2005 Chevrolet Malibu Complaint Log

I AM WRITING TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE EXTERIOR HEADLIGHTS MELTING. IT COULD CAUSE A FIRE. IT SEEMS THAT THE AMBER LIGHTS HAVE MELTED THE CASING. THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE A RECALL AND THE DEALERS SHOULD REPLACE THE HOUSING FREE OF CHARGE. *TR

BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON WHILE DRIVING THE CAR. SOME TIMES THE LIGHTS WILL COME ON AND AFTER A WHILE GO OFF, OR THEY WILL FLICKER ON AND OFF. THIS IS MOST NOTICEABLE WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. NEITHER FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. ALSO THE CRUISE CONTROL WILL NOT WORK WHILE BRAKE LIGHTS ARE ON. DURING THIS CONDITION, WHEN I DO APPLY PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE BRAKE LIGHTS GO OFF SO A DRIVER BEHIND ME DOESN'T KNOW I AM STOPPING. I HAVE HAD THE DEALERSHIP, GM, LOOK AT THIS PROBLEM 3 TIMES STARTING AT THE 35572 MILES. THEY REPLACED THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ALL 3 TIMES WHICH CURED THE PROBLEM FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME, BUT THEN THE SAID PROBLEM REAPPEARS. LAST TIME THEY "FIXED" THE PROBLEM WAS AT MILEAGE 110,536 ON MARCH 9, 2012. I AM CURRENTLY NOT DRIVING THE CAR OFTEN BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM HAS RETURNED.. ONE GOOD THING THOUGH - WITH THE LIGHT GOING ON AND OFF, IT DOES KEEP TAILGATERS BACK AS THEY HAVE ON IDEA WHAT I AM UPTO. A SILVER LINING IN A DARK CLOUD. I PURCHASED THE CAR USED WITH 7660 MILES ON IT. *TR

I HAVE A 2005 MALIBU CLASSIC WHERE THE TURN SIGNALS WILL STOP WORKING THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN START WORKING AGAIN. THE FUSES ARE GOOD, NO LOOSE WIRES THAT I CAN SEE, BULBS APPEAR OKAY. THE PROBLEM COMES AND GOES. ANY SUGGESTIONS, ADVICE, IDEAS? *TR

VEHICLE MADE A LOUD POP NOISE. STEERING SHAFT WAS REPLACED AT 35,000 MILES DUE TO A DEFECTIVE STEERING SHAFT. VEHICLE IS NOW AT 70,000 MILES AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. I CONTACTED CHEVY AND WAS ISSUED A CASE NUMBER. THEY ADVISED ME A CHEVY DEALER DIAGNOSTIC WAS REQUIRED. CHEVY DEALERSHIP CONFIRMED STEERING SHAFT AGAIN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, HOWEVER HEAD OFFICE DENIED MY REQUEST. A STEERING SHAFT ALMOST NEVER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED IN A VEHICLE, SINCE THE TIME OF MY REPLACEMENT AT 35,000 MILES ALTERATIONS HAVE BEEN MADE TO THEIR REPLACEMENTS. THIS WOULD INDICATE A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. *TR

