NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026
PULLING OUT OF THE GARAGE THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. I DROVE IT WITHOUT POWER STEERING FOR ABOUT 3 MILES, PARKED THE VEHICLE AND SHUT IT OFF. WENT INSIDE THE BUSINESS & CAME OUT ABOUT A HALF HOUR LATER & THE STEERING WORKED FINE. I'VE RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE ON LINE AND HAVE FOUND THAT GM HAS RECALLED VEHICLES FOR THIS ISSUE BUT NOT THE 2004 MALIBU. THIS VEHICLE HAS ALSO BEEN SERVICED 3 TIMES IN PAST YEARS FOR STEERING RELATED PARTS INCLUDING A RACK & PINION UNIT. MY DAUGHTER HAS A 2005 CHEVY COBALT & HER VEHICLE WAS RECALLED FOR THIS VERY SAME ISSUE. *TR
MY SON, AT COLLEGE, WAS DRIVING HOME WHEN A CHIME SOUNDED,POWER STEERING WENT OUT, AND WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. HE PULLED OVER AND CALLED ME. FIRST TIME THIS HAS OCCURRED SINCE WE BOUGHT CAR IN 2008. I TALKED TO A MECHANIC, A COUPLE OF SERVICE MANAGERS, AND LOOKED THIS COMPLAINT UP ON THE WEB. FOUND OUT THAT HUNDREDS OF MALIBU OWNERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. GM HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL FOR THE 2004, BUT HAS FOR LATER YEARS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS A POTENTIALLY LIFE-THREATENING PROBLEM THAT COULD LEAD TO A SERIOUS ACCIDENT IF IT OCCURS WHILE DRIVING ON A CURVY, BACK-ROAD HIGHWAY OR DURING A QUICK EVASIVE TURN. IT LOOKS LIKE IT WILL BE AN EXPENSIVE FIX THAT EACH OWNER MUST PAY THEMSELVES. GM SHOULD STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT AND ISSUE A RECALL. *TR
POWER STEERING WENT OUT UNEXPECTANTLY. NEARLY ADVERTED A WRECK. *TR
I WAS DRIVING MY SONS 2004 MALIBU WHEN SUDDENLY THERE WAS A FEW DINGS FOLLOWED BY THE CAR SYMBOL LIGHT WITH THE WRENCH INSIDE IT ON THE DASH LIGHT UP. THE WHEEL IMMEDIATELY BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN . IT'S AS IF THE POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING. I DROVE TO A SAFE LOCATION, TURNED OFF THE CAR AND THE PROBLEM WAS GONE. THIS DOES NOT SEEM RIGHT TO ME. PLEASE HAVE GM RECTIFY THIS ISSUE. *TR
TL* 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.
2004 MALIBU LS-DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY TODAY AND THE BELL GOES OFF, THE YELLOW WRENCH APPEARS AND THE RADIO SHOWS POWER STEERING. THE POWER STEERING JUST WENT OUT ALL AT ONCE AND I ALMOST RAN INTO A TRUCK. CALLED THE CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP AND THEY STATED THERE IS NOT A RECALL ON THIS AND IT IS ALSO NOT COVERED UNDER THE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. NHTSA PLEASE ISSUE A RECALL ON THIS POWER STEERING PROBLEM BEFORE IT CAUSES SOMEONE TO LOOSE THEIR LIFE. I HAVE A 1998 MALIBU LS AND A 2004 MALIBU LS AND THEY BOTH HAVE GAVE ME PROBLEMS. I WILL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER ONE. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE REPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 99,000.*TR
FRONT DRIVERS SEAT FRAME ROD SEVERED AT THE WELD JOINT CAUSING THE FRONT SEAT TO NOT REMAIN IN PLACE AND SHIFT AROUND DURING DRIVING. *TR
AS FOR THE LIGHTING I CANNOT COUNT HOW MANY LIGHT BULBS I HAVE REPLACED ON THIS VEHICLE TO THE POINT THAT I HAD THE AUTO SHOP REPLACE THEM SINCE I THOUGHT I WAS DOING SOMETHING WRONG. THEY ONLY LAST ABOUT A MONTH OR TWO AND BURN OUT WHICH IS REALLY DANGEROUS WHEN YOU DON'T KNOW IF WILL WORK OR NOT. THE STEERING ISSUE IS A MUCH MORE DANGEROUS PROBLEM, THIS IS MY WIFE'S CAR AND SHE GOT STUCK LEAVING THE HOUSE AND PHYSICALLY COULD NOT TURN THE STEERING WHEEL WHICH SHE DESCRIBED AS LOCKING UP. I CAN NOT IMAGINE IF SHE WERE TO BE TURN DOWN A BUSY INTERSECTION ON NOT BEEN ABLE TO TURN THE VEHICLE TO THE PROPER LANE. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND SHOULD BE A RECALL ITEM AS THE 2005'S WERE!!! *TR
