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, Feb 23, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. IN EXTREMELY COLD TEMPERATURES, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD BECOME STUCK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING SHAFT EXHIBITED SIGNS OF FAILURE, BUT HAD NOT COMPLETELY FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000. UPDATED 04/21/2016*LJ
Steering, Jan 20, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING AND THE RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE REPAIRS WERE DONE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.
Steering, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jan 6, 2016
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL SERVICE BRAKES HYDRAULIC:SWITCHES:BRAKE LIGHT STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO ILLUMINATE WITHOUT THE BRAKE PEDAL BEING PUSHED THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE PEDAL IS PUSHED DISABLEMENT OF CRASH AVOIDANCE FEATURES SUCH AS TRACTION CONTROL PANIC BRAKING ASSIST FEATURES. TURNING SIGNALS & BREAK LIGHTS NOT RESPONSIVE. SUDDEN LOSS OF ELECTRIC POWER STEERING ASSIST THAT HAPPENS AT ANYTIME WHILE DRIVING. PICTURES ATTACHED PUSHING BREAKS & USING TURNING SIGNALS NO RESPONSE. CAR POWER STEERING ALSO SHUTS DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING. CONTACTED DEALER WILL NOT PROVIDE HELP. PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED FOR THE LAST 16 MONTHS. ALMOST CRASHED 5 TIMES.
Steering, Power train, Wheels, Dec 27, 2015
AIRBAG LIGHT CONTINUES TO COME ON. I'VE HAD THIS CAR SINCE 1/31/2014.USED. NO ACCIDENTS. POWER STEERING WENT OUT. TOOK TO GMC FOR RECALL. 2/2014 CLAIMED IT WAS FIXED. 11/2014 STEERING WHEEL HARD TO TURN..NOW THE TIRES WON'T TURN TO THE RIGHT. LOUD CLONKING NOISE WHEN I TURN THE STEERING. TIRES WON'T TURN..NEAR ACCIDENT. HAD CAR SINCE 1/2014 .TOOK FOR RECALLS 2/2014 7/2014 TRANSMISSION DIED. 1000+ IN REPAIRS. THIS CAR IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND I AM STILL PAYING FOR THIS CAR. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE SO THAT I DON'T HAVE TO CONTINUE TO COME OUT OF POCKET AND WASTE MY MONEY.
Steering, Dec 15, 2015
FOR THE LAST 3-4 WEEKS MY MAINTENANCE CHIME KEPT GOING OFF AND A MESSAGE SAYING POWER STEERING. AND I NOTICED MY STEERING WHEEL HAS EITHER BEEN REALLY LOOSE OR ANOTHER TIME I WILL NEED TO USE SOME FORCE TO TURN. THE STEERING WHEEL FEELS LIKE IT WANTS TO GIVE OUT AT TIMES. I TOOK MY CAR LAST YEAR TO GET FIXED TWICE WHEN GENERAL MOTORS RECALLED MY VEHICLE THAT INVOLVED THE POWER STEERING. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER TODAY AND THEY CONFIRMED IT WAS INDEED THE RECALLED PART.
Steering, Oct 28, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO MAKE A TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 163,900.
Steering, Oct 7, 2015
THE POWER STEERING LOCKED WHILE DRIVING. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS AND IS HARD TO TURN. THERE WAS A PREVIOUS RECALL ON THE POWER STEERING. THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD 3 RECALLS. THIS TIME IT IS THE POWER STEERING MODULE.
