Tl*the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that the steering wheel suddenly locked up; he had to jerk the wheel so that it would move. The failure occurred everytime the vehicle was driven. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was informed that the steering module needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been notified. The current mileage was 85,528. The failure mileage was approximately 85,400.
2006 Chevrolet Malibu steering complaints
Page 22 of 28: complaints 611 to 640 of 812, newest first, as owners wrote them.
On a 2006 malibu, the electrical assist has been replaced three times in the past 10 months. Each time the steering locked up while driving on the interstate luckily. In 5 days, the car gets taken in to have the steering column and rack and pinion steering replaced. The first failure was at approximately, 50,000 miles, the second was at approximately 65,000 and the third at about 80,000. The car is at 95,000 miles now which is a lot, but to have the power steering replaced at a certified mechanic soon to be 4 times within a year is not good. The electrical assist power steering and all associated designs is unsafe as the wheel is impossible to turn when failure occurs.
The power steering will go off as you are driving. Sometimes it will just become harder to steer as you decrease speed, and sometimes you have to stop, turn off the motor and the steering will reset. Very disturbing and quite dangerous.
I've only owned the 2006 chevy malibu for about a year and never had a problem with the power steering but on 9/27/2010 I was making a slow turn into a school lot and the steering went out thankfully I was already coming to a stop. It also has always made a noise when turning however I do not know if these problems are related. I contacted my local gm dealer and they said to bring it in so we'll see what happens.
When turning steering wheel at speeds under 30 MPH, electric assist power steering will frequently shut down, with warning chime sounding and "power steering" warning displayed in the driver information center (dic). The car can still be steered but requires considerably greater effort than a car with manual steering. Once the car is pulled over, turned off and restarted, it "resets" itself, and operates normal again until the next time it occurs. The problem started in march of 2009, with 71,000 miles, and has gotten steadily worse over time. It now has 105,000 miles on it, and now happens so often (about 12-15 times per day), that the car is almost undriveable. I've contacted 3 different dealers, who all tell me the entire steering column needs to be replaced at a cost of approx $1100, as there are no "serviceable" parts in the electric steering system. As I understand it, this is the exact same steering problem that gm issued a recall for in march of 2010, for chevy cobalts and pontiac g6's, but won't recall malibus, because there haven't been "enough" complaints filed yet. I don't have $1100 to for a new steering column that gm has admitted is a problem in it's other vehicles, but won't recall mine because not enough owners have yet to file a complaint!
Tl*the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet malibu. While driving approximately 15 MPH the steering wheel became very stiff and a power steering service light illuminated on the dashboard. The vehicle was pulled over and shut off. Upon restart the vehicle operated as normal. The vehicle was not taken to have the failure diagnosed. The manufacturer was notified and she was informed her vehicle was included in an unknown special campaign and they would pay for the repairs. The vehicle was not repaired when the complaint was filed. The failure and current mileages were unavailable. The VIN was unavailable.
I was staying at a friend's house in san antonio because I had a court setting there. The morning of the incident, I turned on my vehicle and was headed to the courthouse. I was about two blocks from my friend's home when I heard a ding and a power steering message popped up on the radio. My power steering immediately went out, and I pulled myself into an apartment complex and turned off the vehicle. I called a friend for a ride and was about to call aaa when I realized I was in the way of a school bus picking up college students from the complex. I turned the vehicle back on to inch up a bit, but I noticed that the power steering was working again. I returned to my friend's home, got a ride to the courthouse, and researched the issue online. I found several other reports of this kind of thing happening and that it was most likely a computer glitch that could and would occur again unexpectedly. I took my chances driving back home to austin that same day and did not touch my vehicle over the weekend. Now that it is monday, I will be calling gm customer support.
My 2006 chevy malibu has had the electric steering go out on it twice and I can feel that it is now going for a third time! I purchased it new. It only has 55,000 miles on it. Steering is serious and I am afraid it might go out when I am on the highway!
The power steering on my 2006 malibu stops working when accelerating or maintaining speed up hills. When the accelerator is let up the steering starts working again. If you are in a turn when the power steering starts working again the car jerks drastically in the direction the tires are turned. This started around 90,000 miles.
I have 2006 chevy malibu my friend has 2006 chevy malibu both vehs made in the kansas city plant she rec'd letter that was a problem with power steering and to bring veh to gm dealer I did not get that letter called gm they said my vi# is not included but I had that same problem in april 2010 and had it repaired $598.00 they said because my VIN # is not on list will not honor it I have contacted bbb and attorney generals office and said should contact this office. Any help for me on this.
Tl* the contact owns 2006 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that while driving 20 MPH, the power steering warning light illuminated and the steering wheel locked. She had to use extreme upper body force to turn the steering wheel. The contact stated that when the failure would occur, she would shut off the vehicle for at least twenty minutes and the power steering would reset itself. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer will be contacted. The failure mileage was 75,000 and the current mileage 95,565.
Tl*the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet malibu. While turning at approximately 5 MPH he could hear a popping noise coming from the steering column. Over time the failure progressed and recurred whenever he made turns while driving at any speed. While turning over bumpy surfaces the failure was more pronounced. The vehicle was not taken to be examined for the cause of failure and has not been repaired. The failure mileage was 65,000 and the current mileage was 71,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet malibu. The contact received notification of a safety improvement campaign and warranty extension due to a possible steering defect in her year, make and model. The contact stated that if the manufacturer would send out such a letter calling for special coverage, then it should be under recall. She was concerned that she would lose power steering while on an expressway and not be capable of pulling over. The contact experienced no failures at the time of the complaint. The contact called the manufacturer to inquire about having the part replaced to prevent any possible failure and she was advised that the warranty would only be extended if the failure actually occurred. The current and failure mileage was approximately 16,300.
I was driving my car on the freeway coming home after picking up my 4 yr old grand daughter when suddenly steering wheel locked up on me causing me to loose full control of my car. I had to muscle my steering wheel in order to steer in the right direction. I immediately turned on my emergency flasher to alert other drivers that I was having a problem. Fortunately the other cars noticed that I was having trouble with my car and slowed down giving me the right away to move over to the emergency lane where I was able to stop and call for help. The problem with my car was the electronic steering pump that had failed. I have made an appointment to have the car repaired. I've done an extended search on the internet and found this problem so widespread a recall should happen so people with this car can drive safely. This is a safety hazard and needs to be addressed by gm. We do not need to have a fatality in order to act on this problem. It seems to me that like toyota most manufacturers wait to be forced to correct a problem then spend millions of dollars on commercials trying to convince consumers that their cars are safe to drive. With the grace of god this time I was able to get my car off the road safely my fear is what about next time? I usually have my grandchild with me. Please help!
My 2006 chevrolet malibu has an intermittent power steering failure, especially during acceleration. I was entering an expressway, when the warning bell starting sounding, and the car became impossible to steer. I nearly hit the guard rail before bringing it to a stop.
Shortly after I bought my 2006 chevy malibu I began felling this popping when I turned the steering wheel in either direction. The popping soon turned into a heavy clunk. Took it to gm dealer. They lubed my inter shaft recorrection on my service statement. I returned about a year latter with the same problem. Same correction was made. Now the problem is worse and the wheel locks up after the pop. As a result I have collided with 2 stationary objects.
I own a 2006 chevy malibu, while I was driving the steering locked up. I was only going about 35 MPH I was able to pull over and stop. I was told to cut the car off for about 20 minutes. After the 20 minutes I was able to drive the car with no problems that day, their have been two incidents with the same problem.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet malibu. While traveling 30 MPH, the contact noticed a warning chime inside the vehicle. Seconds later, the power steering failed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The current and failure mileage was 91,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet malibu. Whenever she started the vehicle, it made a dinging noise and the power steering locked. There were no warning lights illuminated on the dashboard. She had to turn the vehicle on and off for approximately a half hour before it would reset itself. She did not take the vehicle to the dealer; however, she called and informed them of the failure and was told that there were no related recalls and she had to pay the repair cost. The manufacturer was not called. The VIN was unavailable. The failure mileage was 30,000.
