Steering Column problems of the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu - part 1

When I'm driving down the road the power steering just goes out on me. I took it to my mechanic and he said it was under the recall and sent me to a Chevrolet dealer (beckley Buick GMC automall) they looked at it and said the recall was fixed on 04/18/2017 and this was not covered under a recall. They told me it needed a new power steering module, column. I took it back to my mechanic and he said that it was covered under the recall and to contact Chevrolet and if they don't do anything to contact national highway traffic safety administration. I have two children and this is a concern for me because it just goes out while I'm driving and if I wreck and kill us or hurt someone else because I can't turn the steering wheel.

The problem started as the steering wheel would continuously bounce to the left and to the right, also could be described as a wobble when the car would be sitting still. If and when this would happen while driving, it would pull the car to the left or to the right. On top of this "wobble" the power steering only works when it wants to and will quit while driving or not be working when you start the car. The vehicle was taken to the dealership on the pretence that the car should fall under recall 14v153000 released in 2014. However the dealer and gm disagrees, even though the dealer has confirmed the eps in the steering column has gone bad and the power steering motor/module is also bad and needs replaced.

~tl the contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. While attempting to park the vehicle at approximately 2 mph, the steering ability seized. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the steering column needed replacement. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.

While driving on rough roads or breaking noises rattles an severe shake in steering coming from steering column an an steering binding when first starting car hard to turn wheels strange noises when applying breaks.

I purchased my used 2004 Chevrolet Malibu November 23, 2016, the day before christmas. I was in motion merging into philadelphia's schuykill exp when my steering wheel locked in place for 2-3 seconds as I was going over 55 mph on a slight turn. I remember the wrench lighting up in the top left corner of the dashboard and reading �power steering� message on my the screen. The steering wheel stiffens as if you have that car that runs out of steering fluid. Another incident happened again while in motion, when I was coming down philadelphia pike merging on the I-95 south. Again, the steering wheel locks for a few seconds, reads power steering on the screen with the orange wrench in the bottom left corner of the dashboard. It's frightening because my car could go in another lane and hit an incoming car, or vice versa. The first time I couldn't pull over to recooperate because there are no shoulder lanes. I'm still having this issue and it has been two years. Even when I am parallel parked sometimes, my steering wheel tightens and I can't fully turn the wheel. When I called Chevrolet the first time, the representative assured me that there were no recalls shown for my VIN number. I was directed to go to chevy and told me it was a steering column issue. The cost and labor itself is steep. I call to folllow up and they basically told me they could not do anything about the problem because it was out of the time frame for the warranty which doesn't make sense because no manufacturer expects to recall to happen. . And paying for that repair is not even a guarantee that it will fix the issue based on the other complaints.

My car is in my husbands name but the problems with car started with recalls. I never received a steering column recall until my car was already over 150,000 mls. When taken to the garage they fixed one recall and conveniently 2 more repairs that didn't exist needed fixed they then told me the steering column was bad and needed replaced. I said I didn't have money to fix and they said they repaired it as good as they could power steering problem could happen again but may never. So on June 26th I headed to childrens hospital to be with my son when he was put under anesthesia for an mri(he has down syndrome). Car was acting up not turning right but I made it there. I sent kids with their dad the night before because I felt it wasn't driving right. On the way home I was driving north on highway 28 in the right lane when my car stared going towards the passing lane. I tried turning g the wheel back. It turned but the wheels didn't follow. It continued into passing lane, hit the cement wall. The front left tire climbed the wall. The airbags never deployed because same dealer broke module that controlled airbags, they were to replace it free when part came in but never called. I landed in median between highways. Thank god I didn't hit anyone. Now I have no car. Is there anyone that fights for the little guy anymore?.

