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, Dec 22, 2011
MY POWER STEERING HAS WENT OUT ON MY VEHICLE ON ITS ON WITH OUT WARNING I WAS DRIVING WHEN IT HAPPENED. IN THE BEGINNING I COULD POWER THE CAR OFF AND THEN TURN IT BACK ON THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD DISAPPEAR. BUT NOW THE LIGHT STAYS ON. ITS ABSOLUTELY HARD TO MAKE TURNS AND I GET STUCK IN PARKING LOTS AND TURNS THAT ARE NARROW I NEED SPACE TO TURN LIKE I AM DRIVING A 18 WHEELER. I HAVE HAD MY CAR READ AND NO CODES APPEARED, EVEN THOUGH THE STEERING WAS LOCKED AND THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. *TR
Steering, Dec 16, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH WHEN THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED THAT POWER STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED TO COVER FIFTY PERCENT OF THE COST OF THE PART. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 64,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Steering, Dec 14, 2011
I BOUGHT THIS CAR IN 2010. THE STEERING PROBLEM HAS BEEN INTERMITTENT SINCE THE CAR PASSED 33K. I HAVEN'T HAD THIS HAPPEN ON THE ROAD, BUT USUALLY AFTER I PARK AND TURN THE CAR BACK ON. THERE WILL BE NO POWER STEERING MAKING IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE. IF I SHUT IT OFF AND TURN IT BACK ON AGAIN, THE PROBLEM ISN'T THERE. QUITE UNNERVING. THE CAR ALSO HAS A CLUNK SOUND IN THE LEFT FRONT UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL. THE WARNING FOR POWER STEERING IS ON MORE THAN IT IS OFF. I WISH THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS. THERE HAVE BEEN SO MANY COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET AND MY MECHANIC SAYS THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS. I HAVEN'T HAD IT FIXED BECAUSE I CAN'T AFFORD IT. *TR
Steering, Dec 12, 2011
APPROX. ON 11-06-2011 WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING STALL THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. 11-17-2011 WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. 11-23-2011 WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. ALL THREE TIMES I WAS ABLE TO GET THE POWER STEERING BACK AFTER PARKING AND TURNING OFF THE ENGINE. *TR
Steering, Dec 12, 2011
WHILE DRIVING, MY POWER STEERING FAILED. *TR
Steering, Dec 10, 2011
I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK GOING ABOUT 30 MPH WHEN POWER STEERING WENT OUT ON ME. IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER AND FREAKED ME OUT SINCE MY 2 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS IN THE BACK SEAT AND THERE WAS A LOT OF TRAFFIC. THANKFULLY I WAS ONLY 4 BLOCKS FROM HOME. GOT HOME TURNED THE CAR OFF AND THEN BACK ON AND IT RESET, BUT THEN MY HUSBAND TOOK IT FOR A DRIVE AROUND THE BLOCK AND IT HAPPENED AGAIN. AFTER ALL THE RESEARCH, IT TICKS ME OFF THAT GM IS NOT TAKING RESPONSIBLITY FOR THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Steering, Dec 8, 2011
STREERING STARTED TO MAKE A CLUCK NOISE AROUND SEPTEMBER 2008. I TOOK IT IN FOR THIS PROBLEM AND THEY PUT SOME GREASE IN. IT STILL MAKES THESE SOUNDS BUT HAS SLOWLY GOTTEN WORSE. I THINK THERE IS SOMETHING REALLY BAD OR MAJOR GOING ON WITH THE POWER STEERING UNIT. *TR
Steering, Dec 2, 2011
BEGINNING MY DAY, I STARTED MY VEHICLE, PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE, BACKED UP, AND PUT MY CAR IN DRIVE. I WENT APPROX. 10 FEET WHEN MY VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING AND MY CAR ALMOST WENT OFF OUR STEEP DRIVEWAY. THERE WAS AN ORANGE WRENCH THAT ILLUMINATED IN THE DASH AND POWER STEERING ALERT CAME ON MY INFORMATION DISPLAY ON THE RADIO. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTED. ALL WARNING LIGHTS WENT OUT AND THE STEERING CAME BACK. THANKFULLY, I WAS HOME, AND NOT HURT, BUT I AM HAVING FEARS OF A MUCH WORSE SITUATION IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR AGAIN. *TR
Steering, Dec 2, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE POWER OF STEERING FAILED AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE POWER STEERING WARNING LAMP WAS ALSO ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 44,000.
