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. The contact received a recall notification for nhtsa campaign number: 14e044000 (power steering); however, the part needed for the repair was unavailable. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver and the power steering fluid needed to be refilled. The failure mileage was 100,000.
ODI 10638804
Steering
Power steering failed while car being driven. *tr
ODI 10231562
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that the power steering assist randomly disengaged without warning. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer and the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 70,000 and the current mileage was 124,000.
ODI 10435536
Steering
When turning the steering wheel it makes popping noises and can be felt on the steering wheel. It appears to be getting worse over time. I am a little concerned that it may be ready to fail. The dealership indicated that it was not serious. *tr
ODI 10229667
Steering
I had a small vibration in my steering wheel at about 74,000 miles. I took it into the dealer and they changed the steering column. I now have 91,000 miles on my car at it is vibrating worse then it ever has before. *tr
ODI 10228909
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the steering wheel starting moving from left to right independently. The contact stated that the failure would also occur when driving at various speeds. The contact took the vehicle to a local mechanic where the steering rack was replaced but the repair did not remedy the issue. The contact stated that the vehicle…
ODI 10400828
Mechanical · Steering
I reported this to nhtsa and no contact from anyone. I own a 2004 chevy malibu. I have spent over $2400.00 to have this repaired. Failure of power steering indicator and a loss of power steering while driving this vehicle. I have had to paid to have 2 new gm steering columns installed in the last year and half. Have had the sensor adjusted on the new steering column. And i still continue to have this problem. I have…
ODI 10278272
Equipment · Steering
2004 chevy malibu was taken in due to power steering column and service car light coming on and clunking coming from car. Had it in the first dealership first time notified me that it was the steering column $1500 later and it wasn't repaired. Took back to same location. Then they notify me that the same steering column was bad again and now my rack and pinion had to be replaced. $650.00. Light again now loosing…
ODI 10260860
Steering
I was driving on the freeway when my 2004 malibu started jerking to the left then a warning bell went off and the power steering warning came on. Then the car pulled left and the steering went out. I took it the a chevy dealer they tried to charge me $1125.00 dollars to fix the problem because the warranty only covered the steering column under the hood and not inside of the passenger compartment. The problem has…
ODI 10328172
Steering
I purchased a chevrolet malibu in the year 2004. The car is over 100,000 miles and out of warranty, however, the incident that i experienced with this vehicle is life and death hazard in the manufacture of this car. I have owned chevrolet's since i can remember and my dad is an x-employee of general motors. The situation that took place with my car is while in automatic drive gear and going traffic speed the power…
ODI 10229769
Steering
Power steering message comes on and there is only 85,000 miles. No warranty to cover this issue at this early in its life! *tr
ODI 10246781
Steering · Structure · Turn Signal
Multiple problems with this car - left turn signal does not work - car is aligned and still wants to go left (electrical steering issues i am told) - adjustable pedals do not adjust - visor mirror is broken - *tr
ODI 10225775
Steering
Electric steering will loose power. The steering column has been replaced twice. The first time the deals replaced it free of charge. Second time the dealer paid for the parts but i had to pay for the labor $ 225.00. *tr
ODI 10227407
Steering
Sometimes when i crank there is no power steering at all. If i park on a incline it seems to never have power steering. The wrench light stays on in the dashboard and power steering is written across the radio panel. *tr
ODI 10509503
Steering
Popping in steering column when turning, occurs all the time. *tr
ODI 10241007
Steering
My steering wheel started to move on its own even at idle. This happened for a day, then i lost my power steering as i tried to turn left in a parking lot. The car wouldn't turn. Now i cannot steer left or right and the check engine light is continuously on and you see "power steering" in the info box on the dash. I am upset that i am finding many complaints on the internet and chevy/gm has not made this issue a…
ODI 10220190
Steering
A clunking in the steering wheel when turning at low speed. Took my 1st chevy to the mechanic with the same noise and was told i bought a lemon because gm can't resolve issues with the steering column so i was bummed. I went out and purchased another gm thinking that the last car was a lemon and it couldn't happen again. I was sadly mistaken! I've bought 2 gm cars in the last 3 years and now regret it, i owned…
ODI 10209681
Steering
2004 chevy malibu steering column has been replaced 3 times and now the steering goes out again and the car is out of warranty. I paid over 100.00 to the chevy dealership to figure out the steering problem and an eletrical problem just for them to tell me there is nothing wrong. However both problems still exist. Chevy does not want to pay for any repairs, but they say they stand by their cars. *tr
ODI 10214105
Steering
I purchased my 04 malibu in 11/06-had the vehicle for 3 days and heard a thumping in the steering column. Called the dealership, took in and they replaced the drive shaft ( a common problem with this year malibu i have been told). The problem has come back to haunt along with having issues with the power steering, i lost my power steering and almost got into an accident. I can not believe that this car has not been…
ODI 10291469
Steering
Steering wheel appears to lock up and power steering lost. Steering column appears loose. Happens daily and approx. Ten to twelve times weekly. Often noise rattling like in lower or base steering shaft area. Sometimes happens a minute or two after we start car and vehicle moves. Sometimes at about 20-45 mph in city driving. Other times when car is going 50-75 mph in highway driving. It is intermittent and…
ODI 10689836
Steering
Got power steering warning. Had diagnostic check with no results. Ignored the warning for a month. Power steering failed while in a parking lot. Shut off engine, restarted and had power steering again. Happened a second time this time with my wife driving. She managed to pull over and shut off car. Power steering worked when the car was re-started. *tr
ODI 10204692
Steering
Power steering light came on and steering wheel would not turn. Had to turn car off then back on to be able to turn steering wheel since it was locked up. This has been happening constantly since the first incident. Sometimes you have to cut the car off several times and back on just to be able to drive it. This is extremely dangerous because you lose all ability to turn car. Lucky for me this hasn't happened going…
ODI 10273177
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that while driving at a low speeds, the steering wheel independently turned left and right. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The technician diagnosed that the steering box assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle had been previously been taken to the dealer multiple times and the technician diagnosed that the steering…
ODI 10695390
Exterior Lighting · Steering · Suspension
I purchased this vehicle used from crane chevrolet, clifton, new jersey, within six months after purchase i observed that the power steering would suddenly stop operating while the engine was running. I discovered that the only corrective was to shut the car off and restart the engine. The power steering would then reengage. This failure has persisted for nearly the entire time i've owned the vehicle. During that…
ODI 10604349
Steering
Power steering goes out on a regular basis in my 2004 chevy malibu ls. I have had to pull over and turn off the car and restart on several occasions to get steering power back. The dealerships claim there is nothing wrong with my car and have charged me 110 dollars in diagnostics and unsuccessful repairs. *tr
ODI 10238002