When coming to a stop, I went to make a right hand turn when a signal and a dash light went off and the power steering just went out, no previous warning. I had the car towed and when it was hooked up to have the diagnosis done, the power steering just reset itself. However it was noted that there was a recall for the the power steering and I should take it to a dealer. I was charged $44. 99 for that information. I took the car into the dealer near me about a week later which was the very first appointment I could make. There were actually 3 existing recalls (two unrelated) on my car and all three were addressed on March 24. I left believing that my car was now fixed and safe to drive. On April 16th I drove over 30 miles one way from my home with the false sense of security because on April 18, the power steering just went out, again when making a right turn. I took the car back on April 20 and after charging me $59. 50, (they were going to charge me $118!!!) I was told the issue was "unrelated to the recall" and was not covered. I did not have it fixed due to the high cost (quote of $889. Estimated) and I feel strongly that it is all related! my personal mechanic recommended I report the issue to gm and feels that gm should fix the power steering issues. The recall issue caused a "trickle down effect" with the whole steering column. He is willing to fix the car but noted that if he does I would have no recourse with gm and that I should try getting it covered before he does anything to the car. Now, not only is it extremely difficult to drive, it is unsafe. Not driving the car as it can cause a major accident where either myself or someone else could be injured or killed and cause extensive property damage. I don't have the funds to fix it, a car to get to work and I am making payments and paying insurance on a car that is not safe to drive.

July 18 - driving to work, heard and felt a clunk. On the radio display power steering was now displayed and the mechanics symbol illuminated on the dashboard. July 28- mccluskey is unable to duplicate trouble with car, they do not have parts anyway. Aug. 6 - vm car is ready. When we arrived told us there is a problem, they have used non-approved gm parts, they need to take those parts out and put in approved gm parts to be paid. Rear quarter of the car was damaged. Aug. 14 - passenger side lower front bumper is now damaged Aug. 21 - picked up Malibu from the body shop, realize seat is broken call the body shop back within 5 min. Of leaving the lot, I went around a corner and I am thrown into the door. In oct. Received the recall letter again, dealerships now have parts, take your vehicle in and have the repair completed. If this was done in August why did I just receive a letter? Nov. 27, while my husband was driving the car the power steering would not work again, making a turn at slow speed the car would not respond and acted as if he had his foot on the brake and the accelerator at the same time, as if he was power braking, the car would not move, the car was not drivable, completely unsafe. Dec. 3 borcherding Buick calls me and tells me the recalls are not the issue and cannot be completed until the steering column issue is fixed. The car had 57635 miles on July 18th the day the car was towed to mccluskey Chevrolet, on August 22nd the morning after I picked up the car from mccluskey Chevrolet the car has 58135. The car became un-drivable with 60890 miles. I have a receipt the power steering was replaced in 2005 under a recall/warranty and then again the power steering was repaired in 2009 with gm paying half we paid half due to the low miles on the vehicle.

Through the years we have had off and on episodes of the car not starting even when we had a good battery and in the middle of driving the power steering giving out. We finally took the vehicle to a mechanic after being advised to replace the battery. The mechanic, gm dealer, advised we need a whole new steering column, this was 6-25-13. In less then a year the car continues to not start and today the power steering again went out on my 15 year old son as he was driving home. We have left e-mails with Chevrolet with no return. The last aforementioned gm dealer said that we would get a call about the recall on the steering but appears there is no recall on the ignition, despite several news articles saying there was. We are now out of a vehicle due gm not responding.

Power steering stopped working. Had to replace the steering column and steering motor. Was re-placed at a private mechanic as I did not know there was a recall. Since finding out concerning the recall I have called and called gm sends recall notices for everything except the correct recall. All I want is to be reimbursed for the cost of repairing the car. They can not seem to understand I have already had the car repaired. When you do get a letter for a recall they say they know that it could be dangerous they are concerned but the parts are not available yet. I have received 2 recall letters for things having nothing to do with my repair and they say the same thing. So strange my mechanic could get parts but gm can't??? thank you (this is the second notice I have sent).

The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving approximately 50 mph, the vehicle exhibited a loud banging noise and stalled as the mil warning light illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle after several attempts with limited power steering assist. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that the steering column needed to be replaced. The vehicle scheduled for repairs. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100. The VIN was unavailable.

