[Richard]

I have the 4 cylinder with the Electric Power Steering. When I started the car this morning and I started to maneuver to get out of my parking spot, I noticed the steering wheel was binding and it seemed to be working against my effort to turn the wheel. To get out of my spot, there's quite a bit of steering involved. Once I got out of the spot and I started normal driving, the problem went away completely and the steering was fine.

Do you think this was a temporary problem - possibly a lack of electrical current going to the EPS that went away once the car built up a full charge?
Or could this be a sign of a problem to come? I drove quite a bit after the problem went away and the steering felt fine.

I know the EPS units can be very temperamental. I heard that turning the wheel to one end or the other and holding it there will produce this type of symptom. Electrical current is interrupted to protect the internal circuits from burning out. I heard that extreme steering (turning the wheel back and forth several times) will invoke the same safeguard.

 

[Silver LTZ]

I think I read about a TSB for replacing the electric steering module or something. I'd have it looked into, don't mess around with your steering.

 

[Richard]

I think I read about a TSB for replacing the electric steering module or something. I'd have it looked into, don't mess around with your steering.

Sounds like a good idea. I guess I will have the airbag customer satisfaction program and my complementary first oil change all done at the same time.

 

[Darren]

Hey , I actually just got a letter in the mail regarding the electric power steering it says : Some 08 Malibus with electric steering may have a conditon where there is a loss of power steering assist cause by electrical input signals within the steering column assembly. it also says if the assist is lost a chime will be heard and the DIC will display a power steering warning message, also says some vehicles can be steered in a safe manner but will require greater driver efford at low speeds or when stopped.

Thats the just of it My scanner isnt hooked up right now but if you want a copy I can do that for you.

 

[Silver LTZ]

Hey , I actually just got a letter in the mail regarding the electric power steering it says : Some 08 Malibus with electric steering may have a conditon where there is a loss of power steering assist cause by electrical input signals within the steering column assembly. it also says if the assist is lost a chime will be heard and the DIC will display a power steering warning message, also says some vehicles can be steered in a safe manner but will require greater driver efford at low speeds or when stopped.

Thats the just of it My scanner isnt hooked up right now but if you want a copy I can do that for you.

I got that letter today too. Now I know what stupid GM has money issues. I have a V6, I do not even have electric power steering. Yet instead of checking VIN's and only sending out letters to owners of I4's, everyone will get one. Not only does this waste god knows how much money on postage and materials, now they will have thousands of V6 owners who don't know any better calling customer service and the dealership pissed off, and asking lots of questions and wanting answers. Nice job GM....

 

[Richard]

Hey , I actually just got a letter in the mail regarding the electric power steering it says : Some 08 Malibus with electric steering may have a conditon where there is a loss of power steering assist cause by electrical input signals within the steering column assembly. it also says if the assist is lost a chime will be heard and the DIC will display a power steering warning message, also says some vehicles can be steered in a safe manner but will require greater driver efford at low speeds or when stopped.

Thats the just of it My scanner isnt hooked up right now but if you want a copy I can do that for you.

Thanks for the response. Actually, I have a 2010. It appears that the problem you were notified about relates to '08's.

This problem only occurred once. I didn't get any warning message when it occurred. Also, I didn't have the feeling that I lost power assist. It was more of a binding. When I turned the wheel, it would bind in a particular position, then it would be okay. I think it was a low voltage condition that corrected itself once I started regular driving. This had occurred right after I started the car and I was trying to get out of my spot which involves quite a bit of steering. It's been fine ever since.

 

[greenman]

I have the 4 cylinder with the Electric Power Steering. When I started the car this morning and I started to maneuver to get out of my parking spot, I noticed the steering wheel was binding and it seemed to be working against my effort to turn the wheel. To get out of my spot, there's quite a bit of steering involved. Once I got out of the spot and I started normal driving, the problem went away completely and the steering was fine.

Do you think this was a temporary problem - possibly a lack of electrical current going to the EPS that went away once the car built up a full charge?
Or could this be a sign of a problem to come? I drove quite a bit after the problem went away and the steering felt fine.

I know the EPS units can be very temperamental. I heard that turning the wheel to one end or the other and holding it there will produce this type of symptom. Electrical current is interrupted to protect the internal circuits from burning out. I heard that extreme steering (turning the wheel back and forth several times) will invoke the same safeguard.

