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, Mar 3, 2010
INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) I HAVE 2004 CHEVY MALIBU AND I AM OCCURRING HAVE POWER STEERING PROBLEMS, I TOOK MY DEALER AND THE DIAGNOSTIC MY I NEED TO REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN, STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT, THAT S IS NOT AND CUSTOMER WEAR AND TEAR THAT AN MANUFACTURE PROBLEM, I WENT AN ALITTLE HIGHER I CONTACT GM FILE [XXX] AND THE SAID THERE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE STEERING GO BAD, WILL YOU PLEASE CHECK INTO THIS ISSUE FOR ME CONTACT INFO [XXX], IF THERE OTHER CAR HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM SO IS MALIBU 2004 THE WASN'T AND ACCIDENT BUT IT COULD BE IF THIS DOESN'T GET FIX. *TR
Steering, Mar 2, 2010
2004 CHEVY MALIBU MAXX LS. THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT WHEN TRAVELING AT SLOW SPEEDS OR STOPPED. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 OR 4 TIMES. NO ACC OR INJURY. POWER STEERING GOES BACK ON AFTER TURNING OFF THE IGNITION AND RESTARTING THE CAR. THIS APPEARS TO BE THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE OTHER GM AUTOS THAT WERE RECALLED TODAY, MARCH 2, 2010. TSB'S HAVE BEEN ISSUED, BUT NO RECALL. THE INCIDENT DATE LISTED IS APPROX THE LAST TIME THIS HAPPENED. *TR
Steering, Mar 2, 2010
STARTED THE CAR AND THE POWER STEERING LOCKED UP COULD NOT TURN THE WHEEL CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND MESSAGE DISPLAYED ON MESSAGE CENTER [POWER STEERING] TURNED CAR OFF AND RESTARTED, STEERING WAS OK AT THAT TIME. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES SINCE JAN. 13, 2009. *TR
Steering, Mar 2, 2010
MY 2004 CHEVY MALIBU MAXX IS SHOWING THE POWER STEERING NEEDS FIXED. I TOOK IT TO A DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT I NEED TO REPLACE IT RIGHT AWAY. I AM GETTING FIXED NOW SO THAT I DO NOT HAVE ANY MORE PROBLEMS WITH THE POWER STEERING. *TR
Steering, Mar 2, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STARTED TO DECREASE IN SPEED WITHOUT HAVING HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY HARD TO TURN. SHE TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND IT WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHO STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS OR WARRANTIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO REPAIRED THE POWER STEERING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 163,184 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 175,000.
Steering, Fuel system, Gasoline, Mar 2, 2010
A FEW MONTHS AGO, MY POWER STEERING LIGHT BEGAN TO COME ON. I TOOK IT TO SEVERAL PLACES ONLY FOR EVERYONE TO TELL ME THAT THE CAR DOES NOT TAKE POWER STEERING FLUID AND THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO HOOK THE CAR TO A COMPUTER TO SEE WHAT IS WRONG. EVERY SO OFTEN, I WOULD CRANK THE CAR AND HAVE A HARD TIME STEERING. I LEARNED THAT WHEN THAT HAPPENS, I COULD TURN OFF THE IGNITION AND RESTART THE CAR AND THE POWER STEERING WOULD RETURN. I HAVE HAD MY CAR SERVICED AND TWICE, I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THEY ARE NOT GETTING ANY CODE READINGS ON THE COMPUTER. NOW, JUST RECENTLY, I WAS TOLD THAT THE STEERING COLUMN HAS ISSUES. I READ TODAY ABOUT THE RECALL ON GM CARS, BUT THE 2004 MALIBU ISN'T LISTED BUT I AM HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS DESCRIBED IN THE ARTICLE. I DO NOT WANT TO WAIT UNTIL I HAVE AN ACCIDENT FOR MY CAR TO BE ON THE RECALL LIST. I HAVE ALREADY PAID MONEY TO HAVE THE THROTTLE BODY REPLACED ON MY CAR, I DO NOT WANT TO HAVE TO SPEND MORE FOR THE STEERING COLUMN. THE SAFETY OF MYSELF AND MY INFANT SON, AS WITH OTHERS ON THE ROAD, IS OF CONCERN. *TR
