2004 Malibu Power Steering

After about five thousand miles on my new 2004 Malibu the new electric power steering system became erratic and "jerked" when stopped at intersections/stop lights and often did likewise at speeds below 30 mph. Car was returned to dealer who immediately removed it from service and ultimately had to replace the steering column. Common defect for 2004's ?

Fairly common, from what I've heard, in at least the early production models. Mine was built in late April, so I hope it was fixed by then.

After about five thousand miles on my new 2004 Malibu the new electric power steering system became erratic and "jerked" when stopped at intersections/stop lights and often did likewise at speeds below 30 mph. Car was returned to dealer who immediately removed it from service and ultimately had to replace the steering column. Common defect for 2004's ?


Bought the LT in September of 03. First ps failure (complete) was this spring at around 5000 miles. Second at 9000 (eratic failures). It is still in the Chevy shop with my "demand" that it be fixed permanently (it is my wifes car and she just cannot drive it without the ps).

Some of the stories about jerking and other weird stuff sounds scary. At least ours just quits...............

I Bought My New Chevy Malibu Lt In Dec Of 2004. It Now Has 7800 Miles On It And This Is The Second Time I Have Had It In The Shop. The First Time Because Of Ignition Problems, I Would Have To Start The Car Three Times Before It Would Run Without Dying. Now The Power Steering. The Steering Wheel Was Shaking And Finally All Power Steering Was Lost While Driving Down The Highway. I Really Like The Car But Am Concerned About Some Of The Problems It Is Having.

I'm convinced that GM finally did good on this one. BUT, early production models are apt to have the "fits". Deal with it; it'll be fine in the long run. Let's hope.

I'm convinced that GM finally did good on this one. BUT, early production models are apt to have the "fits". Deal with it; it'll be fine in the long run. Let's hope.


HELP !!! After three ps failures on the 04 Malibu LT which my wife and I love......... the dealer says "sorry, I can't help you"........"call GM Customer satisfaction".......... which I did.

They said call National Better Business Bureau for a "buyback" procedure (GM has a contract with the BBB).

TODAY we get a decision on what GM is willing to do for us............

If we do not accept the offer we go to arbitration, then to appeal and then to court (sure hpe it does not go that far).

ANY helpful solutions, ideas, experiences????????

Alex

Alex, first you and your wife should calm down. For a minute or two.

Then, go back to the selling dealer (civilly), calm, cool, and collected and (taking the documentation with you of course) negotiate a switcheroo. You take mine back and I'll take a new one (you might have to let go of a few $100 bills, but not too many; depends on the mileage on the lemon). I had to do that back in '98. It works. Much simpler than all of the court shenanigans. I pray for the poor soul that gets your lemonade. And I pray that the new one is "A OK".

Alex, first you and your wife should calm down. For a minute or two.

Then, go back to the selling dealer (civilly), calm, cool, and collected and (taking the documentation with you of course) negotiate a switcheroo. You take mine back and I'll take a new one (you might have to let go of a few $100 bills, but not too many; depends on the mileage on the lemon). I had to do that back in '98. It works. Much simpler than all of the court shenanigans. I pray for the poor soul that gets your lemonade. And I pray that the new one is "A OK".


Have been calm through three failures and after checking out the car after the third the dealer said he could do no more for us. Don't think we want to take a chance on another one since the National Transportation Hotline has over 50 complaints just like ours.

Nope, I'm tired of it and just hope it does not go all the way to court. Still waiting for their call today.

Actually, my conscience wouldn't let me trade it back to the dealer to sell to some other unsuspecting person. Alex

Have been calm through three failures and after checking out the car after the third the dealer said he could do no more for us. Hi, I am curious if the dealer ever replaced anything on your vehicle - did they ever replace the steering column? And if it was replaced do you know when?

Hi, I am curious if the dealer ever replaced anything on your vehicle - did they ever replace the steering column? And if it was replaced do you know when?

Complete steering column was replaced two times. First time at about 4800 miles, then at about 9600. Third and most serious failure was at 10,170.......... Guess I am not convinced that the steering column is the total problem.

We really like this car but just too dangerous for us and everyone else on our crowded roadways.

Yeah, alex, I'm a GM fan, but not "over the top".

You wanted to be the first, which is just plain stupid.

Not razzin ya, we've all made the mistake once or twice in our lifetimes.

Your second Malibu (maybe a Maxx?), as long as the production date is 4/04 or later, will have some MINOR glitches, but be a great car. The things I'm fussin over are not major. Best car I've ever had from the start.

Yeah, alex, I'm a GM fan, but not "over the top".

You wanted to be the first, which is just plain stupid.

Not razzin ya, we've all made the mistake once or twice in our lifetimes.

Your second Malibu (maybe a Maxx?), as long as the production date is 4/04 or later, will have some MINOR glitches, but be a great car. The things I'm fussin over are not major. Best car I've ever had from the start.

Yeah, guess you are right........ and it would be a MAXX which was not available last September when we got the LT......... Sure has a lot of great features and the steering and brakes are great (when the steering is working)......... Don't know whether I can convince my wife though.

It would have been nice if the GM Customer Satisfacton Supervisor who was to have called back yesterday at a stated time with their decision had actually called......... Guess that would have been too much to ask for.... I guess I will just call and remind her! Alex

Yeah, guess you are right........ and it would be a MAXX which was not available last September when we got the LT......... Sure has a lot of great features and the steering and brakes are great (when the steering is working)......... Don't know whether I can convince my wife though.

