RoadVitals

2006 Chevrolet Malibu Powertrain (other) Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the powertrain system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Powertrain (other) reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
39
Latest Aug 20, 2024
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
3%
of 1,115 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2006 Chevrolet Malibu submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 39 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming powertrain

The 25 most recent of 39, in the owner's own words

BrakesPowertrain (other)Steering
Filed Aug 20, 2024

Sent the car to fix recalls and they said it has another problem and want to charge to fix the steering recall N140772 problem. They said is not free.... Do not know if the other recalls were repaired.

NHTSA ID
11609683
Incident
Aug 16, 2024
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Feb 13, 2021

WAS DRIVING CAR AND THE ENGINE CUT OFF. REDUCED ENGINE POWER SHOWED ON MY RADIO AND TRACTION LIGHT CAME ON ON THE DASH. I HAVE TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK, TURN IGNITION OFF, WAIT A COUPLE OF MINUTES, THEN CRANK IT BACK UP TO DRIVE. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. I HAVE NOTICED THAT IT HAPPENS WHEN IT IS RAINING OR HAS RAINED. WHEN THE ROADS ARE WET. IT HAS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING AND WHEN STOPPING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT OR STOP SIGN. IT HAS HAPPENED BOTH WHILE DRIVING AND BRAKING. C0242 - ENGINE CONTROL MODULE INDICATED TRACTION CONTROL MALFUNCTION IS THE CODE IT IS GIVING ME. THIS IS CAUSING MY GAS MILEAGE TO DROP TO AROUND 230-250 MILES PER TANK. WHEN I WAS GETTING ALMOST 400 PER TANK.

NHTSA ID
11396085
Incident
Feb 13, 2021
Mileage
149,000 mi
BrakesPowertrain (other)Steering
Filed Oct 28, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL), 14V224000 (POWER TRAN), 15V064000 (STEERING) HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE RECALL REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE POWER TRAIN, STABILE-TRACE CONTROL, EMERGENCY BRAKE INDICATOR, AND ABS WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE BRAKE PEDAL BECAME HARD TO DEPRESS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A FRIEND REPLACED THE BRAKE PADS HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. SIERRA CHEVROLET (7850 U S 64, MEMPHIS, TN 38133, (901) 382-5644) WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT AN APPOINTMENT WAS NEEDED TO BE SCHEDULED FOR THE FREE REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND A CASE WAS FILED. THERE WAS NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 19,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.*DT*JB

NHTSA ID
11366882
Incident
Oct 23, 2020
Mileage
19,000 mi
ElectricalEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Oct 24, 2019

CAR RUNS FINE THEN WITHOUT WARNING IT WILL JUST DIE. DOES THIS WHILE DRIVING IN MOTION. IT IS CAR USED BY TWO NEW TEEN DRIVERS. IT IS VERY UNSAFE BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE A LOT OF DRIVING TIME. I LOOKED AT A LOT OF WIRING CONNECTIONS, CLEANED UP ALL GROUND CONNECTIONS WITH WIRE BRUSH, REPLACED TEMP SENSOR, CRANK POSITION SENSOR, BEEN GOING THRU AND FIXING BAD WIRING CONNECTIONS. REPLACED FUEL PUMP. AND FIXED BROKEN WIRES COMING OUT OF BODY THAT GO TO FUEL GAUGE.

NHTSA ID
11270906
Incident
Oct 23, 2019
Mileage
148,000 mi
Fuel systemPowertrain (other)Steering
Filed Jun 30, 2019

I WAS DRIVING TOWARDS RAYTOWN MISSOURI FOR A BIRTHDAY PARTY AND ASNI WAS DRIVING OVER A RAILROAD TRACK, MY CAR STARTEE MAKING NOISE AND ACTED AS IF IT DIDNT WANT TO GO. SO I LATER FOUND OUT THAT MY TRANSMISAION FLUID HAD LEAKED AND NOW THE TRANSMISSION CASE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED DUE TO THE TRACKS ON THE ROAD.

NHTSA ID
11228485
Incident
Jun 15, 2019
Mileage
178,000 mi
Powertrain (other)Steering
Filed Mar 7, 2019

TAKATAT RECALL .. I WAS DRIVING MY CAR ON THE HIGHWAY AND MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED WHEN I WAS DRIVEING I HAD MY FAMILY IN THE CAR WITH ME WE ALL COULD HAVE DIE LORD ME AND MY FAMILY IS HOMELESS WE NEED THIS CAR TO GET AROUND PLEACE HELPN US WITH THIS I WAS DRIVEING FROM EAST ST LOUIS IL TO WORK AT THE HOLLWOOD CASINO IN ST LOUIS MO WE SLEEP IN OUR CAR THATS WHY MY FAMILY WAS THERE WITH ME WHEN I WAS DRIVING WHEN IT WENT OUT AND THE STEERING WHEEL ALL SO SHAKES VERY BAD

NHTSA ID
11184982
Incident
Mar 7, 2019
Mileage
599,985 mi
Powertrain (other)SteeringSuspension
Filed Apr 4, 2018

