NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2006 Chevrolet Malibu. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026
POWER STEERING WENT OUT ON CAR PULLING OUT OF A MALL PARKING LOT ONTO HIGHWAY. ALMOST CAUSED ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING/TURNING ON TO HIGHWAY. DROVE CAR HOME AND PARKED. RESTARTED NEXT MORNING AND WORKED FINE. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE 5 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF, WAITED A FEW MINUTES TO SEE IF THE VEHICLE WOULD RESTART AND IT FAILED TO DO SO. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY SEVEN TIMES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,700. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 45,900.
FRONT END COLLISION WITH THE REAR OF A PICK UP TRUCK TOTALING CAR. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT STEERING WHEEL BECAME HARD TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DECIDED TO REPLACE AN UNKNOW PART WITHIN THE STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 139,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLES CHIME AND POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS ENGAGED AND UNLOCKED WHEN RELEASING THE PEDAL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED THREE TIMES AND WAS REPAIRED TWICE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS. THE ELECTRONIC STEERING MOTOR WAS BEING REPAIRED BY THE DEALER WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 86,000. UPDATED 10/01/2010. *LJ UPDATED 10/04/10*JB
2006 CHEVY MALIBU ELECTRIC STEERING PROBLEMS. STEERING NON-RESPONSIVE AND HAD TO STOP SHUT ENGINE OFF AND RESTART TO REMOVE POWER STEERING CHECK LIGHT ON DASH AND WORKED AGAIN OK FOR SHORT WHILE. *TR
POWER STEERING WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING. DIFFICULT TO STEER AND TURN. POWER STEERING DEFAULT LIGHT ON DASH. DEALER UNWILLING TO PAY FOR REPAIRS. GM HAS ALREADY RECALLED OTHER BRANDS FOR SAME PROBLEM: RECALL SUMMARY GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 CHEVROLET COBALT AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 PONTIAC G5 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ELECTRIC POWER STEERING. THE DRIVER MAY EXPERIENCE A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST THAT COULD OCCUR AT ANY TIME WHILE DRIVING. *TR
WITHIN 1 WEEK OF PURCHASING THE VEHICLE USED I COULD HEAR A CLUNK WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS A 'STEERING COLUMN GEAR' AND FIXED IT. WITHIN 6 MONTHS THE SOUND STARTED AGAIN, I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC HE SUGGESTED REPLACING THE RACK AND PINION. THIS STOPPED THE SOUND FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS, THIS TIME THE SOUND NOT ONLY CAME BACK BUT THE STEERING LOCKED UP WHILE MERGING ONTO THE FREEWAY, WHEN I LET MY FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR THE STEERING CAME BACK. THIS LOCK UP HAS OCCURRED 2 MORE TIMES, MAKING A TOTAL OF 3 STEERING LOCK UPS IN A YEARS TIME. *TR
POWER STEERING SYSTEM FAILS INTERMITTENTLY AND WITHOUT ANY ADVANCED WARNING. ONCE THE POWER STEERING MODULE FAILS, THE STEERING WHEEL IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN BUT IS STILL TURNABLE. THE INFORMATION DISPLAY SYSTEM SAYS POWER STEERING AND A CHIME NOISE IS AUDIBLE. THE FIRST TIME THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM FAILED ON ME WAS DURING A TURN AND ALMOST CAUSED ME TO COLLIDE WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE FAILURE OF THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM IS BECOMING MORE AND MORE FREQUENT, ABOUT EVER 30 MINUTES. THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM WILL GO BACK TO NORMAL FUNCTIONING ONCE THE CAR IS SHUT OFF AND STARTED AGAIN. WHY IT FAILS IS NOT KNOWN TO ME OR WHY IT GOES BACK TO NORMAL OPERATION AFTER IT IS RESTARTED. IN ADDITION, THE IGNITION KEY WAS EXTREMELY HOT WHEN IT WAS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY LOCKED FORCING THE VEHICLE TO PULL TO THE LEFT. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED AND THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 17000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT, THE BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD REMAIN ILLUMINATED AT ALL TIMES UNTIL THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO LOCATE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ONLINE PERTAINING TO THE FAILURE. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED TO REPORT THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,700.
POWER STEERING GOING OUT AND CANNOT STEER. POWER STEERING WILL NOT WORK AFTER STARTING THE CAR. 2006 MALIBU LT. PURCHASED NEW IN 2006. ONLY 40,000 MILES ON IT. ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE IN FIRST YEAR. WHEN USED IN MOUNTAIN DRIVING THEY WARP AND HAVE TO BE REPLACED. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU LS. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 16 MPH, A CHIME SOUNDED AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, FOLLOWED BY THE LOSS OF THE POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED THREE TIMES WITHIN A THREE WEEK PERIOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE STEERING WHEEL TORQUE INPUT SENSOR. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED A SPECIAL COVERAGE ADJUSTMENT PROGRAM REGARDING THE REPLACEMENT OF THE STEERING WHEEL ASSEMBLY; HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 57,300. UPDATED 10/05/10. *LJ
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE AT TWO MPH THE POWER STEERING STEERING LIGHT CAME ON AND THEN THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF, RESTARTED IT AND THEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE RECALLED BY THE MANUFACTURER SINCE THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTION WAS VERY COMMON. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. UPDATED 10/15/10 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN RESOLVED. UPDATD 10/2110*JB
MY 2006 CHEVY MALIBU IS HAVING POWER STEERING PROBLEMS. THIS PROBLEM RESULTS IN LOSS OF STEERING. ON JULY 8, 2010 I WAS MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN AND MY STEERING WHEEL STARTED MOVING THE CAR TO LEFT AND THEN TO THE RIGHT THEN I COMPLETELY LOST STEERING. AFTER A MINUTE OR SO THE STEERING CAME BACK BUT ONLY TO THE POINT WHERE I HAD TO PUT ALL MY MUSCLE INTO IT TO STEER. POWER STEERING FLASHED ON MY RADIO DURING THIS OCCASION. AFTER TURNING THE CAR ON AND OFF A COUPLE TIMES THE POWER STEERING FLASH DISAPPEARED AND MY STEERING WAS BACK TO NORMAL. I HAVE LOST STEERING COMPLETELY FOR A SHORT TIME DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE. I TOOK MY CAR INTO THE CHEVY DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE ON JULY 9, 2010. I WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED TO REPLACE MY STEERING COLUMN AND IT WOULD COST CLOSE TO 600 DOLLARS TO FIX. I HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY AND FOR SOME REASON IT DOES NOT COVER THIS. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL SITUATION. IT IS VERY UNSAFE FOR ME TO BE DRIVING AND I FEAR DRIVING MY SON IN THE CAR WITH ME. AFTER READING ONLINE I HAVE LEARNED THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH A 06 MALIBU WHO HAS STEERING COMPLAINTS. ALOT OF PEOPLE HAVE PAID HUNDREDS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM ONLY FOR IT TO RETURN. I CAN'T AFFORD TO FIX THIS PROBLEM THIS TIME LET ALONE IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN AFTER IT IS FIXED. I REALLY FEAR NOT BEING ABLE TO CONTROL MY VEHICLE. AS OF NOW MY VEHICLE CONTINUES TO FLASH POWER STEERING ON MY RADIO AND THE STEERING IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. WHEN I TURN THE CAR ON AND OFF A COUPLE TIMES IT FIXES IT FOR A FEW MINUTES AND THEN IT RETURNS WHILE I AM DRIVING. *TR
IN JANUARY OF 2010 I WENT IN TO GET NEW TIRES AND AN ALIGNMENT ON MY 06 CHEVY MALIBU LT. THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY COULD NOT DO THE ALIGNMENT DUE TO INTER TIE RODS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I ORDERED THE PARTS AND TOOK IT BACK IN AT THE END OF THE WEEK. A MONTH LATER I NOTICED THERE WAS A CLICKING OR POPPING NOISE. THE NOISE WASN'T CONSISTENT WITH TURNING OR GOING FORWARD IT ONLY MADE THE NOISE EVERY SO OFTEN, SO I THOUGHT NOTHING OF IT. TODAY I WAS DRIVING THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON MY STEERING LOCKED UP AND I ALMOST HIT ANOTHER CAR. I TOOK IT IN TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT IT HAPPENS THAT IT IS THAT ELECTRIC POWER STEERING HAD FAILED. THIS PART IS GOING TO BE REPLACED, UNTIL THE CAR IS PARKED AND WILL NOT BE DRIVEN. THE CAR ONLY HAS 82,000 MILES ON IT. I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE THAT HAS THIS PROBLEM WITH THE MALIBU. I HAVE 3 CHILDREN THAT RIDE IN THIS CAR WITH ME. CHEVY KNOWS THERE IS A PROBLEM, PLEASE RECALL THE MALIBU FOR THE SAFETY OF EVERYONE ON THE ROAD. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD INTERMITTENTLY LOCK WHILE ATTEMPTING A TURN. THE CONTACT WOULD SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE AND WHEN RESTARTING, THE POWER STEERING WOULD RESET ITSELF. THE DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND ADVISED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL TORQUE INPUT SENSOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS NOT A RECALL FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THEY WOULD SPEAK TO THE DEALER TO DETERMINE WHO WOULD BE LIABLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE CONTACT WAS HELD LIABLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 51,000. UPDATED 11/9/10 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE WOULD LOOSE POWER STEERING AND PULL THE LEFT IN ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE CAUSE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. UPDATED 11/16/10
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHENEVER SHE STARTED THE VEHICLE, IT MADE A DINGING NOISE AND THE POWER STEERING LOCKED. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. SHE HAD TO TURN THE VEHICLE ON AND OFF FOR APPROXIMATELY A HALF HOUR BEFORE IT WOULD RESET ITSELF. SHE DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER; HOWEVER, SHE CALLED AND INFORMED THEM OF THE FAILURE AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS AND SHE HAD TO PAY THE REPAIR COST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CALLED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.
THE ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING ON MY 2006 MALIBU MAXX LT HAS FAILED REPEATEDLY. I TOOK IT TO A CHEVROLET DEALER, THE UNIT LOCKED ON THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT DOING SIMPLE PARKING LOT MANEUVERS. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAID THAT THE STEERING COLUMN AND EPS UNIT HAD TO BE REPLACED HOWEVER THE FAILURE WILL HAPPEN AGAIN. THIS PROBLEM CAN NOT BE FIXED, IT CAN ONLY BE REPLACED WITH DEFECTIVE PARTS SINCE THE DEFECT IS INHERENT IN THE ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING SYSTEM. I HAVE REPORTED THIS SAFETY ISSUE TO THE CHEVROLET HOT LINE AS HAVE OTHER OWNERS AND STILL NO RECALL. I WAS ON THE ATLANTA INTERSTATE 85, IT LOCKED ON ME AND I THOUGHT THAT FOR SURE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT WAS GOING TO OCCUR OR WORST DEATH. THIS FAILURE HAPPENED THREE TIMES IN ONE DAY. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND HAS BEEN REPORTED FOR SEVERAL YEARS, PLEASE DO NOT WAIT UNTIL SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY INJURED OR DIES AS A RESULT. A SIMPLE INTERNET SEARCH SHOWS THAT THIS SAFETY ISSUE HAS BEEN REPORTED WITHOUT RESULTS. AGAIN, I ASK THAT YOU PLEASE RECALL THIS VEHICLE AND PROTECT THE AMERICAN CONSUMER FROM A DEATH TRAP. I CAN NOT DRIVE THIS VEHICLE KNOWING THAT THIS FAILURE CAN OCCUR AT ANYTIME WITHOUT WARNING. EVEN IF CHEVROLET DOES PAY TO FIX MY VEHICLE, THIS FAILURE WILL HAPPEN AGAIN. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE RPM'S SUDDENLY INCREASED TO 3000. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND BEGAN WORKING PROPERLY. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 74000.
