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.

Complaints by model year
  1. 1,385

Of the 2006 reports, 53 involved a crash and 7 involved a fire. 31 people were injured.

Primary concernSteering1,017 reports · 73% of complaints
Owner complaints1,385Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship9 safety recallsNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Steering1,017
  2. Electrical system170
  3. Service brakes92
  4. Exterior lighting71
  5. Power train60
  6. Fuel/propulsion system56
  7. Fuel system48
  8. Gasoline45

Recalls and investigations

  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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

  9. 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

  1. Steering, Mar 2, 2010

    POWER STEERING BECAME INOPERATIVE, WOULDN'T TURN. *TR

  2. Steering, Mar 2, 2010

    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. *TR

  3. Steering, Mar 2, 2010

    I HAVE A 2006 CHEVY MALIBU, I PURCHASE THIS CAR USED LAST FEBRUARY 2009 AND ABOUT TWO MONTHS AGO, THE POWER STEERING LIGHT BEGIN TO COME ON. A COUPLE OF TIMES I NEEDED TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND RESTART IT. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND I WAS TOLD THAT IT WOULD COST ABOUT $600 FOR THEM TO REPLACE THE STEERING WHEEL, OR FIX THE PROBLEM. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THIS PROBLEM WOULD NOT CAUSE ANY PROBLEM AT THAT TIME. TODAY 03-02-2010 I READ AN ARTICLE CONCERNING RECALLS ON GM CARS 2005-2010 COBALT, BUT DUE TO THE INFORMATION THAT IS PROVIDED, THIS IS THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM I AM HAVING WITH MY 2006 CHEVY MALIBU. MY CONCERN IS HOW DO I GO ABOUT HAVING THE POWER STEERING PROBLEM RECTIFIED AS WELL FOR THIS CAR. *TR

  4. Steering, Mar 2, 2010

    CAR WAS IN THIS CONDITION WHEN WE BOUGHT. THE DEALERSHIP IT WAS PURCHASED FROM SENT IT OFF TO BE REPAIRED. THE DEALERSHIP THAT IT WAS REPAIRED AT REPLACED STEERING COLUMN. WHEN WE GOT THE CAR BACK IT HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. DEALER WOULD NOT SEND THE CAR BACK TO BE REPAIR UNTIL 2 MONTHS LATER WHEN I COULDN'T TURN THE STEERING WHEEL IT COMPLETELY LOCK UP. THE DEALER SENT IT BACK TO THE CHEVY DEALERSHIP AND THE REPLACED THE POWER STEERING MOTOR. 2 MONTHS LATER WE BEGAN TO HAVE THE SAME STEERING PROBLEMS. I HAVE ALMOST GOTTEN IN 3 ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. *TR

  5. Steering, Mar 2, 2010

    STEERING. *TR

  6. Steering, Mar 2, 2010

    TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHEN THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND IN ANY GEAR THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY LOOSE ALL POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALERSHIP AND THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 92000.

  7. Steering, Mar 2, 2010

    MY GIRLFRIEND OWNS A 2006 MALIBU LS AND SHE HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING SERIOUS STEERING ISSUES OVER THE PAST MONTH. HER POWER STEERING GOES OUT WHILE DRIVING WITHOUT ANY NOTICE. I THOUGHT SHE WAS JUST KIDDING ABOUT IT UNTIL I FINALLY DROVE IT AND WHILE TURNING A CORNER THE STEERING WENT OUT ON ME AND I NEARLY WAS IN AN ACCIDENT. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET I HAVE FOUND THAT HER MALIBU IS NOT THE ONLY ONE EXPERIENCING THIS PHENOMENON, I FOUND MORE POSTS ABOUT THIS THAN I COULD COUNT. NOW I SEE THAT GM JUST ISSUED A RECALL FOR TWO VEHICLES MANUFACTURED AT THE SAME TIME AS HERS FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM, MY QUESTION IS; WHY AREN'T THE MALIBUS' INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL WHEN THEY OBVIOUSLY HAVE THE SAME STEERING ISSUES AS THE TWO RECALLED VEHICLES? *TR

