2004 Chevrolet Malibu Complaint Log

LOSS OF POWER STEERING. RECALL #4050 POWER STEERING ASSIST. IT I NVOLVES REPLACEMENT OF STEERING COLLMN W/MOVABLE PEDALS V1185.

I HAVE HAD AN ONGOING COMPLAINT ABOUT A CLUNKING NOISE IN THE STEERING WHEEL OF MY 2004 MALIBU MAXX. ALMOST AS SOON AS I GOT THE VEHICLE I FELT A FAINT VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND HAVE TAKEN IT TO CHEVROLET ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS EACH TIME THEY CLAIM THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THIS KNOCKING HAPPENS EVERYTIME I TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AND IT IS GETTING LOUDER AND LOUDER. NOW THAT IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY GM IS TELLING ME TO ONCE AGAIN GO AND HAVE IT DIAGNOSED, WHICH COST ABOUT $90 AND THEY DO NOT GUARANTEE TO FIX IT AT NO COST. I TALKED TO A CSR AND SHE DOES NOT ADMIT OR ADMIT TO KNOWING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. I REFERRED TO CAMPAIGN # 04050A 12/2004 POSTED ON YOUR WEBSITE. *TR

I HAVE A 2004 CHEVY MAILBU LS AND IT HAS BEEN ABOUT A MONTH AGO I WAS DRIVING AND W/OUT ANY NOTICE THE POWER STEERING COLUMN BROKE. AND ON TODAY I TRIED TO RETRIVE A REPORT ON-LINE TO FIND OUT IF THIS CAR HAS GIVING ANYONE ELSE A PROBLEM AND IT SURE HAS. ABOUT A COUPLE MONTHS BEFORE I PURCHASE IT HAD BEEN IN THE DEALERSHIP GETTING SERVICE. I NO THAT IT THIS IS NOT VERY SAFE BECAUSE I ALMOST GOT REAR ENDED AND I HAD TO TURN SO DEEP BECAUSE THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT RIGHT ON THE SPOT THAT I COULD HAVE GOT HIT FROM THE FRONT AS WELL. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT BUT WHO KNOWS THE NEXT TIME SO I WILL LIKE IT TO BE NOTED THAT THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM

TURN SIGNAL BULB DOES NOT WORK OR WORKS PERIODICALLY IN THE FRONT. BOTH SIDES HAVE STOPPED WORKING AT TIMES CAUSING THE DRIVER TO BE UNABLE TO SIGNAL ONGOING TRAFFIC OF TURN. CAR HAS BEEN BACK TO DEALER WHO AT FIRST REPLACE BULB THAN WHEN IT FAILED AGAIN SAID IT WAS A "SHORT". SAME THING OF RIGHT AND LEFT SIDES. *CN

SLOWED DOWN TO ABOUT 5 MPH TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN INTO PARKING LOT. COMPLETED 90 DEGREE TURN INTO PARKING LOT AND STARTED TO SLOW DOWN TO COME TO A STOP WHEN SHE FELT THE WHEEL STIFFEN (STEERING ' FELT OFF'); STARTED UP TO MAKE A 90 DEGREE RIGHT TURN (NEEDED TO MAKE A 90 DEGREE RIGHT TURN FOLLOWED BY A QUICK 90 DEGREE LEFT TURN). AS SHE TRIED TO TURN WHEEL, SHE COULD ONLY MOVE THE WHEEL FROM 12-1 O'CLOCK SO SHE JUST COASTED INTO A PARKING AREA (CAR COVERED A COUPLE OF PARKING SPOTS). STEPPED ON BRAKES AS SHE COASTED TO A STOP SINCE SHE FELT AS THOUGH SHE HAD NO STEERING. TOWED TO DEALER, WHO REPLACED STEERING SOLUMN AGAIN.

