WHILE DRIVING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE RODE, STEERING WHEEL WILL LOCK UP CAUSING ME TO HAVE TO RESTART IGNITION- AS IF THE CAR IS RESETTING, IN ORDER FOR THE STEERING WHEEL TO TURN PROPERLY. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 1-2X/MONTH SINCE THE FIRST INCIDENT. I OFTEN DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY AND ITS HAPPENED WHILE OTHER CARS ARE DRIVING AROU…
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WHILE DRIVING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE RODE, STEERING WHEEL WILL LOCK UP CAUSING ME TO HAVE TO RESTART IGNITION- AS IF THE CAR IS RESETTING, IN ORDER FOR THE STEERING WHEEL TO TURN PROPERLY. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 1-2X/MONTH SINCE THE FIRST INCIDENT. I OFTEN DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY AND ITS HAPPENED WHILE OTHER CARS ARE DRIVING AROUND ME. THE STEERING WHEEL WILL NOT TURN OR IT TAKES A GOOD AMOUNT OF FORCE TO MAKE THE WHEEL TURN. ITS QUITE DANGEROUS AND VERY SCARY. I CONTACTED THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THERE ARE NO WARRANTY'S OR RECALLS. CHECKED ONLINE AND DISCOVERED THAT OTHERS ARE HAVING A SIMILAR ISSUE. NOW I HAVE TO PAY MECHANIC TO FIX THE PART. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10483594
13,400 miles · Jan 17, 2012
Steering
1ST TIME:DRIVING IN THE DROP OFF AREA OF SON'S SCHOOL AND POWER STEERING WENT OUT ON MY WIFE. WE HAD TO SIGNAL THE OTHER CARS AROUND OUR CAR (2004 CHEVY MALIBU). MY WIFE COULD NOT MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL SO I HAD TO BACK THE CAR UP OUT OF THE CHILDREN' DROP OFF AREA WITH NO POWER STEERING INTO A PARKING SPACE AFTER ALL THE CHILD…
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1ST TIME:DRIVING IN THE DROP OFF AREA OF SON'S SCHOOL AND POWER STEERING WENT OUT ON MY WIFE. WE HAD TO SIGNAL THE OTHER CARS AROUND OUR CAR (2004 CHEVY MALIBU). MY WIFE COULD NOT MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL SO I HAD TO BACK THE CAR UP OUT OF THE CHILDREN' DROP OFF AREA WITH NO POWER STEERING INTO A PARKING SPACE AFTER ALL THE CHILDREN WERE DROPPED OFF. SECOND TIME:PER THE MESSAGE ON SERVICE INDICATOR POWER STEERING WENT OUT ON A MAIN ROAD IN OUR TOWN AFTER REPAIRS BY CERTIFIED CHEVROLET MECHANICS AT DON HEWLETT CHEVROLET WAS A YEAR LATER RIGHT AFTER THE WARRANTY WENT OUT. I WAS TOLD I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS SINCE THE WARRANTY WAS UP. THERE HAVE BEEN 46 COMPLAINTS ON A WEBSITE CALLED WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM REGARDING THIS SAME ISSUE AND THE 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU WAS RECALLED FOR THIS SAME ISSUE OF THE POWER STEERING FAILURE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10444081
Mileage unknown · Oct 19, 2011
Steering
THE POWER STEERING CONSTANTLY GOES OUT ON THIS CAR. I CAN BE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND IT WILL GO OUT WITHOUT WARNING. I HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL, YET THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH THESE VEHICLES. THE QUOTE I'VE BEEN GIVEN TO REPAIR IS OVER $500 AND SEVERAL PEOPLE HAD TO GET THE REPAIR DONE MORE THAN ONCE…
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THE POWER STEERING CONSTANTLY GOES OUT ON THIS CAR. I CAN BE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND IT WILL GO OUT WITHOUT WARNING. I HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL, YET THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH THESE VEHICLES. THE QUOTE I'VE BEEN GIVEN TO REPAIR IS OVER $500 AND SEVERAL PEOPLE HAD TO GET THE REPAIR DONE MORE THAN ONCE. CHEVY SHOULD DO A RECALL AND COMPENSATE THE CONSUMERS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10430823
Mileage unknown · Sep 14, 2011
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD FAIL INTERMITTENTLY. IN APRIL 2011, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE RACK AND PINON HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, NOR WAS THE VEH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD FAIL INTERMITTENTLY. IN APRIL 2011, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE RACK AND PINON HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,000 AND THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10425411
19,000 miles · Jul 17, 2011
Steering
POWER STEERING GOES OUT WHILE DRIVING, TWICE IN THE LAST TWO DAYS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10413196
80,000 miles · Mar 21, 2011
Steering
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE EXPRESSWAY,MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT. I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND SHUT MY CAR OFF AND STARTED IT UP AGAIN AND IT STARTED WORKING AGAIN.GM HAS RECALLED OTHER MODELS FOR DOING THE SAME THING,BUT NOT THE 2004 MALIBU. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND SOMEBODY IS GOING TO GET KILLED UNLESS GM TAKES CAR…
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WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE EXPRESSWAY,MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT. I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND SHUT MY CAR OFF AND STARTED IT UP AGAIN AND IT STARTED WORKING AGAIN.GM HAS RECALLED OTHER MODELS FOR DOING THE SAME THING,BUT NOT THE 2004 MALIBU. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND SOMEBODY IS GOING TO GET KILLED UNLESS GM TAKES CARE OF THIS PROBLEM. THE 2004 CHEVY. MALIBU HAS ELECTRIC ASSISTED POWER STEERING. THE THING IS THAT GM,THE DEALERS AND NHTSA ALL KNOW ABOUT THE PROBLEM,BUT ARE NOT DOING ANYTHING UNTIL PEOPLE ARE HURT AND KILLED. I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW AND HAVE TAKEN VERY GOOD CARE OF IT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10392403
115,000 miles · Mar 1, 2011
Steering
ELECTRIC POWER STEERING MALFUNCTION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10386093
86,000 miles · Jan 31, 2011
Steering
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKED UP. THE VEHICLE BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER BUT IT WAS NOT INSPECTED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000 AND…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKED UP. THE VEHICLE BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER BUT IT WAS NOT INSPECTED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 86,030.
