2001 Chevrolet Malibu Steering Problems
- 27
- Owner complaint records in our dataset
Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.
Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.
Among these 27 stored complaint records:
- 6 indicate a crash
- 2 indicate injury
- 0 indicate fire
What owners report
- steering wheel · 14 records
- failure mileage · 6 records
- anti theft · 5 records
- power steering · 5 records
- rack pinion · 4 records
- independent mechanic · 4 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 60–100k mi | 9 |
| 100–150k mi | 7 |
| 150–400k mi | 5 |
| 30–60k mi | 2 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Steering
When i had my right inner and outer tie rods replaced i left the shop and i heard a cluncking when i would make a turn i took it back to the shop and they said a screw had worked its way half way out and there is no way to get it in or out because it's wedged up against the rack and pinion without replacing the rack.and was told (off the record) would have no problem still driving it. I asked if it was safe and was…
ODI 11083717
Electrical System · Engine · Steering
The anti theft system disabled the car on the tappan zee bridge, with no place to stop and 18 wheelers going by me at 60+mph. I had to shut the ignition off, turn it back on and wait 10 minutes for the anti-theft to disable, so i could turn the ignition off and reset the anti-theft and start the car. Talking about scared to death. Happy i am still alive to report this. It was in motion 55mph and stopped running,…
ODI 10991314
Electrical System · Engine · Steering
I backed up my car, put it in drive and the anti theft system disabled the motor. I started rolling backwards and lost my perspective. I rolled backwards into a telephone pole causing a huge dent on my rear drivers side quarter panel. Thank god the pole was there or i might not have realized what was happening. Behind me was a rout iron fence and beyond that was a 20 ft drop (driveway has a retainer wall that it is…
Crash reported
ODI 10991318
Steering
Was told the subframe rusted out and broke off from rack and pions. The wheel wont trun and lost all functions
ODI 10781192
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 chevrolet malibu. While driving approximately 5 mph into a parking space, the vehicle became very difficult to steer. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the rack and pinion had completely rusted off and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure.…
ODI 10762142
Steering
Vehicle became difficult to turn to the right. After having it looked at by a mechanic the entire steering cradle is rusted and has become detached from the frame. Upon turning the steering wheel to the right the power steering box shifts approximately two inches. Currently the car has not been repaired. The sub-frame is also rusted and cost for repair is currently unknown. After reading multiple complaints online…
ODI 10664243
Electrical System · Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that while driving 65 mph, the power steering malfunctioned and the steering wheel seized. As a result, the vehicle crashed into ditch. The contact sustained an injury to the forehead and it was unknown if a police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified about the failure. After the failure, the contact received a…
Crash reported · 1 injury
ODI 10633108
Air Bags · Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 chevrolet malibu. While driving approximately 30 mph, the steering wheel seized without warning. As a result, the contact crashed into the rear passenger side of another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed and no injuries were reported. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was repaired, but the results of the diagnostic testing were…
Crash reported
ODI 10640380
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that while driving 35 mph, the steering wheel seized as the brake lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who was unable to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 60,000.
ODI 10548920
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that while driving 50 mph, the steering wheel failed causing the vehicle to shift to the left. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was not notified. The vin was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000.
