Chevrolet Malibu Complaints (2006)

1,388 consumer complaints on file.

#10256383January 26, 2009
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25-30 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V417000 (AIR BAGS;FRONTAL), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,300. UPDATED 2/23/09 *CN UPDATED 02/25/09. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10255923January 21, 2009
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, EQUIPMENT
WE HAD THE BRAKES SERVICED . IT INCLUDED THE CHANGING OVER THE BRAKE PADS AND THE ROTORS TURNED. AND IN LESS THAN 8MONTHS LATER WE WENT BAKE TO GET THE BRAKES INSPECTED DUE TO A VERY HIGH PITCHED NOISED THAT GREW SINCE THE BRAKES WE REPLACED WITH NEW ONES. THE MECHANIC INFORMED US THAT THE BACK BRAKES VERSES THE FRONT BRAKES WE NOT WEARING EQUALLY AND THAT HE WAS SHOCKED TO DISCOVER THAT BOTH FRONT AND BACK BRAKES WERE REPLACED AT THE SAME TIME. I KNOW FOR A FACT THAT THEY WERE REPLACED AS I SAT AND WATCHED THE PREVIOUS MECHANIC INSTALL OUR NEW BRAKE PADS/SHOES JUST AFTER 7 MONTHS OF BUYING THE VEHICLE. THE FRONT BRAKES HAD A WEARING OF 30% AND THE REAR WORE DOWN TO 70%. THIS IS BECOMING A NIGHTMARE AND IT'S ALSO BECOMING VERY EXPENSIVE.. I JUST WANT TO KNOW HOW IT IS POSSIBLE TO NEED NEW BRAKES ON AVERAGE OF HALF A YEAR BETWEEN CHANGES. THIS IF NOT LOOKED INTO COULD BECOME EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND IS DANGEROUS IF THE BACK BRAKES A WEARING OUT FASTER THAN THE FRONT. THEN I HAVE TO CHANGE THE BRAKES OUT EVERY 6-7-MONTHS JUST TO KNOW THAT I WILL BE ABLE TO STOP THE CAR WHEN NEEDED! THE HORRIBLE SCREECHING SOUND I DISCOVERED IS THE ROTORS AND THE MECHANIC VERY SHOCKED TO SEE THAT THEY ARE WARPED AND IN SUCH BAD SHAPE AFTER SUCH A SMALL AMOUNT OF TIME BETWEEN THE BRAKE CHANGES WITHIN A 6-7 MONTH TIME PERIOD. WE HAVE ONLY ONE WORKING VEHICLE AND FEEL THAT IS ISSUE IS TO BE ADDRESSED AS IT IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN. I CAN NOT KEEP CHANGING THE BRAKE SYSTEM EVERY 6-7MONTHS YET I HAVE NO CHOICE IF WE ARE TO BE SAFE AND WOULD LIKE TO STOP THE CAR. PLEASE FIND OUT IF THE PROBLEM CAN BE CORRECTED ONCE AND FOR ALL TO WHERE WE ONLY HAVE TO CHANGE THE BRAKES ON THE CAR LONGER THAN A YEAR OR MORE ESPECIALLY WHEN WE DRIVE THE CAR EASY... WE ARE NOT BAD DRIVERS YET WE ARE TERRIFIED THAT WE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO STOP AT ANY GIVEN MOMENT AS I AM SURE WE WILL NEED A BRAKE CHANGE AGAIN IN JUST A FEW MONTHS AGAIN! BATTERY IN THE KEYPAD OPENS,LOCKS & STARTS CAR NEVER WORKS RIGHT... *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10254359January 9, 2009
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING, THE VEHICLE WAS STRUCK ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE BY ANOTHER VEHICLE DRIVING AT A RELATIVELY HIGH SPEED. THE CRASH CAUSED $4,000 WORTH OF DAMAGE AND THE SIDE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED MODERATE INJURIES, INCLUDING SEVERAL CONTUSIONS AND BRUISING. THE DEALER STATED THAT A DEFECTIVE AIR BAG SENSOR PREVENTED THE AIR BAGS FROM DEPLOYING. THE CONTACT HAS PICTURES OF THE INCIDENT AFTER THE FAILURE, AND IS WAITING FOR A COPY OF THE POLICE REPORT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 51,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10253676January 3, 2009
STEERING, EQUIPMENT
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10253087December 29, 2008
