2005 Chevrolet Malibu Complaint Log

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED INTERMITTENT POWER STEERING FAILURES. THE CONTACT HEARD A CLUNKING NOISE IN THE STEERING WHEEL, AND A CHIMING NOISE WAS HEARD FOLLOWED BY A "POWER STEERING ASSIST" MESSAGE DISPLAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DON FRANKLIN BARDSTOWN CHEVROLET BUICK (120 W JOHN ROWAN BLVD, BARDSTOWN, KY 40004, 502-233-4457) FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, BUT THE RESULTS WERE UNDETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000.

I HAVE RECEIVED NUMEROUS RECALL NOTICES AND WHENEVER I CALL A DEALER I AM TOLD EITHER THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THIS NOTICE OR THEY DON'T HAVE THE PARTS FOR THIS RECALL. I THINK THEY ARE WAITING FOR ME TO EITHER GET RID OF THE CAR OR GET IN AN ACCIDENT. IF MY CAR IS AFFECTED I WANT IT FIXED. IS THERE ANYTHING THE NHTSA CAN DO? *TR

SAFETY ISSUE WITH 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. BECAUSE OF A NUMBER OF PROBLEMS WITH STEERING AND SUSPENSION, I HAVE HAD FOUR CERTIFIED MECHANICS INSPECT THE CAR. THREE FOUND THAT THE STEERING RACK IS DEFECTIVE; ONE FOUND THAT THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT IS DEFECTIVE. NEITHER SHOULD BE DEFECTIVE ON A CAR WITH 57K MILES. THE ONLY WAY THAT THE STEERING RACK COULD BE DEFECTIVE IS IF THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE HEAT TREATMENT DURING MANUFACTURE; THIS WOULD IMPLY THAT THE ENTIRE BATCH IS DEFECTIVE. SIMILARLY, THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT IS A THICK PIECE OF SHEET METAL THAT SHOULD NOT BE DEFECTIVE WITH LOW MILEAGE. THE PROBLEM(S) HAS BEEN REPORTED TO GENERAL MOTORS, WHO HAVE NOT RESPONDED TO REPEATED CONTACTS. BECAUSE THE MECHANICS DO NOT AGREE, I WILL HAVE THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT REPLACED TO SEE IF THAT SOLVES THE PROBLEM. IF NOT, THEN I WILL REPLACE THE STEERING RACK. *TR

2005 CHEVY MALIBU. GAS GAUGE STARTED GIVING INCORRECT READINGS RESULTING IN CAR RUNNING OUT OF GAS AND STALLING, UNABLE TO RESTART. GAUGE NOW WILL ALWAYS READ COMPLETELY FULL WHEN STARTING CAR, THEN AFTER A FEW MINUTES, WILL FAIL AND DROP ALL THE WAY TO COMPLETELY EMPTY. I HAVE SPOKEN TO MANY OTHER GM OWNERS AND SEVERAL OF THEM HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUE, COSTING THEM ALMOST $1,000 IN REPAIRS TO GET THE GAUGE/FLOAT REPLACED. THIS IS A SERIOUS AND POTENTIALLY A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM BECAUSE PEOPLE COULD RUN OUT OF GAS AND BE STRANDED MILES FROM HELP AND THIS COULD HAPPEN IN ADVERSE OR FREEZING WEATHER CONDITIONS. IF CHILDREN HAPPEN TO BE IN THE CAR, THE SERIOUSNESS OF THIS IS CONSIDERABLY HIGHER. I FEEL THIS IS A MAJOR AND WIDESPREAD DEFECT AND THAT THIS PARTICULAR PIECE OF EQUIPMENT SHOULD BE RECALLED AND FIXED AT NO COST TO THE CUSTOMER. I HAVE OWNED GM CARS MY ENTIRE LIFE AND I WOULD THINK THAT THEY WOULD CORRECT THIS AND KEEP THEIR DEDICATED CUSTOMERS SAFE AND SATISFIED. *TR