  8. Steering, Mar 2, 2010

    I PURCHASED MY MALIBU IN DEC '06. BY JUNE, MY POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON, BUT MY MECHANIC COULDN'T FIND THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM. I STARTED NOTICING TROUBLE TURNING THE WHEEL AT LOW SPEEDS, BUT IT WAS ONLY WHEN I TURNED LEFT. INITIALLY I DIDN'T THINK IT WAS STILL POWER STEERING, BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUED FOR OVER A YEAR PERIODICALLY. THEN IN AUG '08 ON MY WAY HOME WITH MY NEWBORN IN THE CAR....I TURNED LEFT TO PULL INTO MY DRIVEWAY, AND LOST THE POWER STEERING. I HAD TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER AND THE REPAIR COST OVER $1,000 AND THE DEALER SAID IT COULD HAPPEN AGAIN IN A YEAR OR SO. THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN AND POWER STEERING MOTOR WAS REPLACED. AFTER THE DEALER'S 12/12 WARRANTY EXPIRED, I STARTED HAVING THE SAME SYMPTOMS ALL OVER AGAIN. SO FAR IT HASN'T GONE OUT, BUT THE "POPPING" NOISE AND "LOOSE" STEERING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, PLUS THE MORE DIFFICULT STEERING WHEN DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS IS BACK AGAIN. WHEN THE ORIGINAL INCIDENT HAPPENED, I HAD JUST TURNED OFF A MAIN STREET. IF IT HAD HAPPENED JUST TWO BLOCKS EARLIER, I WOULD HAVE BEEN "T-BONED" WITH MY DAUGHTER IN THE CAR. *TR

  9. Steering, Feb 27, 2010

    STEERING GEAR PROBLEM IN 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU LT. DEALER REPLACED WORN STEERING GEAR AT 25,000 MILES AND NOW AT 35,000 MILES THE PROBLEM IS HAPPENING AGAIN. *TR

  10. Steering, Feb 27, 2010

    I BOUGHT MY 2006 CHEVY MALIBU IN FEB 2009 . IMMEDIATELY AFTER WE PURCHASED THIS CAR FROM A USED CAR LOT, WE STARTED HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE POWER STEERING. THE DEALERSHIP WE PURCHASED IT FROM SUGGEST WE TAKE IT TO LOCAL GM DEALERSHIP TO LOOK AT IT. THEY ADVISED THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO DRIVE IT TO SEE WHAT HAPPENED. AT THAT TIME, IT WOULD ONLY HAPPEN EVERY SO OFTEN SO I COULD NOT AFFORD TO HAVE THEM KEEP MY CAR FOR ANY LENGTH OF TIME. AT FIRST, I CHALKED IT UP TO THE COLD TEMPERATURES, BUT AS SPRING AND SUMMER PASSED IT STILL HAPPENED. I HAVE NOW HAD THE CAR A YEAR AND IT HAPPENS SOMETIMES FOUR OR FIVE TIMES BEFORE I GET OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY. I HAVE THE POWERSTEERING MESSAGE COME ACROSS THE DISPLAY, I HAVE TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND IT WILL RESET. USUALLY THE RESET WILL ONLY WORK IF I AM NOT IN A TURN POSITION. I CAN BE GOING 65MPH DOWN THE INTERSTATE AND IT WILL CLICK OFF AND LOCK THE STEERING WHEEL. THANK GOD, THAT I HAVE NEVER HAD TO GET OUT OF CRUNCH ON THE INTERSTATE. I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP WHERE AFTER $50.00 FOR A DIAGNOSIS THEY ADVISED THAT THE POWER STEERING MOTOR/MODULE ASSEMBLY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED FOR THE PRICE TAG OF $850.00. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT IF THERE ARE SO MANY CONSUMERS WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM THEY WOULD ISSUE A RECALL BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. IT SEEMS TO HAPPEN MORE OFTEN WHEN TURNING TO THE RIGHT. I NOW CAN'T DRIVE ANYWHERE WITHOUT IT HAPPENING 5 TO 7 TIMES. I USUALLY JUST LEAVE IT TILL I HAVE TO GET IN A PARKING SPOT. I HAVE TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL , RESTART THE ENGINE AND HOPE IT WILL REENGAGE. I HAVE CONTACT GM CUSTOMER SERVICE AND BECAUSE I DID NOT HAVE THE CAR SERVICED EVERYTIME AT A GM AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THAT IT NOW HAS 80K ON IT THEY WILL NOT HELP AT ALL. WELL IT WAS PURCHASED IN 2009 WITH 60 K ON IT AT THAT TIME IT WOULD HAVE BEEN OUT OF WARRANT THEN ALSO. THEY ARE NOT HELPFUL AT ALL AND DO NOT TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS ISSUE. *TR

  11. Steering, Feb 26, 2010

    LOSS OF POWER STEERING IN 2006 CHEVY MALIBU. LOSS OF CONTROL OF STEERING. REPLACED STEERING COLUMN AT DEALERSHIP. *TR

  12. Steering, Feb 24, 2010

    TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE VEHICLE WOULD PULL TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT EXCESSIVELY WHICH DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH. THE SPEED ALSO FLUCTUATED WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. GENERAL MOTORS TOLD THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD SEND HIM A $1000 VOUCHER TOWARDS THE PURCHASE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE WHEN HE ASKED TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 55,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 57,852.

  13. Steering, Feb 24, 2010

    MY 2006 CHEVY MALIBU IS HAVING MAJOR ISSUES. POWER STEERING IS INTERMITTENTLY GOING OUT.. WITHOUT WARNING. STEERING COMPLETELY LOCKS UP FOR NO REASON WHEN DRIVING. VERY UNSAFE! ALSO.. IN 2008 THE STEERING COLUMN HAD TO BE REPLACED. ALSO.. VERY UNSAFE. I AM AWARE THAT THESE ISSUES HAVE BECOME QUITE COMMON AND AM VERY UPSET THE CHEVY HAS NOT ACKNOWLEDGED AND PROVIDED A RECALL. *TR

  14. Steering, Feb 21, 2010

    2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX - 1ST INCIDENT WAS TURNING INTO A PARKING LOT, THE WHEEL WAS EXTREMELY HARD TO TURN "POWER STEERING" FLASHED ON THE CONSOLE DISPLAY, PARKED THE CAR AND TURNED IT OFF AND ON, AND IT WAS WORKING FINE; ABOUT 12 TIMES SINCE MAY, I START THE CAR AND THE WHEEL WILL NOT TURN, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND THE "POWER STEERING" DISPLAY ON THE CENTER CONSOLE FLASHES, IT SOMETIMES TAKES ABOUT 10 TRIES, BUT IT EVENTUAL STARTS CORRECTLY; ABOUT 4 OF THE 12 INCIDENTS HAVE BEEN WHILE DRIVING, IT USUALLY HAPPENS ON TURNS, SWITCHING LANES, ALL AT RELATIVELY SLOW SPEEDS; IT HAS BEEN IN A CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP FIVE TIMES WITH EXPENSIVE REPAIR BILLS (A SENSOR MODULE REPLACED/REPAIRED, STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED, SENSOR MODULES/SOLENOIDS REPLACED, A RELAY/SENSOR REPLACED IN THE COLUMN, LAST VISIT THERE WAS NO CODE, SO THE MECHANIC SAID HE COULD NOT DO ANYTHING AND TO WAIT UNTIL IT DOES IT AGAIN AND KEEP IT RUNNING AND THEY WOULD COME TOW IT, HOWEVER THE LAST TIME IT HAPPENED, I WAS ON BUSINESS 2 HOURS AWAY AND IT WASN'T POSSIBLE FOR THEM TO DO IT) AND THE PROBLEMS CONTINUES AND APPEARS TO BE GETTING WORSE (MORE FREQUENT AND TAKES MORE RESTARTS TO WORK PROPERLY); EVEN MORE DISHEARTENING IS THAT THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMED TO HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM, BUT I'VE FOUND MANY BLOGS WITH OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

