2006 Chevrolet Malibu problems
Owners have filed 1,475 complaints about the 2006 Chevrolet Malibu with NHTSA. Steering accounts for 55.2% of them — far more than any other system, ahead of electrical system at 9.8%.
Complaints1,475
Crashes59
Fires6
Injuries39
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Steering 55.2% · 814
Electrical system 9.8% · 144
Exterior lighting 4.3% · 64
Fuel/propulsion system 3.5% · 52
Service brakes 3.4% · 50
Power train 2.9% · 43
Fuel system, gasoline 2.8% · 42
Vehicle speed control 2.4% · 35
Severity
Of those complaints, 59 describe a crash, 6 describe a fire and 39 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 27 model years of the Chevrolet Malibu in this data, 2006 sits 7th by complaint volume. 2009 draws the most.
Filings have fallen off, 34 in the last three years against 80 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 85,000 miles.
In owners' own words
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. Steering · reported at 50,000 miles
Power steering ceased to function while driving at normal speed. I managed to pull over and safely off the roadway. After a half hour, I restarted the vehicle and the power steering seemed to operate ok. This same malfunction has since occurred a few more times over the past year. I have only driver the car approx. 1500 Miles since as it could potential be disastrous. Should this not be a recall situation? Steering · reported at 80,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while in reverse, the steering failed without warning. The contact had to apply abrupt force to the steering wheel in order to control the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the dealer performed a diagnostic and located the failure at the steering column. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 61,000. Steering · reported at 61,000 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…