2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 270 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is steering (72% of complaints); the 2007 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Feb 2015
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 270 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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 vehicle was not diagnosed. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that there was no recall for the failure. The failure mileage was 241,000.”Owner report · Steering · Mar 2023
“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 vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who informed her about a power steering sensor failure. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 111,000.”Owner report · Steering · Jan 2023
“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.”Owner report · Steering · Apr 2022
Show 7 more owner reports
“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 taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle with power steering failure. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and informed her that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The contact was given a case number. The vehicle has been repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.”Owner report · Steering · Sep 2021
“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 arms, as well as several other unknown services. Three weeks after the repairs, the vehicle would not start and the vehicle was towed to the residence. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 241,404.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jul 2020
“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 had become worse over time. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or a dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.”Owner report · Steering · Jun 2019
“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.”Owner report · Steering · Jun 2019
“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 just goes on and off randomly. I have read many many complaints that this happens to others as well. I feel chevrolet needs to do a recall and fix this problem for the safety of everyone!”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Feb 2019
“Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet malibu maxx. The contact stated that there was an electric power steering failure that caused the steering wheel to seize. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 14v153000 (steering), 14e044000 (steering), and 15v064000 (steering). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.”Owner report · Steering · Feb 2019
“The driver's seat tips backward when we sit back in it, and can rock back and forth when the car stops and starts, or if the driver leans back while driving. This happens no matter which position the power seat is placed in, up or down, forward or back. This is a six-way power seat control.”Owner report · Seats · Feb 2019
When filing, owners marked a crash in 12 of these complaints and injuries in 5 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
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 voltage fluctuations in the Brake Apply Sensor (BAS) circuit. These fluctuations can cause one or more of these conditions: the brake lights to illuminate without the brake pedal being pushed; the brake lights to not illuminate when the pedal is pushed; difficulty disengaging the cruise control; moving the gear shifter out of the 'PARK' position without pushing the brake; and disablement of crash avoidance features such as traction control, electronic stability control, and panic braking assist features.
Remedy: 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 (Saturn). GM's number for this recall is 13036.
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.
Remedy: 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 Malibu Maxx, 2005-2006 Pontiac G6 and 2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from March 1, 2008, through June 27, 2008. Dealers will replace the torque sensor assembly. Bulletin 14117 covers model year 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from February 1, 2008, through February 28, 2008. Dealers will replace the torque sensor assembly and EPS motor controller unit. Bulletin 14118 covers model year 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from October 1, 2007, through January 31, 2008. Dealers will replace the EPS motor controller unit. The recall began on July 17, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, Saturn at 1-800-553-6000, and Pontiac at 1-800-620-7668. GM's number for this recall is N140115. Note: GM bulletin number 14119 will be implemented for model year 2006-2008 and early production of 2009 Chevrolet HHR (non-turbo) and model year 2003 Saturn ION to provide EPS Motor replacement for the life of the vehicle.
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.
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 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.
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, through September 28, 2007, and equipped with 4-speed transmissions. The total number vehicles being recalled is now 1,131,113.
Remedy: 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.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
How other years compare
Check your exact Malibu Maxx by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx reliable?
NHTSA has 270 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx. The most complained-about area is steering (72% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 82,956 miles or less.
Does the 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning electronic stability control (esc). Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.