Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
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).
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx. The contact stated that while pulling into a parking space, the vehicle inadvertently lost power steering functionality. The power steering warning light illuminated. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle; however, the steering wheel remained difficult to steer. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to his residence with manual steering. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000. Consumer stated "Failed component/part Information", it is incorrect to identify the failure in the hydraulic power assist/power steering fluid. The power steering on my car is electrical assist.
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the power steering malfunctioned, and the steering wheel became difficult to turn in either direction. During the failure, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the power steering assist assembly was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V064000 (STEERING). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 204,000.
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx. The contact stated that while stationary or while driving at various speeds, the power steering assist would fail to operate, and the power steering warning light would illuminate on the instrument panel. The contact stated that the steering wheel would lock as the failure occurred. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle with power steering failure. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and informed her that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The contact was given a case number. The vehicle has been repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx. The contact stated that while driving at an undetermined speed and attempting to make a left turn, the steering wheel failed to turn left or right. The vehicle continued to move forward. The power steering assist fault light was illuminated. The contact had to push the vehicle off the roadway. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who informed her about a power steering sensor failure. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 111,000.
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the steering wheel became firm. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact attempted to pull over, but the steering wheel was difficult to maneuver. The contact was able to pull over, shut off and restart the vehicle, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that there was no recall for the failure. The failure mileage was 241,000.
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 206,203.
While on exit ramp from one interstate to another interstate highway during a veer to the left, car suddenly veered right & crossed a lane of traffic heading for an embankment at approximately 60 MPH. I slammed on the brakes, unable to steer, which caused my car to turn 180 degrees and slid into the embankment. Had I not done the 180 degree spin, I would have hit the embankment head on, likely being seriously injured or killed. The recall repair took place and obviously failed. I will never be able to trust driving it again.
I have waited 3 years for a recall for my steering problem which started 08-2012 with 75,000 miles. On 03/13/15 I took my car in for recall #14116 with 95,000 miles. The fix failed completely. On 07/07/15 with 98,800 miles I returned to the chev dealer for a diagnostic. Which cost me $108.00. Received a call from dealer, after road test and diagnostic, could not find a problem. Next day I took the mechanic for a test drive and he saw the problem. Alert chimes, power steering displayed on the dic and loss of power steering. After talking with Chevrolet tech support there best guess was a failing power steering control module. And wanted $650.00 plus the $108.00 I paid for the diagnostic with no guarantee that it would fix the problem, May need other repairs. I declined. I did more reach and found technical service bulletin # 10183a, special coverage program. …
I have had problems with my power steering over the years. But this was the worst it has ever been. I was driving 55 MPH on the highway. The roads were clear on this spring day. My traction control, brake light and check engine light came on. Then the power steering was chiming and the alert came on for that which effected my power steering. The instrument cluster was flashing on and off along with the gauges not working correctly. Then the instrument cluster went completely out. So the instrument cluster was replaced. A couple of weeks later, this all repeated again. So this time the ignition was replaced. After all that, the power steering still chimes and alerts still come on which makes it harder to steer. Then I have to stop the car, turn it off, wait and restart it. Then it is fine for a while. My mechanic says the only code that shows up is for the 14772 recall. …
Car loses it's electric power steering randomly, which is a safety concern. Apparently, there are 2 separate recalls on the steering components for 2006 malibus. GM says that 1 of the recalls related to my car and the repair was made. Since this is a "closed" case and the repair was made I have been getting the run around from both the dealership that made the repair and GM headquarters. Please note that the issue is the exact same issue that the recall was for. Clearly, the recall was just a band-aid, not a fix as I have read several other people having the same issue! Radio illuminates that the power steering has failed (which is what the recall is for). This is definitely a safety issue and needs to be 1. Investigated 2. Fixed by GM and not the owner of the vehicle. …
Related recalls
Steering › Electric power assist system
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2006-2007 Chevrolet Malibu and Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured April 1, 2006, to June 30, 2006, and 2006-2007 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured April 18, 2006, to June 30, 2006.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the torque sensor assembly, free of charge. The recall began February 24, 2015.
Steering › Electric power assist system
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 and 2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2006 Malibu Maxx, 2009-2010 HHR (non-turbo), 2010 Cobalt, 2008-2009 Saturn Aura and 2004-2007 Ion, and 2005-2009 Pontiac G6.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will perform one of four bulletins. Parts are not currently available. GM expects to send an interim notification around May 28, 2014.
Steering complaints in other Malibu Maxx years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx?
NHTSA has 207 complaints about the steering of the 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx, 77% of the model year's 270 complaints. The component named most often is electric power assist system (8 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx steering problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 15V-064 (electric power assist system, Feb 4, 2015); NHTSA recall 14V-153 (electric power assist system, Mar 31, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 84,000 miles, and 5% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 8 crashes, 1 fire and 3 injuries to steering 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.