I WAS DRIVING ON A SIDE STREET AT ABOUT 30 MPH WHEN THE CHIMES SOUNDED, THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON, AND STEERING BECAME VERY DIFFICULT. I HAD TO STOP, TURN THE CAR OFF AND THEN RESTART IT BEFORE I COULD STEER AGAIN. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH MY MODEL CAR (2005 CHEVY MALIBU) AND THAT CHEVROLET HAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (#07126) ON THIS ISSUE, BUT MY CAR IS OUTSIDE THE MAXIMUM MILEAGE TO BE COVERED UNDER THIS TSB. I ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT THERE WERE SOME NHTSA DEFECT INVESTIGATIONS INTO THIS ISSUE (PRIMARILY THE 2004 MODEL), BUT THEY HAVE SINCE BEEN CLOSED BECAUSE THE NUMBER OF REPORTED FAILURES WAS WITHIN AN "ACCEPTABLE RANGE". I GUESS MY RESPONSE TO THAT IS, HOW MANY ACCIDENTS DO THERE HAVE TO BE AND HOW MANY PEOPLE NEED TO DIE BEFORE THIS ISSUE IS TAKEN SERIOUSLY? WHILE MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE WAS NOT LIFE-THREATENING, IF THIS HAD OCCURRED IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AT HIGH SPEEDS IT VERY WELL COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A FATAL ACCIDENT. I SAW TODAY THAT FEDERAL REGULATORS HAVE OPENED AN INVESTIGATION INTO COMPLAINTS THAT POWER STEERING SYSTEMS IN THE CHEVROLET COBALT CAN FAIL, MAKING IT MORE DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE CAR. I'M SURE THIS IS THE SAME ISSUE THAT IS STILL OCCURRING ON THE MALIBU. I IMPLORE YOU TO REOPEN THE INVESTIGATION ON THE MALIBU (A SIMPLE GOOGLE OF "MALIBU POWER STEERING PROBLEMS" WILL SHOW THAT IT IS STILL A MAJOR ISSUE) AND DO WHATEVER IS NECESSARY TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM CORRECTED. *TR

2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU HEADLIGHTS GET TOO HOT AND HAVE MELTED WITH A HOLE IN THE ORANGE PLASTIC. THIS CAUSES THE BULBS TO BURN OUT FREQUENTLY. THE PROBLEM DIDN'T HAPPEN ORIGINALLY, BUT HAS STARTED HAPPENING WITHIN THE PAST 9-12 MONTHS. WE HAVE BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP TODAY TO SEE ABOUT REPLACING THE HEADLIGHTS. I HAVE READ ON THE INTERNET THAT OTHERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM, BUT THERE IS NOT YET A RECALL. THE HEAT OF THE HEADLIGHTS BURNING OUT THE PLASTIC IS A MAJOR CONCERN TO ME. *TR

I PURCHASED A 2005 CHEVY MALIBU IN MARCH OF 09 IT'S NOW MAY 09 AND I WILL BE REPLACING MY INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT THE CAR CHECK THAT WAS PERFORMED AFTER I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE SHOWED THAT IS WAS REPLACED 30K MILES AGO. THE CAR POPS AND CRACKS WHENEVER I SLOW DOWN OR TURN AFRAID IT WILL BREAK BEFORE IT IS FIXED. *TR

POWER STEERING FAILURE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, BUT THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF THE TYPE OF REPAIRS THAT WERE NECESSARY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000.

THE PARKING BRAKE ON MY 2005 CHEVY MALIBU MAXX WON'T FULLY RELEASE AND AS EVIDENCED HAS CAUSED EXTREME HEAT IN THE REAR DISC BRAKES. THIS HAS RENDERED THE PARKING BRAKE UNUSABLE AND THERE IS NO ADJUSTMENT TO FACILITATE FULL PARKING BRAKE RELEASE AS TOLD TO ME BY A CHEVROLET DEALER. I MUST NOW PARK MY CAR WITH NO PARKING BRAKE SET. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH THE WHEELS WOULD LOCK. WHILE MAKING A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN THE WHEELS WOULD MAKE A LOUD NOISE BEFORE THE WHEEL LOCKED AGAIN. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT WAS UNABLE TO OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000. UPDATED 06/14/11 *BF THE DEALER REPLACED THE RACK AND PINION. HOWEVER, THE NOISE RETURNED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THERE WAS NO SOLUTION FOR THE PROBLEM. UPDATED 11/23/11

THE POWER STEERING ON MY 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU GOES OUT INTERMITTENTLY DRIVING ON THE FREE WAY, MAKING A RIGHT TURN,OR WHEN STARTING THE CAR. ON A RIGHT TURN THE CAR WANTS TO KEEP GOING RIGHT INSTEAD OF STRAIGHTENING OUT. SITTING AT A RED LIGHT,THE STEERING WHEEL CHATTERS AND MOVES BACK AND FORTH ON ITS OWN,THERE IS A LOUD CLUNKING SOUND WHEN MAKING TURNS.THIS CAR IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. DEALER SAYS THERE IIS NO RECALL. THIS IS AN OBVIOUS DESIGN DEFECT AND GM SHOULD BE MADE TO RECALL THE VEHICLES AND FIX THE PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM STARTED ABOUT 8 MONTHS AGO. CANNOT GIVE AN EXACT DATE. *TR

