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Chevrolet Malibu 2004–2007 problems by year and mileage

6th generation · GM Epsilon (GMX380 sedan / GMX381 Maxx)

NHTSA data through 18 October 20265,305 complaints, 4,348 with mileageMethod

Which year is yours? Tap it to see what breaks on it.

The 2004 Chevrolet Malibu

Close
Median failure report
77,000 mi
Complaints filed
1,581
Recalls naming this year
6

Most reported on the 2004

  1. Steering1,049 reports · median 72,000 mi
  2. Electrical system188 reports · median 87,000 mi
  3. Seats162 reports · median 95,000 mi

Recall areas Electronic stability control (esc) · Power train — automatic transmission · Steering — electric power assist system
Check the VIN at NHTSA

When each system fails on this generation →

The 2005 Chevrolet Malibu

Close
Median failure report
87,000 mi
Complaints filed
1,301
Recalls naming this year
3

Most reported on the 2005

  1. Steering691 reports · median 90,000 mi
  2. Electrical system220 reports · median 98,000 mi
  3. Exterior lighting204 reports · median 80,000 mi

Recall areas Electronic stability control (esc) · Power train — automatic transmission · Steering — electric power assist system
Check the VIN at NHTSA

When each system fails on this generation →

The 2006 Chevrolet Malibu

Close
Median failure report
84,000 mi
Complaints filed
1,387
Recalls naming this year
6

Most reported on the 2006

  1. Steering1,018 reports · median 85,000 mi
  2. Electrical system170 reports · median 98,000 mi
  3. Exterior lighting71 reports · median 74,000 mi

Recall areas Steering — electric power assist system · Electronic stability control (esc) · Power train — automatic transmission
Check the VIN at NHTSA

When each system fails on this generation →

The 2007 Chevrolet Malibu

Close
Median failure report
98,000 mi
Complaints filed
1,036
Recalls naming this year
3

Most reported on the 2007

  1. Steering685 reports · median 104,000 mi
  2. Electrical system121 reports · median 114,000 mi
  3. Airbag system95 reports · median 94,000 mi

Recall areas Steering — electric power assist system · Electronic stability control (esc) · Power train — automatic transmission
Check the VIN at NHTSA

When each system fails on this generation →

Tiles: each year’s median failure mileage. Latest: the 2007; earliest: the 2004, and the 2004 is 3 years older (part of the gap is age).

The short answer

“Is the 2004–2007 Chevrolet Malibu reliable?”

Median of reported failures
86,000 mi
90% of reports came by
160,000 mi
Reports with mileage
4,348
Recalls
9

Most reported

  1. Steering64.9% of complaints · median 86,000 mi
  2. Electrical system13.2% of complaints · median 94,000 mi
  3. Exterior lighting8.1% of complaints · median 80,000 mi

When each system fails ↓

Documented problems

What each one is ↓

Owners filed 5,305 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004–2007 Chevrolet Malibu; the steering leads with 64.9% of them, and half of the 4,348 that record an odometer reading came by 86,000 miles — complaints, not a failure rate.

No single peak: the middle half runs 51,000 to 125,000 miles.

Before-you-buy checklist ↓At your mileage ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗

How many miles does a 2004–2007 Chevrolet Malibu last?

On the 2004–2007 Chevrolet Malibu, half of the 4,348 complaints that record an odometer reading were filed by 86,000 miles and 90% by 160,000 miles (why that is not a lifespan).

636 reports came in past 150,000 miles and 152 past 200,000 — each one proof that a Malibu reached that mileage, not that it failed there.

