2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx: sudden loss of power

Filed May 9, 2023 · Steering · 160,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 14E044000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.

Filed May 2, 2022 · Steering · 117,000 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The power steering warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and diagnosed with power steering failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 117,000.

Filed Oct 19, 2018 · Airbags, Steering · 104,000 miles · WA · crash · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owned a 2004 chevrolet malibu maxx. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the steering lost power. In an attempt to make a left turn, another vehicle crashed into the front driver's side of the contact's vehicle. The front driver's air bag exploded and struck the driver in the face. The driver sustained injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to a tow yard. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified. The failure mileage was approximately 104,000.

Filed Oct 19, 2016 · Steering · VA

Intermittent loss of power steering during acceleration has persisted and continues to get worse after recall (the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v153000) was performed. This creates a potentially dangerous situation. Manufacturer and dealer refused to perform any further repairs at their expense, claiming there was a one year warranty on the repair. However, their remedy for this safety defect didn't fix the original problem and it continues to happen.

Filed Feb 23, 2015 · Steering · 176,000 miles · PA

I lost power steering and got a message in the driver information center telling me that there was a problem with the power steering. I was driving on route 1 in new jersey and going about 45-50 MPH. I pulled off the road and restarted the car, hoping it was just an electronic glitch. That solved the immediate problem. However, I learned reading the nytimes that this is a common problem with the maxx and in fact there had been a safety recall on the car. I called a local chevy dealer to have it fixed and found there are three outstanding safety recalls on my car. In addition to the power steering problem, there are also problems with the transmission shift cable and the brake lamp. All these recalls were made in april and may of last year after all the bad publicity about covering up defects that resulted in deaths. I have an appointment to take care of all three problems, but this is my larger concern: I don't know why, but I received only one recall notice (not three) and that one notice (which was about the transmission cable) said that the parts weren't available and they would notify me when they were available. I was never notified, but apparently the parts are available and have been for some time. My question for you: what is the federal safety agency doing to make sure that individual consumers receive accurate information about safety recalls? I was lucky. I was driving on a straight road in an urban area -- and not taking a curve on a mountainside -- when my power steering suddenly stopped working. Why wasn't I told about this problem earlier? Why did I have to wait till reading about it in the nytimes? And why didn't I receive a followup letter when the part became available for the transmission cable? Thank you.

Filed Jul 21, 2014 · Steering · 250,000 miles · MA

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu maxx. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the power steering malfunctioned making the steering wheel very difficult to turn. The contact indicated that the lost power steering warning message display on the instrument panel. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no solution was offered. The contact indicated that he received a notification for recall the federal safety agency campaign number 14v153000 (steering). The dealer and manufacturer were contacted on several occasions the contact the was informed that the parts were not available and no estimated availability date could be provided. The failure mileage was 250,000.

Filed May 16, 2014 · Steering · 19,000 miles · NJ

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu maxx. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 MPH and attempting to park, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The contact experienced a loss of power steering without warning. The failure only occurred when attempting to park. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, who informed that contact that the steering column needed be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign id number : 14v153000 (steering). The approximate failure mileage was 19,000. Dr

Filed Mar 31, 2014 · Steering · 40,000 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu maxx. The contact stated while shifting into any gear there was a sudden loss of power steering with the illumination of the warning indicator. Upon turning the vehicle off and back on it began to operate normally. The failure recurred intermittently and became progressively worse over the years. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and dealer, who both stated that the steering column would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 40,000. The VIN was unavailable. Updated 5/22/14*cn updated 7/06/17

Filed Feb 6, 2014 · Steering · 46,000 miles · ME

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu maxx. The contact stated while driving in various weather conditions, speed and with out warning his vehicle lost all power steering. When the vehicle was restarted the vehicle resumed normal function until the failure recurred. The dealer was notified and stated that the steering column needed to be replaced at the contacts expense. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage 46,000 miles.

Filed Jan 27, 2014 · Steering · 155,507 miles · KY

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.

Filed Oct 18, 2013 · Steering · 51,000 miles · NY

Tl* 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 *bf updated 11/26/2013

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.