Everything NHTSA's vPIC database knows about this exact vehicle:
Decoding from NHTSA…
Vehicle history — accidents, title & owners
The decode above is what this vehicle is. For what it's been through — accidents, title brands, odometer, theft/total-loss and previous owners — pull a full history report.
NHTSA publishes the first 11 characters of the VIN with every complaint — that identifies the plant, model year, body and engine. So these are reports from cars built exactly like this one, not an average across the whole model.
1G1ZT53896F••••••2006 Chevrolet MALIBU
That is about average for the 2006 Chevrolet MALIBU — 7 complaints per build across 144 builds.
8on this build
967on the model
144builds in total
Most reportedSteering 7Power Train 1Electronic Stability Control (esc) 1Fuel/propulsion System 1
What owners of this build wrote
SteeringFeb 2025
The contact's granddaughter owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the power steering assist failed to operate as needed. The contact stated that the "Steering Assist Reduced - Drive with Care" message was displayed on the…
Power TrainMay 2014
Gear shift lever moves to park position, but park is not engaged. Can not start engine because transmission is still in drive, even though gear shift shows park. Sounds like gm recall notice #14152, but we were informed by dealer our VIN # is not part of this recall
SteeringDec 2023
Power steering will suddenly go out while driving, making it harder to maintain control of the vehicle. The car dings three times and then it goes out. The only way to reengage is to turn the car off and back on. At first it was intermittent and has progressively become worse.…
SteeringApr 2018
When driving, go to turn wheel and it hesitates and sticks for a second. Does it very often whether turning left or right. Start the car sometimes and warning bell sounds, power steering appears on radio screen and power steering has failed. Turn car off for awhile, turn it back…
SteeringMar 2015
The contact owns a 2006 chevrolet malibu. While driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle lost power and the steering wheel became tight. The contact had to apply force to turn the steering wheel. The contact had to turn the vehicle off and restarted it in order to reset the…
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Owner complaints…
Now the whole model — all 144 builds of it, not just this build. Same NHTSA reports, wider net:
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Exact value for this VIN, adjusted for mileage
The original window sticker and factory options
Full research report as a PDF you can hand to a mechanic
Decoded via NHTSA vPIC. Recalls, complaints and safety from NHTSA; MPG from EPA fueleconomy.gov. Full history reports from our partner. VIN 1G1ZT53896F125879 · decoded Oct 2026. — ForCar Reviewed by Denis Kataev, founder of ForCar.