2004 Chevrolet Malibu Complaint Log

MY DAUGHTER'S 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU ACCELERATES AT DIFFERENT TIMES WHILE DRIVING. (THE CRUISE CONTROL IS NOT ENGAGED!). MOST TIMES IT HAS BEEN SITTING IN A HOT PARKING LOT AND IT HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING NORMALLY (35 - 50 MPH). SHE HAS HAD TO PULL OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, PUT BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE, PUT IT IN PARK - IT STILL ACCELERATES. SHE HAD HER CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY DIDN'T FIND ANYTHING. IT OCCURED AGAIN A FEW MORE TIMES SINCE THEN. IT HAPPENED AGAIN ON JULY 30 WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK. SHE IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE DEALERSHIP, HAD IT TOWED THERE, AND ALSO CONTACTED GM. THEY DID NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG AGAIN AND MADE HER FEEL LIKE SHE WAS IGNORANT. THE SERVICE MANAGER HAD A BLACK BOX INSTALLED, WHERE IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN, SHE CAN PUSH THE BUTTON AND IT WILL RECORD THE INSTANCES. SHE HAS HAD PEOPLE RIDING WITH HER WHEN IT HAPPENS AND THEY ALSO WILL ATTEST TO THAT THE INCIDENT OCCURRED. SHE IS AFRAID TO CONTINUE DRIVING HER CAR AND WE DON'T WANT HER TO EXPERIENCE OR CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. SHE MAY NOT BE AS LUCKY THIS TIME EVEN THOUGH SHE HAS THE"BLACK BOX" TO RECORD THE INCIDENT. WE DON'T WANT TO RISK OUR DAUGHTER'S LIFE FOR A MACHINE. PLEASE LET US KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO. CONNIE CRONIN (MOTHER). *AK

I BOUGHT A MALIBU MAXX IN JULY 2004 BRAND NEW WITH 30 MILES ON IT THE SECOND DAY I HAD IT I HEARD A NOISE FRON THE FRONT END TOOK IT BACK TO TAYLOR CHEVROLET IN TAYLOR MICHIGAN SERVICE ADVIROR RODE WITH ME HEARD IT ALSO WROTE ON WORK ORDER NOISE COMING FORM POSSIBLE TRNSMISSION I HAVE DRIVEN 3 MAXX OTHER THAN MY OWN NO NOSIE ALSO A RATTLING NOISE IN THE INSIDE WHILE DRIVING WHEN SUNROOF IS OPEN NO NOISE BUT WHEN IT IS CLOSED RATTLING NOISE ALL THE TIME THIS HAS BEEN A ON GOING PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR HAVE DISCUSSED A POSSIBLE RETURN TO GET ANOTHER CAR EVERYONE HAS REFUSED I HAVE TAKED WITH ALLEN SIVER WHO IS THE GM AT TAYLOR CHEVROLET AND JIM AUTHUR WHO IS THE SEVERICE MANAGER NOTHING I WILL NEVER BY ANOTHER GM PRODUCT WHEN YOU LOOKING TO BUY EVERYONE IS IN YOUR FACE BUT WHEN SOMETHING GOES WRONG YOU GET NO ATTENTION THEY ARE JUST OUT TO SELL NOT SERVICE.*AK

WITHOUT WARNING THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM FAILED TWICE MAKING THE VEHICLE TO HARD TO STEER, ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED TWICE WITHIN TWO WEEKS BECAUSE THE FIRST REPLACEMENT ALSO FAILED. EA04018_CAT THIS IS LIKE AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. *JB

THE CAR CUT OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND IN HEAVY TRAFFIC MORE THAN ONCE. THERE WAS NO WARNING THAT THIS WOULD HAPPEN. THE CAR WAS SERVICED BEFORE FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT IT CONTINUED TO HAPPEN. I HAVE HAD 3 RECALLS, THE HORN FUSE HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE, AND THE BLINKER IS CURRENTLY OUT. THE STEERING COLLAR HAS ALSO BEEN REPLACED. THIS CAR WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A NEW CAR.

ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING FAILED AND STEERING COLUMN WAS DEFECTIVE. THERE WAS A FIVE SECOND WARNING THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED. IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. *AK *NM EA04018_CAT

ELECTRIC POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE VEHICLE BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. SPORT CHEVROLET SAID THEY HAD HEARD OF THIS DEFECT BEFORE. THEY TOLD MY WIFE TO TURN THE CAR AND THEN TURN THE CAR ON AGAIN. THIS SOLVED THE PROBLEM. THIS "FIX" LEAVES SOMETHING TO BE DESIRED, ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. EA04018_CAT. *LA

WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH OR LESS AND MAKING A LEFT TURN CONSUMER NOTICED DASHBOARD INDICATOR LIGHTS FLASHING. THEN, LOST POWER STEERING. *AK EA04018_CAT

IN APRIL OF 2004 I PURCHASED A CHEVY MALIBU WITH APPROX.12 MILES ON IT,IT RAN FINE FOR ABOUT 3 MONTHS UNTIL OUT OF NO WARNING AS I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN AT AN INTERSECTION THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED..THE DEALER REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN,AND IT WORKED FINE ,THAT IS UNTIL NOW,SEVEN YEARS LATER THE SAME THING HAS HAPPENED,NOW THIS TIME I REALIZED SOME HOW IF I RESTART THE CAR THE STEERING RESETS. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT NOW,I HAVE NO WARRANTY ,AND I THINK THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL,BECAUSE MANY OTHERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS. *TR

CONSUMER HAS A CONCERN THAT THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH OR MORE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS. EACH TIMES THE DEALER HAS ALIGNED THE FRONT WHEELS, READJUSTED THE STEERING WHEEL, CHANGED THE LEFT SIDE TIRE AND REALIGNED THE FRONT TIRE AND THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. *JB

BOUGHT 6 CYLINDER 2004 MALIBU WITH 2000 MILES FROM DEALER. WITHIN TWO MONTHS, STEERING FAILED. STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED. SINCE THEN STEERING COLUMN HAS BEEN REPLACED A TOTAL OF FOUR TIMES FOR CONTINUED "CLUNKING" NOISE IN FRONT STEERING AREA. LAST TIME CAR WAS STILL IN WARRANTY. CAR NOW HAS 62,000 MILES AND CONTINUES TO CLUNK JUST AS WHEN NEW AND AS EACH COLUMN WAS REPLACED. *JB

WHILE DRIVING THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH. *NM FAILURE OF ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING SYSTEM. STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AS CONSUMER BACKED OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY. AFTER SERVICE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY HEAVY AND VERY HARD TO TURN. *TC

RECALL NOT COMPLETELY FIXED BY DEALER! THE ABS CONTROLLER WAS REPROGRAMMED, BUT THE INSTALLATION OF A RETAINER IN THE FRONT SAFETY BELT CONNECTORS WAS NOT REPAIRED! THE DEALER SAID THEY ARE NOT AWARE OF ANY SUCH PART TO INSTALL!*AK

ISSUES THAT AROSE WITH MY 2004 MALIBU JULY 7, 2004. THESE ISSUES ARE STILL WORRISOME TO ME EVEN THOUGH THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN ADDRESSED BY THE FORT WAYNE KELLEY CHEVROLET SERVICE PEOPLE. EA04018_CAT. *AK I ENCOUNTERED SEVERAL DANGEROUS ISSUES WITH THE AUTOMOBILE. THE FIRST ISSUE OCCURRED AT A STOP SIGN. I WAS COMPLETELY STOPPED AT THE STOP SIGN WHEN MY STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO PULSATE UNCONTROLLABLY. UPON ACCELERATION IT SEEMED TO SUBSIDE UNTIL I TRIED TO TURN LEFT AND AT THAT TIME I HAD NO CONTROL OVER MY STEERING. I WAS ABLE TO GET INTO THE CORRECT LANE FINALLY AND THANKFULLY I WAS ONLY 1 MILE FROM MY HOME. AS I TURNED INTO MY NEIGHBORHOOD THE STEERING ONCE AGAIN BEGAN TO PULSATE LEAVING ME WITHOUT STEERING POWER AND I HAD TO BREAK UPON SOMEONES YARD IN ORDER NOT TO HIT A CHILD PLAYING IN THE STREET. THIS IS A HUGE CONCERN. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED KELLEY CHEVROLET. WE WERE ADDRESSED COURTEOUSLY YET I WAS STILL VERY ANXIOUS ABOUT WHAT HAD HAPPENED&ESPECIALLY CONSIDERING MY DAUGHTER HAD A MALIBU JUST LIKE OURS. I HAVE A GRANDDAUGHTER WHO RIDES IN THAT CAR AND I WAS VERY NERVOUS ABOUT THE FACT THAT THIS MAY ALSO HAPPEN TO MY DAUGHTER. KELLEY DID ADDRESS THE PROBLEM PROMPTLY AND GAVE US INFORMATION CONCERNING DOCUMENT ID# 1521111 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU SERVICE INFORMATION ( NOISY STEERING COLUMN, LACK OF POWER STEERING ASSIST, DTCS C0460 AND C0545, STEERING WHEEL MOVES SLIGHTLY BY ITSELF #04-02-35-009-MAY 24, 2004) MY STEERING WHEEL WAS NOT JUST NOISY, IT WAS PULSATING TO THE POINT I COULD HARDLY HOLD IT. ALSO THE ISSUE OF THE STEERING WHEEL MOVES SLIGHTLY BY ITSELF IS ALSO A HUGE UNDERSTATEMENT. MY STEERING WHEEL COULD BE MOVED BY ME, HOWEVER, MY WHEELS DID NOT TURN IN THE DIRECTION OF MY STEERING. THIS IS SOMETHING GM MUST ADDRESS. KELLEYS TOOK CARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT I AM EXTREMELY APPREHENSIVE ABOUT MY CAR OR EVER GETTING ANOTHER CHEVROLET WITH ELECTRONIC STEERING. EA04018_CAT

