2004 Chevrolet Malibu MAXX LS 3.5

Faults:

Steering always wants to go left.

Seats get dirty easily.

General Comments:

Very nice and roomy for size.

Dealer service is poor.

Bought the car new and always had a left pull. Took back to purchasing dealer and they aired up the tires. Second time they aligned it. Still didn't fix it. Told them they needed to send someone to school to deal with the new electronic steering system. I took it to another dealer who spent some time looking at it instead of soaking up the warranty money from GM and they aligned the micro switches on the steering column. No problems since. Main reason I bought it was lots of space for rear seat passagers.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 6th November, 2005

2004 Chevrolet Malibu LS 3.5L, V6

Summary:

I love this Malibu LS its like none other out there

Faults:

The worst thing to go wrong with my Malibu LS is everyone wanting to ride and drive it. Every where I go people are checking out my ride instead of those that are trying to flaunted. The only draw back is the light colored seats, they tend to pick up any substance they come in contact with, but I have fun walking out to the drive to clean the seats. Club Soda if you blot and wipe with a light colored cloth the stains usually come out. Or you can use TUFF STUFF multipurpose cleaner for cloth interiors, it comes in a yellow can and its a foam substance and let it set in to the stains and wipe/blot, and the stains will come out. Not right then but by in the morning you'll get in and no more stains.

General Comments:

The Malibu LS rides like a dream, it's quiet, unless you don't get the tires rotated every 20,000 miles then you tires will make a thudding noise. But that is the only thing wrong with my Malibu LS. The gas mileage on it is 29 mpg city, and about 32mpg hi-way.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 26th October, 2005

2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx LT 3.5 V6

Summary:

I like the concept, features, and performance of the car, but it's reliability is poor.

Faults:

Almost immediately the rear seat recliner lever broke.

The rear sunshades retainer did not function.

Recalled for steering column malfunction.

Fog light indicator switch failed.

Noise in trans-axle resulted in two repairs and eventual replacement.

Harsh braking noise resulted in turning rotors and eventual replacement of one.

Seat heaters come on intermitently without being switched on.

Clunking noise investigation showed that front suspension parts were loose and had to be tightened.

General Comments:

I really like the ride and handling.

The gas mileage is outstanding.

The power and acceleration is notable.

The car's design was well thought out to offer great versatility for cargo arrangement.

The car has the most features of any car I have owned.

Though most of the problems I have had with the car were not serious, there have been too many, indicating either poor quality control or insufficient pre-market testing.

The dealer's service department has been accommodating, but often knew too little about this new model.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 18th August, 2005

18th Aug 2005, 17:18

I feel your pain!!! I had an 04 Base Malibu with the same steering issues, as well as a faulty CD player, brake issues and the worst paint job in the history of the automobile. Mine had three steering columns replaced and was finally repurchased under the Florida Lemon Law. I now have an 04 Impala, which is a much better car, though lacking in some of the bells and whistles department of the Malibu. However, it is nice to have a car that will actually turn when you turn the steering wheel:)

30th Aug 2005, 10:54

Well actually if you go to Toyota or Honda in this site you'll probably have 1 out of 11 negative reviews there as well. All cars have lemons and minor issues. The Malibu seems to have way more positive reviews than negative.

16th Jul 2008, 12:40

Who said anything about Honda or Toyota?

3rd Aug 2008, 13:02

Our 2004 Maxx LS is the wife's daily driver with approximately 38K miles as of 8-08. Been a great car and I drove from GA to CA a couple of years ago in relative comfort though not the most comfortable car for long hauls. Averaged 29.9 mpg with cruise set at an average of 75 mph.

Down sides: Battery replacement, 5-6 turn signal/DRL bulb replacements (would be nice if GM would engineer this pesky problem to solution) all under warranty to date. Front brake rotors need replacing due to warpage but blame this on over torquing of lug nuts by tire rotation shop. Only other "gripe" about the car is it seems to be a door ding magnet. Not the cars fault but negligent neighbors in any parking lot you use nowadays and wifey. Shame on GM for discontinuing the Maxx line.

28th Nov 2010, 16:46

This is the best car that I have ever owned. It was originally purchased for my wife at 19k miles.

I now have 139k miles on it and have only had the minor recall issues that have been dealt with by the dealer miles ago. One thing, the back seat recline lever broke about a month ago.

I commute to work every day over 100 miles both ways and the mileage is great 33 MPG on a 3.5 v6. I plan on keeping it instead of trading it in.