Steering, Nov 26, 2011
AS I WAS COMING UP A HILL TO A STOP LIGHT . STEERING WAS LOST . SINCE I DO NOT DRIVE THIS CAR OFTEN , I DID NOT KNOW THIS HAPPENED BEFORE . MY WIFE SAID SHE STOPS THE CAR AND RESTARTS THE PROBLEM GOES AWAY .. NOT A GOOD SITUATION AS ONE DRIVES . WONDERING IF THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM . *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Nov 25, 2011
PURCHASED VEHICLE FOR DAUGHTER ON 8/17/2011 FROM ASSET RECOVERY DEALERSHIP COLORADO. WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING ON A MAJOR ROAD (APPROX. 40 MPH), A WARNING LIGHT ON DASH WENT ON AND THE POWER STEERING WENT AWAY (ALMOST TO THE POINT OF FEELING LIKE IT WAS TOTALLY LOCKED). SHE WAS IN RH LANE, PUT ON FLASHERS, TURNED OFF CAR AND RESTARTED CAR. WARNING LIGHT WENT OFF AND POWER STEERING WAS BACK. THIS HAPPENED TWO OTHER TIMES WHILE PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE. IT HAPPENED INTERMITTENTLY. TOOK THE VEHICLE IT TO MY MECHANIC WHO RAN DIAGNOSTICS AND FOUND THE POWER STEERING ASSIST RELAY TO BE FAULTY AND REPLACED ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN AT $580 (THE RELAY CANNOT BE REPLACED WITHOUT REPLACING ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN). SINCE THEN I HAVE FOUND A NUMBER OF WEBSITES (WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM) WERE 100+ OTHER 2004 MALIBU OWNERS HAVE HAD THE EXACT PROBLEM. THERE DOES NOT SEEM TO BE A RECALL ON THE 2004 MALIBU FOR THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM BUT SOME HAVE WRITTEN THERE WAS A RECALL OR BULLETIN FOR 2005+ MALIBU FOR THIS PROBLEM. THIS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY (AND SCARY) ISSUE TO LOOSE YOUR POWER STEERING ASSIST OUT OF NO WHERE AND A VERY COSTLY REPAIR. I ALSO READ IN SOME OF THE POSTED COMPLAINTS THAT THEIR REPAIR DID NOT LAST AND THE PROBLEM RECURRED. I PURCHASED THIS CAR FROM A"RECOVERY" TYPE CAR DEALERSHIP. I WOULD LIKE TO GET REIMBURSEMENT FROM GM. THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED WITH PEOPLE AT VARIOUS MILEAGE RANGES SOME AS LOW AS 7,000 WHICH WOULD SEEM TO ME TO INDICATE A DEFECT. ALTHOUGH THE STEERING COLUMN HAS BEEN REPLACED, I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM RECURRING. THANK YOU. *TR
Steering, Nov 21, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME STIFF AND DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE WRENCH WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ACCOMPANIED BY A WARNING CHIME. THE STEERING RESUMED NORMAL FUNCTION AFTER SHUTTING THE ENGINE OFF AND RESTARTING THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED WHILE PARKED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE FAILURE RECURRED FIVE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000.
Steering, Nov 17, 2011
DRIVING HOME FROM WORK MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT COMPLETELY, SERVICE VEHICLE SOON LIGHT CHIMED AND CAME ON, POWER STEERING FAILURE ILLUMINATED ON THE DRIVER INFORMATION CENTER. AFTER PULLING OVER INTO A PARKING LOT WITH NO POWER STEERING I TURNED OFF CAR WAITED A FEW MINUTES RESTARTED CAR AND POWER STEERING WAS FINE ALL WARNING LIGHTS HAD GONE OFF. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM AND HAVE FOUND THAT THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS ISSUE WITH CHEVROLET MALIBU'S. I JUST PURCHASED THIS USED CAR AND AM VERY CONCERNED WITH THIS SAFETY ISSUE, AS THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. NOT ONLY AM I JEOPARDIZING MY SAFETY AND WELL BEING, BUT JEOPARDIZING THOSE CLOSE TO ME. *TR
Steering, Nov 14, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST RANDOMLY DISENGAGED WITHOUT WARNING. 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 MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 124,000.
Steering, Nov 14, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH AND SUDDENLY THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE WRENCH SYMBOL. THE CONTACT PULLED ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURNED THE ENGINE OFF. UPON RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, THE WARNING SYMBOL REMAINED ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING CONTINUED TO MALFUNCTION. THE CONTACT RESUMED WITH CAUTION. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT PLANNED TO NOTIFY THE MANUFACTURER OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.