Figure 1 · Chevrolet Malibu 2004–2007 · 4,348 reports with mileage

Mileage at failure

5,000-mile bins, 0 to 200,000 miles, linear scale; tallest bar 200 complaints

Mileage at failure, Chevrolet Malibu 2004–2007Histogram of 4,348 owner-reported failures by mileage, in 5,000-mile bins from 0 to 200,000. The tallest bin is 100,000 to 105,000 miles with 200 complaints, 4.6 percent of the total. No single peak: the middle half runs 51,000 to 125,000 miles. A further 152 complaints, 3.5 percent, were reported above 200,000 miles and are shown as a separate detached bar. Median mileage at failure is 86,000.
  • Rest of the range
  • Median
  • 200,000+ — 152 complaints (3.5%), plotted separately
10%
21,000
25%
51,000
Median
86,000
75%
125,000
90%
160,000
Show the numbers
Complaints by mileage bin
MileageComplaintsShare
0–5,0001553.6%
5,000–10,000972.2%
10,000–15,000831.9%
15,000–20,000701.6%
20,000–25,000731.7%
25,000–30,000671.5%
30,000–35,0001032.4%
35,000–40,0001032.4%
40,000–45,0001202.8%
45,000–50,0001293.0%
50,000–55,0001724.0%
55,000–60,0001262.9%
60,000–65,0001623.7%
65,000–70,0001603.7%
70,000–75,0001573.6%
75,000–80,0001413.2%
80,000–85,0001894.3%
85,000–90,0001663.8%
90,000–95,0001473.4%
95,000–100,0001533.5%
100,000–105,0002004.6%
105,000–110,0001162.7%
110,000–115,0001212.8%
115,000–120,0001072.5%
120,000–125,0001383.2%
125,000–130,000962.2%
130,000–135,0001092.5%
135,000–140,000741.7%
140,000–145,0001052.4%
145,000–150,000731.7%
150,000–155,0001112.6%
155,000–160,000761.7%
160,000–165,000741.7%
165,000–170,000611.4%
170,000–175,000451.0%
175,000–180,000340.8%
180,000–185,000340.8%
185,000–190,000190.4%
190,000–195,000170.4%
195,000–200,000130.3%
200,000+1523.5%

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.

How to read these figures

Common Malibu problems, and when they happen

Figure 2 · Chevrolet Malibu 2004–2007

When each system fails

Bar: middle half of reports · notch: median · proportional (log) scale (how to read it)

  1. Exterior lighting430 reportsmedian 80,000middle half 50,000–110,000
  2. Steering3,443 reportsmedian 86,000middle half 51,000–127,000
  3. Seats296 reportsmedian 92,000middle half 68,000–120,000
  4. Electrical system699 reportsmedian 94,000middle half 55,000–136,000
  5. Transmission and driveline260 reportsmedian 95,000middle half 52,000–136,000
  6. Airbag system205 reportsmedian 95,000middle half 50,000–130,000
  7. Brakes189 reportsmedian 101,000middle half 65,000–147,000
  • Your odometer, once entered below

Ordered by median mileage, earliest first.

All systems in a table
Complaints by vehicle system
SystemComplaintsShareMedian25–75%
Steering3,44364.9%86,00051,000–127,000
Electrical system69913.2%94,00055,000–136,000
Exterior lighting4308.1%80,00050,000–110,000
Seats2965.6%92,00068,000–120,000
Transmission and driveline2604.9%95,00052,000–136,000
Airbag system2053.9%95,00050,000–130,000
Brakes1893.6%101,00065,000–147,000
Fuel system1562.9%77,00057,000–101,000
Fuel and propulsion system1532.9%100,00075,000–139,000
Engine1462.8%113,00086,000–153,000

Known problems with the 2004–2007 Malibu

Steering 2004–2006

Column-mounted electric power steering (EPS) motor/torque-sensor failure causing sudden loss of power assist; subject of NHTSA recall action covering Malibu and Malibu Maxx.

Engine 2004–2007

3.5L/3.9L V6 intake manifold and coolant sealing leaks; 2.2L Ecotec timing chain and camshaft position correlation faults.

Before you buy a 2004–2007 Malibu: the 3-minute check

Generated from 4,348 mileage-tagged complaints, 9 recall campaigns, 2 documented problem areas.

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 9 campaigns cover this generation.
  2. Check steering on 2004–2006 cars. What each looks like: Known problems.
  3. Check engine on 2004–2007 cars.
  4. End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car.

