My first occurrence was while driving across a railroad track at a speed of 35 MPH....while driving I heard a dinging and looked to see my power steering light came on at the same time that I was crossing the tracks....tracks where uneven so I kinda went around the uneven part and couldn't handle my steering so I almost hit a car coming in the opposite direction...second occurrence has even more life threatening....while drivin on the highway at speeds of 65mph...I heard the dinging sound and my steering locked up completely(like when the car is turned off) I could not use steering at all and I had a semi right behind me ....I was approaching a curve in the highway so I slow down so the traffic would go around me to hopefully get a chance to turn off the car and restart it to reset power steering....I had read about this problem online and that was the solution..I took the car to a mechanic where he did a road test and of course nothing happened....I only have 2 more payment on this car and to find out that the situation when fixed always recurs is very disappointing....please recall this vehicle before this problem kills somebody...my family is already aware of this problem and if I get into a accident they will be looking closely into this problem.
2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx steering complaints
Page 5 of 8: complaints 101 to 130 of 207, newest first, as owners wrote them.
While driving a warning chime appeared thru the radio display "power steering" and the vehicle lost power steering. With great difficulty vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road and turned off. Upon restarting the car the power steering came back only to go out again. Had the computer reset and problem hasn't happened again, yet! Check online and this vehicle and other models with the same power assist steering have been recalled as recent as 1212 in canada, but not in the USA. Everything on the internet, including gms website say the steering column has to be replaced. We checked with the local chevrolet dealer and there is no recall for this VIN #. This vehicle is driven on major highways everyday, so I am having the steering column replaced at a cost of $550 out of pocket.gm's website says it is not a safety problem because it can still be steered off the road. This is my daughter's car and she can barely handle this car without the power assist. I drove it and lost the power assist and I bumped a curb trying to turn it into a parking lot. How can this not be a safety issue? Can I be reimbursed for the cost of fixing this problem?
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that while driving the steering failed without warning. The contact mentioned that steering wheel became hard to maneuver. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who decided to replace an unknow part within the steering. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 89,000 and the current mileage was 139,000.
Power steering failure while driving at high speeds in highway traffic. Intermittent failure. Several months of driving it would sporadically fail and then return back to normal. Eventually it failed completely. Went to have the ps module replaced only to discover the column is to be replaced with it. The vehicle is drivable, but feels unsafe and puts others at risk. Vehicle is not easily maneuverable at low speeds. Needs large space to turn around. Seems to be a common problem among this vehicle as I have seen many many complaints. Why is there not yet a recall on the ps module/column failure of the malibu??
While accelerating on to the freeway, more while hitting the passing gear, power steering is all of a sudden lost or even correcting itself back to center. The "power steering" message appears on the radio display and a clicking sound is made. It has since happened at slower speeds as well. It feels like a very unsafe problem and it seems very common among chevrolet owners of various models around that year.
Turned left onto an uphill road and gave it a good amount of gas to accelerate up to speed. Had the rpms up and in the middle of the turn the steering wheel just locked up. I immediately let off the gas and the steering returned to normal. It was quite unnerving but I worked on many cars years ago and react accordingly to things like stuck throttles, and this. I just bought the car so I don't know the history of it other than the carfax check was clean. It appear that I should have done my research on this vehicle with this steering problem before buying it. There are so many people with the same issue that I cannot believe a recall has not been performed. However, there is a service bulletin that extends the warranty on this item, to any owner, to ten years and 150 k miles. Do a search for it online. Gm will replace the entire steering column. This is probably what I will end up doing.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet malibu maxx. The contact stated that while driving 15 MPH, the steering wheel seized violently, causing the contact's hands to be thrown from the steering wheel. The steering wheel regained normal function as the contact decelerated. The failure recurred numerous times, only lasting momentarily. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnosis where the contact was informed that the failure was caused by faulty electronics in the steering column. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure and current mileages were 88,000.
While I am driving the steering wheel will lock up and my dash board will start blinking then the message center will say "power steering" now everytime I am get to 45 MPH the message center will start blinking.
