2004 Chevrolet Malibu complaints

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SIX TIMES IN THE LAST TWO MONTHS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STARTED TO ILLUMINATE BEFORE THE STEERING FAILURE OCCURRED. THE DEALER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 30,000.

I OWN A CHEVROLET MALIBU 2004 LS V6. RECENTLY I HAVE BEEN NOTICING SOME REPEATED INCIDENTS OF SUDDEN LOSS OF THE POWER ASSISTED STEERING, AND THE CAR ALL OF A SUDDEN BECOMES VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER IN THE DESIRED DIRECTION, WHICH MAKES IS SCARY TO DRIVE IT. ONCE THE CAR ENGINE IS SHUT DOWN AND THE CAR IS RESTARTED, THE POWER STEERING COMES BACK TO NORMAL AND THEN THIS HAPPENS AGAIN AT ANY POINT IN TIME. I HAVE DEFINITE SAFETY CONCERN WITH THE VEHICLE RIGHT NOW. *TR

2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU STEERING BECAME JERKY WHILE ON INTERSTATE AT 63 MPH. STEERING WHEEL TRAVEL APPOX. 1 INCH LEFT AND RIGHT WITH NO EFFECT THEN IMMEDIATE TURN WITH SWERVE WHEN STEERING 'KICKED IN'. VEHICLE PULLED OVER TO SIDE OF ROAD. CAR WAS TURNED OFF AND INSPECTED FOR POSSIBLE TIRE PROBLEM. NONE FOUND. CAR STARTED AND STEERING WAS BACK TO NORMAL. AFTER APPROX. 7 MORE MILES, STEERING EXHIBITED A 'NOTCHED' AREA OF 1/4 INCH STEERING WHEEL TRAVEL WITH NO STEERING CONTROL. TURNING WAS NORMAL PAST THE NOTCHED AREA WITH NO SWERVE. ANOTHER 2 MILES DRIVEN UNDER THIS CONDITION WITH NO CHANGE (1/4 INCH NOTCH) CAR DRIVEN TODAY TO CHECK OUT STEERING A TOTAL OF 15 MILES WITH NO PROBLEMS AT ALL. COULD NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM. NOTE: HAD ANOTHER CAR BEEN IN THE PASSING LANE NEXT TO US, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN HIT BY US DUE TO THE SWERVE EXPERIENCED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THE TURN SIGNAL BULBS CONTINUOUSLY FAILED. IN ADDITION, THE AMBER LENS OF THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY WAS MELTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER ADVISED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 48,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 58,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU LSD6. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 15-20 MPH, ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN AND THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING CLICKED INTO THE OFF POSITION UNEXPECTEDLY. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO BUMP UP AGAINST THE CURBSIDE. THE POWER STEERING THEN CLICKED BACK INTO THE ON POSITION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED REPEATEDLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, HOWEVER A TROUBLE CODE WAS NOT DETECTED. THE CONTACT PLANNED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR A SECOND OPINION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 11/03/10. *LJ UPDATED 12/7/10 *CN

WHILE DRIVING AT 75 MPH ON INTERSTATE, POWER STEERING FAILED WHICH MADE VEHICLE EXTREMELY HARD TO STEER. FORTUNATELY, VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE PULLED OFF THE PAVEMENT. ENGINE WAS SHUT OFF AND VEHICLE RESTARTED. POWER STEERING THEN OPERATED NORMALLY. ON SECOND INCIDENT, POWER STEERING SUDDENLY BECAME INOPERATIVE WHILE TURNING AND VEHICLE CAME VERY CLOSE TO HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE WHILE TURNING. AGAIN, AFTER TURNING OFF ENGINE AND RESTARTING, POWER STEERING OPERATED NORMALLY. A THIRD INCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING AT MODERATE SPEED. VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN OFF PAVEMENT AND ENGINE RESTARTED. AFTER RESTART, POWER STEERING OPERATED NORMALLY. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER REPAIR FACILITY AND THE PROBLEM WAS DISCOVERED TO BE AN INTERNAL FAILURE OF THE STEERING COLUMN. THE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED AT A COST OF $664. THE VEHICLE MILEAGE WAS 82,707. *TR

THIS IS THE SECOND TIME MY 2004 MALIBU LTZ POWER STEERING LOCKED UP ON ME. THE FIRST TIME IT LOCKED UP WAS NOV 2009, AS I WAS DRIVING DOWNS MADISON ST. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE RACK N PINION, THIS APPEARED TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM TEMPORARILY. THE SECOND TIME THE PROBLEM HAPPEN WAS MARCH 3RD, 2010, I WAS PULLING OUT OF MY GARAGE, MADE A RIGHT TURN ONTO OHIO AND ALMOST HIT KIDS GETTING OUT OF SCHOOL BECAUSE THE CAR KEPT MOVING IN A STRAIGHT DIRECT EVEN THOUGH I WAS ATTEMPTING TO TURN. I SPOKE TO THE DEALER SHIP TODAY AND THEY SAID THEY DO NOT KNOW OF A RECALL BUT ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM WITH MALIBU. *TR

INTERMITTENTLY, OVER THE LAST FEW WEEKS, A MECHANICAL WARNING LIGHT CAME ON INDICATING A POWER STEERING ISSUE ON MY 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. I TOOK THE CAR TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC. HE HOOKED IT TO THE COMPUTER ANALYSIS AND FOUND NO ISSUES. HE DID INDICATE THAT AFTER DOING A LITTLE RESEARCH THAT CHEVROLET HAD PROVIDED A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN # 04050A TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. I HAD NEVER BEEN NOTIFIED BY CHEVROLET. I CALLED MY CHEVROLET DEALER AND THE SERVICE MANAGER INDICATED THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL ON MY CAR SO I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR ANY REPAIR. AFTER DOING A LITTLE RESEARCH, THIS SEEMS TO BE A FAIRLY COMMON PROBLEM ON THE 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM ON THIS MODEL IS ELECTRICAL, NOT HYDRAULIC AND SEEMS TO HAVE A HIGH NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS. I AM HOPING THAT CHEVROLET RECALLS AND REPAIRS THIS DEFECT. *TR

POWER STEERING FAILS WITHOUT WARNING. I'VE HAD THE POWER STEERING MOTOR REPLACED TWICE. *TR

WIFE STARTED UP HER CAR AFTER WORK ON JUNE 30TH, COME TO FIND OUT, THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING FAILED AND, GOOD THING, SHE WASN'T DRIVING WHEN IT WENT OUT OR ELSE THERE COULD HAVE BEEN AN ACCIDENT. NOW, IT FAILS EVERY ONCE AND AWHILE, STILL STEERABLE, BUT VERY HARD TO STEER. IF YOU SHUT THE CAR OFF, THEN, IT GOES A WAY FOR A WHILE BUT THEN POWER STEERING FAILS AGAIN LATER ON. WE WERE DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AND IT DID THE SAME THING WHILE GOING 75MPH. WE'RE TRYING TO RESEARCH ON IF THIS IS A RECALL OR WHAT THE PROBLEM COULD BE. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE, I'VE SEEN A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ON THE CHEVY MALIBU ABOUT THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING FAILING. *TR

2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU - BOTH FRONT HEADLIGHTS ASSEMBLIES ARE MELTING FROM THE HEAT COMING OFF OF THE TURN SIGNAL/MARKER LIGHT. THE PLASTIC BULB HOUSING IS ACTUALLY MELTING ENOUGH TO DRIP ONTO THE BULB CAUSING THEM TO BREAK AND NEED REPLACED. THIS IS DEFINITELY A FIRE HAZARD. *TR

TL*THE DRIVER OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO MOVE OR TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING SENSOR FAILED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THE VEHICLE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 09E005000 STEERING; THEREFORE, THE FAILURE DID NOT EXIST IN THE VEHICLE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 59,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU LT. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL CLICKING SOUND SPORADICALLY COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES BUT THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE HE WAS ADVISED THE FAILURE WAS WITHIN THE POWER STEERING. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE POWER STEERING COLUMN AND THE AIR BAG SENSOR AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000 AND THE CURRENTMILEAGE WAS 79,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE TRAVELING AT 5 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT SUDDENLY SHIFTED BACKWARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER RE-WELDED THE DRIVER SIDE BELT FRAME TO THE BASE. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 74,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN PULLING TO THE RIGHT. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE STEERING RACK HAD EXCESSIVE PLAY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE ALSO CAUSED THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE FRONT TIRES TO BECOME WORN WHICH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE REPAIR COST WAS $657 SINCE THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS OR VALID WARRANTIES. THE WIRING IN THE HORN WAS ALSO DEFECTIVE AND IT WAS REPAIRED AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE FOR $200. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 23,800. UPDATED 11/15/10 *CN UPDATED 11/24/10

