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.

Complaints by model year
  1. 1,393

Of the 2005 reports, 65 involved a crash and 45 involved a fire. 69 people were injured and 3 people died.

Primary concernSteering711 reports · 51% of complaints
Owner complaints1,393Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship6 safety recallsNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Steering711
  2. Electrical system261
  3. Exterior lighting210
  4. Seats102
  5. Service brakes95
  6. Power train70
  7. Engine62
  8. Fuel system47

Recalls and investigations

  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  1. Steering, Electrical system, Service brakes, Jun 30, 2016

    POWER STEERING LOCKS UP DURING ACCELERATION AND SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT NEVER GOES OFF, AND AFTER NEW BRAKE ROTORS/PADS THE BRAKE LIGHT STAYS ON. BRAKE FLUID LIGHT ON WITH FULL FLUID.

  2. Electrical system, Jun 29, 2016

    REGARDING GM RECALL #13036 - MICRO CORROSION ON BCM TERMINALS AND RELEARN - DEALERSHIP CLAIMED THAT RECALL WAS PERFORMED. ISSUES WITH BRAKE LIGHTS AND CRUISE CONTROL REMAIN AFTER RECALL SERVICE. UPON VEHICLE INSPECTION, FOUND THERE WAS NOT AN APPLICATION OF DIELECTRIC GREASE ON C2 TERMINAL PORTS AS DESCRIBED IN THE PROCESS OF THE RECALL. I WAS ABLE TO APPLY THE GREASE MYSELF BUT, I AM UNABLE TO PERFORM THE RELEARN PROCESS WITHOUT THE GM TECH2 TOOL. ATTACHED PICTURES OF C2 CONNECTOR PORT WITH AND WITHOUT DIELECTRIC GREASE. WE WENT BACK TO DEALERSHIP TO TRY AND GET THE RECALL PERFORMED PROPERLY AND THE TECH AT SERVICE DESK STATED THAT THE RECALL WAS SERVICED PROPERLY. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT THE RECALL WAS NOT PERFORMED BY THE DEALERSHIP. ADDRESS: 1820 CAPITAL BLVD, RALEIGH, NC 27604.

  3. Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jun 19, 2016

    MY 2005 MALIBU IS EXTREMELY HARD TO START. IT ALSO CUTS OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS, AS WELL AS FRUSTRATING. IN COLD WEATHER, IT WILL CRANK AFTER ONLY A FEW TRIES. IN WARM WEATHER OR AFTER DRIVING THE CAR, IT CAN TAKE UP TO 30 MINUTES TO CRANK. IT SPINS BUT DOES NOT START WITHOUT A MAJOR HASSLE. WHEN THE CAR FINALLY STARTS, I HAVE TO HOLD DOWN THE GAS PEDAL TO PREVENT IT FROM CUTTING OFF AGAIN. FREQUENTLY, IT STILL CUTS OFF WHEN I PUT IT INTO GEAR & I HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE STARTING PROCESS REPEATEDLY. IT IS NOT RELIABLE & HAS RESULTED IN MY BEING LATE TO WORK, AS WELL AS LEAVING ME STRANDED. A FEMALE BEING STRANDED IS NOT SAFE. IF IT SHOULD HAPPEN TO CUT OFF IN TRAFFIC, I WILL HAVE NO CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE TRIED THE SUGGESTIONS RELATED TO THIS COMMON ISSUE WHICH IS BLAMED ON THE THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEM, BUT I CONTINUE TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS. THIS IS AN EVERY DAY OCCURRENCE, FORCING ME TO START CRANKING MY CAR 30-45 MINUTES BEFORE I HAVE TO LEAVE FOR WORK & CAUSING ME TO SIT ALONE IN PARKING LOTS TRYING TO START MY CAR SO I CAN GO HOME. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AND I HAD IT CONNECTED TO A COMPUTER TO BE TESTED. THE CODE NUMBER SAID "NO PART, NO FIX" & THE MECHANIC WHO CHECKED IT SAID HE HAD NEVER SEEN THAT SO HAD ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA WHAT IT MEANT. READING ONLINE FORUMS, I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON COMPLAINT FROM MALIBU OWNERS, YET NOBODY KNOWS HOW TO FIX THE PROBLEM. CHEVROLET NEEDS TO RECALL AND RESOLVE THIS ISSUE BEFORE SOMEONE DIES DUE TO IT.