AS I SAT DOWN IN DRIVERS SEAT THE SEAT SEEMED TO LEAN TO THE RIGHT AND TILTED BACK SLIGHTLY. I LOOKED UNDER SEAT TO SEE WHAT WAS WRONG AND NOTICED A BAR ACROSS FRONT SIDE OF SEAT WAS BROKE AWAY FROM IT'S ORIGINAL WELDED POSITION. AFTER REMOVING SEAT I NOTICED THAT THE BAR HAD INDEED BROKEN FREE FROM WELD. NOT ONLY WAS THE WELD BROKEN BUT THE BAR WHICH WASN'T REALLY A BAR BUT A PIPE SLIGHTLY THICKER WALLED THAN A PIECE OF TYPE M COPPER PIPING BROKE OFF WITH A PIECE MISSING. ALSO NOTICED SAME PROBLEM WITH THE PIPE THAT ENCASES THE BAR AT REAR OF THE SEAT THAT ALLOWS THE SEAT BACK TO TILT BACK OR FORWARD. THE PIPE HAS ALSO BROKEN THE WELD AND MISSING A PIECE OF THE PIPE.WE BOUGHT THIS CAR BRAND NEW AND MY WIFE IS THE PRIMARY DRIVER .WEIGHT AVERAGE 155 LBS. SO I DON'T BELIEVE WEIGHT PLAYS A PART OF THIS POORLY DESIGNED WORK OF FAILURE. MILEAGE IS LESS THAN 10,000 PER YEAR OWNED. THIS IS EXTREMELY UPSETTING. IS CHEVROLET RESPONSIBLE OR SINCE WARRANTY IS OVER THEY CAN GET AWAY WITH THIS POOR DESIGN AND SAFETY ISSUE? *TR
2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO REIMBURSEMENT FOR POWER STEERING RECALL REPAIRS. *SMD THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE RECALLED PART AND THE PART THAT WAS REPLACED ON HER VEHICLE WERE NOT THE SAME. THE REPAIR SHOP REPLACED A BAD SWITCH AND STEERING COLUMN. *JB
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. CAR POWER STEERING WENT OUT. ALMOST WRECKED BECAUSE I COULD NOT STEER VEHICLE. NOW THE POWER STEERING GOES IN AND OUT AS IT WISHES. THE STEERING WHEEL JERKS TO THE LEFT WHEN IT DOES DECIDE TO WORK. SOMETIMES TURNING THE CAR ON AND OFF WILL MAKE THE POWER STEERING COME BACK ON. *TR
STOPPED AND PUT VEHICLE IN REVERSE. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING. RETURNED TO NORMAL AFTER TURNING VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTING. *TR
The Grumman LLV was hit by the driver of the Chevy Malibu. The Grumman LLV had seatbelt issues with impact. The LLV was forced over on two wheels with left side impact from the driver of Chevy Malibu. [XXX] was the driver of the USPS Grumman LLV at the time of accident sustaining neck injuries requiring medical attention. Multiple medical procedures paid out of pocket followed to include surgeries The driver of Chevy Malibu was injured and received coverage by State Farm insurance. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
I WAS DRIVING MY DAUGHTER TO A DOCTORS APPOINTMENT, AND MY CAR DINGED 3 TIMES AND "POWER STEERING" CAME ACROSS ON THE RADIO FACE, AND I LOST POWER STEERING. I SHUT THE CAR OFF AND WHEN I STARTED IT AGAIN IT WAS FINE. TODAY (1-23-13) I WAS DRIVING WITH MY DAUGHTER IN THE CAR, AND I WAS DRIVING AROUND A CURVE, WHEN THE CAR DINGED 3 TIMES AGAIN AND POWER STEERING DISPLAYED ACROSS THE RADIO SCREEN. I LOST POWER STEERING IN MID TURN, AND HAD TO FIGHT TO KEEP THE CAR UNDER CONTROL. DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO DIE FOR THIS TO NE CORRECTED? *TR ## VIN FAILED ##
