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, Aug 28, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.
Steering, Electrical system, Aug 27, 2014, crash
AFTER PURCHASING MY MALIBU I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE INCIDENTS WHERE I WAS UNABLE TO UNLOCK MY DOORS ELECTRICALLY FROM INSIDE/OUTSIDE (AFTER A FIGHT WITH THE DEALER THAT ISSUE WAS FIXED AFTER BEING TOLD I NEEDED TO BRING THE CAR BACK AND FORTH FOR 3 WEEKS), SINCE THEN I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE MY TURN SIGNAL BULBS ONCE A MONTH, MY LEFT TURN SIGNAL SOCKET LOOKS LIKE IT HAS BEEN BURNT AND IS VERY BLACK IN COLOR, STILL CANT GET GM TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE WERE PROBLEMS WITH THIS ON THESE MALIBU'S EVEN THOUGH THERE ARE SERVICE BULLETINS ON THIS ISSUE. NEXT I HAVE HAD MY DIC SYSTEM SHOW ME MESSAGES SAYING LOCKED AND MY RADIO SHUTS OFF ERRATICALLY AND MY IGNITION WILL SHUT OFF. GM DEALER WILL NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY, NEXT I HAVE HAD THE MESSAGE ON MY DIC SHOW NO POWER STEERING AND 3 OUT OF THE 4 TIMES I HAVE LOST STEERING ALL TOGETHER AND LUCKILY WAS BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY, HAD TO SHUT CAR OFF AND WAIT FOR SYSTEM TO GIVE ME BACK STEERING CONTROL. THE 4TH TIME I VEERED INTO A GUARD RAIL GOING ABOUT 25 MPH AND CRUNCHED MY FRONT PASSENGER QUARTER PANEL WHEN THE PS ASSIST FAILED AND I HAD NO STEERING. AGAIN, SHUT CAR OFF AND HAD TO WAIT FOR SYSTEM TO RESET AND AGAIN HAD STEERING CONTROL. I AM NOW HAVING ISSUES WHERE MY ENTIRE CONSOLE IN THE VEHICLE IS ALWAYS HOT TO THE TOUCH AND MY IGNITION SWITCH INSIDE THE CAR IS EXTREMELY HOT EVEN RIGHT AFTER THE CAR IS STARTED. GM WILL NOT ADDRESS THIS ISSUE EITHER WHEN I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE. I AM NOW HAVING STEERING ISSUES WHERE MY MALIBU WANTS TO GO LEFT WHEN I AM ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN AND WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN IT WANTS TO GO WAY LEFT ALL BY ITSELF. I HAVE MULTIPLE RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE AND TO NO AVAIL THEY ARE NOT BEING ADDRESSED. I AM WONDERING IF I HAVE TO BE IN A WORSE CRASH AND BE INJURED SEVERELY OR ANOTHER PERSON IN ORDER TO GET ANYONE TO FIX THESE ISSUES OR TAKE THIS CAR BACK. *TR
Steering, Service brakes, Aug 26, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, HE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND WHEN MAKING A RIGHT OR LEFT TURN THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING); HOWEVER, THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Steering, Aug 25, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Steering, Electrical system, Service brakes, Aug 22, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND EXCESSIVE FORCE ON THE STEERING WHEEL WAS REQUIRED. THE SERVICE SOON WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL), NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING) AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V224000 (POWER TRAIN). HOWEVER, THE PARTS NEEDED WERE UNAVAILABLE TO SERVICE THE VEHICLE UNDER THE RECALL. THE DEALER WAS UNCERTAIN WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.
Steering, Aug 22, 2014
HEAVY SNAPPING SOUND (HARD ENOUGH TO BE FELT) UPON TURNING WHEELS IN EITHER DIRECTION. IT HAS BEEN NOTED TO ME THAT THIS IS A "QUIRK" OF THE STEERNG FOR THIS MODEL AND CAN NOT BE REMEDIED. THE CAR WAS BOUGHT USED AND TOLD THAT THE RACK AND PINION STEERING HAD BEEN REPLACED BUT DID NOT REMEDY THE SITUATION AND WAS NOT A SAFETY CONSIDERATION. IN MY OPINION, WHEN SOMETHING MAKES A SNAPPING SOUND AND CAN BE FELT, THIS IS SURELY A SAFETY FACTOR. CAN YOU ADVISE IF THIS IS A SAFETY FACTOR OR NOT? I'M NOT REALLY COMFORTABE DRIVING THIS CAR. *TR
Steering, Aug 20, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY MALFUNCTIONED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. DURING THE FAILURE, THE POWER STEERING SENSOR AND SERVICE VEHICLE SENSOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,531.
