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.

Complaints by model year
  1. 1,697

Of the 2004 reports, 81 involved a crash and 15 involved a fire. 55 people were injured.

Primary concernSteering1,073 reports · 63% of complaints
Owner complaints1,697Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship9 safety recallsNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Steering1,073
  2. Electrical system247
  3. Seats163
  4. Exterior lighting132
  5. Power train89
  6. Service brakes85
  7. Air bags43
  8. Hydraulic42

Recalls and investigations

  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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

  9. 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

  1. Steering, Jan 10, 2005

    POWER STEERING LIGHT COMES ON CONSISTENTLY. ALSO, STEERING WHEEL LOCKS WHILE DRIVING.*AK

  2. Steering, Power train, Structure, Jan 7, 2005, crash

    VEHICLE EXPERIENCED STEERING AND TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. THE STEERING WENT OUT, FORCING THE VEHICLE TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD AND INTO AN EMBANKMENT. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A SERVICE CENTER. TRANSMISSION WILL NOT ENGAGE INTO THE INTERLOCK. IF GOING INTO REVERSE AND CHANGING INTO DRIVE IT WAS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL VEHICLE. CONSUMER MUST USE ABOUT 45 LBS OF PRESSURE TO GET THE GEAR SHIFT TO OPERATE SMOOTHLY. ALSO, VEHICLE WAS HAVING BRAKE PROBLEMS. CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON AN OFF RAMP AND APPLIED THE BRAKES DOWN TO THE FLOOR. VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN BUT DID NOT STOP COMPLETELY. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALERSHIP, WHO TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT THERE WAS A BRAKE RECALL, AND THAT THE BRAKE PROBLEM WAS ELECTRICAL. THE BRAKES WERE ELECTRONICALLY PROGRAMMED CONTROLLED. *AK RECALL CAMPAIGN; 04V190000. SUMMARY: 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. THE TRUNK RELEASE BUTTON ON THE DRIVERS DOOR CAME APART. THE SHIFTER HANDLE BROKE. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AFTER BEING IN TRAFFIC. *TC

  3. Steering, Dec 28, 2004

    WHEN THE CONSUMER MADE A RIGHT TURN ONTO THE FREEWAY, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND PULLED OVER. THE CONSUMER TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AND RESTARTED IT AND DROVE HOME. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MECHANIC FOR AN APPOINTMENT. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB

  4. Steering, Dec 22, 2004

    WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THAT THE PARTS WERE ON BACK ORDER, AND THERE WAS NO DATE AS TO WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BE MADE AVAILABLE. *AK EA04018_CAT STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT IN THE VEHICLE. *TC

  5. Steering, Dec 21, 2004

    THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONSUMER PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER BEFORE STOPPING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. *AK EA04018_CAT THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED UNCONTROLLABLY. WHILE RECEIVING ASSISTANCE, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN LEFT OR RIGHT. *SC *JB

  6. Steering, Dec 15, 2004

    WHILE WIFE WAS DRIVING 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU IN CITY TRAFFIC, POWER STEERING SUDDENLY FAILED CONCURRENT WITH ALARM CHIME AND REPAIR CAR LIGHT. SHE HAD TO DRIVE STRAIGHT THROUGH TWO INTERSECTIONS AND STRUGGLED TO IMMEDIATELY PARK THE CAR, AND CALLED ME FOR ASSISTANCE. AFTER RESTARTING THE CAR, POWER STEERING WAS RESTORED (NO ALARM OR LIGHT). TOOK CAR TO DEALER THE FOLLOWING MORNING FOR REPAIRS. DEALER STATES THAT A RECENT BULLETIN MAY ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM AND REQUIRES A KIT AND REPLACEMENT OF STEERING COLUMN. PARTS NOT IN STOCK. KIT WAS ORDERED AND IS EXPECTED IN ABOUT A WEEK. WILL SCHEDULE REPAIR AFTER PARTS KIT IS RECEIVED. THIS PROBLEM SHOULD IMMEDIATELY BE UPGRADED TO A SAFETY RECALL ITEM TO MINIMIZE FUTURE ACCIDENTS IN LESS FORGIVING DRIVING CONDITIONS. *AK

