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 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 30 mph making a left turn, the vehicle started making a loud noise and the power steering seized. As a result, the vehicle crashed into a curb and a pole. It was unknown if any injuries were sustained or if a police report was filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 123,000.
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, the steering wheel seized as the instrument panel lights failed to illuminate. The contact also stated that after ten minutes of driving, the instrument panel lights flashed and the steering wheel resumed to normal. The vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 14R044000 (steering) but the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the electrical power system module needed to be repaired. The contact did not disclose if the vehicle was repaired or not. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 180,000. Updated 03/30/15 updated 10/21/2015
I was at a stop sign and as I accelerated and made a left turn the steering went out completely half way through my turn. The steering wheel would spin freely in either direction and it in no way allowed me to steer. My vehicle went into the ditch by the time I stopped. I had just minutes before gotten off the interstate. Had someone been walking along the road that day I could have hit and killed them. This failure came without warning. The steering had a small amount of play before the incident, however no more than I felt was normal for a car of this age. The issue was found to be that the steering shaft pulled out of the rack and pinion. I have a picture of the part after the failure, but before it was replaced that I can send if you wish. If this is a common issue it is very dangerous to the owners and those around them.
The driver was traveling on a two lane road and came to a curve in the road at which time she reported that the brakes would not slow or stop the car and the car began to veer in an unintended (and unsteered) direction. The driver attempted to correct the car's path and speed and it went out of control striking four cars, crossing a divider and impacting head on with a 4 X 4 truck. The driver commented that the "car went wild".
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 mph attempting to avoid a dog, the steering wheel became difficult to turn and the power steering seized. The contact crashed into the dog. The contact was not injured. The vehicle was towed to nearest independent mechanic for repairs to the damaged front end. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 94,000. Updated 03/17/15 updated 9/12/2017
- Billingsley, AL, USA
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The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at 25 mph, the steering wheel became difficult to turn and there was a sudden increase in engine rpms. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle jerked before shifting into gear and the engine warning light illuminated. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 14V153000 (steering) and 14V224000 (power train). The failure mileage was 162,000.
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving approximately 5 mph, the steering wheel was difficult to maneuver and the power steering warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the eps needed to be replaced. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V153000 (steering), but the contact was informed that the part was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.
2004 Chevrolet Malibu. Customer states that he has received three recall notices for vehicle in June 2014 and July 2014. All three noticed indicated the parts are not available and hasn't heard any response since.
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact received a notification for NHTSA campaign number: 14V252000 (electrical system, electronic stability control, exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic, vehicle speed control), NHTSA campaign number: 14V153000 (steering), and NHTSA campaign number: 14V224000 (power train). The contact was not certain of when the part and remedy would become available to schedule the appointment for the repairs. The manufacturer was notified of the safety concern with the three recalls and the contact was still waiting for the parts to schedule the recall appointment. The contact had not experienced a failure.
The contact owned a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 14V224000 (power train). The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer to be remedied. After the vehicle was remedied, while driving approximately 25 mph, the power steering seized. As a result, the contact crashed the vehicle into the front driver side of a parked vehicle, which caused his vehicle to flip over. The contact sustained no injuries. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to a dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 119,123. Updated 2/1/15 updated 9/7/2017
2004 Chevrolet Malibu experiencing power steering problems, ABS and shift cable, all replaced. The consumer stated the vehicle was taken to the repair shop seven times, due to power steering failure, which resulted in the steering locking up. The consumer was involved in two accidents, in which the air bags failed to deploy. The consumer received a transmission, steering and brake recall. However, the parts were not available.
The vehicle has a loud clunking sound, when ever turning the steering wheel either to the right or left. The sound comes from below in the engine compartment and is heard constantly inside the vehicle. I find it hard to believe that the intermediate steering shaft in this vehicle is not on the recall list with the other 3 notices to this vehicle?
Since 2012 I have nothing but problems with my Malibu. Power steering going out causing the whole front end to become unstable, causing the car to pull the left and the right. Hard to keep it centered; causing busted belts in tires, bad brakes, torn up rotors. Fuel gage not working properly, traction control on break censor going off and on. Ignition switch not working properly, I have received 4 recall notices so far and I know there are more to be had. But no dealer ship seems to have any parts to fix this car. This car is a death trap. I feel as though every time I strap my self into my car, I am setting myself up to be hurt or killed. I need to get this car fixed. If not I need someone to get me new one.
The steering wheel started shaking and in the middle of a turn the power steering went out causing the car to jerk and go off the side of the road. I went all winter with the power steering going in and out. I am still having this problem. I have a recall on it but I have no one that will fix it. It is now going on two months. I keep being told that there are no parts. I am afraid if this continues I will end up in a bad accident.
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 mph, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.
While increasing speed, the battery light and engine light come on. The power steering stops working for a few seconds and the dash lights go out. The lights go of and the power steering starts working like normal. There is still electrical power to the rest of the car (radio works, brakes work, interior lights still work, etc.) I replaced the battery and had the charging system inspected, nothing wrong with it. Alternator is good, battery is good. No shop can explain why this happens, even the Chevrolet dealer. It doesn't matter the speed I am going, it always does this. Driving on the interstate I lost power to the steering and went into the ditch to avoid an accident. The dealer states there is nothing wrong with the car, and cannot diagnose the problem. I have came close to totaling my car several times. I had my kids in the car when it lost steering on the interstate. This could have cost us our lives. I'm scared to drive this car but have to. This complaint is my last option before contacting a lawyer. I hope this can be resolved through this complaint.
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the power steering and service engine sensors illuminated on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to the authorized dealer. The technician serviced the vehicle according to NHTSA campaign number: 14V153000 (steering) and NHTSA campaign number: 14V252000 (electrical system, electronic stability control, exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic and vehicle speed control). The contact indicated that the vehicle stalled several times after the recall repair and the power steering failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the authorized dealer for further inspection, diagnosis and repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 298,000.
Power steering locked up while driving thru a curve causing a accident which resulted in one rider injury. We made a claim with GM and they denied it stating that the data from the black box showed that there was not any equipment malfunctions. The power steering started working after the accident. The data showed that the driver side seat belt lock was told to deploy and it did not. To me and everybody else, that is an equipment malfunction. GM told me that since the driver was not hurt that they denied this one also. The back seat rider was injured when the rear door glass shattered sending glass into the back of his head. This required medical attention to remove all of the glass fragments.
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the steering wheel seized and excessive force was required. The failure recurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering shafts needed to be replaced. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14E044000 (steering) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The approximate failure mileage was unknown.
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving approximately 25 mph, the contact heard an abnormal noise while making a right turn and the steering wheel seized. The contact had to use extreme force in order to straighten the steering wheel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the power steering pump failed. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 156,000.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Willmar, MN, USA