Steering became difficult due to loss of power steering. Warning chimes sounded and "power steering" message illuminated on stereo console. After turning off the vehicle and restarting, steering seemed to be fine. Two days later I began to experience a tugging from side to side in the steering wheel. I brought the car to my dealer and after paying a diagnostic fee it was determined that there was a short in the steering column. There is a service bulletin published for this (10183) but they won't inform you unless it occurs. They also are only covering repairs for a certain range of VIN numbers, even though the same problem occurs on vehicles of the same model year outside of that range. Any known problem with steering should be considered a safety issue and be corrected by the manufacturer.
2006 Chevrolet Malibu steering complaints
Page 17 of 28: complaints 461 to 490 of 812, newest first, as owners wrote them.
I was driving and as I was making a left turn the power steering warning came on but at the same time I couldn't turn my wheel which almost caused me to have an accident. Three months ago while my teenager was driving alone he told me that the power steering had gone out while he was turning and almost had an accident. But when I drove it after him I didn't have a problem until june 28th. Because it happened twice on the 28th I had the car towed to hendricks auto mall in durham nc on june 29th for fear of having an accident. They told me that the module needed to be replaced and that there was a recall on the 2006 malibu but my car was not part of the recall even though it's has the same issue as the vehicles being recalled. I spoke with a representative at chevy and they told me that it's my problem and if I wanted it fixed that I would have to pay because I was the 2nd owner of the vehicle. I asked the representative at chevy if the power steering warning and bell should give me a warning or just go out and was advised that when it appears it should only be a warning. I would like for chevy to acknowledge that my vehicle should be a part of the recall as it has the same symptoms. My car is still at the repair shop as I have not heard back from the rep jr who advised me on july 5th that he would call me back with a resolution. I feel this is a very serious issue because it puts me and others on the road around me in danger.
While driving my power steering keeps locking on me and the power steering warning light appears on the dashboard. I pull over turn off the car and then turn it back on and it resets itself but then keeps happening. It is very difficult to drive the car when the power steering keeps locking on me and was almost in an accident because of it. This needs to be recalled and fixed as soon as possible.
This car had hardly driven off the lot,as a certified used car with 31000 original miles on the od and I put only 800 miles,when the rotors,and brakes,and steering started knocking,and becoming what I would call "stiff,non-functional" power steering,and pull violently to the left,when uphill. The harsh shaking,of the rotors,and the "stringy feeling of the brake pad,loose was not stopping at a proper safe level. At the future,within 2008-2009-2012 the steering column,was recalled,and put in twice and the brakes were not good,requiring more replacements,and rotors shaved for my safety as it rattled the front end,and caused steering,and distracting for driving safely. I had multiple close calls on basic driving,in rural area,uphill,where power steering went out,the car was not able to be controlled. Prob 10 times,on freeway I could not go past 60 miles,or the engine would act strange,pulling,and again threatening to fail power steering. To date,,now the maf failed,and shut off the engine while driving,again locking up the brakes,and in the middle of traffic. In total it has 30000 new miles in less then 6 yrs and it remains a deathtrap.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that while driving various speeds, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
Power steering light came on, steering stiffened. Unable to turn car. Put car in neutral, turned off, restarted, until I could steer car into a parking lot. Each restart gave me a few seconds of steering. Dealer replaced electronic power steering motor, other adjustments, plus $115 charge to diagnose, plus rental car for 3 days: for a total repair cost of $1,023.36.
September 2012 I had both front drive axles replaced because there was shaking in the steering and the mechanic said it was those axles. May 2013 the shaking was still very persistent and I was hearing a popping noise when turning the wheels. Mechanic replaced the sway bars. This still didnt solve the problem. 6-3-13 when driving about 25mph "power steering" came up on radio dial and car was very hard to steer. After turning car off and restarting didnt have a problem. It has done this many times since then. Today 06-17-13 I still have power steering, but now there is a scrubbing sound and the steering wheel is real "jerky" when turning the wheels, especially to the left. I am very concerned that I am going to lose my power steering while on the highway and I wont be able to control the car. Something needs to be done immediatly before lives our lost.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that a noise was heard while making a turn. The contact also mentioned that there was a popping noise and vibration while decelerating. The vehicle was taken to independent repair shop who replaced the rack and pinion, the outer tie rod, the brakes and drums. The failure recurred. The failure was reported to the manufacturer. The failure mileage was 70,000. The current mileage was 100,000...updated 08-07-13 *bf the consumer stated the rack and pinion, as well as the outer tie rods were replaced twice, and the consumer continues to experience problems. The consumer was informed the rack and pinion and outer tie rods needs to be replaced again.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that the power steering warning light illuminated while parking and the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis. The technician stated that the steering column would have to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not further repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 95,000.
I pulled out of the parking lot of my job one day and my power steering warning flashed on my radio. At the same time my car shut off in the middle of traffic. I did not know what to do so instinctively I cut my car off and cut it back on. It temporarily fixed the issue. Now out of no where if I make any sharp turns the power steering shuts the car down. This is very dangerous and could cause an accident especially if it happens in traffic. This should definitely be recalled because it is very serious issue with these cars. I read online about how a lot of chevy malibu's are doing this. Why hasn't this issue been addressed?
Since 4/24/13 my power steering warning light has come on at least five times. Thankfully at this point I have not lost steering but it does scare me when it happens because I almost always have had my child in the car with me when the warning has come on. With as many complaints I've seen on this matter I feel as a single parent I should not have to pay up to $500 for repairs. A recall should be in place to protect those of us who have this particular issue. If steering should go out in the middle of a turn I could be involved in an accident. I think it is terrible that a recall may never be put in place unless an accident with serious injury occurs.
My wife was driving from work when the car lost power steering. This happened as she was leaving the parking lot of her company. She parked and turned off the car. When she restarted the car the problem went away but the power steering seems different and not as smooth.
I lost power steering when I ignite my car. There is chiming and message for checking power steering. Turn off the motor, and power steering was back. While I accelerated onto highway, I heard the same chiming. Had no time to look at the message. I searched online, and found that my power steering was lost for several seconds. This is horrible. This is absolute a safety issue. I wonder why there is no recall on this. Gm took billions of dollars from tax payer's pockets to bail it out, but can not make a right car. Shame on gm.
I was driving on the highway. While driving on the highway at around 60 mile per hour the powersteering warning came onto the radio display. Shortly after the steering wheel became extremely hard to turn. I was able to pull over to the side of the road once I dont that the car cut off. I was towed to have the car looked at, once the car was looked at I had the alternator replaced. When I picked up the car from the place where it was serviced, while driving it home the car locked up again and I had to have it towed again to the place. Once at the place the problem was fixed and the car ran fine for two days. While driving to work once pulled in parking space the battery light came on again. Now I am afraid to drive it in fear that it will happen again and cause an accident.
I have a 2006 chevy malibu,first incident was probably jan 2013 I filled gas tank and instantly the gauge goes to empty and engine light comes on , then gauge goes from full to empty for up to 3 days , then it goes back to normal. Now I have a problem with the steering pulling me from left to right , sometimes very suddenly. Had the alignment done and new tires still have the same problem. Getting scary to drive. Cant figure out what problem is will have to take to dealership.
When pulling out from a stop and making a right hand turn the power steering quits - making it very hard to steer, power steering comes up in the display center, and the warning center ding is sounded. Started happening about once a week and now happens a couple times each time the car is driven. When the car is shut off and restarted everything is back to normal, until it happens again when making one of your next right turns.
Either while I am driving or when I start my car the power steering light flashes on the display and dings three times, and the power steering stops working. This is very frustrating especially while I am driving, fortunately it has not happened while I am driving around corners, but I am very fearful that it will and I will be in the ditch with major issues. When I start the vehicle this sometimes happens and I need to shut the car off several times on occasions to get the power steering to start working. This is and could be a very dangerous situation. I am truly amazed that gm cares about the canadian drivers but not about USA drivers. As they have issued a recall in canada but not in the united states.
I was taking my daughter to school and the car all of a sudden pulled to the right, I heard the ding ding sound the car makes when there's a problem, the power steering flashed on and off rapidly. The wheel became very hard to turn but it quickly returned back to normal. I went online and noticed that there are a number of complaints similar to what I experienced. I am really concerned about this. The 2006 malibu has had a recall on the steering column in canada but not in the us. I think that gm should fix the problem. This could cause an accident if it is not fixed.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that while driving 10 MPH, the power steering warning lamp illuminated and the electronic steering locked up, as the consumers wife was making a left turn. The contact mentioned that the failure occurred multiple times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the steering column had an internal short in one of the sensors. As a result, the steering column needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The failure and current mileage was 40,708. *tr updated 04/30/13
I was pulling into a parking lot and the car gave me the 'ding' that tells me something is wrong. I looked at the dash and it flashed power steering. The wheel became very hard to turn and I was able to pull into a parking stall. When I started the car back up the steering was normal again. I went online and noticed that there are a number of complaints similar to what I experienced. I am really concerned about this. The 2006 malibu has had a recall on the steering column in canada but not in the us. I think that gm should fix the problem. This could cause an accident if it is not fixed.
