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
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu. While driving 2 mph, the steering wheel suddenly locked. The contact turned the vehicle off and restarted it; it performed normally after. The failure was intermittent. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where it was replaced (repair details were not given). The failure mileage was approximately 6,000 and the current mileage was 7,730.
ODI 10362233
Steering
While driving the vehicle the steering wheel locks up and the vehicle can not steer. *tr
ODI 10318507
Steering
After hearing an odd spark-electrical sound that seemed to come from the steering column power steering failed during routine driving causing loss of vehicle control. Steering column would not lock into place making it more difficult to steer without power assist. This has only happened one time as vehicle use has been restricted since the failure. *tr
ODI 10317404
Steering
Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6) i have 2004 chevy malibu and i am occurring have power steering problems, i took my dealer and the diagnostic my i need to replace the steering column, steering intermediate shaft, that s is not and customer wear and tear that an manufacture problem, i went an alittle higher i contact gm file [xxx] and the said there are…
ODI 10316041
Steering
Steering column defective on the chevy malibu. I have a 2004 chevy malibu and the steering locks on turns, merging and acceleration. Very dangerous! *tr
ODI 10310258
Steering
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu. While driving approximately 20 mph she attempted to make a right turn the and the steering wheel malfunctioned without warning. She was able to drive the vehicle to the service station. She stated that after the failure occurred the warning light on the instrumental panel illuminated. The service station turned the vehicle off to reset the power steering.she will take the…
ODI 10303629
Steering
During normal driving, driver information center displayed "power steering" and all power steering assist stopped. Car was very hard to steer, but was able to steer to side of road. After restarting the car, power steering returned. This car was serviced by gm in 2004 to repair this problem (under the original odi complaint investigation) but the problem has recurred and gm insists that we need to replace the…
ODI 10303171
Steering
Own a 2004 chevrolet malibu that has been driven normally over the course of ownership. Inexplicably the power steering light came on the drivers information center. Shortly after the steering locked up. It took several times turning the vehicle on and off to get the power steering to come back on. The failure occurs 4 to 5 times a week and we are afraid that it may cause an accident. Also, the steering column has…
ODI 10315603
Steering
While driving the vehicle, it loses power steering and is very difficult to turn the wheel. It occurs frequently and has been brought to the dealer for repairs. They say it has a defective steering column. The condition as exists is identified in a gm service bulletin# 04-02-35-009a. I contacted gm and they told me that this was not a safety issue and would not pay for the repairs. *tr
ODI 10307961
Steering
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu. While driving approximately 55 mph on normal road conditions the "power steering" warning light indicator illuminated on the instrument panel. Immediately, there was a loss of power steering. The driver pulled over to the side of the road which required higher effort to turn the steering wheel. The engine was turned off and restarted. The vehicle resumed normal operation.…
ODI 10301727
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu. Whenever the contact drives the vehicle at any speed, in any driving conditions the vehicle will suddenly lose all power steering. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealership. The current and failure mileages were 60000.
ODI 10317052
Steering
2004 chevy malibu. Problem with steering. Steering wheel wants to tug repeatedly to the left. If i barely touch the steering wheel and put a little pressure either to right or left, the steering wheel by itself tugs up and down. At higher speeds i can feel in hands occasionally tugging. Hope it don't decide one day to just do a hard turn into oncoming traffic. Was told that it most likely is the steering assist on…
ODI 10302001
Steering
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that the power steering suddenly failed; the contact had to use extra force to keep the vehicle under control. The contact turned the vehicle off and restarted which reset the power steering. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was 100,000 and the current mileage was 104,957.
ODI 10384264
Steering
My mother owns a 2004 chevy malibu. The problem is that when she driving and about to make a turn the steering wheel looses power and is hard to turn. This could become a problem if snow or ice on the ground or she trying to avoid an accident. I had it over for service at a local chevy dealer. I was told that this is an occurring problem with this model. But that doesn't fix the problem. My mother is 72 years old.…
ODI 10297492
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu . While driving 60 mph he noticed the power steering warning light illuminated on the instrument control panel,and then the power steering failed. He then pulled over to the side of the road to restart the vehicle. The dealer was contacted the dealer to schedule an appointment for inspection. Any repairs will made at the owners expense. The failure mileage was 145000. The…
ODI 10297503
Fuel System, Gasoline · Steering
I have a 2004 chevy malibu with 80,000 plus miles. My power steering column motor shorted out and therefore my power steering has enabled my car to be driven; and the fuel gauge shows empty when i just filled it with gas. I did an on-line research and saw there were so many other consumers that have the exact same problem as i have and i contacted gm and they told me it was nothing they could do. It is sad when we…
ODI 10339337
Steering
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that intermittently while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel would begin pulling to the left, causing increased difficulty in steering. The power steering warning light would illuminate intermittently a few moments before the failure would occur. He also stated that on occasion, the power steering would be inoperable upon starting the…
ODI 10322771
Steering
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu. While driving approximately 5 mph the contact stated that the steering wheel became stiff and she was unable to maneuver the vehicle. The engine light came on and there was also an alert that indicated a problem with the power steering. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or a mechanic to be repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 59,000.
ODI 10368554
Steering
As my girlfriend pulled into a parking lot with my 2004 chevrolet malibu and just when i prepared to leave, the steering warning light came on and the alarm sounded. The power assist on the steering was not functioning. Turned off the car and restarted it and the problem went away. Aprox 2 weeks later, she went to turn into the driveway and the steering failed again. While these occurred at low speed,i do worry that…
ODI 10310380
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated while driving 30 mph, the steering system malfunctioned, making it difficult to steer the vehicle. The contact had the steering column replaced previously but the repair did not remedy the issue. The contact did not call the manufacturer or the dealer. The contact took the vehicle to a local mechanic where the mechanic advised that the steering column…
ODI 10434268
Steering
I was driving myself and my 2 year old son home when i lost my power steering and had to stop, i shut off the car and waited ten minutes turned it back on and it started working again. I brought the car to my mechanic and had to have the entire steering column and everything replaced. The day after i picked up my car it was making an awful noise so i had to bring it back and am having another part of the steering…
ODI 10292335
Steering
The power steering on my 2004 malibu ls failed while making a turn. I nearly had an accident. My local garage diagnosed the problem as a module in the steeringcolumn and said it's a fairly common problem. This is extremely dangerous and should be considered for a recall or manufactures service bulletin. *tr
ODI 10291112
Steering
While driving my 2004 malibu ls power steering will go out it is all you can do to steer car. I can not steer car when this happens. You have to stop car turn ignition off then start car again to get your power steering back. You may have to do this several times steering will quiver as you turn. This is very dangerous and will result in deaths there should be a recall to correct this problem. Steering column has…
ODI 10293532
Steering
Power steering pulls hard one way soft another and can at random quit functioning at all. The problem i experience sounds identical to the recent gm recall and is a known issue. I am adding this because the nhtsa closed the investigation for this car and should reopen it. *tr
ODI 10316075
Steering
I took vehicle into goodyear for oil change and told them more steering noises are happening. *tr
ODI 10286517