Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN | |||||
| 3447 | 10017086 | 4t40e or 4t45e will not shift no diagnostic trouble codes. *tt | 10/24/2005 | ||
| 040730021 | 07/01/2004 | 040730021A | 10012116 | Growl or howl type noise from transmission/engine compartment during light to moderate acceleration from a stop. *tt | 02/14/2005 |
| 040730027 | 06/01/2004 | 10008473 | Whistle/wind noise in passenger compartment of vehicle near shifter/floor console area. *tt | 08/02/2004 | |
| 01604 | 01/01/2004 | 01604A | 10007135 | 4t40e, 4t45e change in appearance of forward, second and reverse clutch wave plate. *tt | 05/27/2004 |
| 030730025 | 06/01/2003 | 10002889 | 2004 model year changes for 4t40e and 4t45e transmissions. *tt | 09/30/2003 | |
| POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | |||||
| 070730025 | 10/01/2007 | 10023942 | Information on 4t40-e (mn4) and 4t45-e (mn5) front wheel drive automatic transmission valve body reconditioning, dtc p0741, p0742, p0751, p0752, p0756, p0757, p1811, harsh shifts, slips, no drive, no reverse. *nj | 02/20/2008 | |
| 3253 | 3253B | 10017096 | Vehicle will not move in either direction. transmission may show over full. p90 4t40e 4t45e no movement drive or reverse. converter may be empty of fluid. *tt | 10/24/2005 | |
| 11212003 | 11/21/2003 | 10013263 | Rattling or buzzing noise coming from instrument panel area. *eh | 04/13/2005 | |
| 040730019 | 04/01/2004 | 10012604 | Removal of transmission fluid fill vent cap during transmission fluid checking procedure. *eh | 03/08/2005 | |
| 04082004 | 04/08/2004 | 10009211 | Shifter (inaudible) noise in the passenger compartment of the vehicle sounds like air being blown through a small hole or static on the radio. *tt | 09/17/2004 | |
| 04072004 | 04/07/2004 | 10009205 | Automatic transmission fluid level check. *tt | 09/17/2004 | |
| 02162004 | 02/16/2004 | 10009120 | If dealership has a transmission axle seal leak and your location is within two hours driving time of detroit or windsor, please call the windsor lab due for engineering would like to examine the vehicle prior to the repair of the leak. gm | 09/10/2004 | |
| 01985 | 01/01/2004 | 10007073 | Air leak noise at shifter. also including 2004 chevrolet maxx. *mr | 05/25/2004 | |
| 01983 | 01/01/2004 | 10006896 | Automatic transmission fluid level check. also including 2004 chevrolet maxx. *mr | 05/19/2004 | |
| 030730012A | 08/01/2005 | 030730012B | 10004722 | Transaxle or transmission slips, won't shift, no reverse, 2nd, 3rd or overdrive, erratic shifts. *tt | 01/02/2004 |
| 01432 | 01/01/2003 | 10004412 | Automatic transmission poor acceleration, performance. *tt | 12/05/2003 | |
| POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - CONTROL MODULE (TCM, PCM) | |||||
| 01509 | 01/01/2004 | 10005490 | Power train control module p12 replacement. sit bulletin 1406647. *tt | 03/01/2004 | |
| 01450 | 11/18/2003 | 10004248 | No communication with powertrain control module (pcm). *tt | 11/24/2003 | |
| 03048 | 09/01/2003 | 10003584 | Obdii misfire monitor - reprogram powertrain control module (pcm). voluntary emission recall. *tt | 10/24/2003 | |
| POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL) | |||||
| SB-08-05-22-009A | 06/01/2009 | 10032206 | Chevrolet/pontiac/saturn: intermittently brake lights (stop lamps) do not function correctly, extended travel to shift out of park, cruise control inoperative, dtcs c0161/c0277 set (perform repair as outlined). *pe | 02/17/2010 | |
| POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - LEVER AND LINKAGE - FLOOR SHIFT | |||||
| 01373 | 11/18/2003 | 10004156 | High effort to move shift lever - service vme. *tt | 11/20/2003 | |
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN | |||
| 02/03/2013 | 83456 | 1 | |
| I was driving my sons 2004 malibu when suddenly there was a few dings followed by the car symbol light with the wrench inside it on the dash light up. the wheel immediately became difficult to turn . it's as if the power steering stopped working. i drove to a safe location, turned off the car and the problem was gone. this does not seem right to me. please have gm rectify this issue. *tr | |||
| 02/01/2013 | 132200 | 1 | |
| 2004 malibu ls-driving down the highway today and the bell goes off, the yellow wrench appears and the radio shows power steering. the power steering just went out all at once and i almost ran into a truck. called the chevrolet dealership and they stated there is not a recall on this and it is also not covered under the powertrain warranty. nhtsa please issue a recall on this power steering problem before it causes someone to loose their life. i have a 1998 malibu ls and a 2004 malibu ls and they both have gave me problems. i will never purchase another one. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr | |||
| 02/01/2013 | 132200 | ||
| 2004 malibu ls-driving down the highway today and the bell goes off, the yellow wrench appears and the radio shows power steering. the power steering just went out all at once and i almost ran into a truck. called the chevrolet dealership and they stated there is not a recall on this and it is also not covered under the powertrain warranty. nhtsa please issue a recall on this power steering problem before it causes someone to loose their life. i have a 1998 malibu ls and a 2004 malibu ls and they both have gave me problems. i will never purchase another one. smith-arkansas | |||
| 10/02/2012 | 149862 | 1 | |
| I came to a stop at a red light and 3 seconds later i heard a chime and a car with a wrench through it appeared on my dash. my wheel locked up and the only way to unlock it was to turn the care off and back on. the same thing happened on two other occasions while stopped at a light. *tr | |||
| 09/10/2012 | 125191 | 1 | |
| Came home from work on 9/10/12 and pulled into the driveway. when i placed the car in park it did not go into park and the car kept on rolling almost hitting my other vehicle. i tried putting into other gears but they were off (shift to drive it might be in neutral, shift to reverse it might be in neutral too). it's like it doesn't know what gear it is in and you have to kinda play with it to get it into the right gear. also, since it's not reading that it's in park i cannot pull the keys out of the ignition. thank god my kids were not in front of my car when i got home....pretty dangerous as you don't know if it's in park or not and the car will just roll. *tr | |||
| 09/10/2012 | 125191 | ||
| Came home from work on 9/10/12 and pulled into the driveway. when i placed the car in park it did not go into park and the car kept on rolling almost hitting my other vehicle. i tried putting into other gears but they were off (shift to drive it might be in nuetral, shift to reverse it might be in nuetral too). it's like it doesn't know what gear it is in and you have to kinda play with it to get it into the right gear. also, since it's not reading that it's in park i cannot pull the keys out of the ignition. thank god my kids were not in front of my car when i got home....pretty dangerous as you don't know if it's in park or not and the car will just roll. | |||
| 08/01/2011 | 40000 | ||
| Power steering goes out during summer months; paid to repair 8/2011; works ok during winter, but power steering goes out in summer months. this is dangerous. almost had several accidents. | |||
| 08/23/2011 | 103000 | ||
| I read you are looking into 2004 malibu shift cables. our cable broke a few month back resulting in an inability to start the car or shift gears. we replaced the cable. i have the old cable if you would like it. | |||
| 09/10/2011 | 41775 | ||
| Upon trying to start car immediately had wrench sign on the left of the steering wheel with a message above the radio stating power steering needed to be looked at immediately, however, later that night indicated was working so drove the next week or so,. took into dealer on september 28 who ran diagnostics on it and found code c0545 but could not duplicate the problem. they did indicate that it was common to the 2004 model. on saturday october 1, 2011 it repeatedly exhibited the same problem so have not driven it since. on thursday, october 6, 2011 we did have to move it for lawn care purposes. it started fine and did not show the problem however, after reading other comments on-line where it indicated power steering had gone out while driving have not been driving it until more can be found out. it seems to me that this is something gm/chevrolet needs to correct. should we have corrected and they were to later come out with a recall would we be reimbursed? | |||
| 08/20/2011 | 117420 | ||
| Power steering quit while driving. went on line and saw lots of similar complaints for the same vehicle-2004 chevy malibu. | |||
| 09/09/2009 | 23000 | 1 | |
| I own a 2004; 4 cyl; chevy malibu with electronic power steering. the system failed while i was on the interstate. i narrowly escaped causing a collision because of this failure. when towed to chevy ... their computer shows no problem.... baloney, i have since found out by going on-line that lots of chevy malibus have this problem. chevy will not own up to it because it is a major expensive repair. *tr | |||