The vehicle was being driven on 2 lane highway at 45 MPH suddenly power steering warning message appeared in display, warning noise came on (ding) and there was no power steering. The vehicle was pulled over anf the ignition was turned off and the vehicle was re-started and the warning message was gone and the powersteering started working again. I checked for, (diagnostic trouble codes), dtc's with a scantool and there were no codes listed. I looked for service bulletins for this and found the following. Special coverage adjustment - power steering assist2012/05/2310183a this bulletin covers my vehicle and will replace the steering column in the vehicle.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that while driving 5 MPH, the power steering system malfunctioned. The contact took the vehicle to a dealer for diagnostics who stated that the steering a shaft needed to be replaced. The contact called the manufacturer and filed a complaint. The failure mileage was 30,280. Updated 03/15/13*lj the consumer stated his wife experienced two failures at 25 MPH and one at 5 MPH. Updated 03/27/13
I was driving on the highway with 60 MPH. I suddenly recognized that it was very hard to steer. It was very hard for me to pull it over . As I knew this issue with 2006 malibu cars (read many complaints about it on the internet before), I did not panic, and achieved it to pull over without any accident. (by the way, I am a male driver and I do not think any female driver without any knowledge of such problem in advance could pull the car over) I have seen the "power steering" flash on the screen during the incident. After turning off and on the ignition, everything was normal. I do not know whether it will repeat again in the future. I searched for any recalls about the power steering, and found that 2005/2006/2008 malibu cars were recalled on october 2012 in canada. (please see the link for more information http://wwwapps.tc.gc.ca/saf-sec-sur/7/vrdb-bdrv/search/recalldetail.aspx?lang=eng&rn=2012331 ) however, there is no such action in the USA. It is a very crucial safety problem and these cars are to be recalled immediately in the USA as well. Gm should definitely take an action before any deadly accident happens.
Traveling down the highway and suddenly the vehicle is very hard to steer got the vehicle pulled over to the side of the road after having to muscle the wheel then had the car towed to the dealer.was told it was a electric power steering assist motor that had went out causing the problem and after questioning about a recall was told they were recalled in canada but not the us this is a very concerning matter that gm needs to correct.
The power steering goes out whenever it want to while the car is in motion. The gas hand goes down to e when the car really have gas in it, but it will go back up on its own. The engine light is on, and the car do not get as much power have to hit the gas all the way RPM go all the way up. I have not even had this car for two years but having all these problems with it.
When driving down the road attempting to switch lanes to the left the power steering failed. The vehicle lost power steering and pulled to the left towards oncoming traffic. Fortunately I was able to compensate for the loss and pull over without incident. My info center indicated a "power steering" error and chimed 3 times. After turning the car off and back on the problem remedied itself. Since then this has happened three additional times. This is an intermittent problem and the dealership cannot diagnose the error without reproducing it.
Upon returning from vacation, we retrieved our 2006 chevrolet malibu from a friends house and the car beeped once and my husband was like "what's that", then I noticed in the message center area that it was flashing power steering, which it had never done before. Now, every time I get into the car, the car beeps and the power steering message comes on in the message center. I have researched the issue and have noticed that gm is not accepting full responsibility for these defective steering columns/power steering motors, only those select few (cobalts, etc.)?? Apparently quite a few are being recalled in canada, but not in the u. S. And it only leads me to the question: why?? I have been a loyal malibu owner (this is my third one) but if gm is not willing to step up and admit a serious safety defect, I may have to rethink my choice of vehicle ownership.
The power steering light came on the steering wheel started to jerk. So I put off the road turn the car off look under the hood for a power steering pump fluid holder notice there wasn't one. So I started the car and it drove fine. So lately, it keep happen very often but the chevrolet company say that it is not a defect in the car. But I have read a lot of complaints about the same problem that I am having with this car. I have carry the car in to get it service to see what was wrong with it and it was the power steering column. The dealer with not paid for it because I have to many miles on my car. But if I have only 150,000 miles they would. Because the mechanic say that it is not a defect in the power steering that they will not fix it. It's cause I have a lot of miles on it and that I didn't buy it new according to the chevrolet company but if there are a lot complaints about the same thing then I feel there is a defect in the car not how many miles you put on the car. I believe there should be a recall on the power steering.
On accel loss of power steering assist ,steering very hard to move hit brake to slow down steering recovered. Accelerated vehicle again and was able to reproduce effect mention above. Steering very hard to turn in the morning hours and lose of steering happens.
When driving and turning to the right..the steering gets stiff and the power steering alarm comes on. Once stopped I can turn the vehicle off and crank it again...the power steering resets. As you can imagine this is what I have to do each and everytime. The dealer finds nothing wrong with it when I take it in..so please advise. The fluid is good and there is no leaks.
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