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, Jul 22, 2009
POWER STEERING FAILURE. THIS IS THE SECOND OCCURRENCE OF POWER STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY FAILING. FIRST ONE REPLACED UNDER RECALL NOTIFICATION. CURRENTLY AT DEALERSHIP WAITING FOR NEW UNIT TO BE INSTALLED. *TR
Steering, Jul 20, 2009
WHILE DRIVING MY CAR, THE STEERING JUST FROZE UP AND MADE IT DIFFICULT TO HANDLE. THIS INCIDENT NEARLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT ON A HEAVILY TRAVELED ROAD. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE IN THE COURSE OF FOUR MONTHS AND EACH TIME THE CAR HAD TO BE TAKEN TO A SHOP AND PUT ON A DIAGNOSTIC TESTER TO FIND AND CLEAR DEFAULT CODES TO MAKE CAR DRIVABLE. THIS PROBLEM CAN HAPPEN AT ANY TIME AGAIN AND TO REPAIR IT COSTS 600.00 . CAN YOU PLEASE HELP ME? *TR
Suspension, Jul 19, 2009
CAR MADE CLUNKING NOISE WHEN TURNING RIGHT AND OR LEFT FIND THAT THE UNIVERSAL JOINT ON STEERING SHAFT WAS RUSTED SO I SPRAYED IT DOWN WITH SOME FREE ALL PENETRATING OIL, HAS GONE AWAY. THERE IS ALSO A CLUNKNG NOISE GOING OVER BUMPS LIFTED THE CAR BY THE BODY AND SHOOK WHEELS FOUND THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINTS HAVE PLAY IN THEM. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Service brakes, Electric, Jul 17, 2009, crash
THIS CAR IS TERRIBLE. NOT ONLY DID MY BRAKES NOT WORK WHICH MADE MY CAR CRASH THROUGH THE FRONT OF MY HOUSE THE STEERING HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HAS MAJOR PROBLEMS. THE BLINKER BURNED A HOLE THROUGH THE LENS COVER AND MAKES THE HORN, DOORS AND LIGHTS NOT WORK. I HAVE CONTACTED GM SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE LAST 5 YEARS AND THEY DON'T CARE BECAUSE THE WARRANTY IS OUT. THEN YOU READ HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS. THEY GOT THEIR BAILOUT HOW ABOUT A BAILOUT FOR THE PEOPLE WHO BOUGHT GM PRODUCTS. THERE SEEMS TO BE NO HELP FOR THE CONSUMER. *TR
Steering, Engine and engine cooling, Jul 17, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 3 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE CONTACT DROVE FORWARD OUT OF A PARKING SPOT, BUT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN. SHE HAD TO EXERT GREAT FORCE IN ORDER TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT ASSIST BECAUSE THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE STEERING. THE MANUFACTURER REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 128,000.
