2004 Chevrolet Malibu Complaint Log

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THE DRIVERS SEAT SNAPPED OUT OF PLACE AND LEANED TO THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND STATED THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE DRIVERS SEAT BRACKETS. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 102,000.

PART IS ACTUALLY THE SEAT HOOK BRACKET ASSEMBLY WELD. COULDN'T GET THIS ACCEPTED IN "AFFECTED PARTS" ABOVE. MOVED THE SEAT WHILE PARKED AND IT BROKE. TOOK TO DEALER AND AFTER INSPECTION THEY SAID IT WAS AN INFERIOR WELD THAT CAME APART. THEY OFFERED TO GIVE ME THE NUMBER OF A MAN WHO WOULD COME OUT AND WELD IT BUT THAT IT PROBABLY WOULDN'T HOLD BECAUSE YOU'RE PUTTING A WELD ATOP AN INFERIOR ONE AND IT WOULD DISQUALIFY ME IF THERE WAS EVER A RECALL ON IT. I HAVE IT PROPPED UP WITH PIECES OF WOOD. ITS VERY UNCOMFORTABLE AS IT LEANS TO ONE SIDE AND A LITTLE FORWARD SO I FEEL LIKE I'M SLIDING OUT OF MY SEAT. IT IS DIFFICULT TO GET AT SO I'M LEAVING IT THAT WAY FOR NOW. WILL MY CAR BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL? MY NIECE HAS THE SAME MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR AND HAS THE SAME PROBLEM WITH HERS. I FEEL THAT IF I'M IN AN ACCIDENT, MY SEAT WILL FLY FREELY AND THE SEATBELT WON'T BE MUCH HELP SO I MAY BE HURT MORE IF WE FLY FORWARD OR TOWARD THE CAR DOOR SINCE NOTHING IS HOLDING THE SEAT IN PLACE. *TR

CAR WOULD NOT START BECAUSE THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM WAS ACTIVATED FOR NO REASON. WAS ABLE TO START IT BY LEAVING THE IGNITION SWITCH IN THE ON POSITION FOR 10 MIN. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE. *TR

STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. COULD NOT TURN THE WHEEL. SECOND TIME THIS HAPPENED IN 3 MONTHS. *TR

THE POWER STEERING CONSTANTLY GOES OUT ON THIS CAR. I CAN BE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND IT WILL GO OUT WITHOUT WARNING. I HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL, YET THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH THESE VEHICLES. THE QUOTE I'VE BEEN GIVEN TO REPAIR IS OVER $500 AND SEVERAL PEOPLE HAD TO GET THE REPAIR DONE MORE THAN ONCE. CHEVY SHOULD DO A RECALL AND COMPENSATE THE CONSUMERS. *TR

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. *TR

MAKING A RIGHT TURN POWER STEERING CHIMES WENT OFF NO POWER STEERING. IT HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES. WHEN IT HAPPENS IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER THE CAR. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 20 MPH WHEN THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME HARD TO TURN. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON THREE PREVIOUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO CONFIRMED THERE WAS CONDENSATION IN THE WIRING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,502 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 71,000.

WHEN SEAT WAS MOVED, IT BECAME VERY LOOSE AND ROCKS BACK AND FORTH AS WELL AS SIDE TO SIDE. DEALER TECH SAID THERE WAS AN INFERIOR WELD WHICH CONNECTS THE SEAT TO THE BASE AND IT IS BROKEN. TOLD ME IF WE WELD IT BACK TOGETHER IT CANCELS THE WARRANTY ON IT AS WE'RE PUTTING A NEW WELD ON TOP OF AN INFERIOR ONE AND IT MAY NOT HOLD. HAVE NOT DONE ANYTHING TO FIX IT. COST IS TOO MUCH AND NOT GUARANTEED. I HAVE THE SEAT PROPPED UP WITH WOODEN BLOCKS AND IT IS ALWAYS MOVING SO NEEDS CONTINUAL ADJUSTING WHICH IS DIFFICULT TO GET JUST RIGHT. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AS THIS SEAT WILL MOVE IN A SUDDEN STOP OR SHARP TURN. ONLY SEAT BELT WILL HOLD ME AND SEAT IN PLACE. COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY TO ME. I LISTED THE PART ABOVE BUT IT WOULDN'T STAY THERE. I BELIEVE IT IS THE DRIVER SEAT ASSEMBLY. THIS CHANGE IS URGENT - DON'T KNOW WHY GM WON'T FIX IT SINCE IT WAS A MISTAKE IN THE ASSEMBLY PROCESS AND IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE WITH THE SEAT CONSTANTLY MOVING. IT'S LIKE SITTING ON A BALL. *JS

