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: seats
102 reports, newest first. Show all
Seats, Jul 22, 2011
THE POWER TO THE DRIVER SEAT OF OUR '05 MALIBU MAXX, IS MAULFUNCTIONING/BROKEN/NOT WORKING CORRECTLY. IT APPEARS THAT THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE FRAME HAS GIVEN UP. THE POWER TO THE SEAT GOES UP BUT THE RIGHT SIDE STAYS DOWN; LEAVING THE DRIVER LEANING TO THE RIGHT. WE CONTACTED THE DEALER, WHO CLAIMS THAT HE'S HEARD ABOUT THIS BEFORE, BUT AS FAR AS WE KNOW, THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THIS MALFUNCTION. *TT
Seats, Jun 21, 2011
DRIVER SEAT FRAME WELDS BROKE CAUSING THE SEAT TO LEAN TO ONE CORNER AND BOUNCE AS DRIVING. *TR
Seats, May 25, 2011
MY WIFE WENT TO DRIVE THE CAR ON SUNDAY, 5/15/2011. THE SEAT BROKE. THE SEAT CROSS MEMBER FAILED. THE SEAT NOW ROCKS BACK AND FORTH. IT IS GOING TO THE DEALER ON 5/24/2011 FOR REPAIR. FORTUNATELY, IT DID NOT HAPPEN AT HIGHWAY SPEED. WE HAVE TO LOWER THE SEAT ALL THE WAY DOWN TO GET ANY STABILITY. I DID SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND APPARENTLY, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE MAIBU MAXX
Seats, May 6, 2011
2005 CHEVY MALIBU LS V6, DRIVERS POWER SEAT IS COMING APART. WELDS HAVE SEPARATED NEAR LOWER, REAR RH SIDE. SEAT BELTS ARE ATTACH TO SEAT. NOT SURE HOW SAFE CAR IS NOW. DEALER WANT TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE SEAT. FOR ABOUT A $1000. *TR
Seats, Apr 18, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH THE SEAT SHIFTED BACKWARDS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN HE STOPPED AND INSPECTED THE VEHICLE HE NOTICED A TUBE THAT WAS ATTACHED TO THE WELD OF THE SEAT WAS BROKEN. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,800.
Seats, Apr 14, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SEAT FRAME WAS FRACTURED AND LEANING TO THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INFORMED HER THAT REPAIRS TO THE SEAT WOULD ESTIMATE $800 AT THE CONTACTS EXPENSE. THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000.
Seats, Feb 15, 2011
2005 MALIBU MAXX, ABOUT 88,000 MILES. DRIVERS SEAT FRAME BROKE UNDERNEATH, CAUSING THE SEAT TO LEAN TO THE RIGHT. DANGEROUS. JUST HAPPENED, TOOK TO REPAIR SHOP AND THEY SAID THAT ENTIRE SEAT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED FOR OVER $1000. EXTENDED WARRANTY WOULD NOT COVER. NOT SURE HOW I'M GETTING IT FIXED YET. *TR
Seats, Feb 8, 2011
2005 MALIBU MAXX, 84,000 MILES. POWER DRIVER'S SEAT FRAME IS BROKEN, CAUSING THE SEAT TO LEAN TO THE RIGHT. DANGEROUS, AND UNCOMFORTABLE TO DRIVE. *TR
Seats, Sep 27, 2010, crash
WHILE DRIVING MY 2005 CHEVY MALIBU, I MADE A TURN AND THE DRIVERS SEAT BROKE ON THE RIGHT REAR. THE WELDS BROKE OFF THE FRAME RAIL CAUSING ME TO SWERVE IN TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CAR NEEDS A NEW SEAT RAIL TO REPAIR THE CAR. THE COST IS ABOUT $800, GM WILL NOT ASSIST IN THE REPAIR OF A DEFECTIVE SEAT WELD. *TR
Seats, Aug 16, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT WELLS WERE FRACTURED AND CAUSING THE SEAT TO ABNORMALLY LEAN TO THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE DEALER WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE WELLS HAD FRACTURED FROM THE TRACK ASSEMBLY. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,600.
Seats, Aug 16, 2010
FRAME UNDER THE DRIVERS POWER SEAT IS BROKEN IN MULTIPLE PLACES. IT HAS BROKEN ON WELD POINTS AND THE BAR ITSELF IS BROKEN. THIS LEADS TO A ROCKING MOTION OF THE SEAT WHEN DRIVING. *TR
Seats, Jul 1, 2010
A WELD BROKE FOR A CROSS BAR (DRIVER SEAT). I REQUEST GM FIX THIS FREE OF CHARGE. *TR
Seats, Jun 11, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SEAT "BUCKLED" AND BROKE OFF, CAUSING THE SEAT TO LEAN TO THE RIGHT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE FOUR BRACKETS THAT MOUNTED THE SEAT TO THE FLOOR AND ONE OF THE REAR BRACKETS WAS BROKEN. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 74,000.