Steering, Nov 14, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 20 MPH WHEN THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME HARD TO TURN. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON THREE PREVIOUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO CONFIRMED THERE WAS CONDENSATION IN THE WIRING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,502 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 71,000.
Steering, Nov 9, 2011
WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC SIGNAL, THE CAR MADE A CLICKING NOISE. A YELLOW LIGHT/WRENCH APPEARED AND THE DISPLAY SHOWED POWER STEERING. ALL POWER STEERING WAS GONE. AFTER ARRIVING HOME I TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF. AWHILE LATER I STARTED THE CAR AND THE POWER STEERING WAS WORKING AND ALL INDICATORS WERE GONE. I'M CONCERNED THAT THIS COULD HAPPEN WHILE I'M MOVING. *TR
Steering, Nov 8, 2011
POWER STEERING KEEPS FAILING WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE READ MANY COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE. THE CAR HAS 105,552 MILES. MY MECHANIC HAS TALKED TO CHEVY MECHANICS AND THEY SAY YOU CAN FIX THE SENSOR MOTOR AND STEERING COLUMN BUT CANT GUARANTEE THAT WILL FIX THE PROBLEM. HOW IS IT GM CAN GET AWAY WITHOUT DOING A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM IF ITS UNSAFE? THE CHEVY DEALER TOLD MY MECHANIC THE BEST THING I CAN DO IS TRADE IT IN. I AM ALMOST DONE PAYING FOR THE CAR AND DON'T WANT TO PURCHASE A NEW CAR. I WANT THIS ONE FIXED AND NOT BE SCARED THAT I'M GONNA GET KILLED IN IT OR KILL SOMEONE ELSE! *TR
Steering, Nov 4, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE STEERING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD THE STEERING COLUMN REPLACED PREVIOUSLY BUT THE REPAIR DID NOT REMEDY THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT DID NOT CALL THE MANUFACTURER OR THE DEALER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD RESULT IN A CRASH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000.
Steering, Oct 25, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SEIZE WHEN DRIVING 5 MPH AND ABOVE. THE CONTACT WOULD SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF WHENEVER THE FAILURE OCCURRED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD OPERATE AS NORMAL UPON RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Steering, Oct 25, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MERGE ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WHEN HE RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, THE POWER STEERING BEGAN TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND AS A RESULT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,150 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 49,200. UPDATED 11/10/11 *BF UPDATED 11/16/11 UPDATED 11/18/11
Steering, Oct 24, 2011
THIS CAR IS OPERATED BY THE ORIGINAL RETIRED FEMALE OWNER WHO DRIVES IT 3 TIMES PER WEEK TO PERFORM LOCAL ERRANDS. AT 13,265 MILES THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT WAS REPLACED TO ELIMINATE, UNSUCCESSFULLY, A RATTLING FROM THE FRONT SUSPENSION. AT 15,520 MILES, THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON AND SERVICE POWER STEERING WARNINGS APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND DIC RESPECTIVELY. RESEARCHING THE INTERNET SHOWED CLEARLY THAT FAILURE OF THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING BOOST WAS IMMINENT IN THOUSANDS OF CASES. THE NEXT DAY, THE LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALER REPLACED GM PART #25933396, THE STEERING COLUMN, AND CHARGED FOR SHOP SUPPLIES AND 4 HOURS OF LABOR. THE TOTAL, $777.22, WAS SOLELY THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE OWNER, WITH THE DEALER STATING, "WE'VE NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM. THE CAR IS SEVEN YEARS OLD, YOU KNOW." THE CAR IS OPERATING PROPERLY FOR NOW. *TR
Steering, Oct 21, 2011
MAKING A RIGHT TURN POWER STEERING CHIMES WENT OFF NO POWER STEERING. IT HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES. WHEN IT HAPPENS IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER THE CAR. *TR
Steering, Oct 19, 2011
THE POWER STEERING CONSTANTLY GOES OUT ON THIS CAR. I CAN BE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND IT WILL GO OUT WITHOUT WARNING. I HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL, YET THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH THESE VEHICLES. THE QUOTE I'VE BEEN GIVEN TO REPAIR IS OVER $500 AND SEVERAL PEOPLE HAD TO GET THE REPAIR DONE MORE THAN ONCE. CHEVY SHOULD DO A RECALL AND COMPENSATE THE CONSUMERS. *TR
Steering, Oct 18, 2011
STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. COULD NOT TURN THE WHEEL. SECOND TIME THIS HAPPENED IN 3 MONTHS. *TR