I drive a 2006 malibu, and have been for the past 4 years. The standard 2006 malibu has epsa (electronic power steering assist). There is no reservoir to fill fluid as with older models. I found out today through experience that the electric power steering locks/unlocks on its own which has created an extremely dangerous situation. As I was driving to work this morning and as I was pulling into another driveway (making a right hand turn), the steering wheel locked so that I couldn't turn, and I was inches away from hitting a pole. I am fearful of this vehicle especially since a child rides in this vehicle regularly. I am thankful that my child wasn't in the vehicle during this time. I came in to work to do some research since the mechanic confirmed there is no reservoir for the power steering fluid. No pump, no hose, nothing to top off. What I found through my research is scary and irresponsible of gm. This is a severe safety hazard and needs to be addressed by gm immediately. I am disappointed to find that gm has not recalled this vehicle nor identified and addressed this problem (or others). I have not received any mailings or notifications regarding this problem. It's outrageous that gm can legally put out a vehicle for mass production with such hazardous flaws such as the electric power steering problem (among others). After reading all the complaints and blogs about the eps system, I am convinced that the mailbu is suffering from the same symptoms as the cobalt and other vehicles identified in a 2005 (model) recall. This issue is a lawsuit waiting to happen.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet malibu. The contact was attempting to reverse when the steering wheel locked. The contact shut off the engine. Upon restarting the vehicle, it resumed normal operation. The vehicle had an adequate amount of power steering fluid. Based on the contact's research, he believed the failure to be attributed to the electric power steering motor. Neither the dealer or the manufacturer was contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was approximately 85,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Tl*the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that while driving in reverse at two MPH the power steering steering light came on and then the power steering failed. The contact turned the vehicle off, restarted it and then the vehicle began to function normally. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who stated that the steering column needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle should be recalled by the manufacturer since the power steering malfunction was very common. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 70,000. Updated 10/15/10 *bf the consumer stated the problem has been resolved. Updatd 10/2110
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated the steering wheel would intermittently lock while attempting a turn. The contact would shut off the vehicle and when restarting, the power steering would reset itself. The dealer performed a diagnostic test and advised that the steering wheel torque input sensor would need to be replaced. There was not a recall for the failure. The manufacturer advised that they would speak to the dealer to determine who would be liable for the repairs. The contact was held liable for the repairs. The failure and current mileages were 51,000. Updated 11/9/10 *cn the consumer stated while driving, the vehicle would loose power steering and pull the left in oncoming traffic. The cause could not be determined. Updated 11/16/10
Power steering went out while driving. Difficult to steer and turn. Power steering default light on dash. Dealer unwilling to pay for repairs. Gm has already recalled other brands for same problem: recall summary general motors is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 chevrolet cobalt and model year 2007-2010 pontiac g5 vehicles equipped with electric power steering. The driver may experience a sudden loss of power steering assist that could occur at any time while driving.
Tl*the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet malibu. While driving 45 MPH the contact noticed that the steering wheel suddenly locked forcing the vehicle to pull to the left. The failure was not diagnosed and there were no prior warnings. The current and failure mileages were 17000.
Tl*the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet malibu. While driving in reverse 5 MPH, the power steering failed. The contact turned the vehicle off, waited a few minutes to see if the vehicle would restart and it failed to do so. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or a local mechanic for the failure. The failure occurred approximately seven times. The failure mileage was 45,700. The current mileage was 45,900.
Tl*the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that while driving various speeds from 1 to 65 MPH, the power steering warning light would illuminate followed by a series of three warning chimes. The failure persisted intermittently. The illumination began to occur more frequently and eventually, the electronic power steering assist began to fail sporadically. The steering wheel became extremely stiff and difficult to maneuver. The contact stated that he would had to utilize extreme force in order to turn the steering wheel. The dealer performed a diagnostic test and stated that the entire power steering unit and intermediate steering shaft needed to be replaced at the owner's expense. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer would not provide any assistance. There were no recalls related to the failure. The failure mileage was 75,000 and the current was 81,467.
Tl*the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet malibu ls. While the contact was driving approximately 16 MPH, a chime sounded and the power steering warning light illuminated, followed by the loss of the power steering. The vehicle was driven onto the emergency lane. The engine was turned off and restarted. The failure occurred three times within a three week period. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the technician stated that the failure was contributed to the steering wheel torque input sensor. The manufacturer offered a special coverage adjustment program regarding the replacement of the steering wheel assembly; however, the VIN was excluded and the vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 57,300. Updated 10/05/10.
2006 chevy malibu electric steering problems. Steering non-responsive and had to stop shut engine off and restart to remove power steering check light on dash and worked again ok for short while.
Power steering system fails intermittently and without any advanced warning. Once the power steering module fails, the steering wheel is extremely difficult to turn but is still turnable. The information display system says power steering and a chime noise is audible. The first time the power steering system failed on me was during a turn and almost caused me to collide with oncoming traffic. The failure of the power steering system is becoming more and more frequent, about ever 30 minutes. The power steering system will go back to normal functioning once the car is shut off and started again. Why it fails is not known to me or why it goes back to normal operation after it is restarted. In addition, the ignition key was extremely hot when it was removed from the ignition.
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