Chevrolet Malibu Complaints (2004)

1,582 consumer complaints on file.

#10326112April 17, 2010
STEERING
CHEVY MALIBU MAXX 04 STEERING CATCHES IN HARD LEFT OR RIGHT TURNS WITH SHIFTING AND GRATING SOUNDS. COMPLAIN SINCE NEW WITH STEERING SHAFT REPLACED (ABOUT 40,000) AND OTHER WORK. NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE. CAR HAS 90,0000 NOW AND THE NOISE AND STEERING ISSUES HAVE BEEN GETTING WORSE. DEALER SAYS ABOUT $300 TO REPLACE WITH NO GUARANTEE THAT IT WILL FIX THE PROBLEM. I FEEL IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10325036April 12, 2010
STEERING
WE HAVE A CHEVY MALIBU MAXX, WE HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING ON THIS VEHICLE. I KNOW THE CAR HAS ELECTRONIC STEERING AND THIS IS WHAT I,M WORRIED ABOUT. WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY OR IN TOWN THE POWER STEERING SOMETIMES GOES OUT AND OTHER TIMES IT SEEMS LIKE YOU LOSE CONTROL OF THE STEERING ALL TOGETHER.THE STEERING ALSO BECOMES VERY TIGHT AND THEN VERY FAST IT BECOMES VERY LOOSE ALMOST CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOOSE CONTROL. A FEW DAYS AGO ON THE HIGHWAY THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY LOOSE AND BEGAN PULLING FROM SIDE TO SIDE FOR MANY MILES, WE HAD TO PULL OVER AND TURN OFF THE VEHICLE. THIS DID NOT HELP THE STEERING PROBLEM ANY.THE CAR WOULD ALSO START PULLING FROM ONE SIDE TO THE OTHER ON ITS OWN. WHEN I WOULD TRY TO CORRECT THE STEERING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION IT WOULD THEN PULL TO THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION ALMOST CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO WRECK. EVEN WHEN GOING AT LOW SPEEDS THE VEHICLES STEERING IS BECOMING A REAL PROBLEM. IT FEELS LIKE YOU ARE ABOUT TO LOSE CONTROL AT ANY MINUTE. I HAVE READ THAT MANY OTHERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM THAT WE ARE AND THAT WORRIES ME VERY MUCH , BECAUSE WE HAVE TWO SMALL CHILDREN WHO RIDE IN THIS VEHICLE OFTEN. IS THIS ISSUE SOMETHING THAT CHEVY IS LOOKING INTO OR WILL IT TAKE A COUPLE OF ACCIDENTS OR EVEN A DEATH FOR THEM TO RECALL THIS CAR FOR REPAIRS. I HOPE YOU WILL TAKE THIS MATTER VERY SERIOUSLY BEFORE SOMETHING VERY DEADLY HAPPENS. IT IS A VERY DANGEROUS MECHANICAL ISSUE THAT CHEVY DESPERATELY NEEDS TO TAKE A LOOK AT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10324653April 9, 2010
SEATS
1. A SUPPORT/ADJUSTMENT BAR FOR THE DRIVER'S SEAT BROKE CAUSING THE DRIVERS SEAT TO SUDDENLY DROP TO THE RIGHT. 2. SUPPORT/ADJUSTING BAR IS BROKEN AND WILL REQUIRE REPAIR/REPLACEMENT. CAN NOT ADJUST THE SEAT CORRECTLY FOR COMFORTABLE AND PROPER DRIVING POSITION. ALMOST PUT THE CAR INTO A GUARD RAIL IN WHEN IT HAPPENED. GOOD THING MY 16 YEAR OLD WAS NOT DRIVING IT AT THE TIME. 3. DEALER WANTS $1000 FOR REPAIR, NO REPLACEMENT PART AVAILABLE, REQUIRES ENTIRE SEAT FRAME TO BE REPLACED AT $400+. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10324568April 8, 2010
STEERING
I HAVE A 04 CHEVY MALIBU AND SOMETIMES THE POWER STEERING WITH GO OUT WHILE I AM DRIVING. NEXT TIME I USE THE CAR ITS FINE. I SEE THAT THERE ARE MANY PROBLEMS WITH POWER STEERING IN MALIBUS AND IT CAN CAUSE A WRECK IF ITS NOT TAKEN CARE OF. I BOUGHT THE CAR A YR AGO AND IT HAS HAPPENED A COUPLE TIMES THROUGH THE YEAR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10323206April 5, 2010
STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER STATES STEERING PROBLEMS. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED RECENTLY THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE MADE A GRINDING SOUND AND PULLED TO THE LEFT. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE AND NOTED THE STEERING WHEEL WAS OFF IN THE FRONT END. A SYSTEMS CHECK WAS PERFORMED AND THE TEST CONFIRMED THE STEERING WHEEL TORQUE SENSOR FAILED. THE TEST ALSO CONFIRMED THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10323912April 5, 2010
STEERING
