2001 Chevrolet Malibu Steering Problems

WHEN I HAD MY RIGHT INNER AND OUTER TIE RODS REPLACED I LEFT THE SHOP AND I HEARD A CLUNCKING WHEN I WOULD MAKE A TURN I TOOK IT BACK TO THE SHOP AND THEY SAID A SCREW HAD WORKED ITS WAY HALF WAY OUT AND THERE IS NO WAY TO GET IT IN OR OUT BECAUSE IT'S WEDGED UP AGAINST THE RACK AND PINION WITHOUT REPLACING THE RACK.AND WAS TOLD (OFF THE RECORD) WOULD HAVE NO PROBLEM STILL DRIVING IT. I ASKED IF IT WAS SAFE AND WAS TOLD THAT WHEN THE SCREW BREAKS I WILL FEEL A JERK BUT WILL BE ABLE TO CONTROL THE CAR.SO I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY AND LOST MY STEERING ALMOST COMPLETELY .MANAGED TO GET IT OFF THE ROAD AND TOWED HOME. I HAD ANOTHER SHOP REPLACE MY POWER STEERING PUMP AND MY RACK AND PINION.I WAS TOLD THAT THE DECREPIT A HOLE IN THE RACK AND WAS JUST SITTING THERE AND MY RACK AND PINION BRACKET HAD BROKEN AND THE RACK WAS ALSO JUST SITTING THERE.AND I WAS LUCKY I WASN'T KILLED.

NHTSA ID

11083717

Incident

Feb 17, 2018

I BACKED UP MY CAR, PUT IT IN DRIVE AND THE ANTI THEFT SYSTEM DISABLED THE MOTOR. I STARTED ROLLING BACKWARDS AND LOST MY PERSPECTIVE. I ROLLED BACKWARDS INTO A TELEPHONE POLE CAUSING A HUGE DENT ON MY REAR DRIVERS SIDE QUARTER PANEL. THANK GOD THE POLE WAS THERE OR I MIGHT NOT HAVE REALIZED WHAT WAS HAPPENING. BEHIND ME WAS A ROUT IRON FENCE AND BEYOND THAT WAS A 20 FT DROP (DRIVEWAY HAS A RETAINER WALL THAT IT IS BUILT ON TOP OF. I HAD FILED ANOTHER COMPLAINT. THE CAR HAD DISABLED ITSELF ON A BRIDGE THAT HAS NO SLOW LANE TO STOP IN. I CAN TAKE PICTURES OF THE DAMAGE IN THE DAYLIGHT IF NEEDED

NHTSA ID

10991318

Incident

May 17, 2017

Mileage

81,000 mi

THE ANTI THEFT SYSTEM DISABLED THE CAR ON THE TAPPAN ZEE BRIDGE, WITH NO PLACE TO STOP AND 18 WHEELERS GOING BY ME AT 60+MPH. I HAD TO SHUT THE IGNITION OFF, TURN IT BACK ON AND WAIT 10 MINUTES FOR THE ANTI-THEFT TO DISABLE, SO I COULD TURN THE IGNITION OFF AND RESET THE ANTI-THEFT AND START THE CAR. TALKING ABOUT SCARED TO DEATH. HAPPY I AM STILL ALIVE TO REPORT THIS. IT WAS IN MOTION 55MPH AND STOPPED RUNNING, ANTI THEFT STARTED TO BLINK

NHTSA ID

10991314

Incident

May 19, 2017

Mileage

81,000 mi

WAS TOLD THE SUBFRAME RUSTED OUT AND BROKE OFF FROM RACK AND PIONS. THE WHEEL WONT TRUN AND LOST ALL FUNCTIONS

NHTSA ID

10781192

Incident

Oct 8, 2015

Mileage

90,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH INTO A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RACK AND PINION HAD COMPLETELY RUSTED OFF AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. MA 10/25/15

NHTSA ID

10762142

Incident

Jul 6, 2015

Mileage

100,000 mi

VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN TO THE RIGHT. AFTER HAVING IT LOOKED AT BY A MECHANIC THE ENTIRE STEERING CRADLE IS RUSTED AND HAS BECOME DETACHED FROM THE FRAME. UPON TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT THE POWER STEERING BOX SHIFTS APPROXIMATELY TWO INCHES. CURRENTLY THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE SUB-FRAME IS ALSO RUSTED AND COST FOR REPAIR IS CURRENTLY UNKNOWN. AFTER READING MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ONLINE AND ON THIS SITE THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE VERY COMMON AND GM SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10664243

Incident

Nov 30, 2014

Mileage

178,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AFTER GOING OVER A POT HOLE THE CAR TURNED OFF. AFTER SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL AND PULLING TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD I PUT IT IN PARK AND STARTED IT BACK UP. IT STARTED UP FINE BUT WHEN I STARTED DRIVING IT WAS VERY HARD TO MAKE TURNS. AFTER TAKING IT TO A MECHANIC THEY SAID THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT AND IT NEEDS A NEW RACK AND PINION AND NEW POWER STEERING PUMP. THEY SAID IT COULD BE RELATED TO AN IGNITION SWITCH RECALL SO I CALLED GM. THEY SAID THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS COVERED BY A RECALL BUT NOT ANYTHING RELATED TO THE POWER STEERING. *TR

NHTSA ID

10649819

Incident

Feb 10, 2010

Mileage

154,392 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE RESULTS OF THE DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WERE UNKNOWN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,744.

NHTSA ID

10640380

Incident

Mar 15, 2014

Mileage

180,744 mi

AFTER EXPERIENCING NUMEROUS STEERING LOCK UP AND KEY NOT TURNING IN IGNITION (LOCKED UP) MY MALIBU WOULD NOT BUDGE OUT OF THE LOCK POSITION WHEN INSERTING KEY. I HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK AND SINCE THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN IGNITION THE MALIBU HAD TO BE DRAGGED ONTO TOW TRUCK WITH WHEELS LOCKED. CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP AT THE COST OF $70.00. AT THE DEALERSHIP THE MALIBU HAD THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER AND CASE REPLACED AND REPROGRAMMED THEFT SYSTEM AT (LABOR) $247.50. THE CYLINDER KIT WAS (PARTS) $225.90 AND SUBL CODE NEW CYLINDER WAS (OTHER) $20.00 FOR A TOTAL OF $493.40. WITH MISC. CHARGES OF $5.00 AND SALES TAX AT $29.90 THE TOTAL WAS $528.30. ADD THE ADDITIONAL $70.00 TOWING EXPENSE AND TOTAL IS $598.30. I BELIEVE I AM ENTITLED TO REIMBURSEMENT FOR MY EXPENSES AS THIS HAS BEEN A RECALLED VEHICLE. I EXPERIENCED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS A LOCKED IGNITION AND STEERING WHICH CAUSED ME TO HAVE TO SIT AND TRY AND TRY TO GET MY KEY TO TURN THE IGNITION. MANY TIMES I WAS LATE FOR WORK/SCHOOL AS I COULD NOT GET THE KEY TO TURN. I HAD TO CALL FRIENDS AND FAMILY FOR RIDES. *TR

NHTSA ID

10633357

Incident

Aug 16, 2012

Mileage

119,241 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO DITCH. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED AN INJURY TO THE FOREHEAD AND IT WAS UNKNOWN IF A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED ABOUT THE FAILURE. AFTER THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN 14V400 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE WAS 87,000.

NHTSA ID

10633108

Incident

Apr 23, 2014

Mileage

87,000 mi

THIS 2001 CHEVY MALIBU HAD THE RACK AND PINION BREAK FREE FROM THE ENGINE CRADLE DUE TO FRAME CORROSION. THE CAR IS NOW UNDRIVABLE AND NEEDS NEW ENGINE CRADLE (FRONT FRAME). THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND THE FRAME SHOULD NOT RUST ON A CAR IN A PLACE THAT COULD KILL SOMEBODY. BAD DESIGN. POOR QUALITY. NEVER BUY A GM ....EVER. *TR

