NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026
THE CD PLAYER IS NOT WORKING THEY HAVE A CD STUCK INSIDE AND IT'S MAKING A CLICKING NOISE. I'M NOT SURE WHAT'S THE PROBLEM. *TR
MY FRIEND, MRS. X., A WIDOW AND MOTHER OF TWO CHILDREN ATTENDING COLLEGE, HAS BEEN PLAGUED BY A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH REPAIRS PERFORMED BY JOHNNY LONDOFF CHEVROLET. HER CAR, A 2005 CHEVY MALIBU WITH 68,000 MILES, HAS BEEN IN FOR REPAIRS FOUR TIMES. . . LONDOFF HAS EXTRACTED OVER $1400.00 FROM THIS WIDOW WOMAN, CONTINUING TO REPLACE PART AFTER PART WHICH HAS DONE NOTHING TO ALLEVIATE THE COMPLAINT. THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS !!!! THE INTERNET REVEALS THOUSANDS OF IDENTICAL COMPLAINTS! ESSENTIALLY, MS. X'S CHEVY STOPS RUNNING, OR SLOWS TO 15 MPH WHILE IN THE FAST LANE OF THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY WHERE THE SPEED LIMIT IS 60 MPH WITH NO WARNING! THE LAST TIME THE CAR WAS TAKEN INTO LONDOFF, THE SERVICE MANAGER, MR. B W. ADVISED THAT AFTER TAKING $1400.00 FROM MY FRIEND FOR "REPAIRS" THAT DID NOT EFFECT A REPAIR, THAT LONDOFF WAS GOING TO REPLACE THE "POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE" UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY, TO COMPLETE THE REPAIRS WHICH THE PREVIOUS REPAIRS DID NOT FIX. TO MAKE THE STORY SHORT, LONDOFF REPLACED THE PCM AND THROTTLE BODY / PEDAL FOR MRS. X, AND NOW 30 DAYS LATER, THE CAR ONCE AGAIN STALLS IN THE FAST LANE - IN THE RAIN, AS HUGE TRACTOR TRAILERS CAME BARRELING DOWN ON HER AT HIGH SPEED AT NIGHT. I FEAR FOR BOTH MY FRIENDS LIFE AND HER SAFETY IN THIS ' 05 MALIBU. WE TOOK THE CAR IN AGAIN TODAY FOR THE 4TH REPAIR OPPORTUNITY FOR LONDOFF, AND "MR. W" REFUSED TO GUARANTEE TO MAKE GOOD ON THE 12 MONTH, 12000 REPAIR WARRANTY, AND REFUSED TO PROVIDE EITHER A LOANER OR A RENTAL AT GM'S COST SO MRS. X COULD MAKE IT TO WORK NEXT WEEK. ESSENTIALLY, THESE MEN CONTINUE TO "JACK UP" THIS POOR WIDOW WOMAN, TAKING MORE AND MORE OF HER MEAGER SUSTENANCE WITHOUT EFFECTING REPAIRS!!!! MRS.X'S LIFE, HER JOB, HER HOME, HER CREDIT, HER CHILDREN'S COLLEGE EDUCATION IS THREATENED BY GM / LONDOFF'S FAILURE TO PROPERLY REPAIR THIS VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, TIME AFTER TIME THIS CAR HAS BROKEN DOWN IN THE FAST LANE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC DURING A THUNDERSTORM. OBVIOUS RECALL !!! UPDATED IVOQ 12/01/10 *TR
FRAME UNDER THE DRIVERS POWER SEAT IS BROKEN IN MULTIPLE PLACES. IT HAS BROKEN ON WELD POINTS AND THE BAR ITSELF IS BROKEN. THIS LEADS TO A ROCKING MOTION OF THE SEAT WHEN DRIVING. *TR
POWER STEERING GAVE OUT. *TR
THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE DRIVING ON SURFACE STREETS (IN THE ACT OF TURNING). ALTHOUGH I TEMPORARILY LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, I MANAGED TO COMPLETE MY TURN SAFELY. THIS VEHICLE IS A CHEVROLET MALIBU 2005. I HAD TO HAVE THE ENTIRE POWER STEERING COLUMN REPLACED. I AM STILL NOT SATISFIED THAT THIS HAS FIXED THE PROBLEM. THE WARNING SIGNS OF A DEFECTIVE REPLACEMENT PART ARE STILL PRESENT (POPPING NOISE AT THE STEERING LINKAGES). *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. WHILE ENTERING A PARKING SPACE, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. AS A CONSEQUENCE STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED , BUT BECAUSE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED THEY WOULD NOT PROVIDE A FREE REMEDY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE 80,600.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD LOCK AND THE VEHICLE WOULD ABNORMALLY PULL TO EITHER THE LEFT OR RIGHT. THE FAILURE WAS CONSTANT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE IGNITION COIL WOULD NEED TO BE DISCONNECTED AND THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 76,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 91,000.
