2006 Chevrolet Malibu Steering Problems

Which parts fail

• Electric power assist system
  11
• Column
  7
• Rack and pinion › Rack
  2
• Rack and pinion
  2
• Hydraulic power assist › Pump
  1
• Linkages › Tie rod assembly
  1

Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  457%
• 25k–50k
  8613%
• 50k–75k
  14521%
• 75k–100k
  13119%
• 100k–150k
  17125%
• 150k+
  10415%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2006 Chevrolet Malibu owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving approximately at 65 MPH, the contact was switching lanes from left to right, as the contact had turned the wheel slightly to the right the steering moved violently to the left and nearly caused the contact to lose control and hit the highway divider. The contact stated he saw numerous warning lights but was unable to focus on which lights were illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was not diagnosed. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact stated that the failure is intermittent, but had kept occurring. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V064000 (Steering). The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 230,839.

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.

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.

The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the power steering assist warning light illuminated and the steering wheel became firm. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who informed her of NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V153000 (Steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall. The contact took the vehicle to a dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the power steering motor was defective. The dealer informed the contact that they would work with the manufacturer for potential assistance with the repair of the vehicle. The dealer informed the contact that the manufacturer had declined to offer any assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 8,000.

The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle started to shake and vibrate. The contact stated that the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact pulled over and turned the vehicle off and on and regained power steering functionality. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the steering column needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The contact stated that the failure was related to a recall that had been completed under NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V064000 (Steering). The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.

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.

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.

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.

The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated the dealer completed an unknown recall repair on the vehicle however, the failure reoccurred. The contact stated upon starting the vehicle and reversing, the steering wheel was engaged but failed to respond and made an abnormal clunking sound. The contact stated that she was unable to drive the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the steering wheel had failed, and the steering column and shaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 88,356.

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.

Related recalls

Steering complaints in other Malibu years