The Lemon Index2006 Chevrolet Malibu.
The 2006 Chevrolet Malibu is worse than average by owner complaints: 164 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 135, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about steering, it has 9 recalls, and it gets 19 to 24 mpg combined. The best Chevrolet Malibu year is 2022.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 1,387 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Chevrolet Malibu year. 2006 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 55K to 125K miles on the car (1,145 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- steering complaints mostly came at 57K–125K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 60K–130K miles
- lights complaints mostly came at 38K–127K miles
Recalls 9
- steering 2015
In the affected vehicles, there may be a sudden loss of electric power steering (EPS) assist that could occur at any time while driving.
- steering 2014
The affected steering shafts may have a yoke that inadequately supports the u-joint bearing resulting in a premature failure.
- electrical 2014
In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the Body Control Module (BCM) connection may result in voltage fluctuations in the Brake Apply Sensor (BAS) circuit.
Show all 9 recalls
- transmission & drivetrain 2014
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 vehicle…
- steering 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.
- fuel system, gasoline 2011
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.
- lights 2009
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.
- airbags 2006
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.
- equipment 2005
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/REAR DRUM BRAKE SYSTEM…
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Chevy told dealers about
Chevy sent dealers 769 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Intermittent steering wheel dither after front end alignment was performed
- Electric steering is inoperative with c0545
- Loss of power steering assist at high engine rpm
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $2700–3400 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.2L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl, 3.9L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
Dt*: the contact stated while turning the ignition, the vehicle continued to crank. The vehicle must be turned off. The vehicle was inspected by the dealership, but a remedy was unavailable.
2006 Chevrolet Malibu owner · NHTSA complaint 10170089
More owner reports
At 46,500 miles , my steering started making a clicking noise. The Chevrolet dealer diagnosed it as a bad rack and pinion and steering shaft. The boots are intact. They gave me an estimate of over $1,200 for repairs.
NHTSA complaint 10225547
The electric power assist periodically fails. It fails when you crank your car and will not operate correctly until you shut the car down and restart.
NHTSA complaint 10260059
Quick answers
Is the 2006 Chevrolet Malibu reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew 1.4× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 135; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Chevrolet Malibu year by this measure is 2022.
What are the most common 2006 Chevrolet Malibu problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are steering (70%), electrical (10%) and airbags (5%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2006 Chevrolet Malibu have?
9 safety recalls (latest: steering). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2006 Chevrolet Malibu get?
19 to 24 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2006 Chevrolet Malibu problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 55,000 and 125,000 miles. The middle report was at 84,000 miles, from 1,145 complaints.
Does the 2006 Chevrolet Malibu have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2006 Chevrolet Malibu cost in fuel a year?
About $2700 to $3400 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2006 Chevrolet Malibu have?
2.2L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl, 3.9L 6-cyl.
What Chevrolet Malibu year is better than the 2006?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2022, 2014 and 2015.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works