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
1,697 reports, newest first.
Steering, Dec 16, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH AND COMPLETING A TURN WHEN THE POWER STEERING ASSIST SUDDENLY MALFUNCTIONED, MAKING THE STEERING WHEEL EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILURE SENSOR WAS ALSO ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND NO SOLUTION WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000.
Steering, Dec 13, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME STIFF AND DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ALSO ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE IF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
Seats, Dec 12, 2013
THE DRIVERS SEAT UPON ADJUSTING SAGGED TO THE LEFT AND THE SEAT BASE MOVED UNEVENLY CAUSING THE SEAT TO ROCK. THE SEAT WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED FOR THE SAME PROBLEM APPROXIMATELY 4 YRS AGO. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A DEFINITE SAFETY ISSUE I BELIEVE THE SEAT WOULD NOT HOLD UP TO EVEN A SMALL CRASH. *TR
Steering, Dec 7, 2013
WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD MY CARS POWER STEERING SUDDENLY WENT OUT AND THE ALARM CAME ON, ON THE RADIO "POWER STEERING" . SOMETIMES IT GOES OUT JUST BY PUTTING MY CAR REVERSE OR DRIVE. IT ALSO WILL GO OUT WHILE TURNING! THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS ISSUE AS I HAVE TWO SMALL CHILDREN AND THIS CAN CAUSE A WRECK. THIS IS MY ONLY WAY OF GOING I CAN'T AFFORD TO FIX GMS MISTAKE! *TR
Seats, Nov 24, 2013
WELD BROKE ON SEAT AND FELL TO THE RIGHT. ONLY WAY TO DRIVE WAS TO PUT THE SEAT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR 2 YEARS FOR A REPLACEMENT SEAT IN THE JUNK YARD. I HAVE FOUND 4 MATCHING SEATS OVER THE 2 YEARS, BUT EVERY ONE HAD THE FRAME BROKEN. PROBLEM IS THAT IN A SEVERE ACCIDENT THE SEAT COULD COME UNHOOKED FROM THE CAR. 2ND PROBLEM IS THAT THE SAFETY BELT HOOKS TO THE SEAT NOT THE CAR OR FRAME RENDERING THE SEATBELT USELESS. HAD IT WELDED 3 TIMES AND BREAKS IN LESS THAN A MONTH. IT IS SHAME THAT CHEVROLET WILL NOT DO A RECALL. PROBABLY BECAUSE THEY HAVE NO SOLUTION AS IT WAS A POOR DESIGN. I OWN 5 CHEVROLET VEHICLES INCLUDING 3 MALIBU'S, 2004, 2005 AND 2011. NONE WITH PROBLEMS LIKE THIS. *TR
Steering, Nov 14, 2013
WHILE DRIVING, HEARD WARNING SIGNAL, SAW WARNING LIGHT (WRENCH I THINK), THEN DIGITAL READ ON RADIO SAID "POWER STEERING." TRIED TO CHANGE LANES TO EXIT FREEWAY, STEERING WHEEL VERY DIFFICULT TO MOVE. REALIZED I HAD NO POWER STEERING. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. THIS ALL HAPPENED VERY QUICKLY. *TR
Steering, Nov 13, 2013
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD HEADING TO WORK, AND WENT AROUND A CURVE AND ALL THE SUDDEN THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I COMPLETELY LOST MY POWER STEERING. I MANAGED TO PULL OVER AND SHUT MY CAR OFF, TURN IT BACK ON AND WENT ON MY WAY. THE POWER STEERING CAME BACK AT THIS POINT. THE NEXT MORNING, I WAS DRIVING TO WORK, AND WAS GETTING READY TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN. AS I ROUNDED THE CORNER, I LOST MY POWER STEERING YET AGAIN. I ONCE AGAIN KILLED THE ENGINE AND IT CAME BACK. BOTH TIMES, I LATER DROVE THE CAR HOME FROM WORK WITH NO INCIDENTS. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND COULD CAUSE SERIOUS ACCIDENTS. *TR
Steering, Nov 13, 2013
TURNED LEFT AT AN INTERSECTION WHEN THE A CHIME SOUNDED AND THE SERVICE LIGHT ON THE DASH APPEARED. THEN THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT AND THE CAR VEERED OFF THE ROAD AND ONTO THE SIDEWALK. THE CAR WAS PLACED INTO PARK AND THE IGNITION TURNED OFF. THE IGNITION WAS IMMEDIATELY TURNED BACK ON AND THE POWER STEERING WAS RESTORED. THIS HAPPENED LAST WINTER, THEN THREE TIMES ALREADY THIS WINTER. *TR
Steering, Nov 13, 2013
I WAS TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE AND WENT TO MAKE AN EXIT, TURN AND LOST THE POWER STEERING AFTER THE WRENCH DISPLAYED ON THE DASHBOARD. PER THE DEALER THEY ADVISED THE SENSOR IS BAD/FAULTY. I REVIEWED THE OTHER COMPLAINTS SIMILAR TO MY EXPERIENCE PER CHEVY MY VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE INVESTIGATION # PE04031 I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE MATTER FURTHER RESEARCHED IF IM HAVING THE EXACT ISSUES AS THE OTHER MALIBUS IM NOT UNDERSTANDING WHY GM WOULD REPAIR THE ISSUE ESPECIALLY CONSIDERING THE SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
