2004 Chevrolet Malibu Complaint Log

2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU LS, THE LEFT TURN, PARKING, & DRL BULB OVERHEATED AND CAUSED A FIRE THAT MELTED THE AMBER PLASTIC LENS INSIDE IF THE HEADLIGHT ASSY CAUSING IT TO SCORCH THE INSIDE OF THE HEADLIGHT ASSY AROUND THE AMBER PART. THE RIGHT SIDE HAD PREVIOUSLY JUST MELTED THE TOP OF THE AMBER LENS. THESE WERE THE ORIGINAL HEADLIGHT ASSYS WITH 3157 BULBS THAT CAUSED THE PROBLEM. THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS ARE VERY BRIGHT ALL THE TIME. THE BULB CAUSED A FIRE THAT WENT OUT BY ITSELF THAT IS THE SAFETY PROBLEM. BOUGHT CERTIFIED REPLACEMENT HEADLIGHT ASSYS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 25 MPH WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL FROZE AND WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AS IT ABNORMALLY PULLED TO THE LEFT ACROSS SEVERAL LANES AND CRASHED INTO A DITCH. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BRUISING ON THE SHOULDER AND NECK FROM THE SEAT BELT. A POLICE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL AUTO BODY REPAIR FACILITY WHERE THE STEERING COLUMN WAS RULED AS THE CAUSE OF THE CRASH. THE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 122,000. UPDATED 12/09/10 *BF ACCORDING TO THE POLICE REPORT, THE CONSUMER STATED THE POWER STEERING FAILED. UPDATED 12/13/10*JB UPDATED 4/29/14*CN UPDATED 05/15/14

DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND POWER STEERING WARNING AND CHIME START, THEN POWER STEERING GOES OUT. AFTER STOPPING FOR A WHILE AND STARTING THE CAR IT WORKED. BROUGHT IT TO A CHEVY DEALER AND THEY SAID THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED TO THE TUNE OF $650.00. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM I DISCOVERED HUNDREDS OF MALIBU OWNERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE. AN OBVIOUS DESIGN AND ENGINEERING FLAW FROM GM. I CAN'T UNDERSTAND THAT THIS HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL ITEM DUE TO THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE TRAVELING AT 5 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT SUDDENLY SHIFTED BACKWARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER RE-WELDED THE DRIVER SIDE BELT FRAME TO THE BASE. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 74,000.

THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING INCIDENT WITH ONE OR BOTH TURN SIGNALS LAMPS FOR MORE THAN TWO YEARS. THE TURN SIGNAL LAMPS THEMSELVES DO NOT APPEAR BURNED OUT BUT THE LAMP SOCKET WIRE MELTS THE PLASTIC HOUSING FROM EXCESSIVE HEAT AND CAUSES A BREAK IN THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT. I HAVE MADE MULTIPLE BULB REPLACEMENTS OVER THE TWO PLUS YEARS ONLY TO HAVE THE TURN SIGNAL SOCKET PLASTIC HOUSING FAIL REPEATEDLY. THIS SITUATION MAY BE A SOLDER JOINT CRACKING CAUSED BY RAPID TEMPERATURE TRANSITIONS. IF SOLDER JOINT CRACKING OCCURS AND RESULTS IN AN OPEN CIRCUIT, THE TURN SIGNALS LAMPS BECOME INTERMITTENT OR INOPERATIVE. CONSEQUENCES: WHEN THE TURN SIGNALS ARE INOPERATIVE, THE DRIVER CANNOT USE THEM TO SIGNAL INTENT TO TURN THAT COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. *TR

INTERMITTENTLY, OVER THE LAST FEW WEEKS, A MECHANICAL WARNING LIGHT CAME ON INDICATING A POWER STEERING ISSUE ON MY 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. I TOOK THE CAR TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC. HE HOOKED IT TO THE COMPUTER ANALYSIS AND FOUND NO ISSUES. HE DID INDICATE THAT AFTER DOING A LITTLE RESEARCH THAT CHEVROLET HAD PROVIDED A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN # 04050A TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. I HAD NEVER BEEN NOTIFIED BY CHEVROLET. I CALLED MY CHEVROLET DEALER AND THE SERVICE MANAGER INDICATED THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL ON MY CAR SO I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR ANY REPAIR. AFTER DOING A LITTLE RESEARCH, THIS SEEMS TO BE A FAIRLY COMMON PROBLEM ON THE 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM ON THIS MODEL IS ELECTRICAL, NOT HYDRAULIC AND SEEMS TO HAVE A HIGH NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS. I AM HOPING THAT CHEVROLET RECALLS AND REPAIRS THIS DEFECT. *TR

