Table 1 shows two common lane departure related problems of the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu.
| Problem Category | Number of Problems |
|---|---|
| Assist problems | |
| Warning problems |
The steering wheel is jerking when in the position to turn, and waiting at a light. The stop engine feature seems to make the jerk motion and also sends an alert message which is a quick flash stating "steering assist is reduced- drive with care". According to a service bulletin provided by gm bulletin #19-na-182 August 2019. This is a problem that needs to be corrected, for the safety of my family and others in the vehicle and on the road. Technicians must replace or reprogram the power steering control module with the latest and most up to date one. I am aware there in no specific recalls but this issue is new and I do not feel safe and I would like it corrected.
On July 7, 2023, my aunt was in a car accident that caused severe injuries to her body, face, and head. Her car is totaled. She believes the car's lane keep or lane departure systems are the cause of the accident. She has asked me to assist with reporting the accident and wants an investigation done. She received an "lane departure" warning about 3 days prior to the accident and again on the morning of the accident when she started the vehicle. She is unsure what the exact message said. When the accident occurred, she states she was vigilant, alert, and focused on driving. She was not on the phone and did not have any other distractions in the car at the time. She was driving on the hwy when all of a sudden the car jerked her violently out of the lane and into a bridge. The car bounced off the bridge and ended up a ways down the road on the other side. She has a concussion, fractured sternum, fractured sinuses, cuts, bruises, and other injuries. Q. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? a. Yes, the vehicle is at the junk yard q. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? a. Severe bodily damage q. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? a. Unknown q. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? a. We are looking into how to engage the manufacturer and others q. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? a. Yes, warning approximately 3 days before the accident and the morning of the accident.