COMING AROUND A CURB BETWEEN 10-15 MPH, ALL FOUR TIRES BLEW OUT WHEN VEHICLE IMPACTED A CURB, WENT UP AN EMBANKMENT TO AVOID HITTING A DEER. POLICE WAS CONTACTED. VEHICLE TOWED. 2 DAYS PRIOR TO THIS FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE BUMPED A CURB AND EXPLODED. TIRE WAS REPLACED. *NM

BOUGHT CAR APRIL 2004, EVERY FEW WEEKS TO ONCE A MONTH CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR NOISES. SINCE 4/05 DEALER HAS REPLACED ROTORS 3 TIMES, CALIPERS AND STRUTS REPLACED, AND STILL WITH A VIBRATING IN STEERING WHEEL AND WINDY NOISE. WHEN YOU PUSH ON THE BRAKES YOU HAVE A GRINDING NOISE, LIKE A METAL SOUND, VERY LOUD CAN HEAR OVER THE RADIO. DEALER SAYS WINDY NOISE IS NORMAL FOR NEW PARTS. STILL VIBRATING FEELING IN STEERING WHEEL WHILE BRAKING FROM OVER 50 MPH. DEALER NOW SAYS PARTS ARE NOT COVERED BY GM. *JB

2004 CHEVY MALIBU STEERING LOCKS UP TURN CAR OFF AND RESTART CAR AND POWER STEERING COMES BACK WHEN IT LOCKS UP IT CAN HAPPEN AT ANY TIME WHILE DRIVING OR SITTING STILL,HAD POWER STEERING MOTOR AND SHAFT REPLACED WHEN CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND CHEVY MUST RESOLVE. HAVE NOT HAD E RESPONSE FROM CHEVY. *TR

OCCURENCE #1: WITH LESS THAN 2000 MI ON VEHICLE, IT LOST POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING. THE MESSAGE CAME ON THE CONSOLE. TOWED TO DEALER WHO REPLACED STEERING COLUMN. OCCURRENCE #2: WITH APPROX. 5000 MI ON VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING WHEN IN REVERSE EXITING PARKING SPACE. DASH LIGHT WENT ON AS WELL AS CONSOLE MESSAGE. TOWED TO DEALER. *AK

THE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED ON MY CAR TWICE SINCE I PURCHASED IT IN NOVEMBER OF 2003. I LOSE ALL ABILITY TO STEER AT 60 MPH AND HAVE TO STOP IMMEDIATELY. *AK

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE MAKES A KNOCKING NOISE IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE FRONT SUSPENSION WAS REPLACED FOUR TIMES AND THE RACK WAS REPLACED ONCE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE SHOP FOURTEEN TIMES. THE STEERING SHAFT HAS BEEN PACKED WITH GREASE, WHICH SERVES AS A TEMPORARY REPAIR. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE STEERING SHAFT WILL NEED TO BE GREASED APPROXIMATELY EVERY THREE MONTHS. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 25,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000.

MY A/C BUTTON LIGHTS FLASH INTERMITTENTLY WHEN I TRY TO CHANGE SETTINGS FROM PANEL TO DEFROST...THE AC WILL NOT SHUT OFF IN DEFROST MODE! ALSO THE A/C WILL NOT SHUT OFF WHILE IT IS IN INTERIOR RECIRCULATE MODE. WHEN I ATTEMPT TO TURN OFF THE A/C IN THESE MODES IT FLASHES ABOUT 5 TIMES AND STAYS ON! I AM CONCERNED BECAUSE I KNOW THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS IN THAT SYSTEM ARE ALL INTERLINKED...IF THE A/C ELECTRICAL IS FAILING..WHAT IS TO BE NEXT?*AK

CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION, WHERE IT STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE AT 25 MPH DEAD CENTER, AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMERS SUSTAINED NECK INJURIES. *AK THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *BF *NM

NOISY, GRINDING SOUND + STIFFNESS IN STEERING. HAVE HAD TO DEALER (JOHN KENNEDY CHEVROLET, SOUTHAMPTON, PA) 3 TIMES BEGINNING 2/15. 1ST DIAGNOSIS: UNDERINFLATED TIRES. RESULT: NO CHANGE. 2ND DIAGNOSIS: WORN STEERING COLUMN. ACTION: REPLACED COLUMN. RESULT: NO CHANGE. 3RD DIAGNOSIS: PROBLEM WITH STEERING RACK. ACTION: REPLACE RACK. RESULT: NO CHANGE. THIS PROBLEM ONLY HAPPENS WHEN THE AIR TEMPERATURE IS WARM (WON'T HAPPEN ON A COOL MORNING, BUT IS PRESENT AFTER SITTING IN THE SUN ALL DAY). IT SEEMS THAT WHEN THE METAL HEATS UP, IT EXPANDS & CAUSES BINDING. *AK