Steering, Jul 17, 2009
POWER STEERING KEEPS FAILING. SOME DAYS IT WORKS FINE THE NEXT TIME IT IS JERKY, LOSS OF POWER STEERING. HAVE HAD IT LOOKED AT 4 TIMES EACH TIME THE REPLACED STEERING GEAR, STABILIZER BARS, RACK AND PINION STEERING. THIS LAST A FEW MONTHS THEN SAME ISSUE OVER AND OVER. NO ITS GONE AGAIN AND HAVE LACK OF POWER, POWER FAILURE, CLUNKING IN STEERING COLUMN. THIS IS A SAFETY AND RECALL ISSUE IN MY BOOKS. WAS TOLD BY ONE DEALERSHIP UNTIL THEY DESIGN NEW PARTS NOTHING CAN BE DONE WELL ITS 5 FIVES OF THIS NOW. *TR
Seats, Jul 16, 2009
DRIVERS SEAT FRAME BROKE AT WELD. SEAT WAS NO LONGER ATTACHED TO VEHICLE. ALMOST CAUSED ME TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT. $843 TO REPLACE THE FRAME. *TR
Steering, Jul 16, 2009
PWR STEERING FAILED UPON VEHICLE START-UP. TURNED OFF CAR AND RESTARTED AND PWR STEERING WORKED OK. WAS TOLD BY MECHANIC THAT THERE HAVE BEEN MANY PROBLEMS WITH PWR STEERING FAILURES ON MALIBU'S AND THAT IT IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE THAT HAS CAUSE NUMEROUS ACCIDENTS. I HAD TO PAY $600 TO REPAIR (REPLACE STEERING COLUMN AND BOX) SINCE GM WOULD NOT COVER IT. (THIS IS THE 2ND TIME THE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED---THE 1ST TIME WAS COVERED BY WARRANTY.) *TR
Steering, Jul 16, 2009
I HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE POWER STEERING THE CAR MALFUNCTIONED TWICE (MEANING THE CAR STARTED SLIDE AND I LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR)BOTH TIMES WHILE I WAS STOPPING FOR A LIGHT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT NEVER CAME ON UNTIL THE SECOND TIME. I STOPPED AND TURNED THE ENGINE OFF AND RESTARTED THE CAR. I HAD NO POWER STEERING AFTER THAT POINT. *TR
Steering, Jul 8, 2009
MY STEERING WHEEL GOT LOCKED WHEN I WAS MAKING A RIGHT TURN. I ALMOST HIT ANOTHER DRIVER (ABOUT 40 CM FROM HIM; HE WAS ABOUT TO MAKE A LEFT TURN ON THAT INTERSECTION). AFTER RESTARTING THE ENGINE THE POWER STEERING CAME BACK. *TR
Electrical system, Jul 2, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE THEFT SYSTEM IN HER VEHICLE WOULD ACTIVATE AND CAUSE THE VEHICLE NOT TO START. THE FAILURE WORSENED AND RECENTLY BEGAN TO OCCUR EVERY TWO DAYS. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PLACE THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION AND TURN IT SO THAT IT WOULD RESET AND THE THEFT DETERRENT LIGHT WOULD DIM. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A SERVICE CENTER, BUT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED HER TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 53,450 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 53,000.
Steering, Jun 30, 2009
I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE POWER STEERING JUST GOING OUT FOR NO REASON AT ALL. THERE IS A SLIGHT CLACKING NOISE AND THE STEERING WHEEL FIGHTS WITH YOU TO MAKE A TURN. SOME DAYS ITS FINE AND OTHER DAYS YOU FEAR FOR YOUR LIFE. I SEE ONLINE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ONGOING PROBLEMS. NO RECALL!!! WHAT DO WE HAVE TO DO TO GET A RECALL....BLOOD SHED! THERE HAS BEEN TONS OF WRECKS, NEAR WRECKS, AND MONEY OUT OF POCKET TO FIX THIS PROBLEM AND MONEY OUT OF POCKET ON DAMAGE TO THE AUTO BECAUSE OF THIS! WHAT DO WE AS A CUSTOMER DO??!!!????!!!!!!!! RIGHT IS RIGHT! ITS GENERAL MOTORS THAT SHOULD FIX THIS BEFORE SOMEONE HAS TO DIE!! *TR
Steering, Jun 24, 2009
