POWER STEERING INTERMITTENTLY FAILS ON VEHICLE. RESETS AFTER TURNING CAR OFF. *TR
2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx complaints
Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2006 record →
I WAS TAKING MY GRANDDAUGHTER TO SCHOOL AND THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT AS I WAS PULLING IN TO THE SCHOOL. I TURN OFF THE CAR TO LOCATE THE POWER STEERING PUMP BUT COULD NOT LOCATE IT.WHEN I STARTED THE CAR IT WAS FINE SO WHEN I GOT HOME I FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM AND GM IS NOT DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT.WHAT IS IT GOING TO TAKE FOR SOMEBODY DOES SOMETHING ABOUT IT. I BELIEVE GM WAS ONE OF THE COMPANIES THAT WAS HELP BY THE GOVERNMENT WITH TAX PAYERS MONEY THE SAME ONES THAT ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM,PLEASE YOU NEED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS BIG PROBLEM THAT GM IS IGNORING BEFORE IS TO LATE FOR SOME BODY OR FAMILY. THANK YOU *TR
DRIVER INFO CENTER SAID CHECK GAS CAP,WE REPLACED IT NOW A SMELL OF GAS IN CAR WHEN STARTING IT UP. *TR
ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE OPERATING VEHICLE. *KB
I BOUGHT CAR FROM LOCAL DEALER AND ON MY WAY HOME I HEARD THE DING AND THE POWER STEERING INDICATOR CAME ON AND IT BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN MY STEERING WHEEL WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 85N. LUCKILY MY EXIT WAS THE NEXT ONE. CALLED GM DEALER, THEY SAID THAT IT WAS A WARRANTY ISSUE NOT A RECALL. AFTER READING ABOUT THIS VEHICLE MANY PEOPLE BESIDES ME HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH THIS POWER STEERING. I CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY OUT $600 EACH TIME IT GOES BAD DUE TO ISSUES WHEN MANUFACTURED. *TT
KNOCKING NOISE IN THE STEERING COLUMN. HAD TO HAVE IIT FIXED TWICE AND IT NOW DOES IT AGAIN. THIS IS A REPETATIVE PROBLEM AND IT APPEARS THAT THIS CAR HAS A DESIGN ISSUE. *TT
I HAVE BEEN READING OVER SOME OF THE 30 PAGES OF STEERING COMPLAINTS FOR THE 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU. I FOUND OUT THAT I AM NOT ALONE WITH THIS CAR PROBLEM. I JUST BOUGHT MY CAR IN AUGUST 2011 - IT WAS A ONE OWNER WITH 31,000 MILES IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. I THOUGHT I DID MY HOMEWORK WHEN BUYING BUT WAS NOT AWARE OF THE STEERING PROBLEMS THAT EXISTED. THERE WAS NO RECALL LISTED . I WOULD NEVER HAVE BOUGHT THIS CAR KNOWING WHAT I KNOW NOW AND EXPERIENCING THE PROBLEM FIRST HAND. I HEARD THE TWO DINGS THEN THE WORDS "POWER STEERING" APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. I IMMEDIATELY HAD NO POWER STEERING AND WAS DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. THE CAR WAS EXTREMELY HARD TO STEER AND I WAS LUCKY TO MAKE IT HOME. SINCE THEN, I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS TWO OTHER TIMES. I AM SCARED TO DEATH TO DRIVE THIS CAR. DO I HAVE TO GET KILLED IN A CAR ACCIDENT BEFORE YOU WILL DO SOMETHING? I CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY THESE COSTLY REPAIRS AND SHOULDN'T BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MANUFACTURER'S DEFECTS. PLEASE SAVE MY LIFE AND EVERYONE ELSE BY TAKING ACTION NOW!!! *TR
TODAY WHEN I DRIVE BACK FROM MY DRIVEWAY, SPEED IS ONLY 5KM/HOUR, WHEN I TURNED LEFT ,SUDDENLY THE STEELING LOSE POWER I CRASH TO MY WIFE'S CAR. YEAH, IT IS A ONLY A SMALL HIT AND NOTHING DAMAGE. THEN I STOPPED MY CAR , RESTART IT AND IT IS OK .BUT AFTER I DROVE 2 KM, IT LOST POWER AGAIN WHEN I TURN LEFT. I GOOGLE, I FOUND IT IS THOUSAND OF SAME ISSUES HAPPEN WHILE GM ONLY RECALL THE G6 COBALT BUT NOT MALIBU,WHY? THEY SUCK ,I WILL NEVER BUY GM AGAIN. *TR