  7. Steering, Dec 14, 2004

    ELECTRIC POWER STEERING (EPS) FAILURE...EPS WOULD FAIL (QUIT WORKING) LEAVING DRIVER TO ATTEMPT TO STEER VEHICLE WITHOUT ANY EPS ASSIST...A VERY DIFFICULT TASK AND A CRITICAL SAFETY DEFECT THAT EASILY LEADS TO LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.*AK EA04018_CAT

  8. Steering, Dec 14, 2004

    WHILE DRIVING MY 2004 CHEVY MALIBU LT A LIGHT WILL COME ON. THIS LIGHT IS A PICTURE OF A CAR WITH A TOOL INSIDE IT. A BEEP ALSO COMES ON FOLLOWED BY A MESSAGE THAT SAYS POWER STEERING. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME THREE TIMES NOW. WHEN THIS HAPPENS I LOSE ALL CONTROL OF THE POWER STEERING. IT TAKES A LOT OF EFFORT TO TURN MY WHEEL. AFTER I TURN THE CAR OFF AND LET IT SIT FOR A WHILE, THE PROBLEM DOESN'T OCCUR FOR ANOTHER 1-3 WEEKS. *AK

  9. Steering, Dec 13, 2004

    WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEED OF 65-70 MPH VEHICLE MOMENTARILY LOST POWER STEERING. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO FOUND THAT THE STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK

  10. Steering, Dec 8, 2004

    (1) WAS DRIVING WHEN SUDDENLY POWER STEERING QUIT WORKING. (2) POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON AND VEHICLE WAS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER. (3) CALLING SEALERSHIP TOMORROW, INSURANCE AGENT SAID TO REPORT TO YOU IMMEDIATELY AS THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS STARTING TO OCCUR IN MALIBUS. *JB EA04018_CAT

  11. Steering, Dec 8, 2004

    ON DEC. 3, 2004 I WAS TURNING INTO MY PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT WHEN MY STEERING WHEEL COMPLETELY LOCKED UP THE SERVICE SOON LIGHT WAS ON AND MY CAR WAS DINGING. I HAD TO BRAKE QUICKLY OR I WOULDNT HAVE GONE RIGHT INTO THE CORNER OF A CHURCH. I QUICKLY RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, WHICH RESTARTED THE POWER STEERING, BUT THIS COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS. I CALLED CHEVY AND THEY TOWED MY CAR AND I RECEIVED A LONER VEHICLE. THEY HAD THE REPAIR DONE FAIRLY QUICK AND SAID THEY HAD TO REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN. I LOOKED ON THIS SIGHT AND NOTICED MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE. I AM JUST CONCERNED ON WHY THERE HASNT BEEN A RECALL?? I KNOW THIS COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURIES AND SOMETHING THAT COULD POSSIBLY CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH SHOULD HAVE ALREADY BEEN RECALLED AFTER THIS MANY OCCURRENCES. *JB EA04018_CAT

  12. Steering, Dec 8, 2004

    WHILE DRIVING, THE STEERING LOCKED UP. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE ELECTRONIC COLUMN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. EA04018_CAT *JB THE STEERING TIGHTENED AND GRADUALLY BECAME ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER AT THAT TIME. THE WARNING PANEL SHOWED STEERING LOCKED. FAILURE CORRECTED. *TC

  13. Steering, Dec 6, 2004

    RECENTLY URCHASED DA 04 CHEC MALIBU. THREE WEEKS AGO THE POWER STEERING AILED...WITH NO STEERING WHATSOEVER!. CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALER. DEALER "FIXED"PROBLEM AND STATED THAT NO ONE HAS EXPERIENCED THIS BEFORE. NOT TRUE ACCORDING TO THIS WEB SITE. THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE RECALLED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. *AK EA04018_CAT

