2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx: clunking or noise when steering

Filed May 11, 2017 · Steering · 140,000 miles · AL

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.

Filed Jul 27, 2014 · Steering · 65,500 miles · FL

Around 60000 miles you could hear and feel a clunking or popping coming from inside the steering column. This happened especially while turning the wheel or going over bumps. At approximately 65500 miles while my wife was traveling at 20 MPH making a turn the power steering instantly and without warning locked up. After turning the car off and on again the power steering would reset but would still randomly lock up. I called chevrolet and explained what was happening and how this was a huge safety concern. If this had happened at high speeds my wife could have lost control of the vehicle. Chevrolet informed me that they had no knowledge of this failure. They also stated they would not help with the $1081.31 dollar repair bill for a new steering column module. As of mar 31, 2014 chevrolet has posted a recall for the sudden loss of electric power steering in the 2006 malibu maxx. After calling chevrolet to inform them I would like to get this new part to fix the issue they informed me my 2006 malibu maxx was not within the VIN numbers affected. This is terrible if chevrolet knows this problem exists but is waiting for more complaints or deaths I guess. Now I'm just waiting and hoping my pregnant wife is not involved in an accident from sudden loss of electric power steering.

Filed Apr 27, 2013 · Steering · 172,000 miles · KY

My steering wheel locked up when I was turning, when I turn my steering wheel sometimes it makes a popping sound. Then power steering will appear on my message screen on my radio.

Filed Jun 17, 2011 · Steering · 89,000 miles · MD

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.

Filed Jan 30, 2011 · Steering · 30,000 miles · 00

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.

Filed Aug 24, 2010 · Steering · 67,810 miles · MI

My 2006 malibu maxx has been have issues with the steering system. Started out with an intermittent clunking noise several months ago. The car has only 67,000 miles on it. Now it clunks every time you turn the steering wheel. The front end has always road ruff like a steering vibration but thought it was just the make of the car. Our 00' monte carlo and 00' impala in comparison never road like this. Thought it was the tires so we upgraded to a better riding tire, did not make a difference. Over the last couple weeks steering noise getting worse, sensor light came on indicating power steering. Check with mechanic and cannot find anything that appears wrong on vehicle. Just this weekend on the entrance ramp on the interstate the wheel just jerked to the right. Was able to bring it back to central position quickly but was concerned. Happened today to my wife on the way to the store on a two lane road. Luckily it jerked her to the right and she was able to steer it back to the center position. Concerned of potential for serious accident and will not be so lucky next time. After plugging in steering issues with malibu maxx's, I was shocked to see hundreds of complaints on forums and consumer sites regarding a range of years with the maxx. Gm needs to wake up, does it take people dying or seriously getting hurt before they will pay attention to all these people and their issues and serious ones at that. My husband is a ford mechanic and wanted me to buy a ford because of quality issues, but I love the style of the maxx, the cargo capacity and now I'm having second thoughts as no one seems to be getting help other than gm has some solutions that are costing the consumer lots of money and there are still issues after the fixes. I'm seriously considering getting rid of it and settling for a car that will insure me a safe ride and keep my passengers safe. Wise up to this before people are seriously hurt. Thank you.

Filed Aug 5, 2010 · Steering · 78,000 miles · MI

Within 1 week of purchasing the vehicle used I could hear a clunk when turning the steering wheel. I took it to the dealer and they said it was a 'steering column gear' and fixed it. Within 6 months the sound started again, I took it to my local mechanic he suggested replacing the rack and pinion. This stopped the sound for about 6 months, this time the sound not only came back but the steering locked up while merging onto the freeway, when I let my foot off the accelerator the steering came back. This lock up has occurred 2 more times, making a total of 3 steering lock ups in a years time.

Filed Jun 15, 2010 · Body, Steering · 37,000 miles · OH

2006 chevy malibu maxx - 2 problems 1. Metal to metal noise as steering wheel is turned 2. Vibrating noise around dashboard all the time.

Filed Mar 18, 2010 · Steering · 47,400 miles · FL

I was driving my car around 15-20 miles and I heard a chime. I thought the car was low on fuel; I looked the instruments panel/display, and I noticed a message on the screen "power steering". I had 2-3 previous (dealer service) incidents before because a clunk noise when turning.

Filed May 10, 2008 · Steering · NM

The gear box on the steering column makes a popping sound when you turn also the steering wheel jolts when it does this it has been replaced every month since then and it still does it. It will not do it for about a week when I have it replaced but then it starts to do it again.