RIGHT FRONT SIGNAL BULB SOCKET AND BULB OVER HEATING (MELTING) AND RESULTING IN INOPERATIVE FRONT TURN SIGNAL. REPEATEDLY OCCURRING - HAVING TO REMOVE MELTED PLASTIC AND REPLACE BULB. 4 TIMES SINCE FIRST OCCURRENCE. *TR

DRIVERS SEAT BROKEN. APPEARS A METAL WELD UNDER THE SEAT BROKE AND CAUSES THE SEAT TO LEAN BACK AND TO THE RIGHT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START PROPERLY ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE DEALER WAS UNCERTAIN WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

POWER STEERING RECALL 04050 AND REPLACED IN 2005 WITH 9,296 MILES UNDER WARRANTY AND NEED IT AGAIN AT 26,000 MILES TODAY. FRONT BRACKET REPLACED IN 2006 WITH 19,217 MILES AND NEEDS IT AGAIN AT 26,000 MILES TODAY. FUEL LEAK TWICE ONCE IN 2006 AT 19,102 MILES AND REPLACED TANK IN 2007 AT 20959. *TR

THIS CAR IS OPERATED BY THE ORIGINAL RETIRED FEMALE OWNER WHO DRIVES IT 3 TIMES PER WEEK TO PERFORM LOCAL ERRANDS. AT 13,265 MILES THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT WAS REPLACED TO ELIMINATE, UNSUCCESSFULLY, A RATTLING FROM THE FRONT SUSPENSION. AT 15,520 MILES, THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON AND SERVICE POWER STEERING WARNINGS APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND DIC RESPECTIVELY. RESEARCHING THE INTERNET SHOWED CLEARLY THAT FAILURE OF THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING BOOST WAS IMMINENT IN THOUSANDS OF CASES. THE NEXT DAY, THE LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALER REPLACED GM PART #25933396, THE STEERING COLUMN, AND CHARGED FOR SHOP SUPPLIES AND 4 HOURS OF LABOR. THE TOTAL, $777.22, WAS SOLELY THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE OWNER, WITH THE DEALER STATING, "WE'VE NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM. THE CAR IS SEVEN YEARS OLD, YOU KNOW." THE CAR IS OPERATING PROPERLY FOR NOW. *TR

THE SERVICE STEERING WARNING LIGHT/CHIME ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING THE CAR. NO LOSS OF STEERING. DROVE THE CAR TO THE LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALER THE NEXT DAY WITHOUT INCIDENT. THEY REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN AT A COST OF $777.22. THE OWNER (MY MOTHER) WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE BILL. I'M REPORTING IT NOW ON HER BEHALF AS IT APPEARS GENERAL MOTORS MIGHT FINALLY RECALL THE 2004 MODELS GIVEN THEIR RENEWED FOCUS ON SAFETY IN LIGHT OF THE CURRENT COBALT/G5/ION FIASCO. ***WHY WAS THE 2004 MALIBU EXEMPT FROM THE 2005 AND UP RECALL WHEN IT USES THE SAME ELECTRIC STEERING UNIT?*** THANK YOU. *TR

THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT ON MY 04 MALIBU WHILE DRIVING, ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. TOOK IT TO TWO DIFFERENT REPAIR PLACES. SPENT OVER $600 FOR IT TO NOT BE FIXED. I GOOGLE MY CAR AND FIND A WEBSITE WITH HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WHO ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THE 05 HAS BEEN RECALLED FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, YET NOT THE 04. I'M A SINGLE MOTHER WITH TWO KIDS, I CAN'T AFFORD TO SPEND MONEY ON A MAYBE FIX OR A NEW CAR. WILL IT REALLY TAKE ONE OF US DYING BEFORE THE PROBLEM IS TAKEN CARE OF? AND WHY IS GM NOT BEING HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR IT'S QUALITY ISSUES? *TR

