2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Steering (190) · Power Train (9) · Vehicle Speed Control (8)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Chevrolet Malibu Maxx model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
237 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (4)
Steering:electric Power Assist System 2015-02-04 · campaign 15V064000 · 69,633 vehicles
Defect: 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.
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.
Electronic Stability Control (Esc) 2014-05-14 · campaign 14V252000 · 2,440,524 vehicles
Defect: 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
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 (Satu
Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift 2014-04-30 · campaign 14V224000 · 1,131,113 vehicles
Defect: 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, thr
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 PARK position, the transmission may not be in PARK. If the vehicle
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.
Steering:electric Power Assist System 2014-03-31 · campaign 14V153000 · 1,373,177 vehicles
Defect: 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.
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 M
Service bulletins (177)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2025-07-18 · PIP5601C · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this pi communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from tac.
Unknown Or Other 2025-05-30 · PIT5074R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about the use of j-35616-64b and mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
Unknown Or Other 2025-05-30 · PIT5074R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about the use of j-35616-64b and mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
Unknown Or Other 2025-05-30 · PIT5074R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about the use of j-35616-64b and mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
Unknown Or Other 2024-09-09 · 02-00-89-002X · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on when and how to submit a field product report (fpr) (u.s. and canada dealers only).
Unknown Or Other 2024-09-06 · PIT3271P · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about changing the tire and wheel size on vehicles. general motors will only support a tire calibration for tires that have been sized, tested and designed for the vehicle in question and its applications. technician s
Showing the 6 most recent of 177 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2025-03-11 · Steering · 204,000 mi“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…”
2023-08-17 · Steering · 241,000 mi“the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet malibu maxx. the contact stated while driving 45 mph, the steering wheel became firm. there was no warning light illuminated. the contact attempted to pull over, but the steering wheel was difficult to maneuver. the contact was able to pull over, shut off and restart the vehicle, but the failure persisted. the vehi…”
2023-02-06 · Steering · 111,000 mi“the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet malibu maxx. the contact stated that while driving at an undetermined speed and attempting to make a left turn, the steering wheel failed to turn left or right. the vehicle continued to move forward. the power steering assist fault light was illuminated. the contact had to push the vehicle off the roadway. the ve…”
2022-04-15 · Steering · 206,203 mi“the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet malibu maxx. the contact stated that while her husband was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist. the vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. the failure mileage was 206,203.…”
2021-12-03 · Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:power Steering Fluid · 140,000 mi“the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet malibu maxx. the contact stated that while pulling into a parking space, the vehicle inadvertently lost power steering functionality. the power steering warning light illuminated. the contact turned off and restarted the vehicle; however, the steering wheel remained difficult to steer. the contact was able to drive…”
2021-10-07 · Steering · 168,000 mi“the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet malibu maxx. the contact stated that while stationary or while driving at various speeds, the power steering assist would fail to operate, and the power steering warning light would illuminate on the instrument panel. the contact stated that the steering wheel would lock as the failure occurred. the contact had tak…”
2021-04-20 · Service Brakes · 241,404 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet malibu maxx. the contact stated that the vehicle would jerk upon depression of the brake pedal without warning. the contact took the vehicle to jim keras chevrolet (2000 covington pike, memphis, tn 38128) where they performed services to the brake booster, master cylinder, hydraulic brake system, lower control …”
2019-06-14 · Steering · 150,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet malibu maxx. the contact stated that as soon as the vehicle was started, a grinding noise began and the steering wheel shook. the steering vibration continued permanently while the vehicle was being driven. the contact stated that the failure began ever since the vehicle was purchased in october of 2018, but ha…”
2019-06-13 · Steering · 206,000 mi“there was a recall for electric power steering mine was taken care off before i purchased the vehicle. however, it lost electric power steering again and is no longer under recall warranty.…”
2019-02-21 · Exterior Lighting · 170,000 mi“the passenger side low beam light keeps going out. i have changed the light build 3 times in the last 2 months. the last time being saturday morning, then on the way home tonight it is out again. last friday, it was working on my way somewhere and then quite. on my way home it started working again. it didn't matter if i turned, hit a bump, etc. it…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.