Steering Problems of Chevrolet Malibu - part 1

I lost power steering while driving, making the wheel hard to turn. While the car is idle, the steering wheel shakes. Also “esc” pops on on the dashboard.

See all problems of the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu 🔎.

Power steering jerks violently left/right at 35–65 mph. Nearly lost control — happens intermittently and while in park. This is a known gm defect — special coverage #10183 (eps module) and TSB pip4473. Michael bates Chevrolet refuses to repair under #10183 — wants $1,500+. Gm customer care also denied coverage. I use this car for work daily — it is unsafe to drive. If I crash and die, gm is liable. Component failed: electric power steering (eps) module available for inspection: yes — at michael bates chevy, woodhaven mi safety at risk: yes — driver and public confirmed by dealer: no — they refuse to honor #10183 warning lamps: no — no codes, intermittent first appeared: about a week ago and has progressively gotten worse.

See all problems of the 2011 Chevrolet Malibu 🔎.

While driving the cars speedometer and all gages will stop working, or they will constantly move up and down on their own, it will also not accelerate to speed limit in a timely manner. . When stopping the car it will brake extremely hard on its own and throw me forward it will also give a warning message on the dash that the power steering isn’t working and to drive with caution. When parking the car and it is in park a message on the dash will appear saying shift to park.

See all problems of the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu 🔎.

Unknown.

See all problems of the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu 🔎.

While my daughter has been driving our 2013 Chevrolet Malibu 2013, the vehicle continues to experience add loss of electric power. The dashboard display and infortainment system went down black. The problem first began -2019-2020 and continues to recur about once or twice a month. The most recent incident occurred on September 18, 2025, with my daughter behind the wheel. An independentc mechanic confirmed that cause is a manufacturer's defect in the fuse box located near the battery. He stated this is a widespread issue and refused to repair it, advising Chevrolet should address it. Chevrolet waldorf kept my car for over a month but only replaced the battery, could find the issue, which did not resolve the defect. This recurring failure creates a serious safety risk to the driver, passenger, and others on the road because the car can lose power and steering at anytime. This issue was he subject of prior NHTSA complaint I submitted in 2020 (id 11315997), and it has continued despite the report. Everytime this defect occurs with Chevrolet Malibu 2013. . . My family's safety, and the safety of others on the road is placed in jeopardy. Gm must be held accountable to correct this ongoing safety defect beforer more lives are placed at risk, and NHTSA's response wil demonstrate where consumer safety is being prioritized or neglected. The upload pdf shows the name butterflies (is me asking questions) in a Malibu forum date 2021.

See all problems of the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu 🔎.

Steering asst warning came on. This happened in 2022 when I got the vehicle and it’s now happening again. When stopped with foot on brake and auto stop engaged , you take foot off brake steering wheel jerks and steering asst warning comes on. There is also a problem with shift to park. Vehicle shifted into park vehicle doesn’t recognize that it in park and vehicle can’t be shut off until it recognizes that it’s actually in park. Chevy knows this is an issue and will cover it under bumper to bumper warranty but will not fix it under a recall or outside of bumper to bumper warranty. Vehicle has a p1101 code that comes and goes. Engine filter has been replaced, throttle body has been cleaned, maf sensor has been replaced, and the issue continues to persist. There is no know way to fix this. Rear seat belt doesn’t work. Vehicle came like that. Vehicle has had multiple issues. Contacted chevy they want me to pay for a diagnostic out of pocket and submit to them and possibly they will then help. These are all known issues that they are not addressing.

See all problems of the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu 🔎.

2009 chevy Malibu I lost of electric power steering it happened to me twice both when I was driving one was in the freeway the bad thing my car or VIN wasn't included in the recall the dealer said its not included in the affected cars unfortunately it deed my vehicle has 40k miles on the odometer although its a 2009 its very clean. I brought it at firestone auto they said after diagnosing it that they can't fix it because it had a recall so I bring it to were we bought it at guaranty chevy in santa ana I paid $240. To have it diagnose and they said it was wiring issue so I went home after a day drove the car the next day the steering went out again and I was driving it again I was on the freeway this could cause an accident. So when I brought it back to the dealer they fix it for a whopping $1144. 87 plus the initial $240 to diagnose says on my receipt the sensor that was actually on their recall again my VIN wasn't included in the affected cars obviously it did. I ask the dealer if they could contact the manufacturer to at least give me a discount or at least cover the expense because this shouldn't happen but to no avail. Hope you could help me recover what I paid this should been recalled by the manufacturer again my car wasn't included for repairs I have all receipts and documentation and pictures of my car hope you guys help me! it could have been worst what if I hit someone on the freeway and I can't steer. They know the vehicles was affected but they didn't want to fix the problem instead I paid out of pocket.

