Chevrolet Malibu Generation 2 (2004–2006)

Chevrolet Malibu Generation 2 (2004–2006) — production years, market prices by model year, NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, and live listings for sale on VehiSales.

Chevrolet Malibu — body generations

Vehicles within one generation share the same platform and body style.

Engines used in the Malibu

Engine families this model shipped with, by NHTSA VIN build data — each links to every model that shares it.

Chevrolet Malibu fuel economy: every year & engine (EPA) →

Used Chevrolet Malibu prices by year → · Chevrolet Malibu vs Nissan Altima · Chevrolet Malibu vs Toyota Corolla · Chevrolet Malibu vs Ford Mustang

About this generation

The Malibu name was moved to GM's new Epsilon platform based on the 2002 Opel Vectra C for 2004. The Epsilon-based Malibu came in two bodystyles, a standard 4-door sedan and a 5-door Malibu Maxx station wagon. The Malibu Maxx has a fixed glass roof panel over the rear seats with a retractable sunshade, and an optional glass panel sunroof over the front seats and was similar in execution to the Opel Signum, a large station wagon derived from the Vectra C.

Base power for the sedan came from a 2.2 L Ecotec L61 I4 producing . LS and LT trim sedans and Maxx models originally came with a 3.5 L High Value LX9 V6. The SS sedan and Maxx models were powered by the 3.9 L High Value LZ9 V6. For 2007, the LX9 was replaced with the LZ4 V6; this was the only engine available to private buyers in the 2008 Malibu Classic. The L61 Ecotec was also updated for the 2007 model year with many improvements.

For the first time, a remote starter was introduced on the Malibu (alongside several other GM vehicles), as well as four-wheel disc brakes (which were standard on all 2004, 2008 Classic, and V6 models; other models came standard with rear drum brakes). The sixth generation of the Malibu initially debuted with a front fascia design featuring a wide grille split horizontally by a prominent chrome bar that ran the entire width of the car, shared ultimately cross-brand.

For 2006, the chrome bar was removed, and the grille itself was made smaller. GM badges were also added to the front doors. The Malibu Maxx was discontinued after the 2007 model year; the Malibu sedan remained in production for the 2008 model year, known as the Malibu Classic. The cars themselves bear Malibu badges, unlike the past generation Classic. Three models were available: the V6-engined LT and LS, and a four-cylinder LS version.

Only the V6-engined LT was available to private buyers, with the LS versions only built for fleet sales. A special SS trim was available on the Malibu and Malibu Maxx with the 3.9 L LZ9 V6 from 2006 to 2007, developing and and channeled through a 4T65-E four-speed automatic with Tap-Up/Tap-Down shifting, sport suspension with tower-to-tower brace, 18" alloy wheels, universal home remote transmitter, rear spoiler and hydraulic power steering.

Changes to differentiate the SS from the lower trims include three-spoke, leather wrapped steering wheel with SS badge, sport cloth and leather seats, side skirts, chrome tip exhausts, and more aggressive front and rear clips. The Maxx SS uses the softer FE2 suspension, shared with the Pontiac G6 GT. The SS sedan was the only vehicle on the Epsilon platform to use the stiffest FE5 suspension.

Source: Wikipedia — Chevrolet Malibu — Sixth generation (2004), CC BY-SA.

Recalls & complaints by year (NHTSA)

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.