2005 Chevrolet Malibu
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Steering is the leading concern among 1,393 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 3rd highest complaint count among 26 Malibu model years with reports.
Of the 2005 reports, 65 involved a crash and 45 involved a fire. 69 people were injured and 3 people died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
SteeringJul 21, 2014
Dorman Products, Inc. (Dorman) is recalling certain replacement intermediate steering shafts sold under the Dorman, OE Solutions, and Solutions brand names, part numbers 425-167, 2425167, and 7-3074, for installation on 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6, and 2007-2009 Saturn Aura vehicles. The affected steering shafts may have a yoke that inadequately supports the u-joint bearing resulting in a premature failure.
A joint bearing that fails prematurely may cause separation of the u-joint resulting in a complete loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Dorman will notify owners, and dealers will refund the purchase price or replace the steering shafts, free of charge. The recall began in September 2014. Owners may contact Dorman customer service at 1-800-523-2492.
Campaign 14E044000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical system, wiringMay 14, 2014
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured May 16, 2003, through October 11, 2012, 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured May 26, 2004, through January 4, 2010, and 2007-2010 Saturn Aura vehicles manufactured April 24, 2006, through May 26, 2009. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the Body Control Module (BCM) connection may result in voltage fluctuations in the Brake Apply Sensor (BAS) circuit. These fluctuations can cause one or more of these conditions: the brake lights to illuminate without the brake pedal being pushed; the brake lights to not illuminate when the pedal is pushed; difficulty disengaging the cruise control; moving the gear shifter out of the 'PARK' position without pushing the brake; and disablement of crash avoidance features such as traction control, electronic stability control, and panic braking assist features.
Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will attach the wiring harness to the BCM with a spacer, apply dielectric lubricant to both the BCM and harness connector and the BAS and harness connector, and will relearn the brake pedal home position, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed an Interim letter to customers on July 14, 2014. The recall began on August 18, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-762-2737 (Pontiac), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). GM's number for this recall is 13036.
Campaign 14V252000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, automatic transmissionApr 30, 2014
General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on April 29, 2014, that they are recalling 56,214 model year 2007 and 2008 Saturn Aura vehicles. On May 22, 2014, GM increased the recall to include an additional 1,074,899 model year 2004-2008 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured from May 16, 2003, through October 5, 2007, model year 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured from June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, and model year 2005-2008 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured from May 26, 2004, through September 28, 2007, and equipped with 4-speed transmissions. The total number vehicles being recalled is now 1,131,113.
If the transmission shift cable fractures while the vehicle is being driven, the transmission gear selection may not match the indicated gear and the vehicle may move in an unintended or unexpected direction, increasing the risk of a crash. Furthermore, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, despite selecting the PARK position, the transmission may not be in PARK. If the vehicle is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
GM will notify owners, and GM dealers will replace the shift cable assembly and mounting bracket, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for this recall is 14152.
Campaign 14V224000 on NHTSA.gov
Steering, electric power assist systemMar 31, 2014
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 and 2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2006 Malibu Maxx, 2009-2010 HHR (non-turbo), 2010 Cobalt, 2008-2009 Saturn Aura and 2004-2007 Ion, and 2005-2009 Pontiac G6. In the affected vehicles, there may be a sudden loss of electric power steering (EPS) assist that could occur at any time while driving.
If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will perform one of four bulletins. Parts are not currently available. GM expects to send an interim notification around May 28, 2014. When parts are available, owners will be mailed a second letter to come in to have the applicable bulletin applied. Bulletin 14115 covers model year 2004-2007 Saturn Ion, 2009-2010 Chevrolet HHR and 2010 Chevrolet Cobalts. Dealers will replace the EPS motor. Bulletin 14116 covers model year 2004-2006 Chevrolet Malibu and Malibu Maxx, 2005-2006 Pontiac G6 and 2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from March 1, 2008, through June 27, 2008. Dealers will replace the torque sensor assembly. Bulletin 14117 covers model year 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from February 1, 2008, through February 28, 2008. Dealers will replace the torque sensor assembly and EPS motor controller unit. Bulletin 14118 covers model year 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from October 1, 2007, through January 31, 2008. Dealers will replace the EPS motor controller unit. The recall began on July 17, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, Saturn at 1-800-553-6000, and Pontiac at 1-800-620-7668. GM's number for this recall is N140115. Note: GM bulletin number 14119 will be implemented for model year 2006-2008 and early production of 2009 Chevrolet HHR (non-turbo) and model year 2003 Saturn ION to provide EPS Motor replacement for the life of the vehicle.
