[Chrisf304]

08 Malibu LT 2.4 ecotech 117,000 miles ... The last couple of weeks the wife has been complaining of a hit or miss power steering failure that's especially causing on the first start of the day. The last few days the issue has progressed into a reoccurring issue everytime we go to drive, if the power steering works it's constantly vibrating and pulling and then the pump goes out... I've already checked apparently this vehicle had the recall fix about 5 years ago, I've only owned it for three.. So my question is?? Is it the power steering assist module? Is it the steering wheel position sensor? Any ideas on where to get a discount power steering assist module? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[DrivenDaily]

You apparently have the 4-cylinder that comes with EPS, since hydraulic PS doesn't have this issue and came only on the 3.6L V6. If that's not the case, please update with the correct info.

Try reading this post about electrical connections and see if anything there helps before spending more time and money chasing it down.

 

[Plague]

That started happening to me a while ago. After like the second time it happened I made a post about it and I did some googling about the issue as well. There should be a TSB for the issue from Chevy, I cannot remember the number or code of the TSB though.

Now one thing I found that I read could be a temporary fix is when it happens take your column adjuster lose and then bang the thing up and down then in and out repeatedly. The very last time my car's power steering went out like that I beat the column liek I described and the issue hasn't been back' Now I don't recommend doing that as a permanent fix but it seems to have worked for me(for now).

 

[Chrisf304]

Alright I appreciate the reply.. I'll try that my power steering still comes on if I hold the wheel at a angle and start the car, but it randomly shuts off until I restart the car.. I'm thinking mine is the steering wheel torque sensor.. I'm going to a buddies garage tonight to use his fancy scan tool

 

[Pad24jav84]

I also am having problems with my malibu. I have a 2009 chevy malibu 2.4 L 4 cylinder ecotech engine. Power steering went out and traction control warning comes on sometimes. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Not sure if my vehicle has ever been in to look at the recalls by GM or not.

 

[DrivenDaily]

A phone call or visit to a dealer with your VIN in hand should be able to inform you of any recalls performed.

TC warning most likely came on due to the EPS loss. You can check with a dealer to see if there is any extended coverage for your vehicle. If so, have them take care of it. If not, check out some other threads on here by using the Search feature, which was just updated and improved as of today.

 

[DaWilsonian]

Thanks I will definitely use the search feature but I think I’ve searched every possible scenario other than GM themselves. Engineering at its finest here I don’t know that they will see anything other than check with your local dealership and service department. I tried one dealership and they couldn’t find an active recall on this particular vin. Apparently there’s no database of which vehicles may have ever had the service completed at some point which is weird but again I hesitate to drop it off at a dealership that already says I can’t see the van so they’re just going to give me a quote to fix it Which will be too high and I will have to try and do it myself. It’s frustrating that this isn’t something that’s easily searchable in some database

 

[repairman54]

There was a extended warranty on the steering angle sensor to 10 yrs or 150k miles. I had it done by dealer just at 150k miles. This was on my old '09 car. I was just in by mileage at the time. It is not a recall but a warranty extension. There are no lifetime car warranties.

 

[DrivenDaily]

There was a extended warranty on the steering angle sensor to 10 yrs or 150k miles. I had it done by dealer just at 150k miles. This was on my old '09 car. I was just in by mileage at the time. It is not a recall but a warranty extension. There are no lifetime car warranties.

Does that apply to EPS only, or also to those with hydraulic PS as well?

 

[repairman54]

Does that apply to EPS only, or also to those with hydraulic PS as well?

Just the steering angle sensor for the EPS

 

[DrivenDaily]

Dang! I believe that my SAS has gone haywire. Thanks!

 

[repairman54]

Here ya go..

Your Vehicle: 2009 Chevrolet Malibu L4-2.4L

Vehicle » Sensors and Switches » Sensors and Switches - Steering and Suspension » Sensors and Switches - Steering » Technical Service Bulletins » All Technical Service Bulletins » Campaign - Electronic Power Steering Failure Warranty Info.

Campaign - Electronic Power Steering Failure Warranty Info.

