I was on interstate 95 going home when the steering wheel suddenly locked up on me and I started losing horsepower until I completely stopped!. So there I was in the middle lane stopped!, with cars swerving around me at high speeds!... Not to mention the cars stopped behind me trying to get around!. I thought I would be badly rear ended for sure!!. Luckily, a tow truck happened to be passing...and stopped to help. Someone could of been killed!!!!!. And from all the testimonials I've heard...I think general motors should mail everyone who owns a chevy malibu a big fat check!.
1998 Chevrolet Malibu steering complaints
Page 2 of 4: complaints 11 to 40 of 74, newest first, as owners wrote them.
While attempting a left turn the wheel became difficult to turn as if the power steering had gone out. Clunking noise was heard and wheel suddenly surged to the right. Wheel has become increasingly difficult to turn left accompanied by strain on the power steering. Problem has not been fixed.
On august 21, 2008, I was driving the car on a level, straight road and heard a snap. The steering of the car got really loose and squirrelly. I pull over to check for loose components under the wheel wells. Everything looked tight. Later I looked under the hood at the rack and pinion and had a helper turn the steering wheel left and right because it was difficult to maintain control to the left. Once the wheel was turned left, I saw the whole rack move up and down from the frame of the engine cradle. From the looks of it a part that held it down broke.
Tl*the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet malibu. The dealer stated that the steering: rack and pinion was leaking and the contact paid $195, plus $470 for labor. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign id number 03v527000 (steering:rack and pinion). The contact called gm in april of 2002 and was informed that he would be reimbursed. When he informed gm that he took the vehicle to a private shop, gm changed their mind and never provided reimbursement. The current mileage was 74,000 and failure mileage was 42,114. Updated 04/16/08 *bf the dealer repaired the cam position sensor as well. Updated 04/16/08
Anti theft system malfunction in my 1998 chevy malibu has caused turmoil and hardships. The system malfunctions regularly and strands me in not so safe places. It is much more dangerous to sit in my car in a dark parking lot then to have it stolen. Sometimes after the 10 minute wait, the ignition still doesn't turn over, and im waiting another 10 minutes, and then again. Last night it took 4 hours for it to go off. Needless to say I was very late for work. I have read thousands of complaints on this issue, and this should be recalled. It is dangerous to chevy's consumers, a horrible engineering idea, and they should be ashamed of themselves for not recalling this dangerous issue.
Having trouble when turning vehicle. Sometimes there is a major delay when turning left followed by a jerk to the left. Sometimes it feels as though it is to hard to turn to the left then extremely easy to turn to right as though unassisted. I have a recall for 98 malibu but have been told it did not include my vehicle . I find this hard to believe considering the trouble I am having which is just like other 98 malibus the campaign # is 03v527000 eff. 12/11/03 gm recall# 03062.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving at various speeds and turning there is a noise coming from the steering. The noise is more noticeable while driving at lower speeds. The dealership determined the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. There have been no repairs made. There is a the federal safety agency recall, # 03v527000, regarding the rack and pinion. The vehicle has the same problems as indicated in the recall; however it is not included in the recall due to the VIN. Updated 4/6/2006 - repairs have been made.
Wheel bearings keep failing, resulting in me having to get new or resurfaced rotors, pads, calipers, bearings obviously, etc. This is the fourth time in a year and a half! I can't afford to drive an unsafe vehicle, but I can't afford to keep shelling out $500-600 every six months for the same problem, either. After doing some research on the internet, and talking to a few mechanics, I'm apparently not the only one with this problem. Also, my power steering hose has a habit of blowing off the line for no reason, resulting in me having to re-attach it. But I don't care about that, I want to know what's wrong with my brake system.
While driving vehicle, steering became very difficult, mechanic determined that rack and pinion needed to be replaced. This is the second incident. I have had it replaced once before. I called the dealership and was told that my vehicle identification number was not included in the recall. D.f.
Consumer stated that this vehicle experienced the same problem as mentioned in recall 03v527000. However, this vehicle was not included in the recall due to VIN. *ak updated 12/12/2006 -
While vehicle was parked consumer noticed liquid leaking onto the ground. Consumer drove vehicle to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that rack and pinion steering needed to be replaced. A recall notice 03082 was issued, but mechanic informed consumer that the recall did not affect this vehicle.
While driving at low speeds, the consumer heard a clunking noise coming from the front end of the vehicle while turning. The consumer had difficulty maintaining control of the vehicle while turning left. The consumer took the vehicle to firestone and was informed that the lower pinion bearing needed to be replaced and possibly the gear assembly. *jb the vehicle's steering rack and pionion was recalled but the consumer's vehicle was not included due to VIN.
Consumer received a recall notification. After taking the vehicle to dealer for recall repairs consumer was involved in single car collision. Steering failed.
I have had several problems with this car: I have replaced tires twice, tried to have the front end aligned because of the steering problem , it is like I have no power steering - when I took it to get the front end aligned, they told me that they couldn't do it because of the rack & pinion needed replaced first. I have called gm and was told that it was not their problem. The dealership told me that there is a recall on this and for me to contact you. I have already had to put a motor and brakes(several times) on this car. Please help me. Sincerely, [xxx]. *ak information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
While driving there was a lot of play in the steering wheel. Dealership solved the problem once, but problem recurred.
This vehicle experienced the same problem as described in steering gear bearings recall 03v527000. But this vehicle was not included in the recall due to VIN.
Consumer received recall 03v527000 regarding steering gear bearings failure. Consumer felt that the dealer treated the recall unfairly. Consumer had been put off several times when trying to have recall repairs done .
While driving 20 MPH and making a left turn steering wheel locked up. Driver applied the brakes and pedal went to the floor. Driver lost control of the vehicle and hit a rock. The driver was not hurt. The vehicle was towed by triple l towing. *ak consumer's daughter in law heard news of gm recalling 88,000 vehicles for a power steering defect, and relayed the news to consumer. Consumer contacted gm regarding the news and was informed that vehicle is included on the list. Also, gm said that they would send an inspector to check on to the vehicle. Consumer also reported information to her insurance carrier.
Dissatisfied with the length of time it took the local dealership to perform a two and a half hour recall.
When the gas tank was full the gas gauge read empty and when the gas tank was empty the gas gauge read full. *ak the steering wheel made noises, the A/C light did not stay on and the A/C blew hot air when the button was not activated, the key would come out of the ignition and would not stay in and the vehicle would still drive without the key in the ignition. The brakes would have to be replaced at least twice a year, the antenna did not pick up an adequate number of stations, (case efficiency decreased from 350 to 250 to refill the can), when two batteries were replaced, the gas gauge did not work, and condensation would set in the rear lights and burned them out. *sc
The federal safety agency 03v527000 steering gear bearing failure. Recall repairs were performed on february 19, 2004, but problem recurred.
Chevrolet refused to pay ferry expense so consumer could get her vehicle repaired at the nearest chevy dealership, 100 miles away by water. *ph *la
Power steering failed, and the vehicle suddenly accelerated. Driver lost control and hit a rock. Upon impact, none of the vehicles airbags deployed.
Automatic transmission, power steering, and A/C controls.
The intake manifold / intake gaskets are leaking water into my oil. Because of this I am in great danger of my engine blowing. The car has 65,000 miles on it, this should not happen at all.
At 47,000 miles vehicle was taken to dealer for an anti-freeze leak. The dealer replaced engine gasket, but problem recurred. *ak the consumer had taken the vehicle in for a power steering problem and they found the intake manifold gasket leaking coolant.
The vehicle was taken to the dealer to have recall no.#03v527000(steering gear bearings) performed. The consumer feels that the vehicle runs worse now than it did before the recall work was done. The consumer stated that the vehicle's is making a loud noise while idling.
While driving 75 MPH, consumer heard a noise coming from under the hood. Then, vehicle lost power steering.
Power steering failure. Took it to the dealership they said I need a new rack and some hoses. Estimated price is $1,300. I called gm service and they said my VIN was not included in the recall issued in the past few months concerning steering failure in chevy malibu. What's up with that.
While driving power steering fluid leaked. This could cause intermittent lost of power steering fluid.
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