2006 Chevrolet Malibu Complaint Log

ELECTRIC POWER STEERING DOES NOT WORK SOMETIMES WHEN YOU START THE CAR. IF YOU SHUT THE CAR OFF AND RESTART THE CAR AND IT STARTS WORKING AGAIN. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH THE STEERING COLUMN MADE A POPPING AND SNAPPING NOISE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE NOISE WOULD CAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL TO LOCK. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000. UPDATED 04/05/10 *BF UPDATED 05/05/10.*JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED THEN THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE IGNITION WARNING LIGHT SPORADICALLY ILLUMINATED AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL METAL ODOR IN THE CABIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE STEERING COLUMN AND RACK AND PINION WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE REAR BRAKE CALIPERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000. UPDATED 7/7/14*CN UPDATED 07/14/2014 *JS

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHENEVER THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE, SHE HEARD A CLUNKING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE BALL JOINT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 48,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000. UPDATED 8/10/09 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED IT WAS DIFFICULT TO STEER THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 08/13/09.*JB

ON MAY 1ST 2009, WHILE I WAS DRIVING MY 2006 CHEVY MALIBU ON THE HIGHWAY, THE AIRBAGS OF THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE WERE DEPLOYED. I WAS HIT BY THE AIRBAG AND LOST CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE. ACCORDING TO THE OTHER DRIVER, I HIT HER CAR FROM THE BEHIND. I WAS BLACKED OUT AT THAT MOMENT AND CAN'T NOT RECALL THE ACCIDENT. LUCKILY, NEITHER OF THE CARS DID NOT HAVE ANY OBVIOUS DAMAGE. I SENT MY CAR TO CHEVY DEALER AND THE CHEVY ENGINEER DIAGNOSED A MALFUNCTIONED SENSOR THAT MIS-TRIGGERED THE AIRBAGS AND THEY FIXED IT FOR FREE. I DO NOT FILE THIS COMPLAINT FOR COMPENSATION. I JUST WANT PEOPLE TO BE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE IT COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS ON THE ROAD. THANK YOU VERY MUCH YOUR TIME! *TR

I HAVE A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU THAT I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE POWER STEERING FOR ALMOST A YEAR NOW. I WAS HOPEFUL THAT THE RECALL THAT WAS ISSUED RECENTLY INCLUDES MY CAR, BUT IT DOES NOT...WHICH REALLY DISAPPOINTS ME SINCE I JUST PRINTED OFF AROUND 15 PAGES OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS TO TAKE TO MY DEALER. THE FAILURE ON MY CAR STARTED LAST SPRING-SUMMER AND HAVE HAD IT LOOKED AT SEVERAL TIMES. I WAS DRIVING WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO FEEL LIKE IT WAS FREEZING AND THEN WOULDN'T ALLOW ME TO DRIVE STRAIGHT, IT WOULD EITHER GO FAR RIGHT OR FAR LEFT. I THOUGHT I NEEDED AN ALIGNMENT (WHICH I HAD DONE), BUT THAT DIDN'T HELP AT ALL. THIS TERRIFIED ME. IT HAPPENS AT LEAST 2-3 TIMES A DAY ALL WEEK LONG. WE HAVE REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN (ON OUR OWN-RECALL ON 2005 MALIBU'S WON'T COVER MY 2006 EVEN THOUGH THE REP AT GM WE TALKED TO CONFIRMED MY CAR CAME OFF THE LINE IN 2005) AND IT STARTED DOING THE SAME THING THE NEXT DAY. HERE IS A DESCRIPTION OF EVERYTHING MY CAR DOES. IT HAS ALWAYS MADE A CLUNKING NOISE WHEN I TURN THE WHEEL IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE STEERING WHEEL WILL FREEZE UP AND BECOMES REALLY TIGHT MAKING IT HARD TO CONTROL. WHEN IT'S FROZEN, AND I TRY TO DRIVE STRAIGHT BY SLIGHTLY TURNING THE WHEEL, IT WILL ONLY TURN DRASTICALLY TO THE LEFT OR THE RIGHT MAKING MY WHOLE CAR JERK TO EITHER SIDE OF THE ROAD. ALSO WHEN IT'S DOING THIS, IT MAKE A LOUD VIBRATION NOISE AND THE WHEEL MOVES ON IT OWN IF I'M STOPPED AT A LIGHT OR IN PARK..EVEN OCCASIONALLY WHEN THE CAR IS TURNED OFF. WHEN IT'S MAKING THIS LOUD SOUND I CAN ALSO FEEL THE VIBRATION IN THE BRAKE PAD. POWER STEERING WILL DISPLAY ON THE DIC SCREEN ON THE DASH. FROM WHAT I'VE READ,I KNOW HUNDRED OF OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM AND DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. WE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO KEEP THROWING MONEY INTO PROBLEMS THAT WERE CREATED EVEN BEFORE WE BOUGHT THESE CARS. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE BEFORE SOMEONE DIES. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN INTO THE DRIVEWAY AT 15 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE CONTACT HEARD A RINGING NOISE. THE RADIO DISPLAY SCREEN BEGAN TO FLASH "POWER STEERING". THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO FINISH PARKING THE VEHICLE. SHE CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING WAS COMPUTER-ASSISTED. THE VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE A STEERING PUMP OF ANY SORT AND SHE WAS ADVISED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE COMPUTERIZED STEERING SYSTEM BECAME CONFUSED AND CAUSED THE MALFUNCTION. THE CONTACT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS; HOWEVER, SHE BELIEVES THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE LIABLE. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 68,000. UPDATED 08/28/09. *LJ THE DEALER RECOMMENDED REPLACING THE STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY. UPDATED 09/02/09.*JB

