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 steering has a heavy clunk sound when turning left in reverse, no sound when going to the right. Then at just over 50K miles, the steering on the vehicle started having issues with power while turning to the right under power, to the left was just fine. The head lamps also have gotten severely cloudy which limits visibility during night time driving. Front turn indicator lights also had a problem with loose sockets, causing the lights to short out and eventually fail because of sparking residue on the contacts. Also, for some reason the rear window wiper randomly turns on for no apparent reason. The vehicle also has a starting problem where at times, the vehicle will crank and not start. Looking around, quite a few folks have that problem as well, where some people have had to short out the hood safety switch to make the car work... now that is crazy to have to short out something to start your car. Apparently though, the electrical system is severely sensitive to voltage issues in general, more so then most vehicles on the road.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu maxx. The contact was driving approximately 45 mph downhill when the brakes were applied and the steering wheel collapsed. The contact was able to pull the steering column back up but had to hold it upward while driving. The failure persisted. Later, the contact purchased a repair kit directly from the manufacturer at a local auto repair shop. After the repair kit was installed, the contact stated that the failure did recur but not as often as before the kit was installed. The dealer was contacted and advised there were no recalls for the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu maxx. The contact stated that the vehicle was exhibiting an unusual knocking and the steering wheel was exhibiting an abnormal grinding. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer who stated that the steering shaft and steering gear was defective. The vehicle was repaired yet the failure persisted. The contact received a notice from the manufacturer regarding the steering but they stated that they would not repair the vehicle until a failure occurred. The manufacturer was not notified. The current mileage was approximately 145,000 and the failure mileage was unknown.
While driving the car, it gives out a couple of dings but no light ever or anything to let me know that the power steering the issue it just goes out. This occur on the express way in Chicago where there is little room for error. I felt that my life was in danger and I hate to say it but I was really scared.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu maxx ls (na). While driving approximately 5 mph, the contact stated that the vehicle lost power steering. Neither the dealer nor manufacturer were notified. The vehicle was not repaired. The current mileage was approximately 149,000. The failure mileage was approximately 148,500.
- Lawrenciville, GA, USA
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Unexpected loss of power steering during acceleration - dangerous situation. Dealer corrected problem using technical service bulletin #08-02-32-005A. The service bulletin required adding a ground strap and replacing the ignition module. Sounds like a design issue (lack of required ground strap) corrected in a service bulletin. In my opinion it should be covered under an extended warranty to correct a design defect.
I was turning onto a road while driving to work and my power steering failed. I almost drove off of the road into a tree! this is the first time this has happened. I have been told that the steering column must be replaced to fix this issue.
1. I was passing a car up hill on a curve in the road. When I accelerate hard I loss my power steering. I had to applied more pressure on the wheel to get around the car I was passing but half way around the car the power steering kicked back in but because of the extra pressure I was applying on the steering wheel I over steered and almost hit the guard rail. This was on a very busy highway in the New York city area and everyone was traveling at high speed. 2. I experience a loss of power steering assist caused by electrical input signals within the steering column assembly. 3. GM sent a letter too my home stating they are aware of the problem but will only fix it if the car has less than 100,000 miles. My car is over that limit. GM says it is not a recall. This is a safety issue. The power steering cuts out at high speeds.
Safety issue with 2005 Chevrolet Malibu maxx. Because of a number of problems with steering and suspension, I have had four certified mechanics inspect the car. Three found that the steering rack is defective; one found that the intermediate shaft is defective. Neither should be defective on a car with 57K miles. The only way that the steering rack could be defective is if there was a problem with the heat treatment during manufacture; this would imply that the entire batch is defective. Similarly, the intermediate shaft is a thick piece of sheet metal that should not be defective with low mileage. The problem(s) has been reported to General Motors, who have not responded to repeated contacts. Because the mechanics do not agree, I will have the intermediate shaft replaced to see if that solves the problem. If not, then I will replace the steering rack.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu max. The contact was driving 10 mph and attempting a right turn when the power steering warning light illuminated and the steering wheel became increasingly hard. The contact was barely able to maneuver the vehicle to avoid a crash. The manufacturer advised that because the vehicle was over 100,000 miles, they would not assist. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 123,000.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu maxx. The contact stated that while driving the power steering failed and the vehicle lunged forward when the wheel turned in the opposite direction that she was turning in. The power steering alarm also failed and the warning light began to flicker. Speed does not seem to be a factor. The dealer stated that the steering harness and coil needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 50,000. The current mileage was approximately 65,000.
