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 27, 2008
LOSS OF POWER STEERING. *TR
Steering, Mar 24, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CAR ICON LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY ON THE DASHBOARD. ON ONE OCCASION, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE DEALER REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 56,011 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,300. UPDATED 04/08/08. *LJ
Steering, Mar 24, 2008
THREE WEEKS AGO, NOTICED SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH STEERING ON 2004 MALIBU MAX. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD NOTHING WAS WRONG. ON MARCH 18TH THE STEERING FAILED AND FORTUNATELY WE WERE GOING SLOW AND GO THROUGH THE INTERSECTION INTO A PARKING LOT AVOIDING ACCIDENT. CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP WHO NOW STATED THE LOWER ELECTRONIC ASSEMBLY OF THE STEERING FAILED. WE WERE FORTUNATE THAT THE STEERING FAILED WHILE GOING SLOW AND ABLE TO PUT THE CAR IN A POSITION TO BE TOWED. TOTAL REPAIR COST $675. IN ALL MY YEARS I HAVE NEVER HAD A STEERING FAIL AND THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I UNDERSTAND PARTS WEAR OUT, BUT THIS IS BAD WHEN IT IS NOT ABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED UNTIL COMPLETE FAILURE. *TR
Steering, Mar 17, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE COST OF $700. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,224 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Steering, Mar 6, 2008
2004 CHEVY MALIBU MAXX HAS MAJOR FRONT END PROBLEM. HARD TO STEER, ALWAYS PULLING HARD TO THE RIGHT, SEEMS LIKE POWER STEERING IS NOT WORKING AT TIMES, CLUNKING NOISE WHEN STATIONARY AND TURNING WHEELS AND WHEN MOVING GOING OVER BUMPS. AT 33K MILES HAVE BEEN TOLD THE RACK AND PINION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. REPAIRS HAVEN'T BEEN DONE YET WAITING ON OTHER ESTIMATES. *TR
Steering, Mar 5, 2008
MY STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO MOVE ON ITS OWN EVEN AT IDLE. THIS HAPPENED FOR A DAY, THEN I LOST MY POWER STEERING AS I TRIED TO TURN LEFT IN A PARKING LOT. THE CAR WOULDN'T TURN. NOW I CANNOT STEER LEFT OR RIGHT AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS CONTINUOUSLY ON AND YOU SEE "POWER STEERING" IN THE INFO BOX ON THE DASH. I AM UPSET THAT I AM FINDING MANY COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET AND CHEVY/GM HAS NOT MADE THIS ISSUE A MANDATORY RECALL. I WILL BE EVEN MORE UPSET IF I RUN INTO THE SAME ISSUES THAT OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD BY HAVING THEIR STEERING COLUMNS REPLACED 2 AND 3 TIMES ONLY TO CONTINUE HAVING PROBLEMS!!! *TR
Steering, Mar 3, 2008
DRIVING ON A STRAIGHT ROAD, LOST POWER STEERING. WAS ABLE TO PULL INTO A PARKING LOT WITHOUT THE POWER STEERING. TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND RESTARTED ENGINE. POWER STEERING RETURNED AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED. *TR
Steering, Feb 28, 2008
WAS HEADING TO A WEDDING 200 MILES FELT A FUNNY VIBRATION IN THE FRONT END PULLED OVER THEN THE DASH LIT UP LIKE A CHRISTMAS TREE THE WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON THE STEREO DISPLAY READ POWER STEERING STARTED DINGING. TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE TO CHECK POWER STEERING PUMP FOUND OUT DIDN'T HAVE ONE. TURNED AROUND TO COME HOME CALLED THE GROOM SO HE COULD FIND NEW BESTMAN NIGHT BEFORE WEDDING. CALLED GMAC WHEN I GOT HOME AND THEY TOLD ME I HAD TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC DONE THE VEHICLE GOT UP THE NEXT DAY WENT TO THE DEALER THEY TOLD ME I NEEDED A NEW STEERING COLUMN CHARGED ME $70 TO TELL ME WHAT I ALREADY NEW BECAUSE I READ THE REPORTS. THE DEALER WANTED TO CHARGE ME $600 TO REPLACE IT. I HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH THE DEALER AND GMAC TO FIX THE PROBLEM BECAUSE I FEEL I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR THERE DEFECTIVE PART. *TR