# 15356: Special Coverage Adjustment - Loss of Electric Power Steering Assist - (Aug 28, 2015) Subject: 15356 - Special Coverage Adjustment - Loss of Electric Power Steering Assist Models: 2007-2012 Chevrolet Malibu 2007-2010 Pontiac G6 2007-2010 Saturn AURA Equipped with Electric Power Steering Assist (EPS) Condition On some 2007-2012 model year Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6, and Saturn AURA vehicles equipped with electric power steering assist (EPS), the steering column torque sensor or the EPS motor/controller may cause the vehicle to suddenly lose EPS. If the vehicle loses EPS, the vehicle's driver information center will display a warning message and a warning chime will be heard. The vehicle will revert to a manual steering mode, which requires greater driver effort to operate at low vehicle speeds. Special Coverage Adjustment This special coverage covers the condition described above for a period of 10 years or 150,000 miles (240,000 km), whichever occurs first, from the date the vehicle was originally placed in service, regardless of ownership. Dealers are to replace the steering column torque sensor or EPS motor/controller based on DTC. The repairs will be made at no charge to the customer. For vehicles covered by Vehicle Service Contracts, all eligible claims with repair orders on or after August 28, 2015, are covered by this special coverage and must be submitted using the labor operation codes provided with this bulletin. Claims with repair orders prior to August 28, 2015, must be submitted to the Service Contract provider. Vehicles Involved This special coverage covers the condition described above for a period of 10 years or 150,000 miles (240,000 km), whichever occurs first, from the date the vehicle was originally placed in service, regardless of ownership. Dealers are to replace the steering column torque sensor or EPS motor/controller based on DTC. The repairs will be made at no charge to the customer. For vehicles covered by Vehicle Service Contracts, all eligible claims with repair orders on or after August 28, 2015, are covered by this special coverage and must be submitted using the labor operation codes provided with this bulletin. Claims with repair orders prior to August 28, 2015, must be submitted to the Service Contract provider. This special coverage covers the condition described above for a period of 10 years or 150,000 miles (240,000 km), whichever occurs first, from the date the vehicle was originally placed in service, regardless of ownership. Dealers are to replace the steering column torque sensor or EPS motor/controller based on DTC. The repairs will be made at no charge to the customer.

 

[Chrisf304]

Well it's fixed after going to three ships arguing that I in fact had a bad steering wheel torque position sensor, we'll it was the issue and after buying the part a for $159 and $132 in labor my cars back to perfect. One mechanic tried to argue I had hydraulic steering and had the part for it lmao... That sensor seems to be the issue alot of the time

 

[DrivenDaily]

Well it's fixed after going to three ships arguing that I in fact had a bad steering wheel torque position sensor, we'll it was the issue and after buying the part a for $159 and $132 in labor my cars back to perfect. One mechanic tried to argue I had hydraulic steering and had the part for it lmao... That sensor seems to be the issue alot of the time

Glad to hear it's fixed!

A funny incident for me just like the tech with no clue for you:
Back in 2013 I had my car in for intermittently not wanting to start by RKS. I knew that in each of the 2 computers (BCM and ECM) there is a list of why the remote-start failed. The tech working on my car told me that he was certified and that there are no lists like that. After getting him to step away from my vehicle and calling GM, I took it to another dealer who verified that those lists do indeed exist and set about fixing the car. They at least had the humility to tell me that they weren't aware of them and agreed to let me show them what I knew. Armed with that info, they took on the challenge.

So, when a tech insists that they know for sure when you're sure they're wrong, it's a good thing to just slowly back away from them and go where you can get good service. They don't even have to be knowledgeable so long as they're humble enough to admit they don't know it all and then make the effort to learn.

 

[Chrisf304]

Yeah always when in doubt get a second opinion I'm so happy the Maliy is running great, maybe even better than before... Now those Damn sway bar links and a door gasket lol

 

[josieredmon]

I also am having problems with my malibu. I have a 2009 chevy malibu 2.4 L 4 cylinder ecotech engine. Power steering went out and traction control warning comes on sometimes. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Not sure if my vehicle has ever been in to look at the recalls by GM or not.

There is an extended warranty coverage for ESP on Chevrolet vehicles. If you've already paid for this repair you can be reimbursed.

 

[Sherrilk]

08 Malibu LT 2.4 ecotech 117,000 miles ... The last couple of weeks the wife has been complaining of a hit or miss power steering failure that's especially causing on the first start of the day. The last few days the issue has progressed into a reoccurring issue everytime we go to drive, if the power steering works it's constantly vibrating and pulling and then the pump goes out... I've already checked apparently this vehicle had the recall fix about 5 years ago, I've only owned it for three.. So my question is?? Is it the power steering assist module? Is it the steering wheel position sensor? Any ideas on where to get a discount power steering assist module? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I realize your post is a year old, but I am wondering whatever happened with your car? I have an '08 Malibu LTZ with 123,000 miles.....I was having the exact same issue, randomly having PS issues when turning car on/off until finally within the last two weeks, it just stayed on and it was ridiculously hard to steer. I also was curious as to whether or not my car would be covered by the recall. Unfortunately, after checking my VIN, I found out that it was not. Had to bite the bullet and send it to the garage. $1604.35 later, it is now fixed (PS Assist Motor and PS Angle Sensor) I will NEVER buy a Chevy again. At one time, many years ago, they were great cars. Now, not so much lol My brother has a '06 Malibu. Same damn issues with the Power Steering, among other money sucking headaches. Nope, I will stay far away from them from now on.

