Chevrolet Malibu Complaints (2006)

1,388 consumer complaints on file.

#10488629December 12, 2012
STEERING, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
HARD TO TURN STEERING LEFT 4 BRIEF MOMENT. POWER STEERING LIGHT DISPLAY???? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10485761November 20, 2012
AIR BAGS, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE ON 11/18/2012, WHEN A CAR CUT ACROSS ALL THREE LANES. IT HAD NOT BEEN RAINING, AND THE ROADS WERE DRY, BUT WHEN I APPLIED MY BRAKES TO AVOID HITTING THE CAR THAT CUT ME OFF, MY WHEELS LOCKED UP SENDING ME FISHTAILING AT 70+ MPH. I SLID INTO THE CENTER LANE, STRIKING A VEHICLE ON MY RIGHT REAR CORNER PANEL. I THEN REPEATEDLY TRIED TO PUMP MY BRAKES AND TURN INTO THE SKID TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND EACH TIME THE WHEELS LOCKED UP AGAIN. AFTER FAILING TO REGAIN CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE I HIT THE CENTER GUARD RAIL, STILL GOING 60+ MPH, COLLAPSING THE WHOLE LEFT SIDE OF MY VEHICLE. AFTER SKIDDING TO A STOP, MY "SERVICE AIRBAG" WARNING CAME UP ON MY CENTER DASHBOARD DISPLAY, WITHOUT EVEN DEPLOYING. MY CAR HAS BEEN DEEMED TOTALED BY INSURANCE, AND IS NO LONGER SAFE TO DRIVE. I WAS THE ONLY PERSON IN THE CAR AT THE TIME, AND EMT'S AND FIRE FIGHTERS THAT ARRIVED TO THE SCENE SAID IF IT WEREN'T FOR THE LACK OF CARS ON THE ROAD, I MAY NOT HAVE SURVIVED.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10483139November 2, 2012
SERVICE BRAKES, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE I WAS BEING FOLLOWED BY MY DAUGHTER WHO THOUGHT I WAS RIDING MY BRAKES. IT TURNS OUT THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS ARE GOING OFF WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED AND COMING ON WHEN BRAKES ARE RELEASED. THIS ALSO AFFECTS THE CRUISE CONTROL AS IT WILL NOT WORK WHEN THE BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS ISSUE. PEOPLE DRIVING BEHIND ME DON'T KNOW IF I'M STOPPING OR NOT! THERE ARE COUNTLESS NUMBERS OF PEOPLE WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM AND THE DEALERSHIPS DON'T HAVE THE ANSWER TO FIX IT. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL IF THERE EVER WAS ONE! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10483187November 2, 2012
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
VEHICLE BEGAN STALLING. THEN, I NOTICED A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE, AND SUDDENLY GAS WAS POURING OUT NEAR THE MUFFLER ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR. TRACED THE LEAK ONCE WE GOT IT HOME. THE PLASTIC LINE ON THE FUEL PUMP HAD CRACKED. I LOST OVER 1/8 OF A TANK AFTER I PARKED IT. I'M NOT SURE EXACTLY HOW MUCH I LOST WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. I AM THANKFUL THAT THERE WERE NO SPARKS BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PARK THE CAR. I FEAR FOR THE SAFETY OF MY YOUNG CHILDREN. I MIGHT NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET THEM OUT OF THEIR CAR SEATS FAST ENOUGH HAD I NOT IMMEDIATELY TAKEN PRECAUTION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10482104October 24, 2012
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 65 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AS THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE OF THE EXACT REPAIRS THAT WERE PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 116,000. UPDATED 12/14/12*LJ
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10481456October 22, 2012
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
THE FUEL SENSOR IS VERY ERRATIC. AS SOON AS THE CAR IS FILLED UP WITH GAS, THE FUEL SENSOR WILL GO FROM F TO E IN THE MATTER OF SECONDS. WHEN THIS PROBLEM FIRST BEGAN, THE GAUGE WOULD GO FROM FULL TO EMPTY UNTIL I DROVE JUST ENOUGH THAT THE CAR'S FUEL LEVEL WAS NOT COMPLETELY FULL. AT THIS POINT, THE SENSOR WOULD WORK AND I WAS ABLE TO RELY ON THE FUEL GAUGE ON THE DASHBOARD. AFTER SOME TIME, HOWEVER, THE SENSOR STOPPED WORKING ALTOGETHER. NOW THE SENSOR IS CONSTANTLY MOVING FROM FULL TO EMPTY FOR NO REASON WHATSOEVER. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON AND I NEVER KNOW HOW MUCH GAS IS IN THE TANK. I HAVE TO KEEP TRACK WITH THE TRIP MONITOR. AUTO REPAIR SHOPS HAVE QUOTED THIS REPAIR AT AROUND $600 STATING THAT THE CAR NEEDS A NEW FUEL ASSEMBLY KIT. THIS ISSUE MUST BE FIXED IN ORDER TO PASS EMISSIONS TESTING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10480820October 17, 2012