| 03/04/2009 | 22378 | 1 | 08/06/2004 |
| Tl*the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu. while driving 35 mph, the contact lost control of the vehicle and was unable to shift gears. she was unable to stop the vehicle and shift into park. she drove to the dealer and they assisted her in placing the vehicle into park and shutting it off. there were no warnings prior to the failure. while at the dealer, a technician determined that the shift lever assembly failed. the vehicle was repaired at the cost of $206. the contact is in the process of notifying the manufacturer. the failure mileage was 22,378 and current mileage was 22,382. updated 03-30-09 *bf updated 03/31/09. *jb | |||
| POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | |||
| 09/24/2010 | 143264 | ||
| Tl-the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu. while driving approximately 30 mph the power steering went out. the contact stated the wrench symbol with the car and the power steering light illuminated on the dashboard at the same time. the contact pulled over to the side of the road, and stated the power steering was a struggle to work with. the contact turned the vehicle off and restarted the vehicle and the failure was still there. he stated he drove the vehicle home which was approximately 2 miles. the vehicle has not been taken to a dealer or a local mechanic for the failure. the failure has happen twice. the failure mileage was 143,264 and the current mileage was 143,266. vwb | |||
| 03/07/2010 | 53618 | ||
| Tl*the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu. when the contact drives the vehicle at any speed he noticed that the transmission will not shift smoothly. a loud noise could be heard coming from the transmission. the vehicle was taken to the dealership where the contact had the transmissions computer updated and was informed that the left and right output shaft seals will also need to be replaced. the current and failure mileages were 53600. | |||
| 08/15/2007 | 34000 | 1 | |
| The power steering goes out intermittently on my 2004 chevy malibu. this tends to happen during summer months, particularly july-september when the weather is more humid than any other time of the year. i took the vehicle to a trusted auto mechanic who told me that when he connected the car to his diagnostic computer there was a reading stating that the power steering needed to be replaced. i have done nothing since that time which was around the summer of 2007. *tr | |||
| 08/18/2007 | 54350 | 4 | 12/11/2003 |
| On saturday, august 18, 2007 my wife and i were traveling at 60 mph along a windy, hilly stretch of road. at the top of the third hill, the transmission dropped to zero. after coasting down the hill, i was able to continue in first gear only. after stopping for 15 minutes, i was able to continue driving in low gears. however, if i tried to accelerate quickly (such as to merge with interstate traffic, or to make a legal u-turn) then the transmission failed again. on sunday, august 19, i took the vehicle to a service station and had the transmission flushed and filled. my hope was to avoid any mechanical problems. however, this service did not resolve the problem. on tuesday, august 21, i took the vehicle to my local chevy dealer who told me the clutch was completely burned out. they asked me why i waited so long to have the transmission serviced. i pointed out to them that the owner's manual states that it is a maintenance free transmission that should never need servicing. *tr | |||
| 05/15/2004 | 1500 | 3 | |
| Vehicle experienced steering and transmission problems. the steering went out, forcing the vehicle to the right side of the road and into an embankment. consumer had the vehicle towed to a service center. transmission will not engage into the interlock. if going into reverse and changing into drive it was difficult to control vehicle. consumer must use about 45 lbs of pressure to get the gear shift to operate smoothly. also, vehicle was having brake problems. consumer was driving on an off ramp and applied the brakes down to the floor. vehicle slowed down but did not stop completely. consumer contacted the manufacturer and the dealership, who told the consumer that there was a brake recall, and that the brake problem was electrical. the brakes were electronically programmed controlled. *ak recall campaign; 04v190000. summary: 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 extended during braking as the vehicle speed drops to about 3 mph. the trunk release button on the drivers door came apart. the shifter handle broke. the brake pedal went to the floor after being in traffic. *tc | |||
