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 5, 2010
I HAVE A 2004 CHEVY MALIBU MAXX, ON SEVEN TIMES NOW THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT (INOPERATIVE WITH A CHIME AND AMBER LIGHT) THIS HAS ONLY HAPPENED BELOW 15 MILES AN HOUR AND WHILE IN A SHARP TURN. THE CAR BECOMES VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN ESPECIALLY FOR MY WIFE AND IMPOSSIBLE FOR MY DAUGHTER. CHEVY COULD NOT FIND ANY FAULTS, I HAD THE SHOP REPLACE THE ELECTRIC MOTOR AT A COST OF $700.00 AND TWO WEEKS LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN. I NOW ANY HAVING THE STEERING COLUMN WITH A SENSOR REPLACED FOR ANOTHER $600.00. AGAIN CHEVY REFUSES TO HELP. THEY HAVE A SERVICE BULLETIN ABOUT THIS EXACT SCENARIO BUT STILL THEY REFUSE. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY COMPLAINTS THAT I HAVE FOUND ON THE INTERNET. *TR
Steering, Apr 5, 2010
2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER STATES STEERING PROBLEMS. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED RECENTLY THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE MADE A GRINDING SOUND AND PULLED TO THE LEFT. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE AND NOTED THE STEERING WHEEL WAS OFF IN THE FRONT END. A SYSTEMS CHECK WAS PERFORMED AND THE TEST CONFIRMED THE STEERING WHEEL TORQUE SENSOR FAILED. THE TEST ALSO CONFIRMED THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *JB
Steering, Power train, Apr 2, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED CONTINUOUSLY. WHEN THE POWER STEERING FAILED, THE WHEEL WOULD MAKE A CLICKING SOUND WHEN THE CONTACT MADE A TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE DEALER GREASED THE STEERING COLUMN; HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 9,500. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,400. THE FIRST TIME, THE STABILIZER LINK BUSHING WERE REPLACED, THE SECOND TIME, THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT WAS REPLACED AND THE THIRD TIME, THE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED. THE RIGHT FRONT AXLE SEAL WAS LEAKING. UPDATED 05/24/10*JB
Steering, Mar 30, 2010
2004 CHEVY MALIBU, LOST POWER STEERING AGAIN. TAKING A LEFT TURN AT BUSY INTERSECTION, VERY VERY HARD TO TURN WHEEL WITH NO POWER STEERING I'M 62 AND DON'T HAVE ALOT OF STRENGTH IN MY ARM. NEARLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. HAD STEERING COLUME REPLACED NOV 04, HAD MORE PROBLEMS, HAD TORQUE SENSOR REPLACED JULY 06. NOW IT IS HAPPENING AGAIN AND WHEN I CALL GM THEY SAID IT IS NO LONGER THEIR PROBLEM AND I WOULD NEED TO CALL MY DEALERSHIP. I HAVE GONE THAT ROUTE & THEY CHARGE $100.00 DIAGNOSTIC FEE AND SAY THAT CAN NOT FIND THE PROBLEM UNLESS IT IS HAPPENING AND WOULD HAVE TO CHARGE ANOTHER $100.00. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. AT LEAST TOYOTA TOOK RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR SCREW UP IT'S MORE THAT YOU CAN SAY FOR GM. CHECK THE INTERNET AND SEE HOW MANY COMPLAINTS THERE ARE!
Steering, Mar 30, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD BEGIN PULLING TO THE LEFT, CAUSING INCREASED DIFFICULTY IN STEERING. THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY A FEW MOMENTS BEFORE THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR. HE ALSO STATED THAT ON OCCASION, THE POWER STEERING WOULD BE INOPERABLE UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT IN ORDER TO RESET THE POWER STEERING, HE WOULD SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTART IT TO RESET THE SYSTEM. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE AND DID NOT MAKE ANY REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT YET BEEN CONTACTED TO REPORT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,270 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 81,000.
