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.
Electrical System · Steering
Incident: failure of power steering on 2006 chevrolet malibu 1) a week leading up the event, i returned from vacation to find "check power steering" lit up on my message center, however, power steering was still available. This occurred on a particularly cold morning, after a cold few weeks. The chevrolet dealership told me nothing was wrong (by phone). I continued driving the vehicle without recurrence of the…
ODI 10316274
Steering
Tl*the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet malibu. The contact heard a thumping sound coming from the steering column. She also experienced a lot of play in the steering wheel when making left and right turns. The dealer stated that the steering gear, intermediate steering shaft, and steering assembly needed to be replaced at the estimated cost of over $1,000. There were no recalls for the failures. The failure and…
ODI 10257438
Steering
Purchased vehicle in july 2006. Certified used. Kept hearing noise, knocking from left front. Took vehicle to dealer 2-3 times until they replaced a part. Noise returned some weeks later. Now the electronic steering is malfunctioning. When the steering is turned to make a right turn the "power steering " warning light comes on and the wheel stiffens making it difficult to turn and very dangerous to drive. Dealer…
ODI 10253087
Steering
My 2006 chevrolet malibu loses it's electronically assisted steering usually half way through a turn usually without warning. I am afraid that it will go out at a bad time and cause an accident so far there seems to be no recall but i have been on a few different forums where ten or more people have had the same problem. *tr
ODI 10250160
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet malibu. While driving approximately 60 mph the power steering failed without warning. Consequently the driver crashed into a road barrier. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer. The power steering motor was replaced. An identical failure occurred on a separate occasion. The failure mileage was 38,000.
Crash reported
ODI 10297312
Equipment · Steering
I have a power steering problem, it keeps on shutting off on me while i am driving this is very unsafe and can kill some one day i am thinking of trading off my car because of all the problems i have had with it.. Gm should do something about the problem millions of people are having. *tr
ODI 10253676
Steering
My 2006 chevy malibu power steering keeps going out, i have done some research on the internet and this sounds like a problem that other malibu owners are having, it goes out different times even when im driving down the road, sometimes i can turn the car off and then turn it back on and it will start working again. This problem needs to be addressed, thank you. *tr
ODI 10250451
12v/24v/48v Battery · Steering
Tl*the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet malibu. While driving 50 mph the power steering locked which caused him to engage the brakes and drive onto the emergency lane. He stated that the failure occurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic where he replaced the spark plugs and the spark plug wires. He also tested the electrical system and found that there were no electrical failures; however, the…
ODI 10335673
Steering
Power steering failed when trying to turn into a parking spot--locked up for the first time and continuously since. Seems to be the same problem that the chevy cobalts are having, but my car is a malibu. *tr
ODI 10317491
Electrical System · Steering
2006 chevrolet malibu power steering illuminates on dash(radio) , 2005 models were a recall and it keeps coming on and sometimes lose of steering when started. It has 43,000 miles and not on warranty because steering column is not covered , its a problem nationwide as i researched. I could potentially be dangerous when driving around turns if loss of power. I bought it used but was fine until 2 months after. *tr
ODI 10246383
Front · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Steering
Shaking in steering wheel when brakes are applied,this happen everytime i apply the brakes. The dealer resurfaced front rotors and replaced pads..car still have a grinding noise in front wheelarea dealer said that the replacement pads are causing the grinding and there's nothing that can be done to stop the grinding because of the way the replacement pas are designed. This car is not safe to drive and i told the…
ODI 10240470
Steering
Tl*the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet malibu. While driving less than 50 mph, the power steering warning indicator illuminated on the instrument panel. The steering wheel then locked in place, preventing the contact from moving the wheel left or right. On a separate occasion, while driving less than 50 mph, the vehicle began turning left on its own. The steering wheel was locked and the vehicle coasted off the road…
ODI 10247966
Steering
Power steering unit (eps) for 2006 chevy malibu fails car becomes diffcult to turn or maneuver. *tr
ODI 10236877
Steering
I purchased my malibu in dec '06. By june, my power steering light came on, but my mechanic couldn't find the source of the problem. I started noticing trouble turning the wheel at low speeds, but it was only when i turned left. Initially i didn't think it was still power steering, but the problem continued for over a year periodically. Then in aug '[redacted] home with my newborn in the car....i turned left to pull…
ODI 10315357
Steering
On july 27,2008 i started my 2006 malibu. Across the control panel it said power steering and i could not turn my steering wheel. I turned my car off and restarted it and it was ok. It has done this numerous times since. It has also started going out while driving down the road. Making the car very hard to steer/control. There is also alot of shaking of my steering wheel. Sometimes while driving the steering wheel…
ODI 10244275
Steering
Power steering goes out of my 2006 chevy malibu numerous times while driving. Purchased the vehicle april 2008, started in july and had towed and looked at by chevy dealer in my town. Found nothing, went out on a regular basis in september and had checked again advised by dealer they do not know what it is and would cost $660. To take the steering column apart to see if it's the sensor there. Usually doesn't go out…
ODI 10317433
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that while turning the steering wheel left or right there was an abnormal noise. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on multiple occasions where it was diagnosed that the power steering shaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 9,000.
ODI 10617974
Steering
Approximately 6 months ago, i started feeling a tug in my steering when i would make a left hand turn. Then it gradually moved to a pulling of my steering wheel, where you could visibly see my steering wheel move without me touching it. Then at times it almost felt like you were steering on an icy road. Within the last month i have been experiencing my power steering going completely out. Numerous times i have had…
ODI 10238600
Steering
Tl*the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet malibu. While driving between 1 -75 mph, the steering wheel would have a lot of "play". The wheel would make driving easy at times, but harder at other times. While the vehicle was not moving, the steering wheel would continue to move around. While driving at various speeds or turning into a tight space, it was difficult to estimate how far to turn the steering wheel. The failure…
ODI 10235192
Steering
I have a 2006 chevy malibu. I purchased it used and had issues with the steering. The dealer worked on it, replaced something in the steering column after my bringing it to them several times. Now a year later and now that my warranty is not valid anymore. They aren't wanting to do anything about it even though it is the same issue they fixed before. I am having the same issue. The steering slips, makes noise and…
ODI 10319533
Steering
Car was in this condition when we bought. The dealership it was purchased from sent it off to be repaired. The dealership that it was repaired at replaced steering column. When we got the car back it had the same problem. Dealer would not send the car back to be repair until 2 months later when i couldn't turn the steering wheel it completely lock up. The dealer sent it back to the chevy dealership and the replaced…
ODI 10315588
Steering
I was driving along the highway and slowed down to turn to go to the pharmacy. My steering went completely out and i had to coast off road into pharmacy parking lot. Unable to turn steering wheel. Had to have car towed. Steering motor was out on car. It costs almost $900 for repair. Not covered under warranty. Service dept told me he had seen other chevy malibu's with same problem. *tr
ODI 10233044
Steering
I was turning off of a bridge and the steering locked up. I almost hit a house. I took it to the dealer, i bought it from them new, not used. They kept it for 2 weeks and they said they couldn't replicate the problem. It has been locking up off and on ever since. Now i have no power steering. They told me every time i brought it in to the dealer, that they couldn't find a problem. Now it is out of warranty and they…
ODI 10544510
Steering
Steering wheel jerks uncontrollably. Have taken it to dealership for repair twice. Steering column replaced first time and second time was told no mechanical problems. However driving down the road the steering wheel jerks so bad that it will pull vehicle from one lane to next or it will pull vehicle all over the roadway. *tr
ODI 10247835
Power Train · Steering · Suspension
2006 chevrolet malibu. Consumer writes in regards to steering and vehicle stalling issues. *smd *js
ODI 10957048