Electric Power Assist Steering System problems of the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu - part 1

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 thankfully I was able to avoid an accident. I took the car to the dealer, and after running diagnostics, they told me that the 2004 Malibu's have electronic power steering, and that there is an issue with the power steering motor and that it overheats, causing loss of power steering. The car seat belts are froze and the hazard light button fell inside its hole and the headlight covers don't allow the lights to fully illuminate . This car should have been recalled because it poses life threatening issues. My research shows a high volume of complaints on this 2004 model but the 2005's and above were recalled, I also collected statements from factory workers who left their personal info on the internet and I found this : during my employment contract with delphi automotive (delphi saginaw steering system, 3900 e. Holland Ave. , saginaw, michigan 48601), I was instructed to conduct a screw "strip-out" study on the electric motor/controller assembly of the electric power steering (eps) system of the general motor's epsilon platform (my 2003. 5 - 2006 Malibu). This study was conducted in may of 2004 at delphi's plant 1, assembly. The study included ten production motor and ten production controller assemblies that were assembled on the production equipment and process(ES). The controller is attached to motor by three m 5. 0x 0. 8 screws. The result of that study concluded that four of the ten motor/controller assemblies had at least one of the screws fully strip.

2004 Chevrolet Malibu lt. Consumer writes in regards to power steering problems. The consumer stated each time he turned the steering wheel, the warning light would illuminated. It locked up on one occasion and the consumer was unable to turn the steering wheel. The consumer discovered a recall had been issued for the electric power steering starting with the 2005 models.

The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu maxx. The contact stated that while driving 20 mph, the vehicle became difficult steer. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnosis and the contact was informed that the electric power steering had failed and the column and steering module would need to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 45,653 and the current mileage was 53,000. Updated 7/1/13 updated 07/17/2013.

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 the consumer stated the vehicle has electric power steering. Updated 08/11/10.

2004 Chevrolet Malibu. Consumer requests that the investigation to complaints be reopened the consumer stated the power steering light illuminated. The consumer took the vehicle to dealer and upon inspection, they stated the steering column and steering control module had gone bad and needed to be replaced and if it wasn't replaced, the consumer would lose power steering. The consumer paid for the repairs at her expense. The consumer stated the electrical power steering should be recalled for this model.

I was 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. As a woman, driving without power steering was extremely difficult. I was able to make it to a parking lot (barely), and safely park the car. This is the first time this happened to me, and thankfully I was able to avoid an accident. I took the car to the dealer, and after running diagnostics, they told me that the 2004 Malibu's have electronic power steering, and that there is an issue with the power steering motor and that it overheats, causing loss of power steering.

The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving the vehicle at any rate of speed, the front end of the vehicle vibrates. The vehicle was taken to a dealer on two separate occasions and they diagnosed it as having a faulty internal steering shaft that had been greased improperly. The current mileage was 36,500 and failure mileage was 36,047. Updated 09/13/08. Updated 09/16/08.

Three weeks ago, noticed something was wrong with steering on 2004 Malibu max. Took it to the dealership and was told nothing was wrong. On March 18th the steering failed and fortunately we were going slow and go through the intersection into a parking lot avoiding accident. Car was towed to dealership who now stated the lower electronic assembly of the steering failed. We were fortunate that the steering failed while going slow and able to put the car in a position to be towed. Total repair cost $675. In all my years I have never had a steering fail and this is a safety issue. I understand parts wear out, but this is bad when it is not able to be diagnosed until complete failure.

Loss of power steering.

Driving on a straight road, lost power steering. Was able to pull into a parking lot without the power steering. Turned off the ignition and restarted engine. Power steering returned and I was able to drive to the dealership where the steering column was replaced.

Was heading to a wedding 200 miles felt a funny vibration in the front end pulled over then the dash lit up like a christmas tree the wrench light came on the stereo display read power steering started dinging. Turned off the vehicle to check power steering pump found out didn't have one. Turned around to come home called the groom so he could find new bestman night before wedding. Called gmac when I got home and they told me I had to have a diagnostic done the vehicle got up the next day went to the dealer they told me I needed a new steering column charged me $70 to tell me what I already new because I read the reports. The dealer wanted to charge me $600 to replace it. I have been working with the dealer and gmac to fix the problem because I feel I should not have to pay for there defective part.

Noise in the steering.

The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. While making a left turn at 10 mph, the power steering failed. The failure occurred three times. The engine size and purchase date were unknown. The current and failure mileages were 40,500.