Steering, Feb 28, 2008
2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU WITH ELECTRIC. CONSUMER STATES THAT THIS FAILURE OCCURS WITHOUT ANY WARNING AND SOMETIMES THE POWER STEERING LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED IN ORDER TO REGAIN POWER STEERING, HE MUST PULL OVER AND RE-START THE VEHICLE. THE FIRST TIME THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, THEY STATED IT NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED OR RECALIBRATED, WHICH DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THE SECOND TIME THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. ON 2 SEPARATE OCCASIONS, THE DEALER REPLACED THE POWER STEERING GEAR AND INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT DUE TO A NOISE BEING HEARD WHEN MAKING TURNS AND ACCELERATING. *JB
Steering, Feb 27, 2008
I HAVE A 2004 CHEVY MALIBU. IN JANUARY 2007 I NOTICED A CLUNKING NOISE WHICH COULD BE FELT IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN I WAS TURNING. ON 02/07/2007 I TOOK THE CAR TO A CHEVY DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE STEERING GEARPART NUMBER: 15858368, AND ANOTHER GEAR, PART NUMBER: 06508. ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO I NOTICED THE PROBLEM HAD RETURNED, THE CAR NOW HAS 39,000 MILES ON IT. SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE ABOUT THIS AS I HAVE SEEN MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS AND NUMEROUS PEOPLE, SUCH AS MYSELF, REPORTING MULTIPLE FAILURES. NOW THAT THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY I WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR IT OUT OF POCKET TO FIX A CHEVROLET DEFECT, NOT TO MENTION THE OBVIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
Steering, Feb 24, 2008
STEERING GOES OUT. JUST DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND STEERING FAILED. I COULD NOT TURN THE WHEEL. I AM PAST THE WARRANTY AND THREE DIFFERENT STORIES FROM THREE DIFFERENT PEOPLE. IT SOUNDS LIKE THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT. *TR
Steering, Jan 25, 2008
I WAS TAKING MY DAUGHTERS 2004 CHEVY MALIBU FOR A TEST RIDE AFTER SHE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE POWER STEERING GOING OUT ON HER. I DROVE SEVERAL MILES, THEN THE MECHANICAL LIGHT ON THE LOWER LEFT PART OF THE DISPLAY CAME ON. I PULLED IN TO A PARKING LOT TO PARK WHEN THE POWER STEERING COMPLETELY WENT OUT, CAUSING ME TO ALMOST COLLIDE WITH ANOTHER PARKED CAR. I FINALLY GOT THE CAR PARKED AFTER STRUGGLING WITH THE STEERING, SHUT OFF THE CAR AND RESTARTED, THE MECHANICAL LIGHT STAYED ON BUT THE STEERING RECOVERED. AFTER DRIVING AGAIN THE STEERING WENT OUT AGAIN. NOW I'M CONCERNED THAT WHENEVER SHE DRIVES THIS, SERIOUS INJURY COULD HAPPEN TO HER. IT WAS HARD ENOUGH FOR ME TO STEER WITHOUT P/S, I CAN'T IMAGINE THAT SHE CAN HANDLE IT ANY BETTER IF IT INADVERTENTLY GOES OUT AGAIN, WHICH IT NO DOUBT WILL! *TR
Steering, Jan 18, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE MAKING A RIGHT OR LEFT TURN AT ANY SPEED, THE STEERING WOULD MAKE A GRINDING OR GRATING NOISE. THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND OR HEAR ANY FAILURES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL IS NOW MAKING A VERY LOUD GRATING AND GRINDING NOISE. SHE SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 23,836 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000.
Steering, Jan 7, 2008
2004 CHEVY MALIBU STEERING COLUMN HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES AND NOW THE STEERING GOES OUT AGAIN AND THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY. I PAID OVER 100.00 TO THE CHEVY DEALERSHIP TO FIGURE OUT THE STEERING PROBLEM AND AN ELETRICAL PROBLEM JUST FOR THEM TO TELL ME THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. HOWEVER BOTH PROBLEMS STILL EXIST. CHEVY DOES NOT WANT TO PAY FOR ANY REPAIRS, BUT THEY SAY THEY STAND BY THEIR CARS. *TR
Steering, Dec 11, 2007
VEHICLE STARTED TO DRIVE HARD/LOUD AFTER THE FIRST YEAR. VEHICLE AT DEALER FOR PROBLEMS WITH LIGHTS FOUND PROBLEM WITH STEERING RACK AND LEAKING SEAL AT THE AXEL SHAFT. REPLACED STEERING RACK AND FIX SEAL ALSO REPLACE BRAKES. PROBLEM WITH GAS CAP WHICH LEAD TO A SERIES OF PROBLEMS INCLUDING NEED TO REPLACE A THROTTLE BODY AND THEN THE TRANSMISSION. TRADED VEHICLE DECEMBER 2007 WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER CHEVROLET. 2004 MALIBU WAS PURCHASED NEW IN FEBRUARY 2004 WITH ONLY 7 MILES. *TR
Steering, Nov 22, 2007
A CLUNKING IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN TURNING AT LOW SPEED. TOOK MY 1ST CHEVY TO THE MECHANIC WITH THE SAME NOISE AND WAS TOLD I BOUGHT A LEMON BECAUSE GM CAN'T RESOLVE ISSUES WITH THE STEERING COLUMN SO I WAS BUMMED. I WENT OUT AND PURCHASED ANOTHER GM THINKING THAT THE LAST CAR WAS A LEMON AND IT COULDN'T HAPPEN AGAIN. I WAS SADLY MISTAKEN! I'VE BOUGHT 2 GM CARS IN THE LAST 3 YEARS AND NOW REGRET IT, I OWNED FOREIGN CARS BEFORE AND IT'S THE FIRST AND LAST TIME I'M BUYING GM UNFORTUNATELY.... *TR
Electrical system, Steering, Nov 13, 2007, crash
TL*THE CONTACT IS CO-OWNER OF A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH WHEN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS BEGAN TO FLICKER AND THERE WAS A LOSS OF STEERING POWER. THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE RIGHT AND THEN PULLED HARD TO THE LEFT, ENTERING INTO TRAFFIC AND STRIKING TWO VEHICLES. THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. THE TWO OTHER DRIVERS ALSO SUSTAINED INJURIES, BUT THE CONTACT DOES NOT KNOW TO WHAT EXTENT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED APPROXIMATELY $2,600 WORTH OF DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY AND TOWED TO A DEALER. INVESTIGATION NUMBER EA04018 WAS ISSUED, BUT THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL AS OF YET. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 37,000. UPDATED 12-12-07. *KB
Steering, Suspension, Oct 24, 2007
STEERING WENT ON CAR WHILE DRIVING . NOT INVOLVED IN ACCIDENT BROUGHT TO DEALERS AND HAD TO GET WHOLE NEW STEERING COLUMN PUT IN , BUT I HAD TO PAY FOR THE BALANCING AND ROTATION OF THE TIRES. THAT WAS THE STEERING COLUMN'S FAULT. *TR
Steering, Suspension, Visibility, Oct 10, 2007
SINCE I PURCHASED MY LEMON MALIBU 2004, I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING COLUMN, THE RACK AND PINION, THE CAR SUSPENSION, THE POWER WINDOW. THE DEALER REPLACED THE RACK AND PINION TWICE. THEY REMOVED THREE TIMES THE STEERING COLUMN TO PLACE SOME GREASE IN THE SYSTEM. MY HUSBAND HAD A BAD EXPERIENCE WHILE DRIVING THE CAR, THE STEERING SYSTEM GOT STUCK. *TR
Steering, Oct 7, 2007
NOISE IN THE STEERING. *JB
Steering, Oct 2, 2007
GOT POWER STEERING WARNING. HAD DIAGNOSTIC CHECK WITH NO RESULTS. IGNORED THE WARNING FOR A MONTH. POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE IN A PARKING LOT. SHUT OFF ENGINE, RESTARTED AND HAD POWER STEERING AGAIN. HAPPENED A SECOND TIME THIS TIME WITH MY WIFE DRIVING. SHE MANAGED TO PULL OVER AND SHUT OFF CAR. POWER STEERING WORKED WHEN THE CAR WAS RE-STARTED. *TR
Steering, Sep 26, 2007
POWER STEERING WAS REPLACED BACK IN 2005, AS OF TODAY CAR IS BACK IN SHOP FOR THE SAME PROBLEM SUPPOSEDLY THAT WAS FIXED IN 2005. 1) LIGHT COMES ON "POWER STEERING" 2) CAR IS HARD TO STEER (THIS PROBLEM HAPPENED RIGHT ON THE HIGHWAY AND I WAS VERY SCARED FOR MY LIFE AS TO NO OTHER WARNING BUT THE LIGHT COMING ON AND IMMEDIATELY BEING UNABLE TO TURN). 3) CURRENTLY THE CAR IS IN THE SHOP. *JB
Steering, Sep 19, 2007
POWER STEERING LIGHT REPEATEDLY GOING ON AND OFF,STEERING GETTING TIGHT OFF AND ON,WENT TO MECHANIC THEY RESET LIGHT, POWER STEERING LIGHT OFF AND ON YET AGAIN, THEN HE HAD LOST POWER STEERING 3 X,BUT IF HE WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER SHUT OFF AND RESTART, HE COULD DRIVE FOR A WHILE, FINALLY GOT IT TO CHEVROLET THEY HAD IT 2 DAYS, REPLACED STEERING COLUMN $796.00, NO WARRANTY NO RECALL, ONLY A SERVICE BULLETIN OUT ABOUT THE PROBLEM, WHICH WHEN I TALKED TO GM THEY SAID THEY HAVE HAD NO COMPLAINTS! ARE THEY WAITING FOR DEAD BODIES TO START PILING UP BEFORE THEY SEND OUT A RECALL? *TR
Steering, Sep 1, 2007
BOUGHT 6 CYLINDER 2004 MALIBU WITH 2000 MILES FROM DEALER. WITHIN TWO MONTHS, STEERING FAILED. STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED. SINCE THEN STEERING COLUMN HAS BEEN REPLACED A TOTAL OF FOUR TIMES FOR CONTINUED "CLUNKING" NOISE IN FRONT STEERING AREA. LAST TIME CAR WAS STILL IN WARRANTY. CAR NOW HAS 62,000 MILES AND CONTINUES TO CLUNK JUST AS WHEN NEW AND AS EACH COLUMN WAS REPLACED. *JB
Steering, Aug 20, 2007
FEBRUARY 2005 STEERING COLUMN REPLACED DUE TO FAILURE, PRIOR TO RECALL ISSUED (15,050 MILES). FEBRUARY 2007 RACK AND PINION SYSTEM REPLACED DUE TO THUNKING NOISE WHEN TURNING LEFT (45,380 MILES). THUNKING NOISE RETURNED IN AUGUST 2007, THIS TIME NOISE WAS CAUSED BY STEERING SHAFT, WHICH WAS REPLACED (51,206 MILES). *TR