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.
Auto has electric steering. At times the steering acts erratic and becomes difficult to steer. Afraid in a emergency situation that the steering may not react in time.
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu maxx. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 70 mph, the vehicle veered to the left without control and the traction control warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 178,000.
Last November, 2013, I was driving my 2006 Chevrolet Malibu maxx lt on simsbury rd. In avon, ct when I experienced a very dangerous loss of power steering and the electrical system. Causing my front right tire to blow out. This made mycar to swerve and veer into oncoming traffic. T I was at risk of being hit by other cars. While waiting for roadside assist I was helped by the ct dot and avon pd. This was a harrowing, dangerous, and stressful experience for me. I would like Chevrolet to cover all of the repair expenses related to this accident and all problems & repairs that followed since this is directly related to the power steering& electrical system recalls from GM Chevrolet. They did not notify me directly about the power steering& electrical system recalls. I found out only this week August 10, 2014 after I called this with regards two additional recall notices I received of late regarding faulty transmission and brakes. They do not have parts or an expected date for repairs and have refused my request for a replacement vehicle in any form. I have spoken at length to their customer relations director as well as all three of the Chevrolet dealerships I have used for service and purchase; oneill Chevrolet, avon, ct, gengras Chevrolet, East hartford, ct and carter Chevrolet in manchester, ct, where I purchased the vehicle. None of them are willing to arrange a temporary replacement vehicle and have no further information on a date for repairs or parts availability. This is outrageous and unacceptable. Please advise Consumer Affairs and me as to how I should proceed. I am a disabled american and have no other transportation options other then my own car. Thank you.
Merging onto interstate at 55 merge speed and as entering onto first thru lane the power steering died out and acceleration dropped on its own. Nearly hit by an 18 wheeler that had been safely back from my entry point before the steering and engine both failed. I pulled as hard as I could to the right and a bell rang but there was no check engine light or any other indicator light for the steering. When I braked, the steering came back and I was able to pull to the right out of harms way. There was no other car on the entry ramp or I am sure we would have been rear ended at high speed this happens often in ordinary traffic at speeds between 35 and 45 once the car is warmed up when I attempt to change lanes and sometimes a bell rings and other times it does not. I received a recall notice #13036 and it describes symptoms included here and additional potential problems. The part is not yet available as GM has been telling me since March of this year. I have discontinued driving this car unless it is absolutely necessary and if the distance is less than 5 miles because it has not yet warmed up to cause the problem. This is a dangerous defect and we were lucky to have not been killed by the 18 wheeler.
I started up my 2006 Chevy Malibu power steering has stopped working power steering warning flashed on dash. This has been a continuous problem. Now the power steering does not work at all.
- Cordova, TN, USA
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At around 40 mph, on a reasonable acceleration to pass another car, the steering completely froze. An alarm (ding ding ding), along with a message on the display console said "power steering". when reported to the dealer -- the dealer said they could not replicate and there was no problem. Though I have since avoided any sudden accelerations -- the problem has recurred many times (even at slight acceleration). In all cases, the commonality has been -- with acceleration there has been an attempt to steer (attempt to move into passing lane). At lower speeds the problem occurs mostly during parking. Especially when a few full lend/right tight turns are required to get in/out of parking spot. The steering completely freezes. The only solution I have found is -- to completely shut down the car. Then wait a little and restart. A few months ago -- the console message was different -- "power steering loss". this was when I was pulling out of a parking at an apartment. It was a single tight turn in reverse, followed by straightening and putting the car in drive. Again -- a full shut down, one minute off, and restart helped. Only recently did the recall vindicate what I have been experience since less than a year after I purchased the car. The dealer consistently said -- there was no notice or complaints. A quick search online (now) reveals many have experienced such for a long time. Even with the recall -- parts are not available, and it is not known when they can fix. It is absolutely criminal to have something so serious be left unacknowledged or fixed. Though the notice says -- it would take a lot more effort to steer -- I can tell you from number of times I have experienced -- no amount of effort would have even budged the steering (at speed or even low speed). There is a huge difference between steering like a manual vs completely freezing).
Around 60000 miles you could hear and feel a clunking or popping coming from inside the steering column. This happened especially while turning the wheel or going over bumps. At approximately 65500 miles while my wife was traveling at 20 mph making a turn the power steering instantly and without warning locked up. After turning the car off and on again the power steering would reset but would still randomly lock up. I called Chevrolet and explained what was happening and how this was a huge safety concern. If this had happened at high speeds my wife could have lost control of the vehicle. Chevrolet informed me that they had no knowledge of this failure. They also stated they would not help with the $1081.31 dollar repair bill for a new steering column module. As of Mar 31, 2014 Chevrolet has posted a recall for the sudden loss of electric power steering in the 2006 Malibu maxx. After calling Chevrolet to inform them I would like to get this new part to fix the issue they informed me my 2006 Malibu maxx was not within the VIN numbers affected. This is terrible if Chevrolet knows this problem exists but is waiting for more complaints or deaths I guess. Now I'm just waiting and hoping my pregnant wife is not involved in an accident from sudden loss of electric power steering.
When driving at lower speeds (25-30 mph) my Chevy Malibu would chime at me and lose power steering, sometimes causing my car to go into other lanes and/or almost hitting sidewalks and curbs. I replaced the electric steering motor in 2013, but my car has not been part of the recall even though the same issues that are listed under the recall is what happened with my car. I had the motor replaced at a Chevrolet dealership, so there is a record of the repair.