  15. Steering, Feb 17, 2010

    TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HEARD A POPPING SOUND WHEN SHE TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL AND LATER OBSERVED THAT THE STEERING SHAFT WAS BROKEN. SHE ALSO NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY LOOSE WITH NO RESISTANCE WHILE MAKING A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO UNCONTROLLABLE DURING RAINY AND INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS. THE DEALER REPLACED THE SHAFT 4 TIMES AND THE FAILURE WAS STILL PERSISTENT. SHE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE WARRANTY DID NOT INCLUDE THE FAILED THE COMPONENTS AND THAT SHE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING THE REPAIR COST. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 83,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 14,000.

  16. Steering, Feb 16, 2010

    STEERING WHEEL STARTED SHAKING AT SLOW SPEEDS. THIS WENT ON FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS THEN AT HIGHWAY SPEED THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. A CHIME WENT OFF AND THE RADIO DISPLAYED POWER STEERING MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS VERY HARD TO CONTROL GOOD THING IT WAS A STRAIGHT ROAD. AFTER PULLING OVER AND TURNING CAR OFF THE STEERING CAME BACK AFTER RE-STARTING. DEALERSHIP SAID THEY HAVE HERD OF THIS BEFORE AND THE FIX MAY BE REPLACING THE STEERING COLUMN. *TR

  17. Steering, Feb 15, 2010

    I WAS ABOUT TO TURN INTO A PARKING SPOT AND SUDDENLY I COULD NOT HARDLY TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. MY MESSAGE BOARD READ "POWERING STEERING". IT STARTED ABOUT 1 WEEK AGO AND HAS DONE IT SEVERAL TIMES SINCE. I HAVE EVEN GOTTEN INTO MY CAR AND DIRECTLY AFTER STARTING IT THE SAME MESSAGE POPS UP, AND I CAN NOT TURN THE WHEEL. MY STEERING WHEEL ALSO STARTED JERKING WHILE I AM DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. I STARTED RESEARCH ON THIS ISSUE AND FOUND THAT MANY OTHERS HAVE THIS PROBLEM! HOPEFULLY THIS WILL NOT COST AN OUTRAGEOUS AMOUNT OF MONEY TO FIX. I WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE SOME RESEARCH INTO THIS ISSUE. MOST OF THE ISSUES CAME FROM 2004 MODELS. IT IS REALLY UPSETTING TO KNOW THAT THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE FOR A LONG TIME. I JUST HOPE THIS GETS FIXED BEFORE SOMEONE DOES GET HURT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. *TR

  18. Steering, Feb 13, 2010

    LOSS OF POWER STEERING. HAPPENS ONCE A MONTH. NO PARTS REPAIRED YET. *TR

  19. Steering, Feb 9, 2010

    MY 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU'S POWER STEERING WENT OUT TWICE ON 02/05/2010. I WAS DRIVING ON A STRAIGHT AWAY AND AT LOW SPEEDS AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT SO THIS DID NOT CAUSE ME TO CRASH. HOWEVER I'M CONCERNED THIS WILL HAPPEN AGAIN AT HIGHER SPEED OR A MORE UNSAFE TIME. THIS APPEARS TO BE MUCH LIKE THE COBALT INVESTIGATION PE10005. *TR

  20. Steering, Feb 7, 2010, crash

    CHEVROLET MALIBU 2006 LT 3.5 V6 STEERING WHEN DRIVING AT HGHWAY SPEEDS LOCKS UP. CREATES A FEELING LIKE EMERGENCY BRAKING WITH ABS. HAS HAPPENED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHILE TURNING IN TOWN AND WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY. LAKESIDE DEALERSHIP IN ROCKWALL, TX WHEN I CONTACTED THEM SAID THERE WAS NOT A FIX GM WAS AWARE OF PROBLEMS WITH THE ELECTRONIC STEERING IN THE MALIBU, IMPLALA AND FULL SIZE TRUCKS. CRASHED ON A COUNTY ROAD BECAUSE THE STEERING WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO TURN. THE CAR CRASHED INTO A WASHOUT AREA CAUSING MORE THAN $5000.00 IN DAMAGE. *TW

  21. Steering, Feb 6, 2010

    POWER STEEERING FAILURE WHILE CAR IS IN MOTION-WHEN CAR SLOWS DOWN IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL. HAPPENED 2X-CAR TOWED TO DEALER THEY REPLACED POWER STEERING MOTOR. HAPPENED AGAIN 2 WEEKS LATER-DEALER REPLACED STEERING COLUMN-$1400 TOTAL REPAIRS! GM WILL NOT HELP BECAUSE CAR IS OUT OF WARRENTY *CN

  22. Steering, Feb 3, 2010

    WHILE DRIVING AT 60MPH ON THE FREEWAY CAR STEERING JERKED AND THEN LOCKED UP. THERE WAS NO POWER STEERING AT ALL AND NO WHERE TO PULL OVER. IT HAS SINCE HAPPENED ABOUT 20 TIMES AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. *TR

  23. Steering, Feb 2, 2010

    I HAVE A 2006 MALIBU LT THAT LOST THE POWER STEERING ON A STREET, ON ABLE TO MANEUVER THE CAR I HAD SOME BYSTANDERS HELP ME PUSH THE CAR TO A PARKING LOT. I HAVE RESEARCHED AND SEEN THAT THERE ARE MANY MALIBU'S WITH THIS PROBLEM SOME WITH ACCIDENTS. *TR

  24. Steering, Feb 2, 2010

    THE POWER STEERING FREEZES UP ON MY 2006 MALIBU MAXX. IT SEEMS TO HAPPEN WHEN THE RPMS ARE WAY UP, LIKE WHEN PASSING. WHEN THIS HAPPENS THERE IS NO STEERING AT ALL!!! THE WHEEL IS LOCKED RIGHT TIGHT. THE DEALER SAID THAT IT COULD NOT HAPPEN THAT WAY. THE CAR ALSO LOOSES STEERING AT LOW SPEEDS. THE STEERING WHEEL TURNS BUT THE TIRES DO NOT. *TR

  25. Steering, Jan 31, 2010

    2006 CHEVY MALIBU LT ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING FAILURE: ON 1/31/2010, MY FAMILY AND I WERE ON OUR WAY TO CHURCH; WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 20 (I20) THE 2006 CHEVY MALIBU ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING WENT OUT. IT WAS ONLY BECAUSE OF THE LOW TRAFFIC VOLUME AT THAT TIME THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT TO BE REPORTED. I WAS UNABLE TO MAKE IT TO CHURCH BUT I WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE BACK TO MY HOME. I HAD A FAMILY MEMBER PICK UP MY WIFE THAT IS PREGNANT ALONG WITH MY TWO DAUGHTERS, AND FOLLOW ME BACK TO THE HOUSE. BECAUSE THE DEALERSHIP WAS CLOSED I SEARCHED ONLINE TO FIND OUT IF THIS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE CHEVY MALIBU. WITHIN MY RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND OUT THIS PROBLEM IS A COMMON PROBLEM AMONG MANY OWNERS WHO VEHICLE FALLS BETWEEN THE YEAR OF 2004 AND 2006. ALTHOUGH MY CAR HAS OVER 100,000 MILES I HAVE FOUND THIS PROBLEM HAS ACCRUED AS EARLY AS 52,000 MILES. I THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME OUT TO INVESTIGATE MY COMPLAINT, AND PRAY THAT THE BEST DECISION IS MADE AS IT RELATES TO LIVES OF OTHERS. AGAIN I THANK YOU FOR THIS SERVICE AND OPPORTUNITY TO EXPRESS MY CONCERNS. *TR