POWER STEERING FAILURE. *TR

POWER STEERING FREQUENTLY CUTS OUT - HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE THE CAR WAS NEW. CONSTANT CRUNCHING SOUND WHEN TURNING - MOST OFTEN WHEN TURNING TO THE RIGHT. STEERING REPLACED ONCE UNDER WARRANTY - WHEN QUESTIONED AGAIN LATER - VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY (36,000 MI). SHORTLY AFTER I PURCHASED VEHICLE WARRANT OFFERED WAS 100,000 MILES. *TR

I HAVE A 2004 CHEVY MALIBU WITH 80,000 PLUS MILES. MY POWER STEERING COLUMN MOTOR SHORTED OUT AND THEREFORE MY POWER STEERING HAS ENABLED MY CAR TO BE DRIVEN; AND THE FUEL GAUGE SHOWS EMPTY WHEN I JUST FILLED IT WITH GAS. I DID AN ON-LINE RESEARCH AND SAW THERE WERE SO MANY OTHER CONSUMERS THAT HAVE THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AS I HAVE AND I CONTACTED GM AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. IT IS SAD WHEN WE PURCHASE 'MADE IN AMERICA' PRODUCTS THAT THE COMPANIES DO NOT STAND BY THEIR PRODUCTS. I FEEL THERE SHOULD BE A TOTAL RECALL ON ALL THESE CARS BEFORE WE END UP WITH MAJOR ACCIDENTS. SHAME ON GM TO GET THE POWER STEERING FIX IS NOT CHEAP. GM KNOWS OF THESE PROBLEMS AND IS EXTREMELY NONCHALANT ABOUT RECTIFYING THE SITUATION. TOYOTA STEPPED UP AND RECALLED THEIR CARS TO CLEAR UP THE PROBLEMS , WHOSE GOING TO MAKE GM DO THE SAME? *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE ATTEMPTING A TURN AT APPROXIMATE SPEEDS OF 10-15 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED CAUSING THE CONTACT TO BARELY AVOID CRASHING INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES FOR CONCERNS OF THE POWER STEERING FAILING. THE DEALER REPLACED THE POWER STEERING COLUMN, IGNITION SWITCH AND THROTTLE BODY. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND IT BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THERE WERE WARNING LIGHTS BEFORE THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE CONTACT PLANNED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT INSPECTED. THE FAILURE AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 83,500. UPDATED 8/9/10 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAS ELECTRIC POWER STEERING. UPDATED 08/11/10

I HAVE A 2004 CHEVY MALIBU AND RANDOMLY MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND A POWER STEERING WARNING WILL COME ON. THE POWER STEERING IS USUALLY OKAY AND I CAN CONTINUE DRIVING, BUT ONE DAY WHILE I WAS IN A TURN LANE IT WENT OUT. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO GET OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD OR TURN WHEN YOU DO NOT HAVE POWER STEERING. TOOK IT TO A DEALERSHIP BUT BECAUSE IT IS INTERMITTENT, IT WAS NOT HAVING THAT ISSUE WHEN I TOOK IT IN AND THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. I'M WORRIED MY POWER STEERING WILL GO OUT AGAIN AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *TR

2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER REQUESTS THAT THE INVESTIGATION TO COMPLAINTS BE REOPENED *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER AND UPON INSPECTION, THEY STATED THE STEERING COLUMN AND STEERING CONTROL MODULE HAD GONE BAD AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND IF IT WASN'T REPLACED, THE CONSUMER WOULD LOSE POWER STEERING. THE CONSUMER PAID FOR THE REPAIRS AT HER EXPENSE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING SHOULD BE RECALLED FOR THIS MODEL. *JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 25 MPH, THE POWER STEERING LOCKED UP AND IT BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED THE ENGINE AND THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. WITHIN A FEW TRAVELED MILES, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE RECURS INTERMITTENTLY AND HE HAD EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE AT LEAST TEN TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED OR DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,596 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 41,600.

INTERMITTENT TURN SIGNALS AND HORN CONTINUALLY GOES OFF HAVING TO REMOVE FUSE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE TRAVELING AT SPEEDS OF 30 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A CHIMING IN THE VEHICLE AND WITHIN SECONDS, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND BECAME INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED AND THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 54,000.

PURCHASED A USED 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU IN APRIL 2009 AT A SATURN DEALER. A MONTH AFTER THE PURCHASE THE FRONT LEFT TURN SIGNAL STOPPED WORKING. I REPLACED THE BULB WITH THE PART NUMBER IDENTIFIED IN THE OWNERS MANUAL. A FEW WEEKS LATER IT STOPPED WORKING. I CONTINUED TO REMOVE AND/OR REPLACE THE LIGHT BULB UNTIL IT WORKED FOR A FEW DAYS OR WEEKS. AFTER SEVERAL TIMES OF REPLACING THE BULB I TOOK THE CAR TO THE SATURN DEALER IN AUGUST 2009. THEY SUPPOSEDLY REPLACED THE ENTIRE HEAD LIGHT ASSEMBLY WHICH COST SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS. THE ISSUE SEEMED TO HAVE BEEN RESOLVED UNTIL JUNE 1 2010 WHEN THE LIGHT BULB STOPPED WORKING. AFTER INVESTIGATION I NOTICED THE LEFT TURN LIGHT BULB WAS MOSTLY WHITE IN COLOR AND THE TURN SIGNAL AMBER COLORED LENS WAS MELTED WITH A HOLE IN IT. IT SEEMS THAT DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS WHEN IT IS HOT THE LAMP IS OVERHEATING. MY LEFT TURN SIGNAL LIGHT IS CURRENTLY NOT WORKING. THE SATURN DEALER WENT OUT OF BUSINESS AND CLOSED. AFTER RESEARCH I FOUND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2004 MALIBU (URL BELOW). PLEASE INVESTIGATE TO SEE IF A RECALL EXISTS FOR THIS PROBLEM AND IF THIS CAN BE PERMANENTLY FIXED BY A CHEVROLET DEALER. HTTP://WWW.ARFC.ORG/COMPLAINTS/2004/CHEVROLET/MALIBU/?Q=TURN+SIGNAL. *TR

DRIVER'S SIDE POWER SEAT. STEEL FRAME IS BROKEN CAUSING SEAT TO ROCK FRONT TO BACK AND SIDE TO SIDE. NOTICEABLE RUST. UNABLE TO WELD, ONLY FIX IS TO REPLACE SEAT. NOT A SAFE SEAT IF THERE IS AN ACCIDENT. *TR

WE HAVE A 2004 CHEVY MALIBU LT. SHORTLY AFTER WE BOUGHT IT, THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT ON TWO OCCASIONS. WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THE STEERING COLUMN WAS "SUPPOSEDLY" REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE TO THIS DAY ALWAYS VEERS TO THE LEFT, EVEN AFTER AN ALIGNMENT. THIS PAST MONTH THE STEERING WARNING LIGHT HAS COME ON THREE TIMES; AND AFTER PAYING $100 JUST FOR THE DIAGNOSIS, I WAS TOLD I WOULD HAVE TO HAVE THE STEERING COLUMN REPLACED FOR $1000 ! IT IS MORE THAN OBVIOUS THAT THIS DEFECT IS INSTRINSIC WITH THE MALIBU, AS IT IS WITH THE CHEVY COBALT, AND REQUIRES A RECALL. READ THE INTERNET ! I REPORTED THIS DEFECT TO GM AND RECEIVED NO RESPONSE. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I AM REPORTING IT TO THE NHTSA. YOU MUST DEMAND THAT GM RECALL THIS DEFECT ON THE MALIBU. *TR