ONE MORNING LAST MONTH, I WAS DRIVING MY KID TO SCHOOL AT SPEED 30 MILES PER HOUR, WHEN SUDDENLY THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING PROBLEM LIGHT TURNED ON AGAIN, AND THE STEERING POWER WAS GONE AND THE STEERING WAS TOTALLY LOCKED, I COULD NOT MAKE ANY TURNS. BECAUSE THIS IS THE 4TH TIME IT HAPPENED, I KNEW WHAT TO DO. I STOPPED THE CAR AT THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD ( I AM LUCKY IT IS HAPPENED DURING LOCAL NOT HIGHWAY DRIVING). I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE, THEN TURN ON THE ENGINE AGAIN, AND EVERYTHING BACK TO NORMAL. SO FAR IT HAPPENED AT LEAST 5 TIMES TO ME. THE CURRENT MILEAGE OF MY CAR IS 116000. *TR

REAR TURN SIGNAL BULBS BURN TOO HOT AND MELT BULB CONNECTION. FRONT TURN SIGNAL BULBS BURN TOO HOT AND MELT LENS HOUSING, CAUSING SEVERE DISCOLORATION IN HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY. HEADLAMP BECOMES VERY HOT TO TOUCH, COULD POSSIBLY START A FIRE. I HAVE READ MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE AND CANNOT UNDERSTAND WHY THIS HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL BY GM. I AM VERY FRUSTRATED. *TT

THE DRIVER'S SEAT BROKE CAUSING ME TO FALL/ROTATE TO MY RIGHT AND TO THE REAR OF THE CAR. SEAT FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY A STRUCTURAL FAILURE OF 2 WELDS ON THE BOTTOM SEAT FRAME. WELDS LOCATED AT THE RIGHT BOTTOM REAR AND RIGHT BOTTOM FRONT OF THE MAIN SUPPORT MEMBERS. THE SEAT FRAME HAS BEEN REPLACED BY A LOCAL SERVICE REPAIR SHOP. I KEPT THE FRAME AFTER SEEING WHAT CAUSED THE SEAT TO FAIL. I CAN PROVIDE PICTURES IF YOU NEED THEM. *KB

CAR WENT COMPLETELY DEAD, AND WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A DEFECTIVE IGNITION SWITCH. COST TO REPAIR WAS $542.85 IS THIS GOING TO BE COVERED IN THE CURRENT GM RECALL? *TR

UPON TRYING TO START CAR IMMEDIATELY HAD "WRENCH" SIGN ON THE LEFT OF THE STEERING WHEEL WITH A MESSAGE ABOVE THE RADIO STATING POWER STEERING NEEDED TO BE LOOKED AT IMMEDIATELY, HOWEVER, LATER THAT NIGHT INDICATED WAS WORKING SO DROVE THE NEXT WEEK OR SO,. TOOK INTO DEALER ON SEPTEMBER 28 WHO RAN DIAGNOSTICS ON IT AND FOUND CODE C0545 BUT COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THEY DID INDICATE THAT IT WAS COMMON TO THE 2004 MODEL. ON SATURDAY OCTOBER 1, 2011 IT REPEATEDLY EXHIBITED THE SAME PROBLEM SO HAVE NOT DRIVEN IT SINCE. ON THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2011 WE DID HAVE TO MOVE IT FOR LAWN CARE PURPOSES. IT STARTED FINE AND DID NOT SHOW THE PROBLEM HOWEVER, AFTER READING OTHER COMMENTS ON-LINE WHERE IT INDICATED POWER STEERING HAD GONE OUT WHILE DRIVING HAVE NOT BEEN DRIVING IT UNTIL MORE CAN BE FOUND OUT. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THIS IS SOMETHING GM/CHEVROLET NEEDS TO CORRECT. SHOULD WE HAVE CORRECTED AND THEY WERE TO LATER COME OUT WITH A RECALL WOULD WE BE REIMBURSED? *TR

