When turning right power steering failed intermittently.
1998 Chevrolet Malibu steering complaints
Page 3 of 4: complaints 41 to 70 of 74, newest first, as owners wrote them.
While driving or turning, the vehicle lost power steering and it became difficult to steer.
Vehicle was experiencing the same problems as those stated in recalls, which included the steering gear bearings, and the windshield wiper arms.
I had to have the rack & pinion system replaced on my 1998 malibu along with the power steering pump pulley due to being worn thru and unsafe to drive by the service techinicians recommendation. This was done at 68719 miles. I also had the intake valves replaced 2 months ago for the second time due to leakage of lots of oil into the engine, also per the service technicians recommendation. This was only 14 months after it was done the last time. I have my service done at a chevrolet dealership and I think that 68719 miles is low mileage to have to replace the rack & pinion system. I also think that I was given faulty intake valves on the original engine and also on the first replacement. I am also taking my car back for the 3rd visit to try and fix the chirping sound that is coming from the engine. I also replaced the serpentine belt and bearings 2 months ago when the intake valves were done.
Rack and pinion broke, causing steering to fail.
While driving, the vehicle lost its rack and pinion steering and all power of the steering wheel. Dealer notified. *ak the power window control panel on the driver side arm rest popped out, the vehicle pulled severely to the right (dealer couldn't find the problem). The dealer finally replaced the lower control arms, brake rotors, 2 sets of tires/almost completely bald at the time only 13k miles. The rims had to be forced off, the front rotors had become rusted at 20k miles, the ignition wire harness had come apart, the power steering hoses had come loose, lost fluid and power steering while in motion, the trunk leaked, the ABS light had come on twice a week, the front end squeaked and rattled, the antenna wire was loose, the right head lamp had permanent moisture with no crack, the A/C would shut on/off intermittently, the alternator failed at 60k miles and the waning light had come on for only five minutes, the engine leaked oil, and the right windshield wiper pivot housing had broken. *scc
The steering wheel was difficult to turn. *jb the vehicle slid, hit a curb, and had gotten stuck in mud. Scc
Rack and pinion steering gear failed at 65,000 miles, causing a loss of power steering and a near accident. This is the second time this has happened (last time was at 40,000). This vehicle has also had front brakes and rotors 6 times and has experienced all other malibu problems such as air conditioner control failure, tail light melting, etc.
Once the vehicle is at "normal operating temperature" the power steering becomes hard and will squeal. I have replaces the power steering fluid, in entirety, and the problem still persists. I plan on going to a dealership asap, but reading all of the articles on this vehicle, it appears they will tell me the same. It is a rack-and-pinion problem that I will have to incur an out of pocket expense.
The steering rack & pinion and the engine intake gaskets in this 1998 model are faulty. The shoddy rack & pinion needs to be replaced and I have gone through numerous tires over the years. The intake gaskets are leaking fluids and an engine blow out is imminent. With the leakages, the car is unsafe to drive. I have maintained all required maintenance according to the manual and the car is still under 50,000 miles but I am looking at a huge mechanic's bill due to a shoddy rack & pinion and intake gasket leaks.
After hearing a "clicking/creaking" sound coming from the steering (on full lock)when maneuvering at slow speeds, I.e. Parking, I had the car inspected. It turned out to be a bad rh lower control arm and a loose lh lower control arm.
The vehicle has experienced the following problem: the front end/lower suspension arms need changing, the rack and pinion assembly is leaking constantly and has been changed twice, and the rear crankshaft seal is leaking oil. *scc
Was driving approximately 25mph when vehicle started pulling to the right. Vehicle sounded as if in neutral. No control of vehicle. Managed to pull over and parked. Checked vehicle. Noticed right front passenger side wheel caved inwards. Towed to dealer. Was informed by mechanic that rack and pinion had snapped completely in half.
No summary listed for above vehicle.
Front fender where front sensor was located was cracked. Consumer sustained chest and knee injuries from steering and dashboard because air bags didn't go off. Also, seat belt did not lock up. Consumer has not consulted manufacturer or dealer.
I noticed a rough feel to the steering wheel when making short turns.I took it to the dealer to inspect .they said I needed a new steering gear and that the mechanism was leaking fluid. When I contacted gm they told me they have no record of any problems with the steering mechanisms in their database. They did offer to share the cost 50-50(over $900!!) as a good will gesture as the car is now out of warantee.(woopee!!)I also reported my tail lights go out from time to time but the dealer says he couldn't find a problem.
The coolant was leaking into my engine. I was told the engine block was cracked, after being without my car for 4 days, they told me it was just a gasket leaking. They then "as good citizens" repaired my car under warrenty and charged me $73.95 for an oil change and fuel filter because these things had to be done while they were investigating the leak. I had just recently had my oil changed. Within the first few months of having my car I noticed serveral problems that I reported to the dealer and was waved off several times. I even rode with a service manager who explained that the ticking in the engine, the whinning my window made when rolling it up or down, the squeeking in the front and back of car were all normal because my car was settling like a house does. These noises and squeeks are normal!!! Shortly there after, my wheel bearings were replaced, my window failed to roll up while on my way to work when it began pouring rain. The ticking noise was explained three years later, since the coolant was leaking into my engine. I have replaced break pads, and my rotars and am on my way to replacing both again at 36,000 miles. The ticking noise in my car is still present and now the air conditioner goes out intermittently while driving. I replaced the lamps in my break lights twice before another malibu owner told me it was a problem in the circuit board. I am not happy with this vehicle and can't wait until I can afford to get rid of it. I will never buy another chevy unless the choose to rectify this situation. After reading the other compliants I now see I am not the only person to ever report the leaking of the coolant and am frustrated since I was told this was never seen before!!!
Intermittently steering became hard to steer. Dealer notified, and was unable to locate cause. Feel free to provide any further information.
When traveling and applying brakes, they make a grinding noise when making a turn. Dealership is aware of problem.*ak transmission mounts were replaced. Safety belt fixed 2 times. Power steering hoses and lines replaced, parts were missing from steering gear assembly.
I have a anti-theft lock that came with the vehicle,I have been stuck several times due to the anti-theft going on and I cannot start the car for atleast 20 min. At a time. I have been late for work and appointments also. I need to know should I try to take vehicle in to remove anti-theft,if possible, if I the owner with the key cannot start the car I guess a theft would have a hard time also. So in one way I like the feature. Would like to know if this is a standard feature in these vehicles? And if it is worth having?
Squeaking noise came from steering, dealer replaced steering rack assembly and power steering hoses. Right front shoulder belt would not adjust up or down, seatbelt stop button was missing, left side driver's shoulder belt retracts slowly, right front shoulder belt retracts slowly and jams at times. Rear bumper cover at left side at tail light opening has poor fit. Excessive wind noise at the left front door glass opening while traveling highway speeds. Steering shimmies while braking, dealer found warped rotors. Idle quality in gear at stop is poor, transmission mounts were weak, engine runs rough at times. Front head light fogged up, delaer found inside lens cracked. Rattle noise heard under vehicle while traveling on rough roads.
Steering gear box has failed while driving, causing a loss of steering capablity due to faulty parts. Consumer has had steering gear replaced a total of 3 times.
Vehicle experienced several transmission related problems, consumer stated while pushing accelerator from a complete stop, engine would rev up but vehicle would not move, after a couple of seconds, the transmission would engage, this would also happen while driving, transmission experienced slipping, dealer rebuilt transmission, also, left front axle boot was torn, dealer replaced the left inner tripod joint boot. Gas cap tether broke, dealer replaced gas cap. Vehicle would vibrate while braking, dealer replaced warped rotors and front brakes, the right front caliper was later replaced due to a torn piston boot. Oil was leaking from the front crankshaft seal, dealer replaced seal. Steering column tilt housing bowl assembly machined improperly from factory causing tilt wobble, also caused a popping noise. Consumer heard a clunk noise from rear when going over bumps, dealer replaced both lower control arms.
There is a knocking noise in steering wheel. Dealer has replaced rack and pinion steering and problem still exists. Manufacturer has been notified.
Faulty brakes heavy vibration to front end and steering wheel,during turning and stopping, dealer shaved rotors and replace brake twice, third time dealer wanted owner to buy new rotors
This vechile was been in the shop a minimum of 9 times.this is the 2nd malibu that I have owned the first one was in the shop just as much if not more.the chevrolet dealer traded me out, and upgraded me for no extra money ,but this car is no better thatn the first one. I feel that this the worst car that we have every owned and would tell any one never to buy one. I feel very unsafe in this car. No my steering rack is going and the cv boot is leaking.
Automobile went into a trench and bottomed out, and the air bags deployed, causing the engine carriage to be damaged/cracked the windshield, and damaged the dashboard.
Steering--steering rack, gear assembly, gear kit, ball joint and both lower control arms.
At 11k mi when brakes applied at 50+ MPH front tires severely shimmied, dealer machined and reinstalled front disc, as of 8/8/99 symptoms have returned. At 14k mi a thumping noise began in the right front tire, dealer replaced both lower control arms. At 3k mi heater blower motor started making a loud noise, dealer replaced blower motor. At 9k mi heater blower motor started to again make a loud noise, dealer removed and reinstalled blower fan, motor still makes a loud noise.
Lower control arm failed.
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