See all problems of the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu 🔎.

My 2009 chevy Malibu is 40k miles only! the electronic power steering failed almost causing me into an accident they had a recall on this but unfortunately the dealer said my car was not on the list. I went to the dealer and had it diagnose for $240 I paid out of pocket a day later they called me chevy guaranty at santa ana CA. That my car was fix so I was happy a day later I was driving at the 5 highway and it happened again the steering wheel was locked engine running ac and everything but I can’t steer it there was no power assist so I had to call aaa again I used my towing 3 times in a soan of almost 3 days just to fix this when I told the dealer what had happen they had the car for kike 4 days and when it was done the cost of repair and parts was $1144. 87 I feel kike they should have done this in good faith because its a known issue but my car wasn’t in the affected VIN so there were no recalls but at 40k I could have been in an accident worst it could have out me in danger and other all I ask is gm pays me back what I paid the initial diagnostic of $240 plus the $1114. 87 I think aftertax I paid almost $1200 the 2nd time but the taught that I almost crashed is not something I could let go they knew it but wouldnt help me!.

The car has a recall for power steering the recall covers the torque sensor in the steering assembly I had the recall done about 6-8 weeks ago & now I’m dealing with another power steering issue I took the car to chevy & the whole power steering motor has failed they say it is not covered under the recall although it should be other Malibu models are this is very frustrating & unacceptable as I just got a recall for steering done & now I can’t even drive my car.

See all problems of the 2005 Chevrolet Malibu 🔎.

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at approximately 30 mph, the vehicle came to a stop. After coming from the stop, the steering wheel seized. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact’s daughter crashed the vehicle into a utility pole and a utility box. The air bags deployed. The contact’s daughter was transported to the hospital by ambulance and treated for a concussion and seat belt-related bruising on her chest and waist. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard, but the insurance company was not yet notified of the accident. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.

See all problems of the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu 🔎.

My power steering intermittently 'locks"cannnot remove key from ignition. Car loses its data memory, time &date go haywire. A lot of times car wont start. I have taken it a few times to my mechanic. He has run scans, but all the codes are clear. This is the problem. He has checked the battery&altenator, all fine. He tried cleaning some ground wires. He feels bad charging me money because he cant fix a problem that he doesnt see. !! when the car is in the shop,the intermittent problem is not evident. !!! very frustrating.

Lug studs repeatedly snap at wheel no matter how installed.

The power steering keeps going in and out and the vehicle only has 85,000 miles on it. I also keep having weird electrical issues. I had to replace my headlight wiring harnesses as well as my taillights harnesses. But the power steering issue is coming from the rack and pinion. The steering wheel will shake while sitting still and the power steering will completely go out basically every other time I turn the car on.

I purchased this car about a month ago in April of 2025 as of today June 2025 I have lose my power steering it’s so hard to turn and I’ve called the dealership and they told me the car has already been fixed for the recall and it was odviously not because the problem is still present!.

See all problems of the 2006 Chevrolet Malibu 🔎.

The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at 60-70 mph, the steering wheel turned to left and to the right independently. The traction control warning light was illuminated. An unknown local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 220,000.

The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced several electrical failures, causing a loss of power and the vehicle to stall. The vehicle also lost power steering and braking functionality. While inspecting under the hood, the contact discovered that the battery terminals were extremely hot to the touch. The vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 60,000.

My electric power steering has gonna out then came back and now its not working. There's been a recall for that on my so not sure if my car is available.

My electric power steering has gone out causing wheel to be tight and hard to turn.

The electric power steering has failed on me numerous times. From being completely locked and having to restart the car 5 times just to free it up, to it locking up while I'm going 70 down the freeway multiple times. One of those times was while I was merging lanes and my wheel got locked slightly left and it sent me into the median wall, luckily no more damage than some missing paint and scratches but this is a problem that needs fixed. I searched my VIN and there is no recall but it is the exact same make and model and has the exact same eps issues the other 05 Malibus do. What are my options before I get into a really bad accident because of this?.

My vehicle is experiencing a sudden loss of power steering assist.

Experiencing power steering issues, power steering goes off randomly and airbag light has come on and won’t go off.