THE POWER STEERING LIGHT IS ON AND THE RESEARCH I HAVE DONE LEADS TO ME TO BELIEVE THAT THERE IS NO WAY TO FIX THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING IN THE 2006 CHEVY MALIBU LT. I WILL LIKE TO HAVE THIS ON FILE AS A COMPLAINT TO THE MFR FOR NOT MAKING THIS A RECALL. I AM SURE ITS BECAUSE IT COSTS TOO MUCH TO FIX THIS PARTICULAR ITEM IN THE VEHICLE. SOME CUSTOMERS HAVE HAD THIS GOING ON FOR A WHILE WITH THEIR VEHICLES AND HAVE TO LIVE WITH IT DUE TO THE FACT THAT EVEN THE DEALERSHIP CAN'T FIX THE PROBLEM. THIS IS HIGHWAY ROBBERY AND GM SHOULD NOT BE ABLE TO GET AWAY WITH THIS. I AM NOT SURE HOW TO MAKE THEM SEE THE ERROR IN THEIR DECISION TO IGNORE THIS. THIS IS A DANGEROUS DEFECT AND BEFORE SOMEONE IS HURT THEY SHOULD RECALL IT. I WILL LIKE TO HAVE SOME GUIDANCE ON HOW TO TAKE THIS DIRECTLY TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WHOM ELSE I CAN CONTACT TO LET THEM KNOW THIS IS HAPPENING. PLEASE HELP. I CAN'T AFFORD TO GET ANOTHER VEHICLE. I REALLY WANT MY CAR AND I JUST WANT TO GET IT FIXED. IT'S A SHAME THAT GM CAN'T STAND BY THEIR PRODUCT ONCE ITS DRIVEN OFF THE LOT. THIS IS A MFR DEFAULT AND IT SHOULD CONSTITUTE A RECALL RIGHT AWAY. *TR

PROBLEM WITH THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE CONVERTER WAS PLUGGED UP WITH A SUBSTANCE THAT APPEARS TO BE COMING FROM THE ENGINE, NOT THE USUAL WAY THAT A CONVERTER FAIL. MY MECHANIC HAS TOLD ME THAT HE HAS SEEN THIS ON FOUR DIFFERENT GM PRODUCTS, AND THAT THE DEALER CHARGED HIM AN $80.00 CORE CHARGE FOR THE CONVERTER, THEY REALLY WANTED IT BAKE FOR SOME REASON. *TR

I WAS BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT WHEN MY POWER STEERING FAILED AND I DID GET AN ERROR MESSAGE ON MY DISPLAY. THE DEALERS COMPUTER ONLY SAID "ELECTRICAL", BUT IT WAS NOT ASSOCIATE WITH ANY PART SO THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE POWER STEERING RETURNED AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF AND THEN ON AGAIN. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILS INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE HAS PROGRESSIVELY WORSENED. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP WHEN IT IS TURNED IN EITHER DIRECTION, WHICH MAKES CONTROLLING THE VEHICLE ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE. THE CONTACT MUST TURN OFF AND RESTART THE ENGINE IN ORDER TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT SEVERAL OTHER CONSUMERS WERE EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE. THE MECHANIC FURTHER STATED THAT THE COMPUTER MODULE IN THE DASHBOARD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AND THE CONTACT FEELS THAT A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000. UPDATED 08/04/09 *BF UPDATED 08/06/09.*JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY. WITHIN MOMENTS, THE POWER STEERING WOULD FAIL. THE DEALER REPLACED THE POWER STEERING COLUMN HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 107,000. UPDATED 05/24/10 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED HE HAS ALMOST SEVERAL ACCIDENTS DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE POWER STEERING. THE CONSUMER STATED ON ONE OCCASION, HE HIT A BLOCK OF WOOD IN THE ROAD AND BLEW A TIRE, DUE TO THE POWER STEERING FAILURE. UPDATED 05/28/10

