This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact was driving approximately 35 mph when the power steering warning indicator illuminated and there was a complete loss of power steering. The vehicle was maneuvered to the side of the road where the engine was turned off. Upon restarting, the vehicle resumed as normal. The failure occurred three different times. Also intermittently, the four power windows and power door locks failed to operate when the control mechanism was engaged. On a separate occasion the the key would not release from the ignition switch until after several attempts. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.
As we parked I put the car in reverse after letting someone out of passenger seat and a soon as I put the vehicle in reverse the steering gave out. If I was on the road another 5 minutes my fiance and I could be dead in the hospital etc... this complaint is everywhere on the internet why no recall. Someone is going to die because Chevy doesn't want to fix there mess up. If I shot at someone and killed them I would be in jail for a long time. But if there vehicle malfunctions and kills someone all they have to do is pay a lawsuit and there good. That isn't rite. I am going to push this issue until there is a recall. What do they have to reach a quota in deaths in order to put a recall out... this is unreal and the second time this part was replaced on the car. Before I bought it the dealer had told me they just put a brand new steering column in so do something about this before someone losses there life over it.
My power steering has went out on my vehicle on its on with out warning I was driving when it happened. In the beginning I could power the car off and then turn it back on the check engine light would disappear. But now the light stays on. Its absolutely hard to make turns and I get stuck in parking lots and turns that are narrow I need space to turn like I am driving a 18 wheeler. I have had my car read and no codes appeared, even though the steering was locked and the service engine light was on.
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact was driving approximately 10 mph when the power steering failed without warning. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where they advised that power steering column needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and they offered to cover fifty percent of the cost of the part. The failure and the current mileages were approximately 64,000. The VIN was unavailable.
- South Park, PA, USA
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Beginning my day, I started my vehicle, put the car in reverse, backed up, and put my car in drive. I went approx. 10 feet when my vehicle lost power steering and my car almost went off our steep driveway. There was an orange wrench that illuminated in the dash and power steering alert came on my information display on the radio. I turned the car off and restarted. All warning lights went out and the steering came back. Thankfully, I was home, and not hurt, but I am having fears of a much worse situation if this were to occur again.
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving, the power of steering failed and the steering wheel seized. The power steering warning lamp was also illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who was unable to duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure and the vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 44,000.
Purchased vehicle for daughter on 8/17/2011 from asset recovery dealership Colorado. While she was driving on a major road (approx. 40 mph), a warning light on dash went on and the power steering went away (almost to the point of feeling like it was totally locked). She was in rh lane, put on flashers, turned off car and restarted car. Warning light went off and power steering was back. This happened two other times while pulling out of a parking space. It happened intermittently. Took the vehicle it to my mechanic who ran diagnostics and found the power steering assist relay to be faulty and replaced entire steering column at $580 (the relay cannot be replaced without replacing entire steering column). Since then I have found a number of websites (www.carcomplaints.com) were 100+ other 2004 Malibu owners have had the exact problem. There does not seem to be a recall on the 2004 Malibu for this particular problem but some have written there was a recall or bulletin for 2005+ Malibu for this problem. This a very serious safety (and scary) issue to loose your power steering assist out of no where and a very costly repair. I also read in some of the posted complaints that their repair did not last and the problem recurred. I purchased this car from a"recovery" type car dealership. I would like to get reimbursement from GM. This problem occurred with people at various mileage ranges some as low as 7,000 which would seem to me to indicate a defect. Although the steering column has been replaced, I'm concerned about this problem recurring. Thank you.
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving approximately 5 mph, the steering wheel became stiff and difficult to maneuver. The wrench warning light illuminated on the instrument panel accompanied by a warning chime. The steering resumed normal function after shutting the engine off and restarting the vehicle. The failure also occurred while parked and caused the vehicle to stall. The failure recurred five times. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing or repairs. The approximate failure mileage was 73,000.
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the power steering assist randomly disengaged without warning. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer and the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 70,000 and the current mileage was 124,000.
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact was driving approximately 35 mph and suddenly the steering wheel locked with the illumination of the wrench symbol. The contact pulled onto the side of the road and turned the engine off. Upon restarting the vehicle, the warning symbol remained illuminated and the steering continued to malfunction. The contact resumed with caution. The failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact planned to notify the manufacturer of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000.
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact was driving 20 mph when the power steering light illuminated, and the power steering failed making it difficult to make a right turn. The steering wheel became hard to turn. The failure occurred on three previous occasions. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who confirmed there was condensation in the wiring. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 70,502 and the current mileage was 71,000.
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving 30 mph, the steering system malfunctioned, making it difficult to steer the vehicle. The contact had the steering column replaced previously but the repair did not remedy the issue. The contact did not call the manufacturer or the dealer. The contact took the vehicle to a local mechanic where the mechanic advised that the steering column needed to be replaced again. The contact was concerned that the failure would result in a crash. The failure mileage was 102,000.
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving 60 mph the power steering failed and the check engine lamp illuminated. The contact was able to merge onto the side of the road. When he restarted the vehicle, the power steering began to function normally. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who diagnosed that the power steering sensor was defective and as a result the steering column needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was no longer under warranty. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 49,150 and current mileage was 49,200. Updated 11/10/11 updated 11/16/11 updated 11/18/11
This car is operated by the original retired female owner who drives it 3 times per week to perform local errands. At 13,265 miles the intermediate steering shaft was replaced to eliminate, unsuccessfully, a rattling from the front suspension. At 15,520 miles, the service engine soon and service power steering warnings appeared on the dashboard and dic respectively. Researching the internet showed clearly that failure of the electric power steering boost was imminent in thousands of cases. The next day, the local Chevrolet dealer replaced GM part #25933396, the steering column, and charged for shop supplies and 4 hours of labor. The total, $777.22, was solely the responsibility of the owner, with the dealer stating, "we've never heard of this problem. The car is seven years old, you know." The car is operating properly for now.
Making a right turn power steering chimes went off no power steering. It has happened multiple times. When it happens it is very difficult to steer the car.
Clunking in front end. Taken to dealer and rack and pinion replaced under warranty. Two years later, clunking is back. Taken to dealer and steering shaft replaced at my expense. One year ago, the clunking is back and I didn't take it in. Now the power steering is going out completely when I am driving. I have to pull over and shut the car off and restart and that takes care of problem. This is dangerous and GM needs to fix it.
Power steering recall 04050 and replaced in 2005 with 9,296 miles under warranty and need it again at 26,000 miles today. Front bracket replaced in 2006 with 19,217 miles and needs it again at 26,000 miles today. Fuel leak twice once in 2006 at 19,102 miles and replaced tank in 2007 at 20959.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Lake Oswego, OR, USA