2006 Chevrolet Malibu
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Steering is the leading concern among 1,385 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 4th highest complaint count among 26 Malibu model years with reports.
Of the 2006 reports, 53 involved a crash and 7 involved a fire. 31 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Steering, electric power assist systemFeb 4, 2015
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2006-2007 Chevrolet Malibu and Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured April 1, 2006, to June 30, 2006, and 2006-2007 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured April 18, 2006, to June 30, 2006. In the affected vehicles, there may be a sudden loss of electric power steering (EPS) assist that could occur at any time while driving.
If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the torque sensor assembly, free of charge. The recall began February 24, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. GM's number for this recall is 14772. Note: This is an expansion of recall 14V-153 to cover additional vehicles built between April 1, 2006 and June 30, 2006.
Campaign 15V064000 on NHTSA.gov
SteeringJul 21, 2014
Dorman Products, Inc. (Dorman) is recalling certain replacement intermediate steering shafts sold under the Dorman, OE Solutions, and Solutions brand names, part numbers 425-167, 2425167, and 7-3074, for installation on 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6, and 2007-2009 Saturn Aura vehicles. The affected steering shafts may have a yoke that inadequately supports the u-joint bearing resulting in a premature failure.
A joint bearing that fails prematurely may cause separation of the u-joint resulting in a complete loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Dorman will notify owners, and dealers will refund the purchase price or replace the steering shafts, free of charge. The recall began in September 2014. Owners may contact Dorman customer service at 1-800-523-2492.
Campaign 14E044000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical system, wiringMay 14, 2014
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured May 16, 2003, through October 11, 2012, 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured May 26, 2004, through January 4, 2010, and 2007-2010 Saturn Aura vehicles manufactured April 24, 2006, through May 26, 2009. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the Body Control Module (BCM) connection may result in voltage fluctuations in the Brake Apply Sensor (BAS) circuit. These fluctuations can cause one or more of these conditions: the brake lights to illuminate without the brake pedal being pushed; the brake lights to not illuminate when the pedal is pushed; difficulty disengaging the cruise control; moving the gear shifter out of the 'PARK' position without pushing the brake; and disablement of crash avoidance features such as traction control, electronic stability control, and panic braking assist features.
Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will attach the wiring harness to the BCM with a spacer, apply dielectric lubricant to both the BCM and harness connector and the BAS and harness connector, and will relearn the brake pedal home position, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed an Interim letter to customers on July 14, 2014. The recall began on August 18, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-762-2737 (Pontiac), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). GM's number for this recall is 13036.
Campaign 14V252000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, automatic transmissionApr 30, 2014
General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on April 29, 2014, that they are recalling 56,214 model year 2007 and 2008 Saturn Aura vehicles. On May 22, 2014, GM increased the recall to include an additional 1,074,899 model year 2004-2008 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured from May 16, 2003, through October 5, 2007, model year 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured from June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, and model year 2005-2008 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured from May 26, 2004, through September 28, 2007, and equipped with 4-speed transmissions. The total number vehicles being recalled is now 1,131,113.
If the transmission shift cable fractures while the vehicle is being driven, the transmission gear selection may not match the indicated gear and the vehicle may move in an unintended or unexpected direction, increasing the risk of a crash. Furthermore, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, despite selecting the PARK position, the transmission may not be in PARK. If the vehicle is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
GM will notify owners, and GM dealers will replace the shift cable assembly and mounting bracket, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for this recall is 14152.
Campaign 14V224000 on NHTSA.gov
Steering, electric power assist systemMar 31, 2014
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 and 2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2006 Malibu Maxx, 2009-2010 HHR (non-turbo), 2010 Cobalt, 2008-2009 Saturn Aura and 2004-2007 Ion, and 2005-2009 Pontiac G6. In the affected vehicles, there may be a sudden loss of electric power steering (EPS) assist that could occur at any time while driving.
