I have a 2006 chevy malibu. At about 38,000 miles the electric steering quit working. I had to replace. Since the installation of new electric steering component, the steering system makes a very loud snap or clunking or metal on metal sound everytime I make a turn or take off from a stop. Some thing is shifting or moving in the steering gear shaft or rack & pinion. Called the dealer and they said it was normal that it does it and some grease would help quite it. That was there answer for poor engineering. There are many people that have the same problem and there doesn't seem to be a permanent fix for it from gm. If I try to sell my malibu to someone else I will either take a large loss or not be able to sell it at all. I am complaining because gm has not stepped up and accepted responsibility for this problem and come up with a solution. To have anything done at a dealer is 60 to $80.00 per hour, which all the unfortunate owners of those gm electric steering vehicles should not have to pay. I would like to see some pressure put on gm to resolve this very exasperating and potentially serious erosive safety condition. As time goes on the situation gets worse and resonates more and more up the steering column. Lets get this fixed before there is a serious accident or loss of life because the steering fails on these automobiles. Sincerely.
2006 Chevrolet Malibu steering complaints
Page 21 of 28: complaints 581 to 610 of 812, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet malibu. While driving approximately 60 MPH, the contact noticed that the steering wheel would move from one side to the other, making it impossible to control the vehicle. Also, when attempting to start the vehicle, the contact heard a buzzing noise as the steering wheel would violently jerk from left to right. The dealer advised the contact that there were no recalls related to the failure. The contact did not inform the manufacturer of the failure nor was the vehicle diagnosed or repaired. The current mileage was 67,000 and the failure mileage was 64,000.
Check power steering messaging appeared while driving at highway speed. Messaging disappeared after turning car off and on. Message reappeared three more times at different speeds in next two days. Brought car to mechanic who recalibrated steering column. Messaging reappeared on drive home from shop while passing over a speed bump. Returned car to shop, was told steering column and module needed replaced. Repairs exceeded $1000. Mechanic mentioned that when local parts dealer keeps many of these replacement units on hand, it's clearly a known issue that chevy needs to address. Vehicle has low mileage and majority of these miles were accrued on city streets, implausible that a part of this caliber would require replacement at this time based on use. Mechanic tried calling chevy on owner's behalf as parts warranty extended to 36,000 miles. Chevy unwilling to grant any concessions as failure mileage was 37,847.
Loss of power steering. This happened 3 times today.
Tl*the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet malibu. While driving approximately 30 MPH the steering wheel began to shake and the power steering light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technicians stated that the steering column needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
For the past 6 months power steering on 2006 malibu lt had been going out. I could reset it by restarting the car and pressing the accelerator. While driving on the highway about a month or two ago power steering went out, was able to pull over. This happen about 4 time before I reach my destination, I drove in the right lane so I would be able to pull safely off the road. To date if I restart the car I can drive it for a short distance before it goes out again.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet malibu. The contact noticed that power steering warning light was illuminated and remained illuminated for one year. Later while driving approximately 70 MPH, the contact noticed that the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. She turned the vehicle off and on again and the power steering reset independently. The dealer advised the contact to bring the vehicle in for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer informed her to take the vehicle to a local dealer and the vehicle was taken to a private mechanic where the contact was informed that the rack and pinion and electrical system would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The current mileage was 86,000 and the failure mileage was 70,000.
I was accelerating onto the freeway going approximately 60 MPH and the power steering stopped working for 3-4 seconds. There was a chime as well. If it lasted longer or there were other cars around someone could have been injured!!!!
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that the power steering would fail sporadically with the illumination of the power steering warning light. The contact took the vehicle to a mechanic and was told that the electronic power assist was failing and would need replacing. The contact believed the failure to be a severe safety issue. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 75,000 and the current mileage was 78,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet mailbu lt. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH the steering wheel suddenly locked without warning. She was able to release the steering wheel by restarting the vehicle. The vehicle was not inspected or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Power steering temporarily goes out upon acceleration in my 2006 chevy malibu lt. Seems like the problem is intermittent. This seems to be a safety issue and all gm has done is issue a special coverage adjustment (link: http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f13/07126-special-coverage-adjustment-loss-power-steering-assist-models-2005-chevr-58130/). Seems like this should be a safety issue with a dealer recall to address the issue. According to the info I find on the web, this is a known issue with many malibu's.
