec 2011134000 miUS $109 | Battery failed suddenly and left car stranded. Jump start was successful and 4 year old battery was replaced by owner the next day. | ||
| Jan 2012138000 miUS $112 | Engine warning light came on with no other symptoms. Code indicated "low engine temperature condition". Replaced Thermostat, problem solved. | ||
| Jun 2014158000 miUS $390 | Muffler and exhaust pipe rusted and were leaking. Previously replaced just 3 years ago. The original lasted 7 years! I guess the aftermarket parts really are inferior. | ||
| Chevrolet Malibu in Minnesota, United States May 2011 - Sep 2013 | |||
| Jun 2011124000 miUS $575 | Replaced passenger and driver lower control arms. Replaced 2 tires on front end. | ||
| Jul 2012150700 miUS $2750 | replace starter | ||
| Chevrolet Malibu in Connecticut, United States Sep 2010 - Jun 2018 | |||
| Feb 201170500 miUS $115 | Knock / clunk from front-end steering at low speed (or even while parked). Dealer mis-diagnosed as bad ball-joint and inner-tie rod (it's the common intermediate steering shaft issue). Will do repair myself. Cost was for diagnostic fee. | ||
| Apr 201172000 miUS $1000 | Replace struts, shocks, lower control arms, sway bar links and bushings. Upgraded to lowering springs. | ||
| Jun 201494000 miUS $400 | Installed new springs, front & rear to replace lowering springs. New upper strut mounts (w/bearings), rear sway bar links and bushings. Alignment. Installed parts myself | ||
| Apr 2015100300 miUS $180 | Replaced exhaust y-pipe. I purchased part and had it installed at a local garage where my friend is the shop manager. I received a discount on the labor. Other shops quoted over $600 Replaced all 4 rotors and pads. Pads were replaced for free under limited lifetime warranty from Advance Auto. Replaced 1 brake caliper. Flushed brake fluid. Repairs completed myself. | ||
| Oct 2015104300 miUS $500 | Passenger-side brake flex-hose collapsed locking brake on. Brake overheated ruining rotor, pads, caliper and wheel bearing on passenger side. Replaced parts ruined and also replaced remaining brake hoses. | ||
| May 2016109100 miUS $400 | Rear Control Arms replaced due to bad bushings. Upper, Lower, Trailing and Lateral control arms. | ||
| May 2017118000 mi | Stabilizer bar links were changed on Driver and Passenger side. Moog parts were warrantied so no charge to me. I completed the work myself. | ||
| Aug 2017123000 miUS $120 | Motor mount and transmission mounts replaced. Work completed by myself in about 4 hours Car was exhibiting a noise that sounded like a whine. Dealer mechanic noticed a vacuum hose that had fallen off so he cut off the end and reattached. | ||
| Sep 2017123000 miUS $64 | Replaced the camshaft position sensor and the oil pressure sensor/switch to resolve check engine light | ||
| Feb 2018128000 miUS $75 | Brake caliper seized. Had car towed home and replaced caliper. | ||
| Chevrolet Malibu in Florida, United States Jan 2016 - Dec 2016 | |||
| Nov 2016195000 miUS $200 | Left rear brake caliper replacment Power steering EPS issue recall recall, brake lights malfunction transmission shift cable fracture recall | ||
| Chevrolet Malibu in Nebraska, United States Dec 2011 - May 2013 | |||
| Jan 201269000 mi | Security system and key fob malfunction. Dealer said it was a problem with these cars & couldn't do anything except order me a new fob ($125.00) and reprogram it ($35.00) | ||
| Feb 201269500 mi | I took my fob to a friend who does soldering . He put a drop of solder on it, let it cool, and it worked again. When it becomes sluggish I pop open the fob and very carefully buff off the contacts. | ||
| Jun 201272000 mi | Gas guage does not read accurately. Goes to empty after tank filled. | ||
| May 201375000 mi | The gas gauge was never repaired, bc estimated $600. I reset mileage B whenever I put gas into the tank, multiplied gallons by 18 (which seemed safe) and kept a post-it with remaining miles noted each day. This problem did make selling difficult. Windshield rattle. Other owners I talked to had both this and the gas gauge and brake problems. | ||