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED POWER STEERING FAILED. THIS CAUSED THE DRIVER TO HAVE DIFFICULTY IN STEERING, BUT WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. IT WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK EA04018_CAT

WHILE DRIVING MY 2004 CHEVY MALIBU MY STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO JERK BACK AND FORTH, THIS WOULD HAPPEN WHEN TURNING RIGHT. AT LOW SPEEDS. I ALSO HAD THE ABS BRAKE LIGHT COME ON INTERMITTENTLY, THE DEALERSHIP WAS ABLE TO VERIFY THE BRAKE LIGHT PROBLEM DUE TO A RECALL AND THE STEERING ALSO WAS VERIFIED. THIS RESULTED IN REPLACEMENT OF THE "RACK IS WHAT THE DEALER CALLED IT." I HAVE NOTICED THIS IS A PROBLEM ON MANY 2004 MALIBUS. CHEVROLET HAD BETTTER LOOK INTO THISAND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION BEFORE IT RESULTS IN DEATH AND MAJOR LEGAL ACTION. EA04018_CAT. *LA

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE STALLED INTERMITTENTLY. VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO DEALER ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS, AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK

CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP AND HAD THE WORK DONE ON JULY 1, 2004. VEHICLE HAD ONLY 100 MILES. ON AUGUST 13,2004 THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS FAILED, AND THE TAIL LIGHTS WERE OUT. ON AUGUST 23, VEHICLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. CONSUMER PARKED THE VEHICLE AND THE LOCKS AUTOMATICALLY UNLOCKED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STILL RUNNING. ALSO, THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS RUNNING WHEN THE KEY WAS NOT IN THE IGNITION. *AK

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE MAKING A RIGHT OR LEFT TURN AT ANY SPEED, THE STEERING WOULD MAKE A GRINDING OR GRATING NOISE. THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND OR HEAR ANY FAILURES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL IS NOW MAKING A VERY LOUD GRATING AND GRINDING NOISE. SHE SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 23,836 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000.

WHILE TRAVELING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE STALLED. WITHOUT CONSUMER HAD SEVERAL CLOSE CALLS OF BEING REAR ENDED. VEHICLE WAS SERVICED SEVERAL TIMES, BUT PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK

THE VEHICLE PULLS TO THE LEFT. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. CURRENTLY, IT PULLS TO THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED ON FOUR OCCASIONS. *AK ABOUT TWO MILES FROM THE DEALER THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT. THE CONSUMER CORRECTED THE PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING WHEEL. THE DEALER SHIFTED THE TIRES, THEN IT SEEMED TO PULL TO THE RIGHT. *SC THE REAR VIEW MIRROR CRACKED.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHT BULBS CONSTANTLY OVERHEATED AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. HOWEVER, THE HEADLIGHT COVERS WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 168,000. UPDATED 08/19/14*LJ

