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.
My wife almost had an accident when the power steering failed. She pulled out into an intersection and the power steering failed and then the car stalled in the intersection the car to a certified repair shop. He said there was a bulletin out by General Motors dated November 8, 2007 that 2004-2005 Malibu's and 2005 Pontiac G 6's are having problems with the power steering. General Motors knew that you might have a lack of power steering, vibration, or a rattle or clunk noise from the left lower instrument panel. GM should have recalled these cars to fix their problem. I was told that this problem was a safety issue and that General Motors should be responsible. I took the car to a GM dealer and he agreed that GM should fix the car. I filed a complaint with GM and finally after calling for 2 weeks, they said they would do nothing. I am very upset with GM and just wonder how many people have wrecked Malibu's because of the failure of power steering. If you have one of these cars, I suggest you sell it or take it to the dealer for repair before you lose your power steering when pulling out into an intersection and the car dies in front of another vehicle. I will never buy another GM product and advise the same for anyone else.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. On several occasions, the power steering failed. While driving 25 mph, the contact lost control of the steering and it became very stiff. He was able to safely maneuver the vehicle to his destination. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they determined that the steering column failed. The vehicle was repaired for free. Four months later, while driving 20 mph, the steering failed again. The dealer made the repairs for free once again. The steering column continued to fail over the next three years on five occasions. The vehicle was recently repaired in January of 2009 for the steering shaft. The steering shaft was repaired at the cost of $100. The contact had to pay a deductible for this repair because the steering column was not included in the warranty. The contact called the manufacturer and was informed that they were going to offer him a seven years or 70,000 mile warranty for the steering column. The failure mileage was 14,838 and current mileage was 31,000. Updated 3/16/09 updated 03/20/09.
As of this date, Feb. 17, 2009, the part in question has not failed, causing any crashes or injuries. Shortly after I purchased the vehicle, I noticed a thumping whenever the steering wheel was turned sharply to the right or to the left. While under manufacturer's warranty, I had it checked out at least 3 times, and each time the dealership service department assured me there was no recall on the part, the boot of joint somehow connected to the steering. Since that time, I have had my personal mechanic check out the problem and he has diligently checked for a recall or a corrective measure from Chevrolet, but there has been none. The mechanic has greased this joint several times, and it helps the thumping, but eventually it returns over time. I have read where others have experienced their steering totally going out because of this issue. I am afraid for my family's safety due to this problem that Chevrolet has constantly refused to address. Component #2: I was constantly having to replace the front turn signals as the bulbs were constantly burning out. Component #3 the fan which controls the inside air flow has constantly rattled unless the fan is turned on the highest setting. The dealership even replaced that fan, telling me a broken part had fallen down into it. I returned the car to the dealership at least 3 times, but they finally said they could not find anything else. It still rattles horribly.
In 2006 I bought an 2005 Chevy Malibu. Before 49600 the power steering went out. I took it to the shop 8 times before they could tell that it was the steering column. It goes out without warning. We have almost wrecked several times. It has gone out going down the interstate. I started to replace it, but before I did that I researched the matter. It appears that a lot of people are having the same problem that I am having, from the 2005S to the 2008S, from the Malibu to the Malibu maxx. I have not replaced it because many people have had them changed three or four times and they keep breaking. I don't have that kind of money to just throw away. I can't afford to sell it either or trade it in. I am the one who drives it most of the time because I am afraid it will go out when my wife is in a curve, and she could wreck and die because she is not strong enough to control it when it goes out.
- Bogalusa, LA, USA
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The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact previously experienced failure with the driver's side headlight bulb constantly burning out. Six months later, the plastic headlight covers burned. The steering shaft has been replaced three times. The dealer stated that the plastic cover failure was a factory defect; therefore, they were unable to correct the failure. The failure mileage was 69,000 and current mileage was 78,400. Updated 02-23-09 updated 02/24/09.
Knocking or banging sound in the front end led to the power steering rack being replaced on 11/17/06 at 27M miles on my 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. The same happened again on 12/05/08 at 50M miles. Both repairs done by the dealer. I reported to Chevrolet that the rack fails approximately every 25M miles.
Power steering failures... has happened twice in 2 weeks now. Once while sitting still, the other while on the interstate! after searching online, I've found this is a common problem in Malibu's. I think there should be a recall. I thought I was buying a reliable car and instead got a big burden. Being a single mom, these high repair costs will cause me to fall behind in either my car payment or my house payment... and believe me I'd rather live in my house then my car.
