TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 15 MPH ON A DIRT COVERED ROAD, THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING, THE CONTACT HEARD THREE CHIMES SOUNDING AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME LOCKED. THE WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED LIT UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE DRIVER HAD TO EXERT GREATER FORCE IN ORDER TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS CAUTIOUSLY DRIVEN TO HIS RESIDENCE AND THEN TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION. A FRONT END WHEEL ALIGNMENT WAS PERFORMED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. CURRENTLY, THE CONTACT IS WAITING ON A RESPONSE FROM THE TECHNICIAN REGARDING THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 61,987.
2006 Chevrolet Malibu 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 →
THE ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST PERIODICALLY FAILS. IT FAILS WHEN YOU CRANK YOUR CAR AND WILL NOT OPERATE CORRECTLY UNTIL YOU SHUT THE CAR DOWN AND RESTART. *TR
INITIALLY SOMETIMES MY CAR WOULD CRANK UP THEN DIE OUT SECONDS LATER NOW ITS HAPPENING QUITE OFTEN AND MOST TIMES WON'T CRANK UP NOW. THIS HAS CAUSED ME TO BE LATE AND DOCKED FROM WORK. I'VE BROUGHT THE CAR IN 5 TO 6 TIMES THE LAST TIME IN 2/2009 THEY SAID THEY PUT IN A NEW FUEL PUMP CYLINDER BUT TWO DAYS LATER I'D THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE STILL UNDER WARRANTY, THE VEHICLE'S STEERING COLUMN BEGAN MAKING A KNOCKING NOISE UNDER THE DASHBOARD. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH. THE DEALER REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN, BUT THE NOISE RECURRED SIX MONTHS LATER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY; THEREFORE, SHE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT ASSIST. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH ON BLACK ICE, THE VEHICLE STRUCK A GUARD RAIL HEAD-ON. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE BODY SHOP REPAIRED THE VEHICLE AND, A WEEK LATER, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE REMAINS ON EVEN WHEN THE KEY IS NOT IN THE IGNITION. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ISSUE WAS DUE TO THE BODY CONTROL MODULE, WHICH WAS LOCATED UNDERNEATH THE DASHBOARD. THE INSURANCE COMPANY AND MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD NOT BE COVERED. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A MANUFACTURER DEFECT, NOT THE CRASH. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED FOR THE IGNITION FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 91,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT HEARD A THUMPING SOUND COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. SHE ALSO EXPERIENCED A LOT OF PLAY IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN MAKING LEFT AND RIGHT TURNS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE STEERING GEAR, INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT, AND STEERING ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE ESTIMATED COST OF OVER $1,000. THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 35,819. UPDATED 03-06-09 *BF UPDATED 03/09/09. *JB
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
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
BRAKE LIGHTS TURN ON WITHOUT PRESSING PEDAL, YET LIGHTS TURN OFF WHEN PEDAL IS PRESSED. REQUIRES ALMOST FULL PEDAL PRESSURE TO ACTUATE BRAKE LIGHTS, SO LIGHTS ACTUALLY DO NOT OPERATE CORRECTLY UNTIL ALMOST FULLY BRAKING, SUCH AS DURING A QUICK STOP. HAVE HAD MANY INSTANCES IN TRAFFIC OF OTHER VEHICLES NEARLY COLLIDING WITH ME WHILE SLOWING DOWN, OBVIOUSLY FROM THE LACK OF CORRECTLY FUNCTIONING BRAKE LIGHTS. *TR