THE VEHICLE ABS CONTROL MODULE FAILED PRIOR TO THE CONSUMER ACTING ON THE NOTICE RECEIVED ON JUNE 21 ( NHTSA#04V190000). THE FAILURE RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT ON JUNE 28, 2004 WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 20 TO 25 MPH. THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKE BUT THE ABS DID NOT ACTIVATE. AS A RESULT THE DRIVER HIT THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HIM. *NM *NM

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT.*AK

DRIVING THE VEHICLE DOWN THE ROAD AT 45 MPH. EVERYTHING WAS OPERATING NORMALLY AND ALL DRIVING WAS NORMAL. THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED MOVING VIOLENTLY TO THE RIGHT, PULLING THE WHEEL FROM MY HAND. WHILE TRYING TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN TO TURN OFF THE ROAD, THE STEERING WAS LOST. I COULD NOT STEER THE VEHICLE. APPROXIMATELY 15 SECONDS LATER; THE CAR CHIMED, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND ON THE COMPUTER DISPLAY ON THE STEREO THE WORDS "POWER STEERING" WERE DISPLAYED. AT THIS TIME I WAS ABLE TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD BY USING GREAT FORCE ON THE WHEEL. I DID NOT GET INTO AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE THE ROAD WAS STRAIGHT AND HAD PLENTY OFF ROOM AND LITTLE TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE IS NEW, PURCHASED IN FEB 2004 AND HAS 10,500 MILES ON IT. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED.*AK EA04018_CAT

TRAVELING DOWN STREET AT LOW SPEED WHEN A SUDDEN BUT LIGHT JOLT FROM THE ENGINE IS FELT. MOMENTS LATER SLOWING DOWN FOR A TRAFFIC LIGHT TOTAL LOSE OF ELECTRICAL POWER. THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN ALL THE TIME. VEHICLE IS IN FOR REPAIRS ON THIS DATE. *AK EA04018_CAT

COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER STEERING, WHILE DRIVEING AT FREEWAY SPEEDS (65 MPH). *AK PE04031_CAT

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH STALLING WHILE DRIVING. THIS OCCURRED TWICE A WEEK. VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO THE DEALER ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS, AND DEALER REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH, BUT PROBLEM RECURRED. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN A SECOND TIME TO DEALER, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK

WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED. A LIGHT FOR THE STEERING WHEEL FLASHED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM HAD NOT BEEN DETERMINED. *AK PE04031_CAT THE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED. *SC *JB

WHILE DRIVING STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND THE CONSUMER LOST POWER STEERING. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK EA04018_CAT (DUPLICATES VOQ 10089025- SAME VIN/DRIVER)

WHILE DRIVING, THE STEERING LIGHT FLASHED ON THE DASHBOARD AND THE STEERING COLUMN WAS HARD TO STEER. THE CONSUMER PULLED OVER TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTED IT. THE STEERING LIGHT DID NOT APPEAR ON THE DASHBOARD. THE CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MECHANIC RECOMMENDED THAT THE CONSUMER CALL FOR AN APPOINTMENT TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR TESTING. THE CONSUMER INFORMED THE MECHANIC THAT THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED MORE THAN ONCE. *AK PE04031_CAT GM RECOMMENDED THAT THE CONSUMER REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN. *SC *JB

POWER STEERING WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ON 5 OCCASIONS, BUT DEALER WAS UNABLE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT ILLUMINATED. *TC *JB

I HAVE A 6 MOS OLD 2004 CHEVY MALIBU LTV6 (10,000 MILES). THE ELECTRIC STEERING IS GIVING ME SOME CONCERNS. WHEN I'M AT A STOP LIGHT THE WHEEL WANTS TO TURN. NOT FAR JUST MORE LIKE A SHAKE BACK AND FORTH. IF YOU LET GO YOU CAN SEE AND HEAR IT RATTLE. PROBABLY MOVES 1/4 INCH. BACK AND FORTH. THEN IF YOU REALLY PAY ATTENTION YOU CAN FEEL IT WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING. FINALLY, THE POWER STEERING CUT OFF ALL TOGETHER AT HIGH SPEEDS. THIS ALL HAPPENED AFTER THE CAR SAT IN A PARKING LOT FOR 8 DAYS. ANY IDEA'S? *AK PE04031_CAT

