10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
22 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
11 / 0
Average Mileage:
83,866 miles

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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #114

Mar 142010

Malibu 6-cyl

  • 88,500 miles
Power steering light came on in message box, once again, this time I was in car with my kids and going at 40miles. I had to pull over to a parking lot due to it being hard to steer car. Had to turn car off for 2mins and then start car up to even regain normal steering of my car! this is the 3rd time this has happened to me and yet GM is only recalling all other makes but not the 06 Malibu!!! I've seen to many complaints on this model on the web of NHTSA. This is my 2nd complaint just made one just 2 weeks ago on this same matter. GM needs to get it together, this is a problem that needs attention before there are deaths or injuries!!!

- Librty Twp, OH, USA

problem #113

Jun 272008

Malibu 6-cyl

  • 30,000 miles
I have a 2006 Chevy Malibu. I purchased it used and had issues with the steering. The dealer worked on it, replaced something in the steering column after my bringing it to them several times. Now a year later and now that my warranty is not valid anymore. They aren't wanting to do anything about it even though it is the same issue they fixed before. I am having the same issue. The steering slips, makes noise and sometimes doesn't complete the turn as it should. I hear of this happening all of the time with numerous cheverlot models. Something needs to be done before someone is killed. I will not by another cheverlot if they don't take better care of their customers than this.

- Troy, IL, USA

problem #112

Aug 012009

Malibu

  • 60,000 miles
I own a 2006 Malibu with the identical steering problem that the cobalt is being recalled for. I have called Chevrolet for months, and have always been told there was no issue with the electronic motors. Why isn't the Malibu included in on this recall?

- Faribault, MN, USA

problem #111

Mar 102010

Malibu

  • 64,914 miles
I own a 2006 Chevy Malibu and the electric steering is going out again for the 4th time since I bought the car in 07. The other day me and my 2 kids was going out to eat and the steering went out while turning left onto another road causing me to almost hit a coal truck. I called GM and told them the steering once more has gone out. GM told me they knew of a problem with the steering in these cars but didn't have a recall on these models. So I got online and couldn't believe all the owners that have the same problem as I do with the Malibu from 04-07 with the steering. The Chevy cobalt is being recalled because of steering failures, but why not the Malibu, they share basically the same parts as the cobalt. Chevy need to correct this problem so I don't have to replace these parts again at 75K. This is costing me to much and its putting my life and most import, my kids life in danger when driving this unsafe Chevy model.

- Corbin, KY, USA

problem #110

Feb 062010

Malibu

  • miles
My 2006 Chevrolet Malibu has steering problems. While driving, the power steering will suddenly quit, making it almost impossible to control or maneuver, almost causing me to crash. I've taken it to dealers, they re-set something in the electrical system, or steering system, ir runs for awhile, then starts up again!

- Ottawa, KS, USA

problem #109

Nov 142009

Malibu

  • 35,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving approximately 30 mph into a parking lot, the steering wheel became extremely hard to turn. The power steering warning light illuminated on the warning panel and he attempted to shut off and restart the engine several times, until the poser steering reset itself. He confirmed he experienced the failure several times over a course of one month. The manufacturer was contacted and advised taking the vehicle to the dealer for diagnostic testing, at his expense. No assistance was offered. The approximate failure mileage was 35,000 and the current was 38,000.

- Carrabelle, FL, USA

problem #108

Dec 292006

Malibu 6-cyl

  • 16,000 miles
2006 Chevy Malibu has been loosing power steering sporadically since it was purchased. Usually happens accelerating up ramps with curves in them. Chimes go off and battery light comes on. If you take your foot off the gas pedal, the power steering returns, battery light goes out and chimes stop. We have taken in to have it checked out several times with no results. Dealers cannot find cause, nor do they make any repairs.

- Martville, NY, USA

problem #107

Sep 152008

Malibu

  • 45,000 miles
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.

