2006 Chevrolet Malibu
This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1980 | 5 |
| 1981 | 3 |
| 1982 | 2 |
| 1983 | 1 |
| 1986 | 1 |
| 1989 | 3 |
| 1997 | 443 |
| 1998 | 976 |
| 1999 | 789 |
| 2000 | 922 |
| 2001 | 721 |
| 2002 | 566 |
| 2003 | 569 |
| 2004 | 1147 |
| 2005 | 975 |
| 2006 | 1115 |
| 2007 | 977 |
| 2008 | 987 |
| 2009 | 1509 |
| 2010 | 1357 |
| 2011 | 976 |
| 2012 | 904 |
| 2013 | 834 |
| 2014 | 349 |
| 2015 | 267 |
| 2016 | 834 |
| 2017 | 696 |
| 2018 | 687 |
| 2019 | 188 |
| 2020 | 190 |
| 2021 | 74 |
| 2022 | 86 |
| 2023 | 49 |
| 2024 | 24 |
| 2025 | 7 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
71% of complaints: steering — 788 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
MY POWER STEERING GOES OUT AT RANDOM TIMES. I HAVE NOTED MOSTLY IN THE MIDDLE OF MAKING A TURN WHERE I WOULD BE ACCELERATING CAUSING ME TO USE EXCESSIVE FORCE TO COMPLETE THE TURN.
NHTSA ODI report, 20181026
(APRIL 2011) LEAVING WORK ONE AFTERNOON, I BEGAN TO DRIVE OFF THE CAMPUS AND AS I BEGAN TO DRIVE THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO TIGHTEN AND AS SOON AS I TRIED TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND WOULD NOT TURN.
NHTSA ODI report, 20120320
I WAS DRIVING ON MY WAY BACK HOME AND SUDDENLY I LOST STEERING CAUSING ME TO GET HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE , THIS HAPPEND IN PIEDRAS NEGRAS MEXICO AND MY INSURANCE DIDNT COVER THE DAMAGE , THANK GOD IT WAS JUST A SMALL HIT ON THE FENDER BUT AFTER...
NHTSA ODI report, 20120319
12% of complaints: electrical system — 132 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURY5% of complaints: fuel/propulsion system — 52 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
There are many recalls for the year make and model of my vehicle. They just didn't recall my exact vin.
NHTSA ODI report, 20230916
4% of complaints: service brakes — 50 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURY4% of complaints: exterior lighting — 46 distinct reports on file.
SAFETY TIMELINE
CERTAIN VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THE TIRE LABEL TABLE SPECIFIED THE 15 INCH SPARE FOR THE FRONT DISC/RE
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE MAILED A CORRECTED LABEL WITH INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS OR THE CUSTOMERS COULD HAVE THEIR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FOR THEM. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 29, 2005. OWNERS MAY CO
Campaign 05V486000 — check if this car was fixed
CERTAIN VEHICLES ORIGINALLY BUILT WITH CLOTH SEATS THAT WERE EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC AIR BAG PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM AND LATER REUPHOLSTERED WITH AFTERMARKET LEATHER SEAT COVER KITS ARE INVOLVED.
Remedy: BECAUSE A REPLACEMENT LEATHER SEAT COVER THAT IS COMPATIBLE WITH THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM IS NOT AVAILABLE, GENERAL MOTORS (GM) WILL REPURCHASE THESE VEHICLES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS STATED I
Campaign 06V417000 — check if this car was fixed
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONF
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
Campaign 09E012000 — check if this car was fixed
TI AUTOMOTIVE IS RECALLING CERTAIN FUEL PUMPS, PART NUMBERS TU456 AND TU303, SOLD UNDER VARIOUS BRAND NAMES AS AFTERMARKET AND REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE MOTOR VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE DEFECTIVE
Remedy: TI AUTOMOTIVE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND WILL REPLACE ANY DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP WITH A NEW OR REWORKED FUEL PUMP FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 22, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT
Campaign 11E009000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
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.
Campaign 14V224000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
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.
Campaign 14V153000 — check if this car was fixed
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...
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...
Campaign 14V252000 — check if this car was fixed
Dorman Products, Inc.
Remedy: Dorman will notify owners, and dealers will refund the purchase price or replace the steering shafts, free of charge. The recall began in September 2014. Owners may contact Dorman customer service at 1-800-523-2492.
Campaign 14E044000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
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.
Campaign 15V064000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2006 Chevrolet Malibu — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for steering issues (788 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (132 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for fuel/propulsion system issues (52 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 05V486000 (equipment) has been completed.
- Verify recall 06V417000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09E012000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 11E009000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 14V224000 (power train) has been completed.
- Verify recall 14V153000 (steering) has been completed.
- Verify recall 14V252000 (electrical system, electronic stability control (esc), exterior lighting, vehicle speed control) has been completed.
- Verify recall 14E044000 (steering) has been completed.
- Verify recall 15V064000 (steering) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2006 Chevrolet Malibu reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2006 Chevrolet Malibu is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2006 Chevrolet Malibu?
The most-reported component is steering, accounting for 71% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2006 Chevrolet Malibu have?
9 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.