This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
This car had hardly driven off the lot, as a certified used car with 31000 original miles on the od and I put only 800 miles, when the rotors, and brakes, and steering started knocking, and becoming what I would call "stiff, non-functional" power steering, and pull violently to the left, when uphill. The harsh shaking, of the rotors, and the "stringy feeling of the brake pad, loose was not stopping at a proper safe level. At the future, within 2008-2009-2012 the steering column, was recalled, and put in twice and the brakes were not good, requiring more replacements, and rotors shaved for my safety as it rattled the front end, and caused steering, and distracting for driving safely. I had multiple close calls on basic driving, in rural area, uphill, where power steering went out, the car was not able to be controlled. Prob 10 times, on freeway I could not go past 60 miles, or the engine would act strange, pulling, and again threatening to fail power steering. To date, ,now the maf failed, and shut off the engine while driving, again locking up the brakes, and in the middle of traffic. In total it has 30000 new miles in less then 6 yrs and it remains a deathtrap.
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving various speeds, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
Power steering light came on, steering stiffened. Unable to turn car. Put car in neutral, turned off, restarted, until I could steer car into a parking lot. Each restart gave me a few seconds of steering. Dealer replaced electronic power steering motor, other adjustments, plus $115 charge to diagnose, plus rental car for 3 days: For a total repair cost of $1,023.36.
September 2012 I had both front drive axles replaced because there was shaking in the steering and the mechanic said it was those axles. May 2013 the shaking was still very persistent and I was hearing a popping noise when turning the wheels. Mechanic replaced the sway bars. This still didnt solve the problem. 6-3-13 when driving about 25mph "power steering" came up on radio dial and car was very hard to steer. After turning car off and restarting didnt have a problem. It has done this many times since then. Today 06-17-13 I still have power steering, but now there is a scrubbing sound and the steering wheel is real "jerky" when turning the wheels, especially to the left. I am very concerned that I am going to lose my power steering while on the highway and I wont be able to control the car. Something needs to be done immediatly before lives our lost.
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that a noise was heard while making a turn. The contact also mentioned that there was a popping noise and vibration while decelerating. The vehicle was taken to independent repair shop who replaced the rack and pinion, the outer tie rod, the brakes and drums. The failure recurred. The failure was reported to the manufacturer. The failure mileage was 70,000. The current mileage was 100,000...updated 08-07-13 the consumer stated the rack and pinion, as well as the outer tie rods were replaced twice, and the consumer continues to experience problems. The consumer was informed the rack and pinion and outer tie rods needs to be replaced again.
- Helendale, CA, USA
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The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the power steering warning light illuminated while parking and the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis. The technician stated that the steering column would have to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not further repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 95,000.
I pulled out of the parking lot of my job one day and my power steering warning flashed on my radio. At the same time my car shut off in the middle of traffic. I did not know what to do so instinctively I cut my car off and cut it back on. It temporarily fixed the issue. Now out of no where if I make any sharp turns the power steering shuts the car down. This is very dangerous and could cause an accident especially if it happens in traffic. This should definitely be recalled because it is very serious issue with these cars. I read online about how a lot of Chevy Malibu's are doing this. Why hasn't this issue been addressed?
Since 4/24/13 my power steering warning light has come on at least five times. Thankfully at this point I have not lost steering but it does scare me when it happens because I almost always have had my child in the car with me when the warning has come on. With as many complaints I've seen on this matter I feel as a single parent I should not have to pay up to $500 for repairs. A recall should be in place to protect those of us who have this particular issue. If steering should go out in the middle of a turn I could be involved in an accident. I think it is terrible that a recall may never be put in place unless an accident with serious injury occurs.
My wife was driving from work when the car lost power steering. This happened as she was leaving the parking lot of her company. She parked and turned off the car. When she restarted the car the problem went away but the power steering seems different and not as smooth.
I lost power steering when I ignite my car. There is chiming and message for checking power steering. Turn off the motor, and power steering was back. While I accelerated onto highway, I heard the same chiming. Had no time to look at the message. I searched online, and found that my power steering was lost for several seconds. This is horrible. This is absolute a safety issue. I wonder why there is no recall on this. GM took billions of dollars from tax payer's pockets to bail it out, but can not make a right car. Shame on GM.
