2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx: check engine light

Filed Oct 23, 2018 · Engine, Steering · 27,972 miles · NV

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu maxx. When the vehicle was started, the check engine and power steering warning indicators illuminated. Once the vehicle was restarted, the indicators went away. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 27,972. *dt consumer stated manufacturer notified and repairs made. Updated 12/04/18

Filed Apr 2, 2015 · Brakes · 160,000 miles · OH · crash

One night when it was snowing, I was leaving work and three lights came on when I went to stop my vehicle. The ABS, traction control and service engine lights came on and I had trouble stopping my vehicle. After this little incident I noticed the brakes was not working properly. Took the car to auto zone and put it on the code reader. A code pooped up, but could not be told what it was. They said you would have to take it the dealer for them to tell you what the code is. I had to go to work, so didn't have time to take it there. Well I was driving down the road and the lights pooped back on and when I went to hit my brakes there was none. I hit a truck that stopped in front of me.

Filed Nov 13, 2013 · Steering · 104,000 miles · AR

I was driving slowly in a parking lot and the power steering failed completely. The check engine light also came on. It was very dificult to naigate in the parking lot at such low speeds. When I left the parking lot and accelerated, I was able to manage steering with some force. After turning off the vehicle and restarting, the power steering worked fine and the check engine light went off. I was concerned for my safety and worried I would have an accident due to difficulty steering.

Filed Nov 13, 2013 · Steering · 85,000 miles · MI

I was driving down the road heading to work, and went around a curve and all the sudden the service engine light came on and I completely lost my power steering. I managed to pull over and shut my car off, turn it back on and went on my way. The power steering came back at this point. The next morning, I was driving to work, and was getting ready to make a right turn. As I rounded the corner, I lost my power steering yet again. I once again killed the engine and it came back. Both times, I later drove the car home from work with no incidents. This is very dangerous and could cause serious accidents.

Filed Jul 10, 2013 · Steering · 161,747 miles · MO

Power steering malfunction flashed on the instrument panel and within seconds I lost all power steering until I stopped the vehicle shut it off and restarted engine. I have had this happen before but in the parking lot and random malfunction indicators since I purchased the vehicle. This is a malfunction that these cars rolled off the assembly line with. Gm chooses not to do anything about it and if I end up paying over $1,000.00 for the repair I vow to never purchase another general motors vehicle again.

Filed Apr 15, 2013 · Steering · 125,000 miles · KY

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu maxx. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 MPH, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The check engine and power steering lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken the dealer for diagnosis. The technician stated that the steering column would have to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact the vehicle was previously repaired under a manufacturer's recall for the steering. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 125,000.

Filed Apr 7, 2013 · Electrical, Engine · 100,000 miles · NH

Upon acceleration using the gas pedal, the car loses total control of its steering. All engine lights and failure lights go on.sometimes just making a simple turn at an intersection, the car loses complete steering capability. This has happened at various speeds, including on the highway at 50 MPH accelerating over a slight incline or at 10 MPH at an intersection while making a left or right turn. I noticed trouble with the steering when I first bought my car under warranty but it wasn't as severe. Just when backing out of a parking space the steering was tight, but the dealership could not find the problem. I have had the short rack steering gear, steering rack, intermediate shaft, and serpentine belt replaced but to no avail. On the website www.lemonlawclaims.com there have been at least 42 steering complaints of similar nature regarding the same year make for the malibu. An the federal safety agency investigation was performed pe04-031 based on eight reports of alleged power steering failures. The preliminary evaluation has been upgraded to an engineering analysis based on the report I printed up in 2010, however I am not certain of the current status of this investigation. I'm sure there are a lot more failure reports that have been opened, though I cannot find a recall regarding this failure. As a side note, sometimes the car has trouble starting - it always has and the dealership could not determine the failure. When trying to start it up, hitting the gas pedal will cause the engine to kick over and not stall. There is always the smell of fuel. I am not sure if this is part of the failure. In addition when the steering fails or the steering wheel jerks upon acceleration, a clicking sound can be heard. The origin of this clicking in unknown. I really don't understand why there hasn't been a recall on this or better yet a class action lawsuit.

Filed Apr 5, 2013 · Acceleration, Brakes · 69,000 miles · OH

Brake lights flashed intermittently when I was not braking. I was stopped and informed of this by at state trooper. "check engine" light was on. The cruise control has disengaged involuntarily since 2005. I had a new brake pedal position sensor installed, but the cruise control still disengages and the check engine light comes on during trips of more than 10 miles.

Filed Feb 15, 2013 · Steering · 86,000 miles · CT

I was driving on the highway and an engine light came on and it said power steering across my radio. I thought that meant I need power steering fluid but after doing google searches, I find that means I lost my power steering control. Luckily, I was going straight and at a high speed so I didn't lose control based upon what I read. However, I have two little girls and will sue in a heartbeat if anything happens to them as a result of this issue. Especially, since this is a known issue since 2004. Why the heck haven't you forced chevy to recall these vehicles. I don't care that in most cases steering is not affected and that it can be reset by turning the car off and on. I have read about so many incidents of near crashes and some injuries. This is ridiculous and needs to be fixed before someone dies.

Filed Jan 9, 2013 · Steering · 92,000 miles · GA

Stopped and put vehicle in reverse. Check engine light came on and power steering stopped working. Returned to normal after turning vehicle off and restarting.

Filed Jun 28, 2012 · Steering · 100,000 miles · GA

The power steering locks up for approximately 5 to 10 seconds. It occurs at slow speeds on surface streets, high speeds on the interstate, going forward and even when I'm in the midst of a turn. The check engine light will flash, the lights flash on and off and the notice bell rings "ding, ding, ding." when it finally stops the, if its summer the AC will stop functioning until I stop and restart the car. It is a very scary 5 to 10 seconds and I'm very fortunate to have not caused an accident as of yet. This has also compromised the ease of the power steering when it has not locked up. Parking is very difficult as the turning radius and not good and its just difficult to maneuver the cars steering.

Filed Jun 14, 2012 · Steering · 160,000 miles · MO

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu maxx. The contact stated that the driver was driving 40 MPH when the steering wheel seized. The power steering light and check engine light illuminated on the instrument panel when the failure occurred. The driver stopped and shut off the vehicle. The steering wheel functioned as normal upon restart. The vehicle was not taken to have the failure diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified and offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 160,000.