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, Nov 5, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY STIFF. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND CHECK UNDER HIS HOOD TO SEE IF THE FLUID WAS LOW. AFTER LIFTING THE HOOD THE DRIVER NOTICED THAT THERE WAS NO RESERVOIR FOR THE POWER STEERING FLUID. THE CONTACT THEN CALLED THE DEALER AND INFORMED THEM OF THE SITUATION. THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE VEHICLE HAD AN ELECTRONIC MOTOR AND THERE WAS NO WHERE FOR HIM TO PLACE THE POWER STEERING FLUID. THE DRIVER WAITED A WHILE AND THEN RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, WHICH TEMPORARILY REPAIRED THE STEERING FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 186,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Steering, Oct 26, 2012
WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK MY POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME FLASHED ON THE RADIO AND THE DASHBOARD, I TRIED TO MAKE A RIGHT HAND TURN AND THE WHEEL WAS VERY HARD TO TURN. I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TURNED THE CAR OFF AND WAITED ABOUT 5 MINUTES STARTED IT BACK UP AND IT WAS OK. I DROVE FOR ABOUT 1 MILE AND IT DID IT AGAIN. THIS HAPPENED MY WHOLE DRIVE HOME, I HAD TO KEEP TURNING THE CAR OFF AT EACH INTERSECTION JUST TO MAKE IT HOME. THIS HAPPENED AGAIN YESTERDAY OCTOBER 25TH, I HAD TO KEEP TURN THE CAR OFF IN ORDER TO MAKE IT HOME. SINCE I DRIVE ABOUT 8 MILES EACH DAY TO AND FROM WORK I AM CONCERN THAT THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. I WENT ON LINE AND HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THE 2004 MALIBU, WHY IN THE WORLD HAS THERE NOT BEEN A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM.? I AM JUST THANKFUL THAT I WAS NOT ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THIS HAPPENED, BECAUSE THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A DISASTER. I LIVE IN AN AREA OF THE COUNTRY THAT CAN BE VERY BAD IN THE WINTER AND WITH THIS HAPPENING SOMEONE CAN BE SERIOUSLY HURT IF YOU CANNOT MANEUVER IN BAD WEATHER. I HOPE THAT THERE HAVE BEEN ENOUGH COMPLAINTS THAT THIS WILL CALL FOR GENERAL MOTORS TO DO A RECALL BEFORE SOMETHING TERRIBLE HAPPENS. *TR
Steering, Oct 19, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE TURNING LEFT. THE STEERING BECAME HARD TO TURN AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE STEERING RESUMED NORMAL FUNCTION FOR A BRIEF MOMENT AND THE MECHANICAL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000 AND THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 64,000. UPDATED 3/5/13 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE STEERING ISSUE, WAS INTERMITTENT.
Steering, Oct 15, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED WHILE APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST INTO A PARKING AREA. THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 163,000.
Steering, Oct 10, 2012
COULDN'T GET OUT OF MY DRIVE WAY. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENS, WENT ONLINE TO FIND A SOLUTION AND FOUND OUT IT WAS A MANUFACTURERS ERROR. I CAN SEE ITS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST EVEN THOUGH THERE HAS BEEN SOME COMPLAINING DONE, EVEN AFTER GETTING IT "FIXED". *TR
Steering, Oct 7, 2012
AFTER BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, DROVE FORWARD A FEW FEET, TURNED RIGHT AT A STOP SIGN AND PROCEEDED FORWARD WHEN THE CAR'S WARNING CHIMES SOUNDED, THE "POWER STEERING" CAME UP ON THE DIC, THE SERVICE VEHICLE LIGHT CAME ON AND ALL POWER STEERING WAS LOST. IT WAS LATE AT NIGHT SO I CONTINUED DRIVING HOME WHICH WAS ABOUT 2 MILES AWAY BUT IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO MAKE TURNS. HAVE NOT TRIED TO DRIVE CAR DUE TO DIFFICULTY AND SINCE IT IS SUNDAY WAS NOT ABLE TO GET ASSISTANCE FROM MECHANICS OR DEALER. HAVE BEEN READING ONLINE AND SEEMS TO BE A COMMON AND DANGEROUS PROBLEM. NO RECALLS OR NOTICES RECEIVED BY DEALER. THIS CAR WAS BOUGHT NEW AND MAINTAINED. *TR
Steering, Oct 7, 2012
THE CAR BECAME VERY HARD TO STEER. TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIME SINCE AUGUST. THIS HAS ALMOST CAUSE TWO ACCIDENTS. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Sep 9, 2012
IN JULY 2011 THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. ABOUT A WEEK LATER IT STARTED GOING OUT WHILE DRIVING. HAD THE STEERING COLUMN, AND RACKET AND PINION REPLACED, AND THE THEN THE RADIO STOPPED PLAYING CDS, AND THE SEAT BELT LIGHT CONSTANTLY STAYS ON EVEN IF YOU HAVE THE SEAT BELT ON. *TR
Steering, Sep 4, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE STEERING BECAME HARD TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC, WHICH LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 86,200.
