[AGstone]

Recently, I've been experiencing an unnerving 'steering problem'.

First, my car (roughly 31,000 miles on the odometer) has been trouble-free. I've been very pleased with the car. I'm a happy 'new' Malibu owner!

So . . . the 'steering problem' I'm writing about (and questioning) has to do with the electronic power steering. I've experienced, occasionally, the 'shaky steering wheel' while stopped, for example, at a traffic light. Seems like no big deal, and since it happens only occasionally, it's just a quirk I live with.

However, several days ago, while driving, I experienced (out of the blue) what felt like the steering wheel had 'detents' in it's travel on either side of the 'straight ahead / straight-line position. The steering seemed to decide on its own that we needed to be steering a bit to the right, and when I corrected by turning the wheel to the left a bit, the steering wheel seemed to decide (on its own) that we needed to be steering more to the left.

Each time I turned the steering wheel to compensate for the 'mis-direction', I felt a resistance in the steering wheel . . as though I was working against a 'detent' in the steering system.

Although the variation from left to right and back and forth that the steering wheel was moving was relatively slight, there was enough noticeable steering 'jolt' for my passenger (wife) to ask "What's going on? Why are you doing that?"

My 'gut feeling' is that this 'problem' is one of "electronics", and, sure enough, when I visited my dealership several days ago, nothing was found to be amiss. No "error codes", and the 'test drive' was "normal". "Power steering system operating as designed at this time."

And one more thing. Several times over the past several days, while stopped a a traffic light during one of these 'detent moments', there is a 'grinding noise' from the front of the car (while the wheel is 'deciding' which way to 'adjust' ['should I go a bit to the left or a bit to the right']. Several times (during a 'grind') I've put the transmission into neutral and slowly raised the engine RPM's hoping to experience a change in the 'grind'. RPM's seem to be unrelated other than making it more difficult to hear the 'steering grind'.

So, all you 'new' Malibu owners out there. Has anyone experienced a similar steering problem? It's an unnerving feeling to be suddenly fighting the steering wheel for 'straight-line' control.

 

[bballr4567]

Take it to the dealer ASAP. The electric assist motor is failing.

There was a thread in here where a guy had the same problems as you and he posted up a video of it. I tried to find it but no luck. It was very obvious something was wrong.

 

[AGstone]

I also recall a thread and video of someone's 'active steering wheel', but couldn't find it.

I am hoping to find other Malibu owners having experienced a similar 'problem', so I have more 'basis' with which to 'prove my point' to my dealership service department. As it is, if the service department can't 'experience' the problem, then, basically, it doesn't exist.

The randomness of my 'steering problem' makes it difficult for the service department to 'justify' any repair or replacement.

 

[bballr4567]

Keep your cell phone handy. Record it next time.

Also, I remember reading that a failing electric motor will draw far more current than needed and that is how dealers know it needs to be changed.

 

[hoahai]

Here is the old thread you are talking about.
http://www.chevymalibuforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2666&highlight=electric+steering

Good news is it was fixed for one user by replacing the whole motor and control assembly

This kind of thing scares me. My bu is the same model as yours. I currently only have 16K miles. I am crossing my fingers. Is this problem covered by the 100K mile/5 year warranty?

 

[bballr4567]

I dont think its covered. However, Im not positive at all. Best you can do is complain about it and start a chain of complaints.

I will say this though. It is starting to become a common problem with the electric steering motor. Im seeing more and more of this across the GM lineup.

 

[AGstone]

As a follow-up . . . I revisited my dealership this morning, and the 'steering problem' has now been repaired.

"power steering control module would not hold zero position. E8434 power steering assist motor replacement"

This was a warranty repair job . . . very nice! (31,000 miles on the odometer.)

After driving the 30 +/- miles home from the dealership this morning, I'm surprised how good the steering 'feels' now. So much better!

 

[Silver LTZ]

As a follow-up . . . I revisited my dealership this morning, and the 'steering problem' has now been repaired.

"power steering control module would not hold zero position. E8434 power steering assist motor replacement"

This was a warranty repair job . . . very nice! (31,000 miles on the odometer.)

After driving the 30 +/- miles home from the dealership this morning, I'm surprised how good the steering 'feels' now. So much better!

Good news!

 

[dpopeck]

Good news!

Yes, but it was no doubt covered under the standard 3 yr bumper to bumper warranty. I wonder if it'd be covered after 3 years under the power train warranty. I'm guessing not.

Maybe I'm paranoid after reading this and other posts, but I swear my car sometimes pulls a little bit to the left or right (and then I catch it and correct it back). I guess it could be other things like the tires, or following a depression in the road. It just seems twitchy at times (like my miata, but that's expected behavior in a light weight sports car with power steering).


I'm seriously considering getting the GMPP warranty before July (when the car is 1 year old). I'm guessing that the steering components aren't cheap (anyone know?)

 

[bballr4567]

If you want to purchase the GMPP, go to here:

http://gmoutlet.com/gmpp.htm

Much cheaper.

 

[DrivenDaily]

Reading all these concerns about electric steering makes me happy I have the "old standard" hydraulic power. If I started to experience mine doing that I'd be in the dealership and be their own, private little PITA! I won't pay over $20K for a car that can't be safer than that, especially with it achieving such high marks in safety! I could go on, but no need. I support you guys wholeheartedly in getting it fixed right. Remember to play the safety card. If your car starts to steer where you don't want it, someone could be hurt or killed. Steering and brakes are the most important systems on any vehicle. Everything else is secondary, including the engine. (Are Toyota drivers listening?) If you can't stop it or steer it around things you'll have damage, but if you simply can't make it go then no problem!