2006 Chevrolet Malibu: Reliability Data
Source: NHTSA — 1473 complaints
1473
Total Complaints
85,000mi
Median Mileage
Steering
Top Issue
59
Crash Reports
When Do Complaints Happen?
Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.
55,000
25th Percentile
85,000
Median Mileage
127,756
75th Percentile
What Fails?
Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.
Steering
786
Electrical System
132
Fuel/Propulsion System
52
Service Brakes
50
Exterior Lighting
46
Fuel System, Gasoline
40
Power Train
39
Engine
33
Vehicle Speed Control
31
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)
29
Severity Assessment
59
Crashes
6
Fires
39
Injuries
0
Deaths
Sample Complaint Reports
"DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH A DEER RAN INTO THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR BURSTING THE WINDOW GLASS AND COLLAPSING THE DOOR ONTO THE CONTACT. BRAKE PRESSURE WAS APPLIED AND THE VEHICLE SKIDDED INTO A BILLBOARD, THE RIGHT FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WAS STRUCK BY A CENTER WOODEN POLE SUPPORT FOR..."
"PLASTIC CONSOLE EXTENDS FORWARD ALONG TRANSMISSION HUMP AND ENDS JUST AFT OF ACCELERATOR. WITH ACCELERATOR DEPRESSED, MY FOOT BECAME TRAPPED BETWEEN CONSOLE TRIM AND PEDAL. *JB"
"DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR HEADRESTS BLOCK THE VIEW OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND PEDESTRIANS. THE DEALER TOOK OFF THE HEADRESTS AND TOLD THE CONTACT TO PUT THEM BACK ON IF SOMEONE RIDES IN THE REAR SEAT FOR SAFETY. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN ALERTED."
Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.
When Were Complaints Filed?
Number of complaints by the year the issue occurred.
When Does Each Component Fail?
Median mileage at complaint for top components.
Steering
786 complaints
25th: 58,000 mi
Median: 86,205 mi
75th: 128,000 mi
Electrical System
132 complaints
25th: 66,494 mi
Median: 98,000 mi
75th: 136,000 mi
Fuel/Propulsion System
52 complaints
25th: 78,500 mi
Median: 110,335 mi
75th: 159,000 mi
Service Brakes
50 complaints
25th: 53,542 mi
Median: 84,000 mi
75th: 120,000 mi
Exterior Lighting
46 complaints
25th: 51,409 mi
Median: 83,500 mi
75th: 117,500 mi
Where Are Complaints Coming From?
Top states by complaint count.
TX: 116
NY: 100
CA: 92
MI: 92
PA: 82
OH: 79
NC: 61
IL: 58
FL: 55
GA: 50
Who Files Complaints?
2.9%
Original Owners
97.1%
Second+ Owners
Chevrolet Malibu — Other Years
See how this model compares across different model years.
Active Recalls (9)
Federal safety recalls issued for this vehicle.
Wiring
Campaign 14V252000 | 14/05/2014
Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.
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 charge. The manufacturer distributed an Interim let
Electric Power Assist System
Campaign 14V153000 | 31/03/2014
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.
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 come in to have the applicable bulletin applied. Bulletin 1
Electric Power Assist System
Campaign 15V064000 | 04/02/2015
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.
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 is 14772. Note: This is an expa
Automatic Transmission
Campaign 14V224000 | 30/04/2014
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. Furthermore, when the driver goes to stop and park the veh
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 is 14152.
Steering
Campaign 14E044000 | 21/07/2014
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.
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.
Fuel Pump
Campaign 11E009000 | 28/02/2011
A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR SHOULD THE ENGINE STALL WHILE IN USE.
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 TI AUTOMOTIVE AT 1-866-867-3759 OR LOG ON TO WWW.RECALLRESPONSE.COM.
Exterior Lighting
Campaign 09E012000 | 07/04/2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
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.
Labels
Campaign 05V486000 | 19/10/2005
A 15" DIAMETER REPLACEMENT SPARE TIRE CAN NOT BE INSTALLED ON THE FRONT AXLE DUE TO A FIT INTERFERENCE WITH THE BRAKE CALIPER.
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 CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438.
Frontal
Campaign 06V417000 | 31/10/2006
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.
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 IN GM'S LETTER TO OWNERS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 6, 2006. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT GM AT 1-877-4
Protect Your Steering System
Based on the most common issues reported for this vehicle.
- Get a wheel alignment annually or after hitting a significant pothole
- Don't hold the steering wheel at full lock for more than a few seconds
- Check power steering fluid monthly on hydraulic systems
- Address wandering, vibration, or play in the wheel promptly
- Replace worn tie rod ends before they cause tire wear
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Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.
Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.
Data through: 2026-03-28