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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
7 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
84,097 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

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.

2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx steering problems

steering problem

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2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx Owner Comments (Page 2 of 10)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #172

Mar 262018

Malibu Maxx

  • 190,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu maxx. The contact stated while driving 45 mph, the steering wheel seized as a result the vehicle became difficult to steer. No warning lights illuminated before or during the failure. The dealer vehicle was not taken to a dealer for diagnosis or repairs. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 15V064000 (steering) as a possible solution however the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified and informed the contact that NHTSA regulated what vehicles was included in the recall and to contact NHTSA. The failure mileage was 190,000.

- Trotwood, OH, USA

problem #171

Feb 202018

Malibu Maxx

  • 75,000 miles
Warning comes on radio with warning beeps and all power steering is lost until you turn off car and restart. It can happen during any driving situation at any speed. The car has already had the initial recall taken care of for this same problem even tho we never experienced a problem with it then. Now even tho another recall was issued they say my car isn't in that group. Makes no sense.

- Bushnell, FL, USA

problem #170

Jan 052018

Malibu Maxx

  • 76,000 miles
Recall 14116, steering shaft torque sensor was performed 1 April 2016 at 37560 miles. On approx. 1-05-18, at approx. 76000 miles, the steering failed completely resulting in extremely difficult control of the vehicle. This was less than 2 years after the recall replacement. Upon diagnosis technicians found that the steering shaft torque sensor and the electronic power steering motor control module had failed. The motor control module probably failed due to increased stress on the system due to the torque sensor having failed. The repair shop had two original equipment replacements for the motor control module fail out of the box before a good one was provided, and both units had to be repeatedly tested and adjusted before acceptable performance was reached. Based on the history of these type failures it is apparent that GM has not corrected the problems with these system components. It cost $747.36 for parts, and $234 labor for the repair, not including tax. It is not acceptable that GM is not actually correcting the apparent design issues with these systems, but is continuing to use them in vehicles even with their history of failure. GM customer service offered no help at all for the cost of this repair even though their parts appear to be defective in design. Their only response was that they had made the recall corrections at no cost once and would not do it again. Yet the oem replacement parts failed repeatedly out of the box. It seems that GM should have some responsibility as they continue to produce defective products that appears to fail repeatedly..

- Springfield, MO, USA

problem #169

Aug 122017

Malibu Maxx

  • 111,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Intermittent loss of power steering while driving resulting in a requirement to drive with only manual steering which requires greater force and lowers the ability to react quickly to traffic patters dramatically. This happens both while the vehicle is in motion and stopped. Turning the power on and off results in temporarily restoring power steering. Worth noting, GM said the recall was closed for this vehicle and the repair was already performed, but failed to bring resolution to the problem, even though it is their sensor that is now not functioning again. Presumably vehicle was fixed with another faulty part from GM or was never actually fixed to begin with. This problem creates a huge safety concern for both the driver and other drivers on the road.

- Jim Thorpe, PA, USA

problem #168

Aug 152017

Malibu Maxx

  • 156,000 miles
Steering locks up. This has happened several times in the few months I've owned the vehicle. It happens most often when attempting to turn while accelerating (such as turning left onto a busy road). Sometimes it happened upon acceleration without turning. There has been a recall for similar problems on this same make, model and year, however, when I type in my VIN number, nothing comes up. It is most definitely a major safety problem which needs to be fixed asap. I cannot afford to do it at this time. Please tell me if perhaps my VIN just doesn't show up, but I may be able to get it fixed at no charge due to the recall that involves very similar problems/hazards.

- Bay City, MI, USA

problem #167

May 242017

Malibu Maxx

  • 382,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu maxx. While attempting to accelerate at various speeds, three chimes sounded, the vehicle seized, pulled to the right, and the power steering warning indicator illuminated. The contact stated that if the failure occurred while in cruise control, it would cancel the cruise control. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic. The dealer was contacted at 304-422-6501 and confirmed that the vehicle was not included in the recall and that the shaft torque sensor kit needed to be replaced. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V153000 (steering). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and refused to provide a case number or email after informing the contact that the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was 382,000.

- Richmond, VA, USA

problem #166

May 092017

Malibu Maxx

  • 140,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Driving down the highway, and slowed to a stop light. The car suddenly dings three times. I hear a high popping noise and the power steering warning light appears on the screen. Light turns green. The steering wheel becomes very hard to turn. It takes all of my might to turn the steering wheel left on a red light intersection. I barely avoided hitting the opposite car that was going left across from me. I was told they had a recall. Called the dealership and I was informed my car did not qualify in the recall because it was made earlier than the other models, and the recall had expired in 2014 anyway. Scared me to death almost hitting someone else.

