2006 Chevrolet Malibu Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2006 Chevrolet Malibu, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Steering81056.5%
- Electrical14310.0%
- Fuel system966.7%
- Brakes825.7%
- Engine584.0%
- Driver assistance574.0%
- Exterior lighting503.5%
- Powertrain (other)392.7%
- Airbags332.3%
- Suspension151.0%
- Other / unspecified130.9%
- Interior & seats100.7%
- Body & structure60.4%
- Seat belts50.3%
- Tires & wheels50.3%
- Transmission40.3%
- Visibility40.3%
- Heating & air conditioning30.2%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while pulling out of a parking space, the vehicle lost power steering functionality, causing the steering wheel to become difficult to turn. The power steering warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was pushed back into the parking space. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The contact stated that the steering gear was previously replaced due to a similar failure. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V064000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact that the VIN was not associated with the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 158,000.
The power steering went out on the car as I was driving down the highway going 65 mph
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
The power steering went out on the car as I was driving down the highway going 65 mph
My power steering goes in and out as I'm driving depending on the speed. I have trouble swerving if needed because the power steering is not working correctly all the time.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
Electric Power Steering - 10/2020 Suddenly went out while driving. No warnings beforehand. This made sharp turns extremely difficult. It says that my car is not part of the recall, but is still as dangerous as the vehicles that were part of the recall. From the research that I have done, the motor seems to be in good working order. The sensor is what seems to be the issue. Cruise Control - 08/2023 Goes out randomly. I was on the freeway when it turned off by itself. If I was not paying attention, this could've caused an accident. No warning beforehand. Brake Switch - 06/2023 Seems to be something wrong with the switch. The brake light stays on after braking. Turn Signal Switch - 10/2020 Does not cancel after turning right. This can potentially confuse other drivers. Fuel Pump - 10/2020 The float of the fuel pump is not working. It says it is empty, even after filling it up. It will occasionally show that the tank is all of the way filled during rapid acceleration. This could make me run out of fuel while driving if I lose track of mileage; which could result in an accident. None of the components have been inspected by a dealer or manufacturer. The Electric Power Steering and turn signal are available to be inspected. Again there were no indicators before failure. I do know that there are recalls on other vehicles with the same issues, but for some reason mine was excluded. Some of these occurred before the dates stated, but these dates are when I remember them affecting me the most.
There are many recalls for the year make and model of my vehicle. They just didn't recall my exact vin. The breaks are recalled, air bags were recalled and they were buying back the vehicles, the fuel delivery system was recalled, headlights were recalled, cruise control was recalled, steering column and yoke was recalled, and a few more. None were recalled for my vin number when it should have been. I took my car to the dealership today, Chevrolet did a few things under "warranty" instead of issuing a safety recall. (They issued 10 recalls on this year make and model) (one recall was the air bags, my vehicle is doing the same thing). The fuel delivery system and fuel pump was recalled but not on my vin number. I just really need help getting my car repaired. I cannot afford to fix all of this when there's records dating back to the purchase of the vehicle, showing that there are problems and Chevrolet neglectfully didn't recall it and instead tried to brush it off as a warranty instead of safety recall. My car leaks gas, the steering it messed up, headlights no longer work due to the electrical issue, the instrument cluster was damaged due to the ecm issue, there's just so many problems... My car could potentially catch fire for the fuel leak, carbon monoxide smell, electrical wiring and the air bags could potentially deploy.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
No incident yet but will happen if not recalled and fixed. My EPS keeps going out while driving and will yank the steering wheel hard in either direction at any given time. Uncontrollable
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.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
I had my 5 year old in the back seat we had just left gymnastics. I was about to pull out on to state route 87 and my car just stops running. Everything shut down, no power steering, was hard to brake, and engine stopped. The dashboard lit up with all the lights anti-theft, oil, traction control, engine. I couldn't get it to turn over and when I tried it made no noise at all. I was in a dangerous spot about to pull out into oncoming traffic. Luckily there was a gentleman in a truck whose child was also at gymnastics and pulled me into a driveway with his truck to keep me and my child safe as we waited on a tow. This car also started having power steering problems early this year, I took it to a good mechanic who replaced the power steering lines and fixed what ever could be causing a leak/ power steering problems. I don't drive my car a lot, just in town usually, and after a few weeks the power steering is all messed up again (which there is a recall on the power steering issue for this year, make, and model but does not appear to include my VIN). Today this scary and dangerous incident mentioned above, when my car just stopped with no warning, happened to me and my five year old.
