AI Damage2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx: common problems
Owners of the 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx filed 270 complaints with NHTSA, most often about steering and electrical system. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 270
- involving a crash
- 12
What fails most often
- 1 Steering 77% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 10% of all complaints
- 3 Service brakes 9% of all complaints
- 4 Powertrain 6% of all complaints
- 5 Electronic stability control 4% of all complaints
- 6 Exterior lighting 3% of all complaints
- 7 Vehicle speed control 3% of all complaints
- 8 Engine 3% of all complaints
- Steering: 207 complaints (77% of all), 8 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Electrical system: 28 complaints (10% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Service brakes: 23 complaints (9% of all), 3 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Powertrain: 17 complaints (6% of all).
- Electronic stability control: 12 complaints (4% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 270 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 207 | 8 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 28 | 1 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 23 | 3 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 17 | 0 | 0 |
| Electronic stability control | 12 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 8 | 2 | 0 |
| Engine | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 2 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
It shakes and rattles when driving and slowing down. At first I thought it was the rotors, so I changed those. The rotors were really bad and looked like they had been on the car since it first came off the assembly line. I was told these had been bad for several years.
The contact stated that while the driver traveled approximately 50 mph, the steering wheel failed as the power steering warning light illuminated. The driver lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a road barrier. The driver suffered injuries to the face, head, hands and ears. The police were called to the scene.
Gm replaced the faulty power steering box (recall) but has found themselves not liable for the collateral damage sustained because of the faulty power steering. Gm says I have no proof that the damage that is visible on the vehicle was directly caused by steering failure. Really??!!
Two months later there was a violent shake in the front end, the dealership turned the rotors because they were warped. Then we started having trouble with the electrical system right after the warranty ran out.the rear wiper comes on by itself, interior lights blow constantly as well as headlights.
Front end collision with the rear of a pick up truck totaling car.
Consumer states brake failure and increased acceleration the consumer stated as she made a right turn into a parking space, she applied the brake pedal, and it went all the way to the floor which resulted in the her crashing into a concrete pillar. The consumer also stated the air bags did not deploy.
Tl *- the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet malibu max. The contact stated that the vehicle was involved in a crash and was hit by another vehicle on the passenger front side and the front end was pushed through an intersection into a utility pole. The contact stated that the vehicle was traveling at 20-25 mph.
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, [ZIP]) where they performed services to the brake booster, master cylinder, hydraulic brake system, lower control arms, as well as…
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 1,510 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 4% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Malibu Maxx has 269 complaints (4 years in the data). This year has 270, about average.
What to check before buying
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: steering, electrical system, service brakes. Total complaints: 270. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: steering or power steering problems (62%), warning lights, check engine (13%), loss of power / limp mode (8%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2006 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.