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.
Vehicle pulled over/off the road when the power steering failed. Checked under the hood, but there was no sign of apparent malfunction. Took vehicle dealer for check up. Ea04018_cat
2004 Chevrolet Malibu lt VIN # [xxx] - odometer reading 4320 miles - vehicle purchased 1/31/04. During normal city driving warning light came on, also ndicated a problem with power steering. Immediate total loss of power steering - husband able to pull off with great difficulty into a parking lot. Vehicle driven to a dealership - no service available on weekends. When vehicle was restarted the power steering was once again operational, and was driven 60 miles home. Vehicle was then driven 25 miles to a local dealership (where it was purchased) - no diagnostic check/repair or replacement of parts as yet. [xxx] updated 07/26/2012 information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
I was driving straight down an interstate when the steering wheel made small jerking motions to the right and made a grinding noise. When I exited the interstate and was stopped at a red light the steering wheel continued to jerk on its own. This continued intermintely for a couple of days. Then I was turning into a gas station and the engine light came on and the power steering went out. After I restarted the car I had power steering again. I took it to the crest Chevrolet and they replaced the steering column and sensor assembly #10373948: Column ki (06518-pc). Ea04018_cat
The steering wheel locked up while driving 65 mph, the consumer pulled the vehicle over before stopping. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. Ea04018_cat the steering wheel vibrated uncontrollably. While receiving assistance, the steering wheel would not turn left or right.
I have had many problems with my 04 Malibu. Rough idle, power steering faliure many times took to dealer 3 times could not duplicate, brought in with power steering out at it was duplicated, but could not figure out for a while told me to continue to drive, no safety factor.finally thought they figured out put in a new steering column, 9,000 miles later back to having problems with power steering. Also problems with hard shifting, and also with ignition sticking or continuing to turn over after leeting go of the key. I would not recomend this car to anyone and they should all be crushed.my wife is terrified of the car and will not drive.car is at dealer right now we are driving a loaner. Ea04018_cat
- Hamlake, MN, USA
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Vehicle purchased in December, 2003. At approximately 14000 miles, November 2004, while driving, power steering failed. Turned ignition off and restarted car; power steering worked briefly, then failed again. Turned ignition off and back on; able to drive vehicle home. Made service appointment, but have not yet had vehicle serviced. Ea04018_cat
While driving about 5 minutes on back roads at 35-40 mph there was vibration in steering wheel. It would jerk back and forth about 1/2" each way. Tried to turn right, but steering wheel would only turn to between 2 and 3 O'clock. However, it took all consumer's effort to even turn that much. Saw wrench light up, heard ding, and saw power steering on radio. Was able to get vehicle into gas station parking lot, about 3 minutes after she felt jerking. Restarted vehicle, and steering was fine. It happened about 3 weeks later again, the third time in about 2 weeks while consumer was in driveway. Dealer replaced the steering column. Ea04018_cat
While driving on highway at 50 mph steering jerked from side to side, nearly losing control. When on regular street problem was not so noticeable. Also, heard continuous knocking noises when making turns. Have taken vehicle to dealer, and mechanic replaced steering column. It worked for awhile but got worse in September. Took vehicle back to dealer, and mechanic replaced the rack and pinion. It partially resolved problem, but knocking continued. Took vehicle back, and mechanic replaced the steering shaft. Knocking noise was not resolved. Ea04018_cat
Power steering assist failed while driving 35 mph. The dealer was notified. Ea04018_cat the steering wheel started to pull and shake to the left. The consumer was informed that a part was needed for the power steering. A light on the dash had illuminated and the power steering had gone out again. Also, the foam strip near the windshield was coming out of place.
On March 22, 2004 at 2,715 miles steering column locked while driving 56 mph. During the attempt to unlock the steering column consumer broke the steering wheel. At the present time, vehicle stalled while driving 45 mph. Consumer believed the problem was due to the computer module. Dealer was not contacted during both incidents. Ea04018_cat
When coming to a stop power steering failed, and the steering wheel locked up. Consumer had to restart the vehicle to stop. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. Ea04018_cat found the wheel position sensor not reading consistently. There was an intermittent grinding noise.
Complete and sudden loss of power steering without any prior warning which is only remedied by turning off the engine and restarting the vehicle. This condition has led to dangerous situatios on the road. When the power steering does work, the steering wheel tends to jerk on its own causing unintended swerving of the vehicle. Ea04018_cat
The vehicle became hard to start. It has been an ongoing problem. The power steering locked on the highway at 20 mph. After pulling off the road and restarting the vehicle and getting it to the dealer, they replaced the steering column. No defects were found on the starting problems. Now the vehicle accelerates on its own. Ea04018_cat
The power steering on my Malibu failed. GM has acknowledged a problem and replaced a connector or module under warranty, but there has been no recall to cover this known problem. Oddly enough, the loaner car they provided my wife had the same problem. Why isn't this getting greater attention before something serious happens? ea04018_cat
While driving, the steering locked up. The consumer took the vehicle to the dealer and they replaced the electronic column. Ea04018_cat the steering tightened and gradually became almost impossible to steer at that time. The warning panel showed steering locked. Failure corrected.
Steering wheel often "jumpy". moves back and forth while at a stand still. 2 days ago, power steering went off, was able to steer car with difficulty, but had no power steering. Power steering warning message came on. Service warning came on. Ea04018_cat
About 3 weeks ago I noticed cog-wheeling of the steering wheel when attempting to turn right. It was intermittent, but began to increase in frequency with vibration through the steering wheel. Today, while driving the power steering quit working completely. I was about 25 miles from home, and had to drive with no power steering the entire way. I will contact the dealer on the next business day. The car is currently not safe to drive. We own two 2004 Malibu's, the other Malibu had the same problem several months ago and had to have the steering column replaced. The repair took almost 3 weeks due to back-ordered parts. Ea04018_cat
The power steering failed on my 2004 Chevrolet Malibu on 3 occasions during the weekend of Oct. 2 2004. I put the car in reverse and I heard a chime. I looked at the dic and saw "power steering". there was also a service light on the ip. There was no power assist at all, and it was very difficult to steer. I shut the vehicle off and restarted. It seemed ok. It then failed two more times with the same symptoms, but this time I was in a busy intersection. I am taking the vehicle to the dealer asap. I saw many other complaints on this site about the very same issue, so I thought I would let you know about mine. Ea04018_cat
On October 2, 2004, the power steering stopped working for the second time. Steering was very difficult and even more difficult since I am 4 months pregnant. I had to drive the car about 10 miles to the dealership to have them to look at it again. They had to keep over the weekend. The service advisor turned the car off and back on again to see what would happened and the power steering begin to work again. For several months now I have had issues with the steering on this Malibu and nothing has been done to resolve those issues. Either the problem had to be duplicated by the technician or they were not able to find the codes in the diagnostic system to see what the problem was. I was just informed by the service advisor that the car is ready and the power steering column module had to be replaced and that should fix the problem. I hope so. I have only had the car for a little while now. Ea04018_cat
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Fredericksburg, VA, USA