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
Power steering locked up while driving thru a curve causing a accident which resulted in one rider injury. We made a claim with GM and they denied it stating that the data from the black box showed that there was not any equipment malfunctions. The power steering started working after the accident. The data showed that the driver side seat belt lock was told to deploy and it did not. To me and everybody else, that is an equipment malfunction. GM told me that since the driver was not hurt that they denied this one also. The back seat rider was injured when the rear door glass shattered sending glass into the back of his head. This required medical attention to remove all of the glass fragments.
- Somerville, AL, USA
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the steering wheel seized and excessive force was required. The failure recurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering shafts needed to be replaced. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14E044000 (steering) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The approximate failure mileage was unknown.
- Stafford , VA, USA
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving approximately 25 mph, the contact heard an abnormal noise while making a right turn and the steering wheel seized. The contact had to use extreme force in order to straighten the steering wheel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the power steering pump failed. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 156,000.
- Mabank, TX, USA
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving various speeds, the contact heard an abnormal noise and the steering wheel seized. The vehicle had to be turned off and restarted in order to resume normal operation. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
- Hammond , CT, USA
I was entering the freeway, accelerating to get into lane, there was a big truck on the side of me and as I tried to maneuver my car, I found I could not steer the vehicle! I thought it might have died. I pulled over and turned off ignition. Then restarted and I was able to drive a bit before the same thing happened. Later I found out there was a recall on the power steering for my vehicle. It has been sitting in my driveway for almost two months! there are also two other recalls on my car; one for ignition/transmission which could result in the car turning off and the other is a brake lamp issue which could render the brake lamps useless in case of stopping, or using the cruise control could result in faulty brake lights to alert other drivers. So after calling General Motors on several occasions, each time being told a different story - there is no parts available at this time and they have no idea when my vehicle can be repaired. I called the dealership and they basically told me the same thing. However, I was placed on a "list" and given the number "175" to be in line to wait repairs. Even though they do not have a part yet. My frustration lies in the fact that my car is an investment. I bought it in good faith with the dealer, and have made my payments on time. Now I am paying a car payment and car insurance for a car that is sitting in my driveway! I also have to pay for a rental car indefinitely and it is causing financial hardship because I am unemployed at this time as well. No one will help me, or give me an answer! what are my rights" I really need advice. GM had a "district specialist" call me last week to tell me the same thing the last 8 people from their company have said which is basically - not a [xxx] thing. Can you please advise me??" information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
- Castro Valley, CA, USA
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA campaign number: 14E044000 (power steering); however, the part needed for the repair was unavailable. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver and the power steering fluid needed to be refilled. The failure mileage was 100,000.
- Adelanto, CA, USA
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while traveling on an off ramp at an unknown speed, the steering wheel seized. The contact mentioned that the vehicle was previously repaired under an unknown recall but the failure recurred. Also, the contact received notification for recall NHTSA campaign number: 14V252000 (electrical system, electronic stability control, exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic, vehicle speed control), NHTSA campaign number: 14V153000 (steering) and NHTSA campaign number: 14V224000 (power train). However, the parts to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
- Elgin , SC, USA
Letter from congressman king on behalf of constituent re 2004 Chevy Malibu. The dealer informed the consumer, the parts were not available to fix the recalled components. The power steering and brake lights needed to be replaced.
- Bethpage, NY, USA
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the brakes, steering, and electrical wiring for the headlights failed. The failures have occurred since 2004. While making left turns, the steering wheel was difficult to maneuver. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact had been submitting complaints to the manufacturer since 2004. The failure mileage was 35,000. Updated 10/23/14 updated 4/13/2015
- Irving, TX, USA
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the power steering malfunctioned and the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. Also, the transmission failed to shift into the reverse gear. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 14V252000 (electrical system, electronic stability control, exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic, vehicle speed control), 14V153000 (steering), and 14V224000 (power train). The dealer indicated that only one of the three recall repairs would be performed since the parts were not available. The brake light recall repair was performed. The dealer was unable to indicate a specific timeframe to schedule the two remaining recall repairs. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 142,000.