Malibu problems by mileage: where your car sits

Type your odometer, or read the table.

earlier past most reports · in window inside the middle half · later before most · reports, not your odds (how to read)

Where each system’s reports sit against common odometer readings
SystemMiddle half of reports, miAt 60k mi30% belowAt 90k mi52% belowAt 120k mi72% belowAt 150k mi85% belowAt 200k mi97% below
Steering51,000–127,000in windowin windowin windowearlierearlier
Electrical system55,000–136,000in windowin windowin windowearlierearlier
Exterior lighting50,000–110,000in windowin windowearlierearlierearlier
Seats68,000–120,000laterin windowearlierearlierearlier
Transmission and driveline52,000–136,000in windowin windowin windowearlierearlier
Airbag system50,000–130,000in windowin windowin windowearlierearlier
Brakes65,000–147,000laterin windowin windowearlierearlier

Figure 3 · Chevrolet Malibu 2004–2007 · 4,348 reports with mileage

Share of reports below each mileage

Steps at bin edges (how to read it)

Cumulative share of reports by mileage, Chevrolet Malibu 2004–2007Of 4,348 reports that record mileage, the share filed below each odometer reading, rising in steps at each 5,000-mile bin edge. 30 percent below 60,000 miles. 52 percent below 90,000 miles. 72 percent below 120,000 miles. 85 percent below 150,000 miles. 97 percent below 200,000 miles. Median 86,000 miles.
  • 60,000 mi — 30% of reports below
  • 90,000 mi — 52% of reports below
  • 120,000 mi — 72% of reports below
  • 150,000 mi — 85% of reports below
  • 200,000 mi — 97% of reports below
  • Median (the 50% line)
  • Your odometer, once entered

Linear axis, same as Figure 1.

2004–2007 Chevrolet Malibu recalls (9)

NHTSA records 9 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation (what a recall is).

The campaigns cluster around the steering (2), equipment (2), electronic stability control (esc) (1) (why one area can repeat).

Summaries below shorten NHTSA’s own wording.

  1. Feb 2015 · 2006–2007 · SteeringIf power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds…

    The defect. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2006-2007 Chevrolet Malibu and Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured April 1, 2006, to June 30, 2006, and 2006-2007 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured April 18, 2006, to June 30, 2006. In the affected…

    What can happen. 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.

    The free fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the torque sensor assembly, free of charge. The recall began February 24, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or…

    NHTSA campaign 15V-064 (2015-02-04).

  2. May 2014 · 2004–2007 · Electronic Stability Control (esc)Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.

    The defect. 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…

    What can happen. Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.

    The free fix. 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…

    NHTSA campaign 14V-252 (2014-05-14).

  3. Apr 2014 · 2004–2007 · Power TrainIf the transmission shift cable fractures while the vehicle is being driven, the transmission gear selection…

    The defect. 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…

    What can happen. 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…

    The free fix. 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…

    NHTSA campaign 14V-224 (2014-04-30).

  4. Mar 2014 · 2004–2006 · SteeringIf power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds…

    The defect. 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…

    What can happen. 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.

    The free fix. 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…

    NHTSA campaign 14V-153 (2014-03-31).

  5. Oct 2006 · 2006 · Air BagsIf the passenger sensing system malfunctions, the front air bag on the passenger side may be disabled when it…

    The defect. Certain vehicles originally built with cloth seats that were equipped with an automatic air bag passenger sensing system and later reupholstered with aftermarket leather seat cover kits are involved. Testing has indicated that the aftermarket leather seat…

    What can happen. If the passenger sensing system malfunctions, the front air bag on the passenger side may be disabled when it should be enabled, or enabled when it should be disabled. In either case, in the event of…

    The free fix. Because a replacement leather seat cover that is compatible with the passenger sensing system is not available, general motors (gm) will repurchase these vehicles in accordance with the terms stated…

    NHTSA campaign 06V-417 (2006-10-31).

