2005 chevy malibu ls steering began to lock up on slow turns. There was no warning, just a sudden locking of the steering column. (it would not turn. Literally lock the steering wheel until additional speed could be maintained. The problem started intermittently 2 weeks ago & steadily worsened. Happening 10-12 times a day this week. Hit 2 curbs, nearly jumped one curb & nearly hit a car. We had to put the car in reverse to straighten the steering prior to completing the turn. Car has 85000 miles on it. Mechanic shop replaced rack/pinion steering & both front end rear tie rod rings. This defect is apparent on malibu's according to the numerous complaints seen on the internet.
2005 Chevrolet Malibu suspension complaints
Page 2 of 2: complaints 11 to 21 of 21, newest first, as owners wrote them.
I have a 2005 chevy malibu, bought brand new, I've had problems from the start with this car. The rack & pinion has been replaced twice. The hub bearings have had to be replaced, the rear stabilizer bar needs replacing. I have a gas cap issue, now to top it all off, I've been having issues where I am driving and I start to accelerate and the steering wheel locks up, I have been on the freeway several times when this happens. This is a very dangerous situation, gm will do nothing about this. They know that the 2005 malibu is a dangerous car but will not recall at all.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 chevrolet malibu. While driving 30 MPH the steering column locked without prior warnings. The vehicle was towed to the dealership and the steering column needed to be replaced. She called and sent a letter to the manufacturer, but no assistance was provided. The current and failure mileages were approximately 108,000. Updated 03/04/10 *bf the consumer stated the right tie rod failed, the front struts were leaking, the steering rack failed and the transmission was leaking. Updated 10/05/10
The front end sounds like it is going to fall out along with feeling a metal clanking sound at 18000 miles. I took this to black chevrolet in nashville which was not the sale dealership but one I had bought a truck with and was using their service they stated that a recall might be coming soon on the problem and it would not present a safety concern. The car was my fathers which died in 2006 and my mother was put in assisted living in 2008 so I just found out the problem please help.
Tl*the contact owns a 2005 chevrolet malibu. While driving approximately 40 MPH, there was a pulling sensation and noise underneath the vehicle. There was also excessive vibration. There was no warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on three separate occasions, but the failures were not resolved. The contact stated that there has been a suspension malfunction with the vehicle since it was purchased. The failure mileage was 12,000 and current mileage was 12,330.
Tl*the contact owns a 2005 chevrolet malibu. Since purchasing the vehicle, the anti theft device has failed repeatedly, the engine makes a ticking sound, the steering wheel is slipping or loose, and oil leaks from the engine. While driving 45 MPH, the dashboard . Vibrates. The contact hears a noise in the radio when the vehicle is turned on, the engine service light is illuminated on the instrument panel, the interior lights failed, the remote start would not start the vehicle, and the engine shakes roughly. The current mileage was 12,030 and failure mileage was 100. Updated 09/24/08. *lj the consumer stated there was a problem with the entire suspension. The shocks and bearings made a noisy. The hazard lights failed. Updated 09/30/08.
Tl*the contact owns a 2005 chevrolet malibu. When turning the steering wheel, the contact heard a popping sound. The failure began six months ago and now it is causing the power steering to fail. The failure was very subtle at first, but now the power steering fails for days at a time. The air conditioning would activate on and off, but now it does not work at all. The dealer stated that the power steering module and air conditioning resistor needed to be replaced. The contact also stated that the control panel is warm to the touch after driving for some time. The vehicle is currently with the dealer and the repair will cost over $900. The current mileage was 70,000 and failure mileage was 50,000. Updated 09/10/08. *lj the consumer stated the shocks went bad, the tie rod ends had to be replaced, the cd became stuck in the cd player. The rear calipers had to be replaced and the starter worked intermittently. Updated 09/12/08.
Back in january 2007, I was having a popping sound that was made whenever I made a left or right turn. I took it to the dealer. They changed the steering column and right strut. I am now having the same problem on the left side and will be going in again sometime this week. I've only had the car for 4 months with 24,000 miles at the time this first happened. I now have 27,000 miles on my vehicle.
Pulls to the left, broken struts, broken brake calipers, rear turn signal broke! Anytime I mess with tires or brakes the car pulls more and more to the left, haven't had steering checked but its driving me nuts. I thought it was from the front right strut being cracked and broken but the dealership says it shouldn't effect the pull to the left. Got new tires last week and new brakes, still pulls. Tail light quit working, changed bulbs then quit again. Car is driving me nuts, worried about driving it across country this summer! Recall it soon - please!!!
Front struts are fractured and apparently have been est. $400+ to fix, can't afford to fix! Have seen several complaints online regarding front end rattles, I also complained soon after purchasing my car w/25k on it, nothing was done then! Rear left taillight & brake light keep failing even after replacing bulbs.
Dt: the consumer rented a vehicle from alamo rental in orlando, fl at the airport. The consumer stated that without warning he was just driving at 35 MPH and the vehicle jerked to the left. He said the steering wheel was not turned and he lost control and almost flipped over in the median where it also dismounted the front passenger tire from the rim. The consumer said the rear passenger tire was inserted about 6 inches like it was turned in towards the vehicle. Alamo was called and they offered to fix a flat but the consumer wanted a different vehicle because of safety reasons. Manufacturer has not been contacted yet. Caller feel this is a factory defect.
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