Steering, Aug 18, 2014
WHILE OPERATING THIS CAR THE POWER STEERING WILL GO OUT. IN ORDER TO RE-SET THIS YOU MUST PUT THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL, SHUT THE CAR OFF, TURN THE CAR BACK ON AND PUT BACK IN GEAR. IF THIS DOES NOT WORK WE MUST START THE PROCESS OVER. ALL AT THE SAME TIME OF TRYING TO GET THE CAR OFF THE ROAD. GM HAS IGNORED MY REQUEST FOR A REPLACEMENT CAR DUE TO A COUPLE OTHER ISSUES. NO PARTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALLS ON MY CAR& GM DOES NOT KNOW WHEN THEY WILL BE AVAILABLE. I HAVE A 3 MONTH OLD BEING TRANSPORTED IN THE VEHICLE. THIS VEHICLE ALSO TRAVELS 65 MILES A DAY ON THE INTERSTATE TO & FROM WORK. GM DOES NOT SEE THE IMPORTANCE OF THE SAFETY ISSUES BEING PRESENTED ON A DAILY BASIS NOT ONLY TO ME & MY FAMILY BUT TO ANYONE TRAVELING AROUND ME ON THE INTERSTATE. I AM TIRED OF GETTING THE RUN AROUND. I HAVE SEVERAL EMAILS THAT SHOW NO RESPONSE TO THE SITUATION. *TR
Steering, Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Aug 11, 2014
WE HAVE RECEIVED THREE RECALL NOTICES FOR THE ABOVE MENTIONED PROBLEMS. ALL OF THE NOTICES SAY THAT THE CAR WILL BE FIXED FREE OF CHARGE BY THE DEALER BUT PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE AT THE CURRENT TIME. WHEN I GOT THE SECOND NOTICE I CALLED AND TALKED TO A WOMAN AT THE CHEVROLET DIVISION OF GM AND WAS TOLD THE PARTS SHOULD BE AVAILABLE WITHIN TWO WEEKS. A MONTH LATER WE GOT OUR THIRD NOTICE OF A DIFFERENT PROBLEM AND WHEN I CALLED AGAIN I WAS TOLD THAT THEY HAD NOT DETERMINED THE "ROOT" OF THE PROBLEM SO THEY DON'T KNOW WHICH PARTS NEED TO BE REPLACED. ALSO THEY COULD NOT TELL ME WHEN THE SOLUTION WOULD BE FOUND AND THEREFORE WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE. IN ADDITION I WOULD THINK AN AMERICAN COMPANY LIKE GM WOULD BE HIRING AMERICANS TO ANSWER THEIR CUSTOMER'S COMPLAINTS. IT WAS PRETTY OBVIOUS THAT THE PERSON I TALKED TO TODAY WAS MOST LIKELY A CALL PERSON FROM INDIA. ANY IDEAS WHEN THESE PROBLEMS WILL BE SOLVED?? WHO SHOULD I COMPLAIN TO NEXT?? *TR
Steering, Jul 26, 2014, crash
DRIVING TO WORK AT 0615 - TEMP WAS 41 DEGREES. TYPICAL WINTER MORNING. I WAS TRAVELING 45 MPH DUE TO THE TIME OF YEAR ON A ROAD I HAVE DRIVEN FOR 27 YEARS. MY CAR HAD 4 STUDDED SNOW TIRES ON IT FOR THE WINTER DRIVING. GOING UP A HILL AND AROUND A CURVE I LOST CONTROL AND STEERING SEEMED TO BE "GONE" I COULD NOT GAIN CONTROL AT ALL. MY CAR SPUN AROUND WENT OVER AN EMBANKMENT - FLIPPED OVER AND ROLLED LANDING ON IT'S TOP. THE DOORS WERE DUG INTO THE GROUND SO ESCAPE ON MY OWN WAS IMPOSSIBLE. THE CAR WAS TOTALED. WE ASSUMED IT WAS JUST A FLUKE AND THAT I MUST HAVE HIT BLACK ICE - WHICH I HAVE DONE BEFORE. NEVER HAD I NOT BEEN ABLE TO GAIN CONTROL AGAIN THOUGH. THIS CAR HAD PROBLEMS WITH STEERING AND "STOPPING" BEFORE. I HAD IT IN THE SHOP MORE THAN A COUPLE OF TIMES TO BE CHECKED OUT AND WAS TOLD NOTHING WAS WRONG. WHEN I HEARD ABOUT THE RECALLS, I CALLED TO NOTIFY GM THAT I HAD CRASHED MY CAR - IN CASE THEY NEEDED THE INFORMATION AND THEY ASKED ME IF I STILL HAD THE CAR. I TOLD THEM "NO" IT HAD BEEN TOTALED. THEY THEN TOLD ME THAT MY INFORMATION DIDN'T MATTER SINCE I NO LONGER HAD THE CAR! *TR
Steering, Jul 24, 2014
POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING. HAD TO REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN AND STEERING MOTOR. WAS RE-PLACED AT A PRIVATE MECHANIC AS I DID NOT KNOW THERE WAS A RECALL. SINCE FINDING OUT CONCERNING THE RECALL I HAVE CALLED AND CALLED GM SENDS RECALL NOTICES FOR EVERYTHING EXCEPT THE CORRECT RECALL. ALL I WANT IS TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE COST OF REPAIRING THE CAR. THEY CAN NOT SEEM TO UNDERSTAND I HAVE ALREADY HAD THE CAR REPAIRED. WHEN YOU DO GET A LETTER FOR A RECALL THEY SAY THEY KNOW THAT IT COULD BE DANGEROUS THEY ARE CONCERNED BUT THE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE YET. I HAVE RECEIVED 2 RECALL LETTERS FOR THINGS HAVING NOTHING TO DO WITH MY REPAIR AND THEY SAY THE SAME THING. SO STRANGE MY MECHANIC COULD GET PARTS BUT GM CAN'T??? THANK YOU (THIS IS THE SECOND NOTICE I HAVE SENT). *TR
