I bought this malibu 2 years ago I have had steering problems ever since the wheel shakes back and forth when I'm at a stop sign. It has gotten worse in the last couple months I have almost wrecked my car multiple times I can not let anyone drive this car.
2008 Chevrolet Malibu steering complaints
Page 12 of 16: complaints 311 to 340 of 460, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that the steering wheel moved on its own while sitting still. The contact also stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel moved back and forth. No warning lights illuminated when the failure occurred. The vehicle had not been to the dealer for inspection. The failure mileage was unknown but the current mileage was 94,319.
We was getting ready to park and the steering column got really stiff and I couldn't move the car to park. I had to shut the car off and restart the car and it loosing up. I was in the city of south bay, florida. *tr ## VIN failed ##
First steering wheel pulsed when the vehicle was parked and then and then when I drove it felt almost like a magnetic pull back and fourth on the interstate, as im swerving between lanes because its so strong! Turn off car sometime resets problem temporarily. Eventually it all happens again and again. Needs to be recall on power steering. Before someone gets hurt. Thanks gm!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Steering wheel shakes while car is stationary or on the move violently, power steering light comes on in information screen. This is a very serious problem that could get people in accidents!!
First steering wheel pulsed very rapidly and then power steering went out completely. Turn off car sometime resets problem temporarily. Eventually it all happens again and again. Needs to be recall on power steering. Fast before someone gets killed, like a child or family. Then it will be to late. Thanks gm.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH, the power steering warning light illuminated and the vehicle became difficult to steer. The vehicle was able to be driven to the dealer where the steering module was replaced. The contact also mentioned that the vehicle was previously repaired twice under a manufacturer's recall for the steering column. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was 59,854. Updated 04/17/13*lj the consumer stated on three separate occasions, the power steering light illuminated and the steering went completely out. On one occasion, she was unable to back out of a parking space. She had to turn the vehicle off and back on, in order for the steering to resume normal operation. Updated 04/18/13
When sitting at a stop sign or sitting in drive way after starting vehicle, the power steering trouble light will come on and then the steering wheel will shake for no apparent reason. This has also happened while driving and makes the driving of the vehicle difficult (makes it seems as though there is a flat tire, when there is none!). When I first purchased the vehicle in july 2011, I put the car into the dealer to get it fixed and they could not find anything wrong. The current mileage of the vehicle is at 83000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that while at a complete stop, the steering wheel shook without warning. Also, the contact mentioned that while driving at different speeds and switching lanes, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure and current mileage was 60,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that while sitting at a traffic stop, the steering wheel would independently move. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnosis where they advised that the steering column needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired for the steering column. The manufacturer was contacted and offered no assistance. The failure and current mileages were approximately 116,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Steering shakes violently,while driving or stopped,to the point of losing control. Condition is intermitent. Vehicle has been checked by dealer and diagnosed as needing a steering control module. So far chevrolet has not offered a fix ,except to replace it at a cost of 743 .00$ with the same part that is defective? Engine light came on at 70000 miles and dealer replaced cat conv at no charge . The third issue is door locks stopped working at 74000 miles,and will only open manually. The steering is a very dangerous condition and I fear will cause a accident.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the power steering warning light illuminated as the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician stated that the power steering module would have to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 149,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH, the steering wheel seized and the power steering warning light illuminated. The vehicle was maneuvered to the side of the road. The engine was shut down. Upon restarting, the steering wheel began to operate normally. The failure occurred four times. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was notified of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 88,000. Updated 03/01/13*lj updated 03/07/13
While sitting in a parking lot the steering wheel started to move back and forth by itself. The car was not moving. When I went to take off the car would pull to one side the jerk back and forth. It kept doing this most of the way home. My wife will no nolonger drive the car because it is not safe to drive. Why wont the government make chevy fix this problem. I know from doing research about it that it is happening way too often. I guess somebody has to get hurt before they will do anything.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the power steering assist failed, preventing her from completing a right turn. The contact mentioned that the power steering warning lamp illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the technician diagnosed that the torque steering sensor needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 35,000 and the current mileage was 43,000. Updated 3/20/13 *cn the dealer replaced the steering wheel torque input sensor. Updated 04/17/13
While traveling down the highway the steeringwheel on my 2008 chevy malibu started to shake back and forth by itself . It nearly made me lose control of the car. It now does this at any speed and at any time or driving condition. It will also do it when the car is just sitting still.
My wife, children, and myself were leaving for school and doctor appointment, when pulling out of driveway the steering wheel locked or was very hard to turn, then a warning came across the display of power steering loss. None the less, atleast no one was injured, we backed up into driveway which was a chore with no power steering. When we got back from all of our running I put the car on the computer and it showed no error codes, it didn't even show there had been a loss of communication with the system. I start the car and drove down the road everything seems fine for now. I expect this will happen again and can only hope my wife and children aren't in an accident because of this issue.