2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU WITH NOISE IN THE STEERING WHEEL CUSTOMER STATES THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN GOING FOR 2 YEARS WITHOUT CORRECTION FROM THE DEALERSHIP**CC THE DEALER REPLACED VARIOUS PARTS IN THE STEERING, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM REMAINED THE SAME. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO START. THE DEALER FOUND THE IGNITION SWITCH HAD SHORTED OUT INTERNALLY. THE HORN WAS REPLACED. THE CD PLAYER MADE A CLICKING SOUND. *JB

CONSUMER CONCERNED ABOUT OWNERS BEING NOTIFIED BY DEALERSHIP ABOUT RECALLS. *BF THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED OF TWO RECALLS (04027 AND 04030) WHEN SHE CONTACTED THE DEALER ABOUT THE DIPSTICK BEING DIFFICULT TO REMOVE AND THE OWNERS MANUAL. THE RECALLS CAME OUT TWO MONTHS BEFORE THE CONSUMER PURCHASE HER VEHICLE. *NM

THE POWER STEERING LOCKS AND CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO PULL TO THE LEFT, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED FOR REPAIR, BUT THEY FAIL TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM.*AK

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE STEERING LOCKED UP ON 2 SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THE ELECTRIC STEERING HAS LOST POWER AND THE WHEELS BECOME LOCKED. BOTH TIMES THE DEALER HAS REPLACED THE RACK PINION ROD, BUT THE CONTACT EXPRESS THAT THIS WILL HAPPEN AGAIN AND WAS PROBABLY DUE TO A COMPONENT DEFECT.

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. THE CONTACT STATES THAT SHE HAS A DISLOCATION OF THE SC JOINT, STERNUM AND THE COLLAR BONE. CAUSED BY TELESCOPING OF THE STEERING WHEEL. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT SHE WOULD BE RECEIVING A CALL, AND CALLER EXPLAINED TO THEM THAT SHE COULD NOT BE REACHED UNTIL AFTER 5:30 PM. SHE SPOKE TO A LOT OF PEOPLE, AND MANY OF THEM VERY RUDE BECAUSE SHE COULD NOT BE REACHED UNTIL AFTER 5 PM AND THAT WAS ALL THEY COULD TELL HER BECAUSE IT WAS AFTER GM BUSINESS HOURS. *AK

WHILE DRIVING ON AN ICY ROADWAY ON A DOWNHILL LEFT CRUVE I FELT THE STEERING UNEXPECTEDLY STIFFEN UP AS IF THE CAR HAD STALLED. BY THE TIME I APPLIED ENOUGH PRESSURE TO COMPENSATE THE CAR STARTED TO VEER TO THE LEFT, AND WOULD NOT RECOVER. IT CRASHED AND ROLLED OVER. ALSO, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UNTIL WE WERE HANGING UPSIDE DOWN, EVEN THOUGH THE CAR HIT HARD IN THE FRONT. ALSO ONLY THE TWO FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED NOT THE SIDE OR CURTAIN BAGS. THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS. *AK

CAR HAD LEFT PULLING PROBLEM AT DELIVERY. SELLER SUGGESTED CAR HAVE 1000+ MILES BEFORE ATTEMPTING ALIGNMENT. CAR "REPAIRED" AT ANOTHER IN-TOWN DEALER UNDER WARRANTY. WITHIN 6-8 MOS., PROBLEM SET IN AGAIN, ESPECIALLY NOTICEABLE SIMPLY CRUISING FOR HOURS AT HIGHWAY SPEED. (NO "TORQUE STEER" OR "COUNTRY CROWN ROADS.") AFTER 3 HOUR DRIVE, COMPLAINED TO SELLING DEALER WHO REPLACED SENSOR (WHICH REQUIRED NEW COLUMN AND REPROGRAMMING SEVERAL MICROPROCESSORS ACCORDING TO MOST RECENT BULLETINS.) CAR SEEMED FINE FOR 1-2 MONTHS. AGAIN, STEERING SEEMS NOT TO CENTER ACCURATELY, AND GENERALLY PULLS LEFT. TIRES BEEN ROTATED, BALANCED, W/GOOD PRESSURE, ETC. SINCE I DRIVE TYPICALLY LEFT LANE WITH LEFT HAD (RIGHT HAND ON CELL PHONE OR MATERIALS) I NOW SUFFER "TENNIS ELBOW" AND HAVE HAD TO FAVOR MY LEFT--BEEN WEARING SPLINTS/ELBOW BRACES FOR 3 WEEKS. USED GM SATISFACTION PROCEDURE TO TALK TO ZONE REP. DEALER OPS MGR CALLS ME AND BECAUSE I ALLUDED TO DISCOMFORT AND MENTIONED KEEPING A PAPER TRAIL FOR MY ATTORNEY, THE ZONE REP REFUSES TO SPEAK OR ACT UPON THE MATTER "UNTIL WE HAVE INITIATED OUR LEGAL ACTION!" I JUST ASKED THEM TO FIX OR REPLACE THE CAR, WHICH I USE DAILY FOR BUSINESS. NOW I'VE BEEN CHALLENGED TO A LEGAL TUSSLE, AND THE CAR ISN'T RIGHT. *JB