2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO STEERING AND VEHICLE STALLING ISSUES. *SMD *JS

NHTSA ID
10957048
Incident
May 16, 2008
Powertrain (other)
Filed Apr 14, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE VACUUMING OUT THE PARKED VEHICLE, THE CONTACT BUMPED THE GEARSHIFT AND THE VEHICLE STARTED MOVING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE STOPPED, BUT WAS NOT ABLE TO BE PLACED BACK IN THE PARK POSITION. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE STARTED IN ORDER TO BE PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION. THE DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

NHTSA ID
10855565
Incident
Apr 13, 2016
Mileage
110,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jan 6, 2016

2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER RECALL REPAIRS AND SEEKS REIMBURSEMENT. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED AS HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO TURN INTO A BUSY INTERSECTION, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ROLL BACKWARDS AND HE HAD NO CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AT FIRST. HE WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY APPLYING THE BRAKE. THERE WAS NO WARNING OF ANY TYPE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. A DAY LATER, THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. AFTER THE CONSUMER PAID FOR A REBUILT TRANSMISSION, HE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL REGARDING THE TRANSMISSION. *JB

NHTSA ID
10714854
Incident
Jun 25, 2015
Powertrain (other)
Filed Sep 29, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V224000 (POWER TRAIN) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,652. UPDATED 11/25/15*LJ; UPDATED 4/1218*JB *TR

NHTSA ID
10778541
Incident
Apr 14, 2014
Mileage
134,652 mi
Driver assistancePowertrain (other)Steering
Filed Aug 14, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN RIGHT OR LEFT. ALL OF THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL), 14V153000 (STEERING), AND 14V224000 (POWER TRAIN). THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 228,178.

NHTSA ID
10748732
Incident
May 4, 2015
Mileage
228,178 mi
ElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Mar 4, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO REPLACED THE BCM SPACER AND THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED MONTHS LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V224000 (POWER TRAIN), BUT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10692060
Incident
Jul 14, 2014
Powertrain (other)
Filed Mar 2, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS DEACTIVATED, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PLACE THE GEAR IN LOW AND DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME. THE TRANSMISSION REGAINED FUNCTION AFTER THE ENGINE WAS RESTARTED AND THE GEARS WERE SHIFTED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. AFTER INSPECTING THE TRANSMISSION, THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS OPERATING AS NORMAL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000.

NHTSA ID
10691591
Incident
Feb 21, 2015
Mileage
47,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jan 22, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V224000 (POWER TRAIN). THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED BECAUSE THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WERE NOT READILY AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE DEALER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME TO REPAIR THE DEFECTIVE COMPONENT. THE CONTACT HAD BEEN WAITING SINCE JULY 2014 TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO CONTACTED BUT NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER COULD PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED TIME IN WHICH THE VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ID
10678389
Incident
Dec 31, 2014
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jan 14, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V224000 (POWER TRAIN). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS TURNED AWAY BECAUSE THE DEALER RAN OUT OF PARTS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCE THE FAILURE.

NHTSA ID
10672356
Incident
Jan 14, 2015
Powertrain (other)Steering
Filed Jan 12, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE POWER STEERING SEIZED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHIFTED FROM THE DRIVE POSITION TO THE NEUTRAL POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

NHTSA ID
10671987
Incident
Dec 1, 2014
Mileage
140,000 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)Steering
Filed Jan 12, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND EXCESSIVE FORCE ON THE STEERING WHEEL WAS REQUIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE ENGINE STALLED. THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 169,000.

NHTSA ID
10671911
Incident
Jul 31, 2014
Mileage
169,000 mi
Powertrain (other)Steering
Filed Jan 9, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V224000 (POWER TRAIN) HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.

NHTSA ID
10671298
Incident
Oct 1, 2014
Mileage
92,000 mi
Powertrain (other)Steering
Filed Dec 5, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL CLICKING NOISE HEARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO REPAIRED THE VEHICLE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14E044000 (STEERING). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE STEERING WHEEL BEING DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE CONTACT ALSO RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V224000 (POWER TRAIN) BUT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.

NHTSA ID
10662339
Incident
Jul 1, 2014
Mileage
20,000 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Nov 4, 2014

WHEN I TRY TO START MY CHEVY MALIBU IT DOESN'T CATCH AFTER TURNING THE KEY AND WILL CONSTANTLY DIE. ALREADY REPLACED THE STARTER, FUEL INTAKE, ETC BUT CONTINUES THE SAME PROBLEMS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10652600
Incident
Sep 24, 2014
Mileage
121,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Nov 3, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE JERKED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V224000 (POWER TRAIN) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE DELAY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

NHTSA ID
10652173
Incident
Nov 3, 2010
Mileage
98,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Oct 17, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACTED STATED WHILE PARK, THE VEHICLE ROLLED AWAY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V224000 (POWER TRAIN); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

NHTSA ID
10648379
Incident
Sep 8, 2014
Mileage
140,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistanceElectrical+2 more
Filed Oct 1, 2014

2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TORQUE SENSOR ASSEMBLY; WIRING HARNESS TO THE BCM OR MAG BEAM AND TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE THAT MAY FRACTURE AT ANY TIME. *TGW THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED, THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10638936
Incident
Oct 1, 2014
Other / unspecifiedPowertrain (other)
Filed Sep 25, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10638880
Incident
Aug 19, 2014
Driver assistanceElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Sep 17, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). HOWEVER, THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE TO SERVICE THE VEHICLE UNDER THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ID
10636937
Incident
Jun 18, 2014

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .