2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx reliability record
Every consumer complaint and recall the U.S. government (NHTSA) has on file for the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx — the repair risk behind the ownership cost.
- NHTSA complaints
- 574
- 3 in the last 5 years
- Top problem area
- STEERING
- 218 complaints
- Recalls on record
- 3
- see below
- Reported harm
- 42 reported crashes · 34 injuries · 8 fires
How this record compares
raw NHTSA counts, not defect ratesComplaint rank
#873
of 4,194 vehicle records
Vs Chevrolet median
+266
median 308 across 473 Chevrolet records
Vs 2002-2006
+305
median 269 complaints in 819 records
Top component share
43%
Steering: 249 complaints
What owners report fails — 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
- STEERING 218
- SEATS 92
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 33
- STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM 31
- EXTERIOR LIGHTING 29
3 recalls on record for the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
- NHTSA 14V224000 · 2014 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER If the transmission shift cable fractures while the vehicle is being driven, the transmission gear selection may not mat
- NHTSA 14V153000 · 2014 · STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing
- NHTSA 14V252000 · 2014 · ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.
Estimate the 5-year cost to own a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
A vehicle's complaint record hints at the repair and maintenance budget you'll need. Add your state, purchase price, and mileage to the TCO calculator for the full picture.
Open TCO calculatorThese are unverified consumer reports and manufacturer recalls filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — not validated defect rates, and not adjusted for how many 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx units were produced or sold. High-volume and older vehicles naturally accumulate more complaints. Use this as one research signal, not a verdict on any individual vehicle. Data as of 2026. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (public domain).
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx reliable?
NHTSA has 574 consumer complaints on record for the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx and 3 recalls. The most-reported problem area is steering (218 reports). These are unverified consumer reports filed with the government, not validated failure rates, and are not adjusted for how many 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx units were produced — popular vehicles naturally accumulate more reports.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx?
Owners most often report problems with: steering (218), seats (92), electrical system (33), steering:electric power assist system (31). Each figure is the number of complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
How much does it cost to own a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx?
Ownership cost depends on your state taxes, insurance, fuel, and the maintenance the vehicle's reliability record implies. Use the CarOutlay 5-year TCO calculator to estimate the full cost including the repair risk this complaint record suggests.