  4. Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Other or unspecified, Apr 12, 2016

    MY KEY WILL NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION AND I CHECKED FOR RECALLS. I CALLED THE DEALER TO FIX THE RECALL ON THE IGNITION, AND WAS NOTIFIED THAT THEY WOULD ONLY PUT A PIECE OF PLASTIC OVER KEY AND WOULD NOT FIX THE IGNITION TO TURN. I CAN HARDLY EVEN START MY CAR BECAUSE THE KEY WON'T TURN. THE KEY IS GOING TO BREAK OFF IN THE IGNITION. THE HORN AND RADIO DO NOT WORK EITHER. NOT HAVING A HORN FOR INCOMING TRAFFIC TOWARDS MY VEHICLE IS VERY DANGEROUS. THE TURN SIGNALS ONLY WORK AT RANDOM TIMES AND THAT IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN SWITCHING LANES INTO TRAFFIC. ALSO, SOMETHING IN THE BACK OF THE CAR SQUEAKS FOR NO REASON WHEN GOING DOWN THE ROAD AT RANDOM AND WHEN GOING OVER SPEED BUMPS. THIS CAR ALSO DRAINS THE BATTERY WITH UNKNOWN ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THE DRIVERS SIDE BACK PASSENGER WINDOW WONT GO DOWN EITHER. THIS CAR HAS WAY TOO MANY SAFETY ISSUES FOR ONLY 137,000 MILES ON IT.

  5. Electrical system, Mar 5, 2016

    THERFT DETERRENT WILL NOT LET CAR START ISSUE IS GEETING WORST. CAR WILL NOT START. THIS HAPPENS ALOT CAR IS PARKED.

  6. Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Other or unspecified, Feb 19, 2016

    BOUGHT CAR USED AT 136,000 MILES. CAR RADIO DOES NOT LIGHT UP OR WORK, AND HORN DOESN'T WORK. DRIVERS SIDE BACK WINDOW WON'T GO DOWN. FIRST DAY DRIVING THE CAR, TURN SIGNALS STOPPED BLINKING AND THEN STARTED BLINKING AGAIN. SUSPENSION IN THE BACK SQUEAKS BADLY WHEN DRIVING AT RANDOM AND GOING OVER SPEED BUMPS. DID NOT DRIVE THE CAR FOR MORE THAN ONE DAY AND NOW CAR WON'T START AT ALL (NO CRANK, NO START). THESE ARE MAJOR SAFETY ISSUES INCLUDING SERIOUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THE BATTERY IS ONLY ONE YEAR OLD ON THE CAR WHEN PURCHASED, SO SHOULD BE GOOD. THESE ELECTRICAL ISSUES NEED TO BE RECALLED. NOW I AM STUCK WITH A CAR THAT HAS SO MANY PROBLEMS AND WON'T START AND IS DEFINITELY NOT SAFE TO DRIVE.

  7. Electrical system, Feb 11, 2016

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START INTERMITTENTLY. THE BATTERY AND STARTER WERE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ALTERNATOR WAS TESTED, AND WAS FOUND TO BE IN PERFECT WORKING ORDER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

  8. Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Engine, Feb 7, 2016, crash

    I'M HAVING AN ISSUE WHERE'S I'M SCARED I WILL BE IN A CAR ACCIDENT. MY ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON THEN MY TC LIGHT THEN MY CAR SAY ENGINE POWER REDUCE IN THE CAR WILL JUST SHUT OFF.

  9. Electrical system, Jan 27, 2016

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE ANTI-THEFT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000.

