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, May 13, 2004
MY POWER STEERING FAILS WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAPPENS MANY TIMES. I HAVE TO STOP THE CAR AND RESTART IT TO BRING BACK THE POWER STEERING. IT WILL WORK FOR AWHILE, THEN FAIL AGAIN AT A RANDOM TIME. *AK PE04031_CAT
Steering, May 11, 2004
WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH DRIVER LOST POWER STEERING. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND PULLED OVER. CONSUMER TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE, RESTARTED IT, AND DROVE VEHICLETO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. DEALER WAS UNABLE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK PE04031_CAT
Steering, May 4, 2004
HAD POWER STEERING FAIL ON THREE OCCASIONS. SERVICE LIGHT COMES ON IN DASHBOARD (CAR WITH WRENCH) AND "POWER STEERING" DISPLAYED ON INFORMATION CENTER. STEERING BECAME VERY DIFFICULT. AFTER PULLING OVER, TURNED OFF IGNITION. WHEN RESTARTED, EVERYTHING NORMAL. BOTH OCCURENCES AT SLOW SPEED, THANK GOODNESS! BRAKE WARNING LIGHT APPEARED INTERMITTENTLY ON PANEL, AND DIRECTIONALS DID NOT WORK. TURNED OFF IGNITION AND RESTARTED - ALL BACK TO NORMAL. BROUGHT TO DEALER, WHO HAD FOR OVER 1 WEEK. REPLACED "BCM" (BODY CONTROL MODULE) AND REROUTED HARNESS TO OBTAIN SLACK IN CABLE. THREE DAYS AFTER SERVICE, POWER-STEERING PROBLEM OCCURED AGAIN. CURRENTLY RETURNING FOR SERVICE. THIS PROBLEM IS A DEFINITE SAFETY HAZARD.*AK PE04031_CAT
Steering, Engine and engine cooling, May 3, 2004
ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON, AND THE STEERING WENT OUT. IT DID NOT MOVE IN EITHER DIRECTION. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHO CLAIMED IT WAS TOO SOON TO DETERMINE ANY DEFECT. *AK PE04031_CAT
Steering, Apr 26, 2004
POWER STEERING FAILED, EVEN THOUGH ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING. CAR WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. *AK PE04031_CAT
Steering, Apr 23, 2004
APRIL 17, 2004 EXPERIENCED JERKING IN STEERING OF 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. ADDITIONALLY, STEERING WHEEL FELT TIGHT IN TURNS. HAD CAR TOWED TO DEALER. DEALER RELEASED CAR BACK TO ME ON TUESDAY, APRIL 20, 2004. INFORMED ME THAT THEY COULD NOT REPRODUCE EFFECT AND COMPUTER DIAGNOSIS WAS NEGATIVE FOR A PROBLEM. APRIL 21, 2004, STEERING COMPLETLY LOCKED ON ME WHILE IN BUSY INTERSECTION OF BRADENTON, FLORIDA. CAR TOWED TO SAME CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP. APRIL 22, 2004, CAR RELEASED TO ME AFTER DEALERSHIP (COX CHEVORLET) INSTALLED NEW STEERING COLUMN. DEALER SERVICE REP AND SERVICE MANAGER STATED THEY HAD SEEN SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THE 2004 MALIBU, HOWEVER, I WAS THE FIRST CUSTOMER WHO WAS FORCED OFF ROAD. DEALER REP AND SERVICE MANAGER REPORTED TO ME THAT THEY HAD CONTACT GENERAL MOTORS ABOUT MY ORIGINAL PROBLEM AND WERE TOLD NOT TO MAKE REPAIRS WITHOUT REPRODUCING PROBLEM OR COMPUTER DIAGNOSIS VERIFYING A PROBLEM.*AK PE04031_CAT
Steering, Electronic stability control, Apr 19, 2004
WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS STEERING WHEEL PULLED TO THE LEFT. CONSUMER HAD THE PROBLEM FIXED ONCE BEFORE, BUT THE MECHANIC DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK PE04031_CAT
Steering, Apr 15, 2004
VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH. THIS OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING, AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THE FIRST SET OF THESE VEHICLES THAT CAME FROM THE FACTORY HAD STEERING PROBLEM. *AK PE04031_CAT
Steering, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical system, Apr 13, 2004
