Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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).
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. …
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Mailbu. The contact stated that the engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to Sound Radio where it was diagnosed that the transmission and an unknown censor failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not notified. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but did not call the contact back. The failure mileage was unavailable.
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.
Engine has begun malfunctioning for no reason. Experienced problem 5 times in past week. 1) vehicle was traveling at approximately 50 MPH on freeway. Traction control light and check engine light came on simultaneously. Radio indicated "reduce engine power". I released gas pedal. Radio then indicated "engine disabled," and engine shut off. Coasted to a stop. Turned key to "off" position. Tried to restart, but would not crank (everything was completely silent). Tried to crank again a minute later. Engine started without hesitation. Check engine light came on, but immediately went off. Drove straight to mechanical within 5 miles. There were no codes to read. 2) vehicle was traveling 30 MPH on city street, moving forward. Traction control and check engine lights came on. Radio read "reduce engine power" and within a few seconds changed to "engine disabled" as engine shut down. Stopped car. …
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. …
Our 2006 Chevy Malibu low coolant light came on. It was checked and coolant was put in the vehicle. It continued to come on. It was taken to our regular Chevy dealer in March 2015 who misdiagnosed the problem and replaced the coolant reservoir. The low coolant light came back on and we were loosing more engine coolant in June 2015. It was taken back to our dealer. We were told it has a cracked head gasket and the leak is internal. The Chevy dealer recommended the entire engine be replaced as a precaution because it has over 100, 000 miles. Our 2006 Chevy Malibu have been maintained well and kept up with all maintenance. . And for the gasket to be leaking is beyond us. The leak could not be seen to the visible eye. The only way we knew their was a leak was because the low coolant light came on, which was the reason why we took it to the mechanic. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu. While the vehicle was stationary and while driving various speeds, it stalled without warning on several occasions. On each occasion, the contact immediately activated the hazard lights and coasted the vehicle to the side of the road. The contact stated that the anti-lock brake warning indicator illuminated and the vehicle stalled and would not restart after several attempts. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. An independent mechanic replaced the alternator, ignition switch, starter, fuel tank, and the battery; however, the failures recurred. Vandergriff Chevrolet (1200 west interstate 20, arlington, texas 76017, [phone]) was made aware of the failures. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.
Vehicle stalls intermittently when stopped and idling. This occurs when backing up and also when idling. It seems to occur more so when the air temperature outside is very hot. Usually when it is around 85 - 90 degrees outside. Vehicle usually restarts OK. Only one instance when engine was turned off twice while idling, it would not restart until engine cooled down. Then was able to start engine. Mechanics have not been able to detect problem even when vehicle was scanned for codes. Have taken it to different automotive service shops including dealerships and no one can find the problem because they state it is intermittent. Air temperature outside of vehicle seems to be a key factor with car stalling when temperature very hot. The car has never overheated when this occurs.
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.
I pulled into the parking lot at work and it said engine power decreasing and then started making strange messed up noises and I coasted into the parking lot it didn't die but it wouldn't let me go any faster. I took the car to the auto parts store and had them put a scanner on it. Of which it showed multiple codes all resulting in the same issue the mass flow sensor. I was told that since it has happened once it's liable to keep happening making my vehicle unreliable and I am a single mom.
Engine complaints in other Malibu years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2006 Chevrolet Malibu?
NHTSA has 58 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2006 Chevrolet Malibu, 5% of the model year's 1,117 complaints. The component named most often is engine (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Chevrolet Malibu engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2006 Chevrolet Malibu, though it has 6 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 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 100,000 miles, and 7% before 25,000 miles.
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.