10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 11 / 1
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 3 / 1
- Average Mileage:
- 76,457 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
Car steering wheel shakes while in park also shakes uncontrollably while driving. Very hard to control vehicle while driving! power steering light comes on. This problem has been recalled in Canada. This problem is very unsafe and will cause a serious accident! please help! this needs to be recalled in the United States! took the car to dealer and said the problem is caused by the power steering motor being defaulted.
- Tulsa, OK, USA
Driving on straight road and car suddenly pulled right onto the shoulder. It felt like the car lost its steering capacity. Tried to correct the steering onto the road and then car spun 180, then hit ditch. Car rolled over 100 ft. In air and landed on wheels. The front, nor side air bags deployed even when car struck the side on the ground. Canada has recalled 67,000 vehicles due to power steering motor control module defective. GM needs to recall these in the us before someone gets killed. (it almost killed us if we didn't have our seatbelts on!)
- La Junta, CO, USA
I reported this problem in Nov of 2011, and Chevy fixed my car at no charge because it had under 12K miles. The problem has returned and now because it is no longer under warranty, I am expected to pay for a defect which is so severe that Canada has recalled 67K vehicles that have the exact same problem. www.autoblog.com/2012/10/03/GM-recalling-67K-Chevy-Malibu-Pontiac-G6-and-Saturn-aura-models/ the steering module that was installed on my car in Nov 2011 is just as defective as the original part that failed on my Malibu when it was made in 2008. There is no recall or recourse for owners of these vehicles in the usa, so we are forced to either trade in our car or pay hundreds of dollars to replace parts that Chevy knows is defective. Please help before someone gets killed driving these cars!
- Inglewood, CA, USA
Like some of the other Malibu owners, my 2008 started shimmying while idling, and also sticking while driving. I took the car to a local shop and they had to replace the steering shaft, steering column assembly, and the ps module. They called GM to see if there was a recall issued, and there is none. My car has 37,000 miles on it; I should not have to be dealing with a steering issue at this point, especially to the tune of $1600! by all rights, GM should do the right thing and issue a recall on the steering system.
- Pottstown, PA, USA
Steering wheel shakes back and forth uncontrollably 3/4 of the time while driving. It also does it when the vehicle is idle and in park. There has been numerous complaints about this issue. This is a safety issue and needs to be recalled immediately. Families lives are at stake. Many people have posted videos on youtube and have filed complaints about the problem. Here is an example www.youtube.com/watch?V=eoh5mq4X4cg GM needs to take care of its people considering the people took care of them a.K.a. "bailout".
- San Diego, CA, USA
Starting in June of 2013, our 2008 Chevy Malibu starting having steering issues. Regardless of what speed you traveled, whether it be 20 or 55mph, the steering wheel starting jerking left to right on its own. It would stop, and then sporadically start back up again. We visited our local auto shop and they told us it was the ball joints. After spending $400, we found that the problem did not go away. After doing some research online, we found an entire community of 2008 Chevy Malibu owners who had experienced this same thing. www.gminsidenews.com/forums/F31/steering-column-module-08-Malibu-71371/index2.html www.batauto.com/forums/index.php"topic=11400.0 and some video: www.youtube.com/watch?V=zr62gjnh1gm www.youtube.com/watch"V=eoh5mq4X4cg and these models were recalled in Canada for a power steering issue: www.autoblog.com/2012/10/03/GM-recalling-67K-Chevy-Malibu-Pontiac-G6-and-Saturn-aura-models/ after doing this research, we recently just took our Malibu to our nearest Chevy dealer, diamond Chevy in auburn, MA. They told us that it was not under any kind of warranty. After doing diagnostics, they told us it was indeed the power steering motor control module, which is the same thing that the above mentioned owners were experiencing. We were quoted at $956 for parts and labor to repair this. We feel that this issue is a very serious safety issue and defect of the 2008 Chevy Malibu. Us, and it appears many other drivers have experienced this problem, and it was deemed serious enough in Canada to recall. While you can't put a price on safety, we feel that it is an extreme injustice that we should have to pay $900 + out of pocket for a problem that a) effects our safety so extremely and B) is not considered normal "wear and tear". I beg you to please consider a recall on this model Malibu.
