NHTSA Complaint #10234360 — 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AT 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE SWERVED TO THE LEFT WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO SWERVE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN AND UNABLE TO BE MOVED TO THE LEFT. THE POWER STEERING DID NOT WORK WHEN TURNED TO THE RIGHT, AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS VERY LOOSE WHEN IT WAS TURNED TO THE LEFT. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED TWICE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, SHE FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS AND ONE POSSIBLE INVESTIGATION. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT A FOUR YEAR OLD VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE EXPERIENCING THESE TYPES OF FAILURES. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 74,404. UPDATE 09/10/08 *CW THE CONSUMER STATED THE POWER STEERING FAILED 3 TIMES. THE DEALER REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN. UPDATED 09/16/08. *JB