Steering Rack And Pinion problems of the 2001 Chevrolet Malibu

Tl- the contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at about 5 mph, into a parking space, the vehicle became very hard to steer. The vehicle was towed back to the contacts home. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the rack and pinion of the vehicle had completely rusted off and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000. The VIN was not available. Wh.

This 2001 chevy Malibu had the rack and pinion break free from the engine cradle due to frame corrosion. The car is now undrivable and needs new engine cradle (front frame). This is a safety issue and the frame should not rust on a car in a place that could kill somebody. Bad design. Poor quality. Never buy a gm . . . . Ever.

While driving on a highway after going over a pot hole the car turned off. After shifting into neutral and pulling to the side of the road I put it in park and started it back up. It started up fine but when I started driving it was very hard to make turns. After taking it to a mechanic they said the power steering went out and it needs a new rack and pinion and new power steering pump. They said it could be related to an ignition switch recall so I called gm. They said the ignition switch was covered by a recall but not anything related to the power steering.

When turning the steering wheel vehicle made a clanking noise. Vehicle was taken to the dealer, who claimed that this vehicle was having the same symptoms as stated in NHTSA recall 03v527000 affecting Chevrolet, Malibus, 1997-1998 concerning steering gear bearings. However, this vehicle was not included in the recall due to VIN. In addition, bearing in steering snaps eveyrtime wheel is turned.