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, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 10, 2004
WHEN COMING TO A STOP POWER STEERING FAILED, AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. CONSUMER HAD TO RESTART THE VEHICLE TO STOP. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK EA04018_CAT FOUND THE WHEEL POSITION SENSOR NOT READING CONSISTENTLY. THERE WAS AN INTERMITTENT GRINDING NOISE. *SC
Steering, Nov 9, 2004
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 5 MINUTES ON BACK ROADS AT 35-40 MPH THERE WAS VIBRATION IN STEERING WHEEL. IT WOULD JERK BACK AND FORTH ABOUT 1/2" EACH WAY. TRIED TO TURN RIGHT, BUT STEERING WHEEL WOULD ONLY TURN TO BETWEEN 2 AND 3 O'CLOCK. HOWEVER, IT TOOK ALL CONSUMER'S EFFORT TO EVEN TURN THAT MUCH. SAW WRENCH LIGHT UP, HEARD DING, AND SAW POWER STEERING ON RADIO. WAS ABLE TO GET VEHICLE INTO GAS STATION PARKING LOT, ABOUT 3 MINUTES AFTER SHE FELT JERKING. RESTARTED VEHICLE, AND STEERING WAS FINE. IT HAPPENED ABOUT 3 WEEKS LATER AGAIN, THE THIRD TIME IN ABOUT 2 WEEKS WHILE CONSUMER WAS IN DRIVEWAY. DEALER REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN. *AK EA04018_CAT
Steering, Nov 5, 2004
WHILE DRIVING THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH. *NM FAILURE OF ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING SYSTEM. STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AS CONSUMER BACKED OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY. AFTER SERVICE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY HEAVY AND VERY HARD TO TURN. *TC
Steering, Nov 5, 2004
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT 50 MPH STEERING JERKED FROM SIDE TO SIDE, NEARLY LOSING CONTROL. WHEN ON REGULAR STREET PROBLEM WAS NOT SO NOTICEABLE. ALSO, HEARD CONTINUOUS KNOCKING NOISES WHEN MAKING TURNS. HAVE TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND MECHANIC REPLACED STEERING COLUMN. IT WORKED FOR AWHILE BUT GOT WORSE IN SEPTEMBER. TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO DEALER, AND MECHANIC REPLACED THE RACK AND PINION. IT PARTIALLY RESOLVED PROBLEM, BUT KNOCKING CONTINUED. TOOK VEHICLE BACK, AND MECHANIC REPLACED THE STEERING SHAFT. KNOCKING NOISE WAS NOT RESOLVED.*AK EA04018_CAT
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 5, 2004
A RECALL FOR THE ABS SYSTEM WAS ISSUED.CONSUMER WAS WAITING FOUR MONTHS.*AK
Power train, Nov 4, 2004
I BOUGHT A MALIBU MAXX IN JULY 2004 BRAND NEW WITH 30 MILES ON IT THE SECOND DAY I HAD IT I HEARD A NOISE FRON THE FRONT END TOOK IT BACK TO TAYLOR CHEVROLET IN TAYLOR MICHIGAN SERVICE ADVIROR RODE WITH ME HEARD IT ALSO WROTE ON WORK ORDER NOISE COMING FORM POSSIBLE TRNSMISSION I HAVE DRIVEN 3 MAXX OTHER THAN MY OWN NO NOSIE ALSO A RATTLING NOISE IN THE INSIDE WHILE DRIVING WHEN SUNROOF IS OPEN NO NOISE BUT WHEN IT IS CLOSED RATTLING NOISE ALL THE TIME THIS HAS BEEN A ON GOING PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR HAVE DISCUSSED A POSSIBLE RETURN TO GET ANOTHER CAR EVERYONE HAS REFUSED I HAVE TAKED WITH ALLEN SIVER WHO IS THE GM AT TAYLOR CHEVROLET AND JIM AUTHUR WHO IS THE SEVERICE MANAGER NOTHING I WILL NEVER BY ANOTHER GM PRODUCT WHEN YOU LOOKING TO BUY EVERYONE IS IN YOUR FACE BUT WHEN SOMETHING GOES WRONG YOU GET NO ATTENTION THEY ARE JUST OUT TO SELL NOT SERVICE.*AK