LOOSE OF POWER STEERING, GM HAS EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON THIS PART, FOR 10YR OR 100,000 MILES, OUR CAR HAS 126,000 MILES WHEN THIS WAS ISSUED, BUT WE HAVE DOCUMENTATION THAT WE WERE HAVING THE TROUBLE AT 76,000 MILES BUT GM DOES NOT WANT TO HELP US WITH THE PROBLEM, WE ASK TO TALK TO A SUPERVISOR BUT NO ONE WILL CALL US BACK. YOU CAN BE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND TURN INTO SOMEWHERE AND A BELL WILL GO OFF AND YOU HAVE NO POWER STEERING, YOU HAVE TO TURN OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTART IT TO REGAIN POWER AND SOME TIMES IT IS A SHORT TIME BEFORE IT HAPPENS AGAIN. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD US THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE COST TO REPAIR THIS IS OVER $600 AND WE CAN'T AFFORD IT. OUR CAR IS A 2006 MALIBU. *TR

AS I DRIVE OUT OF NOWHERE THE STEERING LOCKS UP. IT STARTED OFF ONCE IN A GREAT WHILE THEN GOT WORSE WITH TIME. I HAVE HEARD THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL AND OTHER MODELS OF MALIBU. I JUST THINK IT'S VERY DANGEROUS TO KNOW THIS IS AN ISSUE AND NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. A MECHANIC AT CHEVY SAID THAT MORE AND MORE CARS WERE COMING IN WITH THAT PROBLEM. *TR

THE BRAKE LIGHTS ON MY 2006 CHEVY MALIBU WORK ALMOST COMPLETELY OPPOSITE OF WHAT THEY SHOULD. MOST OF THE TIME, I PRESS THE BRAKE AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS TURN OFF, WHEN THE BRAKE IS RELEASED, WITHIN 10 SECONDS THE BRAKE LIGHTS COME BACK ON AND REMAIN STEADY ON. WHEN I GO OVER BUMPS IN THE ROAD, THIS MAY TURN THE BRAKE LIGHTS ON OR OFF. MOST OF THE TIME MY BRAKE LIGHTS ARE ON, UNTIL THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED AND THE LIGHTS USUALLY TURN OFF. I HAVE ADDRESSED THIS ISSUE TO NO AVAIL FROM THE DEALER I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM, AS WELL AS WITH CHEVROLET. I EVEN BROUGHT IT TO A CHEVROLET DEALER AFTER TAKING ADVICE FROM CHEVROLET TO DO SO, AND THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM TO FIX IT. THEIR COMPUTER SAYS THERE IS NOT A PROBLEM, BUT THERE IS!!! I HAVE VIDEO OF IT TOO. THIS IS ALWAYS WHAT IS TOLD TO ME, HOWEVER, THE SECOND I GET MY CAR BACK, THE PROBLEM OCCURS FOR ME. I THINK THIS IS TOTAL BS. *TR

I WAS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR SHAKING WHEN DRIVING, SO I HAD MY TIRES CHECKED BUT IT WAS NOT THE TIRES. THE PROBLEM WAS MY OUTER TIE ROD ENDS NEED TO BE REPLACED. MY CAR IS A 2006 CHEVY MALIBU, WHICH IS IN GOOD CONDITION & REGULARLY SERVICED. THERE ARE THREE OTHER PEOPLE I KNOW PERSONALLY WITH THE SAME MODEL CAR THAT IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS. AFTER TAKING MY CAR TO THE SHOP, I FOUND THAT IS A HARD PART TO LOCATE BECAUSE THEY ARE SUPPOSE TO LAST FOR YEARS BEFORE NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. I THINK THE CHEVROLET DEALER SHOULD FURTHER INVESTIGATE THIS BECAUSE ITS NOT FAIR TO THE CONSUMERS TO HAVE SUFFER THE EXPENSE OF THE REPAIR. *TR

