1997 CHEVROLET MALIBU Steering Problems

1997 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION SWITCH CUT OFF ISSUES. *TGW THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED AT A COST OF $400.00 AND IS SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT. ALSO, THE OUTER AND INNER TIE RODS WERE REPLACED. *JB

I WAS DRIVING ON MY WAY HOME, AND I MADE A RIGHT TURN INTO MY NEIGHBORHOOD AND WHEN I BEGAN TO TURN LEFT INTO THE CURVE MY STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNING BUT MY CAR CONTINUED TO GO STRAIGHT INTO A NEIGHBOR'S YARD CAUSING ME TO SLAM ON BRAKES AND HIT A HILL! I GOT MY CAR CHECKED OUT THAT NEXT MORNING AND FOUND THAT IT WAS MY RACK AND PINION THAT HAS CAUSED THIS. I KNEW MY CAR HAD A RECALL SO I DECIDED TO SEARCH RECALLS FOR MY CAR (YEAR MAKE AND MODEL) I SAW WHERE THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE RACK AND PINION WHERE IF IT WENT OUT YOU WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO TURN LEFT ONLY RIGHT. I CONTACTED THE GM CORPORATE OFFICE AND STATED AS SUCH AND THEY SAID THAT WAS A RECALL BUT NOT ON MY SPECIFIC VIN # SO THERE IS NOTHING THAT COULD BE DONE. IS THIS POSSIBLE SEEMING AS THEY HAVE ISSUED A RECALL ON THIS PARTICULAR PART ALREADY ON 97 AND 98 CHEVY MALIBU'S? *TR

Mileage: 201,000

TL- THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V527000 (STEERING), RECEIVED THE RECALL REPAIR AND WEEKS LATER THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE MAKING A TURN, EXTREME FORCE HAD TO BE APPLIED TO THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE VEHICLE WAS UNSTABLE TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER INDICATED THAT SOMEONE DAMAGED THE SUBFRAME AND BOLTS ALONG WITH THE QUARTER PANELS BEING RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHO INDICATED THAT THE AUTHORIZED DEALER NEEDED TO REPLACE THE BOLTS, SUBFRAME AND THE QUARTER PANELS WHICH WERE RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER PROVIDED AN INTERIM FIX OF WELDING THE BRACKETS TO THE FRAME AND WITHIN WEEKS THE COMPONENTS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION, DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR. THE BOLTS WERE BROKEN AND THE ENGINE WAS SITTING ON TOP OF THE STEERING RACK DUE TO THE FRACTURE. THE CONTACT WAS WAITING FOR APPROVAL FROM THE MANUFACTURER TO REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 158,160. DYD

Mileage: 158,160

INTAKE MANIFOLD ON MY 1997 CHEVY MALIBU HAS STARTED TO GO BAD I KNOW ITS THE LOWER GASKET I CALLED CHEVY AFTER SEEING SO MANY OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM I WAS TOLD CHEVY WOULD NOT REPLACE IT DUE TO IT BEING OVER TEN YEARS OLD WELL IT SEEMS LIKE WITH WAS A PROBLEM WAITING TO HAPPEN AS SOON AS THEY SEALED THE MANIFOLD AT THE FACTORY I THINK GM SHOULD REPLACE THIS ITEM ONCE FREE OF CHARGE PER CAR ALSO MY RACK AND PINION SEEMS TO STICK ON MY LEFT SIDE I'VE REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND CHECKED THE RACK AND PINION SEEMS THE BALL BEARING WANTING TO COME OUT OR IS GONE I TOLD GM I DON'T THINK THEY REPLACED IT WHEN THEY RECALLED IT AND THEY TOLD ME THE FIRST OWNER DID BUT WONT SEND ME PAPERWORK ON THE REPAIR OR THE DEALERSHIP THAT DID THE WORK. *TR

