NHTSA Complaint #10103008 — 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU

WHILE WIFE WAS DRIVING 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU IN CITY TRAFFIC, POWER STEERING SUDDENLY FAILED CONCURRENT WITH ALARM CHIME AND REPAIR CAR LIGHT. SHE HAD TO DRIVE STRAIGHT THROUGH TWO INTERSECTIONS AND STRUGGLED TO IMMEDIATELY PARK THE CAR, AND CALLED ME FOR ASSISTANCE. AFTER RESTARTING THE CAR, POWER STEERING WAS RESTORED (NO ALARM OR LIGHT). TOOK CAR TO DEALER THE FOLLOWING MORNING FOR REPAIRS. DEALER STATES THAT A RECENT BULLETIN MAY ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM AND REQUIRES A KIT AND REPLACEMENT OF STEERING COLUMN. PARTS NOT IN STOCK. KIT WAS ORDERED AND IS EXPECTED IN ABOUT A WEEK. WILL SCHEDULE REPAIR AFTER PARTS KIT IS RECEIVED. THIS PROBLEM SHOULD IMMEDIATELY BE UPGRADED TO A SAFETY RECALL ITEM TO MINIMIZE FUTURE ACCIDENTS IN LESS FORGIVING DRIVING CONDITIONS. *AK