WHEN ACCELERATING TO PASS 4TH TO 2ND GEAR UNDER HIGH ENGINE RPMS THE WARNING BELL CHIMES 3 TO 4 TIMES AND THE ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCKS UP. AS SOON AS I RELEASE THE ACCELERATOR AND THE VEHICLE UPSHIFTS I HAVE FULL STEERING AS IF NOTHING EVER HAPPENED. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME NUMEROUS TIMES SO AS AN EXPERIMENT I TRIED TURNING THE VEHICLE WHEN THE ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCKED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE, IT FELT LIKE I WAS GOING TO BREAK THE STEERING WHEEL OFF THE VEHICLE. I HAVE 4 DIFFERENT INVOICES STATING THIS PROBLEM TO CHASE CHEVY SERVICE DEPARTMENT. I ALSO HAVE 3 DIFFERENT INVOICES IN WHICH THEY TRIED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM AND HAVE FAILED. 1ST INVOICE CAUSE: PCM ENGINE-REPROGRAMMING WITH SPS 89 W. 2ND CAUSE: DTC C0900 FOUND INTERMITTENT FAILURE AT THE VOLTAGE REGULATOR FOR THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING. 3RD CAUSE: C0900 ADDED GROUNDING STRAP TO COIL (PULLING TO MUCH VOLTAGE) THERE BULLETIN MATCHING MY COMPLAINT IS #2133820. HOW LONG IS THIS GOING TO GO ON BEFORE I CRASH MY VEHICLE DUE TO A STEERING FAILURE. I HAVE FOUND MULTIPLE WEBSITES WITH PEOPLE HAVING THESE SAME TYPE OF PROBLEMS WITH MY MODEL YEAR AND SOME OF THE PREVIOUS YEARS. I WILL YET AGAIN BE TAKING MY VEHICLE TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT FOR THEM TO DO A CHEAP FIX; IF ANYTHING AT ALL. GM NEEDS TO STEP UP AND CLAIM RESPONSIBILITY BEFORE THEIR ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING SYSTEM STARTS CLAMMING LIVES. MY NEXT STEP AFTER THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT WILL BE CATCHING THEIR ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING SYSTEM FAILING ON VIDEO CAMERA AND DEMONSTRATE THAT THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF CONTROL DUE TO THE FACT THAT YOU CANNOT TURN NEITHER LEFT NOR RIGHT. I AM SURE SOME NEWS ORGANIZATIONS WILL BE INTERESTED IN THIS FOOTAGE! HOW LIVES ARE IN JEOPARDY AND NO ONE IS BOTHERING TO DO ANYTHING. THIS HAS HAPPENED SINCE I HAVE PURCHASED MY VEHICLE TO PRESENT WHICH IS APPROX. 50,000 MILES OF DRIVING. HOW LONG WILL MY LUCK CONTINUE? *TR

2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU. ELECTRIC ASSISTED STEERING WILL SHUT DOWN. TURNING OF THE CAR IS VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE AT SLOW SPEEDS. SAME PROBLEM THAT IS REPORTED BY MANY ON THE PRECEDING YEAR. *TR

THE FUEL GAUGE SUDDENLY DROPS TO EMPTY, THEN BACK UP AGAIN. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ON. STARTED 2 TANKS OF GAS AGO. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHENEVER THE CONTACT MAKES A RIGHT TURN IN THE VEHICLE, THE WHEELS LOCK UP. SHE ALSO HEARD A KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. IN ORDER TO TURN, THE VEHICLE MUST BE TRAVELING AT LEAST 14 MPH. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED ONLINE THAT SEVERAL VEHICLES WERE EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE. EACH MECHANIC THAT THE CONTACT HAS TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO COULD NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. SHE FEELS THAT CHEVROLET SHOULD REPAIR THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE SAFETY ISSUE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

WHEN TURNING STEERING WHEEL AT SPEEDS UNDER 30 MPH, ELECTRIC ASSIST POWER STEERING WILL FREQUENTLY SHUT DOWN, WITH WARNING CHIME SOUNDING AND "POWER STEERING" WARNING DISPLAYED IN THE DRIVER INFORMATION CENTER (DIC). THE CAR CAN STILL BE STEERED BUT REQUIRES CONSIDERABLY GREATER EFFORT THAN A CAR WITH MANUAL STEERING. ONCE THE CAR IS PULLED OVER, TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED, IT "RESETS" ITSELF, AND OPERATES NORMAL AGAIN UNTIL THE NEXT TIME IT OCCURS. THE PROBLEM STARTED IN MARCH OF 2009, WITH 71,000 MILES, AND HAS GOTTEN STEADILY WORSE OVER TIME. IT NOW HAS 105,000 MILES ON IT, AND NOW HAPPENS SO OFTEN (ABOUT 12-15 TIMES PER DAY), THAT THE CAR IS ALMOST UNDRIVEABLE. I'VE CONTACTED 3 DIFFERENT DEALERS, WHO ALL TELL ME THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF APPROX $1100, AS THERE ARE NO "SERVICEABLE" PARTS IN THE ELECTRIC STEERING SYSTEM. AS I UNDERSTAND IT, THIS IS THE EXACT SAME STEERING PROBLEM THAT GM ISSUED A RECALL FOR IN MARCH OF 2010, FOR CHEVY COBALTS AND PONTIAC G6'S, BUT WON'T RECALL MALIBUS, BECAUSE THERE HAVEN'T BEEN "ENOUGH" COMPLAINTS FILED YET. I DON'T HAVE $1100 TO FOR A NEW STEERING COLUMN THAT GM HAS ADMITTED IS A PROBLEM IN IT'S OTHER VEHICLES, BUT WON'T RECALL MINE BECAUSE NOT ENOUGH OWNERS HAVE YET TO FILE A COMPLAINT! *TR

