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.
2005 Malibu had steering clunks, rack&pinion replaced twice, steering shaft replaced, tie rods replaced, still clunks and bangs. General wander in steering even after all this. Service manager informed GM after a complaint that they could not find anything wrong this was after warranty expired.
I have a 2005 Chevy Malibu, bought brand new, I've had problems from the start with this car. The rack & pinion has been replaced twice. The hub bearings have had to be replaced, the rear stabilizer bar needs replacing. I have a gas cap issue, now to top it all off, I've been having issues where I am driving and I start to accelerate and the steering wheel locks up, I have been on the freeway several times when this happens. This is a very dangerous situation, GM will do nothing about this. They know that the 2005 Malibu is a dangerous car but will not recall at all.
Made a "pit stop" on way to work my car made a sound alert and "power steering" came on over my radio message window. 2 weeks ago steering felt loose turning left but a little stiff turning right but after a few days it was fine. This morning it happened again but today was the only day of the alert sound and message. Found it could be that the electric power steering column needs to be replaced cost ($600 - $1500). Power steering electric motor / control module / steering rack / failing sensor in steering column / voltage problem between the alternator & ignition coil assembly. I have printed out 11 pages of similar complaints and noticed the Chevy cobalt & other Chevy models had or are having a recall for the same complaints as the Chevy Malibu but the Malibu is not one of them. This problem can cause complete steering failure or just very hard steering (unpredicted) & can cause accidents. I'm still waiting to find out which expensive repair mine will be. I did find that if my VIN is between 5F100001 - 5F250216 that I need to call Chevy if my mileage is under 70,000 & they cover the cost of repair. I don't have my VIN as my car is in the shop now.
Over a period of about 6 weeks, our 2005 Chevy Malibu first start to display a power steering fluid low message on the instrument panel (on digital text readout). This vehicle does not have a fluid reservoir, it used electronic assist on the power steering. Initial, no noticeable issues were detected while driving the car. One day this display started to occur about every 30 seconds, with a beeping audit alert. Our daughter was driving the vehicle that afternoon, and when turning a corner there was a loss of power steering assistance. This was in town at low speeds, she was able to recover from the incident with no accident or damage. The vehicle was taken to the nearest dealership, keys Chevrolet for repairs. Repair order states "tested and found failed steering column motor". this vehicle was purchased used at about 39.000 miles, and was about 125 miles out of a GM certified 12 mo / 12,000 mile warranty. GM did not cover the repair, paid bill for total of $660.05 from our oen funds. In an internet review, this problem seems to be a common issue with owners of this year and model, and several people have reported damage after crashing into guardrails, etc. When this problem occurs.
The power steering locked up while I was making a right turn. The power steering notification went on the dash and the chime came on. The power steering is really hard to turn, and I mean hard. The car is only 5 years old as well. Its a 2005 Chevy Malibu.
- Racine, WI, USA
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I was driving my 2005 Chevrolet Malibu ls to pick up grandchildren at school when the dash power steering light came on. I parked the car and walked to get the children. Retrieving the vehicle afterwards, then started, the power steering light was off. At times the car has been hard to turn to the left. I took the car to the dealer and they told me it needs a new $1200 power steering unit to fix the problem. The internet is full of similar stories. Fourteen accidents thus far attributed to this. It's time to have a recall.
Lost power steering while going through round about, was empty at the time thankfully. Has happened 3 previous times all at slow speeds. I had to pull over and turn the car off and start it to get power steering back. The signal lights are constantly burning out, have replaced the bulbs 6 times in 3 years.
I have read alot of reviews on customers that are having problems with there Chevy Malibu's from 2004-2008. The main complaint is the steering column locking up with out warning. I experienced that myself and luckily I was driving at a low speed. My steering wheel vibrates after the car has stopped and threatens to lock up again. There should be a recall on cars from those years.
I purchased my Chevrolet Malibu 2005 new model in Feb. Of 2009 and shortly after, I started having problems with my power steering unit in my car. I have a very young child and that is not safe. My husband was looking on the internet and found a recall on the power steering unit for my vehicle. I called Chevy, and they told me that my car wasn't one of the ones that had the recall...then why am I having problems with my power steering? if you can help me that would be very much appreciated.