WHEN HIT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDEAT 55 MPH SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER SUSTAINED NECK INJURIES. VEHICLE WAS TOWED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.*AK

2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU SUFFERED POWER STEERING FAILURE.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR *JB

ON OR ABOUT 01/15/05 THE POWER STEERING GAME OUT WHILE DRIVING. THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, CAR WAS TAKEN TO DEALER ON 01/17/05. DEALER CHANGED THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN, VEHICLE WAS PICKED UP A DAY LATER. ON 01/21/05 STEERING GAVE OUT AS BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVE WAY AND ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. CAR WAS TURNED OFF AND ON AND POWER STEERING WORKED AGAIN. CAR WAS TURNED BACK IN TO DEALERSHIP WHERE AFTER 3-4 DAY I WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO RECORD OF ANY DEFECTS. *NM

I WAS DRIVING IN TRAFFIC WHEN SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING A WARNING CAM ACROSS THE MESSAGE SCREEN SAYING POWER STEERING AND THE SERVICE LIGHT TURNED ON. I HAD LOST ALL POWER STEERING. I WAS ABLE TO MANUALLY FORCE THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE. I TURNED OFF THE CAR AND RESTARTED IT. WHEN I RESTARTED THE VEHICLE THE WARNINGS DISAPPEARED AND POWER STARING WORKING FINE UNTIL ABOUT 5-10 MINUTES LATER, ABOUT LESS THAN A 1/4 MILE TRAVELED POWER STEERING WENT OUT AGAIN. I CONTACTED MY DEALERS SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND THE SERVICE PERSON THERE NEW INSTANTLY WHAT IT WAS AND HE SAID THAT THE STEERING COLUMN HAD TO BE REPLACED. *JB

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING WITH MY DAUGHTER ON BOARD,TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH PREPARING TO STOP AT APPROACHING TRAFFIC LIGHT,ALL OF A SUDDEN THE STEERING WHEEL "FROZE" AND WOULD NOT MOVE. WHEN SHE FINALLY STOPPED THE CAR,SHE TURNED THE ENGINE OFF. NEEDLESS TO SAY SHE WAS TERRIBLY FRIGHTENED. AFTER A FEW MINUTES SHE RESTARTED THE CAR AND THE STEERING WAS OK. I HATE TO THINK WHAT MIGHT HAVE HAPPENED IF SHE HAD BEEN ON THE EXPRESS SWAY AT THE TIME. NOW SHE IS AFRAID TO DRIVE HER OWN CAR. THE CAR IS A 2004 MALIBU. *NM

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE POWER STEERING WOULD SUDDENLY FAIL AND HE WAS UNABLE TO STEER OR TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH MUCH DIFFICULTY. THE POWER STEERING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE FAILURE. AT TIMES, HE WOULD TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTART IT WHICH WOULD REMEDY THE PROBLEM TEMPORARILY. MOST RECENTLY, THE STEERING WAS UNABLE TO BE RESET BY RESTARTING AND HAD TO BE TOWED. IT WAS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY THREE TIMES. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED AND THE CONTACT PAID FOR REPAIRS AT HIS EXPENSE. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 55,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,206.

