2004 Chevrolet Malibu Complaint Log

WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN THE RIGHT SIDE OF MY DRIVER POWER SEAT DROPPED AND ROCKED IN AN UNSTABLE CONDITION. I WAS UNAWARE THE PROBLEM IS A COMMON ONE AND HAVE ATTEMPTED TO HAVE THE WELD REPAIRED TWICE, HOWEVER IT WOULD REQUIRE FOR THE SEAT TO BE TOTALLY REMOVED AND AT GREAT EXPENSE SINCE THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 25-35 MPH; PROCEEDING TO MAKE A TURN. THERE WAS A LOUD POPPING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. ALSO, THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AT A DIFFERENT TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR SERVICE REPAIRS. THE COMPONENTS WERE REPLACED ON SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHICH CONSISTS OF THE STEERING COLUMN, GAS CAP, FUEL MODULE, AND TIE-ROD. THE PCM WAS ALSO REPROGRAMMED. THE SERVICE REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED AT THE DEALER ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT DROVE DOWN AN EMBANKMENT. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OUT OF THE WOODS AND TOWED AWAY. BOTH OCCUPANTS WERE SLIGHTLY INJURED, ALTHOUGH THEY WERE WEARING THEIR SEAT BELTS. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE AIR BAGS WERE NEVER SERVICED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SEAT DROPPED APPROXIMATELY 3 TO 4 INCHES ON THE RIGHT SIDE. THE CONTACT ARRIVED HOME AND DISCOVERED THAT THE BRACKET FAILED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 42,678 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,653. UPDATED 09/10/08. *LJ THE SEAT FRAME WELD BROKE. UPDATED 09/12/08. *JB

WHEN USING THE TURN SIGNALS THE DASH BLINKERS OPERATED VERY FAST. UPON CHECKING THE TURN SIGNAL BULBS, BOTH FRONT BULBS WERE BURNED OUT AND THE AMBER LENS ON EACH HAD HOLE IN THE TOP OF THE LENS WHERE THEY HAD MELTED. THERE APPEARS TO BE FLASH BURNS ON THE OUTER LENS COVER. THIS IS A FIRST OCCURRENCE AT ABOUT 68000 MILES. THE BULBS HAVE BEEN REPLACED AND NOW OPERATE OK. *TR

MY STEERING WHEEL GOT LOCKED WHEN I WAS MAKING A RIGHT TURN. I ALMOST HIT ANOTHER DRIVER (ABOUT 40 CM FROM HIM; HE WAS ABOUT TO MAKE A LEFT TURN ON THAT INTERSECTION). AFTER RESTARTING THE ENGINE THE POWER STEERING CAME BACK. *TR

THE TURN SIGNAL ON THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE (DRIVER'S SIDE) IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. IT WAS BLINKING FASTER THAN NORMAL WHICH USUALLY MEANS THE BULB NEEDS REPLACED. I REPLACED THE BULB, BUT THAT DID NOT RESOLVE THE ISSUE. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THE ENTIRE MODULE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAS 54000 MILES AND IT IS A CHEVROLET MALIBU LS V6 2004. *TR

REFER TO NHTSA ACTION #: PE04031, MY CAR HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I BROUGHT IT TO THE CHEVY DEALER IN 2005 AND WAS TOLD "THAT'S HOW THE NEW ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING" WORKS. I ALWAYS FELT IT WASN'T RIGHT AND HAVE NARROWLY AVOIDED CRASHES A FEW TIMES WHEN THE STEERING FROZE UP. MY MECHANIC NOTED THE PROBLEM DURING THE CAR'S YEARLY INSPECTION AND REPLACED THE STEERING MODULE. THIS IS POTENTIALLY A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT CHEVROLET SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR FIXING. *TR

POWER STEERING PROBLEM. CLUNKING WHEN TURNING BEFORE. NOW POWER ASSIST COMES AND GOES. VERY DANGEROUS. *TR

I HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE POWER STEERING THE CAR MALFUNCTIONED TWICE (MEANING THE CAR STARTED SLIDE AND I LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR)BOTH TIMES WHILE I WAS STOPPING FOR A LIGHT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT NEVER CAME ON UNTIL THE SECOND TIME. I STOPPED AND TURNED THE ENGINE OFF AND RESTARTED THE CAR. I HAD NO POWER STEERING AFTER THAT POINT. *TR