If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will perform one of four bulletins. Parts are not currently available. GM expects to send an interim notification around May 28, 2014. When parts are available, owners will be mailed a second letter to come in to have the applicable bulletin applied. Bulletin 14115 covers model year 2004-2007 Saturn Ion, 2009-2010 Chevrolet HHR and 2010 Chevrolet Cobalts. Dealers will replace the EPS motor. Bulletin 14116 covers model year 2004-2006 Chevrolet Malibu and Malibu Maxx, 2005-2006 Pontiac G6 and 2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from March 1, 2008, through June 27, 2008. Dealers will replace the torque sensor assembly. Bulletin 14117 covers model year 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from February 1, 2008, through February 28, 2008. Dealers will replace the torque sensor assembly and EPS motor controller unit. Bulletin 14118 covers model year 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from October 1, 2007, through January 31, 2008. Dealers will replace the EPS motor controller unit. The recall began on July 17, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, Saturn at 1-800-553-6000, and Pontiac at 1-800-620-7668. GM's number for this recall is N140115. Note: GM bulletin number 14119 will be implemented for model year 2006-2008 and early production of 2009 Chevrolet HHR (non-turbo) and model year 2003 Saturn ION to provide EPS Motor replacement for the life of the vehicle.
Campaign 14V153000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, fuel pumpFeb 28, 2011
TI AUTOMOTIVE IS RECALLING CERTAIN FUEL PUMPS, PART NUMBERS TU456 AND TU303, SOLD UNDER VARIOUS BRAND NAMES AS AFTERMARKET AND REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE MOTOR VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP MAY SEIZE, STOPPING THE FUEL FLOW TO THE ENGINE CREATING A STALLING CONDITION.
A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR SHOULD THE ENGINE STALL WHILE IN USE.
TI AUTOMOTIVE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND WILL REPLACE ANY DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP WITH A NEW OR REWORKED FUEL PUMP FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 22, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TI AUTOMOTIVE AT 1-866-867-3759 OR LOG ON TO WWW.RECALLRESPONSE.COM.
Campaign 11E009000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lightingApr 7, 2009
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
Campaign 09E012000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontalOct 31, 2006
CERTAIN VEHICLES ORIGINALLY BUILT WITH CLOTH SEATS THAT WERE EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC AIR BAG PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM AND LATER REUPHOLSTERED WITH AFTERMARKET LEATHER SEAT COVER KITS ARE INVOLVED. TESTING HAS INDICATED THAT THE AFTERMARKET LEATHER SEAT COVERS CAN CAUSE THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM TO MALFUNCTION.
IF THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS, THE FRONT AIR BAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE MAY BE DISABLED WHEN IT SHOULD BE ENABLED, OR ENABLED WHEN IT SHOULD BE DISABLED. IN EITHER CASE, IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH THAT REQUIRES AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, A FRONT PASSENGER'S LEVEL OF INJURY MAY BE INCREASED.
BECAUSE A REPLACEMENT LEATHER SEAT COVER THAT IS COMPATIBLE WITH THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM IS NOT AVAILABLE, GENERAL MOTORS (GM) WILL REPURCHASE THESE VEHICLES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS STATED IN GM'S LETTER TO OWNERS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 6, 2006. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT GM AT 1-877-477-1022 TO BEGIN THE PROCESS OF REPURCHASING THEIR VEHICLE.
Campaign 06V417000 on NHTSA.gov
Equipment, other, labelsOct 19, 2005
CERTAIN VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THE TIRE LABEL TABLE SPECIFIED THE 15 INCH SPARE FOR THE FRONT DISC/REAR DRUM BRAKE SYSTEM AND IT SHOULD SPECIFY A 16 INCH SPARE TIRE SIZE.
A 15" DIAMETER REPLACEMENT SPARE TIRE CAN NOT BE INSTALLED ON THE FRONT AXLE DUE TO A FIT INTERFERENCE WITH THE BRAKE CALIPER.
OWNERS WILL BE MAILED A CORRECTED LABEL WITH INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS OR THE CUSTOMERS COULD HAVE THEIR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FOR THEM. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 29, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438.