DRIVING DOWN STRAIGHT SECTION OF ROAD. POWER STEERING ALARM COMES ON AND STEERING WHEEL GOES STIFF. SLOWED AND STOPPED BEFORE NEXT TURN (WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO NEGOTIATE TURN). THIS HAS HAPPENED ON AN OFTEN ENOUGH BASIS (USUALLY BEFORE BEING ON THE ROAD) AND USING FIX DESCRIBED IN OTHER OFTEN REPORTED ISSUES WITH THIS TYPE OF STEERING, STOPPED CAR, TURNED OFF, ADJUSTED POSITION OF STEERING COLUMN AND RESTARTED. STEERING RETURNED TO NORMAL. *TR
WHILE TURNING TO THE LEFT THE DRIVERS SEAT SUDDENLY SHIFTED AND WAS LEANING TO THE RIGHT. THE WELD WHICH HOLDS THE BASE TOGETHER HAD BROKEN. THIS IS THE SECOND OCCURRENCE OF THIS HAPPENING. THE FIRST TIME IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY SO IT WAS REPAIRED BY THE DEALER. AT THAT TIME WE WERE TOLD THAT IT WAS A $1000 REPAIR BECAUSE THE WHOLE UNIT HAD TO BE REPLACED. THIS TO ME SEEMS A DANGEROUS SITUATION SINCE WHEN THE SEAT JERKS THERE SEEMS TO BE A PERIOD WHEN THERE IS A LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. I WENT ON THE COMPUTER WHEN I GOT HOME AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM. WHY IS THERE NO RECALL TO FIX THIS PROBLEM? *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE POWERED OFF THE VEHICLE AND ONCE RESTARTED, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST RESUMED NORMALLY. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED HOWEVER, WAS UNABLE TO GENERATE A FAILURE CODE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,528 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 113,588.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKING, THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS ADVISED TO THE CONTACT THAT THE MOTOR AND THE POWER STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000. *TR
BRAKE LIGHTS FLASHED INTERMITTENTLY WHEN I WAS NOT BRAKING. I WAS STOPPED AND INFORMED OF THIS BY AT STATE TROOPER. "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT WAS ON. THE CRUISE CONTROL HAS DISENGAGED INVOLUNTARILY SINCE 2005. I HAD A NEW BRAKE PEDAL POSITION SENSOR INSTALLED, BUT THE CRUISE CONTROL STILL DISENGAGES AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON DURING TRIPS OF MORE THAN 10 MILES. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5-10 MPH, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED AS THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE CONTACT MOVED OFF THE ROADWAY AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 85,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH AND COMPLETING A TURN, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. IN ADDITION, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, AS IT PERFORMED NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THEY ADVISED THAT THE THEY COULD NOT GET THE VEHICLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 93,000.
UPON SLOWING DOWN THE CAR TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN, THE POWER STEERING FAILED CAUSING THE CAR TO VEER INTO AN ONCOMING LANE OF TRAFFIC. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED MAKING THE STEERING WHEEL VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE LOST POWER STEERING WARNING MESSAGE DISPLAY ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT NO SOLUTION WAS OFFERED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT HE RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 14V153000 (STEERING). THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE CONTACT THE WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE AND NO ESTIMATED AVAILABILITY DATE COULD BE PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 250,000.