THE VEHICLE UNLOCKS THE DOORS AUTOMATICALLY BY ITSELF WITHOUT THE POWER DOOR LOCK SWITCHES OR UNLOCK BUTTON ON THE REMOTE KEY FOB BEING ACTIVATED. THE PROBLEM OCCURS DURING DRIVING THE VEHICLE AS WELL AS AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TURNED OFF. IN ADDITION, THE PROBLEM OCCURS WHEN THE AUXILLARY POWER IS ON (AFTER THE CAR IS TURNED OFF AND THERE IS POWER TO THE WINDOWS AND RADIO - BEFORE THE DOORS ARE OPENED) AS WELL AS AFTER THE AUXILLARY POWER IS TURNED OFF (AFTER THE DOORS HAVE BEEN OPENED AND POWER TO THE RADIO AND WINDOWS HAS BEEN TURNED OFF). THE VEHICLE IS FOUND WITH ITS DOORS UNLOCKED WHEN THE DRIVER RETURNS TO THE VEHICLE (DRIVER LOCKED THE DOORS AND CONFIRMED THEY WERE LOCKED WHEN LEAVING THE VEHICLE PARKED). THE VEHICLE ALSO DISABLES THE SECURITY SYSTEM WHEN IT UNLOCKS THE DOORS CAUSING ANYONE TO ENTER THE VEHICLE WITHOUT THE ALARM OR SECURITY SYSTEM ACTIVATING. THIS CREATES A SECURITY AND SAFETY CONCERN FOR THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS. THE VEHICLE DOORS MAY NOT STAY LOCKED WHEN LEAVING THE VEHICLE WHICH CREATES A SECURITY CONCERN. IN ADDITION, THE DOORS MAY UNLOCK WHEN DRIVING CAUSING SAFETY CONCERNS.*TR
FOR THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS POWER STEERING FAILURE WITH LEFT TURNS. YESTERDAY COMPLETE FAILURE, FORTUNATELY IT LOCKED UP IN MY DRIVEWAY. STEERING WHEEL JAMMED UP WITH THE SLIGHTEST TURN. *TR
STEERING- WHEN MAKING LEFT TURNS STEERING COLLUMN POPS AS IF LINKAGE IS SLIPPING. APPARENTLY A KNOWN DEFECT AT CHEVROLET. STEERING COLUMN SHOULD BE REPLACED. LOSS OF POWER STERRING IN THE PAST AT HIGHER SPEEDS, ONE COMPLETE LOCKUP OF STEERING WHEEL WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. BRAKES- INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT OVER TIME TO SLOW VEHICLE TO A STOP SAFELY. BRAKES WERE COMPLETELY REPLACED AT 51K MILES DUE TO AN ISSUE OF WEAR AT RATES EXCEEDING MECHANICAL ESTIMATES. DEALERSHIP INSPECTION YIELDS NO DAMAGES OR PROBLEM YET TEST DRIVE SHOWS HOW DIFFICULT VEHICLE IS TO STOP EFFECTIVELY.
WE STARTED HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE POWER STEERING GOING OUT AT VERY LOW SPEEDS, ESPECIALLY IN WARM WEATHER, ONLY OCCASIONALLY. THEN THE PROBLEM WORSENED WITH THE POWER STEERING GOING OUT FREQUENTLY WHEN TURNING TO THE RIGHT. ONLY AFTER WE HAD OBTAINED 100000 MILES ON THE CAR DID WE RECEIVE A LETTER FROM THE GM COMPANY STATING THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING AND UPON CONTACTING GM COMPANY THEY REFUSED TO FIX THEIR FACTORY INSTALLED DEFECTIVE PROBLEM STATING IT WAS OUR PROBLEM. THEY REFUSE TO FIX THE STEERING PROBLEM AND IT HAS CAUSED US TO HAVE CLOSE ENCOUNTERS WITH CRASHES. THE CAR IS EXTREMELY HARD TO TURN FOR MY WIFE AND IS A REAL CRASH HAZARD. IT WAS THEIR MISTAKE, BUT THEY REFUSE TO HONOR THEIR COMMITMENT TO CAR SAFETY LIKE THEY ADVERTISE ON TV. IT IS THEIR PROBLEM AND THEY SHOULD HONOR THEIR SAFETY COMMITMENT TO THEIR CUSTOMERS. WE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THE CAR FIXED AT THEIR EXPENSE NOT OURS SINCE IT IS THEIR MISTAKE. *TR
