6.2

fairly significant
Typical Repair Cost:
$1,100
Average Mileage:
54,900 miles
Total Complaints:
13 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. not sure (10 reports)
  2. replace intermediate steering shaft (3 reports)
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This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Chevrolet dealer.

problem #13

Aug 072014

Malibu LS 2.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 117,000 miles

After owning this car for just a month, I began to hear a knocking noise from my front end when turning. Afraid that my engine was knocking, I immediately called my mechanic. My steering column was the issue, and it needed to be replaced, at a total cost of $1100. What bothered me the most, however, was that several other years of the Malibu model had recalls on this part, GM was fully aware of the issue in this particular model, yet I still had to put out over a grand to fix it because GM wouldn't take responsibility for their faulty part.

- Jayne D., Brick, NJ, US

problem #12

Aug 152007

Malibu V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles

I'm angry because they make a recall and then they take forever to get the issue resolved ! Makes NO SENSE that Chevrolet is taking their sweet time to correct this situation !!!!!!

- yardoin, Eunice, LA, US

problem #11

Aug 012012

Malibu LTZ V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,000 miles

makes clicking noise when you turn

Had 2 people check it and one couldn't find anything wrong and the other replaced the struts but still doing it!

Sounds like it's going to break sometimes when you turn corners.

Not happy with this car at all we traded in a Kia SUV 4 cycl wishing we didn't now.

Sincerely,

Roberta

- Roberta S., Riverside, Ca, US

problem #10

Jul 012008

Malibu LT 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40,500 miles

The popping sound is annoying, but there really are more important things to worry about while driving than this noise. The car is still very responsive and I've never had any problems with the steering feeling mushy or slipping in turns or erratic driving conditions. This car has been to Las Vegas, NV, Taos, NM and all the way to Montrose, CO numerous times without any problems. Hope this helps.

- malibumattnewmex, Albuquerque, NM, US

problem #9

Jun 052012

Malibu LT 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40,000 miles

Purchased a 2006 malibu and have problems ever since. Steering went out at approx. 40,000 miles. Had fixed and after the fix received letter from chey that they would cover the over $600.00 bill. I was very happy to receive the reimbursement, but shortly after the front end started to make a shifting noise every time I make a right or left turn or take off from a stop. Vary annoying. I believe that anything that keeps moving will eventually fatigue and break. It is a bad steering design and I wish chevy would fix it or give me the extra money when I try to sell the car that I will lose because of the front end problem. No one will buy that car knowing that problem exists. Too bad the government didn't include that car in the Junkers program they had. Get the 2006 malibu in the recycle bin where they belong.

- fredmich, Ludington, MI, US

problem #8

Sep 112011

Malibu

  • Automatic transmission
  • 44,000 miles

Took my chevy to my mechanic because of the clunking in the steering column,he told me to take it to the dealership which I did.It was part of a recall that I had no knowledge of {not the first owner of this car and now I know why}.It was fixed for free.It was the power steering motor that was fixed {maybe} because the clunking is back after one month.Went back to dealership and was told it's not the same problem,Of course not but haven't yet found out what the new problem is.

- tarpet, Belleville, Ontario, canada

problem #7

Jun 012011

Malibu Maxx LT 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 85,000 miles

I have had this vehicle from July, 2006. I bought it brand new and it had 20 miles on it when I drove it off the lot, 14 of those were from me test driving it. I had opted for the 6 year, 60,000 mile extended warranty when I purchased the vehicle. I did manage to get great value out of this warranty, but unfortunately I'm way beyond the extended mileage. I noticed this noise a couple years ago and brought it back to the dealer. I had the service manager get as much out of the warranty as I could since it was about to expire. I had a whole new front end installed. Rack and pinion, struts, mounts, ball joints, and collapsible steering column. $998 worth of work was done. But now, here I am, out of warranty and when I went to have routine service done, they tell me that the steering column needs to be replaced once again. I am not in position to afford this at this time. Don't get me wrong, I love my car. I've had 3 Chevys out of the 4 cars I've owned. I have every intention of sticking with the Bowtie. I'm really hoping that Chevy and GM could take a serious look at this and come up with a resolution in the near future.

- Rich S., Utica, NY, US

problem #6

Oct 242008

Malibu

  • Automatic transmission
  • 49,000 miles

I bought my 06 malibu in aug of 08. Since oct 08 there has been a "popping noise" in the steering whenever I turn. It is worse turning left than right. Was told just a nuisance not a concern. Have had it in twice for the rack and pinnion, the sway bar and the links replace. Last time was dec and making noise again. have reported to lemon law until i get some answers. Was told that the I shaft needed replace then when I took it in they told me that it was the rack and pinnion that I just had fixed 6 months earlier. I love my car but am done with the problems. I need peace when I am driving.

Update from Apr 16, 2011: I had the I shaft fixed in late Jan early February and have not had any more problems. I have not yet put 3000 miles on it so I am waiting for the noise to return. When I last went to the dealer, I requested a copy of the warranty for the lawyer. I think they may have realized that I was not playing around any more. The first time they told me it would cost over $300 but when it was fixed, I paid $0. I am happy that maybe a resolution has been achieved. Thanks for the advice

- Kim D., Moline, IL, US

problem #5

Feb 012010

Malibu LX 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75,000 miles

W.T.F............................................................................

- everydaydriver_81, Austin, TX, US

problem #4

Nov 082008

Malibu LT V6 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,000 miles

So I had my intermediate shaft replaced at 53000 miles per a TSB that the dealer told me of since it was making noises during turning. Now at 91000 miles they are telling me I need it again.

- kausar, Naperville, IL, US

problem #3

Dec 052010

Malibu LX 3.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 27,000 miles

I took my car back into the dealer for them to fix the issue since I have only owned the car three months. They replaced steering shaft kit for $169 - that didn't solve the problem. Less than a month later the car is back in the shop. When will this stop and get repaired RIGHT

- Kathy K., East Aurora, NY, US

problem #2

Dec 022010

Malibu LT 4 CYL

  • Automatic transmission
  • 16,000 miles

The steering in my Malibu is becoming a nuisance and the more I research this problem the more I have realized that I have made a big mistake purchasing another Chevrolet. I have had issues with my last Chevrolet and now this one. When turning I can hear a click and the steering is very touchy, it is hard to drive a straight line at higher speeds and is very jerky. I am planning to purchase a new SUV this year and I don't think it will be a Chevy. Chevrolet needs to look at ALL the issues they have in the steering and front end components and fix them. Or this maybe the end of my Chevy ownerships.

- ceverts001, Kenosha, WI, US

problem #1

Sep 012006

Malibu LS

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles

I have had this problem ever since i bought the car. Two weeks after i drove the car off the lot it only had 6 miles on it had to take it back cause of the noise that was coming from the frot end when i turned. took it back many many time and they couldn't find anything wrong with it they tried replacing things the noise would go away for a week or so and come right back. I will NEVER buy from chevy again this car sucks i hate it!

- cass_02, Streetsboro, OH, US