Tl*the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that while driving various speeds, the power steering locked. The dealer was contacted and informed her to bring the vehicle in for inspection since there were no recalls or related warranties for this failure. The manufacturer was contacted and offered no assistance. The VIN was unavailable. The failure mileage was 82,000.
Steering column locks while pressing gas pedal, this is very dangerous when changing lanes on the expressway. This usually happens to me daily as I travel to and from work on the interstate.
2006 chevy malibu power steering will lock up when driving at low speeds.
I was on my way to work this morning when the interior bell sounded 4 times and then the power steering quit. I was on the thruway and very concerned about being able to exit. The force I needed to use to turn my vehicle was greater than any elderly person would be able to manage. After doing some research, I have learned that this problem has been ongoing with chevy. This is a very serious safety issue. How many people have to die before chevy will make this recall? When the wrongful death lawsuits become more expensive than having to fix their own mistake?
At 102,600 miles power steering began to intermittently fail. It would return when the car was turned off and then started again. My wife very nearly wrecked in a parking lot when it first happened. Gm had a secret warranty to 100k...cost me 660, region refused to help. It was a sensor in the steering column. "old part" is not available, don't know what the dealer would do with such. As my wife suffers from reduced arm strength, it was not an option as to repair.
Electrical power steering column (eps) in my car, and many others of the same year or older has/will fail. Very dangerous, car will not turn when driver wants it to. Foresee accidents and injury if left unrepaired. There was a recall issued for the 2005 model, which uses the same eps as the 2006. There are many complaints about this problem happening at different mileage milestones, however, chevy/gm is basically saying they don't expect their sedans to last longer than 100,000 miles by not remedying the problem. I have 3 kids, this is a very dangerous situation. There must be a logical reason as to why in 2007 they switched to power steering fluid instead of the junk eps. Gm/chevy can expect me, an owner of 5 chevy vehicles, to never purchase this type of power steering again. I am asking for a recall, a repair, a compromise form gm/chevy to fix the vehicle and keep my loyalty to the brand. It's very upsetting a recall would go out for an older vehicle, yet this one gets ignored. How may of my children need to be involved in an accident before gm/chevy takes responsibility for their crappy handiwork. I have an estimate on the repair, which would run between $740-$940. A recall issued by the government, would show their concern; and dedication to consumers.
The steering in my 2006 chevy malibu lt is very faulty. I have read and researched the continuous problems with the steering in this car and it posses a big problem considering I drive this car 200 mile on the interstate highway at high speeds and the car is very difficult to control.
Tl*the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet malibu lt(na). While driving at any speed, the contact noticed that the vehicle would lose all power steering intermittently and the power steering symbol would illuminate on the instrument panel; it was difficult to steer at that point. The contact would turn the vehicle off and restart it again in order to reset the power steering. Both the dealer and manufacturer was notified who informed the contact that there were no recalls. The vehicle was not repaired. The current mileage was 111,440 and the failure mileage was 90,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet malibu. While driving, the contact noticed that the power steering check engine warning light illuminated, when the vehicle lost all power steering, making it difficult to control the vehicle. Both the dealer and manufacturer had not been notified nor was the vehicle diagnosed or repaired. The current and failure mileages were 77,444. The VIN was unavailable.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet malibu. The contact was driving 15 MPH when the steering wheel became extremely stiff, rendering the vehicle disabled. The engine was turned off and the contact restarted the vehicle within moments. The steering wheel had returned to normal operation. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 104,734.
Tl - the contact owns 2006 chevy malibu. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH the power steering light illuminated and right after the vehicle lost power making impossible to turn the wheel. The failure happened several times before randomly and it would work again. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 89,000 and current mileage is 120,000. Pm
Power steering fails. It started when I went to leave work. I started my car, and the power steering immediately failed and "power steering" showed up on the dic. I tried to turn the wheel, and it was almost like the steering wheel was locked up. I turned the car off, and then back on, and it was fine. Then, this past weekend, it did the same exact thing. I again, turned the car off, then on, and it was fine. I drove to the closest chevy dealership, and of course they were closed (it was new years day). I went to leave the dealership, turned my wheel slightly to the right and power steering failed again! Turned the car off, then back on, drove to the stop sign, turned the wheel slightly to the left, and power steering failed again. I'm very scared this will happen unexpectedly while I'm driving home from work on the interstate. Something should be done, especially with how many similar complaints I've seen posted all over the net!
Steering problems. I was in a turning lane with my son in the car. I heard a ding and power steering showed up on my display. I had no power steering! I am a small person and could barely turn the car and stay in my lane. When I got home I turned the car off for awhile, then went and turned it back on and the car was fine. I have driven the car only when I need to because I am afraid to drive it. I heard it will happen again. The car goes into the shop 1/3/11. There is also a knocking noise in the front end when I make a turn. Exterior lights. I've had to replace my head light bulbs about every three months this past year. Because of the lights going out. First one side then the other.
Steering wheel locks up while driving - happens at random - at all different times. Dealer acted like it was no big deal and of course they want me to pay for it when I have now found out that I am not the only one complaining about this problem. It is dangerous, and it could cause fatality. Problem seems to go away for a while after I change out the spark plugs. But I am at 160,000 miles and on my 8th set of spark plugs. Something is not right, spark plugs should last longer than 20,000 miles. Gm should take this complaint seriously before someone is killed. Something is wrong, otherwise why would there be so many people complaining about the same problem. I am working at paying off this car as fast as possible so that I can get into a safer vehicle. Sadly, I will *never* buy a chevy again :-(
2006 chevrolet malibu. Steering electric power assist system fails as you are driving. Complete loss of steering assist. Must stop car, turn off engine. When engine is restarted, power steering is working again.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated was driving 20 MPH when the steering wheel began to exhibit an unusual noise when turning and began shaking excessively. The failure occurred intermittently for a period of one year until most recently when the failure became ongoing. The contact was concerned that the steering capabilities would fail and potentially cause a crash. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing or repairs. The failure and current mileage was 105,000. Updated 02/02/11
My steering wheel have been jumping to the left even while parked. Then my power steering message came on. It locks on me while I'm driving and I have to pull over and turn the car off then back on. It started happening about once a week, but now it happens twice if not more times a day. After I bought the fluid I learned that it's a motor and needs to be replaced. I called chevy and they told me my motor has to be replaced and will cost me over $600. I don't think that I should have to pay for all of that myself. I've read a lot of complaints and this is making me want to trade my car in. Now may car has over 100,000 miles but the problem started at about 83,000. I have kids and when it locks up while driving on the highway,it's too dangerous.
Loose of power steering, gm has extended the warranty on this part, for 10yr or 100,000 miles, our car has 126,000 miles when this was issued, but we have documentation that we were having the trouble at 76,000 miles but gm does not want to help us with the problem, we ask to talk to a supervisor but no one will call us back. You can be driving down the road and turn into somewhere and a bell will go off and you have no power steering, you have to turn off the engine and restart it to regain power and some times it is a short time before it happens again. The dealership told us the steering column would have to be replaced. The cost to repair this is over $600 and we can't afford it. Our car is a 2006 malibu.
I owned a 2006 chevrolet malibu,in which I have only had 1 1/2 years,the factory warranty just expired 3 months ago. I am now having very serious problems with the power steering (eps) it has a tendency to go out on me everytime I turn left if I turn the wheel all the way to the left or if I just turn it a little bit just enough to make the turn I can fill the stiffness in it as if its getting ready to shut down,this has happen off and on for 2 weeks now and once it shuts down I have to cut the car all the way off and crank it back up and then the power steering is restored,this never happens when I turn to the right it just go along as if nothing is wrong. I consider this pretty dangerous because it can happen to me in traffic after making a left turn and get me hit in the rear seriously. I have been online reading some of the other comments with the chevy malibu and all them seem to experience my problems as well. I have made an appt at the dealership to have it looked at to see what officially is the problem with it and have it fixed.but,I really think there should have been a recall on all the vehicles with the electrical power steering because there is a glitch somewhere in the system that is killing the consumer's pocket. Is there a rainbow at the end of this tunnel?
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