CAR MADE CLUNKING NOISE WHEN TURNING RIGHT AND OR LEFT FIND THAT THE UNIVERSAL JOINT ON STEERING SHAFT WAS RUSTED SO I SPRAYED IT DOWN WITH SOME FREE ALL PENETRATING OIL, HAS GONE AWAY. THERE IS ALSO A CLUNKNG NOISE GOING OVER BUMPS LIFTED THE CAR BY THE BODY AND SHOOK WHEELS FOUND THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINTS HAVE PLAY IN THEM. *TR

LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT TURN SIGNALS/DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS ARE OVERHEATING AND CAUSING THE YELLOW PLASTIC LENS SURROUNDING THE BULB TO OVERHEAT AND MELT. THE MELTING PLASTIC IS DRIPPING DOWN ONTO THE HOT BULB WERE IS IT BURNING. ALTHOUGH I HAVE NOT SEEN IT SMOKE OR FLAME THE DAMAGE AND CAUSE IS OBVIOUS. THIS IS A MAJOR FIRE HAZARD YET WHEN I CONTACTED GM THEY REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. CITING THE AGE AND MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE. IT IS A 2004 WITH 55,000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE CHECKED OUT MANY OTHER MALIBU'S AND THE PROBLEM IS OCCURRING ON THE MAJORITY OF THEM. WITH MOLTEN PLASTIC DRIPPING DOWN ONTO A HOT BULB OR ITS METAL BASE IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME UNTIL A FIRE OCCURS. I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM ON BOTH SIDES. THIS IS A DESIGN ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AT 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE SWERVED TO THE LEFT WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO SWERVE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN AND UNABLE TO BE MOVED TO THE LEFT. THE POWER STEERING DID NOT WORK WHEN TURNED TO THE RIGHT, AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS VERY LOOSE WHEN IT WAS TURNED TO THE LEFT. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED TWICE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, SHE FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS AND ONE POSSIBLE INVESTIGATION. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT A FOUR YEAR OLD VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE EXPERIENCING THESE TYPES OF FAILURES. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 74,404. UPDATE 09/10/08 *CW THE CONSUMER STATED THE POWER STEERING FAILED 3 TIMES. THE DEALER REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN. UPDATED 09/16/08. *JB

THE PART IN QUESTION IS THE RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY PART # 25902150 OF A CHEVY MALIBU MAXX 2004. THE FIRST PART WAS REPLACED JULY 8 2008, THAT PART FAILED AND WAS REPLACED AGAIN ON OCTOBER 3 2008. THAT PART IS NOW FAILED AGAIN AND IT HAS NOT BEEN 3 MOTHS SINCE IT WAS REPLACED. SO THE PART HAS FAILED BY MAKING EXTREME NOISE, CLICKING OR THUMPING HEARD IN THE FRONT END. MY MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THE GM DEALER THAT PROVIDED THE PART TOLD HIM THEY KEEP MANY IN STOCK BECAUSE THEY HAVE THIS PROBLEM A LOT. MY MECHANIC ALSO TELLS ME THAT GM REFUSED TO PAY HIS LABOR COST EVEN THOUGH THEY ADMITTED THE PART FAILURE IN SUCH A SHORT TIME. MY MECHANIC TELLS ME THAT NOT REPLACING THE PART CAN RESULT IN MY LOSING CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE AND POSSIBLY AT RISK OF CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY TO ME OR OTHERS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. AFTER TURNING THE AIR CONDITIONER ON IT WAS HEATING THE VEHICLE INSTEAD OF COOLING IT. A MECHANIC ADDED TWO CANS OF FREE-ON IN THE UNIT; HOWEVER, THE AIR CONDITIONER IS NOT OPERATING NORMALLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.

I LOST POWER STEERING ON MY 2004 CHEVY MALIBU LAST WEEK. CAR HAS 34K MILES ON IT. FOR ABOUT 4-5 SECONDS THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO STEERING, THEN NO POWER STEERING. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE ABSOLUTELY. GM REFUSES TO PAY FOR REPAIR OR HELP ME AT ALL. THEY ALSO REFUSE ACCORDING THE THEIR SPOKESMAN, TO DO A RECALL. *TR

