Four problems related to other fuel system tank filling/charging 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.
Within one minute after engine startup, after filling the gas tank, the fuel gauge drops to zero with attendant alarm. It does not register gas until about 30 miles of driving before gas gauge slowly resets itself. The fuel cap was replaced with a new unit but it still has same results. If the tank is not refilled to top at gas station but only partial refill, then the problem does not happen. In addition, the engine problem light comes on upon full fuel refill after above outlined problem and does not reset until about 70 miles run on auto. I have never seen this problem on autos I have owned or consulting with others with more than 45 years of driving.
Upon filling the car with fuel and turning the key on, the fuel light, check engine came on and the fuel gauge was reading empty. Turning the key off and back on many times did not fix the issue. However, if driven sometimes the gas light, engine light turn off on its own and the fuel gauge reads properly. However, it shows after 5 miles of driving that there is only a half a tank even through the gas tank is full. This does not occur every time I fill up. I have contacted my dealership and they stated there was a recall on fuel pumps pertaining to this problem. However, I have not received any information.
After filling the gas tank completely and driving away from the gas station the fuel gauge suddenly dropped to empty, my low fuel message came on and the check engine light came on. The fuel gauge will bounce back and forth between empty and full all the time, its one or the other never anything in between. My low fuel light comes on sporadically and the check engine light stays on all the time. When filling the tank completely I have to set my trip set to keep up with mileage.
Fuel gauge fluctuates between full and empty, never giving an accurate reading. The fluctuation occurs more rapidly after filling the tank. This has caused me to run out of gas and stall in the middle of oncoming traffic on a very busy highway. In addition, the check engine light is always on. When the light is reset, it immediately comes back on. If there were a major problem that needed to be taken care of to avoid potential engine damage or personal injury, I would never be able to tell from this light.