ON OCTOBER 22, 2009, WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, STEERING COLUMN IN CAR BEGAN MAKING POPPING NOISE WHEN TURNING IN EITHER DIRECTION. (VEHICLE MILEAGE AT TIME OF THIS INCIDENT JUST OVER 52,000) SOME LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL EXPERIENCED. NO WARNING LIGHT OR NOTIFICATION FROM VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS IMMEDIATELY TAKEN TO A MECHANIC. STEERING COLUMN REPLACED FOR A COST OVER $650. THIS IS THE SECOND STEERING COLUMN REPLACEMENT ON THIS VEHICLE, WHICH IS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU.THE FIRST REPLACEMENT WAS DONE AT 25,145 MILES ON FEBRUARY 13, 2008 WAS DONE WITHIN THE WARRANTY PERIOD BY DEALERSHIP. *TR
TANK FUEL LEVEL GAUGE DOES NOT SHOW ACCURATE AMOUNT OF FUEL IN TANK. *TR
I HAVE A 2005 MALIBU,AND HAVE HAD A CLUNKING NOISE IN THE STEERING SINCE APPROX. 40,000MILES. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE GARAGE SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY HAVE TOLD ME THAT CHEVROLET DID NOT MAKE A PLACE TO LUBRICATE THE JOINTS INSIDE THE COLUMN SO THAT THEY DRY OUT QUICKLY,AND ARE BANGING TOGETHER AND IT IS NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUTI DO NOT AGREE,ANYTHING CONSTANTLY CLANGING AGAINST ANOTHER OBJECT IS EVENTUALLY GOING TO WEAR OUT. I ALSO JUST HAD MY FUEL TANK,FUEL SENSOR REPLACED,AT THE COST OF 600. IT STARTED GIVING FALSE READINGS AND THEN GOT INCREASINGLY WORSE UNTIL IT DID NOT WORK ANYMORE. MY EXTERIOR LIGHTING IS ALSO MESSED UP. I HAVE TO REPLACE BULBS FREQUENTLY AND IT LOOKS LIKE THE BASE OF THE BULB IS MELTED WHEN THEY TAKE THEM OUT. I HAD CONTACTED MY LOCAL DEALER ON THESE ISSUES AND THEY STATED NO RECALLS . *TR
I HAVE AN ISSUE WITH THE STEERING COLUMN POPPING IN MY 2005 CHEVY MALIBU (62,000 MILES). AFTER RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE ONLINE I AM UNSURE OF WHAT ACTION TO TAKE TO REPAIR IT. ALMOST EVERY POST INDICATES THAT AFTER REPAIRED, THE POPPING STARTED AGAIN. HAVE ALSO READ POSTS OF DRIVERS LOSING CONTROL OF VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. I AM HOPING THAT GM WILL RESPOND WITH A RECALL SINCE THERE SEEMS TO BE MANY ISSUES WITH THIS. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF ANY PASSENGERS IN MY VEHICLE, ESPECIALLY MY 5 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER. *TR
SINCE PURCHASING, MY USED 2005 CHEVY MALIBU HAD A CLUNKING NOISE WHEN USING THE DRIVERS AUTOMATIC SEAT. RECENTLY, THE POWER SEAT BRACKET TOTALLY BROKE, AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, CAUSING ME TO SWERVE AND GO OFF THE ROAD. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP IN JACKSONVILLE, FL WHO EXPLAINED THERE IS NO RECALL, AND IT WILL COST ME $800.00 TO HAVE THIS CORRECTED. I THINK IT IS UNCONSCIONABLE FOR A MANUFACTURER TO PUT CUSTOMERS AT RISK BY APPROVING A DESIGN THAT OBVIOUSLY RESULTS IN A HAZARD THAT THEY HAVE BEEN AWARE OF FOR SOME TIME - AND ARE UNWILLING TO REMEDY. BECAUSE I CANNOT AFFORD TO HAVE THE TRACK REPLACED, AND CHEVROLET WILL NOT CORRECT A MANUFACTURERS PROBLEM, I AM UNFORTUNATELY UNSAFE ON THE ROAD. *TR
