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.
Takata recall. Power steering and ESC light came on while bcar was warming up for the first time, it comes and goes as it pleases sometimes while in motion, sometimes while stationary, and makes it difficult to turn or steer. It also makes my car feel as if the wheels are about to fall off the front end. My air bag light is also on and won't go off. Guessing it doesn't work. Pulled some codes but nothing for power steering, attached are a few images of a few codes that were pulled. Not all codes.
The night of 12/29/2018 about 10pm at an approximate speed of 45mph I experienced a loss of power steering while driving my 2011 Chevrolet Malibu home from the mountains and steering became very difficult and we almost ran off of the road down a steep embankment. A service ESC and power steering light was on the dash. I restarted the engine and the warning lights went out and the power steering worked again and being in a dark remote area with no cell service I slowly drove home without further problem. I researched the reason I had over the internet and found GM is aware of this obvious (potential deadly) safety issue but I've owned this car 6 years and was never notified about this problem. A check VIN of recalls for this vehicle do not show this problem but when I called the Chevy dealer who told me that there is a "special coverage' where GM will repair this steering problem at no cost but I was told my car doesn't qualify for this 'special coverage' because I have over 150,000 miles on it. What?!!!! I have a car unsafe to drive with a serious safety defect GM is aware of but because the car has over 150,000 miles on it they won't repair it. I'm disabled with diminished strength and I can't drive my car without placing myself or someone else in danger should this happen again. GM should repair my dangerous car and be proactive enough to prevent an obvious vehicle safety risk to me and other drivers.
Since of bought the car from dealer the ESC light has been on and in the winter months if I get stuck I can't shut off traction control to try and get out because it is disabled. Has power reduced
When starting the vehicle sometimes the power steering and service ESC message will flash on the dashboard and the steering wheel will be locked and cannot be turned. When restarting the vehicle the message may be gone and the steering wheel will move again or other times it will still be locked and the message persists. Also when driving and sitting in idle the steering wheel jerks and vibrates on its own and makes a weird rattling/rubbing sound, esp. When in park. I had this same issue last year and my local Chevrolet dealership "fixed" it for no cost since there was a recall pertaining to the issue, but now the same problem is occurring.
While driving the vehicle on the highway, the power steering just went out and I was unable to control the vehicle, and then it came back momentarily, and then went out again a little later. Thankfully it did not cause an accident, but now I haven't had power steering in over 4 months and it's starting to cause nerve damage in my arms and hands from the constant stress to drive, and when I called the dealership I was quoted an astronomical amount just to look at car to get diagnosis.
- Huntington, WV, USA
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The power steering went completely out making it almost impossible to turn car was in motion when it went out. I was able to stressfully get it home off the main road. A few hours later the car was fine and the power steering was back on after some research I found I was not the only one with these issues. If I was traveling any faster this could have caused a accident
The steering wheel material is deteriorating causing the operator to lose contact with the wheel while turning the wheel. The hands either slip off the wheel or catch causing an abrupt stop while controlling the vehicle. This is a safety concern as the material is deteriorating at a rate that the steering wheel will be down to the metal and not provide any protection to the operator and would cause injury.
Upon driving the power steering locked up and lights flashed with a ding. The ESC light is on and the dash is prompting "power steering" and "service ESC" this has made driving and turning difficult. Car is now parked until it can go to a repair shop. After the first incident I was able to put the car in park and restart which allowed me to drive without an issue. The next day it progressed to everytime I start the car and attempt to turn the power steering locks up and the warnings flash.
My 2011 Malibu has power steering problems that while driving or parked hard to steer and on dashboard service ESC and power steering. It will go out and then go back to driving normal back and forth.
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the ESC warning indicator illuminated and the steering wheel shook. The contact restarted the vehicle, which cleared the failure code each time the failure happened. However, the failure was progressing more frequently. The vehicle was not diagnosed by a dealer. The manufacturer issued one recall and seven tsbs for the steering. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was not available.