NHTSA ODI #10379729
30,000 miles · Jul 1, 2010
Steering
2004 CHEVY MALIBU AT 30,000. MILES THE STEERING WENT OUT CLUNKING NOISE WHEN I TURN AT 42K IT DID IT AGAIN AT 68K IT DID IT AGAIN THIS TIME CHEVY WOULD NOT PAY FOR REPAIRS NO MORE WARRANTY IT HAPPENED AGAIN IN 2009 AND NOW IT'S IN THE SHOP FOR ANOTHER STEERING PROBLEM COST 1622.00 TO REPAIR PLUS RENTAL AR FOR THREE DAYS. CHEVY …
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2004 CHEVY MALIBU AT 30,000. MILES THE STEERING WENT OUT CLUNKING NOISE WHEN I TURN AT 42K IT DID IT AGAIN AT 68K IT DID IT AGAIN THIS TIME CHEVY WOULD NOT PAY FOR REPAIRS NO MORE WARRANTY IT HAPPENED AGAIN IN 2009 AND NOW IT'S IN THE SHOP FOR ANOTHER STEERING PROBLEM COST 1622.00 TO REPAIR PLUS RENTAL AR FOR THREE DAYS. CHEVY SAYS MY FAULT THE PROBLEMS ARE NOT RELATED. I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM AND IT'S NOT ONE TWO OR EVEN THREE TIMES IT MANY TIMES.. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10340879
49,364 miles · May 31, 2010
Steering
WHILE COMING OFF THE HIGHWAY, I NOTICED I NO LONGER HAVE POWER STEERING. THE ENTIRE REST OF THE WAY HOME, NO POWER STEERING. I SEARCHED ON LINE TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RESERVOIR TO PUT MORE POWER STEERING FLUID IN, AND THERE APPEARS TO BE NONE AND I WILL HAVE TO FORK OUT OVER $500 FOR A NEW STEERING COLUMN. I WAS NEVER INFORMED…
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WHILE COMING OFF THE HIGHWAY, I NOTICED I NO LONGER HAVE POWER STEERING. THE ENTIRE REST OF THE WAY HOME, NO POWER STEERING. I SEARCHED ON LINE TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RESERVOIR TO PUT MORE POWER STEERING FLUID IN, AND THERE APPEARS TO BE NONE AND I WILL HAVE TO FORK OUT OVER $500 FOR A NEW STEERING COLUMN. I WAS NEVER INFORMED OF ANY PROBLEM WITH THE 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU AND A POWER STEERING PROBLEM. *TR
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on July 3, 2014, that they are recalling 5,877,718 model year 2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala and Monte Carlo, 1997-2003 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2005 Malibu Classic, 1999-2004 Oldsmobile Alero, 1998-2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1999-2005 Pontiac Grand Am and 2004-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 9, 2014. GM's number for this recall is 14350.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1
EA04018 · Loss Of Electric Power Steering
Opened Jul 1, 2004 · Closed May 10, 2005
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering; Steering:electric Power Assist System
IN PERFORMING THIS ENGINEERING ANALYSIS, ODI DETERMINED THAT THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING SYSTEM IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES CAN MALFUNCTION OR FAIL, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE POWER STEERING ASSISTANCE; HOWEVER, DUE TO THE FOLLOWING REASONS, ODI HAS DECIDED THAT FURTHER EXPENDITURE OF AGENCY RESOURCES ON THIS INVESTIGATION IS NOT WARRANTED AT THIS TIME: - GM ISSUED CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN (CSC) 04050A INDECEMBER 2004 TO ADDRESS THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN APPROXIMATELY58,700 SUBJECT VEHICLES, ENCOMPASSING AT LEAST 97 PERCENT OF THECOMPLAINT AND WARRANTY CLAIMS POPULATION.VEHICLES OUTSIDE THECSC 04050A POPULATION CONTAIN A NEWLY DESIGNED TORQUE ANDPOSITION SENSOR AND HAVE EXPERIENCED A RELATIVELY LOW COMPLAINTRATE.THIS CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN PRESENTLY HAS ACOMPLETION RATE OF 52%. - THE IMPACT ON THE DRIVER?S ABILITY TO CONTROL THESE RELATIVELYSMALL AND LIGHT VEHICLES WAS LIMITED.VRTC TEST ENGINEERS WEREUNABLE TO INDUCE A FAILURE MODE THAT WOULD CAUSE THE EPS TOSUBSTANTIALLY LIMIT THE DRIVER?S ABILITY TO TURN THE VEHICLE IN APARTICULAR DIRECTION OR TO PROVIDE THE DRIVER WITH UNINTENDEDPOWER ASSISTANCE.- THERE IS NO RISK OF FIRE.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR COMPLAINTS AND OTHER INFORMATION RELATING TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IN THE FUTURE IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.(FOR FURTHER DETAILS SEE ATTACHED ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA04-018)CLOSING REPORT.)