LOST POWER STEERING WITHOUT ANY NOTICE OR INDICATOR ERROR LIGHTS. PREVIOUSLY WHEN TURNING WOULD MAKE SOME SQUEALING NOISE LIKE LOW ON POWER STEERING FLUID, BUT IS ELECTRONIC POWER ASSISTED TURNING. CAR IS CHEVY MALIBU CLASSIC 2005 WITH 76,000 MILES ON IT. SAFETY ISSUE AS I COULD HAVE BEEN DRIVING 55 - 65 MPH ON HIGHWAY WHEN THE POWER STEERING QUIT! *TR
HAD TO REPLACE RIGHT SIDE CONTROL ARM, I.E. BALL JOINT. OTHER BALL JOINT APPEARS TO BE IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT. *TR
I HAVE A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. A FEW YEARS AGO THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS CAR WITH STEERING PROBLEMS. I BELIEVE THE FIX DID NOT IMPROVE THE PROBLEM AS IT STILL EXIST AS OF TODAY. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHT COVERS BECAME FOGGY CAUSING VISIBILITY AT NIGHT TO BECOME DIFFICULT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND THE HEAD LIGHT COVERS WERE REPLACED. THE REPLACED HEADLIGHT COVERS BECAME FOGGY AFTER SOME TIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.
I LOST CONTROL OF STEERING AND WAS UNABLE TO TURN THIS HAS HAPPENED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND NOW THEIRS A KNOCKING NOISE IN STEERING. AND ITS NOT STRUTS OR ALIANMENT OR TIRES AS THESE HAVE BEEN CHECKED AND OR CHANGED
POWER ASSISTED STEERING FAILED. STEERING BECAME HARD SO I PULLED OFF THE INTERSTATE AT THE NEAREST EXIT, STOPPED VEHICLE AND TURNED IT OFF. AFTER THE VEHICLE SAT FOR A WHILE I RESTARTED IT AND IT WORKED FINE. *TR
I HAVE EXPERIENCED SOME PULLING FROM MY STEERING WHEEL WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, MORE THAN ONCE. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH GM MECHANICS ( OR REPRESENTATIVES) WHO HAVE TOLD ME NOTHING WAS WRONG. WHO ELSE SHOULD I SPEAK WITH TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THE PROBLEM? MY CAR ONLY HAS 46,700 MILES ON IT, WHICH MAKES THIS A LITTLE SCARY. *TR
MY STEERING WENT OUT WHILE ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK ON A BUSY HIGHWAY LUCKILY THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT BUT I DID DO RESEARCH AND THIS IS A COMMON THING FOR NOT JUST 2005 CHEVY MALIBUS AND ALOT OF PEOPLE HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS WITH NOTHING TO BE DONE ABOUT IT BUT MOST MALIBU I THINK IF SOMETHING NOT DONE IT WILL CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT ONE DAY.. MY CAR ONLY HAS 42852 MILES ON IT I HAVEN'T EVEN OWNED IT 2YRS YET AND BOUGHT IT WITH ABOUT 32000 MILES OR SO ON IT THERE IS NO REASON THIS SHOULD HAVE HAPPENED AND THINK SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE ABOUT THE CHEVY MALIBUS NOW. *TR
2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU CAR VEERED TO LEFT AND CROSSED MEDIAN. DRIVER OF MALIBU KILLED AND ALSO STRUCK ANOTHER CAR WHERE PASSENGERS WERE INJURED. WITNESS STATED MALIBU BRAKED AND THERE WERE TIRE MARKS, NO VEHICLE IN FRONT OF MALIBU AT TIME OF BRAKING. WITNESS STATED CAR VEERED TO LEFT AND DRIVER APPEARED TO LOSE CONTROL CROSSING MEDIAN AND STRUCK ANOTHER AUTOMOBILE. WITNESS STATES DRIVER WAS NOT ON A CELL PHONE. THIS INFORMATION IS IN THE POLICE REPORT. THE CHEVROLET MALIBU HAD STEERING SHAFT REPLACED PRIOR TO ACCIDENT. THIS WAS PERFORMED AT GM DEALER DUE TO POPPING NOISE WHILE STEERING, DIAGNOSED AT DEALER. REPAIR PAID FOR BY OWNER. CHEVY MALIBU HAD 65,000 MILES AT TIME OF ACCIDENT. *TR