MY 2004 CHEVY MALIBU POWER STEERING IS LOCKING WHILE DRIVING AND WILL NOT LET WHEEL TURN. I WAS DRIVING AND WHEN I WENT TO MAKE A TURN THE CAR WHEEL LOCKED AND WOULD NOT TURN IT WAS CONTINUING STRAIGHT I HAD TO TURN IT WITH ALL MY STRENGTH TO AVOID HITTING A WALL.I PHONED CHEVY CORPORATE AND THEY SAID IT IS NOT UNDER RECALL BUT THERE WAS 2 INVESTIGATIONS DONE ON THIS IN 2004 AND CURRENTLY 2005 - 2010 COBALTS MADE BY THEM HAVE THE SAME ISSUE AND THERE IS A CURRENT RECALL UNDER WAY RIGHT NOW FOR THAT MODEL AND IT IS THE SAME ISSUE I AM HAVING WITH MY MODEL CAR. THEY SAID THEY ARE NOT GOING TO REPAIR THIS ISSUE BECAUSE THERE IS NOT A CURRENT RECALL ON THIS MODEL. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF AND HAVE BEEN AWARE OF AND THEY ARE CHOOSING NOT TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MALFUNCTION IN THE POWER STEERING. THEY ARE CHOOSING TO IGNORE THIS SAFETY DEFECT. THIS HAS OCCURRED THE LAST THREE TIMES I HAVE USED THE CAR THIS WEEK. *TR

POWER STEERING ISSUES WITH 2004 MALIBU LT. I HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH MY FIRST MALIBU AND MY NEW MALIBU IS STARTING TO SHOW THE SAME TELL TALE SIGNS OF POWER STEERING FAILURE. IT BEGINS WITH A CLICKING NOISE WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. AT ANY TIME THE POWER STEERING WILL COMPLETELY GO OUT. TURNING OF THE MOTOR AND RESTARTING THE VEHICLE WILL TEMPORARILY SOLVE THE PROBLEM. MY FIRST MALIBU WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN TWICE. THE MALIBU I CURRENTLY HAVE IS UNFORTUNATELY NOT STILL UNDER WARRANTY BUT I FEEL THIS IS AN ONGOING SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BEFORE THERE ARE SERIOUS INJURIES OR DEATHS. THERE ARE MANY ONLINE SITES OF OWNERS WHO HAVE COMPLAINED OF THIS ONGOING PROBLEM AND IT DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE LIMITED TO THE 2004 MODEL BUT ALSO NEWER MODELS. GM NEEDS TO MAKE THIS RIGHT WITH ALL THE MONEY WE ARE SPENDING TRYING TO KEEP JOBS IN THE USA. *TR

2004 MALIBU: FEB 2005 VEHICLE CHIMED; POWER STEERING DISPLAYED ON DRIVER INFORMATION CENTER, LOST POWER STEERING WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN. DEALER REPLACED STEERING COLUMN BECAUSE I HAD A LETTER FROM GM SAYING THAT MY VEHICLE MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH A STEERING COLUMN SENSOR THAT CAN WEAR UNEVENLY AND PRODUCE AN ERRATIC ELECTRICAL SIGNAL. DEALER SAID THAT MY VIN NUMBER WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL BUT I INSISTED THAT I HAD EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM AND DIDN'T CARE IF MY NUMBER WAS ON THE LIST I WANTED IT REPLACED. MAY 2010: THREE DAYS IN A ROW CHIME SOUNDED AND POWER STEERING DISPLAYED ON DRIVER INFORMATION CENTER; STOPPED VEHICLE AND RESTARTED IT, RESET ITSELF. TOOK IN TO DEALER AND HAD A DIAGNOSTIC TEST RUN ($100.00). TEST INDICATES THAT I NEED THE STEERING COLUMN REPLACED AND A SHAFT KIT (CLUNKING) COST $990.65, NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. GOOGLE SEARCH REVEALS THAT THIS STEERING COLUMN DEFECT IS NOT UNCOMMON AND SHOULD BE RECALLED BY THE MANUFACTURER! PLEASE READ THE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THIS BLOG HTTP://CARBLOG.CLASSIFIEDS1000.COM/RECALL_ISSUES/20090114-133923-POWER_STEERING_PROBLEMS_ON_CHEVY_MALIBU_SEEKING_RECALL. *TR

WHILE I'M DRIVING WHETHER IT'S ON A CITY STREET OR A HIGHWAY, MY POWER STEERING WILL OUT OF NOWHERE STOP WORKING. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU ARE GOING 55MPH. SOMETIMES STOPPING THE CAR AND STARTING IT BACK UP FIXES THE PROBLEM, SOMETIMES NOT. *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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATE SPEEDS OF 20 MPH IN A PARKING LOT. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED A TURN WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED AND WOULD NOT MOVE. THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE DEALER ADVISED THE RACK AND PINION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT INQUIRED ABOUT NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V073000 (STEERING: ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM) BUT WAS ADVISED HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED WITH THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000.