I HAVE A 2004 CHEVY MALIBU MAXX, ON SEVEN TIMES NOW THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT (INOPERATIVE WITH A CHIME AND AMBER LIGHT) THIS HAS ONLY HAPPENED BELOW 15 MILES AN HOUR AND WHILE IN A SHARP TURN. THE CAR BECOMES VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN ESPECIALLY FOR MY WIFE AND IMPOSSIBLE FOR MY DAUGHTER. CHEVY COULD NOT FIND ANY FAULTS, I HAD THE SHOP REPLACE THE ELECTRIC MOTOR AT A COST OF $700.00 AND TWO WEEKS LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN. I NOW ANY HAVING THE STEERING COLUMN WITH A SENSOR REPLACED FOR ANOTHER $600.00. AGAIN CHEVY REFUSES TO HELP. THEY HAVE A SERVICE BULLETIN ABOUT THIS EXACT SCENARIO BUT STILL THEY REFUSE. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY COMPLAINTS THAT I HAVE FOUND ON THE INTERNET. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10323515April 2, 2010
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT:SEAL, STEERING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED CONTINUOUSLY. WHEN THE POWER STEERING FAILED, THE WHEEL WOULD MAKE A CLICKING SOUND WHEN THE CONTACT MADE A TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE DEALER GREASED THE STEERING COLUMN; HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 9,500. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,400. THE FIRST TIME, THE STABILIZER LINK BUSHING WERE REPLACED, THE SECOND TIME, THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT WAS REPLACED AND THE THIRD TIME, THE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED. THE RIGHT FRONT AXLE SEAL WAS LEAKING. UPDATED 05/24/10*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10322771March 30, 2010
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 VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT IN ORDER TO RESET THE POWER STEERING, HE WOULD SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTART IT TO RESET THE SYSTEM. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE AND DID NOT MAKE ANY REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT YET BEEN CONTACTED TO REPORT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,270 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 81,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10322867March 30, 2010
STEERING
2004 CHEVY MALIBU, LOST POWER STEERING AGAIN. TAKING A LEFT TURN AT BUSY INTERSECTION, VERY VERY HARD TO TURN WHEEL WITH NO POWER STEERING I'M 62 AND DON'T HAVE ALOT OF STRENGTH IN MY ARM. NEARLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. HAD STEERING COLUME REPLACED NOV 04, HAD MORE PROBLEMS, HAD TORQUE SENSOR REPLACED JULY 06. NOW IT IS HAPPENING AGAIN AND WHEN I CALL GM THEY SAID IT IS NO LONGER THEIR PROBLEM AND I WOULD NEED TO CALL MY DEALERSHIP. I HAVE GONE THAT ROUTE & THEY CHARGE $100.00 DIAGNOSTIC FEE AND SAY THAT CAN NOT FIND THE PROBLEM UNLESS IT IS HAPPENING AND WOULD HAVE TO CHARGE ANOTHER $100.00. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. AT LEAST TOYOTA TOOK RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR SCREW UP IT'S MORE THAT YOU CAN SAY FOR GM. CHECK THE INTERNET AND SEE HOW MANY COMPLAINTS THERE ARE!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10322446March 27, 2010
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE FRONT YELLOW SIGNAL LIGHT SEEN TO GET VERY HOT MELTING THE INNER COVER WHICH IS LOCATE INSIDE THE HEADLIGHT IN BOTH OF THEM IT SEEN THAT MOST OF THESE CAR HAS THE SAME PROBLEM.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10322421March 26, 2010
STEERING
LOST POWER STEERING IN MY LATE MODEL YEAR 2004 MALIBU LT. NO PERSONAL INJURY OR DAMAGE. TURNED CAR OFF AND RESTARTED - POWER STEERING RESTORED. TOOK TO DEALER SINCE LOCAL MECHANIC HAD NO IDEA WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. DEALER SAID HE HAS HAD TO REPLACE MANY OF THESE BUT NO RECALLS HAD BEEN ISSUED. RECOMMENDED REPLACEMENT OF STEERING COLUMN ($641.59) AND ALIGNMENT ($59.95) ALONG WITH OTHER NON-RELATED ISSUES. MULTIPLE NHTSA ACTION NUMBERS AND DEFECT INVESTIGATIONS WERE STARTED IN 2004. A MORE RECENT SERVICE BULLETIN NUMBER: 7126; NHTSA NUMBER: 10023644 WAS STARTED ON THE 2005 MODELS. THIS IS A DANGEROUS PROBLEM THAT GM SHOULD HAVE SOME RESPONSIBILITY FOR CORRECTING.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10322127March 25, 2010