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITHOUT WARNING, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING. THIS PROBLEM HAPPENED FOUR TIMES IN FOUR MONTHS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN UNIT. ALSO, THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND THE BRAKES MADE A SCREECHING NOISE WHEN DEPRESSED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE ABS MODULE AND FRONT BRAKE HUBS. ALTHOUGH THE REPAIRS HAD BEEN DONE, THE SAME PROBLEMS RECURRED. *AK THERE WERE ELECTRICAL FAILURES WITH THE DASH DIMMER SWITCH AND HEADLIGHT DIMMER, THE KEYLESS ENTRY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND GREASE LEAKED FROM THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL. *SC PE04031_CAT *JB
Steering, Apr 13, 2004
I HAD JUST DRIVEN MY 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU OFF THE HIGHWAY AND WAS ON A MAIN ROAD WHEN I HEARD A BEEPING, I LOOKED AT THE RADIO CONSOLE AND IT SAID "POWER STEERING." I THEN TRIED TO TURN THE WHEEL AND THE POWER STEERING WAS GONE. I WAS ABLE TO STRUGGLE AND GET THE CAR HOME BECAUSE IT WAS LATE AT NIGHT. THE NEXT MORNING WHEN I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND TOLD THEM OF THE PROBLEM THEY TOLD ME THEY HAD ALREADY HAD ONE INSTANCE WITH ANOTHER 2004 MALIBU LAST MONTH. CHEVY ORDERED A TOW TRUCK TO COME AND PICK UP THE CAR. WHEN THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER ARRIVED, HE ATTEMPTED TO MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL AND IT MOVED FINE. BUT, I TOLD HIM I WANTED IT TO GO TO THE DEALERSHIP. IT HAS BEEN THERE EVER SINCE WAITING FOR A MODULE TO BE PUT IN. I HAVE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP TO CHECK ON MY CAR AND WAS RECENTLY TOLD THEY HAVE 3 MALIBUS WAITING FOR THE POWER STEERING MODULE TO BE SHIPPED. I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO BE ABLE TO DRIVE MY CAR HOME SAFELY HOWEVER, THIS IS A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. PE04031_CAT
Steering, Apr 10, 2004
WE RECENTLY THROUGH MY EMPLOYER OBTAINED A NEW FLEET OF 2004 CHEVY MALIBUS LS. IT HAS BEEN NOTICED ON SEVERAL OF THE CARS THAT THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING WILL START TO JERK THE STEERING WHEEL SLIGHTLY TO EITHER DIRECTION WHEN IDLE OR WHEN THE VEHICLE IS MOVING. THIS WEEK THE POWER STEERING COMPLETELY FAILED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WHILE IN THE PROCESS OF CHANGING LANES. VEHICLE WAS AT ABOUT 75 MPH WHEN AN AUDIBLE ALARM CAME ON, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXREMELY HARD TO MANUVER, AND A "POWER STEERING" PROMPT CAME ON THE INFORMATION CENTER. GETTING OFF THE HWY AND INTO A GAS STATION TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS W/O POWER STEERING WAS QUITE DIFFICULT. IT EVENTUALLY CAME ON AFTER TURNING OFF THE CAR AND RESTARTING ONLY TO FAIL AGAIN A FEW MILES DOWN THE ROAD. ALTHOUGH THIS HAPPENED TO ME THIS WEEK, THE SAME PROBELM HAS HAPPENED TO 2 OTHER MALIBUS IN OUR FLEET. PE04031_CAT
Steering, Apr 8, 2004
WITHIN 6 WEEKS OF PURCHASING THIS 2004 MALIBU AND WITH LESS THAN 2000 MILES ON IT, THE POWER STEERING LOCKED UP. WHILE DRIVING HOME, A WARNING INDICATOR APPEARED ON THE DASH ALONG WITH THE WORDS "POWER STEERING". I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME, BUT THERE WAS VIRTUALLY NO POWER ASSIST. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE DEALER REPAIR SHOP FROM DECEMBER 31 UNTIL JANUARY 8. I HAD TO MAKE FOLLLOW UP CALLS TO THE DEALER WHO REPEATEDLY TOLD ME THE PART WAS ON BACK ORDER. I WAS SUBSEQUENTLY ADVISED THAT A SERVICE BULLETIN WAS ISSUED AND THE DEALER MADE ALL REPAIRS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THAT BULLETIN. THE PROBLEM HAPPENED AGAIN ON TUESDAY, APRIL 6. (AT 4098 MILES) ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK WHILE DRIVING ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY, THE WARNING LIGHT WENT OFF, THE STEERING COLUMN TIGHTENED UP AND THE "POWER STEERING" MESSAGE DISPLAYED ON THE DIC. CAR HAS BEEN RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN. I HAVE ALERTED THE SERVICE MANAGER AND SALES PERSON OF THE SITUATION AND MY INTENT TO PURSUE MY FULL RIGHTS UNDER THE STATE LEMON LAW. ALSO HAVE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH KEY BECOMING STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND NOT RELEASING RIGHT AWAY. THAT PROBLEM HAS YET TO BE ADDRESSED/FIXED. *AK PE04031_CAT
