Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2004 record →
DRIVING IN CITY TRAFFIC. POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ENGAGED SUDDENLY. POWER STEERING NOT EFFECTED. CAR SHUT OFF. RESTART AND DRIVES NORMALLY THEN LIGHT GOES ON AGAIN. I HAVE FOUND OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY GOING OUT, SO I AM ADDING MY VOICE TO THOSE TO REQUEST CHEVY RECALL. *LN
I HAVE A 2004 MALIBU LS, WHEN I FIRST PURCHASED THE CAR DURING THE WINTER OF 04 I HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING. IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY, I TOOK IT BACK EVERY WINTER FOR 4 YEARS AND THE DEALERSHIP ALWAYS REPAIRED THE CAR. IN 2010 MY POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON AND I LOST POWER TRYING TO TURN INTO A PARKING SPOT. THE NEXT TIME IT OCCURRED, I WAS DRIVING 50 MPH I WENT TO CHANGE LANES THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON AND I COULD NOT TURN THE WHEEL. I WAS PULLING OUT FROM A PARKING SPOT THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON AND I COULD NOT STEER THE CAR. THIS YEAR THE SEAT BELT LIGHT STAYS ON WHEN MY SEAT BELT IS ON. IT HAPPENS EVERY DAY THE LIGHT STAYS ON. THE DEALER THAT I USE TO USE WENT OUT OF BUSINESS AND DID NOT NOTIFY THE CUSTOMERS. I FOUND OUT WHEN I WENT TO HAVE SOME WORK CORRECTED THAT THEY DID. THIS PROBLEM IS SCARY BECAUSE I NEVER KNOW WHEN THE POWER STEERING LIGHT IS GOING TO COME ON. THAT IS VERY VERY SCARY. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND THEY CAN NEVER FIND ANYTHING WRONG. I RECENTLY HAD MY CAR INSPECTED THEY WOULD NOT PASS IT BECAUSE OF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT.I HAD TO DRIVE THE CAR FOR 300 MILES AND THE LIGHT WENT OFF AND THEY PASSED IT FOR INSPECTION. THE ORIGINAL BRAKES WERE REPLACED 3 TIMES IN THE FIRST 2 YEARS OF HAVING THE CAR. I ONLY HAVE 45, 000 MILES. PURCHASED 2 BATTERIES FROM GM THE 2ND ONE LASTED LESS THEN 2 YEARS AND DIED. AN AUTHENTIC GM BATTERY. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LOST POWERING STEERING MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT DID NOT INFORM THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 139,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT WAS ATTEMPTED TO EXIT A PARKING SPACE WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED ABNORMALLY. THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED FOLLOWING THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF FOR MOMENTS AND WHEN RESTARTING, THE STEERING RETURNED TO NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND DIAGNOSED. THE DEALER LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE STEERING COMPUTER AND ADVISED THAT IT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 115,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD BECOME EXTREMELY STIFF AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE ON THE DASHBOARD. AFTER THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT WOULD STOP AND RESTART THE VEHICLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY AND DURING SOME OF THE FAILURES, THE POWER STEERING LIGHT DID NOT ILLUMINATE. THE FAILURE WAS NEVER DIAGNOSED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NEVER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 109,000.
THIS IN REGARDS TO NHTSA CASE # [XXX] 2004 CHEVY MALIBU. POWER STEERING IS CUTTING OUT INTERMITTENTLY WITH NO WARNING. MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING TO SCHOOL AND WHILE MAKING A TURN ON SCHOOL GROUNDS NEAR BUSES AND KIDS WALKING, THE STEERING CUT OUT. SHE ALMOST HIT A NUMBER OF KIDS AS THE SUDDEN UNEXPECTED LOSS OF POWER STEERING CAUSED HER TO LOSE CONTROL AS THE CAR JERKED IN THE OTHER DIRECTION AND ALMOST WINDING UPON THE SIDEWALK. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN AND NOT ONLY SHOULD GM TAKE CARE OF THIS AT THEIR EXPENSE, I AM ALSO WORRIED THAT GM HAS NOT COME UP WITH A 100% PROVEN FIX FOR THIS PROBLEM. SOMEONE IS GOING TO BE KILLED IF SOMETHING ISN'T DONE RIGHT AWAY. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).*TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME STIFF AND SHE WAS UNABLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE. THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THERE WAS ALSO AN ALERT THAT INDICATED A PROBLEM WITH THE POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR A MECHANIC TO BE REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000.
