10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 13 / 1
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 7 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 74,262 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
2004 Chevy Malibu maxx ls. The power steering goes out when traveling at slow speeds or stopped. This has happened 3 or 4 times. No acc or injury. Power steering goes back on after turning off the ignition and restarting the car. This appears to be the same problem as the other GM autos that were recalled today, March 2, 2010. Tsb's have been issued, but no recall. The incident date listed is approx the last time this happened.
- Hatboro, PA, USA
My 2004 Chevy Malibu maxx is showing the power steering needs fixed. I took it to a dealer and they said that I need to replace it right away. I am getting fixed now so that I do not have any more problems with the power steering.
- Pittsburgh, PA, USA
I have a 2004 Chevy Malibu maxx. On Jan. 26, I got into the car. My check engine light came on and the information center said to check power steering. The steering was a little hard. My friend was going to check it when I got home. By the time I got home that night, the problem was not occurring and the lights were off. This has happened a couple times since. Then today, 3/2/2010, I got in the car. It was very difficult to steer until about 15 mph. It was less difficult between 15 and 30 mph, and O.K., but not normal, over 30 mph. When I got to work, I had to move my car after a few minutes. When I got into it and moved it, the steering was fine. I am reporting this because of the similarity with the cobalt steering issue that has caused a recent recall. The symptoms sound exactly like the news reports, but the Malibu isn't on the list yet.
- East Troy, WI, USA
2004 Chevrolet Malibu maxx. Electric power steering failure. Power steering has failed multiple times, especially under acceleration. Vehicle extremely hard to steer. Lights and warning bells go off on dash of vehicle. Vehicle was taken to hudiburg Chevrolet two times and they said there is nothing they could do to repair problem and did not even look at car. Wanted to charge me just to look at it. Vehicle was still under warranty at the time.
- Seabrook, TX, USA
Power steering failure. When I start car and making sharp turns, in addition to just driving down the road. Here clicking in the front right end when going up hill. Told by mechanic that it is a prob with the electric power steering system and rack and pinion. Oddly enough there was and 2006 mailbu in at the same time with the same problem mechanic felt it should be a recall issue. Also have issue with the turn signals failing I have replaced many times. I also have a hole that melted on the front right side in the plastic housing.
- Orinda, CA, USA
On January 13, 2010, the warning, with little wrench lit, "power steering" came on the dash of my 2004 Chevy Malibu maxx. I am concerned that there may be further problems with the steering because just the day before, my son-in-law's 2006 Chevy Malibu sedan's steering quit while he was driving down the road. Online research shows me that this is a prominent problem with the Chevy Malibu vehicles for which GM is not issuing a recall or fix. Are they waiting for someone to be seriously injured or to die before acting?
- Elyria , OH, USA
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu max. While driving 10 mph, the contact heard a clicking noise and then the power steering malfunctioned. The failure has occurred on three occasions while driving. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by a dealer. The contact is concerned about the safety risk and the potential that a crash could occur the contact feels the manufacturer should be responsible for the repairs. The failure mileage was 130,000.
- Andover, OH, USA
Power steering failure with car. Steering wheel would not move. Almost causing an accident.
- Liverpool, NY, USA
Lost power steering. Problem was resolved by turning car off waiting a minute and restarting. Power steering then resumed normal operation. This has now happened on two occasion. No repairs have been made to this point. I have reviewed car forums and noted this appears a common problem in this model. It appears the steering column may need to be replaced. Additionally when cold, the power steering now feels sluggish.
- Crescent Springs, KY, USA
2004 Chevy Malibu maxx failure of electric power steering while driving. When the car is shut off it resets itself but eventually comes back.
- South Windsor, CT, USA
I was driving my 2004 Malibu maxx to work yesterday and my steering locked up on me while driving down a busy road during rush hour. The steering wheel pulled to left before locking up. I hope someone will force GM to recall this and fix this problem. There may have not yet been a death, but there will be in time. How many complaints need to be reported before this is taken seriously. My dealer had to completely replace the entire steering column and power steering motor. My car only has 55K miles on. This situation is extremely unsafe! do something about it!!!
- Gaithersburg, MD, USA
Power steering failed while car was being driven. Dealership said steering column has to be replaced. The steering column was replaced at 14,000 miles because of a service bulletin. The car has less than 56,000 miles on it and repair cost is in excess of $550. Major safety issue which has already been investigated. Apparently GM has not found a reliable solution to the problem. This is a major safety issue and there should be a total recall of the 2004 Malibu maxx.
- South Amboy, NJ, USA
Loss of power steering assist while driving. This has happened twice. The power steering assist goes away and "power steering" is displayed on the driver information center.
- Saint John, 00, USA
Lost power steering every time engine goes over 2500 rpms and up. Steering wheel will lock up and then you have no control, to make turns or to merge onto the freeway. Due to this failure of steering I have had several close calls of being involved in a crash.
- Parma, OH, USA
While crossing intersection, power steering gave out. Created potential head on collision with on-coming traffic. Steering vehicle was very difficult.
- Oswego, IL, USA
Power steering failure. This is the second occurrence of power steering column assembly failing. First one replaced under recall notification. Currently at dealership waiting for new unit to be installed.
- Zionsville, IN, USA
While driving my car, the steering just froze up and made it difficult to handle. This incident nearly caused an accident on a heavily traveled road. This has happened twice in the course of four months and each time the car had to be taken to a shop and put on a diagnostic tester to find and clear default codes to make car drivable. This problem can happen at any time again and to repair it costs $600. Can you please help me?
- Mt.Vernon, MO, USA
Pwr steering failed upon vehicle start-up. Turned off car and restarted and pwr steering worked ok. Was told by mechanic that there have been many problems with pwr steering failures on Malibu's and that it is a significant safety issue that has cause numerous accidents. I had to pay $600 to repair (replace steering column and box) since GM would not cover it. (this is the 2nd time the steering column was replaced---the 1st time was covered by warranty.)
- Point Venture, TX, USA
I have a Chevy Malibu maxx. I was driving yesterday and the power steering completely broke without warning. It was extremely hard to turn the wheel at all. The power steering message came on the console. I stopped the car and waited a while and tried it again. Right when I started the car, I had power steering, but within 60 seconds, it locked up again and the light came on. Very dangerous situation. It is at a car place now to get fixed.
- Six Mile, SC, USA
- Fall River, MA, USA