Steering, Mar 26, 2010
LOST POWER STEERING IN MY LATE MODEL YEAR 2004 MALIBU LT. NO PERSONAL INJURY OR DAMAGE. TURNED CAR OFF AND RESTARTED - POWER STEERING RESTORED. TOOK TO DEALER SINCE LOCAL MECHANIC HAD NO IDEA WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. DEALER SAID HE HAS HAD TO REPLACE MANY OF THESE BUT NO RECALLS HAD BEEN ISSUED. RECOMMENDED REPLACEMENT OF STEERING COLUMN ($641.59) AND ALIGNMENT ($59.95) ALONG WITH OTHER NON-RELATED ISSUES. MULTIPLE NHTSA ACTION NUMBERS AND DEFECT INVESTIGATIONS WERE STARTED IN 2004. A MORE RECENT SERVICE BULLETIN NUMBER: 7126; NHTSA NUMBER: 10023644 WAS STARTED ON THE 2005 MODELS. THIS IS A DANGEROUS PROBLEM THAT GM SHOULD HAVE SOME RESPONSIBILITY FOR CORRECTING.
Steering, Mar 25, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, A CLANKING NOISE SOUNDED AND THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE FIRST REPAIR WAS AT DEALERS EXPENSE. THE SECOND REPAIR THE MANUFACTURER WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR HALF OF THE REPAIR COST. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON A THIRD OCCASION FOR THE CLANKING NOISE FAILURE AND THE STEERING SHAFT WAS REPLACED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 61,000.
Steering, Mar 22, 2010
MOST RECENT INCIDENT WAS SUNDAY MARCH 21. NOTICED THE STEERING PROBLEM FOR THE FIRST TIME ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO, BUT THE DOUBLE CLICK SOUND HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR ABOUT 5 MONTHS. WHILE TURNING LEFT FROM A STOP LIGHT THE STEERING STOPPED WORKING. I STARTED FROM A STOP, ACCELERATED THRU THE INTERSECTION TURNING LEFT. ABOUT HALFWAY THRU THE TURN MY STEERING WHEEL TRIED TO GO BACK STRAIGHT. IT NEARLY JERKED THE WHEEL OUT OF MY HANDS. I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE GAS AND A SECOND LATER THE STEERING CAME BACK. I HAVE SINCE BEEN ABLE TO REPRODUCE THE EFFECT SEVERAL TIMES. I ALSO NOTICED THAT IT IS ACCOMPANIED BY A DOUBLE "CLICK" SOUND COMING FROM SOMEWHERE UNDER THE STEERING COLUMN, AND IS USUALLY ACCOMPANIED BY A BING BING AND EITHER/OR THE BATTERY LIGHT AND THE CAR WITH A WRENCH LIGHT. THIS ALSO OCCURS WHEN ACCELERATING UP HILL ON THE FREEWAY. *DT
Steering, Equipment, Mar 20, 2010
I OWN A 2004 CHEVY MALIBU WHEN STARTING VEHICLE THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ENGAGES AND THE CONSOLE INDICATOR CHIMES READING POWER STEERING. THIS OCCURS EVERY TIME I START THE CAR NOW. I HAVE REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN 2 TIMES SINCE TAKING OWNERSHIP OF VEHICLE IN FEBRUARY 2008. BOTH STEERING COLUMNS WERE GENUINE GM PARTS INSTALLED BY A CERTIFIED TECHNICIAN. WORK PERFORMED IN 5/08 AND 10/08 TOTALING SOME $3000.00. PAID ANOTHER DEALER $51.56 TO ADJUST AND CALIBRATE SENSOR. IT WAS OK FOR THE SUMMER. LATE FALL 2009 BEGAN COMING ON INTERMEDIATELY AGAIN. NOW IT COMES ON EACH TIME YOU START THE CAR AND YESTERDAY I ACTUALLY LOST POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING THE CAR. I HAD LOST THE POWER ASSIST STEERING A TOTAL OF 4 TIMES NOW. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. SOMEONE COULD GET HURT HERE. *TR
