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.
I purchased a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu ls in April of 2004. Since that time there have been many safety issues with this vehicle. The first of the issues was the brakes locking up while driving the vehicle. The dealership repaired this under a recall along with some seat belt and air bag related recalls. The vehicle has also never steered correctly and the electronic steering column has been replaced three times. I currently have around 33,000 miles on the car now and the steering has failed again. I will have it towed to the dealership this week to see if they can ever repair the steering issues. There were also issues of the key getting stuck in the ignition and the shifter moving out of the park position without any keys in the ignition. I also sued GM for $6,500 - according to the attorney GM would not buy back the vehicle. In my opinion this vehicle is not safe at all. I am afraid to drive it.
Steering wheel quivers when stopped, check steering displayed, power steering went out (1st time service 10/28/04) thump noise when turning (2nd time service 08/29/05) both service orders state replace failed steering column. Vehicle is making the same thump noise again so it will be taken in for 3rd time service.
I was driving the steering column shut down on me while driving, the second time the steering column was jerking and the third time I could hear clunking noise coming from the vehicle.
I have a 2004 Chevy mailbu ls and it has been about a month ago I was driving and w/out any notice the power steering column broke. And on today I tried to retrive a report on-line to find out if this car has giving anyone else a problem and it sure has. About a couple months before I purchase it had been in the dealership getting service. I no that it this is not very safe because I almost got rear ended and I had to turn so deep because the power steering went out right on the spot that I could have got hit from the front as well. There was no accident but who knows the next time so I will like it to be noted that this is a serious problem
The car cut off while I was driving and in heavy traffic more than once. There was no warning that this would happen. The car was serviced before for this problem but it continued to happen. I have had 3 recalls, the horn fuse has been replaced twice, and the blinker is currently out. The steering collar has also been replaced. This car was supposed to be a new car.
- Detroit, MI, USA
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I have a 2004 Chevy Malibu ls, it is not yet 18 months old and I have to bring it in for the 2nd steering column replacement this Monday. I have done some research and have found out that hundreds of people have had similar/worse problems with sterring. Some examples include complete loss of steering, loss of power steering, a loud thudding sound when turning th wheel during right turns (this is what my car has been doing), I had my 2nd steering column put in my car in Nov 04, when my car was 10 months old, I now am having the same problem/sound again and need to bring it in for a 3rd steering column, meaning it came with a defective one, was evidently repaired with a defective one and who knows what will happen 6 months from now. I am very concerned about this. I have spoken to my dealership, filed a complaint with Chevy and was told by both that have only issued "bulletins" for mechanics. I feel a recall should be considered as this is a very serious problem, loss of steering control should not be taken lightly. So, to wrap this up, I had my car for 10 months and needed a new steering column (11/04) now 6 months later I will be getting another. Please look into this dangerouse defect and feel free contact me if I can assist any further.
The steering column was replaced on my car twice since I purchased it in November of 2003. I lose all ability to steer at 60 mph and have to stop immediately.
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.
While driving about 5 minutes on back roads at 35-40 mph there was vibration in steering wheel. It would jerk back and forth about 1/2" each way. Tried to turn right, but steering wheel would only turn to between 2 and 3 O'clock. However, it took all consumer's effort to even turn that much. Saw wrench light up, heard ding, and saw power steering on radio. Was able to get vehicle into gas station parking lot, about 3 minutes after she felt jerking. Restarted vehicle, and steering was fine. It happened about 3 weeks later again, the third time in about 2 weeks while consumer was in driveway. Dealer replaced the steering column. Ea04018_cat
While driving on highway at 50 mph steering jerked from side to side, nearly losing control. When on regular street problem was not so noticeable. Also, heard continuous knocking noises when making turns. Have taken vehicle to dealer, and mechanic replaced steering column. It worked for awhile but got worse in September. Took vehicle back to dealer, and mechanic replaced the rack and pinion. It partially resolved problem, but knocking continued. Took vehicle back, and mechanic replaced the steering shaft. Knocking noise was not resolved. Ea04018_cat
The vehicle became hard to start. It has been an ongoing problem. The power steering locked on the highway at 20 mph. After pulling off the road and restarting the vehicle and getting it to the dealer, they replaced the steering column. No defects were found on the starting problems. Now the vehicle accelerates on its own. Ea04018_cat
Vehicle 3 times would not start. Took into dealer and was told they could not find anything. On 9/5/04 was driving and the car made a ding ding and steering wheel locked. Stopped and turn car off and back on and was okay. Two days later was making a left hand turn and again the ding ding and steering wheel locked. Had car towed to dealer. Dealer called and said they had to replaced steering column and would call when complete. Dealer called and said steering column was replaced but new steering column during same thing. Currently I have a rental from dealer ship. Ea04018_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
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 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 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.
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
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Forked River, NJ, USA