STEERING:COLUMN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, A CLANKING NOISE SOUNDED AND THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE FIRST REPAIR WAS AT DEALERS EXPENSE. THE SECOND REPAIR THE MANUFACTURER WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR HALF OF THE REPAIR COST. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON A THIRD OCCASION FOR THE CLANKING NOISE FAILURE AND THE STEERING SHAFT WAS REPLACED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 61,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10321394March 22, 2010
STEERING
MOST RECENT INCIDENT WAS SUNDAY MARCH 21. NOTICED THE STEERING PROBLEM FOR THE FIRST TIME ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO, BUT THE DOUBLE CLICK SOUND HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR ABOUT 5 MONTHS. WHILE TURNING LEFT FROM A STOP LIGHT THE STEERING STOPPED WORKING. I STARTED FROM A STOP, ACCELERATED THRU THE INTERSECTION TURNING LEFT. ABOUT HALFWAY THRU THE TURN MY STEERING WHEEL TRIED TO GO BACK STRAIGHT. IT NEARLY JERKED THE WHEEL OUT OF MY HANDS. I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE GAS AND A SECOND LATER THE STEERING CAME BACK. I HAVE SINCE BEEN ABLE TO REPRODUCE THE EFFECT SEVERAL TIMES. I ALSO NOTICED THAT IT IS ACCOMPANIED BY A DOUBLE "CLICK" SOUND COMING FROM SOMEWHERE UNDER THE STEERING COLUMN, AND IS USUALLY ACCOMPANIED BY A BING BING AND EITHER/OR THE BATTERY LIGHT AND THE CAR WITH A WRENCH LIGHT. THIS ALSO OCCURS WHEN ACCELERATING UP HILL ON THE FREEWAY. *DT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10321141March 20, 2010
STEERING, EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL
I OWN A 2004 CHEVY MALIBU WHEN STARTING VEHICLE THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ENGAGES AND THE CONSOLE INDICATOR CHIMES READING POWER STEERING. THIS OCCURS EVERY TIME I START THE CAR NOW. I HAVE REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN 2 TIMES SINCE TAKING OWNERSHIP OF VEHICLE IN FEBRUARY 2008. BOTH STEERING COLUMNS WERE GENUINE GM PARTS INSTALLED BY A CERTIFIED TECHNICIAN. WORK PERFORMED IN 5/08 AND 10/08 TOTALING SOME $3000.00. PAID ANOTHER DEALER $51.56 TO ADJUST AND CALIBRATE SENSOR. IT WAS OK FOR THE SUMMER. LATE FALL 2009 BEGAN COMING ON INTERMEDIATELY AGAIN. NOW IT COMES ON EACH TIME YOU START THE CAR AND YESTERDAY I ACTUALLY LOST POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING THE CAR. I HAD LOST THE POWER ASSIST STEERING A TOTAL OF 4 TIMES NOW. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. SOMEONE COULD GET HURT HERE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10320622March 18, 2010
STEERING
WHILE DRIVING ON A COUNTY HIGHWAY WITHOUT WARNING MY POWER STEERING LOCKED, AND IT SCARED THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS OUT OF ME. I HAD ALL I COULD DO TO STEER MY CAR AND IT WAS VERY SCARY. I MADE IT TO MY DESTINATION AND WHEN I LEFT MY DESTINATION IT WAS FINE. THEN ON THE WAY HOME ON UNIVERSITY AVE IN DOWNTOWN MADISON WHICH IS A VERY BUSY STREET, THE POWER STEERING LOCKED UP AGAIN. A VERY HORRIFYING MOMENT. AGAIN I REALLY HAD TO STRUGGLE WITH THE STEERING. I FEEL THIS IS VERY BIG SAFETY ISSUE AND LIFE THREATINGA TO ME AND MY PASSENGERS AND ALSO OTHER VEHICLES ON THE ROAD. I HAVEN'T HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH IT THE LAST 3 DAYS. I BELIEVE GM NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10320793March 18, 2010
STEERING
2004 MALIBU. STEERING WAS HARD ON ONE SIDE AND SOFT ON THE OTHER. TOO IT TO DEALER. DEALER FIXED IT BY COMPUTER. NOW BOTH SIDES OF STEERING RE EQUAL - BUT - IT CONTINUALLY WANTS TO STEER ON ITS OWN TO THE RIGHT. IT WILL NOT HOLD A STRAIGHT LINE, UNLESS I KEEP MY HANDS ON THE STEERING WHEEL. IF I HOLD IT LOOSELY, IT WILL VEER RIGHT INTO WHATEVER IS ON MY RIGHT SIDE. DEALER SAID THIS IS NORMAL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10320395March 17, 2010
