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, Jan 5, 2010
POWER STEERING FAILURE WITH CAR. STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT MOVE. ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. *TR
Steering, Jan 3, 2010
LOST POWER STEERING. PROBLEM WAS RESOLVED BY TURNING CAR OFF WAITING A MINUTE AND RESTARTING. POWER STEERING THEN RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THIS HAS NOW HAPPENED ON TWO OCCASION. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE TO THIS POINT. I HAVE REVIEWED CAR FORUMS AND NOTED THIS APPEARS A COMMON PROBLEM IN THIS MODEL. IT APPEARS THE STEERING COLUMN MAY NEED TO BE REPLACED. ADDITIONALLY WHEN COLD, THE POWER STEERING NOW FEELS SLUGGISH. *TR
Steering, Dec 30, 2009
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU . WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH HE NOTICED THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL,AND THEN THE POWER STEERING FAILED. HE THEN PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED THE DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT FOR INSPECTION. ANY REPAIRS WILL MADE AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 147000.
Steering, Dec 30, 2009
MY MOTHER OWNS A 2004 CHEVY MALIBU. THE PROBLEM IS THAT WHEN SHE DRIVING AND ABOUT TO MAKE A TURN THE STEERING WHEEL LOOSES POWER AND IS HARD TO TURN. THIS COULD BECOME A PROBLEM IF SNOW OR ICE ON THE GROUND OR SHE TRYING TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. I HAD IT OVER FOR SERVICE AT A LOCAL CHEVY DEALER. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS AN OCCURRING PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL. BUT THAT DOESN'T FIX THE PROBLEM. MY MOTHER IS 72 YEARS OLD. *TR
Steering, Dec 17, 2009
2004 CHEVY MALIBU MAXX FAILURE OF ELECTRIC POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING. WHEN THE CAR IS SHUT OFF IT RESETS ITSELF BUT EVENTUALLY COMES BACK. *TR
Steering, Nov 25, 2009
WHILE DRIVING MY 2004 MALIBU LS POWER STEERING WILL GO OUT IT IS ALL YOU CAN DO TO STEER CAR. I CAN NOT STEER CAR WHEN THIS HAPPENS. YOU HAVE TO STOP CAR TURN IGNITION OFF THEN START CAR AGAIN TO GET YOUR POWER STEERING BACK. YOU MAY HAVE TO DO THIS SEVERAL TIMES STEERING WILL QUIVER AS YOU TURN. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND WILL RESULT IN DEATHS THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. STEERING COLUMN HAS BEEN REPLACED ONCE FOR THIS PROBLEM. *TR LIBBY B. CHANEY
Steering, Electrical system, Equipment, Nov 23, 2009
I HAVE REPORTED TWO PREVIOUS INCIDENTS REGARDING NOISE IN THE FRONT END OF MY 2004 CHEVY MALIBU LS. THE SAME NOISE IS AGAIN OCCURRING IN THE FRONT END OF MY CAR WHICH LEADS ME TO BELIEVE IT IS A STEERING ISSUE. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR TO JACK PHELAN CHEVROLET, THEY DID NOT FIND A PROBLEM WITH THE FRONT END/STEERING. I BELIEVE THEY AREN'T TELLING ME BECAUSE THIS WILL BE THE 3RD COMPLAINT REGARDING STEERING PARTS. *TR
Steering, Nov 16, 2009
I WAS DRIVING MYSELF AND MY 2 YEAR OLD SON HOME WHEN I LOST MY POWER STEERING AND HAD TO STOP, I SHUT OFF THE CAR AND WAITED TEN MINUTES TURNED IT BACK ON AND IT STARTED WORKING AGAIN. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO MY MECHANIC AND HAD TO HAVE THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN AND EVERYTHING REPLACED. THE DAY AFTER I PICKED UP MY CAR IT WAS MAKING AN AWFUL NOISE SO I HAD TO BRING IT BACK AND AM HAVING ANOTHER PART OF THE STEERING REPLACED. *TR
Steering, Nov 9, 2009
I PURCHASED MY 04 MALIBU IN 11/06-HAD THE VEHICLE FOR 3 DAYS AND HEARD A THUMPING IN THE STEERING COLUMN. CALLED THE DEALERSHIP, TOOK IN AND THEY REPLACED THE DRIVE SHAFT ( A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR MALIBU I HAVE BEEN TOLD). THE PROBLEM HAS COME BACK TO HAUNT ALONG WITH HAVING ISSUES WITH THE POWER STEERING, I LOST MY POWER STEERING AND ALMOST GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT. I CAN NOT BELIEVE THAT THIS CAR HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Steering, Nov 5, 2009
THE POWER STEERING ON MY 2004 MALIBU LS FAILED WHILE MAKING A TURN. I NEARLY HAD AN ACCIDENT. MY LOCAL GARAGE DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A MODULE IN THE STEERINGCOLUMN AND SAID IT'S A FAIRLY COMMON PROBLEM. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND SHOULD BE CONSIDERED FOR A RECALL OR MANUFACTURES SERVICE BULLETIN. *TR
Steering, Nov 3, 2009
I WAS DRIVING MY 2004 MALIBU MAXX TO WORK YESTERDAY AND MY STEERING LOCKED UP ON ME WHILE DRIVING DOWN A BUSY ROAD DURING RUSH HOUR. THE STEERING WHEEL PULLED TO LEFT BEFORE LOCKING UP. I HOPE SOMEONE WILL FORCE GM TO RECALL THIS AND FIX THIS PROBLEM. THERE MAY HAVE NOT YET BEEN A DEATH, BUT THERE WILL BE IN TIME. HOW MANY COMPLAINTS NEED TO BE REPORTED BEFORE THIS IS TAKEN SERIOUSLY. MY DEALER HAD TO COMPLETELY REPLACE THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN AND POWER STEERING MOTOR. MY CAR ONLY HAS 55K MILES ON. THIS SITUATION IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE! DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!!! *TR
Steering, Nov 2, 2009
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKED ON THE VEHICLE. SHE WAS ABLE TO SAFELY RESTART THE VEHICLE, AND AFTER 5 MINUTES THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE TECHNICIANS COULD NOT IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 117,000.
