2004 Malibu Power Steering

[bcastilow]

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 ?

[wpbharry]

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.

[classicsnw]

Originally Posted by bcastilow

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...............

[kimster]

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.

[wpbharry]

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.

[classicsnw]

Originally Posted by wpbharry

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

[wpbharry]

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".

[classicsnw]

Originally Posted by wpbharry

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

[e2helper]

Originally Posted by classicsnw

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?

[classicsnw]

Originally Posted by e2helper

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.

[wpbharry]

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.

[classicsnw]

Originally Posted by wpbharry

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

[classicsnw]

Originally Posted by classicsnw

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

[Epsilon]

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.

[e2helper]

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.