I WAS TURNING RIGHT ONTO A STREET AND THE CAR DIED. I TURNED IT BACK ON AND EVERYTHING SEEMED FINE. I THEN TURNED INTO MY OFFICE PARKING GARAGE AND AS I WAS GOING DOWN ONE OF THE LEVELS I NOTICED THE STEERING ACTING STRANGE. IT FELT LIKE IT WAS LOOSE OR NOT CATCHING. I WENT A LITTLE FURTHER AND THE POWER STEERING WENT COMPLETELY OUT. I HAD AN EXTREMELY HARD TIME GETTING INTO A PARKING SPACE BUT I DID. LATER IN THE MORNING WHEN A TOW TRUCK CAME TO PICK UP THE CAR, I GOT IN AND STARTED THE CAR AND THE POWER STEERING WAS WORKING. I LET THE TOW TRUCK TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP SINCE I WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE POWER STEERING GOING OUT AND THE CAR DYING. IT IS AS THE DEALERSHIP AT THIS TIME. *JB

THE FRONT YELLOW SIGNAL LIGHT SEEN TO GET VERY HOT MELTING THE INNER COVER WHICH IS LOCATE INSIDE THE HEADLIGHT IN BOTH OF THEM IT SEEN THAT MOST OF THESE CAR HAS THE SAME PROBLEM.

THE STEERING ON THIS CAR IS SUBJECT TO REPEATED OSCILLATION AT IDLE, SLOW AND MODERATE SPEEDS. THE LONGER THE CAR IS DRIVEN ON ONE TRIP THE WORSE THE PROBLEM BECOMES. THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING OVER A PERIOD OF TIME, BUT IT IS TO THE POINT THAT THE CAR IS NOT DRIVABLE. CHEVROLET HAS A SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THEIR SERVICE DEPARTMENTS, BUT NO CUSTOMER NOTIFIATIONS. THE SERVICE WRITER AT MY SERVICE DEALERSHIP, DAVE MCDERMOTT CHEVROLET, EAST HAVEN, CT, HAS SAME CAR, SAME PROBLEM AND REPLACED THE STEERING COMPONENTS BECAUSE SHE KNOWS OF THE PROBLEM. THE FAILURE TODAY (01/11) AND YESTERDAY (01/10) CAUSED THE STEERING TO LOCK UP AND A "WRENCH" IDIOT LIGHT DISPLAYED ON THE DASHBOARD. THAT WAS CORRECTED BY STOPPING THE CAR, PLACING IT IN PARK, TURNING THE IGNITION OFF AND THEN RESTARTING THE CAR. *AK ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING FAILURE. *SC

I BOUGHT THE 2004 MALIBU IN JUNE 2004. IN JANUARY 2005, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TURN SIGNAL AND HEADLIGHT STOPPED WORKING. I TOOK IT TO THE NEAREST SHOP, AND THEY REPLACED THE BULBS. A FEW WEEKS LATER, IT HAPPENED A SECOND TIME. THEY REPLACED THE BULBS AGAIN. WHEN IT HAPPENED THE THIRD TIME I ASKED FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION INTO THE PROBLEM, INCLUDING WIRING. THEY DISCOVERED THE WHOLE LIGHT CARRIAGE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PROBLEM FIXED. IN MARCH 2005, THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE LIGHT DID THE SAME THING. THE ENTIRE CARRIAGE WAS REPLACED. IT JUST SEEMED A BIT EXCESSIVE FOR A CAR LESS THAN A YEAR OLD.*AK

GEAR SHIFT LOCKED UP AND WOULD NOT MOVE. HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALER FOR REPAIR. FRONT TURN LIGHTS CONSTANTLY LOOSE CONNECTION AND GO OUT. HAVE REPLACED THEM ON AVERAGE EVERY THREE MONTHS. WITHIN 6 MO OF PURCHASE, STEERING FELT LOOSE AND WOULD LOCK UP A SLOW SPEED TURNS. STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED. AT THE SAME TIME, THUMPING CAN BE HEARD WITH LEFT HAND TURNS. DEALER SAYS THE PROBLEM IS RECOGNIZED BY CHEVROLET AND IS A DESIGN DEFECT OF THE RACK AND PINION, BUT CHEVROLET SAYS THEY HAVE NO REPORTS OF THE PROBLEM. THE SHOP JUST GREASES THE RACK AND PINION AND SENDS ME ON MY WAY. AFTER THE 5TH TIME OF HAVING IN THE SHOP AND CHEVY REFUSING TO DO ANYTHING BUT GIVE ME FREE OIL CHANGES, I HAVE TRADED IN THE CAR FOR A FORD. *JB