- Dudley, MA, USA
The steering wheel started rapidly moving side to side while my wife was driving our 2008 Malibu. The faster she drove, the worse the problem got. When she came to a stop, the steering wheel continued to move side to side. She turned the car around and went home. The next day I took the car to a Firestone complete auto care center. The mechanic said the problem was in the electronic steering assembly and the whole steering wheel assembly would probably have to be replaced. He estimated the cost to be around $1500. This is a huge safety issue. I hope Chevy issues a recall before someone gets killed.
- Hampton, VA, USA
While driving I noticed the steering wheel was moving side to side. Had to hold on to prevent the car from going off the road. Even when stopped at a light or in park I can visibly see the wheel moving left and right. Afraid to drive now until I figure out the problem. Huge safety issue that needs investigation.
- Pickerington, OH, USA
The steering wheel shakes and vibrates on and off. Now I get a message power steering. My husband looked online and there over three or four pages of consumers with the same issues, power steering column and GM has not put out a recall. The consumer must make the repairs of approximately 700 to 1500. I do not have money or credit. I may have to give the car back as I am unable to drive it. It is a shame that GM will not step up and fix this known issue.
- Rancho Cucamonga, CA, USA
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the electronic power assist failed. The wheels started to shake, there was a warning chime that sounded and the power steering warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileages were 53,000.
- Newfane, NY, USA
Steering was a fight to keep the car in lane steering wheel shaking like it was trying to steer it's self thought is was going to run off the road this needs to be recalled researched online found hundreds of the same complaint what will it take to force a recall someone dyeing I cant let anyone drive this car.
- Kettering, OH, USA
Whether in park or driving the steering wheel shakes. While driving it is a constant fight to keep the car between the lines. The motion of the car is enough for passengers to notice the movement. This car is the 2.4lt. 4 cylinder. It has electric power steering. Having experience with syncro servo systems this kind of effect could result in catastrophic failure of the transmitter or receiver resulting in loss of control. However Chevy dealerships don't seem to have any mechanics qualified to work on these systems or a clear understanding as to how they really function.
- Myrtle Point, OR, USA
Power steering light comes on gone to dealer several times GM is horrible I will never buy another GM made car I have had nothing but problems with this car I will be researching under lemon law.
- West Covina, CA, USA
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving 20 mph, the steering shaft failed without warning. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to an independent mechanic for diagnosis where it was determined that the steering shaft needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 72,000.
- Altoona, PA, USA
Steering wheel shook violently when the car was at rest and then began to shake while driving down the highway at approximately 49K miles. Took it to dealer and had the steering column replaced. Then the power door locks began to fail; both passenger door locks and the driver's lock must be operated manually now (well, the driver's door lock works 1/2 of the time...never know if it is actually engaged unless you do it manually). No outside keyhole exists for the passenger door side to be unlocked, which is very inconvenient and potentially unsafe, especially when you are driving alone and cannot get the doors locked by pushing the button. Have driven GM vehicles my entire life, but this is the last time the company will ever get my money. Sad....
- Easley, SC, USA
I bought this Malibu 2 years ago I have had steering problems ever since the wheel shakes back and forth when I'm at a stop sign. It has gotten worse in the last couple months I have almost wrecked my car multiple times I can not let anyone drive this car.
- Lititz, PA, USA
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the steering wheel moved on its own while sitting still. The contact also stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel moved back and forth. No warning lights illuminated when the failure occurred. The vehicle had not been to the dealer for inspection. The failure mileage was unknown but the current mileage was 94,319.
- San Jose, CA, USA
We was getting ready to park and the steering column got really stiff and I couldn't move the car to park. I had to shut the car off and restart the car and it loosing up. I was in the city of South bay, Florida. ## VIN failed ##
- Miami, FL, USA
First steering wheel pulsed when the vehicle was parked and then and then when I drove it felt almost like a magnetic pull back and fourth on the interstate, as im swerving between lanes because its so strong! turn off car sometime resets problem temporarily. Eventually it all happens again and again. Needs to be recall on power steering. Before someone gets hurt. Thanks GM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- Tea, SD, USA
- Diller, NE, USA