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 contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving approximately 40 mph, there was a complete loss of the power steering. The contact experienced extreme difficulty turning the steering wheel. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where they informed the contact that the failure was contributed to the steering column, rack and pinion and control arm. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 80,000.
My son's 2008 Chevy Malibu is having problems with the steering column suddenly shaking and jerking back and forth while driving and occasionally while in park. The brake lights will also come on without him pressing on the brake and disengage the cruise control, if it is on. We have had a switch replaced that was faulty, but it did not fix either problem. Now we have been told that the steering unit needs to be replaced.
I own a 2008 Chevy Malibu with electronic power steering. While driving or at a stop, the steering wheel will either shake or suddenly pull to the left or right. I had it in the dealership for repairs and they replaced a steering column that needed to be replaced but that did not fix the steering. The dealership believes that it is the electronic power steering itself even though nothing is saying that it is defective. With the problems with electronic power steering in Chevy cobalts for 2004 to 2009, I'm concern that the issues with electronic power steering may not be just in one model car but the component itself.
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that when driving 65 mph the steering wheel locked abnormally. The failure would occur intermittently and also when accelerating from a complete stop or attempting a left turn. The dealer performed a diagnostic test but was unable to locate or duplicate the failure. The manufacturer advised taking the vehicle back to the dealer for them to run a diagnostic test. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 67,000.
Steering wheel is having an issue where it will jerk to the left and right by itself and then pulsate while sitting still. I have been driving on the highway when the steering wheel jerks left and then right. When wheel jerks, it is extremely hard to hold it in the correct lane.
- Indianapolis, IN, USA
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The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact was driving 65 mph when the power steering failed without warning, causing limited steering capability. The vehicle was neither diagnosed nor repaired for the failure. The failure mileage was 38,400.
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact noticed that every time he drove the vehicle, he experienced a loss of power steering. Before the failure, he noticed that the power steering warning light was illuminated. He had to pull over, turn the vehicle off and restart it in order to reset the power steering and it would function properly for a period of time. The contact called the dealer who advised him that he would be responsible for all of the repair costs. The contact called the manufacturer who offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired when the complaint was filed. The current mileage was approximately 49,000. The failure mileage was approximately 15,000. Updated 11/11/10 updated 11/18/10
I have a 2008 Chevy Malibu with a power steering problem. I went on vacation so the car was not driven for a couple of weeks. I washed the car and then started to have problems with the steering wheel shaking and felt like the power steering would work off and on. It continues to be a problem off and on. Sometimes the problem is there and sometimes its not.
2008 Chevy Malibu with 4700 miles, began having problems with the steering. When driving vehicle would be hard to handle as if someone had taken possession of the steering wheel. Then when in idle the steering wheel would vibrate back and forth. Took in to dealership and they stated the electronic power steering module had to be replaced. First trip to the dealership they could not locate the problem. Researched online and ask if they were aware of any issues with this model answer was no. Not until I told them to google the problems that were being reported did I feel we received a response.
2008 Chevy Malibu 4 cyl motor. 56,000 miles, steering wheel shakes at high and low rate of speed while driving. Steering wheel shakes while car is idle with no one in auto. Steering assist gives out and then engages while car is in motion causing car to jerk from side to side causing loss of control of auto.
I own 2008 Chevrolet Malibu with a little over 50K miles on the odometer. Recently while I was driving the vehicle on the highway I noticed that the steering wheel started to jerk left and right pulling the vehicle in both directions. I drove to the dealer to have them look at it. As I was waiting at a stop light I then noticed the steering wheel make slight turns to the left and right by itself. I arrived at the dealership and explained what happened at which point they took the vehicle for a test drive but could not duplicate the problem. While talking to the mechanic and explaining he said it sounds like the vehicle was trying to center itself to zero calibration and suggested that I get it calibrated which I did. I then drove home and noticed that it was doing the same thing again. Returned to the dealer and they then stated that I need to have the column control module replaced at the price of $700. This is a serious problem that needs to be looked in to before something really tragic occurs. The frequency the steering wheel jerk while driving was very concerning to the point that I thought I might be involved in a crash. Thank god that did not happen.
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving at the speeds of 25 mph, the power steering was very hard to control when making a turn. Other times whenever the vehicle is being parked it will shake and jerk. The dealer was contacted and they stated that he will need a new electronic motor and a control module for the power steering. There have been no diagnosis and no repairs. The failure mileage was 50,000 and the current mileage was 51,800.
One week ago I noticed my steering wheel would shake back and forth when idling. I thought the fluid may be low and looked to fill it only to find out the car has electric steering. I drove it to work without issue but now the shaking has begun to appear when driving at all speeds. It is an uncanny shimmy that can be controlled but requires constant attention and a firm grip. It happens frequently enough(every 10 min or so) that it has become worrisome. A call to the dealer evoked the response of, "yes, that happens sometimes with this model and it can be fixed in a day or two and cost is around $1000". my car has 75,000 miles on it and is not under warranty. This is not the type of issue that should be a consumer problem.
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated when driving a various speeds and attempting a turn, the vehicle would make an unusual clunk noise. The dealer advised the steering shaft would need to be replaced to correct the failure. The manufacturer stated the vehicle was outside of warranty and would not provide any assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure and current mileages were 51,000.
2008 Malibu with 41K miles has steering issue with steering wheel shaking left to right at hwy speeds. Have to fight to keep car straight in own lane. No noticeable incident leading up to issue, just felt like there was no steering assist. Happens on a daily basis. Nothing done as of yet, but will be calling dealer tomorrow. After searching the internet, this seems to be an issue with the electronic steering assist. Remedy appears to be to replace the steering column module. At a cost of $800+, this is no cheap replacement.
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving at any speed, the steering wheel would involuntarily jerk to the left and right. The failure persisted intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where they were in the process of diagnosing the failure. The failure mileage was unknown and the current mileage was 59,600.
Difficult to turn at low speeds, steering wheel shaking and shimmies left, clunking or rubbing noise. Had steering column lubed, new rack and pinion installed and still doing it.
I have had my 2008 Chevy Malibu in the garage now 3 times for the same recurring problem. My steering wheel shimmies and then locks up and it's very hard to steer. If I weren't as strong in my hands and arms, I would be dead! it comes and goes but it is a persistent problem that they cannot or will not fix. I was told that they cannot fix something that they didn't diagnose as "broke" and was told it would be too expensive to just start replacing parts randomly that might be the problem. I am very scared to drive my car but have to make a living and am a single mom. I feel this is putting me and my sons life in danger!!!!!!!! there needs to be a recall on this problem in the steering!
I have a 2008 Chevy Malibu lt. In March of this year the steering wheel started to jerk left and right while driving. It would also jerk while being stopped and while in park.there is also a popping sound or a clunking sound like a bad universal while turning and/or backing up. I noticed this about January of '09. The dealer replaced the brakes and rotors on the front, but the problem did not go away. On 5/12/10 the dealership replaced the left front strut and mount and the intermediate steering shaft. This did not correct the problem. The jerking in the steering wheel comes and goes, it will run fine for a while they itwill start up for a while. There is no warning when this will happen. On 5/30/10 and 5/31/10 the power steering light came on in the information center. I called GM to see if there was a recall on this and there is not. I told them that this is a safety concern and should be looked at. They said that they were looking into it. I went to the Consumer Affairs web ste and seen that this has been a problem since the '05 Malibu (ps control module).there were at least 7 complaints for the '08's on this site that I noticed. About a year ago there was a problem with the door locks not working properly, they would not unlock when the car was put into park nor would the remote work on them. When the left rear door outside handle was used to open the door the door would lock. The dealership could not duplicate the problem. This concerns me because the power steering is electric in this car.
I am at about 45K miles on my 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. My console warning of "power steering" came on and with it my steering wheel shakes when I start the car. I don't drive or put it in gear it just shakes! after being told I do not have power steering fluid a GM service dealership told me it sounds like my "electronic motor for power steering" sounds like it needs to be replaced. The cobalt was just recalled for such a problem. I called GM to see if there was a recall for the Malibu and was told.....at my expense, I need to have the problem diagnosed, then call them back with the ref# they gave me, and then they will put it in their records!!!! calling and requesting that a recall be put in place was basically ignored. I have explained that if they were to investigate just the blogs about the Malibu they would see thousands of people are having this problem, but are told to fix it themselves. This is really dangerous on so many levels. I have not had an accident, because I am scared to drive most of the time, but I am recording every one of my complaints, because god forbid I get hurt, or worse yet, one of my children, then my lawyer is ready to rip GM apart! I lost my job about a year ago, and for a company who just got bailed out with my tax money, they should think twice before smacking their customers with such arrogance and stupidity.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- St. Louis, MO, USA