INTERMITTENT LOSS OF POWER STEERING THAT OCCURS UNDER TWO DIFFERENT SCENARIOS. UPON HARD ACCELERATION (AS WHEN ENTERING A HIGHWAY), STEERING WILL PERIODICALLY LOCK-UP WITH A SERIES OF 4 CHIMES COMING FROM THE INFORMATION DISPLAY PANEL ON THE DASHBOARD. POWER STEERING ASSIST RETURNS UPON DECELERATION. ALSO, I'VE HAVE HAD SEVERAL INSTANCES OF POWER STEERING LOSS WHEN BACKING UP IN COLDER WINTER TEMPERATURES. POWER ASSIST RETURNS AFTER TURNING OFF AND RESTARTING THE VEHICLE. DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO RECREATE EITHER SCENARIO AS IT HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY, THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED FOR THIS DEFECT NOR HAS IT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT BUT LET'S NOT WAIT FOR ONE. IT'S QUITE OBVIOUS FROM THOUSANDS OF INTERNET POSTS THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM THAT GM REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE. AN NHSTA RECALL WOULD BE NICE. SECONDLY, THE VEHICLE HAS HAD NUMEROUS REPAIRS TO FRONT SUSPENSION, STEERING AND BRAKE COMPONENTS THAT SHOULD NOT FAIL WITHIN THE FIRST THE 60K MILES OF OWNERSHIP (SOME WERE REPLACED WITH LESS THAN 35K). COMPONENTS REPLACED INCLUDE; STRUT TOWER ASSEMBLY, BOTH TIE RODS (INNER AND OUTER), STEERING COLUMN, RIGHT REAR CALIPER (SNAPPED PARKING BRAKE CABLE), ALL FOUR BRAKE ROTORS REPLACED. FOR THE FOLKS WHO SPENT THEIR HARD EARNED MONEY ON THIER MALIBU MAXX AND ARE READING THIS ONLINE, PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO POST YOUR STORIES. GM SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR INACTION AND REFUSAL TO ACKNOWLEDGE SERIOUS STEERING RELATED DEFECTS. IT WON'T HAPPEN UNTIL THE NHTSA RECEIVES ENOUGH COM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM THE TOP REAR OF THE FUEL TANK AND WAS EMITTING A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE BOTH IN AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED FOR THE FAILURE OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 102,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX SUPERSPORT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 TO 50 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY LOOSE AND IT WAS DIFFICULT FOR HER TO CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN MAKING A LEFT OR RIGHT TURNS SHE HEARD A POPPING NOISE IN THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ADVISED HER THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED HER TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 89,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WOULD LOSE POWER STEERING MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS NORMAL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT AWARE OF THE FAILURE. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 57,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,700.
STEERING WHEEL FAILURE CAUSED CAR ACCIDENT. WHILE DRIVING THROUGH A FREEWAY TUNNEL, THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT AND MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER CAUSING MY CAR TO HIT THE TUNNEL WALL. THE CAR HAD LESS THAN 40,000 MILES, YET THE POWER STEERING INDICATOR WENT ON. THE POWER STEERING RESET AND WENT BACK ON, AFTER THE CAR WAS RESTARTED. PLEASE INITIAL A DEFECT INVESTIGATION OR A SAFETY RECALL BEFORE THIS HAPPENS TO SOMEONE ELSE. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH THE POWER STEERING LOCKED AND IT BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER THE STEERING WHEEL. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED THE POWER STEERING FUNCTIONED NORMALLY. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,000.