Mileage: 146,534

I WAS DRIVING MY CAR ON THE BYWAY AND TOOK THE INTERSTATE MERGE LANE WHILE INCREASING MY SPEED TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC I FELT A SNAP IN MY STEERING WHEEL AND GAS PEDAL, I THEN LOST THE DASH AND THE CAR IMMEDIATELY OVERHEATED, I HAD NO REAL POWER TO TURN THE WHEEL AND THE GAS PEDAL WAS A LOOSE PUSH. BEING THAT I HAD MERGED ONTO THE INTERSTATE WHEN THIS OCCURRED I HAD TO DRIVE AN ADDITIONAL 5 MILES TO THE NEXT EXIT. NOT EVERYONE HAS A CELL PHONE. WHEN I GOT TO THE NEXT EXIT I WAS ALMOST UNABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL ENOUGH TO GET IT INTO THE NEAREST PARKING LOT, IT WAS HARDER TO TURN THAN MY FIRST TRUCK A 1959 FORD TWIN I BEAM PICKUP. I FORTUNATELY DIDN'T HIT ANY ONE OR ANYTHING. UPON RAISING MY HOOD AFTER PARKING THE CAR I AM APPALLED TO SEE THAT THE TENSIONER PULLEY AND ONE OF THE IDLER PULLEYS ARE GONE AND MY SERPENTINE BELT IS SHREDDED. I HAVE REPLACED THE PARTS BUT SINCE THEN I ALSO FOUND THAT WITHIN 5 MILES THE "DREADED" GASKETS THAT SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT, AND MINE WE ALREADY EATING FLUIDS IN SIPPS BEFORE THIS, WERE GONE. I HAVE REPLACED THE BROKEN PULLEYS SERPENTINE BELT ALTERNATOR WATERPUMP AND GASKETS NOT A MONTH LATER THE OTHER IDLER PULLEY THAT WAS UNAFFECTED IN THE FIRST INCIDENT WENT. WHEN THE FIRST TWO WERE REPLACED THAT DREADED SQUEAKING STOPPED FOR ABOUT 3 DAYS AND STARTED BACK UP AGAIN. SOMETHING MUST NOT BE STRAIGHT FOR ME TO HAVE TO KEEP REPLACING THE MOVING PARTS THAT RUN ON THE SERPENTINE BELT AND EVERYTIME ONE OF THEM GOES YOU LOOSE YOUR POWER STEERING AND THE CAR IS HARD TO TURN. NOT ONLY THAT BUT THE TAIL LIGHTS WOULD BE A BETTER PLACE FOR A GOLD FISH THAN A LIGHT BULB. EVERYTIME IT RAINS, OR SNOWS I HAVE TO REPLACE TAIL LIGHTS. THIS CAR IS THE BANE OF MY EXISTENCE. I HAVE THE FIRST IDLER PULLEY PART STILL THE REST OF THEM WERE LOST TO THE HIGHWAY THE THING IS MELTED. *TR

Mileage: 187,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING RACK AND PINION FAILS TO TURN PROPERLY. SHE COULD NOT EXPLAIN THE FAILURE ANY FURTHER; HOWEVER, IT IS THE SAME FAILURE STATED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V527000 (STEERING:RACK AND PINION). THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 125,000.

Mileage: 125,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN FEBRUARY OF 2004 REGARDING THE LOWER RACK AND PINION STEERING. HE HAD NOT EXPERIENCED ANY FAILURES AT THE TIME; HOWEVER, HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. SIX MONTHS LATER, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. HE WAS ABLE TO PULL THE WHEEL BACK TO THE RIGHT AND STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DROVE HOME AND HIS FATHER, A MECHANIC, INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DECLARED THE CAUSE OF FAILURE TO BE THE LOWER RACK AND PINION. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE BECAUSE THE RECALL REPAIR HAD ALREADY BEEN PERFORMED. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 243,831. UPDATED 01/11/08. *LJ UPDATED *JB

Mileage: 243,831

MY FIANCE AND I HAVE HAD A 1997 CHEVY MALIBU FOR A YEAR AND A HALF. ABOUT A MONTH AFTER PURCHASING IT, THE VEHICLE STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE PASSLOCK THEFT SYSTEM THAT WOULD LEAVE US STRANDED FOR 10 MINUTES BECAUSE THE CAR WOULDN'T CRANK. GRADUALLY IT STARTED DOING IT MORE AND MORE. WE'VE HAD INCIDENTS WHERE THE THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT WOULD GO OFF AFTER 10 MINUTES BUT WHEN TRYING TO START IT AGAIN; IT WOULD DO THE SAME THING. I'VE ACTUALLY HAD TIMES OF BEING STRANDED FOR 2 HOURS BECAUSE IT WOULD KEEP DOING IT! RIGHT NOW OUR CAR IS AT MY FIANCE'S WORK BECAUSE IT WON'T CRANK AND WE GOT TIRED OF TRYING AFTER 3 HOURS. THIS IS SO ANNOYING! CHEVROLET SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES! I KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM(NOT COUNTING ALL THE OTHER PROBLEMS LIKE THE BRAKES AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS). WITH SO MANY PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM..THAT MEANS THEY SHOULD RECALL IT AND FIX IT. WE DON'T HAVE MONEY LIKE THEY DO AND CAN'T AFFORD TO KEEP PUTTING IT IN THE SHOP TO BE WORKED ON. I'M CURRENTLY A COLLEGE PELL GRANT RECIPIENT THAT IS GOING TO LOSE MY GRANTS BECAUSE OF THIS LEMON CAR! I WAS ADOPTED BY MY GRANDPARENTS THAT ARE ON SSI AND DISABILITY AND THEY CAN'T AFFORD TO SEND ME TO SCHOOL. I HOPE THE PEOPLE AT CHEVROLET ARE HAPPY WITH RUINING MY FUTURE! PLEASE HELP ME!!!I NEED MY CAR FIXED BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE!*JB