  6. Oct 2005 · 2006 · EquipmentA 15" diameter replacement spare tire can not be installed on the front axle due to a fit interference with…

    The defect. Certain vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, "Tire selection and rims." The tire label table specified the 15 inch spare for the front disc/rear drum brake system and it should specify a 16 inch spare…

    What can happen. A 15" diameter replacement spare tire can not be installed on the front axle due to a fit interference with the brake caliper.

    The free fix. Owners will be mailed a corrected label with installation instructions or the customers could have their dealers to install the label for them. The recall began on november 29, 2005. Owners may…

    NHTSA campaign 05V-486 (2005-10-19).

  7. Apr 2004 · 2004 · Service Brakes, HydraulicUnexpected ABS activiation could increase stopping distance up to about 11 feet dpending on the grade of the…

    The defect. Some of these passenger vehicles have an electronic control unit (ECU) that may calculate a higher than actual vehicle speed because of an erratic rear-wheel speed sensor signal, and cause ABS activation where it is not needed or needed ABS activation to be…

    What can happen. Unexpected ABS activiation could increase stopping distance up to about 11 feet dpending on the grade of the road, increasing the risk of a crash.

    The free fix. Dealers will reprogram the ABS controller. Owner notification began on june 16, 2004. Owners should contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438.

    NHTSA campaign 04V-190 (2004-04-19).

  8. Apr 2004 · 2004 · Seat BeltsIf this occurred in a crash, the driver could receive greater injuries.

    The defect. On certain passenger vehicles, analysis of an a side impact crash test conducted by the NHTSA;s new car assessment program (ncap) indicated that the outboard anchorage of the driver's seat belt could disconnect because of contact between the seat trim and the…

    What can happen. If this occurred in a crash, the driver could receive greater injuries.

    The free fix. Dealers will insert a retainer on both the driver's and passenger's belt anchorages. Owner notification began on june 16, 2004. Owners should contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438.

    NHTSA campaign 04V-188 (2004-04-16).

  9. Feb 2004 · 2004 · EquipmentCertain passenger vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard…

    Certain passenger vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard (fmvss) no. 208, "Occupant crash protection." Some of these vehicles that were not equipped with an advanced occupant restraint system (aors) have driver and passenger side sun visors with aors labels. The aors…

    The free fix. Owners will be sent replacement labels with instructions on how to install them. Owner notification began on april 21, 2004. Owners should contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438.

    NHTSA campaign 04V-094 (2004-02-24).

Some of these 9 campaigns also cover Pontiac G6 2005–2010 (5 of them) and Chevrolet Malibu 2008–2012 (3 of them): the same campaign number appears in NHTSA’s file against both, which means the same defect and the same free repair. 4 of the 9 are specific to this vehicle alone.

Crashes, fires and injuries owners reported

Out of 5,305 complaints against this generation, owners also reported:

Crashes
223 (4.2%)
Fires
67
Injury reports
125
Fatality reports
3

Self-reported and overlapping (how to read these).

Malibu problems by model year

The 2004 drew the most complaints of this generation, 1,581, most of them about the steering, and the 2007 the fewest, 1,036. A typical year drew about 1,344.

Complaints by model year
YearComplaintsWith mileageMedian milesMost reportedRecalls
20041,5811,32177,000Steering (1,049)6
20051,3011,02587,000Steering (691)3
20061,3871,14684,000Steering (1,018)6
20071,03685698,000Steering (685)3

What Malibu owners reported

The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while pulling out of a parking space, the vehicle lost power steering functionality, causing the steering wheel to become difficult to turn. The power steering warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was pushed back into the parking space. The…

2006 · 158,000 miles · Steering

The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel became inoperable. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to the U-joint in the steering column, which made the vehicle difficult to control. The…

2005 · 37,000 miles · Steering

The contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while reversing, the message "Power Steering Fault" was displayed, and the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The vehicle became difficult to steer, requiring extra effort in maneuvering the vehicle. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH…

2007 · 90,000 miles · Steering

The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel failed to turn in the intended direction. The power steering failure warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with STRG shaft…

2006 · 125,000 miles · Steering

Built from 4,348 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-10-20 · open data · how it is built

Other Malibu generations

Other midsize cars from the same years