While luckily driving on city streets around 35mph the "power steering needs servicing" light came on. Thought it might need power steering fluid and was told my model didn't use fluid - it was all electrical in the steering column. Since it was still under warranty I took it the next day to the chevy dealer who sold it to me and was told it wasn't covered at a cost of over $600.
2009 Chevrolet Malibu steering complaints
Page 25 of 27: complaints 701 to 730 of 769, newest first, as owners wrote them.
The power steering gave out while driving. The car was difficult to control and required significant force to turn the vehicle to safely get off of the highway. This created a significant safety issue as the car was practically un-drivable. I immediately contacted my general motors dealership and asked if it was covered under the powertrain warranty or any recall (since it was a safety issue), which they responded it was not. To my dismay, I had the vehicle repaired at my local mechanic at a cost of $760. With the steering column replaced, the car is working well and there are no current safety concerns. Within a week of having my 2009 chevy malibu repaired (receipt dated 3/25/14, I read that 2004-2009 chevy malibus were being recalled because of a power steering issue. The description of the issue was identical to the situation I experienced with our 2009 chevy malibu. I contacted gm customer service within a few days and they instructed me to wait a few weeks for the letters from gm telling me of the recall and detailing how to seek reimbursement. After waiting several weeks with no letter, I contacted gm customer service again and they informed me that my VIN was not covered under the recall, only certain vins of the 2009 model year were recalled. I take extreme exception to this. The problem I experienced with my 2009 chevy malibu is identical to the problem described within the recall. Additionally, the repair covered under the recall is the exact work that I needed to have completed to make my vehicle safely operable again. Either gm has made a mistake by not including my vehicle within the recall, or the extent of the current recall is not sufficient enough to encompass all 2009 chevy malibu?s that have the part(s) that lead to an increased risk for failure and hence, increased risk of a crash.
Tl * the contact owns a 2009 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that the power steering unit made a grinding noise and gave resistance when turning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 100,000. Updated 8/27/14*cn the consumer stated that the vehicle was not included in the electric power steering recall because the vehicle was assembled at a different plant. The vehicle experienced the same issues as noted in the recall. Updated 09/11/2014
The steering on this model and make of car is all messed up. It is the same problem that so many other have complained about on this site. The steering "freaks out" and pulls one way and then goes to the other. It's beyond dangerous. Even when the car is stopped at a stop light, if you take your hands off the wheel, the steering wheel jerks violently back and forth. Sometimes its works fine and then out of now where, it goes crazy and pulls you to one side or the other and then you have to turn the wheel toe opposite way to keep it going straight. I see tons of other gm recalls and even on this year and model, but gm says that my particular car is not covered right now. The danger of this defect is so high that if they think they have problems with lawsuits over ignition switches, the amount of money that they will pay when these steering lawsuits start to come in will put gm back into bankruptcy. The danger of this defect is off the charts.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that while at a stop, the steering wheel seized and a unknown warning light illuminated. Th vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v153000 (steering). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. Updated 08/11/14
My power steering and service ESC light would come on. My steering wheel would lock up. Gm stated they would not reimburse me for my issue even though there is an recall out for the same issue.
Was driving and the electric power steering system went out. I nearly hit 3 cars trying to get off of the road.
I was driving and my ESC light came on and I had a difficult time steering my car in the worse traffic I could be in. I was lucky enough I got off the side of the road before I hit someone and put it in a ditch. Also, lucky enough it was me driving and not my [xxx] year old daughter. I called the dealer and they got me right in to get it fixed, but I had to pay for it out of my own pocket. However, when I contacted gm I was told I would be reimbursed for this and I would get a letter as of april 28th. I noticed it was moved to may 28th and as of today I have still yet to be notified? Does someone have to be injured or killed to get an actual response from someone? Updated 1/9/2015 *js parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
Power steering is not working properly. No assist or little assist.
While driving (exiting freeway) the electronic power steering failed making it difficult to control the vehicle. (no report filed at the time, but a couple months later heard that gm was recalling '09 malibus for power steering failures. Upon contacting gm this week to find out why I have not been notified of the recall, I have found that my vehicle is not affected by the recall and decided to report the failure in case it is a pattern of failures beyond the initial recall scope.)
Car is having electrical issues locks going up and down without pressing power button car also alarming off also have taken care to be serviced for misfiring and jerking when driving.
Malibu has had a couple of different problems. While driving the electrical panel including warning lights would flicker on and off along with the vehicle losing power. Multiple times the vehicle was taken to a local dealership who ultimately told me a grounding wire had some problems and they fixed the issue. The vast majority of the problems were solved with that fix. Since then the vehicle has had issues with the steering. While driving the steering wheel will move itself back and forth. The problem is not all the time, and very random. This usually happens within the first few minutes after the start of the vehicle. When moving the steering wheel will wobble back and forth even with both hands on the wheel.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that while traveling 65 MPH, the power steering failed and the warning lights for the traction service and power steering illuminated. The contact merged to the side of the road, where the vehicle was turned off and restarted. The vehicle resumed normal function. The contact mentioned that the failure recurred several times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the power steering column needed to be replaced. The failure and current mileage was 118,000. Updated 10/7/14
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering and the tcs light illuminated. The contact also mentioned that the failure was experienced multiple times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who diagnosed that the torque sensor assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced the federal safety agency campaign id number 14v153000 (steering) but was informed that the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that while driving approximately 10 MPH, the power steering suddenly malfunctioned and the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact indicated that after a cool down period of 35-45 minutes, he restarted the engine, the vehicle operated normally. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, who was unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number 14v153000(steering). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the same defect listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 50,000. Updated 08/12/14
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the power steering assist failed with the illumination of the ESC warning light. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle was not repaired or diagnosed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign id number: 14v15300 (steering). The approximate failure mileage was 92,000.