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TORQUE SENSOR IN THE STEERING COLUMN HAD TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT IN JANUARY BECAUSE THE STEERING LOCKED . THE DEALERSHIP STATED THERE WERE MULTIPLE CARS OF THIS MAKE AND MODEL THAT HAD THIS PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICES ON THE POWER STEERING AND THE BRAKES , BUT THE RECALL NOTICES WERE RECEIVED AFTER THE ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED AFTER THE ACCIDENT TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT, BUT IT WAS TAKEN TO A BODY SHOP TO BE REPAIRED. THE POLICE REPORT STATED THAT THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE IN THE REAR. THE CONTACT CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, AND RECEIVED A LETTER STATING THERE WAS NO BASIS FOR REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE DEDUCTIBLE. *AK

I OWN A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. AT PRESENT TIME, I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE STEERING COLUMN REPLACED TWICE, DUE TO INTERMITTENT POWER STEERING FAILURE AND A CONSTANT PULL TO THE LEFT. THE FIRST TIME WAS AT APPROXIMATELY 8800 MILES, THE SECOND TIME AT 17700 MILES. I HAVE ALSO HAD TO HAVE THE BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS REPLACED TWICE. THE BRAKES STILL MAKE A RUBBING NOISE IN THE RIGHT FRONT, HOWEVER THE DEALERS TELLS ME THEY CANNOT FIX THAT. THE CAR CURRENTLY HAS 18000 MILES ON IT. I STILL HAVE STEERING ISSUES, SUCH AS TWITCHES IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND THUNKS AND CLUNKS WHEN DRIVING. I AM VERY UNCOMFORTABLE DRIVING THE CAR BECAUSE I AM AFRAID THE STEERING WILL GO OUT AGAIN. *NM

POWER STEERING LIGHT COMES ON CONSISTENTLY. ALSO, STEERING WHEEL LOCKS WHILE DRIVING.*AK

TL * - THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE RECEIVED RECALL LETTER 04050. THE CONTACT HAD A COMPUTER CHIP IN THE POWER STEERING MODULE REPLACED IN JAN 2005 BECAUSE OF THE RECALL. THE CONTACT STATED THE POWER STEERING FAILURE RETURNED THREE MONTHS LATER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER ,AND THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING ANOTHER COMPUTER CHIP FOR THE POWER STEERING. THE DEALER WOULD NOT REPLACE THE CHIP FOR FREE BECAUSE IT HAD ALREADY BEEN REPLACED UNDER THE RECALL. THE POWER STEERING FAILED INTERMITTENTLY FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS. THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT CAME ON WHEN THE POWER STEERING WAS NOT WORKING. *AK UPDATED 1/31/2007 - *NM

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL BULBS OFTEN BLOW OUT. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE BULB AND SOME WIRES. RECENTLY, HE NOTICED THAT THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL COVERING BURNED. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 37,900. UPDATED 10/03/08 *BF THE DEALER STATED THE WIRING HARNESS HAD MELTED. UPDATED 10/07/08.*JB

WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS ELECTRIC STEERING FAILED THREE TIMES. AS A RESULT, THERE WAS A THUMPING NOISE WHEN ATTEMPTING TO TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION. *AK *TT

WHEN THE CONSUMER MADE A RIGHT TURN ONTO THE FREEWAY, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND PULLED OVER. THE CONSUMER TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AND RESTARTED IT AND DROVE HOME. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MECHANIC FOR AN APPOINTMENT. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB

1. POWER STEERING FAILURE 2. NOISE IN STEERING 3. NOISE IN STEERING STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED IN EACH INCIDENT, NOW MAKING CLUNKING NOISE AGAIN. DEALER SAID ITS "NORMAL CHARACTERISTIC OF VEHICLE. NOISE IS GETTING WORSE. *NM