Power steering was displayed on message center and a light with vehicle and wrench came on for a short period. Diagnostics were performed and found code cc0460. This was traced to a shorted steering sensor. They had to replace the whole steering column because the sensor is part of the assembly. I have read numerous complaints about the power steering light being displayed on the message center and then the power steering went out on the car. My power steering did not go out on the car because I drove it to the dealership right away. I was wondering if there is a recall or service bulletins on this problem to off set the cost of repairs for the sensor, which has to be replaced with a whole steering column, for a total of $850. 12 in parts and labor. Thank you.

2004 Chevrolet Malibu with electric. Consumer states that this failure occurs without any warning and sometimes the power steering light will illuminate. The consumer stated in order to regain power steering, he must pull over and re-start the vehicle. The first time the consumer took the vehicle to the dealer, they stated it needed to be reprogrammed or recalibrated, which did not fix the problem. The second time the vehicle was taken to the dealer, the problem could not be duplicated. On 2 separate occasions, the dealer replaced the power steering gear and intermediate steering shaft due to a noise being heard when making turns and accelerating.

: the contact stated the vehicle's power steering locked up. The service dealer determined the vehicle needed a new steering column to resolve the issue. Updated 12/15/2006 -.

The steering column was replaced in April of 2005 as a result of a recall stating that the power steering assist can fail without warning. Up to this time, no actual failure had occurred. In September of 2006 the power steering assist failed for the first time as described in the recall notice. Simultaneous with the failure, an audible beeping occurred and a failure message was displayed on the console. Re-starting the car will correct the problem temporarily, but it recurs on a regular basis. Both the dealer and manufacturer refuse to replace the steering column at their expense because it was done once in 2005.

2004 Malibu maxx. Have lost power steering 3x's. This is the electric power assist system that needs to be changed/fixed, not putting in a new part that is the same as the old one. Very annoyed.

Making slow left hand turn, vehicle lost power steering. Power steering warning light came on and on board display listed issue as power steering. Shut off vehicle and restarted. Power steering was regained. Contacted dealer and was notified recall for this issue was not in effect for the VIN number listed for my vehicle, but any issue that warranted a recall of the models due to the same defect.

Power steering failed on 2004 chevy Malibu without warning. I had taken the car in about a month ago for front alignment issues, thought they fixed it, but the problem came back and then power steering quit.

: the contact stated while driving at various speeds the steering light illuminated. After inspection the dealership replaced the computer chip in the electronic steering system. Afterwards there was a knocking sound while turning. Although the dealer replaced the steering shaft the knocking continued. The vehicle was returned to the dealer where the steering rack and pinion is being replaced.

: the contact stated while traveling at 35 mph, the power steering failed causing the vehicle to veer to the left lane. While trying to recover into the correct lane, the vehicle went over a guardrail and over a ravine. The driver was not injured. The vehicle was totaled. There was a police report filed. The contact has seen several complaints on the internet concerning similar power steering problems. The contact reports no problems with the steering prior to the accident. The cosumer stated the engine also accelerated on its own. Updated 05/10/06.

Electronically assisted steering quit working while turning into our driveway and check engine or other warning light illuminated until the vehicle was finally stopped and the engine turned off and then back on. Problem cleared after this incident. We've only had the vehicle for two weeks. My wife was driving during this incident and is the primary driver of the vehicle. I'm concerned with the hundreds of complaints I've seen about the same issue from others, that she may be in danger the next time this happens at higher speeds or on a corner.

Lost power steering twice in one day. This is the fourth and fifth times the problem has occurred.

: the contact stated the steering locked up on 2 separate occasions. The contact believes the electric steering has lost power and the wheels become locked. Both times the dealer has replaced the rack pinion rod, but the contact express that this will happen again and was probably due to a component defect.

I was parked on the street in front of my house and pulled away and up to the stop sign just a couple houses up the block. I was fumbling with my seat belt and slowly took off without my hands on the wheel. When I grabbed the wheel seconds later, I noticed it was off center, but the car was still going perfectly straight and then it began to twitch back and forth to the left and right. This continued all the way to the gas station where I filled up, and upon leaving gas station dic chimed in with power steering failure message and I lost all power steering. Lluckily, I was still in the parking lot, turned the car off and back on and went back home without incident. Ea04018_cat.

