Steering. Review the 810 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 142 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Exterior Lighting. Review the 63 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

41 crash reports6 fire reports17 injury reports

What owners actually said

1,115 reports

59,234 miles · Apr 3, 2014

Steering

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SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE LAST 6-8 MONTHS, I WAS DRIVING MY CHEVROLET MALIBU 2006 LT AND THE CAR DIED AND MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT WITHOUT WARNING. THE SENSOR CAME ON THAT SAYS "POWER STEERING." IT SEEMS LIKE EVERY TIME THAT IT HAPPENED, I WAS MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN. SINCE I WAS TURNING LEFT IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION, I WAS NOT DRIVING FAST AT ALL. I BELIEVE I HAD MY GRANDCHILDREN IN THE CAR ON AT LEAST ONE OF THESE OCCASIONS. I COULD NOT CONTROL THE STEERING AT ALL. MY CAR ENDED UP WITH THE FRONT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION FACING THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC BECAUSE YOU CANNOT COMPLETE THE TURN WHEN THIS HAPPENS. I THOUGHT IT MUST BE THAT IT NEEDED POWER STEERING FLUID. BUT MY HUSBAND CHECKED IT AND HE SAID IT DOES NOT NEED POWER STEERING FLUID. WHEN I HEARD ABOUT THE GM RECALL YESTERDAY, I IMMEDIATELY CALLED A CHEVY DEALER AND THEY SAID MY CAR VIN IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. I THEN CHECKED GM'S WEBSITE AND PUT MY VIN IN AND IT SAID THAT MY CAR IS NOT CURRENTLY INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THIS SOUNDS VERY WRONG TO ME. I THINK THE NHTSA SHOULD CLOSELY SCRUTINIZE THE LT MODELS OF THE CHEVROLET MALIBU 2006 AS I AM CONCERNED THAT THEY HAVE THE SAME OR SIMILAR DEFECT. THANK YOU FOR LOOKING INTO THIS. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR NOW. I AM NOW USING ONLY A SINGLE KEY WITHOUT THE FOB AS THE NHTSA CONSUMER ALERT ON YOUR WEBSITE STATES TO DO. WHEN IT HAPPENED TO ME BEFORE, I ALWAYS HAD THE FOB AND TWO ADDITIONAL KEYS ON THE KEY CHAIN ALONG WITH THE CAR KEY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE. I APPRECIATE YOUR LOOKING INTO THIS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10577143

70,000 miles · Apr 2, 2014

Steering

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH ON A RAMP, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY TIGHT AND THE CONTACT HAD TO USE EXTREME FORCE TO MOVE THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROADWAY. THE CONTACT SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND IT RESUMED NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA ODI #10576676

120,000 miles · Apr 1, 2014

Service Brakes

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BRAKES LIGHTS WORK INTERMITTENTLY. WHILE APPLYING BRAKES, THE LIGHTS WILL TURN OFF. THE LIGHTS WILL FLASH ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAPPENED INTERMITTENTLY, REGARDLESS OF SPEED. PREVIOUS OWNER WAS REAR ENDED WITH MOTORIST STATING THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC, I WAS NEARLY REAR ENDED. AT THAT POINT I TOOK THE CAR TO MY MECHANIC WHO NOTIFIED ME OF THE SPECIAL BULLETIN THAT WAS POSTED REGARDING THIS ISSUE. I WAS VERY DISAPPOINTED THAT CHEVROLET WOULD NOT OFFER TO FIX THE KNOWN SAFETY ISSUE AT NO CHARGE. THEY CHARGED $150.00 FOR A SIMPLE FIX. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10576499

90,000 miles · Apr 1, 2014

EngineService BrakesVehicle Speed Control

I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE ON THE FREEWAY IN LUNCH HOUR TRAFFIC. AS I EXITED THE FREEWAY TO CHANGE TO A CONNECTING FREEWAY, THE ENGINE SHUT OFF HALF WAY ALONG THE EXCHANGE RAMP. AT THAT POINT I NOTICED THAT I HAD POOR BREAKAGE AND NO POWER STEERING. LUCKY, I WAS ABLE TO COAST OVER AND STOP IN THE EMERGENCY LANE MID RAMP, PUT TH…

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NHTSA ODI #10576377

128,000 miles · Apr 1, 2014

Steering

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OKAY I PROCEEDED TO MY CAR THIS PARTICULAR MORNING AND WHEN I STARTED THE CAR THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED. I HAD TO TURN THE CAR OFF, PULL THE COLUMN TOWARD ME WHILE TURNING THE CAR AND THE WHEEL WAS UNLOCKED. ONCE I STARTED TO DRIVE I NOTICED THAT THE WHEEL WAS SHAKING AND MAKING NOISES. THE NOISE BECAME LOUDER WHENEVER I TRIED TO PICK UP SPEED. YOU REALLY NOTICE THE SHAKING AT ABOUT 35 TO 40 MILES PER HOUR. I TRIED TROUBLESHOOTING AND WAS TOLD BY MECHANIC TO CHANGE MY TIRES AND GET AN ALIGNMENT. I DID THAT AND THAT RESOLVED NOTHING. I DON'T DRIVE THE CAR PAST 50 MPH BUT I AM ACTUALLY SCARED WHILE DRIVING. WELL I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER YESTERDAY AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE CONTROL MODULE FOR THE STEERING IS FRIED. THE COST WOULD BE 918.00. THIS MORNING I WAKE TO TAKE THE CAR TO ANOTHER SHOP TO HAVE A DINGING NOISE COME ON THE WHEEL LOCK UP WHILE I WAS DRIVING. THE WHEEL IS REAL STIFF AND I MANAGED TO MAKE IT BACK TO MY HOUSE. I LOOKED INTO THE RECALL OF THE CHEVY MALIBUS WITH GM AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE RECALL DOESN'T COVER THE MOTOR. I AM REALLY FRUSTRATED AND UPSET AND I AM LOOKING AT JUST GETTING RID OF THIS HEADACHE FOR REAL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10576161

