2004 Chevrolet Malibu Complaint Log

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY MELTED FROM THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT BULBS. THE LAMP FOGGED UP AND CAUSED POOR VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED. UPDATED 10/18/2006 - *NM

THE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED IN APRIL OF 2005 AS A RESULT OF A RECALL STATING THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST CAN FAIL WITHOUT WARNING. UP TO THIS TIME, NO ACTUAL FAILURE HAD OCCURRED. IN SEPTEMBER OF 2006 THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED FOR THE FIRST TIME AS DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL NOTICE. SIMULTANEOUS WITH THE FAILURE, AN AUDIBLE BEEPING OCCURRED AND A FAILURE MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED ON THE CONSOLE. RE-STARTING THE CAR WILL CORRECT THE PROBLEM TEMPORARILY, BUT IT RECURS ON A REGULAR BASIS. BOTH THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER REFUSE TO REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN AT THEIR EXPENSE BECAUSE IT WAS DONE ONCE IN 2005. *NM

TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING ON 09/23/06 THE STEERING BECAME VERY HARD. THE CONTACT WAS JUST ABLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE AND PARK IT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED, AND IT WAS FOUND THAT THE STEERING MODULE DID NOT WORK. THE STEERING MODULE WAS REPLACED ON 09/27/06. HOWEVER, BECAUSE THE VEHICLE OWNER BELIEVED THIS WAS A HAZARD HE WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE BOTH 10905 MILES.*AK UPDATE 4/9 *TR

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, A SHORT CIRCUIT CAUSED ALL OF THE VEHICLE'S LIGHTS TO BLINK AT THE SAME TIME VERY RAPIDLY. ALSO, THE HORN SOUNDED RAPIDLY, THEN THE VEHICLE POWERED DOWN CAUSING ALL OF THE LIGHTS TO DIM AND THE ELECTRONIC STEERING WHEEL TO LOCK UP. THE VEHICLE WENT INTO A COASTING MODE. UNTIL THE VEHICLE POWERED BACK UP AGAIN, AND THE COMPUTERS OVERRODE EACH OTHER, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT UNLOCK. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED ALL OF THE LIGHTS THREE TIMES. THIS INCLUDED TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS, HEADLIGHTS, TAILLIGHTS AND ANY OTHER LIGHTS TO TRY AND REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE FUEL PUMP WAS CHANGED BECAUSE THE DEALERSHIP THOUGHT THE FUEL PUMP MAY BE OVERRIDING THE MAIN COMPUTER. THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ALSO REPLACED BECAUSE THE DEALERSHIP THOUGHT MAYBE THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ACTIVATING THE SYSTEM, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTED. THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT IN USE WHEN THE SHORT CIRCUIT OCCURRED. UPDATED 10/4/2006 - *NM

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. HAVE TO REPLACE FRONT AND BACK BLINKER LIGHTS AT LEAST MONTHLY. FRONT CASINGS ARE THE ONLY ONE THAT CAUGHT FIRE, BURNED THROUGH THE ORANGE GLOBISH COVER THROUGH TO THE OUTSIDE COVER. THE LIGHTS BURNING OUT STARTED WITHIN THE FIRST YEAR BUT THE FIRE DID NOT START UNTIL 2006. I SEE MORE MALIBU'S ON THE ROAD WITH ONLY ONE DAY TIME RUNNING LIGHT WORKING AT A TIME. IT HAS TO BE A KNOW PROBLEM BUT THE DEALERSHIP DENIES IT EVERY TIME I'VE CALLED OVER THE YEARS. *TR

WHILE I'M DRIVING WHETHER IT'S ON A CITY STREET OR A HIGHWAY, MY POWER STEERING WILL OUT OF NOWHERE STOP WORKING. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU ARE GOING 55MPH. SOMETIMES STOPPING THE CAR AND STARTING IT BACK UP FIXES THE PROBLEM, SOMETIMES NOT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRICAL LOCKS FAILED AND THE DOORS FAILED TO LOCK. IN ADDITION, THE WINDOWS FAILED TO OPEN OR CLOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