  10. Steering, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jan 17, 2016

    TAKATA RECALL. STEERING LOCKED UP WHILE DRIVING GOING AROUND A CORNER AND TOOK A FEW MINUTES TO GET IT TO UNLOCK. HAPPENED TO MY WIFE WITH OUR SON IN THE CAR. THIS HAPPENED BEFORE WE GOT THE RECALL. GOT THE RECALL FIXED AND NOW THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT IS COMING ON. HEADLIGHT ARE CONSTANTLY BLOWING BULBS. THE HEADLIGHT WILL GO OUT SO I WILL GO TO REPLACE THE BUILD AND THEN IT COMES BACK ON. FRONT RIGHT TURN SIGNAL GOES OUT A LOT AND IF I TAP ON IT THEN IT COMES BACK ON. THE SAME WITH THE REAR TAIL LIGHT GOES OUT OFTEN. THIS SUMMER THE TRACTION CONTROL WOULD DING AND THE BUTTON WOULD NOT TURN IT ON OR OFF. WHEN DID THIS HAPPEN QUESTION DOESN'T MAKE SENSE. IT IS A ON GOING EVENTS.

  11. Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Vehicle speed control, Jan 7, 2016

    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.

  12. Electrical system, Dec 28, 2015, fire

    I RETURNED FROM PICKING UP MY GRAND DAUGHTER FROM SCHOOL WHICH IS ABOUT 2MILES ONE WAY. ONCE AT HOME I TURNED OFF MY CAR WENT INSIDE TO GET PAPER WORK AND NOTICED IT WAS TIME TO GET MY SON FROM HIS BUS STOP, WHICH IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER FROM MY HOUSE... AS I TURNED ON THE CAR I NOTICED/SMELLED SMOKE INSIDE THE CAR, SO I TURNED IT OFF AND GOT OUT, I CALLED OUT TO MY KIDS AND MY DAUGHTER TOLD ME THAT I HAVE TO POP THE HOOD, I WAS AFRAID... SO MY DAUGHTER POPED THE HOOD AND THEN WE SAW THE SMALL FIRE, SO MY DAUGHTER GRABBED THE WATER SHOES AND ATTEMPTED TO PUT IT OUT AND MY OTHER DAUGHTER CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THEN A BALL OF FIRE FELL TO THE GROUND UP UNDER THE CAR...THEN SHE PUT THAT OUT...SO AS THEY WERE CALLING THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, I HAD TO RUN AROUND THE CORNER TO GET MY SON FROM THE BUS STOP, AS WE WERE ON OUR WAY BACK, THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS COMING.... SO THEY CHECKED IT OUT AND IN HOOKED THE BATTERY AND CHECKED TO MAKE SURE THE FIRE WAS ALL THE WAY OUT...TOLD ME THAT THE CAR WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE, CAUSE IT MAY SPARK A FLAME ALL OVER AGAIN AND BE WORSE THEN WHAT JUST HAPPENED... PRIOR TO THIS I HAVE HAVE SMALL PROBLEM'S... LIKE MY DOME LIGHT STOP WORKING A YEAR IN HALF AGO, I TRYED TO CHANGE THE FUSE, BUT EVERY ATTEMPT THEY BURNED OUT TO THE TOUCH, SO I GAVE UP...THEN MY FRONT LIGHT WOULD KEEP BURNING OUT EVER MONTH OR TWO...TO WEAR IT MELT THE YELLOW COVERING OF THE BULB AND MELTS THE AREA WERE THE LIGHT BULB SITS IN...TO WERE I REPLACED THE WHOLE FRONT LIGHT COVER. THEN RECENTLY MY BACK BREAK LIGHT WENT OUT... I THOUGHT IT WAS THE BULB OR FUSE AFTER CHANGING THEM, COME TO FIND OUT IT WAS BREAK RELAY SWITCH... SO I HAD IT REPLACED IN JULY 2015...AND ALSO WITHIN A YEAR I HAD TO REPLACE MY STARTER, LUCKLY ITS UNDER A LIFETIME WARRENTY ....THEN SHORTLY AFTER THAT I GOT MY OIL CHANGE ECT..DONE. ALL THIS HAPPENED 6 WEEKS BEFORE THE FIRE.

