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.
On numerous occasions since I got this car in 2010, the steering wheel has become very difficult, if not impossible at times, to turn when parallel parking. When the steering wheel is in extreme rotation, it becomes very rigid and difficult to turn, making it almost impossible to get into and out of a parallel parking spot. Moreover, once the vehicle is out of the spot and on the road again, it takes several miles before the steering wheel is back to "normal." I took it to the dealership and the service department was able to duplicate the problem, but told me no parts would be replaced due to the fact that nothing was per SE "defective." This notwithstanding, I continue to have this problem every other time I parallel park and have to turn the steering wheel in an extreme rotation.
I purchased the vehicle in July of 2011 and had noticed a few times during winter that when I turned the steering wheel, sometimes the headlights would dim and the heater fan would suddenly slow down. Nothing really ever happened to make me think there was a serious issue. I would notice it would happen intermittently through out the next several months. Early in March, 2013, I had noticed as I was backing out of my driveway to go to work, the steering wheel would become much more difficult to turn and there would be a message on the dash that just read power steering. This would only last for a brief moment, and then it would go away and the steering would be fine. I thought it was from the cold weather. On Friday, March 15, I had stopped at a few different places, was having no issues that I could tell. I got into my car to leave the last stop, started the car and began to back out of the parking lot. I didn't see a message at first and it felt like I had a flat tire. About 5 seconds later there were 4 dings and the dash said power steering again and the steering wheel was very sluggish. I'd been half expecting it to start working again, but after speaking with a rep at an auto parts store, they told me it sounded like the electronic assist motor on the rack-and-pinion had shorted, causing a fuse to blow which was something GM had already put a recall out for other vehicles, except my model year. I spoke with the dealer and they told me that the only recall that was out on the car at the moment was an issue with the gear shift indicator and I will be taking care of that soon. They want me to take it in for diagnostics to see what GM will cover for repairs, but honestly I don't think I should be liable for a problem that GM didn't fix right the first time.
The rack and pinion on drivers side end rattles at slow speed. I have tried 3 different brand front brakes and all have squeaked, the transmission cooler line started leaking.the car has 69,000 on it as of now 1/26/2013. Dealer want fix any of the problem under the drive train warranty. Also has cold start engine knock.
The contact owns a owns a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the steering wheel was difficult to maneuver while driving at all speeds. The steering wheel would not seize, but it would take excessive force to turn. The contact also stated that the steering wheel would not easily return back to its centered position after completing turns. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer on numerous occasions, but they were unable to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the vehicle would pull toward the left while driving at various speeds and loud banging noises could be heard coming from the front end. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer, but the failure was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 43,700.
- Fort Washington, MD, USA
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I drive for a taxi company that extensively uses the 7th generation Chevy Malibu (2008+). a well known defect around here involves the power steering sensor, which can without warning stop operating and make steering impossible. This has been known to happen most often when odometer mileage is 150K+. vehicle must be restarted to regain full steering operation. Steering can resume normal operation without a repeat of the error, or the fault can be repeated almost immediately. It is an intermittent and random problem. I believe my company has not yet reported this, but I personally don't fancy getting myself and potentially my customers into a life threatening situation. I would appreciate an official look into high mileage Malibu, especially those in a commercial capacity.
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while attempting to shift into drive, the steering warning light illuminated and the steering wheel could not be turned in any direction. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who performed a diagnostic that located the failure at the power steering motor assembly. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 60,000.
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 mph, the steering locked up and the vehicle crashed into another vehicle because the contact could not turn the steering wheel. There were no warning lights illuminated on the instrumental panel prior to or after the crash. There were no injuries and a report was filed with the police. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who stated that the steering needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 500.
2010 Malibu power steering malfunctioning less than 10,000 miles. I've been fighting with GM for many months to fix problems, engine knocking noise, air conditioning has mold smell. This car nearly cause accident because of power steering malfunction..this is a partial power steering malfunction car has had a major power steering malfunction to where you cannot turn steering wheel at all.car has been in a shop 6 times dealers cannot fix problems or find problems.www.youtube.com/watch?V=C_ou-mxip7M.
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu. While turning approximately 10 mph, the steering wheel locked up and became stiff. The contact turned the vehicle off and restarted it; the contact was able to use the steering wheel after the restart. The failure occurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer but the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle had not been repaired. The current and failure mileages were approximately 70,000. Updated 02/10/11 updated 02/23/11
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the steering wheel would turn to the right and left without assistance. In addition, the steering wheel would shake and vibrate. The failure occurred when the vehicle was in operation and during the initial engine start-up. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician was unable to detect the cause of failure. The failure mileage was approximately 24,000. The VIN was unavailable.
2005 Malibu maxx... power steering lock up.. luckily each time it has happened I was traveling at low speed or just after starting the engine I would get he power steering alarm. Turn the engine off and restart the problem is gone. Could have been disastrous at high speed on a crooked road.
Brand new 2010 Chevrolet Malibu leaks when rains and it runs into my floorboard, airbags and wire harness causing car to short out. Most of the time the lights in dash won't work.
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving at approximately 30 mph, the ESC service warning and power steering lights illuminated on the dashboard. The steering wheel then became extremely stiff and difficult to maneuver. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer where she was informed a wire was loose and causing the failure. The dealer made repairs to the vehicle. The failure recurred within two months. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the contact was awaiting a diagnosis of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown and the current mileage was 5,000. The consumer was informed heavy rain was causing the shortage. Updated 10/26/10
Rented a brand new (45 miles) 2010 Chevy Malibu. Several times over 4 days, the power steering would give out briefly. This occurred while driving in mountain roads and could have been very dangerous. I returned the car with a note to the rental company.
Can someone please see if the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu has the same steering as the cobalt? I have owned this car for 1 month now and have the same issue. Problem: Over 45mph there is a disconnected feeling in the steering. On rough roads or on a windy day the car is hard to keep in your lane. I have had 3 other people drive the car and they confirm the under-steer feeling. Car is going back to the dealer ship this weekend to be investigated.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Long Beach, CA, USA