TL* 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 *BF UPDATED 10/28/11

BOUGHT THIS VEH. BRAND NEW 2004. HAD STEERING ISSUES FROM THE BEGINNING. THE VEHICLE HAD LESS THAN 65K ON IT. ALWAYS HAD VEHICLE SERVICED AT THE DEALER OR DEALERSHIP I WORKED FOR. HAD STEERING SHAFT REPLACED, HAD STEERING SHAFT BOLT REPLACED,HAD RACK AND PINION REPLACED.. SON DROVE THE VEH., MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN IN THE OUTER LEFT TURNING LANE LEFT HIM WITH LOTS OF ROOM TO TURN, WHEEL LOCKED UP AND HE CRASHED ! VEH. IS TOTALED, NOTIFIED INSURANCE COMPANY THAT TOO MANY ISSUES WITH THE STEERING AND LOCKING UP SITUATION..EVEN GAVE THEM THE WEB SITE TO LOOK FOR THEMSELVES. THE WAY I SEE IT IS IT IS ONE LESS VERY DANGEROUS VEH. ON THE ROAD. TO BAD GM DOESN'T HANDLE THIS...ONE YARD EITHER DIRECTION AND MY SON WOULD HAVE HIT SOLID CONCRETE POLES OR HEAVY REINFORCED INTERSECTION LIGHTING AND ELECTRICAL BOX AND I WOULD BE FILING WRONGFUL DEATH SUIT. WHY DOES IT HAVE TO GO TO THIS EXTREME? *TR

CHEVY MALIBU CLASSIC 2004. ANTI-THEFT LIGHT IS STAYING ON AND THE CAR WILL NOT TURN OVER AT ALL. I HAVE OWNED THE CAR FOR SEVERAL MONTHS NOW AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT I HAVE HAD ANY PROBLEM WITH IT. THE CAR WILL SIT IN THE "ON" POSITION AND THE POWER WILL BE ON, BUT ONCE IT IS TURNED TO "START" EVERYTHING GOES OFF AND THERE IS NO POWER FOR SEVERAL MINUTES. *TT

THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING WILL QUIT WITH LITTLE TO NO WARNING MAKING THE CAR EXTREMELY HARD TO STEER SAFELY. THE PROBLEM ONLY SEEMS TO HAPPEN WHEN MOVING, I'VE NEVER LOST STEERING IN SAY A PARKING LOT, IT HAS BEEN ON THE ROAD EVERY TIME. USUALLY THE LIGHT ON THE DASH WILL LIGHT UP AND WARN YOU AND MOST TIMES NOTING HAPPENS, OTHER TIMES YOU'LL LOSE ALL POWER STEERING ALMOST IMMEDIATELY. TWICE I HAVE LOST STEERING FIRST, THEN THE LIGHT CAME ON LATER. NO RHYME OR REASON TO WHEN IT HAPPENS, IT CAN BE WHEN MAKING A TURN AND I ONCE A FEW WEEKS AGO LOST IT 4 SEPARATE TIMES WHILE ON A FREEWAY NOT MAKING TURNS. TURNING THE CAR OFF, THEN BACK ON HAS FIXED IT ALMOST EVERY TIME THOUGH TWICE IT TOOK MORE THAN ONE TRY. THE SECOND TIME THIS HAPPENED I DID RUN OFF THE ROAD AS IT WAS AFTER A LARGE TURN AND I WAS UNABLE TO GET THE WHEEL STRAIGHTENED UP IN TIME TO NOT RUN BOTH RIGHT SIDE TIRES OFF THE ROAD, THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME I LOST STEERING AND DID NOT GET A WARNING LIGHT. WHEN THE STEERING IS OFF IT IS MUCH, MUCH WORSE THAT A CAR WITHOUT NORMAL POWER STEERING. I HAVE DRIVEN OLD CARS THAT HAD NO POWER STEERING AND CAN HANDLE THOSE FINE, I WOULD SAY THE EFFORT REQUIRED AFTER LOOSING THE ELECTRIC STEERING IS OVER TWICE WHAT IS NEEDED FOR NORMAL CARS. I AM A LARGE MAN AND IT IS QUITE A STRUGGLE FOR ME, MY WIFE CANNOT HARDLY MOVE THE WHEEL AT ALL AND CERTAINLY NOT SAFELY. THIS APPEARS TO BE A PRETTY WIDESPREAD PROBLEM, SEE THIS LINK FOR A FEW EXAMPLES. HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/CHEVROLET/MALIBU/2004/STEERING/POWER_STEERING_GOING_OUT_INTERMITTENTLY I FEEL THIS IS A DEFINITE SAFETY ISSUE DUE TO THE TIMES IT HAPPENS, AND THE SEVERE IMPACT ON DRIVE-ABILITY WITH LITTLE, TO AT TIME NO WARNING AT ALL. THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME! *TR

