The 1st time it happened was about 11 months ago. I was driving on a busy avenue when I lost all steering control of my vehicle. No warnings just the inability to steer my vehicle at all. I figured it was a fluke and dismissed it for the moment. Until it started happened again. This time I ended up in a ditch on the side of the road, terrified! I bought 2004 Chevy Malibu new from the dealer so I brought it to them. After they ran a diagnostic test on the vehicle and didn't find anything I felt relief, assuming the dealer knows best and their was nothing wrong according to them. I continued driving the car when it happened again. This time I took it to an outside mechanic who did yet another diagnostic test and found the steering shaft was bad. It was replaced and again I assumed the problem was cured. Until yet another incident occurred. I had absolutely no steering control of the vehicle while turning left at an intersection and just barely avoided an accident. I brought the car back to the outside repair shop who explained that we should try changing the steering motor and see if that works. Try was not a satisfactory answer to me so I did a little research and found out that a alot of people shared similar stories. I called GM and asked for there assistance. They denied even being aware that anyone else had reported such a problem before me, but since their was not a recall and my warranty was up, they could not help me. I am terrified to drive this vehicle, so I am somewhat of a prisoner in my own home if I can not borrow another vehicle, and I can't even think of selling the vehicle since I feel it is such a danger. This is a serious problem that seems to be overlook by the NHTSA for the fact that no one has been killed as of yet. It that what it takes for a recall? to date their are over 650 complaints filed for this specific problem with this vehicle. When will it be addressed by GM as an ongoing problem. This vehicle should have made the recall list.

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

I was driving my 1 year old daughter to her dr appointment. I was making a right hand turn in my 2004 Chevrolet Malibu ls V6 with 68,000 mileson it when my chimes chimed the orange check engine light with the wrench came on and my display on the radio said power steering I then lost my power steering while I was making the turn I proceed to her dr appointment without power steering. I go inside to her appointment come back out and the engine light is not longer on and I have power steering. I took it to my local mechanic and he puts it on the diagnostic machine and he can't find any codes or any problems at all he also said that if the check engine light is not on then he could not find a problem which the engine light is not on currently. I came home and did some typing on the computer for 2004 Chevrolet Malibu steering problems and I have found several issues with this problem many people have spend lots of money and the dealer ship has claimed to fix this issue but it is still going on after it has been fixed. I feel this is a real problem that needs brought to someone's attention after all the Toyota issues we need someone on our side I called the GM headquarters and they basically blew me off. I also know this is the very first electronic power steering from GM and that the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu was the very first vehicle to receive this and we all know first year stuff always has issues. My daughter and I almost lost our lives today if it wasn't for the other person in the other lane who had to slam on the brakes we would have had a head on collision. It took all my might to steer this vehicle this issue needs to be addressed before someone looses their life. I'm terrified to drive this vehicle now because I don't want to take my daughter's life or someone else's this is a real problem even if only a hand full of people have this problem. Please don't let this get like the Toyota recalls listen to people who drive this vehicle and know this problem is real and is very scary.

- Philo, OH, USA

I have a 04 Chevy Malibu and sometimes the power steering with go out while I am driving. Next time I use the car its fine. I see that there are many problems with power steering in Malibu and it can cause a wreck if its not taken care of. I bought the car a yr ago and it has happened a couple times through the year.

- Mission, SD, USA

The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the power steering failed continuously. When the power steering failed, the wheel would make a clicking sound when the contact made a turn. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealership where the dealer greased the steering column; however, the problem persisted. The failure mileage was approximately 9,500. The current mileage was approximately 60,400. The first time, the stabilizer link bushing were replaced, the second time, the intermediate shaft was replaced and the third time, the steering column was replaced. The right front axle seal was leaking. Updated 05/24/10

- Waltham, MA, USA

2004 Chevy Malibu, lost power steering again. Taking a left turn at busy intersection, very very hard to turn wheel with no power steering I'm 62 and don't have alot of strength in my arm. Nearly caused an accident. Had steering colume replaced Nov 04, had more problems, had torque sensor replaced July 06. Now it is happening again and when I call GM they said it is no longer their problem and I would need to call my dealership. I have gone that route & they charge $100 diagnostic fee and say that can not find the problem unless it is happening and would have to charge another $100. This is a major safety issue. At least Toyota took responsibility for their screw up it's more that you can say for GM. Check the internet and see how many complaints there are!

- Acushnet, MA, USA

The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that intermittently while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel would begin pulling to the left, causing increased difficulty in steering. The power steering warning light would illuminate intermittently a few moments before the failure would occur. He also stated that on occasion, the power steering would be inoperable upon starting the vehicle. The contact also stated that in order to reset the power steering, he would shut off the engine and restart it to reset the system. The dealer was unable to duplicate the failure and did not make any repairs to the vehicle. The manufacturer had not yet been contacted to report the failure. The failure mileage was 77,270 and the current mileage was 81,000.