| Chevrolet Malibu in Wisconsin, United States Jul 2013 - Sep 2014 | |||
| Dec 2013140000 mi | The entire right side is a good 2 inches than the left. Haven't been able to get it fixed yet. The electric seat on the drivers had a weld fail so the seat can no longer be adjusted at all. If you try to adjust it the left side of the seat will not move at all. I have placed a seat cushion on the seat so I can drive. There is some sort of issue with the directionals as the bulbs are constantly blowing. I've finally given up and drive without them. Sometimes the electric locks work, sometimes they don't. At this point I'm just wondering if the electrical system is going to catch fire. I've named my car Christine! | ||
| Chevrolet Malibu in Illinois, United States Mar 2012 - Mar 2018 | |||
| Feb 201547300 mi | Frequent knocking noise while steering | ||
| Jan 201749300 miUS $10 | Check engine light went on. Auto parts store read code and indicated that the cooling system thermostat was likely stuck open. Replaced the thermostat myself and the problem was resolved. | ||
| Chevrolet Malibu in California, United States Feb 2012 - Oct 2015 | |||
| Aug 2012103500 miUS $57 | Center High Mounted Stop Lamp burned out. The entire unit needs to be replaced, including lens, circuit board with 5 LEDs, and plastic housing with gasket attached. | ||
| Dec 2012106000 miUS $140 | Check Engine Light was illuminated due to error code indicating failing thermostat. Thermostat was stuck open. Replaced thermostat. Check Engine Light also stored EGR error code. EGR valve was replaced about a year ago and was tested and found to be working. Cleaned EGR system and valve and reinstalled. No further codes found. | ||
| Nov 2013115000 mi | Check Engine Light gave EGR Insufficient Flow code. Tested all components to be working. Removed throttle body and thoroughly clean all passages per TSB. | ||
| Oct 2015131000 mi | Transmission shuddered and shifted hard between 1st-2nd gears and 3rd-4th gears. My theory is that initial damage was done when a dealer changed the trans fluid at 50K, didn't install the pan gasket correctly, resulting in a long term leak. | ||
| Chevrolet Malibu in Missouri, United States Apr 2013 - Jun 2016 | |||
| Jun 201568000 miUS $180 | Brake light switch sticking. Replaced switch. | ||
| Chevrolet Malibu in Wisconsin, United States Aug 2014 - Mar 2015 | |||
| Mar 2015177000 mi | Radiator issues and blown head gasket. Not worth fixing. Also needed a new exhaust. | ||
| Chevrolet Malibu in California, United States Sep 2003 - Jun 2018 | |||
| Nov 20031000 mi | Radio loosing presets. Radio replaced | ||
| Feb 20043000 mi | Rear fender loose. Replaced clips | ||
| Mar 2006 | right blinker has rapid flash. Replaced bulbs | ||
| Sep 200831000 miUS $90 | Check engine light on. Replaced fuse in trunk | ||
| Jun 200934000 miUS $170 | Trunk latch broke, replaced by mechanic | ||
| Sep 200935000 miUS $250 | Replaced trunk latch (second time) | ||
| Oct 201043000 miUS $375 | Heater did not work, replaced the heater door actuator. | ||
| Dec 201045000 mi | Noise in suspension when going over speed bumps. Mechanic could not find anything wrong, just lubed and tightened what he could. | ||
| Jul 201253200 miUS $77 | Replace right side headlight module | ||
| Oct 201254200 miUS $85 | Power steering stopped working. Then was OK after re-starting the car. Mechanic could not find the problem. | ||
| Oct 201463200 mi | replaced a sensor | ||
| Chevrolet Malibu in Wisconsin, United States Sep 2008 - Mar 2010 | |||
| Mar 200988000 mi | Leaky transmission pan gasket. | ||
| Chevrolet Malibu in Ontario, Canada May 2009 - Mar 2014 | |||
| Sep 200958280 mi | Replaced intermediate shaft to fix clunk in steering. | ||
| Dec 201071300 miC $200 | The right axle was leaking, I saw it wet but condition must have been there for months or even a year, might have been from hitting something. | ||
| Oct 201279560 mi | Ignition switch replaced | ||