THE TURN SIGNALS ARE NOT RELIABLE THEY MIGHT WORK ONE TIME AND THE NEXT TIME THEY WONT WORK. THERE IS A LOT OF RATTLING SOUNDS COMING FROM THE REAR WHEELS, THE STEERING COLUMN MAKES A WEIRD SOUND WHEN BEING TURNED. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED TO STEER FOR THE FIRST 10 MINUTES AFTER TURNING ON THE VEHICLE. IT WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE STEERING RACK AND THE POWER STEERING PRESSURE HOSE WERE LEAKING. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL #03V527000, REGARDING THE STEERING: RACK AND PINION. THE SERVICE DEALER PERFORMED THE RECALL, HOWEVER THE GEAR ASSEMBLY WAS NOT REPLACED. UPDATD 01/30/07. *JB

Mileage: 68,000

WE BOUGHT THIS 1997 MALIBU FROM MY DAD LESS THAN A YEAR AGO FOR MY SON TO DRIVE TO COLLEGE. MY DAD IS METICULOUS IN CARING FOR HIS VEHICLES SO ALL THE SCHEDULED AND ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WORK HAS BEEN DONE AND IT STILL ONLY HAS 70XXX MILES ON IT. MY COMPLAINT IS THIS : LAST NIGHT MY SON WAS PARKING THE CAR WHEN IT SUDDENLY BECAME VERY HARD TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. HE FINISHED PARKING, BUT A SHORT TIME LATER AS HE STARTED TO DRIVE HOME, HE REALIZED THAT THE POWER STEERING WAS COMPLETELY GONE. THERE HAVE BEEN SO MANY INCIDENTS LIKE THIS ONE THAT THERE WAS FINALLY A SAFETY RECALL ISSUED IN 2004. THE PAPERWORK I HAVE STATES THAT THE DEALER "REPLACED STEERING GEAR PINION BEARING AND RESET TOEIN". OBVIOUSLY,THAT REMEDY FAILED SINCE THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT ANYWAY. I'M SO THANKFUL THAT NO ONE WAS HURT, THAT IT DIDN'T HAPPEN WHILE HE WAS DRIVING TO OR FROM SCHOOL, AND THAT HE WAS HOME FOR CHRISTMAS BREAK WHEN IT HAPPENED. WE'LL BE TAKING THE CAR IN TO THE DEALER ON TUESDAY AND, BECAUSE THERE HAVE BEEN SO MANY OF THESE INCIDENTS IN THE '97 MALIBU (AND OTHER '97 GM MODELS) THAT THEY HAD TO ISSUE THE RECALL, I EXPECT THEM TO FIX IT FREE OF CHARGE. *NM

Mileage: 70,266

STEERING WHEEL MADE AN IRRITATING SOUND WHEN TURNED. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED. UPON INSPECTION THEY INDICATED THAT THE STEERING GEAR HAD AN INTERNAL FAULT, AND REPLACED IT. CAUSE OF THE INTERNAL FAULT WAS NOT DISCLOSED TO THE CONSUMER. *AK RECALL CAMPAIGN# 03V527000. THE STEERING WAS REPAIRED. A YEAR LATER THE ENTIRE STEERING ASSEMBLY HAD TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. THE CHECK EMISSIONS LIGHT WOULD COME ON INTERMITTENTLY. THERE WERE NOISES WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED LEFT DUE TO THE STEERING GEARS INTERNAL FAULT AND THE GEAR WAS REPLACED, THE LEFT FRONT TIRE HAD A STEEL BELT SHOWING ON THE INSIDE. *SC *JB

Mileage: 33,000

DT: THERE WAS A RECALL REGARDING RACK AND PINION STEERING. THIS HAS BEEN REPAIRED AND REPLACED TWICE. THE VEHICLE STILL HAS PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING SYSTEM. CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A SERVICE DEALER, AND THEY CONCLUDED THAT IT WAS A POWER STEERING PUMP PULLEY. THE CONTACT HAS NOT HAD THIS REPAIRED, THE VEHICLE IS AT THE DEALERSHIP AT THIS DATE.*AK

DT: THERE WAS A RECALL REGARDING RACK AND PINION STEERING. THIS HAS BEEN REPAIRED AND REPLACED TWICE. THE VEHICLE STILL HAS PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING SYSTEM. CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A SERVICE DEALER, AND THEY CONCLUDED THAT IT WAS A POWER STEERING PUMP PULLEY. THE CONTACT HAS NOT HAD THIS REPAIRED, THE VEHICLE IS AT THE DEALERSHIP AT THIS DATE.*AK