I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE STARTER TURNING OVER EVEN WHEN THE CAR STARTS AND SOMETIMES IT STILL WONT START. THE DEALER SAYS IT NORMAL AND AFTER IT GETS MILES ON IT THEN IT WILL STOP... IT NOW HAS 52,000 MILES ON IT AND STILL DOES IT. I ALSO HAVE HAD TO HAVE IT IN THE SHOP EVERY COUPLE OF MONTHS TO HAVE IT LUBED IN THE FRONT AXLE WHICH I HAVE TALKED TO OTHER MECHANICS AND THEY STATED THAT IT SHOULD NOT BE NEEDING IT EVER FEW MONTHS, IF I DON'T DO IT THEN EVERYTIME I TURN LEFT OR RIGHT THERE IS THIS HORRIBLE POPPING SOUND FROM THE FRONT END. I ALSO AM HAVING WIRING TROUBLE WITH THE CAR, THE FRONT BLINKER WONT WORK NO MATTER HOW MANY LIGHT BULBS I PUT IN IT, IT WONT WORK AND EVEN KEEPS MELTING THE PLASTIC ON THE BULB ITSELF. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT INTERMITTENTLY THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL AND A LOUD NOISE IS PRESENT WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. IF THE POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE DRIVING, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 77000. UPDATED 10/20/09 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT INTERMITTENTLY. THE POWER STEERING WOULD GO OUT ABOUT HALF WAY INTO A TURN. THE STEERING WOULD MAKE NOISES AND TURN BACK AND FORTH BY ITSELF. THE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 10/23/09*JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 3 MPH ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN, THE CONTACT HEARD A POPPING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE FAILURE OCCURRENCE WAS CONSISTENT. IN ADDITION, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD LOCK UP WITHOUT WARNING ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIANS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 55,000. UPDATED 11/03/10. *LJ FORM RETURNED NO CHANGE

2005 CHEVY MALIBU, THERE IS A POPPING NOISE WHEN YOU TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS OCCURS ALL THE TIME YOU DRIVE THE CAR. THE CAR IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND GM WILL NOT RECALL THE PROBLEM. *TR

MY WIFE ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT WHEN THE POWER STEERING FAILED. SHE PULLED OUT INTO AN INTERSECTION AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THEN THE CAR STALLED IN THE INTERSECTION THE CAR TO A CERTIFIED REPAIR SHOP. HE SAID THERE WAS A BULLETIN OUT BY GENERAL MOTORS DATED NOVEMBER 8, 2007 THAT 2004-2005 MALIBU'S AND 2005 PONTIAC G 6'S ARE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE POWER STEERING. GENERAL MOTORS KNEW THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE A LACK OF POWER STEERING, VIBRATION, OR A RATTLE OR CLUNK NOISE FROM THE LEFT LOWER INSTRUMENT PANEL. GM SHOULD HAVE RECALLED THESE CARS TO FIX THEIR PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS PROBLEM WAS A SAFETY ISSUE AND THAT GENERAL MOTORS SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE. I TOOK THE CAR TO A GM DEALER AND HE AGREED THAT GM SHOULD FIX THE CAR. I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH GM AND FINALLY AFTER CALLING FOR 2 WEEKS, THEY SAID THEY WOULD DO NOTHING. I AM VERY UPSET WITH GM AND JUST WONDER HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE WRECKED MALIBU'S BECAUSE OF THE FAILURE OF POWER STEERING. IF YOU HAVE ONE OF THESE CARS, I SUGGEST YOU SELL IT OR TAKE IT TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR BEFORE YOU LOSE YOUR POWER STEERING WHEN PULLING OUT INTO AN INTERSECTION AND THE CAR DIES IN FRONT OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER GM PRODUCT AND ADVISE THE SAME FOR ANYONE ELSE. *TR

