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.
Cars steering momentarily locked up while on a slight curve in the road, I was able to pull over and checked under the hood for a broken belt or something obvious. After starting the car up again the problem was not present. About 3 weeks later the car was taken in for service and a "lube kit"was installed. The problem has reoccured on several occasions since and each time after stopping the car then restarting it the problem is no longer present. There are many reports of this problem on the internet. It is a very scary and potentially dangerous situation to be in. There is a knocking or clunking noise in the front end seemingly associated with the occurrences.
Turning left at about 5 mph, power steering went out and made it hard to turn the corner, almost caused an accident in the middle of an intersection. Power steering light came on radio display and buzzer went off. Pulled into gas station and restarted engine. Problem went away. Waiting for it to happen again. Judging by the same complaint from others, this will by my last GM.
Ding sound and then power steering light came on. Took to dealership and was told power steering sensor was the cause of the problem. I have read where there have been several complaints on problems with the power steering with this vehicle. I have contacted GM and they proclaim they are not aware of any problems yet there is a letter that was sent out in 2007 extending the warranty on the vehicle. I purchased the vehicle in 2009. I am told the steering column may need to be replaced.
Check engine/power steering light came on when starting down the road. Rpms shot up to 4 and 5, car won't shift (automatic car), mph stopped reading, all the info I get through my radio screen went blank, there is only an error sign where my mileage is.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving 10 mph, the steering wheel seized. The contact also stated that after turning the vehicle off and letting it warm up the power steering began to function as normal again. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 150,000. The VIN was not available.
- St Paul , MN, USA
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The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving approximately 10 mph, there was a sudden loss of power steering. The engine was turned off and restarted, and the vehicle was able to resume normally. The manufacturer issued a voluntary recall pertaining to the power steering failure however, the vehicle was ineligible due to the mileage exceeding 100,000. The manufacturer was made aware of the problem. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was unavailable.
The contact owns 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while attempting to park, the power steering failed without warning. The contact mentioned that after turning the vehicle off and restarting, the power steering was operating as normal. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 60,000 and the current mileage was 81,000.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that when first starting the vehicle, the steering wheel would seize and there was a severe resistance in the steering wheel. The failure occurred on an intermittent basis. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where they advised him that they were unable to diagnose the failure. A few months later the contact received notification of a manufacturers voluntary recall for vehicle with 100,000 miles or fewer. The contact stated that the vehicle was over the mileage limitation and when contacting the manufacturer, no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000.
The power steering goes out a few times each week on this 2005 Malibu with the electric power steering. It started happening only occasionally, but now much more frequently. I reset it by turning off engine and restarting when I am able to stop. It usually happens fairly soon after starting when cold. Sometimes it takes 2 or 3 restarts to keep it working. In addition, the problems that many others are experiencing are also present... like the drift at highway speeds, and the clunking sounds in the front end. So far, the dealer has not been helpful. They just want to replace parts and charge around $800 to repair. This is definitely a safety issue on the Malibu as well as other models (like the cobalt) which already have recalls issued for these parts.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the steering wheel would exhibit an abnormal clicking when the contact was turning left. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was told that the I-shaft needed to be replaced. The failure mileage was 76,127 and the current mileage was 72,500. Updated 01/20/12
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while turning at approximately 5 mph, the steering wheel seized. A power steering service light also illuminated on the instrument panel and a warning bell sounded. The vehicle was maneuvered to a gas station and shut off. The vehicle operated as normal upon restart. The vehicle was not taken to have the failure diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000. The VIN was unavailable.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu maxx. The contact stated that while attempting a turn, the power steering failed without warning. The contact stated that the power steering warning light would illuminate sporadically prior to the failure. The vehicle was not inspected or repaired. The failure mileage and current mileages were 100,000.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact was driving 15 mph when the power steering system malfunctioned and caused the steering wheel to seize. The contact was unable to maneuver the vehicle without difficulty. The contact had not taken the vehicle to the dealer for inspection or repairs. The failure mileage was 92,500. The VIN was not available.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving 5 mph, the power steering warning lamp illuminated and he was unable to maneuver the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the power steering module was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure and the vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 152,000 and the current mileage was 153,300. Updated 09/29/11 the consumer stated the vehice has not been repaired. Updated 12/13/11
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that when making a right or left turn, the vehicle would make a loud clunking noise. The dealer replaced the steering shaft, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 24,000 and the current mileage was 26,000. The VIN was unavailable. Updated 09/21/11 updated 09/23/11
The steering wheel in a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu pops and after time the pops increase and causes the steering of the vehicle to fail. This is a huge safety issue and could cause drivers to crash. If enough people die, maybe GM will recall this design flaw. This is caused from having electronic steering, which means no power steering fluid is suppose to be needed.
I have a 2005 Chevy Malibu, and the steering power goes on and off, one time I was driving it, then the power steering went off in the freeway, I was so scary, I took the first exit right always, it was almost impossible to turn the steering wheel.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving approximately 35 mph the power steering light illuminated on the instrument panel and the power steering suddenly stopped functioning. The failure occurred intermittently and progressed over time. The vehicle was inspected by an independent mechanic who advised the contact to disconnect the battery when the power steering failed in order for it to function properly. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 89.000.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the power steering failed while driving at an unknown speed. Prior to the failure, the contact heard a beeping noise and the power steering service light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was informed that the steering rack and column needed to be replaced. The failure and current mileages were 137,000.
I would like to amend my previous complaint number: 10407288 the fatality that I mentioned was not proven to be of a direct result of a steering failure. However, according to complaint number: 10364224 the Chevrolet Malibu had steering shaft replaced prior to accident. This was performed at GM dealer due to popping noise while steering, diagnosed at dealer. Repair paid for by owner. Chevy Malibu had 65,000 miles at time of accident.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Woodstock, MD, USA