2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAX - THE DRIVER'S SEAT FRAME HAS FAILED AT THE BOTTOM RESULTING IN THE SEAT LEANING TO THE RIGHT, MOVING AROUND DURING CORNERING, AND THE SEAT GENERALLY BEING NOT ANCHORED ENTIRELY TO THE FLOOR OF THE CAR. THE VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 41000 MILES AND THIS FAILURE WAS NOT DUE TO ANY INCIDENT OTHER THAN NORMAL DRIVING. CURRENTLY AWAITING BACKORDERED PARTS FROM THE DEALER AT SIGNIFICANT COST. CONTINUING TO DRIVE CAR IN UNSAFE CONDITION. OTHER OWNERS REPORT SIMILAR ISSUES ON SEVERAL WEBSITES. THIS APPEARS TO BE A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT. *TR

WIFE STARTED UP HER CAR AFTER WORK ON JUNE 30TH, COME TO FIND OUT, THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING FAILED AND, GOOD THING, SHE WASN'T DRIVING WHEN IT WENT OUT OR ELSE THERE COULD HAVE BEEN AN ACCIDENT. NOW, IT FAILS EVERY ONCE AND AWHILE, STILL STEERABLE, BUT VERY HARD TO STEER. IF YOU SHUT THE CAR OFF, THEN, IT GOES A WAY FOR A WHILE BUT THEN POWER STEERING FAILS AGAIN LATER ON. WE WERE DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AND IT DID THE SAME THING WHILE GOING 75MPH. WE'RE TRYING TO RESEARCH ON IF THIS IS A RECALL OR WHAT THE PROBLEM COULD BE. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE, I'VE SEEN A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ON THE CHEVY MALIBU ABOUT THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING FAILING. *TR

2004 CHEVY MALIBU AT 30,000. MILES THE STEERING WENT OUT CLUNKING NOISE WHEN I TURN AT 42K IT DID IT AGAIN AT 68K IT DID IT AGAIN THIS TIME CHEVY WOULD NOT PAY FOR REPAIRS NO MORE WARRANTY IT HAPPENED AGAIN IN 2009 AND NOW IT'S IN THE SHOP FOR ANOTHER STEERING PROBLEM COST 1622.00 TO REPAIR PLUS RENTAL AR FOR THREE DAYS. CHEVY SAYS MY FAULT THE PROBLEMS ARE NOT RELATED. I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM AND IT'S NOT ONE TWO OR EVEN THREE TIMES IT MANY TIMES.. *TR

THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT CAME ON FOR 2004 CHEVY MALIBU FOR ONE DAY. CAR WOULD NOT START THE NEXT DAY. HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED. GOOGLE SEARCH REVEALED OVER 33,000 COMPLAINTS FOR THEFT SEARCH. ON CHEVY CARS. FOR $616 PLUS TAX, TIM LALLY CHEVROLET IS CHARGING ME FOR: IGNITION CYLINDER, WIRING AND CONNECTOR. *TR

POWER STEERING FREQUENTLY CUTS OUT - HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE THE CAR WAS NEW. CONSTANT CRUNCHING SOUND WHEN TURNING - MOST OFTEN WHEN TURNING TO THE RIGHT. STEERING REPLACED ONCE UNDER WARRANTY - WHEN QUESTIONED AGAIN LATER - VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY (36,000 MI). SHORTLY AFTER I PURCHASED VEHICLE WARRANT OFFERED WAS 100,000 MILES. *TR

I AM EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH BOTH OF MY TURN SIGNALS. THEY ARE CURRENTLY NOT WORKING AT 100%. SOMETIMES THEY COME ON AND SOMETIMES THEY DO NOT. ALSO, THEY HAVE TURNED ON AND IMMEDIATELY STOPPED WORKING. THIS HAS CAUSED GREAT CONCERN BECAUSE I AM NOT ALWAYS ABLE TO SIGNAL TO CHANGE LANES WHICH MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. NOTHING HAPPENED DIRECTLY BEFORE THE FAILURE OCCURRED. ONE NIGHT WHEN A FRIEND WAS FOLLOWING ME SHE NOTICED THAT I HAD "STOPPED" USING MY TURN SIGNALS WHEN IN FACT I NOTICED LATER THAT THEY WERE NO LONGER WORKING. THE NEXT DAY, THEY WORKED ON AND OFF THROUGHOUT THE DAY. WHEN I CALLED THE DEALER AND REPORTED THAT PROBLEM AND ASKED ABOUT THE RECALL, THE DEALER STATED THAT MY 2004 MALIBU WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL THOUGH IT WAS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS AS PREVIOUS MODELS. *TR