WHILE DRIVING STEERING/ FRONT WHEELS LOCKED UP. CONSUMER CONTACTED HIS PERSONAL MECHANIC, AND WAS TOLD THEY HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING SIMILAR. CONTACTED THE DEALER. HOWEVER, THE PRIBLEM RECURRED. *AK

WHILE TURNING INTO A PARKING SPACE POWER STEERING FAILED. *AK *NM

Mileage: 12,000

RE: GENERAL MOTOR CORPORATION DECLINES TO MAKE ADJUSTMENT OF COMPLAINT. *BF GM HAD A RECALL FOR THE RACKET PINION STEERING PART ON THE CAR CONSUMER OWNED. THE CONSUMER HAD THIS PART REPLACED 6 TIMES IN A 2 YEAR PERIOD. CONSUMER WANTS TO BE REPAID FOR MONIES SPENT. *TC

RECALL 03V527000 CONCERNING STEERING GEAR BEARINGS: CONSUMER STATES AFTER TAKING THEIR VEHICLE FOR THIS RECALL REPAIRS, VEHICLE COMMENCED TO MAKE NOISE AFTER STARTING AND WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE WAS NOT HAVING ANY PROBLEMS UNTIL THIS REPAIR WAS DONE. DEALER REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING CONCERNING THIS ISSUE.*AK

CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ON A RECALL FOR RACK AND PINION. DEALER REPLACED THE BUSHINGS AT A MANUFACTURER'S EXPENSE AFTER CONSUMER REFUSED TO PAY. *AK

Mileage: 99,597

CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR RECALL REPAIRS. AFTER LEAVING THE DEALER STEERING WHEEL AND THE BRAKES LOCKED. DEALER CHECKED VEHICLE, AND STATED THAT IT WAS OKAY. HOWEVER, VEHICLE WAS STILL EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM.*AK

Mileage: 72,489

NHTSA RECALL 03V527000 CONCERNING STEERING GEAR BEARING. THREE WEEKS AFTER HAVING RECALL REPAIRS PERFORMED THE LOWER PINION BEARING FAILED WHILE TURNING LEFT AND CONSUMER LOST POWER STEERING. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE LOWER PINION BEARING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

THE DEALER WOULD NOT HONOR RECALL #03V527000 CONCERNING THE LOWER PINION BEARINGS. THE DEALER CLAIMED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. *AK *SC *JB

Mileage: 106,000

WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH CONSUMER LOST STEERING POWER. COASTED VEHICLE TO SIDE OF THE ROAD. CONSUMER TURN OFF THE VEHICLE, AND RESTARTED IT. THEN, DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT WHILE TURNING THE STEERING COLUMN IT WAS HARD TO STEER, AND THAT THE STEERING SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO WORN OUT PARTS. *AK

CONSUMER DENIED REIMBURSEMENT FOR POWER STEERING RACK ASSEMBLY REPLACEMENT. *PH ALSO, AS CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO PERFORM RECALL REPAIR SINCE STEERING RACK WAS REPLACED RECENTLY. *LA

AFTER RECEIVING A RECALL LETTER, CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO GM DEALERSHIP BUT NO CORRECTIONS WERE MADE. *PH THE STEERING WAS HARD WHEN THE CONSUMER TURNED LEFT. *SC RECALL #03V527000 *JB

CONSUMER'S GRANDMOTHER WAS SEVERELY INJURED IN A CRASH WHEN SHE EXPERIENCED THE SAME DEFECT AS STATED IN THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST RECALL. *PH AS STATED ON THE RECALL THAT THERE'S AN INTERMITTENT LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHEN MAKING LEFT TURNS AT LOW SPEED. CONSUMER TRIED TO FIND OUT THE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT. HOWEVER, SINCE CONSUMER'S GRANDMOTHER (THE DRIVER) SUFFERED SEVERE BRAIN HEMORRHAGE AND PERMANENT SHORT TERM MEMORY LOSS DUE TO ACCIDENT, THE ONLY INCIDENT THE CONSUMER FOUND OUT IS THAT THE DRIVER WAS TRYING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN AT LOW SPEED. *LA

THE VEHICLE'S STEERING RACK MALFUNCTIONED AT 64,000 MILES. THE PART WAS REPAIRED TWICE, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM STILL EXIST. THE CAUSE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM

Mileage: 64,000

CONSUMER WAS MAKING A SLIGHT TURN TO AVOID SOMETHING IN THE ROAD AHEAD WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY LOOSE, AND DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE SPINNED AROUND 3 TIMES BEFORE LANDING IN A DITCH. *AK

WHEN DRIVING OVER BUMPS AND TURNING THE VEHICLE, A KNOCKING NOISE WAS HEARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THE PROBLEM WAS THE RACK AND PINION, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB *LA