My 16 year old daughter was stopped at a four way intersection. As she proceeded to turn, she lost her ability to steer the car. She was able to avoid hitting another car and get her car to the side of the road. She noticed there was a yellow dash board light that came on when she lost the steering but no prior warning of any issues or warning lights prior to loosing the steering on the vehicle. Once she got to the side of the road, her four way emergency flashers would not work. My husband went to pick her up. He restarted the car and the steering worked fine for him. There was no warning lights indicating any problem on the dash board. We brought the car to our mechanic he could not get the problem to resurface. He did note that the directional turn signals seemed to be "messed up" and he changed the light bulbs. When she lost her steering a second time we had the vehicle towed to a different mechanic who told us this was a chronic defect issue with this make/brand of vehicle and that it needed a new electronic component in the steering column which would cost us $900. 00. I researched this information on the internet and found that there are thousands of complaints for this very issue. It occurs at different amounts of mileage. It occurs on the vehicles when they were purchased brand new and purchased used as in our case. This is not your normal wear and tear type of vehicle issue. This is a significant safety issue which is an engineering/design flaw in the vehicle. I have called the gm customer service line. Our case # is 71-127-262-2441. We now have to bring the car to our local chevy dealer and they have told us that it could cost way more just to diagnose the problem than to repair it. Unbelievable. . . Please help look into this safety issue as my daughter could of been killed herself and or could have caused injury to someone else without any forewarning.

I was driving my car to work when the power steering went out. It was extremely hard to turn the vehicle. I was driving the car at approximately 70 mph on the interstate when this occurred. There was a sudden loss of power. The wrench light came on after the power steering went out. There was no warning before the power steering went out. Luckily, I was not in a curve and was on the interstate going straight. Due to the inability to easily turn the vehicle, getting off the interstate ramp safely was close to impossible. This makes the second time this has happened to me. The first time was in 2009. The same thing happened. I was driving to work when the power steering went out. I had a new steering column put in on 7/14/2009 (at 69,000 miles and out of my own pocket). It was pre-owned when I bought it, so I have no idea how many times this has been replaced since 2004, but I am guessing this is why it was traded in.

The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu maxx. The contact stated while making a u-turn the steering wheel seized. The problem recurred while pulling out of a parking lot. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the torque input sensor was defective. The steering column was replaced and the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 128,000. An.

The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu maxx. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 mph, there was a complete loss of power steering accompanied by a warning chime. The engine was turned off and restarted. In addition, an unknown fuse was removed from under console and cleaned. The vehicle resumed normally. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the steering column and module were both replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 51,000. . . . Updated 11-18-13 updated 11/26/2013.

While driving home from work. I was turning into my apartment complex and my steering wheel tightened up. I ran into the median that divides the entrance and the exit of a complex. Due to not being able to turn the steering wheel. There was a message on my radio display that said power steering. After I hit the median, I turned my car off to get out and see the extent of the damage to my car and the property. When I got back into my car and started it again the steering was fine again. A few days later I experienced it the same problem again while drive on the highway during rush hour. After further research I have found that there are many others who have experienced the same problem and there seem to be no fix if the dealership can't find the problem. The dealership told me that if they were to take my word and fix the steering column and that did not fix the problem I would be out of $1000+ dollars. This is the only problem that I have ever had with this vehicle and there needs to be something done about this problem. Fast!!.

Started my car after work and my power steering was suddenly gone after working fine for 2 days (just bought the car). I took it to my mechanic and he did a trouble code search. The computer kept displaying torque sensor error. Took it to gm and found out that they will not cover the cost to replace it because I have a v6, not a v4 engine. Apparently gm extended the warranty on the v4 steering columns, but not the v6. Drove back home and let the car sit for about 4 hours. Went and started it up and the power steering was back. Turned the car back off and it overnight. Started again this morning and the power steering is gone again! very unhappy since I just bought the car!.

