Overview & Reviews
The midsize Malibu has been totally redesigned for 2004. It now rides on an entirely new vehicle platform and offers a more powerful V6 along with must-have safety features like side curtain airbags and adjustable pedals.
- Balanced ride and handling characteristics, plenty of passenger and cargo space, ample safety and convenience features, innovative remote start feature.
- Down on power compared to its competitors, lackluster interior, no manual transmission available.
User Reviews:
Showing 1 through 10 of 238.00-
What a LEMON! - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
By Suggabuzz - August 3 - 12:45 pmThis car has so many problems that I couldnt list them all if I tried. The dash is lit up like a Christmas tree! There are problems with the traction control/ ABS and Power steering. The headlights, trunk pop button, and gas gauge all do not work. Things just fall off and brake constantly. It leaks coolant, as well as transmission fluid. I bought this car with no problems about 4 years ago, and it has been a constant battle to keep it out of the shop. There are so many re-calls i think even Chevy wants me to throw it off a cliff.
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On the cusp of 300,000... - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
By Dansker1 - July 8 - 6:56 am... pleasurable miles of driving:+)}}} This is my second review on this vehicle, did one in 2014.............just took in for 295,000 check up, all I can say it is amazing. Had oil gasket replaced three months ago for the first time, burns virtually no oil (most driving is highway). Has plenty of pep, but needs new shocks...........my chevy mechanics have asked me if I will sell this vehicle to them, after I am done with it! Minimal replacement of parts, had new ball joints put in a couple of months ago, and brakes, other than that, nothing has gone wrong. As said before, I would buy another in a heart beat..............with 295,000 miles on the odometer the care has a negative value (just dont tell that to the car)...........happy owner, had chevys since I was in high school..........1949 fastback pea green, and paid a whopping $50.00 for it (it ran great for two years, the tranny went) should have kept my 1958 Impala two door, paid $800 for it and today it is worth $80,000, but who knew!
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276,000 miles and still runs like a top! - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
By dansker1 - September 11 - 12:54 pmWe purchased our Malibu in 2006 from a leasing agency............to say the way this car has lasted is amazing...........just took it in for one of three recalls, and the mechanics were amazed at the milage (276,016) and runs smooth. I burn about a cup of oil every two thousand miles, and just put it on high mileage oil for the first time. Just a couple of items of note, gas gauge no longer works, but use the mileage ap to figure fill up to fill up. Averages 36 on the highway, and 32 in city, and the automatic locking system is finished, but can be opened manually. Everything else works fine............I give it five stars out of five.:+)}}} and I would purchase another one in a heart beat.
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Piece of junk! - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
By tomschevy - May 21 - 12:40 pmThis car is the worst car i ever owned!so many problems,electrical problems airbag light comes on stays on some days and other days off,filled gas up needle goes crazy! no power steering in hot weather,will not start after long rides,leaking transmission fluid!wth? please do not buy one!and if you have one get rid of it!feels like car is dragging a block of concrete behind it!man worst car ever owned!!
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Worst car I have owned. - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
By jay3239 - January 12 - 5:26 pmThis is by far the worst car that I have ever owned. I have had issue after issue with it. Everytime I fix one thing, 2 more things go wrong!
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Great car - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
By sigmachi152 - November 25 - 9:22 amI bought my malibu new back in 2004 and so ive had it for nearly 9 years and has a little over 98K miles on it. I bought it because it was one of the better cars that had great mpgs at the time. Overall it has been a pretty reliable car. I read that several people had to change the light bulbs on it numerous times. This is the only issue ive had with mine as well. I think I have had to replace the same bulb about 6 times in 9 years. Its a random annoyance but beats most other issues you can have with a car. I just replaced the spark plugs this weekend since it is close to 100K....6 iridium plugs and cables cost just under $80.
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Fabric on Doors Peeling/ seat is malfunctioning - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
By kgwcoffee - September 11 - 4:37 pmIve had my chevy for almost 6 years. The Drivers seat has broken wont sit straight and moves around. This which I feel is dangerous, will cost 1000.00 to fix. CHEVY DOES NOT COVER THIS DEFECT. The panel door trim fabric is peeling off because the glue and fabric has broke down and fabric was cut to small and has shrunk. This will cost 700 for the 2 front and 150 to patch-450 to replace the rear/ chevy does not make anymore by the way. This is a popular model of car. Why do they not make them anymore? Could the glue be defective? CHEVY DOES NOT COVER THIS DEFECT and colision places wont patch they will only replace because the doors are PAPER so odds are any new glue will not stick
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Great Car that saves Money! - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
By bl45 - January 15 - 4:51 pmI am proud that my car continues to run beyond 120,000 miles with no critical repairs necessary. It consistently gets 32 MPG and saves money compared to most domestic sedans. The interior features are practical and easy to use. I would recommend this vehicle to anyone!
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i still love my car but.......... - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
By Wont buy another - September 16 - 2:00 amElectrical system had a gremlin in it, idiot lights went off for no reason. Occasionally the radio turns on inside the car while you unlock the doors without engine running. Hood latch replaced, auto start wouldnt work, trunk latch replaced, inside trunk button stopped working, trunk lock stuck so you cant open the trunk any of the 3 ways. Service couldnt fix. On my 2nd key fob now and the door unlock doesnt work so thats 2 out of 4 buttons that are useless. Fob is junk drop it a few times and the battery clip inside breaks off. In tank gas gauge is broken. Fill the tank, dash gauge say empty, gas tank low, dash gauge says full. Stirring column replaced. Dealer says it needs it again. Horn shorted
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6 Year Review - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
By Spud90 - May 3 - 3:45 pmI recorded my review in 11/24/2003 when I owned the car for 1 month. In the last 6 years I have put only 32,000 miles on. I have read the other reviews and am drawn to the poor ratings. With the exception of the steering column (first year of electric power), I have had no major problems with the car. I just replaced the original tires at 30,000 miles, had an alignment done, and it runs like it is new again. I agree with other posts that it tends to eat an unusual amount of turn signal lights, which is a minor annoyance because it takes time to replace them. Otherwise, I am still impressed with the quiet ride, the power, and the highway gas mileage (34-35 mpg with the cruise set at 75+).
