Steering complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 9% | — |
| 2024 | 1 | 2% | — |
| 2023 | 5 | 7% | 58,000 miles |
| 2022 | 2 | 2% | 30,000 miles |
| 2021 | 2 | 2% | 68,000 miles |
| 2020 | 16 | 8% | 61,000 miles |
| 2019 | 2 | 1% | 71,000 miles |
| 2018 | 42 | 6% | 16,000 miles |
| 2017 | 47 | 7% | 67,000 miles |
| 2016 | 42 | 5% | 51,000 miles |
| 2015 | 9 | 3% | 78,000 miles |
| 2014 | 26 | 7% | 37,000 miles |
| 2013 | 181 | 22% | 60,000 miles |
| 2012 | 191 | 21% | 104,000 miles |
| 2011 | 214 | 22% | 90,000 miles |
| 2010 | 454 | 33% | 100,000 miles |
| 2009 | 768 | 51% | 120,000 miles |
| 2008 | 460 | 47% | 83,000 miles |
| 2007 | 667 | 68% | 105,000 miles |
| 2006 | 811 | 73% | 85,000 miles |
| 2005 | 506 | 52% | 91,000 miles |
| 2004 | 798 | 70% | 72,000 miles |
| 2003 | 21 | 4% | 70,000 miles |
| 2002 | 13 | 2% | 94,000 miles |
| 2001 | 41 | 6% | 98,000 miles |
| 2000 | 45 | 5% | 108,000 miles |
| 1999 | 37 | 5% | 70,000 miles |
| 1998 | 74 | 8% | 83,000 miles |
| 1997 | 80 | 18% | 85,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
I own a 2023 Chevrolet Malibu with an open safety recall. General Motors/dealership has refused to repair the recall. The vehicle has also had multiple safety-related problems, including Service ESC warnings, jerking/poor acceleration, Service Safety Restraint System and airbag warnings, and a "Steering Assist is Reduced, Drive with Care" warning. On or about [redacted], while driving, I experienced what felt like the brakes, wheel, and steering system locking up. I was unable to safely control the vehicle, resulting in a crash. During the incident, my head struck the steering wheel and I injured my hand, which has visible scars. No police were involved. I have a [redacted] daughter. She was NOT in the vehicle during the crash, but I do not feel safe transporting her in this vehicle because of the serious safety issues and what happened. …
The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed that the hard skin material on the steering wheel was crumbling. The contact stated that the right and left hands were severely peeled. The contact inspected the steering wheel and placed a white glove on each hand and rotated the steering wheel. The contact became aware of a black substance on both gloves. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. In addition, the contact stated that another vehicle that the contact had owned was parked in the same spot for fourteen years. The contact stated that the weather did not cause any issues with the other vehicle. The contact received medical treatment for contact dermatitis. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 58,000.
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that on multiple occasions while driving at undisclosed speeds, the service ESC warning light and the steering assist reduced warning lights illuminated. The contact also stated that the traction control warning light intermittently illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 61,000.
Electrical issue , Continuously losing communication to EBCM causing the car to go haywire with warning lamps on the dash board and then it brakes on its own , while driving on the highway at high speeds. This is very scary and extremely dangerous and this could eventually cause a serious accident. This has been occurring for 3 months now. I've had the car serviced 3 times within the last 3 months , costing me a lot of money but with no real resolution. Problem has been confirmed by independent Mechanics , they stated the codes are a loss of communication to all control modules , they then reset / reprogram modules , which is only a temporary fix because it always happens again.
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that a "shift to park turn the vehicle off" message was displayed while the vehicle was in the park position. While driving at unknown speeds, the vehicle stalled. The steering wheel was tight. After slowing down, the driver depressed the start/stop button, and the vehicle shut off and restarted. The vehicle was randomly shut down. After waiting, the vehicle restarted. While depressing the brake pedal, there was an abnormal, unidentifiable noise detected, and the vehicle came to a sudden halt. While driving at 55 mph, the vehicle suddenly stopped, and she hit her head on the steering wheel but medical attention was not provided. The vehicle was pulsating while driving. There was a sound of water going through the vehicle. The vehicle was slow to accelerate and then moved violently. …
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the steering wheel would jerk to the left. Additionally, the vehicle inadvertently rolled backward while at a full stop. The steering assist warning message was displayed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to file a complaint with NHTSA. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 85,379.
