933 of the 1,639 complaints about the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu are about the steering — 57% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 62,000 miles.
933
Complaints
30
Crashes
0
Fires
10
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
STEERING
Electric Power Steering has failed on my car. Warning shows up saying power steering. Live in a snowy deer populated area impossible to turn wheel in these situations to avoid a collision. There was no actual accident that occured but there more than likely could be.
NHTSA complaint #11706192 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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The steering system gets extremely sensitive towards highway speeds to where a slight touch of the steering wheel could cause the car to move a significant amount no warning lamps or messages
NHTSA complaint #11651207 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the power steering failure message was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed however, there was no DTC code retrieved for the power steering failure. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired due to costs. The contact linked the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V153000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.
NHTSA complaint #11586159 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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The contact's friend owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while his friend was driving at various speeds, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist. The oil and theft warning lights were illuminated. The Service Power Steering message was displayed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
NHTSA complaint #11545475 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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On multiple occasions driving at slow speeds and parallel parking, the steering wheel locked and I was unable to turn the car. This has occurred numerous times and I am very concerned about my safety as this is extremely hazardous. I am aware that this, power steering failure, is a known issue. Please advise.
NHTSA complaint #11537946 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
1. A known about the recall for the power steering to go out. This was repaired as a recall a in 2014. It was replaced at no charge. In the last year the same thing happened again. I was charged over $1400 for repair at the dealership. Why was this not covered as well. Same part. Same problem a second time. ? 2. Also, cruise control has gone out over a year ago. No one told me there was a recall. I did not get it fixed due to cost.
NHTSA complaint #11520441 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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My 16 yr old was driving to school when the power steering stopped working. The vehicle was around 151,850 miles. The vehicle steering light came on, the vehicle was still drivable but was very difficult to turn. I’ve taken it to a GM verified dealership to get repaired. The recall that was on the vehicle shows completed 05/2014. The vehicle has never been repaired and I have pictures of the original parts that were replaced in case you need to verify part numbers and prove it has never been repaired. I would really like to be reimbursed as this was a recall that my vehicle was never repaired for.
NHTSA complaint #11510689 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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In March of 2015 recall for steering shift was done. The car is loosing power again when you are turning a corner it has happened several times. A powere steering code was on. A local shop looked at it and cleared it.
NHTSA complaint #11503268 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while reversing the power steering failed without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they stated the steering shaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and they stated that the vehicle was not under warranty. The failure mileage 139,000.
NHTSA complaint #11498265 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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Driving along the power steering goes out. You have to pull over, turn engine off and on and ok until the next time. This was a recall that was fixed in 2014. It’s happening again. Happens everywhere. Slowly out to parking lot to highway speeds and everywhere in between. Exactly same when it happened in 2014. Recall 14116
NHTSA complaint #11469559 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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The 2004 Chevy Malibu Maxx equipped with Electric Power Steering experienced a sudden loss of power steering assist. The power steering loss made it extremely difficult to control the direction of the car and can cause crash. The problem has been confirmed by the dealer after a $185 inspection to just read a code. The problem has been covered by recall Bulletin No. 14116. However, the recall DID NOT fix the problem and the exact problem showed up. Mike Maroone Chevrolet North and GM stated "when the recall is done it's done", although the problem was still there. A message was displayed on the Driver Information Center and a chime sounds to inform the driver. The Bulletin is https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2014/RCRIT-14V153-6084.pdf. There is also news on GM's website. https://media.gm.com/media/us/en/gm/home.detail.html/content/Pages/news/us/en/2014/mar/0331-power-steering.html
NHTSA complaint #11460088 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
EPS went out, warning message for steering on message board. Cannot steer very easily. Have not taken to dealer due to not wanting to operate unnecessarily
NHTSA complaint #11456584 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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I was driving to work with my son and sister in the car when the steering wheel suddenly got very tight and started jerking when I attempted to make a left or right turn. I then stopped at a gas station and as soon as I came to a complete stop the vehicle shut off before I could turn it off manually. I then attempted to turn the key on and start the vehicle but it would not turn over, it would only make a clicking sound. I called a friend that was close by to come and assist me so when they arrived I asked them to jump my vehicle off via jumper cables which did get my vehicle's engine to finally start. The car sounded very weak as if it was going to shut off again once we disconnected the jumper cables but it didn't shut off. Nothing was working inside the car or outside meaning I had no radio, no interior lights and nothing on my dash was working. The speedometer wasn't working, the rims Guage wasn't working, the temp Guage wasn't working nor was anything else working on my dash. The turn signals were not working for either side and none of my headlights or taillights were working either. And I still did not safely have control of the steering. The only warning lamp, which didn't appear until my friend jumped my car off, was what looked like a symbol of a vehicle with a symbol of a locked lock in front of it. This failure just happened so I have not taken the car to a certified mechanic to inspect it but the car is available for inspection at any time. I can not afford to put my car in the shop, I work part time at a restaurant in my town and I'm also disabled and I also care for my 8 year old son who is severely autistic so I have no extra money to fix these problems. Please I need help.
