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.
While stopped at a red light the vehicles tilt steering unlocked without warning. As a result the vehicle began to roll forward even with the brakes applied. The vehicles ABS light would illuminate when the vehicle was driven. The light would go off once the vehicle was parked, turned off then turned back on.
Power steering assist failure while driving. Speed approximately 45 mph, travelling in a straight line. Was able to get the vehicle (2004 chev Malibu lt) home, but exit ramps and corners very difficult to navigate. Problem cleared with turning off and restarting motor. This was the second occurrence. Ea04018_cat
The incident happened twice. The first time occurred in a low speed turn. The first incident occurred 2 months ago. The second occurred while stopped at a traffic light. In the second incident, all electric power steering assistance was lost suddenly making the vehicle difficult to steer. A warning indicator "wrench/car" shows, audio alarm sounds, and a message is displayed on the radio message display "power steering off". I put the car in park. Shut off and restarted. Worked ok. Ea04018_cat
When turning the steering wheel to the right, I noticed a "scraping" sound from the steering column. This occurred several times and on the date that I was taking the car to have the problem investigated, the entire power steering went out (while traveling at about 35 mph) and I had extreme difficulty managing the vehicle. Fortunately, I was able to safely arrive in the parking lot of the dealership. I've been waiting for 3 days for this problem to be remedied and have yet to receive my car. I have been told by the dealership that they will probably need to replace the entire steering column, etc. I'm still waiting for the results. I really don't understand why GM hasn't notified customers that there is this potential since it seems that it could be dangerous. Ea04018_ cat
- Laurinburg, NC, USA
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
Both front side windows did not roll down. Also, a steering column problem. Vehicle pulled to left. Dealership inspected vehicle several times, and could not fix it. Ea04018_cat
While driving at 30 mph steering wheel locked up and wouldn't turn in any direction. When this occurred a wrench icon illuminated on the dashboard. Consumer veered off the highway, turned the vehicle off, and restarted it. This unlocked the steering wheel. A service representative indicated that was a common problem with these vehicles, that resulted in accidents. Ea04018_cat
Issues that arose with my 2004 Malibu July 7, 2004. These issues are still worrisome to me even though the problem has been addressed by the fort wayne kelley Chevrolet service people. Ea04018_cat. I encountered several dangerous issues with the automobile. The first issue occurred at a stop sign. I was completely stopped at the stop sign when my steering wheel started to pulsate uncontrollably. Upon acceleration it seemed to subside until I tried to turn left and at that time I had no control over my steering. I was able to get into the correct lane finally and thankfully I was only 1 mile from my home. As I turned into my neighborhood the steering once again began to pulsate leaving me without steering power and I had to break upon someoneS yard in order not to hit a child playing in the street. This is a huge concern. I immediately called kelley Chevrolet. We were addressed courteously yet I was still very anxious about what had happened&especially considering my daughter had a Malibu just like ours. I have a granddaughter who rides in that car and I was very nervous about the fact that this may also happen to my daughter. Kelley did address the problem promptly and gave us information concerning document id# 1521111 2004 Chevrolet Malibu service information ( noisy steering column, lack of power steering assist, dtcs C0460 and C0545, steering wheel moves slightly by itself #04-02-35-009-May 24, 2004) my steering wheel was not just noisy, it was pulsating to the point I could hardly hold it. Also the issue of the steering wheel moves slightly by itself is also a huge understatement. My steering wheel could be moved by me, however, my wheels did not turn in the direction of my steering. This is something GM must address. KelleyS took care of the problem but I am extremely apprehensive about my car or ever getting another Chevrolet with electronic steering. Ea04018_cat
Electronic power steering failed and steering column was defective. There was a five second warning that the power steering failed. It was very difficult to turn the steering wheel. Ea04018_cat
While driving at any speed power steering failed. This caused the driver to have difficulty in steering, but was able to maintain control of the vehicle. It was taken to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the steering column needed to be replaced. Ea04018_cat
While driving my 2004 Chevy Malibu my steering wheel started to jerk back and forth, this would happen when turning right. At low speeds. I also had the ABS brake light come on intermittently, the dealership was able to verify the brake light problem due to a recall and the steering also was verified. This resulted in replacement of the "rack is what the dealer called it." I have noticed this is a problem on many 2004 Malibu. Chevrolet had bettter look into thisand take appropriate action before it results in death and major legal action. Ea04018_cat.
Electric power steering failed and the vehicle became very difficult to steer. Sport Chevrolet said they had heard of this defect before. They told my wife to turn the car and then turn the car on again. This solved the problem. This "fix" leaves something to be desired, especially if you are driving on the highway. Ea04018_cat.
