6.4

fairly significant
Typical Repair Cost:
$480
Average Mileage:
48,700 miles
Total Complaints:
35 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. not sure (13 reports)
  2. replace intermediate steering shaft (9 reports)
  3. replace rack and pinion (8 reports)
  4. replace steering column (3 reports)
  5. replace steering shaft component with u joint (2 reports)
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This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Chevrolet dealer.

problem #35

Feb 212008

Malibu LX V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75,000 miles

They replaced column and it wasn't till 5 years later that I had new tires put on and Firestone found that it was the u joints. McCurley Chevy in Pasco, Wa. did nothing to fix the problem. Firestone fixed it and was not under warranty anymore. Cost a lot to fix.

- Stacy B., West Richland, WA, US

problem #34

Feb 112012

Malibu LT

  • Automatic transmission
  • 311,167 miles

Just bought this 2006 chevy malibu...and noticed that when you turn the wheel there is a thumping noise and the wheel turns really easy....decided to look up recalls and and complaints and i'll be damned...a lot of people are having the same issue...really hate i purchased this car now...and there should be a recall on this because it feels really weird turning and what if it breaks and kills someone...then i wonder what will the manufacturer...do then...say oops...

- Marisa H., Kankakee, IL, US

problem #33

Sep 102011

Malibu LS V6, 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 35,000 miles

WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO GET gm TO RECALL CHEVY MALIBU STEERING PROBLEMS ACROSS THE BOARD? I Just purchased a used(in PA ) 2006 Chevy Malibu V6,3.5L SFI Automatic (as is) yet in less than 30days we hear and feel a clunking sound a slight thump in the steering. What if any legal recourse do I have? Please help How can I find out if there is or has been a recall on this vehicle?

- Ava F., Pittsburgh, PA, US

problem #32

Mar 312011

Malibu

  • Automatic transmission
  • 96,344 miles

I've had this car for almost 3 years now, and the steering problems started about 3 months ago. I noticed my steering wheel was really loose, and I noticed a rattle in the front end, and a clunking in the steering column. I had a tie rod replaced, and I also had a new rack and pinion installed. The rack and pinion seemed to do the trick...for about 2 weeks, then the steering wheel is all loose again.

The clunking in the steering column has returned, which the clunking is different when I turn left or right. It also sounds like something is going to break when I go over bumps. Unfortunately, my warranty has expired, and I don't have the money to fix whatever problem is going on now. I feel like I'm driving a death trap.

Had I known about the steering defect, I would have never bought this piece of junk and would have gone to Ford.

- jzoe, Broken Arrow, OK, US

problem #31

Dec 012010

Malibu LT 4 CYL

  • Automatic transmission
  • 16,000 miles

While driving the car has a noise almost a chatter like I am driving on a very bumpy road, but the road can be smooth yet the chatter is still noticeable. I thought it was a tie rod or something of that nature, but everything has been checked out and reports to be fine. The noise is becoming very annoying and worries me that there might be something wrong yet nothing is visibly wrong. I am afraid that something might break while driving to work on the interstate at high speeds or that my wife might be driving with my newborn son and something might break. I have read many complaints about the steering and I have received a recall about the electric power steering unit but I am not covered under this recall because I am not receiving the warning chime. I have hard that many people have had this issue fixed only to have it break again. Chevrolet needs to take a serious look at the steering issues with this car and find a solution to this problem. This is my second Chevrolet vehicle i have own with some sort of steering issue, get it right Chevrolet or this is the end of our business and I will buy something else this year.

- ceverts001, Kenosha, WI, US

problem #30

Jun 022010

Malibu LS

  • Automatic transmission
  • 68,351 miles

2 sorry I will try to fix #1 post date is wrong & mileage . What evev one month after replacing Rack & Pinion we had to replace steering shaft. Another 250. dollars. more to come....

- Kathleen W., Summerside, PEI, Canada

problem #29

Nov 012010

Malibu LT 4 Cyclinder

  • Automatic transmission
  • 87,000 miles

when I bought my car in September 2006, I took the car back because it had a jerk in it while driving. I was told nothing was found. I was sent on my way with the same problem, I took it back again, still they saw no noticeable problems and they didn't feel any jerking. Now this steering problem, it sounds like it is rubbing on something, I am sick and tired of driving around like this. I am going to report this to Lemon Law.