2004 MALIBU PURCHASED 04/05/04 STEERING COLUMN FAILURE 01/10/05 9,225 MILES REPLACED AGAIN 06/16/05 13,430 MILES 01/30/06 INTERMITTENT SHAFT NEEDED REPLACEMENT BUT NO "GOOD PARTS AVAILABLE" FINALLY REPLACED 08/24/06 24,636 MILES RACK & PINION STEERING GEAR 04/17/07 31,846 MILES REPLACED INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT 09/14/09 54,841 MILES REPLACED RACK & PINION STEERING GEAR. CAR NOW HAS 3RD RACK GEAR. ON 11/11/10 AT 68,209 MILES WE WERE TOLD IT NEEDS REPLACEMENT OF RACK & PINION STEERING GEAR. IT HAS ONLY BEEN 14 MONTHS AND 13,368 MILES SINCE LAST TIME REPLACED. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED WHEN THE ANTI-THEFT LIGHTS FLASHED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE CONTACT HAD TO DRIVE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND WAIT FOR THE ANTI-THEFT LIGHT TO STOP FLASHING IN ORDER TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER NOR NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE SAFETY ISSUE COULD CAUSE CRASH TO OCCUR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT LOWER SPEEDS, HE HEARD A THUMPING NOISE WHILE MAKING A TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND REPAIRED THREE TIMES BY A LOCAL DEALER. THE CURRENT FAILURE WAS WITHIN THE RACK AND PINION COMPONENT; THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDTATED 2/17/11 *CN UPDATED 11/30/2011 *LN
TRAVELING AT 45 KPH IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND POWER STEERING ASSIST WAS LOST MAKING VEHICLE VERY, VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD RESULT IN A PRODUCT RECALL. AFTER VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND IGNITION TURNED OFF AND BACK ON AGAIN, POWER STEERING RESUMED. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL WITH EXTREME DIFFICULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. WHEN THE ENGINE RESTARTED THE STEERING WHEEL UNLOCKED AND FUNCTIONED PROPERLY. A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WILL BE PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000.
2004 CHEVY MALIBU DRIVER SIDE SEAT FRAME BROKEN WELDS. THE WELDS IN THE FRAME HAVE BROKEN CAUSING THE SEAT TO BECOME UNSTABLE. GIVEN THAT THE WELDS ARE BREAKING UNDER NORMAL USE AND THAT THE SEAT RESTRAINTS ARE ANCHORED TO THIS FRAME CAUSES SAFETY CONCERNS. IF THE VEHICLE OWNERS ARE UNAWARE OF A DEFECTIVE WELD AND THE SEAT SHOULD BREAK UNDER CRASH IMPACT THE SAFETY RESTRAINT COULD FAIL POSSIBLY CAUSING GREATER HARM. I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS AND CAN SEE THAT THE INTEGRITY OF THE SEAT AND SAFETY RESTRAINT COULD BE COMPROMISED. I SUBSCRIBED TO SOME CAR FORUMS AND WAS SURPRISED TO SEE THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM ON THE 2004 AND 2005 CHEVY MALIBU MODELS WHICH INDICATES SOME FORM OF DEFECT. I AM OF AVERAGE HEIGHT AND WEIGHT AND DID NOT MISUSE THE SEAT IN ANYWAY. *TR
WE PURCHASED THE CAR IN 2006. ITS A 2004 CHEVY MALIBU. THE FIRST TIME WE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING WAS ABOUT 4 YEARS AGO WHEN WE WENT TO TURN THE WHEEL AND THE HORN STARTED HONKING. THE DEALER TOLD US TO BRING IT IN AND COULDN'T MAKE IT HAPPEN. IT DID IT AGAIN AND THEN THEY DETERMINED IT WAS THE STEERING COLUMN AND REPLACED A PART. THE 2ND TIME IT DID IT, THE CAR/WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON AND THE STEERING LOCKED UP AND WAS MAKING AN ODD NOISE. THEY STATED THEY REPLACED STEERING COMPONENT. I WAS DRIVING THE CAR JUST LAST WEEK AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY STEERING LOCKED UP, THE CAR/WRENCH CAME ON AND MY PANEL SAID STEERING. I AM FEARFUL TO EVEN DRIVE THE CAR OR ALLOW MY DAUGHTER TO DRIVE IT AND HAVE FOUND THOUSANDS OF THE SAME ISSUES ON LINE. IT GIVES YOU NO WARNING AND JUST GOES OUT. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO WANDER INTO THE NEXT LANE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO GAIN CONTROL AND DRIVE ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY INFORMED HER THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNAVAILABLE.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 2 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY LOCKED. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTED IT; IT PERFORMED NORMALLY AFTER. THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE IT WAS REPLACED (REPAIR DETAILS WERE NOT GIVEN). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 6,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 7,730.
