NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Steering complaints
26 reportsClear category filter60,000 miles · Aug 3, 2018
Electrical SystemSteering
WHEN I TURN MY CAR ON SERVICE POWER STEERING DRIVE WITH CARE WARNING SIGNS COMES ON AND MY STEERING WHEEL IS VERY HARD TO TURN WONT ALLOW ME TO TURN ALL THE WAY LEFT OR RIGHT SO I BASICALLY GET STUCK ON THE STREETS INTERSECTIONS PARKING LOTS STEERING WHEEL IS STIFF THE WARNING SIGN WOULD COME OFF EVERY TIME I WOULD HIT A BUMP …
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WHEN I TURN MY CAR ON SERVICE POWER STEERING DRIVE WITH CARE WARNING SIGNS COMES ON AND MY STEERING WHEEL IS VERY HARD TO TURN WONT ALLOW ME TO TURN ALL THE WAY LEFT OR RIGHT SO I BASICALLY GET STUCK ON THE STREETS INTERSECTIONS PARKING LOTS STEERING WHEEL IS STIFF THE WARNING SIGN WOULD COME OFF EVERY TIME I WOULD HIT A BUMP BUT NOW ITS SO HARD AND STIFF TO TURN I HAVE TO USE FULL FORCE JUST TO MAKE A TURN. I TAKE IT IN AN D THEY SAID THEY CANNOT FIGURE OUT WHY VERY FRUSTRATED AND VERY SCARY.
NHTSA ODI #11115563
36,731 miles · Feb 14, 2018
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 80 MPH AND MAKING A TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO MOVE. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, BUT IT WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN ABOVE 20 MPH WITHOUT THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKING UP. ALSO, THE "PLEASE SERVICE STEERING" WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE LOCAL DEALER …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 80 MPH AND MAKING A TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO MOVE. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, BUT IT WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN ABOVE 20 MPH WITHOUT THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKING UP. ALSO, THE "PLEASE SERVICE STEERING" WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND OPENED CASE NUMBER: 8-3897166123. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO THE LOCAL DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,731.
NHTSA ODI #11072965
41,000 miles · Jun 27, 2017
SteeringCrash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE THE CONTACT'S SON WAS PULLING INTO THE DRIVEWAY, THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY LOCKED AND THE VEHICLE DROVE INTO A NEARBY DITCH. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A COLLISION CENTER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT END NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE THE CONTACT'S SON WAS PULLING INTO THE DRIVEWAY, THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY LOCKED AND THE VEHICLE DROVE INTO A NEARBY DITCH. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A COLLISION CENTER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT END NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,000.
NHTSA ODI #11001708
29,600 miles · Feb 8, 2017
SteeringUnknown Or Other
WHEN CAR IS ROLING ,THE STERING HAS TO BE IN A WORD [ YANKED] TO REDIRECT YOUR CENTER OF YOUR [ ONE] LANE !!!!!! 80%ON HIGHWAY DRIVING...NOTE,ALIGNMENT HAS BEEN CHECKED AND RECHECKED THREE TIMES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
NHTSA ODI #10950274
34,000 miles · Dec 29, 2015
Service BrakesSteeringCrash
DRIVING CAR ON THE EXPRESSWAY HIT A PUDDLE ABS LIGHT ALONG WITH CHECK STABIL TRAK AND CHECK BREAK ASSIST SYSTEM COME ON, FEW MINUTES DOWN THE ROAD ATTEMPT TO BREAK AND TURN WHEEL NEITHER WORK, HIT GUARD RAIL L, AFTER HITTING GUARD RAIL ANOTHER WARNING LIGHT SAYING SERVICE POWER STEERING, DRIVE WITH CARE APPEARS, TOOK TO DEALER F…
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DRIVING CAR ON THE EXPRESSWAY HIT A PUDDLE ABS LIGHT ALONG WITH CHECK STABIL TRAK AND CHECK BREAK ASSIST SYSTEM COME ON, FEW MINUTES DOWN THE ROAD ATTEMPT TO BREAK AND TURN WHEEL NEITHER WORK, HIT GUARD RAIL L, AFTER HITTING GUARD RAIL ANOTHER WARNING LIGHT SAYING SERVICE POWER STEERING, DRIVE WITH CARE APPEARS, TOOK TO DEALER FILED CLAIM WITH GM TO FIX BODY DAMAGE FOR MANUFACTURES DEFECT. GM DID NOTHING, BLAMED ISSUE ON WHEE BEARING.
