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NHTSA recalls & complaints · 2004–2007

Chevrolet Malibu Maxx recalls, complaints and VIN decoding

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns and 1,074 owner complaints for the Chevrolet Malibu Maxx, covering model years 2004 to 2007. The 2004 model year drew the most complaints (434), and Steering is the component owners name most often.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint flat files, updated September 25, 2026.

Decode your Chevrolet Malibu Maxx VIN

See the model year, plant and build details of one vehicle, then the recalls for its exact year.

  • 4 recall campaigns on file
  • 1,074 owner complaints (unverified reports to NHTSA)
  • 4 model years with data (2004–2007)
  • most complaints: 2004 (434 for that model year)
  • top component: Steering (653 complaints)
  • latest recall 15V064000 (reported Feb 4, 2015)
  • 51 complaints reporting a crash (4.7%)
  • 18 complaints reporting a fire (1.7%)
  • 29 complaints reporting an injury (2.7%)
  • 0 complaints reporting a death (0.0%)

Chevrolet Malibu Maxx complaints by model year

4 model years · NHTSA complaints

The 2004 model year has the most complaints: 434 of 1,074, or 40.4%. Next come 2005 (326) and 2006 (270). The fewest are for 2007, with 44 complaints.

Owner complaints per model yearHighest yearOther years
Chevrolet Malibu Maxx owner complaints to NHTSA by model year, 2004–2007Column chart of 1,074 complaints across 4 model years. The highest is 2004 with 434. The full figures are in the table below the chart.2004: 434 complaints43420042005: 326 complaints32620052006: 270 complaints27020062007: 44 complaints442007
Chevrolet Malibu Maxx complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Chevrolet Malibu Maxx complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Model yearComplaintsReporting a crashReporting a fireReporting an injuryReporting a death
2004434266160
2005326131080
200627012150
2007440100
All model years1,0745118290

Crash, fire, injury and death columns count complaints that report at least one of them, not people.

Most-reported Chevrolet Malibu Maxx components

top 15 · NHTSA categories

Steering is the component named most often, in 653 complaints (60.8% of all 1,074), followed by Seats (141) and Electrical System (112).

Components named most often in Chevrolet Malibu Maxx complaints (top 15)
Components named most often in Chevrolet Malibu Maxx complaints (top 15)
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints
Steering65360.8%
Seats14113.1%
Electrical System11210.4%
Exterior Lighting1019.4%
Air Bags434.0%
Power Train413.8%
Service Brakes302.8%
Service Brakes, Hydraulic302.8%
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)242.2%
Vehicle Speed Control201.9%
Engine191.8%
Suspension181.7%
Fuel System, Gasoline171.6%
Fuel/Propulsion System171.6%
Equipment121.1%

One complaint can name several components, so the shares add up to more than 100%. Component names are NHTSA’s top-level categories.

What NHTSA owner complaints mean

These figures count complaints that vehicle owners and other members of the public have submitted to NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. NHTSA uses complaints, together with other data, to spot safety issues that may warrant an investigation and to check whether existing recalls go far enough.

  • They are reports, not findings. Each complaint is the submitter's own account. Its presence in the database does not mean NHTSA has confirmed a defect.
  • Counts are not defect rates. The data doesn't say how many vehicles were sold, so a raw count can't tell you what share of vehicles had a problem.
  • Popular models collect more complaints. A model sold in large numbers will usually gather more complaints than a rare one, simply because more people own it.
  • One complaint can name several components. Totals by component can therefore add up to more than the number of complaints.
  • Coverage starts in 1995. NHTSA's complaint file contains complaints received since January 1, 1995.

Use complaint patterns as a prompt for questions: whether a recall covers the issue, whether the vehicle you are considering has had the fix, and what a mechanic finds on inspection. For confirmed safety defects, see the recall list for this model.

Chevrolet Malibu Maxx recalls

4 campaigns · newest first

Every vehicle recall campaign NHTSA lists under the model name Malibu Maxx, newest first. The 4 campaigns cover model years 2004 to 2007. The 2006 model year appears in the most campaigns (4).

