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.
The consumer felt severe vibrations in the steering column. The vehicle could not be controlled normally by the steering column. The dealer examined the vehicle and replaced the steering column. The vehicle already had three steering columns replaced on the vehicle since February. The steering column recently locked up and caused the consumer to jump the curb and almost struck several pedestrians. There were no injuries involved but there was some damage done to the vehicles bumper. Pe04031_cat
I was in the middle of an intersection making a left turn, and my check engine" light engaged, my center information console read "power steering", and my steering became very stiff. I managed to get the vehicle to my home (less than 1 mile away), and had the vehicle towed to bob bell Chevrolet (East point) location. The car was out of service until January 29, 2004, at which time I signed a repair order that states that the service department found "code 0545", and replaced the power steering column. This service as covered by my factory warranty, since the car was only 90 days old. On June 7, 2004, again while making a left turn in the middle of a very busy intersection (philadelphia road and rossville blvd in rosedale, md), my power steering failed in the same exact manner as the previous occurance. However, this was more serious because I nearly hit a Ford F-150 head on. I had the vehicle again towed to bob bell Chevrolet-eastpoint. They are now stating that the problem has been fixed again, but I am not picking the car up because I am too scared to drive it. I have filed a claim with the BBB, sent a certified letter to gmac (return receipt requested), and verbally filed a case with gmac customer relations (1-224-501-301). Pe04031_cat
Power steering failure while vehicle in motion. Occurred approx. 10 times since purchase 6 months ago. Power steering usually resumes after vehicle turned off for a few minutes. No damage/injuries. Left vehicle at dealership May 26, 2004. After two days, service dept. Claimed they could not replicate, therefore they could not resolve. Told me to bring it back when it happens more frequently. At various speeds, power steering failed approx 5 times between 5/26 & 6/3. took vehicle back to dealership 6/7, where it remains. Service dept. Now says it's a "known issue" and placed an order for a new steering column. Pe04031_cat.
I purchased my 2004 Malibu from frank parra Chevrolet in dallas, tx. I spoke with the service advisor there to inform them of the steering issue. When you turn either direction the car will continue in that direction unless you manually turn it to center your self. The advisor told me that it could be one of two things 1) the Contour of the road, 2) how the car was tied down on the deliver truck that has caused the alignment to be out of wack. If the second response is true then wait for 500 miles, if the steering doesn't change then they will perform a all wheel alignment on it. Well 500 miles came and went and there was no change in the steering. The advisor says the the head technician stated due to the steering being electrical that is how it will drive, it is perfectly normal. I didn't like that response so I spoke with the manager of the service department and he suggested that I test drive another vehicle to see if there was a difference. I did that and the newer vehicle drove totally different than mine but the advisor refused to do anything about it so a couple of weeks later the steering locked up while driving on the freeway at 65 miles per hour. I had absolutely no power to the steering. Fortunately I was on my way to another dearlership and they checked it out for me but once you turned the vehicle off and on again the power came back. Since then I have had the maintenance light come on for service. It has been checked out and serviced. The steering is still returning to center after directional turns. Pe04031_cat.
I have a 6 mos old 2004 Chevy Malibu ltv6 (10,000 miles). The electric steering is giving me some concerns. When I'm at a stop light the wheel wants to turn. Not far just more like a shake back and forth. If you let go you can see and hear it rattle. Probably moves 1/4 inch. Back and forth. Then if you really pay attention you can feel it when you are driving. Finally, the power steering cut off all together at high speeds. This all happened after the car sat in a parking lot for 8 days. Any idea's? pe04031_cat
- Palm Coast, FL, USA
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
I had noticed while driving that the words "power steering" had come across my display and an orange light with a wrench came up on the dash in the bottom left corner. When I first noticed this problem a few months ago, I took the car back to the dealer where I purchased the car. They told me the sensors were faulty, and they need to replace them. To my knowledge they replaced the sensors in the stirring column. I thought the problem was fixed. Today while I was sitting still in a drive through at a restaurant, the light came on again, and I saw "power steering" come across the display again. My car became extremely hard to turn and I drove it to the nearest Chevrolet dealership which was about 2 miles away from the restaurant. One of the workers at the dealership drove my car into the area where they repair them and the light went off, but came back on. I am still waiting to find out what caused this problem. I also have had a problem with my air conditioner button getting stuck in position. Pe04031_cat
