2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU Steeringelectric Power Assist System Problems

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS HARD TO TURN. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY OVER A PERIOD OF SIX MONTHS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN AND TORQUE ANGLE SENSOR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN THE RADIO PANEL STARTED BLINKING WITH POWER STEERING. I THEN LOST MY POWER STEERING AND MY CAR BEGAN TO SHAKE THIS FAILURE OCCURS WITHOUT ANY WARNING AND SOMETIMES THE POWER STEERING LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE AND IT WILL SHOW IN THE RADIO PANEL. AS A WOMAN, DRIVING WITHOUT POWER STEERING WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED TO ME IT HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES AND THANKFULLY I WAS ABLE TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER, AND AFTER RUNNING DIAGNOSTICS, THEY TOLD ME THAT THE 2004 MALIBU'S HAVE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING, AND THAT THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE POWER STEERING MOTOR AND THAT IT OVERHEATS, CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE CAR SEAT BELTS ARE FROZE AND THE HAZARD LIGHT BUTTON FELL INSIDE ITS HOLE AND THE HEADLIGHT COVERS DON'T ALLOW THE LIGHTS TO FULLY ILLUMINATE ....

2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU LT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO POWER STEERING PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED EACH TIME HE TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL, THE WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATED. IT LOCKED UP ON ONE OCCASION AND THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED FOR THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING STARTING WITH THE 2005 MODELS. *JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD BECOME LOOSE WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND THE WHEEL WOULD SPORADICALLY SHAKE WHEN DRIVING OVER 50 MPH. IN ADDITION THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED WHEN THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE WAS THE SECOND OCCURRENCE AND THE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED IN 2007. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED FOR THE RECENT FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 115,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE MADE A CLUNKING, KNOCKING AND RATTLING SOUND WHEN DRIVEN AT A LOW GRADE SPEED AND WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED. THE VEHICLE ALSO SHOOK VIOLENTLY. THE DRIVER SEAT DIDN'T TO STAY ON TRACK AND WAS DIFFICULT TO ADJUST FORWARD AND BACKWARD. THE HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL WERE INOPERATIVE. THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS NO LONGER ADJUSTED. THE...

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

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

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

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN THE RADIO PANEL STARTED BLINKING WITH POWER STEERING. I THEN LOST MY POWER STEERING AND MY CAR BEGAN TO SHAKE. AS A WOMAN, DRIVING WITHOUT POWER STEERING WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT. I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO A PARKING LOT (BARELY), AND SAFELY PARK THE CAR. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED TO ME, AND THANKFULLY I WAS ABLE TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER, AND AFTER RUNNING DIAGNOSTICS, THEY TOLD ME THAT THE 2004 MALIBU'S HAVE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING, AND THAT THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE POWER STEERING MOTOR AND THAT IT OVERHEATS, CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING.*CW

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT ANY RATE OF SPEED, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE VIBRATES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS AND THEY DIAGNOSED IT AS HAVING A FAULTY INTERNAL STEERING SHAFT THAT HAD BEEN GREASED IMPROPERLY. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 36,500 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,047. UPDATED 09/13/08. *LJ UPDATED 09/16/08 *JB

LOSS OF POWER STEERING. *TR

2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU WITH ELECTRIC. CONSUMER STATES THAT THIS FAILURE OCCURS WITHOUT ANY WARNING AND SOMETIMES THE POWER STEERING LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED IN ORDER TO REGAIN POWER STEERING, HE MUST PULL OVER AND RE-START THE VEHICLE. THE FIRST TIME THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, THEY STATED IT NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED OR RECALIBRATED, WHICH DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THE SECOND TIME THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. ON 2 SEPARATE OCCASIONS, THE DEALER REPLACED THE POWER STEERING GEAR AND INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT DUE TO A NOISE BEING HEARD WHEN MAKING TURNS AND ACCELERATING. *JB

