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.
Was making a sharp right turn from a full stop and the service engine light came on and the power steering ceased working as we turned into traffic. This is the first time it happened (5/3/2011), but we have only owned the car since 3/11/11. I have a mechanic looking into the issue, but online searches reveal that this is a known problem with 2004 Chevy Malibu's and was part of the reason for recalls of the 2005 model. Huge safety issue as the steering becomes almost impossible and the only known remedy is to shut off the engine and restart after which the power steering comes back.
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the power steering would lock making it impossible to steer the vehicle. The dealer was contacted who stated that the steering column would need to be replaced. The manufacturer was not contacted to report the failure and the vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 75,000 and current mileage was 99,500.
In April of 2004 I purchased a Chevy Malibu with approx.12 miles on it, it ran fine for about 3 months until out of no warning as I was making a left turn at an intersection the steering wheel locked..the dealer replaced the steering column, and it worked fine, that is until now, seven years later the same thing has happened, now this time I realized some how if I restart the car the steering resets. I am afraid to drive it now, I have no warranty, and I think this should be a recall, because many others are experiencing the same problems.
My 2004 Chevy Malibu lost power steering while driving. The power steering goes on and off (working some days and not on others). The power steering is currently out and I cannot drive the vehicle. The Chevy dealership states this is a problem with the Malibu but since it is not under warranty I will have to cover the cost.
I have a 2004 Chevy Malibu and lost power steering on the highway almost crashed into the divider. My pregnant wife was in the car with me at the time. After doing research on the web I find that this is a very common problem with all Chevy Malibu's why is there no recall!!! someone is going to get killed in one of these cars lucky enough it wasn't my pregnant wife or I !!!! the power steering light came on the dash and lost all steering abilities pulled over the vehicle and shut the car off and then turned it back on and it was as if the problem had gone away drove about another mile and it happened again. This is not the first time this problem has occurred. We have already replaced the steering column once already, now it looks like we will have to do it again. Why is the auto maker not required to have a recall for this problem as stated above it continues to be an on going problem in all Chevy Malibu"S regardless of the year!!!
- St.James, NY, USA
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The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving approximately 5 mph in the driveway, there was a sudden loss of power steering. The contact turned the engine off and restarted it, the vehicle resumed normally for ten minutes before the failure occurred again. The failure continued to occur at various speeds on numerous occasions. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer who stated that the steering column needed to be replaced due to a faulty sensor. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 92,000. The VIN was unavailable.
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact was driving approximately 20- 60 mph when the steering wheel suddenly locked and then releases independently within seconds. The vehicle was inspected by an independent mechanic and they advised her that the steering column would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and they offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000. The VIN was unavailable.
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the power steering failed sporadically with the illumination of the service engine and power steering warning lights. The contact stated that the power steering would reset once the vehicle was turned on and off. The vehicle was not inspected at the time of the complaint. The failure and current mileage was 128,000.
The electronic steering has failed while turning or accelerating. This has happened several times. The steering returns once the RPM S settle out. The steering systems has been replaced twice and worked on several times. Chevy has issues being able to supply replacement parts and resolving this issue.
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact was driving approximately 35 mph around a curve and the steering wheel failed to respond while making a turn for approximately five seconds. The failure occurred sporadically. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where they replaced the steering shaft. The failure mileage was 129,123.
The first incident happened driving down the road at 45 mph the steering wheel all the sudden dropped all the way down and the whole steering column slid in causing the car to swerve some. I pulled over and after attempting to lock the steering column back into place was finally able to get it to lock into place. This has happened several times over the past month. It doesn't matter if I'm driving or backing it just all the sudden does it. If you touch the steering wheel while the car is turned off it will drop down. And if it is in a down position it will slide in and out. This is very dangerous and I fear that the next time I might not be so luck to keep control. I almost hit another car yesterday when I was backing out of a parking space because as I was turning to wheel it moved out of position causing the turn to go another direction.
I have a 2004 Malibu, driving down freeway and steering wheel whould not move. I had no control of my car. My radio displayed power steering. I took to the shop to check issue. The shop stated that the power steering sensor was defective and would have to replace and reset. The car shop did tell me and the warranty that it was not safe to drive. I called GM and car dealer not there issue to fix! this is a defect? please help!
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. While the contact was driving approximately 30 mph, the power steering warning indicator illuminated until the engine was turned off. There was a slight loss of power steering for a few seconds. On a separate occasion, the engine warning indicator illuminated and a message displayed on the instrument panel indicating that the fuel cap was open. The failure would occur sporadicly. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic three different times for diagnosis however, they were unable to locate the problem and the failure persisted. The failure mileage was approximately 114,000.
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving approximately 40 mph, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver and would not allow the contact to make a left or right turn. The vehicle then started to jerk violently. The contact did not inform the dealer or manufacturer nor was the vehicle diagnosed or repaired. The current and failure mileage was 50,000. The VIN was unavailable.
While exiting parking lot onto highway the driver information panel dinged and complete loss of power steering occurred. Car was parked and towed home next morning restarted car and system reset.
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the power steering suddenly failed; the contact had to use extra force to keep the vehicle under control. The contact turned the vehicle off and restarted which reset the power steering. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was 100,000 and the current mileage was 104,957.
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving approximately 45 mph, the power steering warning light illuminated intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnosis but they were unable duplicate the problem. The failure continued to occur. The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was unavailable. Updated 03/29/11 updated 03/30/11
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. While the contact was driving approximately 5 mph, the power steering warning light illuminated suddenly. The contact turned the vehicle off which reset the warning indicator. The failure occurred at various times and was more frequent when making a turn. The vehicle was in the process of being taken to the dealer for diagnosis. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Power steering pump fail I didn't know that this cars have the power steering problem and there is no liquid or pump I am not sure if there is any so I guess is electric but is not functioning right.
The power steering intermittently goes out and when turning there are loud clunking sounds. This has happened numerous times and has almost caused multiple accidents. Currently we do not drive the car often because of the safety concerns.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Elk Grove, CA, USA