2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx: steering wheel locks up

Filed Jun 23, 2016 · Steering · 120,000 miles · CA

My malibu maxx 2004 was bought new. It has the power steering issue ever since it was new. Under acceleration on highways (e.g. Driving uphill in mountains etc. ) when steering left around a curve, the power steering locks up and jerks, and dash lights flash for a few seconds. This has happened ever since it was new. The issue can't be reproduced by dealership and auto repair stores. Gm has a recall in 2014 regarding power steering but the problem is not fixed, the issue is life threatening!!

Filed Sep 21, 2015 · Steering · 140,000 miles · UT · crash

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu maxx. The contact stated that the steering wheel seized and there was an abnormal noise. On another occasion, while driving 5 MPH and making a turn, the steering wheel required excessive force and another vehicle crashed into the front passenger side of the vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed and no injuries were reported. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The dealer informed the contact that the parts were not available for the recall repairs for the federal safety agency campaign numbers: 14v252000 (electrical system, electronic stability control, exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic, vehicle speed control), 14v153000 (steering), and 14v224000 (power train). The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.

Filed Nov 6, 2014 · Steering · 135,000 miles · TX · crash · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu maxx. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 40 MPH and going around a curve, the steering wheel seized. As an result, the contact lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle rolled down an incline and crashed into a fence line. The contact was air lifted to the hospital and sustained broken ribs, shoulder injuries, a concussion, memory loss, and cuts and bruises that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign id number: 14v153000 (steering), but the vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 135,000.

Filed Jun 2, 2014 · Steering · 128,000 miles · GA

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu maxx. The contact stated while making a u-turn the steering wheel seized. The problem recurred while pulling out of a parking lot. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the torque input sensor was defective. The steering column was replaced and the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 128,000. An

Filed Jan 16, 2014 · Electrical, Seats · 75,000 miles · WA

In june the drivers seat began listing to the right and rocking. The dealer looked at it and said it is a broken weld and quoted me $800.00 to fix it. Then in sept of 2012 I was trying to maneuver out of a parking lot and the power steering locked up. It was really scary, it took all my might to get to a safe place to stop without hitting anyone. When I restarted it was okay and my mechanic did not see any obvious problem with it. Also the cd player no longer will load up cds although the other functions and info on the little screen work. Also the side mirrors no longer can be adjusted in the vertical plane although they still move horizontally.

Filed Sep 1, 2013 · Steering · 90,000 miles · MO

1st incidence on highway, 2 yrs. Ago steering tightened up and light with car/wrench came on. It resolved on its own quickly soon after calling on star for assistance. Just recently more random incidences of light coming on with no noticeable steering difficulty. Today, while pulling out of driveway, steering frozen, car/wrench light came on, stuck in middle of the street. Turned car off and restarted. Steering loosened up then froze again, could not turn wheel at all, still stuck in the middle of the street. Turned car off and on again. It loosened up again and was able to drive it without further light or stiffness. Planning on visiting the dealership this week for a check up. This should be covered along with the recall for 2005 malibu since it is the power steering issue.

Filed Jul 8, 2013 · Steering · VA

The power steering locks up when driving, gets very tight and cannot turn the wheel.

Filed Jun 2, 2013 · Steering · 120,400 miles · NC

The steering locks up between 2000 and 3500 rpms. The tool, steering and battery light keeps flashing when the power steering locks up or before the steering locks up. Chiming sounds go off and a clicking noise from the dash board. I heard many people are having the same issue. It should be a recall because it almost cause me to be in an accident many time. I had to stop driving me car due to the danger.

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.

Filed Apr 16, 2012 · Steering · 89,050 miles · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 malibu maxx. The contact stated that while turning at 3 MPH, the steering wheel seized and was difficult to maneuver. The vehicle was stopped and shut off. The steering wheel functioned as normal upon restart. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer, where they stated that the steering column needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 89,000 and the current mileage was 89,050.

Filed Feb 7, 2012 · Steering · 59,843 miles · VA

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu maxx. The contact was driving 55 MPH when the steering seized while making a turn. The power steering warning light illuminated after the failure. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer and the manufacturer was not notified. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 59,843.