Problems with 2004 Chevrolet Malibu STEERING

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu. the contact stated that while driving at 35 mph, the steering wheel seized and the vehicle independently accelerated. as a result, the contact was unable to make a turn. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. the failure mileage was 163,900.

I was at a stop sign, headed straight, on a road that is a hill, and i was headed down hill. the steering wheel didnt seem to be to be responding properly, so i attempted to move forward slowly and tried to get over to the right. i was unable to control the car and drifted down the hill and into a tree. the whole front end , hood and both fenders are damaged. i am sure we had paower steering recall work done, this is awful. the car was not worth a whole lot but it was in pretty good condition. we didnt have collision coverage so now i have a real total loss.

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu. the contact stated that while turning left or right, an abnormal noise emitted from the steering wheel. the contact stated that upon trying to remove the key from the ignition, the key had to be adjusted back and forth several times in order for it to release from the ignition switch. the vehicle was not included in nhtsa campaign numbers: 14v153000 (steering) and 14e044000 (steering). the vehicle was not diagnosed. the manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided no remedy. the approximate failure mileage was 41,000.

Driving grand children home from school, turned in driveway and car made loud chatter and clunk sound like something was coming apart or falling out. when the noise happened steering wheel kept spinning freely! received a letter saying this exact thing may happen would be fixed free of charge under 150,000 miles. car is at 170,000 they will not repair saying extended warranty issue and not recall. mind boggling how they can be allowed to issue recall for steering motor that may cause vechile to steer harder a safety issue and when your in the process of turning and steering wheel spins freely isn't a safety issue but extended warranty issue. had we been turning as we were a short time before that at a busy intersection we could have been injured or killed!! this seems completely idiotic how hard steering that could happen such as like when a car didn't have power steering was declared safety issue but extended warranty issue when you lose the ability to steer and steering wheel just spins. how many injuries or deaths have to occur before they are made to fix this issue. they want $900 for part alone. how could they possibly put a mile limit of 150,000 on something that can cause crash causing injury or death!!! this dangerous condition needs to be made public and corrected. because manufacturer neglected to put an umbrella seal a very cheap part peoples lives are at risk and it is a costly repair due to neglect on manufacturers part!!

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu. while driving at 20 mph, the power steering became difficult to maneuver and the power steering warning light illuminated. the contact also stated that the high pressure fuel line fractured and leaked fuel into the muffler. the failure recurred once. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. the failure mileage was 159,672.

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu. while driving at approximately 10 mph and turning the steering wheel, the tires failed to turn. the failure recurred once. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the rack and pinion fractured and needed to be replaced. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. the failure mileage was 168,000.

When trying to turn left or right it won't turn and makes a popping noise in steering shaft ? under car inspection noticed that steering spline or shaft where it meets the yoke it just spins when turning wheel! wheels will not turn. can't drive. this car is my daughters and i'm doing the research for her. *tr

My power steering light came on friday april 24,2015 .and where i bought my car said i was responsible for getting it fixed. so what do i do because i never received a recall paper on it. but when i looked it up it says they have been recalled but no one has notified me to get this checked. *tr

I was leaving out of walmart to enter onto hwy 301 when i accelerated my steering wheel had tightened up like the car was going to shut down. it happened again on april 24, 2015 same thing. they had a recall on the power steering (recall #14116). i had it serviced on 10/27/2014. which i thought was corrected until this happened. i took my car back to the dealership on may 6, 2015,which was still the power steering, and i end up paying 525.76, for something gmc was supposed to have fixed in the recall. i sure i'm not the only who is having this problem. because i could've been hit not once but twice. *tr