Steering, Exterior lighting, Other or unspecified, Nov 3, 2004
WHILE DRIVING POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED . THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK EA04018_CAT CURRENTLY THE VEHICLE STILL DOES NOT STEER PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FOUR TIMES BEFORE THE SERVICE DEALER TO SAY IT WAS OKAY. THE HEADLIGHTS SHINED TOO HIGH, THERE WAS A VIBRATION WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AND WAS UNABLE TO BE DUPLICATED. *SC
Suspension, Nov 1, 2004
CONSUMER HAS A CONCERN THAT THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH OR MORE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS. EACH TIMES THE DEALER HAS ALIGNED THE FRONT WHEELS, READJUSTED THE STEERING WHEEL, CHANGED THE LEFT SIDE TIRE AND REALIGNED THE FRONT TIRE AND THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. *JB
Steering, Nov 1, 2004
WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER LOST POWER STEERING. CONSUMER PULLED OVER AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK EA04018_CAT THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING IS ELECTRIC NOT HYDRAULIC ON THIS VEHICLE. *TC
Fuel system, Other, Power train, Vehicle speed control, Oct 30, 2004
A FEW DAYS AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR NEW, THE "CHECK GAS CAP" WARNING STARTED DISPLAYING. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A CRACKED CARBON CANISTER, AND AFTER A FEW WEEKS, THE PART CAME IN AND THE DEALER INSTALLED IT, FIXING THE PROBLEM. AT THE SAME TIME, THERE WAS A MOANING NOISE COMING FROM THE DRIVETRAIN UNDER ACCELERATION. THE DEALER FOUND A SERVICE ADVISORY ABOUT A DEFECTIVE CHAIN SPROCKET IN THE TRANSMISSION, ORDERED THE PARTS, AND WHEN THEY CAME IN, TOOK THE TRANSMISSION APART AND INSTALLED THE NEW PARTS. THIS APPARENTLY SOLVED THE NOISE PROBLEM. THE NEXT TIME THE CAR WAS DRIVEN AFTER TAKING IT HOME, THE TRANSMISSION QUIT WORKING. THE ENGINE SPED UP, BUT THE TRANSMISSION DID NOT PULL. I AM WAITING FOR THE DEALERSHIP TO OPEN TO REPORT THIS LATEST PROBLEM. THERE WERE ALSO MINOR PROBLEMS WITH CRUISE CONTROL DISENGAGEMENT AND TRANSMISSION SHIFTING WHICH THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE. THIS HAS ALL OCCURRED IN THE FIRST TWO MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP. *JB
Steering, Suspension, Oct 27, 2004
WHILE DRIVING STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED OUT CONTROL TO THE POINT IT FELT LIKE THE STEERING WHEEL WAS GOING TO JUMP OUT OF THE WINDOW. WHEN MAKING RIGHT TURNS CONSUMER COULD HEAR A CLICKING SOUND. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THEY REPAIRED THE STEERING PROBLEM. HOWEVER,. THE NOISE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK EA04018_CAT STEERING WHEEL JERKING BACK AND FORTH. *TC
Steering, Electrical system, Oct 26, 2004
ON MARCH 22, 2004 AT 2,715 MILES STEERING COLUMN LOCKED WHILE DRIVING 56 MPH. DURING THE ATTEMPT TO UNLOCK THE STEERING COLUMN CONSUMER BROKE THE STEERING WHEEL. AT THE PRESENT TIME, VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH. CONSUMER BELIEVED THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO THE COMPUTER MODULE. DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED DURING BOTH INCIDENTS. *AK EA04018_CAT