Seats, May 19, 2010
WELD ON DRIVER'S POWER SEAT BROKEN. SEAT TILTS TO THE RIGHT. *TR
Seats, Apr 12, 2010
MY DRIVERSEAT IS LOOSE AND ROCKS FROM BROKEN WELDS IN THE FOUNDATION/SUPPORT BARS. *TR
Seats, Mar 19, 2010
AFTER TURNING A CORNER GETTING ON THE HIGHWAY THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT SHIFTED TO THE RIGHT. I FOUND THAT FRONT DRIVER MAIN SEAT FRAME WELD BROKE, CAUSING THE SEAT TO SAG TO THE RIGHT. WITH ONLY TWO BRACKETS THAT HOLD UP THE POWER SEAT MOTORS, THAT IF THE OTHER ONE BREAKS THEN THE SEAT MAY FELL TO THE FLOOR AND CAUSE THE DRIVE TO JERK THE WHEEL. IT LOOKS LIKE A POOR WELD JOB FROM THE FACTORY. I HAVE NOT HAD THE PART REPLACE, THE BRACKET IS PART OF THE SEAT FRAME AND THE COST WOULD BE ABOUT $1000.00 USD TO FIX AT THE DEALERSHIP. *TR
Seats, Jan 15, 2010
CORROSION ON BOTTOM OF DRIVER SEAT, HAS ALLOWED A CROSSMEMBER TO BREAK, COMPROMISING THE INTEGRITY OF THE SEAT. MAY BE VERY DANGEROUS IN A CRASH. VEHICLE IS NOT SUBJECTED TO ADVERSE/FLOOD CONDITIONS AND DRIVER IS OF AVERAGE WEIGHT. *TR
Seats, Dec 1, 2009
SINCE PURCHASING, MY USED 2005 CHEVY MALIBU HAD A CLUNKING NOISE WHEN USING THE DRIVERS AUTOMATIC SEAT. RECENTLY, THE POWER SEAT BRACKET TOTALLY BROKE, AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, CAUSING ME TO SWERVE AND GO OFF THE ROAD. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP IN JACKSONVILLE, FL WHO EXPLAINED THERE IS NO RECALL, AND IT WILL COST ME $800.00 TO HAVE THIS CORRECTED. I THINK IT IS UNCONSCIONABLE FOR A MANUFACTURER TO PUT CUSTOMERS AT RISK BY APPROVING A DESIGN THAT OBVIOUSLY RESULTS IN A HAZARD THAT THEY HAVE BEEN AWARE OF FOR SOME TIME - AND ARE UNWILLING TO REMEDY. BECAUSE I CANNOT AFFORD TO HAVE THE TRACK REPLACED, AND CHEVROLET WILL NOT CORRECT A MANUFACTURERS PROBLEM, I AM UNFORTUNATELY UNSAFE ON THE ROAD. *TR
Seats, Jul 14, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT SEPARATED FROM THE BASE AND CAME OFF TRACK. THE FAILURE OCCURRED IMMEDIATELY AFTER SHE SAT IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000.
Seats, Jul 8, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHEN THE CONTACT SAT DOWN IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT, THE SEAT COLLAPSED AND SHIFTED TO THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE WELD THAT HOLDS THE SEAT IN PLACE PEELED OFF A PIECE OF THE METAL FROM THE METAL BAR, WHICH CAUSED THE SEAT TO DETACH FROM THE METAL TRACK. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD BE UNABLE TO MAKE THE REPAIRS AND THAT THE SEAT WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. NO ESTIMATE WAS PROVIDED FOR THE PURCHASE OF A NEW SEAT. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT NO COMPENSATION WOULD BE PROVIDED DUE TO THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 82,000.
Seats, Apr 28, 2009
THE CONNECTING FOUNDATION FOR THE POWER DRIVERS SEAT BROKE LOOSE AT THE WELD POINT. THE DRIVERS SEAT IS NOT PROPERLY GROUNDED TO THE VEHICLE AND IT MOVES UP AND DOWN WHILE I AM DRIVING. I WROTE THE MANUFACTURER BUT THEY DECLINED MY REQUEST TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR THE REPAIR. *TR
Seats, Jan 31, 2009
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
Seats, Aug 11, 2008
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
Seats, May 13, 2008
THE LEFT FRONT DRIVERS SEAT HAS TILTED TO THE RIGHT, AND SLOPES DOWN AT BACK. THERE IS A BROKEN WELD ON THE FRONT BAR HOLDING ALL OF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE SEAT. *TR
Seats, Feb 20, 2007, crash
2005 MALIBU WITHOUT SIDE AIRBAGS CUSTOMER WAS IN AN ACCIDENT AND BELIEVES THAT HER INJURIES WERE DUE TO THE HEAD REST**CC THE CONSUMER STATED THE HEAD REST SHOULD HAVE BEEN DESIGNED LOWER TO PROTECT THE CONSUMERS NECK. WHEN THE CONSUMERS HEAD IS ON THE HEAD REST, IT PUSHES HER HEAD FORWARD. *JB