8.9

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$800
Average Mileage:
38,450 miles
Total Complaints:
7 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. not sure (6 reports)
  2. replace battery, repair wiring (1 reports)
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This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Chevrolet dealer.

problem #7

May 232016

Malibu LX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 23,000 miles

I read other rants about this so if you've searched this issue you've read about it already. I wasn't going very fast as I was coming off a ramp from one parkway to another. My "infotainment system (radio)" had turned on and off a few times on my way home. Finally, the power steering just gave out. Luckily I wasn't go very fast, and I was in the right lane.

I brought it back to the dealer this morning and they told me battery acid was leaking onto a wire which was causing all of the electrical problems.

If anyone is having the same issues, and not getting any answers please have someone check this problem. I'd hate to see someone's car ignite.

Good luck.

- kcbtke252, North Babylon, NY, US

problem #6

Apr 012016

Malibu LT

  • Automatic transmission
  • 34,400 miles

4 days after car in shop for this issue and radio lights going out, same thing only worse happened again. Driving on 4 lane highway, radio lights go off, steering jerks hard to right, dash lights go out, then come on flashing. Brief box on dash pops up for a few seconds that says check power steering. This happened over 30 times while driving 60 miles. Driving with my pregnant daughter-in-law. Luckily no one in lane next to us the first time it happened as I would of hit them when steering jerked. Would not of been good going 65 mph!!!

Have contacted dealer and Chevy. Chevy claims they are unaware of any of their cars having problems like this, even after I told them I had read over 500 complaints about this issue! Car to go in shop again this week and Chevy "claims" they will talk with my car dealer to resolve my issue. Chevy also told me they would call back within 2 business days-haha!! No call yet!

Update from Apr 10, 2016: Car back in shop for same problem again!! Now dealer tells me it is not the power steering!! GM has increased warranty for steering problems to 10 yrs or 100,000mi. but you have to complain of this specifically! This is dangerous problem! File a complaint with NHTSA Asap! Also class action lawsuit in California for this (Briana Mendoza v General Motors LLC). Might want to check this out. Make sure you also file a complaint with General Motors. They will give you a case #, but so far have done nothing to resolve this dangerous condition! I suppose someone will have to die before they issue a recall!

Update from Apr 20, 2016: Well back to shop for 1 week- steering continues to lock up when traveling down highway. Dash and radio lights go off. Dealer cannot recreate problem. Call to GM (already have case open) but they say they can't do anything . Asked if they are going to extend warranty as problems began before warranty expired. They said "if problems continue we will keep this in mind"! Really!! Also asked why I haven't received letter saying they will extend steering warranty for 10 years or 100,000miles. They said it doesn't show a steering problem! 4 days before this happened had to dealer who said the computer showed steering problem and it was supposedly fixed!! Thanks GM for nothing!,,

- Theresa S., Oskaloosa, IA, US

problem #5

Mar 282016

Malibu

  • Automatic transmission
  • 45,000 miles

I'm having the same problems as the previous comments posted. I bought this vehicle roughly 3 months ago and the steering wheel locks and shuts off the radio and it takes a few before I can gain control back.

Does anyone know of a lawsuit in regard to this issue?

- Angela R., Miami, FL, US

problem #4

Oct 302015

Malibu LS 2.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 47,533 miles

Took my 2013 Chevrolet Malibu LS; In because power steering light kept coming on plus made a load noise while turning sharply right or left. So I paid for Diagnostic test to find out the problem ; Northwest Chevrolet of McKenna, WA Said they performed a MDI scan for codes found CO47A Service Power Steering Message. Tech Noted Increased Friction in Steering at times. Tech Programmed Power Steering Control Module by SPS TO Address Power Steering Friction Issue. Perform As Per GM PIC#5706B And SCA#14232A. This was done on 10/30/2015. Said it was fixed.

I wasn't even 9 miles down the road, same problem comes back, this is after they had my car for a week .So on 11/19/2015 while exiting freeway my Steering Locked up and it took a lot of force to turn the Steering wheel. Scared me to death; Again I took it back to same place paid for another Diagnostic text. This time they say it has to do with the Park Brake Control Module and want $800 to fix it.

I can't under stand why it took 2 Diagnostic test to find the problem within 3 weeks of each other. I hope this time it will be fixed, because I am raising young Grandkids and I wouldn't won't any harm to come to them over something Chevrolet should of addressed. If anyone can tell me what the hell the Park Brake Control Module has to do with the Power Steering I would appreciate it.

- Connie K., Olympia, WA, US

problem #3

Mar 232015

Malibu LT 2.5L V4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 47,000 miles

Steering wheel locks as im driving! To top it off the whole electrical system shuts off!??????

- Jesus D., San Joaquin, CA, US

problem #2

Jul 252015

Malibu LTZ 2.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 57,000 miles

While driving the power steering and radio will just cut out. No pattern just happens.

- Pablo V., Newark, NJ, US

problem #1

Feb 042014

Malibu LS 2.4L 4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 15,000 miles

Steering is difficult, wheel seems to want to stick in a position and it takes a bit of force to move the wheel. Took it to the dealer, they did not seem to think there was a problem. Having read some of the other reports there definitely appears to be a mechanical problem with the steering. I plan to take the car back and will refer to the complaints noted on this site.

- Dave K., Ravenna, OH, US