I've had lots of problems with the power steering going out on my 2004 chevrolet malibu. i called gm many times asking if there were any type of recalls. there were none. had power steering fixed at my cost. several years later i received recalls about the power steering on my 2004 chevrolet malibu. two months ago i took my vehicle to a gm dealership to be checked. the power steering parts were replaced. today i was almost in an accident due to the power steering going out in my car again. this time it was worse than ever before. today the power steering not only locked up, but then the steering wheel popped back in the opposite direction with force and a loud noise. had to have vehicle towed home because it was on a sunday and now going to have to have it towed back to the dealership on monday. for 4 years i've had nothing but trouble with my power steering. very dangerous and scary, especially when you have grandchildren in the car!!! *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu. the contact stated that while driving at various speeds making a left or right turn, the steering wheel emitted an abnormal clicking sound and the steering wheel became loose without warning. the vehicle was taken to the dealer. however, the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was notified. the approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu. the contact received a notification for nhtsa campaign numbers: 14v153000 (steering) and 14v224000 (powertrain) and stated that the parts needed were unavailable to repair the vehicle. the dealer was unable to inform when the parts would become available. the manufacturer was not notified of the issue. the contact had not experienced a failure.

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu. the contact stated that the steering wheel failed. the steering wheel became difficult to turn several times while driving. on one occasion, the steering wheel became loose and turned on its own. the wrench light illuminated while the failure occurred. the contact was able to restart the engine and regained steering function. the contact also stated that the repair for nhtsa campaign number: 14v153000 (steering) was performed; however; the repair did not correct the failure. the manufacturer was not contacted. the failure mileage was 120,313.

After i took my 2004 chevy malibu in to get fixed under the recalls, my car keeps flashing the maintenance light and on my radio the "check power steering" comes on followed by a chime. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu. the contact stated that while driving at approximately 30 mph making a left turn, the vehicle started making a loud noise and the power steering seized. as a result, the vehicle crashed into a curb and a pole. it was unknown if any injuries were sustained or if a police report was filed. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. the failure mileage was 123,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu. while driving at an unknown speed, the steering wheel became stiff and power steering was lost. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. the vehicle was repaired under nhtsa campaign number: 14v153000 (steering) however, the failure recurred. the failure mileage was 98,000.

The driver was traveling on a two lane road and came to a curve in the road at which time she reported that the brakes would not slow or stop the car and the car began to veer in an unintended (and unsteered) direction. the driver attempted to correct the car's path and speed and it went out of control striking four cars, crossing a divider and impacting head on with a 4 x 4 truck. the driver commented that the "car went wild". *tr

I was at a stop sign and as i accelerated and made a left turn the steering went out completely half way through my turn. the steering wheel would spin freely in either direction and it in no way allowed me to steer. my vehicle went into the ditch by the time i stopped. i had just minutes before gotten off the interstate. had someone been walking along the road that day i could have hit and killed them. this failure came without warning. the steering had a small amount of play before the incident, however no more than i felt was normal for a car of this age. the issue was found to be that the steering shaft pulled out of the rack and pinion. i have a picture of the part after the failure, but before it was replaced that i can send if you wish. if this is a common issue it is very dangerous to the owners and those around them. *tr

Airbag light continues to come on. i've had this car since 1/31/2014.used. no accidents. power steering went out. took to gmc for recall. 2/2014 claimed it was fixed. 11/2014 steering wheel hard to turn..now the tires won't turn to the right. loud clonking noise when i turn the steering. tires won't turn..near accident. had car since 1/2014 .took for recalls 2/2014 7/2014 transmission died. 1000+ in repairs. this car is a safety hazard and i am still paying for this car. something needs to be done so that i don't have to continue to come out of pocket and waste my money.

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu. while driving approximately 5 mph, the steering wheel was difficult to maneuver and the power steering warning light illuminated. the vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the eps needed to be replaced. the vehicle was included in nhtsa campaign number: 14v153000 (steering), but the contact was informed that the part was not included in the recall. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. the approximate failure mileage was 200,000.