DRIVING TO WORK NORMALLY, TURN SIGNALS WORKED NORMALLY, THEN TRIED TO SIGNAL A TURNING AFTER 5 MORE MINUTES OF DRIVING, TURN SIGNAL SYSTEM WAS COMPLETELY DEAD (COULD NOT SIGNAL TURN). SYSTEM STAYED DEAD FOR 5 MINUTES. APPLIED BRAKES SEVERAL TIMES TO PARK. WHEN PARKED, TURN SIGNAL SYSTEMS WORKED OK. OTHER POSTERS ON THE WWW.EDMUNDS.COM CHEVROLET MALIBU FORUM HAVE REPORTED SAME PROBLEM. *NM

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE ATTEMPTING A TURN AT APPROXIMATE SPEEDS OF 10-15 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED CAUSING THE CONTACT TO BARELY AVOID CRASHING INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES FOR CONCERNS OF THE POWER STEERING FAILING. THE DEALER REPLACED THE POWER STEERING COLUMN, IGNITION SWITCH AND THROTTLE BODY. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

I KEPT HEARING A RATTLING IN MY CAR COMING FROM THE FRONT TIRES AREA. I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL GM DEALERSHIP AND IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS NEEDING A "STEERING GEAR". MY CAR IS ONLY 2 YEARS OLD, THOUGH IT HAS RELATIVELY HIGH MILEAGE. AFTER CONSULTING WITH OTHERS MORE KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT CARS, I FOUND OUT THAT GM HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH STEERING GEARS IN THE PAST, AND THAT MY CAR IS DEFINITELY TOO "YOUNG" TO HAVE THAT PART NEEDING REPLACEMENT. IT'S A 2004 CHEVY MALIBU WITH 64K+ MILES ON IT.*JB

2004 MALIBU MAXX. HAVE LOST POWER STEERING 3X'S. THIS IS THE ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM THAT NEEDS TO BE CHANGED/FIXED, NOT PUTTING IN A NEW PART THAT IS THE SAME AS THE OLD ONE. VERY ANNOYED. *JB

2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAX STEERING FAILED MAKING THE VEHICLE UNDRIVEABLE. REAR HATCHBACK DOOR IS RUSTING. *KB WHEN THE STEERING FAILED THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED 38 MILES TOT HE CONSUMER'S HOME. THE REAR HATCH MOLDING CLIPS AND GASKETS FAILED TO PREVENT SALT INDUCED SWIRL RUST

MAKING SLOW LEFT HAND TURN, VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING. POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND ON BOARD DISPLAY LISTED ISSUE AS POWER STEERING. SHUT OFF VEHICLE AND RESTARTED. POWER STEERING WAS REGAINED. CONTACTED DEALER AND WAS NOTIFIED RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE WAS NOT IN EFFECT FOR THE VIN NUMBER LISTED FOR MY VEHICLE, BUT ANY ISSUE THAT WARRANTED A RECALL OF THE MODELS DUE TO THE SAME DEFECT. *JB

POWER STEERING FAILED ON 2004 CHEVY MALIBU WITHOUT WARNING. I HAD TAKEN THE CAR IN ABOUT A MONTH AGO FOR FRONT ALIGNMENT ISSUES, THOUGHT THEY FIXED IT, BUT THE PROBLEM CAME BACK AND THEN POWER STEERING QUIT. *JB

FRONT AND REAR BRAKES HAVE HAD TO BE CHANGED PREMATURELY. REAR BRAKES HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 20K MILES. FRONT BRAKES CHANGED AT 60K MILES. CALIPERS STICKING AND CAUSING NOISE AND UNEVEN WEAR ON NEW BRAKE PADS. GM DEALERSHIP ADVISES THAT THIS IS NOT A DEFECT. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKED UP. THE 2004 CHEVROLET WAS THE FIRST YEAR MANUFACTURED WITH A ELECTRIC STEERING COLUMN. IN APRIL 2005, THE STEERING COLUMN WAS MAKING A NOISE AND WAS TIGHT RESULTING IN DIFFICULT STEERING FOR SHARP TURNS. TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM, THE DEALER REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN. IN JULY 2006, THERE WAS A SECOND FAILURE TO THE STEERING COLUMN, IT LOCKED UP.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. IN JULY OF 2006, THE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED AT ONLY 15,000 MILES. RECENTLY, THE CONTACT FELT THE STEERING LOOSEN WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH. ON JULY 21, 2009, THE STEERING KNUCKLE FAILED AND SHE LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING. SHE HAD TO PLACE THE GEAR INTO PARK IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. A REPORT WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 56,000.

