Three issues with my 2004 chevrolet malibu ls v6... 1. The steering gear needs to be replaced at 48,000 miles. 2. The starter stays engaged periodically or has trouble turning over to start the car. 3. A/c not cooling vehicle. Entire unit eventually replaced. The vehicle has been brought in numerous (13) times to various gm dealers and only has 48,000 miles.
2004 Chevrolet Malibu steering complaints
Page 23 of 28: complaints 641 to 670 of 799, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Power steering failed on 2004 chevy malibu without warning. I had taken the car in about a month ago for front alignment issues, thought they fixed it, but the problem came back and then power steering quit.
Dt*: the contact stated the steering locked up on 2 separate occasions. The contact believes the electric steering has lost power and the wheels become locked. Both times the dealer has replaced the rack pinion rod, but the contact express that this will happen again and was probably due to a component defect.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving on the freeway, the steering column locked up. The 2004 chevrolet was the first year manufactured with a electric steering column. In april 2005, the steering column was making a noise and was tight resulting in difficult steering for sharp turns. To correct the problem, the dealer replaced the steering column. In july 2006, there was a second failure to the steering column, it locked up.
In two occasions I experienced a complete loss of steering .the car a chevrolet model malibu year 2004 was transported to a chevrolet dealer(norwood chevrolet) in warwick ri. The mechanic diagnosed a steering column shift-torque sensor failure.gm admitted that they had an internal recall. The steering column was replaced as per gm customer relation manager.the bill was 610.48 dollars.theynever refund me because the new manager stated that the recall was lifted.please evaluate and advise me what to do. Thank you .
2004 malibu anti theft light and radio lock light illuminates, problem with seal on the rear left window. *ts the steering was stiff, the molding on the let rear window came out of place when the window was rolled up. The vehicle would vibrate while driving. There was a rubbing noise coming from the front of the vehicle, the check engine light illuminated several times, the temperature and fuel gauge light illuminated. The trunk would not open properly when using the remote. The vehicle started by itself and all the lights illuminated which caused the battery to die.
During my employment contract with delphi automotive (delphi saginaw steering system, 3900 e. Holland ave., saginaw, michigan 48601), I was instructed to conduct a screw "strip-out" study on the electric motor/controller assembly of the electric power steering (eps) system of the general motor's epsilon platform (my 2003.5 - 2006 malibu). This study was conducted in may of 2004 at delphi's plant 1, eps assembly. The study included ten production motor and ten production controller assemblies that were assembled on the production equipment and process(es). The controller is attached to motor by three m 5.0x 0.8 screws. The result of that study concluded that four of the ten motor/controller assemblies had at least one of the screws fully stripped with less than 50% of the design intended retention and with two assemblies with two fully stripped screws. This report was shared with my immediate engineering manager whom then reported to several other product engineer managers of the eps group in saginaw, michigan. It was universally understood that plant 1 had an assembly issue with this process and that there was no effective containment process in place to scrap all suspected stripped assemblies. The follow-up information from my managers that I understood was that uaw assembly members were inquired to agree among themselves a build sequence for the controller fastening process so that the components could be redesigned for better assembly. This item was not pursued because it was unclear to which party (the assembly plant or the product engineering group) was to champion the necessary change. The resultant failure mode is possible migration of the controller from the motor assembly. This migrating may result in loss of vehicle steering and/or vehicle fire due the power (motor) phase leads "shorting out ". More information is to be submitted with compliant (per martina and debra of nhsta 19jn06).
Dt*: the contact stated while attempting to make either a left or right turn there is a knocking noise present in the steering of the vehicle. While driving at any speed the vehicle pulls to left. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on 3 occasions and the manufacturer has been alerted however there is no fix for these problems.
Vehicle loses power steering causing lose of control while driving. This first occurred 12/7/04 and was repaired under gm customer satisfaction campaign 04050a (recall). Vehicle lost steering control again while driving on 2/20/06, vehicle was repaired. Vehicle lost steering control, engine stalled and brakes failed while driving 55 MPH on interstate freeway on 2/27/06, vehicle was repaired. Vehicle lost steering control again on 5/11/06. Vehicle is unsafe to drive and has not been repaired to make safe.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving at various speeds the steering light illuminated. After inspection the dealership replaced the computer chip in the electronic steering system. Afterwards there was a knocking sound while turning. Although the dealer replaced the steering shaft the knocking continued. The vehicle was returned to the dealer where the steering rack and pinion is being replaced.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving at various speeds the vehicle was difficult to steer and the brakes vibrated. The dealership determined the tie rod had broken and repaired the vehicle.
Dt*: the contact stated while traveling at 35 MPH, the power steering failed causing the vehicle to veer to the left lane. While trying to recover into the correct lane, the vehicle went over a guardrail and over a ravine. The driver was not injured. The vehicle was totaled. There was a police report filed. The contact has seen several complaints on the internet concerning similar power steering problems. The contact reports no problems with the steering prior to the accident. The cosumer stated the engine also accelerated on its own. Updated 05/10/06
Defective steering column shaft,took it in april 4 2006 for the third time general motors doesn't have the part to fix it. Its on a nationwide backorder. I'm stuck driving a car that has a defective steering column.
Electronically assisted steering quit working while turning into our driveway and check engine or other warning light illuminated until the vehicle was finally stopped and the engine turned off and then back on. Problem cleared after this incident. We've only had the vehicle for two weeks. My wife was driving during this incident and is the primary driver of the vehicle. I'm concerned with the hundreds of complaints I've seen about the same issue from others, that she may be in danger the next time this happens at higher speeds or on a corner.
The steering system has failed 3 times on the vehicle. Gm motors has repaired the part twice, by replacing the entire steering system. Right now the car is in the shop for the 3rd time for the same defect. We are not sure if gm motors is going to pay to fix the problem. We are currently out of the warranty but this is the 3rd time. It was replaced in 3/04 & 10/04. Gm told us that they were aware of the issue but according to their records not enough cars were affected therefore a recall had not been initiated. What disturbs me is they new exactly which cars where affected before they were even sold to consumers.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 30 MPH the steering wheel was difficult to turn. The vehicle has been to the dealership twice for repairs, but the problem reoccurs. The dealership and manufacturer were notified however, no additional repairs have been made.
Steering wheel shakes all by itself and was replaced by dealer. Now there is a clunking noise when turning the wheel. Front rotors warped, replaced by dealer, now warped again. Front axle seal leaking on exhaust, replaced by dealer, now leaking again causing a foul oil burning smell in the car.
Lost power steering twice in one day. This is the fourth and fifth times the problem has occurred.
Prominent noise in steering system. Dealer tried to order defective party, but gm said none would be furnished until a new part was designed. The part is the "intermediate steering shaft". They claim that it causes no hazard, but noise is annoying and vehicle, 2004 malibu lt, has only 17,600 miles. Purchased 12/23/03.
Steering failure, steering replaced three times. Steering went out when car was 11 months old, again fall 2005, jan 2006. Two different dealers have worked on car, noting that they are aware of steering problems with this model.
There was a clunking noise in steering when turning or acceleration and or steering wheel shakes when standing still. *ts
Purchased 2004 chevy malibu, certified used with 27,000 miles. When turning I hear clicks and feel vibrations. Dealer say's it's not a safety issue and general motors will fix in first quarter of 2006. I contacted chevrolet and can't get an answer on the safety issue or when this problem will be corrected. I have been reading many automobile websites and read 100's of messages from people complaining about the same noise when turning and eventual loss of steering. The car is two years old, why hasn't chevy fixed these vehicles? Are they or are they not safe? What can consumers like myself do about the issue.
I bought the car brand new in 2003. Have had to take it into the dealership on three separate occasions. And it's happening again so this next time will be the fourth. Problem occurs every 6k or so. Play in the intermediate steering assembly begins to occur. First indication is a knocking noise heard while turning. I have taken it to three different dealers and they still can not correct the problem. It is just going to get frustrating over the life of the vehicle to constantly have to have it repaired. Very concerned with the safety of the vehicle. Also, if I tried to sell it, this problem could seriously affect the value of the vehicle.
Dt contact stated the steering wheel would move by itself. The contact would try to turn the steering wheel and the steering wheel would turn in the opposite direction this happened on may 15, 2004, and the dealer replaced the steering column. On october 17, 2005 . ,the same thing happened again and the vehicle was going into the local dealer today. There was no prior warning. This happened on dry road conditions. Also on september 1, 2005 the gas light kept coming on. , took the vehicle to the dealer, and they said there was a crack in the exhaust system. The dealer replaced the exhaust system. Now , the light is back on, and the dealer is going to check that too. *ak updated 11/16/2005 -
I purchased a 2004 chevrolet malibu ls in april of 2004. Since that time there have been many safety issues with this vehicle. The first of the issues was the brakes locking up while driving the vehicle. The dealership repaired this under a recall along with some seat belt and air bag related recalls. The vehicle has also never steered correctly and the electronic steering column has been replaced three times. I currently have around 33,000 miles on the car now and the steering has failed again. I will have it towed to the dealership this week to see if they can ever repair the steering issues. There were also issues of the key getting stuck in the ignition and the shifter moving out of the park position without any keys in the ignition. I also sued gm for $6,500 - according to the attorney gm would not buy back the vehicle. In my opinion this vehicle is not safe at all. I am afraid to drive it.
Steering wheel quivers when stopped, check steering displayed, power steering went out (1st time service 10/28/04) thump noise when turning (2nd time service 08/29/05) both service orders state replace failed steering column. Vehicle is making the same thump noise again so it will be taken in for 3rd time service.
I was driving the steering column shut down on me while driving, the second time the steering column was jerking and the third time I could hear clunking noise coming from the vehicle.
Car developed a noise in the front end in october of 2004. Car was brought to dealership 11/2/2004 and the steering column assembly was replaced (6491 miles). Car again developed noise in march 2005. Steering column assembly was replaced again ( 5/11/2005 8908 miles). Noise was again apparent may 2005. Power steering gear assembly was replaced ( 5/11/2005 9596 miles). Noise not repaired 5/16/2005 power steering gear assembly replaced again (9657 miles). Noise came back again 7/5/2005 and steering column assembly was replaced (10275 miles). On 9/11/2005 the power steering failed while trying to turn right. Vehicle became very hard to steer and pulling uncontrollably to the left. The car needed to be towed to the dealership. On 9/12/2005 a new steering column assembly was installed (11388 miles). A vehicle inquiry summary was obtained from the dealership ( sylvester chevrolet, peckville). The report revealed a steering column assembly replacement on 1/21/2005 also towing.
2004 chevrolet malibu developed major steering problems.*mr the steering column assembly had to be replaced three times in the last thirteen months.
Dt: the contact stated that the torque sensor in the steering column had to be replaced. There was an accident in january because the steering locked . The dealership stated there were multiple cars of this make and model that had this problem. The consumer received a recall notices on the power steering and the brakes , but the recall notices were received after the accident. The vehicle was not inspected after the accident to determine the cause of the accident, but it was taken to a body shop to be repaired. The police report stated that the contact's vehicle hit another vehicle in the rear. The contact contacted the manufacturer, and received a letter stating there was no basis for reimbursement for the deductible.
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