WAS HEADING TO A WEDDING 200 MILES FELT A FUNNY VIBRATION IN THE FRONT END PULLED OVER THEN THE DASH LIT UP LIKE A CHRISTMAS TREE THE WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON THE STEREO DISPLAY READ POWER STEERING STARTED DINGING. TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE TO CHECK POWER STEERING PUMP FOUND OUT DIDN'T HAVE ONE. TURNED AROUND TO COME HOME CALLED THE GROOM SO HE COULD FIND NEW BESTMAN NIGHT BEFORE WEDDING. CALLED GMAC WHEN I GOT HOME AND THEY TOLD ME I HAD TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC DONE THE VEHICLE GOT UP THE NEXT DAY WENT TO THE DEALER THEY TOLD ME I NEEDED A NEW STEERING COLUMN CHARGED ME $70 TO TELL ME WHAT I ALREADY NEW BECAUSE I READ THE REPORTS. THE DEALER WANTED TO CHARGE ME $600 TO REPLACE IT. I HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH THE DEALER AND GMAC TO FIX THE PROBLEM BECAUSE I FEEL I SHOULD...

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AT 10 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED THREE TIMES. THE ENGINE SIZE AND PURCHASE DATE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 40,500.

POWER STEERING WAS DISPLAYED ON MESSAGE CENTER AND A LIGHT WITH VEHICLE AND WRENCH CAME ON FOR A SHORT PERIOD. DIAGNOSTICS WERE PERFORMED AND FOUND CODE CC0460. THIS WAS TRACED TO A SHORTED STEERING SENSOR. THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE WHOLE STEERING COLUMN BECAUSE THE SENSOR IS PART OF THE ASSEMBLY. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE POWER STEERING LIGHT BEING DISPLAYED ON THE MESSAGE CENTER AND THEN THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT ON THE CAR. MY POWER STEERING DID NOT GO OUT ON THE CAR BECAUSE I DROVE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP RIGHT AWAY. I WAS WONDERING IF THERE IS A RECALL OR SERVICE BULLETINS ON THIS PROBLEM TO OFF SET THE COST OF REPAIRS FOR THE SENSOR, WHICH HAS TO BE REPLACED WITH A WHOLE STEERING COLUMN, FOR A TOTAL OF $850.12 IN PARTS AND LABOR. THANK YOU. *JB

2004 MALIBU CUSTOMER HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH LOSS OF ELECTRIC POWER STEERING AND WANTS OUT OF THE LEASE WITHOUT PENALTY**CC THE RADIO WAS INOPERATIVE, THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS INOPERATIVE AT TIMES, IT WOULD TURN OFF, BUT NOT ENGAGE. THE PCM WAS REPLACED. THE PASSENGER SIDE DIRECTIONAL LIGHTS AND BRAKE LIGHTS WERE INOPERATIVE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BULBS. THE HEATED SEATS CAME ON BY THEMSELVES. THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT WAS REPLACED, BECAUSE THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A NOISE WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. THE TRANSMISSION COOLING LINES WERE LEAKING, THE REAR DEFOGGER ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS INOPERATIVE. WHEN THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE ON INTERMITTENT, THEY WOULD GO FULL SPEED BY THEMSELVES. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE'S POWER STEERING LOCKED UP. THE SERVICE DEALER DETERMINED THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW STEERING COLUMN TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE. UPDATED 12/15/2006 - *NM

THE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED IN APRIL OF 2005 AS A RESULT OF A RECALL STATING THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST CAN FAIL WITHOUT WARNING. UP TO THIS TIME, NO ACTUAL FAILURE HAD OCCURRED. IN SEPTEMBER OF 2006 THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED FOR THE FIRST TIME AS DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL NOTICE. SIMULTANEOUS WITH THE FAILURE, AN AUDIBLE BEEPING OCCURRED AND A FAILURE MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED ON THE CONSOLE. RE-STARTING THE CAR WILL CORRECT THE PROBLEM TEMPORARILY, BUT IT RECURS ON A REGULAR BASIS. BOTH THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER REFUSE TO REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN AT THEIR EXPENSE BECAUSE IT WAS DONE ONCE IN 2005. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE STEERING LOCKED UP ON 2 SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THE ELECTRIC STEERING HAS LOST POWER AND THE WHEELS BECOME LOCKED. BOTH TIMES THE DEALER HAS REPLACED THE RACK PINION ROD, BUT THE CONTACT EXPRESS THAT THIS WILL HAPPEN AGAIN AND WAS PROBABLY DUE TO A COMPONENT DEFECT.