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

THE 1ST TIME IT HAPPENED WAS ABOUT 11 MONTHS AGO. I WAS DRIVING ON A BUSY AVENUE WHEN I LOST ALL STEERING CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE. NO WARNINGS JUST THE INABILITY TO STEER MY VEHICLE AT ALL. I FIGURED IT WAS A FLUKE AND DISMISSED IT FOR THE MOMENT. UNTIL IT STARTED HAPPENED AGAIN. THIS TIME I ENDED UP IN A DITCH ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, TERRIFIED! I BOUGHT 2004 CHEVY MALIBU NEW FROM THE DEALER SO I BROUGHT IT TO THEM. AFTER THEY RAN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST ON THE VEHICLE AND DIDN'T FIND ANYTHING I FELT RELIEF, ASSUMING THE DEALER KNOWS BEST AND THEIR WAS NOTHING WRONG ACCORDING TO THEM. I CONTINUED DRIVING THE CAR WHEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN. THIS TIME I TOOK IT TO AN OUTSIDE MECHANIC WHO DID YET ANOTHER DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND FOUND THE STEERING SHAFT WAS BAD. IT WAS REPLACED AND AGAIN I ASSUMED THE PROBLEM WAS CURED. UNTIL YET ANOTHER INCIDENT OCCURRED. I HAD ABSOLUTELY NO STEERING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHILE TURNING LEFT AT AN INTERSECTION AND JUST BARELY AVOIDED AN ACCIDENT. I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK TO THE OUTSIDE REPAIR SHOP WHO EXPLAINED THAT WE SHOULD TRY CHANGING THE STEERING MOTOR AND SEE IF THAT WORKS. TRY WAS NOT A SATISFACTORY ANSWER TO ME SO I DID A LITTLE RESEARCH AND FOUND OUT THAT A ALOT OF PEOPLE SHARED SIMILAR STORIES. I CALLED GM AND ASKED FOR THERE ASSISTANCE. THEY DENIED EVEN BEING AWARE THAT ANYONE ELSE HAD REPORTED SUCH A PROBLEM BEFORE ME, BUT SINCE THEIR WAS NOT A RECALL AND MY WARRANTY WAS UP, THEY COULD NOT HELP ME. I AM TERRIFIED TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE, SO I AM SOMEWH

I WAS DRIVING MY 1 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER TO HER DR APPOINTMENT. I WAS MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN IN MY 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU LS V6 WITH 68,000 MILESON IT WHEN MY CHIMES CHIMED THE ORANGE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WITH THE WRENCH CAME ON AND MY DISPLAY ON THE RADIO SAID POWER STEERING I THEN LOST MY POWER STEERING WHILE I WAS MAKING THE TURN I PROCEED TO HER DR APPOINTMENT WITHOUT POWER STEERING. I GO INSIDE TO HER APPOINTMENT COME BACK OUT AND THE ENGINE LIGHT IS NOT LONGER ON AND I HAVE POWER STEERING. I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC AND HE PUTS IT ON THE DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE AND HE CAN'T FIND ANY CODES OR ANY PROBLEMS AT ALL HE ALSO SAID THAT IF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS NOT ON THEN HE COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM WHICH THE ENGINE LIGHT IS NOT ON CURRENTLY. I CAME HOME AND DID SOME TYPING ON THE COMPUTER FOR 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU STEERING PROBLEMS AND I HAVE FOUND SEVERAL ISSUES WITH THIS PROBLEM MANY PEOPLE HAVE SPEND LOTS OF MONEY AND THE DEALER SHIP HAS CLAIMED TO FIX THIS ISSUE BUT IT IS STILL GOING ON AFTER IT HAS BEEN FIXED. I FEEL THIS IS A REAL PROBLEM THAT NEEDS BROUGHT TO SOMEONE'S ATTENTION AFTER ALL THE TOYOTA ISSUES WE NEED SOMEONE ON OUR SIDE I CALLED THE GM HEADQUARTERS AND THEY BASICALLY BLEW ME OFF. I ALSO KNOW THIS IS THE VERY FIRST ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING FROM GM AND THAT THE 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU WAS THE VERY FIRST VEHICLE TO RECEIVE THIS AND WE ALL KNOW FIRST YEAR STUFF ALWAYS HAS ISSUES. MY DAUGHTER AND I ALMOST LOST OUR LIVES TODAY IF IT WASN'T FOR THE OTHER PERSON IN

I HAVE A 04 CHEVY MALIBU AND SOMETIMES THE POWER STEERING WITH GO OUT WHILE I AM DRIVING. NEXT TIME I USE THE CAR ITS FINE. I SEE THAT THERE ARE MANY PROBLEMS WITH POWER STEERING IN MALIBUS AND IT CAN CAUSE A WRECK IF ITS NOT TAKEN CARE OF. I BOUGHT THE CAR A YR AGO AND IT HAS HAPPENED A COUPLE TIMES THROUGH THE YEAR. *TR

2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER STATES STEERING PROBLEMS. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED RECENTLY THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE MADE A GRINDING SOUND AND PULLED TO THE LEFT. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE AND NOTED THE STEERING WHEEL WAS OFF IN THE FRONT END. A SYSTEMS CHECK WAS PERFORMED AND THE TEST CONFIRMED THE STEERING WHEEL TORQUE SENSOR FAILED. THE TEST ALSO CONFIRMED THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED CONTINUOUSLY. WHEN THE POWER STEERING FAILED, THE WHEEL WOULD MAKE A CLICKING SOUND WHEN THE CONTACT MADE A TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE DEALER GREASED THE STEERING COLUMN; HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 9,500. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,400. THE FIRST TIME, THE STABILIZER LINK BUSHING WERE REPLACED, THE SECOND TIME, THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT WAS REPLACED AND THE THIRD TIME, THE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED. THE RIGHT FRONT AXLE SEAL WAS LEAKING. UPDATED 05/24/10*JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD BEGIN PULLING TO THE LEFT, CAUSING INCREASED DIFFICULTY IN STEERING. THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY A FEW MOMENTS BEFORE THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR. HE ALSO STATED THAT ON OCCASION, THE POWER STEERING WOULD BE INOPERABLE UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT IN ORDER TO RESET THE POWER STEERING, HE WOULD SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTART IT TO RESET THE SYSTEM. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE AND DID NOT MAKE ANY REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT YET BEEN CONTACTED TO REPORT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,270 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 81,000.

2004 CHEVY MALIBU, LOST POWER STEERING AGAIN. TAKING A LEFT TURN AT BUSY INTERSECTION, VERY VERY HARD TO TURN WHEEL WITH NO POWER STEERING I'M 62 AND DON'T HAVE ALOT OF STRENGTH IN MY ARM. NEARLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. HAD STEERING COLUME REPLACED NOV 04, HAD MORE PROBLEMS, HAD TORQUE SENSOR REPLACED JULY 06. NOW IT IS HAPPENING AGAIN AND WHEN I CALL GM THEY SAID IT IS NO LONGER THEIR PROBLEM AND I WOULD NEED TO CALL MY DEALERSHIP. I HAVE GONE THAT ROUTE & THEY CHARGE $100.00 DIAGNOSTIC FEE AND SAY THAT CAN NOT FIND THE PROBLEM UNLESS IT IS HAPPENING AND WOULD HAVE TO CHARGE ANOTHER $100.00. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. AT LEAST TOYOTA TOOK RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR SCREW UP IT'S MORE THAT YOU CAN SAY FOR GM. CHECK THE INTERNET AND SEE HOW MANY COMPLAINTS THERE ARE!

THE FRONT YELLOW SIGNAL LIGHT SEEN TO GET VERY HOT MELTING THE INNER COVER WHICH IS LOCATE INSIDE THE HEADLIGHT IN BOTH OF THEM IT SEEN THAT MOST OF THESE CAR HAS THE SAME PROBLEM.

