2005 Chevrolet Malibu Complaint Log

1)IGNITION SWITCH FAILED. I WAS TOLD BY A SERVICE EMPLOYEE AT THE CHEVY DEALER TO MAKE SURE MY EXTENDED SERVICE CONTRACT COVERED ELECTRICAL PARTS BECAUSE THE SWITCH WOULD FAIL AND IT WOULD COST 500.00 TO FIX. SURE ENOUGH, 6 MONTHS LATER, IT DID. WARRANTY COVERED PART REPLACEMENT. 2) TRANSMISSION SHIFTS VERY HARD. THIS HAPPENED 4 DAYS IN A ROW. AFTER DRIVING FOR APPROX 2 HOURS, THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SHIFTING EXTREMELY HARD. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTED IT AND THE PROBLEM WAS GONE. AFTER THE 4TH DAY, IT HAS NOT HAPPENED AGAIN FOR APPROX 5 MONTHS NOW. 3) ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. WINDOW MOTOR WENT OUT. REPLACED PART. HIGH/LOW BEAM (COMBINATION SWITCH) WENT OUT, REPLACED PART. NOW HORN HONKS AT WILL. HAD TO PULL THE RELAY TO STOP IT. *TR

I BOUGHT MY CAR IN 2006. IT IS A 2005 MALIBU MAXX. THE FIRST WEEK THAT I BOUGHT IT I HAD TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE REPAIRS MADE ON THE FRONT END. I WAS TOLD THE STRUTS AND CV JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. FINE...IT WAS STILL UNDER MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY. AFTER A FEW MONTHS, ANOTHER SOUND FROM UNDERNEATH THE FRONT END. THIS TIME I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY. THEY REPLACED THAT AGAIN UNDER WARRANTY. THEN ONE YEAR LATER I RETURNED DUE TO MORE NOISES COMING FROM THE FRONT END. THIS TIME...NO WARRANTY. I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM IN THE STEERING BUT THEY WOULD COVER IT SINCE IT WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS. ALSO THEY TOLD ME A TIE ROD END WAS ABOUT TO SNAP SO THEY REPLACED IT. I HAD TO PAY. NOW, ONLY A FEW MONTHS AFTER THAT, THE NOISE IN THE STEERING IS BACK AGAIN. WILL THIS EVER END????? *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAX. THE CONTACT STATED THE AMBER LIGHT REFLECTOR WOULD BECOME ABNORMALLY HOT AND BURN THE PLASTIC HOUSING, CAUSING THE HEADLIGHTS TO FAIL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE LIGHT BULB AND SOCKET WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT DID NOT REPLACE THE LIGHT BULB OR THE LIGHT SOCKET. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WERE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ONLINE REGARDING THE LIGHT BULBS BURNING THROUGH THE HOUSING AND A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000.

NOTICED HAZE IN DRIVERS SIDE HEADLIGHT , LOOKED FURTHER FOUND THAT TURN SIGNALS ON BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE WHERE STATING TO MELT , HAVE BEEN SMELLING SOMETHING BURNING WHEN I GET OUT OF CAR FOR A WEEK , NOTICED THIS WHEN ABOUT TO WASH CAR , TAKING TO DEALER TOMORROW , GLAD I NOTICED IT NOW , WHEN IT WAS NOT TO LATE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY BECAME LODGED IN THE IGNITION SWITCH AND FAILED TO TURN INTO THE ON POSITION. THE ANTI-THEFT SENSOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH AND RESET THE PASS LOCK SENSOR, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT WAS NOTIFIED OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

POWER STEERING FAILS WITH ONLY A BEEP AS WARNING(AS IT HAPPENS...NOT BEFORE) EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED, THE VEHICLE AND THE STEERING WHEEL PULLED TO THE LEFT. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE EXTREME FORCE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE OR LOCATE A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