I WAS TRAVELING A STRAIGHT SECTION OF I-75 GOING NORTHBOUND THAT MY POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON. SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR IN 2007, I NOTICED A KNOCKING NOISE IN THE ENGINE SECTION AND NEVER THOUGHT NOTHING OF IT, JUST THOUGHT AS BEING OK. SO I TOOK MY MALIBU TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THAT MY 2004 MALIBU MAXX STEERING COLUMN MUST BE REPLACED. SO I CALLED ANOTHER DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WERE PREVIOUS RECALLS CONCERNING THE POWER STEERING. I NOTIFIED GM OF THE PROBLEM AND THEY OFFERED TO PAY HALF OF THE COSTS WHICH WAS $430 OF AN $860 PROJECT. I THINK THEY SHOULD PAY ALL BECAUSE ITS STILL CONSIDERED A NEW USED CAR. *TR

SEAT BRACKET BROKE WHILE DRIVING CAUSING SEAT TO SUDDENLY DROP TO ONE SIDE. AS A RESULT, DRIVER NEARLY LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE. INSPECTION OF THE SEAT MOUNT REVEALED TWO FAILED WELDS. CONTACTED GM THE NEXT DAY, THEN BROUGHT VEHICLE TO NEAREST DEALER AT GM'S REQUEST. DEALER INITIALLY REPORTED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS A CLEAR FACTORY DEFECT AND SUGGESTED THAT GM SHOULD REPAIR IT AT NO COST TO US. AFTER TWO WEEKS OF "CONSIDERING OUR REQUEST," GM DENIED THE CLAIM AND SUGGESTED THAT WE SHOULD HAVE PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED AT THIS TIME. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14E044000 (POWER STEERING); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER AND THE POWER STEERING FLUID NEEDED TO BE REFILLED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR APPROX. 12 MONTHS...RECENTLY TOOK A LONG TRIP-11 HOURS DRIVING STRAIGHT THROUGH-UPON RETURNING I NOTICED THE LEFT FRONT TURN SIGNAL NOT WORKING, I IMMEDIATELY PURCHASED REPLACEMENT BULB AND UPON REPLACING I NOTICED THE INTERNAL AMBER LENS CUP FOR THE SIGNAL HAD A HOLE MELTED/BURNED THROUGH IT. NOTICING THIS I IMMEDIATELY CHECKED THE RIGHT SIDE AND IT ALSO HAS A HOLE STARTING TO COME THROUGH. I TRAVELED AT NIGHT, OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE WAS 62-68 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT FOR THE BETTER PART OF THE TRAVEL. THE BASE OF THE BULB THAT WAS REPLACED SHOWS SLIGHT MELT, THEIR IS NO APPARENT DAMAGE TO THE SOCKET. I HAVE SAVED THE OLD BULB. *TR

I OWN A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. WHILE DRIVING ON THE NJ GARDEN STATE PARKWAY, I HEARD AN AUDIBLE ALARM AND AT THE SAME TIME NOTICED A "POWER STEERING" READ-OUT ON THE ON THE DIC DISPLAY. ALL THIS TIME I AM FEELING THE TIGHTNESS IN THE STEERING AND REALIZING THAT I HAVE LOST THE POWER STEERING ON THE VEHICLE. SINCE THEN I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS LOSS IS INTERMITTENT - IT COMES AND GOES WITH NO PREDICTION OF WHEN OR WHERE. I HAVE ALSO NOTICED THAT PRIOR TO THE ACTUALLY LOSS OF PS, IT SEEMS THAT THE SYSTEM IS LOSING CONTROL, I.E. TRYING TO SYNCHRONIZE/STABILIZE BEFORE IT FAILS. I HAVE REPORTED THIS TO GM, WHO IN TERM HAVE SUGGESTED THAT I TAKE IT TO THE DEALER FOR EVALUATION. WHEN THE PROBLEM OCCURS, IT CAN BE VERY SCARY. *TR

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, I LOST POWER STEERING IN MY VEHICLE ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THIS HAS BEEN AN OCCURRING PROBLEM FOR THE LAST YEAR OR SO BUT NEVER ON THE HIGHWAY. WE HAD TAKEN THE CAR TO A SERVICE STATION AND THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY THING WRONG. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST LOCKED, WHICH PREVENTED THE STEERING WHEEL FROM BEING TURNED. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED TWICE SINCE THE INITIAL FAILURE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE SENSOR WAS FAULTY, AND RECOMMENDED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,020.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT ANY RATE OF SPEED, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE VIBRATES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS AND THEY DIAGNOSED IT AS HAVING A FAULTY INTERNAL STEERING SHAFT THAT HAD BEEN GREASED IMPROPERLY. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 36,500 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,047. UPDATED 09/13/08. *LJ UPDATED 09/16/08 *JB

POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE CAR BEING DRIVEN. *TR

WHEN DRIVING, THE POWER STEERING WILL JERK SIDE TO SIDE AND SEVERAL TIMES HAS COMPLETELY FAILED MAKING THE VEHICLE EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE FAILURE CAUSED ME TO LOSE CONTROL ON THE INTERSTATE SLAMMING ME AGAINST THE DOOR OF THE VEHICLE, THANKFULLY I WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL ALTHOUGH IT WAS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER. THE DRIVER INFORMATION CONSOLE DISPLAYED "POWER STEERING." AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH I SAW THAT THERE ARE HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE. THAT IS WHY I DECIDED TO FILE A COMPLAINT. *TR

I RECENTLY PURCHASED A USED 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU WITH 47,000 MILES. AFTER 2 WEEKS OF DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL WENT OUT. AFTER REPLACING THE BULB, I NOTICED THAT A HOLE HAS BURNED THROUGH THE YELLOW, PLASTIC LENS. *TR

FRONT BLINKER LIGHTS HAVE MELTED NICKEL SIZED HOLES IN THE TOPS OF THE AMBER PLASTIC GLOBES THE LIGHT BULBS GO INTO. MELTED PLASTIC DRIPPED ON THE LIGHT BULBS CAUSING BULBS TO FAIL. STRONG MELTED/BURNT PLASTIC ODOR IN THE CAR. SMOKE FROM THE MELTED PLASTIC HAS DISCOLORED HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST RANDOMLY DISENGAGED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 124,000.

WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL IT MAKES POPPING NOISES AND CAN BE FELT ON THE STEERING WHEEL. IT APPEARS TO BE GETTING WORSE OVER TIME. I AM A LITTLE CONCERNED THAT IT MAY BE READY TO FAIL. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT IT WAS NOT SERIOUS. *TR

TURN SIGNAL BULB BURNING THROUGH THE PLASTIC CASING RESULTING IN INEFFECTIVE TURN SIGNALS. TOOK TO GM DEALER IN NOVEMBER 2007 AND THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG. I REPLACED THE HEADLIGHTS IN DECEMBER. TURN SIGNAL BULB BURNING THROUGH PLASTIC CASING ON BOTH HEADLIGHTS YET AGAIN RESULTING IN INEFFECTIVE TURN SIGNALS. *TR

I HAD A SMALL VIBRATION IN MY STEERING WHEEL AT ABOUT 74,000 MILES. I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALER AND THEY CHANGED THE STEERING COLUMN. I NOW HAVE 91,000 MILES ON MY CAR AT IT IS VIBRATING WORSE THEN IT EVER HAS BEFORE. *TR

DRLS BULBS ON HEADLIGHTS RUN TOO HOT CAUSING THE BULB TO BURN OUT CONSTANTLY AND CAUSING ASSEMBLY TO AND MELT. I HAVE TO DRIVE WITH MY HEADLIGHTS ON AT ALL TIMES, OR MY TURNING SIGNALS WILL NOT WORK. I'VE ALREADY HAD TO REPLACE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY TWICE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE STEERING WHEEL STARTING MOVING FROM LEFT TO RIGHT INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD ALSO OCCUR WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE STEERING RACK WAS REPLACED BUT THE REPAIR DID NOT REMEDY THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BECOMING UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND HE WAS FEARFUL THAT THE FAILURE WOULD CAUSE A CRASH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