THE ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST PERIODICALLY FAILS. IT FAILS WHEN YOU CRANK YOUR CAR AND WILL NOT OPERATE CORRECTLY UNTIL YOU SHUT THE CAR DOWN AND RESTART. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 15 MPH ON A DIRT COVERED ROAD, THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING, THE CONTACT HEARD THREE CHIMES SOUNDING AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME LOCKED. THE WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED LIT UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE DRIVER HAD TO EXERT GREATER FORCE IN ORDER TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS CAUTIOUSLY DRIVEN TO HIS RESIDENCE AND THEN TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION. A FRONT END WHEEL ALIGNMENT WAS PERFORMED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. CURRENTLY, THE CONTACT IS WAITING ON A RESPONSE FROM THE TECHNICIAN REGARDING THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 61,987.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHEN THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND IN ANY GEAR THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY LOOSE ALL POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALERSHIP AND THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 92000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MAILBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED MAKING A CLICKING NOISE WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED. ALSO A POWER STEERING ALARM LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING. THE FAILURE NORMALLY OCCURRED WHEN THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT 15 MPH AND TURNING. THE CONTACT WOULD TURN OFF THE VEHICLE AND RESTART AND THE VEHICLE WOULD FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO GET PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND FILED A COMPLAINT. SHE WAS ADVISED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 30,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 37,900.

USUALLY WHILE TURNING THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT ON THE MALIBU MAXX. THERE ARE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON IT AND THE DEALERSHIP HAS A BULLETIN REGARDING IT. THEY WANT OVER $500 TO FIX THEIR MISTAKE. IT HAPPENED 4 TIMES ON A 94 MILE TRIP JUST LAST WEEKEND. IT USUALLY HAPPENS A COUPLE TIMES A WEEK. THERE IS NO WARNING AS TO WHEN IT WILL OCCUR AND YOU HAVE NO CONTROL OVER THE CAR. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME TO SHUT THE CAR OFF AND RESTART AND THE POWER WOULD RESET. THAT WORKS MOST OF THE TIME BUT NOT A GOOD IDEA IF YOU ARE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. THERE WILL BE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT FROM THIS PROBLEM AS IT IS REPORTED MORE AND MORE. PEOPLE DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO SPEND ON REPAIRS WHILE THE MOTOR COMPANIES GET "BAIL OUT" MONEY. I WANT A RECALL. *TR

FILING A COMPLAINT REGARDING MY 2006 CHEVY MALIBU MAXX...WHAT IS A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT? THE UNITED STATES CODE FOR MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY (TITLE 49, CHAPTER 301) DEFINES MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY AS ?THE PERFORMANCE OF A MOTOR VEHICLE OR MOTOR VEHICLE EQUIPMENT IN A WAY THAT PROTECTS THE PUBLIC AGAINST UNREASONABLE RISK OF ACCIDENTS OCCURRING BECAUSE OF THE DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION, OR PERFORMANCE OF A MOTOR VEHICLE (THE STEERING COLUMN IS A GENUINE GM DEFECTIVE PART(S), AND AGAINST UNREASONABLE RISK OF DEATH OR INJURY IN AN ACCIDENT, AND INCLUDES NONOPERATIONAL SAFETY OF A MOTOR VEHICLE.? A DEFECT INCLUDES ?ANY DEFECT IN PERFORMANCE, CONSTRUCTION, A COMPONENT, OR MATERIAL OF A MOTOR VEHICLE OR MOTOR VEHICLE EQUIPMENT.? GENERALLY, A SAFETY DEFECT IS DEFINED AS A PROBLEM THAT EXISTS IN A MOTOR VEHICLE OR ITEM OF MOTOR VEHICLE EQUIPMENT THAT: POSES AN RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY, AND MAY EXIST IN A GROUP OF VEHICLES OF THE SAME DESIGN OR MANUFACTURE, OR ITEMS OF EQUIPMENT OF THE SAME TYPE AND MANUFACTURE. EXAMPLES OF DEFECTS CONSIDERED SAFETY-RELATED STEERING COMPONENTS THAT BREAK SUDDENLY CAUSING PARTIAL OR COMPLETE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. * THE ABOVE LISTED UNITED STATE VEHICLE SAFETY CODE IS THE REASON FOR THIS COMPLAINT BEING FILE. I UNDERSTAND THAT CHEVY USED THE SAME COLUMN UNIT IN ITS 2004, 2005 AND 2006 MALIBU MODELS AND ALL THREE YEARS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. ONCE ODOMETER REACHES A CERTAIN MILEAGE READING THE STEERING COLUMN ELECTRONIC ASSISTED STEERING COLUMN FAILS, IT TURNS OFF, LEAVING THE DRIVER AT THE MERCY OF A MANUALLY HARD TO STEER VEHICLE, IN MY WIFE AND MINE'S CASE IT IS A METAL DEATH TRAP ON THE ROAD WHEN MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN. I HAVE WRITTEN DIRECTLY TO CHEVY/GM MOTOR CORPORATION WITH OUT RECOGNITION OF MY COMPLAINT. THIS CAR IS A LARGE ROAD SAFETY ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY. I WANT CHEVY TO BUY MY CAR BACK OF REPLACE THIS VEHICLE. PLEASE HELP!! I DON'T WANT TO DIE IN THIS VEHICLE, NOR LOOSE MY WIFE. *TR

