Chevrolet Malibu Complaints (2004)

1,582 consumer complaints on file.

#10345110July 25, 2010
STEERING
THIS IS THE SECOND TIME MY 2004 MALIBU LTZ POWER STEERING LOCKED UP ON ME. THE FIRST TIME IT LOCKED UP WAS NOV 2009, AS I WAS DRIVING DOWNS MADISON ST. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE RACK N PINION, THIS APPEARED TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM TEMPORARILY. THE SECOND TIME THE PROBLEM HAPPEN WAS MARCH 3RD, 2010, I WAS PULLING OUT OF MY GARAGE, MADE A RIGHT TURN ONTO OHIO AND ALMOST HIT KIDS GETTING OUT OF SCHOOL BECAUSE THE CAR KEPT MOVING IN A STRAIGHT DIRECT EVEN THOUGH I WAS ATTEMPTING TO TURN. I SPOKE TO THE DEALER SHIP TODAY AND THEY SAID THEY DO NOT KNOW OF A RECALL BUT ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM WITH MALIBU. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10345015July 24, 2010
STEERING
INTERMITTENTLY, OVER THE LAST FEW WEEKS, A MECHANICAL WARNING LIGHT CAME ON INDICATING A POWER STEERING ISSUE ON MY 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. I TOOK THE CAR TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC. HE HOOKED IT TO THE COMPUTER ANALYSIS AND FOUND NO ISSUES. HE DID INDICATE THAT AFTER DOING A LITTLE RESEARCH THAT CHEVROLET HAD PROVIDED A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN # 04050A TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. I HAD NEVER BEEN NOTIFIED BY CHEVROLET. I CALLED MY CHEVROLET DEALER AND THE SERVICE MANAGER INDICATED THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL ON MY CAR SO I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR ANY REPAIR. AFTER DOING A LITTLE RESEARCH, THIS SEEMS TO BE A FAIRLY COMMON PROBLEM ON THE 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM ON THIS MODEL IS ELECTRICAL, NOT HYDRAULIC AND SEEMS TO HAVE A HIGH NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS. I AM HOPING THAT CHEVROLET RECALLS AND REPAIRS THIS DEFECT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10345093July 24, 2010
SEATS
FRONT AND REAR CROSSMEMBERS IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT FRAME FAILED, ALONG WITH WELDS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE REAR CROSSMEMBER. THE SEAT TILTED SIGNIFICANTLY TO THE RIGHT, INTERFERING WITH THE OPENING OF THE REAR SEAT ENTERTAINMENT UNIT AND PLACING A STRAIN ON THE SEAT ADJUSTMENT MOTOR. AFTER FAILURE, THE SEAT WOULD SHIFT NOTICEABLY IN TURNS, AND THE REPAIR SHOP SAID IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT, IT WAS HIGHLY UNLIKELY THE SEAT WOULD REMAIN ANCHORED. THE FACT THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT WAS ANCHORED TO THE SEAT CAUSED FURTHER CONCERN, AS IT WOULD NOT STOP A DRIVER FROM BEING THROWN FORWARD IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. SEVERAL LOCAL GM DEALERS SAID THAT THEY HAVE NO RECOURSE AND THAT THE SEAT IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE. I HAD TO HAVE THE SEAT COMPLETELY STRIPPED DOWN AND HAVE SEVERAL PARTS AND WELDS REPLACED AT A LOCAL METAL SHOP. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10344865July 23, 2010
STEERING
POWER STEERING FAILS WITHOUT WARNING. I'VE HAD THE POWER STEERING MOTOR REPLACED TWICE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10344815July 22, 2010
STEERING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WIFE STARTED UP HER CAR AFTER WORK ON JUNE 30TH, COME TO FIND OUT, THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING FAILED AND, GOOD THING, SHE WASN'T DRIVING WHEN IT WENT OUT OR ELSE THERE COULD HAVE BEEN AN ACCIDENT. NOW, IT FAILS EVERY ONCE AND AWHILE, STILL STEERABLE, BUT VERY HARD TO STEER. IF YOU SHUT THE CAR OFF, THEN, IT GOES A WAY FOR A WHILE BUT THEN POWER STEERING FAILS AGAIN LATER ON. WE WERE DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AND IT DID THE SAME THING WHILE GOING 75MPH. WE'RE TRYING TO RESEARCH ON IF THIS IS A RECALL OR WHAT THE PROBLEM COULD BE. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE, I'VE SEEN A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ON THE CHEVY MALIBU ABOUT THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING FAILING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10344328July 21, 2010
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU - BOTH FRONT HEADLIGHTS ASSEMBLIES ARE MELTING FROM THE HEAT COMING OFF OF THE TURN SIGNAL/MARKER LIGHT. THE PLASTIC BULB HOUSING IS ACTUALLY MELTING ENOUGH TO DRIP ONTO THE BULB CAUSING THEM TO BREAK AND NEED REPLACED. THIS IS DEFINITELY A FIRE HAZARD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10344429July 21, 2010
STEERING
TL*THE DRIVER OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO MOVE OR TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING SENSOR FAILED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THE VEHICLE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 09E005000 STEERING; THEREFORE, THE FAILURE DID NOT EXIST IN THE VEHICLE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 59,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10343793July 17, 2010
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE EMANATING FROM THE REAR OF VEHICLE, CHECKED INTERNET ABOUT PROBLEM AND HAVE SEEN MANY COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER MALIBU OWNERS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10343007July 13, 2010
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. THE CONTACT STATED THE POWER STEERING WOULD INTERMITTENTLY FAIL WHEN DRIVING AT 60 MPH OR LESS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE HE WAS INFORMED THE POWER STEERING MOTOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 93,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10342883July 13, 2010
