2006 Chevrolet Malibu: harsh or hard shifting

Filed Mar 13, 2022 · Steering · RI

Power steering goes out with out warning while driving. Says add power steering fluid no way to add some. Also makes a clunking noise and steering wheel is very shaky. The loosing of power steering is not safe as it can cause an accident. After looking up issue many have same issues. This needs to be recalled and fixed.

Filed Sep 2, 2021 · Steering · 88,356 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated the dealer completed an unknown recall repair on the vehicle however, the failure reoccurred. The contact stated upon starting the vehicle and reversing, the steering wheel was engaged but failed to respond and made an abnormal clunking sound. The contact stated that she was unable to drive the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the steering wheel had failed, and the steering column and shaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 88,356.

Filed Jan 18, 2016 · Steering · 38,900 miles · CT

When making a left turn a clunking noise happenes.told by service center its the steering column.I checked internet and found many,many many problems with the chev malibu with the steering column.there is something wrong with this model.cost about $500.00 to fix and some people have the problem happen again.

Filed Jul 29, 2014 · Steering · 14,912 miles · NY

Per the federal safety agency bulletin 10020816 and gm bulletin 060232007 covering steering input shaft #22687711. This shaft begins to make a clunking sound between 0 and 16 MPH when turning. In order to stop the noise, I believe caused by the worn u-joints at both ends of the shaft,this part must be replaced every two years. You do not hear any clunking above 16/17 MPH. I have been told by a gm service department that the part can not come apart, and I can replace the part every two years or live with the noise. Really. Does anyone remember rear wheel drive vehicle and what would happen when the u-joints on the drive shaft began clunking when you put the vehicle in gear. You replaced them or you could be walking. This is a steering shaft. When will the u-joint(s) fail? When I am turning out of my driveway, turning into a parking space, or perhaps at highway speed avoiding an animal. What is amazing is that gm knew about this defected design/part and yet kept using it into 2008. The bulletins cover malibu cars from 2004 to 2008, pontiac g6's 2005 to 2007, and saturn aura's 2007 to 2008. I feel gm should be given two choices, fix this part when it starts clunking for the life of the vehicle, or buy them back.

Filed Jul 1, 2014 · Steering · 48,000 miles · IL

There is a clicking or clunking type sound when turning. Not with every turn but it is consistent.

Filed May 30, 2014 · 19,000 miles · DC

Getting close of steering while driving almost lost control accelerating to get onto highway.notified gm told me car not cover under warranty. Brake light bulbs have also been replaced at least 30 times on right side.while turning wheel vehicle getting clunking sound front end of vehicle inspected several times no lose components found.

Filed May 27, 2014 · Fuel system, Steering · 57,000 miles · PR

On may 20, 2014 I filed a complaint regarding the electronic power steering, the fuel level indicator and the clunk noise in the steering system on my car. I contacted general motors by e mail and they gave me a telephone number to call. Today, may 27, 2014 I called general motors regarding their recall for the power steering problem. They informed me that my car was not included in the recall. They gave me the telephone number of a dealer in puerto rico where I have to take the car for a diagnostic. Gm will not cover the cost of the repairs. Why do we have to pay for the bad job the car manufacturers do when they make their cars? There must be a way in which consumers get compensated by these companies for the expenses they impose on us with their defective vehicles. For me this may be the last chevrolet I will buy.

Filed Apr 20, 2014 · Fuel system, Steering · 57,000 miles · PR

Soon after I purchased this car I started having problems with the power steering system. In many occasions when I start the engine the power steering does not work. I cannot move the steering wheel. I turn the engine off, wait a few seconds and start the engine again, and the power steering works. I have had this problems at least 15 or 20 times since I purchased the car in january 9, 2012. It has never happened with the car moving. Also when I move the steering wheel from one side to the other the power steering alert light comes on and off and I hear a clunk noise that I can feel in the steering wheel. It is like if something is loose in the steering system. I checked the rack and pinion in several occasions and found it had the screws that hold it to the frame loose. I tightened them but the noise does not go away. I drive this car with caution and fear because of the power steering problem and the noise in the steering system. This month (april 2014) I started having problems with the fuel level sending unit. Sometimes it marks full and others empty with gas in the tank. At the same time the check engine light comes on and off.

Filed Nov 26, 2013 · Steering · 53,000 miles · PA

When the car is started the steering wheel pulls to the left by itself. On occasion there is a loss of power steering and the light comes on and now it is constantly pulling left. If I were to let go of the wheel now,it would turn left and it feels like I have minimal power assist when I turn right. In a nutshell it now feels like it has half its power steering working only when turning left. There also is a clunking noise under the car when I turn the wheel hard .this thumping has been happening since I bought the car . It feels like something under the car is bumping the steering linkage when fully turned.

Filed Jul 26, 2012 · Steering · 38,895 miles · MI

The electric steering assist stopped working. Very hard to control car. When I pulled over and shut car off, and restarted the malibu, the power steering came back long enough to get it back home. Had it fixed and cost me over $600.00 at the chevy dealer. At 56000 miles I was contacted by gm, and they re-imbursed me for the cost. Since then, I am now experiencing a somewhat loud and aggravating clunking or shifting noise when turning either direction or taking off from a start. I am very concerned about the safety of the whole steering mechanism and the stress being put on other components making them fail. I have also replaced the ball joints on the car. My problem is that not only the safety issue, but the resale value is severely reduced. Who in there right mind would buy the car knowing its problems? There needs to be a recall on this vehicle to address those issues.

Filed Sep 15, 2011 · Body, Engine · 68,000 miles · VA

I purchased my 2006 malibu in 2007. Since the time of purchase I have had problems with this car's steering column. It would make a clunking sound every time I would make a turn left or right. I knew something wasn't right. I took the car to the dealer once and they replaced something in the steering column. I still hear the clunking noise today. When I turned the key to start the car at times it seemed like the car was cranking and running on its own. Hard to explain it unless you were starting the car. That was an issue as well. Now this 2006 malibu was parked in my drive way after going to the store and the next day when I tried to start it it would not start. I thought it might be the battery and had that checked out. Not the battery, then I was told it was the timing chain. I had the car towed to the shop where I purchased the car and now I am told that the rocker arm broke and in turn it bent the rods and damaged the engine. The engine is now ceased and damaged.

Filed Sep 13, 2011 · Steering · 31,540 miles · NJ

Making a right turn, I heard a clunking noise from the steering, the car pulled to the right and the steering wheel felt like it the power steering failed. About 1 year ago, I have had the car in for service at the dealers for a knocking in the steering and they found nothing wrong.