FaultScore

Chevrolet Malibu Maxx steering problems

687 of the 1,389 complaints filed about the Chevrolet Malibu Maxx are about the steering — 49% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2004.

687

Complaints

49%

Share of all complaints

32

Crashes

3

Fires

Steering complaints by model year

2004 Malibu Maxx 277 40.3%

Median failure at 70,000 miles

2005 Malibu Maxx 191 27.8%

Median failure at 84,000 miles

2006 Malibu Maxx 209 30.4%

Median failure at 83,318 miles

Median failure at 64,000 miles

What owners said

2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx at 204,000 miles Portage, MI

STEERING

The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the power steering malfunctioned, and the steering wheel became difficult to turn in either direction. During the failure, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the power steering assist assembly was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V064000 (STEERING). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 204,000.

NHTSA complaint #11647569 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx at 235,000 miles Sheffield Lake, OH

STEERING

The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx. The contact stated while driving on several occasions, the vehicle made an abnormal sound and the vehicle lost power steering functionality. There were no warning lights illuminated; however, the power steering failure message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who provided the contact with a Technical Service Bulletin regarding the repair for the power steering failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced TSB: 14116 as a possible solution; however, the repair was not covered. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 235,000.

NHTSA complaint #11581403 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx at 241,000 miles Seymour, TX

STEERING

The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the steering wheel became firm. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact attempted to pull over, but the steering wheel was difficult to maneuver. The contact was able to pull over, shut off and restart the vehicle, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that there was no recall for the failure. The failure mileage was 241,000.

NHTSA complaint #11539214 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx at 160,000 miles Irving, TX

STEERING

The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14E044000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.

NHTSA complaint #11521181 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx at 111,000 miles Van Nuys, CA

STEERING

The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx. The contact stated that while driving at an undetermined speed and attempting to make a left turn, the steering wheel failed to turn left or right. The vehicle continued to move forward. The power steering assist fault light was illuminated. The contact had to push the vehicle off the roadway. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who informed her about a power steering sensor failure. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 111,000.

NHTSA complaint #11505829 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx Laramie, WY

STEERING

The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the power steering assist fault message was displayed and the steering wheel became very difficult to turn in either direction. Additionally, there was a ticking sound coming from the steering column while turning the steering wheel. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V153000 (Steering). The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA complaint #11484580 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx at 117,000 miles Sayville, NY

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:POWER STEERING FLUID

The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The power steering warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and diagnosed with power steering failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 117,000.

NHTSA complaint #11463018 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx at 206,203 miles Jacksonville, AL

STEERING

The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 206,203.

NHTSA complaint #11460929 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx at 150,000 miles Excelsior Springs, MO

STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH and making a right turn, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to pull to the side of the road and stop the vehicle. The contact drove the vehicle to an independent mechanic, where it was not diagnosed due to the mechanics being unable to replicate the failure. The contact became aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V153000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

NHTSA complaint #11454976 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx at 98,000 miles Mc Kee, KY

STEERING

The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx. The contact stated that while her husband was driving 55 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that her husband manually steered the vehicle and veered to the side of the road. The contact stated that her husband turned off and restarted the vehicle and the power steering functionality returned. The contact's husband continued to drive the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the power steering control module, steering control module, and torque sensors needed to be replaced. The dealer also advised the contact that she would be responsible for the cost of the repair as an unknown recall had expired in 2014. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 98,000.

NHTSA complaint #11442826 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx at 98,000 miles Mc Kee, KY

STEERING:STEERING CONTROL MODULE

The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx. The contact stated that while her husband was driving 55 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that her husband manually steered the vehicle and veered to the side of the road. The contact stated that her husband turned off and restarted the vehicle and the power steering functionality returned. The contact's husband continued to drive the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the power steering control module, steering control module, and torque sensors needed to be replaced. The dealer also advised the contact that she would be responsible for the cost of the repair as an unknown recall had expired in 2014. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 98,000.

NHTSA complaint #11442826 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx at 140,000 miles Plainview, NY

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:POWER STEERING FLUID

The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx. The contact stated that while pulling into a parking space, the vehicle inadvertently lost power steering functionality. The power steering warning light illuminated. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle; however, the steering wheel remained difficult to steer. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to his residence with manual steering. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000. Consumer stated "Failed component/part Information", it is incorrect to identify the failure in the hydraulic power assist/power steering fluid. The power steering on my car is electrical assist.

NHTSA complaint #11442562 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx at 168,000 miles Grand Rapids, MN

STEERING

The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx. The contact stated that while stationary or while driving at various speeds, the power steering assist would fail to operate, and the power steering warning light would illuminate on the instrument panel. The contact stated that the steering wheel would lock as the failure occurred. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle with power steering failure. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and informed her that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The contact was given a case number. The vehicle has been repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.

NHTSA complaint #11435948 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx at 45,000 miles Denver, CO

STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, A CLUNKING SOUND WAS COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN WAS PREVIOUSLY REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE LOCAL DEALER JOHN ELWAY CHEVROLET LOCATED AT 5200 S. BROADWAY, ENGLEWOOD, CO 80113 AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

NHTSA complaint #11408378 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx at 100,000 miles Pasco, WA

STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE STEERING ABILITY SEIZED AND ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AS THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND THEN TO MCCURLEY CHEVROLET (1325 N AUTOPLEX WAY, PASCO, WA 99301) WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA complaint #11229332 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx at 150,000 miles BAY City, MI

STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AS SOON AS THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, A GRINDING NOISE BEGAN AND THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK. THE STEERING VIBRATION CONTINUED PERMANENTLY WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE BEGAN EVER SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN OCTOBER OF 2018, BUT HAD BECOME WORSE OVER TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OR A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA complaint #11219969 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx at 206,000 miles Indiana, PA

STEERING

THERE WAS A RECALL FOR ELECTRIC POWER STEERING MINE WAS TAKEN CARE OFF BEFORE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER, IT LOST ELECTRIC POWER STEERING AGAIN AND IS NO LONGER UNDER RECALL WARRANTY.

NHTSA complaint #11219735 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx at 125,000 miles Sioux Falls, SD

STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION. ALSO, 'POWER STEERING' DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO BILLION AUTOMOTIVE (600 W. 41ST, SIOUX FALLS, SD) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TORQUE SENSOR WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.

NHTSA complaint #11205826 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx at 155,000 miles Chicago, IL

STEERING

NO STEERING,STEERING TURNS AROUND AND AROUND WITHOUT STOP TURNING IN EITHER DIRECTION,RIGHT OR LEFT. SECOND TIME THIS HAPPENED,SPENT APPROXIMATELY $1200.00 BEFORE. CAR THIS TIME ENDED IN A TOW POUND YARD. TRIPLE AAA MOVED MY CAR TO A SHOP CALLED QUICK STOP WHERE I WANTED TO GET MY CAR FIXED AT ONLY TO DISCOVER THEY DIDN'T DO ELECTRICAL WORK WHICH THEY DISCOVERED WAS THE PROBLEM AMONG OTHERS. AGAIN THE TOWING COMPANY TRIPLE AAA CARRIED IT TO WEBB CHEVROLET SUGGESTED BY THIS SHOP. WEBB CHEVROLET DISCOVERED ALSO ELECTRICAL ISSUES. MY INSURANCE NOTIFIED ME AFTER I CONTACT THEM FOR A CLAIM REPORT. AN ESTIMATOR WAS SENT TO WEBB CHEVROLET ALSO THEY DISCOVERED AFTER A TEAR DOWN DIAGNOSIS THAT IT IS A RECALL ISSUES. NOW YOU ARE BEING NOTIFIED BY ME,RUBY WELLS OF THESE PROBLEMS. THIS IS WHY IM NOTIFYING YOU OF THE RECALLS FOUND ON THIS MAKE,MODEL AND YEAR 2004 VEHICLE. NOT STATIONARY,IT WAS IN MOTION WHEN HAPPENED ON CITY STREET. MY SON WAS ARRESTED FOR NO REASON $2000 BAIL TIMES 2 . COURT JUDGE THROUGH CASE OUT ON APRIL 45TH 2019 AFTER DISCOVERING BOGUS TICKETS WRITING AND ARRESTS THEY INDICATED THERE WAS NO INSURANCE ON VEHICLE AND HAD MY CAR TOWED TO POUND WITHIN HOURS. I HAD TO PAD TOWING FEES OF $1200 APPROXIMATELY TO GET MY CAR FROM POUND LESS THAN24 HOURS OF THE TOWING. MONEY HAS ALREADY BEEN SPENT UNNECESSARILY MONEY I HAD TO BORROW BECAUSE I'M RETIRED. PLEASE TAKE CARE OF THIS FOR ME ASAP. PLEASE!

NHTSA complaint #11194247 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx at 140,000 miles Sylvester, GA

STEERING

STEERING OUT OF WHACK. I HAVE HAD MY CONTROL ARM ON BOTH SIDES CHANGED ALONG WITH AXLES AND A ALIGNMENT. NO LUCK ITS STILL ALL OVER ROAD. I DRIVE FROM SYLVESTER GA TO TIFTON GA EVERYDAY. IT DOES THE SAME THING EVERYTIME. ALSO I HAVE HAD MY LIGHTS REPLACED 3 TIMES IN THE LAST YEAR. WHY ARENT THE LASTING. GAS CAP KEEPS READING ERROR. WHOLE CAR. I CAN LET SOMEONE DRIVE IT TO SEE WHAT I AM SAYING.

NHTSA complaint #11193420 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Chevrolet Malibu Maxx problems