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KLUNK
KLUNK

2006 Chevrolet Malibu

The Verdict

5 Total Klunk

The 2006 Chevrolet Malibu has 1,385 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are body (921 complaints) and electrical (176 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 5/100, it earns a "Total Klunk" rating. If you're shopping for a Chevrolet Malibu, consider the 2025 model year which has 99% fewer complaints.

Safe Bet

The 2025 has 99% fewer complaints

View the 2025 Chevrolet Malibu dashboard →

5

Klunk Score: Total Klunk

Among the most complained-about vehicle years on record. Strongly consider alternatives.

How is this calculated?

The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.

Recalls 2

Active safety recalls from NHTSA for this vehicle year.

05V486000 EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

CERTAIN VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THE TIRE LABEL TABLE SPECIFIED THE 15 INCH SPARE FOR THE FRONT DISC...

Risk

A 15" DIAMETER REPLACEMENT SPARE TIRE CAN NOT BE INSTALLED ON THE FRONT AXLE DUE TO A FIT INTERFERENCE WITH THE BRAKE CALIPER.

Remedy

OWNERS WILL BE MAILED A CORRECTED LABEL WITH INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS OR THE CUSTOMERS COULD HAVE THEIR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FOR THEM. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 29, 2005. OWNERS MAY...

Reported Apr 10, 2026

15V064000 STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

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 manufactu...

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 Po...

Reported Apr 2, 2015

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Under the Hood

Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.

YearBodyBrakesElectricalEngineTransmission
200010520737925315
2001957335520514
200265513621126
20031195629412913
200411207731410084
20057547833816259
20069217617616151
20076443915011742
20084807525612477
2009744150404100107
2010538184368153114
20113243832020091
20122806038414633
20132474433725637
201495355614233
20156713828124
201621575110334122
2017182419829999
20181453483313111
20192610336950
20202129306644
2021190181819
2022212143316
202319210171
2024112822
202550101

By Category

Body
921
Electrical
176
Engine
161
Brakes
76
Transmission
51

By Severity

1
665
2
659
3
1
4
60

Worst Problems

Complaints

Body 1

The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while pulling out of a parking space, the vehicle lost power steering functionality, causing the steering wheel to become difficult to turn. The power steering warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was pushed back into the parking space. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The contact stated that the steering gear was previously replaced due to a similar failure. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V064000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact that the VIN was not associated with the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 158,000.

3mo ago
Electrical 1

The power steering went out on the car as I was driving down the highway going 65 mph

5mo ago
Body 1

The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist. There were three audible dings with the message "Power Steering" displayed on the instrument panel. The contact reset the steering wheel and the battery, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V064000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was unknown.

5mo ago
Body 1

The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel failed to turn in the intended direction. The power steering failure warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with STRG shaft torque failure. The contact was informed that the STRG shaft torque needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was advised to contact the dealer. The contact was made aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V153000 (Steering). The dealer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was informed that the recall repair was performed in 2015. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.

6mo ago
Electrical 1

My power steering goes in and out as I'm driving depending on the speed. I have trouble swerving if needed because the power steering is not working correctly all the time.

7mo ago
Body 2

Power steering warning light appeared then steering wheel tightened while slowing down to make a turn into my apartment. This occured two times in 3 weeks.

7mo ago
Body 2

The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, an alarm sounded, and the message "Power Steering Failure" was displayed. No warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over to the shoulder of the road to restart the vehicle however, the failure persisted. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Another local dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V153000 (Steering); however, the contact stated that the vehicle was never repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 118,000.

12mo ago
Body 1

I purchased this car about a month ago in April of 2025 as of today June 2025 I have lose my power steering it’s so hard to turn and I’ve called the dealership and they told me the car has already been fixed for the recall and it was odviously not because the problem is still present!

13mo ago
Body 2

My electric power steering has gonna out then came back and now its not working. There's been a recall for that on my so not sure if my car is available.

13mo ago
Body 2

MY ELECTRIC POWER STEERING HAS GONE OUT CAUSING WHEEL TO BE TIGHT AND HARD TO TURN.

14mo ago
Body 2

I recently acquired this 2006 Chevy Malibu that belonged to my parents. It only has 29K miles on it to date. It is mint inside and out, and has been well taken care of in regard to routine maintenance. Looking through repair records I see a pattern of various power steering issues with this vehicle. The car was purchased new in 8/2006, then in 4/2009 the power steering shaft had to be replaced at the dealership. The recall in 2014 was also power steering related and was repaired at the dealership. Fast forward to the present. This vehicle now had the electronic power steering module fail - causing the steering to not work - making the car not drivable. I had it towed to a mechanic who performed an inspection and noted the electronic power steering module needed to be replaced. After 2 weeks, they confirmed no parts were available and it was best to try and deal with GM directly. I opened a case with them #9-14673786524 regarding this part and they would only work with a certified dealer so it was towed to the original dealer it was purchased at that has all of these repair records on file. As of today, it has been sitting at the dealership since 2/28 waiting on this part with no ETA in site. I feel GM should have included this with the other recall. It's pretty obvious the power steering in this year and model has serious failure issues. Had it been getting driven more - it most likely may have failed a lot sooner while it was being driving on the road - and who knows what sort of accident this may have caused. GM doesn't seem to see it that way and keeps telling me the vehicle is old - There are plenty of old vehicles on the road - so I think it's irrelevant to keep bringing up the age when the poor power steering is the issue at hand. I want to have the vehicle fixed and I think GM should be held accountable for everything. Please help because nobody is helping me at all at this point.

15mo ago
Body 2

Steering got stiff and hard to turn and it shakes while idle

15mo ago
Brakes 2

No incident yet but will happen if not recalled and fixed. My EPS keeps going out while driving and will yank the steering wheel hard in either direction at any given time. Uncontrollable

16mo ago
Engine 2

The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the power steering malfunctioned, and the steering wheel became difficult to turn in either direction. During the failure, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the power steering assist assembly was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V064000 (STEERING). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 204,000.

16mo ago
Body 2

The contact's granddaughter owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the power steering assist failed to operate as needed. The contact stated that the "Steering Assist Reduced - Drive with Care" message was displayed on the instrument panel. The contact replaced the electronic power steering fuse; however, the failure returned soon after the repair. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the steering column needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V064000 (Steering). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 165,000.

16mo ago
Body 4

the tire rods, front axle and transmission all collapsed while driving. now the vehicle is at an auction ready for a resell? Igot robbed by my insurance company and car company i was paying them, what worries me the most is that mopar salvage yard is putting this unsafe vehicle up for auction because of the motor? I'm being told all of this by someone else. the front tire went sideways , the front wheels is what saved my life? If this vehicle resells in any way shape or form, somebodies death is in your hands. traction contol stayed on all the time, the steering suspension system locked up sterring wheel, the malibu would accellerate upbto 70 80 miles, unvoluntarily. all the recalls ya'll found were on the car, several recalls were fixed, yet when the tire rod front axle all broke at one time, the tranmission got affected too. insurance claim 24-918702376, progressive ins. santander consumer u.s.a.

16mo ago
Electrical 1

Steering wheel very stiff after driving 70 miles an hour Sometimes very stiff when vehicle is started.

18mo ago
Body 2

My steering wheel began moving back and forth on its own. This happened both while I was driving and while idling.

22mo ago
Transmission 2

Sent the car to fix recalls and they said it has another problem and want to charge to fix the steering recall N140772 problem. They said is not free.... Do not know if the other recalls were repaired.

23mo ago
Body 1

Steering wheel stop working and dealer do not fix it. 15V064 Recall

23mo ago

1385 total

1/ 70
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