Mileage: 80,653

UPON ENTERING A MAJOR HIGHWAY, MY STEERING BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO MANAGE. I HAD TROUBLE MAKING LEFT TURNS AND THE CAR WOULD STEER TO THE RIGHT. FORCEFULLY, I HAD TO STEER THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD JUST TO MAKE SURE MY TIRES WERE INTACT. I MADE IT HOME CAREFULLY TO FIND OUT THAT IT COULD BE RELATED TO MY RACK & PINION AND DAMAGE TO HIGH PRESSURE HOSES. *JB

AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE FOR 4 DAYS DEALERSHIP FAILED TO REPLACE THE LOWER PINION BEARING, BUT INDICATED THEY PERFORMED STEERING GEAR BEARINGS RECALL 03V527000 REPAIRS. *AK

Mileage: 85,000

WHILE DRIVING ON A CURVED ROAD DRIVER LOST CONTROL. VEHICLE WENT OFF THE ROAD AND ROLLED COMPLETELY OVER. DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES, AND WERE TRANSPORTED TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM. WITNESSES STATED VEHICLE JERKED TO THE LEFT BEFORE RUNNING OFF THE ROAD. *AK

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

Mileage: 73,000

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

Mileage: 80,400

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

Mileage: 64,000

STEERING WHEEL MAKES A CLICKING NOISE WHEN TURNING. STEERING WHEEL HAS TO BE FULLY ROTATED TWICE BEFORE THE VEHICLE GOES INTO THAT DIRECTION. *AK

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

WHILE MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN AT 25 MPH THE VEHICLES STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY LOCKED UP. *PH *JG *NLM

Mileage: 94,200

WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN THE VEHICLE FAIL TO TURN. WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING THE VEHICLE KEPT STRAIT HE WAS ABLE TO THE VEHICLE BY HIS BRAKES TS

WHILE DRIVING THERE IS A RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM STEERING WHEEL, AND THERE A LOT OF PLAY IN WHEEL. CONSUMER FEELS MAY LOOSE CONTROL OF VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. TS

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND NO WARNING THE STEERING BOLT ARE LOSE AND IT IS CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO JUMP AROUND CAUSING IT TO BE HARD FOR CONSUMER TO STEER THE VEHICLE. DEALER NOTIFIED. NLM

WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP, AND THE VEHICLE VEERED INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WAS MAKING A FUNNY NOISE, HAD VEHICLE SERVICED. THIS WAS A RESULT OF A LEAK IN POWER STEERING FUEL HOSE. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK

VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALER FOR REPAIR DUE TO FRONT END SUSPENSION NOISES (CREAKING/POPPING) WHILE CORNERING. SERVICE CENTER STATED THAT LOWER CONTROL ARMS NEEDED REPLACING. I WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT RACK AND PINION GEAR NEEDED REPLACING EVEN THOUGH I HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED ANY OF THE WARNING SIGNALS OF A FAILURE.

THESE CARS ARE A CONSTANT REPAIR BILL AND DANGEROUS TO OPERATE BECAUSE THE TAIL LIGHTS WILL BLOW BULBS AND WITHOUT TAIL LIGHTS YOU ARE DUE FOR A REAR COLLISION.THE BRAKES ARE AWFUL AND THE RACK AND PINION DIDN'T GIVE ANY WARNING BEFORE IT FAILED(LOCKED UP) GM WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY OF THESE AND NUMEROUS OTHER DEFECTS IN THE CAR PLEASE HELP!*AK

CONSUMER STATES INTERMITTENTLY THE VEHICLE ANTI-THEFT LIGHT WOULD COME ON WHILE DRIVING, WITHIN A FEW SECONDS IT WOULD START TO FLICKER ON/OFF, WHEN THIS OCCURS THE VEHICLE WOULD CUT OFF, DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *JB ALSO, CONSUMER STATES DEALER REPLACED FUSE, MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH, DOME LAMP WIRING, IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER, POWER STEERING HOSE, FUEL PUMP, ENGINE MOUNT, HEATER, LEFT DOOR WINDOW SWITCH, RIGHT FRONT SEAT BELT, LEFT FRONT DOOR HANDLE COVER, AND LEFT FRONT DOOR LOCK SWITCH.*YD