BEGINNING IN 2010 I HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKES ON MY CAR MULTIPLE TIMES. TO DATE I HAVE REPLACED BRAKE PADS, DRUMS, AND LINES 5 DIFFERENT TIMES. MY BRAKES SEEM TO WEAR EASILY AND FREQUENTLY SCREECH. BEGINNING IN 2013 AFTER FILLING MY CAR WITH GAS MY "LOW FUEL" INDICATOR DINGS AND MY FUEL GAUGE SHOWS EMPTY. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME I FILL MY CAR WITH GAS. I HAVE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE REGARDING POWER STEERING. ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS I HAVE EXPERIENCED MY POWER STEERING GOING OUT AND I AM FORCED TO PULL OVER AND TURN OFF MY CAR AND TURN IT BACK ON FOR THE CAR TO WORK PROPERLY. I HAVE CONTACTED GM REGARDING THE RECALL NOTICE AND I HAVE BEEN ADVISED THAT NO PARTS ARE AVAILABLE AND THEY WILL NOT PROVIDE ME WITH A RENTAL VEHICLE AND EXPECT ME TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE "UNTIL THE PARTS ARE AVAILABLE". THEY WILL NOT PROVIDE ME WITH A TIMELINE AND HAVE BEEN UNRESPONSIVE TO MY OTHER COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE VEHICLE. *TR
MY 2006 MALIBU MAXX HAS 73000 MILES ON IT. WHILE DRIVING, THE AIR CONDITIONING STOPPED BLOWING COOL AIR. THE OUTSIDE TEMP WAS 95 DEGREES AND MY DAUGHTER AND I BOTH HAVE ASTHMA. TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER TODAY AND WILL COST $1100 TO REPAIR AND REPLACE THE A/C COMPRESSOR! A CAR THIS YOUNG SHOULD NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM. MY DAUGHTER AND I WERE BOTH USING INHALERS BY THE TIME WE ARRIVED BACK HOME! *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED WITHOUT THE BRAKE PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED AND DIMMED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000.
CAR IS JERKING TO LEFT WHILE PASSING CARS & WHILE ACCELERATING UP HILLS. ALMOST HIT CONCRETE BARRIER ON RT 30 WHILE PULLING OUT OF OLIVE GARDEN. HAD IT AT GARAGE THE SAID IT WAS TORQUE PULL. IT HAS BEEN GETTING WORSE. IN PGH, 6/20, GOING UP STEEP HILL POWER STEERING FLASHED ON STEREO & THE CAR DINGED THEN IT PULLED TO THE LEFT THEN TO THE RIGHT.THE GARAGE SAID I NEEDED SOMETHING ABOUT A BOX, WAITING FOR PARTS. OTHER MECH SAID IT FELT LIKE THE POWER STEERING BOX IS QUITTING OUT. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX LT. THE CONTACT STATED SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, SHE NOTICED THAT THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING COLUMN WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE POWER STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED AND RESET. FIVE MINUTES AFTER LEAVING THE DEALER, THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN. THE DEALER ATTEMPTED TO RESET THE CODES FIVE TIMES TO NO AVAIL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING WOULD LOCK WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS OF 3 TO 65 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 76,000.
I PULLED OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND IMMEDIATELY NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WAS LOOSE. I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO THE END OF THE ROAD BUT AFTER A FEW SECONDS, IT STARTED TIGHTENING UP AND THEN IT LOCKED. I WAS NOT ABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. I SHUT OFF THE CAR AND WHEN I RESTARTED IT, THE SAME THING HAPPENED. I HAD TO DO THIS 3 TIMES TO GET BACK TO MY DRIVEWAY. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT THERE WAS ONLY A RECALL ON THE CHEVY COBALT STEERING BUT NOT THE MALIBU. *TR
2006 CHEVY MALIBU MAXX. POWER STEERING LOCK UP ON TURNS, PULLING AWAY AT A LIGHT, GOING STRAIGHT STEERING MOVES INTERMITTENTLY TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT AND BECOMES HARD TO CONTROL. THE POWER STEERING INDICATOR DOES NOT ALWAYS SHOW ON MESSAGE CENTER, SOMETIMES IT ONLY DINGS REPEATEDLY. AND YOU CAN HEAR A TICKING NOISE FROM THE DASH. WHEN IT STOPS WORKING THE STEERING ALSO WILL GO IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION YOU ARE DRIVING. *TR
THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON. ACCORDING TO THE DEALER, THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. THEY STATE THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT WITH THE 06 MALIBU AND THAT THE REPAIR IS $928.00. THIS IS A RECALL ISSUE BECAUSE THOUSANDS OF VEHICLE ARE HAVING THIS ISSUE. WHY SHOULD I PAY FOR THEIR DEFECT? *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE DEALER ADVISED BECAUSE THE POWER STEERING WAS ELECTRICAL, THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 14,000.
2006 MALIBU MAXX LT. POWER STEERING FAILURE WHILE HARD ACCELERATION. HAD THE PROBLEM SINCE THE FIRST DAY IT WAS PURCHASED. DEALERSHIP CANT DUPLICATED THE PROBLEM. WE ALMOST HAD 2 ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. POWER STEERING MESSAGE APPEARS ON THE CAR SYSTEM INFORMATION.. THE CAR ALWAYS PULLS HARD TO THE RIGHT IF THE ACCELERATION HAS TO BE DONE FAST. THE VEHICLE HAS CURRENTLY 75,000 MILES. *TR
CHEVROLET MALIBU 2006 LT 4CYLINDER. STEERING MALFUNCTION. THIS VEHICLE HAVE A ELECTRONIC STEERING SYSTEM. MY VEHICLE PROBLEM IS GETTING WORSE, FIRST WHEN YOU PUT THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE TURNING TO THE LEFT, THE POWER STEERING TURNS OFF. NOW THE VEHICLE MOST OF THE TIME WHEN YOU MAKE LEFT TURN. STIFFENS UP THE WHEEL. I ACTUALLY HAVE TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND TURN IT BACK ON IN ORDER FOR IT TO LOOSEN UP THE STEERING WHEEL. *TR
2005,06 CHEVY MALIBU POWER STEERING FAILURE. SYSTEM LOCKS UP AS AS RESULT NO STEERING. *TR
POWER STEERING GOES OUT. THIS JUST STARTED HAPPENING ABOUT 5 DAYS AGO. IT HAS HAPPENED AT LOW SPEEDS; IN PARKING LOT AND PARKING GARAGE AND I COULD NOT TURN THE WHEEL. I ALMOST RAN INTO THE CONCRETE WALL IN MY PARKING GARAGE WHEN I WAS TURNING A CORNER AND IT FAILED. THERE WAS A DING AND THE DISPLAY READ POWER STEERING. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTED IT AND THE ISSUE CLEARED. ONCE I HAD TO RESTART IT TWICE FOR THE ERROR TO CLEAR. IT HAS HAPPENED APPROX 5 TIMES NOW, THE LATEST BEING YESTERDAY. *TR
POWER STEERING FAILED ON FOUR OCCASIONS. IN EACH CASE ALARM WENT OFF ON DASHBOARD AND STEERING REVERTED TO VERY STIFF OPERATION. THREE OF THE FAILURES OCCURRED SHORTLY AFTER STARTING AND THE FOURTH WAS WHILE TRAVELING STRAIGHT AT ABOUT 35MPH. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT 35 PH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED, THE POWER STEERING SEEMED TO RESET ITSELF AND FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 69,000.
WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, ANOTHER DRIVER STOPPED TO LET ME KNOW THAT MY BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING. AROUND THIS TIME I ALSO NOTICED THAT MY CRUISE CONTROL WOULD STOP WORKING OR NOT WORK AT ALL. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AFTER I FIRST LEARNED OF THE PROBLEM PEOPLE FOLLOWING ME WOULD TELL ME THAT IT LOOKED LIKE I WAS RIDING MY BRAKES WHEN I WAS NOT TOUCHING THE BRAKE PEDAL. WHEN I WOULD PRESS THE BRAKES THEY WOULD GO OFF. I TESTED THIS BY BACKING UP TO MY GARAGE DOOR AND PRESSING THE BRAKES. THEY COME ON WHEN I LIFT MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE BUT GO OUT WHEN I PRESS THE PEDAL. AROUND THIS TIME I ALSO NOTICED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER WOULD SOMETIMES STICK/NOT MOVE EVEN THOUGH I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. MY LOCAL DEALER REPLACED A COMPUTER MODULE AND THAT SEEMED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM FOR A WHILE BUT THE PROBLEM HAS SINCE COME BACK. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE TRAVELING AT SPEEDS OF 35 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED AN ABNORMAL CLICKING NOISE. SECONDS LATER, THE POWER STEERING STOPPED FUNCTIONING AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME INCREASINGLY HARD AND DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED AND THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 118,000. UPDATED 07/29/10 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD LOCK UP ND THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. UPDATED 08/03/10*JB
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU. SHE STATED THAT ON JUNE 1, 2010, WHILE DRIVING, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND ON WHICH CORRECTED THE FAILURE. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WERE 90,000.
POWER STEERING GOES OUT WITH NO PARTICULAR CAUSE. OCCURS IN VERY COLD WEATHER, OCCURS IN VERY WARM WEATHER, GOES OUT WHILE DRIVING (FREEWAY/CITY STREETS), MAY GO OUT WITH SLIPPERY CONDITIONS WHERE STEERING MOVES FREELY. DEALERS CAN NOT DO ANYTHING IF THEY CAN NOT DUPLICATE THE ISSUE. ONCE THE VEHICLE IS RESTARTED, THE SYSTEM APPEARS TO RESET ITSELF AND YOU HAVE POWER STEERING. GM CUSTOMER SERVICE WILL DO NOTHING UNLESS A DIAGNOSTIC FROM A DEALER IS DONE (COSTING FROM $120 - $200) WHERE IF IT IS NOT OCCURRING, THE DIAGNOSTIC WILL DO NOTHING. GM CUSTOMER SERVICE RECOMMENDATION, WHEN THE POWER STEERING DOES GO OUT, FIND A DEALER AND HAVE THEM RUN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. SO A DEALER IS GOING TO GET US IN ANYTIME WE HAPPEN TO STOP WITH POWER STEERING OUT, DON'T TURN CAR OFF AND WAIT FOR DIAGNOSTIC TO BE COMPLETED, PAY THE COST OF DIAGNOSTIC TEST, THEN GM MAY GIVE SOME HELP IN HOW TO FIX THEIR ISSUE. THIS IS A HAZARD THAT NEEDS TO BE FIXED BY GM. MY BELIEF THIS IS SAME ISSUE THEY ISSUED RECALL FOR THE COBALT ON. DESCRIPTION OF THAT ISSUE IS EXACTLY THE SAME AS IS HAPPENING WITH MALIBU. MUST BE SIMILAR COMPONENTS WITH THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING???? MAY GO 4 MONTHS WITHOUT IT OCCURRING, MAY HAPPEN FOR 4 DAYS IN A ROW OFF AND ON, VERY SPORADIC IN OCCURRENCE. FIRST OCCURRED AT 40,000 MILES, OUT OF WARRANTY, AND CONTINUES NOW WITH 75,000 + MILES. *TR
TL - THE CONTACT OWNS 2006 CHEVY MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND RIGHT AFTER THE VEHICLE LOST POWER MAKING IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN THE WHEEL. THE FAILURE HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE RANDOMLY AND IT WOULD WORK AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE IS 120,000. PM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY STIFF AND DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD OCCASIONALLY SHAKE. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE CONTACT STATED HE WAS A MECHANIC AND AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, HE STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
2006 CHEVY MALIBU MAXX - 2 PROBLEMS 1. METAL TO METAL NOISE AS STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED 2. VIBRATING NOISE AROUND DASHBOARD ALL THE TIME. *TR
A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO, I NOTICED THAT WHEN I MADE A TURN ESPECIALLY A LEFT TURN THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP TO THE POINT IT WAS VERY HARD TO TURN. NOW I NOTICE THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WILL GET REALLY TIGHT WHILE I AM DRIVING, AND THIS HAPPENS EVERY OTHER DAY. I AM ALMOST AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR BUT IT IS MY ONLY VEHICLE AT THIS POINT, AND I AM STILL MAKING PAYMENTS ON IT. WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL BECOMES HARD TO TURN, I HAVE TO PUT ALL MY WEIGHT ON THE STEERING WHEEL TO MAKE THE TURN. NO WARNING SUCH AS A POWERING STEELING LIGHT COMES ON. I THINK IF THE PROBLEM CONTINUES IT COULD LEAD TO SOMEONE GETTING SEVERELY INJURED OR DYING. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS AN OVERWHELMING SMELL OF GASOLINE FROM THE EXTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS CRACKED AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER ALSO ADVISED THAT THERE WAS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE FAILURE WOULD RECUR. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 83,089. UPDATED 08/19/10*BF UPDATED 08/23/10*JB
