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 25, 2006
THE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED IN APRIL OF 2005 AS A RESULT OF A RECALL STATING THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST CAN FAIL WITHOUT WARNING. UP TO THIS TIME, NO ACTUAL FAILURE HAD OCCURRED. IN SEPTEMBER OF 2006 THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED FOR THE FIRST TIME AS DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL NOTICE. SIMULTANEOUS WITH THE FAILURE, AN AUDIBLE BEEPING OCCURRED AND A FAILURE MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED ON THE CONSOLE. RE-STARTING THE CAR WILL CORRECT THE PROBLEM TEMPORARILY, BUT IT RECURS ON A REGULAR BASIS. BOTH THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER REFUSE TO REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN AT THEIR EXPENSE BECAUSE IT WAS DONE ONCE IN 2005. *NM
Steering, Oct 11, 2006
BOUGHT A MALIBU LT MAXX IN APR 04, ENCOUNTERED STEERING WHEEL PROBLEMS SEVERAL. THE WORST WAS THAT IT LOCKED MY STEERING WHEEL WHILE DRIVING ON THE HWY 401. I HAD TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HWY TO RE-START MY ENGINE TO TRY MY LUCKY TO GET BACK THE STEERING POWER. I HAVE THE PROBLEM TILL NOW AND YET UNSOLVED. NO CHOICE BUT TO GET INTO A NEW CAR NOW, JUST TO ADVISE BEING KILL ON THE ROAD. *JB
Steering, Electrical system, Equipment, Oct 5, 2006
THREE ISSUES WITH MY 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU LS V6... 1. THE STEERING GEAR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT 48,000 MILES. 2. THE STARTER STAYS ENGAGED PERIODICALLY OR HAS TROUBLE TURNING OVER TO START THE CAR. 3. A/C NOT COOLING VEHICLE. ENTIRE UNIT EVENTUALLY REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN BROUGHT IN NUMEROUS (13) TIMES TO VARIOUS GM DEALERS AND ONLY HAS 48,000 MILES. *JB
Steering, Structure, Sep 13, 2006
2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAX STEERING FAILED MAKING THE VEHICLE UNDRIVEABLE. REAR HATCHBACK DOOR IS RUSTING. *KB WHEN THE STEERING FAILED THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED 38 MILES TOT HE CONSUMER'S HOME. THE REAR HATCH MOLDING CLIPS AND GASKETS FAILED TO PREVENT SALT INDUCED SWIRL RUST
Steering, Sep 10, 2006
MY CAR MAKES A GROANING OR LOW GROWLING SOUND WHEN I TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. IT SEEMS THAT THE HOTTER THE WEATHER IS THE MORE IT GROWLS AND GROANS. *NM
Steering, Aug 18, 2006
I KEPT HEARING A RATTLING IN MY CAR COMING FROM THE FRONT TIRES AREA. I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL GM DEALERSHIP AND IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS NEEDING A "STEERING GEAR". MY CAR IS ONLY 2 YEARS OLD, THOUGH IT HAS RELATIVELY HIGH MILEAGE. AFTER CONSULTING WITH OTHERS MORE KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT CARS, I FOUND OUT THAT GM HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH STEERING GEARS IN THE PAST, AND THAT MY CAR IS DEFINITELY TOO "YOUNG" TO HAVE THAT PART NEEDING REPLACEMENT. IT'S A 2004 CHEVY MALIBU WITH 64K+ MILES ON IT.*JB
Steering, Aug 18, 2006
2004 MALIBU MAXX. HAVE LOST POWER STEERING 3X'S. THIS IS THE ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM THAT NEEDS TO BE CHANGED/FIXED, NOT PUTTING IN A NEW PART THAT IS THE SAME AS THE OLD ONE. VERY ANNOYED. *JB
Steering, Aug 10, 2006
MAKING SLOW LEFT HAND TURN, VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING. POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND ON BOARD DISPLAY LISTED ISSUE AS POWER STEERING. SHUT OFF VEHICLE AND RESTARTED. POWER STEERING WAS REGAINED. CONTACTED DEALER AND WAS NOTIFIED RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE WAS NOT IN EFFECT FOR THE VIN NUMBER LISTED FOR MY VEHICLE, BUT ANY ISSUE THAT WARRANTED A RECALL OF THE MODELS DUE TO THE SAME DEFECT. *JB
Suspension, Steering, Aug 7, 2006
POWER STEERING FAILED ON 2004 CHEVY MALIBU WITHOUT WARNING. I HAD TAKEN THE CAR IN ABOUT A MONTH AGO FOR FRONT ALIGNMENT ISSUES, THOUGHT THEY FIXED IT, BUT THE PROBLEM CAME BACK AND THEN POWER STEERING QUIT. *JB
Steering, Aug 7, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE STEERING LOCKED UP ON 2 SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THE ELECTRIC STEERING HAS LOST POWER AND THE WHEELS BECOME LOCKED. BOTH TIMES THE DEALER HAS REPLACED THE RACK PINION ROD, BUT THE CONTACT EXPRESS THAT THIS WILL HAPPEN AGAIN AND WAS PROBABLY DUE TO A COMPONENT DEFECT.