Steering, Sep 21, 2015, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH AND MAKING A TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL REQUIRED EXCESSIVE FORCE AND ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL), 14V153000 (STEERING), AND 14V224000 (POWER TRAIN). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
Steering, Sep 18, 2015
I WAS STOPPED AT A 4 WAY STOP SIGN AND WHEN I TRIED TO TURN RIGHT AND PROCEED MY CAR WENT DIAGONALLY ACROSS THE ROAD BECAUSE THE STEERING HAD GONE OUT OF THE CAR. I WAS TAKEN TO THE NEAREST DEALER, APPLE VALLEY CHEVROLET, AND THE STEERING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE STEERING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN ON 08/04/09 AND AGAIN ON 05/26/2010 AT WHICH TIME I WAS CHARGED A DEDUCTIBLE OF $100.00 BECAUSE THE CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY.AT THIS TIME I WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE MANAGER THAT ANY FUTURE PROBLEM WITH THIS ISSUE WOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF.THESE REPAIRS WERE DONE AT HOFFMAN AUTOMOTIVE. I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE STEERING AND WITH THAT A FORM FOR REIMBURSEMENT IF ALREADY FIXED AND PAID FOR. I SUBMITTED ALL REQUIRED FORMS FOR REIMBURSEMENT OF THE DEDUCTABLE IN NOVEMBER OF 2014. I HAVE FAXED THOSE DOCUMENTS MANY TIMES, MADE REPEATED PHONE CALLS AND HAVE JUST TODAY RECEIVED A DENIAL OF REIMBURSEMENT. THE REASON WAS BECAUSE OF A PART NUMBER. THE RECALL WAS FOR THE STEERING, NOT A SPECIFIC PART NUMBER.
Steering, Sep 11, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND RESUMED NORMALLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V340000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000.
Steering, Sep 1, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN SEVERAL TIMES WHILE DRIVING. ON ONE OCCASION, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME LOOSE AND TURNED ON ITS OWN. THE WRENCH LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHILE THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE AND REGAINED STEERING FUNCTION. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE REPAIR FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING) WAS PERFORMED; HOWEVER; THE REPAIR DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,313.
Steering, Aug 29, 2015, crash
I WAS AT A STOP SIGN, HEADED STRAIGHT, ON A ROAD THAT IS A HILL, AND I WAS HEADED DOWN HILL. THE STEERING WHEEL DIDNT SEEM TO BE TO BE RESPONDING PROPERLY, SO I ATTEMPTED TO MOVE FORWARD SLOWLY AND TRIED TO GET OVER TO THE RIGHT. I WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE CAR AND DRIFTED DOWN THE HILL AND INTO A TREE. THE WHOLE FRONT END , HOOD AND BOTH FENDERS ARE DAMAGED. I AM SURE WE HAD PAOWER STEERING RECALL WORK DONE, THIS IS AWFUL. THE CAR WAS NOT WORTH A WHOLE LOT BUT IT WAS IN PRETTY GOOD CONDITION. WE DIDNT HAVE COLLISION COVERAGE SO NOW I HAVE A REAL TOTAL LOSS.
Steering, Electrical system, Aug 18, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT, AN ABNORMAL NOISE EMITTED FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON TRYING TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION, THE KEY HAD TO BE ADJUSTED BACK AND FORTH SEVERAL TIMES IN ORDER FOR IT TO RELEASE FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V153000 (STEERING) AND 14E044000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED NO REMEDY. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,000.
Steering, Aug 10, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS MAKING A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL EMITTED AN ABNORMAL CLICKING SOUND AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME LOOSE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Steering, Jul 6, 2015
WHILE I WAS ON THE INTERSTATE THIS VEHICLE WITH A WRENCH IN THE MIDDLE LIT UP ON MY DASH BOARD AND THAT'S WHEN MY WHEEL LOCKED UP I COULDN'T MOVE THE WHEEL FROM LEFT TO RIGHT I HAD TO FORCE IT TO TURN TO BE ABLE TO MAKE TURNS AND GET OVER.
