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 |
| 1–30k mi | 137 |
| 100–150k 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 stated that while driving 30 mph, the power steering assist failed without warning. The vehicle was not taken or inspection. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 69,000. *tr
ODI 10511920
Steering
I was living in pennsylvania at the time and as i was coming home from work i was traveling at approximately 25 to 30 mph while coming around a curve the steering went out there was no way i could steer the car and i hit 2 cars and bounced off of them into a high curb my ribs were broken and i have been having severe pain in my hip. Right before the accident there was an alert tone i thought i was low on gas when i…
Crash reported · 2 injuries
ODI 10567987
Exterior Lighting · Service Brakes · Steering
The car steering wheel locked up and unable to control where it was going to guide as coming around curve. Ended up in ditch and shaking like crazy! Im so afraid that something is going to happen. I want another car! *tr
ODI 10510161
Seats · Steering · Structure · Sun/Moon Roof Assembly
I purchased this vehicle in 2006 with 17,000 miles at the carmax superstore in naperville illinois and have had several serious issues since. The leaking sunroof with the innumerable failed attempts at repair. The leak has never been resolved and i have resorted to covering the vehicle with a tarp during inclement weather. The constant clicking noise in the steering when moving the steering wheel back and forth and…
ODI 10510778
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that the power steering assist failed sporadically. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for inspection or repairs. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 115,000 and the current mileage was 143,932.
ODI 10579696
Power Train · Steering
One evening while driving on the expressway @ aprox 55mph the wrench light came on and three chimes the steering wheel locked causing loss of control resulting in a collision with the concrete wall causing suspension damage and body damage to a tune of over $3600.00! Steering and stopping are more important than going! Gm needs to be held accountable for this safety issue before someone is killed. *tr
Crash reported
ODI 10508951
Electrical System · Service Brakes · Steering
While on my way home, driving north on i-95 near washington, dc, i experienced lots of electrical problems (noise and grabbing to the left in the steering column, repeated bulb and light unity failures) then suddenly, a total loss of power steering. I became so scared while needing both hands to manage in heavy traffic traveling at an average of 65mph that i immediately threw a lit cigarette out the window in a…
1 injury
ODI 10509117
Steering
When driving down the road my 2004 chevrolet malibu lt v6 dings and a yellow wrench comes up and on the radio it stays power steering and the steering wheel became very stiff and i could no longer control my vehicle i almost hit a car trying to pull over on the side of the road but thankfully i came to a red light put my hazards lights on and turned the car on and off.... This has happened to me multiple times and…
ODI 10505325
Steering
Approx 1-3 prior to my power steering locking up, the power steering message appeared on my dashboard. I had tried to locate the power steering reservoir when the alarm first displayed only to learn being low on power steering fluid wasn't the situation that it i owned a 2004 chevy malibu ls that had electric power steering. By this time it was too late, i quickly learned that situation results in your steering…
ODI 10504606
Steering
I was driving on the interstate and all of the sudden i lost power steering. The light on the dash came on and the information panel said "power steering" i was able to pull to the side to the road and turn off the car. Once i started it again i had power steering. I drive for a living and this scared me to death. I have never had anything like this happen before. There seems to be an abundant number of complaints…
ODI 10503978
Electric Power Assist System · Electrical System · Steering
Driving down the road when the radio panel started blinking with power steering. I then lost my power steering and my car began to shake this failure occurs without any warning and sometimes the power steering light will illuminate and it will show in the radio panel. As a woman, driving without power steering was extremely difficult. This is not the first time this happened to me it has happened several times and…
ODI 10502983
Steering
As i was turning a corner the power steering went out. This is the third incident in a week, each one as the vehicle was turning. *tr
ODI 10502151
Steering
Attempted to execute a turn into parking lot driveway and the steering would not respond. After passing driveway, attempted to turn in either direction and steering would not respond more than a few degrees (< 10) of direction. Traveled approximately another half mile attempting to turn around and return home before enough steering was restored to complete a turn around. Afterward, steering has been intermittent and…
ODI 10502030
Steering
My wife recently experienced a major problem with the power steering unit in her 2004 malibu while driving with the kids. She says all of a sudden, the 'wrench' light came on, the radio display read "power steering" and she lost all power steering in the car, nearly causing her to crash. This morning, i took her car as i work much closer to home. Sure enough, there is no power steering in the car at all. After…
ODI 10499244
Steering
Making left hand turn power steering failed,almost caused me to run up over curb,very hard to steer,happens fast light on dash steering gone! Bought car used on 2/16/13 steering failed first time on 2/17/13 took back to dealer on 2/18/13 dealer said they replaced power steering motor.car seemed ok for about a week,then power steering failed again on 2/24/13 turning left low speed in my driveway.car going back to…
ODI 10499899
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that while parked, the power steering warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. After shutting the engine off and restarting the vehicle, the failure light turned off. The contact stated that later, while driving approximately 35 mph, the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician advised…
ODI 10499522
Steering
Pulling out of the garage the power steering went out. I drove it without power steering for about 3 miles, parked the vehicle and shut it off. Went inside the business & came out about a half hour later & the steering worked fine. I've researched this issue on line and have found that gm has recalled vehicles for this issue but not the 2004 malibu. This vehicle has also been serviced 3 times in past years for…
ODI 10496743
Steering
Power steering went out unexpectantly. Nearly adverted a wreck. *tr
ODI 10496794
Steering
My son, at college, was driving home when a chime sounded,power steering went out, and warning light came on. He pulled over and called me. First time this has occurred since we bought car in 2008. I talked to a mechanic, a couple of service managers, and looked this complaint up on the web. Found out that hundreds of malibu owners have had the same problem. Gm has not issued a recall for the 2004, but has for later…
ODI 10496436
Power Train · Steering
I was driving my sons 2004 malibu when suddenly there was a few dings followed by the car symbol light with the wrench inside it on the dash light up. The wheel immediately became difficult to turn . It's as if the power steering stopped working. I drove to a safe location, turned off the car and the problem was gone. This does not seem right to me. Please have gm rectify this issue. *tr
ODI 10496234
Power Train · Steering
2004 malibu ls-driving down the highway today and the bell goes off, the yellow wrench appears and the radio shows power steering. The power steering just went out all at once and i almost ran into a truck. Called the chevrolet dealership and they stated there is not a recall on this and it is also not covered under the powertrain warranty. Nhtsa please issue a recall on this power steering problem before it causes…
ODI 10496137
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 55 mph, the power steering assist failed and the power steering warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the failure was unable to be replicated. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 89,000 and the current mileage…
ODI 10507488
Exterior Lighting · Steering
As for the lighting i cannot count how many light bulbs i have replaced on this vehicle to the point that i had the auto shop replace them since i thought i was doing something wrong. They only last about a month or two and burn out which is really dangerous when you don't know if will work or not. The steering issue is a much more dangerous problem, this is my wife's car and she got stuck leaving the house and…
ODI 10493687
Steering
2004 chevrolet malibu. Consumer writes in regards to reimbursement for power steering recall repairs. *smd the consumer was informed the recalled part and the part that was replaced on her vehicle were not the same. The repair shop replaced a bad switch and steering column. *jb
ODI 10909135
Steering
Driving down the road. Car power steering went out. Almost wrecked because i could not steer vehicle. Now the power steering goes in and out as it wishes. The steering wheel jerks to the left when it does decide to work. Sometimes turning the car on and off will make the power steering come back on. *tr
ODI 10502387