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
I drive a 2006 malibu, and have been for the past 4 years. The standard 2006 malibu has epsa (electronic power steering assist). There is no reservoir to fill fluid as with older models. I found out today through experience that the electric power steering locks/unlocks on its own which has created an extremely dangerous situation. As i was driving to work this morning and as i was pulling into another driveway…
ODI 10347785
Electrical System · Steering
When driving down the road attempting to switch lanes to the left the power steering failed. The vehicle lost power steering and pulled to the left towards oncoming traffic. Fortunately i was able to compensate for the loss and pull over without incident. My info center indicated a "power steering" error and chimed 3 times. After turning the car off and back on the problem remedied itself. Since then this has…
ODI 10492190
Steering
Tl*the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet malibu lt(na). While driving at any speed, the contact noticed that the vehicle would lose all power steering intermittently and the power steering symbol would illuminate on the instrument panel; it was difficult to steer at that point. The contact would turn the vehicle off and restart it again in order to reset the power steering. Both the dealer and manufacturer was notified…
ODI 10379348
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet malibu. The contact was attempting to reverse when the steering wheel locked. The contact shut off the engine. Upon restarting the vehicle, it resumed normal operation. The vehicle had an adequate amount of power steering fluid. Based on the contact's research, he believed the failure to be attributed to the electric power steering motor. Neither the dealer or the manufacturer…
ODI 10346755
Steering
Tl*the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet malibu. While driving in reverse 5 mph, the power steering failed. The contact turned the vehicle off, waited a few minutes to see if the vehicle would restart and it failed to do so. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or a local mechanic for the failure. The failure occurred approximately seven times. The failure mileage was 45,700. The current mileage was 45,900.
ODI 10344655
Steering
2006 chevy malibu electric steering problems. Steering non-responsive and had to stop shut engine off and restart to remove power steering check light on dash and worked again ok for short while. *tr
ODI 10343871
Steering
Power steering went out while driving. Difficult to steer and turn. Power steering default light on dash. Dealer unwilling to pay for repairs. Gm has already recalled other brands for same problem: recall summary general motors is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 chevrolet cobalt and model year 2007-2010 pontiac g5 vehicles equipped with electric power steering. The driver may experience a sudden loss of power…
ODI 10344779
Steering
Tl*the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet malibu. While driving 45 mph the contact noticed that the steering wheel suddenly locked forcing the vehicle to pull to the left. The failure was not diagnosed and there were no prior warnings. The current and failure mileages were 17000.
ODI 10344707
Steering
Power steering system fails intermittently and without any advanced warning. Once the power steering module fails, the steering wheel is extremely difficult to turn but is still turnable. The information display system says power steering and a chime noise is audible. The first time the power steering system failed on me was during a turn and almost caused me to collide with oncoming traffic. The failure of the…
ODI 10343419
Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Steering
Power steering going out and cannot steer. Power steering will not work after starting the car. 2006 malibu lt. Purchased new in 2006. Only 40,000 miles on it. Rotors have been replaced twice in first year. When used in mountain driving they warp and have to be replaced. *tr
ODI 10342916
Steering
Tl*the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet malibu ls. While the contact was driving approximately 16 mph, a chime sounded and the power steering warning light illuminated, followed by the loss of the power steering. The vehicle was driven onto the emergency lane. The engine was turned off and restarted. The failure occurred three times within a three week period. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the…
ODI 10344188
Steering
My 2006 chevy malibu is having power steering problems. This problem results in loss of steering. On july 8, 2010 i was making a left hand turn and my steering wheel started moving the car to left and then to the right then i completely lost steering. After a minute or so the steering came back but only to the point where i had to put all my muscle into it to steer. Power steering flashed on my radio during this…
ODI 10342539
Steering
In january of 2010 i went in to get new tires and an alignment on my 06 chevy malibu lt. They told me that they could not do the alignment due to inter tie rods needed to be replaced. I ordered the parts and took it back in at the end of the week. A month later i noticed there was a clicking or popping noise. The noise wasn't consistent with turning or going forward it only made the noise every so often, so i…
ODI 10341528
Steering
Tl*the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet malibu. Whenever she started the vehicle, it made a dinging noise and the power steering locked. There were no warning lights illuminated on the dashboard. She had to turn the vehicle on and off for approximately a half hour before it would reset itself. She did not take the vehicle to the dealer; however, she called and informed them of the failure and was told that there were…
ODI 10349057
Steering
Tl*the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet malibu. While driving 65 mph the contact noticed that the rpm's suddenly increased to 3000. The contact noticed that the power steering failed and began working properly. The failure was not diagnosed by the dealer. There were no prior warnings. The current and failure mileages were 74000.
ODI 10342278
Fuel System, Gasoline · Service Brakes · Steering
Beginning in 2010 i had to replace the brakes on my car multiple times. To date i have replaced brake pads, drums, and lines 5 different times. My brakes seem to wear easily and frequently screech. Beginning in 2013 after filling my car with gas my "low fuel" indicator dings and my fuel gauge shows empty. This happens every time i fill my car with gas. I have received a recall notice regarding power steering. On two…
ODI 10615023
Steering
Car is jerking to left while passing cars & while accelerating up hills. Almost hit concrete barrier on rt 30 while pulling out of olive garden. Had it at garage the said it was torque pull. It has been getting worse. In pgh, 6/20, going up steep hill power steering flashed on stereo & the car dinged then it pulled to the left then to the right.the garage said i needed something about a box, waiting for parts. Other…
ODI 10340411
Steering
I pulled out of my driveway and immediately noticed that the steering was loose. I was able to make it to the end of the road but after a few seconds, it started tightening up and then it locked. I was not able to turn the steering wheel. I shut off the car and when i restarted it, the same thing happened. I had to do this 3 times to get back to my driveway. I called the dealership and they informed me that there…
ODI 10339122
Steering
The power steering light came on. According to the dealer, the entire steering column needs to be replaced. The vehicle is not safe to drive. They state this is a known defect with the 06 malibu and that the repair is $928.00. This is a recall issue because thousands of vehicle are having this issue. Why should i pay for their defect? *tr
ODI 10339032
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet malibu. While driving at 60 mph, the power steering failed. The dealer advised because the power steering was electrical, they were unable to diagnose the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The current and failure mileages were 14,000.
ODI 10336145
Steering
Chevrolet malibu 2006 lt 4cylinder. Steering malfunction. This vehicle have a electronic steering system. My vehicle problem is getting worse, first when you put the vehicle in reverse turning to the left, the power steering turns off. Now the vehicle most of the time when you make left turn. Stiffens up the wheel. I actually have to turn the car off and turn it back on in order for it to loosen up the steering…
ODI 10335873
Steering
2005,06 chevy malibu power steering failure. System locks up as as result no steering. *tr
ODI 10339821
Steering
Power steering failed on four occasions. In each case alarm went off on dashboard and steering reverted to very stiff operation. Three of the failures occurred shortly after starting and the fourth was while traveling straight at about 35mph. *tr
ODI 10340274
Steering
Power steering goes out. This just started happening about 5 days ago. It has happened at low speeds; in parking lot and parking garage and i could not turn the wheel. I almost ran into the concrete wall in my parking garage when i was turning a corner and it failed. There was a ding and the display read power steering. I turned the car off and restarted it and the issue cleared. Once i had to restart it twice for…
ODI 10335211
Steering
Tl*the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet malibu. While driving at 35 ph, the vehicle lost power steering, making it difficult to control. The contact stated that when the vehicle was turned off and restarted, the power steering seemed to reset itself and function properly. The vehicle had not been inspected at the time of the complaint. The vin was unavailable when the complaint was filed. The failure mileage was…
ODI 10335464