1997 Chevrolet Malibu. Consumer writes in regards to ignition switch cut off issues. The ignition switch was replaced at a cost of $400 and is seeking reimbursement. Also, the outer and inner tie rods were replaced.

- Worcester, MA, USA

I was driving on my way home, and I made a right turn into my neighborhood and when I began to turn left into the curve my steering wheel was turning but my car continued to go straight into a neighbor's yard causing me to slam on brakes and hit a hill! I got my car checked out that next morning and found that it was my rack and pinion that has caused this. I knew my car had a recall so I decided to search recalls for my car (year make and model) I saw where there was a recall on the rack and pinion where if it went out you would not be able to turn left only right. I contacted the GM corporate office and stated as such and they said that was a recall but not on my specific VIN # so there is nothing that could be done. Is this possible seeming as they have issued a recall on this particular part already on 97 and 98 Chevy Malibu's?

- Durham, NC, USA

TL- the contact owns a 1997 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact was included in NHTSA campaign id number: 03V527000 (steering), received the recall repair and weeks later the failure recurred. The contact stated that while making a turn, extreme force had to be applied to the steering wheel and the vehicle was unstable to drive. The vehicle was taken back to the authorized dealer who refused to repair the vehicle. The authorized dealer indicated that someone damaged the subframe and bolts along with the quarter panels being rusted. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop who indicated that the authorized dealer needed to replace the bolts, subframe and the quarter panels which were rusted. The vehicle was taken back to the authorized dealer provided an interim fix of welding the brackets to the frame and within weeks the components fractured. The vehicle was towed back to the authorized dealer for further inspection, diagnosis and repair. The bolts were broken and the engine was sitting on top of the steering rack due to the fracture. The contact was waiting for approval from the manufacturer to remedy the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 158,160. Dyd

- Kingston, NY, USA

Intake manifold on my 1997 Chevy Malibu has started to go bad I know its the lower gasket I called Chevy after seeing so many other people with the same problem I was told Chevy would not replace it due to it being over ten years old well it seems like with was a problem waiting to happen as soon as they sealed the manifold at the factory I think GM should replace this item once free of charge per car also my rack and pinion seems to stick on my left side I've replaced the power steering pump and checked the rack and pinion seems the ball bearing wanting to come out or is gone I told GM I don't think they replaced it when they recalled it and they told me the first owner did but wont send me paperwork on the repair or the dealership that did the work.

- Kissimmee, FL, USA

I was driving my car on the byway and took the interstate merge lane while increasing my speed to merge into traffic I felt a snap in my steering wheel and gas pedal, I then lost the dash and the car immediately overheated, I had no real power to turn the wheel and the gas pedal was a loose push. Being that I had merged onto the interstate when this occurred I had to drive an additional 5 miles to the next exit. Not everyone has a cell phone. When I got to the next exit I was almost unable to turn the wheel enough to get it into the nearest parking lot, it was harder to turn than my first truck a 1959 Ford twin I beam pickup. I fortunately didn't hit any one or anything. Upon raising my hood after parking the car I am appalled to see that the tensioner pulley and one of the idler pulleys are gone and my serpentine belt is shredded. I have replaced the parts but since then I also found that within 5 miles the "dreaded" gaskets that so many people have complained about, and mine we already eating fluids in sipps before this, were gone. I have replaced the broken pulleys serpentine belt alternator waterpump and gaskets not a month later the other idler pulley that was unaffected in the first incident went. When the first two were replaced that dreaded squeaking stopped for about 3 days and started back up again. Something must not be straight for me to have to keep replacing the moving parts that run on the serpentine belt and everytime one of them goes you loose your power steering and the car is hard to turn. Not only that but the tail lights would be a better place for a gold fish than a light bulb. Everytime it rains, or snows I have to replace tail lights. This car is the bane of my existence. I have the first idler pulley part still the rest of them were lost to the highway the thing is melted.

- Mission, KS, USA

We bought this 1997 Malibu from my dad less than a year ago for my son to drive to college. My dad is meticulous in caring for his vehicles so all the scheduled and routine maintenance work has been done and it still only has 70xxx miles on it. My complaint is this : last night my son was parking the car when it suddenly became very hard to turn the steering wheel. He finished parking, but a short time later as he started to drive home, he realized that the power steering was completely gone. There have been so many incidents like this one that there was finally a safety recall issued in 2004. The paperwork I have states that the dealer "replaced steering gear pinion bearing and reset toein". obviously, that remedy failed since the power steering went out anyway. I'm so thankful that no one was hurt, that it didn't happen while he was driving to or from school, and that he was home for christmas break when it happened. We'll be taking the car in to the dealer on Tuesday and, because there have been so many of these incidents in the '97 Malibu (and other '97 GM models) that they had to issue the recall, I expect them to fix it free of charge.

- St. Louis, MO, USA

While driving 35 mph consumer lost steering power. Coasted vehicle to side of the road. Consumer turn off the vehicle, and restarted it. Then, drove the vehicle to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that while turning the steering column it was hard to steer, and that the steering system needed to be replaced due to worn out parts.

- Port Charlotte, FL, USA

Consumer was making a slight turn to avoid something in the road ahead when the steering wheel became very loose, and driver lost control of the vehicle. Vehicle spinned around 3 times before landing in a ditch.

- Socorro, NM, USA

Steering wheel makes a clicking noise when turning. Steering wheel has to be fully rotated twice before the vehicle goes into that direction.

- Wilson, NC, USA

While making a left hand turn at 25 mph the vehicles steering wheel suddenly locked up.

- Menan, ID, USA

While making a left turn the vehicle fail to turn. Without prior warning the vehicle kept strait he was able to the vehicle by his brakes

- Erie, PA, USA

Consumer states that while driving at any speed and no warning the steering bolt are lose and it is causing the steering wheel to jump around causing it to be hard for consumer to steer the vehicle. Dealer notified. Nlm

- Huntsville, AL, USA

While driving the vehicle the brakes and steering all of a sudden locked up, causing the driver to lose control of the entire vehicle. Took vehicle to dealer, and they did not understand what had happened so they were trying to fix the computer. When the driver drove again the same thing happened again.

- St. Louis, MO, USA