I HAD NOTICED WHILE DRIVING THAT THE WORDS "POWER STEERING" HAD COME ACROSS MY DISPLAY AND AN ORANGE LIGHT WITH A WRENCH CAME UP ON THE DASH IN THE BOTTOM LEFT CORNER. WHEN I FIRST NOTICED THIS PROBLEM A FEW MONTHS AGO, I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR. THEY TOLD ME THE SENSORS WERE FAULTY, AND THEY NEED TO REPLACE THEM. TO MY KNOWLEDGE THEY REPLACED THE SENSORS IN THE STIRRING COLUMN. I THOUGHT THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED. TODAY WHILE I WAS SITTING STILL IN A DRIVE THROUGH AT A RESTAURANT, THE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN ,AND I SAW "POWER STEERING" COME ACROSS THE DISPLAY AGAIN. MY CAR BECAME EXTREMELY HARD TO TURN AND I DROVE IT TO THE NEAREST CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP WHICH WAS ABOUT 2 MILES AWAY FROM THE RESTAURANT. ONE OF THE WORKERS AT THE DEALERSHIP DROVE MY CAR INTO THE AREA WHERE THEY REPAIR THEM AND THE LIGHT WENT OFF, BUT CAME BACK ON. I AM STILL WAITING TO FIND OUT WHAT CAUSED THIS PROBLEM. I ALSO HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH MY AIR CONDITIONER BUTTON GETTING STUCK IN POSITION.*AK PE04031_CAT

POWER STEERING FAILURE WHILE VEHICLE IN MOTION. OCCURRED APPROX. 10 TIMES SINCE PURCHASE 6 MONTHS AGO. POWER STEERING USUALLY RESUMES AFTER VEHICLE TURNED OFF FOR A FEW MINUTES. NO DAMAGE/INJURIES. LEFT VEHICLE AT DEALERSHIP MAY 26, 2004. AFTER TWO DAYS, SERVICE DEPT. CLAIMED THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE, THEREFORE THEY COULD NOT RESOLVE. TOLD ME TO BRING IT BACK WHEN IT HAPPENS MORE FREQUENTLY. AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, POWER STEERING FAILED APPROX 5 TIMES BETWEEN 5/26 & 6/3. TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO DEALERSHIP 6/7, WHERE IT REMAINS. SERVICE DEPT. NOW SAYS IT'S A "KNOWN ISSUE" AND PLACED AN ORDER FOR A NEW STEERING COLUMN. PE04031_CAT. *AK

THE POWER STEERING FAILED WHEN CAR WAS FIRST STARTED IN THE MORNING, THE CAR HAD 1,000 MILES AT THAT TIME. I CALLED A TOW TRUCK AND WHEN HE CAME TO PICK IT UP THE POWER STEERING WORKED FINE, HE SAID THAT THE COMPUTER MIGHT HAVE BYPASSED IT WHEN THE CAR WAS STARTED, I CONTACTED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE CAR HAD TO BE MALFUNCTIONING AT THE TIME THEY CHECKED IT OR THEY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THE SECOND TIME THE POWER STEERING FAILED THE CAR HAS BEEN DRIVEN AROUND 6 MI., THE CAR WAS IDLING AT THE TIME AND SHE TURNED THE MOTOR OFF AND TOOK THE KEY OUT AND THEN RESTARTED THE CAR THE STEERING WORKED OK THEN. THE THIRD TIME THE POWER STEERING FAILED WAS WHEN I WAS BACKING THE CAR IN THE GARAGE, AT THIS TIME THE CAR HAD 2,000 MILES ON IT. WHEN I RESTARTED IT THE POWER STEERING WORKED OK. I CONTACTED MONTGOMERY CHEVROLET AND TALKED TO THE SERVICE MAN THERE AND HE SAID THAT THEY COULDN'T DO ANY THING ABOUT IT UNLESS IT WAS ACTING UP AT THE TIME AND IT WASN'T. HE SAID THAT I COULD LEAVE IT. IT WAS 1,000 MILES BETWEEN THE FIRST AND SECOND TIME IT HAPPENED AND AROUND 100 MILES MORE ON THE THIRD TIME. WE WERE LUCKY THAT ALL OF THE FAILURE HAPPENED IN OUT DRIVEWAY OR IN THE GARAGE. *AK PE04031_CAT *SC