Campaign 05V486000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: steering
1,017 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Sep 30, 2010
ON A 2006 MALIBU, THE ELECTRICAL ASSIST HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES IN THE PAST 10 MONTHS. EACH TIME THE STEERING LOCKED UP WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE LUCKILY. IN 5 DAYS, THE CAR GETS TAKEN IN TO HAVE THE STEERING COLUMN AND RACK AND PINION STEERING REPLACED. THE FIRST FAILURE WAS AT APPROXIMATELY, 50,000 MILES, THE SECOND WAS AT APPROXIMATELY 65,000 AND THE THIRD AT ABOUT 80,000. THE CAR IS AT 95,000 MILES NOW WHICH IS A LOT, BUT TO HAVE THE POWER STEERING REPLACED AT A CERTIFIED MECHANIC SOON TO BE 4 TIMES WITHIN A YEAR IS NOT GOOD. THE ELECTRICAL ASSIST POWER STEERING AND ALL ASSOCIATED DESIGNS IS UNSAFE AS THE WHEEL IS IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN WHEN FAILURE OCCURS. *TR
Steering, Sep 28, 2010
MY 2006 CHEVY MALIBU MAXX HAS LOST POWER STEERING THREE TIMES. IT HAS BEEN TO THE MECHANIC TWICE. DRIVING AT ANY TIME, BUT ESPECIALLY AT HIGHER SPEEDS ON THE HIGHWAY, IS FRIGHTENING BECAUSE THE POWER STEERING MY GO OUT UNEXPECTEDLY. *TR
Steering, Sep 28, 2010
THE POWER STEERING WILL GO OFF AS YOU ARE DRIVING. SOMETIMES IT WILL JUST BECOME HARDER TO STEER AS YOU DECREASE SPEED, AND SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO STOP, TURN OFF THE MOTOR AND THE STEERING WILL RESET. VERY DISTURBING AND QUITE DANGEROUS. *TR
Steering, Sep 28, 2010
I'VE ONLY OWNED THE 2006 CHEVY MALIBU FOR ABOUT A YEAR AND NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE POWER STEERING BUT ON 9/27/2010 I WAS MAKING A SLOW TURN INTO A SCHOOL LOT AND THE STEERING WENT OUT THANKFULLY I WAS ALREADY COMING TO A STOP. IT ALSO HAS ALWAYS MADE A NOISE WHEN TURNING HOWEVER I DO NOT KNOW IF THESE PROBLEMS ARE RELATED. I CONTACTED MY LOCAL GM DEALER AND THEY SAID TO BRING IT IN SO WE'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS. *TR
Steering, Sep 26, 2010
WHEN TURNING STEERING WHEEL AT SPEEDS UNDER 30 MPH, ELECTRIC ASSIST POWER STEERING WILL FREQUENTLY SHUT DOWN, WITH WARNING CHIME SOUNDING AND "POWER STEERING" WARNING DISPLAYED IN THE DRIVER INFORMATION CENTER (DIC). THE CAR CAN STILL BE STEERED BUT REQUIRES CONSIDERABLY GREATER EFFORT THAN A CAR WITH MANUAL STEERING. ONCE THE CAR IS PULLED OVER, TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED, IT "RESETS" ITSELF, AND OPERATES NORMAL AGAIN UNTIL THE NEXT TIME IT OCCURS. THE PROBLEM STARTED IN MARCH OF 2009, WITH 71,000 MILES, AND HAS GOTTEN STEADILY WORSE OVER TIME. IT NOW HAS 105,000 MILES ON IT, AND NOW HAPPENS SO OFTEN (ABOUT 12-15 TIMES PER DAY), THAT THE CAR IS ALMOST UNDRIVEABLE. I'VE CONTACTED 3 DIFFERENT DEALERS, WHO ALL TELL ME THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF APPROX $1100, AS THERE ARE NO "SERVICEABLE" PARTS IN THE ELECTRIC STEERING SYSTEM. AS I UNDERSTAND IT, THIS IS THE EXACT SAME STEERING PROBLEM THAT GM ISSUED A RECALL FOR IN MARCH OF 2010, FOR CHEVY COBALTS AND PONTIAC G6'S, BUT WON'T RECALL MALIBUS, BECAUSE THERE HAVEN'T BEEN "ENOUGH" COMPLAINTS FILED YET. I DON'T HAVE $1100 TO FOR A NEW STEERING COLUMN THAT GM HAS ADMITTED IS A PROBLEM IN IT'S OTHER VEHICLES, BUT WON'T RECALL MINE BECAUSE NOT ENOUGH OWNERS HAVE YET TO FILE A COMPLAINT! *TR
