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 power steering failed while I was driving, and I almost hit a car at intersection while attempting to turn to the right when the steering wheel locked up. There are numerous complaints online about this same issue and there was special coverage adjustment #10183 (July 20, 2110) power steering assist, but my VIN # was not included in this coverage, even though the problem described in the coverage is the same. A diagnostic scan at dealership verified code CO545- power steering module. The part that had to be replaced on my car was part # 25933396- steering column, as listed in the special coverage. I have been in email/phone contact with GM since the incident. As of a phone call today, they refuse to cover the cost of faulty steering column or the labor to have it replaced. The total bill was $645.
While I was driving alarms started dinging, and power steering showed up on radio. I lost power steering and wheel started shaking violently. I could barely turn wheel to avoid accident. This is very dangerous and needs to be fixed.
When the car is started the steering wheel pulls to the left by itself. On occasion there is a loss of power steering and the light comes on and now it is constantly pulling left. If I were to let go of the wheel now, it would turn left and it feels like I have minimal power assist when I turn right. In a nutshell it now feels like it has half its power steering working only when turning left. There also is a clunking noise under the car when I turn the wheel hard.this thumping has been happening since I bought the car. It feels like something under the car is bumping the steering linkage when fully turned.
We were never notified about a recall that occurred with the entire steering systems for Malibu's. the manufactures extended the recall up to 150,000 miles. On Friday November 23, 2013, we were backing out of our parking spot when our power steering went out on us. We had none. Then we turned the car off and back on, suddenly it was there again. Here lies the problem; we took it to the local dealership and "they" informed us that there was a recall in the U.S. however, we were not notified and since our Malibu was out of the 150,000 miles; they said the recall would not cover it. How can owners of cars/trucks get their safety items fixed, when they have never received the recall notice"! this is a safety issue, not a physical appearance issue. If I am driving along a corner and my power steering locks up, or suddenly stops and I kill or maim another individual who is responsible? GM" as I read the other "complaints" on this site; this is not about car owners trying to receive brand new cars.we all just want our cars to be fixed by the recall regardless of the mileage and to be safe! perhaps, we all should get together and sue everyone who is involved with not getting the information out to the public and GM. Just a thought. I do not know about the other owners, but I cannot restart my car in the middle of a corner or going down the interstate at 55/65 miles per hour.
As I was pulling out of a parking lot a message came across my radio/temp screen and said power steering. All of a sudden my power steering went out. I drove it a few blocks to make it home with absolutely no power steering. It was tough, but I made it home. I turned the car off and did a little research on the internet concerning my power steering. I seen a lot of people said once they started their cars again the power steering worked, but also went out again intermittently. So I went outside and started my car and sure enough my power steering is working....for now. I am scared to drive it again fearing it will go out and I won't be able to control it and cause a horrible accident. GM needs to recall these cars because this is a huge safety problem!
- Sioux City, IA, USA
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When starting the car in the garage, there were 4 chimes, and a message on the dic 'power steering.' The electric power steering had failed and was extremely difficult to back the car out of the garage. The car was then shut off and restarted with no recurrence of the problem. It happened again 3 days later, same problem. Then again, 4 days later, same situation. We have notified GM of the situation. To us it is a very dangerous problem. There was a recall in Canada with GM cars with this problem and the steering column was replaced. Why doesn't GM recognize that this problem exists in the usa? as I stated, it does not occur all the time. We were told to take the car to our Chevrolet dealer but unless the problem occurs at the dealer, there is no way that they can detect the problem. The computer only stores 'error codes' for a short period of time. We are fearful of driving this car.
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 mph, the power steering failed to operate normally as the power steering warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the technician stated that the steering control module would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 40,000. The current mileage was 78,859.
My car had a dinging and then across the radio it said power steering and the car was very hard to steer, I lost power steering. I am an older lady and slowed down and pulled to the shoulder and I could not even turn the wheel. I called my son to come help me. He got in and started the car and the radio didn't say power steering any more. He pulled out and I followed him. We got to our street and he started to turn right into our drive way and he all of a sudden threw up his arms. He got out of the car and came and told me that the car stalled and the bell dinged and power steering came on the radio. We took the car to the dealership on 8/12/13. They diagnosed the car and said the power steering assist motor was shorting out and it would cost me $699.03 to fix. I had no money to get it fixed and the dealer said they re set the computer and said I should have it fixed as soon as possible because it was a safety issue. My son took the car home and it happened twice on the way home. On 9/25/13 we had our local dealer replace the motor. They told me the code the computer read said it was either the assist motor or the steering column. They said the motor was the most likely cause and replaced it. The total was $643.78 and the initial inspection was $99.53. On 10/18/13 I had the same thing happen as I was driving into the local market parking lot, ding, ding, ding and I lost power steering. I almost hit a parked car in the lot and couldn't steer it. I took it back and they said it is the intermediate shaft or the steering column and had nothing to do with the original problem and charged me another $90 to look at it. I cannot afford $1200 to fix the column. My son searched the internet for 2006 Malibu steering problems and found Transport Canada recalled 67,414 2005, 2006 and 2008 Malibu's, Pontiac and Saturn. Why has the us not offered a recall. I am afraid to drive it now.