I PURCHASED MY CHEVROLET MALIBU 2005 NEW MODEL IN FEB. OF 2009 AND SHORTLY AFTER, I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY POWER STEERING UNIT IN MY CAR. I HAVE A VERY YOUNG CHILD AND THAT IS NOT SAFE. MY HUSBAND WAS LOOKING ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND A RECALL ON THE POWER STEERING UNIT FOR MY VEHICLE. I CALLED CHEVY, AND THEY TOLD ME THAT MY CAR WASN'T ONE OF THE ONES THAT HAD THE RECALL...THEN WHY AM I HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY POWER STEERING? IF YOU CAN HELP ME THAT WOULD BE VERY MUCH APPRECIATED. *TR

AMBER LENS ON TURN SIGNALS AND DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS HAS MELTED AND BURNED DOWN ONTO BULB. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO BOTH RIGHT AND LEFT TURN SIGNALS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE HOOD ON THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE FLEW UP UNEXPECTEDLY. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND COULD NOT CLOSE THE HOOD BECAUSE IT WAS DENTED. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY SENT HIM TO A BODY SHOP. THE HOOD WOULD COST $1,600 TO REPLACE. THE HOOD HAD NOT BEEN OPENED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,600.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED WHENEVER HE MADE A TURN WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WHEEL LOCKED COMPLETELY AND THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE TURNED IN ANY DIRECTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED, AND THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESUME NORMALLY. THE MANUFACTURER ISSUED A VOLUNTARY RECALL PERTAINING TO THE POWER STEERING FAILURE HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS INELIGIBLE DUE TO THE MILEAGE EXCEEDING 100,000. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

THIS IS RIDICULOUS. I HAVE BEEN READING ABOUT ALL THESE INCIDENTS WHERE PEOPLE'S HEADLIGHTS ARE MELTING. I HAVE REPLACED MY DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT TWICE NOW! THE TURN SIGNALS ARE GETTING SO HOT THEY ARE MELTING THE BASE, CAUSING THE BULBS TO BURN OUT AND THE CASING AROUND THE BULBS TO MELT. I ALSO HAVE PEOPLE FLASH THEIR BRIGHTS AT ME EVERY NIGHT BECAUSE MY HEADLIGHTS BURN SO BRIGHTLY. I'M AFRAID MY HEADLIGHT WILL EVENTUALLY CATCH FIRE. THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY IS STARTING TO FOG AND MELT NOW...AND I CAN'T KEEP SPENDING THE MONEY TO BUY A NEW HEADLIGHT! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DAY TIME RUNNING LIGHTS ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE MALFUNCTIONED. THE LIGHT OVER HEATED AND MELTED THE BULB SOCKET. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED OR DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS AS 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH; PROCEEDING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN, THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL SWITCH BEGAN BLINKING AT A RAPID PACE. AN AUTHORIZED TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE TURN SIGNAL BULB SOCKET OVERHEATING WHICH CAUSED THE PLASTIC TO MELT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS FOR THE IDENTICAL FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAD CONCERNS OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

I WAS DRIVING MY CAR IN A SCHOOL ZONE AT ABOUT 20MPH AND I STARTED TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, ABOUT MIDWAY THROUGH THE TURN MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT ON MY CAR AND IT BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. BECAUSE I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF A LEFT TURN GOING ACROSS TRAFFIC WHEN THIS HAPPENED I DRIFTED IN TO ON COMING TRAFFIC. I CAN HONESTLY SAY THAT IF I OR THE OTHER DRIVES INVOLVED HAD BEEN GOING MORE THEN 20 MPH THAT THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A HEAD ON ACCIDENT. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO A NUMBER OF LOCAL SHOPS AND I HAVE SPOKEN WITH THE LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP BUT NOONE SEAMS TO BE ABLE TO PINPOINT THE PROBLEM. THERE HAVE BEEN NO REPAIRS ON THE CAR AS OF YET AND I AM CURRENTLY NOT DRIVING THE CAR BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED EVERYTIME I HAVE TRIED TO DRIVE THE CAR SINCE THIS HAS HAPPENED. *TR

