10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 6 / 1
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 4 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 81,895 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
I was driving into a parking lot at the end of my commute when an alarm went of and a "power steering" message appeared on my console. Immediately my power steering was disabled and I had to restart my car 3 times before the power steering was enabled and I was able to turn my car into the parking lot.
- Harrisburg, PA, USA
This has happened on multiple occasions. Most of the time its when we are pulling into a parking space and turning left. At first we thought it was a fluke..now it is happening more and I am getting very nervous about driving our car, scared that it is going to happen while we are driving on the road. When the power steering goes out the car is almost impossible to turn the wheel, and the beeping alarm goes off and it says power steering on the dash board. We have to come to a complete stop turn off the car wait a few moments and then turn the car back on. I am very scared what if this happens in the middle of a turn? please take notice of this problem!
- Lansing, MI, USA
Over the past year my 2005 Malibu maxx power steering has without warning stop working. Luckily this has happened at speed less than 30mph and I was able to slow and stop the vehicle without incidence. Recently my engine light has come on warning power steering. This could be a very dangerous situation if driven on a highway!
- Manchester, MD, USA
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu maxx. The contact stated that the power steering failed and the steering wheel seized while driving at various speeds. The failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer, but the contact was unaware of the type of repairs that were necessary. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 83,000.
- Fuquay-Varina, NC, USA
I have had to replace the transmission already on this car, and it still is not right. The power steering will be gone no matter the temperature, but then comes right back. The brakes are always going bad on it, I have replaced them several times within the 25K miles of owning the car. The driver seat leans to the left and did not know this was not normal until after reading reports of it being a problem in this car.
- Parma, OH, USA
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu maxx. The contact heard a loud clunking noise when attempting a right or left turn at low speeds. The dealer advised the contact to replace the stabilizer bar. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. No repairs were performed. The current mileage was 138,000 and the failure mileage was 112,000.
- Sheridan, AR, USA
My 2005 Malibu maxx ls loses its power steering. It does not matter what the temperature, or what the weather is like, just out of the blue the bell goes off and power steering it runs across the dash. It will reset itself once the vehicle has been shutoff and restarted. It has happened on several occasions, however, it has become more frequent. This isn't very safe!!
- South Holland, IL, USA
2005 Malibu maxx began pulling to the right, then a couple months later the power steering notification starting beeping on the dash display, the steering is tight, sometimes hard to turn. Found out the power steering is electronic and there is no fluid to add. The car has less than 75,000 miles on it. I am fearful for my safety and others with this issue appearing to get worse, and without warning, its fine for 10 miles then starts beeping at you, etc.
- Post Falls, ID, USA
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu maxx. The contact was driving 2 mph in a parking lot when the power steering seized. The vehicle was turned off and then on for a couple seconds before the system reset itself. The steering warning light was illuminated also. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 173,000.
- Arab, AL, USA
Accelerating quickly, making a left turn across traffic, the steering locked up and a warning ding dinged 3 times and then multiple lights flashed on the dash. Releasing the gas pedal released the lock. This is happening more and more frequently now. Every time there is a warning ding, sometimes there are lights on the dash, sometimes there aren't. very scary and dangerous especially when merging into traffic.
- Indianapolis, IN, USA
While accelerating, warning bell dinged and power steering failed momentarily. Has happened a couple of times so far. I plan to call the dealership tomorrow.
- Orderville, UT, USA
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu maxx. While driving approximately 30 mph, there was a loss of power steering and the warning indicator illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact maneuvered to the side of the road, where the vehicle was shut off. After numerous attempts, the contact was able to restart the vehicle. The failure recurred and the power steering failed to regain operation. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 101,000. The VIN was unavailable.
- Superior, WI, USA
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
I have a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu maxx. We had experienced loss of power steering at 87017 miles. Dealer replaced power steering column under policy 10183. Car has again had the same problem now at 101754 miles. Policy 10183 states that GM will pay for repairs but only up to 100,000 miles. I'm 1754 miles over this. However it was repaired before only 14,737 miles ago. Is GM repairing this defect with the same defective components? if so this endangers everyone and is unethical. This car has had numerous front end issues including replacing the steering rack several times (clunking noise when turning - now also back again), wheel hub and bearing issues and steering column replaced at 50425 miles for a failed torque sensor. We are concerned that the vehicle may not be safe to drive. GM should be re-engineering these components and replacing the failed ones with new design. This needs to be a recall for all impacted models before someone is killed or injured due to loss of power steering which can be very sudden and dramatic. GM claims it is not a safety issue. However, someone unprepared or without upper body strength can get into serious trouble very quickly. Who will make the decision to do the right thing with this problem? apparently this is well documented with other GM products as well.
- Bozrah, CT, USA
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu maxx. The contact stated while driving 20 mph the wheels would lock. While making a left or right turn the wheels would make a loud noise before the wheel locked again. The dealer was notified, but was unable to offer any assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 22,000 and the current mileage was 120,000. Updated 06/14/11 the dealer replaced the rack and pinion. However, the noise returned. The dealer informed the consumer there was no solution for the problem. Updated 11/23/11
- Elkridge, MD, USA
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu maxx. While driving approximately 70 mph, the vehicle began to veer toward the left before the power steering failed. During the failure, the power steering warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was shut off and upon restart, the vehicle operated as normal. The failure had since recurred intermittently and the vehicle was not taken to have the failure diagnosed or repaired. The failure and current mileage was 114,000.
- Martinsburg, WV, USA
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu maxx. While driving various speeds, the contact stated that the steering column became hard to move. The dealer advised the contact that the vehicle was no longer under warranty and offered no further assistance. The manufacturer was notified and the contact was awaiting a response. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic who advised her to take the vehicle to a dealer. The current mileage was 130,000 and the failure mileage was 129,000.
- Indianapolis, IN, USA
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu maxx. The contact was driving approximately 20 mph when and a sudden loss of power steering occurred, followed by the illumination of the power steering warning indicator. The contact was able to continue driving using extreme bodily force to maneuver the steering wheel. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 52,000. Updated 05/18/11
- Blaine , MN, USA
Stopped at stop sign and I was trying to make a right hand turn. When traffic cleared I pushed on the gas to enter onto the when my car started to make this loud ding, ding, ding sound and the steering wheel locked up. At that time I could not turn my steering wheel. Then all of a sudden the steering unlocked and I then made like a sharp right as it kicked in. Very scary. During the loud dinging sound I was looking to find the check engine light or some indicator to what was going on. I did not see it until this happened a second time about a week later and it flashed power steering. There is a tsb on this but because I am over the miles they won't help me. This is a safety issue and every vehicle should be recalled.
- Imlay City, MI, USA
- Tewksbury, MA, USA