TODAY,WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT, FELT A TUG, STEERING LOST. THIS WAS THE THIRD OCCURRENCE. THE FIRST TWO TIMES THIS OCCURRED IN 2008, THE FIRST TIME POWER STEERING WAS PARTIALLY LOST. BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT RECREATE THE LOSS. LOST THE STEERING AGAIN AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE MODULE. THERE WERE NO PARTS RETURNED TO ME. THIS TIME, THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED DAMAGE. THE TOW COMPANY INFORMED ME THAT THE CAR IS NOT DRIVABLE - NO STEERING. *TR
LEFT FRONT SIGNAL LIGHT KEEPS BURNING OUT. HAS BEEN REPLACED 5 TIMES IN 6 MONTHS. BULBS LAST ONLY 2 WEEKS AT MOST. HAD SIGNAL LIGHT SOCKET REPLACED AND PROBLEMS STILL HAPPENED WITHIN TWO WEEKS. LIGHT BULBS TURN BLACK. TOOK CAR BACK AGAIN TODAY. STILL WAITING TO HEAR WHAT THEY SAY THIS TIME. LAST REPAIR 8/28/09 - 92.89 FOR THE LIGHT SOCKET, $1.50 BULB, $70.00 LABOR. NO LONGER HAVE PARTS. AFRAID I WILL GET IN ACCIDENT - SINCE LEFT SIGNAL LIGHT AND RUNNING LIGHT DO NOT WORK. KEEP HAVING TO GO BACK FOR NEW BULBS, AND IN FOR REPAIRS AGAIN TODAY 9/23/09. *TR
BOUGHT THE 2005 MALIBU USED IN AUGUST 2007. I HAVE REPLACED THE BOTH FRONT DIRECTIONAL BULBS AT LEAST 10 TIMES SINCE BUYING THE CAR. THE LIGHTS WORK INTERMITTENTLY OR NOT AT ALL. THE RIGHT BULB WAS OUT FOR ABOUT 3 MONTHS THEN THE LEFT BULB WENT OUT. I WENT TO REPLACE THE BULBS AGAIN YESTERDAY. I JIMMIED THE SOCKET THEY GO INTO AND NOW THEY BOTH APPEAR TO BE WORKING. HOWEVER, I NOTICED THE AMBER PLASTIC COVERING ON THE LEFT BULB WAS BURNED, THERE WAS A LARGE BURN HOLE IN IT, AND THE MELTED PLASTIC WAS DRIPPING INTO THE BOTTOM OF THE COVERING. I AM ALSO NOTICING, AND HAVE BEEN NOTICING, A LOUD THUMPING SOUND WHEN I HIT THE GAS AS IF SOMETHING HAS TO ROLL INTO PLACE. LATELY IT ALSO SEEMS AS THOUGH THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES VERY, VERY SLIGHTLY KICK IN WHEN I AM BRAKING AND GO OVER A BUMP. AFTER READING THE OTHER COMMENTS I AM GOING TO MY MECHANIC TO HAVE HIM LOOK AT THE ISSUES AS SAFETY IS A LARGE CONCERN. *TR
THIS CAR HAS HAD THE CALIPERS REPLACED 2 TIMES NOW. THE FIRST IS RECORDED HERE AND THE SECOND OCCURRED ON JAN. 15, 2014. BOTH TIMES THE CAR LOST FLUID DUE TO CALIPER LEAKAGE. HAD DIFFICULTY STOPPING THE CAR THE SECOND TIME AROUND BUT WAS ABLE TO BRING IT TO A STOP WITHOUT INCIDENT. I HAVE A LICENSED MECHANIC TELLING ME THIS IS NOT NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. THE FIRST INCIDENT PAID FOR WAS $285 AND THE SECOND WAS IN EXCESS $600. THIS IS NOT PART OF A RECALL BUT AM CERTAIN THAT THIS SHOULD NOT BE OCCURRING. SHOULD THIS RESULT IN A DETERMINATION OF FACTORY ERROR, IT WOULD BE GOOD TO GET REIMBURSED FOR THE HEAVY OUT OF POCKET EXPENSE. *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN DRIVING AT LEAST 60-70 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD ABNORMALLY VIBRATE EXCESSIVELY. THE FAILURE DID NOT OCCUR WHEN DRIVING LESS THAN 60 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 77,000.