NHTSA ODI #10816899
10,000 miles · Dec 13, 2015
Steering
STEERING GETS STUCK IN THE CENTER POSITION WHILE DRIVING ON STRAIGHTAWAYS AND REQUIRES FORCE TO CORRECT IT WHICH CAUSES OVER STEERING THE VEHICLE. THE CAR ONLY HAS 10,000 MILES ON IT AND DIDN'T DO IT WHEN NEW. IT IS VERY UNCOMFORTABLE DRIVING THIS CAR AS YOU ARE CONSTANTLY CORRECTING THE STEERING.
NHTSA ODI #10809905
49,000 miles · Nov 3, 2015
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL TURNED LEFT AND RIGHT BEFORE SEIZING. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 49,00…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL TURNED LEFT AND RIGHT BEFORE SEIZING. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 49,000.
NHTSA ODI #10787938
80,000 miles · Mar 9, 2015
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE POWER STEERING AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH CAUTION. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND AFTER RESTARTING IT, THE VEHICL…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE POWER STEERING AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH CAUTION. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND AFTER RESTARTING IT, THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
NHTSA ODI #10692912
Mileage unknown · Dec 6, 2014
Steering
I RECEIVED A NOTICE FROM GM ON 12/05/2014 STATING: "THE LETTER IS INTENDED TO MAKE YOU AWARE THAT SOME 2014 MODEL YEAR CHEVROLET MALIBU VEHICLES MAY HAVE INCREASED FRICTION IN THE STEERING SYSTEM. THIS COULD CAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL TO STICK IN THE STRAIGHT-AHEAD POSITION AFTER DRIVING LONG DISTANCES ON A STRAIGHT HIGHWAY. THE…
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I RECEIVED A NOTICE FROM GM ON 12/05/2014 STATING: "THE LETTER IS INTENDED TO MAKE YOU AWARE THAT SOME 2014 MODEL YEAR CHEVROLET MALIBU VEHICLES MAY HAVE INCREASED FRICTION IN THE STEERING SYSTEM. THIS COULD CAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL TO STICK IN THE STRAIGHT-AHEAD POSITION AFTER DRIVING LONG DISTANCES ON A STRAIGHT HIGHWAY. THE STEERING WHEEL CAN BE TURNED BUT IT MAY REQUIRE INCREASED EFFORT. DO NOT TAKE YOUR VEHICLE TO YOUR CHEVROLET DEALER AS A RESULT OF THIS LETTER UNLESS YOU BELIEVE THAT YOUR VEHICLE HAS THE CONDITION AS DESCRIBED ABOVE." I AM FILING THIS SAFETY COMPLAINT TO HAVE THE 2014 CHEVROLET MALIBU RECALLED. THIS IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. ALTHOUGH I AM NOT EXPERIENCING ANY PROBLEMS WITH MY STEERING, THAT DOESN'T MEAN IT WANT HAPPEN IN THE NEAR FUTURE. WHICH IS WHY CHEVROLET HAS GIVEN A "10 YEAR OR 150,000 FREE SERVICE ON THIS PART". AS A CONCERNED OWNER/CONSUMER, I DON'T BELIEVE CHEVROLET IS ACTING RESPONSIBLY IN HANDLING THIS POSSIBLE SAFETY TRAGEDY. PLEASE INTERVENE AND HAVE THIS MODEL CAR RECALLED. THANKS FOR YOUR PROMPT CONSIDERATION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10662577
16,350 miles · Dec 3, 2014
Steering
TL* THE CONTRACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO BE DUPLICATED THE FAILURE AND NO REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAI…
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TL* THE CONTRACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO BE DUPLICATED THE FAILURE AND NO REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,350.
NHTSA ODI #10662042
Official recalls
6Jul 5, 2016
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK. Also, certain 2013 Buick Encore, 2011 Buick Regal, 2013-2014 Buick Verano, 2011-2016 Chevrolet Cruze, 2010-2013 Chevrolet Equinox 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2011-2013 GMC Terrain vehicles may have been serviced with similar defective replacement electronic park lock levers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick 1-800-521-7300, and GMC 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 50490 and 50491.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Electrical System:ignition
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK. Also, certain 2013 Buick Encore, 2011 Buick Regal, 2013-2014 Buick Verano, 2011-2016 Chevrolet Cruze, 2010-2013 Chevrolet Equinox 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2011-2013 GMC Terrain vehicles may have been serviced with similar defective replacement electronic park lock levers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
Consequence: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick 1-800-521-7300, and GMC 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 50490 and 50491.
Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK. Also, certain 2013 Buick Encore, 2011 Buick Regal, 2013-2014 Buick Verano, 2011-2016 Chevrolet Cruze, 2010-2013 Chevrolet Equinox 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2011-2013 GMC Terrain vehicles may have been serviced with similar defective replacement electronic park lock levers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
Consequence: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick 1-800-521-7300, and GMC 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 50490 and 50491.
Mar 23, 2015
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles October 24, 2011, to March 5, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the Slide or Tilt switch for the roof panel may not be adequately recessed to prevent the switch from inadvertently being pressed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 118, "Power-Operated Window, Partition, and Roof Panel Systems."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: The Slide or Tilt roof panel switch may inadvertently be pressed and the roof panel may auto-close unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a pinch injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the Body Control Module (BCM) software to remove auto-close feature for certain switch positions, free of charge. The recall began April 21, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 15176.
May 14, 2014
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured June 12, 2013, through May 2, 2014, and equipped with a 2.5L engine with the auto stop/start option. The affected vehicles may experience a complete loss of brake vacuum assist, disabling the hydraulic boost assist. As such, these vehicles do not comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the hydraulic boost assist is disabled, slowing or stopping the vehicle will require additional brake pedal effort and a lengthened stopping distance. Both of these effects increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the electronic brake control module software, free of charge. The recall began on July 3, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-222-1020. General Motors number for this recall is 14201.
May 8, 2014
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014 Buick Lacrosse vehicles manufactured January 29, 2014, through March 31, 2014 and 2014 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured February 7, 2014, through March 31, 2014, and equipped with 17 inch front brake rotors. The affected vehicles may have had brake rotors intended for the rear of the car accidentally installed on the front. The rear rotors, while the same diameter, are thinner and may result in a front brake pad detaching from the caliper.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If a brake pad detaches from caliper, there may be a sudden reduction in braking, lengthening the distance required to stop the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front brake rotors, and install the correct rotors with new brake pads, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on June 20, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick) or 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet). GM's number for this recall is 14128.
Feb 21, 2014
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014 Buick Regal, LaCrosse, Verano, and Enclave, and Chevrolet Impala, Malibu, Cruze, and Traverse, and GMC Acadia vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. In the affected vehicles, the transmission shift cable adjuster may disengage from the transmission shift lever. As such, these vehicles do not conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 102, "Transmission Shift Lever Sequence, Starter Interlock, and Transmission Braking Effect." They also fail to conform to FMVSS number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If a vehicle's shift cable disengages from the transmission shift lever, a driver may be unable to shift gear positions and the indicated shift position may not represent the gear position the vehicle is in. Should a disengagement occur while the vehicle is being driven, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, the driver may be able to shift the lever to the "PARK" position, but the vehicle transmission may not be in the "PARK" gear position. If the vehicle is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
Remedy: General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace any affected transmission shift cable adjusters, free of charge. The recall began on April 10, 2014. Chevrolet owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-222-1020, Buick owners at 1-800-521-7300, and GMC owners at 1-800-462-8782. General Motors' number associated with this recall is 14048.
Nov 13, 2013
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured June 12, 2013, through November 5, 2013. The heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) control in these vehicles may intermittently become inoperable when the vehicle is started, preventing the windshield defroster from working. Thus, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 103, "Windshield Defrosting and Defogging Systems."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: The inability to turn on the windshield defroster may decrease the driver's visibility thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the electronic climate control module software, free of charge. The recall began during December 2013. Owners may contact GM at 1-800-521-7300. GM's recall campaign number is 13380.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System:windshield:electrical Heating Element
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured June 12, 2013, through November 5, 2013. The heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) control in these vehicles may intermittently become inoperable when the vehicle is started, preventing the windshield defroster from working. Thus, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 103, "Windshield Defrosting and Defogging Systems."
Consequence: The inability to turn on the windshield defroster may decrease the driver's visibility thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the electronic climate control module software, free of charge. The recall began during December 2013. Owners may contact GM at 1-800-521-7300. GM's recall campaign number is 13380.
Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured June 12, 2013, through November 5, 2013. The heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) control in these vehicles may intermittently become inoperable when the vehicle is started, preventing the windshield defroster from working. Thus, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 103, "Windshield Defrosting and Defogging Systems."
Consequence: The inability to turn on the windshield defroster may decrease the driver's visibility thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the electronic climate control module software, free of charge. The recall began during December 2013. Owners may contact GM at 1-800-521-7300. GM's recall campaign number is 13380.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
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