Steering, Jun 27, 2015, crash
MY CAR IS IN MY HUSBANDS NAME BUT THE PROBLEMS WITH CAR STARTED WITH RECALLS. I NEVER RECEIVED A STEERING COLUMN RECALL UNTIL MY CAR WAS ALREADY OVER 150,000 MLS. WHEN TAKEN TO THE GARAGE THEY FIXED ONE RECALL AND CONVENIENTLY 2 MORE REPAIRS THAT DIDN'T EXIST NEEDED FIXED THEY THEN TOLD ME THE STEERING COLUMN WAS BAD AND NEEDED REPLACED. I SAID I DIDN'T HAVE MONEY TO FIX AND THEY SAID THEY REPAIRED IT AS GOOD AS THEY COULD POWER STEERING PROBLEM COULD HAPPEN AGAIN BUT MAY NEVER. SO ON JUNE 26TH I HEADED TO CHILDRENS HOSPITAL TO BE WITH MY SON WHEN HE WAS PUT UNDER ANESTHESIA FOR AN MRI(HE HAS DOWN SYNDROME). CAR WAS ACTING UP NOT TURNING RIGHT BUT I MADE IT THERE. I SENT KIDS WITH THEIR DAD THE NIGHT BEFORE BECAUSE I FELT IT WASN'T DRIVING RIGHT. ON THE WAY HOME I WAS DRIVING NORTH ON HIGHWAY 28 IN THE RIGHT LANE WHEN MY CAR STARED GOING TOWARDS THE PASSING LANE. I TRIED TURNING G THE WHEEL BACK. IT TURNED BUT THE WHEELS DIDN'T FOLLOW. IT CONTINUED INTO PASSING LANE, HIT THE CEMENT WALL. THE FRONT LEFT TIRE CLIMBED THE WALL. THE AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED BECAUSE SAME DEALER BROKE MODULE THAT CONTROLLED AIRBAGS, THEY WERE TO REPLACE IT FREE WHEN PART CAME IN BUT NEVER CALLED. I LANDED IN MEDIAN BETWEEN HIGHWAYS. THANK GOD I DIDN'T HIT ANYONE. NOW I HAVE NO CAR. IS THERE ANYONE THAT FIGHTS FOR THE LITTLE GUY ANYMORE?
Steering, Fuel/propulsion system, May 27, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH, THE POWER STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL LINE FRACTURED AND LEAKED FUEL INTO THE MUFFLER. THE FAILURE RECURRED ONCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 159,672.
Steering, Service brakes, May 27, 2015, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING) AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. LESS THAN A MONTH LATER, THE TORQUE SENSOR ASSEMBLY AND THE EPS UNIT FAILED. AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 (SERVICE BRAKES), THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO FEEL AS THOUGH THE BRAKES WERE GRABBING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT WAS DIFFICULT TO ACCELERATE FROM A COMPLETE STOP AND THE BRAKES WERE SMOKING. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN BACK TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT FELT THAT BOTH RECALL REPAIRS FAILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,500.
Steering, Equipment adaptive/mobility, May 13, 2015
FOR SOME REASON THE ENTIRE INTERIOR TRIM ON THE DOOR PANELS HAVE COME UNGLUED AND DETACHED FROM THE DOORS. IT LOOKS TERRIBLE. I RECENTLY RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE REGARDING A KNOCKING NOISE IN THE STEERING. OF COURSE, THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR YEARS AND NOW THE NOTICE SAYS MY CAR MUST HAVE LESS THAN 150K MILES ON IT. I DARE SAY THERE ARE NOT MANY 2004 VEHICLES WITH LESS THAN 150K MILES? MINE IS AROUND 164K. WE USE TO SPRAY GREASE ON THE JOINT WHERE IT HITS WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED. I HAD BEEN TOLD A DEALER WOULD WANT TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE RACK N PINION ON THE VEHICLE, BUT THAT WOULD NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. GUESS I AM JUST OUT OF LUCK.