Steering, Mar 2, 2010, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE DRIVER STATED THAT HIS POWER STEERING FAILED WHENEVER HE DROVE THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER STATED THAT THE WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE FAILURE BEGAN IN 2004 AFTER HE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE ALSO CAUSED HIM TO DRIVE INTO A DITCH AND CRASH INTO A FIRE HYDRANT WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. HE HAS NOTIFIED THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WHEN THE CRASH OCCURRED WAS 120,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
Steering, Mar 2, 2010
I HAVE A 2004 CHEVY MALIBU MAXX. ON JAN. 26, I GOT INTO THE CAR. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE INFORMATION CENTER SAID TO CHECK POWER STEERING. THE STEERING WAS A LITTLE HARD. MY FRIEND WAS GOING TO CHECK IT WHEN I GOT HOME. BY THE TIME I GOT HOME THAT NIGHT, THE PROBLEM WAS NOT OCCURRING AND THE LIGHTS WERE OFF. THIS HAS HAPPENED A COUPLE TIMES SINCE. THEN TODAY, 3/2/2010, I GOT IN THE CAR. IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER UNTIL ABOUT 15 MPH. IT WAS LESS DIFFICULT BETWEEN 15 AND 30 MPH, AND O.K., BUT NOT NORMAL, OVER 30 MPH. WHEN I GOT TO WORK, I HAD TO MOVE MY CAR AFTER A FEW MINUTES. WHEN I GOT INTO IT AND MOVED IT, THE STEERING WAS FINE. I AM REPORTING THIS BECAUSE OF THE SIMILARITY WITH THE COBALT STEERING ISSUE THAT HAS CAUSED A RECENT RECALL. THE SYMPTOMS SOUND EXACTLY LIKE THE NEWS REPORTS, BUT THE MALIBU ISN'T ON THE LIST YET. *TR
Steering, Mar 2, 2010
OWN A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU THAT HAS BEEN DRIVEN NORMALLY OVER THE COURSE OF OWNERSHIP. INEXPLICABLY THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON THE DRIVERS INFORMATION CENTER. SHORTLY AFTER THE STEERING LOCKED UP. IT TOOK SEVERAL TIMES TURNING THE VEHICLE ON AND OFF TO GET THE POWER STEERING TO COME BACK ON. THE FAILURE OCCURS 4 TO 5 TIMES A WEEK AND WE ARE AFRAID THAT IT MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. ALSO, THE STEERING COLUMN HAS BEEN REPLACED BUT IT HAS NOT RESOLVED THE ISSUE. I HAVE ALSO NOTED THAT GM HAS INITIATED A RECALL FOR THE SAME SAFETY ISSUE BUT FOR DIFFERENT MODELS/YEARS OF VEHICLES. *TR
Steering, Mar 1, 2010
I WAS DRIVING MY 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU THIS SUMMER WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN LOCKED UP AND WOULDN'T LET ME TURN THE WHEEL THANKFULLY I WAS ON A COUNTY ROAD SO I WAS ABLE TO PULL MY CAR TO THE SIDE. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND I HAD TO GET MY STEERING WHEEL COLUMN REPLACED AND THEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN THIS TIME IT ONLY PARTIALLY LOCKED UP, BUT WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN HAD TO BE REPLACED AGAIN AND I FEAR THAT SOMETHING LIKE THIS COULD POSSIBLE HAPPEN AGAIN. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Air bags, Mar 1, 2010
THE DRIVER INFORMATION CENTER WOULD RESET THE TIME. IT ALSO DISPLAYED "SERVICE AIR BAG" AS SOON AS THE CAR TURNS ON. WHEN DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, MY STEERING WHEEL LOST ITS POWER STEERING AND THE DRIVER INFORMATION CENTER DISPLAYED "POWER STEERING" ALONG WITH A CAR AND WRENCH LIGHT FLASHING FROM THE GAUGE WINDOW. THIS HAS NOT BEEN FIXED DUE TO READING A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM THAT AFFECTED CERTAIN 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU'S. SHOULD NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR A DEFECT THAT THE DEALER WAS AWARE OF. A REAL SCARE WHEN DRIVING ON THE ROAD, LET ALONE ON THE FREEWAY. *TR
Steering, Feb 20, 2010
THE POWER STEERING JUST GOES OUT WHILE DRIVING. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND CAR SAYS POWER STEERING AND I LOSE ALL STEERING. THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE AND A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED. *TR
Steering, Feb 14, 2010
AS MY GIRLFRIEND PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT WITH MY 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU AND JUST WHEN I PREPARED TO LEAVE, THE STEERING WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND THE ALARM SOUNDED. THE POWER ASSIST ON THE STEERING WAS NOT FUNCTIONING. TURNED OFF THE CAR AND RESTARTED IT AND THE PROBLEM WENT AWAY. APROX 2 WEEKS LATER, SHE WENT TO TURN INTO THE DRIVEWAY AND THE STEERING FAILED AGAIN. WHILE THESE OCCURRED AT LOW SPEED,I DO WORRY THAT IT MAY OCCUR WHILE IN TRAFFIC OR IN TOWN, WHICH MAY RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. I CAN SEE FROM THE REPORTS AT MYCARSTATS.COM THAT THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. *TR
Steering, Feb 13, 2010
STEERING COLUMN DEFECTIVE ON THE CHEVY MALIBU. I HAVE A 2004 CHEVY MALIBU AND THE STEERING LOCKS ON TURNS, MERGING AND ACCELERATION. VERY DANGEROUS! *TR
Steering, Feb 9, 2010
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, IT LOSES POWER STEERING AND IS VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN THE WHEEL. IT OCCURS FREQUENTLY AND HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THEY SAY IT HAS A DEFECTIVE STEERING COLUMN. THE CONDITION AS EXISTS IS IDENTIFIED IN A GM SERVICE BULLETIN# 04-02-35-009A. I CONTACTED GM AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THIS WAS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE AND WOULD NOT PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. *TR
Steering, Feb 4, 2010
2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. ELECTRIC POWER STEERING FAILURE. POWER STEERING HAS FAILED MULTIPLE TIMES, ESPECIALLY UNDER ACCELERATION. VEHICLE EXTREMELY HARD TO STEER. LIGHTS AND WARNING BELLS GO OFF ON DASH OF VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HUDIBURG CHEVROLET TWO TIMES AND THEY SAID THERE IS NOTHING THEY COULD DO TO REPAIR PROBLEM AND DID NOT EVEN LOOK AT CAR. WANTED TO CHARGE ME JUST TO LOOK AT IT. VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AT THE TIME. *TR
Steering, Feb 1, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH SHE ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN THE AND THE STEERING WHEEL MALFUNCTIONED WITHOUT WARNING. SHE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE SERVICE STATION. SHE STATED THAT AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED THE WARNING LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL ILLUMINATED. THE SERVICE STATION TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF TO RESET THE POWER STEERING.SHE WILL TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WERE 65,000.
