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.
2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx steering problems
251 complaints (58% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 70,000. 17 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 251
- of this car's complaints
- 58%
- typical mileage
- 70,000
- crashes
- 17
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Electric power assist system31
- Hydraulic power assist system10
- Column6
- Rack and pinion5
- Rack and pinion: pinion shaft3
- Steering wheel/handle bar1
- Linkages: tie rod assembly1
- Hydraulic power assist: power steering fluid1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Chevrolet Malibu Maxx steering problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx steering
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Power steering loss 82Steering lock-up 23Steering noise 11Pulling 8
Related recalls
Steering: electric power assist system
- What is wrong
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 and 2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2006 Malibu Maxx, 2009-2010 HHR (non-turbo), 2010 Cobalt, 2008-2009 Saturn Aura and 2004-2007 Ion, and 2005-2009 Pontiac G6. In the affected vehicles, there may be a sudden loss of electric power steering (EPS) assist that could occur at any time while driving.
- Risk
- If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will perform one of four bulletins. Parts are not currently available. GM expects to send an interim notification around May 28, 2014. When parts are available, owners will be mailed a second letter to come in to have the applicable bulletin applied. Bulletin 14115 covers model year 2004-2007 Saturn Ion, 2009-2010 Chevrolet HHR and 2010 Chevrolet Cobalts. Dealers will replace the EPS motor. Bulletin 14116 covers model year 2004-2006 Chevrolet Malibu and Malibu Maxx, 2005-2006 Pontiac G6 and 2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from March 1, 2008, through June 27, 2008. Dealers will replace the torque sensor assembly. Bulletin 14117 covers model year 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from February 1, 2008, through February 28, 2008. Dealers will replace the torque sensor assembly and EPS motor controller unit. Bulletin 14118 covers model year 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from October 1, 2007, through January 31, 2008. Dealers will replace the EPS motor controller unit. The recall began on July 17, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438, Saturn at 1‑800‑553‑6000, and Pontiac at 1‑800‑620‑7668. GM's number for this recall is N140115. Note: GM bulletin number 14119 will be implemented for model year 2006-2008 and early production of 2009 Chevrolet HHR (non-turbo) and model year 2003 Saturn ION to provide EPS Motor replacement for the life of the vehicle.
Recall number 14V153000 · Recall details
Related investigations
Loss of electric power steering
In performing this engineering analysis, odi determined that the electric power steering system in the subject vehicles can malfunction or fail, causing the driver to lose power steering assistance; however, due to the following reasons, odi has decided that further expenditure of agency resources on this investigation is not warranted at this time: - gm issued customer satisfaction campaign (csc) 04050a indecember 2004 to address the alleged defect in approximately58,700 subject vehicles, encompassing at least 97 percent of thecomplaint and warranty claims population.vehicles outside thecsc 04050a population contain a newly designed torque andposition sensor and have experienced a relatively low complaintrate.this customer satisfaction campaign presently has acompletion rate of 52%. - the impact on the driver?s ability to control these relativelysmall and light vehicles was limited.vrtc test engineers wereunable to induce a failure mode that would cause the eps tosubstantially limit the driver?s ability to turn the vehicle in aparticular direction or to provide the driver with unintendedpower assistance.- there is no risk of fire.accordingly, this investigation is closed.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that a safety-related defect does not exist.the agency will continue to monitor complaints and other information relating to the alleged defect in the subject vehicles and take further action in the future if warranted by the circumstances.(for further details see attached engineering analysis (ea04-018)closing report.)