- Blanche H., East Lansdowne, PA, US

problem #28

Jul 072007

Malibu 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 20,000 miles

I had the same problem 3 times and every time the dealer worded it different. Do they really think we are that stupid? Now the warranty is no good and it's doing it again. Personally I think that the dealer should have to fix the dam thing the right way.This is why we buy new cars so we don't have to work on them.

Never again will I own a new chevy if they can't stand good for this one. Time to buy a DODGE.

- Jeff Y., Leckrone, PA, US

problem #27

Jun 102008

Malibu 2.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 37,475 miles

JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT THE 2006 CHEVY MALIBU'S ARE GARBAGE AND THAT GM SHOULD RECALL THEM REASON BEING THAT ALL THE POWER STEERING COMPONENTS ARE FAULTY NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES THEY GET REPLACED THEY ALWAYS FAIL AT A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF MILEAGE DURING MY OWNERSHIP OF THIS VECHICLE IT HAS GAVE ME NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS MAINLY THE POWER STEERING I HAVE HAD IT REPLACED AND NOW IT IS ACTING UP AGAIN BUT MORE RAPIDLY I CALLED THE LOCAL CHEVY DEALERSHIP AND TOLD THEM I HAVE GOTTEN A LETTER STATING THAT THEY WOULD REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN FOR FREE BUT THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT COMPLY THEY WERE GONNA CHARGE ME 1300.65 IN ORDER TO REPLACE IT AGAIN ALL THEY SAID IS FOR ME TO HOLD ON TO THE LETTER AND WAIT TILL GENERAL MOTORS DOES A RECALL AND THEY WILL REIBURST ME SO NOW I HAVENT GOTTEN IT REPLACED AGAIN BECAUSE I HAVE HAD IT FIXED BEFORE AND NOW THE PROBLEM IS BACK AND FOR ALL THE OTHER CAR OWNERS OF THIS YEAR MAKE AND MODEL WE SHOULD GET A PETITION GOING FOR A RECALL OF THIS VECHILE INSTEAD OF WAITING AND SPENDING OUR HARD WORKING MONEY TO FIX A PROBLEM THAT GM SHOULD HAVE STEPPED UP TO FIX FOR FREE LIKE THE TOYOTA PIRIUS BUT OTHER THAN THAT I WAS GLAD TO SHARE MY COMMENT ONE LAST THING I HAVE TWO OTHER FRIEND WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND THEY HAVE HAD TO PAY OUT OF THERE OWN POCKETS AS WELL AND ALL OF OUR CARS ARE UNDER 100,000 MILES AND WE HAVE ALL GOTTEN THE LETTERS FROM GM BUT NO FREE REPAIR THANKS FOR READING

- Michael H., Twentynine Palms, CA, US

problem #26

Sep 202006

Malibu LS 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 3,000 miles

my new malibu was only a couple of months old and the steering started clunking,had it repaired? several times under warantee for three years and it has never been fixed but for a while each time.its now out of warantee so im sure they will fix it now since it will be on me.this will be my last chevy for sure.

- Rod P., Dodge City, KS, US

problem #25

Jan 092010

Malibu V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40,000 miles

Hello, I own a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu LT, the clicking noise that I hear started when the vehicle had approximately 40,000 miles. The Front wheels click whenever I turn the wheels left or right, and I can feel the click also in the steering wheel. I few weeks ago, September 1, 2010 I received a letter from Chevrolet stating that my vehicle has electical power issues and that if the electrical system goes out there is a device in my car that will signal them automatically. They will cover the expenses of fixing the electrical problem for up to 10 years or 100,000 miles.

When I called the Chevrolet dealorship that I purchased the car from, they said the the electrical power steering has nothing to do with my steering problem. They hadn't even looked at my car yet. Since reading the many complaints related to mine in AutoBeef, I wonder if Chevrolet should be held responsible for the problem or should have disclosed this universal steering problem to me before I purchased the car. It would seem that as many people who have the same problem would warrant a recall. Does anyone know the consumer laws on this particular issue?

- Kathryn C., Solana Beach, CA, US

problem #24

Dec 132009

Malibu LT 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 11,185 miles

This is terrible,have checked with a few people who have the same car,and they all have the same complaint""Noise when making a turn"".Sure wish GM would do something for us. Feels like I have taken. My next car will definately not be a GM. Will tell all my friends not to buy Chev/GM cars.....

- Rex P., Mississauga, ON, Canada

problem #23

Dec 012009

Malibu LS

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,000 miles

I am not sure when this noise started while turning left or right. I asked Dealer about the sound, they said I need to have Intermediate Shaft changed. I wll be getting it done soon. They gave me a quote for 230$.