MY CAR HAS ALWAYS HAD LITTLE QUIRKS THAT DIDN'T SEEM RIGHT ABOUT IT SINCE I PURCHASED IT FROM MY CHEVY DEALER. IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY AT THE TIME SO MY LEVEL OF CONCERN WASN'T AS HIGH AS IT IS NOW. THINGS LIKE A SPORADIC START TO THE ENGINE WHILE TRYING TO CRANK THE CAR AND THE CAR SHIMMING OR QUIVERING WHEN DRIVEN FASTER THEN 70 MPH (HIGHWAY). I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR ASSESSMENT WHICH ALL CAME BACK INCONCLUSIVE. THIS LAST EXPERIENCE MERITS THIS COMPLAINT. I STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT TAKING MY HANDS OFF THE WHEEL TO ADJUST MY SEAT BELT. I GLANCED OVER TO MY STEERING WHEEL AND IT BEGIN TO DANCE/ROCK RIGHT TO LEFT AND LEFT TO RIGHT. MY HANDS WERE CLEAR OF THE STEERING WHEEL AND MY FOOT FIRM ON THE BRAKES. WHEN I PROCEEDED TO DRIVE ONCE THE LIGHT WAS GREEN, I PUT MY FOOT ON THE GAS THAT IS WHEN MY WARNING SIGNAL CHIMED, AND THE POWER STEERING MESSAGE FLASHED ON THE MESSAGE CENTER SCREEN. SIMULTANEOUSLY THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND IT BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STEER. I BEGIN TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE INTO A NEARBY PARKING LOT. I REALIZED THAT TURNING THE VEHICLE TOOK A GREAT AMOUNT OF EFFORT. AFTER GETTING IN TO THE PARKING LOT AND TURNING THE ENGINE OFF I WAITED FOR ABOUT THIRTY MINUTES THEN I PROCEEDED TO RESTART MY ENGINE TO SEE IF THE SAME TROUBLE WOULD OCCUR. I DROVE AROUND IN THE PARKING LOT FOR ABOUT FIFTEEN MINUTES TO SEE THE I WOULD ENCOUNTER THE SAME ISSUE. THE CAR SEEMED FINE CONSIDERING, I DROVE IT HOME. I HAVE NOT HAD ANY PROBLEMS SINCE BUT IT WAS A HORRIFYING ORDEAL. *TR

I READ YOU ARE LOOKING INTO 2004 MALIBU SHIFT CABLES. OUR CABLE BROKE A FEW MONTH BACK RESULTING IN AN INABILITY TO START THE CAR OR SHIFT GEARS. WE REPLACED THE CABLE. I HAVE THE OLD CABLE IF YOU WOULD LIKE IT. *TR

THE FIRST TIME THE POWER STEERING INTERMITTENTLY WENT OUT I WAS JUST PARKING. THE MALIBU HAS ELECTRONIC STEERING SO THERE IS NO WARNING WHEN THE STEERING IS ABOUT TO FAIL LIKE WITH A NORMAL POWER STEERING PUMP. I CHECKED SOME CONNECTIONS AND THOUGHT I HAD IT FIXED BECAUSE IT WORKED WHEN I STARTED THE CAR AGAIN. A FEW WEEKS LATER I WAS IN THE CITY AND THE STEERING QUIT WORKING AGAIN IF I WOULDN'T HAVE HAD A GOOD HOLD ON THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN I WAS TURNING I COULD HAVE EASILY RAN INTO SOMEONE OR EVEN WORSE HIT A PEDESTRIAN! THIS PROBLEM IS WELL DOCUMENTED IN MALIBU'S OF THIS AGE AND A COMMON PROBLEM. IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THIS CAUSES A DEATH IF IT HASN'T ALREADY! *TR

POWER STEERING QUIT WHILE DRIVING. WENT ON LINE AND SAW LOTS OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME VEHICLE-2004 CHEVY MALIBU. *TR

