NHTSA Complaint #11082584 — 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX

POWER STEERING LOSS: WHEN STARTING THE CAR AND ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE, THE POWER STEERING LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY DISPLAYS ON THE DASHBOARD AND POWER STEERING IS NO LONGER ACTIVE. IF THE DRIVER STOPS THE VEHICLE AND TURNS THE ENGINE OFF, THE POWER STEERING MAY BE REACTIVATED BY RESTARTING. THIS VEHICLE HAD A RECALL ISSUE SERVICED AT A GM DEALER FOR A TORQUE SENSOR ON 10/8/2014. 3-1/2 YEARS / 30,000 MILES LATER, THE VEHICLE WAS JUST DIAGNOSED WITH THE SAME ISSUE (TORQUE SENSOR) AT AROUND $800. THE DEALER AND GM IS REFUSING TO PROVIDE ANY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE WITH THIS CURRENT REPAIR. IT IS VERY FRUSTRATING THAT A SAFETY ISSUE SUCH AS THIS, WHICH APPEARS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE FOR THIS MODEL YEAR, IS NOT BACKED BY THE MANUFACTURER. THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING, REQUIRING EXTENSIVE EFFORT TO TURN, CAN POTENTIALLY CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH TO THIS VEHICLE'S OCCUPANTS AS WELL AS OTHERS. IF A REPAIR FOR A SAFETY RECALL ONLY LASTS 30,000 MILES BEFORE RESURFACING, I WOULD CALL THIS A TEMPORARY BAND-AID, NOT A "REPAIR".