I BOUGHT THE CAR BRAND NEW IN 2003. HAVE HAD TO TAKE IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. AND IT'S HAPPENING AGAIN SO THIS NEXT TIME WILL BE THE FOURTH. PROBLEM OCCURS EVERY 6K OR SO. PLAY IN THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING ASSEMBLY BEGINS TO OCCUR. FIRST INDICATION IS A KNOCKING NOISE HEARD WHILE TURNING. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THREE DIFFERENT DEALERS AND THEY STILL CAN NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. IT IS JUST GOING TO GET FRUSTRATING OVER THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE TO CONSTANTLY HAVE TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. VERY CONCERNED WITH THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE. ALSO, IF I TRIED TO SELL IT, THIS PROBLEM COULD SERIOUSLY AFFECT THE VALUE OF THE VEHICLE. *JB

STOPPED AT A SERVICE STATION TO REFUEL,WHEN I RESTARTED THE AUTO AND STARTED TO LEAVE,THE "SERVICE VEHICLE SOON LIGHT" CAME ON, A CHIME SOUNDED, AND THE"DRIVER INFORMATION CENTER DISPLAYED THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE"POWER STEERING" THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. I TURNED OFF THE AUTO AND RESTARTED. EVERYTHING APPEARED NORMAL BUT A FEW MINUTES LATER, THE PROBLEM REPEATED. I WAS ONLY 1 MILE FROM HOME AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR HOME BUT WITH GREAT DIFFICULTY STEERING.THE FOLLOWING DAY I STARTED THE CAR AN LET IT RUN FOR 10 MINUTES BUT THE PROBLEM DID NOT REPEAT. I HAVE NOT DRIVEN THE CAR SINCE 5/29/2004. ON 06/01/2004 I DROVE THE CAR TO THE DEALER(DISTANCE:1-1/2 MILES) JACKSON CHEVROLET, SOUTH MAIN ST MIDDLETOWN, CT. 06457 THE PROBLEM DID NOT OCCUR. I AM PRESENTLY WAITING FOR THE SERVICE DEPT. TO CALL ME.THE REASON I AM SENDING YOU THIS COMPLAINT BEFORE I HEAR FROM THE DEALER, IS: I HAVE READ 25 OTHER COMPLAINTS ON YOUR WEB SITE ABOUT 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU ELECTRIC ASSIST POWER STEERING AND IT APPEARS THAT NEITHER THE DEALERS OR CHEVROLET DIVISION OF GENERAL MOTORS REALLY KNOWS WHY THIS IS HAPPENING OR HAS A 100% FIX! THERE IS NO DOUGHT IN MY MIND THAT THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND I HOPE YOU GET CHEVROLET DIVISION OF GENERAL MOTORS TO GET THIS PROBLEM FIXED FAST OR GET THESE MALIBU'S OFF THE ROAD BEFORE SOMEONE GETS INTO A SERIOUS ACCIDENT OR STILL WORSE, GETS KILLED!!*AK PE04031_CAT

