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, Oct 27, 2008
POWER STEERING MESSAGE COMES ON AND THERE IS ONLY 85,000 MILES. NO WARRANTY TO COVER THIS ISSUE AT THIS EARLY IN ITS LIFE! *TR
Steering, Oct 10, 2008
THE STEERING WHEEL ON MY CHEVROLET MALIBU LOCKED UP ON A BUSY STREET WITHOUT WARNING. THE CHECK ENGINE/SERVICE LIGHT DID NOT COME ON UNTIL AFTER MY STEERING WHEEL HAD ALREADY LOCKED ON ME. AFTER RESTARTING MY CAR 3 TO 4 TIMES THE STEERING WHEEL UNLOCKED. MY STEERING WHEEL HAS LOCKED UP FOUR TIMES SINCE THEN. I PHONED CHEVROLET BECAUSE MY SUPERVISOR AT WORK INFORMED ME THAT SHE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH HER CHEVY MALIBU,AND SHE HAD A RECALL/DEFECT NOTIFICATION. CHEVROLET INFORMED ME THAT BECAUSE MY VIN# WAS NOT FROM THE FACTORY WITH THE DEFECTS THEY ARE NOT LIABLE FOR REPAIRS. *TR
Steering, Oct 1, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. IMMEDIATELY AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE IN NOVEMBER OF 2005, THE CONTACT BEGAN EXPERIENCING FAILURE WITH THE STEERING COLUMN. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE STEERING COLUMN STOPPED MOVING. SHE TURNED THE WHEEL AS HARD AS SHE COULD IN ORDER TO PULL THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN WAS DEFECTIVE. THEY ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER RECALL AND THE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED. FOR THE PAST THREE YEARS, THE CONTACT HAS HAD TO REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN EVERY SIX MONTHS. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT REIMBURSE HER FOR THE REPAIRS OF THE STEERING SHAFT WHICH WAS BELIEVED TO BE RELATED TO OTHER PROBLEMS. . UPDATED 11/14/08 *CN THE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED 4 TIMES AND THE LASST TIME IT WAS REPLACED, THE STEERING SHAFT WAS REPLACED AS WELL. UPDATED 11/19/08. *JB
Steering, Sep 16, 2008
THE STEERING WENT OUT ON MY 2004 CHEVY MALIBU LS. FORTUNATELY I WAS IN A DRIVEWAY WHEN IT HAPPENED. HAD THIS HAPPENED ON MY WAY TO WORK I AM SURE THAT I WOULD HAVE DIED. I WAS TURNING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY AND HEARD A CLUNK AND THEN WAS UNABLE TO STEER. MY STEERING WHEEL WENT ALL THE WAY AROUND. I CHECKED OUT RECALL AND COMPLAINT WEBSITES AND FOUND THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL 2004 MALIBU OWNERS AND CHEVY REFUSES TO MAKE THIS A RECALL. *TR
Steering, Sep 10, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WITHIN 60 DAYS OF PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD THUD COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO FIRESTONE AND THEY DISCOVERED THAT THE RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE BUSHINGS WERE FAILING. THE CONTACT WAS ADAMANT ABOUT HAVING THE VEHICLE FURTHER INVESTIGATED. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE RACK AND PINION FAILED AND MADE THE REPLACEMENT. IN LESS THAN A YEAR AFTER THE REPLACEMENT, THE RACK AND PINION FAILED AGAIN. THE INDEPENDENT DEALER STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE WITH THE RACK AND PINION; HOWEVER, NOTHING COULD BE DONE. A SECOND REPLACEMENT WAS ALSO RECOMMENDED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,200 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS LESS THAN 54,000.