Equipment, Oct 24, 2004
I PURCHASED A 2004 MALIBU MAXX, NEW NOT USED. THE SECOND DAY I DROVE IT, IT SPUTTERED A LITTLE AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. ON OCTOBER 14, I FILLED THE CAR WITH GAS AND WITHIN 1 MILE, THE CAR STALLED OUT 4 TIMES. I INITIALLY THOUGHT I HAD PURCHASED BAD GAS, AND MY HUSBAND CALLED THE DEALERSHIP. THEY CAME AND PICKED IT UP WITH A WRECKER. AT THIS TIME, THE CAR HAD LESS THAN 800 MILES ON IT. THEY CALLED ME THE NEXT DAY AND SAID IT WAS MY ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM AND THEY HAD TO REPROGRAM MY KEY BUT IT WAS FINE NOW. I PICKED IT UP AND BEFORE I MADE IT HOME, IT STALLED OUT AGAIN. I GOT IT HOME, MY HUSBAND CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND WE TOOK IT BACK. ON THE WAY BACK IT STALLED OUT 2 MORE TIMES AND STARTED SPUTTERING LIKE IT WANTED TO STALL OUT AGAIN. TO DATE (OCTOBER 24, 2004), I STILL DO NOT HAVE THE CAR. I SPOKE WITH MIKE ANDREWS (THE SALES MANAGER) AND DISCUSSED POSSIBLY EXCHANGING FOR A NEW VEHICLE AND HE REFUSED. I THEN CALLED CHEVROLET IN DETROIT (4 DAYS AGO) AND SHE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE GAS TANK BECAUSE THERE WAS A LEAK BETWEEN THE FILLER PIPE AND THE TANK AND "FUEL WAS LEAKING WHERE IT SHOULDN'T". THEY SAID I SHOULD HAVE IT BACK BY FRIDAY (OCTOBER 22). THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT IS NOW SAYING THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN OUT ON IT AND THEY HAD NOT RECIEVED THE FUEL TANK YET AND IT COULD BE MONDAY OR TUESDAY OF NEXT WEEK BEFORE I GET IT BACK. *AK
Steering, Engine and engine cooling, Vehicle speed control, Oct 21, 2004
THE VEHICLE BECAME HARD TO START. IT HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM. THE POWER STEERING LOCKED ON THE HIGHWAY AT 20 MPH. AFTER PULLING OFF THE ROAD AND RESTARTING THE VEHICLE AND GETTING IT TO THE DEALER, THEY REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN. NO DEFECTS WERE FOUND ON THE STARTING PROBLEMS. NOW THE VEHICLE ACCELERATES ON ITS OWN. *JB EA04018_CAT
Steering, Electrical system, Oct 21, 2004
WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. THE CONSUMER PULLED OVER AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. THE HORN DID NOT WORK AS WELL. *JB EA04018_CAT
Steering, Oct 21, 2004
COMPLETE AND SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING WHICH IS ONLY REMEDIED BY TURNING OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTARTING THE VEHICLE. THIS CONDITION HAS LED TO DANGEROUS SITUATIOS ON THE ROAD. WHEN THE POWER STEERING DOES WORK, THE STEERING WHEEL TENDS TO JERK ON ITS OWN CAUSING UNINTENDED SWERVING OF THE VEHICLE. EA04018_CAT
Steering, Oct 21, 2004
THE POWER STEERING ON MY MALIBU FAILED. GM HAS ACKNOWLEDGED A PROBLEM AND REPLACED A CONNECTOR OR MODULE UNDER WARRANTY, BUT THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL TO COVER THIS KNOWN PROBLEM. ODDLY ENOUGH, THE LOANER CAR THEY PROVIDED MY WIFE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. WHY ISN'T THIS GETTING GREATER ATTENTION BEFORE SOMETHING SERIOUS HAPPENS? EA04018_CAT
Steering, Oct 19, 2004
STEERING WHEEL OFTEN "JUMPY". MOVES BACK AND FORTH WHILE AT A STAND STILL. 2 DAYS AGO, POWER STEERING WENT OFF, WAS ABLE TO STEER CAR WITH DIFFICULTY, BUT HAD NO POWER STEERING. POWER STEERING WARNING MESSAGE CAME ON. SERVICE WARNING CAME ON. *AK EA04018_CAT
