Known Recalls

Model year record

2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 574 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 14V252000

Electronic stability control (ESC)

Component
Electronic stability control (ESC)
Manufacturer
General Motors LLC
Vehicles affected
2,440,524
Reported to NHTSA
2014-05-14
Owners notified
2014-08-18

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 14V224000

Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shift

Component
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shift
Manufacturer
General Motors LLC
Vehicles affected
1,131,113
Reported to NHTSA
2014-04-30
Owners notified
2014-06-27

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for this recall is 14152.

Recall campaignNHTSA 14V153000

Steering: electric power assist system

Component
Steering: electric power assist system
Manufacturer
General Motors LLC
Vehicles affected
1,373,177
Reported to NHTSA
2014-03-31
Owners notified
2014-07-17

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Steering21885,000 mi
Seats9295,000 mi
Electrical system3371,000 mi
Steering: electric power assist system319,200 mi
Exterior lighting2980,000 mi
Power train17100,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist system1024,000 mi
Service brakes875,000 mi
Suspension715,000 mi
Air bags6104,000 mi
Air bags: frontal648,000 mi
Engine6125,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline6101,143 mi
Seat belts649,000 mi
Steering: column650,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system5101,526 mi
Steering: rack and pinion57,163 mi
Vehicle speed control569,000 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal441,140 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic470,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor45,800 mi
Electrical system: starter assembly333,000 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)3155,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine33,000 mi
Equipment31,900 mi
Interior lighting333,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission3400 mi
Steering: rack and pinion: pinion shaft339,455 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights214,965 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights: concealment devices2130,000 mi
Fuel system, other2400 mi
Latches/locks/linkages2130,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip234 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads25,800 mi
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate218,000 mi
Unknown or other2106,500 mi
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module135,000 mi
Air bags: side/window165,000 mi
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel130,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition1—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline1700 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys130,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner1130,000 mi
Equipment: electrical: anti-theft devices1780 mi
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.175,000 mi
Equipment: other: owners/service/other manual1—
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch1—
Exterior lighting: tail lights114,965 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings11,379 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch128,499 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: tailgate: latch130,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: trunk lid: lock11,549 mi
Seat belts: front: anchorage116,500 mi
Seats: front assembly: power adjust1125,000 mi
Seats: front assembly: seat heater/cooler130,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components117,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper140,000 mi
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar1—
Steering: column locking: anti-theft device11,379 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist: power steering fluid1117,000 mi
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly1—
Structure: body119,235 mi
Structure: frame and members167,800 mi
Vehicle speed control: cruise control1400 mi
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: interior110,000 mi

The 2005 model has about 1.5 times as many 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.