Steering. Review the 768 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 368 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electronic Stability Control (esc). Review the 255 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

41 crash reports9 fire reports31 injury reports

Steering complaints

768 reports

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127,000 miles · Jul 27, 2015

Steering

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ONE DAY, I FOUND OUT THROUGH A RANDOM PERSON THAT THERE ARE RECALLS ON THE CAR. I HAD BEEN HAVING TROUBLE OUT OF THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKING A LOT WHILE DRIVING, AS IF IT WASN'T CONNECTED TO THE WHEELS. I WILL CAUSE ME TO LOSE CONTROL A LITTLE BIT AND SWERVE. THEN AFTER IT SHAKES A LOT, THE POWER STEERING LIGHT WOULD POP ON ON THE DASHBOARD. SO I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER TO BE FIXED. THEY SAID THEY FIXED IT, BUT IT WAS STILL SHAKING. ONCE I GOT IT HOME, IT STOP WORKING, WOULD NOT START UP. SO I HAD THEM TO SEND A TOW TO PICK IT UP. AFTER CHECKING IT, I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND I HAD TO PAY FOR THAT. I MENTION TO THEM THAT THE STEERING WAS STILL SHAKING ALSO. THEY SAID THEY WOULD CHECK IT AGAIN. AFTER I WAS TOLD IT WAS FIXED, I WENT AND PICKED IT UP. AS SOON AS I DROVE AWAY, THE STEERING WAS STILL SHAKING. I DID NOT WANT TO TAKE IT BACK BECAUSE THEY WERE CHARGING ME EVERYTIME THEY HAD TO DO A DIAGNOSIS ON THE CAR. THE STEERING IS STILL SHAKING AND BAD, AFTER TWO CHECKS. IT CAUSES ME TO SWERVE WHILE DRIVING AND I NEVER KNOW WHEN IT MIGHT HAPPEN. I CAN'T TEACH MY DAUGHTER HOW TO DRIVE BECAUSE I NEVER KNOW WHEN IT MAY SHAKE. AFTER TWO FIXES AND IT STILL SHAKES, I FEEL LIKE THIS CAN'T BE FIXED BY THE PARTS THEY ARE REQUIRED TO PUT ON THE CAR TO STOP IT.

NHTSA ODI #10743943

20,000 miles · Jul 15, 2015

Electronic Stability Control (esc)SteeringTraction Control System

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STABILITY, TRACTION, AND POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS EXTREMELY TIGHT AND DIFFICULT TO TURN LEFT AND RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14E044000 (STEERING) AND 14V153000 (STEERING). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.

NHTSA ODI #10734133

100,000 miles · Jul 10, 2015

Steering

I LOST MY POWER STEERING. THE DEALER HAD TO REPLACE IT. MY SON WHO HAS A 2004 CHEV MALIBU HAD A RECALL FOR THE SAME PROBLEM AND I CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHY THERE HASN'T BEEN A RECALL ON THE NEWER ONES. I HAD TO PAY $400 - IT COULD HAVE BEEN A DISASTER IF I WAS ON THE THRUWAY. LUCKILY I WAS IN A PARKING LOT WHEN IT HAPPENED.

NHTSA ODI #10733119

120,000 miles · Jul 9, 2015

Steering

WHILE DRIVING THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM FAILED AND THE UNASSISTED STEERING WAS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE.

NHTSA ODI #10732946

70,000 miles · Jul 8, 2015

Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA ODI #10732759

110,000 miles · Jul 7, 2015

Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD MOVE INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN REPAIRED THE VEHICLE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING) AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS …

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NHTSA ODI #10732452

136,000 miles · Jun 27, 2015

Steering

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UPON TURNING ON MY VEHICLE IN MY DRIVEWAY, I GOT THE RINGING NOISE AND A MESSAGE FLASHING TELLING ME I NEED TO SERVICE THE POWER STEERING. MY WHEEL WAS IN A LOCKED POSITION AND I WAS NOT ABLE TO TAKE THE CAR OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY. I SHUT IF OFF,WAITED ABOUT AN HOUR AND STARTED THE CAR AGAIN...1 MINUTE PASSED AND IT HAPPENED AGAIN. AFTER ABOUT 3 TIMES OF THIS HAPPENING IT STOPPED FOR A FEW DAYS AND NOW HERE I AM DEALING WITH THE SAME THING ONCE AGAIN. I WAS TOLD THAT I WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CHARGES TO FIX IT SINCE MY VIN IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. RESEARCHING ONLINE FOR THE POWER STEERING PROBLEM I HAVE COME ACROSS HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE EXPERIENCING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM WITH NO HELP FROM THE MANUFACTURER. NOW I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR ANYWHERE FOR FEAR OF IT LOCKING UP ON ME. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO BEFORE A TRAGEDY HAPPENS.

