CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX · model year

2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX

343 NHTSA complaints, 19 crash reports, and 4 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2006CHEVROLETMALIBU MAXX carries 343 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 19 crashes, 3 fires, 10 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2006 MALIBU MAXX is steering with 194 filings, followed by electrical system (24) and power train (16). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 4 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 2 investigation files overlapping the 2006 MALIBU MAXX. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

343
Complaints
19
Crashes
3
Fires
10
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

343 filings

Crashes Reported

19 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
STEERING194
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM24
POWER TRAIN16
SERVICE BRAKES13
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)12
STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM8
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL8
EXTERIOR LIGHTING8
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC7
ENGINE7
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM4
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL3
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES3
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL2

Recalls (4)

14V15300031/03/2014

STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

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

14V22400030/04/2014

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

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, thr

14V25200014/05/2014

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

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

15V06400004/02/2015

STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

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

Recent Complaints

20250311STEERING

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 assist assembly was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V064000 (STEERING). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 204,000.

Mileage: 204,000

20250311ENGINE

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 assist assembly was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V064000 (STEERING). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 204,000.

Mileage: 204,000

20230817STEERING

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.

Mileage: 241,000

20230206STEERING

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.

Mileage: 111,000

20220415STEERING

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.

Mileage: 206,203

20211203STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:POWER STEERING FLUID

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 the vehicle to his residence with manual steering. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000. Consumer stated "Failed component/part Information", it is incorrect to identify the failure in the hydraulic power assist/power steering fluid. The power steering on my car is electrical assist.

Mileage: 140,000

20211007STEERING

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.

Mileage: 168,000

20210420SERVICE BRAKES

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.

Mileage: 241,404

20210420ENGINE

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.

Mileage: 241,404

20190614STEERING

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.

Mileage: 150,000

20190613STEERING

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.

Mileage: 206,000

20190221EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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!

Mileage: 170,000

20190219STEERING

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.

Mileage: 150,000

20190215SEATS

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.

Mileage: 135,850

20190214STEERING

WHILE DRIVING POWER STEERING ASSIST WAS LOST WHICH RESULTED IN A DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITION. RECYCLING THE IGNITION KEY RESOLVED THE PROBLEM FOR A DAY OR TWO BEFORE REPEATING. IT APPEARS THIS VIN IS NOT APPLICABLE TO THE GM RECALL FOR THIS KNOWN PROBLEM. RECOMMENDATION TO NHTSA IS TO REOPEN THIS RECALL AND EXPAND THE VIN RANGE TO INCLUDE VEHICLES WITH THIS PROBLEM AND NOT A SELECT FEW JUST TO SAVE MONEY. THIS INCIDENT OCCURS WHETHER DRIVING AT INTERSTATE SPEEDS OR JUST STARTING THE CAR AND ANYWHERE IN BETWEEN.

Mileage: 150,000

20190205STEERING

CAR LOSES IT'S ELECTRIC POWER STEERING RANDOMLY, WHICH IS A SAFETY CONCERN. APPARENTLY, THERE ARE 2 SEPARATE RECALLS ON THE STEERING COMPONENTS FOR 2006 MALIBUS. GM SAYS THAT 1 OF THE RECALLS RELATED TO MY CAR AND THE REPAIR WAS MADE. SINCE THIS IS A "CLOSED" CASE AND THE REPAIR WAS MADE I HAVE BEEN GETTING THE RUN AROUND FROM BOTH THE DEALERSHIP THAT MADE THE REPAIR AND GM HEADQUARTERS. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE ISSUE IS THE EXACT SAME ISSUE THAT THE RECALL WAS FOR. CLEARLY, THE RECALL WAS JUST A BAND-AID, NOT A FIX AS I HAVE READ SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE! RADIO ILLUMINATES THAT THE POWER STEERING HAS FAILED (WHICH IS WHAT THE RECALL IS FOR). THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE 1. INVESTIGATED 2. FIXED BY GM AND NOT THE OWNER OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP WANTS ME TO PAY $130 TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM AND THEN CHARGE ME TO REPLACE THE SAME PART THE RECALL WAS SUPPOSED TO FIX! THIS IS CRAZY AND DO WE REALLY NEED TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM WHEN IT CLEARLY

Mileage: 84,000

20190104STEERING

I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE FOR ABOUT 2 YEARS AND FOR THE LAST YEAR THE POWER STEERING MESSAGE COMES ACROSS MY RADIO DISPLAY EVERYTIME THE VEHICLE IS ON AND STAYS ON. MY POWER STEERING PUMP IS ELECTRIC AND OCCASIONALLY I WILL LOSE MY POWER STEERING WHILE I AM DRIVING

Mileage: 215,830

20190104SERVICE BRAKES

RIGHT AFTER I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE I WAS DRIVING DOWN A GRAVEL ROAD AND MY TRACTION CONTROL, ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT ALL CAME ON AT THE SAME TIME AND WILL NOT SHUT OFF. MY TRACTION CONTROL NO LONGER WORKS NOW.

Mileage: 211,344

20181218SERVICE BRAKES

BRAKE LIGHTS STAY ON ALL OF THE TIME EXCEPT WHEN FOOT IS RESTING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. HAVE TRIED TO CHANGE OUT THE BRAKE SENSOR AND THAT DOESN'T SEEM TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. BRAKE LIGHTS ARE ONE BOTH IN MOTION OR WHEN CAR IS JUST SITTING

Mileage: 158,000

20181218EXTERIOR LIGHTING

BRAKE LIGHTS STAY ON ALL OF THE TIME EXCEPT WHEN FOOT IS RESTING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. HAVE TRIED TO CHANGE OUT THE BRAKE SENSOR AND THAT DOESN'T SEEM TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. BRAKE LIGHTS ARE ONE BOTH IN MOTION OR WHEN CAR IS JUST SITTING

Mileage: 158,000

Compare 2006CHEVROLETMALIBU MAXX to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX have?
The 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX has 343 NHTSA complaints, 19 crashes, 3 fires, 10 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX?
Yes, the 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX has 4 recall(s). The most common affected component is STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX?
The most-complained component for the 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX is STEERING with 194 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ELECTRICAL SYSTEM and POWER TRAIN.
Is the 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.