Steering, Nov 13, 2013
I WAS DRIVING SLOWLY IN A PARKING LOT AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED COMPLETELY. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALSO CAME ON. IT WAS VERY DIFICULT TO NAIGATE IN THE PARKING LOT AT SUCH LOW SPEEDS. WHEN I LEFT THE PARKING LOT AND ACCELERATED, I WAS ABLE TO MANAGE STEERING WITH SOME FORCE. AFTER TURNING OFF THE VEHICLE AND RESTARTING, THE POWER STEERING WORKED FINE AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT OFF. I WAS CONCERNED FOR MY SAFETY AND WORRIED I WOULD HAVE AN ACCIDENT DUE TO DIFFICULTY STEERING. *TR
Steering, Nov 5, 2013
POWER STEERING WENT OUT IN MY 2004 CHEVY MALIBU. CONTACTED DEALER - THEY WOULDN'T DO ANYTHING. VERY DANGEROUS THE POWER STEERING IS VERY INTERMITTENT, LOCKS UP AND STAYS FROZEN/LOCKED UP UNTIL YOU CUT THE CAR OFF. WHEN I CUT THE CAR BACK ON IT IS UNFROZEN/UNLOCKED AND THE STEERING WORKS - HOWEVER IT GOES OUT INTERMITTENTLY AND ALWAYS HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING. MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ON THIS VEHICLES STEERING, WHICH IS VERY EXPENSIVE TO REPLACE. I HAVE HEARD THAT THERE WERE RECALLS ON SOME OF THE 04 MALIBUS, BUT NOT ALL OF THEM FOR THE POWER STEERING MOTOR. *TR
Steering, Oct 25, 2013, crash
WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK. I WAS TURNING INTO MY APARTMENT COMPLEX AND MY STEERING WHEEL TIGHTENED UP. I RAN INTO THE MEDIAN THAT DIVIDES THE ENTRANCE AND THE EXIT OF A COMPLEX. DUE TO NOT BEING ABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THERE WAS A MESSAGE ON MY RADIO DISPLAY THAT SAID POWER STEERING. AFTER I HIT THE MEDIAN, I TURNED MY CAR OFF TO GET OUT AND SEE THE EXTENT OF THE DAMAGE TO MY CAR AND THE PROPERTY. WHEN I GOT BACK INTO MY CAR AND STARTED IT AGAIN THE STEERING WAS FINE AGAIN. A FEW DAYS LATER I EXPERIENCED IT THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN WHILE DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY DURING RUSH HOUR. AFTER FURTHER RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND THAT THERE ARE MANY OTHERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AND THERE SEEM TO BE NO FIX IF THE DEALERSHIP CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT IF THEY WERE TO TAKE MY WORD AND FIX THE STEERING COLUMN AND THAT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM I WOULD BE OUT OF $1000+ DOLLARS. THIS IS THE ONLY PROBLEM THAT I HAVE EVER HAD WITH THIS VEHICLE AND THERE NEEDS TO BE SOMETHING DONE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. FAST!! *TR
Steering, Oct 25, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME HARD TO TURN AS THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING ALARM CHIMED. THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 37,000.
Seats, Oct 23, 2013
ON THURSDAY OCTOBER 17TH WHILE DRIVING THE SEAT ALL OF A SUDDEN DROPPED DOWN ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE, I BROUGHT TO A REPAIR SHOP ON MONDAY OCTOBER 21ST TO HAVE THE SEAT LOOKED AT IT. THE WELDS ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE OF THE SEAT FRAME ARE BROKEN, THE COST TO FIX THIS IS GOING TO BE OVER $1100 BECAUSE IN ORDER TO FIX THE PROBLEM I NEED AN ENTIRE NEW SEAT. AFTER A LOT OF RESEARCH I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE IN THE 2004 CHEVY MALIBU MAXX, I FOUND A WEBSITE THAT HAD OVER 50 COMPLAINTS OF THE EXACT SAME ISSUE. I FEEL THIS SHOULD DEFINITELY BE A RECALL ISSUE SINCE THE WELDING HAD BROKEN AND SEEMS TO BE AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL CAR THIS SOUNDS LIKE A MANUFACTURING ERROR SINCE IT HAS OCCURRED FREQUENTLY WITH THIS YEAR AND MODEL. *TR
Steering, Oct 18, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THERE WAS A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER STEERING ACCOMPANIED BY A WARNING CHIME. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. IN ADDITION, AN UNKNOWN FUSE WAS REMOVED FROM UNDER CONSOLE AND CLEANED. THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE STEERING COLUMN AND MODULE WERE BOTH REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,000. ...UPDATED 11-18-13 *BF UPDATED 11/26/2013 *JS
Steering, Oct 15, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND BECAME HARD TO TURN. THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT WAS ALSO ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 111,000.