Exact same issue with my '10 with electric power steering. It happens intermittently when just starting out with the engine cold. You described it perfectly.

 

[Richard]

Exact same issue with my '10 with electric power steering. It happens intermittently when just starting out with the engine cold. You described it perfectly.

It's funny, with mine, it only happened once. It hasn't happened ever since and that was a while ago. When it did happen, I definitely thought there was a problem. I had a car years ago with a rack and pinion problem and it felt like that. The steering would just bind up while you turned the wheel. But as I said, it seems like it was a temporary low voltage problem that happened only once and never happened again.

The EPS seems like a pretty good system. I like that the engine power is unaffected when you turn the steering wheel since there's no steering pump. It's supposedly a variable assist steering system where you get more assist at low speeds and less at higher speeds. I would like more assist when parking. It takes more effort than I would like to turn the wheel when parking and at other low speed maneuvers. Other than that, it's been fine.

 

[greenman]

I have noticed this issue maybe a total of eight times now. Its very intermittent. Dealer found nothing wrong.

 

[Chevrolet Customer Svc]

Greenman,

For clarification, did you visit the dealership the eight times that you have had this happen?

Michelle P., Chevrolet Customer Service

 

[Anthony]

I have a 2014 it seams to bind at center when im cruzing above 30. is this a problem or a characteristic

 

[Chevrolet Customer Svc]

Hey Anthony,

If you're interested in sending your VIN, dealership name and contact info via private message we'll gladly work through this matter with you and the dealership. Let us know if we can help.

Amber N.
Chevrolet Customer Care

 

[Anthony]

Hey Anthony,

If you're interested in sending your VIN, dealership name and contact info via private message we'll gladly work through this matter with you and the dealership. Let us know if we can help.

Amber N.
Chevrolet Customer Care

My vin is 1G11C5SL8EF285754

Borjon Auto Center
Po Box 1108
2345 Golden Hill Road
Paso Robles Ca. 93446

 

[Anthony]

Amber was hoping you would have more info for me after all you did say you are a GM rep.

 

[Chevrolet Customer Svc]

Hi Anthony,

Our apologies for the delay. We'd be glad to look into this for you. For your privacy, we don't suggest posting your information publicly. We have saved this in our system so you can delete it. We have received your private message and will be responding shortly!

Andraya (assisting Amber)
Chevrolet Customer Care

 

[Anthony]

Just got back from Dealer. They re programed the computer as per bulletin 14232.seams to be working fine for now.

 

[bablefish]

My wife has a 2008 Malibu with the electric power steering and just recently started having big issues with it. She is now afraid to drive it. She called the dealer about a possible recall on it and they told her that her car wasn't in the recall because it wasn't built at a specific factory. Why should it matter which factory it was built at, a safety issue is a safety issue.

 

[Drunken Elvis]

Report the problem to the NHTSA and then report the problem to GM and make them aware you have notified the NHTSA. There is not going to be a recall unless people act on this.

 

[jfoj]

So helping/trying to help out a family member with a 2009 Malibu with an electric steering problem.

Started out as intermittent binding/lack of power steering and has now manifested itself into no power assist what so ever.

Apparently this issue has been recalled on many of the Mailibu's up to and including 2009, however, the car in question is not involved in the recall for some reason.

Dealer and phone calls to Chevy have been of no use. Was told "off the record" that GM cannot do anything as they are waiting for a recall notice on the rest of the models with electric power steering problems.

Dealer wants like $1500 for the repair, there is no help being offered by GM. What is going on here??

This electric steering is a "known" problem, has been addressed for many of the models, but apparently is a larger subset of cars then were recalled.

This is a serious SAFETY issue and GM is dragging their feet again. GM does not need NTHSA to force a recall to solve these issues, even offering to pay at least 50% of the repair even if this in not recalled.

Why would anyone want to continue to own, much less buy another car from a manufacturer that has already had their head handed to them for the ignition switch issues and the lack of action, now you have a signifigant steering problem and everyone is pointing fingers.

Anyone know the real story here and why GM is sitting on their hands?

This is not a maintenance issue and the electric power assist for the steering should not be intermittent and/or outright fail.

Any comments would be appreciated.

 

[DrivenDaily]

One more reason I'm glad I have a V6 with hydraulic PS. It might moan now and then but it works all the time. Sorry to hear of your woes.