2006 Chevrolet Malibu Steering Problems

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.

NHTSA ID

11726385

Incident

Sep 1, 2025

Mileage

158,000 mi

The power steering went out on the car as I was driving down the highway going 65 mph

NHTSA ID

11715484

Incident

Jan 17, 2026

The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist. There were three audible dings with the message "Power Steering" displayed on the instrument panel. The contact reset the steering wheel and the battery, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V064000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID

11715231

Incident

Jan 1, 2026

The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel failed to turn in the intended direction. The power steering failure warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with STRG shaft torque failure. The contact was informed that the STRG shaft torque needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was advised to contact the dealer. The contact was made aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V153000 (Steering). The dealer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was informed that the recall repair was performed in 2015. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.

NHTSA ID

11711435

Incident

Jan 15, 2026

Mileage

125,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11703181

Incident

Nov 12, 2025

Power steering warning light appeared then steering wheel tightened while slowing down to make a turn into my apartment. This occured two times in 3 weeks.

NHTSA ID

11701822

Incident

Nov 26, 2025

The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, an alarm sounded, and the message "Power Steering Failure" was displayed. No warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over to the shoulder of the road to restart the vehicle however, the failure persisted. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Another local dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V153000 (Steering); however, the contact stated that the vehicle was never repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 118,000.

NHTSA ID

11673589

Incident

Jul 15, 2023

Mileage

118,000 mi

I purchased this car about a month ago in April of 2025 as of today June 2025 I have lose my power steering it’s so hard to turn and I’ve called the dealership and they told me the car has already been fixed for the recall and it was odviously not because the problem is still present!

NHTSA ID

11667696

Incident

Jun 13, 2025

My electric power steering has gonna out then came back and now its not working. There's been a recall for that on my so not sure if my car is available.

NHTSA ID

11663569

Incident

May 14, 2025

MY ELECTRIC POWER STEERING HAS GONE OUT CAUSING WHEEL TO BE TIGHT AND HARD TO TURN.

NHTSA ID

11661374

Incident

May 14, 2025

I recently acquired this 2006 Chevy Malibu that belonged to my parents. It only has 29K miles on it to date. It is mint inside and out, and has been well taken care of in regard to routine maintenance. Looking through repair records I see a pattern of various power steering issues with this vehicle. The car was purchased new in 8/2006, then in 4/2009 the power steering shaft had to be replaced at the dealership. The recall in 2014 was also power steering related and was repaired at the dealership. Fast forward to the present. This vehicle now had the electronic power steering module fail - causing the steering to not work - making the car not drivable. I had it towed to a mechanic who performed an inspection and noted the electronic power steering module needed to be replaced. After 2 weeks, they confirmed no parts were available and it was best to try and deal with GM directly. I opened a case with them #9-14673786524 regarding this part and they would only work with a certified dealer so it was towed to the original dealer it was purchased at that has all of these repair records on file. As of today, it has been sitting at the dealership since 2/28 waiting on this part with no ETA in site. I feel GM should have included this with the other recall. It's pretty obvious the power steering in this year and model has serious failure issues. Had it been getting driven more - it most likely may have failed a lot sooner while it was being driving on the road - and who knows what sort of accident this may have caused. GM doesn't seem to see it that way and keeps telling me the vehicle is old - There are plenty of old vehicles on the road - so I think it's irrelevant to keep bringing up the age when the poor power steering is the issue at hand. I want to have the vehicle fixed and I think GM should be held accountable for everything. Please help because nobody is helping me at all at this point.

NHTSA ID

11652859

Incident

Feb 14, 2025

Steering got stiff and hard to turn and it shakes while idle

NHTSA ID

11651216

Incident

Mar 27, 2025

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

NHTSA ID

11649053

Incident

Mar 18, 2025

The contact's granddaughter owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the power steering assist failed to operate as needed. The contact stated that the "Steering Assist Reduced - Drive with Care" message was displayed on the instrument panel. The contact replaced the electronic power steering fuse; however, the failure returned soon after the repair. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the steering column needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V064000 (Steering). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 165,000.

NHTSA ID

11646338

Incident

Feb 28, 2025

Mileage

165,000 mi

Steering wheel very stiff after driving 70 miles an hour Sometimes very stiff when vehicle is started.

NHTSA ID

11635806

Incident

Jan 12, 2025

My steering wheel began moving back and forth on its own. This happened both while I was driving and while idling.

NHTSA ID

11612705

Incident

Aug 1, 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

Steering wheel stop working and dealer do not fix it. 15V064 Recall

NHTSA ID

11608865

Incident

May 20, 2024

The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving approximately 20 MPH and making a left turn, the steering wheel became very difficult to turn. The contact was able to get through the turn and stated that the steering functionality had resumed. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent but was reoccurring. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V064000 (Steering). The contact stated that the recall repair was performed in 2015. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000.

NHTSA ID

11590215

Incident

May 6, 2024

Mileage

72,000 mi

While son is driving down the road the power steering goes out and an alarms sounds saying the Power Steering is out. We can turn the vehicle off and turn it back on and the power steering comes back. Happens about 2 times a week.

NHTSA ID

11583459

Incident

Apr 12, 2024

The power steering goes out when making a slight turn, an alarm on the dash sounds

NHTSA ID

11581191

Incident

Feb 13, 2024

in 2014 there was a GM safety recall #[XXX] to replace Torque sensor assembly on electric power steering. Recall was completed by GM. Now, the electric power steering has failed again with the same warning signals that GM originally advised would happen. Issue has been diagnosed as failure of the power steering assist motor. In two separate conversations with GM one with (Sam) & another with (Chasity), GM case #[XXX], one says repair should be covered by GM & the other says it will not be covered. The NHTSA campaign ID # for this recall is [XXX]. Requesting that NHTSA help me get to the bottom of this situation. Thank you. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11579252

Incident

Mar 1, 2024

The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that on several occasions when the vehicle was in reverse(R), the steering wheel began shaking. Additionally, the contact stated that on several occasions, while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel became stiff. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the power steering pump and another unknown part needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 126,000.

NHTSA ID

11576086

Incident

Dec 15, 2023

Mileage

126,000 mi

The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while his son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the power steering was seized. The contact stated that the vehicle was independently turned off. The contact's son was able to get the vehicle to the shoulder of the roadway. The contact's son was able to restart the vehicle and the vehicle was driven to the residence. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed steering wheel torque input sensor. The contact was informed that the steering wheel torque input sensor needed to be replaced. The contact was informed about NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V064000(Steering) however, the VIN was not associated with the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 109,000.

NHTSA ID

11571747

Incident

Feb 6, 2024

Mileage

109,000 mi

Each time I’m driving my vehicle, I’ll hear a ding, ding, ding and my power steering will stop working. This seems to happen, most times, immediately after starting my car, while backing up. I did have it happen once, while in the middle of turning onto the road. Each time this happens, I must put the car in park, turn it off and restart it.

NHTSA ID

11567913

Incident

Jan 25, 2024