CAR WOULD NOT START. THOUGHT THE BATTERY WAS DEAD DUE TO THE COLD WEATHER, THOUGHT THE CARBURETOR WAS FLOODED. GOT A JUMP, CAR WOULDN'T START. WENT BACK OUT THE NEXT DAY, TRIED DE-ICER, TRIED TO JUMP IT, STILL WOULDN'T START. WENT BACK 2 DAYS LATER, TRIED TO JUMP IT, TRIED USING QUICKSTART, STILL WOULDN'T START. GOT IT TOWED THE NEXT DAY, THEY TOLD ME THE PASSLOCK SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM WAS ENABLED. PAID $453 FOR A NEW PASSLOCK SENSOR AND TOW. WENT ONLINE AND FOUND HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER PEOPLE W/ CHEVY MALIBUS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. ALL YOU HAVE TO DO APPARENTLY IS TURN THE KEY TO ON, HOLD IT THERE FOR 10 MINUTES OR UNTIL THEFT LIGHT GOES OFF, TURN THE KEY TO OFF FOR A FEW SECONDS. THEN THEY CAR WILL START. I HAD TO GET RIDES TO WORK, MISSED SEVERAL APPOINTMENTS THIS WEEKEND, ALL BECAUSE I DID NOT HAVE A VEHICLE. PAID $453 FOR A PROBLEM THAT COULD HAVE BEEN CORRECTED FOR FREE AND SHOULD NOT HAVE OCCURRED IN THE FIRST PLACE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE BATTERY CABLE NEEDED TO BE TIGHTENED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL NOTIFICATIONS FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V153000 (STEERING) AND 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL); HOWEVER, THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 146,000.

ON A COLD (-20 C) WINTER MORNING I FOUND I COULD NOT STEER THE CAR LEFT MORE THAN 10 DEGREES. I HUNG FROM THE WHEEL AND IT SIMPLY WOULD NOT TURN FURTHER. I DROVE IT THE SHORT DISTANCE TO MY MECHANIC WHO PUT IT IN HIS SHOP TO WARM UP. AFTER IT WAS WARMED UP THE CAR TURNED JUST FINE, BUT THEY SENT IT TO A DEALER JUST IN CASE. IT TURNED OUT THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THIS PROBLEM AND THEY REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN. I HAVE NOT HAD THIS PROBLEM SINCE. ANOTHER MECHANIC FRIEND TOLD ME I SHOULD NOT HANG ONTO THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN ENTERING OR LEAVING THE VEHICLE AS DAMAGE MAY RESULT TO THE POWER STEERING. *TR

I DRIVE A 2005 MALIBU CLASSIC AND IT STALLED AT 40MPH FOR NO REASON. NO WARNING LIGHTS OR NOTHING. I DRIVE 12 TO 15 MILES AND AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF IT WILL NOT START AGAIN FOR AT LEAST ONE TO FOUR HOURS. I HAVE SPENT $400 DOLLARS ON REPAIRS AND THE PROBLEMS STILL EXIST. I WANT TO LIVE. OTHER DRIVER ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS. I FOUND THIS INFORMATION ON THE INTERNET. WHAT CAN I DO. I AM STILL MAKING PAYMENTS ON T HES CAR AND I HAVE OWNED IT FOR ONE YEAR. PLEASE HELP. *TR

BALL JOINT WORN OUT IN VEHICLE AT LITTLE OVER 50K MILES--HAD TO REPLACE LOWER BALL JOINT AND CONTROL ARM. VERY LIGHT AND SMALL IN SIZE FOR SUCH A POWERFUL V6 FWD---I SUSPECT NOT HEAVY ENOUGH FOR THIS VEHICLE--HAVE FOUND MANY OTHERS WITH SAME PROBLEM. LUCKY THAT AS A FORMER SERVICE MGR. I RECOGNIZED STEERING PROBLEM OR COULD HAVE BEEN AN UNCONTROLLED CRASH POSSIBLE---CALLED GM---THEY SAID NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR---I HAVE HAD SEVERAL OTHER GM PRODUCTS AND ALL BALL JOINTS LASTED ABOUT 100K MILES. *TR