Was making a right hand turn to enter onto the expressway and steering either locked up or became very hard to steer (it all happened quickly) causing the car to hit the curb and severely damaging the wheel, alignment, etc. Gm replaced the faulty power steering box (recall) but has found themselves not liable for the collateral damage sustained because of the faulty power steering. Gm says I have no proof that the damage that is visible on the vehicle was directly caused by steering failure. Really??!! I've always been a big chevy fan, but this leaves a very bitter taste that may never go away!!!!! *tr
We purchased our 2006 mailbu maxx in november 2005. Two months later there was a violent shake in the front end, the dealership turned the rotors because they were warped. Then we started having trouble with the electrical system right after the warranty ran out.the rear wiper comes on by itself, interior lights blow constantly as well as headlights. Door locks work when they want to. Keyless has not worked for three years even with new remote batteries. Since the car has had 40,000 miles on it the power steering has been acting up. My wife has hit our garbage cans and even my truck pulling into the driveway. We cant even trade this piece of crap in because everybody knows the problems with this car. Our malibu has 78,000 miles on it and we have put 4 sets of brakes on the front with heavy duty rotors and three sets on the rear. Gm is not concerned with the safety of their customers. This car is crap and they know it. We should at least get 200 percent over trade in value to purchase another vehicle. Like a rock....more like a turd!!!!!
Power steering intermittently fails on vehicle. Resets after turning car off.
I was taking my granddaughter to school and the power steering went out as I was pulling in to the school. I turn off the car to locate the power steering pump but could not locate it.when I started the car it was fine so when I got home I found out that this is a big problem and gm is not doing anything about it.what is it going to take for somebody does something about it. I believe gm was one of the companies that was help by the government with tax payers money the same ones that are having this problem,please you need to do something about this big problem that gm is ignoring before is to late for some body or family. Thank you
Driver info center said check gas cap,we replaced it now a smell of gas in car when starting it up.
Electrical power steering failed while operating vehicle.
Knocking noise in the steering column. Had to have iit fixed twice and it now does it again. This is a repetative problem and it appears that this car has a design issue.
I have been reading over some of the 30 pages of steering complaints for the 2006 chevrolet malibu. I found out that I am not alone with this car problem. I just bought my car in august 2011 - it was a one owner with 31,000 miles in excellent condition. I thought I did my homework when buying but was not aware of the steering problems that existed. There was no recall listed . I would never have bought this car knowing what I know now and experiencing the problem first hand. I heard the two dings then the words "power steering" appeared on the instrument panel. I immediately had no power steering and was driving in heavy traffic. The car was extremely hard to steer and I was lucky to make it home. Since then, I have experienced this two other times. I am scared to death to drive this car. Do I have to get killed in a car accident before you will do something? I can't afford to pay these costly repairs and shouldn't be responsible for the manufacturer's defects. Please save my life and everyone else by taking action now!!!
Today when I drive back from my driveway, speed is only 5km/hour, when I turned left ,suddenly the steeling lose power I crash to my wife's car. Yeah, it is a only a small hit and nothing damage. Then I stopped my car , restart it and it is ok .but after I drove 2 km, it lost power again when I turn left. I google, I found it is thousand of same issues happen while gm only recall the g6 cobalt but not malibu,why? They suck ,I will never buy gm again.
For the past several months power steering failure with left turns. Yesterday complete failure, fortunately it locked up in my driveway. Steering wheel jammed up with the slightest turn.
Steering- when making left turns steering collumn pops as if linkage is slipping. Apparently a known defect at chevrolet. Steering column should be replaced. Loss of power sterring in the past at higher speeds, one complete lockup of steering wheel while vehicle was in motion. Brakes- increasingly difficult over time to slow vehicle to a stop safely. Brakes were completely replaced at 51k miles due to an issue of wear at rates exceeding mechanical estimates. Dealership inspection yields no damages or problem yet test drive shows how difficult vehicle is to stop effectively.
We started having trouble with the power steering going out at very low speeds, especially in warm weather, only occasionally. Then the problem worsened with the power steering going out frequently when turning to the right. Only after we had obtained 100000 miles on the car did we receive a letter from the gm company stating there was a problem with the electrical power steering and upon contacting gm company they refused to fix their factory installed defective problem stating it was our problem. They refuse to fix the steering problem and it has caused us to have close encounters with crashes. The car is extremely hard to turn for my wife and is a real crash hazard. It was their mistake, but they refuse to honor their commitment to car safety like they advertise on tv. It is their problem and they should honor their safety commitment to their customers. We would like to have the car fixed at their expense not ours since it is their mistake.
