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
As my son was driving, the power steering went out and it was very difficult to steer. After turning off the car and restarting, the power steering came back on. This has happened twice.
- Katy, TX, USA
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the check engine light illuminated on the instrument panel as the failed power steering message appeared on the stereo display. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostics. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact that there was a voluntary recall for the failure but stated that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.
- Norfolk, NE, USA
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving 35 mph, the power steering warning light illuminated and the steering wheel became inoperable. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic who reset the steering and corrected the failure for three weeks before recurring. The dealer was notified who advised that there were no recalls for the vehicle for the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 67,356.
- Upper Marlboro, MD, USA
Steering on vehicle became difficult to turn to the right, but a lot of play in the wheel when turning left. Same situation happened off and on for approximately one week. On 7/21/12 while driving the vehicle, the console made a "dinging" sound and indicated that there was a problem with the power steering and simultaneously it lost all ease of steering. It had absolutely no power steering capability. It was very frightening to not have control of the vehicle and having to struggle to get the car to a safe place out of the road that I was driving on.
- Waterloo, IA, USA
Power steering goes out during summer months; paid to repair 8/2011; works ok during winter, but power steering goes out in summer months. This is dangerous. Almost had several accidents.
- Kilmarnock, VA, USA
As I drove my wife who was in labor to the hospital, the power steering failed as I began to turn into an intersection. Simultaneous to this, the check engine light came on. Barely made the turn without going into oncoming traffic. Power steering stayed off the rest of the trip. Arrived at hospital and turned car off. Power steering came back on. Power steering then failed on way home from the hospital.
- Amherst , NY, USA
I was driving and I heard a ding, I looked down at my gauges and the steering light was on. After that I noticed the power steering was not there. I then shut off my car and let it sit and then started it. The steering was back on but I don't want my life or any others lives at risk. Updated 07/05/12
- Kimball, MI, USA
When starting my car, there was a warning chime and the message "power steering" appeared on my driver's information center. When I put my vehicle in gear there was a loss of power steering capabilities and it was very difficult to drive without the power steering enabled.
- Orlando, FL, USA
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving approximately 35 mph, the power steering light illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact stated that the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing or repairs. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 208,000.
- Waukesha, WI, USA
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving approximately 5 mph, the power steering warning light illuminated but the power steering assist was not affected. The failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostics. The mechanic advised the contact that the battery could possibly have been causing the failure. The battery was replaced but the failure persisted. The vehicle was not further repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 119,000.
- Staten Island, NY, USA
I was driving and the power steering flashed on dashboard. After that my steering wheel locked up. I had to pull over cause I could turn steering wheel at all. I turned my car off and restarted the steering wheel was back to normal. I am understanding why this is not a recall this very much a safety concern.
- Oxon Hill, MD, USA
My wife was driving down the road and all of a sudden there was no power steering. She weighs 110 pounds and could not steer it at all. What if she was going 70 mph" I have read all of the complaints but GMC decides not to recall this year but recall 2005? that is a awful way of doing business. How many people have to be injured or die before they fix this" I want answers because this is not a couple of people that it happens to. This is crap!
- Nashville, TN, USA
This was approximately the first time since we had the problem fixed under the warranty when we first purchased the vehicle. The power steering just went out on my wife while she was making a left turn into a parking lot and didn't have full control of the car and almost got into an accident. It has since happened to my daughter once about three weeks after my wife's experience. Now it just happened to my wife again on 4-10-12 at mileage 144216 approx. This time she was in the parking lot and it went out causing her to not have complete control again just missing getting into an accident. It does come back on after turning off the vehicle and letting it sit. My main concern is that it just goes out without any warning and doesn't allow the driver to have complete control of steering the car because it is extremely hard to steer without the power steering if they can steer it at all.
- De Forest, WI, USA
In the middle of driving, my power steering turned on and I could not turn the wheel. I was in the middle of an intersection, and a car crashed into my back bumper. I just recently got it fixed, and found it was an electrical issue that cost me 700. When speaking to the mechanic, the told me there is a good chance it will happen again if it gets jerked the wrong way.
- Reading, PA, USA
Power steering warning light appears in dic and car loses electronic assisted steering for a period of 5-10 seconds. This problem occurs at several different speed intervals and is very dangerous.
- Knoxville, TN, USA
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the driver was traveling 55 mph when the power steering failed. The check engine warning light illuminated prior to the failure. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic and the manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 83,500.
- Rochester, NY, USA
As I was slowing down to make a left turn, my vehicle all of a sudden failed to allow any steering and was almost involved in a traffic accident. I was able to brake and avoid the accident, but as soon as I came to a complete stop, the vehicle turned off and would not turn on again. When it did turn on, I was able to steer again, so I parked my vehicle.
- Colton, CA, USA
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the power steering would fail without warning. The contact stated that the vehicle would have to be turned off and restarted in order for the power steering to reset. The power steering warning light would then be illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the dealer advised that they were unable to determine a failure with the vehicle. The failure mileage was unknown, but the current mileage was 155,069. Updated 08-07-12 the consumer stated the vehicle would become difficult to manage, especially when making turns, or simply moving forward. Updated 08/09/12
- San Antinio, TX, USA
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving 35 mph, the power steering failed and the vehicle became hard to steer. The contact was able to maintain control of the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer and the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 151,734.
- Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Montgomery, AL, USA