ELECTRONIC ASSISTED STEERING STOPPED WORKING WHILE DRIVING. MECHANIC ADVISED IT WAS SENSOR BUT THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE COLUMN. COST WAS 571.99. *TR

2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE DRIVERS SEAT RAILS AND FACTORY WELDS HAVE FAILED. THE SEAT IS NOT SECURE TO THE CAR. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR (FITZGERALDS AUTO MALL IN FREDERICK) AND WAS TOLD IT IS NOT COVERED AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY THE $700+ DOLLARS TO HAVE IT FIXED. THERE IS 91000 MILES ON THE CAR. THIS SEEMS TO ME A SAFETY ISSUE AND MANUFACTURERS DEFECT. THEY DID NOT BUDGE AND ALLOWED ME TO DRIVE AWAY. NOT SURE WHAT TO DO NOW..CERTAINLY DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY ON TOP OF THE MONTHLY PAYMENTS I MAKE TO FIX. *TR

FRONT BRAKE/ROTOR/CALIPER FAILURE. I HAVE HAD MY ROTORS, FRONT PADS AND CALIPERS REPLACED NUMEROUS TIMES ROTORS 6 TIMES, CALIPERS 6 TIMES AND FRONT PADS EACH TIME REPAIR WAS DONE TO THE CAR DUE TO FAULTY DESIGN, THE CALIPERS HANG UP AND DO NOT RELEASE ALL THE WAY CAUSING THE INNER PADS TO WEAR ABNORMALLY. BRAKE PROBLEMS ALMOST RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY STOPPED FUNCTIONING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY AND PROGRESSED OVER TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY WHEN THE POWER STEERING FAILED IN ORDER FOR IT TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89.000.

A BOLT FELL OUT OF THE LEFT FRONT FENDER. THE FRONT RIGHT TURN SIGNAL DOES NOT WORK AS THE HOLDER DOES NOT MAKE ELECTRICAL CONTACT WITH THE BULB.A DANGEROUS SITUATION. THE REMOTE KEYS NO LONGER WORK. THE ELECTRICAL SEAT CONTROL DOES NOT OPERATE PROPERLY. THIS CAR HAS SO MANY PROBLEMS THAT I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER GM PRODUCT. *TR

POWER STEERING FAILURES... HAS HAPPENED TWICE IN 2 WEEKS NOW. ONCE WHILE SITTING STILL, THE OTHER WHILE ON THE INTERSTATE! AFTER SEARCHING ONLINE, I'VE FOUND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN MALIBU'S. I THINK THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL. I THOUGHT I WAS BUYING A RELIABLE CAR AND INSTEAD GOT A BIG BURDEN. BEING A SINGLE MOM, THESE HIGH REPAIR COSTS WILL CAUSE ME TO FALL BEHIND IN EITHER MY CAR PAYMENT OR MY HOUSE PAYMENT... AND BELIEVE ME I'D RATHER LIVE IN MY HOUSE THEN MY CAR. *TR

ON A 2005 CHEVY MALIBU OUR BRAKE LIGHTS, ON THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, OFTEN WORK IN REVERSE. IN OTHER WORDS, THE BRAKE LIGHTS ARE ON WHEN YOU AREN'T HITTING THE BRAKES, AND THEY ARE OFF WHEN YOU ARE HITTING THE BRAKES. THIS SEEMS TO POSE A SAFETY CONCERN SINCE VEHICLES BEHIND YOU DO NOT KNOW WHEN YOU ARE HITTING THE BRAKES. I AM REPORTING THIS BECAUSE I HAVE SEEN ON MANY FORUMS THAT OTHER PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM SO THIS SHOULD BE A FACTORY RECALL INSTEAD OF SOMETHING WE HAVE TO PAY FOR TO GET IT FIXED. HERE ARE SOME LINKS THAT PROVE THIS PROBLEM ISN'T ISOLATED: HTTP://WWW.FIXYA.COM/CARS/T822542-BRAKE_LIGHTS_WONT_GO_OFF HTTP://WWW.2CARPROS.COM/FORUM/2005-CHEVY-MALIBU--BRAKE-LIGHTS-WILL-NOT-GO-OFF-VT181519.HTML HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/CHEVROLET/MALIBU/2004/LIGHTS/BRAKE_LIGHTS_BLINK_ON_BY_THEMSELVES.SHTML HTTP://WWW.CARDEALERCHECK.COM/FORUM/THREAD15599.HTML. *TR