Stopped at a service station to refuel, when I restarted the auto and started to leave, the "service vehicle soon light" came on, a chime sounded, and the"driver information center displayed the following message"power steering" the steering wheel became very difficult to turn. I turned off the auto and restarted. Everything appeared normal but a few minutes later, the problem repeated. I was only 1 mile from home and was able to drive the car home but with great difficulty steering.the following day I started the car an let it run for 10 minutes but the problem did not repeat. I have not driven the car since 5/29/2004. On 06/01/2004 I drove the car to the dealer(distance:1-1/2 miles) jackson Chevrolet, South main St middletown, ct. 06457 the problem did not occur. I am presently waiting for the service dept. To call me.the reason I am sending you this complaint before I hear from the dealer, is: I have read 25 other complaints on your web site about 2004 Chevrolet Malibu electric assist power steering and it appears that neither the dealers or Chevrolet division of General Motors really knows why this is happening or has a 100% fix! there is no dought in my mind that this is a very serious safety issue and I hope you get Chevrolet division of General Motors to get this problem fixed fast or get these Malibu's off the road before someone gets into a serious accident or still worse, gets killed!! pe04031_cat
While driving the vehicle suddenly lost power steering which made it turning the steering wheel very difficult. The dealership replaced the power steering, but the problem still exist. Pe04031_cat
While driving at any speed steering whee shook violently four times in four weeks. Dealer has examined the vehicle and will replace the steering column. Pe04031_cat
My power steering fails while driving. This happens many times. I have to stop the car and restart it to bring back the power steering. It will work for awhile, then fail again at a random time. Pe04031_cat
While driving 35 mph driver lost power steering. Consumer was able to maintain control of the vehicle and pulled over. Consumer turned off the vehicle, restarted it, and drove vehicleto the dealer for inspection. Dealer was unable to resolve the problem. Pe04031_cat
Had power steering fail on three occasions. Service light comes on in dashboard (car with wrench) and "power steering" displayed on information center. Steering became very difficult. After pulling over, turned off ignition. When restarted, everything normal. Both occurences at slow speed, thank goodness! brake warning light appeared intermittently on panel, and directionals did not work. Turned off ignition and restarted - all back to normal. Brought to dealer, who had for over 1 week. Replaced "BCM" (body control module) and rerouted harness to obtain slack in cable. Three days after service, power-steering problem occured again. Currently returning for service. This problem is a definite safety hazard. Pe04031_cat
Engine check light came on, and the steering went out. It did not move in either direction. Vehicle was towed to the dealer, who claimed it was too soon to determine any defect. Pe04031_cat
While driving, the power steering failed. The consumer explained that the steering became extremely difficult. Pe04031_cat a component was replaced in the steering column. The consumer stated the power steering is electrical.
There is a rattling noise in the steering wheel when turning like something is loose. Dealership serviced the vehicle twice before hearing the problem. Dealership indicated a part needed to be replaced and ordered the part. The consumer has been waiting for 4 months for the dealership to receive the part and install it. Pe04031_cat
April 17, 2004 experienced jerking in steering of 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. Additionally, steering wheel felt tight in turns. Had car towed to dealer. Dealer released car back to me on Tuesday, April 20, 2004. Informed me that they could not reproduce effect and computer diagnosis was negative for a problem. April 21, 2004, steering completly locked on me while in busy intersection of bradenton, Florida. Car towed to same Chevrolet dealership. April 22, 2004, car released to me after dealership (cox chevorlet) installed new steering column. Dealer service rep and service manager stated they had seen similar problems with the 2004 Malibu, however, I was the first customer who was forced off road. Dealer rep and service manager reported to me that they had contact General Motors about my original problem and were told not to make repairs without reproducing problem or computer diagnosis verifying a problem. Pe04031_cat
While driving at highway speeds steering wheel pulled to the left. Consumer had the problem fixed once before, but the mechanic did not resolve the problem. Pe04031_cat
Vehicle suddenly lost power steering while driving at 55 mph. This occurred without warning, and the steering wheel became difficult to turn. Dealership indicated that the first set of these vehicles that came from the factory had steering problem. Pe04031_cat
While driving at any speed and without warning, the vehicle lost power steering. This problem happened four times in four months. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, who replaced the steering column unit. Also, the ABS light came on and the brakes made a screeching noise when depressed. The dealer replaced the ABS module and front brake hubs. Although the repairs had been done, the same problems recurred. There were electrical failures with the dash dimmer switch and headlight dimmer, the keyless entry needed to be replaced and grease leaked from the left front wheel. Pe04031_cat
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Virginia Beach, VA, USA