Steering, Oct 27, 2009, crash
THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT ON THIS VEHICLE (STEERING) LOCKED UP MAKING THE CAR UNSTEERABLE THUS CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. IT IS UNPREDICTABLE WHEN THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT LOCKS UP. PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SHAKING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND PREMATURE TIRE WARE. PART WAS REPLACED 2 YEARS AGO THROUGH WARRANTY BUT FAILED AGAIN. ACCORDING TO THE DEALERSHIP THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH MOST GM VEHICLES HOWEVER NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED. THIS PART WILL BE REPLACED AGAIN AND OLD PART WILL BE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. *TR
Steering, Oct 20, 2009
POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN. DEALERSHIP SAID STEERING COLUMN HAS TO BE REPLACED. THE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED AT 14,000 MILES BECAUSE OF A SERVICE BULLETIN. THE CAR HAS LESS THAN 56,000 MILES ON IT AND REPAIR COST IS IN EXCESS OF $550. MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE WHICH HAS ALREADY BEEN INVESTIGATED. APPARENTLY GM HAS NOT FOUND A RELIABLE SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND THERE SHOULD BE A TOTAL RECALL OF THE 2004 MALIBU MAXX. *TR
Steering, Oct 15, 2009
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED AT 17,000 MILES FOR POWER STEERING FAILURE. TWO WEEKS AGO SHE PAID $1000.00 TO REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT BECAUSE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132,000.
Steering, Oct 14, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHEN THE CONTACT TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL IN ANY DIRECTION, HE NOTICED A GRINDING NOISE IN THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THE GRINDING NOISE OCCURRED EACH TIME HE DROVE OVER A BUMP OR POT HOLE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER AND THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 78000.
Steering, Oct 6, 2009
I TOOK VEHICLE INTO GOODYEAR FOR OIL CHANGE AND TOLD THEM MORE STEERING NOISES ARE HAPPENING. *TR
Steering, Oct 6, 2009
2004 CHEVY MALIBU. NUMEROUS DEALERSHIP VISITS ON 'NOISY' STEERING. AFTER WARRANTY GOODYEAR FOUND $610.00 INTERMEDIATED STEERING SHAFT PROBLEM. NOISY AGAIN IN STEERING : STEERING COLUMN WENT OUT! ANOTHER $900.00 BILL. I WANT REIMBURSED AND A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Steering, Sep 29, 2009
THE POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE DRIVING MY 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. A "MECHANICAL PROBLEM INDICATOR APPEARED ON THE DASH BOARD WHEN DRIVING MY CAR AND THE WORDS "POWER STEERING" WERE DISPLAYED ON THE RADIO DISPLAY. A FEW MOMENTS LATER, MY POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE CAR BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE. I TURNED AROUND AND WENT HOME. *TR
Steering, Power train, Sep 25, 2009
I OWN A 2004; 4 CYL; CHEVY MALIBU WITH ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING. THE SYSTEM FAILED WHILE I WAS ON THE INTERSTATE. I NARROWLY ESCAPED CAUSING A COLLISION BECAUSE OF THIS FAILURE. WHEN TOWED TO CHEVY "... THEIR COMPUTER SHOWS NO PROBLEM...". BALONEY, I HAVE SINCE FOUND OUT BY GOING ON-LINE THAT LOTS OF CHEVY MALIBUS HAVE THIS PROBLEM. CHEVY WILL NOT OWN UP TO IT BECAUSE IT IS A MAJOR EXPENSIVE REPAIR. *TR
Steering, Sep 22, 2009
STEERING WHEEL WOULD SHIMMY WHILE IN MOTION, OFTEN ACCOMPANIED BY KNOCKING THAT IS HEARD AND ALSO FELT THROUGH THE STEERINGWHEEL WHILE APPLYING BRAKES, AND WOULD STOP ONLY WHEN THE VEHICLE CAME TO AN NEAR OR COMPLETE STOP. OTHER NOTABLE EVENTS INCLUDE A ROUGH VIBRATION WITH AN AUDIBLE REPETITIVE THUMPING THAT WAS FELT FROM THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL THAT WOULD SLIP ON REGULAR INTERVALS WHILE APPLYING BRAKES. THE FAILURE HAPPENED SUDDENLY WHILE DRIVING MY 2 SPECIAL NEEDS BOYS TO SCHOOL. THE FAILURE STARTED WITH LITTLE WARNING IN FRONT OF THE SCHOOL WHICH IS LOCATED RIGHT OFF THE BOULEVARD. I WAS ABLE TO BRING THE CAR SAFELY TO A STOP DUE TO THE 25MPH SCHOOL ZONE RULE. THE MAXIMUM SPEED LIMIT IS 35 DURING NON SCHOOL HOURS AND 40 MPH FURTHER DOWN THE BOULEVARD. THE POWER STEERING BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STEER WITH IN SECONDS BEFORE THE SERVICE (WRENCH) LIGHT CAME ON. I PARKED MY VEHICLE, AND CALLED MY INSURANCE COMPANY TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED TO AN REPUTABLE CARE REPAIR SHOP BECAUSE THE CAR WASN'T SAFE FOR ME TO DRIVE. AFTER 50 MINUTES THE TOW TRUCK ARRIVED AND WHEN THE DRIVER STARTED MY CAR, THE CAR WAS AGAIN STEER-ABLE AND THE MAINTENANCE LIGHT WAS NO LONGER ON. THE MECHANICS WERE UNSUCCESSFUL IN REPRODUCING THE STEERING MALFUNCTION. SEPTEMBER 9TH, 2009 , THE SAME FAILURE REPEATED ITSELF, SAME LOCATION SAME TIME AS BEFORE, THE MAINTENANCE LIGHT TURNED ON AND THEN UNLIKE THE FIRST EVENT ON SEPTEMBER 8TH, THE RADIO DISPLAYED AN POWERSTEERING FAILURE MESSAGE ON ITS' SCREEN. THE MECHANIC AT THE AUTO SHOP TOOK A LOOK AT MY CAR IMMEDIATELY AFTER HE SAW THE MAINTENANCE LIGHT, AND THE POWERSTEERING FAILURE MESSAGE. AFTER THE POWERSTEERING PART FROM BOB STALL CHEVROLET WAS DELIVERED, THE PART WAS THEN INSTALLED. I PAID OUT OF POCKET, AND DIDN'T FIND OUT UNTIL AFTER SERVICE WAS RENDERED, THAT A DISCOVERY WAS MADE BY THE SHOP WHILE SEARCHING FOR INFORMATION ABOUT MY CAR, THAT THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL. I NEVER RECEIVED GM'S NOTICE. I HAVE THE OLD PART. PART INSTALLED IS NEW. *TR
Steering, Sep 16, 2009
POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILS - CAUSES A MSG TO APPEAR ON INFO CENTER AND STEERING IS DIFFICULT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. *TR
Steering, Sep 4, 2009
I PURCHASED A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU IN JUNE 2009. SINCE I HAVE HAD THE CAR THE POWER STEERING LIGHT HAS COME ON AND I HAVE LOST ALL POWER STEERING IN THE VEHICLE TWICE. I TOOK THE CAR THE DEALERSHIPS SHOP AND THEY TOLD ME THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE POWER STEERING. DRIVING TODAY I LOST ALL POWER STEERING AGAIN. I STOP THE VEHICLE AND TURN IT OFF AND IT RESETS ITSELF USUALLY, BUT TODAY IT KEPT GOING OUT. I SPOKE TO A CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP AND THEY ARE VERY FAMILIAR WITH THE PROBLEM ALTHOUGH THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS AND NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO SERIOUSLY. I AM LOCKED INTO MY LOAN FOR 3 YEARS ON THIS CAR. *TR
Steering, Sep 3, 2009
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH THE "POWER STEERING" WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, THEN THE POWER STEERING FAILED. AS A CONSEQUENCE THE RISK FOR VEHICLE CRASH WAS INCREASED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY, AND A MECHANIC CONCLUDED THAT THE STEERING SHAFT NEEDED REPLACEMENT. AS OF CURRENT DATE THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 92,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Steering, Sep 1, 2009
LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE. THE POWER STEERING ASSIST GOES AWAY AND "POWER STEERING" IS DISPLAYED ON THE DRIVER INFORMATION CENTER. *TR