I HAVE A 2005 CHEVY MALIBU. THE LIGHT IN MY DASHBOARD STOPPED WORKING. I TOOK IT TO WESTERN AUTO, AUTO ZONE, AND BRIANS AUTO REPAIR THINKING IT WAS A FUSE THAT WENT OUT. I WAS TOLD THAT AT LEAST THREE OTHER PEOPLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE, BUT WAS TOLD BY GM THERE WAS NOT A RECALL CONCERNING THIS ISSUE. I THEN WENT BACK TO AUTO ZONE AND ASKED THEM TO CONTACT ME IF SOMEONE ELSE HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. ACCORDING TO THE MECHANICS AT GM THE AUTO IS TO NEW TO HAVE THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM. OF COURSE I DIDN'T GET AN EXTENDED WARRANTY, SO THIS IS SOMETHING I HAVE TO PAY FOR OUT OF MY POCKET. I'M VERY UPSET ABOUT THIS, SO MY PLAN IS TO FILE THIS COMPLAINT, AND TO TAKE OUT NEWS PAPERS AIDS IN THE SURROUNDING CITIES TO SEE EXACTLY HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

THE FRONT AND REAR DOOR LOCKS FREEZE UP AND DOORS WILL NOT CLOSE WHEN TEMPERATURE GOES BELOW FREEZING. THE DOORS WILL FLY OPEN IF VEHICLE IS DRIVEN. SLAM FRONT DOOR AND REAR DOORS WILL OPEN. VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE IN THIS SITUATION. DEALER HAS LUBRICATED DOORS BUT IT HAPPENS EVERY WINTER SINCE 2005/06. *TR

BOUGHT OUR 2005 MALIBU MAXX IN NOVEMBER OF 2006. A COUPLE MONTHS LATER WE HAD TROUBLE WITH THE POWER STEERING ASSIST. RECEIVED THE LETTER THAT IF THE PROBLEM WAS OCCURRING WITH OUR VEHICLE TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, OUR CAR WAS AND IS EXPERIENCING THE PROBLEM AND SO I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND EXPLAINED TO THEM THAT THE CAR WAS DOING EXACTLY LIKE THE LETTER STATED, SO THEY TOOK THE VEHICLE AND CALLED ME WITHIN THE HOUR SAYING THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY CAR. CALLED GM AND THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING UNLESS THE CAR WAS PRODUCING A DUPLICATE CODE SO THEY COULDN'T FIX THE PROBLEM. THE POWER ASSIST HAS GONE OUT ON MY NUMEROUS TIMES AND THIS IS OUR ONLY VEHICLE. NO ONE WILL REPLACE THE PART OR FIX THE PROBLEM SO I AM STILL HAVING THE PROBLEM. IT HAS DONE IT SO MUCH I LOST COUNT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. ON APPROXIMATELY 100 OCCASIONS, THE POWER STEERING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD BECOME DIFFICULT TO TURN AS IF IT WERE LOCKED. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO SHUT OFF AND RESTART THE VEHICLE TO CORRECT THE ISSUE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 102,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000.

RIGHT TURN SIGNAL KEEPS GOING OUT,HAVE REPLACED BULBS A FEW TIME AND STILL HAVE SAME PROBLEM. *TT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH ON A CURVED ROAD, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING FOLLOWED BY A LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST. THE STEERING BECAME VERY DIFFICULT ALMOST CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE ENTIRE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING UNIT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM. THE MANUFACTURER SENT THE CONTACT A QUESTIONNAIRE REGARDING THE POWER STEERING BUT DID NOT PROVIDE ANY FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE AND THE CRUISE CONTROL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL), BUT THE REPAIR DID NOT REMEDY THE FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 54,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT HEARD A CRACKING NOISE WHILE TURNING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND NOTICED THAT THE ENTIRE FRONT STEERING RACK AND PINION SYSTEM FAILED AT 15,000 MILES. THE TIE RODS FAILED LATER AT 18,000 MILES AND CAUSED FRONT END DAMAGE AND FRONT TIRE DAMAGE. HE HAS HAD THE RACK AND PINION REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY AND THE TIE RODS WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED AT AN ESTIMATED COST OF $240. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 18,520 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000. UPDATED 02-19-08 *BF UPDATED 02/14/08 *TR

DRIVERS SIDE ELECTRIC SEAT ADJUSTMENT HAS A WELD BROKEN. THIS MAKES ADJUSTING THE SEAT IMPOSSIBLE. THE SEAT FAILS TO ADJUST ON THE RIGHT SIDE. IT IS LOP-SIDED AND NO LONGER TO COMFORTABLE. I BOUGHT MY MALIBU BRAND NEW IN MARCH OF 05. *TR