I contacted the NHTSA last year (2013) and I contacted gm, chevy, and my chevy dealership at that time to report that my steering column in my 2004 4-door chevy Malibu had locked up when I was trying to merge onto an expressway. Since then, all the news about not only this defect, but other defects as well, have been found in these gm vehicles. I finally rec'd. A safety recall ltr. , but it only indicates the "part is not available" to fix my car and that I will have to wait on addl. Notification as to when I can schedule a time to take my car in for the repair, since supposedly the dealership is waiting on the manufacturer of the parts in question to actually "make" the part. ???? why is it taking so long to get what the recall # 14116 indicates the part needed to repair my car is a "torque sensor assembly. " I would say that before any more new cars are produced and sold that the "defective & dangerous" vehicles need to be repaired so people are not "at risk of a crash or injuries or possibly even death," due to the power steering assist going out. Why are we having to wait so long on the parts needed to repair our vehicles and why isn't the highway transportation safety agency putting more pressure on the manufacturers and the dealerships to get our vehicles fixed and/or getting us temporary "replacement vehicles" until the parts are in?? one of the incidents where the steering column locked up occurred 07/19/13 (last yr. ), but it has happened several more times, and once when my oldest son was driving us to and from dinner one night. So, I'm not the only one who has experienced this dangerous problem with the steering column. Here's my previous complaint NHTSA id number (odi #) : 10537050. I registered addl. Complaints to the NHTSA since then, and "verbal" calls/complaints to gm & chevy, but I'm still getting the run-around. Please help!.

Entering expressway from ramp and merging onto expressway, then with left turn signal on I had a clear lane to merge left and when I did this the steering column locked up. Luckily, I was in the lane I intended to be it, but it scared me half to death. Still driving forward, and unsure if the steering would be ok again, then the steering column seemed to ease up and "unlocked" and I was able to steer it and turn it normally again. It was only for a few minutes the first time it happened and I was able to drive it normally and eventually turned back into the right-hand lane to exit the expressway to get to my destination. Unfortunately, this same issue with the steering wheel/column "locking up" happened again about a week later, when I was again entering an expressway from a ramp and trying to merge onto the expressway and trying to merge left to get into the moving traffic. I took the car to a chevy dealership but they couldn't find a "code" registered for the steering wheel/column locking up and the mechanic drove the car and it didn't happen with him. Is anyone at gm or the chevy engineers or the NHTSA looking in to this? I'm just now checking the NHTSA website to find out if anyone else is having this problem. I see a few reports, but no real answers for owners who are experiencing this serious and very dangerous problem. A steering wheel/column locking up even for a few seconds can cause a very serious accident and possibly a fatality. Please let me know what is being done to correct this and what can I tell my chevy dealership to get them to "fix" my car so I feel safe in it again??.

The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while making a turn at 45 mph , the power steering malfunctioned and it extremely difficult to steer the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the power steering column and the power steering modular was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure and current mileage was 142,000.

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 desperate effort to control the vehicle. The steering wheel is almost impossibly difficult to steer. I was unaware that it had blown behind my back onto the driver’s seat until it burnt me, my shirt and the seat. It is by the grace of god that I didn’t have a fatal accident. It is probably needless to say that I continue to experience back pain. A disaster is waiting to happen! the fact is that sometimes while driving the power steering will start working again as quickly as it went out. Consider that I could be turning the wheel as hard as I can and at that second the power returns to send me spinning. Keep in mind that this is occurring more frequently everyday. Sometimes it does stop when the car is turned off and sometimes it does not. With regard to the brakes they make a loud and grinding sound when I lift off of them.

2004 Chevrolet Malibu. Consumer writes in regards to reimbursement for power steering recall repairs. 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.

Driving down straight section of road. Power steering alarm comes on and steering wheel goes stiff. Slowed and stopped before next turn (would not have been able to negotiate turn). This has happened on an often enough basis (usually before being on the road) and using fix described in other often reported issues with this type of steering, stopped car, turned off, adjusted position of steering column and restarted. Steering returned to normal.

Tl - the contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu maxx. The contact stated that while driving 35 mph, the power steering malfunctioned causing the steering to become very hard to maneuver. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the steering wheel torque and sensor failed. As a result, the power steering column unit needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 36,327 and current mileage was 44,258. Pm.

I am having the same problem as half the 2004 Malibu owners. I have a 2004 Malibu my power steering just stops working. This has happened several times. I have almost had several accidents because of this. I found 176 people on one website that is also having this problem and several other website with the same complaint on. Chevy has not recalled the 2004 for it. However that did recall the 2005 for the same problem. That only because someone died in the car due to the power steering problem. Wow now I feel safe. I am a single mom I cant pay $600. 00 for a maybe fix. They cant promise after replacing the steering column it will even fix the problem. I cant buy a new car. They need to take responsibility for there mess up. Guess I have to wait till someone dies in the 2004 before they fix it and who knows I might be the one that does. Facebook connect.