2004 CHEVY MALIBU WAS TAKEN IN DUE TO POWER STEERING COLUMN AND SERVICE CAR LIGHT COMING ON AND CLUNKING COMING FROM CAR. HAD IT IN THE FIRST DEALERSHIP FIRST TIME NOTIFIED ME THAT IT WAS THE STEERING COLUMN $1500 LATER AND IT WASN'T REPAIRED. TOOK BACK TO SAME LOCATION. THEN THEY NOTIFY ME THAT THE SAME STEERING COLUMN WAS BAD AGAIN AND NOW MY RACK AND PINION HAD TO BE REPLACED. $650.00. LIGHT AGAIN NOW LOOSING POWER STEERING HAD TO TAKE TO ANOTHER DEALER. THE FIRST ONE NOTIFIES ME BY LETTER THAT I CAN NOT COME BACK WITH MY CAR. NOW I HAD TO PAY $52.00 TO HAVE THE SENOR THAT ARE PART OF THE STEERING COLUMN ADJUSTED. THAT WHEN I FOUND OUT ABOUT THE SERVICE NOTICES. BECAUSE THIS IS NOT A RECALL THE OWNER HAS TO CONTINUE TO PAY. MY CAR IS A SALVAGE HOWEVER, THAT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE GENUINE GMC PARTS THAT HAVE BEEN INSTALLED NOT ONCE BUT TWICE AND GUESS WHAT. THE LIGHT HAS COME ON AGAIN. $2400.00 LATER AND ITS NOT FIXED. I HAVE TALKED DIRECTLY TO GM AND THEY ARE NOT GOING TO HELP. THE GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO PROTECT CONSUMER FROM BEING TAKEN TO THE CLEANERS FROM A MANUFACTURER THAT KNOWS THERE IS A PROBLEM. *TR

I REPORTED THIS TO NHTSA AND NO CONTACT FROM ANYONE. I OWN A 2004 CHEVY MALIBU. I HAVE SPENT OVER $2400.00 TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED. FAILURE OF POWER STEERING INDICATOR AND A LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE HAD TO PAID TO HAVE 2 NEW GM STEERING COLUMNS INSTALLED IN THE LAST YEAR AND HALF. HAVE HAD THE SENSOR ADJUSTED ON THE NEW STEERING COLUMN. AND I STILL CONTINUE TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE WRITTEN TO GM WITH A LESS THAN ACCEPTABLE REPLY. THERE IS A SERIOUS MATTER AND IT APPEAR NOTHING IS BEING DONE. ARE YOU WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO GET HURT. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS MATTER. GM SURE IS REFUSING. UNFORTUNATELY I DO NOT HAVE RECORDS FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE VEHICLES HISTORY FOR I AM 2ND OWNER HOWEVER, BECAUSE I HAVE ALREADY INSTALLED 2 NEW COLUMNS I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR SOMETIME. *TR

I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WHEN MY 2004 MALIBU STARTED JERKING TO THE LEFT THEN A WARNING BELL WENT OFF AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING CAME ON. THEN THE CAR PULLED LEFT AND THE STEERING WENT OUT. I TOOK IT THE A CHEVY DEALER THEY TRIED TO CHARGE ME $1125.00 DOLLARS TO FIX THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THE WARRANTY ONLY COVERED THE STEERING COLUMN UNDER THE HOOD AND NOT INSIDE OF THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THE PROBLEM HAS INCREASED IN FREQUENCY AND GETTING WORSE. *TR

I PURCHASED A CHEVROLET MALIBU IN THE YEAR 2004. THE CAR IS OVER 100,000 MILES AND OUT OF WARRANTY, HOWEVER, THE INCIDENT THAT I EXPERIENCED WITH THIS VEHICLE IS LIFE AND DEATH HAZARD IN THE MANUFACTURE OF THIS CAR. I HAVE OWNED CHEVROLET'S SINCE I CAN REMEMBER AND MY DAD IS AN X-EMPLOYEE OF GENERAL MOTORS. THE SITUATION THAT TOOK PLACE WITH MY CAR IS WHILE IN AUTOMATIC DRIVE GEAR AND GOING TRAFFIC SPEED THE POWER STEERING UNIT SHUT DOWN AND I COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED BECAUSE YOU ARE NOW DRIVING MANUALLY WITH THE STEERING IN THE CAR. THIS DEFECT IN WORKMANSHIP COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A CATASTROPHIC ACCIDENT WHERE MANY PEOPLE COULD HAVE BEEN INJURED OR HURT! IF MY WIFE OR DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE I DON,T THINK THEY WOULD HAVE CONTROLLED THE VEHICLE. I CALLED GENERAL MOTORS AND THEY BRUSHED ME OFF? THE COMPLAINT NO. I FILED IS [XXX]. I ALSO, WROTE A LETTER TO THE CONSUMER COMPLAINT DIVISION OF GM IN DETROIT. I HAVE NOT HEARD BACK ANYTHING AS OF YET! I HAVE NEVER OWNED A NEW VEHICLE THAT WHERE THE POWER STEERING UNIT SHUT DOWN IN DRIVING MODE. I THINK THIS COMPLAINT REPRESENTS A DEFECT IN THE MANUFACTURE OF THIS CAR. I HAD GM RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FIXING OF MY CAR WARRANTY OR NO WARRANTY. THE CAR IS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD AND I MAINTAIN THE SERVICING OF THIS VEHICLE ON A REGULAR BASIS. IN THE PAST THREE YEARS I HAD 3 REPLACEMENTS ON MY GAS CAP ALSO BECAUSE OF DEFECT IN WORKMANSHIP. THIS INCIDENT TOOK PLACE 1 DAY PRIOR TO THE FILING OF THE COMPLAINT WITH GM. I WAS REALLY SHAKEN UP WHEN THIS POWER STEERING SHUT DOWN. I AM NOT SURE OF THE EXACT DAY BUT IT WAS FRI. IN THE BEGINNING OF MAY. I CALLED GM THE NEXT DAY IN REGARDS TO THIS INCIDENT. SO, THE DATE MAY BE OFF YOU CAN CHECK WITH GM ON THE DATE I FILED THE TELEPHONE COMPLAINT. THANK YOU, [XXX] . INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