- Cleveland, OH, USA
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at 40 mph, the steering wheel seized and excessive force was required in order to maneuver the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the technician was unable to determine the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,800.
- Tavares, FL, USA
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 14V153000 (steering), but the dealer stated that the part needed for the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the steering wheel became difficult to turn and the power steering warning indicator illuminated and made a sound. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.
- Pittsburg , PA, USA
I have 3 recall letters and each states the parts aren't available. Those recalls are:14116,14152;13036. These recall repairs state that they affect the safety of this vehicle and yet we are forced to drive a vehicle with possible life threatening issues while the parts are not available. The safety issues aside, the recalls affect the value of this product by the implication it's defective. These issues should be dealt with swiftly as to minimize possible fatalities and if no parts are available, then a safe rental vehicle of like kind should be available at no cost to the owners.
- Atascosa, TX, USA
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving 40 mph, the power steering failed. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA campaign number: 14V153000 (steering). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 72,000.
- Castro Valley, CA, USA
After purchasing my Malibu I have had multiple incidents where I was unable to unlock my doors electrically from inside/outside (after a fight with the dealer that issue was fixed after being told I needed to bring the car back and forth for 3 weeks), since then I have had to replace my turn signal bulbs once a month, my left turn signal socket looks like it has been burnt and is very black in color, still cant get GM to acknowledge that there were problems with this on these Malibu's even though there are service bulletins on this issue. Next I have had my dic system show me messages saying locked and my radio shuts off erratically and my ignition will shut off. GM dealer will not accept responsibility, next I have had the message on my dic show no power steering and 3 out of the 4 times I have lost steering all together and luckily was backing out of driveway, had to shut car off and wait for system to give me back steering control. The 4th time I veered into a guard rail going about 25 mph and crunched my front passenger quarter panel when the ps assist failed and I had no steering. Again, shut car off and had to wait for system to reset and again had steering control. I am now having issues where my entire console in the vehicle is always hot to the touch and my ignition switch inside the car is extremely hot even right after the car is started. GM will not address this issue either when I have contacted the dealer where I bought the vehicle. I am now having steering issues where my Malibu wants to go left when I am attempting to make a right turn and when making a left turn it wants to go way left all by itself. I have multiple recalls on this vehicle and to no avail they are not being addressed. I am wondering if I have to be in a worse crash and be injured severely or another person in order to get anyone to fix these issues or take this car back.
- Laurel, MT, USA
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 mph, he depressed the brake pedal and the vehicle would not respond. The contact had to use the emergency brake in order to stop the vehicle. The failure was not diagnosed nor was the vehicle repaired. The contact also stated that the power steering warning light illuminated and when making a right or left turn the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V153000 (steering); however, the part was unavailable. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
- Providence , RI, USA
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact's vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V153000 (steering). The contact stated that the steering wheel became difficult to turn while operating the vehicle and the power steering warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, but the parts were unavailable to repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was unavailable.
- Baltimore, MD, USA
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving various speeds, the steering wheel seized and excessive force on the steering wheel was required. The service soon warning light illuminated prior to the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for a diagnosis. The technician stated that the power steering sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact received a notification for recall NHTSA campaign number: 14V252000 (electrical system, electronic stability control, exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic, vehicle speed control), NHTSA campaign number: 14V153000 (steering) and NHTSA campaign number: 14V224000 (power train). However, the parts needed were unavailable to service the vehicle under the recall. The dealer was uncertain when the parts would be available. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 62,000.
- Miami, FL, USA
Heavy snapping sound (hard enough to be felt) upon turning wheels in either direction. It has been noted to me that this is a "quirk" of the steerng for this model and can not be remedied. The car was bought used and told that the rack and pinion steering had been replaced but did not remedy the situation and was not a safety consideration. In my opinion, when something makes a snapping sound and can be felt, this is surely a safety factor. Can you advise if this is a safety factor or not? I'm not really comfortabe driving this car.
- Reynoldsville, PA, USA
- Waynesville, GA, USA