MY CAR MAKES A GROANING OR LOW GROWLING SOUND WHEN I TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. IT SEEMS THAT THE HOTTER THE WEATHER IS THE MORE IT GROWLS AND GROANS. *NM

CLUNKING IN FRONT END. TAKEN TO DEALER AND RACK AND PINION REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. TWO YEARS LATER, CLUNKING IS BACK. TAKEN TO DEALER AND STEERING SHAFT REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE. ONE YEAR AGO, THE CLUNKING IS BACK AND I DIDN'T TAKE IT IN. NOW THE POWER STEERING IS GOING OUT COMPLETELY WHEN I AM DRIVING. I HAVE TO PULL OVER AND SHUT THE CAR OFF AND RESTART AND THAT TAKES CARE OF PROBLEM. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND GM NEEDS TO FIX IT. *TR

I HAVE REPLACED THE LEFT FRONT TURN SIGNAL BULB THREE TIMES IN THREE MONTHS. THE FILAMENTS ARE OK BUT THE CONNECTING WIRE ON THE BULB IS BURNT THROUGH. IT APPEARS THAT THE BULB DO NOT SEAT PROPERLY INTO THE SOCKET AND VIBRATION CAUSES THE CONNECTION TO ARC. I EXPECT THIS PROBLEM TO CONTINUE UNTIL THE SOCKET IS REPLACED BY THE DEALER (ASSUMING I CAN CONVINCE THE DEALER TO DO SO UNDER WARRANTY). *JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) BUT THE RECALL PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 02/23/16*LJ UPDATED 4/18/18*JB

DRIVING DOWN THE ROADWAY AND MY CHILD WHO IS 4 IN THE BACKSEAT OPENED THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. THERE IS NO REAR CHILD SAFETY LOCK ON THE 2004 AND 2005 CHEVY MALIBU'S. YET 02 HAD THEM. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THERE WAS A DETECTION OF GASOLINE ODOR COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. DURING THE INSPECTION, THE GAS TANK WAS REMOVED AND THE GAS LINE ON THE TOP SIDE OF THE TANK WAS OBSERVED TO BE RUPTURED WHICH CAUSED GASOLINE TO SPEW UNDER VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN ALERTED.

PROBLEMS STARTED OVER 3 YEARS AGO. ELECTRICAL PROBLEM INVOLVING INTERIOR ELECTRONICS, SOMETIMES RADIO AND CLIMATE ELECTRONICS WILL TURN OFF AND AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHTS AND DASH LIGHT WILL TURN OFF, USUALLY RIGHT AFTER STARTING, BUT SOMETIMES IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING. RECENTLY THE CAR ENGINE STALLED ON THE INTERSTATE IN ADDITION TO THE ABOVE ISSUES AND THE SECURITY LIGHT CAME ON. THEN THE NEXT WEEK THE CAR STALLED ON A STREET WITHOUT LIGHTING THE SECURITY LIGHT AND WOULDN'T RESTART, AFTER BEING TOWED THE CAR DID RESTART. *TR

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT AXLE SEALS WERE LEAKING. THE ISSUE HAS GRADUALLY WORSENED. NEW AXLE SEALS WERE INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE BUT THE PROBLEM IS STILL PERSISTS. . *AK