ODI 10545386
Steering · Structure
I was driving down the road at 30 mph and heard some popping in my left front tire. I then noticed that i could not turn my steering wheel to the right. It took all of my strength to get it to turn slightly and the more i tried to turn the wheel, the louder the popping sound got. I was no longer able to steer my car. Thankfully i was able to drive into the parking lot of monro and they were able to take a look at…
ODI 10541757
Steering · Suspension
This 2001 chevy malibu had the rack and pinion break free from the engine cradle due to frame corrosion. The car is now undrivable and needs new engine cradle (front frame). This is a safety issue and the frame should not rust on a car in a place that could kill somebody. Bad design. Poor quality. Never buy a gm ....ever. *tr
ODI 10578749
Body · Steering · Wheels
My wife was driving through the college parking lot at approximately 15 mph. When she went to turn the car in a turn lane she had no control over the direction of the car. She ran over a curb with the car before coming to a stop. The local auto maintenance shop said the steering mechanism broke in the front causing loss of control. Because of this she ran the curb and broke off the left front wheel. After reading…
Crash reported
ODI 10550966
Engine · Steering · Suspension · Underbody Shields
I had my car tow to a auto services center cause it would not start, the tech told me it was the starter but said there was another problem the sub frame very rusted and the engine could fall out anytime. They replace the front sub frame,outer tie rod end, sway bar link kit, the cost was $927.39 . Is g m responsible and can i be reimburse for my cost. *tr
ODI 10477943
Steering · Unknown Or Other · Wheels
After experiencing numerous steering lock up and key not turning in ignition (locked up) my malibu would not budge out of the lock position when inserting key. I had to call a tow truck and since the key would not turn in ignition the malibu had to be dragged onto tow truck with wheels locked. Car was towed to dealership at the cost of $70.00. At the dealership the malibu had the ignition lock cylinder and case…
ODI 10633357
Steering
I was going from eb i294 onto sb il394 when the car suddenly changed lanes, it was late and there was very little traffic,so no accident happened, i got the car to a repair shop and they told me the front end cradle that the steering rack mounts to has rusted out, causing me to have very bad steering, and when it happened it bent the steering rack and the tie rod ends. The repair with a salvaged rack was $1800.00, i…
ODI 10464477
Electrical System · Steering
I went to start the car and it wouldn't start. The theft light came on and wont go off. I only had the car for two days and this happens. I don't have the money to take the car to the dealership or get another car. I lose my job in a week due to the place closing down. *tr
ODI 10448516
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 chevrolet malibu. While driving approximately 5 mph, the contact attempted to make a left turn while depressing the brake pedal and a hissing sound was heard from the steering wheel. The steering immediately became difficult to maneuver. After depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle regained steering. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing or repairs. The…
ODI 10440388
Steering
Steering became stiff to turn when making a right turn. Upon investigating the problem, we discovered that a thin mounting tab on the front cross member where the steering box was attached to had rusted away leaving the steering box hanging free. I have seen many internet complaints with this same problem. *tr
ODI 10437922
Frame And Members · Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 mph, the steering wheel became difficult to turn when the power steering failed. The driver lost control of vehicle and veered to the side of the road. The vehicle was inspected by an independent mechanic who advised her that the right side k-frame was fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The…
ODI 10413723
Frame And Members · Steering
Car suddenly began steering hard to the right and made clunking noises when the steering wheel was turned. Discovered that the left side mounting bolt of the steering rack ripped through the rusted out frame cradle, leaving the rack attached by only one bolt. This allows the rack to pivot upwards instead of properly steering the vehicle. The right hand mount is also very rusted and is nearing failure. Car has not…
ODI 10353619
Power Train · Steering
While driving on a highway after going over a pot hole the car turned off. After shifting into neutral and pulling to the side of the road i put it in park and started it back up. It started up fine but when i started driving it was very hard to make turns. After taking it to a mechanic they said the power steering went out and it needs a new rack and pinion and new power steering pump. They said it could be related…
ODI 10649819
Steering
Tl*the contact owns a 2001 chevrolet malibu. While driving at 55-60 mph on march 4, 2007 the steering wheel began to automatically turn on its own and a fraction of the steering wheel became detached. While depressing the brakes the contact struck a brick wall. The vehicle and contact were unharmed. The vehicle was towed. The current and failure mileage were 87,000.*ak
Crash reported
ODI 10187096
Air Bags · Steering
I was driving down a road with the speed limit being 55 mph which i was doing and hit the edge of the road on the right side and when i turned the wheel slightly to the left the entire car went to the left and the car hit a tree head on at 55 mph and the neither of the air bags deployed. The car totaled. *jb
Crash reported · 1 injury
ODI 10088102
Steering
When the consumer attempted to turn the vehicle, the steering wheel became hard to turn. *jb
ODI 10022435