10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 22 / 1
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 11 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 83,866 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
My 2006 Chevrolet Malibu has an intermittent power steering failure, especially during acceleration. I was entering an expressway, when the warning bell starting sounding, and the car became impossible to steer. I nearly hit the guard rail before bringing it to a stop.
- Tulsa, OK, USA
Shortly after I bought my 2006 Chevy Malibu I began felling this popping when I turned the steering wheel in either direction. The popping soon turned into a heavy clunk. Took it to GM dealer. They lubed my inter shaft recorrection on my service statement. I returned about a year latter with the same problem. Same correction was made. Now the problem is worse and the wheel locks up after the pop. As a result I have collided with 2 stationary objects.
- Phoenix , AZ, USA
I own a 2006 Chevy Malibu, while I was driving the steering locked up. I was only going about 35 mph I was able to pull over and stop. I was told to cut the car off for about 20 minutes. After the 20 minutes I was able to drive the car with no problems that day, their have been two incidents with the same problem.
- Garner, NC, USA
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu. While traveling 30 mph, the contact noticed a warning chime inside the vehicle. Seconds later, the power steering failed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The current and failure mileage was 91,000.
- Jackson , TN, USA
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.
- Prattville, AL, USA
I drive a 2006 Malibu, and have been for the past 4 years. The standard 2006 Malibu has epsa (electronic power steering assist). There is no reservoir to fill fluid as with older models. I found out today through experience that the electric power steering locks/unlocks on its own which has created an extremely dangerous situation. As I was driving to work this morning and as I was pulling into another driveway (making a right hand turn), the steering wheel locked so that I couldn't turn, and I was inches away from hitting a pole. I am fearful of this vehicle especially since a child rides in this vehicle regularly. I am thankful that my child wasn't in the vehicle during this time. I came in to work to do some research since the mechanic confirmed there is no reservoir for the power steering fluid. No pump, no hose, nothing to top off. What I found through my research is scary and irresponsible of GM. This is a severe safety hazard and needs to be addressed by GM immediately. I am disappointed to find that GM has not recalled this vehicle nor identified and addressed this problem (or others). I have not received any mailings or notifications regarding this problem. It's outrageous that GM can legally put out a vehicle for mass production with such hazardous flaws such as the electric power steering problem (among others). After reading all the complaints and blogs about the eps system, I am convinced that the mailbu is suffering from the same symptoms as the cobalt and other vehicles identified in a 2005 (model) recall. This issue is a lawsuit waiting to happen.
- Houston, TX, USA
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact was attempting to reverse when the steering wheel locked. The contact shut off the engine. Upon restarting the vehicle, it resumed normal operation. The vehicle had an adequate amount of power steering fluid. Based on the contact's research, he believed the failure to be attributed to the electric power steering motor. Neither the dealer or the manufacturer was contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was approximately 85,000. The VIN was unavailable.
- Houston, TX, USA
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.
- Toms River, NJ, USA
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.
- Arverne, NY, USA
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.
- Saratogata Springs, NY, USA
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving various speeds from 1 to 65 mph, the power steering warning light would illuminate followed by a series of three warning chimes. The failure persisted intermittently. The illumination began to occur more frequently and eventually, the electronic power steering assist began to fail sporadically. The steering wheel became extremely stiff and difficult to maneuver. The contact stated that he would had to utilize extreme force in order to turn the steering wheel. The dealer performed a diagnostic test and stated that the entire power steering unit and intermediate steering shaft needed to be replaced at the owner's expense. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer would not provide any assistance. There were no recalls related to the failure. The failure mileage was 75,000 and the current was 81,467.
- Preston, MO, USA
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.
- Gainesville, GA, USA
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.
- Douglasville, GA, USA
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.
- Mascoutah, IL, USA
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.
- Glenville, WV, USA
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.
- North Port, FL, USA
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.
- St. Albans, WV, USA
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.
- Spring, TX, USA
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.
- Mt. Pleasant, PA, USA
- Escondido, CA, USA