Chevrolet Malibu Complaints (2006)

1,388 consumer complaints on file.

#10349057August 12, 2010
STEERING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHENEVER SHE STARTED THE VEHICLE, IT MADE A DINGING NOISE AND THE POWER STEERING LOCKED. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. SHE HAD TO TURN THE VEHICLE ON AND OFF FOR APPROXIMATELY A HALF HOUR BEFORE IT WOULD RESET ITSELF. SHE DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER; HOWEVER, SHE CALLED AND INFORMED THEM OF THE FAILURE AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS AND SHE HAD TO PAY THE REPAIR COST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CALLED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10347785August 6, 2010
STEERING
I DRIVE A 2006 MALIBU, AND HAVE BEEN FOR THE PAST 4 YEARS. THE STANDARD 2006 MALIBU HAS EPSA (ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING ASSIST). THERE IS NO RESERVOIR TO FILL FLUID AS WITH OLDER MODELS. I FOUND OUT TODAY THROUGH EXPERIENCE THAT THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING LOCKS/UNLOCKS ON ITS OWN WHICH HAS CREATED AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION. AS I WAS DRIVING TO WORK THIS MORNING AND AS I WAS PULLING INTO ANOTHER DRIVEWAY (MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN), THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED SO THAT I COULDN'T TURN, AND I WAS INCHES AWAY FROM HITTING A POLE. I AM FEARFUL OF THIS VEHICLE ESPECIALLY SINCE A CHILD RIDES IN THIS VEHICLE REGULARLY. I AM THANKFUL THAT MY CHILD WASN'T IN THE VEHICLE DURING THIS TIME. I CAME IN TO WORK TO DO SOME RESEARCH SINCE THE MECHANIC CONFIRMED THERE IS NO RESERVOIR FOR THE POWER STEERING FLUID. NO PUMP, NO HOSE, NOTHING TO TOP OFF. WHAT I FOUND THROUGH MY RESEARCH IS SCARY AND IRRESPONSIBLE OF GM. THIS IS A SEVERE SAFETY HAZARD AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY GM IMMEDIATELY. I AM DISAPPOINTED TO FIND THAT GM HAS NOT RECALLED THIS VEHICLE NOR IDENTIFIED AND ADDRESSED THIS PROBLEM (OR OTHERS). I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY MAILINGS OR NOTIFICATIONS REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. IT'S OUTRAGEOUS THAT GM CAN LEGALLY PUT OUT A VEHICLE FOR MASS PRODUCTION WITH SUCH HAZARDOUS FLAWS SUCH AS THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING PROBLEM (AMONG OTHERS). AFTER READING ALL THE COMPLAINTS AND BLOGS ABOUT THE EPS SYSTEM, I AM CONVINCED THAT THE MAILBU IS SUFFERING FROM THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS THE COBALT AND OTHER VEHICLES IDENTIFIED IN A 2005 (MODEL) RECALL. THIS ISSUE IS A LAWSUIT WAITING TO HAPPEN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10347567August 5, 2010
STEERING
WITHIN 1 WEEK OF PURCHASING THE VEHICLE USED I COULD HEAR A CLUNK WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS A 'STEERING COLUMN GEAR' AND FIXED IT. WITHIN 6 MONTHS THE SOUND STARTED AGAIN, I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC HE SUGGESTED REPLACING THE RACK AND PINION. THIS STOPPED THE SOUND FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS, THIS TIME THE SOUND NOT ONLY CAME BACK BUT THE STEERING LOCKED UP WHILE MERGING ONTO THE FREEWAY, WHEN I LET MY FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR THE STEERING CAME BACK. THIS LOCK UP HAS OCCURRED 2 MORE TIMES, MAKING A TOTAL OF 3 STEERING LOCK UPS IN A YEARS TIME. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10346755August 2, 2010
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT WAS ATTEMPTING TO REVERSE WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. THE CONTACT SHUT OFF THE ENGINE. UPON RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, IT RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE HAD AN ADEQUATE AMOUNT OF POWER STEERING FLUID. BASED ON THE CONTACT'S RESEARCH, HE BELIEVED THE FAILURE TO BE ATTRIBUTED TO THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING MOTOR. NEITHER THE DEALER OR THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 85,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10346324July 30, 2010
STEERING:COLUMN
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE AT TWO MPH THE POWER STEERING STEERING LIGHT CAME ON AND THEN THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF, RESTARTED IT AND THEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE RECALLED BY THE MANUFACTURER SINCE THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTION WAS VERY COMMON. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. UPDATED 10/15/10 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN RESOLVED. UPDATD 10/2110*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10346387July 30, 2010
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
FRONT END COLLISION WITH THE REAR OF A PICK UP TRUCK TOTALING CAR. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10346162July 29, 2010
STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD INTERMITTENTLY LOCK WHILE ATTEMPTING A TURN. THE CONTACT WOULD SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE AND WHEN RESTARTING, THE POWER STEERING WOULD RESET ITSELF. THE DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND ADVISED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL TORQUE INPUT SENSOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS NOT A RECALL FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THEY WOULD SPEAK TO THE DEALER TO DETERMINE WHO WOULD BE LIABLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE CONTACT WAS HELD LIABLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 51,000. UPDATED 11/9/10 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE WOULD LOOSE POWER STEERING AND PULL THE LEFT IN ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE CAUSE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. UPDATED 11/16/10
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10346221July 29, 2010
STEERING
POWER STEERING FAILED ON THE HIGHWAY. WARNING LIGHT LIT UP ON DASHBOARD. CAR JERKED SHARPLY TO THE RIGHT. SEVERAL HOURS LATER SAME THING HAPPENED UPON BACKING OUT OF PARKING SPACE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10344869July 23, 2010
STEERING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
POWER STEERING WENT OUT ON CAR PULLING OUT OF A MALL PARKING LOT ONTO HIGHWAY. ALMOST CAUSED ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING/TURNING ON TO HIGHWAY. DROVE CAR HOME AND PARKED. RESTARTED NEXT MORNING AND WORKED FINE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10344655July 22, 2010