I HAVE A CHEVY MALIBU MAXX. I WAS DRIVING YESTERDAY AND THE POWER STEERING COMPLETELY BROKE WITHOUT WARNING. IT WAS EXTREMELY HARD TO TURN THE WHEEL AT ALL. THE POWER STEERING MESSAGE CAME ON THE CONSOLE. I STOPPED THE CAR AND WAITED A WHILE AND TRIED IT AGAIN. RIGHT WHEN I STARTED THE CAR, I HAD POWER STEERING, BUT WITHIN 60 SECONDS, IT LOCKED UP AGAIN AND THE LIGHT CAME ON. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. IT IS AT A CAR PLACE NOW TO GET FIXED. *TR
Steering, Jun 22, 2009
POWER STEERING IN 2004 CHEVY MALIBU GOES OUT ON A DAILY BASIS. *TR
Steering, Jun 16, 2009
AT LEAST 3 OR 4 TIMES IN THE FIVE YEARS I'VE OWNED MY 2004 CHEVY MALIBU MY POWER STEERING FAILED DURING DRIVING ON THE ROADWAYS CAUSING ME DISTRESS AND DANGER TO MYSELF AND OTHERS. EVEN THOUGH I GOT THIS "REPAIRED" AT THE DEALERS, I FEEL LIKE THE POWER STEERING IS ABOUT TO FAIL AGAIN ANY DAY NOW. I'D LIKE THE DEALER TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR INSTEAD OF ME PAYING FOR IT. I FEEL LIKE THE DEALER DIDN'T REPAIR THE PROBLEM PROPERLY WHILE UNDER WARRANTY BUT JUST PUT A BAND-AID ON THE PROBLEM. NOW IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND NEEDS THE EXPENSIVE REPAIRS. PLEASE ADVISE. THANK YOU. *TR
Steering, Jun 12, 2009
STEERING UNIT WENT ON 2004 CHEVY MALIBU MAX WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH ON THRUWAY AND GM REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. *TR
Steering, Jun 9, 2009
POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON AND STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN. HAD TO TURN CAR OFF THEN BACK ON TO BE ABLE TO TURN STEERING WHEEL SINCE IT WAS LOCKED UP. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING CONSTANTLY SINCE THE FIRST INCIDENT. SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO CUT THE CAR OFF SEVERAL TIMES AND BACK ON JUST TO BE ABLE TO DRIVE IT. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS BECAUSE YOU LOSE ALL ABILITY TO TURN CAR. LUCKY FOR ME THIS HASN'T HAPPENED GOING DOWN THE ROAD YET ONLY WHEN SITTING IN A STORE PARKING LOT OR AT HOME. *TR
Steering, Jun 7, 2009
WE HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE POWER STEERING ON OUR 2004 MALIBU ALMOST FROM DAY ONE. AFTER FILING A COMPLAINT WITH THE BBB A CHEVY REP CONTACTED US, GOT THE COLUMN REPLACED AND SOME OTHER THINGS AND GAVE US AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. SEVERAL TIMES SINCE THEN WE HAVE TAKEN IT IN BECAUSE THE POWER STEERING FAILURE CAME UP AGAIN BUT NO PROBLEM WAS EVER FOUND. EVIDENTLY THESE WERE NOT LOGGED IN BECAUSE WHEN WE TALKED TO CHEVY ABOUT THESE DID NOT SHOW UP. NOW, EVERY AFTERNOON WHEN SHE GETS IN IT TO COME HOME THE PS GOES OUT. THE CAR JUST TURN OVER 100K BUT TO ME THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM AND CHEVY SHOULD TAKE CARE OF IT. *TR
Steering, Jun 3, 2009
MY CAR WAS DIAGNOSED AS NEEDING A NEW MOTOR PUT IN MY STEERING COLUMN. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND I HAVE SPOKEN TO CHEVY ABOUT IT. THEY DO NOT CARE BECAUSE I AM NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND THEIR "CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN" TO REPLACE THIS PART FOR FREE EXPIRED AT THE END OF JANUARY 2005. MY POWER STEERING LIGHT COMES ON ALMOST EVERY TIME I START THE CAR AND I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH IT. LUCKILY MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING WHEN THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. IF I HAD BEEN DRIVING I MIGHT NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO MAKE THE TURN AND I WOULD HAVE GOTTEN INTO AN ACCIDENT. MAYBE THAT WOULD GET CHEVY'S ATTENTION! UNDER THE REPORT FOR ODI'S INVESTIGATION INTO THIS MATTER THEY SAID THAT THE DRIVER'S ABILITY TO STEER THIS "RELATIVELY SMALL" AND LIGHT CAR WAS NOT IMPACTED GREATLY. THAT'S COMPLETELY UNTRUE. I'M AN AVERAGE-SIZED FEMALE WHO HAS A 16-MONTH-OLD DAUGHTER. EVERY TIME MY DAUGHTER GETS INTO MY CAR, THIS BECOMES A SAFETY ISSUE, DESPITE WHAT EVERYONE ELSE HAS DECIDED THUS FAR. I'M TAKING THIS PROBLEM TO MY LOCAL NEWS CHANNEL. HOW CAN GM WONDER WHY THEY'RE IN BANKRUPTCY WHEN THEY DON'T BACK THEIR FAULTY PRODUCT?? *TR