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT STEERING WHEEL BECAME HARD TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DECIDED TO REPLACE AN UNKNOW PART WITHIN THE STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 139,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10480790October 16, 2012
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
FUEL GAUGE WOULD GO FROM FULL TO EMPTY AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON! NOW LIGHT STAYS ON ALL THE TIME AND FUEL GAUGE DOESN'T WORK AT ALL! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10479647October 10, 2012
POWER TRAIN, STEERING
POWER STEERING FAILURE WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS IN HIGHWAY TRAFFIC. INTERMITTENT FAILURE. SEVERAL MONTHS OF DRIVING IT WOULD SPORADICALLY FAIL AND THEN RETURN BACK TO NORMAL. EVENTUALLY IT FAILED COMPLETELY. WENT TO HAVE THE PS MODULE REPLACED ONLY TO DISCOVER THE COLUMN IS TO BE REPLACED WITH IT. THE VEHICLE IS DRIVABLE, BUT FEELS UNSAFE AND PUTS OTHERS AT RISK. VEHICLE IS NOT EASILY MANEUVERABLE AT LOW SPEEDS. NEEDS LARGE SPACE TO TURN AROUND. SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM AMONG THIS VEHICLE AS I HAVE SEEN MANY MANY COMPLAINTS. WHY IS THERE NOT YET A RECALL ON THE PS MODULE/COLUMN FAILURE OF THE MALIBU?? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10479310October 8, 2012
STEERING
WHILE ACCELERATING ON TO THE FREEWAY, MORE WHILE HITTING THE PASSING GEAR, POWER STEERING IS ALL OF A SUDDEN LOST OR EVEN CORRECTING ITSELF BACK TO CENTER. THE "POWER STEERING" MESSAGE APPEARS ON THE RADIO DISPLAY AND A CLICKING SOUND IS MADE. IT HAS SINCE HAPPENED AT SLOWER SPEEDS AS WELL. IT FEELS LIKE A VERY UNSAFE PROBLEM AND IT SEEMS VERY COMMON AMONG CHEVROLET OWNERS OF VARIOUS MODELS AROUND THAT YEAR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10478751October 5, 2012
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION AND NOTICED WHEN TURING THE STEERING WHEEL INTO THE LEFT DIRECTION A LOUD NOISE WOULD EMIT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE FRONT SWING ARM SUSPENSION WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DIFFERENT TECHNICIAN WHO STATED THE DEFECT WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10478399October 2, 2012
STEERING
TURNED LEFT ONTO AN UPHILL ROAD AND GAVE IT A GOOD AMOUNT OF GAS TO ACCELERATE UP TO SPEED. HAD THE RPMS UP AND IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TURN THE STEERING WHEEL JUST LOCKED UP. I IMMEDIATELY LET OFF THE GAS AND THE STEERING RETURNED TO NORMAL. IT WAS QUITE UNNERVING BUT I WORKED ON MANY CARS YEARS AGO AND REACT ACCORDINGLY TO THINGS LIKE STUCK THROTTLES, AND THIS. I JUST BOUGHT THE CAR SO I DON'T KNOW THE HISTORY OF IT OTHER THAN THE CARFAX CHECK WAS CLEAN. IT APPEAR THAT I SHOULD HAVE DONE MY RESEARCH ON THIS VEHICLE WITH THIS STEERING PROBLEM BEFORE BUYING IT. THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUE THAT I CANNOT BELIEVE A RECALL HAS NOT BEEN PERFORMED. HOWEVER, THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN THAT EXTENDS THE WARRANTY ON THIS ITEM, TO ANY OWNER, TO TEN YEARS AND 150 K MILES. DO A SEARCH FOR IT ONLINE. GM WILL REPLACE THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN. THIS IS PROBABLY WHAT I WILL END UP DOING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10475455September 14, 2012
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED VIOLENTLY, CAUSING THE CONTACT'S HANDS TO BE THROWN FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE STEERING WHEEL REGAINED NORMAL FUNCTION AS THE CONTACT DECELERATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES, ONLY LASTING MOMENTARILY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY FAULTY ELECTRONICS IN THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 88,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10474374September 9, 2012
STEERING
STEERING WHEEL LOCKED 3 TIMES WITHIN A 0.5 MILE DISTANCE DRIVING NO MORE THAN 25 MPH WHILE MY KIDS WERE IN THE CAR WITH ME. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10473836September 4, 2012
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE VEHICLE BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN WAS MALFUNCTIONING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 77,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10472493August 26, 2012
STEERING
WHILE I AM DRIVING THE STEERING WHEEL WILL LOCK UP AND MY DASH BOARD WILL START BLINKING THEN THE MESSAGE CENTER WILL SAY "POWER STEERING" NOW EVERYTIME I AM GET TO 45 MPH THE MESSAGE CENTER WILL START BLINKING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10472371August 24, 2012
STEERING
WAS MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN TO ENTER ONTO THE EXPRESSWAY AND STEERING EITHER LOCKED UP OR BECAME VERY HARD TO STEER (IT ALL HAPPENED QUICKLY) CAUSING THE CAR TO HIT THE CURB AND SEVERELY DAMAGING THE WHEEL, ALIGNMENT, ETC. GM REPLACED THE FAULTY POWER STEERING BOX (RECALL) BUT HAS FOUND THEMSELVES NOT LIABLE FOR THE COLLATERAL DAMAGE SUSTAINED BECAUSE OF THE FAULTY POWER STEERING. GM SAYS I HAVE NO PROOF THAT THE DAMAGE THAT IS VISIBLE ON THE VEHICLE WAS DIRECTLY CAUSED BY STEERING FAILURE. REALLY??!! I'VE ALWAYS BEEN A BIG CHEVY FAN, BUT THIS LEAVES A VERY BITTER TASTE THAT MAY NEVER GO AWAY!!!!! *TR *JS
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10471427August 19, 2012
STEERING
I WAS DRIVING AND MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT-COMPLETELY. IT WAS THE HARDEST THING TO TURN THAT I HAVE EVER DRIVEN AND I OWN A 66 MUSTANG THAT WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH POWER STEERING. THERE IS LITERALLY NO WAY TO STEER THE CAR WHEN DRIVING VERY SLOW LIKE WHEN YOU GO TO PULL INTO THE DRIVEWAY. MY FATHER-IN LAW BUILDS/DESIGNS PRODUCTION CARS FOR A LIVING AND HE TOOK MY CAR TO A DEALERSHIP HE WORKS WITH AND THEY TOLD HIM THAT THE DEFECTIVE PART GOES OUT ABOUT EVERY 30,000 MILES. THE COST TO REPLACE JUST THE PART IS AROUND $800 WITHOUT LABOR. THE ACTUAL PART THAT IS DEFECTIVE IS NOT SOLD ON ITS OWN SO YOU HAVE TO BUY A WHOLE NEW STEERING COLUMN SINCE THE SMALL PART THAT IS DEFECTIVE IS RIVETED TO THE COLUMN. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING FOR MY CAR. THE COLUMN HAD BEEN REPLACED ONCE BEFORE BY A DEALERSHIP AND APPARENTLY DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. CHEVY WILL NOT COVER THEIR BAD PARTS/DESIGN AND IT IS ONE OF THE MOST UNSAFE THINGS THAT CAN HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING. ITS LIKE WHEN TOYOTAS PRIUSES ACCELERATOR WOULD GET STUCK-ITS JUST AS DANGEROUS. WHAT NEEDS TO MAKE A RECALL HAPPEN? IT HAS AFFECTED SO MANY PEOPLE AND IT IS VERY DANGEROUS. DO WE NEED TO WAIT UNTIL THE PROBLEM CAUSES MULTIPLE TRAGEDIES TO SAY NOW ITS WORTH THE TIME TO FIX THE PROBLEM AND DO GOOD BUSINESS? BACK YOUR PRODUCT CHEVY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10467821July 26, 2012
STEERING
THE ELECTRIC STEERING ASSIST STOPPED WORKING. VERY HARD TO CONTROL CAR. WHEN I PULLED OVER AND SHUT CAR OFF, AND RESTARTED THE MALIBU, THE POWER STEERING CAME BACK LONG ENOUGH TO GET IT BACK HOME. HAD IT FIXED AND COST ME OVER $600.00 AT THE CHEVY DEALER. AT 56000 MILES I WAS CONTACTED BY GM, AND THEY RE-IMBURSED ME FOR THE COST. SINCE THEN, I AM NOW EXPERIENCING A SOMEWHAT LOUD AND AGGRAVATING CLUNKING OR SHIFTING NOISE WHEN TURNING EITHER DIRECTION OR TAKING OFF FROM A START. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE WHOLE STEERING MECHANISM AND THE STRESS BEING PUT ON OTHER COMPONENTS MAKING THEM FAIL. I HAVE ALSO REPLACED THE BALL JOINTS ON THE CAR. MY PROBLEM IS THAT NOT ONLY THE SAFETY ISSUE, BUT THE RESALE VALUE IS SEVERELY REDUCED. WHO IN THERE RIGHT MIND WOULD BUY THE CAR KNOWING ITS PROBLEMS? THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE TO ADDRESS THOSE ISSUES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10467189July 24, 2012
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
FUEL GAUGE IS NOT WORKING. (1) IT IS ALWAYS AT FULL. I CAN'T TELL HOW MUCH FUEL IS LEFT. ONE TIME MY CAR STOPPED AND ENGINE TURNED OFF WHILE DRIVING. THIS TIME I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH BECAUSE MY CAR WAS IN PARKING LOTS. (1) IT IS ALWAYS AT FULL, BUT INTERMITTENTLY DROPS FROM FULL TO EMPTY,AND BEEPS LOW FUEL MESSAGE. AND THEN AFTER SECONDS IT BOUNCES BACK TO FULL. AFTER SEVERAL ROUNDS, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL TURN ON. SEARCHED THE WEB - SEEMS LIKE PLENTY OF THE SAME COMPLAINTS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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