This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
Electric Power Steering - 10/2020 Suddenly went out while driving. No warnings beforehand. This made sharp turns extremely difficult. It says that my car is not part of the recall, but is still as dangerous as the vehicles that were part of the recall. From the research that I have done, the motor seems to be in good working order. The sensor is what seems to be the issue. Cruise Control - 08/2023 Goes out randomly. I was on the freeway when it turned off by itself. If I was not paying attention, this could've caused an accident. No warning beforehand. Brake Switch - 06/2023 Seems to be something wrong with the switch. The brake light stays on after braking. Turn Signal Switch - 10/2020 Does not cancel after turning right. This can potentially confuse other drivers. Fuel Pump - 10/2020 The float of the fuel pump is not working. It says it is empty, even after filling it up. It will occasionally show that the tank is all of the way filled during rapid acceleration. This could make me run out of fuel while driving if I lose track of mileage; which could result in an accident. None of the components have been inspected by a dealer or manufacturer. The Electric Power Steering and turn signal are available to be inspected. Again there were no indicators before failure. I do know that there are recalls on other vehicles with the same issues, but for some reason mine was excluded. Some of these occurred before the dates stated, but these dates are when I remember them affecting me the most.
My power steering will go completely out while driving. My steering wheel will begin to shake uncontrollably while braking to slow down and when I am at a complete stop. Very hard to steer while this is all happening.
Speedometer stops working while driving, security light comes on, engine ignition stops working and car doesn't turn over or start. This happens when in motion and not in motion.
- Stoughton, WI, USA
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Engine power reduced, traction control, service engine light the first time the issue occurred, my car was in park. I started my vehicle, it didnt turn over on the first try, I simply tried again and it started but a service message popped up stating "engine power reduced and my car would not accelerate at all, my traction control light came on as well as service engine soon. I let my car sit for a while and decided to turn my car off and try again, same message, several hours later it started fine, the heck engine light was on and I drove it with no issues, started my car again and the check engine light turned off. About a week later, this happened again, same circumstances. About 2 weeks later, while driving down the road, this happened again and my car slowed down drastically and wouldnt exceed 10 mph. The next time I drove the vehicle my car flashed a warned message simply stating " power steering" with no noticeable signs of loss of power steering, however last year I had to replace a sensor for my power steering that was a recall, when I brought it to a dealership to be fixed they claimed my recall was fixed and they wouldnt cover the cost, after replacing the recall affect sensor I no longer had the issue, I have replaced several parts to try to fix this issue, so the fault is currently unknown. I have researched this issue and seen that many other people have had this issue. GM has done nothing to fix this very dangerous condition.
"check engine warning & T/C control warning". warning lights will randomly illuminate and "engine power reduced" flashes. Regardless of current mph traveling, the engine will lunge forward and immediately reduce speed to 10 mph. Upon the first time this issue occurred, the vehicle was taken in to be checked. Because the lights had gone back off, there was no way to indicate the problem. Within the few following days, while in heavy traffic and pouring rain, again without warning, the warning lights illuminated, the vehicle lunged forward and reduced speed to 10 mph, very nearly causing an accident. This issue continued to occur every day for the following week, sometimes 2-3 times daily. The car is now in to be repaired, and almost hit a parked car because it lunged forward suddenly pulling into the dealership. According to the dealership's repair shop, the issue is several things related to the throttle body and associated sensors. As of right now, the beginning repair cost is $550 to replace the throttle body alone. There are 5 related codes and depending as to whether replacing the throttle body fixes the problem will determine if further repairs are needed. The car is definitely not safe to drive. On several of the Malibu forums this is an ongoing complaint with this model. Several recalls have been issued on this exact problem of model years before and after the 2006 model, and the 2006 should be addressed and recalled as well. This absolutely poses a safety risk to all in the vehicle and possibly others around it on the road.
I was driving home from work on the highway and the reduced power engine light came on and the tsc light and engine light all came on. The gas pedal was unresponsive and car was slowing down also I pulled over on the shoulder of the highway thankful I able to. I did get it home slowly the pedal is still unresponsive at this time and the engine light, tsc light is still on and the engine power reduced light is still on.
Brake lights stay on when not depressed cruise control will not work recall was completed took car back brake sensor was replaced on 6/16/16 as of today 6/26/16 problem is still there cost of $287.20. Iam not going to pay for the same problem I am a GM man but maybe no more and ill make sure and let everybody I can know about your service thank you [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving at 30 mph, the speedometer gauge on the instrument panel failed to indicate the actual speed of the vehicle. The check engine warning light illuminated constantly. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving approximately 50 mph in cold temperatures, the vehicle decelerated and the reduce engine power and check engine warning lights illuminated intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 67,000. The VIN was not available.
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving 40 mph, the steering wheel became difficult to turn right or left. All of the lights on the instrument panel illuminated. The failure recurred numerous times. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 14V252000 (electrical system, electronic stability control, exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic, vehicle speed control), 14V153000 (steering), and 14V224000 (power train). The parts needed for the repair were not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 228,178.
My 06, will not start without pressing the gas pedal, also it will show power steering failure when starting, I will have to restart vehicle for the power steering to activate, and while driving the power steering will stop working causing the vehicle to be hard to steer.
Vehicle hits 25 mph while driving straight and the power steering fails. A dinging would go off and it would not move till the car was shut off and reset.
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving at approximately 5 mph, the brake pedal was applied but the vehicle failed to stop. As a result, the contact crashed the vehicle into a median in order to stop. The failure occurred on several occasions. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14V252000 (electrical system, electrical stability control, exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic, vehicle speed control) however, the part was unavailable to perform the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
2006 Chevrolet Malibu. Consumer writes in regards to recall notices. The consumer stated two days after the first recall repair, because the repair was not fully completed, due to lack of parts, she experienced two episodes which she deemed unsafe. While sitting with her foot on the brake, and the vehicle in drive, she suddenly felt a slight shift, as if the vehicle was trying to move forward, which it did, without any warning. The vehicle bumped a car in front of her. The consumer referenced recall # 14V252000.
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA campaign number: 14V252000 (electrical system, electronic stability control, exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic, vehicle speed control). The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer for the recall repair and was later informed that the part was unavailable. The manufacturer was notified. The contact had not experienced a failure. Updated 11/20/14 updated 8/12/2015
2006 Chevrolet Malibu. Consumer writes in regards to torque sensor assembly; wiring harness to the BCM or mag beam and transmission shift cable that may fracture at any time. The consumer was informed, the parts were not available.
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact received a notification for recall NHTSA campaign number: 14V252000 (electrical system, electronic stability control, exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic, vehicle speed control). However, the parts were unavailable to service the vehicle under the recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the problem. The contact had not experienced a failure.
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the vehicle accelerated independently and crashed into the back of another vehicle. No injuries were reported. The failure occurred twice. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for a diagnostic testing. The contact stated that the failure was related to the partial repair of recall NHTSA campaign id number: 14V224000 (power train). However, all the parts needed for the recall repairs were not available. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 101,499.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Wayne, MI, USA