2004 Chevrolet Malibu Exterior lighting Problems

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 ID

11436957

Incident

Oct 15, 2021

The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked and the engine running the contact noticed that their front driver and passenger headlight were very low in both low beam and high beam and that the light eventually burned out. The contact inspected the vehicle and saw that the light bulb sockets for both the front driver side and passenger had melted. The contact stated the cause of the failure is the wiring behind the headlight assembly that is causing the headlight socket to melt. The contact replaced the headlight bulb sockets themselves with aftermarket parts to repair the failure, however, the failure persisted and reoccurred. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID

11430503

Incident

Jan 2, 2019

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 ID

11389002

Incident

Jan 16, 2021

Mileage

5 mi

HAD TO REPLACE HEAD LIGHT BULBS HAS MELTED PLASTIC COVER DASHBOARD HAS WARNING LIGHTS THAT COME ON AND STAY ON

NHTSA ID

11338166

Incident

Jun 4, 2020

Mileage

2 mi

THE DIM HEADLIGHT ON PASSENGER SIDE KEEPS GOING OUT. THE WIRES ARE MELTED WHERE IT PLUGS IN TO THE LIGHT

NHTSA ID

11175737

Incident

Jul 20, 2015

Mileage

165,000 mi

TAKATA RECALL. MY RADIO STARTED DISPLAYING A SERVICE AIR BAG MESSAGE AND MY HORN STOPPED WORKING. THE WIRING IN THE CAR HAS STOPPED WORKING. I BEGAN TO REPLACE LIGHTBULBS THINKING THEY WERE BLOWN BUT JUST WILL NOT WORK. HEARD THIS CAR WAS RECALLED FOR THESE EXACT PROBLEMS I AM HAVING BUT FOR SOME REASON MY CAR HAS NO RECALLS. MY STEERING WHEEL MAKES A KNOCKING NOISE WHEN TURNING VERY SHARP. SOUNDS LIKE A PIECE IS BROKEN KNOCKING AROUND

NHTSA ID

11162446

Incident

Dec 4, 2018

Mileage

160,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD TRANSMISSION WIPER LINKAGE BUSHING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TAIL LIGHTS FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT REMOVING THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION WAS DIFFICULT AT TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000.

NHTSA ID

10824874

Incident

Jan 24, 2016

Mileage

53,000 mi

THE BACKLIGHTING ON THE MAIN DASH (BEHIND THE ODOMETER, SPEEDOMETER, GAS GAUGE AND OTHER INDICATORS) FAILS TO ILLUMINATE. IT STARTED OUT AS ONLY A SMALL PART OF THE BACKLIGHTING, BUT HAS PROGRESSIVELY BECOME WORSE. WE JUST HAD THE CAR AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE 3 UNRELATED RECALLS AND ASKED THEM TO "GIVE US AN ESTIMATE TO REPAIR". WHEN THE CAR WAS RETURNED TO US, THE LIGHTING FAILED TO ILLUMINATE NEARLY THE ENTIRE DASH (WORSE THEN BEFORE IT WAS IN FOR SERVICE). WE WERE TOLD THE MODULE WOULD NEED TO BE RETURNED TO THE MANUFACTURER (GM) TO BE REPAIRED/REPLACED AND THEN BE REINSTALLED AND WOULD COST OVER $350. NO IDEA HOW LONG THE CAR WOULD BE OUT OF SERVICE EITHER. THIS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE FOR NIGHT DRIVING! *JS

NHTSA ID

10669454

Incident

Mar 1, 2012

Mileage

100,000 mi

2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CUSTOMER STATES THAT HE HAS RECEIVED THREE RECALL NOTICES FOR VEHICLE IN JUNE 2014 AND JULY 2014. ALL THREE NOTICED INDICATED THE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE AND HASN'T HEARD ANY RESPONSE SINCE. *TA

NHTSA ID

10659530

Incident

Jun 2, 2014

2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU EXPERIENCING POWER STEERING PROBLEMS, ABS AND SHIFT CABLE, ALL REPLACED. *CW THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE REPAIR SHOP SEVEN TIMES, DUE TO POWER STEERING FAILURE, WHICH RESULTED IN THE STEERING LOCKING UP. THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN TWO ACCIDENTS, IN WHICH THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A TRANSMISSION, STEERING AND BRAKE RECALL. HOWEVER, THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. *JB

