2004 Chevrolet Malibu
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Steering is the leading concern among 1,697 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the highest complaint count among 26 Malibu model years with reports.
Of the 2004 reports, 81 involved a crash and 15 involved a fire. 55 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
SteeringJul 21, 2014
Dorman Products, Inc. (Dorman) is recalling certain replacement intermediate steering shafts sold under the Dorman, OE Solutions, and Solutions brand names, part numbers 425-167, 2425167, and 7-3074, for installation on 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6, and 2007-2009 Saturn Aura vehicles. The affected steering shafts may have a yoke that inadequately supports the u-joint bearing resulting in a premature failure.
A joint bearing that fails prematurely may cause separation of the u-joint resulting in a complete loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Dorman will notify owners, and dealers will refund the purchase price or replace the steering shafts, free of charge. The recall began in September 2014. Owners may contact Dorman customer service at 1-800-523-2492.
Campaign 14E044000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical system, wiringMay 14, 2014
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.
Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 14V252000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, automatic transmissionApr 30, 2014
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.
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.
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.
Campaign 14V224000 on NHTSA.gov
Steering, electric power assist systemMar 31, 2014
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.
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.
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.
Campaign 14V153000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, fuel pumpFeb 28, 2011
TI AUTOMOTIVE IS RECALLING CERTAIN FUEL PUMPS, PART NUMBERS TU456 AND TU303, SOLD UNDER VARIOUS BRAND NAMES AS AFTERMARKET AND REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE MOTOR VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP MAY SEIZE, STOPPING THE FUEL FLOW TO THE ENGINE CREATING A STALLING CONDITION.
A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR SHOULD THE ENGINE STALL WHILE IN USE.
TI AUTOMOTIVE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND WILL REPLACE ANY DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP WITH A NEW OR REWORKED FUEL PUMP FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 22, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TI AUTOMOTIVE AT 1-866-867-3759 OR LOG ON TO WWW.RECALLRESPONSE.COM.
Campaign 11E009000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lightingApr 7, 2009
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
Campaign 09E012000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, hydraulic, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, control unit/moduleApr 19, 2004
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.
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.
DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ABS CONTROLLER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 16, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438.
Campaign 04V190000 on NHTSA.gov
Seat belts, front, anchorageApr 16, 2004
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, ANALYSIS OF AN A SIDE IMPACT CRASH TEST CONDUCTED BY THE NHTSA;S NEW CAR ASSESSMENT PROGRAM (NCAP) INDICATED THAT THE OUTBOARD ANCHORAGE OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT COULD DISCONNECT BECAUSE OF CONTACT BETWEEN THE SEAT TRIM AND THE ANCHORAGE CONNECTOR WHEN THE SEAT WAS ADJUSTED TO ITS LOWEST POSITION.
IF THIS OCCURRED IN A CRASH, THE DRIVER COULD RECEIVE GREATER INJURIES.
DEALERS WILL INSERT A RETAINER ON BOTH THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S BELT ANCHORAGES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 16, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438.
Campaign 04V188000 on NHTSA.gov
Equipment, other, labelsFeb 24, 2004
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD (FMVSS) NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." SOME OF THESE VEHICLES THAT WERE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AN ADVANCED OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEM (AORS) HAVE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SUN VISORS WITH AORS LABELS. THE AORS LABELS DO NOT INCLUDE STATEMENTS AND THE ILLUSTRATION REQUIRED BY FMVSS NO. 208 FOR VEHICLES WITHOUT AORS.
OWNERS WILL BE SENT REPLACEMENT LABELS WITH INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO INSTALL THEM. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 21, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438.
Campaign 04V094000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: steering
1,073 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Jul 8, 2013
THE POWER STEERING LOCKS UP WHEN DRIVING, GETS VERY TIGHT AND CANNOT TURN THE WHEEL. *TR
Steering, Jul 1, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE EXCESSIVE FORCE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT DOWN AND RESTARTED BUT THAT WAS ONLY A TEMPORARY REMEDY. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN AND INTERIOR MODULE NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,700 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 92,400.
Steering, Jun 19, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED A STRANGE NOISE WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS ADVISED THAT THE STEERING SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. *TR
Steering, Jun 19, 2013
AFTER SEVERAL POWER STEERING SERVICE ALARMS IN THE PRECEDING MONTHS, THAT ALL RESET AFTER THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF, THE ALARM CAME ON AND THE POWER ASSIST FAILED LEAVING THE CAR EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STEER. TOOK THE CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP THE NEXT WEEK AND THEY REPROGRAMMED THE STEERING AND SENT ME HOME. THE NEXT DAY THE STEERING FAILED AGAIN. I THEN LOOKED UP THE PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND OUT THIS IS A PREVALENT PROBLEM AND HAS NO REAL FIX! WHAT DO I DO NOW? *TR
Steering, Engine, Jun 14, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKING, THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS ADVISED TO THE CONTACT THAT THE MOTOR AND THE POWER STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000. *TR
Steering, Jun 13, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND BECAME HARD TO TURN. THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED, WHICH LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE POWER STEERING MOTOR AND COLUMN. THE STEERING RACK AND PINION WERE PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED, HOWEVER THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED FOR THE RECENT FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,900 AND THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 29,000.