| 03/11/2004 | 291 | 3 | 02/28/2004 |
| Power steering has failed on 3 separate occasions. the first time, the dealer replaced the cam sensor in the transmission. the power steering failed again 5 days later. the car is still at the dealership, they are trying to figure out what is wrong.*ak pe04031_cat call notes: backed car out of garage. steering was difficult. saw | |||
| POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - CONTROL MODULE (TCM, PCM) | |||
| 01/01/1901 | 1 | ||
| 2004 malibu customer has had problems with loss of electric power steering and wants out of the lease without penalty**cc the radio was inoperative, the cruise control was inoperative at times, it would turn off, but not engage. the pcm was replaced. the passenger side directional lights and brake lights were inoperative. the dealer replaced the bulbs. the heated seats came on by themselves. the intermediate shaft was replaced, because the consumer stated there was a noise when turning the steering wheel. the transmission cooling lines were leaking, the rear defogger on the passenger side was inoperative. when the windshield wipers were on intermittent, they would go full speed by themselves. *jb | |||
| 01/16/2007 | 52000 | 1 | 07/14/2006 |
| Tl* - the contact has a 2004 chevrolet malibu ls. the contact stated that when she turned the ignition on the enhanced traction system warning light, the engine light, and the service light came on. the car would start and all of the dashboard features would work, but the car would not shift into the reverse or drive gears. the contact stated she could put the car in the drive gear and it would not drive. the car began to jerk and shake without the contact adding pressure to the accelerator pedal, and the rpm level increased. the contact stated that the vehicle has never done this before. the weather was really cold and there were snow flurries, but no accumulation. | |||
| 11/08/2004 | 4383 | 6 | 09/20/2003 |
| I have had many problems with my 04 malibu. rough idle, power steering faliure many times took to dealer 3 times could not duplicate, brought in with power steering out at it was duplicated, but could not figure out for a while told me to continue to drive, no safety factor.finally thought they figured out put in a new steering column, 9,000 miles later back to having problems with power steering. also problems with hard shifting,and also with ignition sticking or continuing to turn over after leeting go of the key. i would not recomend this car to anyone and they should all be crushed.my wife is terrified of the car and will not drive.car is at dealer right now we are driving a loaner. *jb ea04018_cat | |||
| POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - LEVER AND LINKAGE - COLUMN SHIFT | |||
| 05/15/2004 | 1500 | 3 | |
| Vehicle experienced steering and transmission problems. the steering went out, forcing the vehicle to the right side of the road and into an embankment. consumer had the vehicle towed to a service center. transmission will not engage into the interlock. if going into reverse and changing into drive it was difficult to control vehicle. consumer must use about 45 lbs of pressure to get the gear shift to operate smoothly. also, vehicle was having brake problems. consumer was driving on an off ramp and applied the brakes down to the floor. vehicle slowed down but did not stop completely. consumer contacted the manufacturer and the dealership, who told the consumer that there was a brake recall, and that the brake problem was electrical. the brakes were electronically programmed controlled. *ak recall campaign; 04v190000. summary: 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 extended during braking as the vehicle speed drops to about 3 mph. the trunk release button on the drivers door came apart. the shifter handle broke. the brake pedal went to the floor after being in traffic. *tc | |||
| POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - LEVER AND LINKAGE - FLOOR SHIFT | |||
| 12/06/2004 | 34517 | 1 | |
