10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 11 / 1
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 6 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 84,756 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
Started up car to go to work. The car gave a audible tone and I noticed I had no power steering. Fuse time this has happened and ive recently purchased the car in June.
- Indianapolis, IN, USA
I was driving on sr-512 near puyallup, Washington. I was just moving to the right at the base of the freeway on-ramp, when my electronic power steering went out. At nearly the same time, electronic stability control activated for no apparent reason. Each of my wheels began braking independent from one another. This latest for approximately 10-seconds and did not happen again. The power steering also returned to normal for a brief period of time. Later that same morning, I was at a stop sign and was waiting to turn right. When traffic cleared enough for me to begin my turn I turned the wheel to the right. Almost at the same moment the steering went out again, and I had to fight to complete the turn. Had I been an elderly person, without sufficient strength to force the steering wheel to turn, I would have certainly crashed into the cars waiting to turn left at the intersection in question. The steering problem has persisted ever since and gotten much worse over time. I've noticed if I stop the car...turn off the ignition...and restart the car the electronic steering resets and will be fine for up to 10-15 minutes. But the problem always returns. I looked online and saw that Malibu from 2004-2009 experienced this same problem and were recalled. I went to my local Chevrolet dealer and asked if they would extend the recall protection to cover my 2010 Malibu and I was advised they would not. This is a real safety problem, and while I can't afford the $2,000 repairs to get it fixed, I can't imagine trying to deal with this issue when winter arrives and the roads turn icy. This problem would most certainly cause and accident. I hope you can influence Chevrolet to extend their existing Malibu recall to cover the 2010 models that have the same problems as those models from the previous seven model years. Thank you.
- Bonney Lake, WA, USA
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving 60 mph on a freeway, the power steering suddenly failed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The dealer stated that there were no open recalls for the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure; however, they declined to provide assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 131,000.
- Riverside , CA, USA
The traction control & service electronic stability control (ESC) lights were coming on. Also, the steering column angle sensor was found to be corroded, which may have caused the lights to stay on.
- Jacksonville, FL, USA
The power steering on our 2010 Chevrolet Malibu stopped functioning recently, requiring the use of great force to bring the vehicle to a safe parked position. Upon restarting the vehicle, the power steering returned, but the steering wheel jerked frequently to the left while driving and idling. The car was taken to the local Chevrolet dealer which diagnosed an "internal fault in the steering column, " and replaced the entire steering shaft. The dealer reported that this is the same safety concern and the same part that has been the subject of a safety recall affecting Chevrolet Malibu through the 2009 year. No recall has yet been issued for this problem for the 2010 vehicle year, so we are out $1,000 for the cost of repair. Why haven't owners of vehicles with this faulty steering mechanism been warned of this problem, and why hasn't a safety recall been issued by Chevrolet?
- Rochester, NY, USA
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving approximately 25 mph, the ability to steer seized and no warning lights illuminated. The contact had to maneuver to the side of the road to a complete stop. The vehicle started normally after approximately five minutes. The vehicle was driven to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the power steering column needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
- St Louis, MO, USA
While driving to work, I noticed the steering shake and stiffen up and I had loss of all power steering. Soon after that I had my driver side tire blow out and almost caused an accident. A couple of days later, I drove it to the dealership and the service representative told me that Chevy Malibu's did have a recall on the electric power steering pump and torque sensor but not for my model (ltz). Which didn't make sense to me. Just because it's a different trim, the parts would be different? it doesn't seem possible. If this issue is occurring in Chevy Malibu's, it should be addressed to all Malibu's regardless the trim of the vehicle. I would appreciate any help with this issue.
- Kearny, AZ, USA
Power steering is mostly gone. Kicks in for a few seconds after ignition, but cuts out pretty soon. Full manual steering now. Don't understand why this is included in the other eps recall from GM. This is a major safety issue. Many GM service centers are lying about the necessary repair when you take the affected vehicles in.
- Midland, MI, USA
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving approximately 50 mph, there was an excessive vibration within the steering wheel and an unexpected loss of power steering occurred. The vehicle was maneuvered to the side of the road, where the engine was turned off. After restarting the vehicle, it resumed normal operation for a brief moment and the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the steering wheel torque sensor would need to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired by an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 149,000.....updated 06-16-15 updated 10/3/2017
- Scandia, MN, USA
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving at 45 mph, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. As a result, the contact had to apply force to the steering wheel in order to turn the vehicle and the power steering light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 80,236. The VIN was unavailable.
- Macomb, MI, USA
Power steering went out on interstate and has continued to go out in last few days since incident. Has not gotten so bad that power steering is not working pretty much at all. Info center says power steering ESC off. Seen there has been million car plus recall on this issue with same model car but apparently not mine!"!"
- Streator, IL, USA
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while the driver was driving at 45 mph, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The driver had to apply force to the steering wheel in order to turn the vehicle. The contact was uncertain about what warning lights illuminated. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The technician diagnosed that the steering wheel torque sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 110,000.
- Concord, MI, USA
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while the driver was driving at 45 mph, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The driver had to apply force to the steering wheel in order to turn the vehicle. The contact was unsure about what warning lights illuminated. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The technician diagnosed that the steering wheel torque sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 110,000.
- Concord, MI, USA
When I started my vehicle, an indicator light immediately reported a need to service my ESC and my power steering was disabled. After restarting the vehicle, it seemed to correct itself. Now, when driving, my steering wheel vibrates when there is no torque applied to the wheel and makes a chattering noise periodically. This has been going on for a week now.
- Baldwinsville, NY, USA
Power steering went out without any indication!!!
- Louisville, KY, USA
Last spring I had an issue with my 2010 Chevy Malibu with the electronic power steering assembly. The electronic steering column assembly failed resulting in no power steering. After research I became aware this is a common problem with Chevy Malibu's but was only covered in recalls until 2009. I paid for repair on this out of pocket like many other people who have filed complaints as seen with research on the internet. I have just discovered the company that made the steering column for GM, dorman, is recalling their steering column that was installed in the 2010 Chevy Malibu. This recall was posted in July. With the trouble GM has been through they should be on a better honor system. This car was manufactured by General Motors and should be recalled by General Motors who should be reimbursed by dorman. The phone number for dorman is 1-800-523-2492 and you could potentially be reimbursed but you will need the part number of the defective steering column. General Motors offers no cooperation in part number information. Even with previous calls I had with GM saying all parts used in cars were identified by the VIN number of the car so they know the origin where all parts were manufactured. It appears to be a finger pointing game and the loser is the consumer.
- Millbury, MA, USA
The power steeling went on the car. It was extremely difficult to turn the wheel. The power steering light came on in the vehicle. Apparently this has been the case for all of the Chevy Malibu's. this is very dangerous and should be part of a recall like the previous years were. I think there needs to be some changes to the power steering columns to ensure this doesn't happen in the future makes and Chevy needs to do the right thing and issue a recall on the 2010 Malibu to cover this. It is only right!
- Middletown, NY, USA
Was driving on the interstate when a car from a side road, failed to stop at the sign. I swerved to avoid...which I did. And my power steering light came on, along with my ecs. Warning light. I now have no power steering. Although it does reset it's self after shutting it off. But will come back on sort after it is running again. There is a recall on this if it were a 09, since mine is a 2010 there's not. Nothing changed between the two. So U ask why is mine not included?
- North Manchester, IN, USA
2010 Chevrolet Malibu. Consumer writes in regards to electric power steering problems.
- Washington, DC, USA
- Philadelphia, PA, USA