Steering, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jun 13, 2013
WHILE PULLING OUT OF A BUSINESS PARKING LOT WITH MY MOTHER IN THE VEHICLE, I TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL TO BACK OUT AND IT WOULDN'T TURN AT FIRST. I CUT THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTED IT ONCE AGAIN, THIS TIE THE STEERING WHEEL TURNED FOR ABOUT HALF A TURN AND THE JUST KEPT ON TURNING WITH A KNOCK EVERY FULL ROTATION. THE WHEELS WERE NOT MOVING AT ALL.NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES I RESTARTED THE CAR IT NEVER WORKED. SO I WAS FORCED TO BLOCK HALF OF THE PARKING LOT UNTIL MY CAR WAS FLAT-BEDDED BACK TO MY HOUSE. PREVIOUS TO THIS INCIDENT I HAD EXPERIENCED THE WHEEL STIFFEN UP AT LOW SPEEDS BUT IT ALWAYS WENT RIGHT AWAY, I HAVE SEEN COUNTLESS PEOPLE ONLINE POSTING STORIES ABOUT THIS HAPPENING TO THEM, AND I WAS JUST DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY MINUTES EARLIER AND THIS COULD'VE HAPPENED THEN AND BEEN A TRAGEDY, WHY HAS THIS NOT BEEN RECALLED????? *TR
Steering, Jun 5, 2013
THIS HAPPENED A FEW TIMES THROUGHOUT MAY, HAPPENED A FEW TIMES THIS WEEK (MAY 29- JUNE 5, 2013), AND HAPPENED ALMOST TWENTY TIMES TODAY - WITHIN A HALF HOUR PERIOD! I WILL BE DRIVING AND THEN OUT OF NOWHERE THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP, MAKING IT UNABLE TO TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE SCREEN READS 'POWER STEERING' WHEN THIS HAPPENS. THIS IS INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS. IT HAS HAPPENED TO ME MOST FREQUENTLY EITHER RIGHT AFTER TURNING OR IN THE MIDDLE OF A TURN, WHICH IS UNFORTUNATE SINCE THE STATE I LIVE IN HAS ROUNDED EXIT AND ONRAMPS - EXACTLY WHERE IT HAPPENED TO ME TODAY. IT HAS HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY MULTIPLE TIMES TODAY, WHILE WAITING AT A RED LIGHT, AND WHILE DRIVING IN CITY TRAFFIC. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON THIS, BECAUSE I WOULDN'T BE SURPRISED IF THIS LEADS TO MY GETTING IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT DUE TO HOW OFTEN IT IS HAPPENING. *TR
Steering, Jun 5, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE MAKING A TURN AT 45 MPH , THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED AND IT EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING COLUMN AND THE POWER STEERING MODULAR WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 142,000. *TR
Steering, Jun 5, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED AND COULD NOT BE TURNED. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE STEERING WHEEL RETURNED TO NORMAL FUNCTION AFTER THE ENGINE WAS SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000. UPDATED 07/16/13*LJ
Steering, Jun 5, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 3 MPH, THERE WAS A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWERING STEERING WITH AN ILLUMINATION OF A WARNING MESSAGE. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND THEN RESTARTED IN ORDER TO RESET. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESUME NORMALLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. ...UPDATED 07-29-13 *BF
Steering, Jun 2, 2013
THE STEERING LOCKS UP BETWEEN 2000 AND 3500 RPMS. THE TOOL, STEERING AND BATTERY LIGHT KEEPS FLASHING WHEN THE POWER STEERING LOCKS UP OR BEFORE THE STEERING LOCKS UP. CHIMING SOUNDS GO OFF AND A CLICKING NOISE FROM THE DASH BOARD. I HEARD MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. IT SHOULD BE A RECALL BECAUSE IT ALMOST CAUSE ME TO BE IN AN ACCIDENT MANY TIME. I HAD TO STOP DRIVING ME CAR DUE TO THE DANGER. *TR
Steering, Jun 2, 2013