As the power steering is showing signs of failure and the dealership has not yet received the parts for my bulletin for the issued recall, the mechanic has now told me the torque failure of the power steering issue is leading to the failure of the ac condenser as they are both running off the linked pulleys. I would like to have this looked at by the investigative committee.
I understand that my car has not been included in the recent recall; however, my car presents the exact same symptoms as those cars involved with the recall. Due to this, my car remains parked in my garage for over one year. I drive it, on average, once per month, if that; because I fear that I may be involved in an accident and/or obtain a serious, life threatening injury. For the past nearly two years, my car randomly shuts down. I lose complete power over my steering. The steering locks up, and my warning chime sounds. Everything shuts down: Radio, gauges, etc. This has happened several times on the freeway, at high speeds, merging into traffic. I have almost gotten into an accident several times. I have ended up on street curbs and highway medians. Unfortunately, the dealership I took it to be fixed (lafontaine Buick GMC in ann arbor, mi) states that the issue is due to the steering motor, which is not covered under the current recall. To fix this, it would cost nearly $800. I have contacted GM customer service and was told that nothing could be done to assist in this issue.
Action: Letter from senator richard shelby on behalf of constituents re: Steering recall notice on the 2006 Chevrolet Malibu maxx ( send respond to tuscaloosa office). The consumer was informed, the parts were not available. Ref# 14V153000.
After four (4) minutes of driving car at 6:30am in the morning, temperature was 58 degree on 7/21/2014, the engine shut off. All powered functions associated w/vehicle did not work. All idiot lights flashed on. The message in display was "engine disabled." Car was pulled over and shut off. After 4-5 minutes of rest, the car was re-started and driven back home about another two (2) miles.
Driving at 40 mph, all powered functions shut off - no power steering, hard to brake, and engine just quits. All "idiot" lights come on: Fuel, oil, stability traction control... just like before you immediately start the car, where all lights flash on. After two minutes of rest - I try the car again and it starts. Today, (7/15), this incident happened within 10 minutes of each other. The fist incident was exactly a week from today on 7/08, same speed, same road. The cart just quits. I am using this car for this summer where it is actually owned by mother. The car was purchased from jim O'brien Chevrolet in willoughby hills, oh.
The power steering stops working thus making an unsafe situation. Chevy notified me in June saying that the replacement part is not yet available. It has been over a month and I have to drive this unsafe car.
Steering wheel started jerking to the left intermittently and when I parked it and shut the engine off, I could still hear a motor running and then the steering wheel jerked to the left again and then the motor sound stopped. Took to dealership who said they could not get the problem to replicate and no codes showing. Dealership said my two right side tires needed balancing, I thoroughly explained the problem again and still they said it needed the tires balanced & it would make a difference, $74.10 later no difference and now the steering wheel is jerking back and forth to the left & right constantly, is scary to drive, dealership put my vehicle on list for recall for electric power steering assist part but said no parts available yet, I need this car to get to work and it is not safe to drive.
On several occasions my car has lost power steering nearly causing a wreck. This is a danger and needs to be fixed but I was told I would be mailed notice on April 28. I am very concerned for the safety of my child as well as other people on the roadways. My car also randomly loses battery power.. I assume this is electrical.
This happened literally at the end of a 7 hour car trip- we got lucky. Driving on I-75 South and approaching exit. Begin to slow down and enter exit ramp. Steering wheel starts shaking profusely and immediately becomes extremely hard to move to either side. Panicking, I managed to control the car and slow it down to a very slow speed and put the hazard lights on, and slowly merge into a gas station that was, luckily, right next to the exit ramp. This was extremely scary, unexpected, and could have killed us if we were going the full highway speed and were not exiting on a ramp.
Letter from senator nelson on behalf of constituent regarding steering problems on her 2006 Chevrolet Malibu; please send response directly to senator office and reference constituent. The consumer stated the front brake calipers failed to retract causing the brakes to overheat and catch fire. The mechanic stated it may have been due to a factory flaw as he had never seen both calipers fail together. The brake caliper seals were melted from heat and they were cracked/dry rotted letting the caliper sleeve rust. A month prior, the consumer noticed the power steering seemed stiff and the vehicle became difficult to steer, the consumer did receive a recall notice regarding a potential problem with the steering. On December 20, 2011 the consumer experienced another steering failure, slow acceleration, and overheating of the brakes. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where the mechanic believed there was probably contamination in the brake fluid, as it was milky. The mechanic recommended that all the rubber components in the brake and ABS be replaced due to the contamination.
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu maxx. The contact stated that the power steering warning light illuminated then the vehicle became difficult to steer. The contact also mentioned that the ignition warning light sporadically illuminated at various speeds and there was an abnormal metal odor in the cabin. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was found that the steering column and rack and pinion was replaced. The contact was also informed that the rear brake calipers needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 128,000. Updated 7/7/14 updated 07/14/2014
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu maxx. The contact stated that while the driver traveled approximately 50 mph, the steering wheel failed as the power steering warning light illuminated. The driver lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a road barrier. The driver suffered injuries to the face, head, hands and ears. The police were called to the scene. The vehicle was towed by the contact's insurance company for further inspection. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure and current mileage was 86,000. Updated 87/15/14 updated 08/25/2014
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Salem, WI, USA