Car loses it's electric power steering randomly, which is a safety concern. Apparently, there are 2 separate recalls on the steering components for 2006 malibus. Gm says that 1 of the recalls related to my car and the repair was made. Since this is a "closed" case and the repair was made I have been getting the run around from both the dealership that made the repair and gm headquarters. Please note that the issue is the exact same issue that the recall was for. Clearly, the recall was just a band-aid, not a fix as I have read several other people having the same issue! Radio illuminates that the power steering has failed (which is what the recall is for). This is definitely a safety issue and needs to be 1. Investigated 2. Fixed by gm and not the owner of the vehicle. The dealership wants me to pay $130 to diagnose the problem and then charge me to replace the same part the recall was supposed to fix! This is crazy and do we really need to diagnose the problem when it clearly says (and I can feel) that the power steering is failing? Please investigate this as it is definitely a safety issue.
2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx steering complaints
Page 2 of 8: complaints 11 to 40 of 207, newest first, as owners wrote them.
I have owned this vehicle for about 2 years and for the last year the power steering message comes across my radio display everytime the vehicle is on and stays on. My power steering pump is electric and occasionally I will lose my power steering while I am driving
Power steering alert on dashboard. Power steering has been an issue for my car in the past and similar models have been recalled due to the electrical system failing or having issues.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet malibu maxx. While the vehicle was stationary and while driving various speeds, the steering wheel seized on numerous occasions. The contact stated that the steering wheel became extremely difficult to turn left or right. Dave hallman chevrolet (1925 state street, erie, pennsylvania 16501, (877) 260-0369) was made aware of the failure. There was no diagnosis performed and the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Steering gets very tight at times at all speeds. Suspected that electronic steering assist mechanism is bad. This part was recalled in 2015 for failures.
I was driving to work yesterday morning and my steering wheel locked up so that I couldn't turn left or right. This continued to happen on my way home from work as well to the point it was incredibly difficult to turn the steering wheel even an inch to the left or right. The vehicle was in motion when this happened and was on both side streets (20-30mph) & the highway (65mph).
Power steering has failed intermittently and briefly with no warning at various speeds and upon movement from a parked position.
Under acceleration when changing lanes to pass power steering locked and warning chime rang
14v153 recall was done and problem came back was told I needed to pay for inspection / diagnostic. Computer scan shows same fail of shaft torque sensor
Lost power steering on acceleration onto highway several times over the last 2 weeks. Could not steer untill it reset at speeds of 50+ MPH
Steering column replacement 8/17/2009 and again 10/29/10 after recall. Failed again and just had to replace. Gm did not notify customers that there was a special coverage adjustment - power steering adjustment issued 5-23-2012. Under this I was covered by miles but not by date. This was clearly a way for gm to not fix this persistent problem. They clearly knew this was a problem but did not notify customers. They would not cover this work even though they clearly used sub par parts in there recall work.
Power steering loss: when starting the car and attempting to drive, the power steering light intermittently displays on the dashboard and power steering is no longer active. If the driver stops the vehicle and turns the engine off, the power steering may be reactivated by restarting. This vehicle had a recall issue serviced at a gm dealer for a torque sensor on 10/8/2014. 3-1/2 years / 30,000 miles later, the vehicle was just diagnosed with the same issue (torque sensor) at around $800. The dealer and gm is refusing to provide any financial assistance with this current repair. It is very frustrating that a safety issue such as this, which appears to be a common issue for this model year, is not backed by the manufacturer. The loss of power steering, requiring extensive effort to turn, can potentially cause personal injury or death to this vehicle's occupants as well as others. If a repair for a safety recall only lasts 30,000 miles before resurfacing, I would call this a temporary band-aid, not a "repair".
My steering wheel suddenly started moving back and forth while stopped or parked. I call gm re: recalls. It seems they are not acknowledging the problem. My coworker has a malibu and has the same problem. Hers is 2008. I've been researching through social media and have come across 25 people thus far with the same problem
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet malibu maxx. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the steering wheel seized as a result the vehicle became difficult to steer. No warning lights illuminated before or during the failure. The dealer vehicle was not taken to a dealer for diagnosis or repairs. The contact referenced the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v064000 (steering) as a possible solution however the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified and informed the contact that the federal safety agency regulated what vehicles was included in the recall and to contact the federal safety agency. The failure mileage was 190,000.
Warning comes on radio with warning beeps and all power steering is lost until you turn off car and restart. It can happen during any driving situation at any speed. The car has already had the initial recall taken care of for this same problem even tho we never experienced a problem with it then. Now even tho another recall was issued they say my car isn't in that group. Makes no sense.
Recall 14116, steering shaft torque sensor was performed 1 april 2016 at 37560 miles. On approx. 1-05-18, at approx. 76000 miles, the steering failed completely resulting in extremely difficult control of the vehicle. This was less than 2 years after the recall replacement. Upon diagnosis technicians found that the steering shaft torque sensor and the electronic power steering motor control module had failed. The motor control module probably failed due to increased stress on the system due to the torque sensor having failed. The repair shop had two original equipment replacements for the motor control module fail out of the box before a good one was provided, and both units had to be repeatedly tested and adjusted before acceptable performance was reached. Based on the history of these type failures it is apparent that gm has not corrected the problems with these system components. It cost $747.36 for parts, and $234.00 labor for the repair, not including tax. It is not acceptable that gm is not actually correcting the apparent design issues with these systems, but is continuing to use them in vehicles even with their history of failure. Gm customer service offered no help at all for the cost of this repair even though their parts appear to be defective in design. Their only response was that they had made the recall corrections at no cost once and would not do it again. Yet the oem replacement parts failed repeatedly out of the box. It seems that gm should have some responsibility as they continue to produce defective products that appears to fail repeatedly..