Steering, Aug 16, 2012
AS MY SON WAS DRIVING, THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT AND IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. AFTER TURNING OFF THE CAR AND RESTARTING, THE POWER STEERING CAME BACK ON. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE. *TR
Steering, Aug 7, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AS THE FAILED POWER STEERING MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE STEREO DISPLAY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS A VOLUNTARY RECALL FOR THE FAILURE BUT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
Steering, Jul 25, 2012
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 BECAME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO RESET THE STEERING AND CORRECTED THE FAILURE FOR THREE WEEKS BEFORE RECURRING. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED WHO ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE FOR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,356.
Steering, Jul 22, 2012
STEERING ON VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN TO THE RIGHT, BUT A LOT OF PLAY IN THE WHEEL WHEN TURNING LEFT. SAME SITUATION HAPPENED OFF AND ON FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE WEEK. ON 7/21/12 WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE CONSOLE MADE A "DINGING" SOUND AND INDICATED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE POWER STEERING AND SIMULTANEOUSLY IT LOST ALL EASE OF STEERING. IT HAD ABSOLUTELY NO POWER STEERING CAPABILITY. IT WAS VERY FRIGHTENING TO NOT HAVE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HAVING TO STRUGGLE TO GET THE CAR TO A SAFE PLACE OUT OF THE ROAD THAT I WAS DRIVING ON. *TR
Steering, Jul 13, 2012
POWER STEERING GOES OUT DURING SUMMER MONTHS; PAID TO REPAIR 8/2011; WORKS OK DURING WINTER, BUT POWER STEERING GOES OUT IN SUMMER MONTHS. THIS IS DANGEROUS. ALMOST HAD SEVERAL ACCIDENTS. *TR
Steering, Jul 8, 2012
THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT HAS BEEN COMING ON FOR SOME TIME NOW, BUT 3 DIFFERENT TIMES THE POWER STEERING HAS FAILED WHEN LEAVING FROM BEING PARKED. TURNING OFF THE CAR AND RESTARTING FIXES IT BUT FOR HOW LONG WILL THAT CONTINUE TO WORK. *TR
Steering, Jun 29, 2012
AS I DROVE MY WIFE WHO WAS IN LABOR TO THE HOSPITAL, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AS I BEGAN TO TURN INTO AN INTERSECTION. SIMULTANEOUS TO THIS, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. BARELY MADE THE TURN WITHOUT GOING INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. POWER STEERING STAYED OFF THE REST OF THE TRIP. ARRIVED AT HOSPITAL AND TURNED CAR OFF. POWER STEERING CAME BACK ON. POWER STEERING THEN FAILED ON WAY HOME FROM THE HOSPITAL. *TR
Steering, Jun 28, 2012
THE POWER STEERING LOCKS UP FOR APPROXIMATELY 5 TO 10 SECONDS. IT OCCURS AT SLOW SPEEDS ON SURFACE STREETS, HIGH SPEEDS ON THE INTERSTATE, GOING FORWARD AND EVEN WHEN I'M IN THE MIDST OF A TURN. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL FLASH, THE LIGHTS FLASH ON AND OFF AND THE NOTICE BELL RINGS "DING, DING, DING." WHEN IT FINALLY STOPS THE, IF ITS SUMMER THE AC WILL STOP FUNCTIONING UNTIL I STOP AND RESTART THE CAR. IT IS A VERY SCARY 5 TO 10 SECONDS AND I'M VERY FORTUNATE TO HAVE NOT CAUSED AN ACCIDENT AS OF YET. THIS HAS ALSO COMPROMISED THE EASE OF THE POWER STEERING WHEN IT HAS NOT LOCKED UP. PARKING IS VERY DIFFICULT AS THE TURNING RADIUS AND NOT GOOD AND ITS JUST DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER THE CARS STEERING. *TR
Steering, Jun 26, 2012
I WAS DRIVING AND I HEARD A DING,I LOOKED DOWN AT MY GAUGES AND THE STEERING LIGHT WAS ON. AFTER THAT I NOTICED THE POWER STEERING WAS NOT THERE. I THEN SHUT OFF MY CAR AND LET IT SIT AND THEN STARTED IT. THE STEERING WAS BACK ON BUT I DON'T WANT MY LIFE OR ANY OTHERS LIVES AT RISK. UPDATED 07/05/12 *JB