Tl*the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu. the contact stated that when the vehicle was started, the steering wheel seized as the instrument panel lights failed to illuminate. the contact also stated that after ten minutes of driving, the instrument panel lights flashed and the steering wheel resumed to normal. the vehicle was repaired under nhtsa campaign number: 14r044000 (steering) but the failure persisted. the vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the electrical power system module needed to be repaired. the contact did not disclose if the vehicle was repaired or not. the manufacturer was notified of the failure. the approximate failure mileage was 180,000. updated 03/30/15*lj updated 10/21/2015 *js

Tl* the contact owned a 2004 chevrolet malibu. the contact received a recall notice for nhtsa campaign number: 14v224000 (power train). the contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer to be remedied. after the vehicle was remedied, while driving approximately 25 mph, the power steering seized. as a result, the contact crashed the vehicle into the front driver side of a parked vehicle, which caused his vehicle to flip over. the contact sustained no injuries. a police report was filed. the vehicle was destroyed and towed to a dealer. the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. the failure mileage was 119,123. updated 2/1/15*cn updated 9/7/2017*cn

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu. when accelerating, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver and the power steering warning light illuminated. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. the failure mileage was 147,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu. the contact stated that the power steering and service engine sensors illuminated on several occasions. the vehicle was taken to the authorized dealer. the technician serviced the vehicle according to nhtsa campaign number: 14v153000 (steering) and nhtsa campaign number: 14v252000 (electrical system, electronic stability control, exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic and vehicle speed control). the contact indicated that the vehicle stalled several times after the recall repair and the power steering failure persisted. the vehicle was taken back to the authorized dealer for further inspection, diagnosis and repair. the manufacturer was notified of the failures. the approximate failure mileage was 298,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu. while driving approximately 25 mph, the contact heard an abnormal noise while making a right turn and the steering wheel seized. the contact had to use extreme force in order to straighten the steering wheel. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the power steering pump failed. the vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was not notified. the approximate failure mileage was 156,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu. the contact received a notification for 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). the contact was not certain of when the part and remedy would become available to schedule the appointment for the repairs. the manufacturer was notified of the safety concern with the three recalls and the contact was still waiting for the parts to schedule the recall appointment. the contact had not experienced a failure.

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu. the contact stated that the power steering malfunctioned and the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. also, the transmission failed to shift into the reverse gear. the vehicle was included in nhtsa campaign numbers: 14v252000 (electrical system, electronic stability control, exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic, vehicle speed control), 14v153000 (steering), and 14v224000 (power train). the dealer indicated that only one of the three recall repairs would be performed since the parts were not available. the brake light recall repair was performed. the dealer was unable to indicate a specific timeframe to schedule the two remaining recall repairs. the manufacturer was notified of the failure. the vehicle was not repaired. the approximate failure mileage was 142,000.

Letter from congressman king on behalf of constituent re 2004 chevy malibu. *smd the dealer informed the consumer, the parts were not available to fix the recalled components. the power steering and brake lights needed to be replaced.

While increasing speed, the battery light and engine light come on. the power steering stops working for a few seconds and the dash lights go out. the lights go of and the power steering starts working like normal. there is still electrical power to the rest of the car (radio works, brakes work, interior lights still work, etc.) i replaced the battery and had the charging system inspected, nothing wrong with it. alternator is good, battery is good. no shop can explain why this happens, even the chevrolet dealer. it doesn't matter the speed i am going, it always does this. driving on the interstate i lost power to the steering and went into the ditch to avoid an accident. the dealer states there is nothing wrong with the car, and cannot diagnose the problem. i have came close to totaling my car several times. i had my kids in the car when it lost steering on the interstate. this could have cost us our lives. i'm scared to drive this car but have to. this complaint is my last option before contacting a lawyer. i hope this can be resolved through this complaint. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu. the contact received a recall notice for nhtsa campaign number: 14v153000 (steering), but the dealer stated that the part needed for the repair was unavailable. the contact stated that the steering wheel became difficult to turn and the power steering warning indicator illuminated and made a sound. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the failure mileage was unknown.

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu. the contact stated that while driving at 40 mph, the steering wheel seized and excessive force was required in order to maneuver the vehicle. the vehicle was taken to a dealer where the technician was unable to determine the failure. the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. the failure mileage was 100,800.

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu. while driving 40 mph, the power steering failed. the contact received a recall notification for nhtsa campaign number: 14v153000 (steering). the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer was notified. the approximate failure mileage was 72,000.

