Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2006 Chevrolet Malibu owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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. …
"check engine warning & t/c control warning". Warning lights will randomly illuminate and "engine power reduced" flashes. Regardless of current MPH traveling, the engine will lunge forward and immediately reduce speed to 10 MPH. Upon the first time this issue occurred, the vehicle was taken in to be checked. Because the lights had gone back off, there was no way to indicate the problem. Within the few following days, while in heavy traffic and pouring rain, again without warning, the warning lights illuminated, the vehicle lunged forward and reduced speed to 10 MPH, very nearly causing an accident. This issue continued to occur every day for the following week, sometimes 2-3 times daily. The car is now in to be repaired, and almost hit a parked car because it lunged forward suddenly pulling into the dealership. …
Engine power reduced, traction control, service engine light the first time the issue occurred, my car was in park. I started my vehicle, it didnt turn over on the first try, I simply tried again and it started but a service message popped up stating "engine power reduced and my car would not accelerate at all, my traction control light came on as well as service engine soon. I let my car sit for a while and decided to turn my car off and try again, same message, several hours later it started fine, the heck engine light was on and I drove it with no issues, started my car again and the check engine light turned off. About a week later, this happened again, same circumstances. About 2 weeks later, while driving down the road, this happened again and my car slowed down drastically and wouldnt exceed 10 MPH. …
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the vehicle accelerated independently and crashed into the back of another vehicle. No injuries were reported. The failure occurred twice. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for a diagnostic testing. The contact stated that the failure was related to the partial repair of recall NHTSA campaign id number: 14V224000 (power train). However, all the parts needed for the recall repairs were not available. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 101,499.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving, the steering wheel, accelerator pedal, and brake pedal seized. The failures made it difficult to turn the steering wheel, accelerate, and decelerate. The contact stated that the failure occurred multiple times. The dealer (5 star auto plaza, 3690 w clay st, st charles, mo 63301) stated that there were no open recalls on the vehicle. The manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 125,526.
Brake lights stay on when not depressed cruise control will not work recall was completed took car back brake sensor was replaced on 6/16/16 as of today 6/26/16 problem is still there cost of 287.20. Iam not going to pay for the same problem I am a GM man but maybe no more and ill make sure and let everybody I can know about your service thank you [redacted]
Tl contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving 50 MPH, she attempted to engage the brakes and disengage the cruise control; however, the vehicle accelerated. The vehicle began spinning out of control on two occasions. The vehicle no longer made contact with the ground, hit a wall, crossed 3 lanes and was facing in the opposite direction. The engine size is unknown. The current and failure mileage were 10500.
I was driving home from work on the highway and the reduced power engine light came on and the tsc light and engine light all came on. The gas pedal was unresponsive and car was slowing down also I pulled over on the shoulder of the highway thankful I able to. I did get it home slowly the pedal is still unresponsive at this time and the engine light, tsc light is still on and the engine power reduced light is still on.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving approximately 50 MPH in cold temperatures, the vehicle decelerated and the reduce engine power and check engine warning lights illuminated intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 67,000. The VIN was not available.
Related recalls
Vehicle speed control › Cruise control
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured May 16, 2003, through October 11, 2012, 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured May 26, 2004, through January 4, 2010, and 2007-2010 Saturn…
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will attach the wiring harness to the BCM with a spacer, apply dielectric lubricant to both the BCM and harness connector and the BAS and harness connector, and will relearn the brake…
Acceleration complaints in other Malibu years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2006 Chevrolet Malibu?
NHTSA has 35 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2006 Chevrolet Malibu, 3% of the model year's 1,117 complaints. The component named most often is cruise control (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Chevrolet Malibu acceleration problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 14V-252 (cruise control, May 14, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2006 Chevrolet Malibu acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 101,000 miles, and 17% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries to speed control & acceleration 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.