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 SAYS CAR NEED POWER STEERING COLUMN AND MODULE WHICH IS VERY EXPENSIVE. I HAVE ALSO BEEN INFORMED THAT IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY OR THE VERY EXPENSIVE EXTENDED WARRANTY THEY SOLD ME. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10252888December 27, 2008
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
USING MY MOTHER'S 2006 MALIBU MAXX ON 12/24/08, THE BACK LIFTGATE CAME CRASHING DOWN ON MY WIFE'S HEAD WHILE SHE WAS LOADING THE TRUNK. THE NEXT MORNING WE SAW THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE LIFT CYLINDER SNAPPED OFF ITS METAL BALL JOINT. UNFORTUNATELY, THIS CYLINDER IS ATTACHED TO THE METAL BALL JOINT VIA A PLASTIC CAP. WHERE THIS CAP IS ASKED TO NOT ONLY SECURE THE CYLINDER TO THE LIFTGATE FRAME, BUT ALSO ROTATE AND PITCH THE CYLINDER. ANYONE SHORTER THAN MY WIFE'S HEIGHT WOULD HAVE BEEN INJURED SEVERELY, SUCH AS A BROKEN NECK AND/OR CRUSHED SKULL. THE CHEVROLET DEALER - JIM O'BRIEN CHEVROLET SNAPPED THE CYLINDER BACK ON ITS BALL JOINT AND REFUSED TO REPAIR, FIX, AND/OR OFFER AN ALTERNATIVE TO PREVENT THIS SITUATION FROM HAPPENING AGAIN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10251830December 15, 2008
STEERING
I HAVE A 2006 CHEVY MALIBU THAT I HAVE REPLACED THE STEERING GEAR TWICE!! THE CAR IS NOT THAT OLD AND SHOULD BE MORE RELIABLE THAN THAT. I WAS TOLD IF THE STEERING HAD GONE OUT ON ME WHILE ON THE EXPRESSWAY, (WHICH I DRIVE EVERY DAY),I COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED. I AM AFRAID THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10250451December 2, 2008
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10250160November 29, 2008
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10248505November 11, 2008
STEERING
WHILE DRIVING MY 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX, I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY WHEN I LOST POWER STEERING. I PARKED THE CAR, SHUT IT OFF, TURNED IT BACK ON AND THE POWER STEERING WAS WORKING PROPERLY. A FEW DAYS LATER I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND AGAIN LOST POWER STEERING. I PULLED OVER AND SHUT THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTED AND GAINED POWER STEERING BACK. IT HAPPENED AGAIN NEARLY RIGHT AWAY AFTER DOING THE LAST RESTART. I AGAIN PULLED OVER, SHUT THE CAR OFF AND TURNED IT BACK ON AND POWER STEERING WAS BACK. THIS HAS HAPPENED 6 TO 10 TIMES IN THE LAST 1 TO 2 MONTHS AND THERE IS NO RHYME OR REASON TO WHEN THE POWER STEERING GIVES OUT. THIS MAKES EVERY TRIP IN THE CAR A POTENTIAL HAZARD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10247966November 7, 2008
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 ON ITS OWN AS WELL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN FAILED AND COULD BE REPAIRED AT THE COST OF $700. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 50,000. UPDATED 11/25/08. *LJ UPDATED 11/25/08. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10247835November 6, 2008
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10247603November 3, 2008
STEERING
BUMP SOUND IN FRONT END WHEN STARTING FROM A STOP OR BRAKING AND TURNING. DEALER SAYS IT IS A POWER STEERING SHAFT. THEY LUBRICATED IT AND TIGHTENED IT BEFORE WARRANTY EXPIRED. WITHIN 1,000 MILES PROBLEMS RETURNED. NOW WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED AND IT'S MY PROBLEM ALTHOUGH GM HAS A REPLACEMENT STEERING SHAFT THAT WILL CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10247446November 1, 2008