2005 Malibu, have had both tie rod ends replaced, struts etc. Makes a loud clunking when driving at low speeds and turning. Sounds like wheels coming loose. Sound, sounds like it is coming from steering column, check engine light comes on when I fill gas tank and stays on until approx 1/2 tank.
On 8/25/2008 my steering locked up on my 2005 Malibu classic. O lost control if my car and crashed into 2 telephone boxes. After researching this incident on the internet I find that there are many complaints about this electronic steering problem.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. Since purchasing the vehicle, the anti theft device has failed repeatedly, the engine makes a ticking sound, the steering wheel is slipping or loose, and oil leaks from the engine. While driving 45 mph, the dashboard. Vibrates. The contact hears a noise in the radio when the vehicle is turned on, the engine service light is illuminated on the instrument panel, the interior lights failed, the remote start would not start the vehicle, and the engine shakes roughly. The current mileage was 12,030 and failure mileage was 100. Updated 09/24/08. The consumer stated there was a problem with the entire suspension. The shocks and bearings made a noisy. The hazard lights failed. Updated 09/30/08.
Have had numerous warranty work done. Purchased car 4 months ago with 24,000 miles now has 28,000. 6 warranty replacements. Around 25,000 started car and steering wheel was turning violently. Shut car off and it was fine. Later noticed steering was looser and thumping noise. Chevy replaced steering gear. Now at current mileage did the same thing has happened and replacing another component in steering. This is very dangerous. When driving around turns it felt like I had no control over car. Now that my warranty is out my when I put my car into D half the time it will jump into gear and sometimes it gets stuck or wants to stop at R. a car with 28,000 miles should not be having this kind of trouble. I can only imagine what it will be like with 75,000 miles on it.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the steering column makes random knocking noises. He discovered tsb number 1973984, which is identical to the failure he is experiencing. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on three occasions and the recommended solutions in the tsb were heeded; however, the failure persists. The contact is concerned that his steering column will eventually fail completely. The failure mileage was 18,000 and current mileage was 48,000.
We have a 2005 Chevy Malibu with 39,000 miles. My wife drives the car normally but I drove the car for a few weeks and noticed a clunking in the steering at low speeds when turning. Taking the car into our mechanic it was diagnosed as a issue with the intermediate steering shaft which had to be replaced. I don't think this part should ever go out let alone at 39,000 miles. It is a safety issue with the car. The mechanic told us that Chevy has had this issue with may cars and trucks and has known about the issue.
According to the dealer this vehicle has a defective rack and pinion that is based upon engineering and could cause a loss of control steering while driving the vehicle. A loud popping noise is heard while turning left or right and a snapping is heard when slowing down and breaking. A loose rattle also occurs in front end while driving on primary or secondary roads. Car jumps and steering jerks when hitting a bump on paved roadways. Car has been taken in for repairs three times.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. When turning the steering wheel, the contact heard a popping sound. The failure began six months ago and now it is causing the power steering to fail. The failure was very subtle at first, but now the power steering fails for days at a time. The air conditioning would activate on and off, but now it does not work at all. The dealer stated that the power steering module and air conditioning resistor needed to be replaced. The contact also stated that the control panel is warm to the touch after driving for some time. The vehicle is currently with the dealer and the repair will cost over $900. The current mileage was 70,000 and failure mileage was 50,000. Updated 09/10/08. The consumer stated the shocks went bad, the tie rod ends had to be replaced, the cd became stuck in the cd player. The rear calipers had to be replaced and the starter worked intermittently. Updated 09/12/08.
A friend of mine has a 05 Chevy Malibu. I see an investigation was done on the 04's #peo4031 electric power assist system. I have personally had it go out on me twice. And I could barely steer the car and almost got into a wreck...... I weigh 190 lbs. My girl friend weighs 130 lbs.... people are going to get in wrecks and die because of the eps system. And you are aware of it....... does the S in NHTSA stand for safety "?" thank you for your time.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. On approximately 100 occasions, the power steering light would illuminate on the instrument panel while driving various speeds. The steering wheel would become difficult to turn as if it were locked. The contact would have to shut off and restart the vehicle to correct the issue. The current mileage was 102,000 and failure mileage was 93,000.
My steering has been going out, it has been noted that it starts when the weather get warmer. The first time it went out it as 97F, the next time it was 94F, when the temp cools off (90F) I have noted that I can turn the car off and the power steering will come back. I was searching the internet for answers and came across the website www.carcomplaints.com. everyone on there described the same problems with their vehicles. As of yesterday 05/28/08 I have not injured my shoulder due to manually steering the vehicle. I have to drive approx. 50 miles to get home from my office.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Moscow Mills, MO, USA