Steering, Jul 21, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKED UP. THE 2004 CHEVROLET WAS THE FIRST YEAR MANUFACTURED WITH A ELECTRIC STEERING COLUMN. IN APRIL 2005, THE STEERING COLUMN WAS MAKING A NOISE AND WAS TIGHT RESULTING IN DIFFICULT STEERING FOR SHARP TURNS. TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM, THE DEALER REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN. IN JULY 2006, THERE WAS A SECOND FAILURE TO THE STEERING COLUMN, IT LOCKED UP.
Steering, Jul 20, 2006
WHEN SLOWING DOWN AND SOMETIMES WHEN ACCELERATING THERE IS A CLUNK SOUND FROM THE BOTTOM LEFT OF THE STEERING COLUMN. AT FIRST WE COULD HARDLY HEAR IT AND AS THE MONTHS PASSED ON IT GOT WORSE. BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER ON MARCH 31, 2004. THEY SAID GM IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND ARE MANUFACTURING PARTS TO REPAIR THE DEFECT. THEY GAVE ME A GM DOCUMENT WITH ID#1764730 AND STATING THAT THE PART WILL BE AVAILABLE IN THE SECOND QUARTER. I THINK I MAY HAVE A LEMON BECAUSE EARLIER THE POWER STEERING STOPPED AND THEY REPLACED THE WHOLE STEERING SYSTEM. IT IS NOW FIVE MONTHS SINCE I HAVE BEEN TO THE DEALER AND I HAVE NOT HEARD ANYTHING. THE CAR NOW SOUNDS LIKE THE FRONT END IS GOING TO FALL OFF WHENEVER WE SLOW DOWN AND IT SOUNDS VERY DANGEROUS. THE CAR DOES NOT HAVE MORE THAN 23,000 MILES, WHICH I CONSIDER FAIRLY NEW, AND SOUNDS LIKE IT HAS 500,000 MILES ON IT. MY WIFE AND I ARE BOTH IN OUR 60'S AND BELIEVE ME WE ARE NOT HOT RODDERS. PLEASE HELP US TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM. *NM
Steering, Jul 6, 2006
IN TWO OCCASIONS I EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING .THE CAR A CHEVROLET MODEL MALIBU YEAR 2004 WAS TRANSPORTED TO A CHEVROLET DEALER(NORWOOD CHEVROLET) IN WARWICK RI. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED A STEERING COLUMN SHIFT-TORQUE SENSOR FAILURE.GM ADMITTED THAT THEY HAD AN INTERNAL RECALL. THE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED AS PER GM CUSTOMER RELATION MANAGER.THE BILL WAS 610.48 DOLLARS.THEYNEVER REFUND ME BECAUSE THE NEW MANAGER STATED THAT THE RECALL WAS LIFTED.PLEASE EVALUATE AND ADVISE ME WHAT TO DO. THANK YOU . *NM
Steering, Jul 3, 2006
1. POWER STEERING FAILURE 2. NOISE IN STEERING 3. NOISE IN STEERING STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED IN EACH INCIDENT, NOW MAKING CLUNKING NOISE AGAIN. DEALER SAID ITS "NORMAL CHARACTERISTIC OF VEHICLE. NOISE IS GETTING WORSE. *NM
Steering, Suspension, Electrical system, Structure, Jun 27, 2006
