Chevrolet Malibu Maxx harsh shifting problems

Filed Apr 16, 2021 · Steering · 45,000 miles · CO

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 chevrolet malibu maxx. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, a clunking sound was coming from the steering column while turning the steering wheel in either direction. The cause of the failure was not determined. The contact indicated that the steering column was previously replaced however, the failure persisted. The local dealer john elway chevrolet located at 5200 s. Broadway, englewood, co 80113 and the manufacturer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 45,000.

Filed Feb 1, 2015 · Electrical, Steering · 57,635 miles · OH

July 18 - driving to work, heard and felt a clunk. On the radio display power steering was now displayed and the mechanics symbol illuminated on the dashboard. July 28- mccluskey is unable to duplicate trouble with car, they do not have parts anyway. Aug. 6 - vm car is ready. When we arrived told us there is a problem, they have used non-approved gm parts, they need to take those parts out and put in approved gm parts to be paid. Rear quarter of the car was damaged. Aug.14 - passenger side lower front bumper is now damaged aug. 21 - picked up malibu from the body shop, realize seat is broken call the body shop back within 5 min. Of leaving the lot, I went around a corner and I am thrown into the door. In oct. Received the recall letter again, dealerships now have parts, take your vehicle in and have the repair completed. If this was done in august why did I just receive a letter? Nov. 27, while my husband was driving the car the power steering would not work again, making a turn at slow speed the car would not respond and acted as if he had his foot on the brake and the accelerator at the same time, as if he was power braking, the car would not move, the car was not drivable, completely unsafe. Dec. 3 borcherding buick calls me and tells me the recalls are not the issue and cannot be completed until the steering column issue is fixed.the car had 57635 miles on july 18th the day the car was towed to mccluskey chevrolet, on august 22nd the morning after I picked up the car from mccluskey chevrolet the car has 58135. The car became un-drivable with 60890 miles. I have a receipt the power steering was replaced in 2005 under a recall/warranty and then again the power steering was repaired in 2009 with gm paying half we paid half due to the low miles on the vehicle.

Filed Jul 27, 2014 · Steering · 65,500 miles · FL

Around 60000 miles you could hear and feel a clunking or popping coming from inside the steering column. This happened especially while turning the wheel or going over bumps. At approximately 65500 miles while my wife was traveling at 20 MPH making a turn the power steering instantly and without warning locked up. After turning the car off and on again the power steering would reset but would still randomly lock up. I called chevrolet and explained what was happening and how this was a huge safety concern. If this had happened at high speeds my wife could have lost control of the vehicle. Chevrolet informed me that they had no knowledge of this failure. They also stated they would not help with the $1081.31 dollar repair bill for a new steering column module. As of mar 31, 2014 chevrolet has posted a recall for the sudden loss of electric power steering in the 2006 malibu maxx. After calling chevrolet to inform them I would like to get this new part to fix the issue they informed me my 2006 malibu maxx was not within the VIN numbers affected. This is terrible if chevrolet knows this problem exists but is waiting for more complaints or deaths I guess. Now I'm just waiting and hoping my pregnant wife is not involved in an accident from sudden loss of electric power steering.

Filed Jun 11, 2013 · Steering · 24,000 miles · WA

Clunking in front end when turning the wheel, difficult to turn wheel. Has only gotten worse. Dealer says the part was not lubricated at manufacture. But I have to buy a repair kit. Now at 88000 mi I have to buy a new universal joint because it failed due to this manufacturing defect.

Filed Mar 28, 2012 · Steering · 47,000 miles · MA

I just exited the highway and was turning into a parking lot and heard a loud clunk and the steering failed. The dealership informed me that the steering rack and gears to the steering column needed to be replaced along with the spring and sensor for airbag on the steering column. The steering column would then have to be re-centered and the car realigned.

Filed Mar 19, 2012 · Steering · 112,000 miles · AR

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 chevrolet malibu maxx. The contact heard a loud clunking noise when attempting a right or left turn at low speeds. The dealer advised the contact to replace the stabilizer bar. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. No repairs were performed. The current mileage was 138,000 and the failure mileage was 112,000.

Filed Dec 14, 2011 · Steering · 33,000 miles · ME

I bought this car in 2010. The steering problem has been intermittent since the car passed 33k. I haven't had this happen on the road, but usually after I park and turn the car back on. There will be no power steering making it almost impossible to drive. If I shut it off and turn it back on again, the problem isn't there. Quite unnerving. The car also has a clunk sound in the left front under the steering wheel. The warning for power steering is on more than it is off. I wish there was a recall on this. There have been so many complaints on the internet and my mechanic says there should be a recall on this. I haven't had it fixed because I can't afford it.

Filed Aug 1, 2011 · Steering · 65,000 miles · WI

First started as an occasional steering problem at low speeds. Then progressed to more frequent steering problem at low speed. Next a bad vibration started in the front when breaking. Now a loud clunking noise. Diagnosis by mechanic is defective rack and pinion, steering box, and possibly power steering failure. Research indicates there have been many, many complaints about this, and that the 2005 malibu was recalled for exactly the same problem last summer.

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.