| My 2004 chevrolet malibu was parked legally in front of my house. the street was covered with black ice. the driver of a 1999 ford ranger truck slipped on the ice and hit the front of my car. his auto insurance, state farm, paid for a rental car for 40 days and paid $5,338.10 in body repairs, including replacing the radiator. however, when it came time to pay $527.18 to replace the steering shaft and the gear shifter, they refused. the reason given was that these parts in the 2004 chevrolet malibu have a history of wearing out prematurely. the car ran fine before the accident. however, after reading the complaints on your web site, i would also like to add my complaint. i bought this car as a gm certified used vehicle on august 2, 2007, 17 months before the accident. the car had 31,720 miles on it when i bought it and 34,517 miles at the time of the accident, a difference of 2,797 miles i think people should know that insurance companies do not pay for certain components on the 2004 chevrolet malibu. this car is still being sold all over the country. i found 7 gm certified used vehicles, chevrolet 2004 malibu's for sale within a radius of 250 miles ranging in price from $9,500 to $14,000. people think they are safe when they buy these 2004 malibu's; they are not. is there some way they can be taken off the road? *tr the intermediate shaft needed to be replaced. updated 03/18/09.*jb the consumer was also informed the brakes and gear shift needed to be replaced. updated 04/09/09. *jb | |||
| POWER TRAIN - AXLE ASSEMBLY - AXLE SHAFT - SEAL | |||
| 10/23/2005 | 7615 | 3 | |
| Tl*the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu. the contact stated that the power steering failed continuously. when the power steering failed, the wheel would make a clicking sound when the contact made a turn. the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealership where the dealer greased the steering column; however, the problem persisted. the failure mileage was approximately 9,500. the current mileage was approximately 60,400. the first time, the stabilizer link bushing were replaced, the second time, the intermediate shaft was replaced and the third time, the steering column was replaced. the right front axle seal was leaking. updated 05/24/10*jb | |||
| 11/20/2007 | 63363 | 1 | 09/29/2004 |
| Axle seals broken - leaking transmission oil. no way to check the level. *tr | |||
| 06/10/2006 | 34864 | 1 | 05/06/2006 |
| Dt*: the contact stated that the front axle seals were leaking. the issue has gradually worsened. new axle seals were installed on the vehicle but the problem is still persists. . *ak | |||
| 09/19/2004 | 15000 | 3 | 03/15/2004 |
| Steering wheel shakes all by itself and was replaced by dealer. now there is a clunking noise when turning the wheel. front rotors warped, replaced by dealer, now warped again. front axle seal leaking on exhaust, replaced by dealer, now leaking again causing a foul oil burning smell in the car. *nm | |||
| POWER TRAIN - CLUTCH ASSEMBLY | |||
| 08/18/2007 | 54350 | 4 | 12/11/2003 |
| On saturday, august 18, 2007 my wife and i were traveling at 60 mph along a windy, hilly stretch of road. at the top of the third hill, the transmission dropped to zero. after coasting down the hill, i was able to continue in first gear only. after stopping for 15 minutes, i was able to continue driving in low gears. however, if i tried to accelerate quickly (such as to merge with interstate traffic, or to make a legal u-turn) then the transmission failed again. on sunday, august 19, i took the vehicle to a service station and had the transmission flushed and filled. my hope was to avoid any mechanical problems. however, this service did not resolve the problem. on tuesday, august 21, i took the vehicle to my local chevy dealer who told me the clutch was completely burned out. they asked me why i waited so long to have the transmission serviced. i pointed out to them that the owner's manual states that it is a maintenance free transmission that should never need servicing. *tr | |||
| POWER TRAIN - DRIVELINE | |||
| 09/08/2010 | 109000 | ||
| I had driven the car a mile from home, and while sitting at a stop light the car alert sound happened, i looked down at the radio, and the display read power steering. i turned into the next business parking lot, and had a great deal of difficulty cranking the wheel to turn the car. i decided to return home with great difficulty. i turned the car off, enlisted some help to take the car to the dealership, and when i started the car, the power steering worked properly again. the dealership ran a diagnostic and determined that the steering column needs replacing. car will be repaired when part comes into dealership - on backorder. | |||