2006 Chevrolet Malibu problems
Owners have filed 1,479 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 Chevrolet Malibu. Steering is the most reported problem area, at 55% of complaints. After that come electrical system (10%) and fuel system (7%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 1,479 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Steering 55% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 62 and 6
- Injuries and deaths
- 39 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 85,000 miles 1,165 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 | 90 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 90 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 138 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 203 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 165 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 136 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 115 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 106 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 64 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 19 |
| 200k+ miles | 39 |
What the data shows
Among the 1,165 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 85,000 miles. For steering specifically, the median reported mileage is about 85,000 miles (683 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 62 complaints mention a crash; 6 complaints mention a fire; 39 injuries reported. Its complaints are less severe on average than those of 80% of model years in our database.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2006 ranks 14th most-complained-about out of 28 model years of the Chevrolet Malibu with enough data (529 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 6 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.
Tl* the contact owned a 2006 chevrolet malibu. While driving approximately 65 MPH, the steering wheel seized without warning. The driver crashed into a ditch and the vehicle rolled over approximately four times. The driver and two passengers were injured and required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to a tow lot. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000.
I was on 44 just turned on 41 no cars on left or right none behind proceeding across traffic light other party was making a right turn I was stopping brakes ankle was fractured and we had a head on colision.
38k mile 2006 chevy malibu v-6-car shakes/vibrates/shimmies. It also rattles and clunks underneath at all speeds, feels like the bottom is falling out. Dealer refuses to acknowledge a minimum of 7 complaints. Headlights lenses are loose and the lights shake all over the place. Dealer did finally acknowledge headlight issue after the 4th complaint and I was told it is a GM problem but they have no fix and there is nothing they can do.
Went to go get something to eat waiting in drive thru and all of a sudden gas gauge went from full to empty and the light came on and the display said low fuel and hte check engine light came on. Me and my husband looked at each other I told him its full. So we got our food and went next door to the gas station went to put gas in and it would take any because it was full. So then all of a sudden the gas gauge said full.