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 mph, the power steering assist failed as the warning indicator illuminated and the warning alarm sounded. The vehicle was turned off and upon restarting, the vehicle resumed normally. The failure was recurring. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact that the torque control and steering column assembly would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 41,000.
The first notice of my eps problem began when I attempted to have my front end aligned. The loss of control to the steering began around July of 2013. It has occurred more frequently since then. It's happen to my wife on the streets and to me also. I did some basic research due to the potential costs from the dealership. This included the inspection & replacement of the eps fuse, examining the ignition coil and checking the alternator. It still recurs. Has there been a factory recall for this vehicle's steering problems?
I have a problem with my car overheating. This car overheated and antifreeze came pouring out of the overfill hose. I had a mechanic check it and fix it, next day same thing. The car anti-theft light come on, the steering wheel sometimes freeze up. This car sometimes turns on and off by itself, yes the key need not be inside. The brakes are horrible and I spent funds to change it. Help!!! this car seems to be a recall big time.
I was turning off of a bridge and the steering locked up. I almost hit a house. I took it to the dealer, I bought it from them new, not used. They kept it for 2 weeks and they said they couldn't replicate the problem. It has been locking up off and on ever since. Now I have no power steering. They told me every time I brought it in to the dealer, that they couldn't find a problem. Now it is out of warranty and they say they can fix it. I have to buy a new steering column and pay them to install it. It is my understanding that this is a major problem with this vehicle. Will it take people getting killed for something to be done about this dangerous situation?
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was found that the steering column, steering box, and several other unknown components needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was 51,000.
I have had issues since the day after I got it. I have had this vehicle for less then a month and within 24 hours of having it the issues started. The fuel gauge drops to empty, when I fill the tank. The starter will crank but the car will not always start, sometimes the start is a long crank & sometimes it will not start at all, now today the check engine light is on. The steering wheel makes a popping noise.
The steering wheel locks up and doesn't unlock until I let off the gas pedal. It happens all the time when I try and pass other cars it will lock up. I did some research and found out its the power assist unit getting too hot and shuts off so it does not fry the motor of the unit. I feel that this should be a recall as it will lead to an accident.
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while traveling various speeds, the vehicle erroneously veered to the left. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the failure could not be replicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was 45,000.
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the steering wheel failed while driving 20 mph. The steering wheel became hard to turn as the power steering light illuminated. The contact turned the engine off for a moment and the steering wheel briefly returned to normal function before the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the mechanic and a diagnostic was performed, which located the failure at the power steering motor. The manufacturer denied assistance with the repair, because the vehicle had exceeded the power steering motor replacement mileage. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 156,000. Updated 10/24/13 updated 02/18/15 updated 10/2/2015
Steering became difficult due to loss of power steering. Warning chimes sounded and "power steering" message illuminated on stereo console. After turning off the vehicle and restarting, steering seemed to be fine. Two days later I began to experience a tugging from side to side in the steering wheel. I brought the car to my dealer and after paying a diagnostic fee it was determined that there was a short in the steering column. There is a service bulletin published for this (10183) but they won't inform you unless it occurs. They also are only covering repairs for a certain range of VIN numbers, even though the same problem occurs on vehicles of the same model year outside of that range. Any known problem with steering should be considered a safety issue and be corrected by the manufacturer.
I was driving and as I was making a left turn the power steering warning came on but at the same time I couldn't turn my wheel which almost caused me to have an accident. Three months ago while my teenager was driving alone he told me that the power steering had gone out while he was turning and almost had an accident. But when I drove it after him I didn't have a problem until June 28th. Because it happened twice on the 28th I had the car towed to hendricks auto mall in durham nc on June 29th for fear of having an accident. They told me that the module needed to be replaced and that there was a recall on the 2006 Malibu but my car was not part of the recall even though it's has the same issue as the vehicles being recalled. I spoke with a representative at Chevy and they told me that it's my problem and if I wanted it fixed that I would have to pay because I was the 2nd owner of the vehicle. I asked the representative at Chevy if the power steering warning and bell should give me a warning or just go out and was advised that when it appears it should only be a warning. I would like for Chevy to acknowledge that my vehicle should be a part of the recall as it has the same symptoms. My car is still at the repair shop as I have not heard back from the rep jr who advised me on July 5th that he would call me back with a resolution. I feel this is a very serious issue because it puts me and others on the road around me in danger.
While driving my power steering keeps locking on me and the power steering warning light appears on the dashboard. I pull over turn off the car and then turn it back on and it resets itself but then keeps happening. It is very difficult to drive the car when the power steering keeps locking on me and was almost in an accident because of it. This needs to be recalled and fixed as soon as possible.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Winnsboro, SC, USA