Steering, May 31, 2009
LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING 2004 CHEVY MALIBU. NO ACCIDENT RESULTED AS GOING DOWN A STRAIGHT ROAD. HEARD A NOISE WHEN TURNING THE VEHICLE FOR THE PAST WEEK AND NOW NO POWER STEERING THOUGHT IT HAD TO BE A BAD BALL JOINT BUT AFTER RESEARCH IT TURNS OUT TO HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING. SHUT VEHICLE OFF AND STARTED AGAIN AND THE POWER STEERING WAS NORMAL. WILL NEED TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN. VERY DANGEROUS IF I WASN'T GOING DOWN A STRAIGHT ROAD AS I MOST LIKELY WOULD HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO TURN. *TR
Steering, May 27, 2009
TURNING LEFT AT A MAJOR INTERSECTION THE POWER STEERING WENT DEAD. THE ORANGE SERVICE INDICATOR CAME ON, AND POWER STEERING CAME ON THE CENTER DISPLAY. I WAS ABLE TO GLIDE INTO A GAS STATION PARKING LOT. THE SERVICE DEPT SAID THE WHOLE STEERING COLUMN WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED BUT I NEEDED TO HAVE THAT DONE AT A DEALER. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO THEN FOUND THE CAR TO BE OPERATIONAL. THERE WERE ERROR CODES IN THE SYSTEM BUT THEY ARE SO FAR UNABLE TO RECREATE THE PROBLEM. THEY WILL TRY AGAIN TOMORROW BUT IF THEY CAN'T RECREATE IT I AM SUPPOSED TO COME PICK UP THE CAR AND DRIVE IT AS NORMAL. THIS IS VERY SERIOUS AS HAD IT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A BAD ACCIDENT HAD I NOT BEEN GOING VERY SLOWLY AT THE TIME. *TR
Power train, May 11, 2009
THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT INTERMITTENTLY ON MY 2004 CHEVY MALIBU. THIS TENDS TO HAPPEN DURING SUMMER MONTHS, PARTICULARLY JULY-SEPTEMBER WHEN THE WEATHER IS MORE HUMID THAN ANY OTHER TIME OF THE YEAR. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A TRUSTED AUTO MECHANIC WHO TOLD ME THAT WHEN HE CONNECTED THE CAR TO HIS DIAGNOSTIC COMPUTER THERE WAS A READING STATING THAT THE POWER STEERING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE DONE NOTHING SINCE THAT TIME WHICH WAS AROUND THE SUMMER OF 2007. *TR
Steering, May 7, 2009
SAME PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING... INTERMITTENTLY THE POWER STEERING WILL NOT WORK. *TR
Steering, Apr 20, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT HAD TO EXERT FORCE IN ORDER TO MANEUVER THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE, BUT COULD NOT LOCATE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000.
Steering, Electrical system, Apr 19, 2009
ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING SYSTEM FAILURE WITH NO WARNING. I STARTED UP MY 2004 CHEVY MALIBU AND AS I WAS BACKING UP OFF THE DRIVE WAY, MY STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO LOCK UP. NO WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM, WHAT IF THIS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH WAY SPEEDS! HERE IS A LINK TO THIS PARTICULAR CONCERN THAT I FOUND ONLINE. HTTP://WWW.LEMONLAWCLAIMS.COM/MALIBU_BRAKE_AND_STEERING_PROBLEM.HTM I HOPE YOU GUYS CAN BE ABLE TO CHECK IT OUT AND MAKE IT SAFE FOR THE DRIVER AND THE PUBLIC TO DRIVE IN PEACE. *TR