APPROXIMATELY 6 MONTHS AGO, I STARTED FEELING A TUG IN MY STEERING WHEN I WOULD MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN. THEN IT GRADUALLY MOVED TO A PULLING OF MY STEERING WHEEL, WHERE YOU COULD VISIBLY SEE MY STEERING WHEEL MOVE WITHOUT ME TOUCHING IT. THEN AT TIMES IT ALMOST FELT LIKE YOU WERE STEERING ON AN ICY ROAD. WITHIN THE LAST MONTH I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING MY POWER STEERING GOING COMPLETELY OUT. NUMEROUS TIMES I HAVE HAD TO TURN OFF MY CAR THEN RESTART IT TO RESET IT. THERE HAS BEEN THREE INSTANCES WERE MY HUSBAND OR MYSELF HAS BEEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY AND MY MESSAGE BOARD SOUND WITH A MESSAGE "POWER STEERING", THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT, THEN IT IS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE. WE HAVE HAD TO QUICKLY TRY TO GET OVER TO THE SHOULDER TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND ON. MY HUSBAND CAN PHYSICALLY STEER THE CAR WHEN IT IS LIKE THAT, I CAN NOT THOUGH. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A TREMENDOUS HAZARD AND I AM CONCERNED WITH GETTING IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF IT. WE WENT TO THE REPAIR SHOP (CAR IS PAST THE WARRANTY) AND THEY SAID THE ESTIMATE WILL BE CLOSE TO $3,500. APPARENTLY THEY HAVE HAD TO FIX 2 MALIBU'S ALREADY AND KNEW EXACTLY WHAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT. IT IS ASHAMED THAT THIS HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL. I HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINT ON THE INTERNET, BUT HAVEN'T HEARD ANYTHING FROM CHEVROLET. *TR
POWER STEERING UNIT (EPS) FOR 2006 CHEVY MALIBU FAILS CAR BECOMES DIFFCULT TO TURN OR MANEUVER. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU. ON SOME DAYS, THE VEHICLE WILL START IMMEDIATELY, BUT ON OTHER DAYS, IT WILL NOT START AT ALL. ON OCCASION, WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE WILL SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE HAS ALSO SHUT OFF WHILE WAITING AT A STOP SIGN OR TRAFFIC LIGHT. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS AFTER SHUTTING DOWN AND NOT RESTARTING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS THE FUEL PUMP, AND IT WAS REPLACED FOR $1,000. AT TIMES, THE VEHICLE STILL WILL NOT START. THE CONTACT HAS GONE BACK AND FORTH TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER PERFORMED AN OIL CHANGE AND STATED THAT A FUEL INJECTION THROTTLE BODY, FUEL INJECTOR KIT, AND DOUBLE CLEAN WERE NEEDED; HOWEVER,THIS HAD BEEN DONE A MONTH AGO. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE CALIBRATION WAS OUTDATED. WHEN ENTERING THE VEHICLE, THE CLOCK SOMETIMES NEEDS TO BE RESET. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 48,000. UPDATED 09/10/08. *LJ UPDATED 09/12/08 *JB
PER GM DOCUMENT ID#2030341 - 06 MALIBU WILL SHIFT INTO LOWER GEAR AND STAY IN IT UNTIL YOU STOP AND CYCLE THE ENGINE TO OFF AND THEN BACK ON-BEEN TO THE SHOP FOR REPAIRS 4 TIMES AND 2 ATTEMPTS ATTEMPT FINAL REPAIR 6 TOTAL AND KEEP COMING UP WITH THE SAME FINDINGS -NONE- THEY KNOW ABOUT THE PROBLEM WITH THE ABOVE MENTIONED DOCUMENT- NO ONE HAS ATTEMPTED TO REPLACE ANY THING IN THE TRANSMISSION OR REPLACE THE STICKING VALVES THAT ARE CAUSING THE PROBLEM BUT THEY ALL AGREE ITS A PROBLEM INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION. GM HAS TOLD ME THAT THEY DON"T INTEND TO DO ANYTHING TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM AND HAS SUGGESTED FOR ME TO CONTACT THE BBB FOR FURTHER ASSISTANCE IN THIS MATTER. STARTED TAKING IT TO THE DEALER AFTER 6 MO AFTER BUYING AND ABOUT EVERY 4-6 MO UNTIL NOW- SINCE THE COMPUTER SAYS NO PROBLEM NO ONE WILL MAKE THE CALL TO CHANGE OUT THE TRANSMISSION OR THE STICKING VALVES THAT ARE CAUSING THE PROBLEM- THIS COULD BE DANGEROUS IF ON TAKE OFF IT HANGS UP IN THE LOWER GEAR AND THE PERSON BEHIND ME THINKS I AM GOING TO GET OUT OF THE WAY AND THE CAR WILL NOT GO AND RAMS ME IN THE REAR- ALL BECAUSE THE TRANS WILL NOT CHANGE OUT OR IF ON THE HIGHWAY AND IT DECIDES TO SHIFT INTO LOWER GEAR- NOT ONLY WILL DAMAGE TO THE CARS ENGINE BUT COULD BE FATAL TO THE PERSON DRIVING. PLEASE ADVISE WHERE TO LOOK FOR ALL PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR. BOUGHT THE CAR NEW AND HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THIS NOT WANTING TO SHIFT ABOUT EVERY 4-6 MONTHS. SORT OF NERVE RACKING WHEN ON THE WAY HOME FROM WORK AT MIDNIGHT AND
