2004 Chevrolet Malibu vs 2004 Volkswagen Passat
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 8, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2004 Chevrolet Malibu | 2004 Volkswagen Passat |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 1,147 | 279 |
| Recall campaigns | 6 | 3 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 629 | 235 |
| Investigations | 4 | 3 |
| Crash reports | 47 | 9 |
| Fire reports | 7 | 25 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 23–25 | 20–27 |
| Median reported incident mileage | 80,000 mi | 72,000 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Chevrolet Malibu | Volkswagen Passat |
|---|---|---|
| Steering | 798 | 2 |
| Electrical System | 151 | 23 |
| Seats | 69 | 34 |
| Power Train | 64 | 38 |
| Exterior Lighting | 84 | 16 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 20 | 59 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 14 | 28 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 28 | 11 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Steering problems | 184 | 0 |
| Loss of power | 82 | 8 |
| Stalling | 51 | 21 |
| Check engine light | 46 | 11 |
| Clunking / rattling | 46 | 7 |
| Vibration / shaking | 38 | 9 |
| Won’t start | 13 | 0 |
| Overheating | 12 | 7 |
2004 Chevrolet Malibu
2004 Volkswagen Passat
Compare all Chevrolet Malibu vs Volkswagen Passat years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.