Mileage unknown · Mar 31, 2014

Electrical System

MY VEHICLE PERIODICALLY STALLS DURING OPERATION. I HAVE NOTICED THIS OCCURRENCE FOR THE LAST YEAR OR SO. I HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED ANY INJURIES OR ACCIDENTS AS A RESULT OF THIS. HOWEVER, I AM READING THAT THERE MAY BE ISSUES WITH IGNITION SWITCHES OF THIS PARTICULAR MAKE AND MODEL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10576019

114,690 miles · Mar 29, 2014

Air BagsSteering

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I CALLED IN THIS COMPLAINT ON 03/13/20014 TO ROBIN WITH COMPLAINT # 10568974 BUT IT WILL NOT SHOW UP ON SEARCH. THE AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF AT WILL. I CALLED A COMPLAINT TO CHEVY. CUSTOMER SERVICE #[XXX]. ON 07-12-12 THE STEERING PUMP ASSEMBLY WAS CHANGED BY SPECIAL COVERAGE ADJUSTMENT 10183REPLACE STEERING COLUMN INSTALLED 25933396 COLUMN. WE ARE SURE IT WAS NOT A 2006 COLUMN BUT A NEWER YEAR THAT HAS A RECALL ON IT. THE CHEVY. FORUM HAS A LOT OF RECALLS ON AIR BAGS. THE LOCAL DEALER O"RIELLY WILL NOT DO A SCANNER CHECK FOR CODES UNLESS THE LIGHT IS ON. WE HAD IT DONE A OUR AUTOMOTIVE DEALER AND IT SHOWED CODE B0012 DRIVERS DEPLOYMENT LOOP. WE CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE COVERED BY WARRANTY OR A RECALL ON THE NEW STEERING COLUMN. WE WOULD LIKE THIS ISSUE REPAIRED AT NO COST TO US. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10575498

Mileage unknown · Mar 26, 2014

Fuel/propulsion SystemCrashInjury

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TURNING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED AND ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE FUEL SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER:11E009000 (FUEL SYSTEM AND GASOLINE). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #10575016

50,000 miles · Mar 25, 2014

Steering

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UPON SLIGHT ACCELERATION (I.E. MERGING FROM EXIT RAMPS OR PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC) THE POWER STEERING FAILS. WARNING SOUND CHIMES. STEERING BECOMES UNASSISTED WITHOUT POWER FOR SEVERAL SECONDS. THIS HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. I CONTACTED THE LOCAL DEALER RE: RECALLS/FIX AND WAS INFORMED THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY THEM A SERVICE FEE TO LOOK AT THE CAR FOR THEM TO TRY TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THIS IS A GM/CHEVY PROBLEM AND I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR THEM TO ADDRESS THIS OBVIOUS SAFETY RISK/ISSUE. THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED/FIXED IMMEDIATELY!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10574692

160,000 miles · Mar 25, 2014

Electrical SystemSteering

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED AS THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION COIL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ON TWO OCCASIONS BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 160,000. ..UPDATED 04-23-14 *BF UPDATED 05/28/14*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE OWNER IS IN POSSESSION OF THE FAILED PARTS. UPDATED 06/2014 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10574667

Official recalls

15V064000 · Steering:electric Power Assist System

Feb 4, 2015

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. In the affected vehicles, there may be a sudden loss of electric power steering (EPS) assist that could occur at any time while driving.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the torque sensor assembly, free of charge. The recall began February 24, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. GM's number for this recall is 14772. Note: This is an expansion of recall 14V-153 to cover additional vehicles built between April 1, 2006 and June 30, 2006.

14V252000 · Electrical System:wiring; Electronic Stability Control (esc); Exterior Lighting:brake Lights; Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch; Vehicle Speed Control:cruise Control

May 14, 2014

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 Aura vehicles manufactured April 24, 2006, through May 26, 2009. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the Body Control Module (BCM) connection may result in voltage fluctuations in the Brake Apply Sensor (BAS) circuit. These fluctuations can cause one or more of these conditions: the brake lights to illuminate without the brake pedal being pushed; the brake lights to not illuminate when the pedal is pushed; difficulty disengaging the cruise control; moving the gear shifter out of the 'PARK' position without pushing the brake; and disablement of crash avoidance features such as traction control, electronic stability control, and panic braking assist features.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.

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 pedal home position, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed an Interim letter to customers on July 14, 2014. The recall began on August 18, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-762-2737 (Pontiac), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). GM's number for this recall is 13036.

Additional source detail variants (5)

Electronic Stability Control (esc)