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE EITHER A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN THERE IS A KNOCKING NOISE PRESENT IN THE STEERING OF THE VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE VEHICLE PULLS TO LEFT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON 3 OCCASIONS AND THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN ALERTED HOWEVER THERE IS NO FIX FOR THESE PROBLEMS.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE SHIFTING INTO ANY GEAR THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE WARNING INDICATOR. UPON TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF AND BACK ON IT BEGAN TO OPERATE NORMALLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY AND BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER THE YEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND DEALER, WHO BOTH STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 5/22/14*CN UPDATED 7/06/17*CN

REAR LIGHT BULBS KEEP BURNING OUT ON DRIVER SIDE HAVE TO REPLACE BULBS EVERYTIME IT RAINS OR GETS COLD. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND EXCESSIVE FORCE ON THE STEERING WHEEL WAS REQUIRED. THE SERVICE SOON WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL), NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING) AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V224000 (POWER TRAIN). HOWEVER, THE PARTS NEEDED WERE UNAVAILABLE TO SERVICE THE VEHICLE UNDER THE RECALL. THE DEALER WAS UNCERTAIN WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. AFTER INSPECTION THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE COMPUTER CHIP IN THE ELECTRONIC STEERING SYSTEM. AFTERWARDS THERE WAS A KNOCKING SOUND WHILE TURNING. ALTHOUGH THE DEALER REPLACED THE STEERING SHAFT THE KNOCKING CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE STEERING RACK AND PINION IS BEING REPLACED.

IN TWO OCCASIONS I EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING .THE CAR A CHEVROLET MODEL MALIBU YEAR 2004 WAS TRANSPORTED TO A CHEVROLET DEALER(NORWOOD CHEVROLET) IN WARWICK RI. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED A STEERING COLUMN SHIFT-TORQUE SENSOR FAILURE.GM ADMITTED THAT THEY HAD AN INTERNAL RECALL. THE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED AS PER GM CUSTOMER RELATION MANAGER.THE BILL WAS 610.48 DOLLARS.THEYNEVER REFUND ME BECAUSE THE NEW MANAGER STATED THAT THE RECALL WAS LIFTED.PLEASE EVALUATE AND ADVISE ME WHAT TO DO. THANK YOU . *NM

LEFT FRONT TURN SIGNAL/LIGHT ASSEMBLY. I REPLACED THE AMBER BULB THREE TIMES IN THE SPACE OF 3 MONTHS. THE FILAMENTS WERE FINE, BUT THE PART WHERE THE BULB MEETS THE ASSEMBLY WAS BURNED. ON MAY 20TH, THE ENTIRE LIGHT ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE DEFOGGER SYSTEM PULLS AIR FROM OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING IN CONGESTED TRAFFIC, THE POLLUTED AIR FROM THE OTHER VEHICLES IS PULLED INSIDE THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN INFORMED.

I BOUGHT A 2004 CHEVY MALIBU IN AUGUST OF 2004. SINCE THAT TIME ALL 4 SIGNAL LIGHTS AND ONE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY HAVE BURNT OUT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE LEFT REAR SIGNAL LIGHT IS NOW INOPERABLE. MAKING THIS THE 5 TIME I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE SIGNAL LIGHTS. I HAVE ASKED THEM (CHEVROLET SERVICE DEPARTMENT) TO CHECK THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM EVERY TIME AND EVERY TIME THEY TELL ME THAT THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN RESOLVED. SEVERAL TIMES THE WORK INVOICE COPY SAID, "REPLACED SIGNAL LIGHT BULB" THERE APPEARS TO BE A MORE SERIOUS ISSUE TO THIS PROBLEM AND I SEE THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE THAT IT HAS HAPPENED TO. ALTHOUGH NO FIRE HAS OCCURRED, I FEEL THAT THERE IS DEFINITE SAFETY HAZARD WHEN IT UNEXPECTEDLY STOPS OPERATING BECAUSE YOU ARE UNABLE TO SIGNAL OTHER DRIVERS THAT YOU ARE TURNING. *JB

I PURCHASED MY 2004 MALIBU ON THE DATE LISTED AS INCIDENT DATE. AFTER BRINGING HOME AND DRIVING A BIT, I BEGAN TO NOTICE A CLUNKING NOISE UNDER THE FRONT FLOOR WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS AND TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS IS ESPECIALLY NOTICEABLE AT LOW SPEEDS. *JB

