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 maxx. The contact was driving approximately 15 mph and completing a turn when the power steering assist suddenly malfunctioned, making the steering wheel extremely difficult to maneuver. The contact indicated that the power steering failure sensor was also illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified and no solution was offered. The failure mileage was 101,000.
While driving, heard warning signal, saw warning light (wrench I think), then digital read on radio said "power steering." Tried to change lanes to exit freeway, steering wheel very difficult to move. Realized I had no power steering. Very dangerous situation. This all happened very quickly.
I was driving down the road heading to work, and went around a curve and all the sudden the service engine light came on and I completely lost my power steering. I managed to pull over and shut my car off, turn it back on and went on my way. The power steering came back at this point. The next morning, I was driving to work, and was getting ready to make a right turn. As I rounded the corner, I lost my power steering yet again. I once again killed the engine and it came back. Both times, I later drove the car home from work with no incidents. This is very dangerous and could cause serious accidents.
Turned left at an intersection when the a chime sounded and the service light on the dash appeared. Then the power steering went out and the car veered off the road and onto the sidewalk. The car was placed into park and the ignition turned off. The ignition was immediately turned back on and the power steering was restored. This happened last winter, then three times already this winter.
I was driving slowly in a parking lot and the power steering failed completely. The check engine light also came on. It was very dificult to naigate in the parking lot at such low speeds. When I left the parking lot and accelerated, I was able to manage steering with some force. After turning off the vehicle and restarting, the power steering worked fine and the check engine light went off. I was concerned for my safety and worried I would have an accident due to difficulty steering.
- Bentonville, AR, USA
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The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu maxx. The contact stated that the steering wheel became hard to turn as the power steering warning light illuminated and the power steering warning alarm chimed. The failure was recurring. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to have a diagnostic performed or repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 36,000 and the current mileage was 37,000.
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu maxx. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 mph, there was a complete loss of power steering accompanied by a warning chime. The engine was turned off and restarted. In addition, an unknown fuse was removed from under console and cleaned. The vehicle resumed normally. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the steering column and module were both replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 51,000....updated 11-18-13 updated 11/26/2013
1st incidence on highway, 2 yrs. Ago steering tightened up and light with car/wrench came on. It resolved on its own quickly soon after calling on star for assistance. Just recently more random incidences of light coming on with no noticeable steering difficulty. Today, while pulling out of driveway, steering frozen, car/wrench light came on, stuck in middle of the street. Turned car off and restarted. Steering loosened up then froze again, could not turn wheel at all, still stuck in the middle of the street. Turned car off and on again. It loosened up again and was able to drive it without further light or stiffness. Planning on visiting the dealership this week for a check up. This should be covered along with the recall for 2005 Malibu since it is the power steering issue.
Started my car after work and my power steering was suddenly gone after working fine for 2 days (just bought the car). I took it to my mechanic and he did a trouble code search. The computer kept displaying torque sensor error. Took it to GM and found out that they will not cover the cost to replace it because I have a V6, not a V4 engine. Apparently GM extended the warranty on the V4 steering columns, but not the V6. Drove back home and let the car sit for about 4 hours. Went and started it up and the power steering was back. Turned the car back off and it overnight. Started again this morning and the power steering is gone again! very unhappy since I just bought the car!
I was driving down the road when the power steering went totally out. I heard a chime, saw the wrench light up on the dash and a power steering message appeared on the message panel. I noticed the steering was much more difficult and then went out all together. I turned the car off and back on again and the problem was temporarily resolved only to reappear later again. I know that the 2005 was recalled for the same issue and think this one needs to be also. It is not safe at all to drive.
Power steering malfunction flashed on the instrument panel and within seconds I lost all power steering until I stopped the vehicle shut it off and restarted engine. I have had this happen before but in the parking lot and random malfunction indicators since I purchased the vehicle. This is a malfunction that these cars rolled off the assembly line with. GM chooses not to do anything about it and if I end up paying over $1,000 for the repair I vow to never purchase another General Motors vehicle again.
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu maxx. The contact stated that while driving 35 mph, the power steering assist failed. The contact had to use excessive force to turn the steering wheel. The vehicle was shut down and restarted but that was only a temporary remedy. The contact also mentioned that the failure was experienced several times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that the steering column and interior module need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 88,700 and the current mileage was 92,400.
After several power steering service alarms in the preceding months, that all reset after the engine was turned off, the alarm came on and the power assist failed leaving the car extremely difficult to steer. Took the car into the dealership the next week and they reprogrammed the steering and sent me home. The next day the steering failed again. I then looked up the problem on the internet and found out this is a prevalent problem and has no real fix! what do I do now?
The steering locks up between 2000 and 3500 rpms. The tool, steering and battery light keeps flashing when the power steering locks up or before the steering locks up. Chiming sounds go off and a clicking noise from the dash board. I heard many people are having the same issue. It should be a recall because it almost cause me to be in an accident many time. I had to stop driving me car due to the danger.
While driving the vehicle the power steering failed completely as has been noted by thousands of other 2004 Chevy Malibu maxx owners. The steering becomes difficult is not impossible to operate or it locks up completely as was the case today and will not allow the steering to be turned. As a 30 year law enforcement veteran I recognize this as a very serious life safety issue. This vehicle needs to be recalled since GM is fully aware of the problem but does not want to step up and fix this issue that has caused accidents and injury to owners. The fault indicator comes on and a beeping occurs and the display in the center of the dash says "power steering".
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu maxx. The contact stated while driving 30 mph the power steering failed. The contact stated that the power steering light illuminated for months prior to it failing. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 86,000.
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu maxx. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 mph, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The check engine and power steering lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken the dealer for diagnosis. The technician stated that the steering column would have to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact the vehicle was previously repaired under a manufacturer's recall for the steering. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 125,000.
Upon acceleration using the gas pedal, the car loses total control of its steering. All engine lights and failure lights go on.sometimes just making a simple turn at an intersection, the car loses complete steering capability. This has happened at various speeds, including on the highway at 50 mph accelerating over a slight incline or at 10 mph at an intersection while making a left or right turn. I noticed trouble with the steering when I first bought my car under warranty but it wasn't as severe. Just when backing out of a parking space the steering was tight, but the dealership could not find the problem. I have had the short rack steering gear, steering rack, intermediate shaft, and serpentine belt replaced but to no avail. On the website www.lemonlawclaims.com there have been at least 42 steering complaints of similar nature regarding the same year make for the Malibu. An NHTSA investigation was performed PE04-031 based on eight reports of alleged power steering failures. The preliminary evaluation has been upgraded to an engineering analysis based on the report I printed up in 2010, however I am not certain of the current status of this investigation. I'm sure there are a lot more failure reports that have been opened, though I cannot find a recall regarding this failure. As a side note, sometimes the car has trouble starting - it always has and the dealership could not determine the failure. When trying to start it up, hitting the gas pedal will cause the engine to kick over and not stall. There is always the smell of fuel. I am not sure if this is part of the failure. In addition when the steering fails or the steering wheel jerks upon acceleration, a clicking sound can be heard. The origin of this clicking in unknown. I really don't understand why there hasn't been a recall on this or better yet a class action lawsuit.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Longmont, CO, USA