I was driving and all of a sudden the powering steering alert sounds. I lost power steering and the ESC is turned off.
Power steering motor failure warning light appeared on dash, traction control disabled warning appears. Happens very often at startup, making steering difficult and disabling traction control. Has occurred while driving, causing difficult steering. If vehicle is turned off and restarted, works properly approx. 50% of the time.
I bought my car new in 2009 and I only have now just a little over 40,000 miles. I am a single mom and my car is used for driving my [xxx] year old son to and from day care and myself to and from work. On february 3rd I noticed my steering wheel felt funny like something was loose, I didn't think anything of it until my traction light then suddenly started to go on and off in the morning on my way to work. By the time I pulled into work the power steering had gone completely out. I then pulled onto a side street in fear of getting into an accident, I'm small and weigh no more than 115 lbs, so it was extremely rough and scary to me. I stopped the car and shut it off after looking up on my phone about similar problems people have been having. I shut it off waited a few minutes then it was fine, until I put the car in drive then it went out again. I did this a few times in order to make it to work. By lunch time my car was running fine but still felt funny for the next 4 days. Friday 2/7/14 my cars power steering had gone out for good and the turning it on and off didn't help, I ended up paying $840 dollars to get the entire column replaced.that was out of pocket because of course this was not covered under the manufactures warranty or the pt warranty. A month later I heard about the recall, so I called the dealership, they heard nothing so I called gm, my VIN wasn't listed. I have called back several times since and check the "owner" section on gm's website and still nothing, and all they keep telling me is that only some were recalled and mine might not be apart of it even though after reading the recall, that is exactly what happened to my vehicle. *tr parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that while approaching a traffic light, the service traction control warning message illuminated. There was also a loss of power steering. The contact had to turn the vehicle off; however, she was able to restart it. The failure occurred intermittently and while traveling approximately 30 MPH the failure recurred. The contact was able to coast the vehicle onto the emergency lane and restart the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer who diagnosed that the steering column needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact was not included in the federal safety agency campaign id number: 14v153000 (steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 109,720.
While my husband was traveling on the interstate at approx. 75 MPH. (cruise control was set), without warning, the steering wheel began to violently shake. Over a period of approx. 30 seconds, the traction control light flashed and all power steering was lost. He managed to slow the car and safely get to the shoulder of the road. The eps message was also flashing across the across the odometer. We monitored the federal safety agency complaints since there were numerous complaints being filed regarding other consumers experiencing the same mechanical failure. We waited until 03/27/2014 to have the repairs performed, which consisted of the replacement of the steering column due to the failure of the power steering assist motor. Gm then issued a recall on 03/31/2014 to include select 2009 chevy malibu's. However, when I contacted gm, I was told my VIN is not included in the recall and I will not subject to reimbursement for my repairs (totaling $773.62). I spoke with numerous representatives at gm, and was told by each of them, that the recall is only for select vehicles and despite my claim that my car experienced the exact mechanical failure as listed in the recall, my VIN is not included and any claim I submit will be denied. I am applauded that defective equipment has been installed in my car (which has been involved in two other gm recalls such as the ignition switch and the shift lever indicator) and gm is refusing resolve this situation. I am turning to the federal safety agency for further investigation so all consumers affected, including myself, be properly reimbursed for the expense incurred to correct gm's already proven defective equipment. The extent of stress gm has caused my family by near tragic accident of my husband and the financial burden of paying to correct a problem they have already identified as a problem is unethical and criminal.
In january of 2014, I experienced two separate instances of the electrical power assist steering failing suddenly in my 2009 malibu. Fortunately I was traveling at low speeds in a residential area both times and was able to control the car. The problem would not correct until I stopped the car, turned it off and restarted it. When general motors acknowledged a problem with power assist steering in 2008-2009 malibus in march of 2014, I reported the problem to general motors' customer service. I expected that the recall would include my vehicle. I have been informed by general motors that my vehicle is not included in the recall. I find it troubling that if I experienced two instance of the loss of power steering and reported it to gm, that my car would be included in the recall. I'm writing to advise of my experiences so you can include my 2009 malibu in the scope of the recall.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that while driving at multiple speeds, the power steering assist malfunctioned and caused the steering wheel to become very difficult to turn. The power steering warning lights was also illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that the steering column was defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number 14v153000(steering). The contact stated that the vehicle experienced the same defect listed in the recall.the failure mileage was 80,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the power steering assist failed with the illumination of the ESC warning light. The failure was recurring over a one year period. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who stated that the steering column needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that when he started vehicle, the check engine and power steering warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the steering wheel was difficult to turn. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection where they stated that the steering column needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 87,753.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated after the engine was started. Additionally, the steering wheel was difficult to turn. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection where they stated that the steering column needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 80,000. Updated 5/22/14*cn updated 8/17/17
Intermittent loss of electric power steering. Upon starting vehicle, power steering, ESC off, service ESC alerts are present. Restarting vehicle usually clears alerts and re-establishes electric power steering.
Was making a left turn out of a parking lot and the steering wheel locked up, my son was unable to steer the car quick enough because it caught him off guard and hit a parked car.
Power steering train, I personally purchase new last one, end of the year vehicle on the available list.
The electronic power steering failed while driving on highway, causing loss of normal steering control, making the vehicle difficult to steer. Vehicle had to be moved out of traffic and restarted to reset the failure. Loss of steering and ESC. Error code later determined to have been co545 (steering torque sensor).
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