BRAKE LIGHTS ARE REVERSED. THEY COME ON AND STAY ON THEN WHEN YOU BRAKE THE LIGHT GO OUT. SAFETY ISSUE FOR SURE. THIS HAS HAPPENED 4 TIMES ABOUT ONE YEAR APART EACH TIME. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE POWER STEERING FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE POWER STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. HE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM CHEVROLET IN AUGUST 2010 THAT SPECIFIED IF THE VEHICLE WAS OVER 100,000 MILES THE STEERING FAILURE WOULD NOT BE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT EXPLAINED TO GENERAL MOTORS THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BEFORE THE 100,000 MILES, BUT HE COULD NOT HAVE THE REPAIR DONE; THEREFORE, THE VEHICLE SHOULD REPAIRED BY GENERAL MOTORS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE 115,000. UPDATED 12/15/10. *LJ THE CONSUMER SENT IN A RECALL NOTICE ALONG WITH HIS COMPLAINT REGARDING THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING. UPDATED 12/27/10

TL*THE DRIVER OWNED A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 67 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY STIFF RESULTING IN A SINGLE CAR CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER WAS INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INSURANCE COMPANY AND SHE DOES NOT KNOW IF THE VEHICLE WAS EXAMINED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 109,000.

MY WIFE HAS A 2005 CHEVY MALIBU. SHE WAS DRIVING IT THE OTHER DAY AND THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT ON IT ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. SHE GOT THE CAR UNDER CONTROL AND PULLED TO THE SHOULDER. WHEN SHE TURNED THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTED IT THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARED. THIS HAS HAPPENED AGAIN SINCE THE 1ST INCIDENT, BUT NOW THE CAR PULLS TO THE LEFT ALL OF THE TIME. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS ONLINE AND THERE SEEMS TO MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE WITH STEERING. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. *TR

WHILE DRIVING ON LOCAL STREET AT APPROXIMATELY 35MPH, THE POWER STEERING ON OUR CAR STOPPED WORKING MAKING STEERING VERY DIFFICULT. MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING AND HE HAD TROUBLE STEERING TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. HE TURNED OFF THE CAR AND RESTARTED IT, AND THE POWER STEERING CAME BACK ON. WITHIN A 2 MILE SPAN, THIS OCCURRED TWICE. I ASKED MY KIDS AND HUSBAND HOW OFTEN THIS HAPPENS, AND IT'S EVERY TIME THE CAR IS DRIVEN. IF MY HUSBAND HAD TROUBLE STEERING WHEN THE POWER STEERING STOPS, IT MUST BE EVEN WORSE FOR MY 2 GIRLS. IF THIS OCCURS ON THE HIGHWAY, THERE COULD EASILY BE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I LOOKED ONLINE AND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN MADE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLETIN FOR IT BUT IT NEEDS TO BE A RECALL. I READ THAT MAZDA3 AND MAZDA 5 CARS ARE BEING RECALLED FOR POWER STEERING FAILURE. WHY HAVEN'T CHEVY MALIBUS BEEN RECALLED? PLEASE HELP. *TR

THE CAR BEGAN SHAKING AT SPEEDS OVER 55 AND PULLED A BIT TO THE LEFT. THE CAR WAS PARKED AND A COUPLE OF HOURS WE RETURNED TO THE CAR TO FIND THAT THE POWER STEERING WAS NOT WORKING. TRIED IT THIS MORNING AND THE POWER STEERING IS NOW WORKING BUT WITH DASH BOARD WARNING LIGHT. THIS SHOULD BE THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE EPS THAT THE 2005 COBALTS ARE BEING RECALLED FOR. THEY SHOULD EXTEND THE RECALL TO ALL EPS VEHICLES DURING THOSE YEAR INCLUDING THE 2005 MALIBU. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. THE CONTACT STATED THE HEADLIGHT WIRING HARNESS MELTED CAUSING THE LIGHT BULB PLASTIC COVERING TO MELT AND THE LIGHT BULB TO FAIL. A LOCAL MECHANIC REPLACED THE PASSENGER HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY, BUT THE DRIVER HEADLIGHT ALSO FAILED. THE DRIVERS HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY WAS NOT REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 92,000. UPDATED 10/14/11 *BF UPDATED 10/28/11

