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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
26 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
12 / 0
Average Mileage:
72,654 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

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.

2004 Chevrolet Malibu steering problems

steering problem

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2004 Chevrolet Malibu Owner Comments (Page 7 of 36)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #589

Jan 012014

Malibu

  • 100,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving various speeds, the contact heard an abnormal noise and the steering wheel seized. The vehicle had to be turned off and restarted in order to resume normal operation. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

- Hammond , CT, USA

problem #588

Aug 012014

Malibu 6-cyl

  • 74,000 miles
I was entering the freeway, accelerating to get into lane, there was a big truck on the side of me and as I tried to maneuver my car, I found I could not steer the vehicle! I thought it might have died. I pulled over and turned off ignition. Then restarted and I was able to drive a bit before the same thing happened. Later I found out there was a recall on the power steering for my vehicle. It has been sitting in my driveway for almost two months! there are also two other recalls on my car; one for ignition/transmission which could result in the car turning off and the other is a brake lamp issue which could render the brake lamps useless in case of stopping, or using the cruise control could result in faulty brake lights to alert other drivers. So after calling General Motors on several occasions, each time being told a different story - there is no parts available at this time and they have no idea when my vehicle can be repaired. I called the dealership and they basically told me the same thing. However, I was placed on a "list" and given the number "175" to be in line to wait repairs. Even though they do not have a part yet. My frustration lies in the fact that my car is an investment. I bought it in good faith with the dealer, and have made my payments on time. Now I am paying a car payment and car insurance for a car that is sitting in my driveway! I also have to pay for a rental car indefinitely and it is causing financial hardship because I am unemployed at this time as well. No one will help me, or give me an answer! what are my rights" I really need advice. GM had a "district specialist" call me last week to tell me the same thing the last 8 people from their company have said which is basically - not a [xxx] thing. Can you please advise me??" information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Castro Valley, CA, USA

problem #587

Jul 012008

Malibu

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA campaign number: 14E044000 (power steering); however, the part needed for the repair was unavailable. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver and the power steering fluid needed to be refilled. The failure mileage was 100,000.

- Adelanto, CA, USA

problem #586

Sep 022013

Malibu

  • 100,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while traveling on an off ramp at an unknown speed, the steering wheel seized. The contact mentioned that the vehicle was previously repaired under an unknown recall but the failure recurred. Also, the contact received notification for recall 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). However, the parts to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

- Elgin , SC, USA

problem #585

Sep 012014

Malibu

  • miles
Letter from congressman king on behalf of constituent re 2004 Chevy Malibu. The dealer informed the consumer, the parts were not available to fix the recalled components. The power steering and brake lights needed to be replaced.

- Bethpage, NY, USA

problem #584

Mar 012004

Malibu 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 35,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the brakes, steering, and electrical wiring for the headlights failed. The failures have occurred since 2004. While making left turns, the steering wheel was difficult to maneuver. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact had been submitting complaints to the manufacturer since 2004. The failure mileage was 35,000. Updated 10/23/14 updated 4/13/2015

- Irving, TX, USA

problem #583

Sep 102014

Malibu

  • 142,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the power steering malfunctioned and the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. Also, the transmission failed to shift into the reverse gear. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 14V252000 (electrical system, electronic stability control, exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic, vehicle speed control), 14V153000 (steering), and 14V224000 (power train). The dealer indicated that only one of the three recall repairs would be performed since the parts were not available. The brake light recall repair was performed. The dealer was unable to indicate a specific timeframe to schedule the two remaining recall repairs. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 142,000.

- Cleveland, OH, USA

problem #582

Aug 132014

Malibu

  • 100,800 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at 40 mph, the steering wheel seized and excessive force was required in order to maneuver the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the technician was unable to determine the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,800.

- Tavares, FL, USA

problem #581

Sep 012014

Malibu

  • miles
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 14V153000 (steering), but the dealer stated that the part needed for the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the steering wheel became difficult to turn and the power steering warning indicator illuminated and made a sound. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Pittsburg , PA, USA

problem #580

Nov 012006

Malibu 6-cyl

  • miles
I have 3 recall letters and each states the parts aren't available. Those recalls are:14116,14152;13036. These recall repairs state that they affect the safety of this vehicle and yet we are forced to drive a vehicle with possible life threatening issues while the parts are not available. The safety issues aside, the recalls affect the value of this product by the implication it's defective. These issues should be dealt with swiftly as to minimize possible fatalities and if no parts are available, then a safe rental vehicle of like kind should be available at no cost to the owners.

- Atascosa, TX, USA

problem #579

Aug 022014

Malibu

  • 72,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving 40 mph, the power steering failed. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA campaign number: 14V153000 (steering). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 72,000.