STEERING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE 5 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF, WAITED A FEW MINUTES TO SEE IF THE VEHICLE WOULD RESTART AND IT FAILED TO DO SO. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY SEVEN TIMES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,700. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 45,900.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10344707July 22, 2010
STEERING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY LOCKED FORCING THE VEHICLE TO PULL TO THE LEFT. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED AND THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 17000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10344711July 22, 2010
STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLES CHIME AND POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS ENGAGED AND UNLOCKED WHEN RELEASING THE PEDAL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED THREE TIMES AND WAS REPAIRED TWICE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS. THE ELECTRONIC STEERING MOTOR WAS BEING REPAIRED BY THE DEALER WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 86,000. UPDATED 10/01/2010. *LJ UPDATED 10/04/10*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10344779July 22, 2010
STEERING
POWER STEERING WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING. DIFFICULT TO STEER AND TURN. POWER STEERING DEFAULT LIGHT ON DASH. DEALER UNWILLING TO PAY FOR REPAIRS. GM HAS ALREADY RECALLED OTHER BRANDS FOR SAME PROBLEM: RECALL SUMMARY GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 CHEVROLET COBALT AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 PONTIAC G5 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ELECTRIC POWER STEERING. THE DRIVER MAY EXPERIENCE A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST THAT COULD OCCUR AT ANY TIME WHILE DRIVING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10344261July 20, 2010
STEERING:COLUMN
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH A STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE VEHICLE BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. HE COASTED THE VEHICLE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND WAS ABLE RESTART IT. THE VEHICLE STARTED AND THE STEERING WARNING LIGHT SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES. TWICE THE DEALER REPLACED THE INTERMIT SHAFT, AND ANOTHER THEN THE STEERING TORQUE SENSOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT WAS VERY EASY TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT BUT DIFFICULT WHEN TURNING IT TO THE LEFT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED FOR $580. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10344296July 20, 2010
STEERING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS FROM 1 TO 65 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE FOLLOWED BY A SERIES OF THREE WARNING CHIMES. THE FAILURE PERSISTED INTERMITTENTLY. THE ILLUMINATION BEGAN TO OCCUR MORE FREQUENTLY AND EVENTUALLY, THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING ASSIST BEGAN TO FAIL SPORADICALLY. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY STIFF AND DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WOULD HAD TO UTILIZE EXTREME FORCE IN ORDER TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND STATED THAT THE ENTIRE POWER STEERING UNIT AND INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THERE WERE NO RECALLS RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000 AND THE CURRENT WAS 81,467.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10344188July 20, 2010
STEERING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU LS. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 16 MPH, A CHIME SOUNDED AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, FOLLOWED BY THE LOSS OF THE POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED THREE TIMES WITHIN A THREE WEEK PERIOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE STEERING WHEEL TORQUE INPUT SENSOR. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED A SPECIAL COVERAGE ADJUSTMENT PROGRAM REGARDING THE REPLACEMENT OF THE STEERING WHEEL ASSEMBLY; HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 57,300. UPDATED 10/05/10. *LJ
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10344090July 19, 2010
STEERING:COLUMN
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX LT. THE CONTACT STATED SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, SHE NOTICED THAT THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING COLUMN WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE POWER STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED AND RESET. FIVE MINUTES AFTER LEAVING THE DEALER, THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN. THE DEALER ATTEMPTED TO RESET THE CODES FIVE TIMES TO NO AVAIL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING WOULD LOCK WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS OF 3 TO 65 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 76,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10343871July 18, 2010
STEERING
2006 CHEVY MALIBU ELECTRIC STEERING PROBLEMS. STEERING NON-RESPONSIVE AND HAD TO STOP SHUT ENGINE OFF AND RESTART TO REMOVE POWER STEERING CHECK LIGHT ON DASH AND WORKED AGAIN OK FOR SHORT WHILE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10343419July 15, 2010
STEERING
POWER STEERING SYSTEM FAILS INTERMITTENTLY AND WITHOUT ANY ADVANCED WARNING. ONCE THE POWER STEERING MODULE FAILS, THE STEERING WHEEL IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN BUT IS STILL TURNABLE. THE INFORMATION DISPLAY SYSTEM SAYS POWER STEERING AND A CHIME NOISE IS AUDIBLE. THE FIRST TIME THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM FAILED ON ME WAS DURING A TURN AND ALMOST CAUSED ME TO COLLIDE WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE FAILURE OF THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM IS BECOMING MORE AND MORE FREQUENT, ABOUT EVER 30 MINUTES. THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM WILL GO BACK TO NORMAL FUNCTIONING ONCE THE CAR IS SHUT OFF AND STARTED AGAIN. WHY IT FAILS IS NOT KNOWN TO ME OR WHY IT GOES BACK TO NORMAL OPERATION AFTER IT IS RESTARTED. IN ADDITION, THE IGNITION KEY WAS EXTREMELY HOT WHEN IT WAS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10342916July 13, 2010
STEERING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
POWER STEERING GOING OUT AND CANNOT STEER. POWER STEERING WILL NOT WORK AFTER STARTING THE CAR. 2006 MALIBU LT. PURCHASED NEW IN 2006. ONLY 40,000 MILES ON IT. ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE IN FIRST YEAR. WHEN USED IN MOUNTAIN DRIVING THEY WARP AND HAVE TO BE REPLACED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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