1 YR AFTER PURCHASING 2006 CHEVY MALIBU MAXX HEATED SEATS STARTING COMING ON WHEN CAR WAS STARTED. DEALER KINDA SAID THAT WE WERE LIARS BECAUSE THEY SAID NO ONE IN THE WHOLE US HAD A PROBLEM WITH THEIR SEATS. WE WENT BACK 17 TIMES IN 3 MONTHS AND THEY CHANGED EVERYTHING AND STILL SEATS COME ON . NOW THEY COME ON WHEN YOUR DRIVING AND THEY GET VERY HOT. DEALER DOES NOT SEEM TO CARE NOR GM. WE HAVE STOPPED GOING AND TELLING THEM. WE HAVE COMPLAINED FOR 4 YEARS AND THEY KEEP GIVING US EXCUSES THAT THEY ARE WAITING FOR GM WITH A SOLUTION. WE WOULD GO TO THE DEALER WEEKLY AND THEY WOULD SAY THEY HAD NOT HEARD FROM GM. THAT'S WHY WE STOPPED GOING THERE. PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE GETTING WORSE AS ITS MOSTLY THE PASSENGER SEAT AND IT GETS HOT IMMEDIATELY AFTER IT COMES ON. I WOULD SAY WITHIN 5 TO 10 SECONDS AFTER SEAT IS ON. AFRAID OF GETTING BURNED AND ALSO A FIRE. WHAT MORE CAN WE DO? ANY SUGGESTIONS? *TR
THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT WHICH IS CONNECTED TO THE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED IN 2007 WHEN THE VEHICLE HAD LESS THAN 30,000 MILES AND WAS UNDER WARRANTY. IT HAS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN AT 83,00 MILES. THIS IS DEFINITELY A GM DESIGN ISSUE. THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING MODULE HAS BEEN REPLACED, THE RACK/PINION HAS BEEN REPLACED AND NEITHER PART SHOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED WHEN THE VEHICLE IS UNDER 80,000 MILES.. GM CUSTOMER SERVICE REFUSES TO ACCEPT THAT THIS IS NOT NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR OF A VEHICLE EVEN THOUGH THIS WILL BE THE SECOND REPLACEMENT OF THIS PART. HUNDREDS OF OWNERS OF THIS 2006 MALIBU MAXX HAVE THE EXACT SAME ISSUE THEREFORE IT CAN NOT BE THE DRIVER BUT IS DEFINITELY A ENGINEERING DESIGN ISSUE. GM NEEDS TO BE HONEST AND OWN UP TO THE FAILURES OF THEIR VEHICLE DESIGNS. THERE ARE LOSING LOYAL CUSTOMERS BECAUSE OF THEIR INABILITY TO PROVIDE A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE. IT IS THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO PROVIDE THE CONSUMERS WITH SAFE VEHICLES. STEERING ISSUES ARE DEFINITELY A SERIOUS HAZARD. GM MUST BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR VEHICLE FAILURES. THIS VEHICLE NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AND AT THE VERY LEAST GM SHOULD PAY FOR THE REPAIRS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 2-3 MPH IN REVERSE WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED SEVERAL MINUTES LATER AND THE STEERING WHEEL HAD RETURNED TO NORMAL. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS OR REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 92,000.
WHILE ON THE ROAD, MY STEERING WHEEL STARTED JAMMING UP AND THEN STRUCK, DASH BOARD LIGHT ILLUMINATED. AFTER RESTARTING ENGINE, IT WORKED FINE. FOR HAVING THIS PROBLEM REPEATED FOR SEVERAL TIMES, I GOT THE APPOINTMENT WITH DEALERSHIP AND CALLED CHEVY CUSTOMER SERVICE. I WAS TOLD OF THE PROBLEM BEING KNOWN AND COMMON IN ALL THE 2006 MALIBU AND OTHER MAKE AND MODEL IN WHICH SUCH POWER STEERING MODULE/ PARTS HAVE BEEN USED. WHEN I ASKED, WHY I WAS NOT INFORMED OF SUCH PROBLEM, I WAS TOLD THAT IT WILL REPAIR AT NO COST IF ONLY THE PROBLEM IS DUPLICATED AT THE SHOP. AFTER REPAIR ON (FEB 01 20011), IN A PHONE CALL, I WAS TOLD THAT THERE IS NO PAPER WORK FOR PROBLEM/RECALL/ WARRANTY/ WHAT SO EVER, BUT THE WORK IS COVERED FOR 12 MONTHS AND/OR 12000 MILES ALTOGETHER. THIS PARTICULAR CAR HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION'S ATTENTION UNDER LEMON LAW IN 2008, BUT IT WAS NOT JUSTIFIED BASED ON HEARING WAS SCHEDULED AFTER ALLOWED TIMELINE. WHAT A BUMMER!!! THIS TIME KNOWING THE PROBLEM, GMC IS NOT RECALLING OR ADDRESSING IT BEFORE ANY DISASTER STRIKE AND SOMEONE LOOSE HIS/HER LIFE. THANKS A LOT CHEVY.... YOU ARE THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. *TR
THE POWER STEERING COLUMN STARTED TO CLUNK WHEN TURNING WHEN CAR WAS A YEAR OLD..TOOK IT TO A DEALERSHIP AND THEY GREASED THE COLUMN...DIDN'T WORK...TOOK IT BACK,L THEY GREASED IT AGAIN... SAME THING....NOW I GET A MESSAGES - POWER STEERING AND REDUCED ENGINE POWER WHEN DRIVING. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS CUZ I HAVE LITTLE POWER SO I LOSE SPEED ON THE HIGHWAY AND ITS VERY HARD TO TURN THE WHEEL. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE POWER STEERING STOPPED FUNCTIONING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY AND ONLY FOR A FEW SECONDS AND THEN FUNCTIONED PROPERLY. ALSO THE CONTACT STATED SOMETIMES THE IGNITION WOULD HAVE TO BE TURNED OFF IN ORDER FOR THE POWER STEERING TO FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR BUT THERE WAS AN APPOINTMENT SET. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 50 MPH WHEN THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME INCREASINGLY STIFF. THE POWER STEERING WOULD RESET ITSELF RIGHT AWAY WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF AND THEN BACK ON. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000.