NHTSA ID

10653277

Incident

May 1, 2014

2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO GM RECALL #13036* LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE RECALL FIX, DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER STATED HE DID NOT KNOW, IF THE BRAKE LIGHTS WORKED AND THE CRUISE CONTROL RARELY WORKED. THE TRACTION CONTROL AND ABS LIGHT WAS ON. THE CONSUMER RETURNED TO THE DEALER. AN INSPECTION REVEALED A PROBLEM WAS SPEED SENSOR ON THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL, WHICH WAS NOT RELATED TO THE RECALL. THE COST TO REPLACE THE SENSOR WAS $460. *JB

NHTSA ID

10649128

Incident

Oct 1, 2014

FRONT TURN SIGNALS HAVE BEEN CONSTANTLY OVERHEATING FOR THE LIFE OF THE CAR. HAS 113000 MILES ON IT NOW AND HAVE HAD TO REPLACE TURN SIGNAL BULBS CONSTANTLY. ALSO HAD TO REPLACE LEFT FRONT TURN SIGNAL SOCKET BECAUSE OF SEVERE OVERHEATING. *TR

NHTSA ID

10640111

Incident

Jun 6, 2005

Mileage

34,000 mi

LETTER FROM CONGRESSMAN KING ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT RE 2004 CHEVY MALIBU. *SMD THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE TO FIX THE RECALLED COMPONENTS. THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKE LIGHTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA ID

10632851

Incident

Sep 1, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES, STEERING, AND ELECTRICAL WIRING FOR THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED. THE FAILURES HAVE OCCURRED SINCE 2004. WHILE MAKING LEFT TURNS, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAD BEEN SUBMITTING COMPLAINTS TO THE MANUFACTURER SINCE 2004. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000. UPDATED 10/23/14*CN UPDATED 4/13/2015 *JS

NHTSA ID

10632715

Incident

Mar 1, 2004

Mileage

35,000 mi

IN SUMMER 2013 I ELECTED TO REPLACE BOTH HEADLAMP CASING WITH A NEW HEADLAMP KIT BECAUSE OF INTERNAL DISCOLORATION AND YELLOW LIQUID FLUID SEEPING FROM DAYTIME RUNNING LAMP. APPROXIMATELY 1 WEEK LATER THE NEW DAYTIME RUNNING LAMP CASING MELTED AND BURNT THE NEW BULB. THE BULB WAS REPLACED AT NO COST. AT MY NEXT SERVICE 5-6 MONTHS LATER I INQUIRED ABOUT REPLACING THE DEFECTIVE HEADLAMP CASING BECAUSE THE BULB ON BOTH DAYTIME RUNNING LAMP BURNT THROUGH ITS PLASTIC CASING, AGAIN CAUSING INTERNAL DISCOLORATION OF HEADLAMP KIT. I WAS TOLD WARRANTY EXPIRED. THE DEALERSHIP SENT AN INQUIRE TO GM REGARDING SUCH DEFECT BUT I AM TOLD THERE WAS NO RESPONSE FROM GM AND I HAVE NO RECOURSE. I NO LONGER USE DAYTIME RUNNING LAMP. I PURPOSELY SHUT OFF THE DAYTIME RUNNING LAMPS (WHICH DEFEATS THE PURPOSE) FOR FEAR THE BULB WILL CONTINUE TO MELT THE CASING CAUSING FURTHER DISCOLORATION AND BURN THE BULB. THIS IS NOT HOW THE PRODUCT SHOULD BE MADE; POOR CRAFTSMANSHIP AND POOR WORKMANSHIP. *TR

NHTSA ID

10629259

Incident

Jul 15, 2013

Mileage

148,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL); HOWEVER, THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ID

