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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
26 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
12 / 0
Average Mileage:
72,654 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

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.

2004 Chevrolet Malibu steering problems

steering problem

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2004 Chevrolet Malibu Owner Comments (Page 25 of 36)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #229

Mar 272010

Malibu

  • 36,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

2004 Chevy Malibu, lost power steering again. Taking a left turn at busy intersection, very very hard to turn wheel with no power steering I'm 62 and don't have alot of strength in my arm. Nearly caused an accident. Had steering colume replaced Nov 04, had more problems, had torque sensor replaced July 06. Now it is happening again and when I call GM they said it is no longer their problem and I would need to call my dealership. I have gone that route & they charge $100 diagnostic fee and say that can not find the problem unless it is happening and would have to charge another $100. This is a major safety issue. At least Toyota took responsibility for their screw up it's more that you can say for GM. Check the internet and see how many complaints there are!

- Acushnet, MA, USA

problem #228

Dec 172009

Malibu

  • 77,270 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that intermittently while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel would begin pulling to the left, causing increased difficulty in steering. The power steering warning light would illuminate intermittently a few moments before the failure would occur. He also stated that on occasion, the power steering would be inoperable upon starting the vehicle. The contact also stated that in order to reset the power steering, he would shut off the engine and restart it to reset the system. The dealer was unable to duplicate the failure and did not make any repairs to the vehicle. The manufacturer had not yet been contacted to report the failure. The failure mileage was 77,270 and the current mileage was 81,000.

- Campbellsville, KY, USA

problem #227

Mar 202010

Malibu

  • 64,200 miles
Lost power steering in my late model year 2004 Malibu lt. No personal injury or damage. Turned car off and restarted - power steering restored. Took to dealer since local mechanic had no idea what the problem was. Dealer said he has had to replace many of these but no recalls had been issued. Recommended replacement of steering column ($641.59) and alignment ($59.95) along with other non-related issues. Multiple NHTSA action numbers and defect investigations were started in 2004. A more recent service bulletin number: 7126; NHTSA number: 10023644 was started on the 2005 models. This is a dangerous problem that GM should have some responsibility for correcting.

- Upland, IN, USA

problem #226

Mar 192009

Malibu

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I own a 2004 Chevy Malibu when starting vehicle the service engine light engages and the console indicator chimes reading power steering. This occurs every time I start the car now. I have replaced the steering column 2 times since taking ownership of vehicle in February 2008. Both steering columns were genuine GM parts installed by a certified technician. Work performed in 5/08 and 10/08 totaling some $3000. Paid another dealer $51.56 to adjust and calibrate sensor. It was ok for the summer. Late fall 2009 began coming on intermediately again. Now it comes on each time you start the car and yesterday I actually lost power steering while driving the car. I had lost the power assist steering a total of 4 times now. This is very dangerous. Someone could get hurt here.

- Milwaukee, WI, USA

problem #225

Mar 162010

Malibu 6-cyl

  • 48,600 miles
2004 Malibu. Steering was hard on one side and soft on the other. Too it to dealer. Dealer fixed it by computer. Now both sides of steering re equal - but - it continually wants to steer on its own to the right. It will not hold a straight line, unless I keep my hands on the steering wheel. If I hold it loosely, it will veer right into whatever is on my right side. Dealer said this is normal.

- Pleasanton, CA, USA

problem #224

Mar 152010

Malibu 6-cyl

  • 81,325 miles
While driving on a county highway without warning my power steering locked, and it scared the living daylights out of me. I had all I could do to steer my car and it was very scary. I made it to my destination and when I left my destination it was fine. Then on the way home on university ave in downtown madison which is a very busy street, the power steering locked up again. A very horrifying moment. Again I really had to struggle with the steering. I feel this is very big safety issue and life threatinga to me and my passengers and also other vehicles on the road. I haven't had any problems with it the last 3 days. I believe GM needs to address this problem.

- Madison, WI, USA

problem #223

Mar 142010

Malibu 6-cyl

  • 66,800 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Power steering turn off. Around 50km/H. warning light end bell came on. Very hard to keep the car on the road. Stop the car and turn on again every thing came back to normal. But until when? Chevrolet Malibu 2004 ls, 66800 kms.

- Saint-Jean-Sur-Richelieu, 00, USA

problem #222

Mar 012010

Malibu 6-cyl

  • 110,000 miles
I have been to the dealer at least 4 times for the electronic power assist on my 2004 Chevrolet Malibu for repair, replacement, and/or adjustments. My vehicle is now over 110,000 miles and a power steering notification light is coming on again. This time the light is not immediately followed with failure. No change to my ability to steer has been observed. It comes on usually after I start the car and make my first sizable turn of the wheel. I can sometimes avoid the light going on in the morning if I make slow gradual movements of the wheel but it will always come on when I start the car later in the day. Due to the high cost of the dealer fixing it and their repeated complete inability to fix the problem long term, I am left to trying to figure out the issue myself.