POWER STEERING FAILED ON 2004 CHEVY MALIBU WITHOUT WARNING. I HAD TAKEN THE CAR IN ABOUT A MONTH AGO FOR FRONT ALIGNMENT ISSUES, THOUGHT THEY FIXED IT, BUT THE PROBLEM CAME BACK AND THEN POWER STEERING QUIT. *JB

DURING MY EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT WITH DELPHI AUTOMOTIVE (DELPHI SAGINAW STEERING SYSTEM, 3900 E. HOLLAND AVE., SAGINAW, MICHIGAN 48601), I WAS INSTRUCTED TO CONDUCT A SCREW "STRIP-OUT" STUDY ON THE ELECTRIC MOTOR/CONTROLLER ASSEMBLY OF THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING (EPS) SYSTEM OF THE GENERAL MOTOR'S EPSILON PLATFORM (MY 2003.5 - 2006 MALIBU). THIS STUDY WAS CONDUCTED IN MAY OF 2004 AT DELPHI'S PLANT 1, EPS ASSEMBLY. THE STUDY INCLUDED TEN PRODUCTION MOTOR AND TEN PRODUCTION CONTROLLER ASSEMBLIES THAT WERE ASSEMBLED ON THE PRODUCTION EQUIPMENT AND PROCESS(ES). THE CONTROLLER IS ATTACHED TO MOTOR BY THREE M 5.0X 0.8 SCREWS. THE RESULT OF THAT STUDY CONCLUDED THAT FOUR OF THE TEN MOTOR/CONTROLLER ASSEMBLIES HAD AT LEAST ONE OF THE SCREWS FULLY STRIPPED WITH LESS THAN 50% OF THE DESIGN INTENDED RETENTION AND WITH TWO ASSEMBLIES WITH TWO FULLY STRIPPED SCREWS. THIS REPORT WAS SHARED WITH MY IMMEDIATE ENGINEERING MANAGER WHOM THEN REPORTED TO SEVERAL...

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. AFTER INSPECTION THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE COMPUTER CHIP IN THE ELECTRONIC STEERING SYSTEM. AFTERWARDS THERE WAS A KNOCKING SOUND WHILE TURNING. ALTHOUGH THE DEALER REPLACED THE STEERING SHAFT THE KNOCKING CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE STEERING RACK AND PINION IS BEING REPLACED.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING AT 35 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO VEER TO THE LEFT LANE. WHILE TRYING TO RECOVER INTO THE CORRECT LANE, THE VEHICLE WENT OVER A GUARDRAIL AND OVER A RAVINE. THE DRIVER WAS NOT INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT FILED. THE CONTACT HAS SEEN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET CONCERNING SIMILAR POWER STEERING PROBLEMS. THE CONTACT REPORTS NO PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. THE COSUMER STATED THE ENGINE ALSO ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. UPDATED 05/10/06

ELECTRONICALLY ASSISTED STEERING QUIT WORKING WHILE TURNING INTO OUR DRIVEWAY AND CHECK ENGINE OR OTHER WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS FINALLY STOPPED AND THE ENGINE TURNED OFF AND THEN BACK ON. PROBLEM CLEARED AFTER THIS INCIDENT. WE'VE ONLY HAD THE VEHICLE FOR TWO WEEKS. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING DURING THIS INCIDENT AND IS THE PRIMARY DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE. I'M CONCERNED WITH THE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS I'VE SEEN ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE FROM OTHERS, THAT SHE MAY BE IN DANGER THE NEXT TIME THIS HAPPENS AT HIGHER SPEEDS OR ON A CORNER. *NM

LOST POWER STEERING TWICE IN ONE DAY. THIS IS THE FOURTH AND FIFTH TIMES THE PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED. *JB

STEERING WHEEL OSCILLATED BACK AND FORTH WHILE VEHICLE WAS ON, BUT STOPPED; HAPPENED AGAIN WHILE BACKING OUT OF PARKING SPACE; ABOUT 5 MINUTES INTO 15 MINUTE DRIVE HOME (GOING 10 MPH); VEHICLE FELT LIKE IT WAS PULLING LEFT SO IT TOOK MORE STEERING EFFORT TO TURN WHEEL RIGHT; HAD STEERING COLUMN REPLACED AUGUST 19, 2004.