Campaign 14V153000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, fuel pumpFeb 28, 2011
TI AUTOMOTIVE IS RECALLING CERTAIN FUEL PUMPS, PART NUMBERS TU456 AND TU303, SOLD UNDER VARIOUS BRAND NAMES AS AFTERMARKET AND REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE MOTOR VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP MAY SEIZE, STOPPING THE FUEL FLOW TO THE ENGINE CREATING A STALLING CONDITION.
A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR SHOULD THE ENGINE STALL WHILE IN USE.
TI AUTOMOTIVE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND WILL REPLACE ANY DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP WITH A NEW OR REWORKED FUEL PUMP FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 22, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TI AUTOMOTIVE AT 1-866-867-3759 OR LOG ON TO WWW.RECALLRESPONSE.COM.
Campaign 11E009000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lightingApr 7, 2009
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
Campaign 09E012000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: electrical system
261 reports, newest first. Show all
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical system, Jan 5, 2007
TL* - THE CONTACT COMPLAINED ABOUT ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THE BRAKE LIGHT FUSE FAILED. THE FRONT LEFT BLINKER LIGHT FAILED, AND THE VEHICLE STALLED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. THE VEHICLE DID RESTART. ON DEC 31, 2006, THE VEHICLE STALLED IN A BUSY INTERSECTION. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH. THE CONTACT WAS USING THE CRUISE CONTROL. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER, AT WHICH TIME THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE DID NOT LOSE COMPLETE POWER, BUT WAS TOWED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A BAD ELECTRICAL HARNESS. *AK UPDATED 1/30/2007 - THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE HUB AND BEARING DUE TO AND OPEN LEFT FRONT SENSOR. *NM
Steering, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Nov 16, 2006
MY VEHICLE IS A 2005 CHEVY MALIBU MAXX. THE VEHICLE DOESN'T ALWAYS TURN OVER. I HAVE HAD MY VEHICLE IN THE SHOP A COUPLE OF TIMES TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM AND THE CHEVY DEALER CAN'T FIGURE IT OUT. I WILL TRY TO START MY VEHICLE BUT IT DOESN'T ALWAYS CRANK OVER. IT WILL CHUG A LOT AND THEN STALL OUT. OTHER TIMES IT WILL CHUG AND ACT LIKE IT WILL STALL AND THEN TURN OVER. SOMETIMES IT TAKES 2-3 TIMES FOR ME TO TRY AND GET THE VEHICLE TO START. I CALLED MY SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT THE CHEVY DEALER EVERY TIME IT HAPPENED AND THE ONLY COMMON FACTOR WAS THAT IT WAS HAPPENING EVERY 800-1000 MILES APPROXIMATELY. IT DIDN'T MATTER HOW COLD OR HOT IT WAS, WET OR DRY. IT HAS BEEN AWFUL! NOTHING HAS BEEN REPLACED ON THE VEHICLE TO TRY AND FIX THE PROBLEM WITH IT STARTING. MY CAN HAS JUST OVER 32500 MILES AND IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. THE MOST RECENT TIME WAS LATE SEPTEMBER 2006. I AM NOT SURE ON THE EXACT DATE THAT I CALLED MY CAR DEALER. I ALSO TOOK MY VEHICLE IN ON 9-12-06 FOR A POPPING SOUND IN THE STEERING WHEN TURNING. WE FOUND OUT THAT THE CENTER STEERING SHAFT WAS BROKE. IT WAS REPLACED. THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE INTERIOR FRONT BLINKER NOT WORKING BUT THE EXTERIOR DID. THEN SHORTLY AFTER THE LEFT FRONT BLINKER BLEW. *JB
Steering, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Exterior lighting, Electrical system, Oct 12, 2006
EMAIL (IN) REQUESTING AN INVESTIGATION OF GENERAL MOTORS RE THEIR DANGEROUS & DEFECTIVE PRODUCTS. *TS *NM UPDATED 2/15/2007 - THE CONSUMER SMELLED ANTIFREEZE COMING THROUGH THE AIR VENTS. THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT HAD TO BE REPLACED. PROBLEM WITH BRAKES. A STEERING GEAR ASSOCIATED WITH THE RACK AND PINION WAS REPLACED. THE TRANSMISSION HESITATED. THE CONSUMER HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. PASSENGER SIDE FRONT TURN SIGNAL FAILED. THE DASH LIGHT AND TAIL LIGHT FAILED. *NM
Electrical system, Jul 5, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH THE ENTIRE LIGHTING SYSTEM FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OFF THE ROAD WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE HEADLIGHTS WERE MANUALLY SWITCHED ON AND THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER. THIS WAS THE THIRD TIME THIS SAME PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED. ON THE FIRST AND SECOND OCCASIONS THE ELECTRICAL COMPUTER SYSTEM WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN ALERTED.