| Chevrolet Malibu in Wisconsin, United States - Aug 2007 | |||
| Mar 200735000 mi | Replaced Rack&Pinion Steering Assembly | ||
| Aug 200744000 mi | Replaced Steering Column | ||
2004 Chevrolet Malibu 4dr Sedan
145-horsepower 2.2L I4 4-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| Chevrolet Malibu in Ontario, Canada Oct 2012 - Dec 2015 | |||
| Nov 201291520 miC $200 | Thermostat required replacement | ||
| Jan 201393080 miC $380 | Power trunk latch failed and key latch was seized. | ||
| Jul 2013101460 miC $850 | Replaced stabilizer end links Replaced control arm and bushing assembly | ||
| Sep 2015110360 miC $400 | Catalytic converter plugged and had to be changed | ||
| Dec 2015110360 miC $350 | Exhaust rotten from front to back. Had to be replaced | ||
| Chevrolet Malibu in Pennsylvania, United States Nov 2012 - Nov 2012 | |||
| Nov 2012166000 miUS $400 | I had an alternator put in. In July I had a rarities and pump put in. The car needs a lot more work. | ||
| Chevrolet Malibu in Ontario, Canada Jan 2016 - Jan 2016 | |||
| Jan 2016176700 miC $1400 | Seized calipers on rear brakes, leading to excessive wear on front brakes. Required replacing rear calipers. | ||
| Chevrolet Malibu in Ontario, Canada Apr 2010 - Jun 2011 | |||
| May 201079670 mi | The engine would shut down and engine light would come on 4 times while driving in the city and on the highway. They replaced the crankshaft sensor and said it was not a common problem. Free at 128,400km. because warranty coverage up to 130,000 km. camshaft or crankshaft sensor replaced because car was stalling out on engine disabled while driving.While driving the car would shut down and I would have to restart. | ||
| Jun 201079980 miC $215 | Flexible piece in the exhaust line before the resonator broke and they had to weld a new piece inline and guarantee for 1 year at Canadian Tire.They could not locate exact part and welded a piece in line. | ||
| Oct 201083700 miC $260 | THE TRUNK WOULD NOT OPEN WITH THE KEY AT ALL. SOMETIMES BUTTON PUSHED AND TRUNK DIDN'T OPEN. I REPLACED LOCK. | ||
| Chevrolet Malibu in Nova Scotia, Canada Mar 2013 - Nov 2016 | |||
| Mar 201462000 mi | electric steering going and knuckle on steering also new tie-rod end | ||
| Chevrolet Malibu in Indiana, United States May 2016 - Jun 2016 | |||
| Jun 2016157000 mi | Had rebuilt engine 3 times before. Will not do it again. This car was scrapped. | ||
2004 Chevrolet Malibu 4dr Sedan
| Chevrolet Malibu in Oregon, United States Apr 2017 - Jun 2017 | |||
| May 201769000 miUS $80 | Shaved/ground rotors | ||
2004 Chevrolet Malibu 4dr Hatch
200-horsepower 3.5L V6 4-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| Chevrolet Malibu in California, United States Dec 2015 - Jul 2018 | |||
| Mar 2018126300 miUS $55 | Temperature gauge quit working. Had shop replace sending unit and now works again. | ||
| Jul 2018130000 miUS $350 | Vapor recovery valve assembly cracked under hood, throwing 'gas cap' light and check engine light. | ||
| Chevrolet Malibu in New Brunswick, Canada - Jul 2007 | |||
| Feb 20056871 mi | Adjust LH door striker and hinges - warranty | ||
| Mar 200510392 mi | Noise still heard in rear suspension - unable to determine | ||
| Apr 200512008 mi | Installed new steering column - warranty Noise still heard in rear suspension - still unable to determine. | ||
| Sep 200517586 mi | Replace RR seat recliner handle - warranty | ||
| Dec 200522014 mi | Noise in rear suspension found! - turned out to be fuel filler neck rubbing on car frame. All gauges would not work after starting car, but resumed operation after stopping and restarting - dealer unable to duplicate the problem. | ||
| Mar 200625485 mi | Car wanders on the road at highway speeds - unable to find problem. Pulsation/shaking in steering when braking - front and rear rotors turned down. Replace RH Inner tie rod end - warranty | ||
| Jul 200629256 mi | Electronic shift selection not working - wire broken under shift console - warranty. There is a noticable slackness and knock in the steering - response - GM currently working on cure for this issue. | ||