I BOUGHT MY 2006 CHEVY MALIBU IN FEB 2009 . IMMEDIATELY AFTER WE PURCHASED THIS CAR FROM A USED CAR LOT, WE STARTED HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE POWER STEERING. THE DEALERSHIP WE PURCHASED IT FROM SUGGEST WE TAKE IT TO LOCAL GM DEALERSHIP TO LOOK AT IT. THEY ADVISED THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO DRIVE IT TO SEE WHAT HAPPENED. AT THAT TIME, IT WOULD ONLY HAPPEN EVERY SO OFTEN SO I COULD NOT AFFORD TO HAVE THEM KEEP MY CAR FOR ANY LENGTH OF TIME. AT FIRST, I CHALKED IT UP TO THE COLD TEMPERATURES, BUT AS SPRING AND SUMMER PASSED IT STILL HAPPENED. I HAVE NOW HAD THE CAR A YEAR AND IT HAPPENS SOMETIMES FOUR OR FIVE TIMES BEFORE I GET OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY. I HAVE THE POWERSTEERING MESSAGE COME ACROSS THE DISPLAY, I HAVE TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND IT WILL RESET. USUALLY THE RESET WILL ONLY WORK IF I AM NOT IN A TURN POSITION. I CAN BE GOING 65MPH DOWN THE INTERSTATE AND IT WILL CLICK OFF AND LOCK THE STEERING WHEEL. THANK GOD, THAT I HAVE NEVER HAD TO GET OUT OF CRUNCH ON THE INTERSTATE. I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP WHERE AFTER $50.00 FOR A DIAGNOSIS THEY ADVISED THAT THE POWER STEERING MOTOR/MODULE ASSEMBLY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED FOR THE PRICE TAG OF $850.00. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT IF THERE ARE SO MANY CONSUMERS WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM THEY WOULD ISSUE A RECALL BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. IT SEEMS TO HAPPEN MORE OFTEN WHEN TURNING TO THE RIGHT. I NOW CAN'T DRIVE ANYWHERE WITHOUT IT HAPPENING 5 TO 7 TIMES. I USUALLY JUST LEAVE IT TILL I HAVE TO GET IN A PARKING SPOT. I HAVE TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL , RESTART THE ENGINE AND HOPE IT WILL REENGAGE. I HAVE CONTACT GM CUSTOMER SERVICE AND BECAUSE I DID NOT HAVE THE CAR SERVICED EVERYTIME AT A GM AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THAT IT NOW HAS 80K ON IT THEY WILL NOT HELP AT ALL. WELL IT WAS PURCHASED IN 2009 WITH 60 K ON IT AT THAT TIME IT WOULD HAVE BEEN OUT OF WARRANT THEN ALSO. THEY ARE NOT HELPFUL AT ALL AND DO NOT TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS ISSUE. *TR

STEERING GEAR PROBLEM IN 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU LT. DEALER REPLACED WORN STEERING GEAR AT 25,000 MILES AND NOW AT 35,000 MILES THE PROBLEM IS HAPPENING AGAIN. *TR

INCIDENT: FAILURE OF POWER STEERING ON 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU 1) A WEEK LEADING UP THE EVENT, I RETURNED FROM VACATION TO FIND "CHECK POWER STEERING" LIT UP ON MY MESSAGE CENTER, HOWEVER, POWER STEERING WAS STILL AVAILABLE. THIS OCCURRED ON A PARTICULARLY COLD MORNING, AFTER A COLD FEW WEEKS. THE CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP TOLD ME NOTHING WAS WRONG (BY PHONE). I CONTINUED DRIVING THE VEHICLE WITHOUT RECURRENCE OF THE WARNING MESSAGE. 2) ON ANOTHER PARTICULARLY COLD MORNING, I DROVE THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL GAS STATION, FILLED UP, AND DROVE APPROXIMATELY TWO CAR LENGTHS WHEN THE POWER STEERING FAILED, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MOVE, AND THE "CHECK POWER STEERING" MESSAGE DISPLAYED. I APPLIED THE BREAKS, STOPPING THE VEHICLE. 3) I HAD READ ABOUT THE FAILURE ONLINE, AND THE FIX SEEMED TO BE A RESTART OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. I TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE, AND RESTARTED THE ENGINE. THE POWER STEERING WAS RESTORED, AND I HAVE DRIVEN IT SINCE WITHOUT INCIDENT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX . THE CONTACT STATED WHEN DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING WILL FAIL AND THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD BECOME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE CONTACT WOULD SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL AND RESTART THE VEHICLE IN ORDER TO RESET THE POWER STEERING ASSIST. THE DEALER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD NEED TO DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE TO DETERMINE THE EXACT CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 117,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH ON BLACK ICE, THE VEHICLE STRUCK A GUARD RAIL HEAD-ON. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE BODY SHOP REPAIRED THE VEHICLE AND, A WEEK LATER, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE REMAINS ON EVEN WHEN THE KEY IS NOT IN THE IGNITION. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ISSUE WAS DUE TO THE BODY CONTROL MODULE, WHICH WAS LOCATED UNDERNEATH THE DASHBOARD. THE INSURANCE COMPANY AND MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD NOT BE COVERED. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A MANUFACTURER DEFECT, NOT THE CRASH. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED FOR THE IGNITION FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 91,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT HEARD A THUMPING SOUND COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. SHE ALSO EXPERIENCED A LOT OF PLAY IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN MAKING LEFT AND RIGHT TURNS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE STEERING GEAR, INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT, AND STEERING ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE ESTIMATED COST OF OVER $1,000. THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 35,819. UPDATED 03-06-09 *BF UPDATED 03/09/09. *JB

PURCHASED VEHICLE IN JULY 2006. CERTIFIED USED. KEPT HEARING NOISE, KNOCKING FROM LEFT FRONT. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER 2-3 TIMES UNTIL THEY REPLACED A PART. NOISE RETURNED SOME WEEKS LATER. NOW THE ELECTRONIC STEERING IS MALFUNCTIONING. WHEN THE STEERING IS TURNED TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN THE "POWER STEERING " WARNING LIGHT COMES ON AND THE WHEEL STIFFENS MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO TURN AND VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. DEALER SAYS CAR NEED POWER STEERING COLUMN AND MODULE WHICH IS VERY EXPENSIVE. I HAVE ALSO BEEN INFORMED THAT IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY OR THE VERY EXPENSIVE EXTENDED WARRANTY THEY SOLD ME. *TR

USING MY MOTHER'S 2006 MALIBU MAXX ON 12/24/08, THE BACK LIFTGATE CAME CRASHING DOWN ON MY WIFE'S HEAD WHILE SHE WAS LOADING THE TRUNK. THE NEXT MORNING WE SAW THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE LIFT CYLINDER SNAPPED OFF ITS METAL BALL JOINT. UNFORTUNATELY, THIS CYLINDER IS ATTACHED TO THE METAL BALL JOINT VIA A PLASTIC CAP. WHERE THIS CAP IS ASKED TO NOT ONLY SECURE THE CYLINDER TO THE LIFTGATE FRAME, BUT ALSO ROTATE AND PITCH THE CYLINDER. ANYONE SHORTER THAN MY WIFE'S HEIGHT WOULD HAVE BEEN INJURED SEVERELY, SUCH AS A BROKEN NECK AND/OR CRUSHED SKULL. THE CHEVROLET DEALER - JIM O'BRIEN CHEVROLET SNAPPED THE CYLINDER BACK ON ITS BALL JOINT AND REFUSED TO REPAIR, FIX, AND/OR OFFER AN ALTERNATIVE TO PREVENT THIS SITUATION FROM HAPPENING AGAIN. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING, THE VEHICLE WAS STRUCK ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE BY ANOTHER VEHICLE DRIVING AT A RELATIVELY HIGH SPEED. THE CRASH CAUSED $4,000 WORTH OF DAMAGE AND THE SIDE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED MODERATE INJURIES, INCLUDING SEVERAL CONTUSIONS AND BRUISING. THE DEALER STATED THAT A DEFECTIVE AIR BAG SENSOR PREVENTED THE AIR BAGS FROM DEPLOYING. THE CONTACT HAS PICTURES OF THE INCIDENT AFTER THE FAILURE, AND IS WAITING FOR A COPY OF THE POLICE REPORT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 51,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25-30 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V417000 (AIR BAGS;FRONTAL), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,300. UPDATED 2/23/09 *CN UPDATED 02/25/09. *JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND UPON RESTART, OPERATED AS NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING MODULE WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AT 25,700 MILES AND WAS NOT TAKEN IN TO BE EXAMINED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 25,700.

MY 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU LOSES IT'S ELECTRONICALLY ASSISTED STEERING USUALLY HALF WAY THROUGH A TURN USUALLY WITHOUT WARNING. I AM AFRAID THAT IT WILL GO OUT AT A BAD TIME AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT SO FAR THERE SEEMS TO BE NO RECALL BUT I HAVE BEEN ON A FEW DIFFERENT FORUMS WHERE TEN OR MORE PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

POWER STEERING GOES OUT WHEN I ACCELERATE AND THE READING ON MY RADIO SAYS POWER STEERING AND THE ALARM IS ACTIVATED AS WELL TO LET ME KNOW THERE IS A PROBLEM. WHEN I TAKE MY FOOT OFF OF THE GAS, I GET MY POWER STEERING BACK. THIS HAPPENS REGULARLY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. CONSEQUENTLY THE DRIVER CRASHED INTO A ROAD BARRIER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE POWER STEERING MOTOR WAS REPLACED. AN IDENTICAL FAILURE OCCURRED ON A SEPARATE OCCASION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000.

