10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 26 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 12 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 72,506 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while traveling various speeds, the power steering assist suddenly failed. The contact also mentioned that the failure was experienced multiple times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number 14V153000 (steering). The failure mileage was 86,000.
- Milwauikee, WI, USA
Vehicle steering wheel was twitching to the right at all speeds and while stopped I had also lost power assist a couple times. I took the 2004 Malibu to the dealership where I had purchased the vehicle on 14 February 2004. They replaced the steering column at a cost to me of $594.20 on 17 February 2010.
- Chandler, IN, USA
The power steering would just stop working. I had to pay $563.14 for a hazardous recall that was repaired one previous time, and that G.M. would no longer honor.
- Perrysburg, OH, USA
Had driven car with no issues previous. Had parked car in parking lot. About 30 minutes later went to start the car and immediately the service wrench light came on and noticed the power steering was not working. After a minute or so, turned the car off, then turned it back on. Wrench light was off and the power steering was working, but now when applying a slight right turn motion on the steering wheel, the wheel shakes/chatters/bounces. This happens either in gear or not. It does not do this when turning the wheel left or when applying increased pressure turning right. It seems to be getting worse and wondering if this has something to do with the upcoming power steering recall.
- Carpentersville, IL, USA
While the car was turning out of a driveway something broke inside the rack and pinion. This left the car with no steering. I think if this is a common problem with these cars there should be a recall. If this happened at highway speeds, people could get hurt or worse.
- Mayville, NY, USA
As I was driving down the highway all of a sudden my steering wheel locked. Then my power steering light came on. So lucky I was on a straight away. I pulled over and shut the car off and turned it back on and was back to normal.
- Ruther Glen, VA, USA
At first the warning light would come on then the car began to lose the power steering, then it finally went out completely. I had the car repaired, then my daughter and son in law found out the car had been recalled. I would just like to be reimbursed for the cost of the repair. I have called tom bannan Chevrolet in madison Tennessee. Who does not return my call. Thank you
- Old Hickory, TN, USA
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the power steering assist failed sporadically. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for inspection or repairs. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 115,000 and the current mileage was 143,932.
- Shreveport, LA, USA
The power steering went out very hard to steer. Happened a couple of times do not know dates, then finally would go out each time it was driven. Was replaced by a mechanic. I do not see the lt listed, is it in the recall?
- Old Hickory, TN, USA
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving at various speeds the power steering would suddenly malfunction making the steering wheel very difficult to turn. When the failure occurred the check engine, ABS and tc (traction control) sensor lights illuminated. The failure was not diagnosed nor was the vehicle repaired. The manufacturer was notified and no solution was offered. The contact also indicated that while driving various speeds the vehicle would drift from side to side. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the control arms were faulty. The control arms were replaced but the defect was not remedied. While driving the headlights, turn signal lights and rear lights would intermittently shut on and off. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the defect was caused by an electrical short. The defect was not repaired. The failure mileage was 17,000.
- Jackson, MI, USA
Power steering failure due to faulty electronic components in the power steering column. I had to pay nearly $500 to have the power steering column replaced. General Motors would not provide any assistance or reimbursement.
- South Saint Paul, MN, USA
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving 25 mph, the power steering stop working and the air bag warning lamp illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 68,000.
- Albany, NY, USA
I was driving down interstate, and the steering locked up. It ding about 2 seconds before it went out. It was good I was on a straight stretch of the highway and not going into a curve or passing another vehicle. Or if my wife or kids were driving, it could have been an major incident. I was reading up on it afterwards on line, say Chevrolet had problems with the electronic powersteering, but no recall was performed. I just want to let other drivers/owners aware it could go out anytime.
- Clarksville, AR, USA
I was driving the car through an intersection approaching the ramp onto the interstate. I lost steering control for about 2 seconds, just missing the guard-rail and having an accident. The next morning, there was a recall for the 2004 Malibu. I contacted the dealership for a loaner car, only to be told the car VIN number is not an approved model for the recall. I need to know why it is not if it is having the same issues. I have reported to this site at least twice about issues with this car.
- Port Wentworth, GA, USA
A chiming noise came on, then a light with a wrench on it. My steering did not feel right so I pulled over. That night I heard about my recall. I'm afraid to drive my car. Its been parked since then.GM will not pay for a rental car, so I had to pay for my own last night at $200 a week.
- Wallingford, PA, USA
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the drivers side seat frame was fractured. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technician verified the failure and stated that the seat frame needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 67,987 and the current mileage was 95,000. Updated 09/26/2014 updated 02/27/2015
- Greensboro, NC, USA
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving 30 mph the vehicle stalled without any warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technician diagnosed that the steering column assembly needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 67,568. The current mileage was 95,000.
- Greensboro, NC, USA
Daughter was turning the corner and the steering wheel stop turning and she ran into a snow bank. Car is inoperable now. The car had been difficult to turn since I purchased it. I took it to a mechanic who couldn't find anything wrong with it. I also took it back to the dealership where I purchase and they would not honor the warranty, and this was only a couple of weeks after I purchased it.
- Eastpointe, MI, USA
I was backing out of my driveway and the power steering light came on and I lost power steering. I shut the car off and it reset and the power steering came back on. This has happened numerous times since where the power steering goes out by it self with no warning. Seems like it happens more at slower speeds, but what happens when I do not expect it and I need the power steering. My young daughter drives it sometimes also.
- Mt. Pleasant, MI, USA
- Mesa, AZ, USA