| Oct 200633582 mi | Panic alarm will sound on its own - replaced hood latch - warranty Check engine light on - installed new thermostat - warranty Clunk in steering when turning - installed new steering gear - warranty | ||
| Mar 200742426 miC $1009 | New brake pads and rotors, front and rear - Fuel injection service - Knocking in steering - replaced steering shaft | ||
| Apr 200743396 miC $487 | Howling noise in front end - Installed new RH front hub assembly. | ||
| Jul 200747558 miC $2020 | Rattle in steering column - installed new steering column #3 !!! Install new LH & Rh front Ball Joint & Control Arm assemblies. | ||
| Chevrolet Malibu in Indiana, United States May 2015 - Feb 2020 | |||
| Jul 2016100000 miUS $12 | Fault Code P046 - Evap Emission system fault Replaced Fuel Cap Reset fault | ||
| Aug 2016102300 miUS $250 | Fault Code P046 - Evap Emission system fault Replaced Evap vent valve. Headlight lenses yellowed and fogged. Replaced both headlamps with OE GM parts. | ||
| Nov 2017123000 miUS $50 | Fault Code P0128 - Replaced thermostat and coolant temperature sensor | ||
| Chevrolet Malibu in Pennsylvania, United States - Jun 2006 | |||
| Oct 20052000 mi | power steering unit (electric) failed and was replaced | ||
| Jun 20068000 mi | power seat motor failed and was replaced. | ||
| Chevrolet Malibu in Nova Scotia, Canada Oct 2011 - Sep 2012 | |||
| Nov 2011122760 miC $250 | Replaced wheel bearing | ||
| Mar 2012127720 mi | CEL on but unknown cause; no discernable issues with driveability etc. | ||
| Jun 2012130200 miC $300 | Right front wheel bearing replaced. Indy mechanic has said similar year Malibus and Impala's go through wheel bearings frequently. | ||
| Chevrolet Malibu in Illinois, United States Feb 2009 - Apr 2018 | |||
| Jan 2015110700 mi | Flushed cooling system, replaced hoses and new water pump installed. Water pump was leaking coolant. | ||
| May 2017127000 miUS $1500 | Full new exhaust system including two new catalytic converters. | ||
| Chevrolet Malibu in Tennessee, United States Sep 2008 - Nov 2014 | |||
| Oct 200841000 miUS $20 | Long starting problem. | ||
| Aug 201374900 miUS $300 | Purge solenoid value replace. | ||
| Chevrolet Malibu in Michigan, United States Sep 2008 - Nov 2015 | |||
| Jan 200960000 miUS $142 | Transmission shifting problem, solved by adding transmission fluid and possibly resetting shift points. | ||
| May 201184000 mi | Steering Universal Joint, not repaired, told "There's a TSB on this - see your dealer" | ||
| Aug 201187000 miUS $645 | Noise, shaking from Steering column, steering assembly replaced | ||
| Apr 2012100000 miUS $150 | brake cylinder replaced during a regular pad/rotor change at 97000 | ||
| Dec 2012113000 miUS $100 | Exhaust, replaced muffler | ||
| May 2013120000 miUS $530 | Replaced right front bearing Replaced both front tie rods | ||
| Chevrolet Malibu in Michigan, United States Jan 2006 - Mar 2010 | |||
| Aug 200645000 mi | Rack & pinion replaced, under warranty (noted before 36,000). Front end was making 'bump' noise when turning steering wheel. | ||
| Mar 200755000 miUS $166 | Front end again had 'bump' noise when turning steering wheel. Out of warranty, GM picked up about 50% of repair cost. | ||
| Feb 200997000 mi | Front end clunking, started at 36k, repaired 4 times now with different parts, last repair at 92k. | ||
| Chevrolet Malibu in Pennsylvania, United States May 2009 - Mar 2010 | |||
| Jun 200965000 mi | Clunking in steering column | ||
| Chevrolet Malibu in Ohio, United States Dec 2008 - Mar 2010 | |||
| Jan 200947000 mi | The passenger side sunvisor was missing the door over the mirror. The passenger side sunvisor was not properly installed so I had to take the car back to be reserviced. | ||