LOOSE POWER STEERING DURING PARKING AND DRIVING. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY STIFF AND DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND SHUT OFF AND WHEN IT WAS RESTARTED, IT OPERATED PROPERLY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD INVOLUNTARILY TURN TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AND OR IN MOTION. THE CONTACT CALLED BOTH THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS A COMMON FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 101,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX LT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY FAILED AND THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE LATER ON IN REFERENCE TO THE STEERING BUT THE VEHICLE WAS OVER THE MILEAGE LIMIT. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 160,000.
THE POWERSTEERING UNIT IN THIS CAR HAS QUIT WORKING SEVERAL TIMES. THE INFORMATION CENTER READS POWERSTEERING. AND THE WHEEL JERKS BACK AND FORTH. THE WHEEL IS VERY HARD TO TURN AND IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. SOMETIMES THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT THE WHEEL WILL TURN TO THE LEFT BY ITSELF. IF YOU SHUT THE CAR OFF AND LEAVE IT SIT FOR FIVE MINUTES IT WILL RESET ITSELF AND BE ALRIGHT FOR AWHILE AND THEN IT HAPPENS AGAIN. GENERAL MOTORS KNOWS OF THIS PROBLEM AND HAS DONE NOTHING ABOUT IT. I HAVE READ SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS AND WONDER IF SOMEONE HAS TO BE KILLED FIRST BEFORE ANYTHING IS DONE. THIS AUTO BELONGS TO MY STEPSON AND HE HAS A 8 MONTH OLD DAUGHTER, I WON'T SIT AND WATCH ANYBODY GET KILLED BECAUSE A STUPID MISTAKE LIKE THIS ELECTRIC POWER STEERING.
POWER STEERING QUITS WORKING ON A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU. *TR
CLUNKING IN THE STEERING COLUMN OF MY 06 CHEVY MALIBU MAXX LT. PERSISTENT ISSUE IS WORSENING. *TR
MY 2006 MALIBU MAXX LOSES POWER STEERING RANDOMLY AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE WHEEL TIGHTENS, IS IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER, THE WARNING BELL SOUNDS AND THE PHRASE "POWER STEERING" FLASHES ON THE DISPLAY. CAR MUST BE STOPPED AND TURNED OFF REPEATEDLY SOMETIMES TO RESET. CAR HAS DONE THIS IN TRAFFIC, ON HIGHWAYS AND FREEWAYS, AND IN PARKING LOTS. THE FAILURE OCCURS RANDOMLY AND AT RANDOM DRIVING SPEEDS. THE REPLACEMENT COST IS OVER $1000 AT THE DEALERSHIP. CHEVY CLAIMS THE PROBLEM CAN ONLY BE CORRECTED BY REPLACEMENT PARTS THAT CAN ONLY BE ISSUED AND INSTALLED AT A CHEVY DEALERSHIP. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED SINCE THE CAR REACHED 40,000 MILES. AFTER THE CORRESPONDING RECALL OF CHEVY COBALTS AND PONTIAC PURSUITS, I EXPECTED THE RECALL TO EVENTUALLY COVER MALIBU MAXX. *TR
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
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
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
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.
