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.
Own a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving at approximately 35 mph, the steering wheel became stiff making steering extremely difficult. Traveled approximately 3 miles & parked the vehicle. Thought it needed power steering fluid. Was told by a mechanic that this was a hugh problem with the 2006 Malibu vehicles. He personally had repaired many, many cars with this steering column issue. The cost would run $900 +. restarted the engine and the car was driving fine. Owner researched the website for recalls. Found out that with is a very serious problem with the 2006 Malibu & GM doesn't seem to have a recall for it. Unfortunately, it will take loss of lives before any action will be taken. Too many of these cars have this defect. GM should "man up" and either repair the problem permanently or allow for trade-in's with appropriate trade in value. Also, it sounds like even after repair have been done, the problem may or may not come back. No guarantee for permanent solution. Owner is afraid to drive the car for fear of the steering issue occurring at any time & maybe causing a minor or even worse fatal accident. Approximate failure mileage 118,000.
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving 65 mph, the vehicle began exhibiting a loud knocking sound when turning or driving over any road bump. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the hydraulic assist power for the steering shaft was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 100,000 and the current mileage was 104,000.
Making a right turn, I heard a clunking noise from the steering, the car pulled to the right and the steering wheel felt like it the power steering failed. About 1 year ago, I have had the car in for service at the dealers for a knocking in the steering and they found nothing wrong.
I have a 2006 Chevy Malibu with a serious steering problem. Just like the cobalt that has been recalled. Is the same steering system in the Malibu as the cobalt " the steering just decides to "stop working on it's own". no matter how slow or fast I might be going, it pulls to the left, it pops when I steer, the power steering light comes on, but resets. So by the time I take it to the shop and pay for another service time, it is done and they say do this do that. I had the steering fixed twice now because it was popping. They said the steering was "out of place". when the steering stops, it is to hard to grasp and steer out of harms way. But GM states.. the steering never goes completely out.... they should drive one when this happens. I drive my grand-kids around in this car....... if they fixed the cobalt, they need to fix this now before more accidents happen ! don't they feel a ounce of remorse ? or is this like the Toyota deal " they don't care as long as you are making money and there are"that many deaths" maybe they should let their kids and grand-kids ride in or drive these cars....... this car is dangerous and all GM said was" take it to the dealer and maybe we can offer cost assistance. "
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the vehicle was started and the steering failure warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing and the contact was advised that the steering column would need replacing. The manufacturer was not contacted and the vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 137,225 and the current mileage was 137,231.
- Massena, NY, USA
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The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while stopped, the steering wheel would begin to shake. The contact also stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel would pull the vehicle towards the left. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop, but they were unable to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 25,000.
Randomly while driving at higher speeds or accelerating the battery light will flicker on and off on the dashboard. This time while accelerating on a entrance ramp to the highway the battery light along with all the idiot lights on the dashboard flashed and I temporarily lost power steering. This happened twice within a period of two minutes. Normally whenever the battery lights or other idiot lights flicker a chime is heard. This is kind of scary since it seems like this is a common problem and tends to happen at higher speeds.
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact noticed that the power steering warning light was illuminated. The dealer made three attempts to duplicate the failure. They replaced the steering column twice and then the steering shaft however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified. The current mileage was 42,688 and the approximate failure mileage was 26,000.
2006 Malibu lt power steering assist fails then resumes intermittently. Mechanic's diagnostic computer cannot communicate with vehicle computer during failure, resumes communication when assist resumes. Cannot detect faulty switches, wiring, fuses. No recall notices or service bulletins.
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving 55 mph she heard a loud popping noised when turning the steering wheel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the steering gear and the steering shaft were defective and needed to be replaced. The contact mentioned that she had to replaced the same part a total of three times. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 26,909 and the current mileage was 83,000.
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 mph, the steering wheel seized and became difficult to maneuver. In addition, there was a grinding noise coming from the steering column. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostics. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000. The VIN was not available.
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving at approximately 35 mph, the steering wheel became stiff making steering extremely difficult. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostics. The technicians stated the steering column and the pedal position sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 117,000.
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while accelerating in drive, the steering wheel would seize. The contact stated this usually occurs while driving up a hill, and the sterring wheel later unlocks on it's own. She also stated that the vehicle has becomes very unsafe to drive. The contact took the vehicle to a local mechanic who replaced the power steering sensor but that did not remedy the problem. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and the dealer stated the electrical power steering unit needs to be replaced. The contact stated when the steering wheel locks, the vehicle could cause a crash. The failure mileage was 105,000.
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving approximately 45 mph, the steering wheel locked; however, when the vehicle was turned off and restarted the steering wheel functioned normally. There were no warning indicators illuminated during the failure. In addition, the steering wheel became extremely loose upon engaging it. During a left and right turn the steering wheel exhibited a tightness and was very difficult to maneuver. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 96,000.
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu ltz. The contact stated that on an intermittent basis the steering wheel would shake and jerk violently causing the vehicle to move in the opposite direction she was driving. The vehicle was inspected by a dealer who advised her that they would replace the steering column. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who advised her that the power steering assist motor failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 94,500.
We were driving the car on a twisting highway in rural Montana when the electronic power steering failed. With no assist we almost missed a corner. The steering wheel required extreme pressure to complete the turn. The power steering returned again without warning. If the power steering returned during the time a lot of pulling pressure was being applied to the steering wheel we may have gone across the center line and impacted the front of a kenworth truck. If after a head on accident the power steering may again be working if checked. This is a fearful situation.
My 2006 Malibu power steering keeps spontaneously going out. It started around 75,000 miles. It is constantly pulling the wheel from one direction to the other. It's at a point where the vehicle is uncontrollable, especially at high speeds. The power steering light does come on, but only sporadically - not all of the time. So far, no accidents have occurred, but I fear it will lock up in one certain direction or over correction from trying to control it will cause a crash. Nothing has been fixed or replaced- the car is not being driven at this time.
In the past 2 months my 2006 Chevy Malibu the steering locks up followed by the brakes locking up..when the steering locks up it takes 4-5 secs and its back to normal its done it 3 times and the past time came close to being in a deadly wreck.
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving in reverse the steering failed making the steering wheel difficult to turn. The power steering warning light illuminated when the failure occurred. The vehicle was turned off for a short time and the steering wheel began to function normally. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current miles were 86,011.
2006 Chevy Malibu - power steering displays on screen - then I lose the power steering, if I turn the car off it will disappear and power steering resumes. This has happened approximately a dozen times over the past two weeks. Does Chevy have a recall for this. I have searched and can't find any and I have found that others have the same issue. Very unsafe driving conditions.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Gaithersburg, MD, USA