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.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2006 Chevrolet Malibu:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #34

Mar 012009

Malibu

  • 60,000 miles
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.

- Nicoma Park, OK, USA

problem #33

Mar 062009

Malibu

  • 61,902 miles
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.

- Mobile, AL, USA

problem #32

May 302006

Malibu

  • 2,000 miles
38K mile 2006 Chevy Malibu V-6-car shakes/vibrates/shimmies. It also rattles and clunks underneath at all speeds, feels like the bottom is falling out. Dealer refuses to acknowledge a minimum of 7 complaints. Headlights lenses are loose and the lights shake all over the place. Dealer did finally acknowledge headlight issue after the 4th complaint and I was told it is a GM problem but they have no fix and there is nothing they can do. Now that the warranty is up, they are acknowledging all previous complaints (many more than just the couple I listed here) but at my expense when these issues S/H/B taken care of at the time of the original and numerous complaints.

- Henrietta, NY, USA

problem #31

Jan 042008

Malibu

  • 16,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving approximately 70 mph on normal road conditions, the steering wheel locked without warning. Immediately, the contact depressed the brake pedal and pulled over to the side of the road. The gear shifter was placed into park and the contact made several attempts before the steering column unlocked. The vehicle then resumed normal operation. When he reached his destination, the power steering warning indicator illuminated on the instrument panel. Suddenly, the steering wheel began to vibrate violently and made a grinding noise. The failures occurred sporadically. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for diagnostic testing and then repaired. On five separate occasions, the vehicle was taken back to the dealer, but the failure was not corrected. The vehicle is currently being repaired again. The cause of the failure has not been determined. The failure mileage was 16,000 and current mileage was 25,000.

- Odessa, TX, USA

problem #30

Mar 032009

Malibu

  • 27,000 miles
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?

- Valley Springs, CA, USA

problem #29

Mar 022009

Malibu

  • 80,000 miles
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.

- Brighton, TN, USA

problem #28

Feb 242009

Malibu

  • 61,987 miles
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.

- Holly, MI, USA

problem #27

Feb 242009

Malibu

  • miles
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.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #26

Dec 012007

Malibu

  • 34,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu. While still under warranty, the vehicle's steering column began making a knocking noise under the dashboard. The failure occurred while driving 15 mph. The dealer replaced the steering column, but the noise recurred six months later. The contact took the vehicle back to the dealer and they stated that the vehicle was no longer under warranty; therefore, she would be responsible for the repairs. The manufacturer did not assist. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 34,000 and current mileage was 60,000.

- Marshall, AR, USA

problem #25

Jan 012009

Malibu 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 35,819 miles
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 updated 03/09/09.

- Sidney, ME, USA

problem #24

Nov 062008

Malibu

  • miles
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.

- Roseville, CA, USA

problem #23

Dec 262008

Malibu

  • 50,000 miles
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.

- Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

problem #22

Mar 222008

Malibu

  • 50,813 miles
I have a 2006 Chevy Malibu that I have replaced the steering gear twice!! the car is not that old and should be more reliable than that. I was told if the steering had gone out on me while on the expressway, (which I drive every day),I could have been seriously injured or killed. I am afraid this is a recurring problem.

- Deltona, FL, USA

problem #21

Oct 222008

Malibu

  • miles
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.

- Waynesburg, KY, USA

problem #20

Nov 292008

Malibu

  • 63,746 miles
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.

- Chippewa Falls, WI, USA

problem #19

Aug 102008

Malibu 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving less than 50 mph, the power steering warning indicator illuminated on the instrument panel. The steering wheel then locked in place, preventing the contact from moving the wheel left or right. On a separate occasion, while driving less than 50 mph, the vehicle began turning left on its own. The steering wheel was locked and the vehicle coasted off the road on its own as well. The dealer stated that the steering column failed and could be repaired at the cost of $700. The vehicle has not yet been repaired. The failure and current mileages were 50,000. Updated 11/25/08. Updated 11/25/08.

- Dalton, GA, USA

problem #18

Jun 222008

Malibu

  • 36,230 miles
Steering wheel jerks uncontrollably. Have taken it to dealership for repair twice. Steering column replaced first time and second time was told no mechanical problems. However driving down the road the steering wheel jerks so bad that it will pull vehicle from one lane to next or it will pull vehicle all over the roadway.

- Port Neches , TX, USA

problem #17

Aug 262008

Malibu

  • 41,000 miles
2006 Chevrolet Malibu power steering illuminates on dash(radio), 2005 models were a recall and it keeps coming on and sometimes lose of steering when started. It has 43,000 miles and not on warranty because steering column is not covered, its a problem nationwide as I researched. I could potentially be dangerous when driving around turns if loss of power. I bought it used but was fine until 2 months after.

- Mesa, AZ, USA

problem #16

Jul 272008

Malibu

  • 56,000 miles
On July 27,2008 I started my 2006 Malibu. Across the control panel it said power steering and I could not turn my steering wheel. I turned my car off and restarted it and it was ok. It has done this numerous times since. It has also started going out while driving down the road. Making the car very hard to steer/control. There is also alot of shaking of my steering wheel. Sometimes while driving the steering wheel will jerk to one side. It makes me very nervous to drive in traffic because it is very unpredictable. I feel like this is safety issue that needs to be recalled. It is really sad that so many families lives are in danger because of the unpredictability of this problem. Not only is my family in danger but the lives of others as well.

- Wills Point, TX, USA

problem #15

May 012008

Malibu

  • 50,000 miles
I own a 2006 chev Malibu ss. All was fine until a year ago. I noticed a "bump" in the steering while turning left. Dealership told me that they would lube the steering shaft. Now there is a "bump in steering and follow up bump as the wheels return to straight. There is also a rubbing noise while turning. The car is also pulling to the right. I had the alignment checked and it was in perfect order. After the "checkup" the car pulled harder to the right and the "noises" were more pronounced. I noticed that there was a recall for 1997 for issues that sound all too familiar. Chevy is fixing my car under my warranty. Approximate incident date is "about" when the issues first started.

- Round Hill, VA, USA

Read the next 14 complaints »