Steering, Oct 19, 2004
ON SATURDAY, 16 OCT 2004, WHILE RUNNING ERRANDS, THE ELECTRIC ASSIST POWER STEERING BEGAN PULSATING/VIBRATING THE STEERING WHEEL AND PULLING THE WHEEL TO THE RIGHT. THE PULSATION/VIBRATION CONTINUED EVEN WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK. IT ONLY STOPPED WHEN THE ENGINE WAS SHUT OFF. UPON RESTARTING THE ENGINE THE SYMPTOMS DISAPPEARED FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME, ONLY TO RETURN AS BEFORE. THE VIBRATION IS NO BETTER OR WORSE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THAN AT LOCAL SPEEDS, OR STANDING STILL. ON MONDAY, 18 OCT 2004, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JIM REED CHEVROLET, NASHVILLE, TN, WHERE THE SYMPTOMS PRESENTED THEMSELVES IN FRONT OF THE SERVICE MANAGER. HE SAID THAT HE HAD "JUST RECEIVED A TSB" CONCERNING THIS PROBLEM. HE KEPT THE VEHICLE FOR THE DAY AND REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT YET REOCCURRED. EA04018_CAT. *AK
Steering, Oct 16, 2004
ABOUT 3 WEEKS AGO I NOTICED COG-WHEELING OF THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN ATTEMPTING TO TURN RIGHT. IT WAS INTERMITTENT, BUT BEGAN TO INCREASE IN FREQUENCY WITH VIBRATION THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL. TODAY, WHILE DRIVING THE POWER STEERING QUIT WORKING COMPLETELY. I WAS ABOUT 25 MILES FROM HOME, AND HAD TO DRIVE WITH NO POWER STEERING THE ENTIRE WAY. I WILL CONTACT THE DEALER ON THE NEXT BUSINESS DAY. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. WE OWN TWO 2004 MALIBU'S, THE OTHER MALIBU HAD THE SAME PROBLEM SEVERAL MONTHS AGO AND HAD TO HAVE THE STEERING COLUMN REPLACED. THE REPAIR TOOK ALMOST 3 WEEKS DUE TO BACK-ORDERED PARTS. *JB EA04018_CAT
Steering, Oct 15, 2004
CHEVROLET MALIBU 2004, STEERING GOING OUT. CONSUMER CONCERN ABOUT RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM . *BF THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND THE CAUSE OF THE VEHICLE STEERING PROBLEM *NM
Steering, Oct 15, 2004
WHILE DRIVING, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, LETTING THE CONSUMER KNOW THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED WHICH MADE IT VERY HARD TO STEER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME IT HAS HAPPENED. *AK EA04018_CAT THE STEERING COLUMN HAD BEEN REPLACED AND THERE HAD BEEN NO RECURRENCE. *SC
Steering, Oct 15, 2004
WHILE DRIVING, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE CONSUMER HAD GREAT DIFFICULTY CONTROLLING THE VEHICLE. MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO COMPLAINTS ON THIS DEFECT.*AK EA04018_CAT. *JB
Steering, Oct 15, 2004
WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS PULLING INTO HIS DRIVEWAY THE VEHICLE'S POWER STEERING UNIT FAILED AND CAUSED LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING UNIT PER A SERVICE BULLETIN ISSUED BY GM. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN WORKING PROPERLY SINCE REPAIRED. *AK *NM EA04018_CAT
Electrical system, Air bags, Oct 14, 2004
WHILE DRIVING, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE MECHANIC TOLD THE CONSUMER NOT TO PANIC, BECAUSE IT WAS NORMAL. *AK THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WAS PERMANENTLY LOCK FROM THE OUTSIDE. *JB