Power steering failure on 2004 Chevy Malibu. When backing out of parking space, power steering failed. Since then, steering has intermittently failed, sometimes resulting in violent shaking of steering wheel.

- Bussey, IA, USA

The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving approximately 20 mph on normal road conditions, the steering wheel locked. The contact had to use force in order to barely turn the steering wheel. She heard a loud clicking noise from the steering system prior to the failure. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer and they stated that the failure was related to the steering column. The steering column was replaced. The failure recurred and has not been repaired again. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 6,100 and current mileage was 20,000.

- Cleveland, OH, USA

Power steering message comes on and there is only 85,000 miles. No warranty to cover this issue at this early in its life!

- Sardinia, OH, USA

The steering wheel on my Chevrolet Malibu locked up on a busy street without warning. The check engine/service light did not come on until after my steering wheel had already locked on me. After restarting my car 3 to 4 times the steering wheel unlocked. My steering wheel has locked up four times since then. I phoned Chevrolet because my supervisor at work informed me that she had the same problem with her Chevy Malibu, and she had a recall/defect notification. Chevrolet informed me that because my VIN# was not from the factory with the defects they are not liable for repairs.

- Chicago, IL, USA

The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. Immediately after purchasing the vehicle in November of 2005, the contact began experiencing failure with the steering column. While driving 20 mph, the steering column stopped moving. She turned the wheel as hard as she could in order to pull the vehicle to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and they stated that the steering column was defective. They also stated that the vehicle was under recall and the steering column was replaced. For the past three years, the contact has had to replace the steering column every six months. The manufacturer stated that they would not reimburse her for the repairs of the steering shaft which was believed to be related to other problems.. updated 11/14/08 the steering column was replaced 4 times and the lasst time it was replaced, the steering shaft was replaced as well. Updated 11/19/08.

- Saint Paul , MN, USA

The steering went out on my 2004 Chevy Malibu ls. Fortunately I was in a driveway when it happened. Had this happened on my way to work I am sure that I would have died. I was turning out of a driveway and heard a clunk and then was unable to steer. My steering wheel went all the way around. I checked out recall and complaint websites and found that this has happened several 2004 Malibu owners and Chevy refuses to make this a recall.

- Euclid, OH, USA

Popping in steering column when turning, occurs all the time.

- Claremore, OK, USA

I was stopped at a stop sign on mon 8/25/08 when the indicator noise sounded and the words "power steering" showed up on my radio tuner. I felt a small click in my steering wheel at the same time this occurred. When I started driving again, I could tell my power steering had definitely gone out as the wheel was extremely hard to turn. I had absolutely no warning that this would happen. The car had been working great up to that point. (2004 Chevy Malibu w/ 68,673 miles). The power steering was out for the rest of my drive home. Today, when I went to drive it to the dealer for repair, the power steering was working again. I took it to the dealer anyway and they are telling me I need a new steering column. I'm concerned that if I don't get this repaired, the power steering will go out again randomly.

- Green Bay , WI, USA

Power steering goes out on a regular basis in my 2004 Chevy Malibu ls. I have had to pull over and turn off the car and restart on several occasions to get steering power back. The dealerships claim there is nothing wrong with my car and have charged me 110 dollars in diagnostics and unsuccessful repairs.

- Akron, OH, USA

Power steering problem. Clunking when turning before. Now power assist comes and goes. Very dangerous.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

Refer to NHTSA action #: PE04031, my car had the same problem. I brought it to the Chevy dealer in 2005 and was told "that's how the new electronic power steering" works. I always felt it wasn't right and have narrowly avoided crashes a few times when the steering froze up. My mechanic noted the problem during the car's yearly inspection and replaced the steering module. This is potentially a very dangerous situation that Chevrolet should be responsible for fixing.

- Bayside, NY, USA

I lost power steering on my 2004 Chevy Malibu last week. Car has 34K miles on it. For about 4-5 seconds there was absolutely no steering, then no power steering. This is a safety issue absolutely. GM refuses to pay for repair or help me at all. They also refuse according the their spokesman, to do a recall.

- Chicopee, MA, USA

Power steering failed while car being driven.

- Manhattan, IL, USA

I purchased a Chevrolet Malibu in the year 2004. The car is over 100,000 miles and out of warranty, however, the incident that I experienced with this vehicle is life and death hazard in the manufacture of this car. I have owned Chevrolet's since I can remember and my dad is an X-employee of General Motors. The situation that took place with my car is while in automatic drive gear and going traffic speed the power steering unit shut down and I could have been seriously injured or killed because you are now driving manually with the steering in the car. This defect in workmanship could have resulted in a catastrophic accident where many people could have been injured or hurt! if my wife or daughter was driving the vehicle I don, T think they would have controlled the vehicle. I called General Motors and they brushed me off? the complaint no. I filed is [xxx]. I also, wrote a letter to the consumer complaint division of GM in detroit. I have not heard back anything as of yet! I have never owned a new vehicle that where the power steering unit shut down in driving mode. I think this complaint represents a defect in the manufacture of this car. I had GM responsible for the fixing of my car warranty or no warranty. The car is only 4 years old and I maintain the servicing of this vehicle on a regular basis. In the past three years I had 3 replacements on my gas cap also because of defect in workmanship. This incident took place 1 day prior to the filing of the complaint with GM. I was really shaken up when this power steering shut down. I am not sure of the exact day but it was fri. In the beginning of May. I called GM the next day in regards to this incident. So, the date may be off you can check with GM on the date I filed the telephone complaint. Thank you, [xxx]. information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- S, NJ, USA

When turning the steering wheel it makes popping noises and can be felt on the steering wheel. It appears to be getting worse over time. I am a little concerned that it may be ready to fail. The dealership indicated that it was not serious.

- Walnut Shade, MO, USA

I had a small vibration in my steering wheel at about 74,000 miles. I took it into the dealer and they changed the steering column. I now have 91,000 miles on my car at it is vibrating worse then it ever has before.

- Mesa, AZ, USA

Electric steering will loose power. The steering column has been replaced twice. The first time the deals replaced it free of charge. Second time the dealer paid for the parts but I had to pay for the labor $ $225.

- Macomb, MI, USA

Multiple problems with this car - left turn signal does not work - car is aligned and still wants to go left (electrical steering issues I am told) - adjustable pedals do not adjust - visor mirror is broken -

- Fenton, MO, USA

My steering wheel started to move on its own even at idle. This happened for a day, then I lost my power steering as I tried to turn left in a parking lot. The car wouldn't turn. Now I cannot steer left or right and the check engine light is continuously on and you see "power steering" in the info box on the dash. I am upset that I am finding many complaints on the internet and Chevy/GM has not made this issue a mandatory recall. I will be even more upset if I run into the same issues that other people have had by having their steering columns replaced 2 and 3 times only to continue having problems!!!

- Rochester, NY, USA

I have a 2004 Chevy Malibu. In January 2007 I noticed a clunking noise which could be felt in the steering wheel when I was turning. On 02/07/2007 I took the car to a Chevy dealer and they replaced the steering gearpart number: 15858368, and another gear, part number: 06508. About 2 weeks ago I noticed the problem had returned, the car now has 39,000 miles on it. Something should be done about this as I have seen multiple complaints about this and numerous people, such as myself, reporting multiple failures. Now that the car is out of warranty I will have to pay for it out of pocket to fix a Chevrolet defect, not to mention the obvious safety issue.

- Brick, NJ, USA