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.
Steering
Loss of power steering on start up. Never make it to recover, although a lot of other drivers said that turning engine off and on would at least temporary solve the problem. The car was towed to dealership where they diagnosed "power steering control module internal failure" ($700 dollars repair cost).
ODI 10404753
Steering
Power steering periodically goes out. First time, when it was very cold out a few months ago. The last time (on sunday) was going down the interstate at +70 mph speed. Work has not been done since the steering column part is $359 plus 2 hours labor and if that does not fix the problem the assist motor will need be replaced at $450 plus labor. I did take it the local dealer repair shop and they put it on the computer…
ODI 10402959
Steering
Tl* 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.
ODI 10418521
Steering
I have a power steering problem with my 2006 chevy malibu. I had gotten a recall notice awhile back and at the time there was nothing wrong. However now i am having a problem with the power steering and i don't even see this recall anymore on your website. Please confirm. The power steering all of a sudden has a "ding, ding, ding noise" when i have to accelerate from a stop on the highway back on. Now sometimes when…
ODI 10398565
Steering
Power steering issue. The power steering in car made noise when under warranty. I brought it in at 35,000 miles. The gm dealer lubed the steering shaft. At 90,000 miles they told me the steering system was shot and i needed to pay over $1,000 for a new steering system.... *tr
ODI 10400892
Steering
Loss of power steering. This happened 3 times today. *tr
ODI 10396940
Steering
Check power steering messaging appeared while driving at highway speed. Messaging disappeared after turning car off and on. Message reappeared three more times at different speeds in next two days. Brought car to mechanic who recalibrated steering column. Messaging reappeared on drive home from shop while passing over a speed bump. Returned car to shop, was told steering column and module needed replaced. Repairs…
ODI 10397752
Steering
Tl*the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated the power steering failed periodically without warning. The contact also stated when they made a left or right turn the steering wheel jerked out of his hand. The contact stated the power steering light illuminated on the information center intermittently. The contact stated the vehicle was in the dealer possession but had not been inspected. The vin…
ODI 10399815
Steering
The electric power steering in my 2006 chevrolet malibu failed repeatedly. It would work sometimes when the car was restarted. Because of the safety concern, i had it repaired at a chevrolet dealership. I found that chevrolet will pay to repair some 2006 malibus with the problem, but not others. I was told my car has the wrong "vin-series," so chevrolet refuses to cover the repair. It is the exact same…
ODI 10408636
Steering
I was accelerating onto the freeway going approximately 60 mph and the power steering stopped working for 3-4 seconds. There was a chime as well. If it lasted longer or there were other cars around someone could have been injured!!!! *tr
ODI 10395472
Steering
(april 2011) leaving work one afternoon, i began to drive off the campus and as i began to drive the steering wheel began to tighten and as soon as i tried to make a left hand turn, the steering wheel locked up and would not turn. That day i ended up in the ditch and i'm thankful that no one was hurt. Every time i proceed to make a left hand turn and it's hot outside, the steering wheel locks up causing me to grab…
Crash reported
ODI 10452392
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet malibu. While driving approximately 60 mph, the contact noticed that the steering wheel would move from one side to the other, making it impossible to control the vehicle. Also, when attempting to start the vehicle, the contact heard a buzzing noise as the steering wheel would violently jerk from left to right. The dealer advised the contact that there were no recalls related to…
ODI 10397378
Steering
Tl*the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet mailbu lt. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 mph the steering wheel suddenly locked without warning. She was able to release the steering wheel by restarting the vehicle. The vehicle was not inspected or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000. The vin was unavailable.
ODI 10394308
Steering
Power steering temporarily goes out upon acceleration in my 2006 chevy malibu lt. Seems like the problem is intermittent. This seems to be a safety issue and all gm has done is issue a special coverage adjustment (link: http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f13/07126-special-coverage-adjustment-loss-power-steering-assist-models-2005-chevr-58130/). Seems like this should be a safety issue with a dealer recall to address…
ODI 10393126
Steering
Steering column locks while pressing gas pedal, this is very dangerous when changing lanes on the expressway. This usually happens to me daily as i travel to and from work on the interstate. *tr
ODI 10386408
Steering
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…
ODI 10412195
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 to 25 mph the steering wheel would intermittently lock and she would be uanble to steer the vehicle. After the failures, the contact would hear a warning bell, indicating the loss of power steering. The vehicle was not inspected by a dealer, nor repaired. The dealer also informed the contact that there were no…
ODI 10408800
Steering
2006 chevy malibu power steering will lock up when driving at low speeds. *tr
ODI 10386113
Steering
I was on my way to work this morning when the interior bell sounded 4 times and then the power steering quit. I was on the thruway and very concerned about being able to exit. The force i needed to use to turn my vehicle was greater than any elderly person would be able to manage. After doing some research, i have learned that this problem has been ongoing with chevy. This is a very serious safety issue. How many…
ODI 10386079
Steering
For the past 6 months power steering on 2006 malibu lt had been going out. I could reset it by restarting the car and pressing the accelerator. While driving on the highway about a month or two ago power steering went out, was able to pull over. This happen about 4 time before i reach my destination, i drove in the right lane so i would be able to pull safely off the road. To date if i restart the car i can drive it…
ODI 10395689
Steering
Tl*the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that while driving various speeds, the power steering locked. The dealer was contacted and informed her to bring the vehicle in for inspection since there were no recalls or related warranties for this failure. The manufacturer was contacted and offered no assistance. The vin was unavailable. The failure mileage was 82,000.
ODI 10390189
Steering
Tl*the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated while driving 15 mph the steering wheel locked. The bell and power steering light illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact turned the vehicle off and then on to correct the failure. The dealer diagnostic test determined that the failure was the same as the recall that was issued, but the contacts vin was not a part of the recall. The vehicle was…
ODI 10402239
Steering
Electrical power steering column (eps) in my car, and many others of the same year or older has/will fail. Very dangerous, car will not turn when driver wants it to. Foresee accidents and injury if left unrepaired. There was a recall issued for the 2005 model, which uses the same eps as the 2006. There are many complaints about this problem happening at different mileage milestones, however, chevy/gm is basically…
ODI 10381100
Steering
Tl*the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet malibu. While driving, the contact noticed that the power steering check engine warning light illuminated, when the vehicle lost all power steering, making it difficult to control the vehicle. Both the dealer and manufacturer had not been notified nor was the vehicle diagnosed or repaired. The current and failure mileages were 77,444. The vin was unavailable.
ODI 10378148
Steering
Tl* 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…
ODI 10418063