Steering, Mar 18, 2010
2004 MALIBU. STEERING WAS HARD ON ONE SIDE AND SOFT ON THE OTHER. TOO IT TO DEALER. DEALER FIXED IT BY COMPUTER. NOW BOTH SIDES OF STEERING RE EQUAL - BUT - IT CONTINUALLY WANTS TO STEER ON ITS OWN TO THE RIGHT. IT WILL NOT HOLD A STRAIGHT LINE, UNLESS I KEEP MY HANDS ON THE STEERING WHEEL. IF I HOLD IT LOOSELY, IT WILL VEER RIGHT INTO WHATEVER IS ON MY RIGHT SIDE. DEALER SAID THIS IS NORMAL. *TR
Steering, Mar 18, 2010
WHILE DRIVING ON A COUNTY HIGHWAY WITHOUT WARNING MY POWER STEERING LOCKED, AND IT SCARED THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS OUT OF ME. I HAD ALL I COULD DO TO STEER MY CAR AND IT WAS VERY SCARY. I MADE IT TO MY DESTINATION AND WHEN I LEFT MY DESTINATION IT WAS FINE. THEN ON THE WAY HOME ON UNIVERSITY AVE IN DOWNTOWN MADISON WHICH IS A VERY BUSY STREET, THE POWER STEERING LOCKED UP AGAIN. A VERY HORRIFYING MOMENT. AGAIN I REALLY HAD TO STRUGGLE WITH THE STEERING. I FEEL THIS IS VERY BIG SAFETY ISSUE AND LIFE THREATINGA TO ME AND MY PASSENGERS AND ALSO OTHER VEHICLES ON THE ROAD. I HAVEN'T HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH IT THE LAST 3 DAYS. I BELIEVE GM NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Steering, Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Mar 17, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 25-35 MPH; PROCEEDING TO MAKE A TURN. THERE WAS A LOUD POPPING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. ALSO, THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AT A DIFFERENT TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR SERVICE REPAIRS. THE COMPONENTS WERE REPLACED ON SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHICH CONSISTS OF THE STEERING COLUMN, GAS CAP, FUEL MODULE, AND TIE-ROD. THE PCM WAS ALSO REPROGRAMMED. THE SERVICE REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED AT THE DEALER ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000.
Steering, Mar 15, 2010
POWER STEERING TURN OFF. AROUND 50KM/H. WARNING LIGHT END BELL CAME ON. VERY HARD TO KEEP THE CAR ON THE ROAD. STOP THE CAR AND TURN ON AGAIN EVERY THING CAME BACK TO NORMAL. BUT UNTIL WHEN? CHEVROLET MALIBU 2004 LS, 66800 KMS. *TR
Steering, Mar 14, 2010
WHILE TRAVELING ON ROUTE 128 IN WELLESLEY, MA AT A STEADY UNACCELERATION SPEED OF 65 MPH, I EXPERIENCED A NEAR TOTAL LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, ACCOMPANIED BY AN ANNUNCIATOR LIGHT ON THE ODOMETER DISPLAY, A REPEATING BELL SOUND, AND A "POWER STEERING" MESSAGE DISPLAYED ON THE RADIO. WITH GREAT EFFORT I WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. IT IS MY OPINION THAT HAD MY GIRL FRIEND OR AN ELDERLY PERSON BEEN DRIVING THAT THE OUTCOME COULD HAVE BEEN A FATAL ONE. USING SIGNIFICANT STRENGTH I WAS ABLE TO STEER TO A SAFE AREA. I REVIEWED THE OWNER'S MANUAL WHICH ADVISED GOING TO THE DEALER. AFTER ABOUT 12 MINUTES, I STARTED THE VEHICLE AND EVERYTHING APPEARED NORMAL. I THEN DROVE TO THE DEALER (BANKS CHEVROLET IN CONCORD, NH) FROM WHOM I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND RECOUNTED THE EXPERIENCE TO THEM. THEY WERE VERY