10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 2 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 2 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 24,666 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.
When driving the vehicle, it became hard to turn. It took two of us to turn into a parking lot. I got to a safe spot to stop, turned the engine off, waited about 15 minutes and restarted, operated fine. I have dealt with this issue at various times since but have had to deal with it daily for the past week. Took it to the dealer, they did diagnostic and saw no problems. They have no suggestions for me.
- Covington, GA, USA
The passenger front seat went to adjust it and it started going up at an angle. It got tilted and loose, the only way to correct was to put it all the way down to the floor but can feel it rock. All I can think of is I am screwed in an accident. Also the power steering indicator comes on all the time and when you get an oil change, then it disappears for a little while, then comes on again everytime you start the car.
- Wheatridge, CO, USA
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu maxx. The contact stated the vehicle stopped in the middle of an intersection while making a turn, the power steering warning indicator illuminated and the there was a sudden loss of power steering. The vehicle was driven into the median cautiously and turned off. After restarting the vehicle the steering wheel began to function normally. The failure occurred intermittently. The failure was not diagnosed nor was the vehicle repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact there was no recall related to the defect. There was a technical service bulletin NHTSA item number 10018531 (steering: Electric power; assist system). The approximate failure mileage was 52,000. Updated 09/21/11 updated 10/03/11
- Homer Glen, IL, USA
2004 Chevrolet Malibu steering:electric power suddenly lost all electric power steering assistance without warning making the vehicle difficult to steer. There is no allege to this issue it happens without warning. This is unacceptable. Does someone have to die before this is addressed? I am hoping it is not my daughter.
- Harold, KY, USA
Three weeks ago, noticed something was wrong with steering on 2004 Malibu max. Took it to the dealership and was told nothing was wrong. On March 18th the steering failed and fortunately we were going slow and go through the intersection into a parking lot avoiding accident. Car was towed to dealership who now stated the lower electronic assembly of the steering failed. We were fortunate that the steering failed while going slow and able to put the car in a position to be towed. Total repair cost $675. In all my years I have never had a steering fail and this is a safety issue. I understand parts wear out, but this is bad when it is not able to be diagnosed until complete failure.
- Danielson, CT, USA
Driving on a straight road, lost power steering. Was able to pull into a parking lot without the power steering. Turned off the ignition and restarted engine. Power steering returned and I was able to drive to the dealership where the steering column was replaced.
- Cedar Grove, NJ, USA
The contact is co-owner of a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu maxx. The contact's daughter was driving approximately 55 mph when the instrument panel lights began to flicker and there was a loss of steering power. The vehicle veered to the right and then pulled hard to the left, entering into traffic and striking two vehicles. The passenger and driver of the vehicle sustained minor injuries. The two other drivers also sustained injuries, but the contact does not know to what extent. A police report was filed. The vehicle sustained approximately $2,600 worth of damage to the front end. The vehicle was inspected by the insurance company and towed to a dealer. Investigation number EA04018 was issued, but there has been no recall as of yet. The current and failure mileages were 37,000. Updated 12-12-07.
- Mansfield, TX, USA
Noise in the steering.
- Palm Bay, FL, USA
Bought a Malibu lt maxx in Apr 04, encountered steering wheel problems several. The worst was that it locked my steering wheel while driving on the hwy 401. I had to come to a complete stop in the middle of the hwy to re-start my engine to try my lucky to get back the steering power. I have the problem till now and yet unsolved. No choice but to get into a new car now, just to advise being kill on the road.
- Canada, WY, USA
2004 Malibu maxx. Have lost power steering 3X's. this is the electric power assist system that needs to be changed/fixed, not putting in a new part that is the same as the old one. Very annoyed.
- Hatboro, PA, USA
Making slow left hand turn, vehicle lost power steering. Power steering warning light came on and on board display listed issue as power steering. Shut off vehicle and restarted. Power steering was regained. Contacted dealer and was notified recall for this issue was not in effect for the VIN number listed for my vehicle, but any issue that warranted a recall of the models due to the same defect.
- Edwardsville, IL, USA
Occurence #1: with less than 2000 mi on vehicle, it lost power steering while driving. The message came on the console. Towed to dealer who replaced steering column. Occurrence #2: with approx. 5000 mi on vehicle lost power steering when in reverse exiting parking space. Dash light went on as well as console message. Towed to dealer.
- Philadelphia, PA, USA
While driving on an icy roadway on a downhill left cruve I felt the steering unexpectedly stiffen up as if the car had stalled. By the time I applied enough pressure to compensate the car started to veer to the left, and would not recover. It crashed and rolled over. Also, the air bags did not deploy until we were hanging upside down, even though the car hit hard in the front. Also only the two front air bags deployed not the side or curtain bags. The car was a total loss.
- Monroe, NY, USA
As my family and I were driving down the road in our new Malibu maxx the check engine light came on and the radio stated power steering. I tried to steer the maxx but it had no power steering. I stopped turned the car off and restarted it and it started working. I called the dealer and they said that they were having major trouble with the new Malibu's electric assist steering. They replaced the column and motor. That lasted about three months. I was driving down a major interstate early on a Sunday morning when the power steering went out again. This time severely jerking the steering wheel to the left pushing me into the left lane of traffic. Had this been my wife on her way to work Monday morning in heavy traffic on this interstate there would have been a terrible accident. We are now on the third steering column, now the heating and defrost control unit is bad, leaving us with no heat or defrost. Not to mention the rear seatbelt got stuck and wouldn't move. All but the heating control have been fixed (at dealer now) but where will it stop"??" my family works for GM and I think I will buy a Ford!!!!!!!! GM better stand up and admit there is a problem! ea04018_cat
- Fort Wayne, IN, USA
Car had left pulling problem at delivery. Seller suggested car have 1000+ miles before attempting alignment. Car "repaired" at another in-town dealer under warranty. Within 6-8 mos., problem set in again, especially noticeable simply cruising for hours at highway speed. (no "torque steer" or "country crown roads.") after 3 hour drive, complained to selling dealer who replaced sensor (which required new column and reprogramming several microprocessors according to most recent bulletins.) car seemed fine for 1-2 months. Again, steering seems not to center accurately, and generally pulls left. Tires been rotated, balanced, w/good pressure, etc. Since I drive typically left lane with left had (right hand on cell phone or materials) I now suffer "tennis elbow" and have had to favor my left--been wearing splints/elbow braces for 3 weeks. Used GM satisfaction procedure to talk to zone rep. Dealer ops mgr calls me and because I alluded to discomfort and mentioned keeping a paper trail for my attorney, the zone rep refuses to speak or act upon the matter "until we have initiated our legal action!" I just asked them to fix or replace the car, which I use daily for business. Now I've been challenged to a legal tussle, and the car isn't right.
- Toledo, OH, USA
I was driving in traffic when suddenly without warning a warning cam across the message screen saying power steering and the service light turned on. I had lost all power steering. I was able to manually force the vehicle over to the side. I turned off the car and restarted it. When I restarted the vehicle the warnings disappeared and power staring working fine until about 5-10 minutes later, about less than a 1/4 mile traveled power steering went out again. I contacted my dealers service department and the service person there new instantly what it was and he said that the steering column had to be replaced.
- West Chicago, IL, USA
I was turning right onto a street and the car died. I turned it back on and everything seemed fine. I then turned into my office parking garage and as I was going down one of the levels I noticed the steering acting strange. It felt like it was loose or not catching. I went a little further and the power steering went completely out. I had an extremely hard time getting into a parking space but I did. Later in the morning when a tow truck came to pick up the car, I got in and started the car and the power steering was working. I let the tow truck take the car to the dealership since I was concerned about the power steering going out and the car dying. It is as the dealership at this time.
- Plano, TX, USA
Power steering went out while driving. Consumer took vehicle to the dealer on 5 occasions, but dealer was unable to resolve the problem. The service engine soon light illuminated.
- Long Beach, CA, USA
Electric power steering (eps) failure...eps would fail (quit working) leaving driver to attempt to steer vehicle without any eps assist...a very difficult task and a critical safety defect that easily leads to loss of control of the vehicle. Ea04018_cat
- Rochester Hills, MI, USA
- Wahoo, NE, USA