STEERING
CHEVROLET MALIBUS AND OTHER MAKES HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING RACK AND PINION. MINE HAS BEEN REPLACED ABOUT A YEAR AGO. IT HAD A BUMPING NOISE THAT YOU COULD HEAR EVEN STANDING OUTSIDE OF THE CAR WHILE SOMEONE ELSE IS DRIVING. GM NEEDS TO DO A RECALL BEFORE SOMEBODY LOOSES THEIR STEERING AND HAS A MAJOR ACCIDENT. THIS PROBLEM IS VERY COMMON ON THESE CARS AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. I AM AN ASE CERTIFIED TECHNICIAN AND HAVE BEEN FOR MANY YEARS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10246383October 22, 2008
STEERING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10245251October 13, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
HEARD A CLUNKING NOISE WHEN TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT. BULLETIN SAID TO LUBE STEERING SO THEY DID. HAVING SAME PROBLEM 4 MONTHS LATER, CALLED ANOTHER DEALER, SAYS THERE IS A BULLETIN TO REPLACE DRIVE SHAFT. ALSO HAD CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPLACED WHEN VIBRATION STARTED WHEN FIRST ACCELERATING TILL ABOUT 20MPH,THEN COOLING DRAIN PLUG MELTED FROM THE HEAT OF THE CONVERTER AND POURED WATER ONTO PASSENGER FRONT FLOOR THEY FIXED THAT VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THIS CAR(BUT LOVE THE PRICE AND MILEAGE). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10244275October 2, 2008
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 WILL JERK TO ONE SIDE. IT MAKES ME VERY NERVOUS TO DRIVE IN TRAFFIC BECAUSE IT IS VERY UNPREDICTABLE. I FEEL LIKE THIS IS SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. IT IS REALLY SAD THAT SO MANY FAMILIES LIVES ARE IN DANGER BECAUSE OF THE UNPREDICTABILITY OF THIS PROBLEM. NOT ONLY IS MY FAMILY IN DANGER BUT THE LIVES OF OTHERS AS WELL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10242139September 14, 2008
STEERING
I HAVE A 2006 MALIBU MAXX 3.5 V6. MY WIFE WAS PARALLEL PARKING WHEN THE POWER STEERING LOCKED UP ON HER. IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO PARK AND MANEUVER THE VEHICLE. NO DAMAGE WAS DONE. I WENT ONLINE TO FIND OUT ABOUT WHY IT JUST SHUT OFF AND FOUND THE LINK TO THIS WEB-SITE. I SURE DON'T WANT TO SEE THIS GO OUT WHEN TURNING AROUND A CORNER. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD NOT FOR US BUT ANYONE ELSE ON THE ROAD AS WELL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10241576September 9, 2008
STEERING
I OWN A 2006 CHEV MALIBU SS. ALL WAS FINE UNTIL A YEAR AGO. I NOTICED A "BUMP" IN THE STEERING WHILE TURNING LEFT. DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT THEY WOULD LUBE THE STEERING SHAFT. NOW THERE IS A "BUMP IN STEERING AND FOLLOW UP BUMP AS THE WHEELS RETURN TO STRAIGHT. THERE IS ALSO A RUBBING NOISE WHILE TURNING. THE CAR IS ALSO PULLING TO THE RIGHT. I HAD THE ALIGNMENT CHECKED AND IT WAS IN PERFECT ORDER. AFTER THE "CHECKUP" THE CAR PULLED HARDER TO THE RIGHT AND THE "NOISES" WERE MORE PRONOUNCED. I NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR 1997 FOR ISSUES THAT SOUND ALL TOO FAMILIAR. CHEVY IS FIXING MY CAR UNDER MY WARRANTY. APPROXIMATE INCIDENT DATE IS "ABOUT" WHEN THE ISSUES FIRST STARTED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10240470August 31, 2008
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, STEERING, SUSPENSION:FRONT
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 DEALERSHIP THIS AND THEY CLAIM IT IS SAFE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Chevrolet Malibu