Problems with 2004 Chevrolet Malibu STEERING

I was stopped at a red light when my electronic console stated "check power steering". as i pulled away from the traffic light to make my left turn, i quickly noticed that my vehicle had no power steering, as the vehicle was very difficult to steer. i pulled the vehicle into a parking lot and turned it off and removed the key from the ignition. after about a minute, i started the vehicle again, and the power steering was fine and working properly. later that week, i had the power steering rack replaced at a local repair shop. *tr

I lose power in my steering on my 2004 chevy malibu ls. *tr

Power steering fails without warning. i've had the power steering motor replaced twice. *tr

Brought car in for maintenance of other sorts and mechanic noticed clicking in steering wheel. a clicking that had been present since i purchased the car and was told that it is normal in the malibu by two dealerships and an outside mechanic (whom i no longer go to). the noise had gotten worse over time, but was reassured that it was no issue. my new mechanic determined that it was a failure of the rack and pinion system and continuing to drive with it would be dangerous. i had it replaced (12-4-2008). it has been slightly over a year now and the noise is back and progressively getting worse than before. it costs nearly $1000+ to repair and doesn't last a year?! it is a late model 2004 malibu, meaning it is the 2005 malibu made in 2004. i've read many reports/complaints on the internet about the same problem. this needs to be taken care of asap. *tr

Power steering failure on 2004 chevy malibu. when backing out of parking space, power steering failed. since then, steering has intermittently failed, sometimes resulting in violent shaking of steering wheel. *tr

The steering wheel on my chevrolet malibu locked up on a busy street without warning. the check engine/service light did not come on until after my steering wheel had already locked on me. after restarting my car 3 to 4 times the steering wheel unlocked. my steering wheel has locked up four times since then. i phoned chevrolet because my supervisor at work informed me that she had the same problem with her chevy malibu,and she had a recall/defect notification. chevrolet informed me that because my vin# was not from the factory with the defects they are not liable for repairs. *tr

The steering went out on my 2004 chevy malibu ls. fortunately i was in a driveway when it happened. had this happened on my way to work i am sure that i would have died. i was turning out of a driveway and heard a clunk and then was unable to steer. my steering wheel went all the way around. i checked out recall and complaint websites and found that this has happened several 2004 malibu owners and chevy refuses to make this a recall. *tr

I was stopped at a stop sign on mon 8/25/08 when the indicator noise sounded and the words "power steering" showed up on my radio tuner. i felt a small click in my steering wheel at the same time this occurred. when i started driving again, i could tell my power steering had definitely gone out as the wheel was extremely hard to turn. i had absolutely no warning that this would happen. the car had been working great up to that point. (2004 chevy malibu w/ 68,673 miles). the power steering was out for the rest of my drive home. today, when i went to drive it to the dealer for repair, the power steering was working again. i took it to the dealer anyway and they are telling me i need a new steering column. i'm concerned that if i don't get this repaired, the power steering will go out again randomly. *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.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Popping in steering column when turning, occurs all the time. *tr

Sometimes when i crank there is no power steering at all. if i park on a incline it seems to never have power steering. the wrench light stays on in the dashboard and power steering is written across the radio panel. *tr

Loss of power steering. *tr

Tl*the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu. while driving 35 mph, the power steering failed and the warning light illuminated. the failure occurred intermittently. the dealer stated that the steering column needed to be replaced at the cost of $700. the failure mileage was 67,224 and the current mileage was unknown.

