Electrical System:wiring
NHTSA campaign 14V252000 · 2014 · reported 05/14/2014
Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
2006 Chevrolet Malibu Problems & Recalls
Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026
High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Steering — runs 11.4× the fleet median for that category across the 1655 model-years tracked on this site.
1,115Complaints
9Recalls
41Crashes
6Fires
26Injured
0Deaths
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Is this problem acknowledged?
The most-reported problem — Steering (70.7% of complaints) — is covered by 3 NHTSA recall campaigns.
Steering complaints here are 11.4× the median for that category across the 1655 model-years tracked on this site.
5 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 1 rests on owner reports alone.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 788 · 70.7% | Recalled | Recall 14V153000 · Recall 15V064000 · Recall 14E044000 |
| Electrical System | 132 · 11.8% | Recalled | Recall 14V252000 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 52 · 4.7% | Recalled | Recall 11E009000 |
| Service Brakes | 50 · 4.5% | No official action | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 46 · 4.1% | Recalled | Recall 09E012000 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 40 · 3.6% | Recalled | Recall 11E009000 |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Complaints by component
Percentages are the share of the 1,115 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
Recalls — 9 campaigns
Steering:electric Power Assist System
NHTSA campaign 14V153000 · 2014 · reported 03/31/2014
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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Steering:electric Power Assist System
NHTSA campaign 15V064000 · 2015 · reported 02/04/2015
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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Power Train:automatic Transmission
NHTSA campaign 14V224000 · 2014 · reported 04/30/2014
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.… Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Steering
NHTSA campaign 14E044000 · 2014 · reported 07/21/2014
A joint bearing that fails prematurely may cause separation of the u-joint resulting in a complete loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump
NHTSA campaign 11E009000 · 2011 · reported 02/28/2011
A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR SHOULD THE ENGINE STALL WHILE IN USE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Exterior Lighting
NHTSA campaign 09E012000 · 2009 · reported 04/07/2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Equipment:other:labels
NHTSA campaign 05V486000 · 2005 · reported 10/19/2005
A 15" DIAMETER REPLACEMENT SPARE TIRE CAN NOT BE INSTALLED ON THE FRONT AXLE DUE TO A FIT INTERFERENCE WITH THE BRAKE CALIPER. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Air Bags:frontal
NHTSA campaign 06V417000 · 2006 · reported 10/31/2006
IF THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS, THE FRONT AIR BAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE MAY BE DISABLED WHEN IT SHOULD BE ENABLED, OR ENABLED WHEN IT SHOULD BE DISABLED. IN EITHER CASE, IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH THAT REQUIRES AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, A FRONT PASSENGER'S LEVEL OF INJURY MAY BE INCREASED. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What owners report
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. CONSEQUENTLY THE DRIVER CRASHED INTO A ROAD…”NHTSA complaint 10297312 — filed 12/29/2009 · STEERING
“POWER STEERING GOES OUT WITHOUT WARNING. HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY AND SHOP CANNOT DETERMINE WHAT CAUSES IT.”NHTSA complaint 10296491 — filed 12/20/2009 · STEERING
“I WAS DRIVING TO WORK, MADE A RIGHT TURN AND MY POWER STEERING JUST WENT OUT. THERE WAS NO WHERE TO PULL OVER ON SIDE…”NHTSA complaint 10291346 — filed 11/07/2009 · STEERING
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Complaint trend by year filed
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2006 Chevrolet Malibu?
Steering issues are the most-reported category, cited in 788 of 1,115 NHTSA complaints (70.7%), followed by electrical system (132), fuel/propulsion system (52), service brakes (50). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many complaints does the 2006 Chevrolet Malibu have?
1,115 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 41 involved a crash, 6 involved a fire, and 26 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Does the 2006 Chevrolet Malibu have any recalls?
Yes — 9 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 14V252000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Has NHTSA acted on the 2006 Chevrolet Malibu's reported problems?
5 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.
Is a complaint proof of a defect?
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.