DURING MY EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT WITH DELPHI AUTOMOTIVE (DELPHI SAGINAW STEERING SYSTEM, 3900 E. HOLLAND AVE., SAGINAW, MICHIGAN 48601), I WAS INSTRUCTED TO CONDUCT A SCREW "STRIP-OUT" STUDY ON THE ELECTRIC MOTOR/CONTROLLER ASSEMBLY OF THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING (EPS) SYSTEM OF THE GENERAL MOTOR'S EPSILON PLATFORM (MY 2003.5 - 2006 MALIBU). THIS STUDY WAS CONDUCTED IN MAY OF 2004 AT DELPHI'S PLANT 1, EPS ASSEMBLY. THE STUDY INCLUDED TEN PRODUCTION MOTOR AND TEN PRODUCTION CONTROLLER ASSEMBLIES THAT WERE ASSEMBLED ON THE PRODUCTION EQUIPMENT AND PROCESS(ES). THE CONTROLLER IS ATTACHED TO MOTOR BY THREE M 5.0X 0.8 SCREWS. THE RESULT OF THAT STUDY CONCLUDED THAT FOUR OF THE TEN MOTOR/CONTROLLER ASSEMBLIES HAD AT LEAST ONE OF THE SCREWS FULLY STRIPPED WITH LESS THAN 50% OF THE DESIGN INTENDED RETENTION AND WITH TWO ASSEMBLIES WITH TWO FULLY STRIPPED SCREWS. THIS REPORT WAS SHARED WITH MY IMMEDIATE ENGINEERING MANAGER WHOM THEN REPORTED TO SEVERAL OTHER PRODUCT ENGINEER MANAGERS OF THE EPS GROUP IN SAGINAW, MICHIGAN. IT WAS UNIVERSALLY UNDERSTOOD THAT PLANT 1 HAD AN ASSEMBLY ISSUE WITH THIS PROCESS AND THAT THERE WAS NO EFFECTIVE CONTAINMENT PROCESS IN PLACE TO SCRAP ALL SUSPECTED STRIPPED ASSEMBLIES. THE FOLLOW-UP INFORMATION FROM MY MANAGERS THAT I UNDERSTOOD WAS THAT UAW ASSEMBLY MEMBERS WERE INQUIRED TO AGREE AMONG THEMSELVES A BUILD SEQUENCE FOR THE CONTROLLER FASTENING PROCESS SO THAT THE COMPONENTS COULD BE REDESIGNED FOR BETTER ASSEMBLY. THIS ITEM WAS NOT PURSUED BECAUSE IT WAS UNCLEAR TO WHICH PARTY (THE ASSEMBLY PLANT OR THE PRODUCT ENGINEERING GROUP) WAS TO CHAMPION THE NECESSARY CHANGE. THE RESULTANT FAILURE MODE IS POSSIBLE MIGRATION OF THE CONTROLLER FROM THE MOTOR ASSEMBLY. THIS MIGRATING MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE STEERING AND/OR VEHICLE FIRE DUE THE POWER (MOTOR) PHASE LEADS "SHORTING OUT ". MORE INFORMATION IS TO BE SUBMITTED WITH COMPLIANT (PER MARTINA AND DEBRA OF NHSTA 19JN06). *NM

PROBLEMS WITH POWER STEERING AND AIR BAGS ON 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT IN WHICH THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. WHILE DRIVING THE POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING. *NM

BOUGHT A MALIBU LT MAXX IN APR 04, ENCOUNTERED STEERING WHEEL PROBLEMS SEVERAL. THE WORST WAS THAT IT LOCKED MY STEERING WHEEL WHILE DRIVING ON THE HWY 401. I HAD TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HWY TO RE-START MY ENGINE TO TRY MY LUCKY TO GET BACK THE STEERING POWER. I HAVE THE PROBLEM TILL NOW AND YET UNSOLVED. NO CHOICE BUT TO GET INTO A NEW CAR NOW, JUST TO ADVISE BEING KILL ON THE ROAD. *JB

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED STEERING AND TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. THE STEERING WENT OUT, FORCING THE VEHICLE TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD AND INTO AN EMBANKMENT. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A SERVICE CENTER. TRANSMISSION WILL NOT ENGAGE INTO THE INTERLOCK. IF GOING INTO REVERSE AND CHANGING INTO DRIVE IT WAS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL VEHICLE. CONSUMER MUST USE ABOUT 45 LBS OF PRESSURE TO GET THE GEAR SHIFT TO OPERATE SMOOTHLY. ALSO, VEHICLE WAS HAVING BRAKE PROBLEMS. CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON AN OFF RAMP AND APPLIED THE BRAKES DOWN TO THE FLOOR. VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN BUT DID NOT STOP COMPLETELY. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALERSHIP, WHO TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT THERE WAS A BRAKE RECALL, AND THAT THE BRAKE PROBLEM WAS ELECTRICAL. THE BRAKES WERE ELECTRONICALLY PROGRAMMED CONTROLLED. *AK RECALL CAMPAIGN; 04V190000. SUMMARY: SOME OF THESE PASSENGER VEHICLES HAVE AN ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU) THAT MAY CALCULATE A HIGHER THAN ACTUAL VEHICLE SPEED BECAUSE OF AN ERRATIC REAR-WHEEL SPEED SENSOR SIGNAL, AND CAUSE ABS ACTIVATION WHERE IT IS NOT NEEDED OR NEEDED ABS ACTIVATION TO BE EXTENDED DURING BRAKING AS THE VEHICLE SPEED DROPS TO ABOUT 3 MPH. THE TRUNK RELEASE BUTTON ON THE DRIVERS DOOR CAME APART. THE SHIFTER HANDLE BROKE. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AFTER BEING IN TRAFFIC. *TC