Steering, Sep 21, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY STIFF AND A POWER STEERING SERVICE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND SHUT OFF. UPON RESTART THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND SHE WAS INFORMED HER VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN AN UNKNOWN SPECIAL CAMPAIGN AND THEY WOULD PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Steering, Electrical system, Sep 20, 2010
I WAS STAYING AT A FRIEND'S HOUSE IN SAN ANTONIO BECAUSE I HAD A COURT SETTING THERE. THE MORNING OF THE INCIDENT, I TURNED ON MY VEHICLE AND WAS HEADED TO THE COURTHOUSE. I WAS ABOUT TWO BLOCKS FROM MY FRIEND'S HOME WHEN I HEARD A DING AND A POWER STEERING MESSAGE POPPED UP ON THE RADIO. MY POWER STEERING IMMEDIATELY WENT OUT, AND I PULLED MYSELF INTO AN APARTMENT COMPLEX AND TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE. I CALLED A FRIEND FOR A RIDE AND WAS ABOUT TO CALL AAA WHEN I REALIZED I WAS IN THE WAY OF A SCHOOL BUS PICKING UP COLLEGE STUDENTS FROM THE COMPLEX. I TURNED THE VEHICLE BACK ON TO INCH UP A BIT, BUT I NOTICED THAT THE POWER STEERING WAS WORKING AGAIN. I RETURNED TO MY FRIEND'S HOME, GOT A RIDE TO THE COURTHOUSE, AND RESEARCHED THE ISSUE ONLINE. I FOUND SEVERAL OTHER REPORTS OF THIS KIND OF THING HAPPENING AND THAT IT WAS MOST LIKELY A COMPUTER GLITCH THAT COULD AND WOULD OCCUR AGAIN UNEXPECTEDLY. I TOOK MY CHANCES DRIVING BACK HOME TO AUSTIN THAT SAME DAY AND DID NOT TOUCH MY VEHICLE OVER THE WEEKEND. NOW THAT IT IS MONDAY, I WILL BE CALLING GM CUSTOMER SUPPORT. *TR
Steering, Sep 16, 2010
MY 2006 CHEVY MALIBU HAS HAD THE ELECTRIC STEERING GO OUT ON IT TWICE AND I CAN FEEL THAT IT IS NOW GOING FOR A THIRD TIME! I PURCHASED IT NEW. IT ONLY HAS 55,000 MILES ON IT. STEERING IS SERIOUS AND I AM AFRAID IT MIGHT GO OUT WHEN I AM ON THE HIGHWAY! *TR
Steering, Sep 15, 2010
THE POWER STEERING ON MY 2006 MALIBU STOPS WORKING WHEN ACCELERATING OR MAINTAINING SPEED UP HILLS. WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS LET UP THE STEERING STARTS WORKING AGAIN. IF YOU ARE IN A TURN WHEN THE POWER STEERING STARTS WORKING AGAIN THE CAR JERKS DRASTICALLY IN THE DIRECTION THE TIRES ARE TURNED. THIS STARTED AROUND 90,000 MILES. *TR
Steering, Sep 15, 2010
I HAVE 2006 CHEVY MALIBU MY FRIEND HAS 2006 CHEVY MALIBU BOTH VEHS MADE IN THE KANSAS CITY PLANT SHE REC'D LETTER THAT WAS A PROBLEM WITH POWER STEERING AND TO BRING VEH TO GM DEALER I DID NOT GET THAT LETTER CALLED GM THEY SAID MY VI# IS NOT INCLUDED BUT I HAD THAT SAME PROBLEM IN APRIL 2010 AND HAD IT REPAIRED $598.00 THEY SAID BECAUSE MY VIN # IS NOT ON LIST WILL NOT HONOR IT I HAVE CONTACTED BBB AND ATTORNEY GENERALS OFFICE AND SAID SHOULD CONTACT THIS OFFICE. ANY HELP FOR ME ON THIS. *TR
Steering, Sep 14, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. SHE HAD TO USE EXTREME UPPER BODY FORCE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR, SHE WOULD SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE FOR AT LEAST TWENTY MINUTES AND THE POWER STEERING WOULD RESET ITSELF. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WILL BE CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE 95,565.
