2004 Chevrolet Malibu: ball joint or control arm failure

Filed Apr 12, 2017 · Steering, Suspension · 48,663 miles · NY

I received a letter from general motors explaining they knew issues with the rack and pinion for my 2004 chevrolet malibu during the first 150,000 miles of the vehicle at no charge. It also states if I paid for repairs I would get reimbursed for this. Currently I have 48,857 miles. My steering column went out of control while I was in motion. I had the rack and pinion and outer tie rod replaced on my vehicle on (4/4/17). I called gm on 4/11/17. In the morning, they said I would get re-imbursed. In the afternoon I received a phone call stating I would not get re-imbursed. I believe there are currently 12 recalls for this vehicle. I would like this matter of the rack and pinion issue be looked at further by the safety board to impose a safety recall. If it happened to my car, it may happen to other gm cars.

Filed May 1, 2015 · Brakes, Suspension · 89,000 miles · KY

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu. While the vehicle was being serviced by an independent mechanic, it was discovered that the tie rod and front brakes needed to be replaced.the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 89,000.

Filed Apr 9, 2014 · Lights, Steering · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated while driving at various speeds the power steering would suddenly malfunction making the steering wheel very difficult to turn. When the failure occurred the check engine, ABS and tc (traction control) sensor lights illuminated. The failure was not diagnosed nor was the vehicle repaired. The manufacturer was notified and no solution was offered. The contact also indicated that while driving various speeds the vehicle would drift from side to side. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the control arms were faulty. The control arms were replaced but the defect was not remedied. While driving the headlights, turn signal lights and rear lights would intermittently shut on and off. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the defect was caused by an electrical short. The defect was not repaired. The failure mileage was 17,000.

Filed Nov 26, 2012 · Steering · 84,000 miles · MI · crash · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, the steering became difficult to maneuver. The vehicle regained steering on its own. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician stated that the tie rod end needed to be replaced. After the repair the failure continued. The driver was traveling approximately 45 MPH when she lost control of the steering and crashed into a telephone pole. The driver was transported to the hospital by ambulance. The contact stated that the driver sustained injuries to her neck, head and back. The vehicle was destroyed. The approximate failure mileage was 84,000.

Filed Jul 27, 2011 · Steering · 103,103 miles · MA

I was driving down the highway around 11 pm I went to make a right turn and all of a sudden the steering wheel locked up and the car started beeping about the power steering. The next day I go to have the car inspected and it drives normal no power steering lights on. I have called to find out if there are any recalls and there are not this happens too often to just be ignored my father was the previous owner and it was happening to him as well. I have replaced the rack and pinion, control arms and tie rods and still nothing is working.

Filed Jul 19, 2009 · Suspension · 48,000 miles · OH

Car made clunking noise when turning right and or left find that the universal joint on steering shaft was rusted so I sprayed it down with some free all penetrating oil, has gone away. There is also a clunkng noise going over bumps lifted the car by the body and shook wheels found that the lower ball joints have play in them.

Filed May 31, 2009 · Steering · 110,092 miles · MI

Loss of power steering while driving 2004 chevy malibu. No accident resulted as going down a straight road. Heard a noise when turning the vehicle for the past week and now no power steering thought it had to be a bad ball joint but after research it turns out to have to deal with the electronic power steering. Shut vehicle off and started again and the power steering was normal. Will need to replace the entire steering column. Very dangerous if I wasn't going down a straight road as I most likely would have been unable to turn.

Filed May 4, 2006 · Steering · 56,000 miles · NY

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.