POWER STEERING WENT OUT WHILE IDLING AT DRIVE THRU WINDOW OF FAST FOOD(FIRST INCIDENT). 2 MORE AFTER THAT WHILE IDLING. THE MESSAGE CENTER SAID POWER STEERING AND CHIMED EVERY INCIDENT. IS THERE A RECALL FOR THIS? *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND BECAME HARD TO TURN. THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED, WHICH LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE POWER STEERING MOTOR AND COLUMN. THE STEERING RACK AND PINION WERE PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED, HOWEVER THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED FOR THE RECENT FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,900 AND THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 29,000.
THE DRIVER'S SEAT BROKE. WHILE DRIVING THE SEAT MOVES UP AND DOWN. WHILE DRIVING ON UNEAVEN ROADS THE SEAT BOUNCES UP AND DOWN. IT IS VERY DISTRACTING AND MESSES WITH THE ALLIGNMENT OF THE DRIVERS BACK. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS.
MY PREGNANT WIFE WAS DRIVING WHEN THE POWER STEERING JUST WENT OUT THIS IS THE SECOND TIME AND FROM READING MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS AND THEY DO NOTHING TO SOLVE IT. *TR
THE POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING FOR NO REASON, I TURNED OFF THE CAR AND RESTARTED WHICH RESET THE POWER STEERING. IT HAS HAPPENED A FEW TIMES SINCE THEN, NOW IN THE LAST WEEK TWICE IT WILL NOT RESET AND HAVE TO HAD TO DRIVE IT HOME MANUALLY. I AM TAKING IT A DEALER TODAY, THE DEALER I BOUGHT IT FROM SAID THEY FIXED THE STEERING RACK BUT IT OBVIOUSLY DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. GM HAS NO RECALL ON THIS EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE AWARE OF THIS VERY SERIOUS ISSUE. *TR
I'VE HAD MY CAR FOR FIVE YEARS AND THE POWER STEERING HAS WENT OUT AND REPLACE 4 TIMES!! I AM A MOTHER WITH THREE KIDS DRIVING IS VERY DIFFICULT I CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY TO REPLACE THE SAME PART OVER AND OVER THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON THIS STEERING PROBLEM THERE ARE TO MANY COMPLAINTS FOR IS NOT TO BE AN ISSUE! *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT SUDDENLY COLLAPSED TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE SEAT NEEDED TO BE WELDED OR REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000. UPDATED 1/17/13 *CN UPDATED 01/24/13
RIGHT REAR OF POWER OPERATED DRIVER'S SEAT FAILED TO RAISE. REMOVED SEAT FOR INSPECTION AND FOUND TWO BROKEN WELDS ON SEAT FRAME - RIGHT SIDE FRONT AND REAR. DISASSEMBLED SEAT AND HAD FRAME WELDED LOCALLY. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT AFTER TURNING OFF THE VEHICLE FOR 10 MINUTES THE STEERING RESUMED NORMAL FUNCTION. ALSO, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WRENCH SYMBOL ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THAT THE ELETRONIC POWER ASSIST FAILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,985.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY STIFF. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND CHECK UNDER HIS HOOD TO SEE IF THE FLUID WAS LOW. AFTER LIFTING THE HOOD THE DRIVER NOTICED THAT THERE WAS NO RESERVOIR FOR THE POWER STEERING FLUID. THE CONTACT THEN CALLED THE DEALER AND INFORMED THEM OF THE SITUATION. THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE VEHICLE HAD AN ELECTRONIC MOTOR AND THERE WAS NO WHERE FOR HIM TO PLACE THE POWER STEERING FLUID. THE DRIVER WAITED A WHILE AND THEN RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, WHICH TEMPORARILY REPAIRED THE STEERING FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 186,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU LT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO POWER STEERING PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED EACH TIME HE TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL, THE WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATED. IT LOCKED UP ON ONE OCCASION AND THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED FOR THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING STARTING WITH THE 2005 MODELS. *JB
THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED SHAKING AND IN THE MIDDLE OF A TURN THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT CAUSING THE CAR TO JERK AND GO OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I WENT ALL WINTER WITH THE POWER STEERING GOING IN AND OUT. I AM STILL HAVING THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE A RECALL ON IT BUT I HAVE NO ONE THAT WILL FIX IT. IT IS NOW GOING ON TWO MONTHS. I KEEP BEING TOLD THAT THERE ARE NO PARTS. I AM AFRAID IF THIS CONTINUES I WILL END UP IN A BAD ACCIDENT. *TR
WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK MY POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME FLASHED ON THE RADIO AND THE DASHBOARD, I TRIED TO MAKE A RIGHT HAND TURN AND THE WHEEL WAS VERY HARD TO TURN. I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TURNED THE CAR OFF AND WAITED ABOUT 5 MINUTES STARTED IT BACK UP AND IT WAS OK. I DROVE FOR ABOUT 1 MILE AND IT DID IT AGAIN. THIS HAPPENED MY WHOLE DRIVE HOME, I HAD TO KEEP TURNING THE CAR OFF AT EACH INTERSECTION JUST TO MAKE IT HOME. THIS HAPPENED AGAIN YESTERDAY OCTOBER 25TH, I HAD TO KEEP TURN THE CAR OFF IN ORDER TO MAKE IT HOME. SINCE I DRIVE ABOUT 8 MILES EACH DAY TO AND FROM WORK I AM CONCERN THAT THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. I WENT ON LINE AND HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THE 2004 MALIBU, WHY IN THE WORLD HAS THERE NOT BEEN A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM.? I AM JUST THANKFUL THAT I WAS NOT ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THIS HAPPENED, BECAUSE THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A DISASTER. I LIVE IN AN AREA OF THE COUNTRY THAT CAN BE VERY BAD IN THE WINTER AND WITH THIS HAPPENING SOMEONE CAN BE SERIOUSLY HURT IF YOU CANNOT MANEUVER IN BAD WEATHER. I HOPE THAT THERE HAVE BEEN ENOUGH COMPLAINTS THAT THIS WILL CALL FOR GENERAL MOTORS TO DO A RECALL BEFORE SOMETHING TERRIBLE HAPPENS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED WHILE APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST INTO A PARKING AREA. THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 163,000.
TL*T HE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO BECOME VERY HARD TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL TORQUE AND SENSOR FAILED. AS A RESULT, THE POWER STEERING COLUMN UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,327. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 44,258. UPDATED 08/11/14*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE TECHNICIAN FOUND THE FAULT CODE C0545 (STEERING WHEEL TORQUE IN THE PAST SENSOR FAILURE). THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN UNIT WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 08/13/2014 *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE TURNING LEFT. THE STEERING BECAME HARD TO TURN AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE STEERING RESUMED NORMAL FUNCTION FOR A BRIEF MOMENT AND THE MECHANICAL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000 AND THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 64,000. UPDATED 3/5/13 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE STEERING ISSUE, WAS INTERMITTENT.
COULDN'T GET OUT OF MY DRIVE WAY. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENS, WENT ONLINE TO FIND A SOLUTION AND FOUND OUT IT WAS A MANUFACTURERS ERROR. I CAN SEE ITS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST EVEN THOUGH THERE HAS BEEN SOME COMPLAINING DONE, EVEN AFTER GETTING IT "FIXED". *TR
