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 contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 mph, the steering wheel became difficult to turn when the power steering failed. The driver lost control of vehicle and veered to the side of the road. The vehicle was inspected by an independent mechanic who advised her that the right side K-frame was fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were approximately 77,000. Updated 09/21/11 the consumer stated when she hit a pothole, she lost the ability to steer the vehicle. The engine cradle, steering rack and inner and outer tie rods had to be replaced. Updated 09/27/11
Car suddenly began steering hard to the right and made clunking noises when the steering wheel was turned. Discovered that the left side mounting bolt of the steering rack ripped through the rusted out frame cradle, leaving the rack attached by only one bolt. This allows the rack to pivot upwards instead of properly steering the vehicle. The right hand mount is also very rusted and is nearing failure. Car has not been repaired at this time, since the entire front frame will need to be replaced.
The contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving at 55-60 mph on March 4, 2007 the steering wheel began to automatically turn on its own and a fraction of the steering wheel became detached. While depressing the brakes the contact struck a brick wall. The vehicle and contact were unharmed. The vehicle was towed. The current and failure mileage were 87,000.
I was driving down a road with the speed limit being 55 mph which I was doing and hit the edge of the road on the right side and when I turned the wheel slightly to the left the entire car went to the left and the car hit a tree head on at 55 mph and the neither of the air bags deployed. The car totaled.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Carmel, NY, USA