Steering, Sep 9, 2008
WHEN DRIVING, THE POWER STEERING WILL JERK SIDE TO SIDE AND SEVERAL TIMES HAS COMPLETELY FAILED MAKING THE VEHICLE EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE FAILURE CAUSED ME TO LOSE CONTROL ON THE INTERSTATE SLAMMING ME AGAINST THE DOOR OF THE VEHICLE, THANKFULLY I WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL ALTHOUGH IT WAS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER. THE DRIVER INFORMATION CONSOLE DISPLAYED "POWER STEERING." AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH I SAW THAT THERE ARE HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE. THAT IS WHY I DECIDED TO FILE A COMPLAINT. *TR
Steering, Sep 5, 2008
POPPING IN STEERING COLUMN WHEN TURNING, OCCURS ALL THE TIME. *TR
Steering, Aug 26, 2008
I WAS STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN ON MON 8/25/08 WHEN THE INDICATOR NOISE SOUNDED AND THE WORDS "POWER STEERING" SHOWED UP ON MY RADIO TUNER. I FELT A SMALL CLICK IN MY STEERING WHEEL AT THE SAME TIME THIS OCCURRED. WHEN I STARTED DRIVING AGAIN, I COULD TELL MY POWER STEERING HAD DEFINITELY GONE OUT AS THE WHEEL WAS EXTREMELY HARD TO TURN. I HAD ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING THAT THIS WOULD HAPPEN. THE CAR HAD BEEN WORKING GREAT UP TO THAT POINT. (2004 CHEVY MALIBU W/ 68,673 MILES). THE POWER STEERING WAS OUT FOR THE REST OF MY DRIVE HOME. TODAY, WHEN I WENT TO DRIVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR, THE POWER STEERING WAS WORKING AGAIN. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER ANYWAY AND THEY ARE TELLING ME I NEED A NEW STEERING COLUMN. I'M CONCERNED THAT IF I DON'T GET THIS REPAIRED, THE POWER STEERING WILL GO OUT AGAIN RANDOMLY. *TR
Steering, Aug 13, 2008
POWER STEERING GOES OUT ON A REGULAR BASIS IN MY 2004 CHEVY MALIBU LS. I HAVE HAD TO PULL OVER AND TURN OFF THE CAR AND RESTART ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS TO GET STEERING POWER BACK. THE DEALERSHIPS CLAIM THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY CAR AND HAVE CHARGED ME 110 DOLLARS IN DIAGNOSTICS AND UNSUCCESSFUL REPAIRS. *TR
Steering, Jul 31, 2008
POWER STEERING PROBLEM. CLUNKING WHEN TURNING BEFORE. NOW POWER ASSIST COMES AND GOES. VERY DANGEROUS. *TR
Steering, Jul 30, 2008
REFER TO NHTSA ACTION #: PE04031, MY CAR HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I BROUGHT IT TO THE CHEVY DEALER IN 2005 AND WAS TOLD "THAT'S HOW THE NEW ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING" WORKS. I ALWAYS FELT IT WASN'T RIGHT AND HAVE NARROWLY AVOIDED CRASHES A FEW TIMES WHEN THE STEERING FROZE UP. MY MECHANIC NOTED THE PROBLEM DURING THE CAR'S YEARLY INSPECTION AND REPLACED THE STEERING MODULE. THIS IS POTENTIALLY A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT CHEVROLET SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR FIXING. *TR
Steering, Jul 22, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT ANY RATE OF SPEED, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE VIBRATES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS AND THEY DIAGNOSED IT AS HAVING A FAULTY INTERNAL STEERING SHAFT THAT HAD BEEN GREASED IMPROPERLY. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 36,500 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,047. UPDATED 09/13/08. *LJ UPDATED 09/16/08 *JB
