Chevrolet Malibu Complaints (2006)

1,388 consumer complaints on file.

#10363005October 30, 2010
STEERING
I HAVE A CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX AND THE POWER STEERING HAS FAILED ON 2 SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE FIRST INCIDENT WAS WHEN I WAS TAKING A LEFT TURN AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED HALF WAY THROUGH THE TURN. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF INTO A PARKING LOT AND TURN OFF THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS A DING AND THE FRONT DISPLAYED "POWER STEERING." THE NEXT DAY WHEN REVERSING OUT OF A PARKING LOT I HAD THE SAME THING HAPPEN ALTHOUGH THIS TIME THE STEERING WHEEL SHIMMIED, THEN THE DING, FAILURE OF POWER STEERING, AND THE DISPLAY. I WAS ONCE AGAIN ABLE TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE AND RESTART. UPON RESTARTING THE POWER STEERING RESUMED. SINCE THESE TWO INCIDENTS I HAVE NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL JERKS A LITTLE WITH ANY TURNS. I AM SO GLAD I WAS NOT GOING AT A FAST SPEED OR IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AS AN ACCIDENT DEFINITELY COULD HAVE BEEN CAUSED. I HAVE CALLED AND REPORTED IT TO CHEVROLET AND SET UP AN APPT WITH A DEALER ON MONDAY. CHEVROLET STATED THAT IT IS INFACT A "SPECIAL COVERAGE ON POWER STEERING" AND IN OTHER CASES HAVE INVOLVED REPLACING THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN. I AM SHOCKED THAT THIS HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL AND THAT OTHER CUSTOMERS ARE PUT IN THIS DANGER. THANK YOU FOR LOOKING FURTHER INTO THIS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10362748October 28, 2010
STEERING
THERE HAVE BEEN MULTIPLE TIMES SINCE I HAVE BOUGHT MY 2006 CHEVY MALIBU MAXX LT THAT THE POWER STEERING LOCKS UP CAUSING ME TO TEMPORARILY LOSE CONTROL OF MY CAR. THIS USUALLY HAPPENS WHEN ACCELERATING. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP AND IT STAYS IN ITS LAST POSITION AND THE CAR DINGS. I HAVE NO MESSAGE ON MY DASH OR RADIO. USUALLY LETTING OFF THE GAS CORRECTS THE ISSUE WITHIN A COUPLE SECONDS. IN THOSE SECONDS BEFORE I REGAIN CONTROL OF MY CAR, I HAVE NO CONTROL TO KEEP ME FROM HITTING SOMETHING. I'VE SEEN MANY REPORTS ONLINE FOR THE SAME ISSUE. I'VE READ SOME THAT HAVE SAID IT CAUSED AN ACCIDENT OR ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE CHEVY COBALT FOR THE SAME ISSUE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10362513October 26, 2010
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
WHILE DRIVING MY BRAKE LIGHTS ARE STAYING ON, I ONLY KNOW WHEN SOMEONE TELLS ME I HAVE BEEN TAKING MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP SINCE 2007 AND THE PROBLEM STILL HAS NOT BEEN FIXED. I HAVE CARS HUNK THE HORNS AT ME AND OTHER DRIVERS ARE FLASHING THEIR LIGHTS BECAUSE THEY DON'T KNOW IF I AM STOPPING OR GOING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10361548October 21, 2010
STEERING
I OWNED A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU,IN WHICH I HAVE ONLY HAD 1 1/2 YEARS,THE FACTORY WARRANTY JUST EXPIRED 3 MONTHS AGO. I AM NOW HAVING VERY SERIOUS PROBLEMS WITH THE POWER STEERING (EPS) IT HAS A TENDENCY TO GO OUT ON ME EVERYTIME I TURN LEFT IF I TURN THE WHEEL ALL THE WAY TO THE LEFT OR IF I JUST TURN IT A LITTLE BIT JUST ENOUGH TO MAKE THE TURN I CAN FILL THE STIFFNESS IN IT AS IF ITS GETTING READY TO SHUT DOWN,THIS HAS HAPPEN OFF AND ON FOR 2 WEEKS NOW AND ONCE IT SHUTS DOWN I HAVE TO CUT THE CAR ALL THE WAY OFF AND CRANK IT BACK UP AND THEN THE POWER STEERING IS RESTORED,THIS NEVER HAPPENS WHEN I TURN TO THE RIGHT IT JUST GO ALONG AS IF NOTHING IS WRONG. I CONSIDER THIS PRETTY DANGEROUS BECAUSE