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 1 -75 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD HAVE A LOT OF "PLAY". THE WHEEL WOULD MAKE DRIVING EASY AT TIMES, BUT HARDER AT OTHER TIMES. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT MOVING, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD CONTINUE TO MOVE AROUND. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS OR TURNING INTO A TIGHT SPACE, IT WAS DIFFICULT TO ESTIMATE HOW FAR TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 59,000. THE DEALER REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN DUE TO A FAULTY TORQUE SENSOR AND THE STEERING WHEEL PONSITION SENSOR. UPDATED 09/18/08. *JB
MY 2006 CHEVY MALIBU LTZ WAS TOTALED IN A 3 CAR ACCIDENT. NO FRONT OR SIDE AIR BAGS WERE DEPLOYED. THE POINT OF IMPACT WAS FRONT DRIVER SIDE AND HEAD ON FRONT END. MY VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM THE SCENE OF THE ACCIDENT AND WAS TOTALED, SO HOW CAN IT BE THAT NO AIR BAGS WERE DEPLOYED? I HAVE A REPORT FROM GM THAT SAID THAT THE AIR BAGS FUNCTIONED AS DESIGNED. MAKES NO SENSE! PLEASE HELP! *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE WASHING THE VEHICLE, THE CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE AND FLAMES ON THE INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PUT OUT THE FIRE WITH A WATER HOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER; HOWEVER, THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE SOURCE OF THE FIRE AND WILL NOT ASSUME LIABILITY. THE WARRANTY IS VALID; HOWEVER, THE DEALER IS STILL UNABLE TO PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THE INSURANCE COMPANY SHOULD ASSIST HIM WITH REPAIRING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60000. UPDATED 08/12/08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE FIRE STARTED FROM THE SPEAKER. FUSES HAD BEEN BLOWING FOR THE PAST TWO MONTHS. UPDATED 08/13/08
I WAS DRIVING ALONG THE HIGHWAY AND SLOWED DOWN TO TURN TO GO TO THE PHARMACY. MY STEERING WENT COMPLETELY OUT AND I HAD TO COAST OFF ROAD INTO PHARMACY PARKING LOT. UNABLE TO TURN STEERING WHEEL. HAD TO HAVE CAR TOWED. STEERING MOTOR WAS OUT ON CAR. IT COSTS ALMOST $900 FOR REPAIR. NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. SERVICE DEPT TOLD ME HE HAD SEEN OTHER CHEVY MALIBU'S WITH SAME PROBLEM. *TR
I PURCHASED A 2006 USED CHEVY-MALIBU ON FEB. 22-2008. WITH 3600 MILEAGE. AFTER DRIVING FOR 2 WEEKS THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD LOCK-UP ALONG WITH A BELL GOING OFF AND A LIGHT FLASHING STEERING WHEEL PROBLEMS (THE LIGHT STAYED ON FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME). I TRIED TO STEER WITH THE CAR OPERATING IN MANUAL STEERING WHICH WAS VERY HARD TO DO SINCE I'M 72 YEARS OLD. I LET THE CAR DRIFT TO A PARKING LOT AND PROCEEDED TO CUT THE MOTOR OFF AND START AGAIN TO TRY TO GET POWER STEERING IN AN OPERATIVE MODE. THIS HAPPENED TO ME A NUMBER OF TIMES . COMING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY THERE IS A FIRE HYDRANT AND THE WHEEL LOCKED AND I COULD NOT TURN AWAY FROM THE HYDRANT IN TIME AND I HIT IT. I WAS TURNING A CORNER IN TO TRAFFIC AND IT LOCKED AGAIN. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID TO TAKE IT TO SOMEONE THAT REQUIRED THAT I LEAVE IT OVERNIGHT . BUT THE SHOP WAS QUITE A DISTANCE FROM MY HOME. I WAITED UNTIL JULY AND CALLED THE SALESMAN WHO WORKS AT A DIFFERENT PLACE NOW AND HE SAID I COULD TAKE TO ANY CHEVROLET DEALER TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. I HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY WITH ZURICH . THE REPAIR SHOP STATES THAT THEY DON'T COVER ALL THE COST TO GET IT REPAIRED LESS $200.00 OUT OF POCKET. I WANT TO KNOW IF THERE HAS BEEN SOME OTHER COMPLAINTS OR IF THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS TYPE VEHICLE. *TR