Steering, Jul 15, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AT 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE SWERVED TO THE LEFT WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO SWERVE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN AND UNABLE TO BE MOVED TO THE LEFT. THE POWER STEERING DID NOT WORK WHEN TURNED TO THE RIGHT, AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS VERY LOOSE WHEN IT WAS TURNED TO THE LEFT. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED TWICE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, SHE FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS AND ONE POSSIBLE INVESTIGATION. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT A FOUR YEAR OLD VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE EXPERIENCING THESE TYPES OF FAILURES. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 74,404. UPDATE 09/10/08 *CW THE CONSUMER STATED THE POWER STEERING FAILED 3 TIMES. THE DEALER REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN. UPDATED 09/16/08. *JB
Steering, Jul 10, 2008
I LOST POWER STEERING ON MY 2004 CHEVY MALIBU LAST WEEK. CAR HAS 34K MILES ON IT. FOR ABOUT 4-5 SECONDS THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO STEERING, THEN NO POWER STEERING. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE ABSOLUTELY. GM REFUSES TO PAY FOR REPAIR OR HELP ME AT ALL. THEY ALSO REFUSE ACCORDING THE THEIR SPOKESMAN, TO DO A RECALL. *TR
Steering, Jul 8, 2008
I WAS TRAVELING A STRAIGHT SECTION OF I-75 GOING NORTHBOUND THAT MY POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON. SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR IN 2007, I NOTICED A KNOCKING NOISE IN THE ENGINE SECTION AND NEVER THOUGHT NOTHING OF IT, JUST THOUGHT AS BEING OK. SO I TOOK MY MALIBU TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THAT MY 2004 MALIBU MAXX STEERING COLUMN MUST BE REPLACED. SO I CALLED ANOTHER DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WERE PREVIOUS RECALLS CONCERNING THE POWER STEERING. I NOTIFIED GM OF THE PROBLEM AND THEY OFFERED TO PAY HALF OF THE COSTS WHICH WAS $430 OF AN $860 PROJECT. I THINK THEY SHOULD PAY ALL BECAUSE ITS STILL CONSIDERED A NEW USED CAR. *TR
Steering, Jul 7, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST LOCKED, WHICH PREVENTED THE STEERING WHEEL FROM BEING TURNED. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED TWICE SINCE THE INITIAL FAILURE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE SENSOR WAS FAULTY, AND RECOMMENDED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,020.
Steering, Jul 7, 2008
I OWN A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. WHILE DRIVING ON THE NJ GARDEN STATE PARKWAY, I HEARD AN AUDIBLE ALARM AND AT THE SAME TIME NOTICED A "POWER STEERING" READ-OUT ON THE ON THE DIC DISPLAY. ALL THIS TIME I AM FEELING THE TIGHTNESS IN THE STEERING AND REALIZING THAT I HAVE LOST THE POWER STEERING ON THE VEHICLE. SINCE THEN I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS LOSS IS INTERMITTENT - IT COMES AND GOES WITH NO PREDICTION OF WHEN OR WHERE. I HAVE ALSO NOTICED THAT PRIOR TO THE ACTUALLY LOSS OF PS, IT SEEMS THAT THE SYSTEM IS LOSING CONTROL, I.E. TRYING TO SYNCHRONIZE/STABILIZE BEFORE IT FAILS. I HAVE REPORTED THIS TO GM, WHO IN TERM HAVE SUGGESTED THAT I TAKE IT TO THE DEALER FOR EVALUATION. WHEN THE PROBLEM OCCURS, IT CAN BE VERY SCARY. *TR
Steering, Jun 19, 2008
POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE CAR BEING DRIVEN. *TR
Steering, Jun 3, 2008
