YearToAvoid

2006 Chevrolet Malibu Engine Problems

NHTSA has 88 owner complaints about engine problems in the 2006 Chevrolet Malibu, 8% of all 1,115 complaints for this model year. That is #12 highest engine complaint count among 21 Malibu model years. These complaints report 2 crashes. Median mileage at failure: 100,000 miles.

Engine complaints
88
8% of 1,115
Crashes reported
2
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
100,000 mi
Related recalls
0

When 2006 Chevrolet Malibu engine complaints were filed

First complaint Sep 11, 2006, latest Sep 18, 2023.

2006 Chevrolet Malibu engine complaints: complaints filed per quarter142006 Q32009 Q22011 Q32014 Q22015 Q42017 Q42020 Q2
88 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2006 Q3 to 2023 Q3; peak 2014 Q3 (14).

Engine recalls for the 2006 Chevrolet Malibu

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by Malibu model year

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

  1. 200592 (9%)
  2. 200688 (8%)
  3. 200763 (6%)
  4. 2008109 (11%)
  5. 2009133 (9%)
  6. 2010222 (16%)
  7. 2011223 (23%)
  8. 2012144 (16%)
  9. 2013229 (27%)
  10. 2014137 (39%)
  11. 201581 (30%)
  12. 2016373 (45%)
  13. 2017314 (45%)
  14. 2018339 (49%)
  15. 201970 (37%)
  16. 202070 (35%)
  17. 202114 (16%)
  18. 202236 (37%)
  19. 202318 (26%)
  20. 20244 (10%)
  21. 20250 (0%)

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2006 Chevrolet Malibu have engine problems?
NHTSA has 88 owner complaints about the engine in the 2006 Chevrolet Malibu, 8% of all complaints for this model year, including 2 that report a crash. Median mileage at failure is 100,000 miles.
Which Chevrolet Malibu year has the most engine complaints?
The 2016 Chevrolet Malibu has the most engine complaints (373), compared with 88 for the 2006.
Is there a engine recall for the 2006 Chevrolet Malibu?
No NHTSA recall campaign for the 2006 Chevrolet Malibu is classified under engine. Complaints alone do not trigger a recall; check the full recall list and your VIN.

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.