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, Apr 26, 2012
I WAS DRIVING AND THE POWER STEERING FLASHED ON DASHBOARD. AFTER THAT MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. I HAD TO PULL OVER CAUSE I COULD TURN STEERING WHEEL AT ALL. I TURNED MY CAR OFF AND RESTARTED THE STEERING WHEEL WAS BACK TO NORMAL. I AM UNDERSTANDING WHY THIS IS NOT A RECALL THIS VERY MUCH A SAFETY CONCERN. *TR
Steering, Apr 16, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MALIBU MAXX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TURNING AT 3 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND WAS DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AND SHUT OFF. THE STEERING WHEEL FUNCTIONED AS NORMAL UPON RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 89,050.
Steering, Apr 11, 2012
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THERE WAS NO POWER STEERING. SHE WEIGHS 110 POUNDS AND COULD NOT STEER IT AT ALL. WHAT IF SHE WAS GOING 70 MPH? I HAVE READ ALL OF THE COMPLAINTS BUT GMC DECIDES NOT TO RECALL THIS YEAR BUT RECALL 2005? THAT IS A AWFUL WAY OF DOING BUSINESS. HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE TO BE INJURED OR DIE BEFORE THEY FIX THIS? I WANT ANSWERS BECAUSE THIS IS NOT A COUPLE OF PEOPLE THAT IT HAPPENS TO. THIS IS CRAP! *TR
Steering, Apr 10, 2012
THIS WAS APPROXIMATELY THE FIRST TIME SINCE WE HAD THE PROBLEM FIXED UNDER THE WARRANTY WHEN WE FIRST PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. THE POWER STEERING JUST WENT OUT ON MY WIFE WHILE SHE WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN INTO A PARKING LOT AND DIDN'T HAVE FULL CONTROL OF THE CAR AND ALMOST GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT. IT HAS SINCE HAPPENED TO MY DAUGHTER ONCE ABOUT THREE WEEKS AFTER MY WIFE'S EXPERIENCE. NOW IT JUST HAPPENED TO MY WIFE AGAIN ON 4-10-12 AT MILEAGE 144216 APPROX. THIS TIME SHE WAS IN THE PARKING LOT AND IT WENT OUT CAUSING HER TO NOT HAVE COMPLETE CONTROL AGAIN JUST MISSING GETTING INTO AN ACCIDENT. IT DOES COME BACK ON AFTER TURNING OFF THE VEHICLE AND LETTING IT SIT. MY MAIN CONCERN IS THAT IT JUST GOES OUT WITHOUT ANY WARNING AND DOESN'T ALLOW THE DRIVER TO HAVE COMPLETE CONTROL OF STEERING THE CAR BECAUSE IT IS EXTREMELY HARD TO STEER WITHOUT THE POWER STEERING IF THEY CAN STEER IT AT ALL. *TR
Steering, Mar 31, 2012, crash
IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING, MY POWER STEERING TURNED ON AND I COULD NOT TURN THE WHEEL. I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION, AND A CAR CRASHED INTO MY BACK BUMPER. I JUST RECENTLY GOT IT FIXED, AND FOUND IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE THAT COST ME 700. WHEN SPEAKING TO THE MECHANIC, THE TOLD ME THERE IS A GOOD CHANCE IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN IF IT GETS JERKED THE WRONG WAY. *JS
Steering, Mar 28, 2012
I JUST EXITED THE HIGHWAY AND WAS TURNING INTO A PARKING LOT AND HEARD A LOUD CLUNK AND THE STEERING FAILED. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME THAT THE STEERING RACK AND GEARS TO THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH THE SPRING AND SENSOR FOR AIRBAG ON THE STEERING COLUMN. THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD THEN HAVE TO BE RE-CENTERED AND THE CAR REALIGNED.
Steering, Mar 25, 2012
POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT APPEARS IN DIC AND CAR LOSES ELECTRONIC ASSISTED STEERING FOR A PERIOD OF 5-10 SECONDS. THIS PROBLEM OCCURS AT SEVERAL DIFFERENT SPEED INTERVALS AND IS VERY DANGEROUS. *TR
Steering, Mar 21, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER WAS TRAVELING 55 MPH WHEN THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 83,500.