WHILE PASSING ANOTHER CAR, ACCELERATING AROUND A CURVE, OR TAKING OFF FROM A STOP. THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING SHUTS DOWN LEAVING YOU FIGHTING A STEERING WHEEL THAT ALMOST FEELS LOCKED. I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A BULLETIN OUT ON THE COIL PACK . THAT IT IS SPIKING A VOLTAGE ABOVE 16 VOLTS AND AS A SAFETY FEATURE IT SHUTS DOWN THE ELECTRONIC STEERING TO PROTECT IT. IT MIGHT PROTECT THE STEERING FROM THE ELECTRIC SURGE, BUT IT HAS ALMOST CAUSED A WRECK ON A COUPLE OF OCCASIONS. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO FIGHT THE DEAD STEERING WHEEL WHERE IF I WAS A SMALLER MALE/ FEMALE THERE WOULD BE A CHANCE THAT I COULDN'T. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT COULD HEAR THE LOCKS OPENING AND CLOSING DURING HEAVY RAINSTORMS. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START UNLESS IT WAS JUMP STARTED. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED ON FOUR OCCASIONS DURING HEAVY RAINSTORMS, THUNDERSTORMS, AND/OR LIGHTNING. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE STARTER, ALTERNATOR, AND BATTERY WERE NOT THE CAUSES OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE CAME STANDARD WITH AN AUTO START FEATURE AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE. A MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AND REPLACED THE COMPUTER MODULE; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MOST RECENT FAILURE OCCURRED ON MAY 1, 2008. THE CONTACT WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING $2,200 FOR THE REPAIRS. HE FILED COMPLAINT NUMBER 71-625205218 WITH THE MANUFACTURER. SPEED WAS NOT A FACTOR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 47,700.
AT 46,500 MILES , MY STEERING STARTED MAKING A CLICKING NOISE. THE CHEVROLET DEALER DIAGNOSED IT AS A BAD RACK AND PINION AND STEERING SHAFT. THE BOOTS ARE INTACT. THEY GAVE ME AN ESTIMATE OF OVER $1,200 FOR REPAIRS. *TR
I PURCHASED THE 2006 MALIBU 11/2006. SINCE THAT TIME, THE RIGHT FRONT SPEAKER HAS BEEN REPLACED, THE INTERIOR DOME LIGHT FIXTURE REPLACED, THE ELECTRIC STEERING COLUMN IS INOPERABLE AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE STEERING MAKES A THUMPING NOISE WHEN TURNING AND PULLS TO THE LEFT. I AM OPTING TO PURCHASE ANOTHER VEHICLE AS THIS CAR IS A SAFETY HAZARD. I DON'T KNOW WHAT WILL GO WRONG NEXT. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT FELT A VIBRATION IN THE STEERING. THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED A SECOND LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED; HOWEVER, THEY WOULD NOT ACCEPT A TRADE-IN BECAUSE THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 27,536 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,526. UPDATE 04-02-08 *BF
WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOP PART WAY THROUGH THE CYCLE WHEN SET ON INTERMITTENT SETTING. THEY DO NOT MOVE AGAIN UNLESS I SET THEM FOR (SLOW OR FAST) CONTINUOUS OPERATION. THIS PROBLEM IS CONSISTENT WHEN THE WIPERS ARE FIRST TURNED ON. THIS MALFUNCTION OCCURS ON A DAILY BASIS. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 02-19-08 *BF. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 9,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,990. UPDATED 02/19/08 *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE FELT OFF BALANCED AS IF THE ALIGNMENT WAS INCORRECT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND WAS PROPERLY ALIGNED. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE REPAIR, THE STEERING WHEEL STRAIGHTENED AND THE VEHICLE DRIFTED TO THE RIGHT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,759 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 37,000. UPDATED 3/4/08 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED BOTH SIDES OF THE BUMPER WERE OUT OF PLACE. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THAT WAS THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AT 10 MPH, A VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. ONLY THE FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS BEFORE THE AIR BAGS FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WERE IN THE PROCESS OF SENDING AN INVESTIGATOR TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 17,000.