I started losing steering when I accelerated. Then the vehicle security system would t allow me to take the gear out of park then the car suddenly stopped working all together and all the lights on dash flash, the radio says power steering loss, the steering wheel starts moving back and forth all on its own, the vehicle dies and fries the alternator and won't start.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
Electric Power Steering - 10/2020 Suddenly went out while driving. No warnings beforehand. This made sharp turns extremely difficult. It says that my car is not part of the recall, but is still as dangerous as the vehicles that were part of the recall. From the research that I have done, the motor seems to be in good working order. The sensor is what seems to be the issue. Cruise Control - 08/2023 Goes out randomly. I was on the freeway when it turned off by itself. If I was not paying attention, this could've caused an accident. No warning beforehand. Brake Switch - 06/2023 Seems to be something wrong with the switch. The brake light stays on after braking. Turn Signal Switch - 10/2020 Does not cancel after turning right. This can potentially confuse other drivers. Fuel Pump - 10/2020 The float of the fuel pump is not working. It says it is empty, even after filling it up. It will occasionally show that the tank is all of the way filled during rapid acceleration. This could make me run out of fuel while driving if I lose track of mileage; which could result in an accident. None of the components have been inspected by a dealer or manufacturer. The Electric Power Steering and turn signal are available to be inspected. Again there were no indicators before failure. I do know that there are recalls on other vehicles with the same issues, but for some reason mine was excluded. Some of these occurred before the dates stated, but these dates are when I remember them affecting me the most.
ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING FAILING AGAIN. STEERING WHEEL SHIMMIES WHILE AT IDLE AT STOP LIGHTS POWER STEERING FAILS WHILE DRIVING
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
The rack and pinion needs to be replaced at the speed of 65 the steering feels loose and I was told that the rack and pinion is out, so I am having to replace the entire thing, I dont have a receipt yet because it's going to the shop next week, it seems odd that a car with only 75k miles would need a new rack and pinion. Also the high mount brake light is out..which seems crazy on a car with low miles, I understand that the car is old but to me it's a new car, I only just purchased it in October 2020.
THERE IS A SITUATION HAPPENING WITH THE HEADLIGHT. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS SO COMPROMISED THAT IT MELTS AND DESTROYS THE CONNECTIONS. I HAVE REPLACED TONS OF BULBS AND NOW THE LIGHT CONNECTOR IS ERODING BECAUSE OF EXCESSIVE HEAT CONDUCTIVITY WITHIN THE SYSTEM.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
There are many recalls for the year make and model of my vehicle. They just didn't recall my exact vin. The breaks are recalled, air bags were recalled and they were buying back the vehicles, the fuel delivery system was recalled, headlights were recalled, cruise control was recalled, steering column and yoke was recalled, and a few more. None were recalled for my vin number when it should have been. I took my car to the dealership today, Chevrolet did a few things under "warranty" instead of issuing a safety recall. (They issued 10 recalls on this year make and model) (one recall was the air bags, my vehicle is doing the same thing). The fuel delivery system and fuel pump was recalled but not on my vin number. I just really need help getting my car repaired. I cannot afford to fix all of this when there's records dating back to the purchase of the vehicle, showing that there are problems and Chevrolet neglectfully didn't recall it and instead tried to brush it off as a warranty instead of safety recall. My car leaks gas, the steering it messed up, headlights no longer work due to the electrical issue, the instrument cluster was damaged due to the ecm issue, there's just so many problems... My car could potentially catch fire for the fuel leak, carbon monoxide smell, electrical wiring and the air bags could potentially deploy.