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving at 30 MPH, the "Steering Assist Reduced - Drive with Care" and other unknown warning lights illuminated, and the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that a nearby independent mechanic who witnessed the failure assisted her with restarting the vehicle with an unknown device and assisted the contact with pulling to the side of the road. The contact sated that the vehicle shut-off and failed to restart after several attempts. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The Used car dealer was notified of the failure but did not provide any assistance. The contact stated that the failure occurred the same day she had purchased the vehicle at the Used car dealer. Upon investigating on Carfax, the contact became aware that the vehicle had previously been totaled. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. …
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while she was driving at an undisclosed speed and approaching a stoplight, the brake pedal was depressed, and the vehicle suddenly lost electrical power. The warning message "Steering Assist Reduced, Drive with Care" was illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and continued to drive; however, the failure recurred increasingly while depressing the brake pedal at stoplights. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 83,000.
Related recalls (3)
Steering › Electric power assist system
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2006-2007 Chevrolet Malibu and Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured April 1, 2006, to June 30, 2006, and 2006-2007 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured April 18, 2006, to June 30, 2006.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the torque sensor assembly, free of charge. The recall began February 24, 2015.
Steering › Electric power assist system
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 and 2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2006 Malibu Maxx, 2009-2010 HHR (non-turbo), 2010 Cobalt, 2008-2009 Saturn Aura and 2004-2007 Ion, and 2005-2009 Pontiac G6.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will perform one of four bulletins. Parts are not currently available. GM expects to send an interim notification around May 28, 2014.
Steering › Rack and pinion
Certain passenger vehicles have lower pinion bearings in the power rack and pinion assembly in which the retainer tabs were not crimped properly. These retainers could fail and permit the ball bearings to escape.
Remedy: Dealers will install a new lower pinion bearing unless inspect of the existing bearing indicates that replacement of the gear assembly is necessary. Owner notification began on February 5, 2004.
NHTSA investigations
Power rack and pinion steering failure
GM conducted a safety recall (NHTSA # 02V286) to address a steering defect pertaining to a lower pinion bearing (lpb) within the rack and pinion steering gear (r&p). The recall covered 1,159,156 model year 1997-1998 Pontiac grand prix vehicles built between March 1, 1996 and October 31, 1997, 1996-1998 Pontiac trans sport, Chevrolet lumina apv, Chevrolet venture, Oldsmobile silhouette minivans, and Chevrolet…
Steering rack and pinion
Odi has received 200 complaints fromt consumers and 1,238 from GM alleging failure or lockup of the steering rack and pinion unit (r&p).this alleged condition can result in the loss of steering control of the vehicle and a crash can result.GM has reported six crashes in which eight people have sustained injuries ranging from bruises, airbag burn, seat belt abrasion, facial injury, neck and back pain.all crashes were…
Power rack and pinion steering failure
The lower pinion bearing in the rack and pinion steering assembly May fail.GM will recall 1997-98 grand prix built between 1-mar-96 and 31-oct-97; and 1996-98 u-vans/j-cars built between 1-jan-96 and 31-oct-97.see attached summary.
Loss of electric power steering
Odi opened pe04-031 based on eight reports of alleged power steering failure in the subject vehicles.the complaints allege that the driver suddenly lost all electric power steering assistance without warning making the vehicle difficult to steer.
Loss of electric power steering
In performing this engineering analysis, odi determined that the electric power steering system in the subject vehicles can malfunction or fail, causing the driver to lose power steering assistance; however, due to the following reasons, odi has decided that further expenditure of agency resources on this investigation is not warranted at this time: - GM issued customer satisfaction campaign (csc) 04050a indecember…
Frequently asked questions
Which Chevrolet Malibu years have steering problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2006 (811), 2004 (798), 2009 (768), 2007 (667) and 2005 (506) model years. Steering complaints make up 73% of all complaints for the 2006.
Is there a recall for Chevrolet Malibu steering problems?
Yes — 3 recalls, including 15V-064 (electric power assist system, Feb 4, 2015); 14V-153 (electric power assist system, Mar 31, 2014); 03V-527 (rack and pinion, Dec 11, 2003). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Chevrolet Malibu steering problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 91,000 miles; 20% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the electric power assist system (179 mentions), followed by the column (84).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.