Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
We purchased our 2006 mailbu Maxx in November 2005. Two months later there was a violent shake in the front end, the dealership turned the rotors because they were warped. Then we started having trouble with the electrical system right after the warranty ran out.the rear wiper comes on by itself, interior lights blow constantly as well as headlights. Door locks work when they want to. Keyless has not worked for three years even with new remote batteries. Since the car has had 40,000 miles on it the power steering has been acting up. My wife has hit our garbage cans and even my truck pulling into the driveway. We cant even trade this piece of crap in because everybody knows the problems with this car. Our Malibu has 78,000 miles on it and we have put 4 sets of brakes on the front with heavy duty rotors and three sets on the rear. GM is not concerned with the safety of their customers. …
The fuel gauge is not functioning properly. When I fill the car up completely with gas, the dashboard indicator reads zero and I get a low-fuel warning message. When this problem started, after driving 15-20 minutes, the gauge would then read 'full' again, but the 'check engine' light would come on, and during this time the remote start function would not work. Now the car reads empty at all times, the engine light is on, and the remote start does not work. This LED me to run out of gas. I am worried about the car stalling while on the road, as I have read happening to other GM vehicle models, and I am worried about running out of gas again. Fuel system problems seem to be very common with GM vehicles, especially the Malibu, and I would like to see the problem addressed.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer last year for three manufacturer recall repairs, which did not remedy the failure. Months after the vehicle was taken to the dealer, it would not shift gears properly and the vehicle shook and vibrated randomly without warning. The contact had to apply force to the brake pedal and, if it were released, the vehicle would randomly stall. The vehicle was to be taken back to the dealer for further inspection and diagnostic testing to determine the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided no remedy. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000. Updated 1/19/16 ln
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx. After the ignition key was turned to the on position, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was able to be started after approximately twenty minutes. The failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the starter failed. The starter was replaced five times, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 157,000.
Takata recall the security system locked up and the ingnition won't turn over so the car refuses to start. This all happened when I put it in neutral and it just shutoff. Then refuses to start.the car was technically stationary, my foot was in the brake while it was in neutral. We were about to turn into a church parking lot when it stalled out and would not come back on.
As I drove from racine, wi to milwaukee, wi. To visit family for the 4th of July weekend as I was to turn car off to park I wasnt able to press down on the breaks, couldnt go into park, gear shift was stuck couldnt move it in to park had to put on emergency break in order to keep car in park! It left me stranded was very upset & confused!!!
Engine goes into engine power reduced mode while going 55 on a highway and soon the engine becomes disabled which disables the steering and the brakes. No injuries as I was Smart enough to handle the situation, but this has occurred more than once and my car reads no codes for the situation.
I bought my 2006 Chevy Malibu Maxx from a local dealership and the first week I lost my power steering while driving. The message was displayed power steering. The mileage was 62,000. The dealership took the car to their shop and sent it back saying it was fixed. This problem continues intermittently for the next 20,000 miles. The last week before I had it repaired the power steering went out going 70 miles an hour on the highway. I could not steer at all and I lost my brakes until I shut the car off. I had to have the car towed to a Chevrolet dealership for repair. The torque sensor failed completely and they had to replace the steering column. I was told then by the Chevrolet dealership and also the dealership where I purchased the vehicle that this was a common problem and several chevrolets on their lot had been recalled for the same problem. …
My vehicle lost electronic power steering (EPS) assistance when being operated in an underground parking garage. The vehicle gave an audible alert and warning lights displayed on the dashboard. The problem persisted after turning the vehicle on and off several times. Because the parking garage contained tight corners and required slow speed operation, I could not safely operate the vehicle out of the parking garage. The next day, the EPS worked without a problem. This unpredictable and intermittent power steering failure is well documented in 2006 Malibu Maxx vehicles. In fact, Chevrolet has extended warranties and conducted special customer service campaigns to select 2006 Malibu Maxx owners to remedy the defective EPS. Even though it is the same make, model and year as other vehicles determined to be defective, my vehicle's VIN falls outside of the range identified by Chevrolet. …
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. …
Electrical complaints in other Malibu Maxx years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx?
NHTSA has 28 complaints about the electrical system of the 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx, 10% of the model year's 270 complaints. The component named most often is instrument cluster/panel (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 98,000 miles, and 14% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.