2004 Chevrolet Malibu: clunking or noise when steering

Filed Sep 4, 2020 · Driver assistance, Steering · 166,919 miles · CA

While driving car steering wheel started to make a clicking sound both left and right then when I stoped car battery needed to be jumped started become hard to control car and it seemed as if car wanted to lose power I was on waterman and baseline. On the street when it began..07/15/2020 I had recall n140226 14116 with a chevy manufacturer malibu dealership

Filed Apr 17, 2019 · Brakes, Driver assistance · VA

Clunking sound that you can feel in the foot pedal and when you rock steering wheel back in forth and clunking noise coming from front endin steering wheel and unable to control vehicle felling over loosing control of car

Filed Dec 19, 2018 · Airbags, Electrical · 160,000 miles · AL

Takata recall. My radio started displaying a service air bag message and my horn stopped working. The wiring in the car has stopped working. I began to replace lightbulbs thinking they were blown but just will not work. Heard this car was recalled for these exact problems I am having but for some reason my car has no recalls. My steering wheel makes a knocking noise when turning very sharp. Sounds like a piece is broken knocking around

Filed Apr 21, 2017 · Steering · 140,064 miles · NJ

When I went to make a turn, the steering wheel made this popping noise and the car would not turn. The steering wheel spins completely around and does not turn either of the wheels. No warning lights appeared on my dash. The car had a complete loss of steering left and right. Very dangerous and I caused total chaos on the street just trying not to hit someone.

Filed Jul 8, 2016 · Steering · 98,000 miles · IL

Complete steering failure. Steering has made "clunking" sounds for years (since about 1 year after new), and has been "repaired" several times previously, only once under warranty. Action: suddenly, while driving, the steering wheel began "ratcheting" when making a turn, and the wheels would not respond to the direction of the steering wheel. Did not cause accident, but badly frightened the driver. Repair required replacement of the rack & pinion assembly plus the steering shaft (rusty) for a total cost of $1,300 (including $100 "fee" imposed by gm to be able to keep the failed parts). The failed parts are available for examination by the federal safety agency if needed.

Filed Aug 10, 2015 · Steering · 100,000 miles · NJ

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds making a left or right turn, the steering wheel emitted an abnormal clicking sound and the steering wheel became loose without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. However, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

Filed Apr 27, 2015 · Steering · 190,394 miles · MI

When trying to turn left or right it won't turn and makes a popping noise in steering shaft ? Under car inspection noticed that steering spline or shaft where it meets the yoke it just spins when turning wheel! Wheels will not turn. Can't drive. This car is my daughters and I'm doing the research for her.

Filed Feb 12, 2014 · Steering · 175,000 miles · GA

As I was driving, the power in the steering began to lock, causing me temporarily loss of control of the steering. Luckily I was only going about 10-15 MPH at the time, but I could hear clicking sounds under the steering wheel and a few lights flashed on the dashboard. I was not able to see which lights because by the time I applied the brakes and tried to avoid hitting the curb, the lights flashed off and I was able to continue driving.

Filed May 6, 2013 · Body, Seats · 82,600 miles · NJ

I purchased this vehicle in 2006 with 17,000 miles at the carmax superstore in naperville illinois and have had several serious issues since. The leaking sunroof with the innumerable failed attempts at repair. The leak has never been resolved and I have resorted to covering the vehicle with a tarp during inclement weather. The constant clicking noise in the steering when moving the steering wheel back and forth and the severe stiffness in the steering wheel when curb side parking between parked vehicles. The intermittent ignition failure, the vehicle will not turn over unless you depress the accelerator slightly. There were countless futile attempts at repair for all these defects through out the years of warranty and extended warranty coverage. The failed attempts of correctly diagnosing and properly repairing these defects by the englewwood auto group in englewood new jersey have left me unsatisfied and super frustrated. Today I am writing because the operators seat has now tilted to the right and is leaning against the center console. There was nothing of significance that occurred while driving that immediately alerted me of this problem, I was simply adjusting the seat when I noticed that the seat was rubbing against the center console. Upon inspecting underneath the seat I observed that the right rear corner does not rise when engaging the electric seat controls. The angle of the lean is so bad that it affects my posture and pains my lower back. I am also afraid that the seat will completely collapse while I am driving. When the seat is lowered all the way down it does level to its acceptable norm, but at 5 feet 4 inches tall I cannot operate safely that low to the floor. For a vehicle that is driven on average once a week it is plagued with some serious manufacturer defects that the dealerships' service department is unable or unwilling to repair.

Filed Sep 2, 2010 · Steering · 20,000 miles · CA

2004 chevy malibu "electric steering" repeated failure of the steering unit and steering column. Steering wheel clunks and becomes loose. Chevy fixed it twice or so but now says its up to me. I expect the steering assy of any car to be bullet proof and not have safety problems.

Filed May 18, 2010 · Steering · 33,220 miles · IN

Power steering issues with 2004 malibu lt. I had this problem with my first malibu and my new malibu is starting to show the same tell tale signs of power steering failure. It begins with a clicking noise while turning the steering wheel. At any time the power steering will completely go out. Turning of the motor and restarting the vehicle will temporarily solve the problem. My first malibu was still under warranty and they had to replace the entire steering column twice. The malibu I currently have is unfortunately not still under warranty but I feel this is an ongoing safety issue that needs to be addressed before there are serious injuries or deaths. There are many online sites of owners who have complained of this ongoing problem and it does not appear to be limited to the 2004 model but also newer models. Gm needs to make this right with all the money we are spending trying to keep jobs in the USA.

Filed Apr 26, 2010 · Steering · 86,000 miles · PA

Brought car in for maintenance of other sorts and mechanic noticed clicking in steering wheel. A clicking that had been present since I purchased the car and was told that it is normal in the malibu by two dealerships and an outside mechanic (whom I no longer go to). The noise had gotten worse over time, but was reassured that it was no issue. My new mechanic determined that it was a failure of the rack and pinion system and continuing to drive with it would be dangerous. I had it replaced (12-4-2008). It has been slightly over a year now and the noise is back and progressively getting worse than before. It costs nearly $1000+ to repair and doesn't last a year?! It is a late model 2004 malibu, meaning it is the 2005 malibu made in 2004. I've read many reports/complaints on the internet about the same problem. This needs to be taken care of asap.