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
I HAVE A 06 MALIBU MAXX AND THE STEERING KEEPS LOCKING UP. WHY THIS ISSUE HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED I DO NOT KNOW. THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THE MALIBU AND AM VERY UPSET THAT THE ISSUSE HAS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED!!! SOMEONE WILL BE KILLED BECAUSE OF THIS AND WILL BE HEADED TO COURT BEFORE IT IS TAKEN SERIOUSLY!!! *TR
FUEL TANK CRACKED AT SEAMS LEAKS FUEL EXCESSIVELY. CONTACTED DEALER IN FRESNO CA THEY STATED THEIR WERE NO RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE. I THINK THEIR SHOULD BE BECAUSE THIS COULD BE DANGEROUS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING WOULD FAIL INTERMITTENTLY AND WOULD BECOME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED DURING EACH FAILURE. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE ELECTRONIC POWER ASSIST MODULE, WHICH COULD BE REPLACED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 104,000.
WHILE DRIVING TO SCHOOL YESTERDAY, MY MALIBU 2006 MAXX, THE POWER STEERING LOCKED UP CAUSING ME TO RUN OFF THE ROAD AND INTO A DITCH. THE POWER STEERING HAS LOCKED UP BEFORE BUT ONLY WHILE IT WAS IN PARK, AND I TURNED OFF THE CAR AND RESTARTED THE CAR. IT RESET ITSELF AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE. LUCKILY I WAS NOT HURT THIS TIME BUT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE IF THERE WAS EVER ONE. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH OF THIS SUBJECT AND UNDERSTAND THAT THIS HAS BEEN AN ON GOING ISSUE WITH MALIBU. AFTER ALL THE COMPLAINTS WHAT ARE THEY WAITING FOR.....A FATALITY???? *TR
MY 2006 MALIBU MAXX HAS BEEN HAVE ISSUES WITH THE STEERING SYSTEM. STARTED OUT WITH AN INTERMITTENT CLUNKING NOISE SEVERAL MONTHS AGO. THE CAR HAS ONLY 67,000 MILES ON IT. NOW IT CLUNKS EVERY TIME YOU TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE FRONT END HAS ALWAYS ROAD RUFF LIKE A STEERING VIBRATION BUT THOUGHT IT WAS JUST THE MAKE OF THE CAR. OUR 00' MONTE CARLO AND 00' IMPALA IN COMPARISON NEVER ROAD LIKE THIS. THOUGHT IT WAS THE TIRES SO WE UPGRADED TO A BETTER RIDING TIRE, DID NOT MAKE A DIFFERENCE. OVER THE LAST COUPLE WEEKS STEERING NOISE GETTING WORSE, SENSOR LIGHT CAME ON INDICATING POWER STEERING. CHECK WITH MECHANIC AND CANNOT FIND ANYTHING THAT APPEARS WRONG ON VEHICLE. JUST THIS WEEKEND ON THE ENTRANCE RAMP ON THE INTERSTATE THE WHEEL JUST JERKED TO THE RIGHT. WAS ABLE TO BRING IT BACK TO CENTRAL POSITION QUICKLY BUT WAS CONCERNED. HAPPENED TODAY TO MY WIFE ON THE WAY TO THE STORE ON A TWO LANE ROAD. LUCKILY IT JERKED HER TO THE RIGHT AND SHE WAS ABLE TO STEER IT BACK TO THE CENTER POSITION. CONCERNED OF POTENTIAL FOR SERIOUS ACCIDENT AND WILL NOT BE SO LUCKY NEXT TIME. AFTER PLUGGING IN STEERING ISSUES WITH MALIBU MAXX'S, I WAS SHOCKED TO SEE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ON FORUMS AND CONSUMER SITES REGARDING A RANGE OF YEARS WITH THE MAXX. GM NEEDS TO WAKE UP, DOES IT TAKE PEOPLE DYING OR SERIOUSLY GETTING HURT BEFORE THEY WILL PAY ATTENTION TO ALL THESE PEOPLE AND THEIR ISSUES AND SERIOUS ONES AT THAT. MY HUSBAND IS A FORD MECHANIC AND WANTED ME TO BUY A FORD BECAUSE OF QUALITY IS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MAILBU MAXX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS STAYED ON ALL OF THE TIME. THE BULBS HAVE BEEN REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM COULD BE OVERLOADED. HE ALSO SAID THAT WHEN YOU PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL THE BRAKE LIGHTS SHUT OFF AND THE CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. THERE WAS A TSB IN EFFECT BUT THE OWNER WAS CONCERNED SINCE THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL. THE BRAKES AFFECT THE CRUISE CONTROL MAKING IT DECELERATE AND THEN IT WOULD SUDDENLY ACCELERATE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 94,000.
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
FRONT END COLLISION WITH THE REAR OF A PICK UP TRUCK TOTALING CAR. *TR
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
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
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
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.
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.
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NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
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