IT CAN HAPPEN TO ME IN TRAFFIC AFTER MAKING A LEFT TURN AND GET ME HIT IN THE REAR SERIOUSLY. I HAVE BEEN ONLINE READING SOME OF THE OTHER COMMENTS WITH THE CHEVY MALIBU AND ALL THEM SEEM TO EXPERIENCE MY PROBLEMS AS WELL. I HAVE MADE AN APPT AT THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT TO SEE WHAT OFFICIALLY IS THE PROBLEM WITH IT AND HAVE IT FIXED.BUT,I REALLY THINK THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL ON ALL THE VEHICLES WITH THE ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING BECAUSE THERE IS A GLITCH SOMEWHERE IN THE SYSTEM THAT IS KILLING THE CONSUMER'S POCKET. IS THERE A RAINBOW AT THE END OF THIS TUNNEL? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10361402October 20, 2010
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE BRAKE LIGHTS ON MY 2006 CHEVY MALIBU WORK IN REVERSE. APPROX 45 SECONDS AFTER THE CAR IS PUT INTO DRIVE THE BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON AND STAY ON UNTIL THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED. THIS IS NOT AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM BUT IS CONTINUOUS. I ALSO CANNOT ENGAGE MY CRUISE CONTROLS. IT IS A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE A REAR END COLLISION OCCURS. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM ON LINE AND IT APPEARS THAT MANY OTHER CONSUMERS HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM TOO. ALL OF WHICH COMMENT THAT THEIR AREA DEALERS CHARGED THEM A LOT OF MONEY, WERE UNSURE OF THE FIX, AND IN SOME CASES THE REPAIRS MADE WERE ONLY TEMPORARY FIXES. SEVERAL HAVE MENTIONED REPLACING PART # 15940467 WHICH IS A MODULE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10361417October 20, 2010
STEERING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY LOCKED UP; HE HAD TO JERK THE WHEEL SO THAT IT WOULD MOVE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED EVERYTIME THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,528. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 85,400.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10360353October 13, 2010
STEERING
ELECTRIC POWER STEERING IN THE 2006 CHEVY MALIBU MAXX IS DEFECTIVE. IT GOES OUT WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE READ ON SEVERAL BLOG AND COMMUNITY WEBSITES THAT SEVERAL OTHERS THAT OWN 2006 CHEVY MALIBU MAXX HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THE COMPANY SHOULD RECALL THIS AT ONCE AND FIX ALL IMPACTED VEHICLES BEFORE SOMEONE DIES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10359638October 8, 2010
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX . THE CONTACT STATED WHEN DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING WILL FAIL AND THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD BECOME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE CONTACT WOULD SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL AND RESTART THE VEHICLE IN ORDER TO RESET THE POWER STEERING ASSIST. THE DEALER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD NEED TO DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE TO DETERMINE THE EXACT CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 117,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10359032October 4, 2010
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
I HAVE A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU WITH DEFECTIVE BRAKE LIGHTS. WHEN YOU ARE TRAVELING DOWN THE ROAD THE BRAKE LIGHTS ARE ON AS IF YOU ARE "RIDING YOUR BRAKES" AND THEN WHEN YOU DO APPLY YOUR BRAKES THE BRAKE LIGHTS GO OFF! THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN PEOPLE DON'T KNOW YOU ARE SLOWING DOWN AND ALMOST REAR END YOU! I HAVE HAD MY CAR IN THE SHOP FOR ALMOST A WEEK AND THE CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP CANNOT LOCATE THE PROBLEM TO FIX IT. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE AND SOMEONE GETS HURT! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10358503September 30, 2010
