2004 Chevrolet Malibu Classic Steering Problems

Which parts fail

• Hydraulic power assist system
  1

Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  210%
• 25k–50k
  420%
• 50k–75k
  315%
• 75k–100k
  315%
• 100k–150k
  630%
• 150k+
  210%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Classic owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Classic. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel independently turned to the left without warning. The vehicle was turned off and back on but failed to fix the issue. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the rack and pinion detached from the subframe and needed to be replaced. The contact stated that only the bushing was replaced and not the rack and pinion. In addition, the contact stated on another occasion the vehicle failed to shift to reverse or go into forward gear while in the middle of the road. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed that the shift cable was fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 157,000.

For some reason the entire interior trim on the door panels have come unglued and detached from the doors. It looks terrible. I recently received a recall notice regarding a knocking noise in the steering. Of course, this has been going on for years and now the notice says my car must have less than 150K miles on it. I dare say there are not many 2004 vehicles with less than 150K miles? Mine is around 164K. We use to spray grease on the joint where it hits when the steering wheel is turned. I had been told a dealer would want to replace the entire rack n pinion on the vehicle, but that would not correct the problem. Guess I am just out of luck.

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Classic. The contact stated that the anti-theft sensor and the service engine sensor kept randomly illuminating and the vehicle stalled several times. The contact also experienced difficulty removing the key and getting the key to turn over into an on position to start the vehicle. The contact heard a clicking noise coming from the steering wheel, which occurred frequently and the noise continued while driving. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V400000 (electrical system) and indicated that the dealer was not able to determine when the part would become available to schedule the recall repair. The contact called for months and was not able to schedule an appointment. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

1st time:driving in the drop off area of son's school and power steering went out on my wife. We had to signal the other cars around our car (2004 Chevy Malibu). My wife could not move the steering wheel so I had to back the car up out of the children' drop off area with no power steering into a parking space after all the children were dropped off. Second time:per the message on service indicator power steering went out on a main road in our town after repairs by certified Chevrolet mechanics at don hewlett Chevrolet was a year later right after the warranty went out. I was told I would have to pay for the repairs since the warranty was up. There have been 46 complaints on a website called www.carcomplaints.com regarding this same issue and the 2005 Chevrolet Malibu was recalled for this same issue of the power steering failure.

While driving in the middle of the rode, steering wheel will lock up causing me to have to restart ignition- as if the car is resetting, in order for the steering wheel to turn properly. This has happened at least 1-2x/month since the first incident. I often drive on the highway and its happened while other cars are driving around me. The steering wheel will not turn or it takes a good amount of force to make the wheel turn. Its quite dangerous and very scary. I contacted the dealer and was told there are no warranty's or recalls. Checked online and discovered that others are having a similar issue. Now I have to pay mechanic to fix the part.

While driving down the expressway,my power steering went out. I pulled over to the side of the road and shut my car off and started it up again and it started working again.GM has recalled other models for doing the same thing,but not the 2004 Malibu. This is very dangerous and somebody is going to get killed unless GM takes care of this problem. The 2004 Chevy. Malibu has electric assisted power steering. The thing is that GM,the dealers and NHTSA all know about the problem,but are not doing anything until people are hurt and killed. I bought the car new and have taken very good care of it.

I kept hearing a rattling in my car coming from the front tires area. I took it to my local GM dealership and it was diagnosed as needing a "steering gear". My car is only 2 years old, though it has relatively high mileage. After consulting with others more knowledgeable about cars, I found out that GM has had problems with steering gears in the past, and that my car is definitely too "young" to have that part needing replacement. It's a 2004 Chevy Malibu with 64K+ miles on it.

2004 Chevy Malibu at 30,000. Miles the steering went out clunking noise when I turn at 42K it did it again at 68K it did it again this time Chevy would not pay for repairs no more warranty it happened again in 2009 and now it's in the shop for another steering problem cost 1622.00 to repair plus rental ar for three days. Chevy says my fault the problems are not related. I am not the only one to have this problem and it's not one two or even three times it many times..

While coming off the highway, I noticed I no longer have power steering. The entire rest of the way home, no power steering. I searched on line to see if there was a reservoir to put more power steering fluid in, and there appears to be none and I will have to fork out over $500 for a new steering column. I was never informed of any problem with the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu and a power steering problem.

At first, the service engine soon light would illuminate at random intervals. Then engine shut off while car was moving. The problem happened more frequently as time progressed. Then the car would not start intermittently. Finally it would not start at all. The shop found the bad part was the ignition switch. Total cost to replace the switch and do the associated work was $900.

NHTSA investigations

Steering complaints in other Malibu Classic years