  13. Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Dec 13, 2015

    I PURCHASED A 2005 MALIBU MAXX FROM AN USED CAR DEALER AND THE VERY NEXT DAY THE CAR LOST THE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE AND THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT TURNED ON MY INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. WHILE THE CAR WAS COMING TO A STOP I NOTICED THAT IT LOST ALL POWER AND THE ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING. THE CAR WOULD TURN OVER BUT NOT START.

  14. Electrical system, Nov 30, 2015

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START WHEN ATTEMPTING TO TURN ON. IN ADDITION, THE ANTI THEFT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START UNTIL THE ANTI THEFT WARNING LIGHT UN-ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

  15. Electrical system, Nov 25, 2015

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO START AND THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM PREVENTED THE VEHICLE FROM STARTING AND NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,700.

  16. Electrical system, Oct 26, 2015, fire

    I AM HOPING THESE PICS COME THREW THIS TIME. IT WOULD NOT GO THREW LAST TIME SO I CROPPED THE PIC TO SHOW YOU THE BULB AND COVERING FROM THE DAY LIGHT/TURN SIGNAL SOCKET ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. MY PREVIOUS COMPAINT DID NOT ALLOW THE PICS SO TRYING AGAIN. I HAVE TO CHANGE THE BULB EVERY 2 WEEKS DUE TO THE SOCKET GETTING TO HOT. THE DATE IS ONLY APX. SINCE IT HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR AT LEAST A YR. I REALLY HOPE THE PICS COME THREW, IT SHOWS PROOF OF WHAT IS HAPPENING. UPDATED 11/18/15*LJ UPDATED 05/23/18*JB

  17. Electrical system, Oct 26, 2015, fire

    I HAVE A CHEVY MALIBU 2005, THE DAYLIGHT RUNNING LIGHT/TURN SIGNAL KEEPS BURNING OUT AND HAVE TO REPLACE IT EVERY 2 WEEKS, THE SOCKET GETS SO HOT AND BURNS THE BULB OUT. IT IS HAPPENING ON THE DRIVERS SIDE.I AM GETTING TIRED OF THIS. I FEEL CHEVY SHOULD DO A RECALL ON THIS, WHEN IT BURNS OUT THEN I HAVE NO TURN SIGNAL AND TIRED OF REPLACING THE BULB. IT GETS SO HOT THAT THE CONNECTOR ON THE BULB ACTUALLY MELTS AND LOOKS LIKE THE REFLECTOR COVERING HAS EITHER GOTTEN SO HOT IT MELTS OR SOMETHING AND NOW BEFORE IT BLEW THIS TIME, I WENT TO CHANGE THE BULB ONCE AGAIN AFTER JUST CHANGING IT 2 WEEKS AGO AND FOUND/SAW THAT IT NOW MELTED THE COVERING, THE YELLOW REFLECTOR COVERING. I THINK THIS IS WHAT IT IS CALLED. SOMEBODY HAS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. AND IF I DON'T FIX IT I HAVE A CHANCE OF GETTING A TICKET FOR NOT HAVING IT WORKING. I DON'T FEEL LIKE I HAVE TO REPLACE THE SOCKET SINCE THAT IS THE PROBLEM AS THE PICTURES WILL SHOW YOU. THE DATE I PICKED IS ONLY APX. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR @ LEAST A YR. I HOPE THE PICS HELP YOU TO MAKE A DECISION THE RIGHT WAY. I AM GETTING NO WHERE WITH CHEVY. UPDATED 11/18/15*LJ UPDATED 05/23/18*JB