ON 8/29/09 I ASKED MY MECHANIC TO LISTEN TO THE CLUNKING SOUND MADE WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED LEFT AND RIGHT. HE CHECKED AND SAID IT WAS THE RACK AND PINION. I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM BEFORE AND HAD 2 STEERING COLUMNS REPLACED AND THE STEERING SHAFT. NOW IT'S THE RACK AND PINION. THE ABOVE INCIDENTS WERE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY BUT NOT NOW. I CHECKED FOR RECALLS BUT THERE ARE NONE. I HAVE SEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME THING ON CAR STATS. CAN'T SOMETHING BE DONE BY CHEVY BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. *TR
I OWN A 05 PRE-OWNED CHEVY MALIBU THAT WAS IN PRESTINE CONDITION WHEN BUYING. AFTER HAVING FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS THE FUEL GAUGE STARTED ACTING ERRATICALLY AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON AS A CAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. I WAS TOLD IT WILL COST ME $800 TO FIX THE ISSUE. ALSO THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT HAS GONE OUT DUE TO A FAULTY PART (TOLD BY A MECHANIC). I GOOGLED THIS ISSUE AND SO MANY OTHER PURCHASERS OF THE SAME VEHICLE ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUES WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING AND THE FUEL GAUGE. THIS IS NOT RIGHT AND GM HAS TO KNOW THAT THESE PARTS ARE FAULTY. I AM A WORKING MOTHER OF 3 WHO CANNOT AFFORD TO HAVE THIS FIXED AND BECAUSE OF THIS I CANNOT RENEW BY TAGS ON MY CAR DUE TO THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BEING ON. *TR
2005 MALIBU PURCHASED NEW. DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT/PARK/TURN SIGNAL MELTING THE AMBER BULB SURROUND AND DISCOLORING AND CRACKING THE OUTER HEADLIGHT LENSES. THIS CAR HAS NOT BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENT TO DATE. I HAVE REPLACED THE LEFT REAR TURN SIGNAL BULB TWICE OVER THE LIFE OF THE CAR. ALL FRONT LIGHTS ARE ORIGINAL AS PURCHASED. I'M CONCERNED THAT THE LIGHTS WILL CATCH FIRE AND SO NOW I TRY TO REMEMBER TO DISENGAGE THE DRL FEATURE WHILE DRIVING. I FEEL THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DESIGN PROBLEM AND SHOULD BE REPLACED WITH NO COST TO THE CONSUMER. I STARTED TO REPLACE THE LIGHTS ON MY OWN WITH "EAGLE EYES" REPLACEMENTS UNITS BUT I HAVE FOUND THAT THESE ARE SUBJECT TO A NHTSA RECALL AS WELL. I WILL HOLD OUT TO SE IF A RECALL IS ISSUED BY NHTSA FOR THIS SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
DRIVER OF A 2005 CHEVY MALIBU MAXX SUDDENLY LOST ALL ELECTRIC POWER STEERING ASSISTANCE WITHOUT WARNING MAKING THE VEHICLE DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE DEFECT IS INTERMITTENT AND IS SOMETIMES ACCOMPANIED BY A WARNING CHIME BUT WITHOUT ANY MALFUNCTION INDICATOR ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TURN SIGNAL BULB FAILED. ONE WEEK LATER, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TURN SIGNAL BULB ALSO FAILED. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE CAUSED THE LIGHT HOUSING ASSEMBLY TO MELT. THE ESTIMATED COST FOR REPAIR WAS $1,000. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 78,000.