Steering, Jul 23, 2014
I WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AND MY CAR CHIMED AND LOST ALL POWER STEERING FOR APPROXIMATELY 3-4 SECONDS AND THEN THE POWER CAME BACK. THIS TYPE OF POWER LOSS HAS HAPPENED TO ME TWICE SINCE I HAVE OWNED MY VEHICLE WHICH I PURCHASED IN 2008. *TR
Steering, Jul 21, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED MAKING THE STEERING WHEEL VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE LOST POWER STEERING WARNING MESSAGE DISPLAY ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT NO SOLUTION WAS OFFERED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT HE RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 14V153000 (STEERING). THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE CONTACT THE WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE AND NO ESTIMATED AVAILABILITY DATE COULD BE PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 250,000.
Steering, Jul 18, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REPAIR EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT DID NOT EXPERIENCE A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE.
Steering, Jul 18, 2014
I RECEIVED TWO RECALLS: 13036 AND 14116. BOTH INDICATING POTENTIAL DANGEROUS SITUATIONS IF THE AFFECTED PART MALFUNCTIONS. BOTH RECALLS INDICATED THAT WHILE GM WAS NOTIFYING ME PER THE NATIONAL TRAFFIC AND MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY ACT, THAT NEITHER ONE HAS ANY PARTS AVAILABLE. THERE IS NO ESTIMATED DATE OF AVAILABILITY FOR THESE PARTS FOR EITHER RECALL, JUST THAT WE WILL RECEIVE ANOTHER LETTER WHEN THE PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. I CALLED THE MY DEALER AND THE 1 (800)222-1020 CHEVROLET NUMBER AND RECEIVED THE SAME INFORMATION. SADLY, THE DEALER DID NOT HAVE ANY MORE INFORMATION THAN I DID AND DIDN'T EVEN KNOW ABOUT THE 13036 RECALL YET. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. GM SHOULD KNOW WHEN WE CAN EXPECT PARTS TO BE AVAILABLE AND INCLUDE THAT INFORMATION IN THE FIRST LETTER, SO WE KNOW WHEN TO EXPECT THE SECOND LETTER. ALSO, A RECALL SHOULD BE UPLOADED TO THEIR DEALERS BEFORE OR AT THE SAME TIME ONE IS SENT TO CONSUMERS SO THEY CAN BE PREPARED FOR CALLS. *TR
Steering, Jul 16, 2014, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE REVERSING FROM A PARKING SPACE, THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR FLASHED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE POWER STEERING ASSIST IMMEDIATELY FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO ENGAGE THE BRAKES ON TIME AND AS A RESULT, CRASHED INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING). HOWEVER, THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 220,000.
Steering, Jul 14, 2014
THE POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING 5 TIMES IN 4 HOURS ON THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014 AND IT IS NOW AT FAULKNER IN TREVOSE, PA WITH NO EXPECTED TIME TO RECEIVE THE NEW GM PART. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE; THEREFORE, CONTACT GM AND INSIST THAT THEY PROCEED IMMEDIATELY WITH THE MANUFACTURE OF THIS PART. THANKING YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER. *TR
Steering, Jul 11, 2014, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AS THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 202,337.