10629073

Incident

May 14, 2014

THE TURN SIGNALS AND FLASHER WORK INTERMITTENTLY. *TR

NHTSA ID

10626950

Incident

Aug 15, 2014

Mileage

90,000 mi

WE HAVE RECEIVED THREE RECALL NOTICES FOR THE ABOVE MENTIONED PROBLEMS. ALL OF THE NOTICES SAY THAT THE CAR WILL BE FIXED FREE OF CHARGE BY THE DEALER BUT PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE AT THE CURRENT TIME. WHEN I GOT THE SECOND NOTICE I CALLED AND TALKED TO A WOMAN AT THE CHEVROLET DIVISION OF GM AND WAS TOLD THE PARTS SHOULD BE AVAILABLE WITHIN TWO WEEKS. A MONTH LATER WE GOT OUR THIRD NOTICE OF A DIFFERENT PROBLEM AND WHEN I CALLED AGAIN I WAS TOLD THAT THEY HAD NOT DETERMINED THE "ROOT" OF THE PROBLEM SO THEY DON'T KNOW WHICH PARTS NEED TO BE REPLACED. ALSO THEY COULD NOT TELL ME WHEN THE SOLUTION WOULD BE FOUND AND THEREFORE WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE. IN ADDITION I WOULD THINK AN AMERICAN COMPANY LIKE GM WOULD BE HIRING AMERICANS TO ANSWER THEIR CUSTOMER'S COMPLAINTS. IT WAS PRETTY OBVIOUS THAT THE PERSON I TALKED TO TODAY WAS MOST LIKELY A CALL PERSON FROM INDIA. ANY IDEAS WHEN THESE PROBLEMS WILL BE SOLVED?? WHO SHOULD I COMPLAIN TO NEXT?? *TR

NHTSA ID

10621467

Incident

Jun 30, 2014

Mileage

70,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHT BULBS CONSTANTLY OVERHEATED AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. HOWEVER, THE HEADLIGHT COVERS WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 168,000. UPDATED 08/19/14*LJ

NHTSA ID

10615061

Incident

Jun 29, 2004

Mileage

168,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER:14V252000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 95,000....UPDATED 09-05-14 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE THE VEHICLE HAS ALSO HAD ISSUES WITH SWITCHING FROM PARK TO DRIVE, THE EXTERIOR AS WELL AS THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD GO OUT DURING HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND AN ALARM WOULD SOUND, WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WOULD BE FILLED WITH GAS THE LOW FUEL ALARM WOULD SOUND, AND THE BLINKER LIGHTS WOULD BURN OUT PREMATURELY. UPDATED 09/15/2014 *JS

NHTSA ID

10608906

Incident

Jul 17, 2012

Mileage

95,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FUEL RELAY SWITCH OVERHEATED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO INDICATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED AND WERE REPLACED MULTIPLE TIMES. IN ADDITION, THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE BRIGHT ENOUGH TO SEE IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. WHILE ACTIVATING THE CRUISE CONTROL AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA ID

10607750

Incident

Jun 15, 2009

Mileage

80,000 mi

I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED FROM CRANE CHEVROLET, CLIFTON, NEW JERSEY, WITHIN SIX MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE I OBSERVED THAT THE POWER STEERING WOULD SUDDENLY STOP OPERATING WHILE THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING. I DISCOVERED THAT THE ONLY CORRECTIVE WAS TO SHUT THE CAR OFF AND RESTART THE ENGINE. THE POWER STEERING WOULD THEN REENGAGE. THIS FAILURE HAS PERSISTED FOR NEARLY THE ENTIRE TIME I'VE OWNED THE VEHICLE. DURING THAT ENTIRE TIME, CRANE CHEVROLET HAS CLAIMED THERE WAS/IS NO DEFECT IN THE POWER STEERING, AND NO RECALL NOTICE OUTSTANDING. I JUST RECEIVED A GM SAFETY RECALL NOTICE 14116, WHICH CLAIMS, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THAT "PREVIOUSLY, YOU HAD THE STEERING COLUMN REPLACED UNDER CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM 04050". THAT IS FALSE! NEITHER CRANE CHEVROLET, NOR GM HAS EVER CONTACTED ME CONCERNING THE STEERING COLUMN, OR MADE ANY ATTEMPT TO REPLACE IT! I ALSO NOTIFIED CRANE CHEVROLET THAT THE FRONT HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY TURN SIGNAL LAMPS REPEATEDLY BURNED OUT, AND THAT THE BULB HOUSINGS WERE BURNT AND COMPLETELY MELTED THROUGH!! BOTH GM AND CRANE CHEVROLET DENIED THERE WAS ANY DEFECT IN THE LAMP/HOUSING DESIGN OR FUNCTION. I HAVE TO REPLACE THE FRONT TURN SIGNAL LAMPS ABOUT EVERY SIX MONTHS. FINALLY, THE UNDERCARRIAGE SUPPORT STRUTS, SHOCKS, AND SPRINGS ARE WOEFULLY UNDERDESIGNED. THE CAR RUNS LIKE IT HAS STONE TIRES. I NOW HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE STRUT, SHOCK, AND SPRING UNDERSUPPORTS FOR THE SECOND TIME. AND I JUST RUN THE VEHCILE ON ASPHALT SMOOTH ROADS IN A DEVELPED SUBURBAN CITY!! THIS WAS SERIOUS UNDERDESIGN. FORTUNATELY, THESE PARTS ARE AVAILABLE ON THE WEB AND I'VE GOT A GOOD MECHANIC THAT CHARGES FAIRLY FOR THIS DIFFICULT WORK. GO TO CRANE AND GM AND YOU'D NEED TO MORTGAGE YOUR HOME TO DO THE WORK!! *TR