2004 MALIBU ANTI THEFT LIGHT AND RADIO LOCK LIGHT ILLUMINATES, PROBLEM WITH SEAL ON THE REAR LEFT WINDOW. *TS THE STEERING WAS STIFF, THE MOLDING ON THE LET REAR WINDOW CAME OUT OF PLACE WHEN THE WINDOW WAS ROLLED UP. THE VEHICLE WOULD VIBRATE WHILE DRIVING. THERE WAS A RUBBING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED SEVERAL TIMES, THE TEMPERATURE AND FUEL GAUGE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE TRUNK WOULD NOT OPEN PROPERLY WHEN USING THE REMOTE. THE VEHICLE STARTED BY ITSELF AND ALL THE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED WHICH CAUSED THE BATTERY TO DIE. *JB
Steering, Jun 19, 2006
DURING MY EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT WITH DELPHI AUTOMOTIVE (DELPHI SAGINAW STEERING SYSTEM, 3900 E. HOLLAND AVE., SAGINAW, MICHIGAN 48601), I WAS INSTRUCTED TO CONDUCT A SCREW "STRIP-OUT" STUDY ON THE ELECTRIC MOTOR/CONTROLLER ASSEMBLY OF THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING (EPS) SYSTEM OF THE GENERAL MOTOR'S EPSILON PLATFORM (MY 2003.5 - 2006 MALIBU). THIS STUDY WAS CONDUCTED IN MAY OF 2004 AT DELPHI'S PLANT 1, EPS ASSEMBLY. THE STUDY INCLUDED TEN PRODUCTION MOTOR AND TEN PRODUCTION CONTROLLER ASSEMBLIES THAT WERE ASSEMBLED ON THE PRODUCTION EQUIPMENT AND PROCESS(ES). THE CONTROLLER IS ATTACHED TO MOTOR BY THREE M 5.0X 0.8 SCREWS. THE RESULT OF THAT STUDY CONCLUDED THAT FOUR OF THE TEN MOTOR/CONTROLLER ASSEMBLIES HAD AT LEAST ONE OF THE SCREWS FULLY STRIPPED WITH LESS THAN 50% OF THE DESIGN INTENDED RETENTION AND WITH TWO ASSEMBLIES WITH TWO FULLY STRIPPED SCREWS. THIS REPORT WAS SHARED WITH MY IMMEDIATE ENGINEERING MANAGER WHOM THEN REPORTED TO SEVERAL OTHER PRODUCT ENGINEER MANAGERS OF THE EPS GROUP IN SAGINAW, MICHIGAN. IT WAS UNIVERSALLY UNDERSTOOD THAT PLANT 1 HAD AN ASSEMBLY ISSUE WITH THIS PROCESS AND THAT THERE WAS NO EFFECTIVE CONTAINMENT PROCESS IN PLACE TO SCRAP ALL SUSPECTED STRIPPED ASSEMBLIES. THE FOLLOW-UP INFORMATION FROM MY MANAGERS THAT I UNDERSTOOD WAS THAT UAW ASSEMBLY MEMBERS WERE INQUIRED TO AGREE AMONG THEMSELVES A BUILD SEQUENCE FOR THE CONTROLLER FASTENING PROCESS SO THAT THE COMPONENTS COULD BE REDESIGNED FOR BETTER ASSEMBLY. THIS ITEM WAS NOT PURSUED BECAUSE IT WAS UNCLEAR TO WHICH PARTY (THE ASSEMBLY PLANT OR THE PRODUCT ENGINEERING GROUP) WAS TO CHAMPION THE NECESSARY CHANGE. THE RESULTANT FAILURE MODE IS POSSIBLE MIGRATION OF THE CONTROLLER FROM THE MOTOR ASSEMBLY. THIS MIGRATING MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE STEERING AND/OR VEHICLE FIRE DUE THE POWER (MOTOR) PHASE LEADS "SHORTING OUT ". MORE INFORMATION IS TO BE SUBMITTED WITH COMPLIANT (PER MARTINA AND DEBRA OF NHSTA 19JN06). *NM
Steering, Jun 9, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE EITHER A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN THERE IS A KNOCKING NOISE PRESENT IN THE STEERING OF THE VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE VEHICLE PULLS TO LEFT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON 3 OCCASIONS AND THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN ALERTED HOWEVER THERE IS NO FIX FOR THESE PROBLEMS.
Steering, Engine and engine cooling, May 31, 2006
VEHICLE LOSES POWER STEERING CAUSING LOSE OF CONTROL WHILE DRIVING. THIS FIRST OCCURRED 12/7/04 AND WAS REPAIRED UNDER GM CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN 04050A (RECALL). VEHICLE LOST STEERING CONTROL AGAIN WHILE DRIVING ON 2/20/06, VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. VEHICLE LOST STEERING CONTROL, ENGINE STALLED AND BRAKES FAILED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH ON INTERSTATE FREEWAY ON 2/27/06, VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. VEHICLE LOST STEERING CONTROL AGAIN ON 5/11/06. VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED TO MAKE SAFE. *NM
Steering, May 30, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. AFTER INSPECTION THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE COMPUTER CHIP IN THE ELECTRONIC STEERING SYSTEM. AFTERWARDS THERE WAS A KNOCKING SOUND WHILE TURNING. ALTHOUGH THE DEALER REPLACED THE STEERING SHAFT THE KNOCKING CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE STEERING RACK AND PINION IS BEING REPLACED.
Steering, May 4, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE VEHICLE WAS DIFFICULT TO STEER AND THE BRAKES VIBRATED. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE TIE ROD HAD BROKEN AND REPAIRED THE VEHICLE.
Steering, Apr 28, 2006
IN WARM WEATHER, WHEN MAKING LOW SPEED TURNS, POWER STEERING MAKES GROANING, POPPING SOUNDS, AND OCCASIONALLY STUTTERS. AFRAID THAT STEERING MIGHT FAIL COMPLETELY. *NM
Steering, Apr 25, 2006, crash
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING AT 35 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO VEER TO THE LEFT LANE. WHILE TRYING TO RECOVER INTO THE CORRECT LANE, THE VEHICLE WENT OVER A GUARDRAIL AND OVER A RAVINE. THE DRIVER WAS NOT INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT FILED. THE CONTACT HAS SEEN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET CONCERNING SIMILAR POWER STEERING PROBLEMS. THE CONTACT REPORTS NO PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. THE COSUMER STATED THE ENGINE ALSO ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. UPDATED 05/10/06
Steering, Apr 6, 2006
DEFECTIVE STEERING COLUMN SHAFT,TOOK IT IN APRIL 4 2006 FOR THE THIRD TIME GENERAL MOTORS DOESN'T HAVE THE PART TO FIX IT. ITS ON A NATIONWIDE BACKORDER. I'M STUCK DRIVING A CAR THAT HAS A DEFECTIVE STEERING COLUMN. *JB
Steering, Mar 29, 2006
ELECTRONICALLY ASSISTED STEERING QUIT WORKING WHILE TURNING INTO OUR DRIVEWAY AND CHECK ENGINE OR OTHER WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS FINALLY STOPPED AND THE ENGINE TURNED OFF AND THEN BACK ON. PROBLEM CLEARED AFTER THIS INCIDENT. WE'VE ONLY HAD THE VEHICLE FOR TWO WEEKS. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING DURING THIS INCIDENT AND IS THE PRIMARY DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE. I'M CONCERNED WITH THE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS I'VE SEEN ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE FROM OTHERS, THAT SHE MAY BE IN DANGER THE NEXT TIME THIS HAPPENS AT HIGHER SPEEDS OR ON A CORNER. *NM
Steering, Mar 10, 2006
THE STEERING SYSTEM HAS FAILED 3 TIMES ON THE VEHICLE. GM MOTORS HAS REPAIRED THE PART TWICE, BY REPLACING THE ENTIRE STEERING SYSTEM. RIGHT NOW THE CAR IS IN THE SHOP FOR THE 3RD TIME FOR THE SAME DEFECT. WE ARE NOT SURE IF GM MOTORS IS GOING TO PAY TO FIX THE PROBLEM. WE ARE CURRENTLY OUT OF THE WARRANTY BUT THIS IS THE 3RD TIME. IT WAS REPLACED IN 3/04 & 10/04. GM TOLD US THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE ISSUE BUT ACCORDING TO THEIR RECORDS NOT ENOUGH CARS WERE AFFECTED THEREFORE A RECALL HAD NOT BEEN INITIATED. WHAT DISTURBS ME IS THEY NEW EXACTLY WHICH CARS WHERE AFFECTED BEFORE THEY WERE EVEN SOLD TO CONSUMERS. *NM