| Mar 200949000 mi | I have been driving the car and noticed a noise coming from the dash. It was constant while cruising and was getting louder. While the car was in the shop they noticed steering issues. The noise went away after fixing them but it keeps coming back. When turning the steering wheel a clunk could be heard from the front end. The mechanic checked it out & found the intermediate shaft and both lower control arms were bad. They replaced all parts and the clunk went away. | ||
| Chevrolet Malibu in Florida, United States Dec 2006 - Jan 2012 | |||
| Jun 200615700 mi | Replaced accessory drive belt (Was slipping) Replaced fuel tank. (tank has collapsed and could only be filled 3/4 with gas | ||
| Jul 200616300 mi | Replaced DVD player (Was skipping) | ||
| Aug 200619000 mi | Replaced driver side sunshade. Replaced 2nd seat folding release handle (Plastic cracked) | ||
| Sep 200732500 mi | Lube intermediate steering shaft Replace radio control button steering wheel Replace rear hatch release actuator Replace rear hatch struts Reprogram ECU to cure hot start issue | ||
| Jan 200839513 mi | Replace intermediate steering shaft. Clunking noise | ||
| Nov 200851000 mi | Replace both front lower control arms Replace fuel pump. Hot starting issue. | ||
| Jun 200958500 miUS $5 | Replace tail light bulbs | ||
| Oct 200958700 miUS $1488 | Replace driver seat frame. (Welds cracked) Replace intermediate steering shaft Replace windshield washer pump | ||
| Jan 201292000 miUS $1900 | A/C compressor replaced, bearings started whining Replaced RR caliper due to leak Replace power driver seat adjuster switch | ||
| Chevrolet Malibu in Ohio, United States Nov 2010 - May 2018 | |||
| Dec 201092000 miUS $397 | Roaring noise over 35 mph in front of car. Replaced left front wheel bearing with new Timken hub assembly. Cost was half labor, half part. | ||
| Apr 201194200 miUS $146 | Car would lose power, engine light came on with codes P2101, P0120, P0220, P1516, P2135. Decided problem was throttle body. Dealer wanted $300 for part. Bought ACDelco Part 217-2295 on Amazon.com for $146. Installed new part. Problem solved | ||
| Dec 201199000 miUS $5 | Replaced failed engine coolant temperature sensor. Preventive maintenance was replacement of water pump, thermostat, engine drive belt, coolant, radiator hoses. | ||
| Dec 2013115000 miUS $232 | Broken left rear spring, worn rear shocks. Replaced rear springs, shocks. | ||
| Aug 2014119100 miUS $225 | Replaced both failing CV axles. | ||
| Feb 2015123000 miUS $200 | Replaced front left and right lower control arms. Cost included $145 for both control arms and $55 for an alignment. | ||
| Jul 2015125000 mi | Malibu Recall 14152 trans shift cable, replaced rack and pinion, set front toe, spec policy 14327 | ||
| Oct 2015131000 miUS $90 | Rust hole in muffler | ||
| Feb 2016136000 miUS $100 | Rusted out exhaust flex pipe | ||
| Apr 2016137000 miUS $53 | CarMD code: O2 sensor Bank 1 [rear cylinders] Sensor 1 [upstream of converter]. Replaced both upstream O2 sensors with Denso 234-4668 purchased on Amazon. | ||
| Apr 2018147000 miUS $173 | Replace exhaust system flex pipe. | ||
| Chevrolet Malibu in Virginia, United States Feb 2009 - Jun 2013 | |||
| Mar 2009142000 miUS $340 | Replaced right front tire rod Replaced right front tire rod | ||
| Sep 2009154000 miUS $584 | leaking right rear caliper required replacement leaking right rear caliper required replacement | ||
| Jul 2010167000 miUS $335 | Replaced inner and upper right front tie rods, along with 4 new tires. Inner rod worn, upper rod frozen in place and had to be cut in order to remove inner tie rod. | ||
| Feb 2011179000 miUS $195 | Replaced leaking transmission pan gasket, filter, and transmission flush | ||
| Mar 2013228000 miUS $200 | Alternator completely failed. | ||
| May 2013228000 miUS $500 | Radiator had hole in the bottom. | ||
| Chevrolet Malibu in Illinois, United States Mar 2014 - Mar 2015 | |||
| Feb 2015151100 mi | Recall related | ||
| Chevrolet Malibu in Virginia, United States Sep 2008 - Dec 2011 | |||
| Dec 2011188000 mi | replaced fuel injectors. One was faulty (partially clogged), but I replaced them all as I got a deal on a set from eBay. | ||
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