My electronic power steering will stop working and the check power steering light will come on. If I shut off the car, it will start working, but shakes when at a stop. You can also feel it shaking from left to right while driving. This has happened numerous times and in numerous situations. Please add this to 14V153000
Power steering failed while driving. This happened in a curved part of the highway at ~45 mph. Was able to make the drive home which was ~2 miles. Restarted the car at home and everything worked fine until 5 days later - same problem. Service ESC and power steering illuminated on dash.
Chevy Malibu 2011 steering malfunction. At 130,000 mileage, my electrical steering malfunctioned. The steering locked up while driving forcing it into manual drive. Code 15356. My car was under special warranty of 10 years or at 150,000 miles or under. I called the national hotline customer service for GM that spoke with a dealership of choice to fix it at no cost.
Steering wheel shakes when stopped at idle and shakes slightly when driving, after starting the engine the power steering some times does not work and service ESC message appears. I can turn off the engine and restart it and everything works but wheel still shakes.
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering. The power steering and ESC warning indicators illuminated. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the VIN was involved in special coverage number: 15356; however, the vehicle no longer met the stipulations for the recall because it exceeded the mileage requirement. The failure mileage was approximately 162,000.
There is a problem with the steering torque sensor in my vehicle that causes my vehicle to lose power steering. The problem starts as soon as I turn on the vehicle.I was never notified of the special coverage adjustment for the power steering torque sensor in my vehicle. The problem started happening well before I reached the 150,000 mileage limit and I started taking my vehicles to shops for pricing of the issue. I was notified by one of the shops I took my vehicle to that there was this special coverage adjustment and that I should take my vehicle to my dealer. I did this but the dealer stated that they would not honor the special coverage due to my vehicle being 700 miles over the mileage limit. I also contacted my manufacturer and complained about not receiving this notification, however, the manufacturer continues to deny honoring the coverage due to my vehicle being 700 miles over. I explained to them that I had proof that I was trying to get the issue rectified at other body shops before I was over the mileage limit, however, there was still no assistance.
On 02/19/2018 while stopped at a red light my 2011 Malibu's steering wheel began to move right and left (oscillating) by itself. I pulled into the nearest parking lot of a local store and noticed I no longer had any power assist for the steering and my information console screen light up with a power steering failure. I shut the car off and waited 10 minutes, restarted and the power assist returned, the console light went out. However the steering wheel still pulses back and forth by itself, so the problem, I feel, could return at any time. I had a heart attack recently and physically cannot steer the car without power assist, this was very stressful for me, I am afraid now to drive this thing in it's current condition. I researched this and it is a very common problem with Chevy Malibu, I feel this is an extremely dangerous issue with this model and could easily result in a needless death, I hope General Motors fixes this problem, please add our VIN to the current recall campaign #14V153000. Thank you sincerely [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
I was driving down the road when my power steering went out. I took my car into the dealership and they said that it doesnt have a recall. They said that the steering wheel torqe sensor is out and needs replaced.
I was driving on the the and the power steering, locked up. I reached out to na dealer ship and they corrected that problem and my seat belt. The next day 2/10/2018. The car slowed down to maybe 8miles while I was driving, and enough power to the engine. Very danger, very danger. Thank god the car behind me was paying attention. I have had this car for 3 years. I myself came out of pocket for wiring problems. Car just stopping on the hyw, no power at all. I replaced that. This is a very dangerous car to be on the road. I know cars have issues. But all this 3 years and just stopping and slowing down is and will be the death of others. Chevy is supposed to be one of the best car making, but this is horrible. And a lot people from what I read are having issues. This very dangerous.
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the service ESC warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to paddock Chevrolet (3232 Delaware ave, kenmore, NY); however, the contact declined to have the vehicle diagnosed. The dealer stated that if the failure was not related to NHTSA campaign number: 14V153000 (steering), she would have to pay out of pocket for the diagnostic cost. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Knightdale, NC, USA