  14. Steering, Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Dec 3, 2004

    ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS AND NUMEROUS STARTING PROBLEMS. WHILE DRIVING, THE DOOR LOCKS UNLOCKED, ENGINE DIES WITH NO WARNING. *BF NAR *JLS THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP, THE HAZARD LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING, THE ALARM WOULD GO OFF, THE POWER REAR VIEW MIRRORS WERE INOPERATIVE, THE VEHICLE WOULD BUCK AND SURGE, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SHAKE, THE VEHICLE WOULD START ROUGH AND THE TACHOMETER WOULD BOUNCE. *SC *JB

  15. Steering, Dec 3, 2004

    WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED. AS A RESULT, STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT.*AK EA04018_CAT

  16. Steering, Dec 1, 2004

    WHILE DRIVING ALONG, HEARD SYSTEM WARNING, LOOKED AT MESSAGE CENTER DISPLAY WHICH SAID" POWER STEERING" AND REALIZED I HAD NO POWER STEERING. I DROVE SLOWLY IN THE LANE THAT WOULD REQUIRE NO CHANGING LANES, SLOWED DOWN DRAMATICALLY AND MUSCLED MY WAY THROUGH EACH TURN IN ORDER TO GET HOME. I WILL TAKE THE CAR TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF THE DEALERSHIP IN THE MORNING.*AK EA04018_CAT

  17. Steering, Structure, Nov 30, 2004

    POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK EA04018_CAT THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO PULL AND SHAKE TO THE LEFT. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT A PART WAS NEEDED FOR THE POWER STEERING. A LIGHT ON THE DASH HAD ILLUMINATED AND THE POWER STEERING HAD GONE OUT AGAIN. ALSO, THE FOAM STRIP NEAR THE WINDSHIELD WAS COMING OUT OF PLACE. *SC *JB

  18. Steering, Nov 28, 2004

    HERE THE LATEST ON THE STEERING PROBLEMS ON MY 2004 MAXX LT WHICH IS FULLY LOADED: 1ST VISIT TO SERVICE: YELLOW WRENCH LIGHT ON AND STEERING LOCKED UP WHILE DRIVING MY 2 YEAR OLD AND MY WIFE. 2ND VISIT TO SERVICE: EARLIER REPLACED STEERING COLUMN, GAVE ME THE CAR BACK. PROBLEM NOW WAS THAT I COULDN'T EVEN TURN THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT ONLY RIGHT. 3RD VISIT TO SERVICE: WHEN I ACCELERATE THE STEERING WHEEL TURNS LEFT AS FAR AS ABOUT 10 O'CLOCK ON CLOCK FOR EXAMPLE. I TEST IT OUT WITHOUT HOLDING THE WHEEL JUST TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS AND I TESTED IT OUT ON 10 DIFFERENT STREETS WHERE ALL OF THEM ARE FLAT. WHAT WOULD YOU IN MY CASE? WOULD YOU ASK FOR AN EXCHANGE OR WOULD YOU ALLOW THEM TO FIX IT FOR A 3RD TIME AND RISK POSSIBLE MORE PROBLEMS? IT HAS 6,900 MILES ON IT AND IN PERFECT SHAPE.*AK EA04018_CAT

  19. Steering, Nov 26, 2004

    VEHICLE PULLED OVER/OFF THE ROAD WHEN THE POWER STEERING FAILED. CHECKED UNDER THE HOOD, BUT THERE WAS NO SIGN OF APPARENT MALFUNCTION. TOOK VEHICLE DEALER FOR CHECK UP.*AK EA04018_CAT

