Steering Pinion Shaft problems of the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu

Tl- the contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 15 mph, the steering wheel become loose making a clunking and rattling noise. The contact also stated that while going over a bump and making turns the steering wheel would rattle and felt very loosed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the rack and pinion and intermediate shaft failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The manufacturer was contacted and made aware of the failure and was informed to take the vehicle to a gm dealer and did not offer further assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000. Aw.

Complete steering failure. Steering has made "clunking" sounds for years (since about 1 year after new), and has been "repaired" several times previously, only once under warranty. Action: suddenly, while driving, the steering wheel began "ratcheting" when making a turn, and the wheels would not respond to the direction of the steering wheel. Did not cause accident, but badly frightened the driver. Repair required replacement of the rack & pinion assembly plus the steering shaft (rusty) for a total cost of $1,300 (including $100 "fee" imposed by gm to be able to keep the failed parts). The failed parts are available for examination by NHTSA if needed.

I was at a stop sign and as I accelerated and made a left turn the steering went out completely half way through my turn. The steering wheel would spin freely in either direction and it in no way allowed me to steer. My vehicle went into the ditch by the time I stopped. I had just minutes before gotten off the interstate. Had someone been walking along the road that day I could have hit and killed them. This failure came without warning. The steering had a small amount of play before the incident, however no more than I felt was normal for a car of this age. The issue was found to be that the steering shaft pulled out of the rack and pinion. I have a picture of the part after the failure, but before it was replaced that I can send if you wish. If this is a common issue it is very dangerous to the owners and those around them.

Bought this veh. Brand new 2004. Had steering issues from the beginning. The vehicle had less than 65k on it. Always had vehicle serviced at the dealer or dealership I worked for. Had steering shaft replaced, had steering shaft bolt replaced,had rack and pinion replaced. . Son drove the veh. , making a left hand turn in the outer left turning lane left him with lots of room to turn, wheel locked up and he crashed ! veh. Is totaled, notified insurance company that too many issues with the steering and locking up situation. . Even gave them the web site to look for themselves. The way I see it is it is one less very dangerous veh. On the road. To bad gm doesn't handle this. . . One yard either direction and my son would have hit solid concrete poles or heavy reinforced intersection lighting and electrical box and I would be filing wrongful death suit. Why does it have to go to this extreme?.

I have been having power steering problems with my 2004 chevy Malibu for several years. It feels like the steering goes completely out while driving on freeway or other roads and find this to be a safety issue. I originally had dealership check steering and was told it was fine and there was no recall, but I have read where several others are experiencing the same problem. In the last few months, the problem has gotten worse for my daughter, who now drives the car. The power steering light has been coming on and goes off when you park or restart the car. She recently lost all power steering and had difficulty steering the vehicle off the road. Today, we took the Malibu to the gm dealership where we purchased it, and ouch!. . . Was told the repairs total $900 plus tax. Dealership will need to replace steering column as motor has gone bad and also need to replace the intermediate shaft that connects to the column since it is binding up. I don't know whether to get a second opinion and wonder if we can wait to have the shaft replaced? should I also contact gm to see if they will reimburse for parts?.

2004 Chevrolet Malibu maxx. Consumer seeking reimbursement for previous repairs, prior to recall. The consumer stated the steering wheel was noisy, the wheel was loose, the vehicle pulled to the right. An alignment was performed twice, she experienced steering problems during the entire year of 2013. There was a recall on the steering issue, but she continued to experience problems. The intermediate shaft and rack and pinion were replaced. Also, the turn signals and shifter cable were replaced.

2004 Malibu purchased 04/05/04 steering column failure 01/10/05 9,225 miles replaced again 06/16/05 13,430 miles 01/30/06 intermittent shaft needed replacement but no "good parts available" finally replaced 08/24/06 24,636 miles rack & pinion steering gear 04/17/07 31,846 miles replaced intermediate steering shaft 09/14/09 54,841 miles replaced rack & pinion steering gear. Car now has 3rd rack gear. On 11/11/10 at 68,209 miles we were told it needs replacement of rack & pinion steering gear. It has only been 14 months and 13,368 miles since last time replaced.

2004 Chevrolet Malibu. Consumer requests reimbursement for steering column recall notice repairs. The intermediate shaft and rack and pinion were replaced.

Steering went on car while driving . Not involved in accident brought to dealers and had to get whole new steering column put in , but I had to pay for the balancing and rotation of the tires. That was the steering column's fault.

Car was making clunking noise in the steering wheel/tire area when making turns. Dealer replaced intermediate steering shaft. This was the third time involving a steering issue. Replaced steering gear assembly and rack & pinion.

Clunking in front end. Taken to dealer and rack and pinion replaced under warranty. Two years later, clunking is back. Taken to dealer and steering shaft replaced at my expense. One year ago, the clunking is back and I didn't take it in. Now the power steering is going out completely when I am driving. I have to pull over and shut the car off and restart and that takes care of problem. This is dangerous and gm needs to fix it.

: the contact stated while the vehicle was in motion at any speed, there is a clunking noise in the steering shaft. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection and repair. However, after the vehicle was inspected and the dealer determined the problem was the steering shaft, the dealer informed the contact currently no repairs could be made to the vehicle. This was due to the manufacturer not having a remedy or TSB to the problem, but they were aware the problem existed. The dealer recommended the contact should continue driving the vehicle and no repairs were made.

While driving on highway at 50 mph steering jerked from side to side, nearly losing control. When on regular street problem was not so noticeable. Also, heard continuous knocking noises when making turns. Have taken vehicle to dealer, and mechanic replaced steering column. It worked for awhile but got worse in September. Took vehicle back to dealer, and mechanic replaced the rack and pinion. It partially resolved problem, but knocking continued. Took vehicle back, and mechanic replaced the steering shaft. Knocking noise was not resolved. Ea04018_cat.