It would have been nice if the GM Customer Satisfacton Supervisor who was to have called back yesterday at a stated time with their decision had actually called......... Guess that would have been too much to ask for.... I guess I will just call and remind her! Alex


OK, called the GM Rep and got the usual apology. She said the dealer has not submitted the requested records on what they did to the car. Called dealer and they said they would reluctantly send the records. They seem to be concerned that it will look bad that they could not fix the problem.

IF I am offered a new one (paying some on it of course) I plan on a MAXX but need to know more about that magical production date of 4/04. Hopefully someone out there will have the info. Alex

Got mine in April, but it is a March production vehicle, and never had it in the shop. I am sure that these problems may exsist, but I luckly haven't had a one knock on wood.

I would go for a maxx, those are pretty cool imo.

Since this is also posted in document at NHTSA website (action number PE04031) I can tell you that it looks like steering column problem was corrected by a sensor change on Februrary 3, 2004.

So yes anything built in April 2004 (or for that matter most of Feb 2004 and all of March 2004) should be OK.

Service parts also replaced around that time so it wouldn't have been until mid-Feb before dealers were using updated parts to repair vehicles.

Since this is also posted in document at NHTSA website (action number PE04031) I can tell you that it looks like steering column problem was corrected by a sensor change on Februrary 3, 2004.

So yes anything built in April 2004 (or for that matter most of Feb 2004 and all of March 2004) should be OK.

Service parts also replaced around that time so it wouldn't have been until mid-Feb before dealers were using updated parts to repair vehicles.


OK, thanks........ guess I am willing to take another chance if I get the opportunity w/a reasonable offer from GM. I'll let you know... Alex

OK, thanks........ guess I am willing to take another chance if I get the opportunity w/a reasonable offer from GM. I'll let you know... Alex


The latest on my 04 LT power steering failures. The dealer (big modern shop and have been Chevy dealer 30 years) still can't fix it !!! Multiple attempts and multiple steering columns.

We are now scheduled for their required arbitration process. They have refused to buy it back but have offered a "free" 60 month, 60000 mile extended warranty.

Any comments or ideas would be appreciated...... Yes, we still like the car but are obviously concerned about the safety factor because of the faulty power steering. Alex [email protected]

OK, thanks........ guess I am willing to take another chance if I get the opportunity w/a reasonable offer from GM. I'll let you know... Alex

Well, I did get an offer from GM. 60 month, 60,000 mile of additional warranty. But only if I agree to drop the safety isssue complaint. Sorry, can't do that. I have my family (plus others on the road) to think about.

We go to arbitration on the 22nd. NO, I do not want to but can see no alternative. Alex

classicsnw - I got your PM and realize no one is looking to repair vehicle at this point but I forgot to ask if you remember when power steering fails in vehicle most recently was there any change in operation of the PRNDL display in instrument cluster or the Odometer.

Curious if the odometer displayed "ERROR" and PRNDL would no longer display what gear you were in.

classicsnw - I got your PM and realize no one is looking to repair vehicle at this point but I forgot to ask if you remember when power steering fails in vehicle most recently was there any change in operation of the PRNDL display in instrument cluster or the Odometer.

Curious if the odometer displayed "ERROR" and PRNDL would no longer display what gear you were in.

Hmmmmmmm! Can't say for sure but I don't think so. I'm sure it did not affect the PDNR display for more than a few seconds if at all or I would have surely noticed it.

Really dislike having this problem because we sure like the car. If it was not such a safety issue we could live with it.

Thanks for your response, Alex

Ok,

The reason I asked was that odometer and PRNDL display issues coincident with the loss of power steering would have pointed more towards a wiring issue perhaps because the electrical connections at your Power Steering module had been serviced so many times in the past.

Good luck!!

Ok,

The reason I asked was that odometer and PRNDL display issues coincident with the loss of power steering would have pointed more towards a wiring issue perhaps because the electrical connections at your Power Steering module had been serviced so many times in the past.

Good luck!!

Thanks. I'm sure I will need all the luck I can get. Guess I would be willing just to take a column made in April or later but who knows what they will offer if anything. Alex

I have had my power steering just go again for the second time while driving. The steering column was replaced approx. 2 months ago and it just died (the whole car) again. Isn't there a lemon law that if it involves breaks or steering they only have one chance to fix it? If anyone has any suggestions on what the next course of action is (because I do not want to drive it as dangerous as it is) for chevy to take it back, please let me know.

I have had my power steering just go again for the second time while driving. The steering column was replaced approx. 2 months ago and it just died (the whole car) again. Isn't there a lemon law that if it involves breaks or steering they only have one chance to fix it? If anyone has any suggestions on what the next course of action is (because I do not want to drive it as dangerous as it is) for chevy to take it back, please let me know.


Yes, there is a way to handle your problem with the Malibu. I have just completed a "buy back" by GM on our 2004 Malibu Lt. Got a 2005 Maxx.

GM has very specific requirements that you must do to accomplish the buy back.

If you are interested, let me know...

Please reply to my regular e mail (it is too hard to get onto this site).

[email protected] If you are nervous about that, I'll keep trying to use this site with you.