ON FRIDAY NOV.16,2007 AT APPROXIMATELY 8:30AM WHILE I WAS TRYING TO BACK OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY,THE POWERSTEERING IN MY 2006 MALIBU STOPPED WORKING AND I SIDESWIPED MY HUSBANDS CAR, SCRATCHED THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE MALIBU AND CRACKED THE HUB CAP. I CONTACTED ROADSIDE SERVICE TO PICKUP THE MALIBU AT MY RESIDENCE. . ONCE THE MALIBU ARRIVED AT FRANK Z CHEVEROLET,WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, THE SERVICE DEPT. REP. CALLED ME AND STATED THAT I HAD A FAILURE IN THE POWERSTEERING ELECTRIC MONITOR AND TOLD ME TO CALL CHEVROLET TO FILE A CASE. I WAS VERY CONCERNED AND FRIGHTENED ABOUT THE INCIDENT BECAUSE IF I HAD OF BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY I COULD OF BEEN HURT,KILLED OR INJURED SOMEONE ELSE. CHEVROLET'S CUST. ASSIST. REP. DID NOT COMFORT ME AT ALL. I EXPRESSED THAT I WANTED TO TERMINATE MY LEASE ON THE VEHICLE BECAUSE I DID NOT FEEL SAFE IN IT ANYMORE. SO HE TOLD ME THAT THEY HAD TO GO THROUGH CERTAINS STEPS AND NOT TO OVERREACT. CHEVROLET CALLED OUT THEIR 3RD PARTY GROUP OF ENGINEERING SPECIALIST TO INSPECT THE CAR AND THEY CONFIRMED THAT A COMPONENT IN THE POWERSTEERING MONITOR DID IN FACT FAIL. CHEVROLET'S REP. STATED THAT THE ONLY OPTION I HAD WAS TO REPAIR THE CAR. IF I REFUSED,THEY WOULD TAKE THE RENTAL CAR BACK ASAP. SO IN SO MANY WORDS THEY TOLD ME THAT IT IS EITHER THEIR WAY OR THE HIGHWAY. SO I AGREED TO HAVE THE CAR REPAIRED AND THEY QUICKLY CHANGED THEIR MIND ON TERMINATING THE RENTAL. THEY EVEN EXTENDED IT UNTIL AFTER THE CAR IS REPAIRED AND STATED THAT THEY STAND BEHIND THEI
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT ACCELERATED AND THE STEERING FROZE FOR A FEW SECONDS BEFORE RETURNING TO NORMAL. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE VIN, ENGINE SIZE, AND NUMBER OF CYLINDERS WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 58,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000.
WHEN I PURCHASED MY 2006 CHEVY MALIBU FROM STEVE ROGERS FORD ON 12/12/06 IT HAD ABOUT 24,600 MILES ON IT. AROUND JULY/AUGUST OF 2007 I BEGAN BEEN FEELING AN OCCASIONAL POPPING WHEN I TURNED. SOON IT BECAME MORE CONSISTENT, AND ALSO STARTED TO PULL TO ONE SIDE, ESPECIALLY WHEN TAKING OFF FROM A STOP. WE TOOK IT FOR A 4 WHEEL ALIGNMENT ON 10/30/07, AND THE TECHNICIAN IMMEDIATELY KNEW SOMETHING MORE WAS WRONG WHEN HE TURNED THE KEY ON AND THE WHEELS WANDERED TO THE LEFT ON THEIR OWN WITHOUT THE STEERING WHEEL EVEN BEING TOUCHED. IT WAS DETERMINED TO BE THE RACK AND PINION. AFTER THE ALIGNMENT, THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE PLACE OF PURCHASE. THEY SENT US NEXT DOOR TO YARK CHEVROLET, WHERE THEY REFUSED TO COVER THE REPAIR BECAUSE THE VEHICLE HAD EXCEEDED THE WARRANTY BY A MERE 600 MILES. THE ESTIMATED COST OF REPAIR IS $550, WHICH DOES NOT INCLUDE THE "REPROGRAMMING" OF THE "COMPUTER ASSISTED" POWER STEERING SYSTEM OR AN ADDITIONAL ALIGNMENT. I DO NOT HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY LAYING AROUND TO FIX IT NOW. I WILL PROBABLY HAVE TO BORROW IT. I THOUGHT IN BUYING A NEWER VEHICLE, I WOULDN'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT MAJOR REPAIRS FOR A WHILE. PERSONAL RESEARCH INDICATES THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH THE MALIBU, AND I BELIEVE RECALLS SHOULD BE ISSUED SINCE IT IS APPARENT GM HAS NOT REMEDIED THIS PROBLEM YET. *TR