I NEED YOUR HELP. I BOUGHT A 2005 MALIBU FROM A LOCAL CAR DEALER. THE CAR HAD LOW MILES AND I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE A SAFE AND RELIABLE CAR. SO SAFE, THAT I ALLOWED MY TEENAGE SON TO DRIVE MY CAR. WHILE HE WAS MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN FROM A 4-WAY STOP, HE HEARD A POP AND THEN HAD NO STEERING WITHOUT ANY WAY TO CONTROL THE CAR HE ENDED UP IN A FIELD. I THANK GOD HE WAS NOT GOING FAST, THAT THERE WAS NO OTHER CARS OR PEOPLE INVOLVED, AND HE WAS NOT HURT. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO MY MECHANIC WHO IS A CERTIFIED MASTER TECHNICIAN, WHO WORKED FOR GM AS A LINE TECH FOR 25 YRS. HE INFORMS ME THAT THIS SHOULD HAVE NEVER HAPPENED IN A CAR THAT IS ONLY 4 YRS OLD, AND FELT IT WAS DEFECTIVE. HE SAID THE FAILURE OCCURRED INSIDE THE STEERING RACK CAUSING THE PINION TO DISENGAGE RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL. I THEN HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A GM DEALER WHO?S MECHANIC SAID THE SAME THING BUT BECAUSE I DID NOT BUY THE CAR FROM THEM, THEY WOULD NOT HELP ME?.MY NEXT STEP WAS TO CONTACT GM?.THEY TOOK A WEEK TO INVESTIGATE?AND DECIDED THAT BECAUSE I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM A PRIVATE CAR DEALER, IT HAD 86K MILES ON IT AND IT WAS PAST THE FACTORY WARRANTY THEY FELT NO NEED TO DO ANY THING ABOUT THIS. NOT ONLY WAS THE STEERING RACK AND PINION DAMAGED, THE POWER STEERING UNIT UNDER THE DASH AND THE AIR BAG COILS WERE DAMAGED AS WELL. THE COST TO REPAIR THIS IS OVER $2000.00. IT?S NOT JUST THE COST TO REPAIR THE CAR THAT UPSETS ME; IT?S THE FACT THAT GM HAS NO CONCERN FOR SAFETY. I HAVE FOUND LONG LIST FOR CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ABOUT GM?S STEERING FAILURES. ?UNBELIEVABLE? AND THIS IS NOT THE ONLY SITE THAT HAS COMPLAINTS. I KNOW THERE WAS A RECALL TO ADDRESS THE STEERING DEFECT IN THE MALIBU. BUT THEY OBVIOUSLY DECIDED IT WAS OF NO BIG CONCERN TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR
HEADLIGHT LENS MELTED AND TAIL LIGHTS WENT OUT. *TR
2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU, RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT. *BF THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HIT A MEDIAN WALL. OHIO TRAFFIC REPORT # 10-0677-90. *JB UPDATED 04/14/10 *BF
TURN SIGNAL ON MY 2005 CHEVY MALIBU MAXX. JUST LIKE SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINT ON THIS SITE I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE BULBS MONTHLY IF NOT WEEKLY. I HAVE DISCOLERATION ON THE RIGHT FRONT LIGHT HOUSING FROM HEAT AND SOMETIMES SMELL THE SMELL OF SOMETHING ELECTRIC BURNING ALWAYS COMING FROM THE RECENTLY BURNED OUT BULB. DEALER WILL DO NOTHING BECAUSE CAR IS NO LONGER COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED WHENEVER TRAVELING AT ANY GIVEN SPEED THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED FOR THE MALFUNCTION. THE MANUFACTURER HAD A SPECIAL COVERAGE ADJUSTMENT REGARDING REPAIRS FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM FREE REMEDY REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,026. UPDATED 09/25/09 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE STEERING WENT COMPLETELY OUT WHILE DRIVING. THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. SHE HAD TO CUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND WAIT A FEW MINUTES. ONCE THAT WAS DONE THE POWER STEERING RESUMED AS NORMAL. UPDATED 09/29/09.*JB
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHEN THE CONTACT SAT DOWN IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT, THE SEAT COLLAPSED AND SHIFTED TO THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE WELD THAT HOLDS THE SEAT IN PLACE PEELED OFF A PIECE OF THE METAL FROM THE METAL BAR, WHICH CAUSED THE SEAT TO DETACH FROM THE METAL TRACK. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD BE UNABLE TO MAKE THE REPAIRS AND THAT THE SEAT WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. NO ESTIMATE WAS PROVIDED FOR THE PURCHASE OF A NEW SEAT. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT NO COMPENSATION WOULD BE PROVIDED DUE TO THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 82,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING LOCKS WHENEVER HE STARTS HIS VEHICLE AND BEGINS DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE CANNOT AFFORD TO REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN AT THIS TIME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,000.