Intermittent loss of power steering that occurs under two different scenarios. Upon hard acceleration (as when entering a highway), steering will periodically lock-up with a series of 4 chimes coming from the information display panel on the dashboard. Power steering assist returns upon deceleration. Also, I've have had several instances of power steering loss when backing up in colder winter temperatures. Power assist returns after turning off and restarting the vehicle. Dealer has been unable to recreate either scenario as it happens intermittently, the vehicle has not been repaired for this defect nor has it been in an accident but let's not wait for one. It's quite obvious from thousands of internet posts that this is a known problem that gm refuses to acknowledge. An nhsta recall would be nice. Secondly, the vehicle has had numerous repairs to front suspension, steering and brake components that should not fail within the first the 60k miles of ownership (some were replaced with less than 35k). Components replaced include; strut tower assembly, both tie rods (inner and outer), steering column, right rear caliper (snapped parking brake cable), all four brake rotors replaced. For the folks who spent their hard earned money on thier malibu maxx and are reading this online, please take the time to post your stories. Gm should be held accountable for their inaction and refusal to acknowledge serious steering related defects. It won't happen until the federal safety agency receives enough complaints to force a recall.
Tl*the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet malibu maxx supersport. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 to 50 MPH the steering wheel became very loose and it was difficult for her to control of the vehicle. When making a left or right turns she heard a popping noise in the steering column. The vehicle was inspected by an independent mechanic who advised her that the steering column needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted and advised her to take the vehicle to a dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 89,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet malibu maxx. While driving at any speed, the contact stated that she would lose power steering making it difficult to control the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who advised the contact that the vehicle was operating as normal. The manufacturer was not aware of the failure. No repairs were performed. The current mileage was 57,000 and the failure mileage was 56,700.
Steering wheel failure caused car accident. While driving through a freeway tunnel, the power steering went out and made it impossible to steer causing my car to hit the tunnel wall. The car had less than 40,000 miles, yet the power steering indicator went on. The power steering reset and went back on, after the car was restarted. Please initial a defect investigation or a safety recall before this happens to someone else.
Tl*the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet malibu maxx. While driving approximately 30 MPH the power steering locked and it became difficult to maneuver the steering wheel. After the vehicle was restarted the power steering functioned normally. The mechanic was unable to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 61,000.
The intermediate shaft which is connected to the steering column was replaced in 2007 when the vehicle had less than 30,000 miles and was under warranty. It has to be replaced again at 83,00 miles. This is definitely a gm design issue. The electronic power steering module has been replaced, the rack/pinion has been replaced and neither part should have to be replaced when the vehicle is under 80,000 miles.. Gm customer service refuses to accept that this is not normal wear and tear of a vehicle even though this will be the second replacement of this part. Hundreds of owners of this 2006 malibu maxx have the exact same issue therefore it can not be the driver but is definitely a engineering design issue. Gm needs to be honest and own up to the failures of their vehicle designs. There are losing loyal customers because of their inability to provide a recall on this vehicle. It is their responsibility to provide the consumers with safe vehicles. Steering issues are definitely a serious hazard. Gm must be held accountable for their vehicle failures. This vehicle needs to be recalled and at the very least gm should pay for the repairs.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet malibu maxx. The contact was driving 2-3 MPH in reverse when the steering wheel locked abnormally. The vehicle was turned off. The vehicle was restarted several minutes later and the steering wheel had returned to normal. The failure recurred intermittently while driving at any speed. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnosis or repairs. The failure mileage was 85,000 and the current mileage was 92,000.
While on the road, my steering wheel started jamming up and then struck, dash board light illuminated. After restarting engine, it worked fine. For having this problem repeated for several times, I got the appointment with dealership and called chevy customer service. I was told of the problem being known and common in all the 2006 malibu and other make and model in which such power steering module/ parts have been used. When I asked, why I was not informed of such problem, I was told that it will repair at no cost if only the problem is duplicated at the shop. After repair on (feb 01 20011), in a phone call, I was told that there is no paper work for problem/recall/ warranty/ what so ever, but the work is covered for 12 months and/or 12000 miles altogether. This particular car has been brought to department of transportation's attention under lemon law in 2008, but it was not justified based on hearing was scheduled after allowed timeline. What a bummer!!! This time knowing the problem, gmc is not recalling or addressing it before any disaster strike and someone loose his/her life. Thanks a lot chevy.... You are the american revolution.
The power steering column started to clunk when turning when car was a year old..took it to a dealership and they greased the column...didn't work...took it back,l they greased it again... Same thing....now I get a messages - power steering and reduced engine power when driving. This is very dangerous cuz I have little power so I lose speed on the highway and its very hard to turn the wheel.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet malibu maxx. While driving approximately 50 MPH, the power steering light illuminated on the instrument panel and the power steering stopped functioning. The failure occurred intermittently and only for a few seconds and then functioned properly. Also the contact stated sometimes the ignition would have to be turned off in order for the power steering to function. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for repair but there was an appointment set. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was unavailable. The approximate failure mileage was 36,000.
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