2005 CHEVY MALIBU STEERING LOCKS UP WHEN DRIVING. *TR

I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH MY POWER STEERING IN MY 2005 CHEVY MALIBU THAT HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED AS A KNOWN DEFECT WITH THE POWER STEERING COLUMN. I CALLED AND SPOKE WITH A NHTSA REPRESENTATIVE TODAY AND HE SAID IT WAS A KNOWN DEFECT ON MANY CHEVY MODELS WHERE THE COBALT WAS RECALLED BUT MY 2005 MALIBU HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED. I AM SCARED TO DEATH TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE. I'VE READ ONLINE ABOUT ACCIDENTS HAPPENING AS A RESULT OF THIS PROBLEM AS A RESULT OF POWER STEERING LOSS. PLEASE CAN YOU RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM WITH CHEVROLET SO THEY ISSUE A RECALL. I DRIVE MY KIDS IN MY CAR AND I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. UPDATED IVOQ 08/31/10*JB *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT WELLS WERE FRACTURED AND CAUSING THE SEAT TO ABNORMALLY LEAN TO THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE DEALER WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE WELLS HAD FRACTURED FROM THE TRACK ASSEMBLY. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,600.

I PURCHASED A 2005 CHEVY MALIBU CLASSIC. THE ANTI THEFT SYSTEM COMES ON AS THE OPERATOR DRIVES THE CAR. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING SEVERAL TIMES AND THE VEHICLE JUST LOST ALL ACCELERATION. EVERY WEEK I HAVE PROBLEMS GETTING THE VEHICLE TO START BECAUSE THE ANTI THEFT SYSTEM COMES AS THE OPERATOR TURNS THE IGNITION ON. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS AND DANGEROUS PROBLEM. I STRONGLY FEEL THAT THIS CARS SHOULD AND NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED SHE HEARD A LOUD NOISE IN THE STEERING FOR A WHILE. ON JULY 24, 2010 WHILE REVERSING INTO A PARKING SPACE, AND THEN MOVING FORWARD TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN A STRAIGHT LINE THE POWER STEERING FAILED. SHE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A CURVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE GARAGE, DIAGNOSTIC TESTING LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE STEERING SHAFT AND GEAR BOX. THE STEERING SHAFT AND GEAR BOX WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR, BECAUSE THE PARTS THAT WERE REPLACED WERE NOT COVERED BY THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,849 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 34,300.

PURCHASED 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU IN MAY, 2009. ONGOING PROBLEMS WITH BRAKE AND TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS NOT WORKING. ATTEMPTED REPLACEMENT AND REPAIR BY MECHANIC. LIGHTS REMAINED INOPERABLE AS DID FUEL GAUGE BY 80,000 MILES. WHILE PARKED, CAR IGNITED FROM UNDER CENTER CONSOLE, DOOR LOCKS ENGAGED, AND INTERIOR BURNED. TOTAL LOSS OF AUTO AND CONTENTS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED WHEN THE SPEED DECREASED. THE RACK AND PINION WAS REPLACED FOUR TIMES AND THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. A CRASH NEARLY OCCURRED ON TWO OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE AND COULD CAUSE A CRASH TO OCCUR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

THE TURN SIGNAL BULB GETS TOO HOT AND MELTS THE ORANGE PLASTIC COVERING THE TURN SIGNAL BULB. I REPLACED THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES BECAUSE THE ORANGE PLASTIC COVERINGS HAD HOLES MELTED INTO THEM, AND WERE UNREPAIRABLE. I ALSO REPLACED THE TURN SIGNAL BULB WITH THE BULB SPECIFIED IN TSB #06-08-42-004B WHICH SPECIFIES USE OF THE OSRAM 3157 LCP BULB, GM PART NUMBER 13502322. THIS DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM, AND I AM SCHEDULED TO HAVE THE HEADLAMPS REPLACED AGAIN FOR A SECOND TIME, BECAUSE THE ORANGE PLASTIC COVERING THE TURN SIGNAL BULBS HAVE HOLES IN IT AGAIN. I FIRST HAD MY HEADLAMPS REPLACED ON 07/20/2010, AND TODAY IS 07/18/2011, SO IT HAS BEEN LESS THAN A YEAR AND THE PROBLEM IS REOCCURRING. *KB

THE CAR IN MENTION ABOVE HAS STALLED FOR NO APPARENT REASON, WHEN STALLED STEERING BECOMES DIFFICULT THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE PAST 5 YEARS. WHEN THE DEALER WAS CALLED THEY SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL, AND IF THERE WAS NO TROUBLE LIGHT ON, IT WOULD BE HARD TO DETECT CAUSE UNLESS IT STALLED WHILE THEY HAD IT IN THE SHOP. WHEN IT STALLS EVERYTHING JUST SHUT OFF. UPON PULLING THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF ROAD WITH HORNS BLARING PUTTING IT IN PARK IT THEN RESTARTS LIKE NOTHING EVER HAPPENED UNTIL NEXT TIME IT DECIDES TO SHUT OFF. WHAT I'M GETTING AT IS THERE A POSSIBILITY THAT GM WILL EXPAND THERE IGNITION SWITCH RECALL TO INCLUDE THE 2005 MALIBU WHICH IN MY OPINION IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME SYMPTOMS OF SUDDENLY SHUTTING OFF OR STALLING THE CAR NOW HAS 100,000 MILE RUNS GOOD OTHER THEN THE STALLING. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN WITH DIFFICULTY TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED THREE DIFFERENT TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. AN UNKNOWN REPAIR WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE CONTINUED AFTER THE FIRST REPAIR. THE SECOND INSPECTION THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM WITH AN ESTIMATED REPAIR COST OF $1,500. THERE HAD BEEN NO ADDITIONAL REPAIRS AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,200.

2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU LS WITH 3.5 V6 ENGINE. FUEL GAUGE READS EMPTY AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AFTER EVERY REFILL OF FUEL TANK. PROBLEM HAS BEEN CONTINUAL SINCE 7/12/ 2010. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A POPPING NOISE IN THE STEERING WHEN HITTING A ROUGH SPOT OR BUMP IN THE ROAD. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE TIE RODS BUT THAT DID NOT RESOLVE THE ISSUE. A NEW STEERING UNIT WAS INSTALLED AND THIS SEEMED TO RESOLVE THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000. UPDATED 12/22/10 *BF THE OUTER TIE ROD WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 12/30/10*JB

2005 CHEVY MALIBU MAXX FRONT TURN SIGNALS BURNED OUT, BUT BEFORE THAT, THEY BURNED/MELTED THE PLASTIC GLOBE AROUND THE BULB. HAVE REPLACED BULBS NUMEROUS TIMES BEFORE, AND REPLACED BULB SOCKET (MELTED AND SHORTED) THIS TIME AROUND TOO. THIS MELTING AND SHORTING IS CERTAINLY A MFR. DEFECT AND SHOULD BE REPLACED OR FIXED BY CHEVROLET. CURRENTLY I'M TRYING TO FIND A WAY TO RUN LED BULBS TO AVOID THE HEAT, BUT CAN'T FIND AN ECONOMICAL WAY DUE TO THE NEED FOR RESISTORS (CREATING HEAT) OR NEW FLASHERS IN THE LINE IN ADDITION TO THE NEW BULBS. *TR

THE POWER STEERING ON THE CAR-STOPPED WORKING AND THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON, ON THE DASHBOARD. THE CAR WAS VERY HARD TO STEER. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO MY MECHANIC AND HE SAYS THAT HE HAS SEEN MANY PROBLEMS WITH STEERING PROBLEMS ON THIS GM MODEL OF CAR. *TR

ELECTRICAL ISSUES WITH MY 05 MALIBU MAXX.THE POWER STEERING KEEPS GOING OUT-CHEVY IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM. THE ENGINE HAS TROUBLE STARTING. THE REAR WIPER GOES BY ITSELF WITHOUT ANYONE TOUCHING THE CONTROL-MOST RECENT EVENT, HAPPENS EVERY FEW DAYS 1 OR 2 TIMES. I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH THE STARTING FROM THE BEGINNING OF OWNERSHIP. THE POWER STEERING ISSUE HAS BEEN OVER THE PAST MONTH. SOMETIMES THE WARNING LIGHT COMES ON FIRST, USUALLY NOT. I HAVE NOT PAID TO HAVE ANY WORK DONE, BUT HAVE CONTACTED CHEVY'S CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WAS TOLD, THAT THEY WOULD MAKE A RECORD OF IT. RESTARTING THE CAR USUALLY FIXES THE POWER STEERING TEMPORARILY. I HAVE TO CHANGE THE BRAKES ONCE A MONTH, SO THEY DON'T DESTROY MY ROTORS. POWER STEERING SEEMS TO GO OUT MORE OFTEN WHEN IT IS HOT OUTSIDE. *TR

THE LIGHT BULBS NUMBER 3057 IN 2 OF MY CARS HAVE MELTED THE BASE AND DAMAGED THE LIGHT SOCKETS. AS A RESULT THE LIGHT WILL NOT ILLUMINATE PROPERLY. ONE VEHICLE IS A 2006 DODGE RAM 3500. THE BULB IS USED IN THE BRAKE LIGHT. WHEN IT FAILS YOU GET THE RUNNING LIGHTS BUT NOT THE BRAKE LIGHT. THERE IS NO WAY TO TELL INSIDE THE VEHICLE THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT IS NOT LIGHTING. THIS HAS A SERIOUS RISK OF BEING HIT FROM BEHIND. THE SECOND VEHICLE IS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAX. BULB 3057 IS USED IN THE FRONT TURN SIGNALS WHICH DOUBLE AS THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS. ON THIS VEHICLE NOT ONLY DOES THE BASE OF THE BULB MELT BREAKING THE ELECTRICAL CONTACT THE PLASTIC LENS OF THE LIGHT IS MELTING. ONCE FAILURE OCCURS YOU MAY OR MAY NOT GET THE EXTRA FAST TURN SIGNAL INDICATOR. ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE THE BULB HAD TO BE REPLACED 4 TIMES IN SIX MONTHS. BOTH THE FACTORY BULBS MELTED AND THE SYLVANIA REPLACEMENT LONG LIFE BULBS FAILED. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY STIFF AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND UPON RESTART, THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS NORMAL FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE HALF MILE BEFORE THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND WAS NOT EXAMINED FOR THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT SHE WAS EXPERIENCING A RECURRING FAILURE IN WHICH HER FRONT TURN SIGNAL WOULD NOT STOP WORKING AND SHE WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE BULBS APPROXIMATELY ONCE A MONTH. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 87,000. UPDATED 10/27/10. *LJ

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A ROUND AMBER-COLORED GLOBE BECAME HOT AND MELTED ONTO THE TURN SIGNAL BULB. HE CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT HE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST OF A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO OFFER HIM ANY ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,125. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.

2005 CHEVY MALIBU LS STEERING BEGAN TO LOCK UP ON SLOW TURNS. THERE WAS NO WARNING, JUST A SUDDEN LOCKING OF THE STEERING COLUMN. (IT WOULD NOT TURN. LITERALLY LOCK THE STEERING WHEEL UNTIL ADDITIONAL SPEED COULD BE MAINTAINED. THE PROBLEM STARTED INTERMITTENTLY 2 WEEKS AGO & STEADILY WORSENED. HAPPENING 10-12 TIMES A DAY THIS WEEK. HIT 2 CURBS, NEARLY JUMPED ONE CURB & NEARLY HIT A CAR. WE HAD TO PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE TO STRAIGHTEN THE STEERING PRIOR TO COMPLETING THE TURN. CAR HAS 85000 MILES ON IT. MECHANIC SHOP REPLACED RACK/PINION STEERING & BOTH FRONT END REAR TIE ROD RINGS. THIS DEFECT IS APPARENT ON MALIBU'S ACCORDING TO THE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS SEEN ON THE INTERNET. *TR

MY 2005 CHEVY MALIBU IS HAVING THIS VERY LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THERE IS NO WHERE TO PUT OR CHECK THE POWER STEERING FLUID. THIS IS A PIECE OF [XXX] CAR...I AM SCARED THAT SOMETHING IS GOING TO HAPPEN AND IT IS NOT GOING TO BE PRETTY IF THE STEERING ISSUES IN MALIBUS ARE NOT RESOLVED. I HAVE SEEN A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THE STEERING IN CHEVY MALIBUS. WITH ALL THE COMPLAINTS ON LINE, THAT SHOULD BE ENOUGH TO GM TO CALL A RECALL..... THIS IS DANGEROUS AND LIVES CAN BE LOST. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

WHILE DRIVING HOME IN MY 2005 CHEVY MALIBU CLASSIC I HEARD A LOAD POPPING SOUND AND SMOKE CAME ROLLING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I THOUGHT AT FIRST THAT I HAD BLOWN THE TIRE OFF THE RIM SINCE I COULD SMELL LIKE BURNT RUBBER AND SEE THE SMOKE BUT THIS WAS NOT THE CASE. I LOOKED DOWN AND SAW ALL THE GAUGES LIT UP AND THE ENGINE HAD DIED. I COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT BECAUSE THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP SMOKING AT FIRST. BY THE TIME THEY ARRIVED IT HAD STOPPED BECAUSE THE OIL HAD BURNED OFF OF THE MOTOR. AFTER HAVING THE CAR TOWED HOME AND THEN TO A REPAIR SHOP THE NEXT DAY IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE CAP CAME OFF OF THE END OF A ROD WHILE THE PISTON WAS IN THE UP POSITION THE FUEL INSIDE FORCED THE PISTON DOWN CAUSING IT TO BLOW A HOLE IN THE SIDE OF THE MOTOR. HOW OR WHAT CAUSED THAT CAP TO COME OFF CAUSING THIS ISSUE? I NOW HAVE TO TRY AND LOCATE A MOTOR TO REPLACE THE ONE CURRENTLY DESTROYED. *TR

3RD POSTING HERE. SAME PROBLEM. NO POWER STEERING. NOW IT IS TO THE POINT WHERE IM LUCKY TO GET POWER STEERING FOR THE LENGTH OF MY DRIVEWAY. I CALLED THE LOCAL CHEVY DEALERSHIP TO INQUIRE ABOUT THE COBALT RECALL (WHICH IS THE SAME ISSUE AS THE MALIBU POWER STEERING ISSUE) AND THEY TOLD ME AT THIS TIME THERE IS NOTHING THAT CAN BE DONE BY THEM. I TOLD THEM I HAD BEEN IN 2 TIMES TO A DEALERSHIP AND THAT WAS TOLD THE SAME THING. THE NEXT THING SAID REALLY SURPRISED ME. APPARENTLY THERE IS A "SUPER SECRET WARRANTY" FOR THIS VERY PROBLEM. AS LUCK WOULD HAVE IT I WAS NOT INFORMED OF THIS WARRANTY UNTIL IT HAD EXPIRED ON MY CAR. CHEVROLET HANDLED THIS IN TRUE CUSTOMER IS ALWAYS RIGHT FASHION. IF I WANT TO TAKE IT IN AND PAY FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC AND REPAIR THEY WOULD POSSIBLY REFUND ME THE COST OF THE REPAIR ONLY. NEEDLESS TO SAY, IF I HAD THE FUNDS AVAIL TO GET THE WORK DONE I WOULD HAVE EITHER DONE IT ALREADY OR SWITCHED TO A FORD. TO ALL YOU PEOPLE OUT THERE WITH THIS ISSUE GO INTO A DEALERSHIP AND ASK ABOUT THE "SUPER SECRET WARRANTY" THEN AFTER YOU GET IT FIXED, SELL IT!!!!! *TR

MY SON WAS DRIVING MY 2005 CHEVY MALIBU TO WORK & THE "POWER STEERING" LIGHT CAME ON & WAS HAVING TROUBLES GETTING THE CAR TO TURN CORNERS. HE CALLED ME; I TOLD HIM TO GET FLUID. UPON GETTING FLUID & READING THE MANUAL, HE DISCOVERED THAT IT WAS AN "ELECTRIC" POWER STEERING & GET TO YOUR GM DEALER IMMEDIATELY. WE DID SO & WAS TOLD THE POWER STEERING COLUMN WAS SHORTING OUT & NEEDED REPLACED. THERE HAD BEEN NO RECALL ON THIS FOR THE MALIBU BUT HAD FOR THE PONTIAC G6, COBALT & OTHERS. THE DEALERSHIP WE WENT TO REPLACED & I HAD TO PAY OUT OF MY POCKET $644.86. I FEEL THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL & THAT THE SAFETY OF MY SON DRIVING AT THE TIME PUT HIS LIFE IN DANGER. I WOULD LIKE REIMBURSED BY GM FOR THIS EXPENSE & A RECALL DONE SO THAT OTHER MALIBU OWNERS DO HAVE INCUR ANY INJURIES AND/OR EXPENSE FOR REPLACEMENT. I AM SENDING A LETTER TO GM AS WELL AS A COPY OF THE LETTER TO NHTSA EVEN THOUGH I AM SUBMITTING AN EMAIL COMPLAINT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION IN THIS MATTER. *TR

MY POWER STEERING LIGHT FLASHES AND THE STEERING WHEEL FREEZES OR BECOMES VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. *TR

THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM L WILL NOT ALWAYS WORK CORRECTLY SOMETIMES A WIDOW WILL NOT ROLL UP OR THE AUTOMATIC LOCK WILL NOT WORK ON ONE OR TWO DOORS. THE ANTI-THEFT SENSOR HAS HAD TO BE REPLACED AND RE-PROGRAMMED 3 TIMES SINCE JUNE OF 2010. THE FIRST TIME IT WAS RE PROGRAMMED AND THE SENOR MALFUNCTIONED AGAIN AND THE SENSOR WAS REPLACED AND NOW ON JULY 30 THE SENSOR MALFUNCTIONED AGAIN AND NEEDED RE PROGRAMMING. *TR

POWER STEERING PROBLEMS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SEAT "BUCKLED" AND BROKE OFF, CAUSING THE SEAT TO LEAN TO THE RIGHT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE FOUR BRACKETS THAT MOUNTED THE SEAT TO THE FLOOR AND ONE OF THE REAR BRACKETS WAS BROKEN. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 74,000.

MY 2005 CHEVY MALIBU HAS INTERMITTENT POWER STEERING FAULT ON THE CENTER DISPLAY, AND YESTERDAY THE POWER STEERING ACTUALLY SHUT OFF WHILE GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 70MPH. VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER JUST TO GET OFF OF THE ROAD. PULLED OVER AND SHUT OFF CAR AND RESTARTED AND IT WORKED FOR 5 MINUTES AND THEN SHUT DOWN AGAIN, WRESTLED THE CAR HOME, AND TODAY IT WORKS FINE. CHEVY COBALT ALREADY HAS A RECALL FOR THIS, WHY NOT THE MALIBU. I HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH CHEVROLET AND WAS INSTRUCTED TO GET THE CAR FIXED AS IT WAS CLEARLY A DANGEROUS SITUATION, BUT IT WOULD HAVE TO BE AT MY EXPENSE. DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO DIE TO ADMIT THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION AND SHOULD BE RECALLED? I DO SEE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME ISSUE ON THIS WEB SITE, AND EVEN MORE ON OTHER SITES. *TR

FRONT RIGHT DRL BULB KEEPS GOING OUT.. WHEN REPLACED I NOTICED THE SOCKET APPEARS TO BE BAD AND THE AMBER CASING IS MELTED. THE LIGHT HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES IN THE LAST 3 MONTHS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, SHE APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOORBOARD, RESULTING ON HER BRAKES CATCHING ON FIRE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL SHOP WHERE THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO DIAGNOSE WHAT CAUSED THE FIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 109,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE MAKING A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN AT ANY SPEED THE CONTACT COULD HEAR A CLANKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END. DURING THE FAILURE, A POWER STEERING SERVICE LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE ON THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE POWER STEERING MECHANISMS WERE GREASED. A FEW MONTHS LATER THE FAILURE BEGAN TO RECUR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 51,000.

CAR BLOWS THROUGH FUSES EVERY TIME I TURN AROUND. MECHANIC STATES HE HAD MALIBU THAT DID SAME THING, I HAVE REPLACED FUSES ABOUT 4 TIMES A YEAR, THAT ITS ABNORMAL. RT. SIGNAL THEN LT,SIGNAL, BACK AND FORTH. *TR

REGARDING MY 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU: VEHICLE IS USED AS PERSONAL TRANSPORTATION TO AND FROM WORK IN TOWN ERRANDS AND VACATIONS OUT OF STATE, OVER THE LAST 4 WEEKS MY WIFE AND OTHER FAMILY HAVE DRIVEN THE VEHICLE AND HAVE EXPERIENCED INTERMITTENT LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHILE TURNING CORNERS AT RELATIVELY LOW SPEED. ON THE DATE OF THIS WRITING MY WIFE REPORTS HAVING TO STOP 3 TIMES ON THE WAY TO WORK BECAUSE OF DEAD WHEEL STEERING. IT SEEMS THAT THE SYSTEM WILL OPERATE AFTER A SHORT PERIOD WHERE POWER IS SWITCHED OFF BY THE IGNITION SWITCH. I HAVE REPORTED THIS PROBLEM TO CHEVROLET CORPORATE CUSTOMER SERVICE (REF# 71-833386371 MADE 25MAY2010) AND TOLD THERE IS NO RECALL ORDER FOR THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM FOR THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE LEARNED FROM THE INTERNET THAT THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS OF THIS VERY OCCURRENCE ON THIS AND OTHER YEAR MODELS OF MALIBU. YOUR AGENCY IS, I'M SURE, AWARE OF THE RECALL OF 2005 - 2010 COBALT FOR STEERING PROBLEMS OF A SIMILAR NATURE. I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO SOLVE THE MALFUNCTION BELIEVING THAT THE FUSE WAS MALFUNCTIONING AND REPLACED IT WITH A FUSE OF RECOMMENDED SIZE. THE STEERING WENT DEAD SEVERAL TIMES AFTER THAT. I HAVE CONTACTED THE LOCAL DEALER SERVICE REP AND AM MAKING ARRANGEMENTS TO HAVE THE PROBLEM ANALYZED THERE. HOWEVER I'M NOT EXPECTING THEM TO FIN D ANYTHING THEY CAN WORK ON BEING AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. I AM FEARFUL FOR MY WIFE'S WELFARE IN THAT VEHICLE AND PRAY YOUR AGENCY BEGIN PROPER INQUIRIES INTO WHAT LOOKS LIKE GM'S KNOWLEDGE OF A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND THEIR UNWILLINGNESS TO ADDRESS IT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED THREE TIMES AS THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY LOCKED. THE VEHICLE VEERED OFF TO THE RIGHT AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE CONTACT WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL AND SUFFERED A BROKEN RIGHT HIP. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AS A RESULT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 79,000.

CAR IS IN THE SHOP AGAIN FOR STEERING SHAFT. LOUD SLAMMING CLUNKING NOISE WHILE TURNING. GREASE BEARINGS BREAK DOWN AND THE SHAFT SLAMS AROUND. HAD IT ALL REPLACED 2 YEARS AGO ALSO. TALKED TO GM, THEY VERIFIED WITH THE DEALERSHIP THAT IT WAS THE SAME ISSUE AS BEFORE . I WAS TOLD THAT THERE IS NO RECALL BECAUSE CUSTOMERS DO NOT PERSONALLY CALL GM AND REPORT THE REPAIR. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?? IF THEY SEE A TREND WITH REPORTS BEING MADE DIRECTLY TO GM FROM THE CUSTOMER (NOT THE DEALERSHIP), THEY TAKE IT INTO CONSIDERATION. IF YOU HAVE A REPAIR DONE TO YOUR MALIBU, CALL GM EVERY TIME AND REPORT IT. THIS IS THEIR WAY OF ESCAPING RESPONSIBILITY FOR A KNOWN PROBLEM. THEY TOLD ME IT MIGHT BE AN ISSUE IN MY AREA ONLY. SINCE WHEN DO CARS KNOW WHERE THEY LIVE?? GM NEEDS TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH AND TURNING A CORNER, THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTED IT AND THE VEHICLE FUNCTIONED NORMALLY; HOWEVER THE FAILURE OCCURRED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ASSIST MOTOR FOR THE RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT HER EXPENSE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND FILED A COMPLAINT BUT THEY DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE.. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 95,500. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 95,536.

WELD ON DRIVER'S POWER SEAT BROKEN. SEAT TILTS TO THE RIGHT. *TR

CLUNKING NOISE AT LOW SPEEDS WHEN TURNING STEERING WHEEL- EITHER DIRECTION. POWER STEERING FAILED TODAY - IN REVERSE. MANAGED TO PARK CAR IN DRIVEWAY AND (PER PREVIOUS COMPLAINTS I GOOGLED) AFTER 20 MINUTES I WENT OUT AND STARTED THE CAR & THE STEERING WHEEL WAS SOMEWHAT NORMAL BUT I FELT A SLIGHT CATCH WHEN I TURNED WHEEL EITHER DIRECTION. NO SERVICE HAS BEEN DONE ON THE STEERING YET BY ME. I HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY - COVERS THE POWER STEERING PUMP - BUT NOT THE SHAFT. *TR

THE POWER STEERING LIGHT COMES ON AND SOMETIMES THE STEERING WHEEL WON'T TURN AT ALL. THERE IS A KNOCKING NOISE IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN I TURN. IT WAS FIXED ONLY TO START AGAIN A FEW WEEKS LATER. GM WON'T REPAIR CAUSE THEY SAY I'M OVER THE MILEAGE. THE GAS HAND JUMPS UP AN DOWN. *TR