I HAVE A POWER STEERING PROBLEM, IT KEEPS ON SHUTTING OFF ON ME WHILE I AM DRIVING THIS IS VERY UNSAFE AND CAN KILL SOME ONE DAY I AM THINKING OF TRADING OFF MY CAR BECAUSE OF ALL THE PROBLEMS I HAVE HAD WITH IT.. GM SHOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT THE PROBLEM MILLIONS OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING. *TR

WHILE DRIVING MY 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX, I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY WHEN I LOST POWER STEERING. I PARKED THE CAR, SHUT IT OFF, TURNED IT BACK ON AND THE POWER STEERING WAS WORKING PROPERLY. A FEW DAYS LATER I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND AGAIN LOST POWER STEERING. I PULLED OVER AND SHUT THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTED AND GAINED POWER STEERING BACK. IT HAPPENED AGAIN NEARLY RIGHT AWAY AFTER DOING THE LAST RESTART. I AGAIN PULLED OVER, SHUT THE CAR OFF AND TURNED IT BACK ON AND POWER STEERING WAS BACK. THIS HAS HAPPENED 6 TO 10 TIMES IN THE LAST 1 TO 2 MONTHS AND THERE IS NO RHYME OR REASON TO WHEN THE POWER STEERING GIVES OUT. THIS MAKES EVERY TRIP IN THE CAR A POTENTIAL HAZARD. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 60 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE RADIO WAS MAKING UNKNOWN SQUEAKING NOISES. SHE SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING AND NOTICED IN HER REARVIEW MIRROR THAT FLAMES WERE PRESENT IN THE REAR INTERIOR SPEAKERS. SHE PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND CALLED THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED, BUT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY STATED THAT THE PAPER USED TO MAKE THE SPEAKER GREW TOO HOT AND CAUSED THE FIRE. NO MODIFICATIONS HAD BEEN MADE TO THE MANUFACTURER'S SPEAKERS. THE INSURANCE COMPANY ATTEMPTED TO HAVE THE REPAIRS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE, BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,301.

MY 2006 CHEVY MALIBU POWER STEERING KEEPS GOING OUT, I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND THIS SOUNDS LIKE A PROBLEM THAT OTHER MALIBU OWNERS ARE HAVING, IT GOES OUT DIFFERENT TIMES EVEN WHEN IM DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, SOMETIMES I CAN TURN THE CAR OFF AND THEN TURN IT BACK ON AND IT WILL START WORKING AGAIN. THIS PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED, THANK YOU. *TR

KNOCKING NOISE IN THE STEERING COLUMN. HAD TO HAVE IIT FIXED TWICE AND IT NOW DOES IT AGAIN. THIS IS A REPETATIVE PROBLEM AND IT APPEARS THAT THIS CAR HAS A DESIGN ISSUE. *TT

I PURCHASED GAS AND THE GAS GAUGE DROPS DOWN AND FUEL LIGHT COMES ON THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND IM GETTING REALLY FRUSTRATED WITH IT. IT SEEMS TO BE GETTING WORSE WITH EVERY FILL ITS JUMPING UP AND DOWN. *TR

POWER STEERING FAILED WHEN TRYING TO TURN INTO A PARKING SPOT--LOCKED UP FOR THE FIRST TIME AND CONTINUOUSLY SINCE. SEEMS TO BE THE SAME PROBLEM THAT THE CHEVY COBALTS ARE HAVING, BUT MY CAR IS A MALIBU. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH THE POWER STEERING LOCKED WHICH CAUSED HIM TO ENGAGE THE BRAKES AND DRIVE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE. HE STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE HE REPLACED THE SPARK PLUGS AND THE SPARK PLUG WIRES. HE ALSO TESTED THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND FOUND THAT THERE WERE NO ELECTRICAL FAILURES; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 114,000. UPDATED 08/13/10. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE BATTERY LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH. THE LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE WHEN ACCELERATING UP A GRADE/HILL. ALSO WHEN THE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THERE WAS A CHIME SOUND AS IF THE DOOR WAS BEING OPENED. THERE WAS A SUDDEN AND INTERMITTENT LOSS OF POWER STEERING WITHOUT WARNING. THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING HAS OCCURRED WHILE ACCELERATING UP A SLIGHT GRADE, ACCELERATING FROM A STOP LIGHT OR ACCELERATING WHILE MERGING UP A SLIGHT GRADE. UPDATED 08/23/10*JB

I HAVE A 2006 MALIBU MAXX 3.5 V6. MY WIFE WAS PARALLEL PARKING WHEN THE POWER STEERING LOCKED UP ON HER. IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO PARK AND MANEUVER THE VEHICLE. NO DAMAGE WAS DONE. I WENT ONLINE TO FIND OUT ABOUT WHY IT JUST SHUT OFF AND FOUND THE LINK TO THIS WEB-SITE. I SURE DON'T WANT TO SEE THIS GO OUT WHEN TURNING AROUND A CORNER. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD NOT FOR US BUT ANYONE ELSE ON THE ROAD AS WELL. *TR