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2004 Chevrolet Malibu LT problems - can someone advise?

17 messages,  Last post on Oct 12, 2012 at 1:08 AM

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What is this discussion about? Chevrolet Malibu, Chevrolet, Auto Repair, Steering, Suspension, Transmission, Sedan

Messages Page 2 of 2

#8 of 17 Re: 04 malibu lt,3.5 eng [julbuc] by gonogo

Feb 18, 2010 (11:44 am)

Replying to: julbuc (Feb 17, 2010 5:48 pm)
Not sure what you mean by tested. The code is insufficient flow, either the EGR is not working or the passages are plugged with carbon and need to be cleaned.

#9 of 17 Re: 2004 Malibu Maxx LT, Violent shaking in frontend [boodon] by greenize

Aug 17, 2010 (4:25 pm)

Replying to: boodon (Jan 28, 2010 7:38 am)
Mine started this in February and thinking it was the "rotors" and pads, I changed them out, that didn't help and I knew I needed new tires, so I bought new tires in March. It is STILL doing the shaking and NO ONE seems to feel it but me and I am the one that drives it all the time. Did you ever find out what was wrong with yours? My mechanic said since I didn't buy the tires that was made for it, I would never be happy with the ride again.. I bought Cooper tires and that was for around $400+, so I am not sure what to do next. Thought about getting an alignment, but it doesn't seem to pull too much while driving down the road, but I am at my whits end and my mechanic is not helping... Thanks!

#10 of 17 Re: 2004 Malibu Maxx LT, Violent shaking in frontend [greenize] by pao

Aug 18, 2010 (4:37 am)

Replying to: greenize (Aug 17, 2010 4:25 pm)
as long as you replaced your tires with the same size, brand doesnt matter. Does is shake or shimmy when driving or when braking.....rotor warpage can cause it...the lugs should be hand torqued and not tigthen with an impact wrench....overtigthening can cause the rotors to warp....
 
also check the tire rods...on both sides...inner and upper...to see if they are worn/loose....insure the tires are properly balanced and probably not a bad idea to have a front end alignment check..
 
same model here with 168K on it...and still going strong...

#11 of 17 Re: 2004 Malibu Maxx LT, Violent shaking in frontend by greenize

Aug 18, 2010 (4:28 pm)

I bought Goodyear tires the first time and this time I bought Cooper. They are the correct size/width, but my mechanic said (after they were purchased and on) that I would never be happy with these tires. As for the shaking, it only happens at higher speeds and you can feel it all over the car, including in the steering. The rotors were replaced (both back and front) right before I bought the tires. My mechanic has checked everything over to see if anything is loose (i.e. tie rod ends, etc) and says he cannot find anything at this time that would cause this issue. The mechanic also checked the weights on the tires thinking that might be the issue, but says it is not. Mine has 120 thousand miles on it right now, hopefully it will last me another 100 thousand! ;0) I have always had good luck with GM products, but this one has me stumped!

#12 of 17 Re: 2004 Malibu Maxx LT, Violent shaking in frontend [greenize] by pao

Aug 19, 2010 (4:47 am)

Replying to: greenize (Aug 18, 2010 4:28 pm)
have you had the tires properly balanced...the overall shaking leads me to beleive there is a balance issue here...dont know why your mechanic has a bias against cooper tires......find a tire shop that has a hunter balancer and have them do a road force balance....believe that is what its called.....costs more...but is more precise and more effective...
 
I upgraded to 17 inch aftermarket rims....and running 225/45/17 tires....just replace the BFGs Sport A/S which I got 35K out of with Goodyear Eagle GTs with a 50K warranty....best set was Michelin but didnt want to spend $200 a tire this time......the Goodyears were $135.....

#13 of 17 Chevy Malibu - power steering assist issues by lw5

Aug 31, 2010 (9:52 pm)

I have a 2004 Chevy Malibu that has had ongoing power steering issues. My Malibu has on several occasions lost power steering suddenly as I am driving. I then get a power assist message that displays on the radio screen. I am afraid to drive my car as I have no warning before it happens. It seems that a recall was done on the Malibu Maxx for this same exact issue, but not for the Malibu classic model that I have- makes no sense at all- It is a huge safety issue- If you value your life, do not buy GM- they do not back their products at all-
 
  I have read on many car forums that this is a widespread, well known and documented issue and that GM does not take responsibility for it. I have seen hundreds and hundreds of complaints on the NHTSB forums and cannot figure out why this issue has not been reinvestigated. Apparently it was checked into in 2004 or so but was closed with no recall ordered. I get NOWHERE with GM, or the NHTSB. Guess my next course of action is with the Federal trade commission. I am tired of GM pretending that there is no issue with the steering in the 2004 Malibu's. I would love to see a class action lawsuit get started on this as I can't seem to get GM to respond to my safety concerns. I am afraid to drive my car and don't want to pay to have it fixed as it appears that this issue is ongoing even after repair. Stay Away from GM cars- The customer service/complaint dept is aware of the numerous complaints but does absolutely nothing. Does anyone know of a class action lawsuit that is in process for this yet? If not we need to unite and start one before someone gets killed-

#14 of 17 Re: Chevy Malibu - power steering assist issues [lw5] by blazer6973547

Sep 01, 2010 (12:13 am)

Replying to: lw5 (Aug 31, 2010 9:52 pm)
i would not go so far as to say avoid GM because in my experience they are one of the better ones out there, this coming from an owner of not one but two chrysler intrepids with the 2.7 motor and the lord himself knows that should of been recalled but never was, and still wasn't replaced under warranty. one motor giving out at 55k miles and the other at 68k. at least GM replaced the awful 2.4 until the warranty was up on it. EVERY car dealership has its faults but they all have the few cars that never did die on anyone. boycott the certain type of car not the whole make. if there is a safety issue endangering your life then spend the couple hundred bucks to get it fixed. dodge wanted 5200 to replace the faulty engine that was under warranty

#15 of 17 Re: Chevy Malibu - power steering assist issues [lw5] by malexbu

Sep 01, 2010 (7:18 pm)

Replying to: lw5 (Aug 31, 2010 9:52 pm)
Maxx and the "2004 classic" are totally different cars. If your 2004
is "like Maxx", it's not a 2004 classic. Present your facts straight,
please, if you want to be believed.
 
It seems that a recall was done on the Malibu Maxx for this same exact issue, but not for the Malibu classic model that I have- makes no sense at all-
 
Can't find much sense in your manifesto.
 
It is a huge safety issue- If you value your life, do not buy GM- they do not back their products at all-
 
Nonsense -- who are you to make this blanket statement?
  
I am afraid to drive my car and don't want to pay to have it fixed
 
Pay to have it fixed if you are afraid to drive it -- there can be no other sane opinion.
 
Stay Away from GM cars
 
Sure.

#16 of 17 Re: Chevy Malibu - power steering assist issues [lw5] by pao

Sep 02, 2010 (9:44 am)

Replying to: lw5 (Aug 31, 2010 9:52 pm)
I own a 04 Malibu Maxx (169K)...and there hasnt been a recall on the steering issue to the best of my knowledge...and agree...if you have a classic....they are two different cars entirely....
 
there is a power steering issue documented in the 04 MY new design malibus...and GM in most cases has made repairs under warranty and in some cases has even issued extended warranties for this particular issue
 
NHTSA did investigate this issue....an engineering design study is what I believe it was called...and looking at the percentage of complaints vice total production....it was determined GM was handling the issue properly under warranty repairs...if you go to the actual NTSB website....there arent hundreds and hundreds of complaints as you describe....perhaps there are on numerous internet forum sites.....but not officially documented at the gov website....
 
How many times have you had this problem documented with the dealer? How many times have you attempted to repair the problem?....you leave many facts out of your broad brush statement....and yes..I own two other GM cars other than my Maxx

#17 of 17 2004 Chevy Malibu running issues by tia16

Oct 12, 2012 (1:08 am)

when I purchased the 04 malibu at the dealership it had about 75k miles on it and I purchased the warranty they sold me. The car wouldn't start when I got in it-I'm so superstitious I wanted to cancel it then, but they said earlier they had locked themselves out of the car bc of an electrical issue with the alarm. The locks went up and down all the way down the road-they sent it to a Chevrolet Dealership to have the key fobs replaced and reset and it quit. Then 4-5x per month it didnt want to start mostly when it was already warm and still does but the other day it just shut off after 10 min of warming it up in the morning. The last two wks it has no power but not like the tranny is going out, almost like it's not getting enough gas, battery and charging all checked out good. As far as steering, yes, clunking in front end right after I got it, under warranty the interior steering for a faulty int. steering shaft and also replaced RF Hub. The not wanting to start intermittently cont for 2 yrs now. I put some STP cleaner in the gas tank yest, today much more power but still I can tell it's not at it's normal get-up-and-go. It has 139k miles, all new brakes front and back, RF outer tie-rod replaced in march and alignment, now just had to get another front end alignment bc it chewed the tires up. The gas gauge when I first bought it would do the same thing yall are saying, fill up light said empty but then as I went down the road same day or next day it would always register, now last two months the light is always on. With no engine lights, can they pull codes for the car on a diagnostic test to give me a clue. It would not start 2 wks ago and I thought I was out of gas(which I was darn near sure I was) but before when I did run out and put gas in it-it fired right up. I had it towed to the Chevrolet Dealer(courtesy of Verizon roadside no charge). It started right up for them and was fine the whole day it was there. (Murphy's Law LOL). they said possible fuel pump..but wondering if that could be a plug/dist cap problem but I think it's electrical just bc everything else that I've seen it do...don't have the money for fuel pump if it won't help so any advice would be great. I'm in a 100% better credit condition to buy a car now but I owe too much on it bc I had no choice when I bought it and they took FULL advantage of me. Thanks for your help:)

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