I hope this will fix the problem. I noticed 2005 models also have same issue.

- Sum G., Dallas, TX, US

problem #22

Mar 012010

Malibu LTZ 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 68,000 miles

Had noise issues from front end at 29000 miles when I bought car and dealer lubed the intermediate shaft which temporarily resolved but problem came back. Had mechanic re-lube the shaft/replace linkage there. Now miles later the problem has come back but a bit louder and more persistent. Mechanic wants to replace the entire rack of the rack and pinion steering system. For $600. Sounds from the blogs here that warranty repair is out of question so I either live with it for awhile or get it fixed. Needless to say this is my last Chevy. Government owned GM is same as the old GM, I afraid so things will remain the same, and its just sad.

- M J., Rochester Hills, MI, US

problem #21

Jan 282009

Malibu LT 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 28,000 miles

Dealer replaced steering gear as they said it was worn. Now at 35000 miles the problem is back but 36mos warranty is over. This sucks!

- Roger F., Hillsboro, OR, US

problem #20

Jan 282009

Malibu LT 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 26,336 miles

They replaced the steering gear and did a re-alignment. At 35,000 miles the problem has returned but now out of warranty. I haven't taken it to a dealer yet as the one that fixed it was axed by GM.

- Roger F., Hillsboro, OR, US

problem #19

Nov 212009

Malibu

  • 50,000 miles

Second time problem occurred, once at 20k miles, intermediate shaft was "lubricated" under warranty. This time same thump was felt through the wheel when turning left/right, and I knew it was the same problem now at 50k miles.

- cmw3755, Chili, NY, US

problem #18

Jul 012009

Malibu LS

  • Automatic transmission
  • 34,000 miles

I noticed the issue 2 days after the warranty expired...I brought it in to the dealership right away and they said it was the intermediate steering shaft and it would cost $300 to fix...heartbroken, I said it was really sad that 2 days over the warranty and my car was turning into a piece of junk. The people at Don Brown Chevrolet in St. Louis were super nice and understanding. They told me that they would fix it free of charge...when I got home I Googled the issue and it turns out that many 2006 Chevy Malibu owners have this issue. Why hasn't GM issued a recall on this known defect??????

- Michelle B., Chicago, IL, US

problem #17

Jul 092009

Malibu LT 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 46,000 miles

The car developed a binding noise when turning, got under the car and had wife turn the steering wheel while the car was running and you could see the torque on the steering rack. Bought a new A1 Cardone rack and installed it. Had the car aligned. Now 4 months later the same exact problem is worse. Just bought another rack (will be under parts warranty but no labor for the alignment) Getting ready to buy myself another 4 months or hopefully more. The electric assist power steering is absolute junk. I am wondering if it puts too much stress on a rack that was designed as a non power steering rack. Without the electric motor thats all the car is....no power steering. On a car that has no power steering no one tries to muscle the steering, they wait till the car is moving to turn. The electric motor forces the rack putting alot of stress when not in forward motion. Thats my only guess. This problem is like having monthly payments.

- Ken N., Dewitt, NY, US

problem #16

Mar 192008

Malibu LTZ V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 28,000 miles

OK, so here's the issue. It sounds like I am not the only one that has been dealing with this damn Malibu problem. I must say after dealing w/ this I will never again buy another Chevrolet car, and that makes me sad. My issue was present when I first looked at the car to buy from a Chevrolet dealership last March, 2008. I told them they needed to fix it and I would buy the car, and it was under warranty so it didn't seem like an issue. Until the 'clunking' in the steering column came back a few months later. So I had it "fixed" while under warranty again. Both times they were supposed to replace the intermediate steering shaft, but they didn't replace it, they only greased it up. A quick fix that only lasted a short while. So just recently I had to take it in AGAIN for the same issue. They told me it would cost $360 now because it was no longer covered under the standard warranty! EVEN THOUGH THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO FIX IT WHILE IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY!! So I called the customer service line and then talked to 5 different people over the course of 2 weeks who had to call all of the auto shops that I had been to to see what they had and hadn't done. Like I said, no one had yet replace the intermediate shaft like they were supposed to. So, since I didn't have a regular body shop (bc I didn't trust anyone bc the problem continued to reoccur) I had to pay for half of the repair!! AND NOW I am having alignment/steering issues without the noise! No wonder GM is broke, never again!!

- Emily W., East Lansing, MI, US

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