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
The power steering intermittently goes out and when turning there are loud clunking sounds. This has happened numerous times and has almost caused multiple accidents. Currently we do not drive the car often because of the safety concerns. *tr
ODI 10383447
Steering
My 2004 malibu sedan with only 29330 miles on it had the power steering go out suddenly while driving and became almost impossible to steer it. The gm dealership i took it to said it's been investigated but not recalled although they have corrected the problem in newer cars because of the problem. I was fortunate to be in town and moving slow but this could have been a major problem if i had been going 50-60 mi per…
ODI 10379918
Steering
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu. While driving approximately 25 mph, the steering wheel became very stiff and a steering light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was pulled over and shut down. Upon restart, the contact was able to operate the steering wheel. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop where they were unable to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The…
ODI 10379690
Steering
The car had been driving fine for the whole day. I maybe have put about 15 miles on when i went to make a turn going about 30 - 35 mph. The steering wheel tightened up. I drove about 3 miles straight with no turns and the steering wheel went back to normal. This has been happening to me on the freeway also. Once i get over 60mph the steering wheel tightens up on me. I pulled over once before and it returned to it…
ODI 10379618
Steering
I have a 2004 chevy malibu (new body style). I have been have problems with the power steering. Last week i was driving and about to turn and the steering wheel locked up on me. I was in the middle of the road and had to turn the car off and restart it to unlocked it. Then today i started the car and the steering wheel would not move i have to turn it off and restart it to unlock it. This is a major safety concern…
ODI 10376739
Steering
The power steering stopped working while i was driving on a highway at 60miles and hour. Has been intermittently lossing power steering since 1/11/11. *tr
ODI 10376649
Steering
Power steering pump fail i didn't know that this cars have the power steering problem and there is no liquid or pump i am not sure if there is any so i guess is electric but is not functioning right. *tr
Crash reported
ODI 10383917
Steering
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu. While driving approximately 45 mph, the power steering warning light illuminated intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnosis but they were unable duplicate the problem. The failure continued to occur. The failure mileage was unknown. The vin was unavailable. Updated 03/29/11*lj updated 03/30/11
ODI 10384263
Steering
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu. While driving 45 mph the power steering locked and the vehicle became difficult to control. After turning the vehicle off and then back on the steering reset itself. The contact was able to control the steering wheel and drive the vehicle home. The dealer nor manufacturer were notified. The failure mileage was 150,000.
ODI 10373520
Steering
I have a 2004 chevy malibu and the power steering light comes on and my steering system is inoperable and makes it very hard for me to steer in traffic. I have to turn my car off to reset it. This is very scary while driving and could be a hazard. *tr
ODI 10372499
Engine And Engine Cooling · Exterior Lighting · Steering
12/24/2010 while driving a 2004 chevy malibu my engine light came on and then the steering wheel locked up while driving and it made a sudden jerking stop. This was the first time this happened but it scared both my daughter and i. Then in addition to keep replacing my headlights and tail lights pretty much every other month they blow out and need to be replaced. For both incidents a local mechanic was consulted and…
ODI 10372699
Steering
I have a 2004 malibu, 6-cylinder, with 97,000+ miles. Recently, the service vehicle light started coming on with a computer display indication of a power steering problem. They have since appeared especially in wet weather, with low rpms (about 600) and on making slow-speed right turns. My not-yet-year-old, 75-month battery also just gave out, but replacing it did not stop the fault indications. Turning off the car…
1 injury
ODI 10372408
Steering
Power steering failure. Warm startup, after rest stop on highway trip, vehicle lost power steering and the "power steering malfunction" light came on dash. Pulled over and checked fuses - all ok. Restarted, problem still there. Restarted again in an hour, problem went away. *tr
ODI 10373261
Steering
Driving in city traffic. Power steering warning light engaged suddenly. Power steering not effected. Car shut off. Restart and drives normally then light goes on again. I have found other complaints about the power steering suddenly going out, so i am adding my voice to those to request chevy recall. *ln
ODI 10372302
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu. The contact was driving approximately 20- 60 mph when the steering wheel suddenly locked and then releases independently within seconds. The vehicle was inspected by an independent mechanic and they advised her that the steering column would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and they offered no assistance. The failure…
ODI 10397133
Steering
Twice in the last 3 weeks power steering failed while making a right turn at the bottom of a hill. Fortunately i had not yet pulled out into traffic or i would have been forced into oncoming traffic. *tr
ODI 10373961
Steering
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu. While driving approximately 35 mph, the contact stated that the vehicle lost powering steering making it difficult to turn. The dealer was not notified. The contact did not inform the manufacturer. The vehicle was not repaired. The current and failure mileages were approximately 139,000. The vin was unavailable.
ODI 10369771
Steering
This in regards to nhtsa case # [xxx] 2004 chevy malibu. Power steering is cutting out intermittently with no warning. My daughter was driving to school and while making a turn on school grounds near buses and kids walking, the steering cut out. She almost hit a number of kids as the sudden unexpected loss of power steering caused her to lose control as the car jerked in the other direction and almost winding upon…
ODI 10368628
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu. The contact was attempted to exit a parking space when the steering wheel locked abnormally. The power steering warning light illuminated following the failure. The contact turned the vehicle off for moments and when restarting, the steering returned to normal. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed. The dealer located the failure at the steering computer and…
ODI 10369453
Steering
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 mph, she noticed that the power steering warning light illuminated on the instrumental panel followed by a loss of power steering. The vehicle was inspected by a dealer who informed the contact that she needed to replace the power steering column. The power steering column was replaced. The failure mileage was…
ODI 10373303
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu. While driving approximately 5 mph, the steering wheel became stiff and difficult to maneuver. The wrench warning light illuminated on the instrument panel accompanied by a warning chime. The steering resumed normal function after shutting the engine off and restarting the vehicle. The failure also occurred while parked and caused the vehicle to stall. The failure…
ODI 10436554
Steering
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu. While driving approximately 30 mph, the steering wheel locked and the power steering warning indicator illuminated. The contact continued to turn the steering wheel with extreme difficulty. The vehicle was driven to the side of the road and the engine was turned off. When the engine restarted the steering wheel unlocked and functioned properly. A diagnostic test will be…
ODI 10366794
Steering
Traveling at 45 kph in heavy traffic, power steering warning light came on and power steering assist was lost making vehicle very, very difficult to steer. This is a safety issue and should result in a product recall. After vehicle was parked and ignition turned off and back on again, power steering resumed. *tr
ODI 10367032
Steering
We purchased the car in 2006. Its a 2004 chevy malibu. The first time we had a problem with the steering was about 4 years ago when we went to turn the wheel and the horn started honking. The dealer told us to bring it in and couldn't make it happen. It did it again and then they determined it was the steering column and replaced a part. The 2nd time it did it, the car/wrench light came on and the steering locked up…
ODI 10365499
Equipment · Mechanical · Steering
2004 malibu purchased 04/05/04 steering column failure 01/10/05 9,225 miles replaced again 06/16/05 13,430 miles 01/30/06 intermittent shaft needed replacement but no "good parts available" finally replaced 08/24/06 24,636 miles rack & pinion steering gear 04/17/07 31,846 miles replaced intermediate steering shaft 09/14/09 54,841 miles replaced rack & pinion steering gear. Car now has 3rd rack gear. On 11/11/10 at…
ODI 10367879