TURN SIGNAL & 4-WAY FLASHER OPERATION, COMPLETE FAILURE, INTERMITTENT. HOT, COLD, KEY/ENGINE/HEADLAMPS ON/OFF. DRL REMAINS FUNCTIONAL. *TR

ON GOING PROBLEM. WHEN I TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE GAS IT MAINTAINS THE SPEED AND THE CRUISE CONTROL IS OFF. I HAVE TO BRAKE SEVERAL TIMES TO GET IT TO SLOW DOWN AND WHEN I'M FULLY BRAKED THE ENGINE SEEMS TO BE RACING. BY THE TIME I GET TO REPAIR SERVICE IT HAS STRAIGHTEN OUT AND SINCE IT ISN'T DOING IT THEY CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. *TR

MY 2005 MALIBU MAXX LT HAS HAD A RECURRING PROBLEM BESIDES THE "ELECTRIC POWER STEERING FAILURE" WHICH HAS SO FAR NOT FAILED AGAIN (DID TWICE ONCE WHEN BRAND NEW, AND AGAIN AT ABOUT 20,000 KM. VEHICLE HAS ONLY 45,000 KM ON IT NOW! WE LIVE IN WINNIPEG WHERE WINTER TEMPERATURES OFTEN ARE BELOW FREEZING FROM MID NOVEMBER TO MID APRIL. TODAY IT IS -25 C WITH WINDCHILL OF -44 C. EVERY WINTER WE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM.....THE IGNITION KEY WILL NOT COME OUT OF ITS SLOT...TRY WIGGLING IT AND AT THE SAME TIME WIGGLING THE SHIFT LEVER IN PARK....SOMETIMES IT WORKS SOMETIMES NOT. THE GM DEALER (VICKARS COMMUNITY CHEVROLET) WHERE WE GO FOR SERVICE HAS TRIED TO FIX IT TWICE, BUT IT ALWAYS RECURS WHEN IT IS VERY COLD. WE HAVE HAD TO REMOVE THE "REMOTE DOOR UNLOCK AND LEAVE THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AT TIMES. THIS IS NOT A GOOD THING IN THE CANADIAN CITY WITH THE HIGHEST CAR THEFT RATE! WE THINK IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE ANTI-THEFT PASS LOCK SYSTEM. BY THE WAY ALL CARS IN MANITOBA MUST HAVE AN APPROVED ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM TO BE INSURED OR REGISTERED. THE MANITOBA PUBLIC INSURANCE CORP. DOES APPROVE THE FACTORY SYSTEM ON THE MALIBU MAXX. IT IS JUST TOO FINICKY AND INCONVENIENT. BUT AT LEAST WE WERE NOT FORCED TO PUT IN A "THIRD PARTY" FOB WHICH MANY PEOPLE HAVE FOUND CAUSES ALL KINDS OF OTHER PROBLEMS ESPECIALLY WITH "COMMAND START" SYSTEMS (MALIBU HAS A FACTORY COMMAND START.) WONDER IF OTHERS HAVE SIMILAR PROBLEM?? *TR

KNOCKING OR BANGING SOUND IN THE FRONT END LED TO THE POWER STEERING RACK BEING REPLACED ON 11/17/06 AT 27M MILES ON MY 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE SAME HAPPENED AGAIN ON 12/05/08 AT 50M MILES. BOTH REPAIRS DONE BY THE DEALER. I REPORTED TO CHEVROLET THAT THE RACK FAILS APPROXIMATELY EVERY 25M MILES. *TR

