The power steering on our 2006 Chevy Malibu locks up intermittently. Just purchased it as a used vehicle two weeks ago for our 16 year old daughter and it has already happened twice. Each time we have brought it into the dealership. The first time they said there was nothing wrong and it checked out fine. We didn't even have the car back a week and it happened again. It is a definite safety hazard, especially for a new and inexperienced driver. It is in the shop now and they say it needs a new steering column assembly. I have researched this problem via internet and found numerous similar stories. There have been people who have hit guard rails and other vehicles because of the steering locking up. The most recent incident date is listed below.

- Aliso Viejo, CA, USA

Steering wheel locks up while driving - happens at random - at all different times. Dealer acted like it was no big deal and of course they want me to pay for it when I have now found out that I am not the only one complaining about this problem. It is dangerous, and it could cause fatality. Some kind of new steering system - GM better idea - probably because it is cheaper!!!

- Perkasie, PA, USA

2006 Malibu power steering stop working while driving down the road. There are tons of complaints about this and even a recall on 2005 for the same thing. This problem makes the car unsafe. The dealer thinks they can fix it for about $1000 dollars. This is a safety issue it needs to be taken care off by GM. I am afraid to let my wife drive it. Every other day the '!@#$% thing quits working.

- Dell Rapids, SD, USA

Loss of steering while driving. It happens anytime, anyplace, without warning. When you stop and restart it works again sometimes. Restarted 20 times today and did not work. Waited 3 hours steering worked fine. My wife will not drive this car anymore, nor do I want her to. This is definitely a safety problem and needs to be researched and a recall issued. It is a GM defect and they should take some of the millions in tarp money taxpayers are giving them and fix this problem. I called GM and they pretty much told me to get out my wallet and take it to the dealer.

- Fannettsburg, PA, USA

There were no events leading up to the failure. The power steering on my 2006 Chevy Malibu lt 2.2L cuts off without warning. The steering wheel has a tick and makes a grinding noise. When it first started, it only occurred occasionally. Now it happens when I start my car, idling, and while I'm driving. I searched online and found that many other Malibu owners are having the same problem. Thankfully, there have not been any crashes but many close calls.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

Steering wheel locks up while driving P.S its not the first time it happens.

- Eagle Pass , TX, USA

My car was driving decent then one day out of the blue I was pulling out of my driveway and the power steering went out. After sitting for a while trying to figure out what was wrong it reset itself. Then while turning in a major intersection it went out again leaving me barely able to get through the intersection on to the side of the road out of traffic. Again the power steering went out 4 more times that day on my way to the dealership. They tell me it has to have a new steering column and motor which we do to the sound of $500. Two months later backing out of my driveway and it starts again. I have 3 young children and afraid that one day we may not be able to get through the intersection since there is no warning when this may occur. This is a sever danger to not only me but to those unfortunate to be around me when this happens, not to mention I am now out $500 dollars and the problem is still there.

- Edgewood, TX, USA

Wife, mother-in-law, and two daughters on 400 mile trip while traveling approximately 70mph on interstate, the car makes a sudden and violent left turn. My wife pulls hard to keep the car on the highway and manages to keep control. After determining there was no fix, they proceeded home with constant pressure on the wheel to keep it from turning left. At home I inspected the car. When you start it, the wheel will turn full left all by itself. I can turn it right with alot of effort, but if I let go or slip, it turns full left. There is no lights, bells, warnings or anything. Took the car to the dealer, and they said the electric power steering column was way out of calibration, and I had them calibrate it. It worked for 1 day and not turns right. GM refuses to admit this is a safety issue, but I don't see how it cannot be. The owner is a 65 year old lady on ss and cannot afford the $850 repair bill and GM does not admit any issues. She cannot safely drive the car without it trying to turn to the ditch at any moment. Right now it is constantly turning to the right.

- Sapulpa, OK, USA

While driving, I accelerated and turned right to switch lanes, it was fairly hard acceleration. Suddenly during the acceleration I lost the power steering assist, it almost felt like the steering locked up and fought my turning the steering wheel. After I let up on the accelerator the power assist returned. This is the second time this has occurred, the first time in June 2009. At that time a warning chime went off and a power steering warning flashed briefly on the dic display.