After several years of instability, the power steering on my 2007 chevy Malibu has started to lock up while driving. Turning of the vehicle is then difficult. The issue resolves only by turning the engine off and then on again, but does not remain resolved. The readout on the dash informs me that there is an issue with the power steering. I spoke with Chevrolet customer service and was told that they would not assist me financially in fixing the problem. They explained that there is no recall on vehicles with my VIN, although I see that there have been in the past. The number of issues reported on this website indicates that this issue is ongoing and widespread, and no one appears to be getting assistance by the manufacture. I suppose it's going to take a few fatalities to get the attention of Chevrolet and the NHTSA before some sort of action is taken.

See all problems of the 2007 Chevrolet Malibu 🔎.

Recurrence of sudden loss of electric steering. Apparently this was supposedly fixed under recall n140115. It did not last.

Steering got stiff and hard to turn and it shakes while idle.

The power steering assist has cause the steering wheel to move to its let by its self when not holding the steering wheel. I must hold the steering wheel firmly to keep it strait when driving. If I would let go the car will abruptly turn left and possibly drive off the road or hit a car, pedestrian, or whatever is in the way. It started with uncontrolled vibrating at a stand still motion. The car is 165,000 miles that's 15,000 miles from the recall. The car has been repaired a couple times I think only to have the same power steering assist internal parts break down and fail multiple times. I believe the amount of power (amps) the power steering assist draws is needed is to much and the system fails within a short time. The alternative hydraulic version on the v 6 doesn't put so much stress on the electrical system. This could be also why the headlights bulb sockets melt and why I see a 15 volt constant charge is being created from the charging system. Ruining the alternator and battery. Putting high levels of amps on the wiring. Leading to malfunctioning components that is filed for complaints. A major safety hazard for others. Fires and uncontrolled crash since the power steering assist moves the car into dangerous life threating crashes.

See all problems of the 2012 Chevrolet Malibu 🔎.

The steering system gets extremely sensitive towards highway speeds to where a slight touch of the steering wheel could cause the car to move a significant amount no warning lamps or messages.

See all problems of the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu 🔎.

Steering locks while driving.

I bought a used car, 2008 Malibu a couple years ago. I just found out that it had a recall back in 2014. I called a dealership about getting it fixed and they refused to do it. Is there anything I can do? I am retired and live on a limited income. Can you please let me know.

No incident yet but will happen if not recalled and fixed. My eps keeps going out while driving and will yank the steering wheel hard in either direction at any given time. Uncontrollable.

The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact received notifications of NHTSA campaign numbers: 14v252000 (electrical system, exterior lighting, vehicle speed control, electronic stability control (esc) and 15v269000 ( seat belts); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that while driving at 50 mph, the steering wheel vibrated and seized. The "esc" and “traction control" warning lights were illuminated. The contact used a scanner and diagnosed the vehicle with steering failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The dealer was made aware of the issue and wanted to charge the contact for the parts. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 107,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

While driving the car, the power steering suddenly goes out and a message displays saying something like "service esc power steering". It seems completely random. Some days, power steering works all day and other days it is completely intermittent. There is a recall for this exact car, recall 14v153000 from 3-31-2014 but somehow according to the VIN this car is not in that group. It needs to be expanded. I have researched this problem extensively, and it is identical to the symptoms described in recall 14v153000. I do not know why this car is not included in the recall. It is the identical electrical power steering system, and clearly it is faulty.

Loss of power steering assist while driving. Safety issue puts driver and others at risk. Problem confirmed to be known by dealer service bulletin 15356. Special coverage has expired however many vehicles with issue still on the road. Esc light accompanies failure, restarting the vehicle resets system and allows function for short period until loss of steering while moving occurs again. Request gm extend the special coverage to all vehicles still in service or recall.

While driving down the road my power steering went out , driver side head light and it was like my breaks tried to lock up on me when I would press on them. I was driving down the interstate and pretty much had zero control of my car . Very scary. While trying to slow down and get off the interstate it's like it all just turned back on I had power steering back but my head light stayed out. So I went and purchased a new one put it in worked drove 2 miles up the road head light right back off. Something is going on with my esc control system and power steering. I could have been really hurt or could have hurt someone.

The contact's granddaughter owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the power steering assist failed to operate as needed. The contact stated that the "steering assist reduced - drive with care" message was displayed on the instrument panel. The contact replaced the electronic power steering fuse; however, the failure returned soon after the repair. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the steering column needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 15v064000 (steering). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact was referred to the NHTSA hotline to report the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 165,000.

The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the electronic power steering assist failed, and the steering wheel became stiff and difficult to turn. The check engine and power steering warning lights were illuminated. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced technical service bulletin: 14116b; as a possible cause for the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000.