AS A FORMER GM DEVELOPMENT ENGINEER I WOULD LIKE TO IDENTIFY A DOOR LATCH WET FREEZE CONDITION THAT UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS JEOPARDIZES CUSTOMER SAFETY. THE ISSUE OCCURS ON SOME VEHICLES USING THE DELPHI VERSION OF THE GM GLOBAL DOOR LATCH, AND THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS IN US AND CANADA. THE FAILURE MODE OCCURS WHEN THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN WASHED, OR EXPOSED TO WATER, AND THE VEHICLE IS FROZEN AFTERWARDS. WHEN WATER ENTERS THE LATCH, AND ICE FORMS THE DOOR LATCH BECOMES INOPERATIVE, THE DOOR CAN BE OPENED AND BUT THE LATCH WILL NOT RELATCH. THERE HAVE BEEN INSTANCES REPORTED IN CANADA IN WHICH THE CUSTOMER HAD EXPERIENCED THIS CONDITION AND THE A PASSENGER ALMOST FELL OUT OF A MOVING VEHICLE DUE TO THE DOOR NOT RELATCHING. THIS CONDITION HAPPENS PRIMARILY ON REAR DOORS AND EFFECT THE FOLLOWING VEHICLES (CHEVROLET MALIBU, COBALT, BUICK LUCERNE, BUICK LACROSSE, CHEVROLET EQUINOX, CADILLAC SRX, CADILLAC CTS). THE ISSUE INITIALLY SURFACE IN DECEMBER 2004, AND REMEDIATION PLANS TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE WE PROVEN INEFFECTIVE, YET MANAGEMENT CONTINUED TO BELIEVE THE PROBLEM WAS SOLVED. ONCE THE WINTER SEASON WAS OVER, THE PROBLEM WAS LONG FORGOTTEN. THE NEXT WINTER, WINTER 2005 THE PROBLEM RESURFACED. TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE THERE IS ONE FULL MODEL YEAR OF VEHICLES IN EXCESS OF 1 MILLION VEHICLES IN THE FIELD THAT WHEN EXPOSED TO WATER AND FROZEN BECOME AN OCCUPANT HAZARD. THE CONDITION CAN BE EASILY REPLICATED BY WASHING ONE OF THE VEHICLES AND PUTTING IT IN A COLD CELL , AND THEN OPERATING THE DOOR. I URGE NHTSA TO LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE BEFORE ANY INJURIES OCCUR. *NM

THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING CONTROL WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE POWER STEERING MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *JB THE ADJUSTER ASSEMBLY ON THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT WAS REPLACED.

I OWN A 2004 CHEVY MALIBU MAXX, WHICH HAS AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHTS. WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS WORK IN AUTOMATIC MODE, EVERYTHING WORKS FINE. UNFORTUNATELY THE SOLAR SENSOR THAT ACTIVATES THEM "THINKS" THE SKY IS BRIGHT WHEN IT IS VERY OVERCAST. FOR THE MOST PART NOT A PROBLEM, AS YOU CAN TURN THE LIGHTS ON MANUALLY. UN-FORTUNATELY, THE DASH-BOARD LIGHTS DO NOT COME ON WHEN YOU DO THIS, UNLESS THE SENSOR "THINKS" IT'S DARK. TO REMEMDY THIS, I PUT SOMETHING OVER THE SENSOR, BUT SHOULD NOT HAVE TO, AND IF I DON'T, EVEN THOUGH I CAN SEE IN FRONT OF MY CAR, I CAN'T SEE HOW FAST I'M GOING, TACHOMETER, BATTERY METER READINGS, ETC. WHEN I TOOK THE VEHICLE FOR SERVICE, THEY REPLACED THE BODY CONTROL MODULE 3 TIMES, TOLD ME IT WAS FIXED, I WENT TO PICK IT UP, SAME THING HAPPENED. WE GOT INTO ANOTHER MALIBU, AND IT HAPPENED WITH THAT CAR AS WELL. IN OTHER WORDS THE SYSTEM IS WORKING THE WAY IT WAS DESIGNED. UNFORTUNATELY, THAT DOES NOT MEAN IT IS WORKING CORRECTLY. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE AS I CAN NOT SEE DASH INDICATORS WHEN I NEED TO TURN THE LIGHTS ON MANUALLY. I ALSO OWN A 2002 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE WITH AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHTS, AND THIS PROBLEM DOES NOT EXIST. I'VE ALSO OWNED A 1998 CHEVROLET MALIBU WITH AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHTS, AND THIS PROBLEM DID NOT EXIST. MY FRIEND OWNS A 2004 GMC YUKON WITH AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHTS, AND IT DOES NOT EXIST ON THAT EITHER. IT APPERS TO BE ONLY WITH THE THE 2004 (AND POSSIBLY ABOVE) MALIBU, AND POSSIBLY ONLY THE MALIBU MAXX. I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY HELP THAT YOU MAY BE ABLE TO PROVIDE. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE.

