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2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 270 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx, most often about the steering (77% of complaints, typically around 83,500 miles). It is the 3rd most complained-about Malibu Maxx model year since 2000 and has 4 recalls.
Most common 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx problems
Steering
207 complaints · 77%Half of these problems showed up before 83,500 miles. Parts named most often: electric power assist system, linkages, hydraulic power assist, column.
I bought my 2006 chevy Malibu Maxx from a local dealership and the first week I lost my power steering while driving. The message was displayed power steering. The mileage was 62,000. The dealership took the car to their shop and sent it back saying it was fixed. This problem continues intermittently for the next…
The power steering assist in my 2006 chevy Malibu Maxx has suddenly stopped working twice. I had my mechanic look into it and it was a confirmed problem for the 2005 models but not the 2006. I feel this is a huge liability issue that needs to be addressed immediately, regardless of mileage. If the manufacturer knows…
Electrical
28 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 91,500 miles. Parts named most often: instrument cluster/panel, ignition, starter assembly.
Sometimes when pressing on the accelerator, the gears on the dashboard all make a clicking sound and go down to zero and then back up. This is accompanied by three dings and a sudden loss of power steering. The power steering returns after a few seconds, however the car is hard to control when the power steering…
As the power steering is showing signs of failure and the dealership has not yet received the parts for my bulletin for the issued recall, the mechanic has now told me the torque failure of the power steering issue is leading to the failure of the AC condenser as they are both running off the linked pulleys. I would…
Brakes
21 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 99,000 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components.
Steering- when making left turns steering collumn pops as if linkage is slipping. Apparently a known defect at Chevrolet. Steering column should be replaced. Loss of power sterring in the past at higher speeds, one complete lockup of steering wheel while vehicle was in motion. Brakes- increasingly difficult over time…
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx. The contact stated that the power steering warning light illuminated then the vehicle became difficult to steer. The contact also mentioned that the ignition warning light sporadically illuminated at various speeds and there was an abnormal metal odor in the cabin. The…
Transmission
17 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 83,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
This is a follow-up to odi confirmation number: 10610590 where the vehicle would completely shut off without warning. All powered functions were lost. The display screen would signal: "engine disabled." per the chevy dealer, the problem has been identified as a improper working PCM (powertrain control module), where…
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx. The contact stated that the gear shift was able to be moved out of the park position without engaging the brakes. The dealer repaired the vehicle according to NHTSA campaign number: 14v252000 (electrical system, electronic stability control, exterior lighting, service…
Stability control
12 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 147,000 miles.
End of july 2014, early morning, while driving 70mph on the interstate with clear dry conditions, my brakes began to pulse on their own and the traction control light began lighting up in correspondence with the brake pulse.. The cruise control shut itself off. The check engine light and brake light came on remain on…
I have had problems with my power steering over the years. But this was the worst it has ever been. I was driving 55 MPH on the highway. The roads were clear on this spring day. My traction control, brake light and check engine light came on. Then the power steering was chiming and the alert came on for that which…
Fuel system
8 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 83,000 miles. Parts named most often: delivery.
After four (4) minutes of driving car at 6:30am in the morning, temperature was 58 degree on 7/21/2014, the engine shut off. All powered functions associated w/vehicle did not work. All idiot lights flashed on. The message in display was "engine disabled." car was pulled over and shut off. After 4-5 minutes of rest…
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx. The contact stated that after driving and having the vehicle parked, there was odors of fuel from the vehicle. The failure occurred constantly. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was…
Speed control
8 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 110,500 miles.
On my vehicle we have developed a problem where the check engine light and anti-lock break lock come on and then on dic it displays eng pwr reduced and then vehicle then loses power in all times, it happens when I am driving the vehicle. The speed has varied from 60 MPH to 35 MPH.. Once on a state 2 lane and the other…
Driving from school saw a car ahead person had turn signal on to go left. Took foot off gas went to brake and turn wheel could not do either. The car was totaled.
Engine
8 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 115,500 miles.
Merging onto interstate at 55 merge speed and as entering onto first thru lane the power steering died out and acceleration dropped on its own. Nearly hit by an 18 wheeler that had been safely back from my entry point before the steering and engine both failed. I pulled as hard as I could to the right and a bell rang…
Engine goes into engine power reduced mode while going 55 on a highway and soon the engine becomes disabled which disables the steering and the brakes. No injuries as I was smart enough to handle the situation, but this has occurred more than once and my car reads no codes for the situation.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx recalls
Steering: electric power assist system
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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Stability control: electronic stability control (esc)
Risk: Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will attach the wiring harness to the BCM with a spacer, apply dielectric lubricant to both the BCM and harness connector and the bas and harness connector, and will relearn the brake pedal home position, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed an interim letter to customers on july 14, 2014. The recall began on august 18, 2014. Owners may contact general motors customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (chevrolet), 1-800-762-2737 (pontiac), 1-800-553-6000 (saturn). Gm's number for this recall is 13036.
Full defect summary
General motors llc (gm) is recalling certain model year 2004-2012 chevrolet malibu vehicles manufactured may 16, 2003, through october 11, 2012, 2004-2007 malibu maxx vehicles manufactured june 25, 2003, through april 5, 2007, 2005-2010 pontiac g6 vehicles manufactured may 26, 2004, through january 4, 2010, and 2007-2010 saturn aura vehicles manufactured april 24, 2006, through may 26, 2009. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the body control module (BCM) connection may result in voltage fluctuations in the brake apply sensor (bas) circuit. These fluctuations can cause one or more of these conditions: the brake lights to illuminate without the brake pedal being pushed; the brake lights to not illuminate when the pedal is pushed; difficulty disengaging the cruise control; moving the gear shifter out of the 'park' position without pushing the brake; and disablement of crash
Transmission: floor shift
Risk: If the transmission shift cable fractures while the vehicle is being driven, the transmission gear selection may not match the indicated gear and the vehicle may move in an unintended or unexpected direction, increasing the risk of a crash. Furthermore, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, despite selecting the âparkâ position, the transmission may not be in âpark.â if the vehicle is not in the "park" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to
Fix: Gm will notify owners, and gm dealers will replace the shift cable assembly and mounting bracket, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact general motors at 1-800-553-6000. Gm's number for this recall is 14152.
Full defect summary
General motors llc (gm) notified the agency on april 29, 2014, that they are recalling 56,214 model year 2007 and 2008 saturn aura vehicles. On may 22, 2014, gm increased the recall to include an additional 1,074,899 model year 2004-2008 chevrolet malibu vehicles manufactured from may 16, 2003, through october 5, 2007, model year 2004-2007 malibu maxx vehicles manufactured from june 25, 2003, through april 5, 2007, and model year 2005-2008 pontiac g6 vehicles manufactured from may 26, 2004, through september 28, 2007, and equipped with 4-speed transmissions. The total number vehicles being recalled is now 1,131,113.
Steering: electric power assist system
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.
Fix: 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 mar
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
- What are the most common problems with the 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: steering (207 complaints, typically around 83,500 miles); electrical (28 complaints, typically around 91,500 miles); brakes (21 complaints, typically around 99,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx have?
- 4 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from February 4, 2015 (steering). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2006 a bad year for the Chevrolet Malibu Maxx?
- It is the 3rd most complained-about Malibu Maxx model year since 2000, with 270 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.