The 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Classic has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 5,877,718 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 144 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system. Last updated July 5, 2026.
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,…
Consequence
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.
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.
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“The contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu classic. The contact stated that while stopped at a red light, the vehicle lost motive power and abnormal noises were heard coming from the dashboard. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle when the door locks began to lock and unlock inadvertently.…”
“The contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu classic. The contact stated that while stopped at a red light, the vehicle lost motive power and abnormal noises were heard coming from the dashboard. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle when the door locks began to lock and unlock inadvertently.…”
“Well my ignition switch went out I replace that.now it's shortages in wiring and lights heat on an off sometimes shocks”
“Well my ignition switch went out I replace that.now it's shortages in wiring and lights heat on an off sometimes shocks”
“Well my ignition switch went out I replace that.now it's shortages in wiring and lights heat on an off sometimes shocks”
“The anti theft gas cut off feature has rendered my vehicle unable to start. I have tried many methods but the problem persists. It starts when it wants too, but not when I do. *tr”
“My theft light came on a month after the ignition was repaired due to recall. It is always on now. I have replaced the fuel pump, spark plugs, and timing chain. My car still wont start after all of that and the theft light is still on. I have been without a car for 2 months now due to it not…”
“There is a problem with the rear brake lights. I had the circuit boards changed and all fuses checked and changed and I still don't had brake lights. There is a recall listed concerning this issue it is recall number 13036. I have researched is situation and found out that the chevy malibu models…”
Defect investigations
InvestigationEA04018 Opened 2004-07-01 · closed 2005-05-10
LOSS OF ELECTRIC POWER STEERING
IN PERFORMING THIS ENGINEERING ANALYSIS, ODI DETERMINED THAT THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING SYSTEM IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES CAN MALFUNCTION OR FAIL, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE POWER STEERING ASSISTANCE; HOWEVER, DUE TO THE FOLLOWING REASONS, ODI HAS DECIDED THAT FURTHER EXPENDITURE OF AGENCY RESOURCES ON THIS…
InvestigationEA04018 Opened 2004-07-01 · closed 2005-05-10
LOSS OF ELECTRIC POWER STEERING
IN PERFORMING THIS ENGINEERING ANALYSIS, ODI DETERMINED THAT THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING SYSTEM IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES CAN MALFUNCTION OR FAIL, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE POWER STEERING ASSISTANCE; HOWEVER, DUE TO THE FOLLOWING REASONS, ODI HAS DECIDED THAT FURTHER EXPENDITURE OF AGENCY RESOURCES ON THIS…
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Classic as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.