Additional source detail variants (2)
Steering:electric Power Assist System
IN PERFORMING THIS ENGINEERING ANALYSIS, ODI DETERMINED THAT THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING SYSTEM IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES CAN MALFUNCTION OR FAIL, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE POWER STEERING ASSISTANCE; HOWEVER, DUE TO THE FOLLOWING REASONS, ODI HAS DECIDED THAT FURTHER EXPENDITURE OF AGENCY RESOURCES ON THIS INVESTIGATION IS NOT WARRANTED AT THIS TIME: - GM ISSUED CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN (CSC) 04050A INDECEMBER 2004 TO ADDRESS THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN APPROXIMATELY58,700 SUBJECT VEHICLES, ENCOMPASSING AT LEAST 97 PERCENT OF THECOMPLAINT AND WARRANTY CLAIMS POPULATION.VEHICLES OUTSIDE THECSC 04050A POPULATION CONTAIN A NEWLY DESIGNED TORQUE ANDPOSITION SENSOR AND HAVE EXPERIENCED A RELATIVELY LOW COMPLAINTRATE.THIS CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN PRESENTLY HAS ACOMPLETION RATE OF 52%. - THE IMPACT ON THE DRIVER?S ABILITY TO CONTROL THESE RELATIVELYSMALL AND LIGHT VEHICLES WAS LIMITED.VRTC TEST ENGINEERS WEREUNABLE TO INDUCE A FAILURE MODE THAT WOULD CAUSE THE EPS TOSUBSTANTIALLY LIMIT THE DRIVER?S ABILITY TO TURN THE VEHICLE IN APARTICULAR DIRECTION OR TO PROVIDE THE DRIVER WITH UNINTENDEDPOWER ASSISTANCE.- THERE IS NO RISK OF FIRE.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR COMPLAINTS AND OTHER INFORMATION RELATING TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IN THE FUTURE IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.(FOR FURTHER DETAILS SEE ATTACHED ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA04-018)CLOSING REPORT.)
Steering
IN PERFORMING THIS ENGINEERING ANALYSIS, ODI DETERMINED THAT THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING SYSTEM IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES CAN MALFUNCTION OR FAIL, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE POWER STEERING ASSISTANCE; HOWEVER, DUE TO THE FOLLOWING REASONS, ODI HAS DECIDED THAT FURTHER EXPENDITURE OF AGENCY RESOURCES ON THIS INVESTIGATION IS NOT WARRANTED AT THIS TIME: - GM ISSUED CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN (CSC) 04050A INDECEMBER 2004 TO ADDRESS THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN APPROXIMATELY58,700 SUBJECT VEHICLES, ENCOMPASSING AT LEAST 97 PERCENT OF THECOMPLAINT AND WARRANTY CLAIMS POPULATION.VEHICLES OUTSIDE THECSC 04050A POPULATION CONTAIN A NEWLY DESIGNED TORQUE ANDPOSITION SENSOR AND HAVE EXPERIENCED A RELATIVELY LOW COMPLAINTRATE.THIS CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN PRESENTLY HAS ACOMPLETION RATE OF 52%. - THE IMPACT ON THE DRIVER?S ABILITY TO CONTROL THESE RELATIVELYSMALL AND LIGHT VEHICLES WAS LIMITED.VRTC TEST ENGINEERS WEREUNABLE TO INDUCE A FAILURE MODE THAT WOULD CAUSE THE EPS TOSUBSTANTIALLY LIMIT THE DRIVER?S ABILITY TO TURN THE VEHICLE IN APARTICULAR DIRECTION OR TO PROVIDE THE DRIVER WITH UNINTENDEDPOWER ASSISTANCE.- THERE IS NO RISK OF FIRE.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR COMPLAINTS AND OTHER INFORMATION RELATING TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IN THE FUTURE IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.(FOR FURTHER DETAILS SEE ATTACHED ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA04-018)CLOSING REPORT.)
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