Steering, Jul 10, 2014
I CONTACTED THE NHTSA LAST YEAR (2013) AND I CONTACTED GM, CHEVY, AND MY CHEVY DEALERSHIP AT THAT TIME TO REPORT THAT MY STEERING COLUMN IN MY 2004 4-DOOR CHEVY MALIBU HAD LOCKED UP WHEN I WAS TRYING TO MERGE ONTO AN EXPRESSWAY. SINCE THEN, ALL THE NEWS ABOUT NOT ONLY THIS DEFECT, BUT OTHER DEFECTS AS WELL, HAVE BEEN FOUND IN THESE GM VEHICLES. I FINALLY REC'D. A SAFETY RECALL LTR., BUT IT ONLY INDICATES THE "PART IS NOT AVAILABLE" TO FIX MY CAR AND THAT I WILL HAVE TO WAIT ON ADDL. NOTIFICATION AS TO WHEN I CAN SCHEDULE A TIME TO TAKE MY CAR IN FOR THE REPAIR, SINCE SUPPOSEDLY THE DEALERSHIP IS WAITING ON THE MANUFACTURER OF THE PARTS IN QUESTION TO ACTUALLY "MAKE" THE PART. ???? WHY IS IT TAKING SO LONG TO GET WHAT THE RECALL # 14116 INDICATES THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR MY CAR IS A "TORQUE SENSOR ASSEMBLY." I WOULD SAY THAT BEFORE ANY MORE NEW CARS ARE PRODUCED AND SOLD THAT THE "DEFECTIVE & DANGEROUS" VEHICLES NEED TO BE REPAIRED SO PEOPLE ARE NOT "AT RISK OF A CRASH OR INJURIES OR POSSIBLY EVEN DEATH," DUE TO THE POWER STEERING ASSIST GOING OUT. WHY ARE WE HAVING TO WAIT SO LONG ON THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR OUR VEHICLES AND WHY ISN'T THE HIGHWAY TRANSPORTATION SAFETY AGENCY PUTTING MORE PRESSURE ON THE MANUFACTURERS AND THE DEALERSHIPS TO GET OUR VEHICLES FIXED AND/OR GETTING US TEMPORARY "REPLACEMENT VEHICLES" UNTIL THE PARTS ARE IN?? ONE OF THE INCIDENTS WHERE THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKED UP OCCURRED 07/19/13 (LAST YR.), BUT IT HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL MORE TIMES, AND ONCE WHEN MY OLDEST SON WAS DRIVING US TO AND FROM DINNER ONE NIGHT. SO, I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO HAS EXPERIENCED THIS DANGEROUS PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING COLUMN. HERE'S MY PREVIOUS COMPLAINT NHTSA ID NUMBER (ODI #) : 10537050. I REGISTERED ADDL. COMPLAINTS TO THE NHTSA SINCE THEN, AND "VERBAL" CALLS/COMPLAINTS TO GM & CHEVY, BUT I'M STILL GETTING THE RUN-AROUND. PLEASE HELP! *TR
Steering, Jul 9, 2014
I WAS MAKING A TURN WHEN THE POWER STEERING IN MY VEHICLE LOCKED UP, MAKING IT HARD TO COMPLETE THE TURN AND LEADING ME INTO THE ONCOMING LANE, STRIKING THE BUMPER OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THE ISSUE AND REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN AT MY COST. LESS THAN A YEAR LATER, THE POWER STEERING HAS ONCE MORE FAILED! I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE AND TOOK THE CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP. I WAS INFORMED THAT IN FACT IT WAS THE RECALLED PARTS THAT HAD FAILED BUT SINCE THEY WERE UNSURE OF WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE, THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. WHEN INQUIRING ABOUT A RENTAL CAR, WAS TOLD IT IS SAFE TO DRIVE! *TR
Steering, Jul 7, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING) AND STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE DEALER DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO CONTACTED AND COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE CONTACTS VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Steering, Jun 24, 2014
STEERING WHEEL WAS HARD TO CONTROL FELT MY CAR MOVING IN OUTSIDE LANES, THE NEXT MORNING I BEGAN TO PULL MY CAR OUT STEERING WHEEL WAS SO HARD TO TURN IT JUST BROKE AND STARTED SPINNING AROUND. I WAS IN TOTAL SHOCK AND HAPPY TO BE ALIVE. *TR
