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
2006 malibu power steering trouble light came, dealer diagnosed as sensor in steering column. Was told steering could go out if sensor fails . Found out there are numerous malibu involved. *tr
ODI 10287481
Steering
2006 chevy malibu failure of rack and pinion, steering failure replaced 3 times still defective. *tr
ODI 10324857
Steering
STEERING. *TR
ODI 10315572
Steering
The power steering in my 2006 chevrolet malibu. The sensor comes on and the steering wheel is very difficult to move. So far it has occurred sporadically beginning back about sept 30, that sat. I took it to the dealership to see if they could look at what was happening, i was told they could do nothing without that sensor on. It has happened several times since then but as the following states i have kind of figured…
ODI 10292729
Steering
Today 21 september 2009, the electronic assist power steering on our 2006 chevrolet malibu stopped functioning, resulting in the vehicle aggressively pulling to the left. The result of this failure at highway speed makes this vehicle unsafe for passengers and for other vehicles adjacent to the car. Attempts to correct this failure by resetting the ecu have failed, and the vehicle continues to pull aggressively to…
ODI 10284811
Steering
I have a 2006 chevy malibu that has a system error "low steering fluid". The kicker is the car doesn't take fluid. I call the dealer and they state there is a discussion of recall for the electronic steering but nothing yet. Reading on line this appears to potentially be a major safety problem. Is this car at risk to drive if i can't afford to fix this problem right now? *tr
ODI 10286605
Steering
We have a steering problem. The car now has 19,636 miles on it. Earlier this year while i was coming home from work the steering locked up on it. I managed to get off the road. But it's very difficult to steer. A power steering warning message came on. Last week the same thing happened but this time i was still on the parking lot. When you turn the car off and restart, the steering will be ok but i never know when…
ODI 10284228
Steering
Power steering warning indicator on dic, eps motor failure. The steering will lock up while in the middle of driving. Typically, worse in highway speeds. Very dangerous! The vehicle is 3 years old and has been replace 14 months ago. Now, needs the eps motor replaced again. Screams of product flaw/defeat to me. Chevy should do something before someone is killed. *tr
ODI 10284063
Steering
Electric power steering locks up at any speed. *tr
ODI 10283789
Electronic Stability Control · Steering
Power steering failure on chevy malibu 2006 gm. The power steering light almost always pops up on the dashboard. It was most worst when the steering wheel locked on me on a 70 mph highway and i was going about 65. This put my family's life in danger and mine, but were able to avoid an accident. By putting the car in neutral and restarting the car. *tr
ODI 10283110
Steering
Power steering indicator keeps coming on while driving. Typically happens everytime i get in the car to drive it. *tr
ODI 10315662
Steering
While driving at 60mph on the freeway car steering jerked and then locked up. There was no power steering at all and no where to pull over. It has since happened about 20 times at various speeds. *tr
ODI 10304359
Steering
Power steering failure in a 2006 chevrolet malibu when making a left turn at low speed. Same problem was recalled in 2004 malibu's but no recall on 2006. When power steering goes out, car has to be manually turned until you can turn car off and restart so power steering will be activated again. Very dangerous when you are in traffic and have to stop and start car again. *tr
ODI 10287367
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that while traveling various speeds, the vehicle erroneously veered to the left. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the failure could not be replicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was 45,000.
ODI 10538095
Electrical System · Steering
Steering wheel locks up while driving - happens at random - at all different times. Dealer acted like it was no big deal and of course they want me to pay for it when i have now found out that i am not the only one complaining about this problem. It is dangerous, and it could cause fatality. Some kind of new steering system - gm better idea - probably because it is cheaper!!! *tr
ODI 10282071
Steering
2006 chevrolet malibu displayed "power steering" on information screen while driving. Other times, all the dash displays go dark for several seconds. Sometimes the dash displays take several seconds to "light up" on starting the car. Dealer found no "codes" to indicate what the problem is. Dealer speculates there is an internal short in steering motor. *tr
ODI 10284230
Steering
2006 malibu power steering stop working while driving down the road. There are tons of complaints about this and even a recall on 2005 for the same thing. This problem makes the car unsafe. The dealer thinks they can fix it for about $1000.00 dollars. This is a safety issue it needs to be taken care off by gm. I am afraid to let my wife drive it. Every other day the '!@#$% thing quits working. *tr
ODI 10281013
Steering
Tl* the contact owns 2006 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that while driving 20 mph, the power steering warning light illuminated and the steering wheel locked. She had to use extreme upper body force to turn the steering wheel. The contact stated that when the failure would occur, she would shut off the vehicle for at least twenty minutes and the power steering would reset itself. The vehicle was not repaired.…
ODI 10355570
Steering
I own a 2006 malibu with the identical steering problem that the cobalt is being recalled for. I have called chevrolet for months, and have always been told there was no issue with the electronic motors. Why isn't the malibu included in on this recall? *tr
ODI 10319394
Steering
Steering wheel locks up while driving p.s its not the first time it happens. *tr
ODI 10278435
Steering
There were no events leading up to the failure. The power steering on my 2006 chevy malibu lt 2.2l cuts off without warning. The steering wheel has a tick and makes a grinding noise. When it first started, it only occurred occasionally. Now it happens when i start my car, idling, and while i'm driving. I searched online and found that many other malibu owners are having the same problem. Thankfully, there have not…
ODI 10279369
Steering
While driving, i accelerated and turned right to switch lanes, it was fairly hard acceleration. Suddenly during the acceleration i lost the power steering assist, it almost felt like the steering locked up and fought my turning the steering wheel. After i let up on the accelerator the power assist returned. This is the second time this has occurred, the first time in june 2009. At that time a warning chime went off…
ODI 10276964
Steering
The steering wheel locks up and doesn't unlock until i let off the gas pedal. It happens all the time when i try and pass other cars it will lock up. I did some research and found out its the power assist unit getting too hot and shuts off so it does not fry the motor of the unit. I feel that this should be a recall as it will lead to an accident. *js
ODI 10538399
Steering
2006 chevy malibu 3500 3.5 l v6 power steering goes out. My steering wheel locks up. Almost hit a car in the other lane. *tr
ODI 10276430
Steering
I have a 2006 malibu which we purchased last may with 50k miles. The car originally started making a clunking noise when turning about 6 months after we bought it. That i can live with but now we have power steering problems. The power steering comes & goes & the steering wheel starts vibrating & turning all on its own. We took the car to the shop & discovered that the steering column needs replaced. After…
ODI 10276119