This 2001 chevy malibu had the rack and pinion break free from the engine cradle due to frame corrosion. The car is now undrivable and needs new engine cradle (front frame). This is a safety issue and the frame should not rust on a car in a place that could kill somebody. Bad design. Poor quality. Never buy a gm ....ever.
2001 Chevrolet Malibu steering complaints
Page 2 of 3: complaints 11 to 40 of 41, newest first, as owners wrote them.
My wife was driving through the college parking lot at approximately 15 MPH. When she went to turn the car in a turn lane she had no control over the direction of the car. She ran over a curb with the car before coming to a stop. The local auto maintenance shop said the steering mechanism broke in the front causing loss of control. Because of this she ran the curb and broke off the left front wheel. After reading the almost 600 complaints on here my problem seems to be a very... Very common one. I called the local chevy dealer and chevy. They both told me sorry, but sorry. They couldn't do anything for me. "I" broke the car. They are ignoring huge safety issues with the 2001 malibu. My wife could have been on the interstate and this happened. She could have died, and I would have brought chevy down in court. Basically, chevy needs to grow a pair and man up by fixing these real issues that are putting peoples lives in danger. Chevy is a great example of what is wrong with america today..... Corporate greed at any expense so people can make copious amounts of money without worrying about making a great product or keeping consumers safe. I will never... Never buy another chevy. They do not stand behind their products at all. What a shame for an "american" company. Oh wait, they are own by the u.s. Government and fiat. Aka not american anymore.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH, the steering wheel seized as the brake lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who was unable to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 60,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH, the steering wheel failed causing the vehicle to shift to the left. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was not notified. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000.
I was driving down the road at 30 MPH and heard some popping in my left front tire. I then noticed that I could not turn my steering wheel to the right. It took all of my strength to get it to turn slightly and the more I tried to turn the wheel, the louder the popping sound got. I was no longer able to steer my car. Thankfully I was able to drive into the parking lot of monro and they were able to take a look at the car and told me that my sub frame steering rack completely cracked and that the car was no longer drivable. He said I was very lucky to have not been in a serious accident considering this was so sudden. I had my car inspected a month ago and it passed with shiny stars. It was in fantastic shape and is now undriveable.
I had my car tow to a auto services center cause it would not start, the tech told me it was the starter but said there was another problem the sub frame very rusted and the engine could fall out anytime. They replace the front sub frame,outer tie rod end, sway bar link kit, the cost was $927.39 . Is g m responsible and can I be reimburse for my cost.
I was going from eb i294 onto sb il394 when the car suddenly changed lanes, it was late and there was very little traffic,so no accident happened, I got the car to a repair shop and they told me the front end cradle that the steering rack mounts to has rusted out, causing me to have very bad steering, and when it happened it bent the steering rack and the tie rod ends. The repair with a salvaged rack was $1800.00, I am very disappointed with this car because it has no other rust. I was told by the repair facility this is very common on chevy malibus, ford vans, and suburu outbacks.this is terrible the manufacture would sacrifice peoples lives to save a few dollars!
I went to start the car and it wouldn't start. The theft light came on and wont go off. I only had the car for two days and this happens. I don't have the money to take the car to the dealership or get another car. I lose my job in a week due to the place closing down.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 chevrolet malibu. While driving approximately 5 MPH, the contact attempted to make a left turn while depressing the brake pedal and a hissing sound was heard from the steering wheel. The steering immediately became difficult to maneuver. After depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle regained steering. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing or repairs. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000. Updated 1/20/2012 *bf updated 01/25/12
Steering became stiff to turn when making a right turn. Upon investigating the problem, we discovered that a thin mounting tab on the front cross member where the steering box was attached to had rusted away leaving the steering box hanging free. I have seen many internet complaints with this same problem.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the steering wheel became difficult to turn when the power steering failed. The driver lost control of vehicle and veered to the side of the road. The vehicle was inspected by an independent mechanic who advised her that the right side k-frame was fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were approximately 77,000. Updated 09/21/11*lj the consumer stated when she hit a pothole, she lost the ability to steer the vehicle. The engine cradle, steering rack and inner and outer tie rods had to be replaced. Updated 09/27/11
Car suddenly began steering hard to the right and made clunking noises when the steering wheel was turned. Discovered that the left side mounting bolt of the steering rack ripped through the rusted out frame cradle, leaving the rack attached by only one bolt. This allows the rack to pivot upwards instead of properly steering the vehicle. The right hand mount is also very rusted and is nearing failure. Car has not been repaired at this time, since the entire front frame will need to be replaced.
Tl*the contact owns a 2001 chevy malibu ls. The vehicle shut down after being parked for a day. The mechanic stated that it was due to the theft system. The theft light was illuminated. The mechanic advised her that the model year was recalled for the theft device. The mechanic temporarily fixed it. The current mileage was 75,038 and the failure mileage was 75,028.
Tl*the contact owns a 2001 chevrolet malibu. While driving at 55-60 MPH on march 4, 2007 the steering wheel began to automatically turn on its own and a fraction of the steering wheel became detached. While depressing the brakes the contact struck a brick wall. The vehicle and contact were unharmed. The vehicle was towed. The current and failure mileage were 87,000.
Power steering pump replaced. High resistance to turning left. Often unable to turn the wheel as much as intended with the maximum pinion shaft movement. When turning left power steering is non existing with extreme power to maneuver steering to complete the left turn. The right turning steering is extremely loose. The failure is duplicative of the recall of the 1997 and 1998 malibu.
2001 chevrolet malibu has developed problems with the braking and the cooling systems.***no answer required***. *mr one month after the vehicle was purchased the rotor assembly was replaced. The vehicle would turn over but it wouldn't start. The dealer replaced the fuel pump. When accelerating the vehicle's coolant light illuminated on the dash. The dealer determined that there was a leak at the by pass pipe at the lower intake manifold. The alternator was replaced under warranty. The hazard and turn signal switch were replaced. The right outer tie rod were worn loose. The dealer replaced the right outer tie rod ends and set the front end. The right front wheel bearing was replaced. The ABS malfunctioned.
I was driving down a road with the speed limit being 55 MPH which I was doing and hit the edge of the road on the right side and when I turned the wheel slightly to the left the entire car went to the left and the car hit a tree head on at 55 MPH and the neither of the air bags deployed. The car totaled.
The consumer was unable to wear the seat belt properly because the driver's seat belt would not retract back and forth. *ak the rack and pinion had a bad leak. *sc the gas gauge did not work properly.
The consumer experienced a power steering leak on a 2001 chevy malibu which is similar to recalls made on 1996 and 1997. *la *sc
When turning the steering wheel vehicle made a clanking noise. Vehicle was taken to the dealer, who claimed that this vehicle was having the same symptoms as stated in the federal safety agency recall 03v527000 affecting chevrolet, malibus, 1997-1998 concerning steering gear bearings. However, this vehicle was not included in the recall due to VIN. *ak in addition, bearing in steering snaps eveyrtime wheel is turned.
My 2001 chevrolet malibu steering cylinder fell apart while I was driving it. My steering wheel did not lock and my key would not turn after I parked it. I have only had this car for a year and a half.
Consumer stated while turning left steering wheel got stiff. Then, after the turn was completed he had to force the steering wheel back. Consumer will take vehicle to the mechanic, but someone told him that there may be a recall on this vehicle. Consumer received a recall notice on his other chevrolet vehicle.
At 500 miles it was found that rack and pinion steering system was not properly installed at the factory. Rack and pinion system failed at 48,000 miles. At 49,000 miles the front axle shafts need to be replaced. This in addition to many other repairs that were performed on this car.
When the consumer attempted to turn the vehicle, the steering wheel became hard to turn.
The steering wheel was hard to turn, and it made a noise.
Elbow right arm/elbow became sore after driving a chevrolet malibu for a week. The steering is stiff and hard to turn. Have a bad case of elbow now. Info supllied by mike tomich 989‑665‑2311. Dt
At 40mph and with no warning lost steering control, resulting in crash. Cause unknown. Dealer notified.
Driver heard knocking sound from engine. Took to weber cevrolet and problem was fixed. Piston and piston rings were bad. One week later driver hears popping noise from steeering column steering shaft was replaced. Gold package decals were fading off as well. Driver now hears knoking comming from engine again.
When driving vehicle randomly cuts off, it loses steering power. Also, engine leaks oil. Consumer has contacted dealer. Please provide any further information.
When vehicle was leaving highway steering was lost. Consumer said that with a finger could turn steering wheel, but vehicle will not go anywhere.
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