2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx: clunking or noise when steering

Filed Feb 2, 2018 · Steering · TN

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 chevrolet malibu maxx. The contact stated that the manufacturer indicated that an unknown eps recall remedy was performed by an unknown dealer before the contact owned the vehicle. The contact stated that the steering wheel made an abnormal noise and was extremely difficult to turn in either direction. The vehicle was not diagnosed by a dealer, but was inspected by an independent mechanic. The manufacturer provided no solution other than stating that a recall had been performed. The failure mileage was not available.

Filed Apr 2, 2015 · Steering · 31,000 miles · WV

Loud popping noise coming from the steering column, and can be felt in the steering wheel. Slight "play" in the steering on the left side. The noise seems to be popping within the "play" area of the steering. Purchased this vehicle from private owner with low miles, garage kept, and regular maintenance. Previous owner noticed a noise near the steering at 30000 miles.

Filed Apr 1, 2014 · Steering · 76,000 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 chevrolet malibu maxx. The contact stated that the steering wheel emitted a clucking noise while making a turn. The dealer performed a diagnostic test which located the failure in the steering wheel drive shaft and column. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 76, 000 and the current mileage 78,000.

Filed Jun 3, 2011 · Steering · 101,754 miles · CT

I have a 2005 chevrolet malibu maxx. We had experienced loss of power steering at 87017 miles. Dealer replaced power steering column under policy 10183. Car has again had the same problem now at 101754 miles. Policy 10183 states that gm will pay for repairs but only up to 100,000 miles. I'm 1754 miles over this. However it was repaired before only 14,737 miles ago. Is gm repairing this defect with the same defective components? If so this endangers everyone and is unethical. This car has had numerous front end issues including replacing the steering rack several times (clunking noise when turning - now also back again), wheel hub and bearing issues and steering column replaced at 50425 miles for a failed torque sensor. We are concerned that the vehicle may not be safe to drive. Gm should be re-engineering these components and replacing the failed ones with new design. This needs to be a recall for all impacted models before someone is killed or injured due to loss of power steering which can be very sudden and dramatic. Gm claims it is not a safety issue. However, someone unprepared or without upper body strength can get into serious trouble very quickly. Who will make the decision to do the right thing with this problem? Apparently this is well documented with other gm products as well.

Filed Mar 30, 2011 · Electrical, Lights · 24,547 miles · GA

The steering has a heavy clunk sound when turning left in reverse, no sound when going to the right. Then at just over 50k miles, the steering on the vehicle started having issues with power while turning to the right under power, to the left was just fine. The head lamps also have gotten severely cloudy which limits visibility during night time driving. Front turn indicator lights also had a problem with loose sockets, causing the lights to short out and eventually fail because of sparking residue on the contacts. Also, for some reason the rear window wiper randomly turns on for no apparent reason. The vehicle also has a starting problem where at times, the vehicle will crank and not start. Looking around, quite a few folks have that problem as well, where some people have had to short out the hood safety switch to make the car work... Now that is crazy to have to short out something to start your car. Apparently though, the electrical system is severely sensitive to voltage issues in general, more so then most vehicles on the road.

Filed Jun 11, 2010 · Steering · IL

Loose/clunky steering. The clunky sound and feel can be heard/felt whenever the steering wheel is moved. There is also some space between when the steering wheel is turned and when the wheels actually turn. Feels unsafe to me. I'm very easy on the turns, it scares me that something is going to break when I turn. Don't know if that's the case I'm not a mechanic, but it feels and sounds awful. It started months after I bought the care. I purchased it april 2006, basically a new car, but after a few months the problem started. I took it to the dealership they fixed it, but it started up again after a few months. I took it in again to the dealership they said they were installing a new improved steering gear or something like that. It lasted a little longer this time, but the problem started again. This should be a recall repair. The warranty is over so I'm not taking it in again. It isn't worth the expense - a temporary fix is not the solution. This will probably be my last chevy. It's disappointing. My cars have always been at least 6 years old when purchased. This was my newest car purchased. It was exciting, but then ended up being so disappointing. My next newer car purchase will be nissan. I miss my old nissan.

Filed Mar 5, 2010 · Steering · 38,000 miles · MS

What are you going to make gm do concerning 2005 malibu maxx steering system. Power assist pumps failing, steering shafts, etc. Mine started the clunking noise and getting progressively worse and of course it's out of warranty, which is what gm desires.

Filed Nov 5, 2007 · Driver assistance, Steering · 42,000 miles · TX

Loud "clunking" sound in steering column and loss of power assisted steering while driving. I have taken the vehicle for repair 5 times. Steering column has been replaced and electric steering gear. Still get a loud "clunk" when steering as well as loss of power assist. Car pulls to the right and I have to constantly steer left to stay straight. Dealership claims the steering is aligned and that they can no longer work on the vehicle, except to grease the steering column.

Filed Oct 15, 2007 · Brakes, Steering · 30,000 miles · FL

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.

Filed May 15, 2007 · Steering · 53,000 miles · VT

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.

Filed Feb 1, 2007 · Steering · 29,000 miles · CA

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.

Filed Dec 3, 2006 · Steering · 24,000 miles · FL

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.