Good afternoon. The electrical power system has gone out of the vehicle. It was recalled in 2015 for this same issue and it was serviced in 2015 but it’s still having the same issue. Whenever I’m driving, the steering wheel just completely locks up on me and the EPS goes out completely making it extremely difficult to steer. This happened as my wife and I were turning away from Cannon AFB, NM where we’re stationed and during the outward turn, the steering locked up making me go onto oncoming traffic. Luckily there wasn’t a vehicle directly in front of me. I called a GM dealer and they said it is not covered under warranty because the recall is no longer active.
2006 Chevrolet Malibu: steering wheel locks up
118 of the 1,119 complaints about the 2006 Chevrolet Malibu describe steering wheel locks up.
- owner complaints
- 118
- of this car's complaints
- 11%
- typical mileage
- 91,000
- recalls
- 2
Is there a fix? There are 2 recalls and 16 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below
Steering wheel locks up by model year
What owners say
When steering under power on acceleration or under a turn, the steering locks up and lose control of my car. This even happens anytime i raised the engine rpm up. Found out the previous ownwe was in an accident because of this. The had 20, 000 miles on it when i bought it in 2021.very dangerous. I want chevy to fix my car at no cost to me
Driving at 20mph, increasing speed to merge onto grand central parkway (up to around 45mph), steering wheel seized. All lights came on the dash, then disappeared. The car let out a few chimes, possibly 5 chimes. The car was unable to be steered and crossed 3 lanes before regaining control. Recall for the steering was completed on this car in 2020. The issue has occurred multiple times since the recall was completed.
Steering wheel locks up if you take off to quick.
EPS irregularities locks up..as previous reported. Steering column now feels lose when using tilt steering wheel lock won't engage. Steering wheel jumps back and forth Steering column moves. According to VIN number there is no recall. Other sites state April 2006 malibu was recalled. According to prior owner after being in touch ..they said recall was mailed to them around 2016 but didn't follow up because no issues at that time.this is my only transportation I cannot afford to attain another vehicle. I am a nurse. I need resolution
Steering locks up when accelerating onto highway or any heavy acceleration. Car also will make clicking sounds when this happens.
I have owned my 2006 chevy malibu since later 2018. It is now nov 1st 2020. A few months after I got the vehicle I had issues. I have had all recalls replaced by fredericksburg virginia chevy dealership (they say that they did?) the entire time I have owned this vehicle the steering vibrates at high speeds. Also the entire time I've owned this car, when I speed up any hills my steering locks up my battery light comes on and the car pulls to the left or right depending. This is extremely unsafe! Dealer didn't know what could cause it. I learned to immediately take my foot off the gas and the steering goes back to normal. This is not easy on a curvy hill road. This can cause a serious wreck. I have a 10 month old baby. This is frightening if it one day it doesn't fix by taking my foot off the pedal. Now my steering is stiff and is so hard to turn when driving at slow speed. The steering motor recall has already been replaced says the dealer. So why is it going bad again? It has only been 30,000 miles later. Why am I having a stiff steering wheel again if they replaced it? The tc light came on within hours of the steering going stiff. Why does chevy distribute vehicles with such safety issues? I should not have to pay for the steering to be 'fixed/replaced' again! Dangerous chevy vehicle.
Car was in motion and the steering wheel locked and froze up causing it to be difficult to turn.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet malibu. While driving 25 MPH, the power steering seized and the power assist warning indicator illuminated. The contact called regency chevrolet buick gmc (825 e main st, uvalde, tx 78801) and was provided a repair estimate. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 100,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet malibu. While driving 20 MPH, the steering wheel seized three times and the power steering warning indicator illuminated. The contact mentioned that the vehicle was repaired per an unknown the federal safety agency campaign number regarding the steering wheel. Dyer chevrolet vero beach (1000 us-1, vero beach, fl 32960, (772) 617-4793) was contacted and informed the contact to bring the vehicle to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was already repaired per a recall for the same failure. The manufacturer advised the contact to take the vehicle to a dealer. The failure mileage was 101,420.
Takatat recall .. I was driving my car on the highway and my steering wheel locked when I was driveing I had my family in the car with me we all could have die lord me and my family is homeless we need this car to get around pleace helpn us with this I was driveing from east st louis il to work at the hollwood casino in st louis mo we sleep in our car thats why my family was there with me when I was driving when it went out and the steering wheel all so shakes very bad
2006 chevrolet malibu: power steering locks up! Locks up to the point it take two people to turn the wheel, this happens while driving! Headlights and brake lights go out and when bulb is replaced they burn instantly. T/c never turns off! Recent complaints from people in other states have been made there are also evident recalls but chevrolet fails to honor the recall and refuse to fix because the cars are 2006 and the uear now is 2018. This is not fair! What are we supposed to do? This is a saftey issue! It is morally unethical and illegal for chevrolet not to acknowledge and honor this recall regardless if the car we have is used. If the recall was made and was not fixed they must acknowledge that the repair was not made and fix the problem for the car owner! I am sure chevrolet has a database and is aware at what and how many vehicles have been repaired due to this recall. What are they waiting for a lawsuit? I demand that this recall be honored and this problem fixed asap. If I or my family are harmed due to this I will sue so help me god! I am sure there are many people out there who agree that what chevrolet is doing is wrong! The issue happened several time this year and happened again today!
Service bulletins that may apply
- This service bulletin provides a vibration analysis worksheet the technician can use in conjunction with...
- This technical bulletin provides a procedure to eliminate a power steering noise due to extremely low...
- Steering
- Steering
- Electric Power Steering Assist
- Summary to be provided on a future date.
- Buick/cadillac/chevrolet/gmc/pontiac/ saturn: there is fluid leaking from power steering system, along a...
- This technical bulletin provides a revision for 12-02-32-002 to add the 2013-2014 model years, add noise...
Related recalls
Steering: electric power assist system
- What is wrong
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2006-2007 Chevrolet Malibu and Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured April 1, 2006, to June 30, 2006, and 2006-2007 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured April 18, 2006, to June 30, 2006. In the affected vehicles, there may be a sudden loss of electric power steering (EPS) assist that could occur at any time while driving.
- Risk
- If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the torque sensor assembly, free of charge. The recall began February 24, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020 or Pontiac customer service at 1‑800‑762‑2737. GM's number for this recall is 14772. Note: This is an expansion of recall 14V‑153 to cover additional vehicles built between April 1, 2006 and June 30, 2006.
Recall number 15V064000 · Recall details
Steering: electric power assist system
- What is wrong
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 and 2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2006 Malibu Maxx, 2009-2010 HHR (non-turbo), 2010 Cobalt, 2008-2009 Saturn Aura and 2004-2007 Ion, and 2005-2009 Pontiac G6. In the affected vehicles, there may be a sudden loss of electric power steering (EPS) assist that could occur at any time while driving.
- Risk
- If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will perform one of four bulletins. Parts are not currently available. GM expects to send an interim notification around May 28, 2014. When parts are available, owners will be mailed a second letter to come in to have the applicable bulletin applied. Bulletin 14115 covers model year 2004-2007 Saturn Ion, 2009-2010 Chevrolet HHR and 2010 Chevrolet Cobalts. Dealers will replace the EPS motor. Bulletin 14116 covers model year 2004-2006 Chevrolet Malibu and Malibu Maxx, 2005-2006 Pontiac G6 and 2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from March 1, 2008, through June 27, 2008. Dealers will replace the torque sensor assembly. Bulletin 14117 covers model year 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from February 1, 2008, through February 28, 2008. Dealers will replace the torque sensor assembly and EPS motor controller unit. Bulletin 14118 covers model year 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from October 1, 2007, through January 31, 2008. Dealers will replace the EPS motor controller unit. The recall began on July 17, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438, Saturn at 1‑800‑553‑6000, and Pontiac at 1‑800‑620‑7668. GM's number for this recall is N140115. Note: GM bulletin number 14119 will be implemented for model year 2006-2008 and early production of 2009 Chevrolet HHR (non-turbo) and model year 2003 Saturn ION to provide EPS Motor replacement for the life of the vehicle.
Recall number 14V153000 · Recall details
Questions about the 2006 Chevrolet Malibu steering lock-up
Is steering wheel locks up a common problem on the 2006 Chevrolet Malibu?
118 of 1,119 owner complaints about the 2006 Chevrolet Malibu (11%) mention steering wheel locks up. The model year with the most reports is 2006.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2006 Chevrolet Malibu?
There are 2 recalls and 16 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2006 Chevrolet Malibu
Power steering loss 239Loss of power 81Engine failure 50Check engine light 49Fuel gauge 49Stalling 39Steering noise 34Jerking 28Won't start 26Fuel pump 21Harsh shifting 20Adaptive cruise 19Pulling 18Headlights 13Knocking 11Warning lights 11Airbag light 9No deployment 9Grinding brakes 8ABS 7Ball joint 7
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