Vehicle Data Hub

2004 Chevrolet Malibu lighting problems

Owners reported lighting problems in 92 complaints for the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu, 6% of the complaints on file. It is the 3rd most reported problem area for this model year.

At a glance

Complaints
92 6% of this year's complaints
Typical mileage
70,000 miles 75 complaints with mileage
Crashes and fires
1 and 4
Injuries and deaths
0 and 0

Source: NHTSA owner complaints

When lighting problems show up

Lighting complaints by mileage, 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Complaints by odometer reading in 20,000-mile steps. The median is about 70,000 miles. 0k to 20k miles: 9 complaints 20k to 40k miles: 8 complaints 40k to 60k miles: 15 complaints 60k to 80k miles: 10 complaints 80k to 100k miles: 16 complaints 100k to 120k miles: 5 complaints 120k to 140k miles: 2 complaints 140k to 160k miles: 4 complaints 160k to 180k miles: 6 complaints 180k to 200k miles: 0 complaints 200k+ miles: 0 complaints 040k80k120k160k200k miles Typical: 70,000 miles
Based on 75 complaints that include mileage. 43% were reported before 60,000 miles. The amber marker shows the median: half of these complaints happened before that mileage.
View the numbers
MileageComplaints
0k to 20k miles9
20k to 40k miles8
40k to 60k miles15
60k to 80k miles10
80k to 100k miles16
100k to 120k miles5
120k to 140k miles2
140k to 160k miles4
160k to 180k miles6
180k to 200k miles0
200k+ miles0

What the data shows

Of the 75 lighting complaints that report mileage, the median is about 70,000 miles, and 43% were reported before 60,000 miles.

These complaints mention 1 crash, 4 fires.

What owners wrote

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated the turn signal bulbs continuously failed. In addition, the amber lens of the headlight assembly was melted. The vehicle was not inspected or repaired. The dealer advised the vehicle was not under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 48,000 and the current mileage was approximately 58,000.

Reported at 48,000 miles, December 2009 Fire

Left and right front turn signals/daytime running lights are overheating and causing the yellow plastic lens surrounding the bulb to overheat and melt. The melting plastic is dripping down onto the hot bulb were is it burning. Although I have not seen it smoke or flame the damage and cause is obvious. This is a major fire hazard yet when I contacted GM they refused to do anything about it. Citing the age and mileage on the vehicle. It is a 2004 with 55,000 miles on it.

Reported at 50,000 miles, July 2008

Other problems reported for the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu

Lighting problems in other years

Lighting problems across all Chevrolet models