AlanBarber.Org
Wednesday, June 23, 2004
2004 Chevrolet Malibu Recalls
Well I got another recall letter from Chevy the other day. This is the second recall letter I have received but it contains 2 different recall notices. So, my Chevy Malibu LS has had 3 recalls since I bought it in February. Here is each of them in order.
quote:
April 2004
Reason For This Recall: General Motors has decided that certain 2004 model year Chevrolet Malibu vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 208, Occupant Crash Protection. The air bag warning labels on the driver and passenger sun visors do not have everything required by the Safety Standard.What Will Be Done: A new air bag warning label will be installed on both sun visors, over the current air bag warning labels. Since the new labels can be easily installed, and to reduce your inconvenience, the labels and installation instructions are being sent with this letter. If you desire, however, you may take the labels to your Chevrolet dealer for installation. This service will be performed for you at no charge.
June 2004
Reason For This Recall: General Motors has decided that two defects, which relate to motor vehicle safety, exist in certain 2004 model year Chevrolet Malibu vehicles equipped with anti-lock brake system (ABS). On these vehicles, the ABS controller may calculate a higher than actual vehicle speed if there is an erratic rear-wheel speed sensor signal. This can cause ABS activation where it is not needed or cause needed ABS activation to be extended during braking as the vehicle speed drops to about 3 mph. A four-wheel ABS activation could occur for a maximum of 1.25 seconds on a level surface or for up to 2.5 seconds in the vehicle is on a grade, resulting in increased stopping distances of up to 11.4 ft. If this condition occurs where stopping distance is limited, a crash could occur.Some customers may experience illumination of the ABS warning lamp on the instrument panel. This can occur when the system detects erratic speed signals and it means that the ABS is disabled. The brake system will perform normally in non-ABS mode until the vehicle is restarted and the ABS lamp is off.
In addition, a Malibu was tested recently in a government 38.8 mph side impact test. Analysis of the results indicated that during a side impact the outboard anchorage of the driver’s safety belt could disconnect because of contact between the seat trim and the anchorage connector when the seat is adjusted to its lowest position. If this were to occur, the driver will no longer be properly restrained, increasing the risk of injury.
What Will Be Done: To prevent the possibility of these conditions occurring, your Chevrolet dealer will reprogram the ABS controller and install a retainer in the front safety belt connectors. This service will be performed for you at no charge.
That first recall was just plain silly. I can’t believe they actually had to send out replacement visor stickers. I should have taken pictures to show the difference because the only thing that changed was like 2-3 lines of text.
However, this new recall is rather worrying. I haven’t had any ABS problems but I do normally have my seat set to the lowest position. So for now until I can get into the dealer to get it fixed I’ve moved my seat just to play it safe. Although I doubt I’ll be getting in a side impact accident anytime soon I’d rather be safe than sorry.
So just a recap… These notices are for the ‘04 Chevy Malibu and you should contact your dealer ASAP about getting the repairs done.
Yea, I was afraid it was going to be something really horrible since it’s a brand new car design. Something like the engine blows up or doors fall off. I actually fell down laughing when I read it was just for some stickers.
on 06/23/2004 at 01:09 PM
I’m afraid to drive my 2004 Chevy Malibu LS. I bought it March 20th 2004, it has 18,000 plus miles on it. I was driving it on Sept. 17th and I went to turn a corner and the steering wheel would not let me turn. I drove into a parking lot shut the engine off waited for a few minutes then started it and it worked just fine. I was about an hour from home. I drove a little ways futher I was going to pull out to pass and I could not steer the car. I pulled over again shut the car off waited for another few minutes then I started it up. I drove it straight to the dealership where I purchased it. I told them what it was doing they said it would be ready in two or three days. I called they could not find the part needed to fix the car. My car sit at the shop for 24 days. I will go pick it up to and park it at my house because I’m afraid to drive it any futher. Here are the recalls that I have recieved. sticker over visor #04011, saftey belt #04027, Abs light #04030 did not recieve one for the steering problem.
GM has had some power steering issues before. Back in January I think it was they recalled a bunch of cars from 96-98 becuase of power steering problems. The jist was that you’d loose power steering making left turns and get too much assistance making right turns.
I’ve seem a few others report power steering problems in the 04 Malibu so sound like the same old problem have cropped up. I’ve been watching mine really closely. First sign of problems and I’m taking it into the dealer.
P.S. I just had my Malibu in the shop last week to replace the engine temporture sensor. I’ll make a post about it today…
on 09/13/2004 at 12:31 PM
Is there a recall on the 2000 Malibu that has to do with the Emergency Flashers causing the Blinkers to work off and on?
Sorry, no idea. I’d suggest calling your dealer or stop by the chevy talk forums (http://www.chevytalk.org/) as there are several GM service techs there that can help you with just about any problem you have!
on 10/23/2004 at 12:23 PM
is there a recall on the 2000 malibus having to do with the tapping noise in the engine and oil and coolant leak at intake gasket?
I purchased my 2004 Malibu on February 28, 2004. I have had nothing but problems with this vehicle. Most recently, the loss of my power steering sent me through three lanes of 70mph traffic and over a curb/median at the freeway’s exit ramp. I did not receive the recall notice until four days after this event. I went to a new dealership and was told that they had replaced at least 15 steering columns on this model. Is anyone from GM worried yet?
I got a recall for the steering column on my 2004 Malibu. I took it to the dealer and they said it was fixed. But when I got in the car, the steering wheel did not return to center after making a turn. And it did not always turn the wheels, so the car kept turning even after I turned the wheel straight. Also, the adjustable pedals no longer worked. I’m not too happy about this. The dealer claimed they test drove the car before they released it back to me. But now I’m worried about them fixing it again and doing it wrong again. I wonder, is the car unsafe?
I HAVE HAD MY CHECY MALIBU FOR ABOUT A YEAR --I HATE THE DAMN THING ! THIS WILL BE MY THIRD RECALL ALSO --- I LOST MY POWER STEERING ALSO AND JUST AMONTH AFTER THAT INCIDENT - I GOT THE RECALL FOR THE POWER STEERING COLUMN !
WHAT A DANGEROUS PIECE OF EQUIPMENT TO GO BAD! GM SHOULD TAKE BACK THE CARS AND GIVE US A NEW PICKS !
oh yeah - and the blinker bulb constantly burns out --- every month i need to replace - they blink real fast when they are bad and don;t work on the outside of the car ! piece of crap !
They did send a recall notice about the power steering on my Uncle’s 2004 Malibu. I don’t know why a lot of people didn’t get that recall notice. He has had to take it to the dealer at least three different times since he’s had it. 2 for recall notices and for the third time, the check engine light came on but didn’t stay on for long and they rewired something that had to do with the defrosters. I’m worried that all these problems could happen to my uncle now.
That is retarded about the stickers.