MY HEADLIGHTS, SIGNAL LIGHTS AND PARKING LIGHTS WORK AS THEY WANT. I HAVE REPLACED THE BULBS MANY TIMES. THE LIGHT COVERS GET REALLY HOT AND I AM ASSUMING THAT IT IS A DEFECTIVE PART. THERE IS NO REASON THAT MY BULBS SHOULD HAVE BURNED OUT 8 TIMES IN THE LAST THREE MONTHS. I HAVE SEEN FOUR MALIBUS JUST LIKE MINE IN THE LAST TWO WEEKS WITH THE SAME LIGHTING PROBLEM AS I HAVE WHICH LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH MANY OF THE MALIBUS. I AM GOING TO GET A TICKET SOON IF A RECALL IS NOT PLACED ON THIS PROBLEM. I DO SEE IT'S AN OPEN INVESTIGATION. *TR
WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO MAKE GM DO CONCERNING 2005 MALIBU MAXX STEERING SYSTEM. POWER ASSIST PUMPS FAILING, STEERING SHAFTS, ETC. MINE STARTED THE CLUNKING NOISE AND GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE AND OF COURSE IT'S OUT OF WARRANTY, WHICH IS WHAT GM DESIRES. *TR
CARS STEERING MOMENTARILY LOCKED UP WHILE ON A SLIGHT CURVE IN THE ROAD, I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND CHECKED UNDER THE HOOD FOR A BROKEN BELT OR SOMETHING OBVIOUS. AFTER STARTING THE CAR UP AGAIN THE PROBLEM WAS NOT PRESENT. ABOUT 3 WEEKS LATER THE CAR WAS TAKEN IN FOR SERVICE AND A "LUBE KIT"WAS INSTALLED. THE PROBLEM HAS REOCCURED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS SINCE AND EACH TIME AFTER STOPPING THE CAR THEN RESTARTING IT THE PROBLEM IS NO LONGER PRESENT. THERE ARE MANY REPORTS OF THIS PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET. IT IS A VERY SCARY AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION TO BE IN. THERE IS A KNOCKING OR CLUNKING NOISE IN THE FRONT END SEEMINGLY ASSOCIATED WITH THE OCCURRENCES. *TR
I STOPPED TO AIR UP A TIRE AND WASH MY CAR. I NOTICED SMOKE IN THE BACK PORTION OF MY CAR. I LOOKED IN THE TRUNK BUT COULDN'T TELL THE ORIGIN OF THE SMOKE. SMOKE CONTINUED TO FILL MY CAR FROM THE BACK AND I OPENED THE TRUNK AGAIN. I PLACED MY HAND ON THE LEFT FENDER AND IMMEDIATELY NOTICED HOW HOT IT WAS. ANOTHER COSTUMER CAME OVER AND JERKED THE TRUNK LINER BACK TO REVEAL THAT THE FUSE PANEL WAS ON FIRE. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED THE CONTACT TURNED ON THE FRONT TURN SIGNAL AND IT DID NOT WORK. HE CHANGED THE LIGHT BULB WHICH CORRECTED TEMPORARILY CORRECTED THE FAILURE. HE REPLACED THE BULB 6 TO 8 TIMES PER THE MANUFACTURERS RECOMMENDATION AND THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE GLOBE WAS HOT ENOUGH TO MELT THE BULB. HE REPLACED A BULB ON NOVEMBER 18,2010 AND THE FOLLOWING DAY THAT BULB BURNED OUT. THE LAST BULB WAS NOT REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE PARKING LIGHT HAD BLOWN OUT. SHE ALSO FOUND THAT THE FRONT PARKING LIGHTS WERE MELTED DUE TO THE LIGHT BULBS. THE BULB WAS REPLACED WITH A SYLVANIA BULB. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE LIGHT HAD A LARGE HOLE IN THE ORANGE AREA OF THE FIXTURE. THE ENTIRE FRONT LIGHTING ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE COST OF OVER $100. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 60,000. THE ORIGINAL BULB MELTED THE ORANGE COVER INSIDE THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY FOR THE PARKING LIGHTS. HOT PLASTIC DRIPPED ON THE BULB AND BURNED A HOLE IN THE BULB. UPDATED 06/22/09.*JB
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE TURN SIGNALS OVERHEATED AND BURNED, CAUSING THE PLASTIC AROUND THE BULB TO MELT. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALERSHIP BUT WAS INFORMED THAT HE WOULD BE CHARGED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE INSPECTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 55,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 65,000.