- Castro Valley, CA, USA

problem #578

Nov 012013

Malibu 4-cyl

  • 130,000 miles
After purchasing my Malibu I have had multiple incidents where I was unable to unlock my doors electrically from inside/outside (after a fight with the dealer that issue was fixed after being told I needed to bring the car back and forth for 3 weeks), since then I have had to replace my turn signal bulbs once a month, my left turn signal socket looks like it has been burnt and is very black in color, still cant get GM to acknowledge that there were problems with this on these Malibu's even though there are service bulletins on this issue. Next I have had my dic system show me messages saying locked and my radio shuts off erratically and my ignition will shut off. GM dealer will not accept responsibility, next I have had the message on my dic show no power steering and 3 out of the 4 times I have lost steering all together and luckily was backing out of driveway, had to shut car off and wait for system to give me back steering control. The 4th time I veered into a guard rail going about 25 mph and crunched my front passenger quarter panel when the ps assist failed and I had no steering. Again, shut car off and had to wait for system to reset and again had steering control. I am now having issues where my entire console in the vehicle is always hot to the touch and my ignition switch inside the car is extremely hot even right after the car is started. GM will not address this issue either when I have contacted the dealer where I bought the vehicle. I am now having steering issues where my Malibu wants to go left when I am attempting to make a right turn and when making a left turn it wants to go way left all by itself. I have multiple recalls on this vehicle and to no avail they are not being addressed. I am wondering if I have to be in a worse crash and be injured severely or another person in order to get anyone to fix these issues or take this car back.

- Laurel, MT, USA

problem #577

Aug 022010

Malibu

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 mph, he depressed the brake pedal and the vehicle would not respond. The contact had to use the emergency brake in order to stop the vehicle. The failure was not diagnosed nor was the vehicle repaired. The contact also stated that the power steering warning light illuminated and when making a right or left turn the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V153000 (steering); however, the part was unavailable. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

- Providence , RI, USA

problem #576

Aug 042009

Malibu

  • miles
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact's vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V153000 (steering). The contact stated that the steering wheel became difficult to turn while operating the vehicle and the power steering warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, but the parts were unavailable to repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was unavailable.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

problem #575

Jun 012006

Malibu

  • 62,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving various speeds, the steering wheel seized and excessive force on the steering wheel was required. The service soon warning light illuminated prior to the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for a diagnosis. The technician stated that the power steering sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact received a notification for recall 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). However, the parts needed were unavailable to service the vehicle under the recall. The dealer was uncertain when the parts would be available. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 62,000.

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #574

Aug 122011

Malibu 6-cyl

  • 48,000 miles
Heavy snapping sound (hard enough to be felt) upon turning wheels in either direction. It has been noted to me that this is a "quirk" of the steerng for this model and can not be remedied. The car was bought used and told that the rack and pinion steering had been replaced but did not remedy the situation and was not a safety consideration. In my opinion, when something makes a snapping sound and can be felt, this is surely a safety factor. Can you advise if this is a safety factor or not? I'm not really comfortabe driving this car.

- Reynoldsville, PA, USA

problem #573

Jan 232014

Malibu

  • 130,000 miles
While operating this car the power steering will go out. In order to re-set this you must put the car into neutral, shut the car off, turn the car back on and put back in gear. If this does not work we must start the process over. All at the same time of trying to get the car off the road. GM has ignored my request for a replacement car due to a couple other issues. No parts are available for the recalls on my car& GM does not know when they will be available. I have a 3 month old being transported in the vehicle. This vehicle also travels 65 miles a day on the interstate to & from work. GM does not see the importance of the safety issues being presented on a daily basis not only to me & my family but to anyone traveling around me on the interstate. I am tired of getting the run around. I have several emails that show no response to the situation.

- Renton, WA, USA

problem #572

Jun 302014

Malibu 6-cyl

  • 70,000 miles
We have received three recall notices for the above mentioned problems. All of the notices say that the car will be fixed free of charge by the dealer but parts are not available at the current time. When I got the second notice I called and talked to a woman at the Chevrolet division of GM and was told the parts should be available within two weeks. A month later we got our third notice of a different problem and when I called again I was told that they had not determined the "root" of the problem so they don't know which parts need to be replaced. Also they could not tell me when the solution would be found and therefore when the parts would be available. In addition I would think an american company like GM would be hiring americans to answer their customer's complaints. It was pretty obvious that the person I talked to today was most likely a call person from india. Any ideas when these problems will be solved"? who should I complain to next?"

- Madison, WI, USA

problem #571

Dec 282011

Malibu 6-cyl

  • 160,000 miles
Driving to work at 0615 - temp was 41 degrees. Typical winter morning. I was traveling 45 mph due to the time of year on a road I have driven for 27 years. My car had 4 studded snow tires on it for the winter driving. Going up a hill and around a curve I lost control and steering seemed to be "gone" I could not gain control at all. My car spun around went over an embankment - flipped over and rolled landing on it's top. The doors were dug into the ground so escape on my own was impossible. The car was totaled. We assumed it was just a fluke and that I must have hit black ice - which I have done before. Never had I not been able to gain control again though. This car had problems with steering and "stopping" before. I had it in the shop more than a couple of times to be checked out and was told nothing was wrong. When I heard about the recalls, I called to notify GM that I had crashed my car - in case they needed the information and they asked me if I still had the car. I told them "no" it had been totaled. They then told me that my information didn't matter since I no longer had the car!

- Rockford, WA, USA

problem #570

Mar 222014

Malibu

  • 111,454 miles
Power steering stopped working. Had to replace the steering column and steering motor. Was re-placed at a private mechanic as I did not know there was a recall. Since finding out concerning the recall I have called and called GM sends recall notices for everything except the correct recall. All I want is to be reimbursed for the cost of repairing the car. They can not seem to understand I have already had the car repaired. When you do get a letter for a recall they say they know that it could be dangerous they are concerned but the parts are not available yet. I have received 2 recall letters for things having nothing to do with my repair and they say the same thing. So strange my mechanic could get parts but GM can't"?" thank you (this is the second notice I have sent).

- Old Hickory, TN, USA

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