Steering wheel starts vibrating on it's own uncontrollably while stopped and moves on its on while driving. There are many many many cases of this on the 2008 malibu and chevy refuses to recall. Paid over 1000 dollars to replace power steering motor. Pls let me know what my options are to get chevy to recall. Car veers into other lanes of traffic on it's own. Car steers itself.
Tl* the contact owns 2008 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, a loss of power steering occurred without warning. The contact continued to drive with difficulty when turning the steering wheel. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 102,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet malibu. While driving approximately 65 MPH, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The contact stopped the vehicle on the shoulder and shut off the engine. After allowing the vehicle to sit for several minutes, the vehicle was restarted and the power steering assist resumed normal operation. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing however, the technician was unable to duplicate the failure. Additionally, the steering wheel would shake violently while parked with the engine running. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.
Started the car to come out of a parking spot, heard humming/rattling noise. Steering wheel started to vibrate then would do rapid half-turns by itself, jerking left and right. Shut the car off and restarted. Seemed ok for first few minutes then started again. Got on the road, driving about 35-40 mpg on highway and it became uncontrollable. Could not keep it straight within the lane. Almost hit a car in the lane on my right! Pulled up to an auto shop near by. They test drove and experienced the issue but explained that with these cars, the technology in them is too advanced and would have to be taken to a chevy dealer. Mechanic explained that the matter is quite hazardous and it would be a huge risk driving it now. Single mom driving 45 minutes from home with 2 minor children. Had to get a tow truck to get back home, 45 minutes away. $$$!! Had this vehicle for 11 months only. Prior to this issue, had door locks issues as I've ready on other threads and also currently experiencing issues with faulty tire pressure sensor as well. Nothing but problems with this car since I've had it. This is my first and very last chevrolet!!
While driving to work the steering seemed to lock up and then was very hard to steer. I got the car slowed down and pulled over and turned it off, after a few minutes I started the car and the steering seemed ok.this has happened a total of 7 or 8 times since 10/1/12. Took car to the dealer on 10/13 and they could not get the car to do it while they drove it. I am taking the car back on 10/22 to get it checked again. There is definitely a problem with the electrically assisted power steering.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet malibu. While driving approximately 5 MPH and making a left turn, the contact noticed a clunking noise and a jerking motion in the steering wheel. While parked, the steering wheel would move independently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing three times. The technician was unable to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 69,000. Updated 11/01/12*lj the consumer stated the vehicle would pull to the side. Updated 11/01/12
Turn signal arm does not stay in place when signaling to turn. Also the turn signal arm when it does stay in place it will not return to normal position/turn off signal by itself after making a turn. When turning the steering wheel it makes popping noises. Door locks on all doors stay either in the "lock" or "unlock" position at all times. One of the rear passenger door lock has been replaced at the dealership for $300.00 and the door lock still fails. The only way to unlock the passenger doors is to do it manually and climb over the seats. The driver door has to be unlocked with the key and manually locked when exiting the vehicle.
2008 chevrolet malibu. Consumer writes in regards to problems with steering shaking uncontrollably. *tgw the consumer stated after extensive research, she was confident that her vehicle had coverage for a steering motor replacement, along with many other chevy models. Unfortunately, when she contacted the dealer, she was informed her VIN was not covered under their current policy.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver and the brake warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact mentioned that the failure occurs intermittently. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 44,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that when driving approximately 10 MPH and attempting a turn, the contact could hear a popping noise in the steering wheel as the steering wheel would become difficult to maneuver. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The mechanic advised that the steering column was fractured and would have to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 72,000.
Steering wheel locks up and hard to turn.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet malibu. While driving approximately 25 MPH, the steering wheel began to vibrate in a violent jerking motion. The contact maneuvered to the side of the road for a few seconds and then resumed with the steering malfunction. The failure recurred at least three times a week. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for diagnosis. The technician did not repair the vehicle under the extended service warranty. The defect persisted with the engine and power steering warning indicators illumination. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 93,435. Updated 10/26/12
While pressing the brake to slow to turn to the right the ESC servicing comes across the dash. I call the service department the next day (cause the incident happened after hours) they tech says next time the light comes on bring it in without turning the car off. For the next several times it happens of course was after hours. I took it in for a oil change, and when leaving the light came on again. I automatically turned around and went back. Upon diagnostic testing it shows nothing is wrong and the tech says my car doesn't have anything that would set off this code. Can anyone tell me what ESC stands for on this model car?????
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