I was driving on the highway. While driving on the highway at around 60 mile per hour the powersteering warning came onto the radio display. Shortly after the steering wheel became extremely hard to turn. I was able to pull over to the side of the road once I dont that the car cut off. I was towed to have the car looked at, once the car was looked at I had the alternator replaced. When I picked up the car from the place where it was serviced, while driving it home the car locked up again and I had to have it towed again to the place. Once at the place the problem was fixed and the car ran fine for two days. While driving to work once pulled in parking space the battery light came on again. Now I am afraid to drive it in fear that it will happen again and cause an accident.
I have a 2006 Chevy Malibu, first incident was probably Jan 2013 I filled gas tank and instantly the gauge goes to empty and engine light comes on, then gauge goes from full to empty for up to 3 days, then it goes back to normal. Now I have a problem with the steering pulling me from left to right, sometimes very suddenly. Had the alignment done and new tires still have the same problem. Getting scary to drive. Cant figure out what problem is will have to take to dealership.
When pulling out from a stop and making a right hand turn the power steering quits - making it very hard to steer, power steering comes up in the display center, and the warning center ding is sounded. Started happening about once a week and now happens a couple times each time the car is driven. When the car is shut off and restarted everything is back to normal, until it happens again when making one of your next right turns.
Either while I am driving or when I start my car the power steering light flashes on the display and dings three times, and the power steering stops working. This is very frustrating especially while I am driving, fortunately it has not happened while I am driving around corners, but I am very fearful that it will and I will be in the ditch with major issues. When I start the vehicle this sometimes happens and I need to shut the car off several times on occasions to get the power steering to start working. This is and could be a very dangerous situation. I am truly amazed that GM cares about the Canadian drivers but not about usa drivers. As they have issued a recall in Canada but not in the United States.
I was taking my daughter to school and the car all of a sudden pulled to the right, I heard the ding ding sound the car makes when there's a problem, the power steering flashed on and off rapidly. The wheel became very hard to turn but it quickly returned back to normal. I went online and noticed that there are a number of complaints similar to what I experienced. I am really concerned about this. The 2006 Malibu has had a recall on the steering column in Canada but not in the us. I think that GM should fix the problem. This could cause an accident if it is not fixed.
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving 10 mph, the power steering warning lamp illuminated and the electronic steering locked up, as the consumers wife was making a left turn. The contact mentioned that the failure occurred multiple times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the steering column had an internal short in one of the sensors. As a result, the steering column needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The failure and current mileage was 40,708. Updated 04/30/13
I was pulling into a parking lot and the car gave me the 'ding' that tells me something is wrong. I looked at the dash and it flashed power steering. The wheel became very hard to turn and I was able to pull into a parking stall. When I started the car back up the steering was normal again. I went online and noticed that there are a number of complaints similar to what I experienced. I am really concerned about this. The 2006 Malibu has had a recall on the steering column in Canada but not in the us. I think that GM should fix the problem. This could cause an accident if it is not fixed.
The vehicle was being driven on 2 lane highway at 45 mph suddenly power steering warning message appeared in display, warning noise came on (ding) and there was no power steering. The vehicle was pulled over anf the ignition was turned off and the vehicle was re-started and the warning message was gone and the powersteering started working again. I checked for, (diagnostic trouble codes), dtc's with a scantool and there were no codes listed. I looked for service bulletins for this and found the following. Special coverage adjustment - power steering assist2012/05/2310183A this bulletin covers my vehicle and will replace the steering column in the vehicle.
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving 5 mph, the power steering system malfunctioned. The contact took the vehicle to a dealer for diagnostics who stated that the steering a shaft needed to be replaced. The contact called the manufacturer and filed a complaint. The failure mileage was 30,280. Updated 03/15/13 the consumer stated his wife experienced two failures at 25 mph and one at 5 mph. Updated 03/27/13
I was driving on the highway with 60 mph. I suddenly recognized that it was very hard to steer. It was very hard for me to pull it over. As I knew this issue with 2006 Malibu cars (read many complaints about it on the internet before), I did not panic, and achieved it to pull over without any accident. (by the way, I am a male driver and I do not think any female driver without any knowledge of such problem in advance could pull the car over) I have seen the "power steering" flash on the screen during the incident. After turning off and on the ignition, everything was normal. I do not know whether it will repeat again in the future. I searched for any recalls about the power steering, and found that 2005/2006/2008 Malibu cars were recalled on October 2012 in Canada. (please see the link for more information wwwapps.tc.gc.ca/saf-sec-sur/7/vrdb-bdrv/search/recalldetail.aspx?lang=eng&rn=2012331 ) however, there is no such action in the usa. It is a very crucial safety problem and these cars are to be recalled immediately in the usa as well. GM should definitely take an action before any deadly accident happens.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Sylmar, CA, USA