8.2
pretty bad- Typical Repair Cost:
- $760
- Average Mileage:
- 81,600 miles
- Total Complaints:
- 83 complaints
Most common solutions:
- not sure (50 reports)
- new power steering column put in (22 reports)
- turn off the engine and restart again (8 reports)
- relace column ($1000) (3 reports)
This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Chevrolet dealer.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
My youngest son owns a 2004 Malibu and has started having alot of problems with his power steering locking up on him just out of nowhere. It is common for it to lock up on him when he is making a left hand turn. He says it is annoying because when it happens there is no warning. I think someone should figure out what is wrong here or else go back to hydrologic power steering all together after all that had very little downfalls. Someone will soon be hurt or possibly even killed by this. Fix the Dam problem or stop making a means of transportation that is unsafe.
- Jon D., Argyle, MN, US
My problem with the steering unit going out intermittently on my 2004 Malibu maxx began 11/21/05. I bought this car new in march of 2005. The dealer attempted to repair by changing the steering module.
Back in with the same problem on 12/7/2005. This time they changed the column asm. this did not fix the problem. At that time they advised me that they were looking at other repairs and would have an update in a few months. I did not hear from them again. Now , off of warranty the steering light came on and the steering became very hard. Back in to the dealer. This time they wanted to charge me 672.72. I feel I am still under warranty protection since they dropped the ball while still under warranty.
- Henry G., Foley, AL, US
While driving on the freeway at about 70mph the power steering lamp and alarm bell started flashing. A moment later the power steering cut off completely. Manual steering was extremely heavy, making all but the simplest maneuvering impossible. I was able to slowly cross over to the right shoulder. I stopped the car, shut off the motor, restarted the car, and the problem disappeared. Same problem repeated itself two days later.
Today the power steering went out for about 3-4 seconds while I was making a fast left turn out of a parking lot into traffic. The unassisted steering wheel pulled out of my grip in the opposite direction, aiming my car toward the sidewalk. I reacted quickly, yanking the wheel very hard left to correct my trajectory and avoided going up the curb onto the sidewalk. If my wife or kids had been driving I think the outcome may have been much worse. This is as dangerous a problem as Toyota is having with their accelerators sticking.
GM NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS DANGEROUS PROBLEM QUICKLY BEFORE SOMEONE IS INJURED OR KILLED!
- Leonard A., Murrieta, CA, US
its very unconfortable driving this car with this problem, i found the problem and i take it to the mecanic and he told me that we need to replace the column stering or just sensor. i went to try to find the part to junk yards and all malibus did not have this parts because all have same problems,even at junk yards in mexico and did not find any,chevy must give warranty on this part and replace it
- Carlos G., Desert Shores, CA, US
Bought this car on the word of a Chevrolet. sales guy supposed to be a friend. I told him that i had read about steering problems with this car and he assured me that i would have no such problem. I went and told him of the issue right after it happened and his first reaction was "sell it". He laughed and then said really I have never heard of these cars having this problem. So apparently he is not allowed to say or he is really naive to the problems of this car which I doubt. Replacing this car is not an option i need it to run properly. This is crap recall the steering column motor already!!!!
- Dave F., North Bay, Ontario, Canada
My power steering keeps going out while i am driving. Mechanic said i had to take my car to a dealer mechanic. He had no idea what to do or exactly what was wrong.
- Sabrina L., Granger, WA, US
This is the first time my steering has gone out. My concern is getting it fixed without my money since it is a problem vehicle. How about a little help or info on a lawsuit.
- David M., Salem, MA, US
Great car, but I got a lemon. Others have had same problem - steering column has to be replaced. Chevy not open to paying anything for the fix, or owning up to the engineering problem.
- ebroer, Castle Rock, CO, US
Similar issues as the other users have mentioned. Power steering went off multiple times while driving in the high ways. Dealer charged $45 for the diagnostics and after my 2 hour wait, and his multiple attempts to contact Chevy, he couldn't diagnose. He promised to get back to me, with in a couple of days, after hearing back from Chevy. But I haven't been able to get a reply from him over the last 2 months despite my repeated requests. This is a dangerous issue that GM may want to attend to soon.