I AM STATIONED OVERSEAS IN THE MILITARY. WHILE DRIVING ON BASE, THE STEERING WHEEL JERKED VIOLENTLY OUT OF MY HANDS AND I STARTED INTO THE DITCH, LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO STOP BEFORE HITTING A POLE. I WAS ABLE TO BACK UP AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED. UPON EXAMINATION BY THE GARAGE ON BASE, THE MECHANIC SAID THAT THE STEERING GEAR AND PINION HAD FAILED AND THAT IT NEVER SHOULD HAVE OCCURRED. I HAVE BEEN FIGHTING WITH GENERAL MOTORS FOR OVER 2 MONTHS NOW TO ACKNOWLEDGE WHAT 2 SEPERATE MECHANICS HAVE TOLD THEM, THAT THE STEERING GEAR IS BAD AND THAT THE FAILURE SHOULD NOT HAVE OCCURED. THEY BOTH SAID THAT HAD THE FAILURE OCCURED WHILE TRAVELING AT A HIGHER RATE OF SPEED, THE CRASH WOULD HAVE BEEN FATAL AT THE EXPENSE OF ME AND MY WIFE AND 2 CHILDREN. GM OVERSEAS KEEPS TRYING TO SAY THAT THE MILEAGE IS TOO HIGH AND THAT IT IS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. I GUESS TO THEM IT IS NORMAL TO CRASH YOUR CAR. THEIR TECHNICAL DEPT ALSO SAYS THAT I SHOULD HAVE NOTICED A GRADUAL LOOSEING OF THE STEERING. I DID NOT, IT HAPPENED SUDDENLY AND AS THE MECHANICS TOLD GM, THIS IS NO FAULT OF THE CUSTOMER! I CANNOT GET GM TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY OF THIS PROBLEM, WHICH I GUESS IS WHY IT IS STILL SITTING AT THE GM DEALERSHIP(SCHWARZKOPF) IN AMBERG GERMANY. IT HAS BEEN SITTING THERE FOR OVER A MONTH AND BEFORE THAT A MONTH AT THE GARAGE ON BASE, 2 MONTHS WITHOUT MY CAR. I DON'T KNOW IF THIS WILL DO ANY GOOD TO WRITE THIS, BUT I GUESS THAT WHAT IT WILL TAKE IS FOR SOMEONE TO CRASH THEIR CAR BEFORE CHEVROLET ACKNOWLEDGES A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING GEAR. THIS CAR HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED SINCE I BOUGHT IT NEW, SO MAINTENANCE IS NOT THE ISSUE HERE. I HOPE THAT SOMEONE CAN HELP ME WITH THIS MATTER. I HAVE PROVIDED AN ADDRESS AND PHONE # IN THE U.S. FROM MY IN-LAWS, AND HERE IS MY ADDRESS AND PHONE # OVERSEAS: CMR 414 BOX 1228, APO AE 09173. PH #011-49-9493-902717. THANK YOU FOR ANY ASSISTANCE YOU CAN GIVE REGARDING THIS MATTER.*AK

AT 65 MPH IDLER PULLY FAILED LOST BELT THAT DRIVES WATER PUMP ,GEN ,P/S. *AK

THE RETURN LINE FOR THE POWER STEERING IS LOCATED RIGHT UNDER THE EXHAUST AND RESTS UPON IT. IT GOT HOT AND SUBSEQUENTLY MELTED A HOLE IN THE PRESSURIZED LINES CAUSING ALL THE FLUID TO LEAK OUT AND NOT HOLD ANY MORE FLUID.*AK

WHEN VEHICLE GOES OVER BUMPS OR WHEN MAKNG A TURN STEERING WHEEL BECOMES LOOSE, CAUSING ENTIRE VEHICLE TO SHAKE. CONSUMER HAS BEEN HAVING THIS PROBLEM SINCE 2,000 MILES. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED, BUT HAS BEEN UNABLE TO REMEDY PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

STEERING WHEEL COLUMN PUMP BROKE. COULDN'T STEER VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK *SLC

POWER STEERING FAILED AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT.MY INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE POWER STEERING LINE HAD A HOLE IN IT.THIS WAS CAUSED BY THE EXHAUST PIPE WHICH BURNED THROUGH THE INSULATION AND THE LINE.THE LOSS OF POWER STEERIG CAUSED LOSS OF CONTROL AND COULD HAVE CAUSED A FIRE BECAUSE THE FLUID WAS LEEKING ONTO THE EXHAUST PIPE.I FEEL THIS IS DEFINATELY A SAFETY PROBLEM WHICH SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO RIGHT AWAY. MY CAR WILL BE TOWED TO THE DEALER ON MONDAY MORNING 11JUNE 2001.

ABS LIGHT COMES ON WHEN MAKING SLOW TURNS. WHEN CAR IS RE-STARTED THE LIGHT GOES OUT UNTIL ANOTHER SLOW TURN IS MADE. THIS HAPPENS 5-6 TIM.ES A WEEK. *AK

ANTI- THEFT SYSTEM ACTIVATES RAMDOMLY AND THE IGNITION WILL NOT START. HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR REPAIRS NUMEROUS TIMES WITHOUT SUCCESS. THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON AT RANDOM. THE ROTORS WEAR OUT EXCESSIVELY ON THIS CAR. THE CRUISE CONTROL CUTS ITSELF OFF WHILE DRIVING. WE HAVE ALSO HAD SENSORS REPLACED ON THE AIR CONDITIONER TWICE. THOSE ARE JUST THE MAJOR PROBLEMS.*AK

ENGINE CHECK LIGHT AND ANTI THEFT SYSTEM ILLUMINATED ON INSTRUMENT PANEL, INDICATING A MALFUNCTION. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE RIGHT SIDE INNER AND OUTER TIE ROD BROKE, CAUSING WHEEL TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE, THE POWER STEERING RACK BOOTS WERE TORN AND REPLACED, CONSUMER STATES THE METAL IS DEFECTIVE. *SLC

WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE RIGHT SIDE INNER AND OUTER TIE ROD BROKE, CAUSING WHEEL TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE, THE POWER STEERING RACK BOOTS WERE TORN AND REPLACED, CONSUMER STATES THE METAL IS DEFECTIVE. *SLC

BROKEN, RIGHT FRONT TIE ROD, CAR IS IN SHOP, UNABLE AT THIS TIME TO VERIFY MILAGE AND CAR ID. NOS.

RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY FAILED. NLM

CONSUMER HAS REPLACED STEERING FLUID MORE THAN OFTEN. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED, COULDN'T DUPLICATE PROBLEM . PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

STEERING BECAME NOISY WHEN MAKING A TURN AND DIFFICULT/HARD TO MANAGE. WITH LESS THAN 11000 MILES RACK AND PINION STEERING HAD TO BE REPLACED. *AK

CAR SHAKES AT 60MPH LEAK ON DRIV. SIDE WIND. STEERING COLUMN NOISES

POWER STEERING SEEMED ROUGH BROUGHT CAR TO DEALER AND THEY REPLACED BOX $689.00, I BROUGHT CAR IN FOR OIL CHANGE DEALER SAID IT NEEDED RACK AND PINION AND NEW LOWER CONTROL ARMS $2000.00 APPROX. I WAS DRIVING AND BATTERY LIGHT WENT ON BROUGHT TO A SHOP OPEN AT NIGHT NEEDED A NEW ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY.I CONTACTED GM AND THEY SAID THEY HAD NO COMPLAINTS ON ANY OF THE FOLLOWING.I GUESS THEY LIED WITH ALL THE INFORMATION I HAVE FOUND.

POWER STEERING SEEMED ROUGH BROUGHT CAR TO DEALER AND THEY REPLACED BOX $689.00, I BROUGHT CAR IN FOR OIL CHANGE DEALER SAID IT NEEDED RACK AND PINION AND NEW LOWER CONTROL ARMS $2000.00 APPROX. I WAS DRIVING AND BATTERY LIGHT WENT ON BROUGHT TO A SHOP OPEN AT NIGHT NEEDED A NEW ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY.I CONTACTED GM AND THEY SAID THEY HAD NO COMPLAINTS ON ANY OF THE FOLLOWING.I GUESS THEY LIED WITH ALL THE INFORMATION I HAVE FOUND.

RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR FAILED CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO LOCK UP WHILE DRIVING. NLM

STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP WHILE COMPLETING LEFT TURN. *AK

WHILE TURNING LEFT VEHICLE STEERING LOCKED UP CONSUMER WAS FORCED TO STOP VEHICLE. TOOK TO DEALER, AND THEY SAID RACK AND PINION STEERING WAS DEFECTIVE. *AK

STEERING WHEEL WILL NOT LOCK AT TIMES IN PARK NOT ALLOWING THE KEY TO TURN IN THE INGITION. DEALER CANNOT RECREATE PROBLEM AND REFUSES TO FIX. OCCURRED ABOUT 4 MONTHS AGO AND HAS HAPPEN APPRX 8 TIMES SINCE. *AK

CONTROL ARMS AND STEERING GEAR REPLACED MULTIPLE TIMES. NOW AT 38,000 MILES, THE FRONT END SHAKES ALMOST UNCONTROLLABLY DURING SLIGHT TURNS AT APPROXIMATELY 60MPH.

I WENT TO THE DEALERSHOP FOR COMPLAINTS OF SQUEAKING IN "TIRES" AND T2222HE UNDERCARRIAGE FELT LOSE OVER SMALL BUMPS. I GOT THE STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY REPLACED FOR $1,200 AND DECLINED THE OTHER REPAIRS AT THIS TIME. WITH THE CAR ONLY BEING 3 YEARS OLD, I SHOULDN'T HAVE ANY MAJOR REPAIRS! I HAVE ALREADY CONTACTED CUSTOMER SERVICE. WITH THE NEW STEERING ASSEMBLY, THE UNDERCARRIAGE STILL FEELS LOOSE. I CAN FEEL IT UNDER MY FEET. TO ADD TO THE PROBLEM, THE 1 AND 2 BLOWERS DON'T WORK! THEY WORKED FINE WHEN I FIRST TOOK THE CAR IN! WHEN IT CAME OUT OF THE SHOP, THEY DIDN'T WORK. I WILL CONTINUE TO GET THESE PROBLEMS SOLVED.2 *AK

