10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
120,247 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.

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problem #9

Jan 302018

Malibu Maxx

  • 176,000 miles
I was driving and a warning signal sound came on and the "power steering" message appears on the screen then the power steering went out. I was on on on the highway so that was the scary part. I started to go home because I knew it was not safe. The car would shake and make noises while I was stopped at a stoplight and the steering wheel would jerk and move and continue to rattle. I was able to pull over and turned the car off. I started it back up and it was okay. I started to drive and again the signal sound and the power steering message came on and it went out while I was turning which was a scary moment because an accident would've happened had another car been in the way. It was very difficult to drive and I was worried about an accident happening. I was told to take it to the shop and did so. Was told it was probably a sensor. I looked up recalls and that was a recall on my car. I called the GM/Chevy consumer line and they recommended it take it to my local Chevy dealer and stated the recall had been fixed. Local Chevy dealer calls to tell me that there is a "bulletin" and the steering column needs to be replaced at a cost of $1,100. The steering column is listed on the previous recall but they only replaced a sensor. I was told I had to pay to have it fixed. I find it very disturbing that millions of cars have this issue and nothing is being put out to fix the problem. It is dangerous.

- Liberal, KS, USA

problem #8

Sep 192017

Malibu Maxx

  • 140,000 miles
When accelerating to for example mars onto the interstate, the steering locks up and post left while it all warning lights flash in the system chimes three times. After letting off the gas and the steering comes back in the vehicle is once again control. But until then it will pull you directly into oncoming traffic

- Highland Park, MI, USA

problem #7

Dec 062016

Malibu Maxx

  • 243,000 miles
Takata recall : I was driving to school and as I exit the freeway, my car steering wheel became stiff and my car was still running forward. I almost a vehicle with children in it, but lucky they were able to swerve off the road and miss me. I finally was able to make a complete stop in the middle of the road while having multiple cars at a complete stop, blowing their horns at me. I was very scared, even more when this angry mother, who I almost ran into, started yelling at me. I then realize I could have killed those people, myself and in any other situation on a daily basis, my sons life as well. After that happened moments later, my car became manageable to drive to school and the problem has persist more than I would like and now I have found there was a recall with the exact problem back in 2011. I went to my dealership and they fix other recalls but not that one. They stated that there was a recall for that problem back in 2011 and that I was too late to get that recall fix. At this point I don't know what to do since I have yet to find a mechanic that would want to touch that problem since there was a recall done on it and to fix it, it would cost a lot and they can't guarantee me that the problem will be fix. They have advice me to go to the Chevy company since the dealer ship couldn't help me and it's a company malfunction.

- Porter, TX, USA

problem #6

Nov 142015

Malibu Maxx

  • 176,000 miles
I purchased a 2005 Malibu maxx from an used car dealer and the very next day the car lost the ability to accelerate and the traction control light turned on my instrument cluster. While the car was coming to a stop I noticed that it lost all power and the engine stopped running. The car would turn over but not start.

- Auburn, AL, USA

problem #5

Oct 022015

Malibu Maxx

  • miles
I took my car in on 9/3/15 for a recall on power steering torque sensor assembly, a brake component, and gear shift cable. My car had the issue of loosing power steering prior to me bringing it in on one occasion. After getting my car serviced at chuck hutton Chevy in memphis, tn for the recalls only one week later my car began making whining, grinding noises every time I turned the wheel. I first thought the car needed power steering fluid, however I was advised that since my car had an eps I couldn't put power steering fluid in the vehicle. I decided to take the car back to chuck hutton because I was not told when they did the repairs that anything else was wrong with my car. I assumed perhaps a mistake was made and a bolt was not put on properly. When I took the car back I was told that the car needed a power steering rack, new tires, and wheel alignment. My tires on my car are barely 6 months old and you can now see the thread and prior to taking my car to get the recalls done on it I had my car fully serviced in August. I feel that my car was tampered with. The servicing agent told me my car was leaking power steering fluid and the ps rack was badly worn down. But my car has an electric pump and their is no fluid to leak as the supervisor told me when I came to him to resolve my concerns. Yes, I tried to resolve the issue with the supervisor but was brushed off and told my car was old. As baldly as my car sounds I feel that if it was really wear and tear they would have seen it when they looked at my car the first time and notified me. I wasn't notified leaving me to believe my car was tampered with so that I would have to bring it back for expensive repairs. If not then what needs to be fixed could have caused an accident and killed me or my children because they didn't notify me there was a problem when I took it to them. Either they are negligent or crooked.

- Memphis, TN, USA

problem #4

Dec 052014

Malibu Maxx 6-cyl

  • 163,000 miles
Took car to the Chevrolet dealership, for NHTSA id: 14V252000/GM safety recall: 13036, to correct the issues in the body control module which impacted the brake apply sensor. Now rear top brake lights no longer illuminate when the brake pedal is being pushed. Front low-beam headlights goes on and off while driving. Replaced both low-beam lights on 12/6/2014. Front low beam headlights still goes off and on intermittently. Also upon visual inspection, the turn signal blinkers have melted the yellow plastic inside the headlight. Brought back to the same Chevrolet dealership on 1/2/2015, for vehicle recall NHTSA id: 14V224000/GM safety recall 14152 to have the shift cable assembly and mounting bracket installed. I notified the dealership that I was having issues with the electrical system tied to the exterior lighting system. They could not provide me the reason for the fault.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #3

May 032010

Malibu Maxx 6-cyl

  • miles
The car is a wreck.

- Antioch , TN, USA

problem #2

Jun 022011

Malibu Maxx 6-cyl

  • 142,225 miles
Complete and total lock up of power steering; battery light flicks on and then everything locks up until you replace the gas peddle for about 3 seconds. My lights randomly flash and rear bulbs on the driver side blow every 3 days. My turn signals will sporadically blink and the wiper blades go off with out warning or being prompted. Even with no keys near or in the car it will not turn over to start the car until you floor the gas peddle and hold it there for 3-5 seconds. My radio reads at -19* all the time and the cd player has never worked correctly. When going from 0 to 50 getting on the parkway (highway) the whole car locks up and loses power including the steering radio and lights unless you completely release the gas then start to go again. Im so highly frustrated and Chevy refuses to fix it even though these are all recalled problems but my VIN doesn't fall in there "bracket".

- Lakewood, NJ, USA

problem #1

Nov 052007

Malibu Maxx 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 42,000 miles
Loud "clunking" sound in steering column and loss of power assisted steering while driving. I have taken the vehicle for repair 5 times. Steering column has been replaced and electric steering gear. Still get a loud "clunk" when steering as well as loss of power assist. Car pulls to the right and I have to constantly steer left to stay straight. Dealership claims the steering is aligned and that they can no longer work on the vehicle, except to grease the steering column.

- Rice, TX, USA