I HAVE A 2004 CHEVY MALIBU & IM HAVING PROBLEM WITH THE ANTI THEFT SYSTEM. THIS CAUSES MY CAR NOT TO START & TO SHUT OFF ON ME WHILE DRIVING. I HAD THIS HAPPEN WHILE GOING DOWN A MOUNTAIN WITH MY 7 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER IN THE BACKSEAT!!! I CAN NOT BELIEVE CHEVY HAS NOT DONE A RECALL ON THIS YET!!! EVERYDAY MY CAR DOESN'T WANT TO START & I HAVE TO TURN THE IGNITION ON & SIT AND WAIT FOR THE ANTI THEFT SYSTEM TO RESET! BY THE WAY ITS ALMOST 100 DEGREES THIS SUMMER!!! *TR

I OWN A 2004 CHEVY MALIBU. THE ANTI-THEFT DEVICE CONTINUALLY CAUSES MY CAR TO HAVE A DELAYED START. I HAVE HAD TO PUT SO MUCH MONEY INTO THIS VEHICLE THAT FIXING IT TO THE TUNE OF $500 IS OUT OF THE QUESTION. MY DEALER TOLD ME THAT EVEN FIXING THE VEHICLE DOES NOT GUARANTEE THE REPLACEMENT PARTS WILL NOT BE DEFECTIVE. MY CAR RECENTLY STALLED IN A DARK PARKING LOT AND I HAD MY TWO YEAR OLD BABY WITH ME. DOES CHEVY HAVE NO SHAME FOR SELLING PRODUCTS THAT THEY KNOW ARE DANGEROUS? IF I WOULD HAVE BEEN ATTACKED AND MY LITTLE GIRL HURT IT WOULD HAVE BEEN THEIR FAULT. IT REALLY DOESN'T MAKE MUCH SENSE TO HAVE A DEFECTIVE ANTI-THEFT DEVICE DOES IT? WILL IT TAKE A WRONGFUL DEATH SUIT TO MAKE THEM BE MORE RESPONSIBLE? I KNOW THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BECAUSE A CO-WORKER OF MINE HAS A 2002 CHEVY MALIBU AND SHE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM, TWO YEARS LATER THEY ARE STILL SELLING THE SAME CRAP. IF I CAN AFFORD TO BUY ANOTHER CAR AGAIN IT WILL DEFINITELY BE A FOREIGN CAR. THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS GENERAL BECAUSE THIS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME, NOT JUST ON ONE DATE!!!! *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SIX TIMES IN THE LAST TWO MONTHS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STARTED TO ILLUMINATE BEFORE THE STEERING FAILURE OCCURRED. THE DEALER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 30,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 65 MPH THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER REGAINING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE POWER STEERING BEGAN TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS WAS THE ONLY TIME THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 117,000. UPDATED 12/22/10 *BF UPDATED 12/29/10*JB

2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER SUDDENLY LOST ALL ELECTRIC POWER STEERING ASSISTANCE WITHOUT WARNING MAKING THE VEHICLE DIFFICULT TO STEER. THERE IS NO ALLEGE TO THIS ISSUE IT HAPPENS WITHOUT WARNING. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO DIE BEFORE THIS IS ADDRESSED? I AM HOPING IT IS NOT MY DAUGHTER. *TR

POWER STEERING FAILURE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHILE TRYING TO AVOID A CRASH. THE POWER STEERING LOCKED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO A GUARD RAIL AND ROLL OVER. THE CONTACT SUFFERED AN INJURY TO THE ARM. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL FOR FURTHER EXAMINATION. BEFORE THE CRASH OCCURRED THE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED TWICE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT STEERING COLUMN CAUSED THE CRASH TO OCCUR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000.

POWER STEERING LIGHT HAS BEEN COMING ON IN CAR EVERY TIME DRIVEN SINCE 2010. I HAVE LOST POWER STEERING MULTIPLY TIMES WHILE DRIVING IN THE CITY AND HIGHWAY. IT HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP TWICE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, AND I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. NOW, IT IS MAKING A TERRIBLE SQUEALING NOISE. MY HUSBAND CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE PART TO FIX IT. WE DID NOT RECEIVE THE RECALL INFORMATION UNTIL JUNE 7TH. MY HUSBAND HAS SPOKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND GM BECAUSE WE FEEL IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. WE FEEL THEY SHOULD SUPPLY US WITH A RENTAL CAR UNTIL THEY ARE ABLE TO SUPPLY THE PART TO FIX THE PROBLEM. WE RECEIVED NO SATISFACTION FROM GM. *TR

