Model year record

2004 Chevrolet Malibu Classic

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 144 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 14V400000

Electrical system: ignition

Component: Electrical system: ignition
Manufacturer: General Motors LLC
Vehicles affected: 5,877,718
Reported to NHTSA: 2014-07-03
Owners notified: 2014-09-08

Defect description

This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on July 3, 2014, that they are recalling 5,877,718 model year 2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala and Monte Carlo, 1997-2003 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2005 Malibu Classic, 1999-2004 Oldsmobile Alero, 1998-2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1999-2005 Pontiac Grand Am and 2004-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.

Safety risk

If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Manufacturer remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 9, 2014. GM's number for this recall is 14350.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

Component	Complaints	Median mileage
Electrical system	51	100,000 mi
Steering	23	80,000 mi
Exterior lighting	8	109,000 mi
Unknown or other	8	86,509 mi
Engine	6	91,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: anti-theft: control module	5	109,540 mi
Power train	5	120,000 mi
Air bags	4	195,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system	4	80,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition	3	90,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch	3	35,371 mi
Engine and engine cooling	3	89,564 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal	2	70,000 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls	2	35,000 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)	1	165,000 mi
Equipment	1	72,000 mi
Equipment adaptive/mobility	1	130,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner	1	110,000 mi
Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights	1	90,000 mi
Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights: switch	1	40,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages	1	91,000 mi
Seat belts	1	—
Seats	1	50,200 mi
Service brakes	1	65,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip	1	—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc	1	50,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist system	1	—
Structure	1	89,564 mi
Suspension	1	85,000 mi
Tires	1	89,400 mi
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices	1	66,000 mi

The 2003 model has 8 times as many complaints as this one. The 2005 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.