2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx

Defect. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured May 16, 2003, through October 11, 2012, 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured May 26, 2004, through January 4, 2010, and 2007-2010 Saturn Aura vehicles manufactured April 24, 2006, through May 26, 2009. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the Body Control Module (BCM) connection may result in voltage fluctuations in the Brake Apply Sensor (BAS) circuit. These fluctuations can cause one or more of these conditions: the brake lights to illuminate without the brake pedal being pushed; the brake lights to not illuminate when the pedal is pushed; difficulty disengaging the cruise control; moving the gear shifter out of the 'PARK' position without pushing the brake; and disablement of crash avoidance features such as traction control, electronic stability control, and panic braking assist features.

Risk. Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy. GM will notify owners, and dealers will attach the wiring harness to the BCM with a spacer, apply dielectric lubricant to both the BCM and harness connector and the BAS and harness connector, and will relearn the brake pedal home position, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed an Interim letter to customers on July 14, 2014. The recall began on August 18, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-762-2737 (Pontiac), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). GM's number for this recall is 13036.

Defect. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on April 29, 2014, that they are recalling 56,214 model year 2007 and 2008 Saturn Aura vehicles. On May 22, 2014, GM increased the recall to include an additional 1,074,899 model year 2004-2008 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured from May 16, 2003, through October 5, 2007, model year 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured from June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, and model year 2005-2008 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured from May 26, 2004, through September 28, 2007, and equipped with 4-speed transmissions. The total number vehicles being recalled is now 1,131,113.

Risk. If the transmission shift cable fractures while the vehicle is being driven, the transmission gear selection may not match the indicated gear and the vehicle may move in an unintended or unexpected direction, increasing the risk of a crash. Furthermore, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, despite selecting the ‘PARK’ position, the transmission may not be in ‘PARK.’ If the vehicle is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.

Remedy. GM will notify owners, and GM dealers will replace the shift cable assembly and mounting bracket, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for this recall is 14152.

Defect. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 and 2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2006 Malibu Maxx, 2009-2010 HHR (non-turbo), 2010 Cobalt, 2008-2009 Saturn Aura and 2004-2007 Ion, and 2005-2009 Pontiac G6. In the affected vehicles, there may be a sudden loss of electric power steering (EPS) assist that could occur at any time while driving.

Risk. If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy. GM will notify owners, and dealers will perform one of four bulletins. Parts are not currently available. GM expects to send an interim notification around May 28, 2014. When parts are available, owners will be mailed a second letter to come in to have the applicable bulletin applied. Bulletin 14115 covers model year 2004-2007 Saturn Ion, 2009-2010 Chevrolet HHR and 2010 Chevrolet Cobalts. Dealers will replace the EPS motor. Bulletin 14116 covers model year 2004-2006 Chevrolet Malibu and Malibu Maxx, 2005-2006 Pontiac G6 and 2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from March 1, 2008, through June 27, 2008. Dealers will replace the torque sensor assembly. Bulletin 14117 covers model year 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from February 1, 2008, through February 28, 2008. Dealers will replace the torque sensor assembly and EPS motor controller unit. Bulletin 14118 covers model year 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from October 1, 2007, through January 31, 2008. Dealers will replace the EPS motor controller unit. The recall began on July 17, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, Saturn at 1-800-553-6000, and Pontiac at 1-800-620-7668. GM's number for this recall is N140115. Note: GM bulletin number 14119 will be implemented for model year 2006-2008 and early production of 2009 Chevrolet HHR (non-turbo) and model year 2003 Saturn ION to provide EPS Motor replacement for the life of the vehicle.

The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx. The contact stated while driving on several occasions, the vehicle made an abnormal sound and the vehicle lost power steering functionality. There were no warning lights illuminated; however, the power steering failure message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who provided the contact with a Technical Service Bulletin regarding the repair for the power steering failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced TSB: 14116 as a possible solution; however, the repair was not covered. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 235,000.

The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the power steering assist fault message was displayed and the steering wheel became very difficult to turn in either direction. Additionally, there was a ticking sound coming from the steering column while turning the steering wheel. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V153000 (Steering). The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was unknown.