EA04018
Loss of electric power steering
Odi opened pe04-031 based on eight reports of alleged power steering failure in the subject vehicles.the complaints allege that the driver suddenly lost all electric power steering assistance without warning making the vehicle difficult to steer. The subject vehicle utilizes an electric power steering assist system (eps) that provides variable steering assistance based on steering wheel torque, steering wheel postion, and vehicle speed.general motors documents identified the following two factors that contributed to the alleged defect in the subject vehicles: a.contamination of the torque and position sensor from theseparation of grease applied to the steering column assembly. B.electrical noise generated on the power and ground slip ring surfaces of the torque and position sensor.the noise is generated as the sensor contact brushes move along the slip ring surfaces when the steering wheel is rotated.odi's analysis showed failurerates that are of concern to odi and indicated that the alleged defect is continuing to occur in the subject vehicles. This preliminary evaluation has been upgraded to an engineering analysis to further investigate this concern, to assess the potential safety-related consequences, and to determine the scope of the affected population.
PE04031
What 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu maxx. While driving approximately 60 MPH, the steering ability seized and all the warning indicators illuminated. The contact coasted the vehicle to the side of the road as the power steering warning indicator remained illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the contact's residence and then to mccurley chevrolet (1325 n autoplex way, pasco, wa 99301) where it was determined that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v153000 (steering). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu maxx. While operating the vehicle, the power steering malfunctioned and the steering wheel became very difficult to turn in either direction. Also, 'power steering' displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was driven to billion automotive (600 w. 41st, sioux falls, sd) where it was diagnosed that the torque sensor was faulty and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 125,000.
No steering,steering turns around and around without stop turning in either direction,right or left. Second time this happened,spent approximately $1200.00 before. Car this time ended in a tow pound yard. Triple aaa moved my car to a shop called quick stop where I wanted to get my car fixed at only to discover they didn't do electrical work which they discovered was the problem among others. Again the towing company triple aaa carried it to webb chevrolet suggested by this shop. Webb chevrolet discovered also electrical issues. My insurance notified me after I contact them for a claim report. An estimator was sent to webb chevrolet also they discovered after a tear down diagnosis that it is a recall issues. Now you are being notified by me,ruby wells of these problems. This is why im notifying you of the recalls found on this make,model and year 2004 vehicle. Not stationary,it was in motion when happened on city street. My son was arrested for no reason $2000 bail times 2 . Court judge through case out on april 45th 2019 after discovering bogus tickets writing and arrests they indicated there was no insurance on vehicle and had my car towed to pound within hours. I had to pad towing fees of $1200 approximately to get my car from pound less than24 hours of the towing. Money has already been spent unnecessarily money I had to borrow because I'm retired. Please take care of this for me asap. Please!
Steering out of whack. I have had my control arm on both sides changed along with axles and a alignment. No luck its still all over road. I drive from sylvester ga to tifton ga everyday. It does the same thing everytime. Also I have had my lights replaced 3 times in the last year. Why arent the lasting. Gas cap keeps reading error. Whole car. I can let someone drive it to see what I am saying.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu maxx. While turning the steering wheel in either direction, a popping noise was present and the steering ability seized. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the steering shaft pulled out of the rack. The air bag warning indicator illuminated after the failure. The failure was not diagnosed or repaired. Elm chevrolet (301 e. Church st, elmira, ny) was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 157,000.
The electronic steering assist would fail while driving down the road causing the vehicle to loose steering and have to come to a stop and turn vehicle off to avoid a crash. It is scarey and dangerous. Mine isn't the only malibu maxx that has had this dangerous problem.
Steering wheel shakes and power steering won't work
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
Questions about the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx steering
Does the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx have steering problems?
Owners have filed 251 complaints about the steering of the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx, 58% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx steering problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 70,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx steering?
Yes, 1 recall: 14V153000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Chevrolet Malibu Maxx have bad steering?
The Chevrolet Malibu Maxx model years with the most steering complaints are 2004 (251 complaints), 2006 (207 complaints) and 2005 (185 complaints).
Other 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx problems
Seats 93Lights 38Electrical 37Brakes 20Transmission 20Fuel system 14Airbags 13Engine 11Seat belts 7Suspension 7Acceleration 6Locks 5Body 4Driver assistance 3Visibility 1
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