Chevrolet MALIBU steering problems
5,796 complaint narratives mention steering terms.
Key facts
18,930 owner complaints analyzed
67 distinct recall campaigns
77,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1964 to 2025 model years. Data snapshot: . 12,559 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Steering behavior evidence
5,796 of 18,930 complaints match this topic (30.6%). The keyword filter can include complaints that mention a transmission without reporting its failure. View matching rules.
Owner report 10040331 · 2003-11-12 (November 12, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP, WHERE THE RACK AND PINION WAS REPLACED. *AK WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE HAD BECOME DIFFICULT TO TURN ONE WAY WHILE REMAINING EASY TO STEER IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. THE RACK WAS REPLACED. *SCC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10040331 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10050317 · 2003-12-09 (December 9, 2003)
STEERING WHEEL MAKES A CLICKING NOISE WHEN TURNING. STEERING WHEEL HAS TO BE FULLY ROTATED TWICE BEFORE THE VEHICLE GOES INTO THAT DIRECTION. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10050317 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10052314 · 2004-01-03 (January 3, 2004)
WHEN DRIVING MY 1997 CHEVY MALIBU, I TURNED LEFT AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. I ALMOST CRASHED INTO A PARKED CAR DUE TO THE FACT THAT I COULDN'T MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL AT ALL. WHEN I TRIED GETTING THE STEERING WHEEL TO MOVE AGAIN, IT WOULDNT BUDGE RIGHT BUT WHEN TRYING LEFT IT WOULD MAKE A "HISSING" SOUND, LIKE AIR PRESSURE BEING RELEASED. THIS HAPPENED AT 10PM AND I HAD PASSENGERS IN THE VEHICLE, THIS COULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC. THIS HAPPENED SUDDENLY WITH NO WARNING WHATSOEVER. I AM GOING BACK TO THE DEALER ASAP.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 64,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10052314 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10057926 · 2004-02-11 (February 11, 2004)
AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED FOR NHTSA RECALL 03V527000 CONCERNING LOWER PINION BEARING IN THE RACK AND PINION, VEHICLE EXPERIENCED ONGOING STEERING PROBLEMS. DEALER REFUSED TO ADMIT THAT VEHICLE WAS RUNNING IN GOOD CONDITIONS BEFORE IT WAS BROUGHT IN FOR A RECALL. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 80,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10057926 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10059537 · 2004-02-20 (February 20, 2004)
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A RACK AND PINION STEERING PROBLEM. VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT DUE TO RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILURE. DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO MAKE A LEFT TURN WHEN CRASH OCCURRED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 73,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10059537 at NHTSA ↗