NHTSA complaint #11436957 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
The power steering went out while driving. The car was being backed out of the driveway. The car had lights go off when it happened. Once the car was restarted power steering worked again. This problem has only occurred once as far as known. The steering was incredibly hard to move when the issue occurred. It is foreseeable that if issue happens at the wrong time on the freeway it could lead to injury or death of driver, passenger, or others outside the vehicle. If it happens at high speeds during a turn any number of serous damage or injuries could occur. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic who said a dealership would have the equipment properly diagnose the problem. If the mechanic did it himself he would have to replace several parts one a time and it might not be fixed. I will have my son take it to a dealership to look at it. Lights went off during the problem, but it is UNKNOWN which ones lit up. The lights went off, but since significant force had to be used to pull the wheel even slightly the exact lights that went off are unknown.
NHTSA complaint #11429981 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
Eps goes out. At first only happened when I first started my car but if I restarted it then the issue went away. Problem increased over time & power steering went out while driving. Now it just won’t come back on. Wheel “twitches” or “seizes” on its own. If I put cruise control on the speed increases slightly on its own overtime on its own. It is available for inspection upon request. My safety surely felt at risk & I felt my dogs safety was at risk too. Also any of my passengers safety or anyone else on the road at that time for that matter , had I not been paying 110% attention & noticed the check engine light some on / power steering go out, I could have crashed or someone else could’ve hit me, etc.. Power steering went out while driving quite a few times & I’ve seen numerous complaints for these issues with this same year & model so it has to be a defect not just a personal issue. Have seen comments/reviews all over the internet about these issue , mostly the electric power steering , and even some that say they had replaced their steering column on 3 separate occasions out of pocket with no help resolving this issue from gm or Chevrolet. They first appeared as soon as the power steering went out. No lights prier & no power steering warning on the radio dash thing. (It says when I’m low on washer fluid, or when the power steering goes out, etc.. across my radio)
NHTSA complaint #11417453 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED NOT ALLOWING THE CONTACT TO HAVE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE RAN INTO A SIDE BEARING. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED SOME BACK SORENESS. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO START BACK UP AND THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE BACK HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 255,450.
NHTSA complaint #11415321 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
THE SENSOR AND OR POWER STEERING ASSIST IS MALFUNCTIONING AND SENDING WARNING AND SHUTS DOWN THE ELECTRIC STEERING ASSIST. MUST TURN VEHICLE OFF AND THEN RESTART SEVERAL TO GET STEERING TO RELEASE. THERE WAS NO NOTICE GIVEN TO [XXX] WHEN THE RECALL(S) WERE ISSUED FOR 2004 CHVY MALIBU. STATIONARY THUS FAR. PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #11413507 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
POWER STEERING UPON IGNITION LIGHTS UP AND LOCKS POWER STEERING. TURN OFF AND RESTART SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE OPERATIONAL. ABS LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY COMES ON WHILE DRIVING. ELECTRIC ASSIST POWER STEERING. BOTH IN STATIONARY AND WHILE DRIVING IN CITY AND HIGHWAY.
NHTSA complaint #11408197 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
RECALL # 14E044000, VIN# [XXX]. THE VEHICLE EXHIBITS STEERING ISSUES AS DESCRIBED IN 14E044000 AND DIAGNOSED BY A MECHANIC. BROUGHT VEHICLE TO THE CHEVROLET DEALER AND THEY STATE THERE ARE NO RECALLS BASED ON VIN. HOW TO DETERMINE SPECIFIC VINS THAT ARE IMPACTED? WAS DRVING ON 3/1/21 AND STEERING BECAME ERRATIC. TOOK VEHICLE TO MECHANIC IMMEDIATELY WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED. MECHANIC STATED THERE WAS A RECALL AND TO CONTACT CHEVROLET. PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #11399353 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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STEERING MECHANISM IS OUT CAN'T CONTROL CAR HAVE TO TURN IT OFF AND ON AND CONTINUES TO GO OUT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE
NHTSA complaint #11397298 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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DRIVING ON CITY STREETS AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH WHEN SUDDENLY THE POWER (ASSIST) STEERING GOES OUT...THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ILLUMINATING...THE RADIO SCREEN STATES 'POWER STEERING' AS AN AUDIBLE CHIME WAS HEARD.
NHTSA complaint #11390770 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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FIRST, THE CAR ROUTINELY BURNS OUT TURN SIGNALS, AND OVERHEATS THE TURN SIGNAL TO THE POINT THAT IT MELTS THE HOUSING THTA THE LIGHT BULB SNAPS INTO. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE HEADLIGHT HOUSING/LAMP WIRINGS HARNESS MULTIPLE TIMES ALONG WITH MANY LIGHT BULBS. SECOND, THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING. MY PARTICULAR VIN WAS RECALLED FOR AN ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING SENSOR. THE POWER STEERING HAS GONE OUT ON ME WHILE DRIVING TWICE, SO I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER. THEY INDICATED THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING MOTOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED,AND IS NOT COVERED UNDER AND RECALLS. THERE APPEARS TOBE NUMEROUS RECALLS ON GM VEHICLES RELATED TO THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING, AND REPLACING MOTORS FOR THAT MATTER, BUT THE DEALER HAS INDICATED THERE IS NO SUCH RECALL RELATED TO MY PARTICULAR VEHICLE/VIN. THIS SEEMS RATHER SUSPECT WITH THE NUMBER OF RECALLS RELATED TO THESE VEHICLES, AND FOR ME TO HAVE THE STEERING GO OUT, BUT MY PARTICULAR VEHICLE DOES NOT QUALIFY. I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET WHEN IT WENT OUT ONCE. I MADE IT HOME SAFELY, ALBEIT VERY HARD TO TURN THE WHEEL, AND THEN THE POWER STEERING WORKED AFTER TURNING OFF THE VEHICLE AND BACK ON AGAIN. IT WENT OUT AGAIN IN THE PARKING LOT OF THE CAR DEALER WHEN DROPPING IT OFF THE BE LOOKED AT.
NHTSA complaint #11389002 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOOSE. THE CHECK ENGINE AND POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SERRA CHEVROLET 7850 US-64, MEMPHIS, TN 38133, (901) 328-9262) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN BAD CONDITION. THE DEALER DECLINED TO COMPLETE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 225,000.
NHTSA complaint #11383780 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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ELECTRICAL WIRES/COMPONENTS ISSUES, INSTRUMENT CLUSTER LIGHTS NOT TURNING ON, VEHICLE WITH A WRENCH INDICATOR LIGHT COMES ON & OFF, TRACTION CONTROL WITH A SLASH ON TC INDICATOR LIGHT COMES ON & OFF (TC/), WHEN MY CAR IS RUNNING AN IDLING OR PARKED OR IDLING AT A STOP LIGHT OR DRIVING IN A CERTAIN SPEED LIMIT THE STEERING WHEEL SHACKS/SHUDDERS REPEATEDLY MOVING ON ITS OWN ONCE IN A AWHILE BUT NOW IT CONSTANTLY GETTING WORSE LASTING LONGER, ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON EVEN AFTER I REPLACED THE PARTS OBDLL SCANNER SAY WHAT TO FIX & REPLACE, OWNED THE CAR OVER A 1 YEAR AN BUILD KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THE CAR AND GOOGLE RECALLS AFTER OWNING IT. I BELIEVE IT'S (POWER STEERING WHEEL COMPONENTS OR POWER STEERING WHEEL ASSIST MOTOR) I WAS DRIVING IN THE FREEWAY WITH MY BABIES GOING 65 SPEED LIMIT & I LITERALLY SEEN LIFE FLASHED BEFORE MY EYES WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WON'T TURN/LOCKS UP IN A BUSY FREEWAY. IT WAS BEYOND THE WORSE EXPERIENCE OF MY LIFE BECAUSE MY BABIES IS IN THE CAR WHEN IT HAPPENED, I DON'T EVER WANT IT TO HAPPEN AGAIN EVER OR TO ANYONE ELSE. PLEASE & THANK YOU IF YOU CAN FIX IT, IT'S OUR ONLY TRANSPORTATION FOR MY SPOUSE & BABIES. AN ONE MORE OTHER THING IS "I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S A PART OF IT THE THROTTLE BODY MALFUNCTION". I HOPE THAT'S ENOUGH & ACCURATE INFORMATION ABOUT IT
NHTSA complaint #11374793 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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IT FEELS AS THOUGH THE STEERING IS LOOSENING. ALIGNMENT IS OFF AS WELL. BOTH ISSUES BEGAN ABOUT THE SAME TIME. A DULL CLUNKING SOUND CAN BE HEARD WHEN TURNING RIGHT. THIS CAR APPEARS TO HAVE ALREADY HAD THE STEERING REPLACED FROM THE 2014 RECALL BUT I BELIEVE THE REPLACEMENT PARTS ARE ALSO DEFUNCT AND SHOULD AND WILL BE RECALLED AGAIN. IT IS NOT SEEMINGLY DEPENDENT ON SET RPM OR MPH TO MAKE THE NOISE OR FEEL LOOSE IN MY HANDS. IT IS INTERMITTENT AND UNPREDICTABLE. CRUISE CONTROL STILL WORKING, EPS LIGHT NOT LIT. STRUTS ARE GOING SO MAY BE THE ISSUE. JUST IN CASE IT IS THE POWER STEERING HAVING NOT PROPERLY BEEN REPAIRED AFTER THE RECALL, OR REPAIRED WITH SHODDY PARTS, I THOUGHT IT BEST TO REPORT THE ISSUE. LIVES WERE LOST TO THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILURES FROM CHEVY, LUCKILY I PULLED INTO A SHOP IMMEDIATELY AFTER MY CAR SHUT OFF THE FIRST TIME AND GOT IT REPAIRED. MONTHS LATER PEOPLE WERE DYING. FRIENDS OF MINE. NOT ME. I TRUSTED MY GUT. I KNEW THAT WAS DANGEROUS AND I HAVE THE SAME INCLINATION NOW WITH THIS ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #11360041 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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WHILE DRIVING CAR STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO MAKE A CLICKING SOUND BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT THEN WHEN I STOPED CAR BATTERY NEEDED TO BE JUMPED STARTED BECOME HARD TO CONTROL CAR AND IT SEEMED AS IF CAR WANTED TO LOSE POWER I WAS ON WATERMAN AND BASELINE. ON THE STREET WHEN IT BEGAN..07/15/2020 I HAD RECALL N140226 14116 WITH A CHEVY MANUFACTURER MALIBU DEALERSHIP
NHTSA complaint #11353253 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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THERE HAS ALREADY BEEN A RECALL THAT THEY SAY WAS FIXED. HOWEVER IT IS DOING THE EXACT SAME THING NOW.I HAVE PAID TO FIX IT AND IT HAD A RECALL. WHAT HAPPENS IS YOU R JUST DRIVING AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT. YOU CAN BARELY STEER THE CAR TO GET IT OFF THE ROAD. I DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO KEEP FIXING THE SAME PROBLEM OVER AND OVER. IT IS DOING IT NOW.. THIS WILL HAPPEN ANYWHERE CITY, HIGHWAY. LITERALLY ANYWHERE YOU MIGHT BE. IT HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES BUT I PUT THE LAST DATE IT HAPPENED. I HAVE PRETTY MUCH HAD TO STOP DRIVING THE CAR.
NHTSA complaint #11349163 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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THE DASH HAS ABS, TCH AND SECURITY LIGHT COMES SHORTLY AFTER CAR HAS BEEN STARTED WITH IN SCOUND COMES A BEEPING SOUND WERE ALL THREE LIGHTS STAY ON UNTIL ENGINE IS CUT OFF. THE LIGHT BULBS HAS MELTED PLASTIC COVER ON THE FRONT TURN SIGNAL/PARK LAMP DRL. WHEN SPEED IS INCREASING ON HIGH WAY FREE WAY CAR TENDS TO PULL LEFT ON ITS OWN
NHTSA complaint #11338113 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING OUT OF A PARKING LOT, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL SOUND COMING FROM THE STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JOHN AMATO (8301 N 76TH ST, MILWAUKEE, WI 53223) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14E044000 (STEERING) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 56,245. INVALID VIN.
NHTSA complaint #11326309 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE TURNS THERE WAS RESISTANCE IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD RETURN TO THE INITIAL POSITION. PHIL LONG FORD OF MOTOR CITY LOCATED AT (1212 MOTOR CITY DR, COLORADO SPRINGS, CO 80905 (844)237-2169, STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SUBJECTED TO A RECALL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER AN UNKNOWN RECALL BY THE FORMER OWNER OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 148,000.
NHTSA complaint #11317506 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.