THE CAR IS NOT FUNCTIONING RIGHT I AM HAVING MAJOR PROBLEMS SUCH AS MY MANUFACTURING CONTROL MY BATTERY LIGHT IT'S CONSTANTLY GOING ON AND OFF IT IS DRAINING MY ALTERNATOR I HAVE JUST RECENTLY SWITCHED OUT THE THROTTLE BODY AND IT WAS STILL GIVING ME MINOR PROBLEMS SUCH AS A BACK REAR END PASSENGER TIRE WELL I DON'T TECHNICALLY THINK THAT IT WAS THE TIRE BECAUSE IT MAKES A LOUD ROCKING NOISE HAVEN'T QUITE JUST FOUND OUT THE PROBLEM I HAVE CHECKED OUT EVERY OTHER THING THAT I COULD THINK ABOUT TO MY VEHICLE 2006 CHEVY MALIBU THAT IS BUT I MYSELF CONTINUE TO WORK ON IT AND HALF OF THE TIME IT STILL SHUTS DOWN OR WON'T COMPLY RIGHT AND ONE MORE OTHER THING MY ABS SYSTEM TAKES A 60% FUSE BUT THE ABS STILL COMES ON WITH THE FUSE IN AND WITH IT OUT AND I AM HAVING A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH MY TRACTION CONTROL SENSOR BUT NOW SO FAR MY CAR IS JUST DOWN AND NOT DRIVABLE AND ONE MORE THING MY CAR WAS DRIVING DURING THE SHUTDOWN SYSTEM ON THE CITY STREETS
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO STEERING AND VEHICLE STALLING ISSUES. *SMD *JS
THE STEERING GOES OUT WHILE MAKING TURNS AND HIGHWAY DRIVING. YOU CAN FEEL IT JERK THEN YOU HAVE NO CONTROL OF WHERE THE CAR IS GOING. TO GAIN CONTROL BACK YOU KEEP TURNING THE WHEEL IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION UNTIL IT CATCHES. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR AT LEAST 2 YEARS. I HAVE PAID SEVERAL MECHANICS TO REPAIR PROBLEM BUT I STILL GET THE SAME RESULT AND I WEAR OUT NEW TIRES IN 3- 4 MONTH PERIOD. NO ONE SHOULD PURCHASE AS MANY TIRES AS I DO! I AM SICK OF IT!!! *TR
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE CAR IS NOT FUNCTIONING RIGHT I AM HAVING MAJOR PROBLEMS SUCH AS MY MANUFACTURING CONTROL MY BATTERY LIGHT IT'S CONSTANTLY GOING ON AND OFF IT IS DRAINING MY ALTERNATOR I HAVE JUST RECENTLY SWITCHED OUT THE THROTTLE BODY AND IT WAS STILL GIVING ME MINOR PROBLEMS SUCH AS A BACK REAR END PASSENGER TIRE WELL I DON'T TECHNICALLY THINK THAT IT WAS THE TIRE BECAUSE IT MAKES A LOUD ROCKING NOISE HAVEN'T QUITE JUST FOUND OUT THE PROBLEM I HAVE CHECKED OUT EVERY OTHER THING THAT I COULD THINK ABOUT TO MY VEHICLE 2006 CHEVY MALIBU THAT IS BUT I MYSELF CONTINUE TO WORK ON IT AND HALF OF THE TIME IT STILL SHUTS DOWN OR WON'T COMPLY RIGHT AND ONE MORE OTHER THING MY ABS SYSTEM TAKES A 60% FUSE BUT THE ABS STILL COMES ON WITH THE FUSE IN AND WITH IT OUT AND I AM HAVING A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH MY TRACTION CONTROL SENSOR BUT NOW SO FAR MY CAR IS JUST DOWN AND NOT DRIVABLE AND ONE MORE THING MY CAR WAS DRIVING DURING THE SHUTDOWN SYSTEM ON THE CITY STREETS
WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH TC LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON WHILE THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND TO THE WHEEL TURNING OR TO THE BREAKS BEING PRESSED TO THE FLOOR. ABOUT 20 MILES LATER WHILE SLOWING FROM 20 MPH THE TC LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AND THE BREAKS FAILED TO WORK CAUSING THE VEHICLE NOT TO STOP WHEN NEEDED. CHECKED ALL TIRES EACH TIME TO MAKE SURE NO FLATS OR OBVIOUS ISSUES AND THERE WERE NONE.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
