This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
While driving steering wheel locked up and the consumer lost power steering. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. Ea04018_cat (duplicates voq 10089025- same VIN/driver)
A knocking/clicking noise came from the steering wheel/column when turning. Vehicle had been to the dealer, and dealer replaced steering shaft, but problem recurred. Ea04018_cat deleted EA04018 annotation - have not validated this is second power steering loss incident cat
While driving service message indicated to consumer that power steering column failed. As result, consumer had to restart the vehicle. The dealership reset the computer three times, but problem recurred. Ea04018_cat
1) first failure at 4589 miles. While driving 60 mph on winding two lane road at night. Warning chime sounded, "wrench" and "power steering failure" appeared. Within a few seconds the ps completely failed making vehicle very hard to drive. Dealer contacted factory rep then ordered and installed new column. 2) second failure at 9870 miles. Turning as I backed out of driveway, ps failed. Stopped and turned engine off. Called dealer. Started car and it was fine. Dealer replaced column again. 3) third failure at 10167 miles. While driving up a steep, winding two lane mountain road near here with heavy Saturday afternoon traffic, ps became stiff and then there was some involuntary movement back and forth. I do not know whether warnings sounded, I was too busy trying to avoid traffic while looking for a place to get it off the road. Called dealer and was towed to shop some 20 miles away. Subsequent checks and extensive test driving found no stored codes and no malfunctions. Dealer said he could not help me any further and suggested I call GM customer satisfaction, which I did and the formal complaint process is in progress. The tow truck driver also noticed that the steering was very stiff while loading the car. Since my wife and I feel strongly that the car is not safe, she does not drive it and I drive it carefully and slowly only as necessary. Ea04018_cat
While stopped at a red light the vehicles tilt steering unlocked without warning. As a result the vehicle began to roll forward even with the brakes applied. The vehicles ABS light would illuminate when the vehicle was driven. The light would go off once the vehicle was parked, turned off then turned back on.
- Jamaica, NY, USA
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
Power steering assist failure while driving. Speed approximately 45 mph, travelling in a straight line. Was able to get the vehicle (2004 chev Malibu lt) home, but exit ramps and corners very difficult to navigate. Problem cleared with turning off and restarting motor. This was the second occurrence. Ea04018_cat
The incident happened twice. The first time occurred in a low speed turn. The first incident occurred 2 months ago. The second occurred while stopped at a traffic light. In the second incident, all electric power steering assistance was lost suddenly making the vehicle difficult to steer. A warning indicator "wrench/car" shows, audio alarm sounds, and a message is displayed on the radio message display "power steering off". I put the car in park. Shut off and restarted. Worked ok. Ea04018_cat
When turning the steering wheel to the right, I noticed a "scraping" sound from the steering column. This occurred several times and on the date that I was taking the car to have the problem investigated, the entire power steering went out (while traveling at about 35 mph) and I had extreme difficulty managing the vehicle. Fortunately, I was able to safely arrive in the parking lot of the dealership. I've been waiting for 3 days for this problem to be remedied and have yet to receive my car. I have been told by the dealership that they will probably need to replace the entire steering column, etc. I'm still waiting for the results. I really don't understand why GM hasn't notified customers that there is this potential since it seems that it could be dangerous. Ea04018_ cat
Both front side windows did not roll down. Also, a steering column problem. Vehicle pulled to left. Dealership inspected vehicle several times, and could not fix it. Ea04018_cat
While driving at 30 mph steering wheel locked up and wouldn't turn in any direction. When this occurred a wrench icon illuminated on the dashboard. Consumer veered off the highway, turned the vehicle off, and restarted it. This unlocked the steering wheel. A service representative indicated that was a common problem with these vehicles, that resulted in accidents. Ea04018_cat