I have a 2005 Chevy Malibu with electric power steering. It fails intermittently. A chime sounds, and a light comes on the dtc. I looked online for any recalls, and GM did extend the warranty. When I took the car to my local GM dealer they said it was not covered. I think they still have a problem. [xxx], and the mileage is 62,000.
I received a recall on my 2005 Chevy cobalt on the electric power steering motor the same day the electric power steering motor went out on my 2005 Malibu I called Chevrolet and they said there is nothing wrong with the Malibu and it is not covered is this not the same thing?
I have a 2005 Chevy Malibu, purchased it in Jun 2005 used. Jumping forward, Nov 25, 2008, I was driving home and my steering wheel "snapped" and "popped" and was still going around in a circle, while car was still going straight. I had the vehicle towed, and come to find out, the rack and pinion needed to be fixed. Got that done. Then, August 2008, engine goes out. Mind you, both instances, I have been told that this has been a known issue with that model car. Got the engine fixed. Now, 3/26/2010, im driving and the power steering locks up! I have contacted Chevrolet about these incidents, and they were no help. Just told me to take the car to a dealership. Well, today, I found out on the web that there had been a special recall on my model car, between a certain VIN number, and this was around the time my steering went out before. When asking the rep "isabel" how can they issue recalls and not mail them to consumers, she told me that they didn't have to, if they were special notifications. How would the consumer know that there was a possible issue if we are not notified? she then proceeds to tell me about a new special notification on this same car on the fuel caps! my life is at stake in this car, and GM is aware of these issues, but no help. I also noticed on the web today that there are many customers complaining about the power steering issues on the same make and model vehicle, most are the same year, and GM is not willing to assist!
My sister was using my 2005 Chevrolet Malibu and when exiting the nys thruway she heard a chime, a light went on and the vehicle lost the power steering. Her husband in the passenger seat had to assit with steering. It was too difficult for my sister to steer by herself. They parked the car and shut it off. After a short time the car was turned on and the steering was fine. This problem only occured once to date although I have had steering problems in this vehicle since 2007. While under warranty the steering was lubed. After the warranty expired I have had over $981 in steering repairs at the dealer which included steering suspension shaft, steering ball joint and steering arm. The latest incident of the loss of power steering is a safety concern. Please investigate. I have read GM was recalling cobalts for this problem but no mention of the Malibu. The Malibu has the same problem.
We lose power steering with no warning on our 2005 Chevy Malibu- once/week. We brought it into our local dealer and they told us it was not covered and would cost $1200 to repair. The dealer however showed us a service bulletin that showed that this is a recurring problem on Malibu.
I have had several occasions where I have had a loss of power steering. A message will pop up on my dic saying "power steering" quite often but only occasionally I will have no steering at all.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact was driving 45 mph when the check engine light began to flash on the instrument panel indicating that the power steering malfunctioned making the vehicle difficult to drive. The contact has received a recall letter from the manufacturer but due to the mileage of the vehicle the recall was void. The contact stated that the manufacturer should be responsible for the repairs since this was a known issue for his year, make, and model vehicle. The failure mileage was 78,000.
Since 2006 power steering goes out at different times. Chevrolet replaced power steering twice in 2007 and it worked for a short time. We have reported it again 2010 because it went out at an intersection, no accident occurred, shut off engine and restarted, power steering reset. It still goes out maybe once a week. Chevrolet in mt. Home, ar is researching.
The power steering on my Chevy Malibu 2005 has on two separate occasions stopped working. On both occasions, the "service power steering" light came on. On the first occasion, I went under the hood and read my service manual and ultimately went online to find out that Malibu's don't take power steering fluid and instead have electronic power steering. During both incidents, I was unable to turn. Fortunately, during both incidents I was able to pull to safety, turn off my car and restart it. Thankfully, I was not on a highway or traveling at a high rate of speed. Upon restarting the car, the power steering began working again. The first incident was in October 2009. The second was in February 2010.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Brandon, SD, USA