Steering, Exterior lighting, Jan 30, 2010
POWER STEERING FAILURE. WHEN I START CAR AND MAKING SHARP TURNS, IN ADDITION TO JUST DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. HERE CLICKING IN THE FRONT RIGHT END WHEN GOING UP HILL. TOLD BY MECHANIC THAT IT IS A PROB WITH THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING SYSTEM AND RACK AND PINION. ODDLY ENOUGH THERE WAS AND 2006 MAILBU IN AT THE SAME TIME WITH THE SAME PROBLEM MECHANIC FELT IT SHOULD BE A RECALL ISSUE. ALSO HAVE ISSUE WITH THE TURN SIGNALS FAILING I HAVE REPLACED MANY TIMES. I ALSO HAVE A HOLE THAT MELTED ON THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE IN THE PLASTIC HOUSING. *TR
Steering, Jan 29, 2010
ON JANUARY 13, 2010, THE WARNING, WITH LITTLE WRENCH LIT, "POWER STEERING" CAME ON THE DASH OF MY 2004 CHEVY MALIBU MAXX. I AM CONCERNED THAT THERE MAY BE FURTHER PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING BECAUSE JUST THE DAY BEFORE, MY SON-IN-LAW'S 2006 CHEVY MALIBU SEDAN'S STEERING QUIT WHILE HE WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. ONLINE RESEARCH SHOWS ME THAT THIS IS A PROMINENT PROBLEM WITH THE CHEVY MALIBU VEHICLES FOR WHICH GM IS NOT ISSUING A RECALL OR FIX. ARE THEY WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO BE SERIOUSLY INJURED OR TO DIE BEFORE ACTING? *TR
Steering, Jan 29, 2010
DURING NORMAL DRIVING, DRIVER INFORMATION CENTER DISPLAYED "POWER STEERING" AND ALL POWER STEERING ASSIST STOPPED. CAR WAS VERY HARD TO STEER, BUT WAS ABLE TO STEER TO SIDE OF ROAD. AFTER RESTARTING THE CAR, POWER STEERING RETURNED. THIS CAR WAS SERVICED BY GM IN 2004 TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM (UNDER THE ORIGINAL ODI COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION) BUT THE PROBLEM HAS RECURRED AND GM INSISTS THAT WE NEED TO REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN AGAIN. *TR
Steering, Jan 28, 2010
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN THE RADIO PANEL STARTED BLINKING WITH POWER STEERING. I THEN LOST MY POWER STEERING AND MY CAR BEGAN TO SHAKE. AS A WOMAN, DRIVING WITHOUT POWER STEERING WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT. I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO A PARKING LOT (BARELY), AND SAFELY PARK THE CAR. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED TO ME, AND THANKFULLY I WAS ABLE TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER, AND AFTER RUNNING DIAGNOSTICS, THEY TOLD ME THAT THE 2004 MALIBU'S HAVE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING, AND THAT THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE POWER STEERING MOTOR AND THAT IT OVERHEATS, CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING.*CW
Steering, Jan 23, 2010
2004 CHEVY MALIBU. PROBLEM WITH STEERING. STEERING WHEEL WANTS TO TUG REPEATEDLY TO THE LEFT. IF I BARELY TOUCH THE STEERING WHEEL AND PUT A LITTLE PRESSURE EITHER TO RIGHT OR LEFT, THE STEERING WHEEL BY ITSELF TUGS UP AND DOWN. AT HIGHER SPEEDS I CAN FEEL IN HANDS OCCASIONALLY TUGGING. HOPE IT DON'T DECIDE ONE DAY TO JUST DO A HARD TURN INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. WAS TOLD THAT IT MOST LIKELY IS THE STEERING ASSIST ON THE COLUMN. WHY CAN'T GM JUST HAVE PUT A REGULAR STEERING PUMP LIKE EVERYONE ELSE. *TR
Steering, Jan 21, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS THE "POWER STEERING" WARNING LIGHT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. IMMEDIATELY, THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE DRIVER PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHICH REQUIRED HIGHER EFFORT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY TWO DIFFERENT AUTHORIZED DEALERS. THE TECHNICIANS WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED FOR THE MALFUNCTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.
Steering, Jan 11, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAX. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A CLICKING NOISE AND THEN THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED ON THREE OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY RISK AND THE POTENTIAL THAT A CRASH COULD OCCUR THE CONTACT FEELS THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
Steering, Jan 8, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 72 MPH, THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON AND THEN THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. HE WAS ABLE TO SAFELY DRIVE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND SHUT THE ENGINE OFF. APPROXIMATELY 5 SECONDS AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. A LOCAL MECHANIC STATED THAT THE MAIN GEAR IN THE STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED 6 TO 7 TIMES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 149,000.