The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. When making a turn, an abnormal noise emitted from the steering column. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the steering column flex coupling needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 66,759.

The contact owns a 2004 Malibu maxx. The contact stated that while turning at 3 mph, the steering wheel seized and was difficult to maneuver. The vehicle was stopped and shut off. The steering wheel functioned as normal upon restart. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer, where they stated that the steering column needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 89,000 and the current mileage was 89,050.

As we parked I put the car in reverse after letting someone out of passenger seat and a soon as I put the vehicle in reverse the steering gave out. If I was on the road another 5 minutes my fiance and I could be dead in the hospital etc. . . This complaint is everywhere on the internet why no recall. Someone is going to die because chevy doesn't want to fix there mess up. If I shot at someone and killed them I would be in jail for a long time. But if there vehicle malfunctions and kills someone all they have to do is pay a lawsuit and there good. That isn't rite. I am going to push this issue until there is a recall. What do they have to reach a quota in deaths in order to put a recall out. . . This is unreal and the second time this part was replaced on the car. Before I bought it the dealer had told me they just put a brand new steering column in so do something about this before someone losses there life over it.

Purchased vehicle for daughter on 8/17/2011 from asset recovery dealership colorado. While she was driving on a major road (approx. 40 mph), a warning light on dash went on and the power steering went away (almost to the point of feeling like it was totally locked). She was in rh lane, put on flashers, turned off car and restarted car. Warning light went off and power steering was back. This happened two other times while pulling out of a parking space. It happened intermittently. Took the vehicle it to my mechanic who ran diagnostics and found the power steering assist relay to be faulty and replaced entire steering column at $580 (the relay cannot be replaced without replacing entire steering column). . Read more...

This car is operated by the original retired female owner who drives it 3 times per week to perform local errands. At 13,265 miles the intermediate steering shaft was replaced to eliminate, unsuccessfully, a rattling from the front suspension. At 15,520 miles, the service engine soon and service power steering warnings appeared on the dashboard and dic respectively. Researching the internet showed clearly that failure of the electric power steering boost was imminent in thousands of cases. The next day, the local Chevrolet dealer replaced gm part #25933396, the steering column, and charged for shop supplies and 4 hours of labor. The total, $777. 22, was solely the responsibilty of the owner, with the dealer stating, "we've never heard of this problem. The car is seven years old, you know. " the car is operating properly for now.

In July 2011 the power steering went out. About a week later it started going out while driving. Had the steering column, and racket and pinion replaced, and the then the radio stopped playing cds, and the seat belt light constantly stays on even if you have the seat belt on.

The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the power steering was defective. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the steering column was not receiving the message to activate and caused the malfunction. The manufacturer was made aware of the problem but did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was not included in any recall. The VIN was not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 81,000.

The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving approximately 5 mph in the driveway, there was a sudden loss of power steering. The contact turned the engine off and restarted it, the vehicle resumed normally for ten minutes before the failure occurred again. The failure continued to occur at various speeds on numerous occasions. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer who stated that the steering column needed to be replaced due to a faulty sensor. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 92,000. The VIN was unavailable.

The first incident happened driving down the road at 45 mph the steering wheel all the sudden dropped all the way down and the whole steering column slid in causing the car to swerve some. I pulled over and after attempting to lock the steering column back into place was finally able to get it to lock into place. This has happened several times over the past month. It doesn't matter if I'm driving or backing it just all the sudden does it. If you touch the steering wheel while the car is turned off it will drop down. And if it is in a down position it will slide in and out. This is very dangerous and I fear that the next time I might not be so luck to keep control. I almost hit another car yesterday when I was backing out of a parking space because as I was turning to wheel it moved out of position causing the turn to go another direction.

The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu classic. While driving approximately 30 mph, the steering column locked up. The vehicle became very difficult to steer. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer but it was not inspected. The vehicle had not been repaired. The VIN was unavailable. The failure mileage was 86,000 and the current mileage was 86,030.