2008 Chevrolet Malibu: steering wheel locks up

Filed Jan 25, 2024 · Steering · WA

My power steering locking up when I trying to back up out of my driveway and a service warning light coming on

Filed Mar 27, 2023 · Steering · KY

Driving my 08' Chevy Malibu and suddenly in a turn my steering locked. It was so hard to turn. The dash stated power steering with the failure symbol. I turn car off then back on and it's fine. Then it happens again. My safety and others was at risk do to child with Autism in my car & suddenly having to really break around the sharp turn that could of taken me over the embankment and killed us. I am disabled and the scared me bad because on a country road and nobody to help me & my daughter. Very scary and life threatening.

Filed Feb 22, 2022 · Steering, Suspension · OH

The dash is displaying service power steering service tire monitor system service ESC and traction control. All of which have been recalled on other 2008 Chevy Malibus with different VIN numbers then mine. I feel my Malibu is unsafe and needs to be inspected and placed on the recall list as well. I am available to have the car inspected as soon as possible. The steering is popping and grinding when I turn. The steering wheel jerks when I drive over bumps and the car sways and swerves which makes it hard to control. This is a family vehicle my young child rides in the car daily and I worry about his safety due to the steering locking up like the other recalled Malibus. I am scared to drive it I feel like it is very unsafe. The vehicle has only been inspected by my Certified mechanic. There were warning lights displayed on the dash as I stated above. They've been since I bought the car at the beginning of February.

Filed Feb 21, 2022 · Electrical, Steering · IN

Automatic power steering randomly goes out while driving, posing serious safety risks. Steering wheel locks up and message reads “Power Steering Service ESC”

Filed Feb 16, 2022 · Brakes, Engine · 180,000 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at 25-30 MPH, the steering wheel locked. The check engine warning light and the ABS warning light illuminated. The contact shifted into neutral and manually steered the vehicle to a nearby independent mechanic. The independent mechanic diagnosed that the steering wheel and alignment had failed. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred increasingly while reversing. The contact notified the independent mechanic of the failure and he advised her to drive the vehicle for about 15 miles and the steering wheel would loosen up. The contact drove the vehicle; however, the failure persisted. The independent mechanic referred the contact to the dealer for the steering repair under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 14V153000 (Steering). The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the electric power steering and the torque sensor needed to be replaced. The dealer also informed the contact that she would be responsible for the cost of the repair as the recall repair for the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 14V153000 (Steering) had already been completed in 2014. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact that they could not assist as recalls are repaired one time free of charge and additional related failures would be repaired at her expense. A case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.

Filed Oct 28, 2020 · Driver assistance · 93,475 miles · SC

Service ESC service traction light came on the steering wheel locked and I almost wrecked there has been a recall for this but it closed and the dealer won't fix it no recalls have been fixed open or closed can u please help me get the fixed

Filed Mar 14, 2019 · Steering · 171,000 miles · CT

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet malibu. While driving 35 MPH, the steering wheel seized and the power assist warning indicator illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to carter chevrolet (175 hartford turnpike, vernon, ct 06066, (860) 646-6464), but it was not diagnosed because the VIN was not included in a recall. The vehicle was not repaired and the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 171,000.

Filed Feb 11, 2019 · Steering · MI

In 2014 a recall on the power steering was done bulletin 14117a, I had it fixed in 2017 and now the power steering is going out again code co545! The power steering locks up while driving and while parked randomly! Causing it very difficult to steer! Obviously if this is happening to my car again I am sure it is happening to others! The chevrolet dealership will not do anything about it!

Filed Jan 30, 2019 · Steering · 143,000 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that the steering wheel seized while driving 45 MPH. The steering wheel became difficult to turn and the electric power steering assist warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer to be diagnosed. The manufacturer stated that the vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v153000 (steering). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 143,000.

Filed Jul 24, 2018 · Driver assistance, Steering · 180,000 miles · IN

I have had nothing but problems with my electronic power steering amongst other things as well. The steering wheel locked up on me for the first time while parked. I turned the car off then back on & it went back to normal. I've been having issues with it making a sound in the steering wheel column & the steering wheel will move on it's own & will stick while I'm driving which makes it hard to control my vehicle. Also there is other electrical problems causing security light to come on & my car will lock up & I can't start it. The "service ESC" light came on around the same time as well. The seatbelt light will come on when everyone has their seatbelt on too. There is obviously something going on with wire connections or something. I'm aware of recalls on the same exact year make & model as my vehicle for the same issues I'm having but no recalls have been issued for my specific vehicle. I have owned nothing but gm vehicles & this one has been nothing but problems!

Filed Jun 5, 2018 · Body, Electrical · TX · crash

Vehicle was in motion driving on a city street while I was making a left turn onto another city street my steering wheel locked up which enabled me to straighten up my wheel. Due to not being able to straighten up my wheel after steering left I was involved in a car accident knocking off my drivers sides headlight and front bumper completely off of my vehicle. After getting the car back home the car would no longer start. The vehicle is now at capitol cheverolet in austin texas and before replacing the recall parts they insisted on a battery replacement I did replace the battery and 3 days later they call and insist on an alternator replacement that will cost me $800 in order for them to start on the replacement/ repairs of the recalls. The battery and alternator all were working in good condition before the power steering issue came about while my vehicle was in motion. I should not be reliable of paying for this. The dealership is also charging me a $65 towing fee!

Filed Apr 13, 2018 · Steering · 143,000 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet malibu. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle became very difficult to steer and the steering wheel seized. The contact drove the vehicle to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the steering column needed replacement. The vehicle was repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 143,000. The VIN was not available.