HEATED SEAT MALFUNCTION: TURNED HEATED SEAT ON LOWEST NUMBER AS WE LEFT HOME AND WITHIN ABOUT 1/4 OF A MILE THE SEAT BECAME EXTREMELY HOT ON MY SONS BOTTOM AND WE STARTED SMELLING A SCENT OF BURNING. MY SON IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF THE HEATED SEAT AND RAISED UP OFF THE SEAT UNTIL I COULD GET THE CAR PULLED OVER. WHEN HE GOT OUT WE SAW A HOLE HAD BURNED INTO THE SEAT. IT ALSO BURNED A SMALL HOLE IN HIS PANTS. HE COULD HAVE BEEN SEVERELY INJURED IF WE HAD OF NOT BEEN ABLE TO PULL OVER QUICKLY.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE BATTERY WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BCM WAS CONTROLLING THE CHARGING OF THE ALTERNATOR, WHICH DAMAGED THE BEARINGS AND ALTERNATOR. THE BEARINGS AND ALTERNATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. AFTER THE REPLACEMENT OF THE ALTERNATOR, THE POWER STEERING, HEADLIGHTS, AND ALL THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WARNING INDICATORS INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATED. ALSO, WHEN THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE, THE DOORS INDEPENDENTLY LOCKED WHILE THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V224000 (POWER TRAIN), 14V153000 (STEERING), AND 14V252000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 199,000.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE FIRST THING THAT HAPPENED WAS MY PASSENGER SIDE REAR DOOR JUST SUDDENLY FLEW OPEN WHILE I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE DOWN THE ROAD. DOORS WERE LOCKED AND ALL WERE COMPLETELY CLOSED AND THE DOOR JUST CAME OPEN FOR SOME UNKNOWN REASON. HAD MY MECHANIC TAKE A LOOK AND HE COULDN'T SEE ANYTHING UNUSUAL ABOUT THE MECHANISM OR ANYTHING ON THE DOOR. IT HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE SO NOW I PUT THE SEATBELT THROUGH THE DOOR HANDLE AND PULL IT TIGHT AND LOCK SEATBELT INTO PLACE SO IF IT HAPPENS THE DOOR WON'T FLY OPEN AGAIN. THE SECOND ISSUE I AM HAVING IS WITH THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT AND ALARM COMING ON RANDOMLY WHEN I AM DRIVING MY CAR. I TOOK IT INTO THE CHEVY DEALERSHIP FOR ONE OF THE OTHER RECALLS AND THEY SAID THAT TO PUT IT ON THE TESTER, IT WOULD COST ME $120 (WHICH I CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY), SO THEY JUST LET IT BE AND FIXED THE RECALL I BROUGHT IT IN FOR. I AM STILL HAVING THE PROBLEM AND I NOTICE THAT WHEN THE WARNING LIGHT IS OFF AND I PRESS THE HORN...IT COMES ON IMMEDIATELY AND BEEPS AT ME. IS THIS A SAFETY ISSUE TO BE CONCERNED WITH? WITH ALL THE ISSUES AND RECALLS THIS CAR HAS BEEN HAVING I AM NOT SURE IF IT'S AN ISSUE TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT OR NOT OR JUST WAIT TO HEAR ON ANOTHER RECALL OR? I CAN'T PAY THAT TO HAVE IT ACTUALLY DIAGNOSED. *TR
GLASS ON SUN ROOF BLEW OFF WHILE DRIVING DOWN HWY 41 AT APPOX. 60 MILES. THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE AND I'M NOT SURE IF IT BLEW OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE HWY OR BEHIND ME. I DON'T THINK IT HIT ANOTHER CAR BUT COULD HAVE BEEN VERY DANGEROUS IF IT HAD. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE GAS GAGE READS THE WRONG SO YOU DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH GAS IS IN YOUR TANK. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON SO YOU DON'T KNOW IF IT IS GOING OFF FOR A DIFFERENT REASON. THE LOW FULE LIGHT GOES ON ALL THE TIME EVEN WHEN IT IS FULL SO YOU DON'T KNOW IF YOU ARE GOING TO RUN OUT OF GAS ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE GAS ISSUE HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR ABOUT A YEAR. I HAVE A SECOND CHEVY MALIBU THE SAME YEAR 2006 AND IT DOES THE SAME THING WITH THE FULE GAGE AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. ONE TIME THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS GOING OFF ABOUT SOMETHING ELSE AND I DIDN'T KNOW IT BECAUSE THE LIGHT IS ON ALL THE TIME BECAUSE OF THE FULE GAGE. THE SEAT BELT LIGHT GOES OFF WHEN YOU HAVE YOUR SEATBELT ON.
