2004 Chevrolet Malibu Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 798about this part
- Share
- 70%of 1,147 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 72,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 798 complaints about the steering of the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu, 70% of the 1,147 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 72,000 miles. 28 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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, filed 2020-09, 166,919 miles“When driving my steering wheel would become hard to turn as if I don't have any power steering fluid while driving the car... And the odometer will stop working and then go up and down my drive control lights will stop working and below where the odometer is the numbers will turn into saying error then my car will not crank please help me with this problem”
NHTSA complaint #11162110, filed 2018-12, 120,000 miles“The steering assist stops working intermittently without warning. I am an elderly person and it makes it almost impossible to steer at times. It doesn't normally do it when going over 35 MPH. When it is cold outside it seems to do it more. I may just notice it more in the cold because I drive slower in the bad weather.”
NHTSA complaint #11166495, filed 2019-01, 108,000 miles“My Malibu would lose power steering while driving. If I shut off the car and started it back up, the power steering would be back. I then got a recall notice about the issue so I took it in. The power steering worked for a couple years then suddenly went out completely. I can now no longer get the issue fixed. It's worse than it was. I don't know what options I have.”
NHTSA complaint #11088737, filed 2018-04, 120,000 miles“When I went to make a turn, the steering wheel made this popping noise and the car would not turn. The steering wheel spins completely around and does not turn either of the wheels. No warning lights appeared on my dash. The car had a complete loss of steering left and right. Very dangerous and I caused total chaos on the street just trying not to hit someone.”
NHTSA complaint #10979718, filed 2017-04, 140,064 milesRelated recalls
- 14V153000Mar 31, 2014General 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…Covers: Chevrolet Malibu 2004–2006, 2008–2009, Saturn Ion 2004–2007, Pontiac G6 2005–2006, 2008–2009 +4 more
Related service bulletins
- 10245395Nov 6, 2023This service bulletin provides a vibration analysis worksheet the technician can use in conjunction with the appropriate Vibration Analysis-Road testing procedure when diagnosing…
- 10113436Feb 20, 2017This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician the steps needed to diagnose and repair the vehicles that may have unwanted or phantom phone…
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 8% |
| 2024 | 2 | 5% |
| 2023 | 5 | 7% |
| 2022 | 2 | 2% |
| 2021 | 2 | 2% |
| 2020 | 16 | 8% |
| 2019 | 2 | 1% |
| 2018 | 42 | 6% |
| 2017 | 47 | 7% |
| 2016 | 42 | 5% |
| 2015 | 9 | 3% |
| 2014 | 26 | 7% |
| 2013 | 181 | 22% |
| 2012 | 191 | 21% |
| 2011 | 214 | 22% |
| 2010 | 454 | 33% |
| 2009 | 769 | 51% |
| 2008 | 460 | 47% |
| 2007 | 667 | 68% |
| 2006 | 812 | 73% |
| 2005 | 506 | 52% |
| 2004 | 798 | 70% |
| 2003 | 21 | 4% |
| 2002 | 13 | 2% |
| 2001 | 41 | 6% |
| 2000 | 45 | 5% |
| 1999 | 37 | 5% |
| 1998 | 74 | 8% |
| 1997 | 80 | 18% |
Other parts of the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
151 complaintsExterior lighting
84 complaintsSeats
69 complaintsBrakes
64 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
64 complaintsSuspension
31 complaintsFuel system
29 complaintsVehicle speed control
27 complaintsAir bags
26 complaintsElectronic stability control
22 complaintsOther or unknown
21 complaintsEngine cooling
20 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology