After the first 200 miles on the odometer, the car had front rotor problems. The dealer tried to fix it 2 times by turning the rotors, only to return in less than 2,000 miles each time. They finally changed out the rotors for brand new ones after I complained to the dealer owner and management about the problem. The second issue was loss of power steering while on the highway, making it impossible to turn. This was caused by a faulty electrical connection at the fuse box, which I took it upon myself to repair and the problem never returned. The third problem started in january 2007, just one and a half years of owning the car. Steering assembly noises identical to all previous reports was corrected by a rack and pinion assembly replacement. In july 2007 (just 6 months later) it was changed again. Now in october (3 months later) it is scheduled to return to the dealer for yet another replacement, making this the 4th rack and pinion assembly to date (including the original). This is completely unacceptable for a vehicle of this price range... And the only solution to date is to continue to change out the assembly.
2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx steering complaints
Page 7 of 7: complaints 161 to 185 of 185, newest first, as owners wrote them.
My husband and I purchased a used certified 2005 malibu maxx in july of 2006, by the time the weather got cold, I noticed a clunking noise in the front end. It was taken in to the dealership and they replaced the steering box. The second time was in march 07, they could not verify the noise, then again in april I took the car back and they replaced a front sway bar link. The noise is still there. It gets so much worse in cold weather it can be really scary on the highway, it also has a inconsistent pull to the left and has been aligned, and tires rotated to no avail. Why can't they fix this problem? I am losing my faith in gm after nearly 20 years of being a faithful gm owner.
2005 chevrolet malibu max, power steering failure - total loss, locked up of steering control at low speed. During low speed turn driver could not turn wheel and lost all steering control of vehicle. This failure was accompanied by a power steering warning on the car's information panel. Vehicle was stopped successfully with out accident. Driver turn off ignition, restarted, and steering control returned but seemed hesitant. Although this was being reported as of this date 5/15/0) it also occurred a week earlier but returned to normal operation. Previously this car had warranty service on a steering system "noise" covered under a tsb and had been working normally until this issue occurred. Vehicle will be taken to chevrolet dealer service today.
Last febuary I bought this car "certified used" from a chevy dealership. Less than a week later the power steering failed while I was driving on the highway at 65 MPH. Some how I managed to pull over without wrecking the car. I turned it of and back on again and it seemed fine. Then it happed again and again so we took it to the dealership. At first I really regretted buying the car but they fixed it and it seemed okay. Now a year later and after the warrenty has expired there is a clicking and thumping noise coming from the steering and I'm sure that I will have to pay plenty to get that fixed lucky for them the warrenty is gone. Meanwhile I'm without a car. I will never buy aniother car from gm again. This car was a huge mistake!
2005 malibu maxx steering--rack and pinion making a thumping sound during sharp turns and as you drive over bumps. A second sound is heard during the turning of the wheels while parking--sounds like a spring being streched.
Steering rack has been replaced 3 times on my 2005 chevrolet malibu maxx. The steering was acting erratic and "thunking" when steering. 3 times the power steering has quit on me. The car becomes extremely hard to steer. I know my wife and daughter would not be able to steer the vehicle in this condition. The first time the power steering failed, I drove it directly to the dealer. When I took the service advisor out, the system had reset itself and the steering was fine. The next 2 times, I pulled over and shut the vehicle off for a short time and restarted it and the system reset itself again. As mentioned, the dealer has replaced the steering rack 3 times, each time saying this is an improved part, and won't happen again. But it does.
Tl*- the contact stated that while driving her 2005 chevrolet malibu on the highway or in the city the power steering did not function correctly. The steering got rough ,and when turning the steering wheel she heard a clunking noise, but not sure if it was from the wheel or the engine. The contact took the vehicle to the dealership in september 2006 and they replaced the rack and pinion steering. Also, the contact took the vehicle to the dealer in november 2006 for the same failure ,and they stated that they couldn't find the failure on the vehicle.
2005 malibu maxx was sent to the dealership for some warrenty service work on problems with front end noises. The car was returned 30 minutes after being dropped off. The dealer said the car had a bad steering rack and shaft. The parts were ordered and the car returned for driving until the parts were recieved. Less than 100 miles later the car lost steering control and slammed into a semi truck on a major freeway. The car is a total loss. I did an internet search and this seems to be a problem others have expecienced.
After allowing vehicle to warm up approximately 5 minutes, put vehicle in reverse to back out of driveway. Vehicle's steering failed, was unable to turn steering wheel for duration of about one minute, then steering assist began to work again and I was able to turn the wheel. Several times previously over the last six months steering has seemed very stiff on occasions, but not to the degree that steering failed.
Malibu maxx with 24,000 miles I started hearing a popping or clunking noise when turning steering wheel. I took it into the dealer and they told me that it was something to do with the gears in the steering column and said they fixed. A week later the same noise was back. I took the car back to the dealer and they then said that they had to order a new rack for the steering. The rack was replaced a few days later. These repairs (along with a long list of other repairs including replacing the gas take) were completed on 7/18/2006. Now december 3rd 2006 I am hearing the same noise and will have to take the car back this week. I drive this car 60 miles everyday and am very concerned with the safety of this vehicle.
We bought our malibu maxx in feb. Of 2005. Started have in problems with the steering, in oct 05. There was a knocking-clunking sound when turning the steering wheel. We took the car in to the dealership in dec. Of 05. We where told there was no fix for it at that time but one would be available the first quarter of the year. At the time we had 21,000 miles on the car. Finally in the 3rd quarter of the year they had a "fix". The intermediate steer shaft was replaced. The "fix" lasted only 3,000 miles before they had to replace it again. This "fix" again only lasted 3,000 miles. We have asked gm to replace the car and have been told we have too many miles on the car. 41,000 miles. We feel since the car can not be fixed and that we waited as asked by gm, that gm should replace the car or give us the value of the car when we first started having the problem.
My vehicle is a 2005 chevy malibu maxx. The vehicle doesn't always turn over. I have had my vehicle in the shop a couple of times to determine the problem and the chevy dealer can't figure it out. I will try to start my vehicle but it doesn't always crank over. It will chug a lot and then stall out. Other times it will chug and act like it will stall and then turn over. Sometimes it takes 2-3 times for me to try and get the vehicle to start. I called my service department at the chevy dealer every time it happened and the only common factor was that it was happening every 800-1000 miles approximately. It didn't matter how cold or hot it was, wet or dry. It has been awful! Nothing has been replaced on the vehicle to try and fix the problem with it starting. My can has just over 32500 miles and is still under warranty. The most recent time was late september 2006. I am not sure on the exact date that I called my car dealer. I also took my vehicle in on 9-12-06 for a popping sound in the steering when turning. We found out that the center steering shaft was broke. It was replaced. There was a problem with the interior front blinker not working but the exterior did. Then shortly after the left front blinker blew.
Steering pop when turning car, on 2005 malibu maxx.
Steering lock and knocks when turning the car. Vehicle has 44000 miles on it. Started about the time the warranty ran out.
Clunking in steering again. Dealership said the steering box 'new improved" went out and said that the noise is coming in from inside of the box. They don't understand why it keeps going out. This is the third steering box. Malibu only has 34,500 miles. Dealership tightened steering while waiting for the new box. The car would not straighten from minor corrections. If you turn to the left it would keep going left and if you corrected it would go to toward the opposite side into oncoming vehicles. Returned to dealership told them it was an accident waiting to happen and couldn't drive it. They finally gave me a rental car. Approximate date 8 of 06.
Dt*: the contact stated the vehicle pulled to the left at various speeds. The dealership replaced the rack and pinion and steering column, but the problem persisted. Updated
Clunking noise in steering when turning left to right. Dealership inspected and said steering gear box is bad. Only 33,122 miles.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving at various speeds a popping or knocking noise was heard from under the front of the vehicle. It was driven to the dealer who determined the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. Updated 07/03/06.
Dt*: the contact stated the steering column shakes and locks. This occurs intermittently while driving at various speeds. The dealership determined the steering rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The manufacturer has been alerted.
2005 malibu maxx hydraulic seat malfunctioned and the back seat unlocked. *kb ***nar*** the drivers seat would not stay in the upright position. Due to the misalignment of the seat, the consumer experienced recurring right knee joint pain and inflammation, which required emergency medial care and ultimately surgery. The consumer believed the malfunction of the seat is what caused her knee injury. The intermediate steering shaft was replaced.
Recurring problems with electric power steering system. Constant noises and deteriorating steering condition. Purchased vehicle in march and have had it serviced for related problem 3 times in 3 months.
My chevrolet malibu maxx (2005, 17k miles) frequently has a clunking noise that appears to be coming from the left front suspension. The noise is often accompanied by the feeling of a "hit" underneath the driver's feet and on occasion seems to be connected to a steering input (steering wheel moves notably). This happens only at lower speeds (below approx. 35 miles/hour) and during or after left turns and is especially strong on uneven roads. I took the car to a certified chevrolet dealer for repair and have been informed that this clunking is related to a problem with the intermittent shaft of the steering, that this problem is known to chevrolet and has been assigned the number pic3747, and that no repair is possible at this time. They also told me that they have no data indicating that this problem is at the same time a safety issue. But as I have a notable steering input, and as the constant clunking is also interfering with concentration, I consider this a safety issue and thus filed this complaint regarding this problem.
Power steering failed 2 times in last 3 days and both times it has happened I was stopped. I had no power assist and it takes a lot of effort to move the wheel in any direction. After I did move the wheel several times I regained power steering and was able to proceed on my way. I think this problem should be upgraded to a recall asap!
Our 2005 chevy malibu has had steering issues since it was new. The dealer and gm have not been able to fix it as of yet. The car has a constant pull to the left and on occasion (4 times) the car will veer to the left crossing lanes before you can get control and bring it back it to the correct driving lane. The repair so far has been to reprogram the steering module or replace it. This has not worked and is what they are attempting to do again.
There were no events that lead up to the failiures. I have the paper work of the two times I 've taken my care to be repaired. The date I inidate below is not accurate however, just an estimated date.*ak the failure was the electric power stearing has gone out numerous times. I've had it in teh shop twice. The first time, they replaced the steering column, the second time, they claimed its not the steering column, but that it is something they can't fix but can clear out the "codes" and it will be "temporarly" fixed. According to gm " they know the problem exists in this type of car but are unable to fix it" the other problem is the that the steering is pulling to the left. The dealership mechanic claimed it be torque steering and they are unable to fix that as its "normal" I have never had a vehicle pull to the left so much as this car does. They rotated my tires to see if that would work but it didn't.
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