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE POWER STEERING FAILED COMPLETELY AS HAS BEEN NOTED BY THOUSANDS OF OTHER 2004 CHEVY MALIBU MAXX OWNERS. THE STEERING BECOMES DIFFICULT IS NOT IMPOSSIBLE TO OPERATE OR IT LOCKS UP COMPLETELY AS WAS THE CASE TODAY AND WILL NOT ALLOW THE STEERING TO BE TURNED. AS A 30 YEAR LAW ENFORCEMENT VETERAN I RECOGNIZE THIS AS A VERY SERIOUS LIFE SAFETY ISSUE. THIS VEHICLE NEEDS TO BE RECALLED SINCE GM IS FULLY AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT DOES NOT WANT TO STEP UP AND FIX THIS ISSUE THAT HAS CAUSED ACCIDENTS AND INJURY TO OWNERS. THE FAULT INDICATOR COMES ON AND A BEEPING OCCURS AND THE DISPLAY IN THE CENTER OF THE DASH SAYS "POWER STEERING". *TR
Steering, Jun 1, 2013
FIRST STARTED IN MARCH 2013, MY POWER STEERING WILL OCCASIONALLY GO OUT WHILE DRIVING, MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE ONLY TO GET IT TO WORK IS TO SHUT THE CAR OFF AND RESTART IT. I FEEL VERY UNSAFE DRIVING MYSELF AND MY CHILDREN! *TR
Steering, May 31, 2013
POWER STEERING STOPS INTERMITTENTLY. WARNING LIGHT COMES ON. THEN GOES AWAY IF THE CAR IS RE-STARTED. NEAR ACCIDENT BECAUSE I COULDN'T STEER. *TR
Steering, May 29, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT STEER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING HAD FAILED AND THE COLUMN AND STEERING MODULE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,653 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 53,000. UPDATED 7/1/13 *CN UPDATED 07/17/2013 *JS
Steering, Power train, May 23, 2013
MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING TO SCHOOL THIS MORNING, AND EVERYTHING SEEMED TO BE FINE. SHE PULLED OUT OF OUR NEIGHBORHOOD AND INTO THE TURNING LANE ON A FAST MOVING STREET TO TURN INTO HER SCHOOL PARKING LOT. AS SHE WENT TO TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP RIGHT AS SHE WAS TURNING INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. SHE SAID IT TOOK EVERYTHING IN HER TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL ENOUGH JUST SO SHE COULD GET ONTO THE CURB AND OUT OF THE WAY. SHE THEN WENT TO PARK AND COULD BARELY MAKE IT INTO A PARKING SPACE. SHE SAID WHEN SHE FIRST STARTED TO TURN, A SOUND WENT OFF; AND A GOLD WRENCH SIGN APPEARED UNDERNEATH HER RPMS. SHE TURNED OFF THE CAR ONCE IN HER PARKING SPACE AND THEN TURNED IT BACK ON, AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS STILL LOCKED. SHE DID IT ONE MORE TIME, AND IT FINALLY UNLOCKED. HER, MY OTHER DAUGHTER, AND MY FRIEND'S TWO KIDS WHO WERE ALSO IN THE CAR, WERE EXTREMELY SHAKEN AND ON THE VERGE OF TEARS. IT WAS A TERRIFYING EXPERIENCE FOR THEM ALL. MY MOST PRECIOUS THINGS IN LIFE WERE ALMOST IN A SERIOUS (PERHAPS EVEN DEADLY) ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS POWER STEERING FAILURE. I KNOW THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS BEEN REPORTED BECAUSE I FOUND NUMEROUS ACCOUNTS OF THIS EXACT SAME THING HAPPENING ONLINE. IT'S TIME CHEVROLET FINALLY STEPS UP, TAKES RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS, AND RECALLS ALL THESE VEHICLES TO GET THIS POWER STEERING FAILURE FIXED BEFORE IT TAKES A LIFE (OR LIVES)! *TR
Steering, May 17, 2013
POWER STEERING LOCKED UP WHILE DRIVING. *TR
Steering, May 14, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN OR INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000. *TR
Steering, May 13, 2013
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD TO DROP OFF THE KIDS AT MY MOTHERS HOUSE AND POWER STEERING FAILED. *TR
Steering, May 13, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED FOR MONTHS PRIOR TO IT FAILING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 86,000.
Steering, Visibility, Structure, Seats, May 6, 2013
I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN 2006 WITH 17,000 MILES AT THE CARMAX SUPERSTORE IN NAPERVILLE ILLINOIS AND HAVE HAD SEVERAL SERIOUS ISSUES SINCE. THE LEAKING SUNROOF WITH THE INNUMERABLE FAILED ATTEMPTS AT REPAIR. THE LEAK HAS NEVER BEEN RESOLVED AND I HAVE RESORTED TO COVERING THE VEHICLE WITH A TARP DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER. THE CONSTANT CLICKING NOISE IN THE STEERING WHEN MOVING THE STEERING WHEEL BACK AND FORTH AND THE SEVERE STIFFNESS IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN CURB SIDE PARKING BETWEEN PARKED VEHICLES. THE INTERMITTENT IGNITION FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WILL NOT TURN OVER UNLESS YOU DEPRESS THE ACCELERATOR SLIGHTLY. THERE WERE COUNTLESS FUTILE ATTEMPTS AT REPAIR FOR ALL THESE DEFECTS THROUGH OUT THE YEARS OF WARRANTY AND EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE. THE FAILED ATTEMPTS OF CORRECTLY DIAGNOSING AND PROPERLY REPAIRING THESE DEFECTS BY THE ENGLEWWOOD AUTO GROUP IN ENGLEWOOD NEW JERSEY HAVE LEFT ME UNSATISFIED AND SUPER FRUSTRATED. TODAY I AM WRITING BECAUSE THE OPERATORS SEAT HAS NOW TILTED TO THE RIGHT AND IS LEANING AGAINST THE CENTER CONSOLE. THERE WAS NOTHING OF SIGNIFICANCE THAT OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING THAT IMMEDIATELY ALERTED ME OF THIS PROBLEM, I WAS SIMPLY ADJUSTING THE SEAT WHEN I NOTICED THAT THE SEAT WAS RUBBING AGAINST THE CENTER CONSOLE. UPON INSPECTING UNDERNEATH THE SEAT I OBSERVED THAT THE RIGHT REAR CORNER DOES NOT RISE WHEN ENGAGING THE ELECTRIC SEAT CONTROLS. THE ANGLE OF THE LEAN IS SO BAD THAT IT AFFECTS MY POSTURE AND PAINS MY LOWER BACK. I AM ALSO AFRAID THAT THE SEAT WILL COMPLETELY COLLAPSE WHILE I AM DRIVING. WHEN THE SEAT IS LOWERED ALL THE WAY DOWN IT DOES LEVEL TO ITS ACCEPTABLE NORM, BUT AT 5 FEET 4 INCHES TALL I CANNOT OPERATE SAFELY THAT LOW TO THE FLOOR. FOR A VEHICLE THAT IS DRIVEN ON AVERAGE ONCE A WEEK IT IS PLAGUED WITH SOME SERIOUS MANUFACTURER DEFECTS THAT THE DEALERSHIPS' SERVICE DEPARTMENT IS UNABLE OR UNWILLING TO REPAIR. *TR
Steering, Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Apr 30, 2013
THE CAR STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND UNABLE TO CONTROL WHERE IT WAS GOING TO GUIDE AS COMING AROUND CURVE. ENDED UP IN DITCH AND SHAKING LIKE CRAZY! IM SO AFRAID THAT SOMETHING IS GOING TO HAPPEN. I WANT ANOTHER CAR! *TR
Steering, Apr 25, 2013
SOMETIMES WHEN I CRANK THERE IS NO POWER STEERING AT ALL. IF I PARK ON A INCLINE IT SEEMS TO NEVER HAVE POWER STEERING. THE WRENCH LIGHT STAYS ON IN THE DASHBOARD AND POWER STEERING IS WRITTEN ACROSS THE RADIO PANEL. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Service brakes, Apr 22, 2013
WHILE ON MY WAY HOME, DRIVING NORTH ON I-95 NEAR WASHINGTON, DC, I EXPERIENCED LOTS OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS (NOISE AND GRABBING TO THE LEFT IN THE STEERING COLUMN, REPEATED BULB AND LIGHT UNITY FAILURES) THEN SUDDENLY, A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER STEERING. I BECAME SO SCARED WHILE NEEDING BOTH HANDS TO MANAGE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC TRAVELING AT AN AVERAGE OF 65MPH THAT I IMMEDIATELY THREW A LIT CIGARETTE OUT THE WINDOW IN A DESPERATE EFFORT TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THE STEERING WHEEL IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLY DIFFICULT TO STEER. I WAS UNAWARE THAT IT HAD BLOWN BEHIND MY BACK ONTO THE DRIVER?S SEAT UNTIL IT BURNT ME, MY SHIRT AND THE SEAT. IT IS BY THE GRACE OF GOD THAT I DIDN?T HAVE A FATAL ACCIDENT. IT IS PROBABLY NEEDLESS TO SAY THAT I CONTINUE TO EXPERIENCE BACK PAIN. A DISASTER IS WAITING TO HAPPEN! THE FACT IS THAT SOMETIMES WHILE DRIVING THE POWER STEERING WILL START WORKING AGAIN AS QUICKLY AS IT WENT OUT. CONSIDER THAT I COULD BE TURNING THE WHEEL AS HARD AS I CAN AND AT THAT SECOND THE POWER RETURNS TO SEND ME SPINNING. KEEP IN MIND THAT THIS IS OCCURRING MORE FREQUENTLY EVERYDAY. SOMETIMES IT DOES STOP WHEN THE CAR IS TURNED OFF AND SOMETIMES IT DOES NOT. WITH REGARD TO THE BRAKES THEY MAKE A LOUD AND GRINDING SOUND WHEN I LIFT OFF OF THEM. *TR