On Saturday, 16 oct 2004, while running errands, the electric assist power steering began pulsating/vibrating the steering wheel and pulling the wheel to the right. The pulsation/vibration continued even while the vehicle was in park. It only stopped when the engine was shut off. Upon restarting the engine the symptoms disappeared for a short period of time, only to return as before. The vibration is no better or worse at highway speeds than at local speeds, or standing still. On Monday, 18 oct 2004, the vehicle was taken to jim reed Chevrolet, nashville, TN, where the symptoms presented themselves in front of the service manager. He said that he had "just received a TSB" concerning this problem. He kept the vehicle for the day and replaced the steering column assembly. The problem has not yet reoccurred. Ea04018_cat.

While driving, the power steering failed. The consumer had great difficulty controlling the vehicle. Manufacturer stated that there were no complaints on this defect. Ea04018_cat.

At approximately 10,000 miles, my 2004 Chevrolet Malibu developed a steering problem. Upon starting the car, the steering wheel visibly shook and pulled when I tried to turn right. I called the dealership and they had to order a replacement part. When the part came in a week and a half later, they replaced the steering column. Ea04018_cat.

After driving 2004 Malibu about 5 minutes, the power steering failed while waiting at a stop light. The orange warning symbol was flashing on the instrument display. Got car to a safe area and shut off engine and checked owners manual for more information. *akrestarted engine and streering resumed working. Drove home without anymore problems. Called Chevrolet toll free assistance number for advise and they advised having the car towed to a dealer for repairs - they were not aware of any service bulletins or recalls. Local dealer found a service bulletin and ordered parts to correct problem - changed defective part and tested. No further problems to this time. I was informed by NHTSA that a improved part was made available in July to correct this potentially dangerous problem. I have not received any notification from Chevrolet that an "improved' was used in the repair and the problem has been in their opinion corrected.

Without warning the power steering system failed twice making the vehicle to hard to steer, almost causing an accident. The steering column was replaced twice within two weeks because the first replacement also failed. Ea04018_cat this is like an accident waiting to happen.

While driving the power steering light illuminated on the dash. Failure of electrical power steering system. Steering wheel locked as consumer backed out of the driveway. After service the consumer was driving at a high rate of speed on the highway and the steering wheel became very heavy and very hard to turn.

During my employment contract with delphi automotive (delphi saginaw steering system, 3900 e. Holland Ave. , saginaw, michigan 48601), I was instructed to conduct a screw "strip-out" study on the electric motor/controller assembly of the electric power steering (eps) system of the general motor's epsilon platform (my 2003. 5 - 2006 Malibu). This study was conducted in may of 2004 at delphi's plant 1, eps assembly. The study included ten production motor and ten production controller assemblies that were assembled on the production equipment and process(ES). The controller is attached to motor by three m 5. 0x 0. 8 screws. The result of that study concluded that four of the ten motor/controller assemblies had at least one of the screws fully stripped with less than 50% of the design intended retention and with two assemblies with two fully stripped screws. This report was shared with my immediate engineering manager whom then reported to several other product engineer managers of the eps group in saginaw, michigan. It was universally understood that plant 1 had an assembly issue with this process and that there was no effective containment process in place to scrap all suspected stripped assemblies. The follow-up information from my managers that I understood was that uaw assembly members were inquired to agree among themselves a build sequence for the controller fastening process so that the components could be redesigned for better assembly. This item was not pursued because it was unclear to which party (the assembly plant or the product engineering group) was to champion the necessary change. The resultant failure mode is possible migration of the controller from the motor assembly. This migrating may result in loss of vehicle steering and/or vehicle fire due the power (motor) phase leads "shorting out ". More information is to be submitted with compliant (per martina and debra of nhsta 19jn06).

Bought a Malibu lt maxx in Apr 04, encountered steering wheel problems several. The worst was that it locked my steering wheel while driving on the hwy 401. I had to come to a complete stop in the middle of the hwy to re-start my engine to try my lucky to get back the steering power. I have the problem till now and yet unsolved. No choice but to get into a new car now, just to advise being kill on the road.

I had just driven my 2004 Chevrolet Malibu off the highway and was on a main road when I heard a beeping, I looked at the radio console and it said "power steering. " I then tried to turn the wheel and the power steering was gone. I was able to struggle and get the car home because it was late at night. The next morning when I contacted the dealership and told them of the problem they told me they had already had one instance with another 2004 Malibu last month. Chevy ordered a tow truck to come and pick up the car. When the tow truck driver arrived, he attempted to move the steering wheel and it moved fine. But, I told him I wanted it to go to the dealership. It has been there ever since waiting for a module to be put in. I have called the dealership to check on my car and was recently told they have 3 Malibus waiting for the power steering module to be shipped. I was fortunate enough to be able to drive my car home safely however, this is a potentially dangerous situation. Pe04031_cat.