Traveling down street at low speed when a sudden but light jolt from the engine is felt. Moments later slowing down for a traffic light total lose of electrical power. This does not happen all the time. Vehicle is in for repairs on this date. Ea04018_cat
Driving the vehicle down the road at 45 mph. Everything was operating normally and all driving was normal. The steering wheel started moving violently to the right, pulling the wheel from my hand. While trying to slow the vehicle down to turn off the road, the steering was lost. I could not steer the vehicle. Approximately 15 seconds later; the car chimed, the check engine light came on, and on the computer display on the stereo the words "power steering" were displayed. At this time I was able to turn the vehicle off the road by using great force on the wheel. I did not get into an accident because the road was straight and had plenty off room and little traffic. The vehicle is new, purchased in Feb 2004 and has 10,500 miles on it. This is the first time this has happened. Ea04018_cat
While driving, the steering light flashed on the dashboard and the steering column was hard to steer. The consumer pulled over turned the vehicle off and restarted it. The steering light did not appear on the dashboard. The consumer drove the vehicle to the dealer for inspection and the mechanic informed the consumer that the diagnostic machine was not available. The mechanic recommended that the consumer call for an appointment to bring the vehicle in for testing. The consumer informed the mechanic that this problem occurred more than once. Pe04031_cat GM recommended that the consumer replace the steering column.
While making a right turn, the steering wheel failed. A light for the steering wheel flashed on the dashboard and remained on. The consumer was able to maintain control of the vehicle and drove it to the dealer. The mechanic informed the consumer that the cause of the problem had not been determined. Pe04031_cat the steering column was replaced.
The consumer felt severe vibrations in the steering column. The vehicle could not be controlled normally by the steering column. The dealer examined the vehicle and replaced the steering column. The vehicle already had three steering columns replaced on the vehicle since February. The steering column recently locked up and caused the consumer to jump the curb and almost struck several pedestrians. There were no injuries involved but there was some damage done to the vehicles bumper. Pe04031_cat
I was in the middle of an intersection making a left turn, and my check engine" light engaged, my center information console read "power steering", and my steering became very stiff. I managed to get the vehicle to my home (less than 1 mile away), and had the vehicle towed to bob bell Chevrolet (East point) location. The car was out of service until January 29, 2004, at which time I signed a repair order that states that the service department found "code 0545", and replaced the power steering column. This service as covered by my factory warranty, since the car was only 90 days old. On June 7, 2004, again while making a left turn in the middle of a very busy intersection (philadelphia road and rossville blvd in rosedale, md), my power steering failed in the same exact manner as the previous occurance. However, this was more serious because I nearly hit a Ford F-150 head on. I had the vehicle again towed to bob bell Chevrolet-eastpoint. They are now stating that the problem has been fixed again, but I am not picking the car up because I am too scared to drive it. I have filed a claim with the BBB, sent a certified letter to gmac (return receipt requested), and verbally filed a case with gmac customer relations (1-224-501-301). Pe04031_cat
Power steering failure while vehicle in motion. Occurred approx. 10 times since purchase 6 months ago. Power steering usually resumes after vehicle turned off for a few minutes. No damage/injuries. Left vehicle at dealership May 26, 2004. After two days, service dept. Claimed they could not replicate, therefore they could not resolve. Told me to bring it back when it happens more frequently. At various speeds, power steering failed approx 5 times between 5/26 & 6/3. took vehicle back to dealership 6/7, where it remains. Service dept. Now says it's a "known issue" and placed an order for a new steering column. Pe04031_cat.
I purchased my 2004 Malibu from frank parra Chevrolet in dallas, tx. I spoke with the service advisor there to inform them of the steering issue. When you turn either direction the car will continue in that direction unless you manually turn it to center your self. The advisor told me that it could be one of two things 1) the Contour of the road, 2) how the car was tied down on the deliver truck that has caused the alignment to be out of wack. If the second response is true then wait for 500 miles, if the steering doesn't change then they will perform a all wheel alignment on it. Well 500 miles came and went and there was no change in the steering. The advisor says the the head technician stated due to the steering being electrical that is how it will drive, it is perfectly normal. I didn't like that response so I spoke with the manager of the service department and he suggested that I test drive another vehicle to see if there was a difference. I did that and the newer vehicle drove totally different than mine but the advisor refused to do anything about it so a couple of weeks later the steering locked up while driving on the freeway at 65 miles per hour. I had absolutely no power to the steering. Fortunately I was on my way to another dearlership and they checked it out for me but once you turned the vehicle off and on again the power came back. Since then I have had the maintenance light come on for service. It has been checked out and serviced. The steering is still returning to center after directional turns. Pe04031_cat.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Jamaica, NY, USA