  • 4 recall campaigns
Chevrolet Malibu Maxx recall campaigns covering each model year
2004: 3 campaigns2005: 3 campaigns2006: 4 campaigns2007: 3 campaigns
Highlighted: the model year with the most campaigns.

  1. NHTSA campaign 15V064000

    Reported

    Steering › Electric Power Assist System

    Model years 2006–2007

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2006-2007 Chevrolet Malibu and Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured April 1, 2006, to June 30, 2006, and 2006-2007 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured April 18, 2006, to June 30, 2006. In the affected vehicles, there may be a sudden loss of electric power steering (EPS) assist that could occur at any time while driving.

    Consequence:
    If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the torque sensor assembly, free of charge. The recall began February 24, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. GM's number for this recall is 14772. Note: This is an expansion of recall 14V-153 to cover additional vehicles built between April 1, 2006 and June 30, 2006.

    Filed by General Motors, LLC

  2. NHTSA campaign 14V252000

    Reported

    Electronic Stability Control (ESC); Vehicle Speed Control › Cruise Control; Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights › Switch; Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights; Electrical System › Wiring

    Model years 2004–2007

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured May 16, 2003, through October 11, 2012, 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured May 26, 2004, through January 4, 2010, and 2007-2010 Saturn Aura vehicles manufactured April 24, 2006, through May 26, 2009. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the Body Control Module (BCM) connection may result in voltage fluctuations in the Brake Apply Sensor (BAS) circuit. These fluctuations can cause one or more of these conditions: the brake lights to illuminate without the brake pedal being pushed; the brake lights to not illuminate when the pedal is pushed; difficulty disengaging the cruise control; moving the gear shifter out of the 'PARK' position without pushing the brake; and disablement of crash avoidance features such as traction control, electronic stability control, and panic braking assist features.

    Consequence:
    Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    GM will notify owners, and dealers will attach the wiring harness to the BCM with a spacer, apply dielectric lubricant to both the BCM and harness connector and the BAS and harness connector, and will relearn the brake pedal home position, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed an Interim letter to customers on July 14, 2014. The recall began on August 18, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-762-2737 (Pontiac), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). GM's number for this recall is 13036.

    Filed by General Motors, LLC

  3. NHTSA campaign 14V224000

    Reported

    Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Lever and Linkage › Floor Shift; Power Train › Automatic Transmission

    Model years 2004–2007

    General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on April 29, 2014, that they are recalling 56,214 model year 2007 and 2008 Saturn Aura vehicles. On May 22, 2014, GM increased the recall to include an additional 1,074,899 model year 2004-2008 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured from May 16, 2003, through October 5, 2007, model year 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured from June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, and model year 2005-2008 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured from May 26, 2004, through September 28, 2007, and equipped with 4-speed transmissions. The total number vehicles being recalled is now 1,131,113.

    Consequence:
    If the transmission shift cable fractures while the vehicle is being driven, the transmission gear selection may not match the indicated gear and the vehicle may move in an unintended or unexpected direction, increasing the risk of a crash. Furthermore, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, despite selecting the ‘PARK’ position, the transmission may not be in ‘PARK.’ If the vehicle is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
    Remedy:
    GM will notify owners, and GM dealers will replace the shift cable assembly and mounting bracket, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for this recall is 14152.

    Filed by General Motors, LLC

  4. NHTSA campaign 14V153000

    Reported

    Steering › Electric Power Assist System

    Model years 2004–2006

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 and 2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2006 Malibu Maxx, 2009-2010 HHR (non-turbo), 2010 Cobalt, 2008-2009 Saturn Aura and 2004-2007 Ion, and 2005-2009 Pontiac G6. In the affected vehicles, there may be a sudden loss of electric power steering (EPS) assist that could occur at any time while driving.