OUR 2006 MALIBU SS WAS INVOLVED IN A ACCIDENT ON HWY..TRAVELING 60 MPH DRIVER OVERCORRECTION AND THE CAR WENT OFF THE ROAD, UP AN EMBANKMENT ROLLED 5 TIMES. EJECTED ONE OF THE OCCUPANTS BUT NEVER DID THE SIDE AIR CURTAIN AIRBAGS DEPLOY. *TR
AT APPROXIMATELY 35,000 MILES AND REPLACEMENT OF FRONT TIRES TWICE, TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP AND FOUND THAT THE STEERING RACK AND LEFTSIDE OUTER TIEROD END NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE ITEMS. AT 60,000 MILES AND AFTER REPLACEMENT OF RIGHT SIDE TIRE 2 TIMES, VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FOR A FRONT END ALIGNMENT AND WAS TOLD THAT THE RIGHT SIDE TIEROD END NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT WOULDN'T MAINTAIN ALIGNMENT. CONTACTED DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, BUT THEY WOULD LOOK AT IT AND GIVE AN ESTIMATE TO REPAIR IT. *TR
I PURCHASED A 2000 CHEVROLET MALIBU AND HAD TO HAVE THE ENGINE REPLACED SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE. GENERAL MOTORS WAS EXCELLENT IN THIS MATTER. I HAVE BEEN SEARCHING FOR ANOTHER AND IN DOING SO, I HAVE NOTICED SEVERAL OF THE 2006 MALIBU THAT ARE ON RECALL AT VARIOUS DEALERS FOR SALE. THIS IS A DANGER TO THE PURCHASER AND POSSIBLY CHILDREN THAT MAY BE IN THE CAR. CAN SOMETHING NOT BE DONE TO GET ALL THESE VEHICLES OFF THE STREETS? I AM A CHRISTIAN WOMAN AND I DON'T WANT TO SEE ANYONE HURT. I BELIEVE IN GENERAL MOTORS BUT IT IS THE PEOPLE OUT HERE NOT ADHERING TO THE RECALL LETTERS. THEY WERE GENEROUS IN THEIR OFFER. MAYBE IF THEY HAD MADE THE OFFER A LITTLE LONGER. I DON'T KNOW EXACTLY HOW IT WAS HANDLED, I AM JUST CONCERNED ABOUT THE LIVES OF THE PEOPLE. *TR
POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED. *TR
THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT, WITHOUT ANY WARNING. YOU MUST SHUT OFF THE CAR AND RESTART TO GET THE POWER STEERING WORKING AGAIN. THERE IS NO PLACE TO ADD POWER STEERING FLUID, AS THIS IS AN ELECTRIC POWER STEERING UNIT. *TR
CLEAR PORTIONS OF BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DUAL COLORED (I.E. CLEAR/RED) TAIL-LIGHT LENSES HAVE SUCCUMBED TO SPONTANEOUS APPEARANCE OF CRACKS. CRACKS ARE LARGELY PARALLEL AND DO NOT YET COMPLETELY REACH THE OUTER SURFACE. CONJECTURE: APPEARS AS THOUGH POSSIBLY DUE TO DIFFERENTIAL EXPANSION/CONTRACTION OF SURROUNDING RED PLASTIC PORTION OF LENS. *TR
STARTED OFF FROM A STOP SIGN. BEGAN TO ACCELERATE AND TURN (ACCELERATIONS LESS THAN HALF THROTTLE) AND STEERING WHEEL JERKED AND BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STEER. I LET OFF THE ACCELERATOR AND VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO SECOND GEAR AND FINISHED THE TURN. THEN ACCELERATED AGAIN (ABOUT HALF THROTTLE) AND STEERING BECAME STIFF AGAIN BUT MANAGEABLE AND THE WARNING BELL CHIMED 4 TIMES, HOWEVER THERE WERE NO ALARMS ON THE DRIVER INFORMATION CENTER OR THE INSTIMENT CLUSTER. I AM, FOR THE 3RD TIME TAKING MY VEHICLE TO THE GM DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT HOPING FOR A FIX. THIS VEHICLE SEEMS TO BE UNSAFE FOR MY FAMILY AND I. IT ONLY HAS 37,000 MILES!!! *TR
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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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