- Diamond Bar, CA, USA

problem #221

Mar 012010

Malibu

  • 25,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for routine maintenance. The technician detected slight difficulty when turning the steering wheel and a squeaking noise. The vehicle did not require service repair for the malfunction. The contact stated the steering wheel was a minor defect. The VIN was unavailable. The current and failure mileages were 25000.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #220

Feb 262010

Malibu

  • 55,000 miles
Contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving at speeds of 50 mph, the power steering failed causing the steering wheel to lock. He was able to maneuver the vehicle off of the road and turn the vehicle off. Once the vehicle was restarted, the power steering reset itself and was operating normally. He also stated that the vehicle was in need of an alignment despite the fact that he had recently received one. The current and failure mileages were 55,000.

- Tinton Falls, NJ, USA

problem #219

Feb 092010

Malibu 6-cyl

  • 22,845 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While driving the vehicle the steering wheel locks up and the vehicle can not steer.

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

problem #218

Mar 082010

Malibu

  • 130,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while attempting to turn the vehicle at 10 mph the power steering would suddenly shut off making the vehicle difficult to steer. This has cause the contact to almost drive the vehicle into a ditch. The contact has not called the manufacturer regarding this issue. The contact stated the power steering will cause a crash. The failure mileage was 130,000.

- Albertville, AL, USA

problem #217

Feb 072010

Malibu

  • 112,000 miles
After hearing an odd spark-electrical sound that seemed to come from the steering column power steering failed during routine driving causing loss of vehicle control. Steering column would not lock into place making it more difficult to steer without power assist. This has only happened one time as vehicle use has been restricted since the failure.

- Plainfield, IN, USA

problem #216

Jan 092010

Malibu

  • 60,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. Whenever the contact drives the vehicle at any speed, in any driving conditions the vehicle will suddenly lose all power steering. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealership. The current and failure mileages were 60000.

- Greenfield, MA, USA

problem #215

Feb 182010

Malibu

  • 87,689 miles
Loss of power steering, on my 2004 Chevrolet Malibu.

- Ruffin, SC, USA

problem #214

Oct 152009

Malibu

  • 45,000 miles
Power steering pulls hard one way soft another and can at random quit functioning at all. The problem I experience sounds identical to the recent GM recall and is a known issue. I am adding this because the NHTSA closed the investigation for this car and should reopen it.

- Newark, NY, USA

problem #213

Feb 052010

Malibu 6-cyl

  • 53,000 miles
Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) I have 2004 Chevy Malibu and I am occurring have power steering problems, I took my dealer and the diagnostic my I need to replace the steering column, steering intermediate shaft, that S is not and customer wear and tear that an manufacture problem, I went an alittle higher I contact GM file [xxx] and the said there are responsible for the steering go bad, will you please check into this issue for me contact info [xxx], if there other car having this same problem so is Malibu 2004 the wasn't and accident but it could be if this doesn't get fix.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #212

Jun 152009

Malibu

  • 163,184 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving 40 mph when the vehicle started to decrease in speed without having her foot on the brake pedal, the power steering light illuminated and the steering wheel became very hard to turn. She turned the vehicle off and it was towed to a dealer who stated that there were no recalls or warranties. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic who repaired the power steering. The failure mileage was 163,184 and the current mileage was 175,000.

- Freehold, NJ, USA

problem #211

Jan 132009

Malibu 6-cyl

  • miles
Started the car and the power steering locked up could not turn the wheel check engine light came on and message displayed on message center [power steering] turned car off and restarted, steering was ok at that time. This has happened 3 times since Jan. 13, 2009.

- Elmira, MI, USA

problem #210

Mar 022010

Malibu

  • miles
A few months ago, my power steering light began to come on. I took it to several places only for everyone to tell me that the car does not take power steering fluid and that they would have to hook the car to a computer to see what is wrong. Every so often, I would crank the car and have a hard time steering. I learned that when that happens, I could turn off the ignition and restart the car and the power steering would return. I have had my car serviced and twice, I have been told that they are not getting any code readings on the computer. Now, just recently, I was told that the steering column has issues. I read today about the recall on GM cars, but the 2004 Malibu isn't listed but I am having the same problems described in the article. I do not want to wait until I have an accident for my car to be on the recall list. I have already paid money to have the throttle body replaced on my car, I do not want to have to spend more for the steering column. The safety of myself and my infant son, as with others on the road, is of concern.

- Savannah, GA, USA

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