2004 Chevrolet Malibu Steering Problems
- 684
- 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 684 stored complaint records:
- 25 indicate a crash
- 9 indicate injury
- 0 indicate fire
What owners report
- Electric Power Assist System · 110 records
- Column · 14 records
- Rack And Pinion · 2 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 60–100k mi | 168 |
| 100–150k mi | 137 |
| 1–30k mi | 137 |
| 30–60k mi | 85 |
| 150–400k mi | 56 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Steering
Heavy snapping sound (hard enough to be felt) upon turning wheels in either direction. It has been noted to me that this is a "quirk" of the steerng for this model and can not be remedied. The car was bought used and told that the rack and pinion steering had been replaced but did not remedy the situation and was not a safety consideration. In my opinion, when something makes a snapping sound and can be felt, this…
ODI 10627514
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated while driving approximately 10 mph, there was an unexpected loss of power steering, followed by an illumination of both the power steering and engine warning indicators. The contact drove to the side of the road where the engine was turned off and restarted. The vehicle resumed with the steering malfunction. The vehicle was taken to an independent…
ODI 10420041
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu. While driving approximately 10 mph and turning, the vehicle made clunking noises. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed and the steering shaft was lubricated. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle was taken back to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the intermediate steering shaft needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was…
ODI 10893609
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that when driving at any speed, the steering wheel seized and became difficult to maneuver. The failure recurred several times and after the vehicle was shut off and powered back on, it would operate as normal. The dealer did not offer any assistance and the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic where…
ODI 10421610
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, a yellow light would illuminate on the instrument panel and the steering wheel would seize. After shutting the vehicle off for a few moments, the steering would resume as normal. The vehicle was not taken to have the failure diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was unknown and the current mileage was 170,000.…
ODI 10419708
Steering
2004 chevrolet malibu; steering problems; i had electrical power steering replaced 8/2011. Did ok until spring 2012, when weather became warmer. From spring to late fall, i have no power steering. This is dangerous. I never know when it will be going out. My car only had @45000 miles on it when it happened. This is just uncalled for. I have a young son; this is my only means of transportation; and it is dangerous.…
ODI 10545460
Steering
Power steering goes out during summer months; paid to repair 8/2011; works ok during winter, but power steering goes out in summer months. This is dangerous. Almost had several accidents. *tr
ODI 10465513
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that the power steering would deactive while the vehicle is in motion. The dealer was notified, but did not diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 92,850 and the current mileage was 93,000.
ODI 10415614
Steering
Steering wheel will lock up driving down the road almost caused head on crash. *tr
ODI 10414806
Electrical System · Steering
In july 2011 the power steering went out. About a week later it started going out while driving. Had the steering column, and racket and pinion replaced, and the then the radio stopped playing cds, and the seat belt light constantly stays on even if you have the seat belt on. *tr
ODI 10474417
Steering
I was driving down the highway around 11 pm i went to make a right turn and all of a sudden the steering wheel locked up and the car started beeping about the power steering. The next day i go to have the car inspected and it drives normal no power steering lights on. I have called to find out if there are any recalls and there are not this happens too often to just be ignored my father was the previous owner and it…
ODI 10415398
Steering
Power steering went out in my 2004 chevy malibu. Contacted dealer - they wouldn't do anything. Very dangerous the power steering is very intermittent, locks up and stays frozen/locked up until you cut the car off. When i cut the car back on it is unfrozen/unlocked and the steering works - however it goes out intermittently and always happens while driving. Multiple complaints on this vehicles steering, which is very…
ODI 10551016
Steering
Since last year 3 or 4 times i have the dci warning and message power steering, its hard to drive,stop the car turn off and turn on again and the power came back, the warning comes when i start driving.every day i drive worry because i dont know when it will happend again,specially when im driving in the highway over 50 miles an hour.thank you for recomend me what to do. *tr
ODI 10450166
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu. While driving approximately 35 mph, the steering wheel became stiff and the steering warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. After restarting the vehicle, the power steering functioned normally. The failure recurred intermittently. The contact inspected the vehicle and replaced the electronic power steering motor. After the repair the failure continued. The…
ODI 10428982
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that while driving at any speed, the vehicle would suddenly lose power steering without warning. The vehicle was not taken to have the failure diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 85,000 and the current mileage was 85,188.
ODI 10413371
Steering
Power steering went out summer 2010; replaced power steering @40,000 miles. Now at 45,000 miles having same problem. Power steering goes out..no warning; have almost had several accidents because of it. *tr
ODI 10409156
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that the power steering would intermittently fail while driving 45 mph. In order to correct the failure, the contact would pull the vehicle over and restart it. The vehicle was never taken to any mechanic for inspection on the steering. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage…
ODI 10409039
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that the power steering warning light was illuminated and the steering became extremely resistant. The vehicle was inspected by the dealer and they advised him that the steering column needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not contacted nor was the vehicle repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000. The vin was unavailable.
ODI 10414714
Steering
While driving, the service warning light would come on and the power steering assist would go away. I am left with no power assisted steering. This is a very scary and dangerous problem to have. Most of the time i have been able to pull over, shut off the car, and then steering would come back. This morning, the steering went out while driving on a curvy road. First the steering wheel shook while entering a turn,…
ODI 10407577
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu. The contact was driving 55 mph when the steering wheel locked abnormally and the contact was unable to maneuver the steering wheel. He also mentioned that the check engine light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer but the manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance, stating that there were no recalls for the failure.…
ODI 10407188
Steering
On tuesday, june 7, 2011 the power steering on my 2004 chevy malibu ls suddenly went off while using the turn signal to change lanes at 5-10mph. A power steering problem was posted on the digital display and the car icon with a wrench lit up. Steering was very difficult, worse than manual and felt locked. I was terrified and immediately drove to the mechanic and left the car for them to inspect. They reported that…
ODI 10405568
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu max. The contact stated that the steering wheel failed and could not be turned. The failure was experienced numerous times. The steering wheel returned to normal function after the engine was shut off and restarted. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The vin was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000 and the current mileage was 130,000. Updated…
ODI 10515193
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu. While driving approximately 40 mph, the power steering stopped functioning with the illumination of the power steering warning light. The contact was able to apply extreme force to the steering wheel and maneuver the vehicle into a parking lot. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostics and was not repaired. The vin was unavailable. The approximate failure…
ODI 10402578
Steering
I have a 2004 chevy malibu. I brought the car to the dealership for its 48k service and had steering trouble ever since. The problem started out easy to turn one way and hard to turn the other, then the difficulty would go away. After a week of this, it went out completely while turning into a parking lot. I had no power assisted steering at all and almost hit a parked car. After shutting off the engine and starting…
ODI 10402502
Steering
Electric assist power steering unit failed. Nearly causing a serious accident. *tr
ODI 10407348