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
This is the second time my 2004 Malibu ltz power steering locked up on me. The first time it locked up was Nov 2009, as I was driving downs madison St. The mechanic replaced the rack N pinion, this appeared to solve the problem temporarily. The second time the problem happen was March 3rd, 2010, I was pulling out of my garage, made a right turn onto Ohio and almost hit kids getting out of school because the car kept moving in a straight direct even though I was attempting to turn. I spoke to the dealer ship today and they said they do not know of a recall but are aware of the problem with Malibu.
- Chicago, IL, USA
Intermittently, over the last few weeks, a mechanical warning light came on indicating a power steering issue on my 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. I took the car to my local mechanic. He hooked it to the computer analysis and found no issues. He did indicate that after doing a little research that Chevrolet had provided a customer satisfaction campaign # 04050A to address this issue. I had never been notified by Chevrolet. I called my Chevrolet dealer and the service manager indicated there has been no recall on my car so I would have to pay for any repair. After doing a little research, this seems to be a fairly common problem on the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. The power steering system on this model is electrical, not hydraulic and seems to have a high number of complaints. I am hoping that Chevrolet recalls and repairs this defect.
- Parkton, MD, USA
Power steering fails without warning. I've had the power steering motor replaced twice.
- Brooklyn, NY, USA
Wife started up her car after work on June 30th, come to find out, the electronic power steering failed and, good thing, she wasn't driving when it went out or else there could have been an accident. Now, it fails every once and awhile, still steerable, but very hard to steer. If you shut the car off, then, it goes a way for a while but then power steering fails again later on. We were driving down the interstate and it did the same thing while going 75mph. We're trying to research on if this is a recall or what the problem could be. Something needs to be done, I've seen a lot of complaints on the Chevy Malibu about the electronic power steering failing.
- Pierre, SD, USA
The driver owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. The power steering failed and the contact was unable to move or turn the steering wheel. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who stated that the power steering sensor failed. The dealer replaced the steering column. The manufacturer stated the vehicle VIN was not included in recall 09E005000 steering; therefore, the failure did not exist in the vehicle. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 57,000 and the current mileage was 59,000.
- Waterford, MI, USA
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu lt. The contact stated there was an abnormal clicking sound sporadically coming from the steering wheel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times but the dealer was unable to diagnose or duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to a local repair facility where he was advised the failure was within the power steering. The mechanic replaced the power steering column and the air bag sensor at the contact's expense. The failure mileage was 78,000 and the currentmileage was 79,000.
- Sterling , VA, USA
Power steering failure.
- East Aurora, NY, USA
Power steering frequently cuts out - has been happening since the car was new. Constant crunching sound when turning - most often when turning to the right. Steering replaced once under warranty - when questioned again later - vehicle was out of warranty (36,000 mi). Shortly after I purchased vehicle warrant offered was 100,000 miles.
- Pelham, NH, USA
I have a 2004 Chevy Malibu with 80,000 plus miles. My power steering column motor shorted out and therefore my power steering has enabled my car to be driven; and the fuel gauge shows empty when I just filled it with gas. I did an on-line research and saw there were so many other consumers that have the exact same problem as I have and I contacted GM and they told me it was nothing they could do. It is sad when we purchase 'made in America' products that the companies do not stand by their products. I feel there should be a total recall on all these cars before we end up with major accidents. Shame on GM to get the power steering fix is not cheap. GM knows of these problems and is extremely nonchalant about rectifying the situation. Toyota stepped up and recalled their cars to clear up the problems, whose going to make GM do the same?
- Chicago, IL, USA
I have a 2004 Chevy Malibu and randomly my check engine light and a power steering warning will come on. The power steering is usually okay and I can continue driving, but one day while I was in a turn lane it went out. It is very difficult to get off to the side of the road or turn when you do not have power steering. Took it to a dealership but because it is intermittent, it was not having that issue when I took it in and they said they couldn't find anything wrong. I'm worried my power steering will go out again and cause an accident.
- Golden Valley, MN, USA
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving at speeds of 25 mph, the power steering locked up and it became very difficult to maintain control of the steering wheel. The contact shut off and restarted the engine and the vehicle resumed normal operation. Within a few traveled miles, the failure recurred. The contact stated the failure recurs intermittently and he had experienced the failure at least ten times. The manufacturer would not provide any assistance. The vehicle was not repaired or diagnosed. The failure mileage was 41,596 and the current mileage was 41,600.
- White Stone, VA, USA
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. While traveling at speeds of 30 mph, the contact heard a chiming in the vehicle and within seconds, the power steering failed and became increasingly difficult to steer. The vehicle was not diagnosed and there were no prior warnings. The current and failure mileages were 54,000.
