2006 Chevrolet Malibu Steering Problems
- 687
- Owner complaint records in our dataset
Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.
Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.
Among these 687 stored complaint records:
- 20 indicate a crash
- 7 indicate injury
- 1 indicate fire
What owners report
- power steering · 148 records
- steering wheel · 60 records
- failure mileage · 13 records
- loss power · 13 records
- diagnosed repaired · 12 records
- warning indicator · 10 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 60–100k mi | 209 |
| 100–150k mi | 150 |
| 30–60k mi | 127 |
| 150–400k mi | 79 |
| 1–30k mi | 53 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Electric Power Assist System · Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that while exiting a parking lot, the vehicle exhibited an abnormally loud noise as the power steering failed. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was told that the electronic power assist was failing. The contact stated that no warning lights were illuminated, but the clock and radio had to be reset when the failure occurred. The failure…
ODI 10445004
Steering
Power steering often stops working at low speed. *tr
ODI 10609179
Steering
Upon slight acceleration (i.e. Merging from exit ramps or pulling out into traffic) the power steering fails. Warning sound chimes. Steering becomes unassisted without power for several seconds. This has occurred several times. I contacted the local dealer re: recalls/fix and was informed that i would have to pay them a service fee to look at the car for them to try to duplicate the problem. This is a gm/chevy…
ODI 10574692
Electrical System · Exterior Lighting · Steering
I have been complaining about these problems for years to my dealership and haven't received the proper help to get these problems taken care of. I have been having problems dealing with sudden loss of electric power steering. My car steering wheel will lock up as soon as i turn the car on or even in the middle of driving on the highway. This is a hazard and life threatening. I brought my car to the dealership, but…
ODI 10929505
Steering
When pulling out of my driveway, power steering illuminated across the screen and then steering was lost. I turned the car off and on 5 times but the same message kept reappearing with returned inability to steer. *tr
ODI 10441254
Steering
I was driving on the freeway at 65 mph when the power steering indicator came on with four bell tones - i lost the ability to easily steer the car. I had to struggle to get the car steered off the freeway. I turned the car off then on and power steering resumed. I got back on the freeway and within 15 minutes the problem occurred again and i had to struggle just to steer. This is a very dangerous situation as if the…
ODI 10443989
Steering
I was just backing up at church and the dinging noise came on like when your car door is open. I look at the information on the screen and it says power steering. I could not turn my car without using 2 hands to do it. I was able to drive it home (2 blocks). After looking up the problem online and seeing so many complaints about the same problem and suggesting i turn off the car and turn it back on, i went out to…
ODI 10439337
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet malibu. While driving 45 mph, the contact experienced difficulty maneuvering the steering wheel. The instrument panel indicators illuminated and the contact heard a chime sounding throughout the cabin of the vehicle. When the contact's foot was removed from the accelerator pedal, the steering returned to normal. The failure occurred on two separate occasions. The dealer…
ODI 10615752
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that while in reverse, the steering failed without warning. The contact had to apply abrupt force to the steering wheel in order to control the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the dealer performed a diagnostic and located the failure at the steering column. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 61,000.
ODI 10438145
Steering
Turned steering wheel left to exit a fueling pump and the power steering went out. The panel display indicated "power steering" and an indicator on the dash had a amber color icon with a wrench. Had to use a lot of force to turn vehicle to a safe place and turned the car off. Got out and looked under the hood but could not discern any obvious problem. Turned the car back on and the problem did not reappear as…
ODI 10435664
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet malibu. While driving approximately 20 mph, the power steering failed to operate with the illumination of the warning indicator. The contact drove to the side of the road and parked the vehicle in a safe location. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. Prior to the failure, the steering wheel would vibrate upon starting the engine. The manufacturer was not made aware of…
ODI 10436327
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet malibu. While driving approximately 35 mph, the power steering warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostics and the vehicle was not repaired. The vin was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 69,000.
ODI 10436085
Electrical System · Steering
Power steering failure. Had began to drive out of a parking lot when power steering went out and was very difficult to turn steering wheel. Car has electrical power steering. I tried to step on brake, shift gear into park then back in drive but still could not get steering wheel to turn. Was extremely difficult and would have been very dangerous if had happened while driving on a freeway with my kids. I have found a…
ODI 10434044
Electrical System · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Steering
This has been a good car for the most part great on gas but last week the brakes felt real hard to push so i replace with new brakes front and rear the old brakes looked almost new now the brake tail light come when you start the car and don't go off unless you depress them. Drivers think your stopping when your driving and when braking they cant tell because lights go out.also for the past 3 years the power…
ODI 10433566
Steering
I was pulling out of my parking spot and my steering completely locked up on me. I almost hit my neighbors vehicle. With much effort i was able to get my car out of the street and onto the side of the road. *tr
ODI 10432542
Electronic Stability Control · Steering
My steering wheel locked up as i was pulling out of my driveway today and i was so close into hitting my sisters car, i was lucky enough that i was able to steer as much as a could went a little bit onto the bushes . But this is a dangerous hazard if i would have known this i would have never have bought this car.the steering wheel also gives somewhat of a vibration which i thought were the struts which were…
ODI 10430048
Steering
After backing out of my driveway, i started down the road and my steering wheel locked up. I was able to pull to the side of the road and turn the car off. I restarted the car and it seemed fine. I didn't want to take any chances so turned around and pulled back into the driveway. I have started the car several times but the steering is still locked up. My car has only 48000 miles on it and would like to see a…
ODI 10434308
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that while driving 15 mph and attempting a left turn, the power steering seized without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the steering column needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was not included in any recalls . The vehicle was not…
ODI 10453868
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that the steering wheel would shake when driving in reverse. In addition, the steering wheel would also seize sporadically when driving highway speeds. A local mechanic diagnosed that the electric power steering assist was defective and would need to be replaced. The dealer was notified and an appointment was made to have the vehicle repaired. The…
ODI 10430562
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that the steering failed while driving and the wheel became very hard to turn. The power steering warning light illuminated while the failure occurred. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 78,000.
ODI 10428860
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 mph, the power steering failed to operate normally as the power steering warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the technician stated that the steering control module would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 40,000. The…
ODI 10550114
Fuel System, Gasoline · Steering
I have only had my 2006 chevrolet malibu for 6 weeks, and i already am experiencing 3 major problems. 1. The fuel gauge will go wild anytime gas is added to the tank, and as the weeks have gone by it is less accurate. I only know when my gas tank is full or empty. I have no idea on anything in between. 2. When i will start the car the power steering will not come on with the car. I will have to turn the car off,…
ODI 10433804
Steering
Pulled up to the stop sign leaving my street getting ready to pull onto busy highway ....steering wheel went completely stiff....power steering failure message came on the dash....managed to turn it around and park it back in my drive way ....i have been reading all the other chevy malibu owners describing the same problem and how it has cost them hundreds even thousands to get fixed and some still did not fix the…
ODI 10428195
Steering
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 +.…
ODI 10425901
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet malibu. The contact was driving 10 mph when the steering wheel exhibited an abnormal noise. The failure would occur when attempting a turn in either direction or driving over road bumps. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who performed a diagnostic that located the failure at the steering column. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 35,000.
ODI 10426436