  18. Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Oct 21, 2015

    THE IGNITION CYLINDER ON MY 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC FAILED, AND THE KEY COMES OUT OF THE IGNITION IN THE ACCESSORY POSITION. THE GENERAL MOTORS RECALL TO MAKE THE KEY HOLE SMALLER ON THE KEY ITSELF TO FIX IGNITION PROBLEMS IS AN INCOMPLETE REPAIR. UPON CONTACTING GM ABOUT THE IGNITION PROBLEM, THEY IMMEDIATELY TOLD ME NOT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE, AND THEY HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO GILLMAN CHEVROLET HARLINGEN AT THEIR EXPENSE, BUT SO FAR GM HAS REFUSED TO MAKE A COMPLETE REPAIR TO THE IGNITION. GM MAINTAINS THAT THE RECALL TO THE IGNITION PROBLEM IS ONLY TO FIX THE KEY HOLE, AND DOES NOT WANT TO AUTHORIZE A COMPLETE REPAIR FOR THE IGNITION FAILURE. ALSO, THE SHIFTER SELENOID HAS FAILED, AND THE KEY WON'T RETURN TO THE OFF POSITION. THE THEFT SYSTEM ALSO FAILED ON THIS VEHICLE AND WON'T ALLOW THE CAR TO TURN ON. WHEN THE THEFT SYSTEM FAILS, THE ONLY WAY TO TURN ON THE VEHICLE IS TO LEAVE THE KEY IN THE IGNITION FOR 10 MINUTES WHICH THEN RESETS THE THEFT SYSTEM. GM IS BUILDING SUBSTANDARD VEHICLES AND WON'T MAKE COMPLETE REPAIRS ON THE FAULTY IGNITIONS. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE FOR GM CUSTOMERS AND AFTER A WEEK OF TRYING TO GET GM ASSISTANCE TO REPAIR MY IGNITION PROBLEM, THE GM CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE HAS NOT RETURNED MY CALLS.

  19. Electrical system, Engine, Oct 19, 2015

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO START. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT IT TOOK TWO ATTEMPTS TO START THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, AFTER SWITCHING OFF THE VEHICLE, THE KEY WOULD GET STUCK AND THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE RESTARTED IN ORDER TO REMOVE THE KEY. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000. UPDATED 01/27/16*LJ THE IGNITION SWITCH TUMBLER WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 02/09/16*JB

  20. Electrical system, Oct 13, 2015

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER. THIS WAS A RECURRING ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

  21. Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Oct 12, 2015

    MY CAR HAS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS!!! KICKING OFF ALL KINDS OF SENSOR ALARMS I.E MAP,TPS,MAF... JUST TO NAME A FEW I'VE REPLACED ALL OF THEM ABOUT 6 TIMES NOW!!!! MY CAR FEELS LIKE IT'S IN "LIMP" MODE IT KEEPS LOSING POWER AND WON'T ALLOW ME TO GO OVER 20!!! IT'S BEEN BURNING THROUGH OIL AND I KNOW IT'S SLOWLY GOING DESTROY MY ENGINE!! THIS WIRING ISSUE NEED FIXED ASAP!

  22. Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Sep 25, 2015

    THE PARK LIGHT/DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS ARE CONSTANTLY MELTING THE AMBER LENS. THE BULB SOCKET MELTS CAUSING THE TURN SIGNAL NOT TO WORK. EVERY FEW MONTHS I HAVE TO REMOVE HEADLIGHT LAMP AND FIX BULB SO IT WILL WORK. I HAVE SEEN A NUMBER OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR MALIBUS. CHEVROLET NEEDS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL AS MANY AS ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM.

  23. Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Air bags, Sep 22, 2015

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT BOTH TURN SIGNALS FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE FAILURES RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