 

[Sherrilk]

Here ya go..

Your Vehicle: 2009 Chevrolet Malibu L4-2.4L

Vehicle » Sensors and Switches » Sensors and Switches - Steering and Suspension » Sensors and Switches - Steering » Technical Service Bulletins » All Technical Service Bulletins » Campaign - Electronic Power Steering Failure Warranty Info.

Campaign - Electronic Power Steering Failure Warranty Info.

# 15356: Special Coverage Adjustment - Loss of Electric Power Steering Assist - (Aug 28, 2015) Subject: 15356 - Special Coverage Adjustment - Loss of Electric Power Steering Assist Models: 2007-2012 Chevrolet Malibu 2007-2010 Pontiac G6 2007-2010 Saturn AURA Equipped with Electric Power Steering Assist (EPS) Condition On some 2007-2012 model year Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6, and Saturn AURA vehicles equipped with electric power steering assist (EPS), the steering column torque sensor or the EPS motor/controller may cause the vehicle to suddenly lose EPS. If the vehicle loses EPS, the vehicle's driver information center will display a warning message and a warning chime will be heard. The vehicle will revert to a manual steering mode, which requires greater driver effort to operate at low vehicle speeds. Special Coverage Adjustment This special coverage covers the condition described above for a period of 10 years or 150,000 miles (240,000 km), whichever occurs first, from the date the vehicle was originally placed in service, regardless of ownership. Dealers are to replace the steering column torque sensor or EPS motor/controller based on DTC. The repairs will be made at no charge to the customer. For vehicles covered by Vehicle Service Contracts, all eligible claims with repair orders on or after August 28, 2015, are covered by this special coverage and must be submitted using the labor operation codes provided with this bulletin. Claims with repair orders prior to August 28, 2015, must be submitted to the Service Contract provider. Vehicles Involved This special coverage covers the condition described above for a period of 10 years or 150,000 miles (240,000 km), whichever occurs first, from the date the vehicle was originally placed in service, regardless of ownership. Dealers are to replace the steering column torque sensor or EPS motor/controller based on DTC. The repairs will be made at no charge to the customer. For vehicles covered by Vehicle Service Contracts, all eligible claims with repair orders on or after August 28, 2015, are covered by this special coverage and must be submitted using the labor operation codes provided with this bulletin. Claims with repair orders prior to August 28, 2015, must be submitted to the Service Contract provider. This special coverage covers the condition described above for a period of 10 years or 150,000 miles (240,000 km), whichever occurs first, from the date the vehicle was originally placed in service, regardless of ownership. Dealers are to replace the steering column torque sensor or EPS motor/controller based on DTC. The repairs will be made at no charge to the customer.

-02 Chevy Mailbu LTZ. I checked the VIN - wasn't covered

 

[DaWilsonian]

There is an extended warranty coverage for ESP on Chevrolet vehicles. If you've already paid for this repair you can be reimbursed.

How? I’ve called GM and I’ve called service centers and no one says that it’s covered… I’m under under 150,000 miles, but 2010 model. No one‘s been able to tell me this is covered or not if it’s not on the list of vins needing replacement then it should be on the list of vins that had the repair done right? I am so frustrated with the 2010 Chevy Malibu it’s not even funny how dumb they engineered it

 

[repairman54]

How? I’ve called GM and I’ve called service centers and no one says that it’s covered… I’m under under 150,000 miles, but 2010 model. No one‘s been able to tell me this is covered or not if it’s not on the list of vins needing replacement then it should be on the list of vins that had the repair done right? I am so frustrated with the 2010 Chevy Malibu it’s not even funny how dumb they engineered it

Quote from the bulletin ''This special coverage covers the condition described above for a period of 10 years or 150,000 miles (240,000 km), whichever occurs first, from the date the vehicle was originally placed in service, regardless of ownership''.
Your car is 11 years old. Past the specified time limit unless you can verify the date car was put into service (titled and registered) was at a later date like it was a long time leftover.
That program came out in 2015 extending coverage back to 2007 models. That was pretty darn generous of them IMO
Post #12 has the official special coverage bulletin.
Electric assist steering and steering sensors are mainstream on a multitude of car brands for years now and they all use the same systems not just Chevy.
I had to replace the steering angle sensor in my '11 Tahoe last year and it doesn't have electric steering, no special coverage at all on Tahoe's so it was on me. Things wear out on old vehicles.