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
At 102,600 miles power steering began to intermittently fail. It would return when the car was turned off and then started again. My wife very nearly wrecked in a parking lot when it first happened. Gm had a secret warranty to 100k...cost me 660, region refused to help. It was a sensor in the steering column. "old part" is not available, don't know what the dealer would do with such. As my wife suffers from reduced…
ODI 10384865
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet malibu. The contact was driving 15 mph when the steering wheel became extremely stiff, rendering the vehicle disabled. The engine was turned off and the contact restarted the vehicle within moments. The steering wheel had returned to normal operation. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was…
ODI 10375361
Electrical System · Electronic Stability Control · Fuel System, Gasoline · Seat Heater/Cooler · Service Brakes · Steering · Vehicle Speed Control
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the brake lights would work intermittently. The contact replaced the brake lights on numerous occasions. The independent mechanic repaired the wiring harness but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, who diagnosed that the bcm needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired under campaign number:…
ODI 10631033
Steering
Power steering fails. It started when i went to leave work. I started my car, and the power steering immediately failed and "power steering" showed up on the dic. I tried to turn the wheel, and it was almost like the steering wheel was locked up. I turned the car off, and then back on, and it was fine. Then, this past weekend, it did the same exact thing. I again, turned the car off, then on, and it was fine. I…
ODI 10374732
Exterior Lighting · Steering
Steering problems. I was in a turning lane with my son in the car. I heard a ding and power steering showed up on my display. I had no power steering! I am a small person and could barely turn the car and stay in my lane. When i got home i turned the car off for awhile, then went and turned it back on and the car was fine. I have driven the car only when i need to because i am afraid to drive it. I heard it will…
ODI 10373690
Steering
2006 chevrolet malibu. Steering electric power assist system fails as you are driving. Complete loss of steering assist. Must stop car, turn off engine. When engine is restarted, power steering is working again. *tr
ODI 10370837
Steering
The steering in my 2006 chevy malibu lt is very faulty. I have read and researched the continuous problems with the steering in this car and it posses a big problem considering i drive this car 200 mile on the interstate highway at high speeds and the car is very difficult to control. *tr
ODI 10379610
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated was driving 20 mph when the steering wheel began to exhibit an unusual noise when turning and began shaking excessively. The failure occurred intermittently for a period of one year until most recently when the failure became ongoing. The contact was concerned that the steering capabilities would fail and potentially cause a crash. The vehicle was not…
ODI 10369380
Steering
Tl*the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet malibu. While driving approximately 30 mph the steering wheel began to shake and the power steering light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technicians stated that the steering column needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
ODI 10395778
Electrical System · Steering
The steering completely locked up multiple times while commuting to work on i-95, south, in maine. One time in particular, noted above, in which it was absolutely frightening. The entire dash would light up and all gauges would drop, the power steering would completely lock, and you would have to slowly make your way to the side of road. There were always steering, shifting, locking, braking, concerns with this car.…
ODI 10668954
Steering
I owned a 2006 chevrolet malibu,in which i have only had 1 1/2 years,the factory warranty just expired 3 months ago. I am now having very serious problems with the power steering (eps) it has a tendency to go out on me everytime i turn left if i turn the wheel all the way to the left or if i just turn it a little bit just enough to make the turn i can fill the stiffness in it as if its getting ready to shut…
ODI 10361548
Steering
Tl*the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that the steering wheel suddenly locked up; he had to jerk the wheel so that it would move. The failure occurred everytime the vehicle was driven. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was informed that the steering module needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been notified. The…
ODI 10361417
Steering
I've only owned the 2006 chevy malibu for about a year and never had a problem with the power steering but on 9/27/2010 i was making a slow turn into a school lot and the steering went out thankfully i was already coming to a stop. It also has always made a noise when turning however i do not know if these problems are related. I contacted my local gm dealer and they said to bring it in so we'll see what happens. *tr
ODI 10358013
Steering
The power steering will go off as you are driving. Sometimes it will just become harder to steer as you decrease speed, and sometimes you have to stop, turn off the motor and the steering will reset. Very disturbing and quite dangerous. *tr
ODI 10358040
Steering
On a 2006 malibu, the electrical assist has been replaced three times in the past 10 months. Each time the steering locked up while driving on the interstate luckily. In 5 days, the car gets taken in to have the steering column and rack and pinion steering replaced. The first failure was at approximately, 50,000 miles, the second was at approximately 65,000 and the third at about 80,000. The car is at 95,000 miles…
ODI 10358503
Electrical System · Steering
I was staying at a friend's house in san antonio because i had a court setting there. The morning of the incident, i turned on my vehicle and was headed to the courthouse. I was about two blocks from my friend's home when i heard a ding and a power steering message popped up on the radio. My power steering immediately went out, and i pulled myself into an apartment complex and turned off the vehicle. I called a…
ODI 10356564
Steering
Tl*the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet malibu. While driving approximately 15 mph the steering wheel became very stiff and a power steering service light illuminated on the dashboard. The vehicle was pulled over and shut off. Upon restart the vehicle operated as normal. The vehicle was not taken to have the failure diagnosed. The manufacturer was notified and she was informed her vehicle was included in an unknown…
ODI 10356725
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that the power steering would fail sporadically with the illumination of the power steering warning light. The contact took the vehicle to a mechanic and was told that the electronic power assist was failing and would need replacing. The contact believed the failure to be a severe safety issue. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was…
ODI 10395174
Steering
Tl* 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…
ODI 10424050
Steering
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…
ODI 10424724
Steering
The power steering on my 2006 malibu stops working when accelerating or maintaining speed up hills. When the accelerator is let up the steering starts working again. If you are in a turn when the power steering starts working again the car jerks drastically in the direction the tires are turned. This started around 90,000 miles. *tr
ODI 10355821
Steering
I was driving my car on the freeway coming home after picking up my 4 yr old grand daughter when suddenly steering wheel locked up on me causing me to loose full control of my car. I had to muscle my steering wheel in order to steer in the right direction. I immediately turned on my emergency flasher to alert other drivers that i was having a problem. Fortunately the other cars noticed that i was having trouble with…
ODI 10352522
Steering
My 2006 chevrolet malibu has an intermittent power steering failure, especially during acceleration. I was entering an expressway, when the warning bell starting sounding, and the car became impossible to steer. I nearly hit the guard rail before bringing it to a stop. *tr
ODI 10352283
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet malibu. The contact received notification of a safety improvement campaign and warranty extension due to a possible steering defect in her year, make and model. The contact stated that if the manufacturer would send out such a letter calling for special coverage, then it should be under recall. She was concerned that she would lose power steering while on an expressway and not…
ODI 10352943
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet malibu. While traveling 30 mph, the contact noticed a warning chime inside the vehicle. Seconds later, the power steering failed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The current and failure mileage was 91,000.
ODI 10350156