NHTSA ODI #10730816

109,500 miles · Jun 9, 2015

Steering

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I WAS DRIVING ON THE THRUWAY WITH MY 2 KIDS BOTH 10 YEARS OLD AT 65 MPH. AND THE ELECTRONIC ASSISTED STEERING CUT OUT AND THE SERVICE STEERING MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED. THANKFULLY I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND SHUT THE CAR OFF. WHEN I RESTARTED THE CAR THE STEERING WAS NORMAL FOR ABOUT 15 MILES THEN IT CUT OUT AGAIN. I HAD MY EX HUSBAND WHO IS A CERTIFIED TOYOTA TECHNICIAN CHECK THE CAR. HE FOUND A CODE FOR THE STEERING C0545. THIS CODE AND PROBLEM IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR LINE AS GENERAL MOTORS ISSUED A SAFETY RECALL (RECALL 14116B) ALSO YOUR ORGANIZATION ISSUED A SAFETY CAMPAIGN ( NTSA CAMPAIGN # 14V153000) WHEN THIS WAS DISCOVERED WE CALLED KELLER CHEVROLET IN BUFFALO NY TO HAVE THEM DOUBLE CHECK THE ISSUE AND PAYED THEIR DIAGNOSTIC FEE, THEY CONCURRED WITH MY EX HUSBANDS DIAGNOSIS AND RAN THE VIN FOR COVERAGE UNDER THE RECALLS FOR THIS FAILURE THEY ADVISED US OUR CAR IS NOT COVERED UNDER THESE SAFETY RECALLS AND WE WOULD HAVE TO PAY OVER $1000.00 TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. NOW I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHO WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE IF GOD FORBID WE LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR WHEN THIS FAILURE OCCURRED AND SOMEONE WAS INJURED OR KILLED? HOW IS IT THAT THE SAME YEAR MAKE AND MODEL CAR CAN BE COVERED FOR THIS FAILURE AND OUR CAR THAT HAS THE SAME SYMPTOMS AND FAILURE IS NOT? IS IT ASKING TO MUCH FOR GM TO FIX A KNOWN SAFETY DEFECT? WITH ALL THE BAD PRESS GM HAS HAD OVER THE LAST COUPLE YEARS BEGINNING WITH TAKING MY TAX DOLLARS TO KEEP THEIR COMPANY AFLOAT? I'M ASKING FOR YOUR BACKING IN GETTING THIS SAFETY DEFECT COVERED UNDER THESE RECALLS.

NHTSA ODI #10724184

49,430 miles · May 7, 2015

Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE REVERSING FROM PARKING, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THE POWER STEERING SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS…

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NHTSA ODI #10715150

50,748 miles · May 4, 2015

Steering

POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ACTIVATED THEN LOST OF STEERING WHILE IN PROCESS OF TURNING RIGHT FROM A STOP. HAD SERVICE REPAIR DONE AND TORQUE SENSOR WAS REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10714363

Official recalls

14V252000 · Electrical System:wiring; Electronic Stability Control (esc); Exterior Lighting:brake Lights; Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch; Vehicle Speed Control:cruise Control

May 14, 2014

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured May 16, 2003, through October 11, 2012, 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured May 26, 2004, through January 4, 2010, and 2007-2010 Saturn Aura vehicles manufactured April 24, 2006, through May 26, 2009. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the Body Control Module (BCM) connection may result in voltage fluctuations in the Brake Apply Sensor (BAS) circuit. These fluctuations can cause one or more of these conditions: the brake lights to illuminate without the brake pedal being pushed; the brake lights to not illuminate when the pedal is pushed; difficulty disengaging the cruise control; moving the gear shifter out of the 'PARK' position without pushing the brake; and disablement of crash avoidance features such as traction control, electronic stability control, and panic braking assist features.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will attach the wiring harness to the BCM with a spacer, apply dielectric lubricant to both the BCM and harness connector and the BAS and harness connector, and will relearn the brake pedal home position, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed an Interim letter to customers on July 14, 2014. The recall began on August 18, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-762-2737 (Pontiac), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). GM's number for this recall is 13036.

Additional source detail variants (5)

Electronic Stability Control (esc)