2006 CHEVY MALIBU ELECTRIC POWER STEERING GOES OUT RANDOMLY AND LOCKS UP WHILE DRIVING CAUSING DRIVER TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET RANGING FROM YEAR MODELS 2004-2008 AND I AM WONDERING WHY THERE HAS NOT BEEN AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE PROBLEM. I ALSO HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT DEALERS HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THE PROBLEM IS AND HOW TO FIX IT. I'M ALSO LEARNING THAT EVERYONE IS SAYING THAT THE PROBLEM IS CAUSED BY DIFFERENT THINGS, BUT THE RESULT IS ALL THE SAME. THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING IS FAULTY NO DOUBT ABOUT IT!!! IS GM GOING TO WAIT UNTIL PEOPLE DIE TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS ONE!!!!!!!!!!!! *TR
THIS HAS HAPPENED DOZENS OF TIMES BEFORE GM DID THE "CAMPAIGN" TO LESSEN THE AFFECT ON THE STEERING. NORMALLY WHILE ACCELERATING HARD AROUND A CORNER OR UP A HILL, THE POWERSTEERING WOULD LITERALLY JERK THE WHEEL FROM YOUR HANDS AND ATTEMPT TO STRAIGHTEN THE WHEEL. OBVIOUSLY THIS IS EXTREME DISCONCERTING AND DANGEROUS AT ANY SPEED. SYMPTOMS ARE THE DING DING DING WARNING AND THE VERY BRIEF FLASH, LIKE THEY DON'T WANT YOU TO SEE IT, OF POWER STEERING ON THE RADIO DISPLAY. THAT LASTS MAYBE 1.5 SECONDS BEFORE IT GOES AWAY, SO YOU HAVE TO KNOW TO LOOK AT THE RADIO VERY QUICKLY WHEN THE DING DING DING GOES TO SEE THE "ERROR" MESSAGE. IT TOOK 2 TRIPS TO THE DEALER ON THE RECALL TO "RESOLVE" THE PROBLEM IN GM'S EYES. WHAT THEY DO IS REPLACE THE COLUMN, AND SOME SETTINGS IN THE COMPUTER THAT REDUCES THE AMOUNT OF FORCE THE MOTOR EXERTS AGAINST THE DRIVER. THE WHEEL NO LONGER COMPLETELY JERKS FROM YOUR HANDS, BUT IT STILL WILL CHANGE YOUR COURSE WHEN ON A TURN IF YOU DON'T HAVE A TIGHT GRIP ON THE WHEEL. I CONSIDER THIS SUCH A SAFETY ISSUE, THAT I RARELY ALLOW ANYONE BUT MYSELF TO DRIVE IT BECAUSE IT WOULD JUST SCARE THE BEJEAVIOUS OUT OF THEM FOR THE CAR TO TAKE THE WHEEL FROM THEIR HANDS. WAS BACK IN THE DEALERSHIP YESTERDAY ON THE EXTENDED CAMPAIGN OF 150K MILES OR 10 YEARS. THEY INDICATED THE FAULT WAS THAT THE MOTOR TOSSED AN OVERHEAT CODE AND THAT WAS CAUSING COMPUTER INPUT ISSUES OUT OF WHAT WAS EXPECTED. I ADVISED IT DOES IT EVEN WHEN THE CAR IS COLD, NOT DRIVING FOR MORE THAN A MILE. THEIR RESPONSE WAS THE MOTOR HAS AN INTERNAL FAULT THAT CAUSES IT TO OVERHEAT QUICKLY, JUST BY STARTING THE CAR. REPAIRS COSTS ARE WELL OVER $700 PARTS AND LABOR, AND READING ON THE INTERNET, THIS PROBLEM MAY NOT EVEN BE RESOLVED BY SUCH A COSTLY REPAIR. *TR
ELECTRIC POWER STEERING GOES OUT INTERMITTENTLY WHILE MY VEHICLE IS MOVING. *TR
POWER STEERING LOCKS UP AND THEN RESETS ITSELF. HAS NOT LOCKUP YET WHILE DRIVING. HAVE RESEARCHED AND MANY PEOPLE HAVE THIS PROBLEM WITH THE SAME TYPE CAR. I HAVE TO DRIVE IT BUT AM AFRAID THE WHOLE TIME. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 5 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE DEALER ADVISED THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING ASSIST WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 54000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 3 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE CONTACT SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND UPON RESTARTING, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE HAS RECURRED APPROXIMATELY FIVE TIMES SINCE THE INITIAL FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,459 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 69,659.