Three problems related to battery have been reported for the 2006 Chevrolet Malibu. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2006 Chevrolet Malibu based on all problems reported for the 2006 Malibu.
We are having a problem with the battery dying intermittently. We have had the car since 04/11. Since we have purchased the car we have had to replace the battery 3 different times, each time we have had to replace the battery we take it to the shop and let them test the battery and there is always a dead cell in the battery. The battery is only lasting from 4 to 6 months we have had the car in the garage and no one can figure out what is going on. I have noticed that there have been other complaints also. We also had the same power steering issue as every one else while we were on vacation in tennessee, but we were very lucky that the dealer we took our car to new of the issues and new that there was a clause you might say about this vehicle and we were able to get the car repaired free of charge.
Made a transponder key, parts person at the gm dealership just started the engine with it and said it was already programed. ( he just tested to see if the key will start the engine. ) when got home with original key and turned off the engine I tried to secure car with the remote and it did not work. Tried original key to start car everything was dead including battery. Disconnect and reconnect battery, now the security light does not come on, car can't start, there is nothing only the lights on dash with other icons. I don't know if the chip key that was made cause the system to fail. I hate to have to tow the car cause I know the dealer would charge me an arm and a leg. I hate to get the parts person in trouble. Is there someone on line can help solve this problem?.
Randomly while driving at higher speeds or accelerating the battery light will flicker on and off on the dashboard. This time while accelerating on a entrance ramp to the highway the battery light along with all the idiot lights on the dashboard flashed and I temporarily lost power steering. This happened twice within a period of two minutes. Normally whenever the battery lights or other idiot lights flicker a chime is heard. This is kind of scary since it seems like this is a common problem and tends to happen at higher speeds.