AFTER BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, DROVE FORWARD A FEW FEET, TURNED RIGHT AT A STOP SIGN AND PROCEEDED FORWARD WHEN THE CAR'S WARNING CHIMES SOUNDED, THE "POWER STEERING" CAME UP ON THE DIC, THE SERVICE VEHICLE LIGHT CAME ON AND ALL POWER STEERING WAS LOST. IT WAS LATE AT NIGHT SO I CONTINUED DRIVING HOME WHICH WAS ABOUT 2 MILES AWAY BUT IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO MAKE TURNS. HAVE NOT TRIED TO DRIVE CAR DUE TO DIFFICULTY AND SINCE IT IS SUNDAY WAS NOT ABLE TO GET ASSISTANCE FROM MECHANICS OR DEALER. HAVE BEEN READING ONLINE AND SEEMS TO BE A COMMON AND DANGEROUS PROBLEM. NO RECALLS OR NOTICES RECEIVED BY DEALER. THIS CAR WAS BOUGHT NEW AND MAINTAINED. *TR
THEFT SYSTEM KEPT CAR FROM CRANKING. *JS
I CAME TO A STOP AT A RED LIGHT AND 3 SECONDS LATER I HEARD A CHIME AND A CAR WITH A WRENCH THROUGH IT APPEARED ON MY DASH. MY WHEEL LOCKED UP AND THE ONLY WAY TO UNLOCK IT WAS TO TURN THE CARE OFF AND BACK ON. THE SAME THING HAPPENED ON TWO OTHER OCCASIONS WHILE STOPPED AT A LIGHT. *TR
I AM HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AS HALF THE 2004 MALIBU OWNERS. I HAVE A 2004 MALIBU MY POWER STEERING JUST STOPS WORKING. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. I HAVE ALMOST HAD SEVERAL ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF THIS. I FOUND 176 PEOPLE ON ONE WEBSITE THAT IS ALSO HAVING THIS PROBLEM AND SEVERAL OTHER WEBSITE WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT ON. CHEVY HAS NOT RECALLED THE 2004 FOR IT. HOWEVER THAT DID RECALL THE 2005 FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THAT ONLY BECAUSE SOMEONE DIED IN THE CAR DUE TO THE POWER STEERING PROBLEM. WOW NOW I FEEL SAFE. I AM A SINGLE MOM I CANT PAY $600.00 FOR A MAYBE FIX. THEY CANT PROMISE AFTER REPLACING THE STEERING COLUMN IT WILL EVEN FIX THE PROBLEM. I CANT BUY A NEW CAR. THEY NEED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THERE MESS UP. GUESS I HAVE TO WAIT TILL SOMEONE DIES IN THE 2004 BEFORE THEY FIX IT AND WHO KNOWS I MIGHT BE THE ONE THAT DOES. FACEBOOK CONNECT *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START PROPERLY MULTIPLE TIMES. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO EJECT THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION, THE KEY FAILED TO TURN ALL THE WAY TO THE OFF POSITION. THE KEY WAS ABLE TO TURN FROM ACCESSORY TO THE ON POSITION AND VICE VERSA, BUT IT WOULD NOT TURN TO THE OFF POSITION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH AND KEYS COULD BE REPLACED FOR A FEE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.
CAME HOME FROM WORK ON 9/10/12 AND PULLED INTO THE DRIVEWAY. WHEN I PLACED THE CAR IN PARK IT DID NOT GO INTO PARK AND THE CAR KEPT ON ROLLING ALMOST HITTING MY OTHER VEHICLE. I TRIED PUTTING INTO OTHER GEARS BUT THEY WERE OFF (SHIFT TO DRIVE IT MIGHT BE IN NEUTRAL, SHIFT TO REVERSE IT MIGHT BE IN NEUTRAL TOO). IT'S LIKE IT DOESN'T KNOW WHAT GEAR IT IS IN AND YOU HAVE TO KINDA PLAY WITH IT TO GET IT INTO THE RIGHT GEAR. ALSO, SINCE IT'S NOT READING THAT IT'S IN PARK I CANNOT PULL THE KEYS OUT OF THE IGNITION. THANK GOD MY KIDS WERE NOT IN FRONT OF MY CAR WHEN I GOT HOME....PRETTY DANGEROUS AS YOU DON'T KNOW IF IT'S IN PARK OR NOT AND THE CAR WILL JUST ROLL. *TR
DRIVER'S SEAT WELD FAILED AND SEAT SHIFTED DOWN AND DROPPED TO THE RIGHT. ALSO EFFECTED SEAT ADJUSTMENT. ROCKED BACK AND FORTH ON THE FRAME. SEAT HAD TO BE REPLACED, COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP BECAME FRACTURE D ON THE ELBOW OF THE PUMP. THE CONTACT NOTICED A GASOLINE LEAK IN FRONT OF THE EXHAUST AS HE WAS DRIVING AN UNKNOWN SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS WHO ATTEMPTED TO SEAL THE FRACTURE WITH EPOXY BUT THE REMEDY FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED OF THE RECALL RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12V459000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP) AND STATED THAT HIS MODEL VEHICLE WAS SUFFERING FROM THE SAME DEFECT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 104,000. UPDATED 11/01/12 *BF UPDATED 11/02/2012 *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE STEERING BECAME HARD TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC, WHICH LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 86,200.