- Ohmaha, NE, USA
We have a 2004 Chevy Malibu lt. Shortly after we bought it, the power steering went out on two occasions. We took it to the dealer and the steering column was "supposedly" replaced under warranty. The vehicle to this day always veers to the left, even after an alignment. This past month the steering warning light has come on three times; and after paying $100 just for the diagnosis, I was told I would have to have the steering column replaced for $1000 ! it is more than obvious that this defect is instrinsic with the Malibu, as it is with the Chevy cobalt, and requires a recall. Read the internet ! I reported this defect to GM and received no response. This is the first time I am reporting it to the NHTSA. You must demand that GM recall this defect on the Malibu.
- O Fallon, MO, USA
My 2004 Chevy Malibu power steering is locking while driving and will not let wheel turn. I was driving and when I went to make a turn the car wheel locked and would not turn it was continuing straight I had to turn it with all my strength to avoid hitting a wall.I phoned Chevy corporate and they said it is not under recall but there was 2 investigations done on this in 2004 and currently 2005 - 2010 cobalts made by them have the same issue and there is a current recall under way right now for that model and it is the same issue I am having with my model car. They said they are not going to repair this issue because there is not a current recall on this model. This is a safety hazard that they are aware of and have been aware of and they are choosing not to be responsible for the malfunction in the power steering. They are choosing to ignore this safety defect. This has occurred the last three times I have used the car this week.
- Ringwood, NJ, USA
Power steering issues with 2004 Malibu lt. I had this problem with my first Malibu and my new Malibu is starting to show the same tell tale signs of power steering failure. It begins with a clicking noise while turning the steering wheel. At any time the power steering will completely go out. Turning of the motor and restarting the vehicle will temporarily solve the problem. My first Malibu was still under warranty and they had to replace the entire steering column twice. The Malibu I currently have is unfortunately not still under warranty but I feel this is an ongoing safety issue that needs to be addressed before there are serious injuries or deaths. There are many online sites of owners who have complained of this ongoing problem and it does not appear to be limited to the 2004 model but also newer models. GM needs to make this right with all the money we are spending trying to keep jobs in the usa.
- Marion, IN, USA
2004 Malibu: Feb 2005 vehicle chimed; power steering displayed on driver information center, lost power steering while making a left turn. Dealer replaced steering column because I had a letter from GM saying that my vehicle may have been built with a steering column sensor that can wear unevenly and produce an erratic electrical signal. Dealer said that my VIN number was not part of the recall but I insisted that I had experienced the problem and didn't care if my number was on the list I wanted it replaced. May 2010: Three days in a row chime sounded and power steering displayed on driver information center; stopped vehicle and restarted it, reset itself. Took in to dealer and had a diagnostic test run ($100). Test indicates that I need the steering column replaced and a shaft kit (clunking) cost $990.65, not covered under warranty. Google search reveals that this steering column defect is not uncommon and should be recalled by the manufacturer! please read the numerous complaints on this blog carblog.classifieds1000.com/recall_issues/20090114-133923-power_steering_problems_on_chevy_malibu_seeking_recall.
- O Fallon, MO, USA
While I'm driving whether it's on a city street or a highway, my power steering will out of nowhere stop working. This is very dangerous, especially when you are going 55mph. Sometimes stopping the car and starting it back up fixes the problem, sometimes not.
- Gloucester, MA, USA
I was driving on the freeway when my 2004 Malibu started jerking to the left then a warning bell went off and the power steering warning came on. Then the car pulled left and the steering went out. I took it the a Chevy dealer they tried to charge me $1125 dollars to fix the problem because the warranty only covered the steering column under the hood and not inside of the passenger compartment. The problem has increased in frequency and getting worse.
- Euclid, OH, USA
Brought car in for maintenance of other sorts and mechanic noticed clicking in steering wheel. A clicking that had been present since I purchased the car and was told that it is normal in the Malibu by two dealerships and an outside mechanic (whom I no longer go to). The noise had gotten worse over time, but was reassured that it was no issue. My new mechanic determined that it was a failure of the rack and pinion system and continuing to drive with it would be dangerous. I had it replaced (12-4-2008). It has been slightly over a year now and the noise is back and progressively getting worse than before. It costs nearly $1000+ to repair and doesn't last a year?! it is a late model 2004 Malibu, meaning it is the 2005 Malibu made in 2004. I've read many reports/complaints on the internet about the same problem. This needs to be taken care of asap.
- Carnegie, PA, USA
- Tucson, AZ, USA