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 55 mph when the steering seized while making a turn. The power steering warning light illuminated after the failure. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer and the manufacturer was not notified. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 59,843.
The power steering went out last year and I had the steering column replace (that's what they said was wrong) now here it is 14 months later and it's out again. I am afraid to drive it even to the shop. It has to be some kind of defective part by Chevy based on the massive number of complaints I see on the web about this. I should not have to shell out money to have this fixed again. This is a dangerous problem and should be addressed by the factory!
While turning into a parking spot, I received a warning chime and noticed a steering warning note on the digital display. After car was turned off and back on, the notice was not present and steering was normal. On several other occasions, the steering would repeat this situation but it would do it in no apparent regular driving state, ie, could be going down road at highway speeds or just maneuvering into a parking spot. Always would return to normal after a cycle of the ignition key and could be months before a repeat event. Sometimes the event would seem to reduce steering power but not remove all assist and at other times the steering assist would be completely removed.
Failure of electronic power steering. Luckily happened at low speed and no traffic. Internet shows this be a problem with other Malibu owners. GM has recalled other vehicles with same problems, but no recall by NHTSA, only investigations. Loss of steering is one thing that should not be acceptable.
I bought this car in 2010. The steering problem has been intermittent since the car passed 33K. I haven't had this happen on the road, but usually after I park and turn the car back on. There will be no power steering making it almost impossible to drive. If I shut it off and turn it back on again, the problem isn't there. Quite unnerving. The car also has a clunk sound in the left front under the steering wheel. The warning for power steering is on more than it is off. I wish there was a recall on this. There have been so many complaints on the internet and my mechanic says there should be a recall on this. I haven't had it fixed because I can't afford it.
- Boothbay, ME, USA
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Approx. On 11-06-2011 while pulling into a parking stall the power steering went out. 11-17-2011 while driving at 30 mph the power steering went out. 11-23-2011 while driving at highway speeds the power steering went out. All three times I was able to get the power steering back after parking and turning off the engine.
I was driving home from work going about 30 mph when power steering went out on me. It was very difficult to steer and freaked me out since my 2 year old daughter was in the back seat and there was a lot of traffic. Thankfully I was only 4 blocks from home. Got home turned the car off and then back on and it reset, but then my husband took it for a drive around the block and it happened again. After all the research, it ticks me off that GM is not taking responsiblity for this problem.
Streering started to make a cluck noise around September 2008. I took it in for this problem and they put some grease in. It still makes these sounds but has slowly gotten worse. I think there is something really bad or major going on with the power steering unit.
As I was coming up a hill to a stop light. Steering was lost. Since I do not drive this car often, I did not know this happened before. My wife said she stops the car and restarts the problem goes away.. not a good situation as one drives. Wondering if there is a recall on this problem.
Driving home from work making a right hand turn the power steering went out completely, service vehicle soon light chimed and came on, power steering failure illuminated on the driver information center. After pulling over into a parking lot with no power steering I turned off car waited a few minutes restarted car and power steering was fine all warning lights had gone off. I have researched this problem and have found that there are numerous complaints regarding this issue with Chevrolet Malibu's. I just purchased this used car and am very concerned with this safety issue, as this needs to be addressed. Not only am I jeopardizing my safety and well being, but jeopardizing those close to me.
While stopped at a traffic signal, the car made a clicking noise. A yellow light/wrench appeared and the display showed power steering. All power steering was gone. After arriving home I turned the vehicle off. Awhile later I started the car and the power steering was working and all indicators were gone. I'm concerned that this could happen while I'm moving.
Power steering keeps failing while driving. I have read many complaints on this issue. The car has 105,552 miles. My mechanic has talked to Chevy mechanics and they say you can fix the sensor motor and steering column but cant guarantee that will fix the problem. How is it GM can get away without doing a recall on this problem if its unsafe? the Chevy dealer told my mechanic the best thing I can do is trade it in. I am almost done paying for the car and don't want to purchase a new car. I want this one fixed and not be scared that I'm gonna get killed in it or kill someone else!
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu maxx. The contact stated that the steering wheel would seize when driving 5 mph and above. The contact would shut the vehicle off whenever the failure occurred and the vehicle would operate 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 57,000. The VIN was unavailable.
While driving my power steering went out. It felt like wet cement in the steering column. I have driven a car with out power steering before this was much harder. I pulled over opened the hood to see if anything was loose. Could not find anything. Once I restarted the car it was fine. 30 mins later making a left turn it goes out again, turn car on and off and it works again.
When driving the vehicle, it became hard to turn. It took two of us to turn into a parking lot. I got to a safe spot to stop, turned the engine off, waited about 15 minutes and restarted, operated fine. I have dealt with this issue at various times since but have had to deal with it daily for the past week. Took it to the dealer, they did diagnostic and saw no problems. They have no suggestions for me.
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu maxx. While driving 20 mph, the power steering failed. After turning the engine off and then on, the steering had independently reset. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure nor was the vehicle inspected or repaired. The failure mileage was 44,765. Updated 10/14/11 updated 10/28/11
Knocking noise in the steering column, noise and difficulty turning. Noticable play in the steering of the vehicle. Occurs several times a week, I refuse to drive my car on the freeway or at high speeds in fear of electric power steering going out.
Power steering failed today completely and I ran off the road when entering the highway. I almost crashed into a semi-truck and could have easily been in a large crash if the truck was only a few feet closer. I have researched this problem online and found that this is a common problem with this car. I am not surprised how slow the government works. I assume that nothing will come from my complaint. My power steering has been faulty for a couple years now, but this is the first time it has failed completely. I feel bad if I sell this car because it might kill the person I sell it to, because there is no telling when the steering will fail.
In the middle of making turns, right and left, the electronic power steering will deactivate causing car to jerk, then steering will be extremely difficult. Car can be turned off and then restarted and the issue will stop for a short time. There has been recalls for this issue on other GM models but not my model. This issue first occurred while my 16 yr old daughter was driving and almost resulting in an accident. I am extremely concern for my daughter safety will driving this vehicle. I took the car out shortly after this happen to her and within 3 turns the steering wheel jerked, light on dash light, display showed power steering and steering reverted to what can best be described as prepower steering X 2. I am a muscular 300 pound male and I had a difficult time getting the car to turn safely into the lane and later off the road. This is a safety issue that was no covered by GM and should be addressed before someone is injured. Please reopen your investigation into this issue. Thank you for your time.
First started as an occasional steering problem at low speeds. Then progressed to more frequent steering problem at low speed. Next a bad vibration started in the front when breaking. Now a loud clunking noise. Diagnosis by mechanic is defective rack and pinion, steering box, and possibly power steering failure. Research indicates there have been many, many complaints about this, and that the 2005 Malibu was recalled for exactly the same problem last summer.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Bigstonegap, VA, USA