  24. Electrical system, Sep 20, 2015

    MY CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC 2005 RANDOMLY DOES NOT START. IN MOST VEHICLES WHEN YOU START A VEHICLE ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS TURN THE KEY, THAT IS NOT THE CASE WITH THIS CAR, YOU FIRST HAVE TO TURN THE KEY AND LISTEN FOR THE FUEL PUMP TO ENGAGE THEN AND ONLY IF YOU HEAR THAT CAN YOU TURN THE KEY THE REST OF THE WAY TO START YOUR VEHICLE. IF YOU DO NOT HEAR THE FUEL PUMP AND GO AHEAD AND TRY TO START THE VEHICLE YOU TRIGGER THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM WHICH DOES NOT ALLOW THE CAR TO START FOR ANOTHER 15 MINUTES. WHILE THIS IS NOT MUCH OF A SAFETY ISSUE IT IS STILL A HUGE ISSUE, LEAVING ME STRANDED, SOMETIMES STUCK IN A HOT CAR JUST TRYING TO GET IT TO START, MADE ME LATE FOR WORK AND OTHER FUNCTIONS NUMEROUS TIMES. AFTER WAITING YOUR 15 MINUTES YOUR VEHICLE STILL MAY NOT START. IF YOU HAVE ENOUGH PATIENTS YOU CAN SET THERE AND TURN THE KEY OFF AND ON UNTIL YOU HEAR THE FUEL PUMP ENGAGE. EVERYTHING ELSE IN THE VEHICLE WORKS RADIO, LIGHTS ETC. IT JUST DOES NOT START. LEAVING ME TO BELIEVE THE IGNITION IS TO BLAME, AND HERE RECENTLY I WILL TURN THE KEY AND ABSOLUTELY NOTHING HAPPENS. I THEN TRY AGAIN AND IT STARTS LIKE A CHARM UNTIL ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO AND I COULD NOT GET IT TO DO ANYTHING, MY BOYFRIEND INFORMED ME TO TURN THE KEY AND PUT THE CAR IN THE NEUTRAL POSITION AND TRY TO START IT AGAIN THIS WORKED. ALL I KNOW IS THIS CAR HAS GIVEN ME MANY PROBLEMS THAT MY GM CERTIFIED MECHANIC FATHER IS SHORT OF FIGURING OUT. I BELIEVE IT IS DUE TO FAULTY PARTS OR JUST A BAD MAKE OF CAR. THE ONLY THING I COULD DISPUTE THAT IS WHEN IT IS ACTUALLY STARTING, NOT SHUTTING DOWN ON ME IT IS A REASONABLY GOOD VEHICLE. IT GETS ME FROM POINT A TO POINT B NOT ALWAYS SAFELY OR RELIABLY BUT AT LEAST I HAVE A VEHICLE I JUST WHICH GM WOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR PART IN THIS CARS ISSUES. OR AT LEAST INFORM THE PUBLIC IN HOW TO FIX THEM.

  25. Electrical system, Sep 20, 2015

    AFTER TAKING MY CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC 2005 INTO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE RECALL IN WHICH THEY PUT INSERTS ON MY KEY AND A KING RING, RIDICULOUS IF YOU ASK ME, MY CAR HAS NOW DONE THE SAME THING THREE MORE TIMES I THOUGHT THE RECALL WAS SUPPOSE TO FIX. WHILE DRIVING AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS ( 60 MPH., 45 MPH., 20 MPH) MY CARS SHUTS OFF AS IF I TURNED THE KEY OFF. MY POWER STEERING, BRAKES ALL ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS ARE EFFECTED. I HAVE TO THEN TURN MY KEY TO THE OFF POSITION AND AGAIN START MY CAR TO CONTINUE DRIVING. IT DOES THIS WITH NO WARNING, WHILE DRIVING DOWN A HIGHWAY, WHILE TURNING, WHILE DRIVING DOWN A HILL WHICH ARE ALL VERY MUCH SAFETY ISSUES. DRIVING 60 ON A HIGHWAY AND THE CAR SHUTS DOWN LEAVING YOU WITH NO POWER STEERING NO POWER BRAKES NO WARNING LIGHTS ETC. VERY SCARY. WHILE TURNING A CORNER ALL OF A SUDDEN NO POWER STEERING SEEMS TO ME COULD CAUSE A MAJOR WRECK, AND WHILE DRIVING DOWN A HILL LOOSING YOUR POWER BRAKES COULD ALSO. THIS HAPPEN TO ME NUMEROUS TIMES BEFORE THE RECALL ALSO. I DO BELIEVE IT WAS A CHEAP WAY OF CHEVY TO TRY TO GET OUT OF THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS PROBLEM. WHEN I EXPLAINED TO THE DEALER MECHANIC WHAT WAS HAPPENING HE INFORMED ME THAT THE RECALL THAT FIXED THE KEY WOULD NOT HELP THE PROBLEM OF MY CAR RANDOMLY SHUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING IT SO WHAT WAS IT FOR THEN?