SLOWED DOWN TO ABOUT 5 MPH TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN INTO PARKING LOT. COMPLETED 90 DEGREE TURN INTO PARKING LOT AND STARTED TO SLOW DOWN TO COME TO A STOP WHEN SHE FELT THE WHEEL STIFFEN (STEERING ' FELT OFF'); STARTED UP TO MAKE A 90 DEGREE RIGHT TURN (NEEDED TO MAKE A 90 DEGREE RIGHT TURN FOLLOWED BY A QUICK 90 DEGREE LEFT TURN). AS SHE TRIED TO TURN WHEEL, SHE COULD ONLY MOVE THE WHEEL FROM 12-1 O'CLOCK SO SHE JUST COASTED INTO A PARKING AREA (CAR COVERED A COUPLE OF PARKING SPOTS). STEPPED ON BRAKES AS SHE COASTED TO A STOP SINCE SHE FELT AS THOUGH SHE HAD NO STEERING. TOWED TO DEALER, WHO REPLACED STEERING SOLUMN AGAIN.

PROBLEMS WITH POWER STEERING AND AIR BAGS ON 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT IN WHICH THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. WHILE DRIVING THE POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING. *NM

THE POWER STEERING LOCKS AND CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO PULL TO THE LEFT, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED FOR REPAIR, BUT THEY FAIL TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM.*AK

WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING. THE CONSUMER MANAGED TO DRIVE TO A AUTO SHOP. THE PROBLEM WAS REPAIRED. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *JB

ON OR ABOUT 01/15/05 THE POWER STEERING GAME OUT WHILE DRIVING. THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, CAR WAS TAKEN TO DEALER ON 01/17/05. DEALER CHANGED THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN, VEHICLE WAS PICKED UP A DAY LATER. ON 01/21/05 STEERING GAVE OUT AS BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVE WAY AND ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. CAR WAS TURNED OFF AND ON AND POWER STEERING WORKED AGAIN. CAR WAS TURNED BACK IN TO DEALERSHIP WHERE AFTER 3-4 DAY I WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO RECORD OF ANY DEFECTS. *NM

THE ELECTRONIC STEERING IN MY 2004 MALIBU FAILED WHILE THE CAR WAS IN OPERATION. IT HAD BEEN JERKING WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. I TOOK IT IN AND THEY SAID IT WAS PROBABLY WATER/DAMPNESS CAUSING THE JERKING. THEN IT FAILED WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND THEY REPLACED THE PARTS UNDER WARRANTY. *JB

I OWN A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. AT PRESENT TIME, I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE STEERING COLUMN REPLACED TWICE, DUE TO INTERMITTENT POWER STEERING FAILURE AND A CONSTANT PULL TO THE LEFT. THE FIRST TIME WAS AT APPROXIMATELY 8800 MILES, THE SECOND TIME AT 17700 MILES. I HAVE ALSO HAD TO HAVE THE BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS REPLACED TWICE. THE BRAKES STILL MAKE A RUBBING NOISE IN THE RIGHT FRONT, HOWEVER THE DEALERS TELLS ME THEY CANNOT FIX THAT. THE CAR CURRENTLY HAS 18000 MILES ON IT. I STILL HAVE STEERING ISSUES, SUCH AS TWITCHES IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND THUNKS AND CLUNKS WHEN DRIVING. I AM VERY UNCOMFORTABLE DRIVING THE CAR BECAUSE I AM AFRAID THE STEERING WILL GO OUT AGAIN. *NM

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING WITH MY DAUGHTER ON BOARD,TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH PREPARING TO STOP AT APPROACHING TRAFFIC LIGHT,ALL OF A SUDDEN THE STEERING WHEEL "FROZE" AND WOULD NOT MOVE. WHEN SHE FINALLY STOPPED THE CAR,SHE TURNED THE ENGINE OFF. NEEDLESS TO SAY SHE WAS TERRIBLY FRIGHTENED. AFTER A FEW MINUTES SHE RESTARTED THE CAR AND THE STEERING WAS OK. I HATE TO THINK WHAT MIGHT HAVE HAPPENED IF SHE HAD BEEN ON THE EXPRESS SWAY AT THE TIME. NOW SHE IS AFRAID TO DRIVE HER OWN CAR. THE CAR IS A 2004 MALIBU. *NM

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE VEHICLE WOULD LOSE POWER STEERING INTERMITTENTLY, MAKING IT HARD TO STEER. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.*AK

THE STEERING ON THIS CAR IS SUBJECT TO REPEATED OSCILLATION AT IDLE, SLOW AND MODERATE SPEEDS. THE LONGER THE CAR IS DRIVEN ON ONE TRIP THE WORSE THE PROBLEM BECOMES. THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING OVER A PERIOD OF TIME, BUT IT IS TO THE POINT THAT THE CAR IS NOT DRIVABLE. CHEVROLET HAS A SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THEIR SERVICE DEPARTMENTS, BUT NO CUSTOMER NOTIFIATIONS. THE SERVICE WRITER AT MY SERVICE DEALERSHIP, DAVE MCDERMOTT CHEVROLET, EAST HAVEN, CT, HAS SAME CAR, SAME PROBLEM AND REPLACED THE STEERING COMPONENTS BECAUSE SHE KNOWS OF THE PROBLEM. THE FAILURE TODAY (01/11) AND YESTERDAY (01/10) CAUSED THE STEERING TO LOCK UP AND A "WRENCH" IDIOT LIGHT DISPLAYED ON THE DASHBOARD. THAT WAS CORRECTED BY STOPPING THE CAR, PLACING IT IN PARK, TURNING THE IGNITION OFF AND THEN RESTARTING THE CAR. *AK ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING FAILURE. *SC

ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS AND NUMEROUS STARTING PROBLEMS. WHILE DRIVING, THE DOOR LOCKS UNLOCKED, ENGINE DIES WITH NO WARNING. *BF NAR *JLS THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP, THE HAZARD LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING, THE ALARM WOULD GO OFF, THE POWER REAR VIEW MIRRORS WERE INOPERATIVE, THE VEHICLE WOULD BUCK AND SURGE, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SHAKE, THE VEHICLE WOULD START ROUGH AND THE TACHOMETER WOULD BOUNCE. *SC *JB

POWER STEERING LIGHT COMES ON CONSISTENTLY. ALSO, STEERING WHEEL LOCKS WHILE DRIVING.*AK

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED STEERING AND TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. THE STEERING WENT OUT, FORCING THE VEHICLE TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD AND INTO AN EMBANKMENT. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A SERVICE CENTER. TRANSMISSION WILL NOT ENGAGE INTO THE INTERLOCK. IF GOING INTO REVERSE AND CHANGING INTO DRIVE IT WAS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL VEHICLE. CONSUMER MUST USE ABOUT 45 LBS OF PRESSURE TO GET THE GEAR SHIFT TO OPERATE SMOOTHLY. ALSO, VEHICLE WAS HAVING BRAKE PROBLEMS. CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON AN OFF RAMP AND APPLIED THE BRAKES DOWN TO THE FLOOR. VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN BUT DID NOT STOP COMPLETELY. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALERSHIP, WHO TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT THERE WAS A BRAKE RECALL, AND THAT THE BRAKE PROBLEM WAS ELECTRICAL. THE BRAKES WERE ELECTRONICALLY PROGRAMMED CONTROLLED. *AK RECALL CAMPAIGN; 04V190000. SUMMARY: SOME OF THESE PASSENGER VEHICLES HAVE AN ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU) THAT MAY CALCULATE A HIGHER...

WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS ELECTRIC STEERING FAILED THREE TIMES. AS A RESULT, THERE WAS A THUMPING NOISE WHEN ATTEMPTING TO TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION. *AK *TT

WHEN THE CONSUMER MADE A RIGHT TURN ONTO THE FREEWAY, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND PULLED OVER. THE CONSUMER TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AND RESTARTED IT AND DROVE HOME. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MECHANIC FOR AN APPOINTMENT. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB

THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING CONTROL WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE POWER STEERING MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *JB THE ADJUSTER ASSEMBLY ON THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT WAS REPLACED.

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

WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEED OF 65-70 MPH VEHICLE MOMENTARILY LOST POWER STEERING. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO FOUND THAT THE STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK

(1) WAS DRIVING WHEN SUDDENLY POWER STEERING QUIT WORKING. (2) POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON AND VEHICLE WAS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER. (3) CALLING SEALERSHIP TOMORROW, INSURANCE AGENT SAID TO REPORT TO YOU IMMEDIATELY AS THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS STARTING TO OCCUR IN MALIBUS. *JB EA04018_CAT

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED. AS A RESULT, STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT.*AK EA04018_CAT

WHILE DRIVING ALONG, HEARD SYSTEM WARNING, LOOKED AT MESSAGE CENTER DISPLAY WHICH SAID" POWER STEERING" AND REALIZED I HAD NO POWER STEERING. I DROVE SLOWLY IN THE LANE THAT WOULD REQUIRE NO CHANGING LANES, SLOWED DOWN DRAMATICALLY AND MUSCLED MY WAY THROUGH EACH TURN IN ORDER TO GET HOME. I WILL TAKE THE CAR TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF THE DEALERSHIP IN THE MORNING.*AK EA04018_CAT

VEHICLE PULLED OVER/OFF THE ROAD WHEN THE POWER STEERING FAILED. CHECKED UNDER THE HOOD, BUT THERE WAS NO SIGN OF APPARENT MALFUNCTION. TOOK VEHICLE DEALER FOR CHECK UP.*AK EA04018_CAT

WHILE DRIVING THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH. *NM FAILURE OF ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING SYSTEM. STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AS CONSUMER BACKED OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY. AFTER SERVICE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY HEAVY AND VERY HARD TO TURN. *TC

2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU LT VIN # [XXX] - ODOMETER READING 4320 MILES - VEHICLE PURCHASED 1/31/04. DURING NORMAL CITY DRIVING WARNING LIGHT CAME ON, ALSO NDICATED A PROBLEM WITH POWER STEERING. IMMEDIATE TOTAL LOSS OF POWER STEERING - HUSBAND ABLE TO PULL OFF WITH GREAT DIFFICULTY INTO A PARKING LOT. VEHICLE DRIVEN TO A DEALERSHIP - NO SERVICE AVAILABLE ON WEEKENDS. WHEN VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED THE POWER STEERING WAS ONCE AGAIN OPERATIONAL, AND WAS DRIVEN 60 MILES HOME. VEHICLE WAS THEN DRIVEN 25 MILES TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP (WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED) - NO DIAGNOSTIC CHECK/REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT OF PARTS AS YET. *AK [XXX] UPDATED 07/26/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

I WAS DRIVING STRAIGHT DOWN AN INTERSTATE WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL MADE SMALL JERKING MOTIONS TO THE RIGHT AND MADE A GRINDING NOISE. WHEN I EXITED THE INTERSTATE AND WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT THE STEERING WHEEL CONTINUED TO JERK ON ITS OWN. THIS CONTINUED INTERMINTELY FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS. THEN I WAS TURNING INTO A GAS STATION AND THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. AFTER I RESTARTED THE CAR I HAD POWER STEERING AGAIN. I TOOK IT TO THE CREST CHEVROLET AND THEY REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN AND SENSOR ASSEMBLY #10373948: COLUMN KI (06518-PC). EA04018_CAT