Steering, Apr 8, 2004
DRIVING 75 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AT RUSH HOUR, POWER STEERING GAVE OUT COMPLETELY, "POWER STEERING" DISPLAYED ON THE COMPUTER CONSOLE, ORANGE LIGHT IN DASH (CAR W/WRENCH). COULD NOT STEER AT ALL, LUCKILY WAS ABLE TO DRIFT TO THE LEFT INTO THE GRASS. CALLED AAA FOR TOW TO DEALER. WHEN CAR WAS TURNED BACK ON, POWER STEERING WAS BACK ON, EVERYTHING SEEMED OKAY. TOWED TO DEALER ANYWAY. THEY PERFORMED A DIAGNOSITC AND CALLED GM WITH THE CODE. GM TOLD THEM TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN. THEY HAD MY CAR FOR OVER A WEEK AND THEN TRIED TO ASSURE ME IT WOULDN'T HAPPEN AGAIN. I AM SCARED FOR MY LIFE, IT WAS LUCK THAT I WAS NOT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY WHEN IT HAPPENED, BECAUSE THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO WAY TO STEER THE VEHICLE. PE04031_CAT. *AK
Steering, Apr 6, 2004
WHILE DRIVING AT 75 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL LOST POWER. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND PULL OVER. THE DRIVER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE STEERING COLUMN MODULAR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*MR PE04031_CAT
Steering, Apr 5, 2004
CONSUMER COMPLETELY DISSATISFIED WITH HIS GM VEHICLE DUE TO REPEATED PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. (NAR) *PH *CB *JB
Steering, Apr 1, 2004
WHEN TURNING STEERING WHEEL TOWARDS THE RIGHT STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP TO BE INSPECTED. *AK WHEN FAILURE OCCURRED, THERE WAS VIRTUALLY NO ASSIST BUT DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME. THE NEXT DAY THE STEERING WAS NORMAL. DEALER REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN. REPAIR ORDER PROVIDED.CW *LA PE04031_CAT
Steering, Mar 25, 2004
THE ELECTRIC STEERING COLUMN DID NOT RETURN TO THE CENTER AFTER MAKING A TURN. THE DEALER REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. *JB TALKED WITH CONSUMER ON 3/26/04 TO OBTAIN DETAILS AND CUSTOMER SAID HE ALSO EXPERIENCED LOSS OF POWER AFTER MOVING CAR AT STOP LIGHT. CAT PE04031_CAT
Steering, Power train, Mar 13, 2004
POWER STEERING HAS FAILED ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE FIRST TIME, THE DEALER REPLACED THE CAM SENSOR IN THE TRANSMISSION. THE POWER STEERING FAILED AGAIN 5 DAYS LATER. THE CAR IS STILL AT THE DEALERSHIP, THEY ARE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IS WRONG.*AK PE04031_CAT CALL NOTES: BACKED CAR OUT OF GARAGE. STEERING WAS DIFFICULT. SAW 'POWER STEERING' ON DISPLAY. TURNED CAR OFF AND RESTARTED, BUT NO POWER STEERING. DROVE CAR TO DEALERSHIP, WHO COULD NOT DUPLICATE CONDITION, BUT THEY DID REPLACE CAM SENSOR. AFTER ABOUT 4 DAYS, DRIVER WAS BACKING OUT OF GARAGE AND SAME SITUATION HAPPENED AGAIN. SHUT OFF CAR AND CALLED DLR. HAD A COMMITMENT SO HE DROVE CAR WITHOUT POWER STEERING. AFTER FINISHING COMMITMENT RESTARTED CAR AND POWER STEERING WORKED. BROUGHT TO DEALER, WHO KEPT CAR FOR 4-5 DAYS AND REPLACED STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY. AS HE WAS DRIVING CAR OUT OF DEALERSHIP, FELT CAR PULLING TO LEFT, BUT NEEDED CAR SO HE DROVE CAR AND BROUGHT BACK AFTER FINISHING COMMITMENT. DEALERSHIP KEPT CAR FOR 7 DAYS, CALIBRATED STEERING, BUT DID NOT REPLACE ANY PARTS. DRIVER JUST PICKED UP CAR AND THINGS SEEMED OK. CAT 3/25/04 NO CRASH OR INJURIES PER CONSUMER CALL ON 3/30/04 CAT
Steering, Mar 10, 2004