NHTSA ID

10604349

Incident

Jul 31, 2007

Mileage

33,000 mi

MY CAR HAS HAD INTERIOR ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS SINCE THE DAY THAT I BOUGHT. I HAVE HAD THINGS LIKE THE CD DECK AND THE BRAKES AND ALLOY RIMS FIXED AFTER HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THEM HOWEVER I HAVE HAD THE FRONT LEFT BLINKER FAIL TO WORK AND THEN AN HOUR LATER IT WORKS, THE NEXT HOUR DOES NOT WORK. THE INTERIOR LIGHTING ALL STOPPED WORKING AND THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THAT IT IS ELECTRICAL, AT THE SAME TIME THAT THE LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING I STARTED TO BE UNABLE TO SHIFT MY CAR FROM LOW INTO 1 OR 2. I HAVE HAD MY POWER STEERING GO OUT MULTIPLE TIMES AND THEN AFTER PULLING OVER, SHUTTING OFF MY CAR AND TURNING IT BACK ON IT WORKED AGAIN. I HAVE ALMOST GO INTO AN ACCIDENT MULTIPLE TIMES BECAUSE THE FRONT LEFT BLINKER STOPS WORKING MID DRIVE, OR THE POWER STEERING STOPS WORKING. THIS CAR CLEARLY HAS MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS THAT SHOULD BE RECALLED AND FIXED BECAUSE THEY ARE VERY DANGEROUS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10598702

Incident

Jun 10, 2014

Mileage

136,000 mi

CHEVROLET MALIBU LS 2004 V6. EXTERIOR BRAKE LIGHTS NOT WORKING AS EXPECTED. IN MY VEHICLE THE BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS NOT DEPRESSED, AND TURN OFF ONCE THE PEDAL IS APPLIED. DURING THIS EVENT I WAS NOTIFIED BY THE "SERVICE VEHICLE SOON" WARNING LIGHT. IN THE DARK I COULD SEE IN MY MIRRORS THAT MY BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD GO ON AND OFF WITH OUT TOUCHING THE PEDAL. MY BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE WHILE PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. WHEN I GOT HOME I HAD MY HUSBAND STAND BEHIND THE VEHICLE WHILE I PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL. NO CHANGED OCCURRED AS I PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS BECAUSE OTHER DRIVERS WILL NOT KNOW WHEN I AM TRULY SLOWING DOWN OR ACTUALLY APPLYING THE BRAKE. NOW WHENEVER THE "SERVICE VEHICLE SOON" WARNING LIGHT COMES ON I KNOW THAT MY EXTERIOR BRAKE LIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY. SINCE FEBRUARY OF 2014 THIS HAPPENS 4 OR MORE TIMES A MONTH. I WORK SECOND SHIFT, SO WHEN I DRIVE HOME IT IS DARK OUT. MY VEHICLE COULD CAUSE ANOTHER DRIVER TO REAR END ME BECAUSE THEY DON'T KNOW THAT MY EXTERIOR BRAKE LIGHTS AREN'T WORKING PROPERLY. *JS

NHTSA ID

10592287

Incident

Feb 17, 2014

Mileage

169,550 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE POWER STEERING WOULD SUDDENLY MALFUNCTION MAKING THE STEERING WHEEL VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED THE CHECK ENGINE, ABS AND TC (TRACTION CONTROL) SENSOR LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND NO SOLUTION WAS OFFERED. THE CONTACT ALSO INDICATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS THE VEHICLE WOULD DRIFT FROM SIDE TO SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CONTROL ARMS WERE FAULTY. THE CONTROL ARMS WERE REPLACED BUT THE DEFECT WAS NOT REMEDIED. WHILE DRIVING THE HEADLIGHTS, TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS AND REAR LIGHTS WOULD INTERMITTENTLY SHUT ON AND OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE DEFECT WAS CAUSED BY AN ELECTRICAL SHORT. THE DEFECT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,000.

NHTSA ID

10578534

Incident

Apr 5, 2006