NHTSA ID

10578749

Incident

Aug 1, 2013

Mileage

110,000 mi

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THROUGH THE COLLEGE PARKING LOT AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH. WHEN SHE WENT TO TURN THE CAR IN A TURN LANE SHE HAD NO CONTROL OVER THE DIRECTION OF THE CAR. SHE RAN OVER A CURB WITH THE CAR BEFORE COMING TO A STOP. THE LOCAL AUTO MAINTENANCE SHOP SAID THE STEERING MECHANISM BROKE IN THE FRONT CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL. BECAUSE OF THIS SHE RAN THE CURB AND BROKE OFF THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL. AFTER READING THE ALMOST 600 COMPLAINTS ON HERE MY PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE A VERY... VERY COMMON ONE. I CALLED THE LOCAL CHEVY DEALER AND CHEVY. THEY BOTH TOLD ME SORRY, BUT SORRY. THEY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING FOR ME. "I" BROKE THE CAR. THEY ARE IGNORING HUGE SAFETY ISSUES WITH THE 2001 MALIBU. MY WIFE COULD HAVE BEEN ON THE INTERSTATE AND THIS HAPPENED. SHE COULD HAVE DIED, AND I WOULD HAVE BROUGHT CHEVY DOWN IN COURT. BASICALLY, CHEVY NEEDS TO GROW A PAIR AND MAN UP BY FIXING THESE REAL ISSUES THAT ARE PUTTING PEOPLES LIVES IN DANGER. CHEVY IS A GREAT EXAMPLE OF WHAT IS WRONG WITH AMERICA TODAY..... CORPORATE GREED AT ANY EXPENSE SO PEOPLE CAN MAKE COPIOUS AMOUNTS OF MONEY WITHOUT WORRYING ABOUT MAKING A GREAT PRODUCT OR KEEPING CONSUMERS SAFE. I WILL NEVER... NEVER BUY ANOTHER CHEVY. THEY DO NOT STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCTS AT ALL. WHAT A SHAME FOR AN "AMERICAN" COMPANY. OH WAIT, THEY ARE OWN BY THE U.S. GOVERNMENT AND FIAT. AKA NOT AMERICAN ANYMORE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10550966

Incident

Nov 2, 2012

Mileage

52,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AS THE BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

NHTSA ID

10548920

Incident

Oct 21, 2013

Mileage

60,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SHIFT TO THE LEFT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

NHTSA ID

10545386

Incident

Sep 24, 2013

Mileage

170,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT 30 MPH AND HEARD SOME POPPING IN MY LEFT FRONT TIRE. I THEN NOTICED THAT I COULD NOT TURN MY STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT. IT TOOK ALL OF MY STRENGTH TO GET IT TO TURN SLIGHTLY AND THE MORE I TRIED TO TURN THE WHEEL, THE LOUDER THE POPPING SOUND GOT. I WAS NO LONGER ABLE TO STEER MY CAR. THANKFULLY I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE INTO THE PARKING LOT OF MONRO AND THEY WERE ABLE TO TAKE A LOOK AT THE CAR AND TOLD ME THAT MY SUB FRAME STEERING RACK COMPLETELY CRACKED AND THAT THE CAR WAS NO LONGER DRIVABLE. HE SAID I WAS VERY LUCKY TO HAVE NOT BEEN IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT CONSIDERING THIS WAS SO SUDDEN. I HAD MY CAR INSPECTED A MONTH AGO AND IT PASSED WITH SHINY STARS. IT WAS IN FANTASTIC SHAPE AND IS NOW UNDRIVEABLE. *JB

NHTSA ID

10541757

Incident

Sep 3, 2013

Mileage

106,800 mi

I HAD MY CAR TOW TO A AUTO SERVICES CENTER CAUSE IT WOULD NOT START, THE TECH TOLD ME IT WAS THE STARTER BUT SAID THERE WAS ANOTHER PROBLEM THE SUB FRAME VERY RUSTED AND THE ENGINE COULD FALL OUT ANYTIME. THEY REPLACE THE FRONT SUB FRAME,OUTER TIE ROD END, SWAY BAR LINK KIT, THE COST WAS $927.39 . IS G M RESPONSIBLE AND CAN I BE REIMBURSE FOR MY COST. *TR

NHTSA ID

10477943

Incident

Sep 10, 2012

Mileage

109,740 mi

I WAS GOING FROM EB I294 ONTO SB IL394 WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY CHANGED LANES, IT WAS LATE AND THERE WAS VERY LITTLE TRAFFIC,SO NO ACCIDENT HAPPENED, I GOT THE CAR TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THEY TOLD ME THE FRONT END CRADLE THAT THE STEERING RACK MOUNTS TO HAS RUSTED OUT, CAUSING ME TO HAVE VERY BAD STEERING, AND WHEN IT HAPPENED IT BENT THE STEERING RACK AND THE TIE ROD ENDS. THE REPAIR WITH A SALVAGED RACK WAS $1800.00, I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH THIS CAR BECAUSE IT HAS NO OTHER RUST. I WAS TOLD BY THE REPAIR FACILITY THIS IS VERY COMMON ON CHEVY MALIBUS, FORD VANS, AND SUBURU OUTBACKS.THIS IS TERRIBLE THE MANUFACTURE WOULD SACRIFICE PEOPLES LIVES TO SAVE A FEW DOLLARS! *TR