Electrical issues with my 05 Malibu maxx.the power steering keeps going out-Chevy is aware of this problem. The engine has trouble starting. The rear wiper goes by itself without anyone touching the control-most recent event, happens every few days 1 or 2 times. I have had issues with the starting from the beginning of ownership. The power steering issue has been over the past month. Sometimes the warning light comes on first, usually not. I have not paid to have any work done, but have contacted Chevy's customer service and was told, that they would make a record of it. Restarting the car usually fixes the power steering temporarily. I have to change the brakes once a month, so they don't destroy my rotors. Power steering seems to go out more often when it is hot outside.
While driving on local street at approximately 35mph, the power steering on our car stopped working making steering very difficult. My husband was driving and he had trouble steering to the side of the road. He turned off the car and restarted it, and the power steering came back on. Within a 2 mile span, this occurred twice. I asked my kids and husband how often this happens, and it's every time the car is driven. If my husband had trouble steering when the power steering stops, it must be even worse for my 2 girls. If this occurs on the highway, there could easily be a serious accident. I looked online and numerous complaints have been made about this problem. There was a service bulletin for it but it needs to be a recall. I read that mazda3 and Mazda 5 cars are being recalled for power steering failure. Why haven't Chevy Malibu been recalled? please help.
This problem has been occurring for more than 6 months now, possibly a year. Hard to determine as it was very inconsistent at first. Occurs more often now. When accelerating, generally over 3000 RPM's (think passing on freeway or left turn across traffic) the steering will freeze for a few seconds. There is also a triple bell sound and the message center will display "power steering". in 12/2007 I received a letter from GM saying they will fix the problem with the "power steering assist" if within 7 years or 70,000 miles. I did not have the problem plus I was over miles stated. This week I received a similar letter saying the same, that they would fix the steering if under 10 years or 100,000 miles. Again I am over miles(by 7000 miles). I called to confirm and was told that their policy was very strict and would not be able to help me. Obviously they know of the issue and are just trying to pay as little as possible in repair/replacement costs.
I have a problem with my power steering in my 2005 Chevy Malibu that has been diagnosed as a known defect with the power steering column. I called and spoke with a NHTSA representative today and he said it was a known defect on many Chevy models where the cobalt was recalled but my 2005 Malibu has not been recalled. I am scared to death to drive this vehicle. I've read online about accidents happening as a result of this problem as a result of power steering loss. Please can you resolve this problem with Chevrolet so they issue a recall. I drive my kids in my car and I am afraid to drive it. Updated IVOQ 08/31/10
We own a 2005 Chevy Malibu maxx that we bought certified used in 2008. For the past few months the power steering stops working while the car is being driven.. it becomes very hard to steer and is very scary when it happens especially on the highway when traveling at faster speeds. Also scary when traveling on curvy roads. If we stop the car and restart it, the power steering returns. My husband took it to our mechanic who says the part is about $500 and the labor is about $200. Shouldn't this be a recall? it's very unsafe and could easily lead to a serious, or fatal, accident. Please check into this quickly before someone is killed. Thank you.
3rd posting here. Same problem. No power steering. Now it is to the point where im lucky to get power steering for the length of my driveway. I called the local Chevy dealership to inquire about the cobalt recall (which is the same issue as the Malibu power steering issue) and they told me at this time there is nothing that can be done by them. I told them I had been in 2 times to a dealership and that was told the same thing. The next thing said really surprised me. Apparently there is a "super secret warranty" for this very problem. As luck would have it I was not informed of this warranty until it had expired on my car. Chevrolet handled this in true customer is always right fashion. If I want to take it in and pay for the diagnostic and repair they would possibly refund me the cost of the repair only. Needless to say, if I had the funds avail to get the work done I would have either done it already or switched to a Ford. To all you people out there with this issue go into a dealership and ask about the "super secret warranty" then after you get it fixed, sell it!!!!!
Loose/clunky steering. The clunky sound and feel can be heard/felt whenever the steering wheel is moved. There is also some space between when the steering wheel is turned and when the wheels actually turn. Feels unsafe to me. I'm very easy on the turns, it scares me that something is going to break when I turn. Don't know if that's the case I'm not a mechanic, but it feels and sounds awful. It started months after I bought the care. I purchased it April 2006, basically a new car, but after a few months the problem started. I took it to the dealership they fixed it, but it started up again after a few months. I took it in again to the dealership they said they were installing a new improved steering gear or something like that. It lasted a little longer this time, but the problem started again. This should be a recall repair. The warranty is over so I'm not taking it in again. It isn't worth the expense - a temporary fix is not the solution. This will probably be my last Chevy. It's disappointing. My cars have always been at least 6 years old when purchased. This was my newest car purchased. It was exciting, but then ended up being so disappointing. My next newer car purchase will be Nissan. I miss my old Nissan.
2005 Malibu maxx power steering reading came up 2X on radio. Took to be checked and cost to $700 to replace the unit. Vehicle only has 53,000 miles. This unit should not be going out this soon!
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Richmond Hill, GA, USA