VehicleVerdict

2004 Chevrolet Malibu brakes problems

The 2004 Chevrolet Malibu has 64 brakes complaints filed with NHTSA — 4% of the year's total, and roughly flat versus the prior model year.

64

Brakes complaints

4%

Share of year

10

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Brakes complaints by year

Related recalls

04V190000BrakesApril 19, 2004 · 65,439 units

Defect

SOME OF THESE PASSENGER VEHICLES HAVE AN ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU) THAT MAY CALCULATE A HIGHER THAN ACTUAL VEHICLE SPEED BECAUSE OF AN ERRATIC REAR-WHEEL SPEED SENSOR SIGNAL, AND CAUSE ABS ACTIVATION WHERE IT IS NOT NEEDED OR NEEDED ABS ACTIVATION TO BE EXTENDED DURING BRAKING AS THE VEHICLE SPEED DROPS TO ABOUT 3 MPH.

Consequence

UNEXPECTED ABS ACTIVIATION COULD INCREASE STOPPING DISTANCE UP TO ABOUT 11 FEET DPENDING ON THE GRADE OF THE ROAD, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ABS CONTROLLER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 16, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438.

Common questions

How many brakes complaints does the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu have?

NHTSA has 64 complaints about the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu brakes — 4% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu brakes?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the brakes: 04V190000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.