REPLACE A C/S L/F PARKING LAMP BURNED AND MELTED L/F HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY B C/S R/F PARKING LAMP BURNED AND MELTED R/F HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH HEADLIGHTS STOPPED ILLUMINATING. THE CONTACT EXAMINED THE HEADLIGHTS AND NOTICED THAT THE BULBS BURNED OUT AND MELTED THE HOUSING ASSEMBLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

GRINDING, POPPING NOISES COME FROM FRONT END AND SQUEAKING NOISE FROM REAR. YOU CAN FEEL THE ENTIRE CAR SHIFT WHEN TURNING OR TRAVELING OVER BUMPS IN THE ROAD. SOUNDS LIKE THE WHOLE BODY OF THE CAR IS GOING TO SLIDE OFF OF THE CHASSIE. JANUARY 2007, DEALER REPLACED STEERING RACK AND SET TOE, HOOKED CHASSIE EARS TO THE FRONT SUSPENSION, AND REPLACED REAR SWAY BAR BUSHINGS. VEHICLE HAD 26,080 MILES ON IT. 11 MONTHS LATER,NOW 38,800 MILES, SAME ISSUE. HAVING TO TAKE VEHICLE BACK TO DEALERSHIP AGAIN AND IT IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY, TO HAVE STEERING AND SUSPENSION ASSESSED AGAIN. GM NEEDS TO ASSESS THIS PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED IN THESE MALIBUS. ANOTHER LOCAL DEALER STATES THEY SEE THIS SAME PROBLEM IN OTHER MALIBUS, YET NO RECALL. WHAT IS GM WAITING FOR? THEY NEED TO OWN UP TO A DESIGN FLAW. *TR

WHEN STARTING AND/OR DRIVING THE CAR FOR A SHORT TIME AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 5-45 POWER STEERING FAILS. THIS HAS NOT HAPPENED WITH HIGHWAY DRIVING YET BUT I AM CONCERNED IT WILL. I AM TAKING CAR IN THE NEAREST CHEVY DEALER FOR SERVICE. I DID RECEIVE A NOTICE IN THE MAIL IN DECEMBER 2007 REGARDING PROBLEMS BUT WAS NOT EXPERIENCING THE PROBLEM AT THE TIME AND DID NOT KEEP THE NOTICE; SOON THEREAFTER I DID EXPERIENCE REFERENCED STEERING PROBLEM. *TR

MY FAMILY AND I WERE RETURNING FROM PORTLAND, OREGON TO OUR HOME IN WOODBURN, OREGON. THE STEERING FROZE (POWER STEERING CEASED TO WORK). I HAD TO STRUGGLE TO PULL THE CAR OFF THE ROAD, AS ALL SYSTEMS SEEMED TO SHUT DOWN. I CHECKED UNDER HE HOOD, BUT OF COURSE COULD SEE NOTHING WRONG. AFTER AN UNSPECIFIED PERIOD OF TIME, I TRIED TO START THE CAR AGAIN. THE CAR STARTED AND THE POWER STEERING STARTED WORKING AGAIN. THE STEERING MADE A SQUEAKING NOISE WHEN I WOULD MAKE A LEFT TURN. *TR

MY CAR'S LIGHTS ARE MELTING,SMOKE EVEN COMES OUT OF THEM.I'VE SEEN THIS ON OTHER 2005 CHEVY MALIBUS AND THEY ARE ALL DOING THE SAME THING,WHICH MEANS ITS A MANUFACTURES DEFECT.NO ONE AT GM WANTS TO HELP ME,AND IF MY CAR DOESN'T GET FIXED ITS GOING TO CAUSE A FIRE.IT HAS BURNED OUT MY BULBS VERY QUICKLY AND OFTEN.I TOOK MY CAR IN TO A GM GOODWRENCH SERVICE SHOP AT AMERICAN CHEVROLET IN MODESTO,CA.THE SERVICE CONSULTANT THERE SEEN MY CAR AND SAID THAT IT WAS NOT NORMAL,HE BROUGHT OUT ANOTHER 2005 CHEVY MALIBU THAT THEY HAD THERE AND ITS DOING THE SAME THING.HE TRIED TO PUT ME IN CONTACT WITH THE GM,BUT I GOT TOLD I WAS A LIAR,BY A REPRESENTATIVE.I NEED HELP BECUASE THERE HAS TO BE A RECALL ON THE LIGHTS,BEFORE IT CAUSES A FIRE.CHECK AND SEE ANY 2005 CHEVY MALIBUS AND YOU'LL SEE THAT ITS TRUE.THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. *CN