LOST POWER STEERING IN MY LATE MODEL YEAR 2004 MALIBU LT. NO PERSONAL INJURY OR DAMAGE. TURNED CAR OFF AND RESTARTED - POWER STEERING RESTORED. TOOK TO DEALER SINCE LOCAL MECHANIC HAD NO IDEA WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. DEALER SAID HE HAS HAD TO REPLACE MANY OF THESE BUT NO RECALLS HAD BEEN ISSUED. RECOMMENDED REPLACEMENT OF STEERING COLUMN ($641.59) AND ALIGNMENT ($59.95) ALONG WITH OTHER NON-RELATED ISSUES. MULTIPLE NHTSA ACTION NUMBERS AND DEFECT INVESTIGATIONS WERE STARTED IN 2004. A MORE RECENT SERVICE BULLETIN NUMBER: 7126; NHTSA NUMBER: 10023644 WAS STARTED ON THE 2005 MODELS. THIS IS A DANGEROUS PROBLEM THAT GM SHOULD HAVE SOME RESPONSIBILITY FOR CORRECTING.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, A CLANKING NOISE SOUNDED AND THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE FIRST REPAIR WAS AT DEALERS EXPENSE. THE SECOND REPAIR THE MANUFACTURER WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR HALF OF THE REPAIR COST. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON A THIRD OCCASION FOR THE CLANKING NOISE FAILURE AND THE STEERING SHAFT WAS REPLACED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 61,000.

I OWN A 2004 CHEVY MALIBU WHEN STARTING VEHICLE THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ENGAGES AND THE CONSOLE INDICATOR CHIMES READING POWER STEERING. THIS OCCURS EVERY TIME I START THE CAR NOW. I HAVE REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN 2 TIMES SINCE TAKING OWNERSHIP OF VEHICLE IN FEBRUARY 2008. BOTH STEERING COLUMNS WERE GENUINE GM PARTS INSTALLED BY A CERTIFIED TECHNICIAN. WORK PERFORMED IN 5/08 AND 10/08 TOTALING SOME $3000.00. PAID ANOTHER DEALER $51.56 TO ADJUST AND CALIBRATE SENSOR. IT WAS OK FOR THE SUMMER. LATE FALL 2009 BEGAN COMING ON INTERMEDIATELY AGAIN. NOW IT COMES ON EACH TIME YOU START THE CAR AND YESTERDAY I ACTUALLY LOST POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING THE CAR. I HAD LOST THE POWER ASSIST STEERING A TOTAL OF 4 TIMES NOW. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. SOMEONE COULD GET HURT HERE. *TR

WHILE DRIVING ON A COUNTY HIGHWAY WITHOUT WARNING MY POWER STEERING LOCKED, AND IT SCARED THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS OUT OF ME. I HAD ALL I COULD DO TO STEER MY CAR AND IT WAS VERY SCARY. I MADE IT TO MY DESTINATION AND WHEN I LEFT MY DESTINATION IT WAS FINE. THEN ON THE WAY HOME ON UNIVERSITY AVE IN DOWNTOWN MADISON WHICH IS A VERY BUSY STREET, THE POWER STEERING LOCKED UP AGAIN. A VERY HORRIFYING MOMENT. AGAIN I REALLY HAD TO STRUGGLE WITH THE STEERING. I FEEL THIS IS VERY BIG SAFETY ISSUE AND LIFE THREATINGA TO ME AND MY PASSENGERS AND ALSO OTHER VEHICLES ON THE ROAD. I HAVEN'T HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH IT THE LAST 3 DAYS. I BELIEVE GM NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM. *TR

2004 MALIBU. STEERING WAS HARD ON ONE SIDE AND SOFT ON THE OTHER. TOO IT TO DEALER. DEALER FIXED IT BY COMPUTER. NOW BOTH SIDES OF STEERING RE EQUAL - BUT - IT CONTINUALLY WANTS TO STEER ON ITS OWN TO THE RIGHT. IT WILL NOT HOLD A STRAIGHT LINE, UNLESS I KEEP MY HANDS ON THE STEERING WHEEL. IF I HOLD IT LOOSELY, IT WILL VEER RIGHT INTO WHATEVER IS ON MY RIGHT SIDE. DEALER SAID THIS IS NORMAL. *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.

POWER STEERING TURN OFF. AROUND 50KM/H. WARNING LIGHT END BELL CAME ON. VERY HARD TO KEEP THE CAR ON THE ROAD. STOP THE CAR AND TURN ON AGAIN EVERY THING CAME BACK TO NORMAL. BUT UNTIL WHEN? CHEVROLET MALIBU 2004 LS, 66800 KMS. *TR