Electrical system, Mar 9, 2006, fire
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN I SMELT A SMOKE SMELL THEN ABOUT A MIN LATER FLAMES STARTED ROLLING FROM UNDER THE DASH. THE FD WAS CALLED AND THE STATED THAT HE BELIEVED IT CAME FROM BEHIND THE AIRBAG COMPARTMENT. EARLIER IN THE DAY THE HEATER CONTROL MODULE WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY AT RANDY REED CHEVY, SAINT JOSEPH MISSOURI 816.232.7704 THE FIRE CAUSED TOTAL LOSS TO THE CAR. *NM
Electrical system, Feb 2, 2006
UPON STARTING THE CAR, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS COMPLETELY DOWN EXCEPT FOR THE LOW FUEL WARNING LIGHT HOWEVER THE CAR HAD A FULL TANK. POWER WOULD RETURN TO THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INTERMITTENTLY WHEN THE TURN SIGNAL WAS ENGAGED. THE FAULT CLEARED AFTER SHUTTING THE VEHICLE OFF FOR A FEW MINUTES. *NM
Electrical system, Dec 23, 2005
IGNITION TENDS TO STICK AND CAUSES THE SOLENOID TO GRIND W/FLYWHEEL. I JUST RECEIVED A COPY OF A SERVICE BULLETIN FROM G.M. STATING THEY ARE AWARE OF A PROBLEM. HOWEVER, AT THIS TIME THE ENGINEERS WILL CONTINUE TO WOK ON A SOLUTION. *JB
Electrical system, Aug 18, 2005
MY 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU, SOMETIMES WHEN TRYING TO START THE VEHICLE, IT FAILS TO START UNTIL ATTEMPTING 2 TO 3 TIMES BEFORE VEHICLE ENGINE STARTS, THIS IS A CONTINUAL PROBLEM. TURN SIGNAL TODAY DID NOT WORK, UNTIL AFTER I HAD TO SHUT ENGINE OFF AND RESTART IT BEFORE TURN SIGNALS WOULD WORK. VEHICLE HAS A TENDENCY TO PULL TO THE LEFT. STARTER DOESN'T ENGAGE PROPERLY. *NM
Steering, Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Seats, Equipment, Aug 9, 2005
INSTALL JUMPER HARNESS PER PIP3098A NECK, FUEL TANK FILLER REPLACE TIE ROD END AND/OR ADJUSTER SLEEVE RIGHT REPLACE PANEL, SEAT BACK OF BACK PASSENGER R&R OR REPLACE RECEIVER, RADIO REMOVE, REPAIR AND REPLACE RADIO. *NM
Electrical system, Jun 28, 2005
MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH 2005 CHEVY MALIBU. 1.) KEY STICKING IN IGNITION. RETURNED CAR TO DEALER 3 TIMES. TWO OF THESE TIMES THE KEY COULD NOT BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED AND PARK CABLE ADJUSTED TWICE. 2.) TRACTION CONTROL (T/C), ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON AT ENGINE START UP. A SENSOR WAS REPLACED IN RIGHT REAR WHEEL HUB AND BEARING. IN ADDITION, THE EBCM COMPUTER TO THE BREAK SYSTEM HAS BEEN REPLACED. VEHICLE IS NOW IN FOR SERVICE FOR THE 6TH TIME. ALL 3 LIGHTS ARE ON AGAIN. I HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH GENERAL MOTORS ON 6/13/05 WITH MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO FOLLOW UP ON MY FILE #1-34200114 BUT HAVE NOT HAD A RESPONSE OTHER THAN THEY ARE RESEARCHING MY CONCERNS.
Electrical system, Jun 22, 2005
IGNITION PROBLEM. SOMETIMES THE CAR WILL NOT CRANK OVER ON THE FIRST TRY TO START CAR. HAVE TO WAIT A FEW SECONDS AND TRY AGAIN. THEN IT WILL START.