The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH and making a right turn, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to pull to the side of the road and stop the vehicle. The contact drove the vehicle to an independent mechanic, where it was not diagnosed due to the mechanics being unable to replicate the failure. The contact became aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V153000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx. The contact stated that while her husband was driving 55 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that her husband manually steered the vehicle and veered to the side of the road. The contact stated that her husband turned off and restarted the vehicle and the power steering functionality returned. The contact's husband continued to drive the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the power steering control module, steering control module, and torque sensors needed to be replaced. The dealer also advised the contact that she would be responsible for the cost of the repair as an unknown recall had expired in 2014. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 98,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, A CLUNKING SOUND WAS COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN WAS PREVIOUSLY REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE LOCAL DEALER JOHN ELWAY CHEVROLET LOCATED AT 5200 S. BROADWAY, ENGLEWOOD, CO 80113 AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.*DT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOSS MOTIVE POWER AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO JOHN ELWAY CHEVROLET LOCATED AT 5200 S. BROADWAY, ENGLEWOOD, CO 80113, TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN HAD FAILED AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND THE ANTI-THEFT WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MALIBU MAXX. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE TURN SIGNALS MALFUNCTIONED AND WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LEWIS CHEVROLET OF GARDEN CITY (1903 US 50 BUS E., GARDEN CITY , KS) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEADLIGHT BULB SOCKETS HAD MELTED AND DAMAGED THE BULBS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE BULBS COULD NOT BE SCREWED OUT OF THE LIGHT BULB SOCKETS AND THE ENTIRE HEADLIGHT BULB ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED TO BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE ASSEMBLIES ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

GM RECALLED SEVERAL VEHICLES FOR PROBLEMS WITH THE POWER STEERING AND ELECTRIC STEERING ASSIST IN 2014. ACCORDING TO THE GM NEWSBRIEF, "IF POWER STEERING ASSIST IS LOST, A MESSAGE DISPLAYS ON THE DRIVER INFORMATION CENTER AND A CHIME SOUND TO INFORM THE DRIVER. STEERING CONTROL CAN BE MAINTAINED BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WILL REVERT TO MANUAL STEERING, BUT GREATER DRIVER EFFORT WOULD BE REQUIRED AT LOW VEHICLE SPEEDS, WHICH COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH." CHIPMAN & TAYLOR, A CERTIFIED GM DEALER AND SERVICE REPAIR SHOP, HAS INDICATED THAT THE AFOREMENTIONED UNITS ARE FAILING IN MY VEHICLE WHICH WAS IDENTIFIED AS ONE OF THE VEHICLES IN THE RECALL. HOWEVER, THEY INDICATED THAT THE 2005 CHEVY MALIBU MAXX LS WAS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THE FULL REPAIR AND ONLY REPLACED A SINGULAR PART WHICH DID NOT FIX THE ISSUE THAT THEY WERE ATTEMPTING TO RESOLVE VIA THEIR RECALL PROCEDURE. IT IS BOTH IRRESPONSIBLE AND REPREHENSIBLE THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF THE ISSUE, MADE A STATEMENT REGARDING THEIR INTENT TO REMEDY THE SITUATION, AND SIMULTANEOUSLY FAILED TO FOLLOW THROUGH WITH THEIR PROMISES TO CONSUMERS. THIS TYPE OF NEGLIGENCE PUTS EVERY PERSON ON THE ROAD AT RISK. 'WITH THESE SAFETY RECALLS AND LIFETIME WARRANTIES, WE ARE GOING AFTER EVERY CAR THAT MIGHT HAVE THIS PROBLEM, AND WE ARE GOING TO MAKE IT RIGHT. WE HAVE RECALLED SOME OF THESE VEHICLES BEFORE FOR THE SAME ISSUE AND OFFERED EXTENDED WARRANTIES ON OTHERS, BUT WE DID NOT DO ENOUGH.' THEIR FAILURE TO FOLLOW THROUGH WITH THEIR PROMISE IS AN AT

MY POWER STEERING IS CONSTANTLY GOING OUT ON MY CAR WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AS WELL AS CITY STREETS AND I HAVE TO PULL OVER AND PARK FOR A FEW MINUTES BEFORE IT WILL WORK AGAIN. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS AND I'VE BARROWLY AVOIDED AN ACCIDENT SEVERAL TIMES MOST RECENTLY IT HAS FAILED 3 TIMES IN 2 HOURS HOLE DRIVING NORMALLY. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR THE PAST YEAR BUT INCIDENTS OF FAILURE HAVE INCREASED SINCE REACHING 156000 MILES ON MY CAR. IT APPEARS THAT THERE IS A RECAL FOR THIS ISSUE FOR MY YEAR AND MODEL AND YET I'VE BEEN TOLD THERE IS A RECALL BUT MY CAR ISN'T COVERED

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AT A DRIVE-THRU, THE STEERING WHEEL INDEPENDENTLY MANEUVERED LEFT, RIGHT, BACK, AND FORTH. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER (CHASE CHEVROLET, LOCATED AT 6441 HOLMAN RD, STOCKTON, CA 95212, 209-475-6600) AND A SUPERVISOR AGREED TO REPLACE THE TORQUE SENSOR ASSEMBLY FOR FREE. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE PREVIOUS VEHICLE OWNER SERVICED THE VEHICLE PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING) IN 2014. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING MOTOR AND THE POWER STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE MECHANIC MENTIONED THAT THERE WERE NO DIAGNOSTIC CODES FOUND ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT AND THE MECHANIC TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE AND THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED. ADDITIONALLY, THE STEERING WHEEL INDEPENDENTLY MANEUVERED LEFT, RIGHT, BACK AND FORTH DURING THE TEST DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALER FOR ONE WEEK, BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO THE REPAIR COSTS. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND HANDED THE KEYS BACK TO THE CONTACT. WHILE REVERSING FROM A PARKING SPACE AND TURNING TO THE LEFT, THE STEERING WHEEL VEERED INDEPENDENTLY TO THE RIGHT WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD INDEPENDENTLY MOVE BACK AND FORTH. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A POLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED

TAKATA RECALL I WAS DRIVING ON ROUTE 19 JUST BEFORE THE MAPLE FORK EXIT THE LIGHT WAS RED AND I BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN. ALL OF A SUDDEN THE BRAKES AND STEERING WOULD NOT WORK AND THE CAR HIT THE REAR END OF THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. CAUSING MAJOR DAMAGES TO THE FRONT OF MY CAR. THE OTHER CAR WAS NOT AFFECTED NEARLY AS MUCH. IT WAS LIKE THE CAR JUST STOPPED. NO AIRBAGS WAS DEPLOYED.

WHEN I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, I HEARD A CHIME AND A MESSAGE POPPED UP AND STATED 'POWER STEERING' MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND MADE IT HARD TO TURN. I WAS STILL ABLE TO DRIVE TO MY DESTINATION. I WAS ALSO ABLE TO TURN MY CAR OFF AND IT'LL RESET AND THE POWER STEERING MESSAGE WOULD GO AWAY AND IT'LL BE EASIER TO USE MY STEERING WHEEL

POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED ON THE HIGHWAY. WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF AND TURN THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON AND IT CAME BACK MOMENTARILY. SPORADICALLY WENT ON AND OFF FOR SEVERAL DAYS, HOWEVER HAVE HAD NO POWER STEERING SINCE FRIDAY OCTOBER 12TH, TODAY IS OCTOBER 16TH.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS INDICATED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INCLUDED IN AN UNKNOWN RECALL THAT WAS CLOSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 115,000.

WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION AND EVEN IN IDLE THE STEERING WHEEL SOMETIMES WILL LOCK. IT HAS HAPPENED WHILE MAKING TURNS, GOING AROUND ROUNDABOUTS, ON THE HIGHWAY, AND ON A REGULAR 15 MIN. WORK COMMUTE. THE CAR WILL BEEP AS IF THE TRUNK IS OPEN. THE BEEPING IS RIGHT BEFORE THE STIFFNESS OF THE STEERING WHEEL. I HAVE TO TURN OFF THE IGNITION AND TURN THE IGNITION BACK ON IN ORDER TO PROCEED IN DRIVING. IF YOU'RE IN MOTION IT'S BEST TO PULL OVER DUE TO THE ENGINE SOMETIMES LAG WHEN TRYING TO START THE CAR BACK UP. ONCE IT IS STARTING, IT DRIVES JUST FINE. I'VE SEEN TONS OF PEOPLE WITH THIS EXACT PROBLEM IN REGARDS TO THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE. IT COULD CAUSE ACCIDENTS IF OUR STEERING WHEEL LOCKS AND WE'RE UNABLE TO JUST PULL OVER TO SAFETY. SINCE OUR CAR IS MOSTLY ELECTRICAL IT'S NOT AS IF WE COULD JUST CHECK THE STEERING FLUID. THIS HAPPENS AT LEAST ONCE A DAY.

ALERT SYSTEM DINGS THREE TIMES, POWER STEERING ISSUE INDICATOR COMES ON, POWER STEERING IS COMPLETELY OUT WHILE DRIVING. CONTACTED CHEVROLET AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO RECALL ON MY SPECIFIC VEHICLE, ALTHOUGH THERE WERE TWO RECALLS FOR THE SAME EXACT ISSUE. WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO TO REPAIR THIS COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS STYLE.

POWER STEERING GOES OUT WHILE DRIVING WITH NO WARNING. DIFFERENT TIMES.

DRIVER'S SEAT IS WOBBLING AND FEELS LIKE SOMETHING IS BROKEN OR DETACHED BENEATH THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE SEAT. I'VE READ MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS IN A CHEVY MALIBU/MAXX. SHOULD BE A RECALL. MECHANICS ON THE PHONE ASSUME IT'S A WELDING ISSUE. THE WOBBLING OCCURRED OVER TIME. SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY FOR A MANUFACTURING DEFECT.

JUST PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE AND IT HAS POWER STEERING PROBLEMS OFF AND ON SAW IT WAS RECALLED PRIOR AND NOT SURE IF IT WAS PROPERLY FIXED WHAT AM I SUPPOSED DO?