- Chanhassen, MN, USA

2006 Chevy Malibu 3500 3.5 L V6 power steering goes out. My steering wheel locks up. Almost hit a car in the other lane.

- Wyoming, MN, USA

I have a 2006 Malibu which we purchased last may with 50K miles. The car originally started making a clunking noise when turning about 6 months after we bought it. That I can live with but now we have power steering problems. The power steering comes & goes & the steering wheel starts vibrating & turning all on its own. We took the car to the shop & discovered that the steering column needs replaced. After researching the last few months on the net I've seen that this problem is huge in all Malibu's 2004 - 2008 models. I find a GM parts bulletin in which you can get these parts replaced at GM's cost for a 2005 with the same problem but nothing for a 2006. I feel like this should be a recall because it can be life threatening. The car gives you no warning of a problem, the steering wheel just starts going crazy. Special bulletin in reference to the 2005 model is #07126. How can GM justify only replacing 2005 models when all seem to have the same defect. Please let me know if there is a parts bulletin & if I'm just over looking it. Thanks rhonda barnes

- Ripley, MS, USA

My steering wheel locks up tight.. cannot use have to pull off road wherever I'm at...2006 Chevy Malibu...was looking online and it is very common with the make... will GM wait until people die before they go good with this problem? they are aware and don't seem to care...this year and model should have recall on the steering column....very dangerous.

- Truro, 00, USA

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 updated 08/06/09.

- Hickory, NC, USA

2006 Chevrolet Malibu. Electric power steering failure. Currently the steering wheel constantly turns to the left. This happened while on a vacation to ms with my wife, grandmother, and daughter was the only occupants in the vehicle. Luckily it happened while my wife was driving and she was able to maintain control. If at any time you let go of the wheel, it will turn your sharp left. While setting still, when you let go of the wheel, it will turn completely left all by itself, so you can imagine what would happen while going down the road. There needs to be a recall for this as it is a serious safety hazard.

- Sapulpa, OK, USA

I purchased a Malibu in Nov 2007, when I got the car and summer came the steering went out, I could not steer. Luckily for me its when I was still in my driveway. I turned the car off and back on and all was well. I noticed at times while driving it was as if a hand took over the steering it had its own mind, I asked my stepfather and he said it happened while the air conditioner was on so I let it go as that and now I am sorry as my warranty is over by 2000 miles. Well only one more time during that summer did I loose steering again in my driveway. Yesterday however my steering went out four times while driving in town, I had to pull over four times and restart my car, it was very hard to steer to the side of the road as I am 50 and had broken my arm 2 years ago with not much less muscle tone in that arm. I live in the mountains and when leaving town I go through steep grades to get anywhere and that day I had to take my son two hours away to the V.a. by reading on this site I see many complaints about this problem, will it take a death caused by this to do a recall" electronic steering? are they crazy" I no longer feel safe in my car and cannot afford another one. Please consider pushing for a recall before someone looses their life, and when they do a huge lawsuit will be made against GM for looking the other way and ignoring the issue.

- Enterprise, OR, USA

Complaint about steering : rack and pinion I purchased the 2006 Chevy Malibu a few months ago from a local used car dealer near allentown, Pennsylvania. A month or so later I began hearing a popping when I turned. I took it to the mechanic and it turned out to be a rack and pinion fault. The estimated cost with reprogramming is $600. I know a lot of people with the 06 Malibu have been having this problem. GM should recall. I just don't have that kind of money to pay for the rack and pinion fault.

- Allentown, PA, USA

2006 Chevrolet Malibu 3500 engine, car steering stops controlling when driving, almost hit couple of cars on the road, read online lots of problems with steering, this could be deadly, if anything happens to me driving the car GM will be sued and am sure all the people has same problem will sue GM too.

- Brownstown, MI, USA

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. The dealer recommended replacing the steering column assembly. Updated 09/02/09.

- Rancho Cordova, CA, USA

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.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

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.

- Haverhill, MA, USA