Steering, May 12, 2015
DRIVING GRAND CHILDREN HOME FROM SCHOOL, TURNED IN DRIVEWAY AND CAR MADE LOUD CHATTER AND CLUNK SOUND LIKE SOMETHING WAS COMING APART OR FALLING OUT. WHEN THE NOISE HAPPENED STEERING WHEEL KEPT SPINNING FREELY! RECEIVED A LETTER SAYING THIS EXACT THING MAY HAPPEN WOULD BE FIXED FREE OF CHARGE UNDER 150,000 MILES. CAR IS AT 170,000 THEY WILL NOT REPAIR SAYING EXTENDED WARRANTY ISSUE AND NOT RECALL. MIND BOGGLING HOW THEY CAN BE ALLOWED TO ISSUE RECALL FOR STEERING MOTOR THAT MAY CAUSE VECHILE TO STEER HARDER A SAFETY ISSUE AND WHEN YOUR IN THE PROCESS OF TURNING AND STEERING WHEEL SPINS FREELY ISN'T A SAFETY ISSUE BUT EXTENDED WARRANTY ISSUE. HAD WE BEEN TURNING AS WE WERE A SHORT TIME BEFORE THAT AT A BUSY INTERSECTION WE COULD HAVE BEEN INJURED OR KILLED!! THIS SEEMS COMPLETELY IDIOTIC HOW HARD STEERING THAT COULD HAPPEN SUCH AS LIKE WHEN A CAR DIDN'T HAVE POWER STEERING WAS DECLARED SAFETY ISSUE BUT EXTENDED WARRANTY ISSUE WHEN YOU LOSE THE ABILITY TO STEER AND STEERING WHEEL JUST SPINS. HOW MANY INJURIES OR DEATHS HAVE TO OCCUR BEFORE THEY ARE MADE TO FIX THIS ISSUE. THEY WANT $900 FOR PART ALONE. HOW COULD THEY POSSIBLY PUT A MILE LIMIT OF 150,000 ON SOMETHING THAT CAN CAUSE CRASH CAUSING INJURY OR DEATH!!! THIS DANGEROUS CONDITION NEEDS TO BE MADE PUBLIC AND CORRECTED. BECAUSE MANUFACTURER NEGLECTED TO PUT AN UMBRELLA SEAL A VERY CHEAP PART PEOPLES LIVES ARE AT RISK AND IT IS A COSTLY REPAIR DUE TO NEGLECT ON MANUFACTURERS PART!!
Steering, May 8, 2015
I WAS LEAVING OUT OF WALMART TO ENTER ONTO HWY 301 WHEN I ACCELERATED MY STEERING WHEEL HAD TIGHTENED UP LIKE THE CAR WAS GOING TO SHUT DOWN. IT HAPPENED AGAIN ON APRIL 24, 2015 SAME THING. THEY HAD A RECALL ON THE POWER STEERING (RECALL #14116). I HAD IT SERVICED ON 10/27/2014. WHICH I THOUGHT WAS CORRECTED UNTIL THIS HAPPENED. I TOOK MY CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP ON MAY 6, 2015,WHICH WAS STILL THE POWER STEERING, AND I END UP PAYING 525.76, FOR SOMETHING GMC WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE FIXED IN THE RECALL. I SURE I'M NOT THE ONLY WHO IS HAVING THIS PROBLEM. BECAUSE I COULD'VE BEEN HIT NOT ONCE BUT TWICE. *TR
Steering, May 4, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH AND TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL, THE TIRES FAILED TO TURN. THE FAILURE RECURRED ONCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RACK AND PINION FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 168,000.
Steering, May 4, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHEN ACCELERATING, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,000.
Steering, Apr 27, 2015
WHEN TRYING TO TURN LEFT OR RIGHT IT WON'T TURN AND MAKES A POPPING NOISE IN STEERING SHAFT ? UNDER CAR INSPECTION NOTICED THAT STEERING SPLINE OR SHAFT WHERE IT MEETS THE YOKE IT JUST SPINS WHEN TURNING WHEEL! WHEELS WILL NOT TURN. CAN'T DRIVE. THIS CAR IS MY DAUGHTERS AND I'M DOING THE RESEARCH FOR HER. *TR
Steering, Apr 27, 2015
MY POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON FRIDAY APRIL 24,2015 .AND WHERE I BOUGHT MY CAR SAID I WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR GETTING IT FIXED. SO WHAT DO I DO BECAUSE I NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL PAPER ON IT. BUT WHEN I LOOKED IT UP IT SAYS THEY HAVE BEEN RECALLED BUT NO ONE HAS NOTIFIED ME TO GET THIS CHECKED. *TR