- Campbellsville, KY, USA

Lost power steering in my late model year 2004 Malibu lt. No personal injury or damage. Turned car off and restarted - power steering restored. Took to dealer since local mechanic had no idea what the problem was. Dealer said he has had to replace many of these but no recalls had been issued. Recommended replacement of steering column ($641.59) and alignment ($59.95) along with other non-related issues. Multiple NHTSA action numbers and defect investigations were started in 2004. A more recent service bulletin number: 7126; NHTSA number: 10023644 was started on the 2005 models. This is a dangerous problem that GM should have some responsibility for correcting.

- Upland, IN, USA

I own a 2004 Chevy Malibu when starting vehicle the service engine light engages and the console indicator chimes reading power steering. This occurs every time I start the car now. I have replaced the steering column 2 times since taking ownership of vehicle in February 2008. Both steering columns were genuine GM parts installed by a certified technician. Work performed in 5/08 and 10/08 totaling some $3000. Paid another dealer $51.56 to adjust and calibrate sensor. It was ok for the summer. Late fall 2009 began coming on intermediately again. Now it comes on each time you start the car and yesterday I actually lost power steering while driving the car. I had lost the power assist steering a total of 4 times now. This is very dangerous. Someone could get hurt here.

- Milwaukee, WI, USA

2004 Malibu. Steering was hard on one side and soft on the other. Too it to dealer. Dealer fixed it by computer. Now both sides of steering re equal - but - it continually wants to steer on its own to the right. It will not hold a straight line, unless I keep my hands on the steering wheel. If I hold it loosely, it will veer right into whatever is on my right side. Dealer said this is normal.

- Pleasanton, CA, USA

While driving on a county highway without warning my power steering locked, and it scared the living daylights out of me. I had all I could do to steer my car and it was very scary. I made it to my destination and when I left my destination it was fine. Then on the way home on university ave in downtown madison which is a very busy street, the power steering locked up again. A very horrifying moment. Again I really had to struggle with the steering. I feel this is very big safety issue and life threatinga to me and my passengers and also other vehicles on the road. I haven't had any problems with it the last 3 days. I believe GM needs to address this problem.

- Madison, WI, USA

Power steering turn off. Around 50km/H. warning light end bell came on. Very hard to keep the car on the road. Stop the car and turn on again every thing came back to normal. But until when? Chevrolet Malibu 2004 ls, 66800 kms.

- Saint-Jean-Sur-Richelieu, 00, USA

I have been to the dealer at least 4 times for the electronic power assist on my 2004 Chevrolet Malibu for repair, replacement, and/or adjustments. My vehicle is now over 110,000 miles and a power steering notification light is coming on again. This time the light is not immediately followed with failure. No change to my ability to steer has been observed. It comes on usually after I start the car and make my first sizable turn of the wheel. I can sometimes avoid the light going on in the morning if I make slow gradual movements of the wheel but it will always come on when I start the car later in the day. Due to the high cost of the dealer fixing it and their repeated complete inability to fix the problem long term, I am left to trying to figure out the issue myself.

- Diamond Bar, CA, USA

The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for routine maintenance. The technician detected slight difficulty when turning the steering wheel and a squeaking noise. The vehicle did not require service repair for the malfunction. The contact stated the steering wheel was a minor defect. The VIN was unavailable. The current and failure mileages were 25000.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

Contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving at speeds of 50 mph, the power steering failed causing the steering wheel to lock. He was able to maneuver the vehicle off of the road and turn the vehicle off. Once the vehicle was restarted, the power steering reset itself and was operating normally. He also stated that the vehicle was in need of an alignment despite the fact that he had recently received one. The current and failure mileages were 55,000.

- Tinton Falls, NJ, USA

While driving the vehicle the steering wheel locks up and the vehicle can not steer.

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while attempting to turn the vehicle at 10 mph the power steering would suddenly shut off making the vehicle difficult to steer. This has cause the contact to almost drive the vehicle into a ditch. The contact has not called the manufacturer regarding this issue. The contact stated the power steering will cause a crash. The failure mileage was 130,000.

- Albertville, AL, USA

After hearing an odd spark-electrical sound that seemed to come from the steering column power steering failed during routine driving causing loss of vehicle control. Steering column would not lock into place making it more difficult to steer without power assist. This has only happened one time as vehicle use has been restricted since the failure.

- Plainfield, IN, USA

The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. Whenever the contact drives the vehicle at any speed, in any driving conditions the vehicle will suddenly lose all power steering. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealership. The current and failure mileages were 60000.

- Greenfield, MA, USA

Loss of power steering, on my 2004 Chevrolet Malibu.

- Ruffin, SC, USA

Power steering pulls hard one way soft another and can at random quit functioning at all. The problem I experience sounds identical to the recent GM recall and is a known issue. I am adding this because the NHTSA closed the investigation for this car and should reopen it.

- Newark, NY, USA