2004 MALIBU MAX POWER STEERING FAILS WITH NO WARNING! IT HASN'T HAPPENED JUST ONCE, BUT MANY TIMES IN THE PAST FEW MONTHS. TOOK CAR TO THE DEALER, THEY CAN ONLY FIND 1 OF THE COMPONENTS TO DO THE REPAIR. SAID IT COULD TAKE UP TO 3 MONTHS TO GET THE PART. THEN THE REPAIR IS GOING TO COST A TOTAL OF $1200.00. I HAVE READ HUNDREDS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME THING HAPPENING. WHEN ARE THEY GOING TO DO A RECALL? HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE TO DIE FIRST? I DON'T WANT TO BE ONE OF THEM. WHEN IS SOMEONE GOING TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. I SEE THAT THE NHTSA CLOSED THE INVESTIGATION OF THE MATTER IN 2004. WHAT'S THAT? OPEN IT UP AGAIN. *TR

CHEVY 2004 MALIBU. CONSTANT WARNING CONCERNING POWER STEERING, BUT IT GOES ON AND OFF AND ON AND OFF. HAVE CHECKED AND NOTHING FOUND WRONG, BUT THEY DO NOT REALLY KNOW. SUGGEST REPLACING ELECT PUMP, BUT THEN OFF THE RECORD SAY THEY WOULD NOT. ON LINE AT LEAST 100 OR MORE PEOPLE HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME. SOME HAVE REPLACED, BUT WARNING STILL COMES ON. I DO NOT KNOW WHO TO TRUST. I GUESS SINCE CHEVY HAS NO REAL ANSWER I WILL JUST TAKE MY CHANCES. THIS NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO MORE SERIOUSLY. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND IT BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THERE WERE WARNING LIGHTS BEFORE THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE CONTACT PLANNED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT INSPECTED. THE FAILURE AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 83,500. UPDATED 8/9/10 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAS ELECTRIC POWER STEERING. UPDATED 08/11/10

BROKEN WELD ON DRIVERS SIDE FRONT SEAT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE TRAVELING AT SPEEDS OF 30 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A CHIMING IN THE VEHICLE AND WITHIN SECONDS, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND BECAME INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED AND THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 54,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 25 MPH, THE POWER STEERING LOCKED UP AND IT BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED THE ENGINE AND THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. WITHIN A FEW TRAVELED MILES, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE RECURS INTERMITTENTLY AND HE HAD EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE AT LEAST TEN TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED OR DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,596 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 41,600.

PURCHASED A USED 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU IN APRIL 2009 AT A SATURN DEALER. A MONTH AFTER THE PURCHASE THE FRONT LEFT TURN SIGNAL STOPPED WORKING. I REPLACED THE BULB WITH THE PART NUMBER IDENTIFIED IN THE OWNERS MANUAL. A FEW WEEKS LATER IT STOPPED WORKING. I CONTINUED TO REMOVE AND/OR REPLACE THE LIGHT BULB UNTIL IT WORKED FOR A FEW DAYS OR WEEKS. AFTER SEVERAL TIMES OF REPLACING THE BULB I TOOK THE CAR TO THE SATURN DEALER IN AUGUST 2009. THEY SUPPOSEDLY REPLACED THE ENTIRE HEAD LIGHT ASSEMBLY WHICH COST SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS. THE ISSUE SEEMED TO HAVE BEEN RESOLVED UNTIL JUNE 1 2010 WHEN THE LIGHT BULB STOPPED WORKING. AFTER INVESTIGATION I NOTICED THE LEFT TURN LIGHT BULB WAS MOSTLY WHITE IN COLOR AND THE TURN SIGNAL AMBER COLORED LENS WAS MELTED WITH A HOLE IN IT. IT SEEMS THAT DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS WHEN IT IS HOT THE LAMP IS OVERHEATING. MY LEFT TURN SIGNAL LIGHT IS CURRENTLY NOT WORKING. THE SATURN DEALER WENT OUT OF BUSINESS AND CLOSED. AFTER RESEARCH I FOUND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2004 MALIBU (URL BELOW). PLEASE INVESTIGATE TO SEE IF A RECALL EXISTS FOR THIS PROBLEM AND IF THIS CAN BE PERMANENTLY FIXED BY A CHEVROLET DEALER. HTTP://WWW.ARFC.ORG/COMPLAINTS/2004/CHEVROLET/MALIBU/?Q=TURN+SIGNAL. *TR

WHILE COMING OFF THE HIGHWAY, I NOTICED I NO LONGER HAVE POWER STEERING. THE ENTIRE REST OF THE WAY HOME, NO POWER STEERING. I SEARCHED ON LINE TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RESERVOIR TO PUT MORE POWER STEERING FLUID IN, AND THERE APPEARS TO BE NONE AND I WILL HAVE TO FORK OUT OVER $500 FOR A NEW STEERING COLUMN. I WAS NEVER INFORMED OF ANY PROBLEM WITH THE 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU AND A POWER STEERING PROBLEM. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU LT. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL CLICKING SOUND SPORADICALLY COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES BUT THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE HE WAS ADVISED THE FAILURE WAS WITHIN THE POWER STEERING. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE POWER STEERING COLUMN AND THE AIR BAG SENSOR AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000 AND THE CURRENTMILEAGE WAS 79,000.

2004 CHEVY MALIBU THEFT SYSTEM FAILURE. *TR

MY 2004 MALIBU MAXX FRONT POWER DRIVERS SEAT SUDDENLY TILTED TO THE RIGHT CAUSING AN UNCOMFORTABLE UNEVEN DRIVERS POSITION. IF YOU RAISE THE SEAT IT TILTS MORE TO THE RIGHT & GETS MOSTLY EVEN WHEN ALL THE WAY LOWERED, FROM READING OTHER PEOPLES DESCRIPTION I BELIEVE MY RIGHT FRONT DRIVERS SEAT MOUNTING BRACKETS WELD BROKE. WHICH WILL REQUIRE A SEAT REPLACEMENT INSTEAD OF A PART. HEARING THIS IS A $1,000 REPAIR IS DISTRESSING TO SAY THE LEAST. APPEARS THERE IS A DEFECTIVE WELD ON THIS VEHICLE THAT GM SHOULD FIX. THANK GOODNESS IT DIDN'T BREAK WHILE I WAS DRIVING. *TR

POWER STEERING ISSUES WITH 2004 MALIBU LT. I HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH MY FIRST MALIBU AND MY NEW MALIBU IS STARTING TO SHOW THE SAME TELL TALE SIGNS OF POWER STEERING FAILURE. IT BEGINS WITH A CLICKING NOISE WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. AT ANY TIME THE POWER STEERING WILL COMPLETELY GO OUT. TURNING OF THE MOTOR AND RESTARTING THE VEHICLE WILL TEMPORARILY SOLVE THE PROBLEM. MY FIRST MALIBU WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN TWICE. THE MALIBU I CURRENTLY HAVE IS UNFORTUNATELY NOT STILL UNDER WARRANTY BUT I FEEL THIS IS AN ONGOING SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BEFORE THERE ARE SERIOUS INJURIES OR DEATHS. THERE ARE MANY ONLINE SITES OF OWNERS WHO HAVE COMPLAINED OF THIS ONGOING PROBLEM AND IT DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE LIMITED TO THE 2004 MODEL BUT ALSO NEWER MODELS. GM NEEDS TO MAKE THIS RIGHT WITH ALL THE MONEY WE ARE SPENDING TRYING TO KEEP JOBS IN THE USA. *TR

2004 MALIBU: FEB 2005 VEHICLE CHIMED; POWER STEERING DISPLAYED ON DRIVER INFORMATION CENTER, LOST POWER STEERING WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN. DEALER REPLACED STEERING COLUMN BECAUSE I HAD A LETTER FROM GM SAYING THAT MY VEHICLE MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH A STEERING COLUMN SENSOR THAT CAN WEAR UNEVENLY AND PRODUCE AN ERRATIC ELECTRICAL SIGNAL. DEALER SAID THAT MY VIN NUMBER WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL BUT I INSISTED THAT I HAD EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM AND DIDN'T CARE IF MY NUMBER WAS ON THE LIST I WANTED IT REPLACED. MAY 2010: THREE DAYS IN A ROW CHIME SOUNDED AND POWER STEERING DISPLAYED ON DRIVER INFORMATION CENTER; STOPPED VEHICLE AND RESTARTED IT, RESET ITSELF. TOOK IN TO DEALER AND HAD A DIAGNOSTIC TEST RUN ($100.00). TEST INDICATES THAT I NEED THE STEERING COLUMN REPLACED AND A SHAFT KIT (CLUNKING) COST $990.65, NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. GOOGLE SEARCH REVEALS THAT THIS STEERING COLUMN DEFECT IS NOT UNCOMMON AND SHOULD BE RECALLED BY THE MANUFACTURER! PLEASE READ THE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THIS BLOG HTTP://CARBLOG.CLASSIFIEDS1000.COM/RECALL_ISSUES/20090114-133923-POWER_STEERING_PROBLEMS_ON_CHEVY_MALIBU_SEEKING_RECALL. *TR

MY 2004 CHEVY MALIBU POWER STEERING IS LOCKING WHILE DRIVING AND WILL NOT LET WHEEL TURN. I WAS DRIVING AND WHEN I WENT TO MAKE A TURN THE CAR WHEEL LOCKED AND WOULD NOT TURN IT WAS CONTINUING STRAIGHT I HAD TO TURN IT WITH ALL MY STRENGTH TO AVOID HITTING A WALL.I PHONED CHEVY CORPORATE AND THEY SAID IT IS NOT UNDER RECALL BUT THERE WAS 2 INVESTIGATIONS DONE ON THIS IN 2004 AND CURRENTLY 2005 - 2010 COBALTS MADE BY THEM HAVE THE SAME ISSUE AND THERE IS A CURRENT RECALL UNDER WAY RIGHT NOW FOR THAT MODEL AND IT IS THE SAME ISSUE I AM HAVING WITH MY MODEL CAR. THEY SAID THEY ARE NOT GOING TO REPAIR THIS ISSUE BECAUSE THERE IS NOT A CURRENT RECALL ON THIS MODEL. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF AND HAVE BEEN AWARE OF AND THEY ARE CHOOSING NOT TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MALFUNCTION IN THE POWER STEERING. THEY ARE CHOOSING TO IGNORE THIS SAFETY DEFECT. THIS HAS OCCURRED THE LAST THREE TIMES I HAVE USED THE CAR THIS WEEK. *TR

2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER REQUESTS THAT THE INVESTIGATION TO COMPLAINTS BE REOPENED *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER AND UPON INSPECTION, THEY STATED THE STEERING COLUMN AND STEERING CONTROL MODULE HAD GONE BAD AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND IF IT WASN'T REPLACED, THE CONSUMER WOULD LOSE POWER STEERING. THE CONSUMER PAID FOR THE REPAIRS AT HER EXPENSE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING SHOULD BE RECALLED FOR THIS MODEL. *JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING WOULD LOCK MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED WHO STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED TO REPORT THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 99,500.

DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AND ALL OF A SUDDEN, STEERING GOT STIFF AND MY DASH LIGHT (WRENCH) LIT UP AND CHIMED. I'M GLAD I HAD BOTH HANDS ON THE STEERING WHEEL OR ELSE IT COULD HAVE TAKEN ME FOR A JOY RIDE. HAD MY WIFE AND MY INFANT SON AT THE TIME WITH ME. THIS DEFINITELY NEEDS TO BE ATTENDED TO BECAUSE IT'S A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. NOW, I HAVE 100,000 MILES ON THE CAR AND IT'S STILL DOING THE SAME THING. I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO REPLACE SUCH A THING. THIS NEEDS TO PUSHED WITH GM TO HAVE RECALLED! *TR

MY CAR SUDDENLY WOULDN'T START THIS MORNING WHILE TRYING TO GET TO WORK. AFTER RESEARCHING A LITTLE BIT ON THE INTERNET I CAME TO REALIZE THAT THIS HAS TO DO WITH THAT ANNOYING ANTI-THEFT LIGHT THAT IS ALWAYS LIT UP IN THE CORNER. SO I GO BACK OUT TO MY CAR, HOPING THAT THE 10 MINUTE PROCEDURE WILL WORK FOR ME AS WELL. BUT AS I AM SITTING THERE WITH MY CAR IN THE "ON" POSITION MY BATTERY DIES ON ME. SO NOW I AM STUCK HERE WITH A CAR THAT WONT TURN ON, AND NO WAY TO GET TO WORK! I'M NOT SURE IF THIS IS AS WELL RELATED BUT ABOUT 2 MONTHS PRIOR MY POWER STEERING HAD GONE OUT. MECHANICS THOUGHT IT WAS A BAD FUEL PUMP AND HAD TO HAVE THAT FIXED. *TR

WE HAVE A 2004 CHEVY MALIBU LT. SHORTLY AFTER WE BOUGHT IT, THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT ON TWO OCCASIONS. WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THE STEERING COLUMN WAS "SUPPOSEDLY" REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE TO THIS DAY ALWAYS VEERS TO THE LEFT, EVEN AFTER AN ALIGNMENT. THIS PAST MONTH THE STEERING WARNING LIGHT HAS COME ON THREE TIMES; AND AFTER PAYING $100 JUST FOR THE DIAGNOSIS, I WAS TOLD I WOULD HAVE TO HAVE THE STEERING COLUMN REPLACED FOR $1000 ! IT IS MORE THAN OBVIOUS THAT THIS DEFECT IS INSTRINSIC WITH THE MALIBU, AS IT IS WITH THE CHEVY COBALT, AND REQUIRES A RECALL. READ THE INTERNET ! I REPORTED THIS DEFECT TO GM AND RECEIVED NO RESPONSE. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I AM REPORTING IT TO THE NHTSA. YOU MUST DEMAND THAT GM RECALL THIS DEFECT ON THE MALIBU. *TR

I HAVE A 2004 CHEVY MALIBU AND RANDOMLY MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND A POWER STEERING WARNING WILL COME ON. THE POWER STEERING IS USUALLY OKAY AND I CAN CONTINUE DRIVING, BUT ONE DAY WHILE I WAS IN A TURN LANE IT WENT OUT. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO GET OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD OR TURN WHEN YOU DO NOT HAVE POWER STEERING. TOOK IT TO A DEALERSHIP BUT BECAUSE IT IS INTERMITTENT, IT WAS NOT HAVING THAT ISSUE WHEN I TOOK IT IN AND THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. I'M WORRIED MY POWER STEERING WILL GO OUT AGAIN AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *TR

TL*THE DRIVER OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO MOVE OR TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING SENSOR FAILED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THE VEHICLE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 09E005000 STEERING; THEREFORE, THE FAILURE DID NOT EXIST IN THE VEHICLE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 59,000.

2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. VEHICLE ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING, WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY. *MW THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. IT WAS DETERMINED THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS FAULTY. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE AND SUBMITTED DOCUMENTATION ALONG WITH THE REIMBURSEMENT CLAIM. THE CONSUMERS REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT WAS DENIED. ACCORDING TO CHRYSLER, HIS CLAIM FOR REIMBURSEMENT WAS NOT VALID, THEREFORE IT WAS NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL. *JB

I WAS DRIVING MY 1 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER TO HER DR APPOINTMENT. I WAS MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN IN MY 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU LS V6 WITH 68,000 MILESON IT WHEN MY CHIMES CHIMED THE ORANGE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WITH THE WRENCH CAME ON AND MY DISPLAY ON THE RADIO SAID POWER STEERING I THEN LOST MY POWER STEERING WHILE I WAS MAKING THE TURN I PROCEED TO HER DR APPOINTMENT WITHOUT POWER STEERING. I GO INSIDE TO HER APPOINTMENT COME BACK OUT AND THE ENGINE LIGHT IS NOT LONGER ON AND I HAVE POWER STEERING. I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC AND HE PUTS IT ON THE DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE AND HE CAN'T FIND ANY CODES OR ANY PROBLEMS AT ALL HE ALSO SAID THAT IF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS NOT ON THEN HE COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM WHICH THE ENGINE LIGHT IS NOT ON CURRENTLY. I CAME HOME AND DID SOME TYPING ON THE COMPUTER FOR 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU STEERING PROBLEMS AND I HAVE FOUND SEVERAL ISSUES WITH THIS PROBLEM MANY PEOPLE HAVE SPEND LOTS OF MONEY AND THE DEALER SHIP HAS CLAIMED TO FIX THIS ISSUE BUT IT IS STILL GOING ON AFTER IT HAS BEEN FIXED. I FEEL THIS IS A REAL PROBLEM THAT NEEDS BROUGHT TO SOMEONE'S ATTENTION AFTER ALL THE TOYOTA ISSUES WE NEED SOMEONE ON OUR SIDE I CALLED THE GM HEADQUARTERS AND THEY BASICALLY BLEW ME OFF. I ALSO KNOW THIS IS THE VERY FIRST ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING FROM GM AND THAT THE 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU WAS THE VERY FIRST VEHICLE TO RECEIVE THIS AND WE ALL KNOW FIRST YEAR STUFF ALWAYS HAS ISSUES. MY DAUGHTER AND I ALMOST LOST OUR LIVES TODAY IF IT WASN'T FOR THE OTHER PERSON IN THE OTHER LANE WHO HAD TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES WE WOULD HAVE HAD A HEAD ON COLLISION. IT TOOK ALL MY MIGHT TO STEER THIS VEHICLE THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BEFORE SOMEONE LOOSES THEIR LIFE. I'M TERRIFIED TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE NOW BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO TAKE MY DAUGHTER'S LIFE OR SOMEONE ELSE'S THIS IS A REAL PROBLEM EVEN IF ONLY A HAND FULL OF PEOPLE HAVE THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE DON'T LET THIS GET LIKE THE TOYOTA RECALLS LISTEN TO PEOPLE WHO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE AND KNOW THIS PROBLEM IS REAL AND IS VERY SCARY. *TR

WHEN SLOWING TO A STOP APPROXIMATELY 100 FEET FROM STOP SIGN THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES OR THE REGULAR BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED AND CAR BEGAN TO HALTINGLY BRAKE AND SLIGHTLY SLIDE WHILE I STEADILY HELD THE BRAKE PEDAL. THIS CONTINUED RANDOMLY, REGARDLESS OF WEATHER CONDITIONS AND ALWAYS WHEN SLOWING FROM A SPEED OF 25 MPH OR LESS. EVENTUALLY REMOVAL OF THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE FUSE RECTIFIED THE SITUATION, BUT NOW DO NOT HAVE THESE BRAKES WHEN WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE POOR. *TR