WAS DRIVING ON EXIT RAMP ON LOCAL EXPRESSWAY WHEN DRIVERS SEAT LURCHED TO THE LEFT. WHEN I GOT HOME AND INSPECTED THE SEAT I OBSERVED THAT A WELD HAD BROKEN IN THE LOWER SEAT FRAME COMPONENT ASSOCIATED WITH VERTICAL HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT FOR POWER SEAT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SLOW DOWN FROM 60 MPH, THE BRAKES WOULD APPLY AUTOMATICALLY. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE. THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THROUGH ONLINE RESEARCH, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED A RECALL FOR THE ABS. IN MAY OF 2008, SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPROGRAMMED THE ABS ACTIVATION MODULE IN REGARDS TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V190000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE).; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WORSENED A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER. THE CONTACT FELT AS IF SHE WERE DRIVING ON FOUR FLAT TIRES. SHE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES, BUT HAS NOT RECEIVED ANY ASSISTANCE OR SATISFACTION. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 81,318 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000.

POWER STEERING MESSAGE COMES ON AND THERE IS ONLY 85,000 MILES. NO WARRANTY TO COVER THIS ISSUE AT THIS EARLY IN ITS LIFE! *TR

WE OWN A 2004 CHEVY MALIBU LS SEDAN WITH 66,000 MILES ON IT. IN MARCH WE HAD THE FRONT RIGHT TURN SIGNAL LIGHT BULB REPLACED, AND WITHIN A WEEK WE HAD TO REPLACE THE REAR LEFT TURN SIGNAL. THEN ON MAY 1ST, WE WERE ON A TRIP WHEN THE REAR RIGHT TURN SIGNAL WENT OUT, SO WE REPLACED THAT. THE NEXT DAY THE FRONT LEFT TURN SIGNAL WENT OUT FOR FOUR HOURS, STARTED TO WORK AGAIN FOR A WHILE, AND WENT ON AND OFF AGAIN FOR TWO DAYS. WE BROUGHT IT INTO OUR DEALERSHIP BECAUSE WE SUSPECTED THAT THERE MIGHT BE AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. THE SERVICE PERSON CALLED US TO REPORT THAT WE HAD TO REPLACE THE ELECTRICAL HARNESS WHICH HAD BEEN CUT (SOMEHOW) AND IT WOULD COST A LARGE SUM OF MONEY. AS WITH ANY FEAR OF MAJOR ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS IN AN AUTOMOBILE, WE GAVE HIM PERMISSION TO REPLACE IT. HOWEVER ON THE BILL IT ONLY STATES THAT THE BULB WAS REPLACED FOR A LESSER COST AND SAID NOTHING ABOUT THE ELECTRICAL HARNESS THAT HE HAD MENTIONED (WHICH WE NEVER EVEN KNEW EXISTED). WE ARE GOING BACK IN TO TALK WITH THE HEAD SERVICE MANAGER ABOUT THIS. OUR CONCERN IS THAT THERE ARE SO MANY REPORTS LISTED HERE ABOUT TURN SIGNAL PROBLEMS. WE ARE REPORTING THIS TO CHEVROLET AND HOPE OTHER PEOPLE WILL CONTACT CHEVROLET AT SO THEY WILL BE AWARE OF AND LOOK INTO THESE PROBLEMS. *TR

MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR - LEFT TURN SIGNAL DOES NOT WORK - CAR IS ALIGNED AND STILL WANTS TO GO LEFT (ELECTRICAL STEERING ISSUES I AM TOLD) - ADJUSTABLE PEDALS DO NOT ADJUST - VISOR MIRROR IS BROKEN - *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WILL NOT START ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MOST RECENT FAILURE OCCURRED ON APRIL 12, 2008. AFTER DRIVING OFF THE DEALER LOT, THE CONTACT MADE A STOP AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER, BUT THEY ARE STILL UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THEY ALSO WILL NOT ATTEMPT TO CHANGE ANY PARTS TO LOCATE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,889. UPDATED 05/21/08 *BF UPDATED 05/20/08

ELECTRIC STEERING WILL LOOSE POWER. THE STEERING COLUMN HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE. THE FIRST TIME THE DEALS REPLACED IT FREE OF CHARGE. SECOND TIME THE DEALER PAID FOR THE PARTS BUT I HAD TO PAY FOR THE LABOR $ 225.00. *TR

MY ELECTRIC DRIVERS SEAT WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY, SO I SET IT TO MY POSITION AND LEFT IT THAT WAY FOR OVER A YEAR. MY WIFE COMPLAINED ABOUT IT SO I REMOVED IT TO FIND THE BAD MOTOR ( ASSUMED) BUT FOUND THE MAIN CROSS MEMBER WELD BROKE. IF I HAD BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT, I MAY HAVE GONE THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. CONTACTING GM AND THE LOCAL DEALER RESULTED IN NO CORRECTION. I PERSONALLY REPAIRED THE WELD, BUT SINCE THE TUBING WAS ALSO TORN, IT MAY NOT HOLD. MY CONCERN IS THAT OTHERS ARE NOT AWARE OF THIS WELD ISSUE AND BELIEVE LIKE ME THAT IT IS AN ELECTRIC FAILURE. *TR

TOOK CAR IN FOR SEMI ANNUAL SERVICE, CAR IS JUST OFF WARRANTY (105,000 KM APROX 62000 MILES). SERVICE LIGHT FOR THE POWER STEERING CAME ON, BUT NO LOSS IN STEERING. WAS TOLD THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, BUT UNTIL FAILURE HAPPENS, LEAVE IT BECAUSE IT IS A COSTLY REPAIR. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON FAILURE AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY THE COMPANY AND NOT THE CONSUMER. I HAVE NO PROBLEMS PAYING FOR REPAIRS, BUT THIS SEEMS TO BE A SAFETY HAZARD. *TR

WAS DRIVING WHEN DRIVERS SEAT LURCHED TO THE LEFT. WHEN I GOT HOME AND INSPECTED THE SEAT I OBSERVED THAT A WELD HAD BROKEN IN THE LOWER SEAT FRAME COMPONENT ASSOCIATED WITH VERTICAL HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT FOR POWER SEAT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. WITHIN THE PAST YEAR, THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING ELECTRICAL FAILURE WITH THE WINDOWS. THE WINDOWS WORK AT RANDOM AND, OCCASIONALLY, RISE VERY SLOWLY AS IF THE MOTOR IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE IS ALSO EXPERIENCING ISSUES WITH THE TURN SIGNALS. MOST OF THE TIME THEY DO NOT WORK AT ALL, BUT OTHER TIMES THE SIGNALS WORK FOR A BRIEF PERIOD OF TIME. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THE ISSUE IS DUE TO A MANUFACTURER DEFECT AND SHOULD BE THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO REPAIR. THE DEALER WOULD NOT ASSIST. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 82,000. UPDATED 5/7/09 *CN UPDATED 05/12/09*JB

CAR HAS HAD RATTLE NOISE FROM FRONT END SINCE CAR WAS BOUGHT FROM A CHEVY DEALERSHIP WITH 32K ON IT. THE CAR CURRENTLY HAS 61K ON IT. STEERING RACK HAS WORN TO THE POINT WHERE IT JAMS AND THE WHEEL WILL NOT TURN. RATTLE NOISE HAS TURNED IN TO CLUNKING NOISE. WHEN CAR WAS BROUGHT TO DEALER 3 TIMES FOR NOISE IT WAS RETURNED "NO PROBLEMS FOUND". *TR