NHTSA ID

10464477

Incident

Jul 4, 2012

Mileage

132,000 mi

I WENT TO START THE CAR AND IT WOULDN'T START. THE THEFT LIGHT CAME ON AND WONT GO OFF. I ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR TWO DAYS AND THIS HAPPENS. I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP OR GET ANOTHER CAR. I LOSE MY JOB IN A WEEK DUE TO THE PLACE CLOSING DOWN. *TR

NHTSA ID

10448516

Incident

Feb 16, 2012

Mileage

146,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A LEFT TURN WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL AND A HISSING SOUND WAS HEARD FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE STEERING IMMEDIATELY BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. AFTER DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE REGAINED STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000. UPDATED 1/20/2012 *BF UPDATED 01/25/12

NHTSA ID

10440388

Incident

Dec 12, 2011

Mileage

200,000 mi

STEERING BECAME STIFF TO TURN WHEN MAKING A RIGHT TURN. UPON INVESTIGATING THE PROBLEM, WE DISCOVERED THAT A THIN MOUNTING TAB ON THE FRONT CROSS MEMBER WHERE THE STEERING BOX WAS ATTACHED TO HAD RUSTED AWAY LEAVING THE STEERING BOX HANGING FREE. I HAVE SEEN MANY INTERNET COMPLAINTS WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID

10437922

Incident

Nov 21, 2011

Mileage

98,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN WHEN THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND VEERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ADVISED HER THAT THE RIGHT SIDE K-FRAME WAS FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 77,000. UPDATED 09/21/11*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN SHE HIT A POTHOLE, SHE LOST THE ABILITY TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THE ENGINE CRADLE, STEERING RACK AND INNER AND OUTER TIE RODS HAD TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 09/27/11

NHTSA ID

10413723

Incident

Jul 15, 2011

Mileage

77,000 mi

CAR SUDDENLY BEGAN STEERING HARD TO THE RIGHT AND MADE CLUNKING NOISES WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED. DISCOVERED THAT THE LEFT SIDE MOUNTING BOLT OF THE STEERING RACK RIPPED THROUGH THE RUSTED OUT FRAME CRADLE, LEAVING THE RACK ATTACHED BY ONLY ONE BOLT. THIS ALLOWS THE RACK TO PIVOT UPWARDS INSTEAD OF PROPERLY STEERING THE VEHICLE. THE RIGHT HAND MOUNT IS ALSO VERY RUSTED AND IS NEARING FAILURE. CAR HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THIS TIME, SINCE THE ENTIRE FRONT FRAME WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10353619

Incident

Aug 30, 2010

Mileage

89,677 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVY MALIBU LS. THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN AFTER BEING PARKED FOR A DAY. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT IT WAS DUE TO THE THEFT SYSTEM. THE THEFT LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE MECHANIC ADVISED HER THAT THE MODEL YEAR WAS RECALLED FOR THE THEFT DEVICE. THE MECHANIC TEMPORARILY FIXED IT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,038 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,028.

NHTSA ID

10192887

Incident

Jun 8, 2007

Mileage

75,028 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT 55-60 MPH ON MARCH 4, 2007 THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO AUTOMATICALLY TURN ON ITS OWN AND A FRACTION OF THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DETACHED. WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKES THE CONTACT STRUCK A BRICK WALL. THE VEHICLE AND CONTACT WERE UNHARMED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 87,000.*AK

NHTSA ID

10187096

Incident

Apr 4, 2007

Mileage

87,000 mi

POWER STEERING PUMP REPLACED. HIGH RESISTANCE TO TURNING LEFT. OFTEN UNABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL AS MUCH AS INTENDED WITH THE MAXIMUM PINION SHAFT MOVEMENT. WHEN TURNING LEFT POWER STEERING IS NON EXISTING WITH EXTREME POWER TO MANEUVER STEERING TO COMPLETE THE LEFT TURN. THE RIGHT TURNING STEERING IS EXTREMELY LOOSE. THE FAILURE IS DUPLICATIVE OF THE RECALL OF THE 1997 AND 1998 MALIBU. *NM

NHTSA ID

10138353

Incident

Oct 1, 2005