SINCE I HAVE BOUGHT THIS USED CHEVY MALIBU, IF I PRESS THE GAS PEDAL TO ACCELERATE IT SOMETIMES LOCK MYSELF STEERING WHEEL IN POSITION, AND JERKS MY CAR A GOOD BIT. THEN MY CAR GIVES ME A ERROR MESSAGE ON MY RADIO STATING POWER STEERING PUMP FLUID. I HAVE DONE RESEARCH AND TOOK TO A MECHANIC AND NOBODY COULD FIND IT AND SUGGESTED IT MAY HAVE A FUSE NOT AN ACTUAL RESERVOIR FOR FLUID. IT OCCURS AT WHILE TURNING, DRIVING ON HIGHWAYS AND ALL OTHER ROADS, GOING UP AND DOWN HILLS OR MOUTAINS. AS WELL AS MY MIDDLE SEAT BELT BUCKLE NO LONGER LATCHING INTO THE BUCKLE WILL HOLD FOR A MOMENT AND THEN AFTER APPLYING BRAKES THE SAFETY BELT WILL DISLODGED FROM THE BUCKLE. ANOTHER ISSUE IS THE GAS HAND GOES FROM FULL TO EMPTY WILL SITTING STILL WITH THE CAR RUNNING. I CAN FILL THE TANK AND IT WILL SAY IT'S EMPTY AND WILL EVEN HAVE MY ESTIMATE MILES LEFT ALSO SAY LOW FUEL.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE BOLTS BECAME SEPARATED FROM THE RIM OF THE TIRES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT A VALVE STEM EXTENSION WAS NEEDED FOR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 166,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE TIRE BECAME FLAT, THE VEHICLE FLIPPED FOUR TIMES AND LANDED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. ..UPDATED 08-26-14 *BF UPDATED 08/29/2014 *JS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE A 2006 CHEVY MALIBU THAT MY DAUGHTER DRIVES TO WORK 5 DAYS A WEEK. IT HAS APPROX. 76,000 MILES. I WENT AND DRIVE THE CAR ON THIS DATE AND NOTICE THE STEERING FLUID DISPLAY WAS ON THE RADIO DISPLAY. I ASKED MY DAUGHTER HOW LONG IS WAS ON THERE, SHE SAID APPROX. A WEEK. I CALLED THE GMC DEALER AND GOT AN APPOINTMENT ON THE THIRD OF MAY. THEY TOLD ME THAT I NEED A NEW STEERING COLUMN AND A SHAFT WHICH WOULD BE ABOUT $1000. THEY SAID WE COULD STILL DRIVE THE CAR THAT I WOULD ACTUALLY WOULD LOSE JUST THE POWER STEERING. ON MAY 10, I TOOK THE CAR IN AND GOT IT FIXED. $850 LATER IT IS FIXED. I HAVE NEVER HAD TO REPLACED A STEERING COLUMN ON ANY OF MY OTHER CARS, WHICH HAD OVER 95,000 MILES, THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT ON THAT ONE. PLUS I TRIED TO REFILL THE STEERING FLUID, AND WHO KNOW THAT MY CAR HAD AN ELECTRIC POWER STEERING. SOMEONE SHOULD INFORM THE CONSUMER ON THIS. MY MAIN CONCERN WAS FOR MY DAUGHTER WHO DRIVES THIS CAR IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. WHAT IF IT LOCKED UP? IT IS A THOUGHT I WOULD NOT WISH TO THINK OF! *TR
38K MILE 2006 CHEVY MALIBU V-6-CAR SHAKES/VIBRATES/SHIMMIES. IT ALSO RATTLES AND CLUNKS UNDERNEATH AT ALL SPEEDS, FEELS LIKE THE BOTTOM IS FALLING OUT. DEALER REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE A MINIMUM OF 7 COMPLAINTS. HEADLIGHTS LENSES ARE LOOSE AND THE LIGHTS SHAKE ALL OVER THE PLACE. DEALER DID FINALLY ACKNOWLEDGE HEADLIGHT ISSUE AFTER THE 4TH COMPLAINT AND I WAS TOLD IT IS A GM PROBLEM BUT THEY HAVE NO FIX AND THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. NOW THAT THE WARRANTY IS UP, THEY ARE ACKNOWLEDGING ALL PREVIOUS COMPLAINTS (MANY MORE THAN JUST THE COUPLE I LISTED HERE) BUT AT MY EXPENSE WHEN THESE ISSUES S/H/B TAKEN CARE OF AT THE TIME OF THE ORIGINAL AND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
GLASS ON SUN ROOF BLEW OFF WHILE DRIVING DOWN HWY 41 AT APPOX. 60 MILES. THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE AND I'M NOT SURE IF IT BLEW OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE HWY OR BEHIND ME. I DON'T THINK IT HIT ANOTHER CAR BUT COULD HAVE BEEN VERY DANGEROUS IF IT HAD. *TR
THE MASTER WINDOW CONTROL ON DRIVERS DOOR DOES NOT WORK. THE FOUR BUTTONS WILL NOT LOWER THE WINDOWS. THE INDIVIDUAL WINDOW CONTROLS WORK ON THEIR RESPECTIVE DOORS. I CAN NOT LOWER OR RAISE THE WINDOWS FROM THE MASTER CONTROL ON DRIVERS DOOR. HASN'T BEEN FIXED YET. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD WORK INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE BRAKE LIGHTS ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC REPAIRED THE WIRING HARNESS BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BCM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM , ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, EXTERIOR LIGHTING , SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) THE REMEDY FAILED TO RECTIFY THE FAILURE. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE HEATED SEAT FUNCTION FAILED AND THE POWER STEERING SEIZED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000...UPDATED 10/01/14 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE FUEL TANK WOULD SHOW 1/8 OF A TANK, BUT IN ACTUALITY THE TANK WAS EMPTY.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WHEN SHE STOPPED WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER TURNED ON. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE ONLY OCCURRED WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ON. THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS NORMAL UPON RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .