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. While driving 40 mph when the vehicle started to decrease in speed without having her foot on the brake pedal, the power steering light illuminated and the steering wheel became very hard to turn. She turned the vehicle off and it was towed to a dealer who stated that there were no recalls or warranties. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic who repaired the power steering. The failure mileage was 163,184 and the current mileage was 175,000.
- Freehold, NJ, USA
Started the car and the power steering locked up could not turn the wheel check engine light came on and message displayed on message center [power steering] turned car off and restarted, steering was ok at that time. This has happened 3 times since Jan. 13, 2009.
- Elmira, MI, USA
A few months ago, my power steering light began to come on. I took it to several places only for everyone to tell me that the car does not take power steering fluid and that they would have to hook the car to a computer to see what is wrong. Every so often, I would crank the car and have a hard time steering. I learned that when that happens, I could turn off the ignition and restart the car and the power steering would return. I have had my car serviced and twice, I have been told that they are not getting any code readings on the computer. Now, just recently, I was told that the steering column has issues. I read today about the recall on GM cars, but the 2004 Malibu isn't listed but I am having the same problems described in the article. I do not want to wait until I have an accident for my car to be on the recall list. I have already paid money to have the throttle body replaced on my car, I do not want to have to spend more for the steering column. The safety of myself and my infant son, as with others on the road, is of concern.
- Savannah, GA, USA
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. The driver stated that his power steering failed whenever he drove the vehicle. The driver stated that the wheel became difficult to turn. The failure began in 2004 after he purchased the vehicle. The failure also caused him to drive into a ditch and crash into a fire hydrant while driving 15 mph. There were no injuries. He has notified the dealer. The failure mileage was 5,000. The failure mileage when the crash occurred was 120,000. The VIN was not available. The current mileage was 130,000.
- Batonrouge, IL, USA
Own a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu that has been driven normally over the course of ownership. Inexplicably the power steering light came on the drivers information center. Shortly after the steering locked up. It took several times turning the vehicle on and off to get the power steering to come back on. The failure occurs 4 to 5 times a week and we are afraid that it may cause an accident. Also, the steering column has been replaced but it has not resolved the issue. I have also noted that GM has initiated a recall for the same safety issue but for different models/years of vehicles.
- Altus, OK, USA
I was driving my 2004 Chevrolet Malibu this summer when the steering wheel column locked up and wouldn't let me turn the wheel thankfully I was on a county road so I was able to pull my car to the side. I took it to the dealership and I had to get my steering wheel column replaced and then it happened again this time it only partially locked up, but when I took it to the dealership the steering wheel column had to be replaced again and I fear that something like this could possible happen again.
- Philadelphia, PA, USA
The driver information center would reset the time. It also displayed "service air bag" as soon as the car turns on. When driving on the freeway, my steering wheel lost its power steering and the driver information center displayed "power steering" along with a car and wrench light flashing from the gauge window. This has not been fixed due to reading a customer satisfaction program that affected certain 2004 Chevrolet Malibu's. should not be responsible for a defect that the dealer was aware of. A real scare when driving on the road, let alone on the freeway.
- Torrance, CA, USA
The power steering just goes out while driving. Check engine light comes on and car says power steering and I lose all steering. There are numerous complaints on this issue and a recall should be issued.
- Tooele, UT, USA
As my girlfriend pulled into a parking lot with my 2004 Chevrolet Malibu and just when I prepared to leave, the steering warning light came on and the alarm sounded. The power assist on the steering was not functioning. Turned off the car and restarted it and the problem went away. Aprox 2 weeks later, she went to turn into the driveway and the steering failed again. While these occurred at low speed, I do worry that it may occur while in traffic or in town, which may result in an accident. I can see from the reports at mycarstats.com that this seems to be a very common problem with this vehicle.
- Rathdrum, ID, USA
Steering column defective on the Chevy Malibu. I have a 2004 Chevy Malibu and the steering locks on turns, merging and acceleration. Very dangerous!
- Lahaina, HI, USA
While driving the vehicle, it loses power steering and is very difficult to turn the wheel. It occurs frequently and has been brought to the dealer for repairs. They say it has a defective steering column. The condition as exists is identified in a GM service bulletin# 04-02-35-009A. I contacted GM and they told me that this was not a safety issue and would not pay for the repairs.
- Brooklyn, NY, USA
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving approximately 20 mph she attempted to make a right turn the and the steering wheel malfunctioned without warning. She was able to drive the vehicle to the service station. She stated that after the failure occurred the warning light on the instrumental panel illuminated. The service station turned the vehicle off to reset the power steering.she will take the vehicle to the dealer to be diagnosed. The VIN was not available. The failure and the current mileage were 65,000.
- Bronx , NY, USA
During normal driving, driver information center displayed "power steering" and all power steering assist stopped. Car was very hard to steer, but was able to steer to side of road. After restarting the car, power steering returned. This car was serviced by GM in 2004 to repair this problem (under the original ODI complaint investigation) but the problem has recurred and GM insists that we need to replace the steering column again.
- Pittsburgh, PA, USA
2004 Chevy Malibu. Problem with steering. Steering wheel wants to tug repeatedly to the left. If I barely touch the steering wheel and put a little pressure either to right or left, the steering wheel by itself tugs up and down. At higher speeds I can feel in hands occasionally tugging. Hope it don't decide one day to just do a hard turn into oncoming traffic. Was told that it most likely is the steering assist on the column. Why can't GM just have put a regular steering pump like everyone else.
- Blackfoot, ID, USA
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving approximately 55 mph on normal road conditions the "power steering" warning light indicator illuminated on the instrument panel. Immediately, there was a loss of power steering. The driver pulled over to the side of the road which required higher effort to turn the steering wheel. The engine was turned off and restarted. The vehicle resumed normal operation. The vehicle was inspected by two different authorized dealers. The technicians were unable to duplicate the failures. The vehicle has not been repaired for the malfunction. The failure mileage was 82,000.
- Iowa City , IA, USA
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving 72 mph, the power steering light came on and then the steering wheel locked. He was able to safely drive onto the emergency lane and shut the engine off. Approximately 5 seconds after restarting the vehicle the failure recurred. The dealer was not notified. A local mechanic stated that the main gear in the steering failed. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure has occurred 6 to 7 times. The failure mileage was 101,000 and the current mileage was 149,000.
- San Antonio, TX, USA
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving 60 mph he noticed the power steering warning light illuminated on the instrument control panel, and then the power steering failed. He then pulled over to the side of the road to restart the vehicle. The dealer was contacted the dealer to schedule an appointment for inspection. Any repairs will made at the owners expense. The failure mileage was 145000. The current mileage was 147000.
- Clear Lake, MN, USA
My mother owns a 2004 Chevy Malibu. The problem is that when she driving and about to make a turn the steering wheel looses power and is hard to turn. This could become a problem if snow or ice on the ground or she trying to avoid an accident. I had it over for service at a local Chevy dealer. I was told that this is an occurring problem with this model. But that doesn't fix the problem. My mother is 72 years old.
- Danbury, CT, USA
While driving my 2004 Malibu ls power steering will go out it is all you can do to steer car. I can not steer car when this happens. You have to stop car turn ignition off then start car again to get your power steering back. You may have to do this several times steering will quiver as you turn. This is very dangerous and will result in deaths there should be a recall to correct this problem. Steering column has been replaced once for this problem. Libby B. chaney
- Lincolnton, NC, USA
- Chicago, IL, USA