THE BLINKER WILL ALWAYS FAIL TO WORK. THE BULBS ARE JUST FINE AND INTACT, BUT THE BLINKER WILL STOP WORKING. THERE IS SOME ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH THE HEADLIGHTS. THIS HAS CAUSED OTHER VEHICLES TO GET IN CLOSE CONTACT WITH ME, AND ALMOST IN CRASHES. I HAVE HEARD MANY DIFFERENT CASES OF THIS PROBLEM WITH OTHER 2005 CHEVY MALIBU'S AS WELL. *TR

WHILE DRIVING AFTER A RECENT EPISODE OF RAIN, I TRIED TO COME TO A STOP AT A RED LIGHT. I WAS DRIVING DOWN HILL AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH WHEN I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE. AS SOON AS I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE, I BEGAN SLIDING AT A DIAGONAL TO THE DIRECTION OF THE STREET. I TRIED TO COMPENSATE BECAUSE I WAS APPROACHING ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND THEN BEGAN TO SLIDE THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION, BUT STILL DIAGONAL TO THE STREET ON WHICH I WAS TRAVELING. I AGAIN TRIED TO GAIN CONTROL OF THE CAR AND ALMOST TURNED PERPENDICULAR. I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO GAIN CONTROL OF MY CAR, AFTER GOING THROUGH A RED LIGHT AND ALMOST SLIDING INTO HEAD ON TRAFFIC. ALL 4 OF MY TIRES MUST HAVE BEEN LOCKED UP TO SLIDE ON A DAMP SURFACE WITHOUT REGAINING TRACTION UNTIL AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF MANEUVERING WAS DONE. THIS INCIDENT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN DEATH. I AM IN THE PROCESS OF FINDING OUT WHAT I CAN DO TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM INVESTIGATED SO THAT MY LIFE, OR MY SON'S LIFE, IS NOT PUT INTO DANGER AGAIN. *TR

NO CRASH, NO INJURY, JUST WORRIED IT`S GOING TO HAPPEN WHEN IT COMES TO THE STEERING. *TR

DROVE CAR 2 BLOCKS TURNED OFF IGNITION. ATTEMPTED TO START ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. UPON OPENING DOOR NO LIGHTS, INSERT KEY IN IGNITION, TURN ,NOTHING ON CONSOLE NO IGNITION. HAD MECHANIC CHECK CAR STATED IT HAS TO BE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP FOR THIS PROBLEM BEFORE, IGNITION MODULE REPLACED AND REPROGRAMMED,(2 MONTHS PRIOR TO THE CURRENT SITUATION). ALSO HAVE HAD PROBLEMS RELATED TO TRANSMISSION, WOULD NOT START IN PARK. HAD TO PUT IN NEUTRAL AND PUSH UP TO PARK WHILE TURNING KEY. TAKEN TO PERSONAL MECHANIC CHANGED OUT LINKAGE IN TRANSMISSION. VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP AND REPROGRAMMED. REMOTE DOES NOT DO ANYTHING. CHECKED FUSES AND BATTERY ALL GOOD. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. BOTH OF THE FRONT TURN SIGNAL LENSES HAVE A ONE HALF INCH HOLE BURNED INTO THE TOP OF THE PLASTIC. THE PLASTIC HAS COMPLETELY MELTED AND TURNED BROWN. THE SHINY MATERIAL HAS TURNED A DULL WHITE. THE DEALER STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 64,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. UPDATED 02-14-08. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER INFORMED HIM THE REPAIRS WOULD NOT BE COVERED BY THE DEALER. THE CONSUMER STATED WOULD HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR REPAIRS. UPDATED 02/14/08 *TR