I was entering the freeway, accelerating to get into lane, there was a big truck on the side of me and as i tried to maneuver my car, i found i could not steer the vehicle! i thought it might have died. i pulled over and turned off ignition. then restarted and i was able to drive a bit before the same thing happened. later i found out there was a recall on the power steering for my vehicle. it has been sitting in my driveway for almost two months! there are also two other recalls on my car; one for ignition/transmission which could result in the car turning off and the other is a brake lamp issue which could render the brake lamps useless in case of stopping, or using the cruise control could result in faulty brake lights to alert other drivers. so after calling general motors on several occasions, each time being told a different story - there is no parts available at this time and they have no idea when my vehicle can be repaired. i called the dealership and they basically told me the same thing. however, i was placed on a "list" and given the number "175" to be in line to wait repairs. even though they do not have a part yet. my frustration lies in the fact that my car is an investment. i bought it in good faith with the dealer, and have made my payments on time . now i am paying a car payment and car insurance for a car that is sitting in my driveway! i also have to pay for a rental car indefinitely and it is causing financial hardship because i am unemployed at this time as well. no one will help me , or give me an answer! what are my rights? i really need advice. gm had a "district specialist" call me last week to tell me the same thing the last 8 people from their company have said which is basically - not a [xxx] thing. can you please advise me??? *tr information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr

I received two recalls: 13036 and 14116. both indicating potential dangerous situations if the affected part malfunctions. both recalls indicated that while gm was notifying me per the national traffic and motor vehicle safety act, that neither one has any parts available. there is no estimated date of availability for these parts for either recall, just that we will receive another letter when the parts are available. i called the my dealer and the 1 (800)222-1020 chevrolet number and received the same information. sadly, the dealer did not have any more information than i did and didn't even know about the 13036 recall yet. this is not acceptable. gm should know when we can expect parts to be available and include that information in the first letter, so we know when to expect the second letter. also, a recall should be uploaded to their dealers before or at the same time one is sent to consumers so they can be prepared for calls. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu. the contact stated that while reversing, the power steering failed as the steering wheel seized. as a result, the contact crashed into another vehicle. a police report was not filed and no injuries were reported. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer was notified of the failure. the approximate failure mileage was 202,337.

The power steering stopped working 5 times in 4 hours on thursday, july 10, 2014 and it is now at faulkner in trevose, pa with no expected time to receive the new gm part. this is unacceptable; therefore, contact gm and insist that they proceed immediately with the manufacture of this part. thanking you in advance for your attention to this matter. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign id number: 14v153000 (steering) and stated that the parts were not available. the dealer did not give a specific date for when the parts would become available. the manufacturer was also contacted and could not provide an estimated date for when the contacts vehicle would receive the recall repairs. the contact had not experienced a failure.

We have received three recall notices for the above mentioned problems. all of the notices say that the car will be fixed free of charge by the dealer but parts are not available at the current time. when i got the second notice i called and talked to a woman at the chevrolet division of gm and was told the parts should be available within two weeks. a month later we got our third notice of a different problem and when i called again i was told that they had not determined the "root" of the problem so they don't know which parts need to be replaced. also they could not tell me when the solution would be found and therefore when the parts would be available. in addition i would think an american company like gm would be hiring americans to answer their customer's complaints. it was pretty obvious that the person i talked to today was most likely a call person from india. any ideas when these problems will be solved?? who should i complain to next?? *tr

Power steering locked up while driving thru a curve causing a accident which resulted in one rider injury. we made a claim with gm and they denied it stating that the data from the black box showed that there was not any equipment malfunctions. the power steering started working after the accident. the data showed that the driver side seat belt lock was told to deploy and it did not. to me and everybody else, that is an equipment malfunction. gm told me that since the driver was not hurt that they denied this one also. the back seat rider was injured when the rear door glass shattered sending glass into the back of his head. this required medical attention to remove all of the glass fragments. *tr

Power steering went out while driving. it was almost impossible to try to steer the car. i contacted dealer and was advised a recall from gm on this car with the steering problem however no parts available. i just contacted gm today and was advised no estimate on when parts will become available however vehicle is safe to drive? i mean seriously? how is it safe to drive when you can't steer it?? i can't believe gm would say it is safe to drive. my wife normally drives this car and if it went out while she was driving, there is no way she could turn the steering wheel. i don't want her driving it now so what is she going to do about a car while gm figures out how to get the parts? they need to make this right to the customers. at least offer to pay for a rental while they get the parts to fix it. instead, they will wait for more people to die first. *tr