I HAVE A 2004 MALIBU AND THE POWER STEERING WILL STOP WORKING AND BE EXTREMELY HARD TO HANDLE.I WENT ONLINE TO SEE IF ANYONE ELSE HAD A PROBLEM ALSO, TO FIND MULTIPLE OWNERS OF THE SAME VEHICLE COMPLAINING OF THE SAME STEERING ISSUES.WE HAVE BEEN PLEASED WITH OUR MALIBU AND HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM FOR THE PAST 6 MONTHS, I CERTAINLY WOULD HOPE GM WOULD RECALL THIS PROBLEM,I AM A GM BUYER, NOW OWNING A 2010 SILVERADO,AND HAVE PREFERRED GM PRODUCTS SINCE MY FIRST VEHICLE , A 67 IMPALA IN 73. I WOULD APPRECIATE A RESPONSE BACK TO ME SO I CAN DETERMINE WHAT TO DO NEXT. THANKS FOR LISTENING AND ANYTHING YOU CAN DO. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION, THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 164,000. THE VIN UNAVAILABLE.

HEAVY SNAPPING SOUND (HARD ENOUGH TO BE FELT) UPON TURNING WHEELS IN EITHER DIRECTION. IT HAS BEEN NOTED TO ME THAT THIS IS A "QUIRK" OF THE STEERNG FOR THIS MODEL AND CAN NOT BE REMEDIED. THE CAR WAS BOUGHT USED AND TOLD THAT THE RACK AND PINION STEERING HAD BEEN REPLACED BUT DID NOT REMEDY THE SITUATION AND WAS NOT A SAFETY CONSIDERATION. IN MY OPINION, WHEN SOMETHING MAKES A SNAPPING SOUND AND CAN BE FELT, THIS IS SURELY A SAFETY FACTOR. CAN YOU ADVISE IF THIS IS A SAFETY FACTOR OR NOT? I'M NOT REALLY COMFORTABE DRIVING THIS CAR. *TR

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. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THERE WAS AN UNEXPECTED LOSS OF POWER STEERING, FOLLOWED BY AN ILLUMINATION OF BOTH THE POWER STEERING AND ENGINE WARNING INDICATORS. THE CONTACT DROVE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE RESUMED WITH THE STEERING MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING MOTOR. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,000.

I WAS SIMPLY JUST TRYING TO START MY CAR THIS MORNING, AND AS I DID EVERYTHING WORKED AS NORMAL, EXCEPT WHEN I TURNED THE ENGINE OVER. FIRST ALL THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS CAME ON THEN THE TRUNK POPPED ITSELF AND THE CD PLAYER EJECTED THE CD THAT WAS IN IT. SHORTLY AFTER THAT BECAUSE THE CAR WOULDNT START I TRIED AGAIN AND AGAIN WITH NO LUCK. IT WASNT UNTIL I STARTED PUMPING THE GAS PEDAL AND KEEPING THE KEY HELD ALL THE WAY OVER TO GET IT TO START. I FIRST THOUGHT IT WAS THE STARTER BUT SOON REALIZED THIS WOULDNT MAKE MY TRUNK OPEN AND/OR CD PLAYER EJECT ITS WITH THAT SAID IT HAS LEAD ME TO BELIEVE THAT THERE IS A BIGGER PROBLEM DEALING WITH THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM IN THE CAR.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES AND AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF AND POWERED BACK ON, IT WOULD OPERATE AS NORMAL. THE DEALER DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING DIAGNOSIS. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 120,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH AND TURNING, THE VEHICLE MADE CLUNKING NOISES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AND THE STEERING SHAFT WAS LUBRICATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE LOCAL DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH NHTSA. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 38,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, A YELLOW LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SEIZE. AFTER SHUTTING THE VEHICLE OFF FOR A FEW MOMENTS, THE STEERING WOULD RESUME AS NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 170,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU; STEERING PROBLEMS; I HAD ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING REPLACED 8/2011. DID OK UNTIL SPRING 2012, WHEN WEATHER BECAME WARMER. FROM SPRING TO LATE FALL, I HAVE NO POWER STEERING. THIS IS DANGEROUS. I NEVER KNOW WHEN IT WILL BE GOING OUT. MY CAR ONLY HAD @45000 MILES ON IT WHEN IT HAPPENED. THIS IS JUST UNCALLED FOR. I HAVE A YOUNG SON; THIS IS MY ONLY MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION; AND IT IS DANGEROUS. MY CAR ONLY HAS 64,000 MILES ON IT NOW. I HAVE CONTACTED EVERY AGENCY I AM AWARE OF, AND CANNOT GET A RECALL IN PLACE NOR ANY ADVICE ON HOW TO FIX THE PROBLEM. PLEASE...NEED A RECALL! *JS