ELECTRIC POWER STEERING (EPS) FAILURE...EPS WOULD FAIL (QUIT WORKING) LEAVING DRIVER TO ATTEMPT TO STEER VEHICLE WITHOUT ANY EPS ASSIST...A VERY DIFFICULT TASK AND A CRITICAL SAFETY DEFECT THAT EASILY LEADS TO LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.*AK EA04018_CAT

WHILE DRIVING MY 2004 CHEVY MALIBU LT A LIGHT WILL COME ON. THIS LIGHT IS A PICTURE OF A CAR WITH A TOOL INSIDE IT. A BEEP ALSO COMES ON FOLLOWED BY A MESSAGE THAT SAYS POWER STEERING. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME THREE TIMES NOW. WHEN THIS HAPPENS I LOSE ALL CONTROL OF THE POWER STEERING. IT TAKES A LOT OF EFFORT TO TURN MY WHEEL. AFTER I TURN THE CAR OFF AND LET IT SIT FOR A WHILE, THE PROBLEM DOESN'T OCCUR FOR ANOTHER 1-3 WEEKS. *AK

I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE BRAND NEW IN AUGUST 2004. THE POWER STEERING WENT WHILE I WAS TURNING ON TO A STREET IN I BELIEVE DECEMBER 2004. IT WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE STEERING COLUMN WAS SUPPOSEDLY REPLACED. A COUPLE OF MONTHS LATER, THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN, I QUESTIONED WHY IT WAS NOT RECALLED AT THE TIME, SINCE THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME IT HAPPENED. I WAS ADVISED THAT IT WAS A BAD BATCH OF STEERING BOOTS AND THERE WERE NOT ENOUGH PROBLEMS TO REPLACE THEM. AGAIN, THE STEERING COLUMN WAS SUPPOSEDLY REPLACED. ALL SEEMED TO BE FINE UNTIL I BELIEVE DECEMBER 2010. THE STEERING WENT AGAIN. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND GM TO SEE WHAT COULD BE DONE. I WAS ADVISED THAT MY PROBLEM HAD BEEN TAKEN CARE OF IN 2004/2005 AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. I TOOK THE CAR TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO HAD TO REPLACE EVERYTHING ONCE AGAIN. THIS TIME IT COST ME OVER $1500. *TR

WHILE WIFE WAS DRIVING 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU IN CITY TRAFFIC, POWER STEERING SUDDENLY FAILED CONCURRENT WITH ALARM CHIME AND REPAIR CAR LIGHT. SHE HAD TO DRIVE STRAIGHT THROUGH TWO INTERSECTIONS AND STRUGGLED TO IMMEDIATELY PARK THE CAR, AND CALLED ME FOR ASSISTANCE. AFTER RESTARTING THE CAR, POWER STEERING WAS RESTORED (NO ALARM OR LIGHT). TOOK CAR TO DEALER THE FOLLOWING MORNING FOR REPAIRS. DEALER STATES THAT A RECENT BULLETIN MAY ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM AND REQUIRES A KIT AND REPLACEMENT OF STEERING COLUMN. PARTS NOT IN STOCK. KIT WAS ORDERED AND IS EXPECTED IN ABOUT A WEEK. WILL SCHEDULE REPAIR AFTER PARTS KIT IS RECEIVED. THIS PROBLEM SHOULD IMMEDIATELY BE UPGRADED TO A SAFETY RECALL ITEM TO MINIMIZE FUTURE ACCIDENTS IN LESS FORGIVING DRIVING CONDITIONS. *AK

PROBLEMS WITH THE:"RACK AND PINION STEERING , BRAKES, FRONT SUSPENSION. *AK

A CLUNKING NOISE WAS DISCOVERED DURING DRIVING MY NEW CAR. SEND IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND IT WAS GREASED AND IT STOPPED FOR AWHILE. I HAVE HAD 4 DIFFERENT CHEVY DEALERSHIPS IN CENTRAL TEXAS LOOK AT IT SINCE IT WAS A NEW CAR. IT STILL HAS THAT NOISE AND 190,000 MILES ON IT. IF WHEN AND HOW CAN IT BE FIXED? *TR

(1) WAS DRIVING WHEN SUDDENLY POWER STEERING QUIT WORKING. (2) POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON AND VEHICLE WAS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER. (3) CALLING SEALERSHIP TOMORROW, INSURANCE AGENT SAID TO REPORT TO YOU IMMEDIATELY AS THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS STARTING TO OCCUR IN MALIBUS. *JB EA04018_CAT