WE HAVE A CHEVY MALIBU MAXX, WE HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING ON THIS VEHICLE. I KNOW THE CAR HAS ELECTRONIC STEERING AND THIS IS WHAT I,M WORRIED ABOUT. WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY OR IN TOWN THE POWER STEERING SOMETIMES GOES OUT AND OTHER TIMES IT SEEMS LIKE YOU LOSE CONTROL OF THE STEERING ALL TOGETHER.THE STEERING ALSO BECOMES VERY TIGHT AND THEN VERY FAST IT BECOMES VERY LOOSE ALMOST CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOOSE CONTROL. A FEW DAYS AGO ON THE HIGHWAY THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY LOOSE AND BEGAN PULLING FROM SIDE TO SIDE FOR MANY MILES, WE HAD TO PULL OVER AND TURN OFF THE VEHICLE. THIS DID NOT HELP THE STEERING PROBLEM ANY.THE CAR WOULD ALSO START PULLING FROM ONE SIDE TO THE OTHER ON ITS OWN. WHEN I WOULD TRY TO CORRECT THE STEERING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION IT WOULD THEN PULL TO THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION ALMOST CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO WRECK. EVEN WHEN GOING AT LOW SPEEDS THE VEHICLES STEERING IS BECOMING A REAL PROBLEM. IT FEELS LIKE YOU ARE ABOUT TO LOSE CONTROL AT ANY MINUTE. I HAVE READ THAT MANY OTHERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM THAT WE ARE AND THAT WORRIES ME VERY MUCH , BECAUSE WE HAVE TWO SMALL CHILDREN WHO RIDE IN THIS VEHICLE OFTEN. IS THIS ISSUE SOMETHING THAT CHEVY IS LOOKING INTO OR WILL IT TAKE A COUPLE OF ACCIDENTS OR EVEN A DEATH FOR THEM TO RECALL THIS CAR FOR REPAIRS. I HOPE YOU WILL TAKE THIS MATTER VERY SERIOUSLY BEFORE SOMETHING VERY DEADLY HAPPENS. IT IS A VERY DANGEROUS MECHANICAL ISSUE THAT CHEVY DESPERATELY NEEDS TO TAKE A LOOK AT. *TR

I HAVE A 04 CHEVY MALIBU AND SOMETIMES THE POWER STEERING WITH GO OUT WHILE I AM DRIVING. NEXT TIME I USE THE CAR ITS FINE. I SEE THAT THERE ARE MANY PROBLEMS WITH POWER STEERING IN MALIBUS AND IT CAN CAUSE A WRECK IF ITS NOT TAKEN CARE OF. I BOUGHT THE CAR A YR AGO AND IT HAS HAPPENED A COUPLE TIMES THROUGH THE YEAR. *TR

AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY ALL OF A SUDDEN MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. THEN MY POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON. SO LUCKY I WAS ON A STRAIGHT AWAY. I PULLED OVER AND SHUT THE CAR OFF AND TURNED IT BACK ON AND WAS BACK TO NORMAL. *TR

MY 2004 MALIBU - THE FRAME TO THE DRIVERS SEAT CAME UNWELDED SO THE SEAT TILTS TO THE RIGHT. THIS CAUSED STRAIN ON THE MOTOR THAT MOVES THE SEAT BACK AND FORTH SO NOW THAT IS OUT AS WELL. I HAVE SEEN MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ONLINE FOR THIS EXACT ISSUE. I'M VERY SURPRISED THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL. CHEVY WANTS $500 JUST FOR PARTS!!!! INSANE. *TR

2004 CHEVY MALIBU, LOST POWER STEERING AGAIN. TAKING A LEFT TURN AT BUSY INTERSECTION, VERY VERY HARD TO TURN WHEEL WITH NO POWER STEERING I'M 62 AND DON'T HAVE ALOT OF STRENGTH IN MY ARM. NEARLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. HAD STEERING COLUME REPLACED NOV 04, HAD MORE PROBLEMS, HAD TORQUE SENSOR REPLACED JULY 06. NOW IT IS HAPPENING AGAIN AND WHEN I CALL GM THEY SAID IT IS NO LONGER THEIR PROBLEM AND I WOULD NEED TO CALL MY DEALERSHIP. I HAVE GONE THAT ROUTE & THEY CHARGE $100.00 DIAGNOSTIC FEE AND SAY THAT CAN NOT FIND THE PROBLEM UNLESS IT IS HAPPENING AND WOULD HAVE TO CHARGE ANOTHER $100.00. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. AT LEAST TOYOTA TOOK RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR SCREW UP IT'S MORE THAT YOU CAN SAY FOR GM. CHECK THE INTERNET AND SEE HOW MANY COMPLAINTS THERE ARE!

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATE SPEEDS OF 20 MPH IN A PARKING LOT. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED A TURN WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED AND WOULD NOT MOVE. THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE DEALER ADVISED THE RACK AND PINION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT INQUIRED ABOUT NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V073000 (STEERING: ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM) BUT WAS ADVISED HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED WITH THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000.