STEERING, AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU LT. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL CLICKING SOUND SPORADICALLY COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES BUT THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE HE WAS ADVISED THE FAILURE WAS WITHIN THE POWER STEERING. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE POWER STEERING COLUMN AND THE AIR BAG SENSOR AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000 AND THE CURRENTMILEAGE WAS 79,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10342955July 13, 2010
SEATS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE TRAVELING AT 5 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT SUDDENLY SHIFTED BACKWARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER RE-WELDED THE DRIVER SIDE BELT FRAME TO THE BASE. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 74,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10341112July 2, 2010
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN, STEERING:RACK AND PINION:RACK
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN PULLING TO THE RIGHT. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE STEERING RACK HAD EXCESSIVE PLAY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE ALSO CAUSED THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE FRONT TIRES TO BECOME WORN WHICH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE REPAIR COST WAS $657 SINCE THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS OR VALID WARRANTIES. THE WIRING IN THE HORN WAS ALSO DEFECTIVE AND IT WAS REPAIRED AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE FOR $200. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 23,800. UPDATED 11/15/10 *CN UPDATED 11/24/10
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10340525June 28, 2010
STEERING
POWER STEERING FAILURE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10339867June 24, 2010
STEERING
POWER STEERING FREQUENTLY CUTS OUT - HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE THE CAR WAS NEW. CONSTANT CRUNCHING SOUND WHEN TURNING - MOST OFTEN WHEN TURNING TO THE RIGHT. STEERING REPLACED ONCE UNDER WARRANTY - WHEN QUESTIONED AGAIN LATER - VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY (36,000 MI). SHORTLY AFTER I PURCHASED VEHICLE WARRANT OFFERED WAS 100,000 MILES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10339337June 21, 2010
STEERING, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
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 PURCHASE 'MADE IN AMERICA' PRODUCTS THAT THE COMPANIES DO NOT STAND BY THEIR PRODUCTS. I FEEL THERE SHOULD BE A TOTAL RECALL ON ALL THESE CARS BEFORE WE END UP WITH MAJOR ACCIDENTS. SHAME ON GM TO GET THE POWER STEERING FIX IS NOT CHEAP. GM KNOWS OF THESE PROBLEMS AND IS EXTREMELY NONCHALANT ABOUT RECTIFYING THE SITUATION. TOYOTA STEPPED UP AND RECALLED THEIR CARS TO CLEAR UP THE PROBLEMS , WHOSE GOING TO MAKE GM DO THE SAME? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10339250June 21, 2010
SEATS
DRIVER'S SEAT FRAME BROKE AT RIGHT FRONT WELD JOINT. SEAT THEN LEANED TO THE RIGHT AND MOVED FORWARD AND BACKWARD. THIS OCCURRED UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS AT LOW SPEED. MECHANIC SAID THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE SINCE DURING HARD BRAKING OR IMPACT THE SEAT WOULD NOT HOLD AND WOULD LIKELY BREAK ENTIRELY LOOSE AND SLAM THE DRIVER INTO THE STEERING WHEEL. $850 TO REPLACE THE SEAT FRAME. GM WOULD NOT PAY TO FIX THIS OBVIOUS DESIGN/MANUFACTURING DEFECT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10336827June 17, 2010
STEERING:COLUMN, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE ATTEMPTING A TURN AT APPROXIMATE SPEEDS OF 10-15 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED CAUSING THE CONTACT TO BARELY AVOID CRASHING INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES FOR CONCERNS OF THE POWER STEERING FAILING. THE DEALER REPLACED THE POWER STEERING COLUMN, IGNITION SWITCH AND THROTTLE BODY. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10336867June 17, 2010
STEERING, STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER SUDDENLY LOST ALL ELECTRIC POWER STEERING ASSISTANCE WITHOUT WARNING MAKING THE VEHICLE DIFFICULT TO STEER. THERE IS NO ALLEGE TO THIS ISSUE IT HAPPENS WITHOUT WARNING. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO DIE BEFORE THIS IS ADDRESSED? I AM HOPING IT IS NOT MY DAUGHTER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10336405June 15, 2010
STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND IT BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THERE WERE WARNING LIGHTS BEFORE THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE CONTACT PLANNED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT INSPECTED. THE FAILURE AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 83,500. UPDATED 8/9/10 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAS ELECTRIC POWER STEERING. UPDATED 08/11/10
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10335980June 12, 2010
STEERING
I HAVE A 2004 CHEVY MALIBU AND RANDOMLY MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND A POWER STEERING WARNING WILL COME ON. THE POWER STEERING IS USUALLY OKAY AND I CAN CONTINUE DRIVING, BUT ONE DAY WHILE I WAS IN A TURN LANE IT WENT OUT. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO GET OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD OR TURN WHEN YOU DO NOT HAVE POWER STEERING. TOOK IT TO A DEALERSHIP BUT BECAUSE IT IS INTERMITTENT, IT WAS NOT HAVING THAT ISSUE WHEN I TOOK IT IN AND THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. I'M WORRIED MY POWER STEERING WILL GO OUT AGAIN AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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