- Minneapolis, MN, USA

problem #106

Jul 152008

Malibu

  • 26,000 miles
Power steering goes out of my 2006 Chevy Malibu numerous times while driving. Purchased the vehicle April 2008, started in July and had towed and looked at by Chevy dealer in my town. Found nothing, went out on a regular basis in September and had checked again advised by dealer they do not know what it is and would cost $660. To take the steering column apart to see if it's the sensor there. Usually doesn't go out as much in the cooler weather more often when outside temperature is over 60 degrees. Now goes out in the cold weather too.

- Estherville, IA, USA

problem #105

Dec 202009

Malibu

  • 65,000 miles
My steering system is failing and my rack and pinion needs replacing at 65,000 miles. My mechanic says it's not safe to drive in the long term with the clunking sounds I hear and the rack could fail and cause me to crash. GM Chevy Malibu V6 engine.

- Rochester Hills, MI, USA

problem #104

Mar 032010

Malibu

  • 10,500 miles
I have a 2006 Chevy Malibu that I bought in sacramento ca. Via paul blanco dealer on franklin and florin rd. (they are no longer in business at that site). The car accelerates dangerously when on cruise control. The car began overheating immediately after purchase (oil lube place detected an engine gasket that needs to be replaced because it continues to overheat; unless I keep the heater and or ac going; the steering column had to be re greased and re-adjusted at Firestone a few months ago because all of a sudden it would lock. The A/C compressor immediately went bad after purchasing this car. I had to buy another one which cost a good amount! soon after purchase (used vehicle with approx. 10,300 miles) the brakes went out and had to be replaced! in Jan. 2010, I noticed the seat belt light kept coming on, even after it was locked in (which is very dangerous because I don't know when and if its going to keep me safe when driving); erc. Etc.. I need someone to contact the dealer of Chevy so that owners can go get these things checked out and fixed the right way. I attempted to call the numbers given re: Warranty etc. And nothing was resolved.

- Sacramento, CA, USA

problem #103

Dec 222009

Malibu

  • 85,000 miles
The contact has a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact has experienced a loss of power steering. The contact stated that the problem happens randomly. The message box starting flashing and the power steering started going out. The failure mileage was 85000 and the current mileage was 88000.

- Liberty Township, OH, USA

problem #102

Jan 152009

Malibu

  • 53,000 miles
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.

- Durham, NC, USA

problem #101

Dec 132009

Malibu

  • 68,500 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the power steering light would illuminate on the dashboard and the power steering would fail within minutes. The failure occurred 8 times. When the vehicle was turned off and restarted, the failure seemed to correct itself. He had not taken the vehicle to the dealership to-date. He called the manufacturer and was instructed to take the vehicle to the dealership for a diagnostic test. The vehicle had not been repaired at the time of the complaint. The current mileage was approximately 70,000. The failure mileage was approximately 68,500.

- Las Lunas, CA, USA

problem #100

Jan 022010

Malibu

  • 68,700 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu. The driver stated that his power steering failed whenever he started the vehicle. The driver also stated that his steering wheel began to shake immediately after the vehicle was turned on. When he shifted into drive gear and accelerates, the steering wheel was shaking excessively. The failure mileage was 68,700 and the current mileage was 69,000.

- Lake Charles, LA, USA

problem #99

Jan 232010

Malibu

  • 95,484 miles
I have a 2006 Chevy Malibu ls. Power steering keeps coming on. The wheel turns slightly in idle. Well now power steering is lost while deriving making it hard to move at high speeds. Dangerous. After car is turned off the problem seems to go away until minutes later you hear chimes and it locks again.

- Shreveport, LA, USA

problem #98

Jan 312010

Malibu 6-cyl

  • miles
When starting my car it is very hard to turn the wheel until I gain a little speed.

- Reidsville, NC, USA

problem #97

Dec 062009

Malibu 6-cyl

  • 80,000 miles
Power steering fails while driving. Wheel turns suddenly to the left and then there is no power steering. I looked online and saw that several people have had the same problem.

- Atlantic Beach, FL, USA

problem #96

Sep 012009

Malibu

  • miles
Power steering indicator keeps coming on while driving. Typically happens everytime I get in the car to drive it.

- Dallas, TX, USA

problem #95

May 012009

Malibu 6-cyl

  • 50,000 miles
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.

- Sharpsville, IN, USA

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