POWER STEERING FAILED AT 2300 MILES AND 5000 MILES. WHEN THE POWER STEERING FAILED, IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL.*AK DRIVER WAS HEADING HOME FROM WORK AND HAD DRIVEN ABOUT 15 MIN. HEARD MESSAGE BOARD SOUND; SAW 'POWER STEERING' ON DISPLAY; SERVICE LIGHT CAME ON. A FEW SECONDS LATER, SHE HAD NO POWER STEERING, BUT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE CAR TO SIDE OF ROAD. TURNED THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTED CAR A LITTLE LATER. POWER STEERING WAS WORKING SO SHE DROVE 12-15 MINUTES FURTHER WHEN SHE LOST POWER STEERING AGAIN (HEARD SOUND, SAW MESSAGE, AND SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT). PULLED CAR OVER TO SIDE OF ROAD, RESTARTED A LITTLE LATER AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE CAR TO DLR. LEFT CAR AT DEALER, WHO SAID THEY WOULD NEED 2-3 WEEKS TO GET PART, BUT ENDED UP CALLING BACK 5-6 DAYS LATER AND TOLD HER TO PICK IT UP. CAR FIXED UNDER WARRANTY. SAME SITUATION AND WARNINGS HAPPENED AGAIN ON MARCH 4, 2004. BROUGHT BACK TO DLR,WHO SAID THEY HAD TO RESET A SENSOR. CAT PE04031_CAT
Steering, Mar 10, 2004
MY 2004 CHEVY MAILBUX MAXX LOST ITS ELECTRIC POWER STEERING ASSIST WHEN MAKING A RIGHT TURN OUT OF A SAM'S PARKING LOT. THE 'POWER STEERING' MESSAGE WAS ILLUMINATED ON DRIVER INFORMATION CENTER (DIC) AND AN ORANGE VEHICLE SERVICE LIGHT APPEARED ON INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE NEXT MORNING WHEN I RESTARTED THE CAR THE VEHICLE SERVICE LIGHT WAS NOT ILLUMINATED AND THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING ASSSIT WORKED CORRECTLY FOR A WHILE. THEN SUDDENLY, WHILE IN REVESE OUT OF MY HOME DRIVEWAY, I LOST POWER STEERING ASSIST, THE POWER STEERING MESSAGE ILLUMINATED IN THE DIC AND THE VEHICLE SERVICE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALER BUFF WHELAN CHEV AND HAVE A SERVICE APPOINTMENT SCHEDULED FOR 3/15/04 AT 8AM. I AM GLAD THAT THIS STEERING ASSIST FAILURE DID NOT HAPPEN WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY GETTING OFF ON AN EXIT RAMP.*AK PE04031_CAT
Steering, Feb 19, 2004
THE POWER STEERING WAS DISPLAYED IN THE INFORMATION DISPLAY CENTER OF THE RADIO. THE POWER STEERING THEN FAILED. THIS HAPPEND TWO TIMES. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO MY LOCAL CHEVY DEALER AND THEY COULD NOT IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM OR DUPLICATE IT. A PROBLEM LIKE THIS AT HIGH SPEEDS COULD BE DANGEROUS AND CAUSE A DRIVER TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THERE NEEDS TO BE FURTHER INVESTIGATION ABOUT THIS TO AVOID SERIOUS PROBLEMS. THE STEERING WHEEL CAN STILL BE TURNED BUT EXPTREMELY DIFFICULT. THE STEERING BECAME HEAVY INSTANTLY. COMPLAINANT SON WAS EXPERIENCE THE SAME ISSUE WHEN PULLING THE VEHICLE OUT OF THE DRIVWAY. IT APPEARS TO BE AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. OWNER DID STATE THAT SHE KNOWS SOMEONE ELSE WITH AN 04 MALIBU AND THE ELECTRIC ASSIST STEERING WENT OUT.CW PE04031_CAT
Steering, Feb 19, 2004
WHILE DRIVING AND TURNING TO THE LEFT STEERING WHEEL FAILED. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AT A MAJOR INTERSECTION AT 15 MPH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SHUT DOWN WHICH RESULTED IN LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLE INFORMATION SCREEN INDICATED THAT THERE WAS A POWER STEERING FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO A PARKING LOT AND TURN OFF. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED BACK ON THE POWER STEERING RETURNED. TO DATE THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED OR REPLACED. *NM PE04031_CAT
Steering, Electrical system, Dec 10, 2003
AFTER PUTTING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, IT BECAME STUCK AND WAS NOT ABLE TO BE RELEASED RIGHT AWAY. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THE MECHANIC COULD NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK WHEN THE POWER STEER LOCKED UP, THE CONSUMER HAD TROUBLE TURNING THE WHEEL. *CB *JB STEERING COLUMN AND STEERING POSITION SENSOR REPLACEDCW. PE04031_CAT