2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx: loss of power steering

Filed Mar 11, 2025 · Engine, Steering · 204,000 miles · MI

The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the power steering malfunctioned, and the steering wheel became difficult to turn in either direction. During the failure, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the power steering assist assembly was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 15V064000 (STEERING). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 204,000.

Filed Feb 6, 2023 · Steering · 111,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx. The contact stated that while driving at an undetermined speed and attempting to make a left turn, the steering wheel failed to turn left or right. The vehicle continued to move forward. The power steering assist fault light was illuminated. The contact had to push the vehicle off the roadway. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who informed her about a power steering sensor failure. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 111,000.

Filed Apr 15, 2022 · Steering · 206,203 miles · AL

The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 206,203.

Filed Dec 3, 2021 · Steering · 140,000 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx. The contact stated that while pulling into a parking space, the vehicle inadvertently lost power steering functionality. The power steering warning light illuminated. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle; however, the steering wheel remained difficult to steer. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to his residence with manual steering. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000. Consumer stated "Failed component/part Information", it is incorrect to identify the failure in the hydraulic power assist/power steering fluid. The power steering on my car is electrical assist.

Filed Oct 7, 2021 · Steering · 168,000 miles · MN

The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx. The contact stated that while stationary or while driving at various speeds, the power steering assist would fail to operate, and the power steering warning light would illuminate on the instrument panel. The contact stated that the steering wheel would lock as the failure occurred. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle with power steering failure. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and informed her that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The contact was given a case number. The vehicle has been repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.

Filed Feb 19, 2019 · Steering · 150,000 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet malibu maxx. The contact stated that there was an electric power steering failure that caused the steering wheel to seize. The vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign numbers: 14v153000 (steering), 14e044000 (steering), and 15v064000 (steering). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.

Filed Feb 14, 2019 · Steering · 150,000 miles · TN

While driving power steering assist was lost which resulted in a dangerous driving condition. Recycling the ignition key resolved the problem for a day or two before repeating. It appears this VIN is not applicable to the gm recall for this known problem. Recommendation to the federal safety agency is to reopen this recall and expand the VIN range to include vehicles with this problem and not a select few just to save money. This incident occurs whether driving at interstate speeds or just starting the car and anywhere in between.

Filed Apr 12, 2018 · Driver assistance, Steering · 150,000 miles · IN

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

Filed Apr 2, 2018 · Steering · 117,000 miles · MD

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".

Filed Dec 11, 2017 · Steering · 111,000 miles · PA

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.

Filed Mar 9, 2017 · Steering · 139,000 miles · MA

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

Filed Dec 12, 2016 · Driver assistance, Steering · 210,000 miles · SC

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!!!!