As i turned onto an exit ramp my power steering went and the engine light came on and chime sounded. no warning, just no power. there seems to be a recall, but i never received any information. this vehicle also has a problem with headlights and directional lights blowing out constantly. the most recent directional light blew out, i replaced it, and within minutes blew out again. it seems they are overheating and melting the plastic cover. *js

My car has had interior electrical problems since the day that i bought. i have had things like the cd deck and the brakes and alloy rims fixed after having problems with them however i have had the front left blinker fail to work and then an hour later it works, the next hour does not work. the interior lighting all stopped working and the dealership says that it is electrical, at the same time that the lights stopped working i started to be unable to shift my car from low into 1 or 2. i have had my power steering go out multiple times and then after pulling over, shutting off my car and turning it back on it worked again. i have almost go into an accident multiple times because the front left blinker stops working mid drive, or the power steering stops working. this car clearly has multiple electrical problems that should be recalled and fixed because they are very dangerous. *tr

Through the years we have had off and on episodes of the car not starting even when we had a good battery and in the middle of driving the power steering giving out. we finally took the vehicle to a mechanic after being advised to replace the battery. the mechanic, gm dealer, advised we need a whole new steering column, this was 6-25-13. in less then a year the car continues to not start and today the power steering again went out on my 15 year old son as he was driving home. we have left e-mails with chevrolet with no return. the last aforementioned gm dealer said that we would get a call about the recall on the steering but appears there is no recall on the ignition, despite several news articles saying there was. we are now out of a vehicle due gm not responding. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu. the contact stated that while turning at 40 mph, the power steering failed. the vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the electrical rack pinion system needed to be replaced. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. the failure and current mileage was 100,163.

2004 chevrolet malibu. customer states that he has received three recall notices for vehicle in june 2014 and july 2014. all three noticed indicated the parts are not available and hasn't heard any response since. *ta

This is the 5th time this had happened with my 2004 malibu, but the scariest. similar to the other times,but this time on a curve. i heard a chime& "power steering" appeared in the message box. my car veered to the ieft into traffic and i could barely steer it. it took all my 66 yea old strength to turn the wheel & get into my lane. i pulled off asap & turned car off in a safe location. shaking for 15 min. i don't understand why this car is safe to drive. it does not revert to manual steering. the ceo is lying. i have owned manual steering cars and this does not steer that way. i am afraid to drive it it has also stalled with numerous lights coming on. abs, engine, and one i think is another steering light, yellow with a line through it. why aren't they pulled?cruise control comes on by itself & won't shut off. *tr

I lost complete control in the steering column as i was turning left at an intersection in traffic. the steering wheel freely turned 360 degrees, but the tires did not move. i had no way of controlling the vehicle as it was moving in traffic. had i been on a highway or traveling at a higher speed, i could have been seriously injured and injured other drivers! the mechanic my vehicle was towed to stated that it was the rack and pinion component of the vehicle and there is currently a technical service bulletin for that component. steering function is a vital component of any vehicle and i find it scary and appalling that this occurred and is not covered by a gm recall. driving a car at any speed, not to mention highway speeds, without any steering control is extremely dangerous. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu. the contact stated that the steering wheel seized and excessive force was required. the failure recurred on several occasions. the vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering shafts needed to be replaced. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 14e044000 (steering) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. the contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. the approximate failure mileage was unknown.

Tl-the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu. the contact stated that while driving approximately 55 mph, the power steering would intermittently fail without warning. the vehicle would become increasingly difficult to control. the vehicle was not taken to a dealer. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. the failure mileage and current mileage was 140,000. ml

After starting the car late at night leaving a friends house, was in the act of pulling out into the street when the steering became very difficult to turn, and the warning light came on. i was stuck out into the middle of the road until i turned off the car and turned it back on to rest the systems. if it was earlier in the day i very much believe we could have been injured by another car. i have had it do it to me before for just a couple of seconds the it was fine. im getting very concerned about this problem. *tr