2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx: harsh or hard shifting

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 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 Nov 22, 2010 · Steering · 100,000 miles · 00

Clunking in the steering column of my 06 chevy malibu maxx lt. Persistent issue is worsening.

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 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 Jan 26, 2010 · Steering · 55,000 miles · WI

My 06 malibu maxx has a steering problem. The steering wheel will not turn easily at low speeds. It makes a clunking noise when I turn. I have read and this seems to be a problem with my electronic steering and it seems to be a problem for many of these vehicles. I am worried that this will happen at a higher speed.