AIR CONDITIONER CUTS OFF, ENGINE FAILS TO START (SECURITY SYSTEM), CARPET HAS DISENTEGRATED, FRONT END PROBLEMS, BRAKE PAD REPLACED AND BELT. *AK

12 SERVICE VISITS, SUSPENSION CONTROL ARMS, RACK AND PINION, STEERING GEAR BAD, BRAKE ROTORS WARPED. ALL HAVE BEEN REPLACED 2 TO 3 TIMES AND SEVERAL REAPIR ATTEMPTS WITH TAPE AND BUSHINGS. OTHER ITEMS AS WELL. *AK

12 SERVICE VISITS, SUSPENSION CONTROL ARMS, RACK AND PINION, STEERING GEAR BAD, BRAKE ROTORS WARPED. ALL HAVE BEEN REPLACED 2 TO 3 TIMES AND SEVERAL REAPIR ATTEMPTS WITH TAPE AND BUSHINGS. OTHER ITEMS AS WELL. *AK

THE CAR HAS HAD AIR CONDITION PROBLEMS, POWER STEERING WAS CHANGED, THE DRIVERS SEAT PEDAL TO MOVE FORWARD BROKE, THE TWO LEFT DOORS HAD TO PAINTED A WEEK AFTER PURCHASED, I WANTED ANOTHER CAR SINCE I HAD GIVEN 10,000.00 DOLLARS AS DOWN PAYMENT BUT THEY SAID THIS WAS NOT POSSIBLE, PLEASE CAN YOU HELP ME?

A MALFUNCTION OCCURS WITHIN THE STEERING GEAR BOX, CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO LOCK UP AND LOSE CONTROL CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

CONSUMER EXPERIENCING PROBLEM WITH POWER STEERING HOSES NOT HOLDING UP PROPERLY. THE HOSES WERE REPLACED AND REPAIRED. BOTH TIMES THE HOSES FAILED TO HOLD, CAUSING STEERING LOCK UP DUE TO LOSS OF FLUID. DEALER/MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED AND WERE WILLING TO REPAIR UNTIL WARRANTY RAN OUT. *AK

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE BRAKES AND STEERING ALL OF A SUDDEN LOCKED UP, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE ENTIRE VEHICLE. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY DID NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT HAD HAPPENED SO THEY WERE TRYING TO FIX THE COMPUTER. WHEN THE DRIVER DROVE AGAIN THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN. *AK

DUE TO A MALFUNCTION IN THE STEERING RACK AND PINION, THE VEHICLE SHAKES AND RATTLES WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER FEELS IT WILL LEAD TO A STEERING PROBLEM. *AK

WHILE DRIVING FORWARD AT 5MPH THE VEHICLE STOPPED AND AIRBAG DEPLOYED. DEALER SAID THE INNER TIE ROD HAD BROKEN. *AK

FAILED STEERING DRIVE GEARS.

WHILE MAKING LEFT TURN, STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP, ALSO HEARD A CLICKING NOISE WHILE MAKING THE TURN, DEALER SAID MANUFACTER WAS WORKING ON BUILDING A NEW PINION, ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT. *AK

BUSHING WITHIN RACK AND PINION STEERING ASSEMBLY FAILED, STEERING BECAME LOOSE/UNSTABLE AND LOST CONTROL. *AK

CONSUMER PURCHASED VEHICLE 7-29-97/ 8-04-97, THE STEERING RACK WAS DETERMINED DEFECTIVE. WHENEVER TURNING A CURVE THE RIGT FRONT TIRE RATTLES, OTHERWISE ANY BUMP IN THE ROAD CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO MAKE RATTLING NOISES. DEALER HAS REPLACED STEERING RACK EIGHT (8) TIMES ALREADY, AND SAYS THAT UNTIL GM REDESIGNS STEERING RACK THERE IS NO NEED TO REPLACE AGAIN. *AK BRAKES VIBRATE, FRONT ROTORS WARPED. CLICKING NOISE COMES FROM THE MOTOR OF THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW EXPRESS DOWN FEATURE. CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE IN SHOP 8 DIFFERENT TIMES, HOWEVER THE RATTLING NOISE HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED, MANUFACTURER HAS A NEWLY DESIGNED STEERING RACK, HOWEVER CONSUMER DECLINED DUE TO PURSUING THE LEMON LAW. LOWER CONTROL ARMS REPLACED, CAUSED A THUMPING NOISE. *SLC

STEERING IS VERY LOOSE. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK