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, Power train, Apr 20, 2013, crash
ONE EVENING WHILE DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY @ APROX 55MPH THE WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON AND THREE CHIMES THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL RESULTING IN A COLLISION WITH THE CONCRETE WALL CAUSING SUSPENSION DAMAGE AND BODY DAMAGE TO A TUNE OF OVER $3600.00! STEERING AND STOPPING ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN GOING! GM NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS SAFETY ISSUE BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED. *TR
Steering, Apr 15, 2013
LAST YEAR, I WAS DRIVING AND MY CARS POWER STEERING ACTIVATED. IT TURNED OFF ALMOST IMMEDIATELY. SINCE LAST SUMMER IS HAPPENS EVERY DAY, USUALLY WHEN I AM ACCELERATING AND SWITCHING GEARS. THIS HAS BEEN VERY DANGEROUS. I HAVE ALMOST GOTTEN IN SEVERAL ACCIDENTS BECAUSE MY STEERING WHEEL WILL JERK. THIS HAS HAPPENED WHILE I'M IN THE MIDDLE OF A LEFT TURN. PLEASE TRY TO GET A RECALL ON THIS. I KNOW A COUPLE OF PEOPLE WILL THE SAME MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR AS I HAVE, AND THEY HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. I WILL NOT TAKE THIS TO GET FIXED AND SPEND HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS AS OTHER HAVE. THIS CLEARLY NEEDS TO BE TAKEN CARE OF. *TR
Steering, Apr 15, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE CHECK ENGINE AND POWER STEERING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL FOR THE STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000. *TR
Steering, Apr 8, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE REPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 99,000.*TR
Steering, Electrical system, Engine, Apr 7, 2013
UPON ACCELERATION USING THE GAS PEDAL, THE CAR LOSES TOTAL CONTROL OF ITS STEERING. ALL ENGINE LIGHTS AND FAILURE LIGHTS GO ON.SOMETIMES JUST MAKING A SIMPLE TURN AT AN INTERSECTION, THE CAR LOSES COMPLETE STEERING CAPABILITY. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, INCLUDING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 50 MPH ACCELERATING OVER A SLIGHT INCLINE OR AT 10 MPH AT AN INTERSECTION WHILE MAKING A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN. I NOTICED TROUBLE WITH THE STEERING WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT MY CAR UNDER WARRANTY BUT IT WASN'T AS SEVERE. JUST WHEN BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE THE STEERING WAS TIGHT, BUT THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. I HAVE HAD THE SHORT RACK STEERING GEAR, STEERING RACK, INTERMEDIATE SHAFT, AND SERPENTINE BELT REPLACED BUT TO NO AVAIL. ON THE WEBSITE WWW.LEMONLAWCLAIMS.COM THERE HAVE BEEN AT LEAST 42 STEERING COMPLAINTS OF SIMILAR NATURE REGARDING THE SAME YEAR MAKE FOR THE MALIBU. AN NHTSA INVESTIGATION WAS PERFORMED PE04-031 BASED ON EIGHT REPORTS OF ALLEGED POWER STEERING FAILURES. THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS BASED ON THE REPORT I PRINTED UP IN 2010, HOWEVER I AM NOT CERTAIN OF THE CURRENT STATUS OF THIS INVESTIGATION. I'M SURE THERE ARE A LOT MORE FAILURE REPORTS THAT HAVE BEEN OPENED, THOUGH I CANNOT FIND A RECALL REGARDING THIS FAILURE. AS A SIDE NOTE, SOMETIMES THE CAR HAS TROUBLE STARTING - IT ALWAYS HAS AND THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT DETERMINE THE FAILURE. WHEN TRYING TO START IT UP, HITTING THE GAS PEDAL WILL CAUSE THE ENGINE TO KICK OVER AND NOT STALL. THERE IS ALWAYS THE SMELL OF FUEL. I AM NOT SURE IF THIS IS PART OF THE FAILURE. IN ADDITION WHEN THE STEERING FAILS OR THE STEERING WHEEL JERKS UPON ACCELERATION, A CLICKING SOUND CAN BE HEARD. THE ORIGIN OF THIS CLICKING IN UNKNOWN. I REALLY DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THERE HASN'T BEEN A RECALL ON THIS OR BETTER YET A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT. *TR
Steering, Apr 2, 2013
WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD MY 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU LT V6 DINGS AND A YELLOW WRENCH COMES UP AND ON THE RADIO IT STAYS POWER STEERING AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY STIFF AND I COULD NO LONGER CONTROL MY VEHICLE I ALMOST HIT A CAR TRYING TO PULL OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BUT THANKFULLY I CAME TO A RED LIGHT PUT MY HAZARDS LIGHTS ON AND TURNED THE CAR ON AND OFF.... THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME MULTIPLE TIMES AND DIFFERENT OCCASIONS THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS FEATURE TO DEAL WITH ON THIS CAR IT MAKES IT UNSAFE AND YOU DON'T KNOW WHEN ITS GOING TO HAPPEN IT WOULD BE A MIRACLE IF CHEVROLET WOULD RECALL SUCH A DANGEROUS FEATURE SEEING HOW THIS IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. *TR
Steering, Apr 1, 2013
THE POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING FOR NO REASON, I TURNED OFF THE CAR AND RESTARTED WHICH RESET THE POWER STEERING. IT HAS HAPPENED A FEW TIMES SINCE THEN, NOW IN THE LAST WEEK TWICE IT WILL NOT RESET AND HAVE TO HAD TO DRIVE IT HOME MANUALLY. I AM TAKING IT A DEALER TODAY, THE DEALER I BOUGHT IT FROM SAID THEY FIXED THE STEERING RACK BUT IT OBVIOUSLY DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. GM HAS NO RECALL ON THIS EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE AWARE OF THIS VERY SERIOUS ISSUE. *TR
Steering, Mar 27, 2013
I'VE HAD ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS HAD MY POWER STEERING LIGHT COME ON AS THE VEHICLE LOCKS UP. IT HASN'T HAPPENED IN A WHILE HOWEVER AFTER GETTING MY CAR ALIGNED RECENTLY THE AUTO TECH SAID I SHOULD GET MY POWER STEERING LOOKED AT AND I WANTED TO LOOK INTO.THE RECALL AGAIN. *TR
Steering, Mar 26, 2013
APPROX 1-3 PRIOR TO MY POWER STEERING LOCKING UP, THE POWER STEERING MESSAGE APPEARED ON MY DASHBOARD. I HAD TRIED TO LOCATE THE POWER STEERING RESERVOIR WHEN THE ALARM FIRST DISPLAYED ONLY TO LEARN BEING LOW ON POWER STEERING FLUID WASN'T THE SITUATION THAT IT I OWNED A 2004 CHEVY MALIBU LS THAT HAD ELECTRIC POWER STEERING. BY THIS TIME IT WAS TOO LATE, I QUICKLY LEARNED THAT SITUATION RESULTS IN YOUR STEERING WHEEL TO BECOME COMPLETELY LOCKED! AS I WAS PULLING OUT OF MY STALL AT A PACKED PARKING LOT. I WAS UNABLE TO MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL, IT HAD COMPLETELY LOCKED UP, I BELIEVE MY CAR WAS ONLY SLIGHTLY MOVING BECAUSE I WAS PARKED AT A SLANT. I THEN PUT THE CAR IN PARKED, TURNED OFF THE ENGINE, SAID A PRAYER AND STARTED THE CAR AGAIN. THIS TIME THE STEERING WHEEL WORKED COMPLETELY FINE. THE NEXT DAY AS I WAS DRIVING MY CAR TO MY AUTO MECHANIC I FELT MY STEERING WHEEL BECOME TIGHT AGAIN AFTER GOING OVER THE RAILROAD TRACKS, I PULLED OVER RIGHT AWAY SINCE THERE WAS NO TRAFFIC AND I DIDN'T WANT TO LEARN THE HARD WAY MY STEERING WHEEL GAVE OUT AGAIN. I THEN TURN THE CAR BACK OFF AND ON EVEN THO IT WASN'T LOCKED LIKE THE NIGHT BEFORE, JUST FOR PEACE OF MIND I GUESS AND THE WHEEL RETURNED BACK TO NORMAL. AFTER TALKING WITH MY MECHANIC, INFO I LEARNED ON LINE I AM TAKING MY CAR TO A CHEVY DEALERSHIP BECAUSE APPARENTLY THIS IS A PROBLEM THEY ARE FAMILIAR WITH AND ARE THE ONLY AUTO MECHANIC SHOP THAT CARRIERS A SPECIAL TOOL TO "FIX" THE SITUATION. IF IT IS EVEN FIXABLE, BASED ON WHAT I'M READING I'M BETTER OFF SAVING MY MONEY FIXING THE ISSUE THAT CAN'T BE FIXED SO I CAN USE IT TO GET A NEW CAR! LOSING CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL TO A MOVING VEHICLE AT ANY GIVEN MOMENT IS INSANE. THE FACT THAT 2005 AND ON CHEVY MALIBU CARS HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS VERY ISSUE ALREADY SHOULD MAKE A OPEN SHUT CASE!.. PLEASE, WHY MUST WE LOSE A LIFE IN ORDER TO SAVE A DOLLAR!? *TR
Steering, Mar 21, 2013
I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AND ALL OF THE SUDDEN I LOST POWER STEERING. THE LIGHT ON THE DASH CAME ON AND THE INFORMATION PANEL SAID "POWER STEERING" I WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE SIDE TO THE ROAD AND TURN OFF THE CAR. ONCE I STARTED IT AGAIN I HAD POWER STEERING. I DRIVE FOR A LIVING AND THIS SCARED ME TO DEATH. I HAVE NEVER HAD ANYTHING LIKE THIS HAPPEN BEFORE. THERE SEEMS TO BE AN ABUNDANT NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS FOR THIS PROBLEM. HOW MANY COMPLAINTS DOES IT TAKE TO HAVE SOMEONE FIGURE THIS OUT?!!!! *TR
Steering, Mar 19, 2013
I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT WHEN MY ELECTRONIC CONSOLE STATED "CHECK POWER STEERING". AS I PULLED AWAY FROM THE TRAFFIC LIGHT TO MAKE MY LEFT TURN, I QUICKLY NOTICED THAT MY VEHICLE HAD NO POWER STEERING, AS THE VEHICLE WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. I PULLED THE VEHICLE INTO A PARKING LOT AND TURNED IT OFF AND REMOVED THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. AFTER ABOUT A MINUTE, I STARTED THE VEHICLE AGAIN, AND THE POWER STEERING WAS FINE AND WORKING PROPERLY. LATER THAT WEEK, I HAD THE POWER STEERING RACK REPLACED AT A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. *TR
Steering, Mar 16, 2013
POWER STEERING FAULT LIGHT ON YELLOW WRENCH LIGHT INTERMITTENT. STEERING SHAKE. *TR
Steering, Mar 14, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SHAKE WITH A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. AFTER RESTARTING THE IGNITION, THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TWICE AND EACH TIME THE POWER STEERING MODULE WAS REPLACED. IN ADDITION, A CERTIFIED TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE POWER STEERING MODULE TWICE. THE STEERING MALFUNCTION RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED FOR THE MOST RECENT FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000.
Steering, Electrical system, Mar 11, 2013
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN THE RADIO PANEL STARTED BLINKING WITH POWER STEERING. I THEN LOST MY POWER STEERING AND MY CAR BEGAN TO SHAKE THIS FAILURE OCCURS WITHOUT ANY WARNING AND SOMETIMES THE POWER STEERING LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE AND IT WILL SHOW IN THE RADIO PANEL. AS A WOMAN, DRIVING WITHOUT POWER STEERING WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED TO ME IT HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES AND THANKFULLY I WAS ABLE TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER, AND AFTER RUNNING DIAGNOSTICS, THEY TOLD ME THAT THE 2004 MALIBU'S HAVE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING, AND THAT THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE POWER STEERING MOTOR AND THAT IT OVERHEATS, CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE CAR SEAT BELTS ARE FROZE AND THE HAZARD LIGHT BUTTON FELL INSIDE ITS HOLE AND THE HEADLIGHT COVERS DON'T ALLOW THE LIGHTS TO FULLY ILLUMINATE . THIS CAR SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED BECAUSE IT POSES LIFE THREATENING ISSUES. MY RESEARCH SHOWS A HIGH VOLUME OF COMPLAINTS ON THIS 2004 MODEL BUT THE 2005'S AND ABOVE WERE RECALLED, I ALSO COLLECTED STATEMENTS FROM FACTORY WORKERS WHO LEFT THEIR PERSONAL INFO ON THE INTERNET AND I FOUND THIS : DURING MY EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT WITH DELPHI AUTOMOTIVE (DELPHI SAGINAW STEERING SYSTEM, 3900 E. HOLLAND AVE., SAGINAW, MICHIGAN 48601), I WAS INSTRUCTED TO CONDUCT A SCREW "STRIP-OUT" STUDY ON THE ELECTRIC MOTOR/CONTROLLER ASSEMBLY OF THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING (EPS) SYSTEM OF THE GENERAL MOTOR'S EPSILON PLATFORM (MY 2003.5 - 2006 MALIBU). THIS STUDY WAS CONDUCTED IN MAY OF 2004 AT DELPHI'S PLANT 1, ASSEMBLY. THE STUDY INCLUDED TEN PRODUCTION MOTOR AND TEN PRODUCTION CONTROLLER ASSEMBLIES THAT WERE ASSEMBLED ON THE PRODUCTION EQUIPMENT AND PROCESS(ES). THE CONTROLLER IS ATTACHED TO MOTOR BY THREE M 5.0X 0.8 SCREWS. THE RESULT OF THAT STUDY CONCLUDED THAT FOUR OF THE TEN MOTOR/CONTROLLER ASSEMBLIES HAD AT LEAST ONE OF THE SCREWS FULLY STRIP
Steering, Mar 11, 2013
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. CAR POWER STEERING WENT OUT. ALMOST WRECKED BECAUSE I COULD NOT STEER VEHICLE. NOW THE POWER STEERING GOES IN AND OUT AS IT WISHES. THE STEERING WHEEL JERKS TO THE LEFT WHEN IT DOES DECIDE TO WORK. SOMETIMES TURNING THE CAR ON AND OFF WILL MAKE THE POWER STEERING COME BACK ON. *TR
Steering, Mar 8, 2013
AS I WAS TURNING A CORNER THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. THIS IS THE THIRD INCIDENT IN A WEEK, EACH ONE AS THE VEHICLE WAS TURNING. *TR
Steering, Mar 7, 2013
ATTEMPTED TO EXECUTE A TURN INTO PARKING LOT DRIVEWAY AND THE STEERING WOULD NOT RESPOND. AFTER PASSING DRIVEWAY, ATTEMPTED TO TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION AND STEERING WOULD NOT RESPOND MORE THAN A FEW DEGREES (< 10) OF DIRECTION. TRAVELED APPROXIMATELY ANOTHER HALF MILE ATTEMPTING TO TURN AROUND AND RETURN HOME BEFORE ENOUGH STEERING WAS RESTORED TO COMPLETE A TURN AROUND. AFTERWARD, STEERING HAS BEEN INTERMITTENT AND DIFFICULT TO IMPOSSIBLE. THIS CONDITION IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY GM BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY HURT OR KILLED, IF THEY HAVEN'T BEEN ALREADY. *TR
Steering, Power train, Mar 4, 2013
I STARTED THE CAR, PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE AND ACCELERATED. WHEN I WENT TO TURN THE WHEEL, A LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASH (LOOKS LIKE A WRENCH) AND ON THE RADIO DISPLAY SAID POWER STEERING. I LOST ALL POWER STEERING. THIS HAS NOW HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES IN THE LAST MONTH. I PULLED OUT ON TO ANOTHER ROAD AND WHILE IN THE PROCESS OF TURNING, I LOST MY POWER STEERING. I HAD TO PULL OVER INTO A PARKING LOT, WHICH WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO DO SINCE I DID NOT HAVE POWER STEERING. TURNED THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTED THE CAR. THE LIGHT WENT AWAY AND MY POWER STEERING CAME BACK. THE CAR IS VERY UNSAFE BECAUSE THE FAILURE HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING. MY HUSBAND CALLED CHEVY DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THIS CAR IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE SERVICE RECALL NOTICE!! *TR
Steering, Feb 25, 2013
MAKING LEFT HAND TURN POWER STEERING FAILED,ALMOST CAUSED ME TO RUN UP OVER CURB,VERY HARD TO STEER,HAPPENS FAST LIGHT ON DASH STEERING GONE! BOUGHT CAR USED ON 2/16/13 STEERING FAILED FIRST TIME ON 2/17/13 TOOK BACK TO DEALER ON 2/18/13 DEALER SAID THEY REPLACED POWER STEERING MOTOR.CAR SEEMED OK FOR ABOUT A WEEK,THEN POWER STEERING FAILED AGAIN ON 2/24/13 TURNING LEFT LOW SPEED IN MY DRIVEWAY.CAR GOING BACK TO DEALER TODAY 2/25/13. *TR
Steering, Feb 21, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. AFTER SHUTTING THE ENGINE OFF AND RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, THE FAILURE LIGHT TURNED OFF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT LATER, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000.
Steering, Power train, Service brakes, Feb 19, 2013
I WAS DRIVING ALONG THE ROAD, AND THE YELLOW WRENCH POPPED UP,THE WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. ALSO, WHILE TURNING THE CAR THE WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN. THIS PROBLEM OCCURS AT LEAST 3-4 TIMES A YEAR. MY BRAKE PEDDLE ACTS UP IN THE SNOWY MONTHS. WHEN I PRESS THE BRAKE PEDDLE-THE PEDDLE JUMPS PUSHES UP AND DOWN INTO MY FEET. WHEN IT SNOWS, I WORRY ABOUT RUNNING INTO A CAR. *TR
Steering, Feb 19, 2013
MY WIFE RECENTLY EXPERIENCED A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THE POWER STEERING UNIT IN HER 2004 MALIBU WHILE DRIVING WITH THE KIDS. SHE SAYS ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE 'WRENCH' LIGHT CAME ON, THE RADIO DISPLAY READ "POWER STEERING" AND SHE LOST ALL POWER STEERING IN THE CAR, NEARLY CAUSING HER TO CRASH. THIS MORNING, I TOOK HER CAR AS I WORK MUCH CLOSER TO HOME. SURE ENOUGH, THERE IS NO POWER STEERING IN THE CAR AT ALL. AFTER READING ONLINE, I AM CONFUSED AS TO WHETHER THERE IS OR IS NOT A RECALL ON THIS UNIT, AS THERE APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN ALOT OF TROUBLE WITH THE POWER STEERING IN THIS YEAR OF VEHICLE, AND EVEN HAVE A RECALL ON THE 2005 MODEL. WE HAVE HAD THE CAR FOR SEVERAL YEARS AND HAD LITTLE TROUBLE WITH IT UNTIL RECENTLY. MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP TELLS ME IT WOULD COST $96 JUST TO LOOK AT THE CAR AND THEN WHATEVER IT WOULD COST TO FIX THE PROBLEM, BUT UNABLE TO GUARANTEE THE PROBLEM WOULD REMAIN FIXED. I AM IN A SIMILAR POSITION AS MANY, UNABLE TO AFFORD A NEW CAR OR EVEN PAY AN EXORBITANT AMOUNT FOR REPAIRS THAT MAY OR MAY NOT FIX THE ISSUE. *TR I NEED CLEAR ANSWERS. CAN YOU PLEASE LET ME KNOW MY OPTIONS. IS THERE A RECALL I CAN LOOK FOR? IF THERE ISN'T, WHY NOT, SINCE THERE HAVE BEEN SO MANY ISSUE WITH THE POWER STEERING IN THIS MODEL? NEEDING HELP,
Steering, Feb 15, 2013
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND AN ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND IT SAID POWER STEERING ACROSS MY RADIO. I THOUGHT THAT MEANT I NEED POWER STEERING FLUID BUT AFTER DOING GOOGLE SEARCHES, I FIND THAT MEANS I LOST MY POWER STEERING CONTROL. LUCKILY, I WAS GOING STRAIGHT AND AT A HIGH SPEED SO I DIDN'T LOSE CONTROL BASED UPON WHAT I READ. HOWEVER, I HAVE TWO LITTLE GIRLS AND WILL SUE IN A HEARTBEAT IF ANYTHING HAPPENS TO THEM AS A RESULT OF THIS ISSUE. ESPECIALLY, SINCE THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE SINCE 2004. WHY THE HECK HAVEN'T YOU FORCED CHEVY TO RECALL THESE VEHICLES. I DON'T CARE THAT IN MOST CASES STEERING IS NOT AFFECTED AND THAT IT CAN BE RESET BY TURNING THE CAR OFF AND ON. I HAVE READ ABOUT SO MANY INCIDENTS OF NEAR CRASHES AND SOME INJURIES. THIS IS RIDICULOUS AND NEEDS TO BE FIXED BEFORE SOMEONE DIES. *TR
Steering, Feb 14, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE POWERED OFF THE VEHICLE AND ONCE RESTARTED, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST RESUMED NORMALLY. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED HOWEVER, WAS UNABLE TO GENERATE A FAILURE CODE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,528 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 113,588.
Steering, Feb 10, 2013
THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING FAILS UNEXPECTEDLY. THE STEERING RESETS ITSELF AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTING IT BUT THEN IT HAPPENS AGAIN SPORADICALLY. THE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER BUT THE PROBLEM IS RECURRING OVER THE PAST FEW WEEKS. IT HAPPENED 3 TIMES. *TR