We recently through my employer obtained a new fleet of 2004 Chevy Malibu ls. It has been noticed on several of the cars that the electric power steering will start to jerk the steering wheel slightly to either direction when idle or when the vehicle is moving. This week the power steering completely failed at highway speeds while in the process of changing lanes. Vehicle was at about 75 mph when an audible alarm came on, the steering wheel became exremely hard to manuver, and a "power steering" prompt came on the information center. Getting off the hwy and into a gas station to see what the problem was w/O power steering was quite difficult. It eventually came on after turning off the car and restarting only to fail again a few miles down the road. Although this happened to me this week, the same probelm has happened to 2 other Malibu in our fleet. Pe04031_cat

- Flowery Branch , GA, USA

While driving power steering failed. Dealer was contacted, and replaced steering column twice. Pe04031_cat

- Buffalo, NY, USA

Within 6 weeks of purchasing this 2004 Malibu and with less than 2000 miles on it, the power steering locked up. While driving home, a warning indicator appeared on the dash along with the words "power steering". I was able to drive the vehicle home, but there was virtually no power assist. The vehicle was in the dealer repair shop from December 31 until January 8. I had to make folllow up calls to the dealer who repeatedly told me the part was on back order. I was subsequently advised that a service bulletin was issued and the dealer made all repairs in accordance with that bulletin. The problem happened again on Tuesday, April 6. (at 4098 miles) on my way home from work while driving on a major highway, the warning light went off, the steering column tightened up and the "power steering" message displayed on the dic. Car has been returned to the dealership again. I have alerted the service manager and sales person of the situation and my intent to pursue my full rights under the state lemon law. Also have experienced problems with key becoming stuck in the ignition and not releasing right away. That problem has yet to be addressed/fixed. Pe04031_cat

- Oaklyn, NJ, USA

Driving 75 mph on the highway at rush hour, power steering gave out completely, "power steering" displayed on the computer console, orange light in dash (car w/wrench). Could not steer at all, luckily was able to drift to the left into the grass. Called aaa for tow to dealer. When car was turned back on, power steering was back on, everything seemed okay. Towed to dealer anyway. They performed a diagnositc and called GM with the code. GM told them to replace the entire steering column. They had my car for over a week and then tried to assure me it wouldn't happen again. I am scared for my life, it was luck that I was not in the middle of the highway when it happened, because there was absolutely no way to steer the vehicle. Pe04031_cat.

- Methuen, MA, USA

While driving at 75 mph the steering wheel lost power. The driver was able to maintain control of the vehicle and pull over. The driver drove the vehicle to the dealer for inspection. The mechanic informed the driver that the steering column modular needed to be replaced. Pe04031_cat

- Murfreesboro, TN, USA

The electric steering column did not return to the center after making a turn. The dealer replaced the steering column, however the problem continued. Talked with consumer on 3/26/04 to obtain details and customer said he also experienced loss of power after moving car at stop light. Cat pe04031_cat

- Rockville Centre, NY, USA

Power steering has failed on 3 separate occasions. The first time, the dealer replaced the cam sensor in the transmission. The power steering failed again 5 days later. The car is still at the dealership, they are trying to figure out what is wrong. Pe04031_cat call notes: Backed car out of garage. Steering was difficult. Saw 'power steering' on display. Turned car off and restarted, but no power steering. Drove car to dealership, who could not duplicate condition, but they did replace cam sensor. After about 4 days, driver was backing out of garage and same situation happened again. Shut off car and called dlr. Had a commitment so he drove car without power steering. After finishing commitment restarted car and power steering worked. Brought to dealer, who kept car for 4-5 days and replaced steering column assembly. As he was driving car out of dealership, felt car pulling to left, but needed car so he drove car and brought back after finishing commitment. Dealership kept car for 7 days, calibrated steering, but did not replace any parts. Driver just picked up car and things seemed ok. Cat 3/25/04 no crash or injuries per consumer call on 3/30/04 cat

- Vista, CA, USA

Power steering failed at 2300 miles and 5000 miles. When the power steering failed, it was impossible to turn the steering wheel. Driver was heading home from work and had driven about 15 min. Heard message board sound; saw 'power steering' on display; service light came on. A few seconds later, she had no power steering, but was able to drive car to side of road. Turned the car off and restarted car a little later. Power steering was working so she drove 12-15 minutes further when she lost power steering again (heard sound, saw message, and service engine light). Pulled car over to side of road, restarted a little later and was able to drive car to dlr. Left car at dealer, who said they would need 2-3 weeks to get part, but ended up calling back 5-6 days later and told her to pick it up. Car fixed under warranty. Same situation and warnings happened again on March 4, 2004. Brought back to dlr, who said they had to reset a sensor. Cat pe04031_cat

- Lake Orion, MI, USA

My 2004 Chevy mailbux maxx lost its electric power steering assist when making a right turn out of a sam's parking lot. The 'power steering' message was illuminated on driver information center (dic) and an orange vehicle service light appeared on instrument panel. The vehicle was very difficult to steer. The next morning when I restarted the car the vehicle service light was not illuminated and the electric power steering asssit worked correctly for a while. Then suddenly, while in revese out of my home driveway, I lost power steering assist, the power steering message illuminated in the dic and the vehicle service light illuminated again. I have contacted the dealer buff whelan chev and have a service appointment scheduled for 3/15/04 at 8am. I am glad that this steering assist failure did not happen while on the highway getting off on an exit ramp. Pe04031_cat

- Macomb, MI, USA

The power steering was displayed in the information display center of the radio. The power steering then failed. This happend two times. I brought the vehicle to my local Chevy dealer and they could not identify the problem or duplicate it. A problem like this at high speeds could be dangerous and cause a driver to loose control of the vehicle. There needs to be further investigation about this to avoid serious problems. The steering wheel can still be turned but exptremely difficult. The steering became heavy instantly. Complainant son was experience the same issue when pulling the vehicle out of the drivway. It appears to be an intermittent problem. Owner did state that she knows someone else with an 04 Malibu and the electric assist steering went out.cw pe04031_cat

- Port Charlotte, FL, USA

When turning steering wheel towards the right steering wheel locked up, causing the consumer to lose control of the vehicle. Consumer took the vehicle to the dealership to be inspected. When failure occurred, there was virtually no assist but drove the vehicle home. The next day the steering was normal. Dealer replaced the steering column. Repair order provided.cw pe04031_cat

- Keller, TX, USA

While driving and turning to the left steering wheel failed. Dealer notified. While making a left turn at a major intersection at 15 mph the electrical system shut down which resulted in loss of power steering. The vehicle information screen indicated that there was a power steering failure. The vehicle was driven to a parking lot and turn off. When the vehicle was turned back on the power steering returned. To date the vehicle has not been repaired or replaced. Pe04031_cat

- Prospect Park, PA, USA

After putting the key in the ignition, it became stuck and was not able to be released right away. The consumer took the vehicle to the dealership several times, but the mechanic could not resolve the problem. When the power steer locked up, the consumer had trouble turning the wheel. Steering column and steering position sensor replacedcw. Pe04031_cat

- Flint, MI, USA