Steering, Mar 15, 2012
AS I WAS SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, MY VEHICLE ALL OF A SUDDEN FAILED TO ALLOW ANY STEERING AND WAS ALMOST INVOLVED IN A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT. I WAS ABLE TO BRAKE AND AVOID THE ACCIDENT, BUT AS SOON AS I CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP, THE VEHICLE TURNED OFF AND WOULD NOT TURN ON AGAIN. WHEN IT DID TURN ON, I WAS ABLE TO STEER AGAIN, SO I PARKED MY VEHICLE. *TR
Steering, Mar 14, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING WOULD FAIL WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD HAVE TO BE TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED IN ORDER FOR THE POWER STEERING TO RESET. THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT WOULD THEN BE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE A FAILURE WITH THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN, BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 155,069. UPDATED 08-07-12 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD BECOME DIFFICULT TO MANAGE, ESPECIALLY WHEN MAKING TURNS, OR SIMPLY MOVING FORWARD. UPDATED 08/09/12
Steering, Mar 8, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE VEHICLE BECAME HARD TO STEER. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 151,734.
Steering, Mar 3, 2012
SINCE LAST YEAR 3 OR 4 TIMES I HAVE THE DCI WARNING AND MESSAGE POWER STEERING, ITS HARD TO DRIVE,STOP THE CAR TURN OFF AND TURN ON AGAIN AND THE POWER CAME BACK, THE WARNING COMES WHEN I START DRIVING.EVERY DAY I DRIVE WORRY BECAUSE I DONT KNOW WHEN IT WILL HAPPEND AGAIN,SPECIALLY WHEN IM DRIVING IN THE HIGHWAY OVER 50 MILES AN HOUR.THANK YOU FOR RECOMEND ME WHAT TO DO. *TR
Steering, Feb 28, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH AND ATTEMPTING A LEFT TURN, THE POWER STEERING SEIZED WITH THE ILLUMINATION ON THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TURNED OFF FOR A FEW MINUTES AND ONCE RESTARTED THE POWER STEERING RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED TO THE CONTACT THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,985 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 135,011.
Steering, Feb 25, 2012
WHILE PULLING INTO A SHOPPING MALL THE POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. WITH A GREAT DEAL OF EFFORT I DID MANAGE TO GET THE CAR PARKED. HOWEVER IT COULD NO LONGER OPERATE SAFELY SO I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED. *TR
Steering, Feb 24, 2012
LOSS OF POWER STEERING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS... STEERING COMES & GOES, LOSS OF POWER ASSIST. SHOULD BE A RECALL-VERY DANGEROUS WHEN NOT EXPECTED. *TR
Steering, Feb 22, 2012
POWER STEERING KEEPS GOING OFF, FOR NO APPARENT REASON, THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL THERE ARE TOO MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE HAPPENING THE SAME WAY, AND AT TIMES WHEN DRIVING HAPPY NO ONE HAS HAD TO LOOSE THEIR LIFE DUE TO A FAULTY SYSTEM DEFECT. *TR
Steering, Feb 7, 2012
WHILE MY WIFE WAS CROSSING THE VERRANZNO BRIDGE BETWEEN BROOKLYN AND STATEN ISLAND THE ELECTRICAL STEERING FAILED. THIS CREATED A EXTREME SAFELY ISSUE SINCE MY WIFE DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH STRENGTH TO CONTROL THE STEERING. THIS FORCED HER TO SLOW TO A STOP WHILE OTHER CARS WERE GOING FULL SPEED CREATING A SAFELY ISSUE. WHEN SHE TURN THE CAR ON AGAIN SHE MANAGED TO GET THE CAR OFF THE BRIDGE AND TO THE DEALER FOR REPLACEMENT. MY WIFE WAS LUCKY THAT IS WASN'T IN A CONDITION THAT SHE WAS MAKING A TURN OR SOME OTHER POSITION THAT COULD HAD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THERE WERE TWO OTHER PEOPLE IN THE CAR AND IN NO TIME SHOULD A STEERING FAILURE CAUSE ALMOST COMPLETE LOST OF CONTROL BECAUSE YOU NOT HAVE STRENGTH TO TURN THE WHEEL. *TR
Steering, Feb 7, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 55 MPH WHEN THE STEERING SEIZED WHILE MAKING A TURN. THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AFTER THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 59,843.