I PURCHASED A CHEVROLET MALIBU IN THE YEAR 2004. THE CAR IS OVER 100,000 MILES AND OUT OF WARRANTY, HOWEVER, THE INCIDENT THAT I EXPERIENCED WITH THIS VEHICLE IS LIFE AND DEATH HAZARD IN THE MANUFACTURE OF THIS CAR. I HAVE OWNED CHEVROLET'S SINCE I CAN REMEMBER AND MY DAD IS AN X-EMPLOYEE OF GENERAL MOTORS. THE SITUATION THAT TOOK PLACE WITH MY CAR IS WHILE IN AUTOMATIC DRIVE GEAR AND GOING TRAFFIC SPEED THE POWER STEERING UNIT SHUT DOWN AND I COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED BECAUSE YOU ARE NOW DRIVING MANUALLY WITH THE STEERING IN THE CAR. THIS DEFECT IN WORKMANSHIP COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A CATASTROPHIC ACCIDENT WHERE MANY PEOPLE COULD HAVE BEEN INJURED OR HURT! IF MY WIFE OR DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE I DON,T THINK THEY WOULD HAVE CONTROLLED THE VEHICLE. I CALLED GENERAL MOTORS AND THEY BRUSHED ME OFF? THE COMPLAINT NO. I FILED IS [XXX]. I ALSO, WROTE A LETTER TO THE CONSUMER COMPLAINT DIVISION OF GM IN DETROIT. I HAVE NOT HEARD BACK ANYTHING AS OF YET! I HAVE NEVER OWNED A NEW VEHICLE THAT WHERE THE POWER STEERING UNIT SHUT DOWN IN DRIVING MODE. I THINK THIS COMPLAINT REPRESENTS A DEFECT IN THE MANUFACTURE OF THIS CAR. I HAD GM RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FIXING OF MY CAR WARRANTY OR NO WARRANTY. THE CAR IS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD AND I MAINTAIN THE SERVICING OF THIS VEHICLE ON A REGULAR BASIS. IN THE PAST THREE YEARS I HAD 3 REPLACEMENTS ON MY GAS CAP ALSO BECAUSE OF DEFECT IN WORKMANSHIP. THIS INCIDENT TOOK PLACE 1 DAY PRIOR TO THE FILING OF THE COMPLAINT WITH GM. I WAS REALLY SHAKEN UP WHEN THIS POWER STEERING SHUT DOWN. I AM NOT SURE OF THE EXACT DAY BUT IT WAS FRI. IN THE BEGINNING OF MAY. I CALLED GM THE NEXT DAY IN REGARDS TO THIS INCIDENT. SO, THE DATE MAY BE OFF YOU CAN CHECK WITH GM ON THE DATE I FILED THE TELEPHONE COMPLAINT. THANK YOU, [XXX] . INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Steering, Jun 2, 2008
WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL IT MAKES POPPING NOISES AND CAN BE FELT ON THE STEERING WHEEL. IT APPEARS TO BE GETTING WORSE OVER TIME. I AM A LITTLE CONCERNED THAT IT MAY BE READY TO FAIL. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT IT WAS NOT SERIOUS. *TR
Steering, May 26, 2008
I HAD A SMALL VIBRATION IN MY STEERING WHEEL AT ABOUT 74,000 MILES. I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALER AND THEY CHANGED THE STEERING COLUMN. I NOW HAVE 91,000 MILES ON MY CAR AT IT IS VIBRATING WORSE THEN IT EVER HAS BEFORE. *TR
Steering, May 12, 2008
ELECTRIC STEERING WILL LOOSE POWER. THE STEERING COLUMN HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE. THE FIRST TIME THE DEALS REPLACED IT FREE OF CHARGE. SECOND TIME THE DEALER PAID FOR THE PARTS BUT I HAD TO PAY FOR THE LABOR $ 225.00. *TR
Steering, Exterior lighting, Structure, Apr 26, 2008
MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR - LEFT TURN SIGNAL DOES NOT WORK - CAR IS ALIGNED AND STILL WANTS TO GO LEFT (ELECTRICAL STEERING ISSUES I AM TOLD) - ADJUSTABLE PEDALS DO NOT ADJUST - VISOR MIRROR IS BROKEN - *TR
Steering, Apr 9, 2008
TOOK CAR IN FOR SEMI ANNUAL SERVICE, CAR IS JUST OFF WARRANTY (105,000 KM APROX 62000 MILES). SERVICE LIGHT FOR THE POWER STEERING CAME ON, BUT NO LOSS IN STEERING. WAS TOLD THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, BUT UNTIL FAILURE HAPPENS, LEAVE IT BECAUSE IT IS A COSTLY REPAIR. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON FAILURE AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY THE COMPANY AND NOT THE CONSUMER. I HAVE NO PROBLEMS PAYING FOR REPAIRS, BUT THIS SEEMS TO BE A SAFETY HAZARD. *TR
Steering, Apr 3, 2008
CAR HAS HAD RATTLE NOISE FROM FRONT END SINCE CAR WAS BOUGHT FROM A CHEVY DEALERSHIP WITH 32K ON IT. THE CAR CURRENTLY HAS 61K ON IT. STEERING RACK HAS WORN TO THE POINT WHERE IT JAMS AND THE WHEEL WILL NOT TURN. RATTLE NOISE HAS TURNED IN TO CLUNKING NOISE. WHEN CAR WAS BROUGHT TO DEALER 3 TIMES FOR NOISE IT WAS RETURNED "NO PROBLEMS FOUND". *TR