VEHICLE LOSES POWER STEERING CAUSING LOSE OF CONTROL WHILE DRIVING. THIS FIRST OCCURRED 12/7/04 AND WAS REPAIRED UNDER GM CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN 04050A (RECALL). VEHICLE LOST STEERING CONTROL AGAIN WHILE DRIVING ON 2/20/06, VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. VEHICLE LOST STEERING CONTROL, ENGINE STALLED AND BRAKES FAILED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH ON INTERSTATE FREEWAY ON 2/27/06, VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. VEHICLE LOST STEERING CONTROL AGAIN ON 5/11/06. VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED TO MAKE SAFE. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE RIGHT FRONT TURN SIGNAL STOPPED WORKING WITHOUT WARNING. UPON INITIAL INSPECTION, THE AMBER LENS INSIDE THE HEADLIGHT HOUSING HAD VISIBLE DAMAGE ON THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY AS THOUGH IT HAD BURNED. THERE WERE NO VISIBLE FLAMES OR SMOKE TO INDICATE A FIRE. THE DEALER WAS ALERTED, BUT NO REPAIRS WERE MADE.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE VEHICLE WAS DIFFICULT TO STEER AND THE BRAKES VIBRATED. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE TIE ROD HAD BROKEN AND REPAIRED THE VEHICLE.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING AT 35 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO VEER TO THE LEFT LANE. WHILE TRYING TO RECOVER INTO THE CORRECT LANE, THE VEHICLE WENT OVER A GUARDRAIL AND OVER A RAVINE. THE DRIVER WAS NOT INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT FILED. THE CONTACT HAS SEEN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET CONCERNING SIMILAR POWER STEERING PROBLEMS. THE CONTACT REPORTS NO PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. THE COSUMER STATED THE ENGINE ALSO ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. UPDATED 05/10/06

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH THE VEHICLE HIT A DEER HEAD ON AND THE FRONTAL AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED FRONTAL BODY DAMAGE AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AT THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP; THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHY THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE IS A NOISE IN THE FRONT END WHILE TURNING AT LOW SPEEDS. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THIS IS THE ISSUE ADDRESSED IN THE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN, MANUFACTURER #1716682 REGARDING THE SUSPENSION. THE BULLETIN STATED THE REPAIR IS BEING DESIGNED AND SHOULD BE AVAILABLE IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 2006.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE FORCE IN ORDER TO BARELY TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. SHE HEARD A LOUD CLICKING NOISE FROM THE STEERING SYSTEM PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE STEERING COLUMN. THE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AGAIN. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,100 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 20,000.

DRIVER'S SEAT WELD IS BROKEN CAUSING SEAT TO TILT TO THE RIGHT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE POWER STEERING WOULD SUDDENLY MALFUNCTION MAKING THE STEERING WHEEL VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED THE CHECK ENGINE, ABS AND TC (TRACTION CONTROL) SENSOR LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND NO SOLUTION WAS OFFERED. THE CONTACT ALSO INDICATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS THE VEHICLE WOULD DRIFT FROM SIDE TO SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CONTROL ARMS WERE FAULTY. THE CONTROL ARMS WERE REPLACED BUT THE DEFECT WAS NOT REMEDIED. WHILE DRIVING THE HEADLIGHTS, TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS AND REAR LIGHTS WOULD INTERMITTENTLY SHUT ON AND OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE DEFECT WAS CAUSED BY AN ELECTRICAL SHORT. THE DEFECT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,000.

