2004 Chevrolet Malibu: jerking or lurching

Filed Oct 15, 2021 · Electrical, Lights · TX

I was driving to work with my son and sister in the car when the steering wheel suddenly got very tight and started jerking when I attempted to make a left or right turn. I then stopped at a gas station and as soon as I came to a complete stop the vehicle shut off before I could turn it off manually. I then attempted to turn the key on and start the vehicle but it would not turn over, it would only make a clicking sound. I called a friend that was close by to come and assist me so when they arrived I asked them to jump my vehicle off via jumper cables which did get my vehicle's engine to finally start. The car sounded very weak as if it was going to shut off again once we disconnected the jumper cables but it didn't shut off. Nothing was working inside the car or outside meaning I had no radio, no interior lights and nothing on my dash was working. The speedometer wasn't working, the rims Guage wasn't working, the temp Guage wasn't working nor was anything else working on my dash. The turn signals were not working for either side and none of my headlights or taillights were working either. And I still did not safely have control of the steering. The only warning lamp, which didn't appear until my friend jumped my car off, was what looked like a symbol of a vehicle with a symbol of a locked lock in front of it. This failure just happened so I have not taken the car to a certified mechanic to inspect it but the car is available for inspection at any time. I can not afford to put my car in the shop, I work part time at a restaurant in my town and I'm also disabled and I also care for my 8 year old son who is severely autistic so I have no extra money to fix these problems. Please I need help.

Filed Dec 7, 2015 · Transmission · 144,067 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu. The vehicle was serviced under the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v224000 (power train), but the remedy failed to repair the vehicle. The contact mentioned that when the gear shifter stick was changed from park to drive and while driving at various speeds or coming to a stop, the vehicle jerked. In addition, the vehicle stalled and the check engine warning light illuminated. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 144,067. Updated 02/05/16*lj; updated 05/04/18

Filed Dec 30, 2014 · Engine, Steering · 162,000 miles · WV

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that while driving at 25 MPH, the steering wheel became difficult to turn and there was a sudden increase in engine rpms. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle jerked before shifting into gear and the engine warning light illuminated. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The VIN was included in the federal safety agency campaign numbers: 14v153000 (steering) and 14v224000 (power train). The failure mileage was 162,000.

Filed Oct 31, 2014 · Steering · 110,000 miles · IN

The steering wheel started shaking and in the middle of a turn the power steering went out causing the car to jerk and go off the side of the road. I went all winter with the power steering going in and out. I am still having this problem. I have a recall on it but I have no one that will fix it. It is now going on two months. I keep being told that there are no parts. I am afraid if this continues I will end up in a bad accident.

Filed Jul 10, 2014 · Brakes, Electrical · 112,000 miles · MO

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that the parking brake would malfunction and the vehicle would roll away when parked on an incline or a flat surface. Additionally, the vehicle would sporadically hesitate when the contact attempted to accelerate. The contact also stated that the transmission would become stuck in first gear and began to exhibit an abnormal jerking motion. The key would also become stuck in the ignition and the vehicle would intermittently fail to start. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 112,000.

Filed Apr 25, 2013 · Transmission · AL

When I have to slow down, like when having to let a car turn in front of you. When the car shifts gears it jerks really hard, and will do this in all gears it shifts into.

Filed Apr 15, 2013 · Steering · 130,000 miles · IL

Last year, I was driving and my cars power steering activated. It turned off almost immediately. Since last summer is happens every day, usually when I am accelerating and switching gears. This has been very dangerous. I have almost gotten in several accidents because my steering wheel will jerk. This has happened while I'm in the middle of a left turn. Please try to get a recall on this. I know a couple of people will the same make, model and year as I have, and they have the same issue. I will not take this to get fixed and spend hundreds of dollars as other have. This clearly needs to be taken care of.

Filed Mar 11, 2013 · Steering · 156,852 miles · KY

Driving down the road. Car power steering went out. Almost wrecked because I could not steer vehicle. Now the power steering goes in and out as it wishes. The steering wheel jerks to the left when it does decide to work. Sometimes turning the car on and off will make the power steering come back on.

Filed Mar 31, 2012 · Steering · PA · crash

In the middle of driving, my power steering turned on and I could not turn the wheel. I was in the middle of an intersection, and a car crashed into my back bumper. I just recently got it fixed, and found it was an electrical issue that cost me 700. When speaking to the mechanic, the told me there is a good chance it will happen again if it gets jerked the wrong way.

Filed May 31, 2011 · Seats · 28,253 miles · NY

Bought my 2004 chevy malibu in june of 2010 and just recently the support beam on the right side of the seat gave way. I don't jerk around in my seat I just get in and drive my car. Never had this happen before and I was heavier when I bought the car! I have a warranty which I hope covers it. However, I have noticed other people have made complaints about this very same thing happening on the right side of the seat and documented it online. I want it to be checked out as a safety issue for possible recall by chevy.

Filed Mar 1, 2011 · Steering · 50,000 miles · IL

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver and would not allow the contact to make a left or right turn. The vehicle then started to jerk violently. The contact did not inform the dealer or manufacturer nor was the vehicle diagnosed or repaired. The current and failure mileage was 50,000. The VIN was unavailable.

Filed Feb 16, 2011 · Steering · 85,000 miles · CO

I have a 2004 chevy malibu lt. Without warning one day while driving the car the dash tool light came on, chimes started ringing and my dash board read power steering. I lost control of the car. Could not steer it any longer. Thankfully I was not traveling fast stopped the car. Turned it off and restarted it again. The car drove fine for about one mile. I stopped at a stoplight and the steering wheel starting a jerking motion on it own. I finally got the car home and the lights and chimes went off again and I lost steering again. I can not drive the car any longer because I am terrified I will be driving and lose steering again. When I just start the car now the wheel will start the jerking motion again while just sitting there and if I put the car into drive the warning light and chimes come back on and it displays power steering again on the dash. I have read tons of complaints about the same issue and nothing is being done about it. I have contacted our local dealership in town about the problem and just for the part that might fix it is $738 and this morning I was quoted $455 just for the eps, $177 rackon pinion and $115 for the diagnostic. I paid almost $10,000 for this car about 6 months ago. One of the dealerships here won't even touch the car because they have seen too many that have come back 6 months later with the same problem. So I ask gm now, what am I suppose to do with a 2000 lb. Paper weight parked in my garage? Some one is going to be killed because of this issue and no one wants to do a thing about it!!! How many lives need to be lost before gm or dot does something? My tax dollars bailed out gm and this is the way I am going to be treated now? Not only me but the other thousands of complaints I have read on this car? Why isn't someone doing something about it? If need be I will file a lawsuit to try to recoup some of my money. I am not a wealthy person by no means and I can't just go buy another car and when I can believe me it will not be a gm!!!