STEERING COLUMN POPS WHEN MAKING A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN. CAUSES THE CAR TO SHAKE A LITTLE WHEN BRAKING. OCCURRED BEFORE 35,000 MILES, BUT WAS NEVER FIXED BY CHEVY, EVEN AFTER COMPLAINING. MECHANIC HAS DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM, BUT BELIEVES CHEVY SHOULD FIX. WORRIED THAT IF PROBLEM IS FIXED IT WILL REOCCUR, AND ALSO WORRIED IT WILL EFFECT POWER STEERING. HAVE CONTACT CHEVY MULTIPLE TIMES ABOUT PROBLEM, BUT HAVE RECEIVED NO HELP, OTHER THEN A RUNAROUND. *TR

LOUD "CLUNKING" SOUND IN STEERING COLUMN AND LOSS OF POWER ASSISTED STEERING WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE FOR REPAIR 5 TIMES. STEERING COLUMN HAS BEEN REPLACED AND ELECTRIC STEERING GEAR. STILL GET A LOUD "CLUNK" WHEN STEERING AS WELL AS LOSS OF POWER ASSIST. CAR PULLS TO THE RIGHT AND I HAVE TO CONSTANTLY STEER LEFT TO STAY STRAIGHT. DEALERSHIP CLAIMS THE STEERING IS ALIGNED AND THAT THEY CAN NO LONGER WORK ON THE VEHICLE, EXCEPT TO GREASE THE STEERING COLUMN. *TR

MY STEERING GEAR CHASIS KEEPS FAILING. GOT COMPONENT COVERAGE FROM GM WHICH PROVES THEY KNOW ITS ISSUE!!! *TR

I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN JUNE 2007 WHICH HAD A WARRANTY AND I PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FROM TRENOR MOTORS, URBANA, OHIO. IN OCTOBER OF 2007 I NOTICED A CLUNKING NOISE WHEN I TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT OR RIGHT. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR AND THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE STEERING RACK. WITHIN A YEAR, APPROXIMATELY SEPTEMBER 2008 THE NOISE CAME BACK AND AGAIN THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE STEERING RACK. AFTER TWO MONTHS WENT BY THE NOISE RETURNED AND THEY SAID THAT THEY GOT A BAD STEERING RACK AND REPLACED IT AGAIN. APPROXIMATELY 9 MONTHS LATER IN 2009 THE NOISE RETURNED AND THEY SAID THAT THE A SLEEVE NEEDED TO BE LUBRICATED WHICH SEEM TO HELP HOWEVER, AROUND AUGUST OF 2010 THE NOISE RETURNED AND THE DEALER LUBRICATED IT AGAIN WHICH HELPED FOR ABOUT 9 MONTHS. IN MAY OF 2011 THE NOISE RETURNED SO WE CONTACTED THE DEALER AGAIN AND THEY TOLD US THAT WE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR ANY REPAIRS/REPLACEMENTS SINCE THE CAR IS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY. *TR

1. IN 2007, OUR 2005 MALIBU STARTED HAVING POPPING IN THE STEERING WHEN TURNING AT LOW SPEEDS. THE RACK ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED 11/02/07; THE CAR HAD 20,139 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. 2. THE POPPING RECURRED BY AUGUST 2009. SEPTEMBER 01, 2009 THE RACK ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED ALONG WITH "SET TOE"; 42,809 ON THE ODOMETER. 3. THE POPPING RECURRED WITHIN LESS THAN 3 MONTHS. DECEMBER 18, 2009, THE STEERING GEAR (EXCESSIVE SLACK) WAS REPLACED AND "SET TOE". 4. THE POPPING HAS COME BACK WITHIN LESS THAN 2 MONTHS. IT IS SCHEDULED TO HAVE A ROD REPLACED (NOT SURE OF ANY OTHER PARTS) MARCH 5, 2010. WE HAVE NOTIFIED GM OF THIS AND A REPRESENTATIVE HAS BEEN ASSIGNED TO THE PROBLEM. *TR