STRUCTURE:BODY
MY 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX LEAKS FROM THE ROOF AREA BETWEEN THE WINDSHIELD AND THE SUNROOF. WHEN WE HAVE HEAVY RAIN. SUCH AS WHAT WE HAD ON SATURDAY 3/13/10, WATER WAS LEAKING FROM THE OVERHEAD LIGHTS ONTO THE CONSOLE. IT ALSO LEAKS FROM UNDER THE DRIVERS AREA. PUDDLES IN THE LEFT REAR PASSENGER AREA. IT HAPPENS IN MODERATE TO HEAVY RAIN FALL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10320382March 17, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, STEERING:COLUMN, STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 25-35 MPH; PROCEEDING TO MAKE A TURN. THERE WAS A LOUD POPPING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. ALSO, THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AT A DIFFERENT TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR SERVICE REPAIRS. THE COMPONENTS WERE REPLACED ON SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHICH CONSISTS OF THE STEERING COLUMN, GAS CAP, FUEL MODULE, AND TIE-ROD. THE PCM WAS ALSO REPROGRAMMED. THE SERVICE REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED AT THE DEALER ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10320021March 15, 2010
STEERING
POWER STEERING TURN OFF. AROUND 50KM/H. WARNING LIGHT END BELL CAME ON. VERY HARD TO KEEP THE CAR ON THE ROAD. STOP THE CAR AND TURN ON AGAIN EVERY THING CAME BACK TO NORMAL. BUT UNTIL WHEN? CHEVROLET MALIBU 2004 LS, 66800 KMS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10319519March 14, 2010
STEERING
WHILE TRAVELING ON ROUTE 128 IN WELLESLEY, MA AT A STEADY UNACCELERATION SPEED OF 65 MPH, I EXPERIENCED A NEAR TOTAL LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, ACCOMPANIED BY AN ANNUNCIATOR LIGHT ON THE ODOMETER DISPLAY, A REPEATING BELL SOUND, AND A "POWER STEERING" MESSAGE DISPLAYED ON THE RADIO. WITH GREAT EFFORT I WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. IT IS MY OPINION THAT HAD MY GIRL FRIEND OR AN ELDERLY PERSON BEEN DRIVING THAT THE OUTCOME COULD HAVE BEEN A FATAL ONE. USING SIGNIFICANT STRENGTH I WAS ABLE TO STEER TO A SAFE AREA. I REVIEWED THE OWNER'S MANUAL WHICH ADVISED GOING TO THE DEALER. AFTER ABOUT 12 MINUTES, I STARTED THE VEHICLE AND EVERYTHING APPEARED NORMAL. I THEN DROVE TO THE DEALER (BANKS CHEVROLET IN CONCORD, NH) FROM WHOM I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND RECOUNTED THE EXPERIENCE TO THEM. THEY WERE VERY RESPONSIVE AND ASSIGNED A TECHNICIAN TO OBTAIN THE (OBD-II) ERROR CODES, IF ANY HAD BEEN RECORDED. THE READOUT OBTAINED WAS CODE 545, WHICH THEY RESEARCHED AND, ALTHOUGH IT DID PERTAIN TO THE POWER STEERING, IT REFERRED TO AN "INTERMITTENT" LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST, NOT A FULL AND CONTINUOUS LOSS. SINCE IT WAS NEARING CLOSING TIME, AN APPOINTMENT WAS MADE FOR THE FOLLOWING THURSDAY, 3/4/10. ON THAT DATE, THE BANKS TECHNICIAN (JIM WATHEN) RESEARCHED THE ISSUE FURTHER AND MADE SOME ELECTRICAL ADJUSTMENTS. THE VEHICLE HAS PERFORMED NORMALLY SINCE. I AM REPORTING THIS HEART-STOPPING EVENT BECAUSE I BELIEVE THAT A VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE A FAIL-SAFE STEERING SYSTEM. I HOLD AN AIRLINE TRANSPORT PILOT CERTIFICATE AND A LOT OF OUR TRAINING, BOTH IN AIRPLANES AND HELICOPTERS, IS DEDICATED TO THE PROPER RESPONSE TO A TOTAL FAILURE IN THE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM. THIS EVENT REQUIRED MORE STRENGTH THAN ANY I HAVE EXPERIENCED IN AVIATION AND DECIDEDLY COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL, ESPECIALLY IF THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE SLIPPERY OR THE ROADWAY ITSELF TWISTY (AS IN THE MOUNTAINS). A HARD TURN TO EITHER THE LEFT OF THE RIGHT JUST COULD NOT HAVE BEEN MADE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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