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED STEERING WHEE SHOOK VIOLENTLY FOUR TIMES IN FOUR WEEKS. DEALER HAS EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND WILL REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN. *AK PE04031_CAT

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER STEERING WHICH MADE IT TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL VERY DIFFICULT. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE POWER STEERING, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXIST. *NM PE04031_CAT

DEFECTIVE STEERING COLUMN SHAFT,TOOK IT IN APRIL 4 2006 FOR THE THIRD TIME GENERAL MOTORS DOESN'T HAVE THE PART TO FIX IT. ITS ON A NATIONWIDE BACKORDER. I'M STUCK DRIVING A CAR THAT HAS A DEFECTIVE STEERING COLUMN. *JB

WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH DRIVER LOST POWER STEERING. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND PULLED OVER. CONSUMER TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE, RESTARTED IT, AND DROVE VEHICLETO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. DEALER WAS UNABLE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK PE04031_CAT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING COLUMN FAILED AND WAS REPLACED IN 2004 HOWEVER, THE PARTS WERE FOUND TO BE DEFECTIVE AND WERE REPLACED BY THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE RECURRED IN 2011 AND THE POWER STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED AGAIN. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE PART WAS DEFECTIVE DUE TO THE EXACT RECURRING FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3000. UPDATED 6/24/14*CN UPDATED 06/26/2014 *JS

WHILE DRIVING, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE CONSUMER EXPLAINED THAT THE STEERING BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT. *AK PE04031_CAT A COMPONENT WAS REPLACED IN THE STEERING COLUMN. *SC THE CONSUMER STATED THE POWER STEERING IS ELECTRICAL. *JB

POWER STEERING FAILED, EVEN THOUGH ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING. CAR WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. *AK PE04031_CAT

APRIL 17, 2004 EXPERIENCED JERKING IN STEERING OF 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. ADDITIONALLY, STEERING WHEEL FELT TIGHT IN TURNS. HAD CAR TOWED TO DEALER. DEALER RELEASED CAR BACK TO ME ON TUESDAY, APRIL 20, 2004. INFORMED ME THAT THEY COULD NOT REPRODUCE EFFECT AND COMPUTER DIAGNOSIS WAS NEGATIVE FOR A PROBLEM. APRIL 21, 2004, STEERING COMPLETLY LOCKED ON ME WHILE IN BUSY INTERSECTION OF BRADENTON, FLORIDA. CAR TOWED TO SAME CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP. APRIL 22, 2004, CAR RELEASED TO ME AFTER DEALERSHIP (COX CHEVORLET) INSTALLED NEW STEERING COLUMN. DEALER SERVICE REP AND SERVICE MANAGER STATED THEY HAD SEEN SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THE 2004 MALIBU, HOWEVER, I WAS THE FIRST CUSTOMER WHO WAS FORCED OFF ROAD. DEALER REP AND SERVICE MANAGER REPORTED TO ME THAT THEY HAD CONTACT GENERAL MOTORS ABOUT MY ORIGINAL PROBLEM AND WERE TOLD NOT TO MAKE REPAIRS WITHOUT REPRODUCING PROBLEM OR COMPUTER DIAGNOSIS VERIFYING A PROBLEM.*AK PE04031_CAT

HAD POWER STEERING FAIL ON THREE OCCASIONS. SERVICE LIGHT COMES ON IN DASHBOARD (CAR WITH WRENCH) AND "POWER STEERING" DISPLAYED ON INFORMATION CENTER. STEERING BECAME VERY DIFFICULT. AFTER PULLING OVER, TURNED OFF IGNITION. WHEN RESTARTED, EVERYTHING NORMAL. BOTH OCCURENCES AT SLOW SPEED, THANK GOODNESS! BRAKE WARNING LIGHT APPEARED INTERMITTENTLY ON PANEL, AND DIRECTIONALS DID NOT WORK. TURNED OFF IGNITION AND RESTARTED - ALL BACK TO NORMAL. BROUGHT TO DEALER, WHO HAD FOR OVER 1 WEEK. REPLACED "BCM" (BODY CONTROL MODULE) AND REROUTED HARNESS TO OBTAIN SLACK IN CABLE. THREE DAYS AFTER SERVICE, POWER-STEERING PROBLEM OCCURED AGAIN. CURRENTLY RETURNING FOR SERVICE. THIS PROBLEM IS A DEFINITE SAFETY HAZARD.*AK PE04031_CAT