YearToAvoid

2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx Transmission & Powertrain Problems

NHTSA has 17 owner complaints about transmission problems in the 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx, 6% of all 270 complaints for this model year. That is the highest transmission complaint count among 3 Malibu Maxx model years. Median mileage at failure: 82,850 miles.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints
17
6% of 270 complaints
All complaints this year
270
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
82,850 mi
Related recalls
1

When 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx transmission complaints were filed

First complaint Jan 1, 2011, latest Nov 21, 2016.

2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx transmission & powertrain complaints: complaints filed per month2Jan 2011Mar 2013Mar 2014Jul 2014Sep 2014Jul 2015Mar 2016Nov 2016
17 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jan 2011 to Nov 2016; peak Jul 2014 (2).

Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx

  1. NHTSA 14V224000Apr 30, 2014Transmission & Powertrain1,131,113 vehicles

    Power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:floor shift

    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 June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, and model year 2005-2008 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured from May 26, 2004, through September 28, 2007, and equipped with 4-speed transmissions. The total number vehicles being recalled is now 1,131,113.

    Risk: 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 is 14152.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints by Malibu Maxx model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 20053 (1%)
  2. 200617 (6%)
  3. 20071 (2%)

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx have transmission problems?
NHTSA has 17 owner complaints about the transmission in the 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx, 6% of all complaints for this model year. Median mileage at failure is 82,850 miles.
Which Chevrolet Malibu Maxx year has the most transmission complaints?
The 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx has the most transmission complaints (17), compared with 17 for the 2006.
Is there a transmission recall for the 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx?
Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for the 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx concerns the transmission: 14V224000.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.