    Consequence:
    If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    GM will notify owners, and dealers will perform one of four bulletins. Parts are not currently available. GM expects to send an interim notification around May 28, 2014. When parts are available, owners will be mailed a second letter to come in to have the applicable bulletin applied. Bulletin 14115 covers model year 2004-2007 Saturn Ion, 2009-2010 Chevrolet HHR and 2010 Chevrolet Cobalts. Dealers will replace the EPS motor. Bulletin 14116 covers model year 2004-2006 Chevrolet Malibu and Malibu Maxx, 2005-2006 Pontiac G6 and 2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from March 1, 2008, through June 27, 2008. Dealers will replace the torque sensor assembly. Bulletin 14117 covers model year 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from February 1, 2008, through February 28, 2008. Dealers will replace the torque sensor assembly and EPS motor controller unit. Bulletin 14118 covers model year 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from October 1, 2007, through January 31, 2008. Dealers will replace the EPS motor controller unit. The recall began on July 17, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, Saturn at 1-800-553-6000, and Pontiac at 1-800-620-7668. GM's number for this recall is N140115. Note: GM bulletin number 14119 will be implemented for model year 2006-2008 and early production of 2009 Chevrolet HHR (non-turbo) and model year 2003 Saturn ION to provide EPS Motor replacement for the life of the vehicle.

    Filed by General Motors, LLC

Recall text is shown as NHTSA publishes it. NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline, 1-888-327-4236, also answers recall questions.

How to read this recall list

This list shows every safety recall campaign NHTSA has on file for this make, model and model year. It is not specific to one vehicle: a recall often covers only vehicles built in a certain date range or with a certain part, and many of the vehicles it covers will already have been repaired.

What each recall field means
What each recall field means
FieldWhat it tells you
Campaign numberNHTSA's unique ID for the recall, such as 20V771000. Quote it to a dealer or when searching NHTSA's site.
ComponentThe system or part involved, for example air bags, brakes or electrical software.
SummaryWhat the defect or non-compliance is and which vehicles are covered.
ConsequenceThe safety risk if the problem isn't fixed.
RemedyWhat the manufacturer will do, such as a repair, replacement or software update, and whether it is free.
  • Some recalls carry an NHTSA consumer advisory, “Do Not Drive” or “Park Outside”. Follow it until the repair is done.
  • A single campaign often covers several models or model years, so the same campaign number can appear in more than one list.
  • Recalls are shown as NHTSA publishes them. Very recent campaigns may take time to appear.

Does your vehicle have an open recall? Only a VIN check can tell you. Enter the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or on the manufacturer's website. Our VIN recall check guide explains what each option covers.

Chevrolet Malibu Maxx questions

5 questions

How many recalls does the Chevrolet Malibu Maxx have?

NHTSA lists 4 vehicle recall campaigns for the Chevrolet Malibu Maxx, covering model years 2004 to 2007. The most recent, 15V064000, was reported on February 4, 2015 and is filed under “Steering”. The 2006 model year is covered by the most campaigns (4).

Which Chevrolet Malibu Maxx model year has the most complaints?

The 2004 model year, with 434 of the 1,074 complaints in NHTSA’s file (40.4%). The next are 2005 (326) and 2006 (270). Complaint counts also reflect how many vehicles of each year were sold and how long they have been on the road, so they are not a reliability ranking.

What is the most common Chevrolet Malibu Maxx complaint?

Steering is the component named most often: 653 complaints, or 60.8% of all 1,074. Seats (141) and Electrical System (112) follow. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not confirmed defects, and one complaint can name several components.

Does every recall on this page apply to my Chevrolet Malibu Maxx?

Not necessarily. Each campaign lists specific model years, and many cover only vehicles built in a certain period or fitted with a certain part; repairs already carried out aren’t shown. To see whether a recall is open on your vehicle, enter its VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or ask a Chevrolet dealer.

How many Chevrolet Malibu Maxx complaints report a crash, fire, injury or death?

Of the 1,074 complaints, 51 report a crash, 18 a fire, 29 at least one injury and 0 at least one death. These figures count complaints, not people, and each complaint is the submitter’s own unverified account.

Other Chevrolet models

8 models · most complaints first

The Chevrolet models with the most NHTSA complaints, and the Chevrolet VIN decoder with every Chevrolet model page, WMI code and VIN note.

All Chevrolet models and WMI codesLook up recalls by year

Data: NHTSA recalls and complaints flat files, updated September 25, 2026. Recall campaigns are vehicle (V) campaigns listed for this model name; complaints are counted once per NHTSA ODI number and model year.