Steering, Electrical system, Feb 3, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH WHEN THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THERE WAS A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. UPON RESTARTING, THE VEHICLE RESUMED AS NORMAL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED THREE DIFFERENT TIMES. ALSO INTERMITTENTLY, THE FOUR POWER WINDOWS AND POWER DOOR LOCKS FAILED TO OPERATE WHEN THE CONTROL MECHANISM WAS ENGAGED. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION THE THE KEY WOULD NOT RELEASE FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH UNTIL AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
Steering, Feb 1, 2012
THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT LAST YEAR AND I HAD THE STEERING COLUMN REPLACE (THAT'S WHAT THEY SAID WAS WRONG) NOW HERE IT IS 14 MONTHS LATER AND IT'S OUT AGAIN. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT EVEN TO THE SHOP. IT HAS TO BE SOME KIND OF DEFECTIVE PART BY CHEVY BASED ON THE MASSIVE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS I SEE ON THE WEB ABOUT THIS. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO SHELL OUT MONEY TO HAVE THIS FIXED AGAIN. THIS IS A DANGEROUS PROBLEM AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY THE FACTORY! *TR
Steering, Jan 24, 2012
WHILE TURNING INTO A PARKING SPOT, I RECEIVED A WARNING CHIME AND NOTICED A STEERING WARNING NOTE ON THE DIGITAL DISPLAY. AFTER CAR WAS TURNED OFF AND BACK ON, THE NOTICE WAS NOT PRESENT AND STEERING WAS NORMAL. ON SEVERAL OTHER OCCASIONS, THE STEERING WOULD REPEAT THIS SITUATION BUT IT WOULD DO IT IN NO APPARENT REGULAR DRIVING STATE, IE, COULD BE GOING DOWN ROAD AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OR JUST MANEUVERING INTO A PARKING SPOT. ALWAYS WOULD RETURN TO NORMAL AFTER A CYCLE OF THE IGNITION KEY AND COULD BE MONTHS BEFORE A REPEAT EVENT. SOMETIMES THE EVENT WOULD SEEM TO REDUCE STEERING POWER BUT NOT REMOVE ALL ASSIST AND AT OTHER TIMES THE STEERING ASSIST WOULD BE COMPLETELY REMOVED. *TR
Steering, Jan 17, 2012
AS WE PARKED I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE AFTER LETTING SOMEONE OUT OF PASSENGER SEAT AND A SOON AS I PUT THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE THE STEERING GAVE OUT. IF I WAS ON THE ROAD ANOTHER 5 MINUTES MY FIANCE AND I COULD BE DEAD IN THE HOSPITAL ETC... THIS COMPLAINT IS EVERYWHERE ON THE INTERNET WHY NO RECALL. SOMEONE IS GOING TO DIE BECAUSE CHEVY DOESN'T WANT TO FIX THERE MESS UP. IF I SHOT AT SOMEONE AND KILLED THEM I WOULD BE IN JAIL FOR A LONG TIME. BUT IF THERE VEHICLE MALFUNCTIONS AND KILLS SOMEONE ALL THEY HAVE TO DO IS PAY A LAWSUIT AND THERE GOOD. THAT ISN'T RITE. I AM GOING TO PUSH THIS ISSUE UNTIL THERE IS A RECALL. WHAT DO THEY HAVE TO REACH A QUOTA IN DEATHS IN ORDER TO PUT A RECALL OUT... THIS IS UNREAL AND THE SECOND TIME THIS PART WAS REPLACED ON THE CAR. BEFORE I BOUGHT IT THE DEALER HAD TOLD ME THEY JUST PUT A BRAND NEW STEERING COLUMN IN SO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS BEFORE SOMEONE LOSSES THERE LIFE OVER IT. *TR
Steering, Jan 17, 2012
1ST TIME:DRIVING IN THE DROP OFF AREA OF SON'S SCHOOL AND POWER STEERING WENT OUT ON MY WIFE. WE HAD TO SIGNAL THE OTHER CARS AROUND OUR CAR (2004 CHEVY MALIBU). MY WIFE COULD NOT MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL SO I HAD TO BACK THE CAR UP OUT OF THE CHILDREN' DROP OFF AREA WITH NO POWER STEERING INTO A PARKING SPACE AFTER ALL THE CHILDREN WERE DROPPED OFF. SECOND TIME:PER THE MESSAGE ON SERVICE INDICATOR POWER STEERING WENT OUT ON A MAIN ROAD IN OUR TOWN AFTER REPAIRS BY CERTIFIED CHEVROLET MECHANICS AT DON HEWLETT CHEVROLET WAS A YEAR LATER RIGHT AFTER THE WARRANTY WENT OUT. I WAS TOLD I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS SINCE THE WARRANTY WAS UP. THERE HAVE BEEN 46 COMPLAINTS ON A WEBSITE CALLED WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM REGARDING THIS SAME ISSUE AND THE 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU WAS RECALLED FOR THIS SAME ISSUE OF THE POWER STEERING FAILURE. *TR
Steering, Jan 11, 2012
FAILURE OF ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING. LUCKILY HAPPENED AT LOW SPEED AND NO TRAFFIC. INTERNET SHOWS THIS BE A PROBLEM WITH OTHER MALIBU OWNERS. GM HAS RECALLED OTHER VEHICLES WITH SAME PROBLEMS, BUT NO RECALL BY NHTSA, ONLY INVESTIGATIONS. LOSS OF STEERING IS ONE THING THAT SHOULD NOT BE ACCEPTABLE. *TR
Steering, Jan 9, 2012
LOSS OF POWER STEERING. *TR