STEERING
ON A 2006 MALIBU, THE ELECTRICAL ASSIST HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES IN THE PAST 10 MONTHS. EACH TIME THE STEERING LOCKED UP WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE LUCKILY. IN 5 DAYS, THE CAR GETS TAKEN IN TO HAVE THE STEERING COLUMN AND RACK AND PINION STEERING REPLACED. THE FIRST FAILURE WAS AT APPROXIMATELY, 50,000 MILES, THE SECOND WAS AT APPROXIMATELY 65,000 AND THE THIRD AT ABOUT 80,000. THE CAR IS AT 95,000 MILES NOW WHICH IS A LOT, BUT TO HAVE THE POWER STEERING REPLACED AT A CERTIFIED MECHANIC SOON TO BE 4 TIMES WITHIN A YEAR IS NOT GOOD. THE ELECTRICAL ASSIST POWER STEERING AND ALL ASSOCIATED DESIGNS IS UNSAFE AS THE WHEEL IS IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN WHEN FAILURE OCCURS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10358013September 28, 2010
STEERING
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. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10358024September 28, 2010
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER DRIVING DURING THE DAY AT ANY SPEED, THE SPEEDOMETER WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE VEHICLE WAS PERFORMING ACCORDING TO THE STANDARDS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 14,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 22,000. UPDATED 12/30/10. *LJ UPDATED 04/06/11
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10358040September 28, 2010
STEERING
THE POWER STEERING WILL GO OFF AS YOU ARE DRIVING. SOMETIMES IT WILL JUST BECOME HARDER TO STEER AS YOU DECREASE SPEED, AND SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO STOP, TURN OFF THE MOTOR AND THE STEERING WILL RESET. VERY DISTURBING AND QUITE DANGEROUS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10358097September 28, 2010
STEERING
MY 2006 CHEVY MALIBU MAXX HAS LOST POWER STEERING THREE TIMES. IT HAS BEEN TO THE MECHANIC TWICE. DRIVING AT ANY TIME, BUT ESPECIALLY AT HIGHER SPEEDS ON THE HIGHWAY, IS FRIGHTENING BECAUSE THE POWER STEERING MY GO OUT UNEXPECTEDLY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10357662September 26, 2010
STEERING
WHEN TURNING STEERING WHEEL AT SPEEDS UNDER 30 MPH, ELECTRIC ASSIST POWER STEERING WILL FREQUENTLY SHUT DOWN, WITH WARNING CHIME SOUNDING AND "POWER STEERING" WARNING DISPLAYED IN THE DRIVER INFORMATION CENTER (DIC). THE CAR CAN STILL BE STEERED BUT REQUIRES CONSIDERABLY GREATER EFFORT THAN A CAR WITH MANUAL STEERING. ONCE THE CAR IS PULLED OVER, TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED, IT "RESETS" ITSELF, AND OPERATES NORMAL AGAIN UNTIL THE NEXT TIME IT OCCURS. THE PROBLEM STARTED IN MARCH OF 2009, WITH 71,000 MILES, AND HAS GOTTEN STEADILY WORSE OVER TIME. IT NOW HAS 105,000 MILES ON IT, AND NOW HAPPENS SO OFTEN (ABOUT 12-15 TIMES PER DAY), THAT THE CAR IS ALMOST UNDRIVEABLE. I'VE CONTACTED 3 DIFFERENT DEALERS, WHO ALL TELL ME THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF APPROX $1100, AS THERE ARE NO "SERVICEABLE" PARTS IN THE ELECTRIC STEERING SYSTEM. AS I UNDERSTAND IT, THIS IS THE EXACT SAME STEERING PROBLEM THAT GM ISSUED A RECALL FOR IN MARCH OF 2010, FOR CHEVY COBALTS AND PONTIAC G6'S, BUT WON'T RECALL MALIBUS, BECAUSE THERE HAVEN'T BEEN "ENOUGH" COMPLAINTS FILED YET. I DON'T HAVE $1100 TO FOR A NEW STEERING COLUMN THAT GM HAS ADMITTED IS A PROBLEM IN IT'S OTHER VEHICLES, BUT WON'T RECALL MINE BECAUSE NOT ENOUGH OWNERS HAVE YET TO FILE A COMPLAINT! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10356725September 21, 2010
