2000 Chevrolet Malibu: loss of power steering

Filed Oct 2, 2014 · Airbags, Brakes · 190,000 miles · NM · crash

Tl* the contact owned a 2000 chevrolet malibu. While driving approximately 75 MPH, the brake pedal required excessive force in order to stop the vehicle. The contact stated that the power steering failed and caused the vehicle to steer to the left. Additionally, the hood of the vehicle flew up and struck the top of the roof resulting in a crash. The air bags failed to deploy. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. The vehicle was destroyed and not diagnosed. The vehicle was included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v400000 (electrical system); however, the part needed for the repair was not available. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 190,000.

Filed May 10, 2014 · Body, Steering · 89,200 miles · OH

While parking I heard a noise in the front end and upon turning the wheel harder the power steering went out. I could barely turn the wheel. Later in the day put in more power steering fluid thinking that was the problem but had the same issue. I thought the power steering was going out as I was hearing a grinding type noise in the front end. The next day I could feel something under the driver floor board and louder noises when turning hard. Took it to my mechanic and was told sub-frame is rusted and needs replaced as well as the rack and pinion; this will start out as a $2000.00 repair and could go up to $4000.00 depending on what else they find when they work on it. This is a safety hazard and should be fixed by gm as they used shoddy materials building this vehicle. My mechanic said I shouldn't drive it as I may loose control of the vehicle. This car was kept in a garage for the first 10 years I have owned it and has only been parked outside for about 5 years. At only 89,000 miles I am disgusted at the way this vehicle was built. I have also replaced the head gasket, not once, but twice!

Filed Mar 30, 2014 · Electrical, Engine · 74,000 miles · MI

While driving, ignition switch failed causing the engine to stop with loss of power steering, brakes, etc. Failure was intermittent and required repeated service calls to identify the source of problem as the ignition switch.

Filed Mar 13, 2014 · Engine, Steering · 51,564 miles · VA

Early in 2011 I started having difficulties with my 2000 malibu. The problem was that the check engine light would appear randomly on the dashboard. After a few moments it would disappear. It began staying on longer and longer so I took it to a local chevrolet dealer. They checked it out, couldn??t find anything specific, and told me I should have them put in a new computer. This cost approximately $550.00 after the repair a new symptom began to appear: spontaneous engine stalling coupled with loss of steering control. Attempts to restart the car resulted in no engine cranking. I found that after waiting for a while the car would start again and be fine. At one point we were traveling at freeways speeds on the new jersey turnpike. My daughter was driving and my two young granddaughters were in the back seat. Suddenly the engine stalled as described above. It was frightening, but we were able to coast to the side of the road safely. We sat for a few moments on the shoulder of the freeway, trying to figure out if we were going to be stranded. After a few tries, the car started up okay and we continued to our destination. When we arrived at the hotel parking lot, it repeated this behavior. We completed our journey and got home safely. A few days later I tried to start the car but it was completely dead. I contacted the same chevrolet dealership who sent a tow truck to fetch us and the vehicle. Once at the dealership, one of the mechanics quickly suggested that it might be the ignition switch. The dealership replaced the ignition switch and charged me over $400. I am a senior citizen and the repair bills were a lot for me to handle.

Filed Aug 13, 2012 · Body, Steering · 57,000 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2000 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that while turning, an abnormal noise was heard from the front end. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who advised that the the sub frame was corroded. The sub frame was replaced and the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. In addition, the contact stated that the power steering assist failed. The steering was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 57,000.

Filed Aug 14, 2009 · Brakes · CA

I purchased my 2000 chevy malibu in march of 2001. In early 2003 I took my car in for repairs because I had lost steering ability. I was told the sub frame needed to be replaced so I had it done. A week later I had to bring the car back to the dealership for brake problems. I was then told the ABS needed to be replaced so I had that done. Since then I have had to change my brakes numerous times. Just last year I had to replace the pads 3 times in a 9 month period because the pads had been worn all the way down. During that 9 month period I also had to replace the calipers and rotors once then a week later the rotors had to be resurface again. Now I am having to have my brake pads replaced again this weekend. So that makes a total of 4 brake pad changes in less than a years time.

Filed Aug 10, 2004 · Steering · 00

Intermittently power steering assist failed while driving. When this occurred the steering wheel became difficult to turn. Then, power steering assist suddenly engaged, sometime resulting in over steering. Dealership performed a diagnostic test that indicated that power steering pump needed to be replaced.

Filed Apr 18, 2004 · Fuel system, Steering · 56,500 miles · WA

Transmission failure, power steering failure, fuel pump failure.

Filed Oct 6, 2003 · Electrical, Engine · 43,000 miles · CA

I bought this car brand new (had 4 miles on it) in august of 2000. Within a month, the A/C motor had to be replaced. Within 6 months the engine began to surge, and felt like it was going to stall whenever at a stop. During this same period of time, the brakes began pulsating, and I replaced them on my own. I have not had an issue with them since. Then this year, 2003, it completely died on me while doing 70 in rush hour traffic on the freeway in san diego. My whole family was in the car, and we could have been killed. I couldn't even turn on the flashers to let other drivers know we were in trouble. Obviously, the power steering went out, and we had to cross three lanes of traffic, solely propelled by our existing momentum, without the ability to steer. I am beginning the process of trying to assess what the issue is, though I am sure it is the alternator. The battery was tested, and diagnosed as perfect, other than needing a full recharging (it was drained by another component). Once I determine what is wrong, I intend to go to chevy, and harass them until they fix it. Then, I am going to try and enter into arbitration, and hopefully get rid of the car altogether. If anyone has the "solution" to the stalling problem, please email me ! Mjaramillo @ excite . Com

Filed Apr 29, 2003 · Brakes, Electrical · 45,000 miles · TN

I too, have many of the problems that other malibu owners have. My turn signals work intermittently, the brakes have been replaced 2x, in addition to rotors, etc. The battery blew up, but was replaced as was the AC turning off and on by itself. The one issue that is very concerning to me, is one familiar to you. My car cuts off at anytime while driving. It has done this to me on 2 separate occasions. Nashville has 3 interstates running through it and I was on them both times this happened. It was very scary and dangerous. It is out of warranty and the shops that I have taken it to cannot replicate the problem. The mechanics at then shops told me that malibu's are by far some of the most troublesome cars on the road today. Someone is going to be killed. You lose control and have no steering ability, what does it take to fix the problem. I can see from others that their problems are being ignored as well. When will gm acknowledge the problem. Don't they watch the news and see what happened with the firestone recall, or the tobacco companies that kept secrets? It is time for someone to be responsible for their product.

Filed Aug 14, 2002 · Engine · PA

While driving 55mph vehicle cut completely off, causing loss of power steering.*ak the vehicle had been to the dealer several times for stalling problem. The dealer was not sure what the problem was but they replaced the crank sensor.

Filed Apr 7, 2002 · Airbags, Brakes · AL · crash

Put 3 sets of brake pads & rotors (at 16,000, 33,000, 42,000) on this car & now needs repairing again. Had front end collision, head hit steering wheel but air bags did not deploy. Entire front of car was completely crushed. Brakes failed 3 times. Would have resulted in a wreck if something had been in front of me. After repairs from wreck, leaking coolant - resulted in blown head gasket. Edwards chev & adjuster said was not from wreck - problem probably started before wreck. Car is extremely hard to steer when parking. Feels like there is no power steering.