Steering, Oct 4, 2013
WHILE OUT DRIVING DOING REGULAR ERRANDS, I NEEDED TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN AT AN INTERSECTION AND REALIZED THAT THE WHEEL WOULD NOT MOVE. I HAD TO FORCE THE STEERING WHEEL TO MOVE IN ORDER TO MAKE THE TURN. I WAS AFRAID TO GO ANY FURTHER BECAUSE I WAS ON A RELATIVELY BUSY STREET AND DID NOT WANT TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT. I PULLED OVER AND CALLED MY SON WHO TOLD ME THAT IT SOUNDED LIKE THE POWER STEERING FAILED. AFTER I CALMED DOWN, I DROVE THE CAR APPROXIMATELY TWO MILES BACK TO MY HOME. I HAVE INFORMED CHEVROLET OF THE PROBLEM. *LN
Steering, Sep 26, 2013
2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU; STEERING PROBLEMS; I HAD ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING REPLACED 8/2011. DID OK UNTIL SPRING 2012, WHEN WEATHER BECAME WARMER. FROM SPRING TO LATE FALL, I HAVE NO POWER STEERING. THIS IS DANGEROUS. I NEVER KNOW WHEN IT WILL BE GOING OUT. MY CAR ONLY HAD @45000 MILES ON IT WHEN IT HAPPENED. THIS IS JUST UNCALLED FOR. I HAVE A YOUNG SON; THIS IS MY ONLY MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION; AND IT IS DANGEROUS. MY CAR ONLY HAS 64,000 MILES ON IT NOW. I HAVE CONTACTED EVERY AGENCY I AM AWARE OF, AND CANNOT GET A RECALL IN PLACE NOR ANY ADVICE ON HOW TO FIX THE PROBLEM. PLEASE...NEED A RECALL! *JS
Steering, Sep 25, 2013
I WAS DRIVING AND WHEN I WENT TO TURN THE CORNER MY STEERING WENT OUT. I COULD BARELY TURN IT. I ENDED UP PULLING OVER AND SAT FOR A WHILE BUT THEN WHEN I STARTED DRIVING AGAIN IT DIDN'T DO IT BUT THAN IT HAPPENED AGAIN ON 9/08/2013. *JS
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Sep 25, 2013
I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY DOOR LOCKS STARTED TO GO UP AND DOWN. THAN AFTER THAT THE DOORS WOULD JUST START TO LOCK AND UNLOCK ON THEIR OWN. NOW NONE OF THE LOCKS ON THE DOOR WORK AND THE ALARM GOES OFF EVERYTIME I OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE AND WHEN I'M INSIDE THE CAR I GET LOCKED IN MY CAR. *JS
Steering, Sep 25, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND PERFORMED NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE HAD A POWER STEERING MOTOR REPLACEMENT PREVIOUSLY BUT THE PROBLEM HAD SINCE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED OR INSPECTED SINCE THE RECENT FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE INCIDENT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,000.
Seats, Sep 13, 2013
HEARD A THUMP AND POWER SEAT SAGGED ON RIGHT SIDE. CHECKED UNDER SEAT AND FOUND WELD HAD BROKEN THAT HOLDS A TUBE TO A BRACKET. I COULD SEE THAT WHERE THE WELD PULLED LOOSE FROM THE TUBE IT PULLED METAL FROM THE TUBE. THE WELD DID NOT BREAK BUT PULLED METAL FROM THE TUBE. THE TUBE WAS MADE FROM THIN GAUGE METAL. *TR
Electrical system, Sep 12, 2013
THE PASSLOCK SECURITY SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS DISABLING THE VEHICLE. YOU HAVE TO RESET THE SYSTEM WHICH CAN TAKE UP TO 30 MINUTES. THIS CAN BE A SAFETY ISSUE WHEN IT HAPPENS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. I HAVE SEEN THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS FOR THIS ISSUE. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. *TR
Steering, Sep 9, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH AND ATTEMPTING A TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND THE CONTACT ALLOWED THE VEHICLE TO SIT FOR SEVERAL HOURS BEFORE THE POWER STEERING ASSIST RESUMED NORMAL FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.
Steering, Sep 6, 2013
POWER STEERING LIGHT HAS BEEN COMING ON INTERMITTENTLY OVER THE LAST 5 MONTHS. TODAY MY POWER STEERING FAILED COMPLETELY. WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. AFTER TURNING VEHICLE OFF THEN BACK ON IT STARTED WORKING AGAIN, THEN FAILED AGAIN. APPARENTLY THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR.