2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx problems
Owners have filed 343 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx. Steering is the most reported problem area, at 61% of complaints. Next are electrical system (8%) and brakes (7%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 343 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Steering 61% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 19 and 3
- Injuries and deaths
- 10 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 83,000 miles 300 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 17 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 25 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 39 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 51 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 47 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 40 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 18 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 30 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 16 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 2 |
| 200k+ miles | 15 |
What the data shows
Of the 300 complaints that include odometer readings, half describe a problem before roughly 83,000 miles. For steering specifically, the median reported mileage is about 83,000 miles (190 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 19 complaints mention a crash; 3 complaints mention a fire; 10 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2006 ranks 3rd most-complained-about out of 4 model years of the Chevrolet Malibu Maxx with enough data (151 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 4 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
I was making a turn a turn that I have done for four years of my life and the vehicle steering failed. Instead of turning the vehicle went straight into a wall.
2006 chevrolet malibu maxx. Consumer states brake failure and increased acceleration *tgw the consumer stated as she made a right turn into a parking space, she applied the brake pedal, and it went all the way to the floor which resulted in the her crashing into a concrete pillar. The consumer also stated the air bags did not deploy. The consumer stated she had a second accident where she applied the brakes and they failed to respond which caused her to crash into another vehicle.
2006 chevy malibu maxx - 2 problems 1. Metal to metal noise as steering wheel is turned 2. Vibrating noise around dashboard all the time.
Driving along on a state hwy at 57MPH, power steering alarm dings and power steering ceases and oh crap!! I'm not wanting to die yet! I maneuvered the car to the shoulder thankfully and restarted my car. After several attempts the power steering returned. Obviously the chevy company is waiting for enough accidents or deaths to offset the cost of a recall . Has there been an investigations? How many people have to die?