Issues that arose with my 2004 Malibu July 7, 2004. These issues are still worrisome to me even though the problem has been addressed by the fort wayne kelley Chevrolet service people. Ea04018_cat. I encountered several dangerous issues with the automobile. The first issue occurred at a stop sign. I was completely stopped at the stop sign when my steering wheel started to pulsate uncontrollably. Upon acceleration it seemed to subside until I tried to turn left and at that time I had no control over my steering. I was able to get into the correct lane finally and thankfully I was only 1 mile from my home. As I turned into my neighborhood the steering once again began to pulsate leaving me without steering power and I had to break upon someoneS yard in order not to hit a child playing in the street. This is a huge concern. I immediately called kelley Chevrolet. We were addressed courteously yet I was still very anxious about what had happened&especially considering my daughter had a Malibu just like ours. I have a granddaughter who rides in that car and I was very nervous about the fact that this may also happen to my daughter. Kelley did address the problem promptly and gave us information concerning document id# 1521111 2004 Chevrolet Malibu service information ( noisy steering column, lack of power steering assist, dtcs C0460 and C0545, steering wheel moves slightly by itself #04-02-35-009-May 24, 2004) my steering wheel was not just noisy, it was pulsating to the point I could hardly hold it. Also the issue of the steering wheel moves slightly by itself is also a huge understatement. My steering wheel could be moved by me, however, my wheels did not turn in the direction of my steering. This is something GM must address. KelleyS took care of the problem but I am extremely apprehensive about my car or ever getting another Chevrolet with electronic steering. Ea04018_cat
Electronic power steering failed and steering column was defective. There was a five second warning that the power steering failed. It was very difficult to turn the steering wheel. Ea04018_cat
While driving at any speed power steering failed. This caused the driver to have difficulty in steering, but was able to maintain control of the vehicle. It was taken to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the steering column needed to be replaced. Ea04018_cat
While driving my 2004 Chevy Malibu my steering wheel started to jerk back and forth, this would happen when turning right. At low speeds. I also had the ABS brake light come on intermittently, the dealership was able to verify the brake light problem due to a recall and the steering also was verified. This resulted in replacement of the "rack is what the dealer called it." I have noticed this is a problem on many 2004 Malibu. Chevrolet had bettter look into thisand take appropriate action before it results in death and major legal action. Ea04018_cat.
Electric power steering failed and the vehicle became very difficult to steer. Sport Chevrolet said they had heard of this defect before. They told my wife to turn the car and then turn the car on again. This solved the problem. This "fix" leaves something to be desired, especially if you are driving on the highway. Ea04018_cat.
Traveling down street at low speed when a sudden but light jolt from the engine is felt. Moments later slowing down for a traffic light total lose of electrical power. This does not happen all the time. Vehicle is in for repairs on this date. Ea04018_cat
Driving the vehicle down the road at 45 mph. Everything was operating normally and all driving was normal. The steering wheel started moving violently to the right, pulling the wheel from my hand. While trying to slow the vehicle down to turn off the road, the steering was lost. I could not steer the vehicle. Approximately 15 seconds later; the car chimed, the check engine light came on, and on the computer display on the stereo the words "power steering" were displayed. At this time I was able to turn the vehicle off the road by using great force on the wheel. I did not get into an accident because the road was straight and had plenty off room and little traffic. The vehicle is new, purchased in Feb 2004 and has 10,500 miles on it. This is the first time this has happened. Ea04018_cat
While driving, the steering light flashed on the dashboard and the steering column was hard to steer. The consumer pulled over turned the vehicle off and restarted it. The steering light did not appear on the dashboard. The consumer drove the vehicle to the dealer for inspection and the mechanic informed the consumer that the diagnostic machine was not available. The mechanic recommended that the consumer call for an appointment to bring the vehicle in for testing. The consumer informed the mechanic that this problem occurred more than once. Pe04031_cat GM recommended that the consumer replace the steering column.
While making a right turn, the steering wheel failed. A light for the steering wheel flashed on the dashboard and remained on. The consumer was able to maintain control of the vehicle and drove it to the dealer. The mechanic informed the consumer that the cause of the problem had not been determined. Pe04031_cat the steering column was replaced.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Hixson, TN, USA