Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
Sent the car to fix recalls and they said it has another problem and want to charge to fix the steering recall N140772 problem. They said is not free.... Do not know if the other recalls were repaired.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14V252000 (service brakes, hydraulic, electrical system, exterior lighting, vehicle speed control, electronic stability control), 14V224000 (power tran), 15V064000 (steering) however, the parts to do the recall repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving at low speeds, the power train, stabile-trace control, emergency brake indicator, and ABS warning lights were illuminated. The brake pedal became hard to depress. The contact stated that a friend replaced the brake pads however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not diagnosed. …
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.
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 while the cruise control was deactivated, the vehicle decelerated without warning. The contact was able to place the gear in low and drove the vehicle home. The transmission regained function after the engine was restarted and the gears were shifted several times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician was unable to diagnose or duplicate the failure. After inspecting the transmission, the technician advised that the transmission was operating as normal. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 47,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that NHTSA campaign number: 14V224000 (power train) exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the repair. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that parts were not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that when attempting to accelerate, the vehicle would hesitate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The dealer could not diagnose the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 134,652. Updated 11/25/15; updated 4/1218
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14V224000 (power train) however, the part needed to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds the steering wheel became difficult to turn without warning. The failure recurred on several occasions. The approximate failure mileage was 92,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu. While vacuuming out the parked vehicle, the contact bumped the gearshift and the vehicle started moving. The vehicle was able to be stopped, but was not able to be placed back in the park position. The vehicle had to be started in order to be placed in the park position. The dealer could not determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 110,000.
Takatat recall .. I was driving my car on the highway and my steering wheel locked when I was driveing I had my family in the car with me we all could have die lord me and my family is homeless we need this car to get around pleace helpn us with this I was driveing from east st louis il to work at the hollwood casino in st louis mo we sleep in our car thats why my family was there with me when I was driving when it went out and the steering wheel all so shakes very bad
Car runs fine then without warning it will just die. Does this while driving in motion. It is car used by two new teen drivers. It is very unsafe because they don't have a lot of driving time. I looked at a lot of wiring connections, cleaned up all ground connections with wire brush, replaced temp sensor, crank position sensor, been going thru and fixing bad wiring connections. Replaced fuel pump. And fixed broken wires coming out of body that go to fuel gauge.
Related recalls
Power train › Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Floor shift
General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on April 29, 2014, that they are recalling 56,214 model year 2007 and 2008 Saturn Aura vehicles. On May 22, 2014, GM increased the recall to include an additional 1,074,899 model year 2004-2008 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured from May 16, 2003, through October 5, 2007, model…
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and GM dealers will replace the shift cable assembly and mounting bracket, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule.
Transmission complaints in other Malibu years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2006 Chevrolet Malibu?
NHTSA has 43 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2006 Chevrolet Malibu, 4% of the model year's 1,117 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Chevrolet Malibu transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 14V-224 (floor shift, Apr 30, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2006 Chevrolet Malibu transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 100,000 miles, and 15% 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.