THE POWER STEERING ON MY 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU GOES OUT FREQUENTLY. THE OTHER DAY I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND THE WARNING BEEPS (LIKE WHEN THE DOOR IS AJAR) WENT OFF, AND THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND TURNED IT OFF, AND BACK ON. THIS HAS HAPPENED WITH MY CAR SINCE 10/07. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT IT WILL COST ABOUT $1200 TO HAVE IT FIXED. I THINK THAT THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL! IT IS VERY DANGEROUS. I HAVE A 16 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER THAT I WILL NOT ALLOW TO DRIVE MY CAR BECAUSE OF IT'S ISSUES. UNFORTUNATELY, IN THIS ECONOMY I CANNOT AFFORD TO PUT OUT $1200 AT THIS TIME. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE BOTH HANDS TO STEER THE VEHICLE WITH EXCESSIVE FORCE. THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF FOR APPROXIMATELY SIXTEEN HOURS TO RESET THE STEERING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS A SHORT IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 51,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 25-60 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED. FIVE SECONDS LATER, THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING ABILITY. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND THE POWER STEERING RETURNED AFTER 15 MINUTES. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 88,238.

I HAVE A 2005 CHEVY MALIBU. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE POWER STEERING HAS FAILED, USUALLY WHEN MAKING A SHARP TURN. I FIRST NOTICED THIS AROUND TWO YEARS AGO AND COMPLAINED TO GM, IN WHICH THEY STATED THAT OTHER CARS LIKE MINES HAD, THE SAME ISSUES, BUT MY CAR DID NOT QUALIFY FOR A FIX SINCE I HAD ALREADY HAD TOO MANY MILES ON IT. *TR

2005 MALIBU MAXX AT 35,504 MILES. THUMPING NOISE FROM STEERING AND STEERING REQUIRED MORE EFFORT. DEALER REPLACED INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT PER CHEV. BULLETIN #06-02-32-007. COST WOULD HAVE BEEN $174 BUT WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST ACCELERATION WHILE ON AN INCLINE. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC BUT THE REPAIRS WERE UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH IN THE RAIN, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DISPLAYED "POWER STEERING", BUT THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT NEVER ILLUMINATED. SHE WAS DRIVING ON THE LEFT SIDE OF A THREE LANE ROAD WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO VEER TO THE RIGHT AS SHE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL. AS A RESULT, SHE STRUCK THE RIGHT GUARDRAIL, WHICH CAUSED AXLE FAILURE, BODY WORK, AND DAMAGE TO THE PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHERE IT CURRENTLY REMAINS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 55,000.

INTERMEDIATE SHAFT HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 40,000 MILES. I HAD ALREADY HAD IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP BEFORE AND THEY "LUBED IT" OF COURSE THE REPLACEMENT WAS OUT OF THE WARRANTY PERIOD. NOW THE CLUNKING SOUND IS BACK AND I HATE TO GO BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND PAY AGAIN. SOUNDS LIKE CHEVY HAS A REAL PROBLEM THEY DON'T WANT TO DEAL WITH. *JB

I, WAS DRIVING MY CHEVROLET MALIBU (2005), ON THE AFTERNOON OF 9/9/07. I WAS DRIVING TO THE SELMA, TEXAS LOCATED LIVE-OAK SHOPPING, AND MY VEHICLE ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING BECAME UNSTABLE, THE SPEED KEELED, AND THE VEHICLE SHUT-DOWN COMPLETELY WITHIN 5-8 FT OF THE MALL STOP-SIGN. THIS INCIDENT CAUSE BACK CAR TRAFFIC JAMMING, HORNS BLOWING NEAR CRASH. I, IMMEDIATELY HAD TO CALL MY GEICO AUTOMOBILE REPRESENTATIVE TO ASSIST MY VEHICLE FOR TOWING. THIS SAME EXACT VEHICLE FAILURE OCCURRED AGAIN ON 1/3/08. AGAIN ON 1/09/11 MY VEHICLE HAD A ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING BECOMING UNSAFE, WITH THE SPEED KEELED, AND THE VEHICLE SHUT-DOWN COMPLETELY ON THE 1-10 EAST TEXAS INTERSTATE HIGHWAY, AND UNFORTUNATELY I WAS EN-ROUTE TRAVELING FOR A PHYSICAL THERAPY JOB ASSIGNMENT. THE FOURTH INCIDENT ON 11/09/11 MY VEHICLE EXPERIENCE AN COMPLETE ELECTRICAL SHUTDOWN AT A HOTEL TRAVEL ASSIGNMENT, WHICH RESULTED A IMMOBILE VEHICLE FOR FOUR DAYS DUE TO RURAL AREA DELAYED TOWING. THE FIFTH AND FINAL UNSAFE IMPAIRED VEHICLE INCIDENT ON 6/11/11 MY VEHICLE LOSS ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING ON THE TEXAS 1-10 WEST INTERSTATE TRAVELING FROM A JOB ASSIGNMENT IN THE GEORGE WEST TEXAS AREAS. MY VEHICLE LOSS POWER STEERING CONTROL AND STEERED INTO A RIGHT-SHOULDER ANIMAL PASTURE AREAS, THE INTERSTATE STATE TROOPER HAD TO ASSIST WITH MY SAFETY TO RETURN TO THE HIGHWAY. THEREFORE, ON 8/11 I HAD NO CHOSE BUT TO TRADE IN MY VEHICLE TO BANNER CHEVROLET IN NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. EVERYTIME THE CONTACT MADE A RIGHT TURN, SHE HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE WHICH SOUNDED AS IF THE WHEEL WOULD COME OFF. THE CONTACT TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER ON 03/25/08 WHO REPAIRED THE STEERING COLUMN AND THE PROBLEM REOCCURRED. THE CONTACT THEN TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER AT LEAST 4 MORE TIMES AND THE ISSUE STILL REOCCURRED EACH TIME. SHE STATED THAT THE PROBLEM WOULD BE RESOLVED FOR ABOUT 2 WEEKS AND THE ISSUE WOULD RESURFACE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED BECAUSE SHE NEEDED TO MAKE AN OUT-OF-TOWN TRIP AND WAS AFRAID TO DO SO UNDER THE VEHICLE'S HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 44,120. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,618.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE HEADLIGHT AREA BEGAN SMOKING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON THREE OCCASIONS. WHEN THE CONTACT SHUT THE ENGINE AND HEADLIGHTS OFF, THE SMOKING CEASED. NO FIRE OCCURRED. THE CHEVROLET SERVICE DEPARTMENT ADVISED HER TO HAVE THE DEALER DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD REPLACE BOTH LIGHTS FOR $275 EACH AT HER EXPENSE. THE BULBS HAVE MELTED THE HEADLIGHT LENS, BUT THE DEALER DID NOT RECOMMEND CHANGING THE BULBS. THE TAIL LIGHTS WERE OPERATING NORMALLY. THE FENDER AREA IS MUCH HOTTER THAN NORMAL DUE TO THE HEADLIGHTS OVERHEATING. THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD TO INDICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 81,000.

I OWN A 2005 CHEVY MALIBU. AT ABOUT 40,000 MILES I BEGAN TO NOTICE A BURNING SMELL. IT SMELLED LIKE HOT, BURNING PLASTIC. WHILE TRYING TO FIND THE SOURCE OF THE SMELL, I NOTICED MY DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS (DRL) WERE MELTING AND CHARRED. THE HOUSING ALSO APPEARED TO HAVE SMOKE DAMAGE AND WAS VERY HAZY. IN THE TIME SINCE I NOTICED THE PROBLEM, VISIBILITY HAS GONE DONE SIGNIFICANTLY. THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE ON-GOING RATHER THAN A ONE TIME OCCURRENCE. I WENT TO A CHEVROLET DEALER AND THEY NO IDEA WHAT WOULD CAUSE THE PROBLEM. I HAVE NOT HAD IT REPAIRED SINCE, BECAUSE AFTER DOING INTERNET RESEARCH, IT SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH MANY '05 MALIBUS. I THEN CALLED THE GM HELP LINE WHERE THEY ASKED A BUNCH OF QUESTIONS ABOUT WHERE I HAD IT REPAIRED. THEY THEN TOLD THEY WERE NOT GOING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I DECIDED AFTER THAT ( AT ABOUT 120,000) I WOULD REPLACE THE WHOLE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY, HOPING THIS WOULD SOLVE THE PROBLEM. ONE DAY AFTER INSTALLING THE NEW ASSEMBLY, THE SAME MELTING AND CHARRING BEGAN TO OCCUR. AT THIS POINT, I AM UNSURE AS TO WHAT TO DO NEXT. IT IS OBVIOUSLY MORE THAN JUST A PROBLEM WITH THE HEADLIGHT SINCE IT HAPPENED AFTER REPLACING THE WHOLE ASSEMBLY. IT ALSO SEEMS TO BE MORE THAN JUST AN ISOLATED INCIDENT WITH MY VEHICLE SINCE IT TOOK NO TIME TO FIND MANY MALIBUS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I BELIEVE THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT GM NEEDS TO INVESTIGATE GREATER AND PROVIDE A DESIRABLE SOLUTION FOR ALL MALIBU OWNERS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER DUE TO AN UNFAMILIAR NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING. THE FAILURE WAS NOTICED WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH. THE PREVIOUS DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE STEERING COLUMN WAS DETERMINED TO BE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED HER TO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH NHTSA. THE VEHICLE WILL BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000. UPDATED 6/8/09 *CN THE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED 3 TIMES. UPDATED 06/11/09.*JB

I JUST PURCHASED A 2005 CHEVY MALIBU MAXX LS AND IM HAVING INTERMITTENT STARTING PROBLEMS. IT APPEARS TO HAPPEN MORE WHEN I'VE BEEN DRIVING WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER ON AND I STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CAR WILL CRANK FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME LIKE ITS GOING TO START BUT WILL NOT START INITIALLY. AFTER A WHILE IT DOES START AND THEN APPEARS TO BE NORMAL. I'VE CHECKED THE STARTER, ALTERNATOR, AND THE BATTERY ALL CHECKS OUT GOOD. *JB

POWER STEERING WILL LOCK AND CAR IS HARD TO TURN. *TR

I BOUGHT MY CAR ABOUT 9 MONTHS AGO. IT HAS ABOUT 36,750 MILES ON IT NOW AND MY THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT STARTED STAYING ON AFTER I WOULD START MY CAR. THEN A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER IT WOULD NOT LET ME START THE CAR AT ALL. THE THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT WOULD STEADILY BLINK. I HAD TO GET IT TOWED, THEY CHANGED OUT THE IGNITION IN IT AND REPROGRAMMED THE CAR AND RUNS FINE. THE GM PLACE I TOOK IT TO SAID THEY HAVE HAD A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS CERTAIN PART GOING OUT IN CARS. I DON'T THINK IT IS FAIR THAT I HAD TO PAY FOR THIS WHEN IT HAS BEEN OUT OF WARRANTY FOR ONLY 700 MILES. *JB

I HAVE A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU AND HAVE HAD NUMEROUS ISSUES WITH IT. THE LATEST HAS BEEN THAT AT 47,000 MILES I DEVELOPED A CLUNKING NOISE FOLLOWED BY SERIOUS DIFFICULTY WHEN MAKING LEFT TURNS. AFTER TAKING IT TO AN AC DELCO REPAIR SHOP IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE INTERNAL SHAFT IN THE STEERING COLUMN HAD GONE OUT. FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO RECGONIZE A PROBLEM AND HAVE IT REPAIRED BEFORE ANY SERIOUS INCIDENT OCCURRED. UNFORTUNATELY IT COST ME $600 OF COURSE NOT COVERED BY GM. *TR

YESTERDAY I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 MALIBU ON A COUNTRY ROAD, AND MADE A SLOW TURN IN AN ABANDONED PARKING LOT AT AN INTERSECTION. THERE WAS A HARDLY VISIBLE LOW LYING DITCH, AND THOUGH I WAS GOING AROUND 5-10 MPH, THE RIGHT WHEEL CAUGHT IN THE DITCH, AND THE CAR STOPPED. THERE WAS HARDLY AN IMPACT, IT FELT MORE LIKE HITTING A CURB, BUT THE LOWER FRONT RIGHT PLASTIC BUMPER CAVED IN AND CAUSED SERIOUS DAMAGE IN THE RADIATOR. I DON'T KNOW WHY A MAJOR MANUFACTURER THOUGHT THAT PLASTIC WOULD IN ANY WAY PROTECT A RADIATOR--IT MIGHT AS WELL HAVE BEEN ON THE FRONT OF THE CAR. ARE THERE STATUTES AGAINST A FRONT PLASTIC BUMPER? TO HAVE THIS MUCH DAMAGE WITH SO MINOR AN INCIDENT SEEMS PREPOSTEROUS. HAS ANYONE ELSE HAD A SIMILAR EXPERIENCE? THE PLASTIC MOUNTS CRACKED AND CAME OFF. *JB