Steering, Sep 9, 2010
I HAVE A 06 MALIBU MAXX AND THE STEERING KEEPS LOCKING UP. WHY THIS ISSUE HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED I DO NOT KNOW. THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THE MALIBU AND AM VERY UPSET THAT THE ISSUSE HAS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED!!! SOMEONE WILL BE KILLED BECAUSE OF THIS AND WILL BE HEADED TO COURT BEFORE IT IS TAKEN SERIOUSLY!!! *TR
Steering, Sep 7, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE TURNING AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH HE COULD HEAR A POPPING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. OVER TIME THE FAILURE PROGRESSED AND RECURRED WHENEVER HE MADE TURNS WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. WHILE TURNING OVER BUMPY SURFACES THE FAILURE WAS MORE PRONOUNCED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE EXAMINED FOR THE CAUSE OF FAILURE AND HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 71,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Steering, Aug 31, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING WOULD FAIL INTERMITTENTLY AND WOULD BECOME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED DURING EACH FAILURE. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE ELECTRONIC POWER ASSIST MODULE, WHICH COULD BE REPLACED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 104,000.
Steering, Aug 31, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN AND WARRANTY EXTENSION DUE TO A POSSIBLE STEERING DEFECT IN HER YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IF THE MANUFACTURER WOULD SEND OUT SUCH A LETTER CALLING FOR SPECIAL COVERAGE, THEN IT SHOULD BE UNDER RECALL. SHE WAS CONCERNED THAT SHE WOULD LOSE POWER STEERING WHILE ON AN EXPRESSWAY AND NOT BE CAPABLE OF PULLING OVER. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED NO FAILURES AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER TO INQUIRE ABOUT HAVING THE PART REPLACED TO PREVENT ANY POSSIBLE FAILURE AND SHE WAS ADVISED THAT THE WARRANTY WOULD ONLY BE EXTENDED IF THE FAILURE ACTUALLY OCCURRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 16,300.
Steering, Aug 28, 2010
I WAS DRIVING MY CAR ON THE FREEWAY COMING HOME AFTER PICKING UP MY 4 YR OLD GRAND DAUGHTER WHEN SUDDENLY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP ON ME CAUSING ME TO LOOSE FULL CONTROL OF MY CAR. I HAD TO MUSCLE MY STEERING WHEEL IN ORDER TO STEER IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED ON MY EMERGENCY FLASHER TO ALERT OTHER DRIVERS THAT I WAS HAVING A PROBLEM. FORTUNATELY THE OTHER CARS NOTICED THAT I WAS HAVING TROUBLE WITH MY CAR AND SLOWED DOWN GIVING ME THE RIGHT AWAY TO MOVE OVER TO THE EMERGENCY LANE WHERE I WAS ABLE TO STOP AND CALL FOR HELP. THE PROBLEM WITH MY CAR WAS THE ELECTRONIC STEERING PUMP THAT HAD FAILED. I HAVE MADE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE CAR REPAIRED. I'VE DONE AN EXTENDED SEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THIS PROBLEM SO WIDESPREAD A RECALL SHOULD HAPPEN SO PEOPLE WITH THIS CAR CAN DRIVE SAFELY. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY GM. WE DO NOT NEED TO HAVE A FATALITY IN ORDER TO ACT ON THIS PROBLEM. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT LIKE TOYOTA MOST MANUFACTURERS WAIT TO BE FORCED TO CORRECT A PROBLEM THEN SPEND MILLIONS OF DOLLARS ON COMMERCIALS TRYING TO CONVINCE CONSUMERS THAT THEIR CARS ARE SAFE TO DRIVE. WITH THE GRACE OF GOD THIS TIME I WAS ABLE TO GET MY CAR OFF THE ROAD SAFELY MY FEAR IS WHAT ABOUT NEXT TIME? I USUALLY HAVE MY GRANDCHILD WITH ME. PLEASE HELP! *TR
Steering, Aug 27, 2010