Intermittent loss of power steering while driving resulting in a requirement to drive with only manual steering which requires greater force and lowers the ability to react quickly to traffic patters dramatically. This happens both while the vehicle is in motion and stopped. Turning the power on and off results in temporarily restoring power steering. Worth noting, gm said the recall was closed for this vehicle and the repair was already performed, but failed to bring resolution to the problem, even though it is their sensor that is now not functioning again. Presumably vehicle was fixed with another faulty part from gm or was never actually fixed to begin with. This problem creates a huge safety concern for both the driver and other drivers on the road.
Steering locks up. This has happened several times in the few months I've owned the vehicle. It happens most often when attempting to turn while accelerating (such as turning left onto a busy road). Sometimes it happened upon acceleration without turning. There has been a recall for similar problems on this same make, model and year, however, when I type in my VIN number, nothing comes up. It is most definitely a major safety problem which needs to be fixed asap. I cannot afford to do it at this time. Please tell me if perhaps my VIN just doesn't show up, but I may be able to get it fixed at no charge due to the recall that involves very similar problems/hazards.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet malibu maxx. While attempting to accelerate at various speeds, three chimes sounded, the vehicle seized, pulled to the right, and the power steering warning indicator illuminated. The contact stated that if the failure occurred while in cruise control, it would cancel the cruise control. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic. The dealer was contacted at 304‑422‑6501 and confirmed that the vehicle was not included in the recall and that the shaft torque sensor kit needed to be replaced. The VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v153000 (steering). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and refused to provide a case number or email after informing the contact that the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was 382,000.
Driving down the highway, and slowed to a stop light. The car suddenly dings three times. I hear a high popping noise and the power steering warning light appears on the screen. Light turns green. The steering wheel becomes very hard to turn. It takes all of my might to turn the steering wheel left on a red light intersection. I barely avoided hitting the opposite car that was going left across from me. I was told they had a recall. Called the dealership and I was informed my car did not qualify in the recall because it was made earlier than the other models, and the recall had expired in 2014 anyway. Scared me to death almost hitting someone else.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet malibu maxx. While driving approximately 40 MPH an audible warning sound activated before the power steering suddenly malfunctioned. The steering wheel became very difficult to turn. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering module was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 110,000. Updated 05/04/17*lj
I was picking up a friend & the car drove smoothly to their destination. I stop the car & put the car in park mode, rider got in & I put the car back in drive mode. A few moments later in motion on a city street I took a left turn & the steering wheel ripped itself out of my hands straightening itself out. Power steering light came on the center console, I had no power steering during the left turn & almost got into a car accident because of it. I had to muscle the steering wheel to safety & pull over. As of right now I am still facing this issue, power steering is an electrical issue & the problem is within the steering column. I looked up the issue online only to find out I wasn't alone, many others experienced the same issue as I did. This is a safety issue and needs to be recalled asap
Almost impossible to steer while accelerated, chime sounded
Power steering was fixed 2 years ago due to recall. Now the car is doing the same thing, but worse now. Losing power steering multiple times throughout driving (one trip). Gm refuses to fix it again. I think it's unfair for them not to fix what is their fault. I constantly have to pull over & cut the car off & crank it back up, only for it to keep doing the same thing. It happens every 4 miles. This is ridiculous!!!!
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet malibu maxx. While driving 70 MPH, the steering wheel seized and excessive force was required to move the vehicle. After a couple of minutes, the steering wheel performed normally. The failure recurred multiple times throughout the day. The VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v064000 (steering). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.
My vehicle locks up when I press the gas pedal. It happens under low speeds in street traffic, especially when having to accelerate at turns, as well as highway speeds when accelerating to get onto onramps. It happens if I accelerate quickly and the power steering locks up and I loose control of the vehicle. The dash board entirely lights up, makes a chime sound and blinks. It then will resume normal operation once I release the gas pedal. I have contacted chevrolet and they have said that my vehicle isn't part of the recall 14772 but it is exactly happening as described.
Sudden loss of power steering: car started chiming with a power steering on the radio display while in motion proceeding through a stop light, with difficulty in steering.
The steering goes in and out. Feels like you have very little control of wheel while driving. When accelerating or entering higher speeds a ding goes off. Have replaced steering column through dealer. Need to replace steering gear and control module. This should all be covered considering these parts probably all go bad having a defective steering column to begin with. I don't feel safe at all driving my car.
While on exit ramp from one interstate to another interstate highway during a veer to the left, car suddenly veered right & crossed a lane of traffic heading for an embankment at approximately 60 MPH. I slammed on the brakes, unable to steer, which caused my car to turn 180 degrees and slid into the embankment. Had I not done the 180 degree spin, I would have hit the embankment head on, likely being seriously injured or killed. The recall repair took place and obviously failed. I will never be able to trust driving it again.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet malibu maxx. The contact stated that the power steering warning light randomly flashed and the steering wheel was tight each time the failure occurred. The dealer and the manufacturer indicated that there was a manufacturer recall for the vehicle and provided no remedy or solution. The contact was advised to take the vehicle to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign numbers: 15v064000 (steering), 14e044000 (steering), and 14v153000 (steering). The VIN was included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v224000 (power train). The dealer was to schedule the recall repair. The vehicle was to be taken to an independent mechanic for inspection of the power steering failure and the contact was waiting to determine when the dealer would complete the recall repair. Parts distribution disconnect. The approximate failure mileage was 136,000.
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