2004 CHEVY MALIBU POWER STEERING RANDOMLY GOES OUT. STARTED AT UNDER 100,000 MILES. *TR
HAZARD SWITCH IS DEFECTIVE AND CAUSING THE DIRECTIONALS NOT TO WORK. THE EXTERNAL LIGHTS , FRONT AND BACK FAIL TO WORK ALSO, AND ITS CREATING A HAZARD WHERE THE CARS COMING IN FRONT US OR THE CARS IN BACK OF US DON'T SEE OUR BLINKER. WE THOUGHT THEY WHERE WORKING AND THEY ARE NOT. IF WE TURN ON THE EMERGENCY FLASHER AND THEN TURN ON THE DIRECTIONAL EVERYTHING WOULD WORK ONLY TO FAIL NEXT TIME YOU MAKE A TURN. *TR
THE FRONT PASSENGER BULB STOPPED WORKING. AFTER ATTEMPTING TO REPLACE THE BULB, NOTICED THAT THE LIGHTING ASSEMBLY WAS MELTED AND INOPERABLE. WAS ADVISED BY A MECHANIC THAT THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AT TIMES AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO SUDDENLY STOP WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING. SHE HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED SEVERAL TIMES AS A RESULT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE A PASSLOCK SENSOR WAS REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 125,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 18,000. UPDATED 01/06/11*LJ
THE WELDING UNDER THE DRIVER SEAT IS BROKEN CAUSING THE SEAT TO TILT TO ONE SIDE AND SOMETIMES ROCK. IF A COLLISION OCCURS THE SEAT WILL NOT HOLD THE DRIVER SECURELY IN THE SEAT. *TR
2004 CHEVY MALIBU LT 74,000 MILES. I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE REMOTE START NOT WORKING. THE CRUISE WILL NOT WORK ALL THE TIME, BEARINGS IN STEERING COLUMN, CHECK GAS CAP AND ANTI THEFT LIGHT. IT ALSO WILL NOT START UNLESS I GIVE IT GAS. AND WHEN I TAKE IT IN THEY FIND NOTHING. FUEL PUMP HAS BEEN REPLACED AND THAT IS NOT THE PROBLEM. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME COMPLAINTS. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL SAME YR OF CARS ALL WITH THE SAME ISSUE SOMETHING IS NOT RIGHT. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED WITHOUT WARNING. THE SPEED RATE WAS REDUCED AND THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND AFTER THREE ATTEMPTS, THE STEERING WHEEL RESET INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION YET THE FAILURE RECURRED FOUR SEPARATE TIMES. THE CONTACT WAS IN THE PROCESS OF TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THERE WAS CONCERN OF THE POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD INVOLVED WITH THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 44,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 55-60 MPH, THERE WAS A COMPLETE LOSS OF THE POWER STEERING. THE CHECK ENGINE AND WRENCH SYMBOL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. THE CONTACT RESUMED CAUTIOUSLY WITH A PERMANENT LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS A RELATED DEFECT ASSOCIATED WITH THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V073000 (STEERING: ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 05/04/11 *BF UPDATED 06/06/11
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIGHT BULBS OF THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY WERE TOO HIGH IN VOLTAGE THAT THEY WERE LEAVING BROWN BURN MARKS. THE DEALER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE AND THEY STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE FAILURE DUE TO THE MILEAGE AND AGE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
2004 MALIBU HAS INTERMITTENT POWER STEERING FAILURE. IT GOES OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF A TURN AND ALMOST MAKE YOU WRECK. DEALER SAYS THERE IS NOT PROBLEM. COMES AND GOES AT WILL. SOMETIME TURNING THE KEY OFF THEN BACK ON FIXES IT BUT NOT ALWAYS. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE POWER STEERING WOULD SUDDENLY FAIL AND HE WAS UNABLE TO STEER OR TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH MUCH DIFFICULTY. THE POWER STEERING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE FAILURE. AT TIMES, HE WOULD TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTART IT WHICH WOULD REMEDY THE PROBLEM TEMPORARILY. MOST RECENTLY, THE STEERING WAS UNABLE TO BE RESET BY RESTARTING AND HAD TO BE TOWED. IT WAS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY THREE TIMES. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED AND THE CONTACT PAID FOR REPAIRS AT HIS EXPENSE. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 55,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,206.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY FAILED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT PULLED AND NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTED IT; THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE CONTACT DROVE HOME. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 143,264 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 143,266.
