2004 Chevrolet Malibu Review: A Pretty Good Mid-Size Car Plagued by Electrical Problems

The 2004 Chevrolet Malibu is spacious, powerful, affordable, and fun to drive. It’s also low-maintenance, one of the more fuel-efficient vehicles in its class, and safer than most 2004 mid-size cars. But, there are more than a thousand complaints of major electrical issues on file with the NHTSA, and that can make the car stressful to drive.

Is the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu a Good Used Car?

• Overall Rating 7/10 – A very good car in more ways than not.
• Interior, Comfort & Cargo 8/10 – The 2004 Malibu is a throwback to the cars your grandpa drove. A spacious, comfy living room on wheels.
• Reliability 6/10 – If not for those electrical issues, the Malibu would easily score an 8 on reliability. But sudden loss of power in the steering is too big of a worry to shrug off.
• Safety 8/10 – Safety tech might not be cutting edge, but crash test ratings are decent and the Malibu gets an extra point for including traction control in the LS and LT trims.
• Gas Mileage 8/10 – The V6 engine averages 23/32 miles to the gallon, city/highway, which is pretty darn good for a six-cylinder mid-size from 2004.
• Value 7/10 – The price is fair, cost of ownership is low, but the risk of early retirement owing to those electrical problems is very high. You might get lucky and hit 250,000 miles without incident, but why count on luck when you could just get a Taurus or an Altima for around the same price?

What Do Critics Say About the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu?

Consumer Reports praised Chevrolet’s well-rounded approach to designing the Malibu. They liked the spacious, quiet interior and the smooth ride, and were impressed by the speedy acceleration of the V6 engine. They did note that the Malibu’s crash test ratings, without the optional side airbags, left something to be desired.

Kelley Blue Book users praise the car’s comfort and overall quality, with one driver reporting that the car saved their life in a head on collision on a wet mountain road. Reviewers generally agreed that the styling feels a bit dated.

Edmunds found the 2004 Malibu to be generous in interior space and convenience features, but disappointing in trim materials and mechanical options, with no manual transmission on offer.

What Common Problems Does the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Have?

The 2004 Chevrolet Malibu has 1,687 complaints on file with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and 1,065 of those are for steering. As recently as 2022 drivers were reporting that their power steering was failing, even after two recalls in 2014.

Drivers have also reported power loss in other areas, with some cars failing to start, and others suddenly going dead in the middle of traffic.

Powertrain and engine complaints have been relatively scarce over the years, though there have been some worrying reports of cars shifting into neutral without explanation.

The 2004 Malibu has 10 recalls on file with the NHTSA, which is a nice low number for a twenty year old car. But, with so many electrical complaints being registered in the last couple years alone, you can’t help but wonder if a few more recalls are in order before they close the books on this one.

How Long Will the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Last?

A Chevrolet Malibu should last at least 200,000 miles. But, the 2004 model has a lot of issues that may cut that life expectancy short at under 150,000 miles. Your best bet is going to be to take it on a test drive and see what you see. What may seem like a minor issue right now could send your Malibu to an early retirement 25,000 miles down the road.

RepairPal estimate a typical annual maintenance cost in the area of $532, with the most expensive common fix being a new engine oil cooler starting at $498.

How Is the Technology?

Entertainment technology is adequate for a 2004 mid-size. You’ve got a CD player with six speakers in all three trims, but that’s about it. MP3 players weren’t commonplace at this point, and phone connectivity was still years away.

Safety features are better than you might expect. The LS and LT both come with anti-lock brakes and traction control. Nothing too cutting-edge, but even most SUVs and pickups in 2004 didn’t include traction control, so seeing it in a mid-size car is a nice surprise.

Is the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu a Good Value?

The 2004 Malibu isn’t a bad deal, with a Base model typically listing at just $2,844 and a high-end LT listing at $3,577. But, you’re kind of rolling the dice here. A 2004 Malibu might reach 250,000 miles without issue, but the car has over 1,500 complaints on file with the NHTSA and early breakdown isn’t uncommon.

The 2005 model is no better, carrying many of the same issues as the 2004 edition. You might be better off looking for a 2003 model with under 150,000 miles, as this one comes with about a third as many complaints and just 3 recalls in total.

What are the Different Models of the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu?

The 2004 Malibu is available in just three trims, from the stripped down Base model to the high-end LT.

With the Base you’re getting:

• CD player with 4 speakers
• Cloth seating
• Manual air conditioning
• Remote trunk release
• PASS-Key III Plus theft-deterrent

Next up is the LS, adding:

• Premium cloth seating
• Remote keyless entry
• Two extra speakers
• Power windows and door locks
• Cruise control
• Traction control

Finally, the top-of-the-line LT adds:

• Heated seats
• Automatic air conditioning
• Ultralux leather seating
• Leather wrapped steering wheel with mounted cruise and audio controls
• Leather wrapped shift knob

What Engines Come In the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu?

• The Base Malibu comes packed with a 2.2L inline-four engine delivering 155 lb.-ft. of torque and 145 horsepower. The engine is paired with a 4-speed automatic and configured in front wheel drive. Expect to get around 24/34 miles to the gallon, city/highway, with this engine.
• In the LS and LT models you’ll find a 3.5L V6 delivering 220 lb.-ft. of torque and 200 horsepower. Like the 2.2L, this one is paired to a 4-speed automatic and configured in front wheel drive. You should average 23/32 miles to the gallon with the V6. Both engines come with a 16 gallon fuel tank.

What Colors Does the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Come In?

How Comfortable Is the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu?

Other than some cheap-feeling materials in the interior, there are few complaints for the Malibu when it comes to comfort. It’s a mid-size that feels like a full-size with spacious seating and 52 inches of hip room in the back. There are SUVs that don’t seat five adults as comfortably as this.

The suspension has held up pretty well over the years, with few complaints on file with the NHTSA, so the ride should still be as smooth today as it was back in 2004.

How Much Storage Space Does the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Have?

The 2004 Malibu packs 15.4 cubic feet of cargo in the trunk, or about four large suitcases. Inside the cabin you’ll find plenty of pockets, slots, and cupholders to place all your stuff, so you won’t be packing phones and notebooks and soda cans on your lap or anything.

What Are the Differences Between Years?

2004 was the first model year of the 6th Generation for the Chevrolet Malibu, ending with the 2007 edition.

2002: 2002 saw no major updates, but they did get some new color options, and the Base model got a CD player.

2003: No major changes for 2003, as Chevy were gearing up the next-gen relaunch at this point.

2004: 2004 saw a total redesign for the Malibu, with a whole new engine lineup, sharper styling, and a more spacious interior.

2005: Chevy debuted a 3.9L V6 SS model in 2005.

2006: No big changes for 2006, but Chevy redesigned the front end a bit with sleeker edges, and the wheel design is new.

2007: The front airbags were upgraded to a dual-stage system for 2007.

How Does the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Compare to the Competition?

Comparing the 2004 Malibu to the 2004 Nissan Altima, the Nissan typically lists for a few hundred more from trim level to trim level, but the 3.5 SE model runs 45 horsepower stronger than a V6 Malibu, and the car has fewer than one fifth as many driver complaints on file with the NHTSA.

The 2004 Ford Taurus runs neck-and-neck with the Malibu on most fronts. Both deliver up to 200 horsepower, both are spacious and comfortable. But, as with the Altima, the Taurus is a bit more expensive, with far fewer NHTSA complaints.

The 2004 Malibu is, in more ways than not, a pretty good mid-size car. The only real concern is that long list of electrical problems, which, even if your car never experiences sudden power loss, it makes it hard to drive with confidence.

Do Owners Recommend the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu?