2004 Chevrolet Malibu: steering wheel locks up

Filed Aug 11, 2023 · Steering · NY

On multiple occasions driving at slow speeds and parallel parking, the steering wheel locked and I was unable to turn the car. This has occurred numerous times and I am very concerned about my safety as this is extremely hazardous. I am aware that this, power steering failure, is a known issue. Please advise.

Filed May 5, 2021 · Steering · 255,450 miles · WA · crash · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated while driving at 60 MPH, the steering wheel seized not allowing the contact to have control of the vehicle. As a result, the vehicle ran into a side bearing. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was not filed. The contact sustained some back soreness. The vehicle was able to start back up and the contact drove the vehicle back home. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of failure. The failure mileage was 255,450.

Filed Jan 24, 2020 · Steering · 191,000 miles · WA

When I accelerate to get onto the freeway and push on the gas the check light with the tool will come on and I am unable to steer my car and the steering locks. It isn't until I ease up off the gas pedal does it stop. This has almost caused an accident as I was unable to control my car.

Filed Aug 5, 2019 · Steering · 140,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu. While the vehicle was idling at a stop sign, the steering wheel seized and became difficult to turn. The contact turned the vehicle off and on to allow the steering to return to normal. The contact stated that the power steering warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer and the manufacturer were not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 140,000.

Filed Jan 8, 2019 · Steering · 118,500 miles · PA

I purchased my used 2004 chevrolet malibu november 23, 2016, the day before christmas. I was in motion merging into philadelphia's schuykill exp when my steering wheel locked in place for 2-3 seconds as I was going over 55 MPH on a slight turn. I remember the wrench lighting up in the top left corner of the dashboard and reading 'power steering' message on my the screen. The steering wheel stiffens as if you have that car that runs out of steering fluid. Another incident happened again while in motion, when I was coming down philadelphia pike merging on the I-95 south. Again, the steering wheel locks for a few seconds, reads power steering on the screen with the orange wrench in the bottom left corner of the dashboard. It's frightening because my car could go in another lane and hit an incoming car, or vice versa. The first time I couldn't pull over to recooperate because there are no shoulder lanes. I'm still having this issue and it has been two years. Even when I am parallel parked sometimes, my steering wheel tightens and I can't fully turn the wheel. When I called chevrolet the first time, the representative assured me that there were no recalls shown for my VIN number. I was directed to go to chevy and told me it was a steering column issue. The cost and labor itself is steep. I call to folllow up and they basically told me they could not do anything about the problem because it was out of the time frame for the warranty which doesn't make sense because no manufacturer expects to recall to happen.. And paying for that repair is not even a guarantee that it will fix the issue based on the other complaints.

Filed Jul 30, 2018 · Steering · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu. While driving various speeds, the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was taken to chapman chevrolet (6925 essington ave, philadelphia, pa); however, the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the steering wheel failure was confirmed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Jul 27, 2018 · Steering · OH

My steering wheel locks up as if the power steering is empty when I make full wide turns. I have to turn the car off and back on to get full accessibility to the steering wheel.

Filed Aug 25, 2016 · Steering · 166,000 miles · GA

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu. While driving approximately 30 MPH and making a left or right turn, the power steering seized and the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The power steering warning indicator illuminated and a beeping noise was heard. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the power steering motor failed and needed to be replaced. The VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v153000 (steering). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 166,000.

Filed May 3, 2016 · Steering · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the steering wheel seized without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the steering shaft was fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure and the VIN was included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v153000 (steering). The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Oct 28, 2015 · Steering · 163,900 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, the steering wheel seized and the vehicle independently accelerated. As a result, the contact was unable to make a turn. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 163,900.

Filed Oct 7, 2015 · Steering · 140,000 miles · FL

The power steering locked while driving. The steering wheel locks and is hard to turn. There was a previous recall on the power steering. This vehicle has had 3 recalls. This time it is the power steering module.

Filed Feb 4, 2015 · Steering · 123,000 miles · MN · crash

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 30 MPH making a left turn, the vehicle started making a loud noise and the power steering seized. As a result, the vehicle crashed into a curb and a pole. It was unknown if any injuries were sustained or if a police report was filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 123,000.