WHILE DRIVING TO SCHOOL YESTERDAY, MY MALIBU 2006 MAXX, THE POWER STEERING LOCKED UP CAUSING ME TO RUN OFF THE ROAD AND INTO A DITCH. THE POWER STEERING HAS LOCKED UP BEFORE BUT ONLY WHILE IT WAS IN PARK, AND I TURNED OFF THE CAR AND RESTARTED THE CAR. IT RESET ITSELF AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE. LUCKILY I WAS NOT HURT THIS TIME BUT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE IF THERE WAS EVER ONE. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH OF THIS SUBJECT AND UNDERSTAND THAT THIS HAS BEEN AN ON GOING ISSUE WITH MALIBU. AFTER ALL THE COMPLAINTS WHAT ARE THEY WAITING FOR.....A FATALITY???? *TR
Steering, Aug 27, 2010
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. *TR
Steering, Aug 24, 2010
MY 2006 MALIBU MAXX HAS BEEN HAVE ISSUES WITH THE STEERING SYSTEM. STARTED OUT WITH AN INTERMITTENT CLUNKING NOISE SEVERAL MONTHS AGO. THE CAR HAS ONLY 67,000 MILES ON IT. NOW IT CLUNKS EVERY TIME YOU TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE FRONT END HAS ALWAYS ROAD RUFF LIKE A STEERING VIBRATION BUT THOUGHT IT WAS JUST THE MAKE OF THE CAR. OUR 00' MONTE CARLO AND 00' IMPALA IN COMPARISON NEVER ROAD LIKE THIS. THOUGHT IT WAS THE TIRES SO WE UPGRADED TO A BETTER RIDING TIRE, DID NOT MAKE A DIFFERENCE. OVER THE LAST COUPLE WEEKS STEERING NOISE GETTING WORSE, SENSOR LIGHT CAME ON INDICATING POWER STEERING. CHECK WITH MECHANIC AND CANNOT FIND ANYTHING THAT APPEARS WRONG ON VEHICLE. JUST THIS WEEKEND ON THE ENTRANCE RAMP ON THE INTERSTATE THE WHEEL JUST JERKED TO THE RIGHT. WAS ABLE TO BRING IT BACK TO CENTRAL POSITION QUICKLY BUT WAS CONCERNED. HAPPENED TODAY TO MY WIFE ON THE WAY TO THE STORE ON A TWO LANE ROAD. LUCKILY IT JERKED HER TO THE RIGHT AND SHE WAS ABLE TO STEER IT BACK TO THE CENTER POSITION. CONCERNED OF POTENTIAL FOR SERIOUS ACCIDENT AND WILL NOT BE SO LUCKY NEXT TIME. AFTER PLUGGING IN STEERING ISSUES WITH MALIBU MAXX'S, I WAS SHOCKED TO SEE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ON FORUMS AND CONSUMER SITES REGARDING A RANGE OF YEARS WITH THE MAXX. GM NEEDS TO WAKE UP, DOES IT TAKE PEOPLE DYING OR SERIOUSLY GETTING HURT BEFORE THEY WILL PAY ATTENTION TO ALL THESE PEOPLE AND THEIR ISSUES AND SERIOUS ONES AT THAT. MY HUSBAND IS A FORD MECHANIC AND WANTED ME TO BUY A FORD BECAUSE OF QUALITY ISSUES, BUT I LOVE THE STYLE OF THE MAXX, THE CARGO CAPACITY AND NOW I'M HAVING SECOND THOUGHTS AS NO ONE SEEMS TO BE GETTING HELP OTHER THAN GM HAS SOME SOLUTIONS THAT ARE COSTING THE CONSUMER LOTS OF MONEY AND THERE ARE STILL ISSUES AFTER THE FIXES. I'M SERIOUSLY CONSIDERING GETTING RID OF IT AND SETTLING FOR A CAR THAT WILL INSURE ME A SAFE RIDE AND KEEP MY PASSENGERS SAFE. WISE UP TO THIS BEFORE PEOPLE ARE SERIOUSLY HURT. THANK YOU. *TR
Steering, Aug 22, 2010, crash
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. *TR
Steering, Aug 19, 2010
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. *TR
Steering, Aug 17, 2010
TL* 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.
Steering, Aug 12, 2010
TL*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.
Steering, Aug 6, 2010
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. *TR
Steering, Aug 5, 2010
WITHIN 1 WEEK OF PURCHASING THE VEHICLE USED I COULD HEAR A CLUNK WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS A 'STEERING COLUMN GEAR' AND FIXED IT. WITHIN 6 MONTHS THE SOUND STARTED AGAIN, I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC HE SUGGESTED REPLACING THE RACK AND PINION. THIS STOPPED THE SOUND FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS, THIS TIME THE SOUND NOT ONLY CAME BACK BUT THE STEERING LOCKED UP WHILE MERGING ONTO THE FREEWAY, WHEN I LET MY FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR THE STEERING CAME BACK. THIS LOCK UP HAS OCCURRED 2 MORE TIMES, MAKING A TOTAL OF 3 STEERING LOCK UPS IN A YEARS TIME. *TR