  20. Steering, Nov 21, 2004

    2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU LT VIN # [XXX] - ODOMETER READING 4320 MILES - VEHICLE PURCHASED 1/31/04. DURING NORMAL CITY DRIVING WARNING LIGHT CAME ON, ALSO NDICATED A PROBLEM WITH POWER STEERING. IMMEDIATE TOTAL LOSS OF POWER STEERING - HUSBAND ABLE TO PULL OFF WITH GREAT DIFFICULTY INTO A PARKING LOT. VEHICLE DRIVEN TO A DEALERSHIP - NO SERVICE AVAILABLE ON WEEKENDS. WHEN VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED THE POWER STEERING WAS ONCE AGAIN OPERATIONAL, AND WAS DRIVEN 60 MILES HOME. VEHICLE WAS THEN DRIVEN 25 MILES TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP (WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED) - NO DIAGNOSTIC CHECK/REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT OF PARTS AS YET. *AK [XXX] UPDATED 07/26/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

  21. Steering, Nov 20, 2004

    I WAS DRIVING STRAIGHT DOWN AN INTERSTATE WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL MADE SMALL JERKING MOTIONS TO THE RIGHT AND MADE A GRINDING NOISE. WHEN I EXITED THE INTERSTATE AND WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT THE STEERING WHEEL CONTINUED TO JERK ON ITS OWN. THIS CONTINUED INTERMINTELY FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS. THEN I WAS TURNING INTO A GAS STATION AND THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. AFTER I RESTARTED THE CAR I HAD POWER STEERING AGAIN. I TOOK IT TO THE CREST CHEVROLET AND THEY REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN AND SENSOR ASSEMBLY #10373948: COLUMN KI (06518-PC). EA04018_CAT

  22. Steering, Nov 17, 2004

    I WAS PARKED ON THE STREET IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE AND PULLED AWAY AND UP TO THE STOP SIGN JUST A COUPLE HOUSES UP THE BLOCK. I WAS FUMBLING WITH MY SEAT BELT AND SLOWLY TOOK OFF WITHOUT MY HANDS ON THE WHEEL. WHEN I GRABBED THE WHEEL SECONDS LATER, I NOTICED IT WAS OFF CENTER, BUT THE CAR WAS STILL GOING PERFECTLY STRAIGHT AND THEN IT BEGAN TO TWITCH BACK AND FORTH TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT. THIS CONTINUED ALL THE WAY TO THE GAS STATION WHERE I FILLED UP, AND UPON LEAVING GAS STATION DIC CHIMED IN WITH POWER STEERING FAILURE MESSAGE AND I LOST ALL POWER STEERING. LLUCKILY, I WAS STILL IN THE PARKING LOT, TURNED THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON AND WENT BACK HOME WITHOUT INCIDENT. EA04018_CAT. *AK

  23. Steering, Nov 16, 2004

    STERLING COLUMN RATTLES, AND THEN LOCKING AND RESISTANCE. *AK

  24. Steering, Power train, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Nov 11, 2004

    I HAVE HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH MY 04 MALIBU. ROUGH IDLE, POWER STEERING FALIURE MANY TIMES TOOK TO DEALER 3 TIMES COULD NOT DUPLICATE, BROUGHT IN WITH POWER STEERING OUT AT IT WAS DUPLICATED, BUT COULD NOT FIGURE OUT FOR A WHILE TOLD ME TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE, NO SAFETY FACTOR.FINALLY THOUGHT THEY FIGURED OUT PUT IN A NEW STEERING COLUMN, 9,000 MILES LATER BACK TO HAVING PROBLEMS WITH POWER STEERING. ALSO PROBLEMS WITH HARD SHIFTING,AND ALSO WITH IGNITION STICKING OR CONTINUING TO TURN OVER AFTER LEETING GO OF THE KEY. I WOULD NOT RECOMEND THIS CAR TO ANYONE AND THEY SHOULD ALL BE CRUSHED.MY WIFE IS TERRIFIED OF THE CAR AND WILL NOT DRIVE.CAR IS AT DEALER RIGHT NOW WE ARE DRIVING A LOANER. *JB EA04018_CAT

  25. Steering, Nov 10, 2004

    2004 CHEVY MAXX POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON AND LOST POWER STEERING. WAS DOING APPROX. 35 MPH ON A CORNER AT THE TIME. PULLED OFF ROAD TURN OFF THE IGNITION. TURNED IGNITION BACK ON AND STEERING CAME BACK. EA04018_CAT