- Raj P., Lake Oswego, OR, US
My wife was complaining about hard steering… I checked to see if it was low on power steering fluid, that when I noticed it was not your typical steering system. Was told it was an electric assist system that was non-serviceable which means if it’s not working right your fk’d. I would be able to cycle the key and then turn the car back on and the problem would go away. My local dealer was not able to help on the first couple of visits, charged me $35.00 diagnostics fee each time. Finally the cars steering went south, wife called from town where I went and exchanged vehicle with her and drove to the dealership to have them diagnose and give me a repair estimate… still waiting on a phone call. After reading further on the net it looks like I will be out of pocket around $550.00 to $650.00 for a new steering column that is not guaranteed to stay fixed. NOTE: bought the car new in Waterford MI. and just made our last payment in June of 2009. Murphy’s law sucks.
- Jason C., Bristol, TN, US
We bought the Malibu in 2004 and have had problems with this car. When we contacted the local dealership about the steering problem they just told us to turn off and restart car this was supposed to reset the steering system. That doesn't always work. A N.C. dealership said sounded like body modular gone bad. The problem caused us to have an accident when steering just went OUT!!! WE still have not found anyone that can help us!!! If GM cannot solve our this problem they need to get out of the auto business!!!
- Carl E., Ellijay, GA, US
My power steering has been going out when the car was started, but would come back if I turned it off and started it again. However, in the past 2 days it has gone out while driving down a major highway. Today, it decided to only be difficult while turning to the left, but too easy to turn to the right. I feel this is very dangerous to my family, and other drivers on the highway. My fear is that the steering will go out completely and with a family with both spouses working out of town in opposite directions, it is very difficult to get it fixed. The dealership is saying it cannot be dropped off before 7:30 and I have to leave for work by 7:00 am. My husband leaves at 6:00 am.
- vanleigh, Kilgore, TX, US
I've been having the same problem as the rest of you with the power steering going out intermittently off and on for the past 2 years. I've usually only had this happen during exceptionally humid days, regardless it's a pain to deal with. I'm thinking as unhappy owners of this problem legal action may be needed, something in the form of a class action lawsuit. I haven't seen any stories regarding this issue causing deaths which is probably the main reason GM will not fix this problem without being pushed.
What say the rest of you regarding this problem?
- Marcus G., Chicago, IL, US
Just bought the car used with 50K. Still had a lot of noise in the front end since I hadn't lubricated the steering column areas yet. The power steering went out twice. Had to shut the car off and turn back on to get the power steering to work again. It's been about 4 weeks since I lubricated the steering column and the power steering has not yet gone out again.... at least yet. This is incredibly scary and I wish I had seen these posts before buying the car.
- lwthomas27, Browns Mills, NJ, US
How can an issue that occurs as often as this, not be covered under a recall or warranty?
- llee, Kitscoty, Alta., Canada
It was just plain dangerous when the power steering went out. This is a major issue that Chevy should have taken care of through a recall.
- Melissa A., Elkton, MD, US
Sounds like i'm with many others. Steering makes an annoying humming or rubbing noise when wheel is turned and also exhibits some resistance . Acts just like a car with a bad power steering pump(wish it was,..just a pump!) . sounds like the electric power steering is getting ready too die on me. Very surprised that GM is not addressing this, especially since this seems to be a safety issue. GM needs too take some responsibility here,this steering system is a closed and maintenance free set up.You can't blame the consumer for failing to do routine maintenance,this should be a recall . I'm hoping to find a replacement part and replace myself,...then down the road this car shall go!!
- wyomikey65, Casper, WY, US
I guess I was one of the many that had issues with the power steering....they had to replace the entire computer system!
- Janet L., Lombard, IL, US
I have read several reports of the 2004 Malibu having Power steering issues. My power Steering goes out on a regular basis. I have taken it in to a Chevy deal 3 times now and every time they tell me there is nothing wrong with the car. They charged me 60 dollars to replace a ground wire which did nothing. This is a dangerous issue and Chevy needs to address it before someone is injured. I have had to pull over on several occasions and turn the car off and back on again to regain steering.
- efunk25, Akron, OH, US
safety of my daughter is not in money! this problem needs a fix as we cannot go buy cars at will she is a upcoming nurse and when she can afford to buy a new car well we can but her safety is number 1!!!!!!!!!!!!! Chevrolet needs to address this issue as i have seen over 200+ complaints just on this alone!
- airraid1999, Lawrenceburg, KY, US