Steering, Jun 26, 2012
WHEN STARTING MY CAR, THERE WAS A WARNING CHIME AND THE MESSAGE "POWER STEERING" APPEARED ON MY DRIVER'S INFORMATION CENTER. WHEN I PUT MY VEHICLE IN GEAR THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING CAPABILITIES AND IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE WITHOUT THE POWER STEERING ENABLED. *JB
Steering, Jun 14, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER WAS DRIVING 40 MPH WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE POWER STEERING LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE DRIVER STOPPED AND SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE. THE STEERING WHEEL FUNCTIONED AS NORMAL UPON RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.
Steering, Jun 14, 2012
STARTING SOON AFTER PURCHASE, SEVERAL TIMES SINCE (APPROX 3-15 TIMES A WEEK DEPENDING ON SEASON). POWER STEERING SHUTS OFF RANDOMLY. IF DONE WHILE TURNING, IT WILL REQUIRE EXTRA FORCE AND CONCENTRATION TO KEEP ON COURSE. MOST TIMES ISSUE CANNOT BE RESET FOR FULL DURATION OF TRAVEL (15 MIN - 3HRS), THIS IS DONE BY SHUTTING OFF VEHICLE, AFTER STOPPING ON SIDE OF ROAD, AND RESTARTING. USUALLY OCCURS WHEN WARM, EITHER FROM SUNNY DAY FOR FIRST START OR WINTER ONCE HEATER IS WARM. MANY CLOSE CALLS! *JB
Steering, Jun 13, 2012
DRIVING APPROX 20 MILES PER HOUR WHEN TURNING LEFT AT AN INTERSECTION AND THE VEHICLE SERVICE LIGHT CAME ON, POWER STEERING MESSAGE DISPLAYED ON THE INFORMATION CONSOLE AND THE POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING. THE UNEXPECTED LOSS OF POWER STEERING CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ENTER INTO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM WORKED AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF AND THEN BACK ON. HOWEVER THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CONTINUED TO SHOW ON THE INFORMATION PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR AND THE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED. NO FURTHER INFORMATION MESSAGE CONCERNING THE POWER STEERING HAS BEEN SEEN SINCE THE REPAIR. *TR
Steering, Jun 6, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 208,000.
Steering, May 25, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED BUT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WAS NOT AFFECTED. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE BATTERY COULD POSSIBLY HAVE BEEN CAUSING THE FAILURE. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,000.
Steering, May 21, 2012
I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE BRAND NEW IN AUGUST 2004. THE POWER STEERING WENT WHILE I WAS TURNING ON TO A STREET IN I BELIEVE DECEMBER 2004. IT WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE STEERING COLUMN WAS SUPPOSEDLY REPLACED. A COUPLE OF MONTHS LATER, THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN, I QUESTIONED WHY IT WAS NOT RECALLED AT THE TIME, SINCE THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME IT HAPPENED. I WAS ADVISED THAT IT WAS A BAD BATCH OF STEERING BOOTS AND THERE WERE NOT ENOUGH PROBLEMS TO REPLACE THEM. AGAIN, THE STEERING COLUMN WAS SUPPOSEDLY REPLACED. ALL SEEMED TO BE FINE UNTIL I BELIEVE DECEMBER 2010. THE STEERING WENT AGAIN. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND GM TO SEE WHAT COULD BE DONE. I WAS ADVISED THAT MY PROBLEM HAD BEEN TAKEN CARE OF IN 2004/2005 AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. I TOOK THE CAR TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO HAD TO REPLACE EVERYTHING ONCE AGAIN. THIS TIME IT COST ME OVER $1500. *TR