I WAS STOPPED AT A 4 WAY STOP SIGN AND WHEN I TRIED TO TURN RIGHT AND PROCEED MY CAR WENT DIAGONALLY ACROSS THE ROAD BECAUSE THE STEERING HAD GONE OUT OF THE CAR. I WAS TAKEN TO THE NEAREST DEALER, APPLE VALLEY CHEVROLET, AND THE STEERING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE STEERING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN ON 08/04/09 AND AGAIN ON 05/26/2010 AT WHICH TIME I WAS CHARGED A DEDUCTIBLE OF $100.00 BECAUSE THE CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY.AT THIS TIME I WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE MANAGER THAT ANY FUTURE PROBLEM WITH THIS ISSUE WOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF.THESE REPAIRS WERE DONE AT HOFFMAN AUTOMOTIVE. I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE STEERING AND WITH THAT A FORM FOR REIMBURSEMENT IF ALREADY FIXED AND PAID FOR. I SUBMITTED ALL REQUIRED FORMS FOR REIMBURSEMENT OF THE DEDUCTABLE IN NOVEMBER OF 2014. I HAVE FAXED THOSE DOCUMENTS MANY TIMES, MADE REPEATED PHONE CALLS AND HAVE JUST TODAY RECEIVED A DENIAL OF REIMBURSEMENT. THE REASON WAS BECAUSE OF A PART NUMBER. THE RECALL WAS FOR THE STEERING, NOT A SPECIFIC PART NUMBER.

ELECTRONICALLY ASSISTED STEERING QUIT WORKING WHILE TURNING INTO OUR DRIVEWAY AND CHECK ENGINE OR OTHER WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS FINALLY STOPPED AND THE ENGINE TURNED OFF AND THEN BACK ON. PROBLEM CLEARED AFTER THIS INCIDENT. WE'VE ONLY HAD THE VEHICLE FOR TWO WEEKS. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING DURING THIS INCIDENT AND IS THE PRIMARY DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE. I'M CONCERNED WITH THE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS I'VE SEEN ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE FROM OTHERS, THAT SHE MAY BE IN DANGER THE NEXT TIME THIS HAPPENS AT HIGHER SPEEDS OR ON A CORNER. *NM

TL*THE CONTACT'S SPOUSE OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND MAKING A TURN, THE CONTACT HEARD A CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES AND THEY REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN UNDER WARRANTY, THE PS GEAR, AND THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT; HOWEVER, THE CLUNKING NOISE STILL PERSISTS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 45,523 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,557. UPDATED 2/23/09 *CN UPDATED 02/27/09. *JB

I OWN A 2004 MALIBU SEDAN LT (80K) AND A 2004 MALIBU MAXX LT (50K). BOTH CARS HAVE THE CLUNKING NOISE IN THE RACK AND PINION. I AM ISSUING THIS COMPLAINT BECAUSE I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT CHEVORLET HAS NO REPAIR TO ELIMINATE THE NOISE. I CONSIDER ANY PART OF MY STEERING A VERY SAFETY SENSITIVE ISSUE. IF IT WERE ONLY ONE CAR I WOULD NOT BE AS CONCERNED. BUT I BELIEVE IT SHOULD BE CORRECTED (ON GM'S NICKEL OF COURSE) ASAP!*JB

THE STEERING SYSTEM HAS FAILED 3 TIMES ON THE VEHICLE. GM MOTORS HAS REPAIRED THE PART TWICE, BY REPLACING THE ENTIRE STEERING SYSTEM. RIGHT NOW THE CAR IS IN THE SHOP FOR THE 3RD TIME FOR THE SAME DEFECT. WE ARE NOT SURE IF GM MOTORS IS GOING TO PAY TO FIX THE PROBLEM. WE ARE CURRENTLY OUT OF THE WARRANTY BUT THIS IS THE 3RD TIME. IT WAS REPLACED IN 3/04 & 10/04. GM TOLD US THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE ISSUE BUT ACCORDING TO THEIR RECORDS NOT ENOUGH CARS WERE AFFECTED THEREFORE A RECALL HAD NOT BEEN INITIATED. WHAT DISTURBS ME IS THEY NEW EXACTLY WHICH CARS WHERE AFFECTED BEFORE THEY WERE EVEN SOLD TO CONSUMERS. *NM

IN WARM WEATHER, WHEN MAKING LOW SPEED TURNS, POWER STEERING MAKES GROANING, POPPING SOUNDS, AND OCCASIONALLY STUTTERS. AFRAID THAT STEERING MIGHT FAIL COMPLETELY. *NM