RESPONSIVE AND ASSIGNED A TECHNICIAN TO OBTAIN THE (OBD-II) ERROR CODES, IF ANY HAD BEEN RECORDED. THE READOUT OBTAINED WAS CODE 545, WHICH THEY RESEARCHED AND, ALTHOUGH IT DID PERTAIN TO THE POWER STEERING, IT REFERRED TO AN "INTERMITTENT" LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST, NOT A FULL AND CONTINUOUS LOSS. SINCE IT WAS NEARING CLOSING TIME, AN APPOINTMENT WAS MADE FOR THE FOLLOWING THURSDAY, 3/4/10. ON THAT DATE, THE BANKS TECHNICIAN (JIM WATHEN) RESEARCHED THE ISSUE FURTHER AND MADE SOME ELECTRICAL ADJUSTMENTS. THE VEHICLE HAS PERFORMED NORMALLY SINCE. I AM REPORTING THIS HEART-STOPPING EVENT BECAUSE I BELIEVE THAT A VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE A FAIL-SAFE STEERING SYSTEM. I HOLD AN AIRLINE TRANSPORT PILOT CERTIFICATE AND A LOT OF OUR TRAINING, BOTH IN AIRPLANES AND HELICOPTERS, IS DEDICATED TO THE PROPER RESPONSE TO A TOTAL FAILURE IN THE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM. THIS EVENT REQUIRED MORE STRENGTH THAN ANY I HAVE EXPERIENCED IN AVIATION AND DECIDEDLY COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL, ESPECIALLY IF THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE SLIPPERY OR THE ROADWAY ITSELF TWISTY (AS IN THE MOUNTAINS). A HARD TURN TO EITHER THE LEFT OF THE RIGHT JUST COULD NOT HAVE BEEN MADE. *TR
Steering, Mar 13, 2010
I HAVE BEEN TO THE DEALER AT LEAST 4 TIMES FOR THE ELECTRONIC POWER ASSIST ON MY 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU FOR REPAIR, REPLACEMENT, AND/OR ADJUSTMENTS. MY VEHICLE IS NOW OVER 110,000 MILES AND A POWER STEERING NOTIFICATION LIGHT IS COMING ON AGAIN. THIS TIME THE LIGHT IS NOT IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWED WITH FAILURE. NO CHANGE TO MY ABILITY TO STEER HAS BEEN OBSERVED. IT COMES ON USUALLY AFTER I START THE CAR AND MAKE MY FIRST SIZABLE TURN OF THE WHEEL. I CAN SOMETIMES AVOID THE LIGHT GOING ON IN THE MORNING IF I MAKE SLOW GRADUAL MOVEMENTS OF THE WHEEL BUT IT WILL ALWAYS COME ON WHEN I START THE CAR LATER IN THE DAY. DUE TO THE HIGH COST OF THE DEALER FIXING IT AND THEIR REPEATED COMPLETE INABILITY TO FIX THE PROBLEM LONG TERM, I AM LEFT TO TRYING TO FIGURE OUT THE ISSUE MYSELF. *TR
Steering, Mar 12, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. THE TECHNICIAN DETECTED SLIGHT DIFFICULTY WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL AND A SQUEAKING NOISE. THE VEHICLE DID NOT REQUIRE SERVICE REPAIR FOR THE MALFUNCTION. THE CONTACT STATED THE STEERING WHEEL WAS A MINOR DEFECT. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 25000.
Steering, Mar 12, 2010
TL* CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 50 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO LOCK. HE WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE OFF OF THE ROAD AND TURN THE VEHICLE OFF. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, THE POWER STEERING RESET ITSELF AND WAS OPERATING NORMALLY. HE ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN NEED OF AN ALIGNMENT DESPITE THE FACT THAT HE HAD RECENTLY RECEIVED ONE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 55,000.