Steering, Jun 23, 2014
POWER STEERING WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING. IT WAS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO TRY TO STEER THE CAR. I CONTACTED DEALER AND WAS ADVISED A RECALL FROM GM ON THIS CAR WITH THE STEERING PROBLEM HOWEVER NO PARTS AVAILABLE. I JUST CONTACTED GM TODAY AND WAS ADVISED NO ESTIMATE ON WHEN PARTS WILL BECOME AVAILABLE HOWEVER VEHICLE IS SAFE TO DRIVE? I MEAN SERIOUSLY? HOW IS IT SAFE TO DRIVE WHEN YOU CAN'T STEER IT?? I CAN'T BELIEVE GM WOULD SAY IT IS SAFE TO DRIVE. MY WIFE NORMALLY DRIVES THIS CAR AND IF IT WENT OUT WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING, THERE IS NO WAY SHE COULD TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. I DON'T WANT HER DRIVING IT NOW SO WHAT IS SHE GOING TO DO ABOUT A CAR WHILE GM FIGURES OUT HOW TO GET THE PARTS? THEY NEED TO MAKE THIS RIGHT TO THE CUSTOMERS. AT LEAST OFFER TO PAY FOR A RENTAL WHILE THEY GET THE PARTS TO FIX IT. INSTEAD, THEY WILL WAIT FOR MORE PEOPLE TO DIE FIRST. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jun 20, 2014
DRLS BULBS ON HEADLIGHTS RUN TOO HOT CAUSING THE BULB TO BURN OUT CONSTANTLY AND CAUSING ASSEMBLY TO AND MELT. I HAVE TO DRIVE WITH MY HEADLIGHTS ON AT ALL TIMES, OR MY TURNING SIGNALS WILL NOT WORK. I'VE ALREADY HAD TO REPLACE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY TWICE. *TR
Steering, Suspension, Exterior lighting, Jun 18, 2014
I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED FROM CRANE CHEVROLET, CLIFTON, NEW JERSEY, WITHIN SIX MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE I OBSERVED THAT THE POWER STEERING WOULD SUDDENLY STOP OPERATING WHILE THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING. I DISCOVERED THAT THE ONLY CORRECTIVE WAS TO SHUT THE CAR OFF AND RESTART THE ENGINE. THE POWER STEERING WOULD THEN REENGAGE. THIS FAILURE HAS PERSISTED FOR NEARLY THE ENTIRE TIME I'VE OWNED THE VEHICLE. DURING THAT ENTIRE TIME, CRANE CHEVROLET HAS CLAIMED THERE WAS/IS NO DEFECT IN THE POWER STEERING, AND NO RECALL NOTICE OUTSTANDING. I JUST RECEIVED A GM SAFETY RECALL NOTICE 14116, WHICH CLAIMS, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THAT "PREVIOUSLY, YOU HAD THE STEERING COLUMN REPLACED UNDER CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM 04050". THAT IS FALSE! NEITHER CRANE CHEVROLET, NOR GM HAS EVER CONTACTED ME CONCERNING THE STEERING COLUMN, OR MADE ANY ATTEMPT TO REPLACE IT! I ALSO NOTIFIED CRANE CHEVROLET THAT THE FRONT HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY TURN SIGNAL LAMPS REPEATEDLY BURNED OUT, AND THAT THE BULB HOUSINGS WERE BURNT AND COMPLETELY MELTED THROUGH!! BOTH GM AND CRANE CHEVROLET DENIED THERE WAS ANY DEFECT IN THE LAMP/HOUSING DESIGN OR FUNCTION. I HAVE TO REPLACE THE FRONT TURN SIGNAL LAMPS ABOUT EVERY SIX MONTHS. FINALLY, THE UNDERCARRIAGE SUPPORT STRUTS, SHOCKS, AND SPRINGS ARE WOEFULLY UNDERDESIGNED. THE CAR RUNS LIKE IT HAS STONE TIRES. I NOW HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE STRUT, SHOCK, AND SPRING UNDERSUPPORTS FOR THE SECOND TIME. AND I JUST RUN THE VEHCILE ON ASPHALT SMOOTH ROADS IN A DEVELPED SUBURBAN CITY!! THIS WAS SERIOUS UNDERDESIGN. FORTUNATELY, THESE PARTS ARE AVAILABLE ON THE WEB AND I'VE GOT A GOOD MECHANIC THAT CHARGES FAIRLY FOR THIS DIFFICULT WORK. GO TO CRANE AND GM AND YOU'D NEED TO MORTGAGE YOUR HOME TO DO THE WORK!! *TR