I am on Rack and Steering replacement #2, and general steering assembly #3, that's right... the car only has 130k on it and steering has now gone completely FIVE TIMES! I get the car serviced by Chev, and the last time the shop guy had the balls to ask me IF I TURN LEFT MORE THAN I TURN RIGHT and maybe THAT'S THE PROBLEM!!!!! My extended warranty has now run out, and the Chev shop told me the last time I was in that they weren't willing to replace the parts again under warranty anyway, as if it was my fault somehow. Clearly this car's steering is a significant problem and it's time Chev acknowledged that (especially since we, the public, actually OWN them now, can you say give me my bail-out money back!).

After having this problem "fixed" 2 times in the past under warranty it came back like never before. The dealership said they were going to have to replace the whole steering under the car and the steering column would have to come out as well. They said they contacted GM about my car and it's history and that GM agreed to cover all but approx. $500 of the repair. Here I am at less than 62,000 miles and the noise is back again. I don't see why GM doesn't recall these cars. Maybe it's because they don't know how to fix it? Both dealerships that have worked on this problem tell me there is no danger....just noise.

There was a lot of noise in the front end until I lubricated the 3 areas of the steering column. Here is how I fixed my problem.

The .03" gap in the steering column located inside the vehicle under the steering wheel. I used regular oil like that used to lubricate bike chains. Removed the front left wheel to get to the other two areas. First, the large knuckle located about 6 inches from where the steering column comes through the wall. Use a lot of silicone grease and make sure it gets into the bearings. The third and last place is just under the large knuckle. About 4 inches and is the linkage for the steering column into the engine. Use a lot of the oil. I did this about 3 weeks ago and the noise is completely gone now. It took about a week for the noises to completely go away. The designers of the steering column could have done this car a lot of good if they paid more attention to this area. Good luck.

Clunk when turning steering wheel. Intermediate shaft replaced under warranty at 34,000 miles and problem has come back at 60,000 miles. Local garage informed me it was a known defect with no real fix. A GM service bulletin said to grease the shaft where it goes through the firewall (from the inside of the car). Another tech said to disconnect the bolt from the joint so the shaft can be moved in and out to get the grease where it needs to be. This will likely need to be done every year or 2. I have learned there is a redesigned intermediate shaft with a nylon bushing where the grease goes in the old style (from a tech at the GM dealership). Am trying to get GM to put in the new style under good will. Other wise will learn how to do this myself and grease it as part of routine maintenance. All agree there is no safety issue, just an annoyance.

well, fist of all, they had a recall on the steering column. They fixed it free of charge because of the recall. In about a month it had start clunking only when I turned left, so, therefore, I took it back to the dealership that can replace the steering column. They state that "that it was something that it was just going to do and don't worry about it". Now to me, that doesn't sound right. I bought my car brand new, plastic was still on the seats....come on now. I believe that there is something very wrong with the making of the 04's and they are not telling us, and that is dangerous. I think we should be eligible for a full refund for the purchase of the Malibu. We are paying for something that is supposed to be safe for our family, and with the clunk of the steering - that is not safe at all.

To follow up with the other complaints I have filed, at this point (early 2008) I believe my steering clunk is fixed. The dealer first replaced the rack and pinion under warranted. 3,000 miles later, the clunk in the steering column was back. I took the car in again, but this time the calendar warranty had expired. But, my miles were still low (16,000), so the dealer covered the repair again under what they called "good will." This time they replaced the "intermediate steering shaft". The car drives well now. I'm just hoping the repair is permanent and the clunking doesn't return. All in all I like the size, efficiency, and drive characteristics of this usable, low-priced car. I think they just had several kinks to work out and I should have waited a year in the model run to purchase one. I am appreciative of my local dealer, who expressed concern and seems to want to help make sure my car drives and operates appropriately.

Over time the steering system got loose and developed a clunk feeling when making sharp turns, left or right. This was hightly annoying to me, a car guy. It did not bother my wife, who considers cars but mere appliances. (She likens a car to a dishwasher in that regard.) Anyhow... The front end also seemed loose when going over bumps. I am out of warranty in July, 2007, so I took the car to the dealer for a check. I submitted a list of the related TSB's from this website. The service department replaced the rack and pinion, and realigned the car. The problem is now solved, but for how long? After all the car only has 13,000 miles on it. Why would a rack and pinion wear out in 13,000 miles? Oh, well. At least it's driving well now. Word to the wise... if your problem has been addressed by a TSB from the manufacturer, make sure the service department knows you are educated in that regard. Thanks, AutoBeef.

I had the steering system replaced in November 2006 at 37000 miles. After the repair the car continually clanked when you went over a bump (man-hole cover). Yesterday 6/12/2007 at 43,000 miles the car is back in the shop for an extreme clanking problem coming from the front end. The problem was diagnosed this time as the McPhereson struts and assemblys on both sides had worn out. The value of required service this time was about $400.00. Between the service in Nov 06 and June 07, the front end of a car that since Nov 07 had been driven about 6000 miles has cost the Warranty company over $1200.00 and my out of pocket has been about $300.00.