MY STEERING HAD GONE IN MY 2004 CHEVY MALIBU 2 MONTHS AGO. THE COLUMN HAS BEEN REPLACED 2 TIMES NOW AND IS STILL NOT FIXED. I AM ALSO BEING TOLD THAT THERE ARE NO STEERING COLUMNS LEFT IN MY AREA. MY CAR IS A DANGER TO EVERYONE ON A ROAD INCLUDING MYSELF AND I HAVE NO IDEA WHY CHEVY HASN'T RECALLED THESE. *TR
POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY. GOES OFF AFTER RESTART. POWER STEERING UNIT REPLACED ONCE UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY. *TR
I HAD DRIVEN THE CAR A MILE FROM HOME, AND WHILE SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT THE CAR ALERT SOUND HAPPENED, I LOOKED DOWN AT THE RADIO, AND THE DISPLAY READ "POWER STEERING". I TURNED INTO THE NEXT BUSINESS PARKING LOT, AND HAD A GREAT DEAL OF DIFFICULTY CRANKING THE WHEEL TO TURN THE CAR. I DECIDED TO RETURN HOME WITH GREAT DIFFICULTY. I TURNED THE CAR OFF, ENLISTED SOME HELP TO TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND WHEN I STARTED THE CAR, THE POWER STEERING WORKED PROPERLY AGAIN. THE DEALERSHIP RAN A DIAGNOSTIC AND DETERMINED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDS REPLACING. CAR WILL BE REPAIRED WHEN PART COMES INTO DEALERSHIP - ON BACKORDER. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE TRAVELING 70 MPH THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS HAD APPEARED ON DASHBOARD AND THAT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECREASE IN SPEED. THE CONTACT SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE, RESTARTED IT AND NOTICED THAT THE FAILURE HAD CORRECTED ITSELF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPRODUCED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 43000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHT BULBS CONSTANTLY TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO REPAIR SHOPS AND DEALERSHIPS SEVERAL TIMES. THE BULBS WERE REPLACED BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE HEADLIGHT BULB RECENTLY MELTED TO THE WIRING HARNESS. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD FLUCTUATE BETWEEN FULL AND EMPTY AND DID PRODUCE CORRECT READINGS. ON THREE OCCASIONS, THE CONTACT RAN OUT OF FUEL BECAUSE OF THE FAULTY GAUGE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED FOR THIS PROBLEM AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD , DUE TO HIGH MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE, THEY COULD NOT ASSIST HER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 60,000.
MY 2004 MALIBU HAS A POWER STEERING PROBLEM. I TOOK IT IN TODAY TO SEE ABOUT REPAIR AND IT IS GOING TO COST ALMOST $700 TO FIX. THE POWER STEERING JUST STOPS WORKING SOMETIMES. IT HAS BEEN DOING IT FOR A WHILE NOW. IT IS PROGRESSIVELY GETTING WORSE. IT SOMEHOW RESETS WHEN YOU TURN THE CAR OFF AND TURN IT BACK ON SOMETIMES. I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THIS WHEN THE VEHICLE HAD 50,000 MILES ON IT. I NOW HAVE 70,000 MILES ON IT AND IT IS TO THE POINT WHERE IT HAS TO BE FIXED. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW IT IS NOT A RECALL SITUATION KNOWING HOW IMPORTANT THE POWER STEERING IS ON A VEHICLE. THIS SITUATION COMES AFTER HAVING TO HAVE THE STEREO REPLACED IN THE VEHICLE 3 TIMES AND NOW IT IS NOT WORKING AGAIN. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN GM FOR NOT TAKING CARE OF EITHER OF THESE PROBLEMS SATISFACTORILY. *TR
2004 CHEVY MALIBU "ELECTRIC STEERING" REPEATED FAILURE OF THE STEERING UNIT AND STEERING COLUMN. STEERING WHEEL CLUNKS AND BECOMES LOOSE. CHEVY FIXED IT TWICE OR SO BUT NOW SAYS ITS UP TO ME. I EXPECT THE STEERING ASSY OF ANY CAR TO BE BULLET PROOF AND NOT HAVE SAFETY PROBLEMS. *TR
THE POWER STEERING ALARM AND THE SERVICE ENGINE SIGN IN THE DASHBOARD OF MY 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU LS HAS BEEN GOING OFF EVERY TIME I TURN ON THE CAR. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR 3 WEEKS NOW. MY BROTHERS ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH THEIR 2005 AND 2007 CHEVROLET CARS. HOWEVER, SINCE I DID NOT GET A RECALL NOTICE, MY DEALER WANTS TO CHARGE ME AN UPWARDS OF $150 TO JUST LOOK AT THE ISSUE I AM BEING TOLD THAT THE 2004 MALIBU'S ARE NOT ON THE RECALL LIST, HENCE I HAVE TO PAY FOR THE DIAGNOSTICS. I AM SCARED OF THE SAFETY OF DRIVING MY CAR TO AND FROM WORK BUT I AM LEFT WITH NO CHOICE BUT TO TAKE A CHANCE AND USE MY CAR WITH THE ALARM GOING OFF. I CANNOT AFFORD THE PRICE THE DEALERSHIP IS WANTING TO CHARGE ME, ESPECIALLY IF IT IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITHIN THE CHEVROLET MODELS. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE... ASK THE DEALERS TO FIX THIS ISSUE WITH CHEVROLET CARS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT. *TR
THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING IN MY VEHICLE IS FAULTY. THE STEERING WHEEL WILL MOVE BY ITS SELF WHILE DRIVING OR IN PARK. ALSO MY POWER STEERING WILL GO OUT WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP DUE TO POWER STEERING I HAVE A VERY HARD TIME TURNING AND CONTROLLING CAR. I HAVE BARELY AVOID SEVERAL ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. I HAVE TAKEN CAR TO DEALERSHIP TO SEE IF CAN BE FIXED BECAUSE WHEN I CALLED GM I WAS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THE WARRANTY THAT WOULD HAVE FIXED ISSUE BUT BECAUSE IT WAS PAST THEIR RECALL TIME THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST ME AND THE DEALER WANTS 800.00 TO FIX AND THEY SAY THAT EVEN FIXING THE STEERING COLUMN AND OR THE ASSIST MOTOR THAT I WILL MORE THEN LIKELY HAVE THE SAME ISSUES! MY CAR IS A 2004 WITH ONLY 44,462 MILES ON IT. I GOT THE CAR USED FEBRUARY OF THIS YEAR (2010) AND DIDN'T KNOW THAT IT WOULD BE A NIGHTMARE AND A DEATH TRAP FOR MY FAMILY! I HAVE VIDEO OF THE WHEEL MOVING BY ITS SELF AS WELL AS VIDEO SHOWING THAT WHEN I LOSS POWER STEERING THE CAR IS HAZARDOUS. I AM REALLY AFRAID THAT I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO KEEP UP WITH THIS ISSUE AND WILL ONE DAY LOSS COMPLETE CONTROL OF THE CAR AND HURT MYSELF AND POSSIBLY OTHERS! CHEVROLET NEEDS TO FIX THIS ISSUE FOR GOOD OR REPLACE THE CARS ALL TOGETHER BECAUSE ITS REALLY ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THIS ISSUE BITES THEM IN THE BUTT! I REALLY LIKE MY MALIBU BUT I REALLY THINK THAT I SHOULD HAVE NEVER GOT IT BECAUSE OF ALL THE ISSUES LOSING POWER STEERING, PULLS BAD TO LEFT AND RIGH
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU . WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH A CHIMING SOUND ALERTED HER THAT THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND WITHIN A FEW SECONDS THE STEERING WHEEL WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF, BACK ON AND BEGAN TO DRIVE NORMALLY. AFTER A FEW MINUTES THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 80,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 65 MPH THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER REGAINING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE POWER STEERING BEGAN TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS WAS THE ONLY TIME THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 117,000. UPDATED 12/22/10 *BF UPDATED 12/29/10*JB
2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU LS, THE LEFT TURN, PARKING, & DRL BULB OVERHEATED AND CAUSED A FIRE THAT MELTED THE AMBER PLASTIC LENS INSIDE IF THE HEADLIGHT ASSY CAUSING IT TO SCORCH THE INSIDE OF THE HEADLIGHT ASSY AROUND THE AMBER PART. THE RIGHT SIDE HAD PREVIOUSLY JUST MELTED THE TOP OF THE AMBER LENS. THESE WERE THE ORIGINAL HEADLIGHT ASSYS WITH 3157 BULBS THAT CAUSED THE PROBLEM. THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS ARE VERY BRIGHT ALL THE TIME. THE BULB CAUSED A FIRE THAT WENT OUT BY ITSELF THAT IS THE SAFETY PROBLEM. BOUGHT CERTIFIED REPLACEMENT HEADLIGHT ASSYS. *TR
2004 CHEVY MALIBU POWER STEERING GOES OUT WITHOUT WARNING AND FREQUENTLY. WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL LOCKS UP MAKING TURNING IMPOSSIBLE TO DO. I ALMOST CAUSED A HEAD ON COLLISION DUE TO THIS. NOW WHEN I TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TIRES DO NOT MOVE AT ALL. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ON-LINE ABOUT THIS EXACT ISSUE AND GM WANTS TO DO NOTHING ABOUT IT. *TR
ALMOST DAILY, THE WRENCH LIGHT TURNS ON AND THE DISPLAY IN THE CENTER READS "POWER STEERING." OCCASIONALLY, THIS IS ACCOMPANIED BY A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER STEERING, MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN AT LOW SPEEDS. TURNING OFF THE MALIBU USUALLY RESETS THE LIGHT AND ERROR MESSAGE; HOWEVER, THIS PROBLEM USUALLY RECURS SHORTLY AFTER RESTARTING THE CAR. I WAS TOLD BY A DEALERSHIP THAT THE ONLY WAY TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM WOULD BE TO HAVE THE STEERING COLUMN REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE. *TR
2004 CHEVY MALIBU STANDARD CLUNKING NOISE WHEN STEERING. STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP ON ME WHEN SHIFTED IN REVERSE. POWER STEERING DISPLAYING ON DASHBOARD, VIBRATION COMING FROM STEERING AT 65MPH. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE TURNING LEFT AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL RATTLE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMNS. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO RECUR WHENEVER SHE WOULD ATTEMPT A TURN AT ANY SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. ON A LATER DATE WHILE REVERSING AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, TWO LOUD POP NOISES WERE HEARD AND THE STEERING WHEEL IMMEDIATELY BECAME STIFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING REPAIRS TO THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 132,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE TRAVELING 10 MPH AND ATTEMPTING A RIGHT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY BECAME STIFF AND IMPOSSIBLE TO MOVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED FOR THE FAILURE. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000. UPDATED 12/14/2011 *CN UPDATED 11/28/2011 *LN
SPORADIC POWER STEERING /SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT COMING ON AND NO ERROR CODES IN COMPUTER. FINALLY ON JULY 31 I GOT IN THE CAR AND SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT AND "POWER STEERING" CAME ON BUT STEERING WAS FINE UNTIL I WENT TO TAKE A LEFT TURN AT A BUSY INTERSECTION AND POWER STEERING QUIT WORKING AND HAD TO TURN THE CAR BY MAIN FORCE !! IF MY WIFE HAD BEEN DRIVING NO WAY SHE COULD HAVE CONTROLLED IT !! GM NEEDS TO ISSUE RECALL ON THIS ALL TOO COMMON PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED !!! *TR
POWER ASSIST STEERING PROBLEMS. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHILE TRYING TO AVOID A CRASH. THE POWER STEERING LOCKED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO A GUARD RAIL AND ROLL OVER. THE CONTACT SUFFERED AN INJURY TO THE ARM. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL FOR FURTHER EXAMINATION. BEFORE THE CRASH OCCURRED THE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED TWICE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT STEERING COLUMN CAUSED THE CRASH TO OCCUR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. THE POWER STEERING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE AND THE WHEEL WOULD BECOME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE STEERING ROD WAS REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE OCCURRED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE DEALERS POSSESSION WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT SPOKEN WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 45,730. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 45,365.
MY DAUGHTERS 2004 STEERING LOCKED UP NEED TO LOOK IN TO THIS AS I LOOKED IT UP ON INTERNET AND THERE ARE 200 + COMPLAINTS JUST FOR THAT REASON. *TR
NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Full record for the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu → · Every Malibu year → · How the figures are calculated →