My steering wheel started to move on its own even at idle. this happened for a day, then i lost my power steering as i tried to turn left in a parking lot. the car wouldn't turn. now i cannot steer left or right and the check engine light is continuously on and you see "power steering" in the info box on the dash. i am upset that i am finding many complaints on the internet and chevy/gm has not made this issue a mandatory recall. i will be even more upset if i run into the same issues that other people have had by having their steering columns replaced 2 and 3 times only to continue having problems!!! *tr

Was heading to a wedding 200 miles felt a funny vibration in the front end pulled over then the dash lit up like a christmas tree the wrench light came on the stereo display read power steering started dinging. turned off the vehicle to check power steering pump found out didn't have one. turned around to come home called the groom so he could find new bestman night before wedding. called gmac when i got home and they told me i had to have a diagnostic done the vehicle got up the next day went to the dealer they told me i needed a new steering column charged me $70 to tell me what i already new because i read the reports. the dealer wanted to charge me $600 to replace it. i have been working with the dealer and gmac to fix the problem because i feel i should not have to pay for there defective part. *tr

I was taking my daughters 2004 chevy malibu for a test ride after she complained about the power steering going out on her. i drove several miles, then the mechanical light on the lower left part of the display came on. i pulled in to a parking lot to park when the power steering completely went out, causing me to almost collide with another parked car. i finally got the car parked after struggling with the steering, shut off the car and restarted, the mechanical light stayed on but the steering recovered. after driving again the steering went out again. now i'm concerned that whenever she drives this, serious injury could happen to her. it was hard enough for me to steer without p/s, i can't imagine that she can handle it any better if it inadvertently goes out again, which it no doubt will! *tr

A clunking in the steering wheel when turning at low speed. took my 1st chevy to the mechanic with the same noise and was told i bought a lemon because gm can't resolve issues with the steering column so i was bummed. i went out and purchased another gm thinking that the last car was a lemon and it couldn't happen again. i was sadly mistaken! i've bought 2 gm cars in the last 3 years and now regret it, i owned foreign cars before and it's the first and last time i'm buying gm unfortunately.... *tr

2004 chevy malibu steering column has been replaced 3 times and now the steering goes out again and the car is out of warranty. i paid over 100.00 to the chevy dealership to figure out the steering problem and an eletrical problem just for them to tell me there is nothing wrong. however both problems still exist. chevy does not want to pay for any repairs, but they say they stand by their cars. *tr

Tl*the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu. the contact stated that the car icon light would illuminate intermittently on the dashboard. on one occasion, the vehicle experienced loss of power steering. the dealer replaced the steering column. the current mileage was 56,011 and failure mileage was 53,300. updated 04/08/08. *lj

I purchased my 04 malibu in 11/06-had the vehicle for 3 days and heard a thumping in the steering column. called the dealership, took in and they replaced the drive shaft ( a common problem with this year malibu i have been told). the problem has come back to haunt along with having issues with the power steering, i lost my power steering and almost got into an accident. i can not believe that this car has not been recalled for this problem. *tr

Steering wheel appears to lock up and power steering lost. steering column appears loose. happens daily and approx. ten to twelve times weekly. often noise rattling like in lower or base steering shaft area. sometimes happens a minute or two after we start car and vehicle moves. sometimes at about 20-45 mph in city driving. other times when car is going 50-75 mph in highway driving. it is intermittent and unpredictable. it seems to happen more often on pot holed or otherwise rough roads. our only known steering related gm recall was completed recently by gmc dealer. however, problems continue. *tr

Got power steering warning. had diagnostic check with no results. ignored the warning for a month. power steering failed while in a parking lot. shut off engine, restarted and had power steering again. happened a second time this time with my wife driving. she managed to pull over and shut off car. power steering worked when the car was re-started. *tr

Power steering was replaced back in 2005, as of today car is back in shop for the same problem supposedly that was fixed in 2005. 1) light comes on "power steering" 2) car is hard to steer (this problem happened right on the highway and i was very scared for my life as to no other warning but the light coming on and immediately being unable to turn). 3) currently the car is in the shop. *jb

Tl*the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu. within 60 days of purchasing the vehicle, the contact heard a loud thud coming from the front end of the vehicle. she took the vehicle to firestone and they discovered that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. the dealer stated that the bushings were failing. the contact was adamant about having the vehicle further investigated. the dealer confirmed that the rack and pinion failed and made the replacement. in less than a year after the replacement, the rack and pinion failed again. the independent dealer stated that the manufacturer was aware of the failure with the rack and pinion; however, nothing could be done. a second replacement was also recommended at the contact's expense. the failure mileage was 41,200 and current mileage was less than 54,000.

Power steering light came on and steering wheel would not turn. had to turn car off then back on to be able to turn steering wheel since it was locked up. this has been happening constantly since the first incident. sometimes you have to cut the car off several times and back on just to be able to drive it. this is extremely dangerous because you lose all ability to turn car. lucky for me this hasn't happened going down the road yet only when sitting in a store parking lot or at home. *tr

Power steering light repeatedly going on and off,steering getting tight off and on,went to mechanic they reset light, power steering light off and on yet again, then he had lost power steering 3 x,but if he was able to pull over shut off and restart, he could drive for a while, finally got it to chevrolet they had it 2 days, replaced steering column $796.00, no warranty no recall, only a service bulletin out about the problem, which when i talked to gm they said they have had no complaints! are they waiting for dead bodies to start piling up before they send out a recall? *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu. the contact stated that while driving at a low speeds, the steering wheel independently turned left and right. the vehicle was taken to a dealer. the technician diagnosed that the steering box assembly needed to be replaced. the vehicle was not repaired. the vehicle had been previously been taken to the dealer multiple times and the technician diagnosed that the steering column and steering box needed to be replaced. the vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. the manufacturer was notified of the failure. the failure mileage was 140,000. the vin was not available.

I purchased this vehicle used from crane chevrolet, clifton, new jersey, within six months after purchase i observed that the power steering would suddenly stop operating while the engine was running. i discovered that the only corrective was to shut the car off and restart the engine. the power steering would then reengage. this failure has persisted for nearly the entire time i've owned the vehicle. during that entire time, crane chevrolet has claimed there was/is no defect in the power steering, and no recall notice outstanding. i just received a gm safety recall notice 14116, which claims, among other things, that "previously, you had the steering column replaced under customer satisfaction program 04050". that is false! neither crane chevrolet, nor gm has ever contacted me concerning the steering column, or made any attempt to replace it! i also notified crane chevrolet that the front headlamp assembly turn signal lamps repeatedly burned out, and that the bulb housings were burnt and completely melted through!! both gm and crane chevrolet denied there was any defect in the lamp/housing design or function. i have to replace the front turn signal lamps about every six months. finally, the undercarriage support struts, shocks, and springs are woefully underdesigned. the car runs like it has stone tires. i now have to replace the entire strut, shock, and spring undersupports for the second time. and i just run the vehcile on asphalt smooth roads in a develped suburban city!! this was serious underdesign. fortunately, these parts are available on the web and i've got a good mechanic that charges fairly for this difficult work. go to crane and gm and you'd need to mortgage your home to do the work!! *tr

In september 2005 i took the 2004 chevrolet malibu to the dealer to check a problem in the steering column . the dealership fixed the problem and the manager as much as admitted that there was something defective in the steering column of that particular vehicle. i paid for the repairs, but i immediately called general motors, and told some one there that i didn't think it was right to be charged for a repair on something in the vehicle that was known to be defective. that office then called the dealership and spoke to the manager and they reimbursed me for the repair. well, now the steering was acting up again. this time the vehicle pulled strongly to the left when being driven. it also made a strange noise when turning the wheel, similar to the one it made previously when repairs had to be done. i had the vehicle checked several times ,and have been told that they could not find anything wrong. tomorrow i am going to ask them to check into the actual steering mechanism to see if that was where the problem was coming from. if i am right i would like to know if i will be able to get the manufacturer of this vehicle to approve of paying for the repair.*ak

Power steering goes out on a regular basis in my 2004 chevy malibu ls. i have had to pull over and turn off the car and restart on several occasions to get steering power back. the dealerships claim there is nothing wrong with my car and have charged me 110 dollars in diagnostics and unsuccessful repairs. *tr