2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

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N/A

Safety Rating

343

Owner Complaints

19 Crashes 3 Fires

4

Recalls

ACTIVE RECALL

9

Service Bulletins

0

Investigations

Overview of the 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX

The 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX has received a total of 343 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 9 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL. 9 technical service bulletins have been issued by General Motors, LLC for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Steering (194 complaints), Electrical System (24 complaints), and Power Train (16 complaints).

Recalls for the 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX

NHTSA has recorded 9 recalls for the 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX, potentially affecting up to 15,907,656 vehicles.

Recall 15V064000 — STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

| 69,633 vehicles affected

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...

Consequence: 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.

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...

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Recall 14V252000 — ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

| 2,440,524 vehicles affected

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...

Consequence: Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.

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...

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Recall 14V252000 — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL

| 2,440,524 vehicles affected

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...

Consequence: Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.

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...

View full details →

Recall 14V252000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

| 2,440,524 vehicles affected

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...

Consequence: Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.

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...

View full details →

Recall 14V252000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS

| 2,440,524 vehicles affected

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...

Consequence: Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.

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...

View full details →

Recall 14V252000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

| 2,440,524 vehicles affected

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...

Consequence: Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.

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...

View full details →

Recall 14V153000 — STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

| 1,373,177 vehicles affected

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.

Consequence: 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.

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...

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Recall 14V224000 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:FLOOR SHIFT

| 1,131,113 vehicles affected

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...

Consequence: 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 is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.

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...

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Recall 14V224000 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

| 1,131,113 vehicles affected

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...

Consequence: 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 is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.

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...

View full details →

Owner Complaints for the 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX

343 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.

Steering
Complaints: 194 7 Crashes 1 Fire 2 Injuries
Electrical System
Complaints: 24 1 Crash
Power Train
Complaints: 16
Service Brakes
Complaints: 13 2 Crashes 1 Injury
Electronic Stability Control Esc
Complaints: 12
Exterior Lighting
Complaints: 8
Steeringelectric Power Assist System
Complaints: 8
Vehicle Speed Control
Complaints: 8 2 Crashes 2 Injuries
Engine
Complaints: 7
Service Brakes Hydraulic
Complaints: 7 1 Crash 1 Fire 1 Injury
Fuelpropulsion System
Complaints: 4
Air Bagsfrontal
Complaints: 3 3 Crashes 1 Injury
Fuel System Gasoline
Complaints: 3
Latcheslockslinkages
Complaints: 3 1 Injury
Electrical System Instrument Clusterpanel
Complaints: 2
Equipment
Complaints: 2
Seats
Complaints: 2
Service Brakes Electric
Complaints: 2
Steeringcolumn
Complaints: 2
Steeringhydraulic Power Assistpower Steering Fluid
Complaints: 2 1 Crash 1 Injury
Tires
Complaints: 2
Wheels
Complaints: 2
Electrical Systemignition
Complaints: 1
Electrical Systemstarter Assembly
Complaints: 1
Engine And Engine Cooling
Complaints: 1
Fuel System Gasolinedeliveryfuel Pump
Complaints: 1
Power Trainautomatic Transmission
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdisccaliper
Complaints: 1 1 Fire
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdiscpads
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdiscrotor
Complaints: 1
Steeringhydraulic Power Assist System
Complaints: 1
Steeringlinkagesdragpower Assist System
Complaints: 1 1 Crash 1 Injury
Steeringlinkagestie Rod Assembly
Complaints: 1
Structure
Complaints: 1
Suspension
Complaints: 1 1 Crash
Tiressidewall
Complaints: 1
Traction Control System
Complaints: 1
Visibility
Complaints: 1
Visibilityrear Window Wiperwasher
Complaints: 1

Most Recent Complaints

#11647569 | ENGINE | | 204,000 miles
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.
#11647569 | STEERING | | 204,000 miles
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.
#11539214 | STEERING | | 241,000 miles
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.
#11505829 | STEERING | | 111,000 miles
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.
#11460929 | STEERING | | 206,203 miles
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.

View all Steering complaints →

Safety Rating for the 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX

NHTSA has not yet tested the 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX in its New Car Assessment Program.

Technical Service Bulletins for the 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX

General Motors, LLC has issued 9 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.

GCUS-9-3664 — SERVICE BRAKES

16188 Special Coverage. Some vehicles may have a condition where increased resistance in the body control module (BCM) connection system can result in voltage fluctuations or intermittency in the brake apply sensor (BAS) circuit that can cause brake lamp malfunction. Specifically, the brake lamps may either illuminate without the brake...

SB-10183 — STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

SATURN PONTIAC CHEVROLET SERVICE CAMPAIGN: SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON FOR OWNER LETTER. SPECIAL COVERAGE ADJUSTMENT-POWER STEERING ASSIST. SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ELECTRIC POWER STEERING MAY EXPERIENCE A LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST CAUSED BY ELECTRICAL INPUT SIGNALS WITHIN THE STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY. *PE UPDATED 6/18/2012 *JS

08-02-32-005 — STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:POWER STEERING FLUID

LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST, POWER STEERING WARNING MESSAGE DISPLAYED IN DIC, IPC/RADIO DISPLAYS ERRATIC, DTC C0900, B1325 SET (REPLACE IGNITION COIL/MODULE ASSEMBLY AND ADD GROUND STRAP). VEHICLES WITH 3.5L ENGINE. *PE UPDATED 3/25/11. *PE

SB-09-02-35-006 — STEERING:COLUMN

CHEVROLET/PONTIAC/SATURN: STEERING COLUMN TILT WHEEL RELEASE LEVER INOPERATIVE/BROKEN (REPLACE TILT WHEEL RELEASE LEVER KIT AND/OR RELEASE LEVER RETAINER (TILT TEETH)). *PE

PIC--4330B — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES

CHEVROLET: UNABLE TO RELEARN THE BRAKE PEDAL POSITION (BPP) SENSOR. *PE

3075 — STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

REAR LIFT GATE CLOSING EFFORT. *TT

3205 — VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:REAR WINDOW

REAR DEFOGGER INOPERATIVE AFTER PERFORMING REMOTE VEHICLE START. *EH

3385A — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS

REPEATED PARK LPS FUSE OPEN (ADDITIONAL INFORMATION). *TT

4127 — STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST AT HIGH ENGINE RPM. *TT UPDATED 08-15-07. *KB UPDATED ON 10/03/07. *NJ

NHTSA Investigations for the 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX

There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.

Other Model Years of the CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX

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Check any vehicle history by VIN - Free vehicle history report