STEERING WHEEL WOULD SHIMMY WHILE IN MOTION, OFTEN ACCOMPANIED BY KNOCKING THAT IS HEARD AND ALSO FELT THROUGH THE STEERINGWHEEL WHILE APPLYING BRAKES, AND WOULD STOP ONLY WHEN THE VEHICLE CAME TO AN NEAR OR COMPLETE STOP. OTHER NOTABLE EVENTS INCLUDE A ROUGH VIBRATION WITH AN AUDIBLE REPETITIVE THUMPING THAT WAS FELT FROM TH…
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STEERING WHEEL WOULD SHIMMY WHILE IN MOTION, OFTEN ACCOMPANIED BY KNOCKING THAT IS HEARD AND ALSO FELT THROUGH THE STEERINGWHEEL WHILE APPLYING BRAKES, AND WOULD STOP ONLY WHEN THE VEHICLE CAME TO AN NEAR OR COMPLETE STOP. OTHER NOTABLE EVENTS INCLUDE A ROUGH VIBRATION WITH AN AUDIBLE REPETITIVE THUMPING THAT WAS FELT FROM THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL THAT WOULD SLIP ON REGULAR INTERVALS WHILE APPLYING BRAKES. THE FAILURE HAPPENED SUDDENLY WHILE DRIVING MY 2 SPECIAL NEEDS BOYS TO SCHOOL. THE FAILURE STARTED WITH LITTLE WARNING IN FRONT OF THE SCHOOL WHICH IS LOCATED RIGHT OFF THE BOULEVARD. I WAS ABLE TO BRING THE CAR SAFELY TO A STOP DUE TO THE 25MPH SCHOOL ZONE RULE. THE MAXIMUM SPEED LIMIT IS 35 DURING NON SCHOOL HOURS AND 40 MPH FURTHER DOWN THE BOULEVARD. THE POWER STEERING BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STEER WITH IN SECONDS BEFORE THE SERVICE (WRENCH) LIGHT CAME ON. I PARKED MY VEHICLE, AND CALLED MY INSURANCE COMPANY TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED TO AN REPUTABLE CARE REPAIR SHOP BECAUSE THE CAR WASN'T SAFE FOR ME TO DRIVE. AFTER 50 MINUTES THE TOW TRUCK ARRIVED AND WHEN THE DRIVER STARTED MY CAR, THE CAR WAS AGAIN STEER-ABLE AND THE MAINTENANCE LIGHT WAS NO LONGER ON. THE MECHANICS WERE UNSUCCESSFUL IN REPRODUCING THE STEERING MALFUNCTION. SEPTEMBER 9TH, 2009 , THE SAME FAILURE REPEATED ITSELF, SAME LOCATION SAME TIME AS BEFORE, THE MAINTENANCE LIGHT TURNED ON AND THEN UNLIKE THE FIRST EVENT ON SEPTEMBER 8TH, THE RADIO DISPLAYED AN POWERSTEERING FAILURE MESSAGE ON ITS' SCREEN. THE MECHANIC AT THE AUTO SHOP TOOK A LOOK AT MY CAR IMMEDIATELY AFTER HE SAW THE MAINTENANCE LIGHT, AND THE POWERSTEERING FAILURE MESSAGE. AFTER THE POWERSTEERING PART FROM BOB STALL CHEVROLET WAS DELIVERED, THE PART WAS THEN INSTALLED. I PAID OUT OF POCKET, AND DIDN'T FIND OUT UNTIL AFTER SERVICE WAS RENDERED, THAT A DISCOVERY WAS MADE BY THE SHOP WHILE SEARCHING FOR INFORMATION ABOUT MY CAR, THAT THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL. I NEVER RECEIVED GM'S NOTICE. I HAVE THE OLD PART. PART INSTALLED IS NEW. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10284892
Mileage unknown · Feb 7, 2007
SteeringCrash
2004 MALIBU CLASSIC WITH POWER STEERING PROBLEMS. **CC THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE THE POWER STEERING WENT COMPLETELY OUT. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10182669
60,001 miles · Aug 18, 2006
Steering
I KEPT HEARING A RATTLING IN MY CAR COMING FROM THE FRONT TIRES AREA. I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL GM DEALERSHIP AND IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS NEEDING A "STEERING GEAR". MY CAR IS ONLY 2 YEARS OLD, THOUGH IT HAS RELATIVELY HIGH MILEAGE. AFTER CONSULTING WITH OTHERS MORE KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT CARS, I FOUND OUT THAT GM HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH S…
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I KEPT HEARING A RATTLING IN MY CAR COMING FROM THE FRONT TIRES AREA. I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL GM DEALERSHIP AND IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS NEEDING A "STEERING GEAR". MY CAR IS ONLY 2 YEARS OLD, THOUGH IT HAS RELATIVELY HIGH MILEAGE. AFTER CONSULTING WITH OTHERS MORE KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT CARS, I FOUND OUT THAT GM HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH STEERING GEARS IN THE PAST, AND THAT MY CAR IS DEFINITELY TOO "YOUNG" TO HAVE THAT PART NEEDING REPLACEMENT. IT'S A 2004 CHEVY MALIBU WITH 64K+ MILES ON IT.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10165972
25,000 miles · Jan 30, 2006
Steering
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE STEERING ON THE VEHICLE LOCKS MOMENTARILY. THIS HAPPENS WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WERE THE VEHICLE WAS TEST DRIVEN. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN ALERTED.
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.)
2004 Chevrolet Malibu Classic Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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