DRIVING ALONG, ALL OF A SUDDEN NO POWER. THEN I HAD POWER AND THEN I DIDN'T. THE FUEL PUMP WENT OUT. THIS CAR HAS ONLY 58,000 MILES ON IT. THE FUEL PUMP IS IN THE GAS TANK. THERE IS TWO DIFFERENT TYPES OF FUEL PUMPS. ONE COST $263. AND THE OTHER $448. MINE WAS THE $263, BUT I ALL SO HAD TO PAY $200. FOR INSTALLATION. *TR

CLUNK, KNOCK OR RATTLE NOISE FROM FRONT OF VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING OR TURNING OVER BUMPS AT LOW SPEEDS. DEALER FIXED CLUNK. THE CLUNK CAME BACK. DEALER DID NOT MENTION WHAT PARTS WERE REPLACED OR FIXED. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX . WHEN DRIVING LOW SPEEDS RANGING FROM 0 TO 10MPH THERE IS A CLUNKING NOISE IN THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN. WHEN HE MADE A LEFT AND RIGHT TURN OR DROVE IN REVERSE THE NOISE WAS PRESENT. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED HIM TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO DIAGNOSIS THE FAILURE AND PERFORM A POSSIBLE REPAIR. AN APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED FOR THE END OF DECEMBER 2008. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000.

LOSS OF FUNCTION OF HEADLIGHTS, BRAKE LIGHTS, TURN SIGNALS AND TAIL LIGHTS ON 2005 CHEVY MALIBU LS MODEL. THE LIGHT BULBS IN THE SIGNAL ARE CONSTANTLY BLOWING OUT. I HAVE THE CHANGE THE BULBS AT LEAST EVERY MONTH. I HAVE NO USE OF MY TAIL LIGHTS AND TURN SIGNALS AS A RESULT OF THIS. FAILURE OF THE BULB HAS NOT RESULTED IN HEAT DAMAGE TO THE BULB SOCKET. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT PREVIOUSLY EXPERIENCED FAILURE WITH THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT BULB CONSTANTLY BURNING OUT. SIX MONTHS LATER, THE PLASTIC HEADLIGHT COVERS BURNED. THE STEERING SHAFT HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PLASTIC COVER FAILURE WAS A FACTORY DEFECT; THEREFORE, THEY WERE UNABLE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78,400. UPDATED 02-23-09 *BF UPDATED 02/24/09. *JB

MY 2005 MALIBU LOSES POWERSTEERING WHILE DRIVING OR TURNING. *TR

LEARNED OF A POWER STEERING SERVICE NOTICE AFTER THE POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE ENTERING TRAFFIC. GM AUTHORIZED THE REPAIR AND THE DEALER FAILED TO COMPLETELY REPAIR THE STEERING OR OTHER ISSUE THAT WAS DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE FAILED STEERING. THE DEALER DID NOT INFORM ME THAT THE CAR WAS NOT COMPLETELY REPAIRED. THE STEERING NOW ALTERNATES BETWEEN TOO MUCH PLAY OR PARTIAL FAILURE WHEN TURNING. I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT GM DID NOT WANT TO COMPLETELY REPAIR THE POWER STEERING. THE STEERING IS WORSE SINCE THE REPAIR. AT LEAST BEFORE I ONLY LOST IT TWICE BUT WHEN IT WORKED IT WORKED FINE. NOW I PARTIALLY LOSE STEERING EVERY LEFT HAND TURN AND RIGHT TURNS ALTERNATE WITH A REAL LOT OF PLAY AND ALMOST NORMAL. DRIVING STRAIGHT THE CAR PULLS TO THE RIGHT. *TR

POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE TURNING LEFT INTO TRAFFIC. THE LED READ OUT SAID "POWER STEERING". TURNED CAR OFF. SEARCHED INTERNET AND FOUND A SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THE CAR #07126. CALLED GM AND ASKED WHY I WASN'T INFORMED OF THIS BULLETIN SINCE I COMPLAINED OF SIMILAR BUT LESS INTENSE OCCURRENCES SINCE PURCHASE. *TR