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 locks and causes the vehicle to pull to the left, making it difficult to control the vehicle. Manufacturer was contacted for repair, but they fail to correct the problem.
While driving 25 mph, the vehicle lost power steering. The consumer managed to drive to a auto shop. The problem was repaired. The dealership was notified.
On or about 01/15/05 the power steering game out while driving. The engine light came on, car was taken to dealer on 01/17/05. Dealer changed the steering wheel column, vehicle was picked up a day later. On 01/21/05 steering gave out as backing out of the drive way and engine light came on. Car was turned off and on and power steering worked again. Car was turned back in to dealership where after 3-4 day I was informed that there was no record of any defects.
The electronic steering in my 2004 Malibu failed while the car was in operation. It had been jerking while I was driving on the highway. I took it in and they said it was probably water/dampness causing the jerking. Then it failed while I was driving and they replaced the parts under warranty.
I own a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. At present time, I have had to have the steering column replaced twice, due to intermittent power steering failure and a constant pull to the left. The first time was at approximately 8800 miles, the second time at 17700 miles. I have also had to have the brake rotors and pads replaced twice. The brakes still make a rubbing noise in the right front, however the dealers tells me they cannot fix that. The car currently has 18000 miles on it. I still have steering issues, such as twitches in the steering wheel and thunks and clunks when driving. I am very uncomfortable driving the car because I am afraid the steering will go out again.
- Lantana, FL, USA
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My wife was driving with my daughter on board, traveling at approximately 25 mph preparing to stop at approaching traffic light, all of a sudden the steering wheel "froze" and would not move. When she finally stopped the car, she turned the engine off. Needless to say she was terribly frightened. After a few minutes she restarted the car and the steering was ok. I hate to think what might have happened if she had been on the express sway at the time. Now she is afraid to drive her own car. The car is a 2004 Malibu.
While driving at any speed the vehicle would lose power steering intermittently, making it hard to steer. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.
The steering on this car is subject to repeated oscillation at idle, slow and moderate speeds. The longer the car is driven on one trip the worse the problem becomes. This has been occurring over a period of time, but it is to the point that the car is not drivable. Chevrolet has a service bulletin for their service departments, but no customer notifiations. The service writer at my service dealership, dave mcdermott Chevrolet, East haven, ct, has same car, same problem and replaced the steering components because she knows of the problem. The failure today (01/11) and yesterday (01/10) caused the steering to lock up and a "wrench" idiot light displayed on the dashboard. That was corrected by stopping the car, placing it in park, turning the ignition off and then restarting the car. Electronic power steering failure.
Electrical problems and numerous starting problems. While driving, the door locks unlocked, engine dies with no warning. Nar the steering wheel locked up, the hazard lights stopped working, the alarm would go off, the power rear view mirrors were inoperative, the vehicle would buck and surge, the steering wheel would shake, the vehicle would start rough and the tachometer would bounce.
Vehicle experienced steering and transmission problems. The steering went out, forcing the vehicle to the right side of the road and into an embankment. Consumer had the vehicle towed to a service center. Transmission will not engage into the interlock. If going into reverse and changing into drive it was difficult to control vehicle. Consumer must use about 45 lbs of pressure to get the gear shift to operate smoothly. Also, vehicle was having brake problems. Consumer was driving on an off ramp and applied the brakes down to the floor. Vehicle slowed down but did not stop completely. Consumer contacted the manufacturer and the dealership, who told the consumer that there was a brake recall, and that the brake problem was electrical. The brakes were electronically programmed controlled. Recall campaign; 04V190000. Summary: Some of these passenger vehicles have an electronic control unit (ECU) that may calculate a higher than actual vehicle speed because of an erratic rear-wheel speed sensor signal, and cause ABS activation where it is not needed or needed ABS activation to be extended during braking as the vehicle speed drops to about 3 mph. The trunk release button on the drivers door came apart. The shifter handle broke. The brake pedal went to the floor after being in traffic.
When the consumer made a right turn onto the freeway, the steering wheel locked up without warning. The consumer was able to maintain control of the vehicle and pulled over. The consumer turned off the vehicle and restarted it and drove home. The consumer contacted the mechanic for an appointment.
The vehicle lost power steering control while driving 25 mph. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The dealer informed the consumer that the power steering module needed to be replaced. The adjuster assembly on the passenger seat belt was replaced.
While wife was driving 2004 Chevrolet Malibu in city traffic, power steering suddenly failed concurrent with alarm chime and repair car light. She had to drive straight through two intersections and struggled to immediately park the car, and called me for assistance. After restarting the car, power steering was restored (no alarm or light). Took car to dealer the following morning for repairs. Dealer states that a recent bulletin may address this problem and requires a kit and replacement of steering column. Parts not in stock. Kit was ordered and is expected in about a week. Will schedule repair after parts kit is received. This problem should immediately be upgraded to a safety recall item to minimize future accidents in less forgiving driving conditions.
While driving my 2004 Chevy Malibu lt a light will come on. This light is a picture of a car with a tool inside it. A beep also comes on followed by a message that says power steering. This has happened to me three times now. When this happens I lose all control of the power steering. It takes a lot of effort to turn my wheel. After I turn the car off and let it sit for a while, the problem doesn't occur for another 1-3 weeks.
While driving at high speed of 65-70 mph vehicle momentarily lost power steering. Vehicle was taken to the dealer, who found that the steering column assembly needed to be replaced.
(1) was driving when suddenly power steering quit working. (2) power steering light came on and vehicle was almost impossible to steer. (3) calling sealership tomorrow, insurance agent said to report to you immediately as there is a problem with this starting to occur in Malibu. Ea04018_cat
While driving along, heard system warning, looked at message center display which said" power steering" and realized I had no power steering. I drove slowly in the lane that would require no changing lanes, slowed down dramatically and muscled my way through each turn in order to get home. I will take the car to the service department of the dealership in the morning. Ea04018_cat
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Hyattsville, MD, USA