STEERING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY STIFF AND A POWER STEERING SERVICE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND SHUT OFF. UPON RESTART THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND SHE WAS INFORMED HER VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN AN UNKNOWN SPECIAL CAMPAIGN AND THEY WOULD PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10356827September 21, 2010
EXTERIOR LIGHTING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE BRAKE LIGHTS ON MY 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU LTZ SOMETIMES WORK THE OPPOSITE FROM HOW THEY SHOULD (I.E. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS APPLIED THE BRAKE LIGHTS GO OUT, WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS RELEASED THE BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON). THIS PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT; SOMETIMES THE BRAKE LIGHTS WORK NORMALLY. THE ISSUE WAS FIRST NOTICED ABOUT A YEAR AGO AND I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER. THEY THOUGHT IT WAS A BRAKE LIGHT INDICATOR SWITCH SO THEY REPLACED IT. THE PROBLEM REAPPEARED WITHIN A MONTH. I HAVE ALSO NOTICED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL IS AFFECTED BY WHATEVER IS CAUSING THIS PROBLEM. WHEN THE BRAKE LIGHTS WORK NORMALLY, THE CRUISE CONTROL ALSO WORKS. WHEN THE BRAKE LIGHTS ARE OPPOSITE FROM NORMAL THE CRUISE CONTROL WILL NOT WORK. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10356564September 20, 2010
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING
I WAS STAYING AT A FRIEND'S HOUSE IN SAN ANTONIO BECAUSE I HAD A COURT SETTING THERE. THE MORNING OF THE INCIDENT, I TURNED ON MY VEHICLE AND WAS HEADED TO THE COURTHOUSE. I WAS ABOUT TWO BLOCKS FROM MY FRIEND'S HOME WHEN I HEARD A DING AND A POWER STEERING MESSAGE POPPED UP ON THE RADIO. MY POWER STEERING IMMEDIATELY WENT OUT, AND I PULLED MYSELF INTO AN APARTMENT COMPLEX AND TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE. I CALLED A FRIEND FOR A RIDE AND WAS ABOUT TO CALL AAA WHEN I REALIZED I WAS IN THE WAY OF A SCHOOL BUS PICKING UP COLLEGE STUDENTS FROM THE COMPLEX. I TURNED THE VEHICLE BACK ON TO INCH UP A BIT, BUT I NOTICED THAT THE POWER STEERING WAS WORKING AGAIN. I RETURNED TO MY FRIEND'S HOME, GOT A RIDE TO THE COURTHOUSE, AND RESEARCHED THE ISSUE ONLINE. I FOUND SEVERAL OTHER REPORTS OF THIS KIND OF THING HAPPENING AND THAT IT WAS MOST LIKELY A COMPUTER GLITCH THAT COULD AND WOULD OCCUR AGAIN UNEXPECTEDLY. I TOOK MY CHANCES DRIVING BACK HOME TO AUSTIN THAT SAME DAY AND DID NOT TOUCH MY VEHICLE OVER THE WEEKEND. NOW THAT IT IS MONDAY, I WILL BE CALLING GM CUSTOMER SUPPORT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10355945September 16, 2010
STEERING
MY 2006 CHEVY MALIBU HAS HAD THE ELECTRIC STEERING GO OUT ON IT TWICE AND I CAN FEEL THAT IT IS NOW GOING FOR A THIRD TIME! I PURCHASED IT NEW. IT ONLY HAS 55,000 MILES ON IT. STEERING IS SERIOUS AND I AM AFRAID IT MIGHT GO OUT WHEN I AM ON THE HIGHWAY! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10355821September 15, 2010
STEERING
THE POWER STEERING ON MY 2006 MALIBU STOPS WORKING WHEN ACCELERATING OR MAINTAINING SPEED UP HILLS. WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS LET UP THE STEERING STARTS WORKING AGAIN. IF YOU ARE IN A TURN WHEN THE POWER STEERING STARTS WORKING AGAIN THE CAR JERKS DRASTICALLY IN THE DIRECTION THE TIRES ARE TURNED. THIS STARTED AROUND 90,000 MILES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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