Steering, Mar 12, 2010
POWER STEERING CONTROL I HAVE A 2004 CHEVY MALIBU MAXX V6, I BOUGHT NEW A FEW MONTHS LATER I HEARD A FAINT KNOCKING IN THE STEERING WHEEL EACH YEAR IT BECAME MORE NOTICEABLE. NOW THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON WITH THE MESSAGE OF POWER STEERING. I HAVE COMPLAINED AND HAD A NUMBER OF DIAGNOSTIC CHECKS THAT ARE DIFFERENT RESULTS. CHEVY REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS. MY POWER STEERING FAILED ON ME GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY BEHIND AN 18 WHEELER, I STRUGGLED JUST TO GET ACROSS 1 LANE AND ONTO THE SHOULDER. I WAS TOO SCARED TO TURN THE CAR OFF BECAUSE I WAS 10 MI. AWAY FROM HOME. SO I SLOWLY DROVE DOWN THE HIGHWAY ONCE I MADE IT HOME I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND LATER TURNED IT BACK ON WITH POWER BACK IN MY STEERING WHEEL. THIS IS JUST AS DANGEROUS AS TOYOTA CARS. THERE NEED TO BE A FULL INVESTIGATION THIS IS ONE OF MANY COMPLAINTS I HAVE POSTED WITH NO RESULTS!!!!!!!! *TR
Steering, Mar 10, 2010
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP AND THE VEHICLE CAN NOT STEER. *TR
Steering, Equipment, Mar 9, 2010
I'VE BEEN DRIVEN MY 04 CHEVY MALIBU MAX WITH OUT POWER STEERING FOR ABOUT 4 MONTHS NOW. EVERY TIME I CONTACT A CHEVY DEALER THEY SAY OH THERE'S NOTHING THEY CAN DO. I HAD DIAGNOSTICS DONE AND THEY SAID THERE NOTHING THEY CAN DO ITS NOT TO BIG.. THEY ALSO SAID ITS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE.. I JUST SAW ON THE NEWS THAT THEY ARE RECALLING THE COBALTS FOR POWER STEERING, WHY ARE THEY NOT FIXING THEM AND THEY KNOW THE MAXXS ARE HAVING PROBLEMS NOTHING HAS HAPPENED YET.. *TR
Steering, Mar 8, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TURN THE VEHICLE AT 10 MPH THE POWER STEERING WOULD SUDDENLY SHUT OFF MAKING THE VEHICLE DIFFICULT TO STEER. THIS HAS CAUSE THE CONTACT TO ALMOST DRIVE THE VEHICLE INTO A DITCH. THE CONTACT HAS NOT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THIS ISSUE. THE CONTACT STATED THE POWER STEERING WILL CAUSE A CRASH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
Steering, Mar 6, 2010
AFTER HEARING AN ODD SPARK-ELECTRICAL SOUND THAT SEEMED TO COME FROM THE STEERING COLUMN POWER STEERING FAILED DURING ROUTINE DRIVING CAUSING LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. STEERING COLUMN WOULD NOT LOCK INTO PLACE MAKING IT MORE DIFFICULT TO STEER WITHOUT POWER ASSIST. THIS HAS ONLY HAPPENED ONE TIME AS VEHICLE USE HAS BEEN RESTRICTED SINCE THE FAILURE. *TR
Steering, Mar 5, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHENEVER THE CONTACT DRIVES THE VEHICLE AT ANY SPEED, IN ANY DRIVING CONDITIONS THE VEHICLE WILL SUDDENLY LOSE ALL POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALERSHIP. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 60000.
Steering, Mar 4, 2010
LOSS OF POWER STEERING, ON MY 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. *TR
Steering, Mar 3, 2010
POWER STEERING PULLS HARD ONE WAY SOFT ANOTHER AND CAN AT RANDOM QUIT FUNCTIONING AT ALL. THE PROBLEM I EXPERIENCE SOUNDS IDENTICAL TO THE RECENT GM RECALL AND IS A KNOWN ISSUE. I AM ADDING THIS BECAUSE THE NHTSA CLOSED THE INVESTIGATION FOR THIS CAR AND SHOULD REOPEN IT. *TR