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, Suspension, Sep 28, 2004
A KNOCKING/CLICKING NOISE CAME FROM THE STEERING WHEEL/COLUMN WHEN TURNING. VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO THE DEALER, AND DEALER REPLACED STEERING SHAFT , BUT PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK *TC EA04018_CAT DELETED EA04018 ANNOTATION - HAVE NOT VALIDATED THIS IS SECOND POWER STEERING LOSS INCIDENT CAT
Steering, Sep 21, 2004
WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE IN REVERSE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. ALSO,STEERING WHEEL SHOOK AND VIBRATED, EVEN WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS NOT IN MOTION. *AK EA04018_CAT
Steering, Sep 14, 2004
STEERING PROBLEM. STEERING IN THE MORNING WAS ERRATIC SEEMED TO HUNT. TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD IT WAS A SENSOR PROBLEM, DEALER HAD TO ORDER PART, CAR STILL DRIVABLE. NEXT MORNING THE STEERING WAS THE SAME, AFTER WORK I CAME OUT STARTED THE CAR, STEERING WAS STILL SHAKY, AFTER PULLING OUT ONTO THE ROAD I LOST ALL POWER STEERING, SERVICE ALARM LIGHT CAME ON AND POWER STEERING FAILURE NOTIFICATION ON CONSOLE. I TOOK CAR DIRECTLY TO THE DEALER, RECEIVED LOANER WHILE THEY REPAIR CAR. WAS TOLD ALL PARTS MUST BE RETURNED TO DETERMINE FAILURE MODE. EA04018_CAT
Steering, Sep 14, 2004
ON 4 OCCASIONS DURING THE PAST WEEK THE POWER STEERING FEATURE FAILED WHILE CAR WAS IN OPERATION. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED COLLISIONS. EA04018_CAT
Steering, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 14, 2004
WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT THE VEHICLES TILT STEERING UNLOCKED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ROLL FORWARD EVEN WITH THE BRAKES APPLIED. *JB THE VEHICLES ABS LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN. THE LIGHT WOULD GO OFF ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, TURNED OFF THEN TURNED BACK ON. *NM
Steering, Sep 13, 2004
OUR 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU LT (V6, LOADED WITH ALL OPTIONS EXCEPT FOR ONSTAR) HAS BETWEEN 5500 AND 6000 MILES ON IT NOW. RECENTLY, MY WIFE REPORTED AN ISSUE WITH THE STEERING WHEEL BRATING "NERVOUSLY" WHILE IDLING IN LINE TO DROP MY DAUGHTER OFF TO SCHOOL. THIS VIBRATION / MOVEMENT DID NOT ACTUALLY MOVE THE WHEELS, AND SHE RETURNED HOME SAFELY.THE PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTENT, BUT ONE MORNING AS SHE PREPARED TO LEAVE, SHE NOTICED THE VIBRATION PROBLEM AGAIN, AND WISHING TO SHOW IT TO ME, CALLED ME TO THE GARAGE. I WITNESSED THE PALSY-LIKE MOVEMENT OF THE STEERING WHEEL AND AGAIN NOTED THAT THE TIRES DIDN'T MOVE WITH THE WHEEL. AFTER THIS OCCURRED, I RETURNED TO THE HOUSE (MAKING A NOTE TO MYSELF FOR OUR NEXT VISIT TO THE DEALERSHIP'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT). LESS THAN FIVE MINUTES LATER, I HEARD A KNOCK AT THE DOOR, WHICH TURNED OUT TO BE MY 8 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER (WHO HAD GONE WITH MY WIFE). SHE TOLD ME THAT THE STEERING HAD "BROKEN" AND THAT MY WIFE WAS TRYING TO MANEUVER THE CAR BACK TO THE HOUSE. I WENT OUT TO THE END OF THE DRIVE, TO FIND MY WIFE ATTEMPTING TO FIGHT TO GET THE CAR BACK ONTO OUR STREET. I STOPPED HER, TOOK OVER THE CAR, TURNED OFF THE IGNITION, THEN RESTARTED THE CAR. THIS RESTORED THE POWER STEERING, AT WHICH POINT I PARKED THE CAR IN THE GARAGE, AND THE WIFE TOOK OUR OTHER VEHICLE. I HAD ALREADY READ OF THIS ISSUE ON SEVERAL BULLETIN BOARDS AROUND THE WEB, AND MY CAR IS A RELATIVELY EARLY 2004 BUILD MALIBU. HOWEVER, THERE HAS AS YET BEEN NO OFFICIAL RECALL FROM CHEVROLET, AND AS I SEE THAT THERE IS AN ONGOING INVESTIGATION BY THE NHTSA INTO THIS ISSUE, I FELT I SHOULD REPORT YET ANOTHER INSTANCE OF THE SAME PROBLEM AS WAS EXPERIENCED BY THE OTHER 8 DRIVERS MENTIONED BY THE INVESTIGATION. I CONSIDER THE TWITCHING STEERING WHEEL TO BE A SINGLE FAILURE, AND COMBINED WITH THE ACTUAL LOSS OF POWER ASSIST ONCE SO FAR, HAVE INDICATED 2 FAILURES. MY CAR IS CURRENTLY SCHEDULED TO BE LOOKED AT BY THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP LATER TODAY.*AK EA04018_CAT
Steering, Sep 12, 2004
AFTER DRIVING 2004 MALIBU ABOUT 5 MINUTES, THE POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE WAITING AT A STOP LIGHT. THE ORANGE WARNING SYMBOL WAS FLASHING ON THE INSTRUMENT DISPLAY. GOT CAR TO A SAFE AREA AND SHUT OFF ENGINE AND CHECKED OWNERS MANUAL FOR MORE INFORMATION. *AKRESTARTED ENGINE AND STREERING RESUMED WORKING. DROVE HOME WITHOUT ANYMORE PROBLEMS. CALLED CHEVROLET TOLL FREE ASSISTANCE NUMBER FOR ADVISE AND THEY ADVISED HAVING THE CAR TOWED TO A DEALER FOR REPAIRS - THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF ANY SERVICE BULLETINS OR RECALLS. LOCAL DEALER FOUND A SERVICE BULLETIN AND ORDERED PARTS TO CORRECT PROBLEM - CHANGED DEFECTIVE PART AND TESTED. NO FURTHER PROBLEMS TO THIS TIME. I WAS INFORMED BY NHTSA THAT A IMPROVED PART WAS MADE AVAILABLE IN JULY TO CORRECT THIS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS PROBLEM. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY NOTIFICATION FROM CHEVROLET THAT AN "IMPROVED' WAS USED IN THE REPAIR AND THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN IN THEIR OPINION CORRECTED.
Steering, Sep 10, 2004
VEHICLE 3 TIMES WOULD NOT START. TOOK INTO DEALER AND WAS TOLD THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING. ON 9/5/04 WAS DRIVING AND THE CAR MADE A DING DING AND STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. STOPPED AND TURN CAR OFF AND BACK ON AND WAS OKAY. TWO DAYS LATER WAS MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN AND AGAIN THE DING DING AND STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. HAD CAR TOWED TO DEALER. DEALER CALLED AND SAID THEY HAD TO REPLACED STEERING COLUMN AND WOULD CALL WHEN COMPLETE. DEALER CALLED AND SAID STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED BUT NEW STEERING COLUMN DURING SAME THING. CURRENTLY I HAVE A RENTAL FROM DEALER SHIP.*AK EA04018_CAT
Steering, Sep 8, 2004
AT APPROXIMATELY 10,000 MILES, MY 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU DEVELOPED A STEERING PROBLEM. UPON STARTING THE CAR, THE STEERING WHEEL VISIBLY SHOOK AND PULLED WHEN I TRIED TO TURN RIGHT. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY HAD TO ORDER A REPLACEMENT PART. WHEN THE PART CAME IN A WEEK AND A HALF LATER, THEY REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN. EA04018_CAT. *AK
Steering, Sep 7, 2004
LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. VEHICLE HAS JUST REACHED 10K MILES. STEERING THE VEHICLE DURING FAILURE IS DIFFICULT. REPORTED FAILURE TO DEALERSHIP ON THE AFTERNOON OF FAILURE. INSTRUCTED TO IMMEDIATELY RETURN VECHICLE TO DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. EA04018_CAT. *AK
Steering, Sep 5, 2004
WITHOUT WARNING THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM FAILED TWICE MAKING THE VEHICLE TO HARD TO STEER, ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED TWICE WITHIN TWO WEEKS BECAUSE THE FIRST REPLACEMENT ALSO FAILED. EA04018_CAT THIS IS LIKE AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. *JB
Steering, Sep 2, 2004
WHILE MAKEING A RIGHT TURN ONTO MAJOR STREET WRENCH ICON LIT UPON ON INSTRUMENT PANEL, INFORMATION PANEL INDICATED POWER STEERING FAILURE,HAD TO MANHANDLE CAR TO PARKING LOT OF K-MART. RESTARED ENGINE, DROVE TO CHEV DEALER, LEFT CAR WITH THEM, THEY REPLACED STEERING COLUMN. DO NOT FEEL SAFE WITH THIS CAR AS THERE OTHER REPORTS OF FAILURE AFTER THE STEERING COLUMN HAD BEEN REPLACED. *AK EA04018_CAT
Steering, Sep 2, 2004
I WAS TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS TO WORK ON THE EXPRESSWAY WHEN THE SECOND OCCURRENCE OF (EPA) STEERING FAILURE. THE FIRST OCCURRENCE WAS ON 8/30/04 AND THE SECOND OCCURANCE WAS ON 9/2/04. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO DEALER ON 8/31/04 FOR REPAIR THEY CONNECTED THE COMPUTERS AND FOUND NO CODE ERRORS. TODAY WHEN POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING I FOUND A SAFE PLACE TO PULL ONTO EXIT RAMP SHOULDER TO PARK CAR AND SHUT DOWN. I WAITED A FEW MINUTES RESTARTED NO PROBLEMS. BUT MY CAR IS AT DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE THE SECOND TIME. *AK EA04018_CAT
Steering, Sep 2, 2004
STOPPED AT RED LIGHT AFTER DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MILES PER HOUR ON THE WAY TO WORK. STEERING WHELL "JIGGLED" A BIT. WHEN I ACCELERATED, THE POWER STEERING WAS GONE. CAR WAS HARD TO STEER; WAS ABLE TO DRIVE APPROXIMATELY FOUR MILES TO THE DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP SAID THERE WAS A PART IN THE STEERING COLUMN THAT NEEDED REPLACED, AND THAT THEY WOULD REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN. THEY ORDERED THE PART (FROM MICHIGAN), BUT DUE TO HURRICANE FRANCES, THEY COULD NOT FIX THE CAR UNTIL NEXT WEEK. THE DEALERSHIP WAS VERY NICE AND GAVE ME A LOANER CAR AT NO CHARGE; BUT MY CAR IS NOW SITTING OUT IN THE OPEN AT THE DEALERSHIP WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF HURRICANE FORCE WINDS DAMAGING THE CAR. THE FACT THAT THE PART WAS NOT READILY AVAILABLE CONCERNS ME.*AK EA04018_CAT
Steering, Sep 1, 2004
FAX LTR FM JAMES BALLOU WADFORD (VA) OWNER OF A MY 2004 MALIBU REPORTING LOSS OF STEERING CAPABILITIES SUGGEST NHTSA RECALL VEHICLE SAFETY DEFECT.*MR WHILE DRIVING THE CONSUMER LOST ALL STEERING CAPABILITY. THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH AS THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TOT HE DEALER WHERE THEY INDICATED THAT HE RECEIVED A SERVICE BULLETIN ON THIS PROBLEM IN MAY. THE CONSUMER FEELS THE PROBLEM SHOULD BE RECALLED. *MN EA04018_CAT
Steering, Aug 31, 2004
POWER STEERING. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE STEERING WHEEL JERKS UP TO 45 DEGREES, SIDE TO SIDE, IN BOTH DIRECTIONS. NO LOSS OF CONTROL . NO STEERING HAS BEEN LOST AS OF YET. APPOINTMENT SET WITH VALLEY CHEVERLOT, CARSON CITY, NV ON AUGUST 31, 2004.*AK EA04018_CAT
Steering, Aug 30, 2004
WHILE DRIVING STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND THE CONSUMER LOST POWER STEERING. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK EA04018_CAT (DUPLICATES VOQ 10089025- SAME VIN/DRIVER)
Steering, Aug 27, 2004
WHILE DRIVING SERVICE MESSAGE INDICATED TO CONSUMER THAT POWER STEERING COLUMN FAILED. AS RESULT, CONSUMER HAD TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP RESET THE COMPUTER THREE TIMES, BUT PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK EA04018_CAT
Steering, Aug 20, 2004
ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING FAILED AND STEERING COLUMN WAS DEFECTIVE. THERE WAS A FIVE SECOND WARNING THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED. IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. *AK *NM EA04018_CAT
Steering, Aug 14, 2004
1) FIRST FAILURE AT 4589 MILES. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH ON WINDING TWO LANE ROAD AT NIGHT. WARNING CHIME SOUNDED, "WRENCH" AND "POWER STEERING FAILURE" APPEARED. WITHIN A FEW SECONDS THE PS COMPLETELY FAILED MAKING VEHICLE VERY HARD TO DRIVE. DEALER CONTACTED FACTORY REP THEN ORDERED AND INSTALLED NEW COLUMN. 2) SECOND FAILURE AT 9870 MILES. TURNING AS I BACKED OUT OF DRIVEWAY, PS FAILED. STOPPED AND TURNED ENGINE OFF. CALLED DEALER. STARTED CAR AND IT WAS FINE. DEALER REPLACED COLUMN AGAIN. 3) THIRD FAILURE AT 10167 MILES. WHILE DRIVING UP A STEEP, WINDING TWO LANE MOUNTAIN ROAD NEAR HERE WITH HEAVY SATURDAY AFTERNOON TRAFFIC, PS BECAME STIFF AND THEN THERE WAS SOME INVOLUNTARY MOVEMENT BACK AND FORTH. I DO NOT KNOW WHETHER WARNINGS SOUNDED, I WAS TOO BUSY TRYING TO AVOID TRAFFIC WHILE LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO GET IT OFF THE ROAD. CALLED DEALER AND WAS TOWED TO SHOP SOME 20 MILES AWAY. SUBSEQUENT CHECKS AND EXTENSIVE TEST DRIVING FOUND NO STORED CODES AND NO MALFUNCTIONS. DEALER SAID HE COULD NOT HELP ME ANY FURTHER AND SUGGESTED I CALL GM CUSTOMER SATISFACTION, WHICH I DID AND THE FORMAL COMPLAINT PROCESS IS IN PROGRESS. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER ALSO NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WAS VERY STIFF WHILE LOADING THE CAR. SINCE MY WIFE AND I FEEL STRONGLY THAT THE CAR IS NOT SAFE,SHE DOES NOT DRIVE IT AND I DRIVE IT CAREFULLY AND SLOWLY ONLY AS NECESSARY.*AK EA04018_CAT
Steering, Aug 11, 2004
WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH ENGINE SERVICE LIGHT CAME ON. AS A RESULT STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. *AK EA04018_CAT
Steering, Aug 7, 2004
POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. SPEED APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, TRAVELLING IN A STRAIGHT LINE. WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE (2004 CHEV MALIBU LT) HOME, BUT EXIT RAMPS AND CORNERS VERY DIFFICULT TO NAVIGATE. PROBLEM CLEARED WITH TURNING OFF AND RESTARTING MOTOR. THIS WAS THE SECOND OCCURRENCE. EA04018_CAT
Steering, Aug 6, 2004
THE INCIDENT HAPPENED TWICE. THE FIRST TIME OCCURRED IN A LOW SPEED TURN. THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED 2 MONTHS AGO. THE SECOND OCCURRED WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. IN THE SECOND INCIDENT, ALL ELECTRIC POWER STEERING ASSISTANCE WAS LOST SUDDENLY MAKING THE VEHICLE DIFFICULT TO STEER. A WARNING INDICATOR "WRENCH/CAR" SHOWS, AUDIO ALARM SOUNDS, AND A MESSAGE IS DISPLAYED ON THE RADIO MESSAGE DISPLAY "POWER STEERING OFF". I PUT THE CAR IN PARK. SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED. WORKED OK. *AK EA04018_CAT
Steering, Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Aug 5, 2004
WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED WITH THE REMOTE CONTROL DASHBOARD COMPONENTS FAILED TO FUNCTION WHEN THE KEY WAS TURNED IN THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP THE FOLLOWING DAY A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS PERFORMED, BUT NO FAILURE CODES WERE FOUND. THE FAILURE RECURRED 4 MONTHS LATER WHILE TURNING INTO A PARKING SPACE. ALSO, THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKED UP. WHEN THIS OCCURRED, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL READ STEERING COLUMN ASSISTANCE NEEDED. THE CONSUMER THEN TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF, THEN BACK ON. THE VEHICLE STARTED, BUT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULDN'T MOVE. THE STEERING WHEEL UNLOCKED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED 20 MINUTES LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP THE FOLLOWING DAY. THE SERVICE PERSON INDICATED THAT THERE WAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ON THIS ISSUE, AND ORDERED A NEW STEERING COLUMN TO BE INSTALLED. THE CONSUMER WAS INSTRUCTED NOT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE OUT OF TOWN, IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING AT 1379 MILES, THE CONSUMER SMELLED A STRONG FUEL ODOR. THIS OCCURRED BECAUSE THE FUEL LINE CLIP CAME OFF, AND FUEL WAS LEAKING. THE DEALERSHIP REINSTALLED THE FUEL CLIP BECAUSE IT WASN'T PROPERLY INSTALLED AT FACTORY. *AK EA04018_CAT *SC
Steering, Visibility, Aug 4, 2004
BOTH FRONT SIDE WINDOWS DID NOT ROLL DOWN. ALSO, A STEERING COLUMN PROBLEM. VEHICLE PULLED TO LEFT. DEALERSHIP INSPECTED VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES, AND COULD NOT FIX IT. *AK EA04018_CAT