I HAVE A 05 MALIBU MAXX MY TURN SIGNAL HAVE MELTED I SEE MANY COMPLAINTS IS THIS A RECALL? *TR
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING TO WORK AT ABOUT 8:00 IN THE MORNING WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL "STIFFENED" UP ON A TURNAROUND BY OUR HOUSE. THEN SHE MADE THE FIRST LEFT TURN AT A STOP SIGN IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD..THAT'S WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL COMPLETELY LOCKED UP AND SHE CRASHED INTO A PARKED CAR. THE POLICE ARRIVED AND FILED A REPORT. SHE HIT A BIG TRUCK THAT FORTUNATELY WASN'T DAMAGED BUT OUR CAR WAS LEFT UNDRIVABLE AND COMPLETELY TOTALED IN THE FRONT!! WE WERE GOING TO JUST PAY TO GET THE CAR FIXED BUT I LOOKED INTO IT FURTHER AND FOUND A LARGE NUMBER OF INCIDENTS WITH THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKING UP ON PEOPLE WHO OWNED A CHEVY MALIBU EACH WITH VARIOUS TYPES OF CONSEQUENCES. MY WIFE COULD HAVE BEEN EASILY KILLED OR KILLED SOMEONE ELSE!!! THIS ISSUE REALLY NEEDS TO BE DEALT WITH BEFORE ANY FURTHER HARM IS DONE TO MORE INNOCENT VICTIMS!!!!! *TR
CLICKING/POPPING NOISE IN THE STEERING COLUMN WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL. JUST STARTED HAPPENING ONE DAY AND NEVER STOPPED. HAPPENS CONSTANTLY. DOES NOT SEEM TO AFFECT STEERING YET. WHEN TOOK IT IN FOR REPAIRS WAS TOLD THAT THE COLUMN NEED LUBRICATION. SPENT $100 TO HAVE IT LUBED ONLY TO HAVE THE PROBLEM START AGAIN APPROXIMATELY A MONTH LATER. *TR
WHEN THE CAR WAS NEW, IT SHOOK WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY CORRECTED THE PROBLEM BY SMOOTHING THE BRAKE PADS. A FEW MONTHS AGO, THE CAR BEGAN TO SHAKE WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AT SPEEDS ABOVE 35 MPH. THIS PROBLEM HAS GRADUALLY BECOME WORSE AND THE CAR NOW SHAKES EXCESSIVELY WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED AT SPEEDS AT OR ABOVE 55 MPH, MAKING DRIVING IN ANYTHING BUT A STRAIGHT LINE IMPOSSIBLE. STOPPING DISTANCE HAS ALSO SUBSTANTIALLY INCREASED. I NO LONGER CONSIDER THE CAR SAFE FOR USE AT SPEEDS ABOVE 55 MPH. *TR
THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT A FEW TIMES EACH WEEK ON THIS 2005 MALIBU WITH THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING. IT STARTED HAPPENING ONLY OCCASIONALLY, BUT NOW MUCH MORE FREQUENTLY. I RESET IT BY TURNING OFF ENGINE AND RESTARTING WHEN I AM ABLE TO STOP. IT USUALLY HAPPENS FAIRLY SOON AFTER STARTING WHEN COLD. SOMETIMES IT TAKES 2 OR 3 RESTARTS TO KEEP IT WORKING. IN ADDITION, THE PROBLEMS THAT MANY OTHERS ARE EXPERIENCING ARE ALSO PRESENT... LIKE THE DRIFT AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, AND THE CLUNKING SOUNDS IN THE FRONT END. SO FAR, THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN HELPFUL. THEY JUST WANT TO REPLACE PARTS AND CHARGE AROUND $800 TO REPAIR. THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE ON THE MALIBU AS WELL AS OTHER MODELS (LIKE THE COBALT) WHICH ALREADY HAVE RECALLS ISSUED FOR THESE PARTS. *TR