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. *TR

POWER STEERING GOES OUT DURING SUMMER MONTHS; PAID TO REPAIR 8/2011; WORKS OK DURING WINTER, BUT POWER STEERING GOES OUT IN SUMMER MONTHS. THIS IS DANGEROUS. ALMOST HAD SEVERAL ACCIDENTS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT STEER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING HAD FAILED AND THE COLUMN AND STEERING MODULE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,653 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 53,000. UPDATED 7/1/13 *CN UPDATED 07/17/2013 *JS

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. *TR

STEERING WHEEL WILL LOCK UP DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD ALMOST CAUSED HEAD ON CRASH. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING WOULD DEACTIVE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,850 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 93,000.

MY 2004 CHEVY MALIBU KEEP SHUTTING OF AT VARIOUS TIMES .THE ALARM KEEP ENGAGING AND DISABLES THE CAR .THIS HAS HAPPENED 5 TIMES IN THE LAST 2 MONTHS .I HAVE BEEN READING AND EVEN ON THE COMPLAIN SITE IT SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM .THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE I HAVE READ THAT THIS COULD HAPPEN WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION .I HAVE LOOKED AN THIS IS A VERY EXPENSIVE TASK . LIKE I SAID I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO IS HAVING THIS PROBLEM .I ALSO ASKED CHEVY AND THEY SAY THERE IS NOTHING TO BE DOME IT IS ALL WEAR AND TEAR THE CAR .I HOPE YOU CAN HELP ME AND THE OTHERS OUT THERE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM . THANKS *TR

THE DRIVERS SEAT FRAME WELDS BROKE, LEAVING THE SEAT UNSTABLE AND LEANING TO THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE HAD 50,000 MILES ON IT AND WAS DRIVEN PRIMARILY BY ONE PERSON AND MAINTAINED WELL. THE PRIMARY DRIVER WAS @ 200 LBS. *TR

THE SEAT BELT DO NOT LOCK IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. THE DRIVERS SEAT ROCKS WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING AN ADJUSTS BY ITSELF YOU CAN NOT KEEP THE SEAT STILL. THE WELDING HAS COME APART FROM THE BASE. THE HEAD LIGHTS ARE MELTING THE BULBS FOR THE SIGNAL AND RUNNING LIGHT. I JUST CAUGHT THAT LAST WEEKEND THE LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING WHEN I LOOK AT THE BULB IT WAS MELTED WHICH COULD HAVE STARTED AN FIRE. I AM WAITING FOR THE LETTER FOR THE RECALL ON THE STERN NOW. THIS WOULD BE THE SECOND TIME FOR IT. I KEEP MY CAR UP TO DATE WITH EVERYTHING OIL AND WHATEVER NEED TO BE DONE I AM ON TOP OF IT. BUT I HAVE TO MANY SAFETY ISSUE WITH IT RIGHT. SEAT BELT, STERN,DRIVERS SEAT, HEADLIGHTS. NOT ONLY THAT THE ROTOR WARPS EVERY SIX MONTHS. *TR

THE SEAT BELT DO NOT LOCK IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. THE DRIVERS SEAT ROCKS WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING AN ADJUSTS BY ITSELF YOU CAN NOT KEEP THE SEAT STILL. THE WELDING HAS COME APART FROM THE BASE. THE HEAD LIGHTS ARE MELTING THE BULBS FOR THE SIGNAL AND RUNNING LIGHT. I JUST CAUGHT THAT LAST WEEKEND THE LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING WHEN I LOOK AT THE BULB IT WAS MELTED WHICH COULD HAVE STARTED AN FIRE. I AM WAITING FOR THE LETTER FOR THE RECALL ON THE STERN NOW. THIS WOULD BE THE SECOND TIME FOR IT. I KEEP MY CAR UP TO DATE WITH EVERYTHING OIL AND WHATEVER NEED TO BE DONE I AM ON TOP OF IT. BUT I HAVE TO MANY SAFETY ISSUE WITH IT RIGHT. SEAT BELT, STERN,DRIVERS SEAT, HEADLIGHTS. NOT ONLY THAT THE ROTOR WARPS EVERY SIX MONTHS. *TR

POWER STEERING GOES OUT WHILE DRIVING, TWICE IN THE LAST TWO DAYS. *TR