- Prattville, AL, USA

problem #165

Mar 022017

Malibu Maxx 6-cyl

  • 110,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu maxx. While driving approximately 40 mph an audible warning sound activated before the power steering suddenly malfunctioned. The steering wheel became very difficult to turn. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering module was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 110,000. Updated 05/04/17

- La Habra, CA, USA

problem #164

Mar 072017

Malibu Maxx

  • 139,000 miles
I was picking up a friend & the car drove smoothly to their destination. I stop the car & put the car in park mode, rider got in & I put the car back in drive mode. A few moments later in motion on a city street I took a left turn & the steering wheel ripped itself out of my hands straightening itself out. Power steering light came on the center console, I had no power steering during the left turn & almost got into a car accident because of it. I had to muscle the steering wheel to safety & pull over. As of right now I am still facing this issue, power steering is an electrical issue & the problem is within the steering column. I looked up the issue online only to find out I wasn't alone, many others experienced the same issue as I did. This is a safety issue and needs to be recalled asap

- Weymouth, MA, USA

problem #163

Jan 172017

Malibu Maxx

  • 34,500 miles
Almost impossible to steer while accelerated, chime sounded

- Lake Worth, FL, USA

problem #162

Dec 092016

Malibu Maxx 6-cyl

  • 210,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Power steering was fixed 2 years ago due to recall. Now the car is doing the same thing, but worse now. Losing power steering multiple times throughout driving (one trip). GM refuses to fix it again. I think it's unfair for them not to fix what is their fault. I constantly have to pull over & cut the car off & crank it back up, only for it to keep doing the same thing. It happens every 4 miles. This is ridiculous!!!!

- Irmo, SC, USA

problem #161

Oct 262016

Malibu Maxx

  • 150,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu maxx. While driving 70 mph, the steering wheel seized and excessive force was required to move the vehicle. After a couple of minutes, the steering wheel performed normally. The failure recurred multiple times throughout the day. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V064000 (steering). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

problem #160

Sep 162015

Malibu Maxx

  • 120,000 miles
My vehicle locks up when I press the gas pedal. It happens under low speeds in street traffic, especially when having to accelerate at turns, as well as highway speeds when accelerating to get onto onramps. It happens if I accelerate quickly and the power steering locks up and I loose control of the vehicle. The dash board entirely lights up, makes a chime sound and blinks. It then will resume normal operation once I release the gas pedal. I have contacted Chevrolet and they have said that my vehicle isn't part of the recall 14772 but it is exactly happening as described.

- Medford, MA, USA

problem #159

Aug 282016

Malibu Maxx

  • 155,000 miles
Sudden loss of power steering: Car started chiming with a power steering on the radio display while in motion proceeding through a stop light, with difficulty in steering.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

problem #158

Jun 062016

Malibu Maxx

  • 131,000 miles
The steering goes in and out. Feels like you have very little control of wheel while driving. When accelerating or entering higher speeds a ding goes off. Have replaced steering column through dealer. Need to replace steering gear and control module. This should all be covered considering these parts probably all go bad having a defective steering column to begin with. I don't feel safe at all driving my car.

- Westland, MI, USA

problem #157

May 282016

Malibu Maxx

  • 180,000 miles
While on exit ramp from one interstate to another interstate highway during a veer to the left, car suddenly veered right & crossed a lane of traffic heading for an embankment at approximately 60 mph. I slammed on the brakes, unable to steer, which caused my car to turn 180 degrees and slid into the embankment. Had I not done the 180 degree spin, I would have hit the embankment head on, likely being seriously injured or killed. The recall repair took place and obviously failed. I will never be able to trust driving it again.

- Imperial, MO, USA

problem #156

Oct 202015

Malibu Maxx

  • 136,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu maxx. The contact stated that the power steering warning light randomly flashed and the steering wheel was tight each time the failure occurred. The dealer and the manufacturer indicated that there was a manufacturer recall for the vehicle and provided no remedy or solution. The contact was advised to take the vehicle to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 15V064000 (steering), 14E044000 (steering), and 14V153000 (steering). The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V224000 (power train). The dealer was to schedule the recall repair. The vehicle was to be taken to an independent mechanic for inspection of the power steering failure and the contact was waiting to determine when the dealer would complete the recall repair. Parts distribution disconnect. The approximate failure mileage was 136,000.

- Plainfield, IN, USA

problem #155

Oct 312014

Malibu Maxx 6-cyl

  • miles
2006 Chevrolet Malibu maxx. Consumer writes in regards to dissatisfaction on how recall #14116 has been handled. The consumer stated upon completion of the recall, she continued to experience a sudden loss of power steering assist.

- Gainesville, FL, USA

problem #154

Nov 112013

Malibu Maxx

  • 96,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu maxx. The contact stated that the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V153000 (steering), but the remedy did not correct the failure. Upon making a left or right turn, the steering wheel did not turn and the contact had to apply force to turn the steering wheel. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 96,000.

- Hamilton, OH, USA

problem #153

Oct 272015

Malibu Maxx

  • 138,157 miles
The steering wheel will get hard to turn usually when I am in the process of changing lanes on the interstate and accelerating. Sometimes an alarm will come on and a light will come on for a few seconds and then go off. Here lately the alarm is not coming on. It is getting were it is happening more often, at least a couple times a week now. Most of my driving is done on the interstate and it is scary because I never know if I can trust my car when merging onto the interstate.

- Brandon, MS, USA

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