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: steering
711 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Mar 30, 2011
2005 CHEVY MALIBU STEERING IS FAILING. LOUD CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM STEERING COLUMN AND THE STEERING WHEEL TURNS WILE THE TIRES DO NOT. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND A COMPLETE SAFETY HAZARD! I AM BEING TOLD THIS WILL NOT BE COVERED BY GM. A SAFETY RECALL IS NEEDED. *TR
Steering, Mar 21, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH DOWNHILL WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND THE STEERING WHEEL COLLAPSED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL THE STEERING COLUMN BACK UP BUT HAD TO HOLD IT UPWARD WHILE DRIVING. THE FAILURE PERSISTED. LATER, THE CONTACT PURCHASED A REPAIR KIT DIRECTLY FROM THE MANUFACTURER AT A LOCAL AUTO REPAIR SHOP. AFTER THE REPAIR KIT WAS INSTALLED, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE DID RECUR BUT NOT AS OFTEN AS BEFORE THE KIT WAS INSTALLED. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
Steering, Mar 8, 2011
LIGHTS WILL START BLINKING AND DOOR LOCKS GO UP AND DOWN THEN ON THE RADIO IT WILL SAY POWER STEERING AND THE STEERING WILL GO OUT ITS REALLY HARD TO STEER. IT ALSO COMES UP ON THE RADIO ENGINE POWER DECREASED AND THE CAR WILL JUST DIE AND YOU HALF TO WAIT A COUPLE OF MINUTES BEFORE IT WILL START. IT HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 40 TIMES. *TR
Steering, Mar 7, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXHIBITING AN UNUSUAL KNOCKING AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS EXHIBITING AN ABNORMAL GRINDING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE STEERING SHAFT AND STEERING GEAR WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED YET THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTICE FROM THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE STEERING BUT THEY STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE UNTIL A FAILURE OCCURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 145,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Steering, Mar 4, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED FOLLOWED BY A LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST. THE WHEELS ALSO LOCKED ABNORMALLY. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED IN REGARDS TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 125,000.
Steering, Mar 3, 2011
I OWN A 2005 MALIBU. THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING LIGHT COMES ON AND POWER STEERING RANDOMLY QUITS WORKING. ITS HAPPENED THREE TIMES AT 107,000 MILES. THERE IS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY SPECIAL COVERAGE # 1-0183, MAY 2015 OR 100,000 MILES. I HAD THE DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM ,COST ME $100.00. TO FIX IT IS $700.00 TO $800.00. THE DEALER WILL GIVE ME 10% OFF OF PARTS. GM WILL NOT ASSIST WITH COST BECAUSE IT IS NOT WITHIN COVERAGE PARAMETERS. THIS WAS A COMPANY CAR WHERE I WORK. I BOUGHT IT ONE YEAR AGO FOR MY TEENAGE DAUGHTER. I FEEL THE STEERING JUST NOW BECAME A PROBLEM AT 107,000 MILES BECAUSE IT WAS DRIVEN HIGHWAY MILES ONLY. I AM A SINGLE MOTHER AND CANNOT PAY THE EXPENSE TO FIX THE STEERING PROBLEM. DUE TO SAFETY I CANNOT PUT MY DAUGHTER BACK INTO THIS CAR. GM HAS BEEN RUDE AND WILL NOT EVEN DISCUSS ASSISTING WITH THE COST OF THEIR POWER STEERING ISSUE EVEN THOUGH THEY ADMIT IT IS A 2005 MALIBU DEFECT. CAN YOU GIVE ME ANY ADVICE.? THIS IS A WELL DOCUMENTED COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL AND MAKE OF VEHICLE. DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE AND GM RESPONSIBILITY. *TR
Steering, Feb 20, 2011
2005 CHEVY MALIBU VEHICLE DID NOT DRIVE DUE TO "POWER STEERING" ISSUES AS I WAS PULLING OUT OF THE STREET. I MANAGED TO REVERSE THE CAR AND OUT IT BACK IN THE PARKING SPOT NEARLY HITTING ANOTHER PARKED VEHICLE BECAUSE I COULD NOT MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL. I CAME BACK A FEW HOURS LATER TO ATTEMPT TO STRAIGHTEN OUT THE CAR AND THE POWER STEERING WORKED FINE. THIS VEHICLE DOES NOT INSPIRE CONFIDENCE IN ME AND CHEVY MUST RECALL THIS VEHICLE AND FIX THIS PROBLEM NOW BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE. *TR
Steering, Feb 15, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE MAKING A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN AT ANY SPEED THE CONTACT COULD HEAR A CLANKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END. DURING THE FAILURE, A POWER STEERING SERVICE LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE ON THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE POWER STEERING MECHANISMS WERE GREASED. A FEW MONTHS LATER THE FAILURE BEGAN TO RECUR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 51,000.
Steering, Feb 3, 2011
THE POWER STEERING QUIT WHILE I WAS DRIVING MY 6-CYLINDER 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. I WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTARTED IT. THE POWER STEERING WAS WORKING AGAIN. THAT WAS YESTERDAY AND I'VE BEEN DRIVING SINCE THEN WITH NO PROBLEMS. NO REPAIRS HAVE YET BEEN DONE. *TR
Steering, Jan 28, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY FAILED CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO BECOME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER NOR WAS IT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO CURRENT RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 95,000.
Steering, Jan 28, 2011
2005 CHEVY MALIBU STEERING IS A PROBLEM AFTER 47,000 MILES TRAVEL. STEERING WHEEL MAKES NOISE AS IT TURNS TO RIGHT OR LEFT. MAYBE STEERING MECHANISM PROBLEM. *TR
Steering, Jan 22, 2011
I HAD JUST PICKED UP MY 14 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER, AND HER FRIENDS. I WAS DRIVING HOME IN MY 2005 MALIBU WITH 107K MILES ON IT. WHEN I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN AT 35 MILES AN HOUR. MY RADIO DASH FLASHED POWER STEERING, AND MY WHEEL COMPLETELY LOCKED UP ON ME. I WAS BARELY ABLE TO AVOID A TELEPHONE POLE. I WAS GIVEN NOW WARNING PRIOR TO MAKING THE TURN. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS EVER HAPPENED. FROM WHAT I'VE READ ONLINE. THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS TYPE OF CAR. THE POWER STEERING IS ELECTRICAL, AND SEEMS TO BE PRONE TO THIS KIND OF THING. THIS REALLY NEEDS LOOKED AT. *TR
Steering, Jan 21, 2011
STARTED HEARING CLUNKING IN THE FRONT END ABOUT A YEAR AGO AND POWER STEERING GOING OUT NOW AND AGAIN. CLUNKING PROGRESSIVELY GOT WORSE AND POWERS STEERING BEGAN TO GO OUT EVERYTIME I DROVE MY CAR, ESPECIALLY WHEN MAKING TURNS. TOOK THE CAR TO A LOCAL AUTOSHOP. I HAD THE RACK AND PINION REPLACED. COST ME OVER $500. CLUNKING IS GONE BUT POWER STEERING IS STILL GOING OUT ON ME WHILE I AM DRIVING. *TR
Steering, Jan 16, 2011
WHILE DRIVING THE CAR, IT GIVES OUT A COUPLE OF DINGS BUT NO LIGHT EVER OR ANYTHING TO LET ME KNOW THAT THE POWER STEERING THE ISSUE IT JUST GOES OUT. THIS OCCUR ON THE EXPRESS WAY IN CHICAGO WHERE THERE IS LITTLE ROOM FOR ERROR. I FELT THAT MY LIFE WAS IN DANGER AND I HATE TO SAY IT BUT I WAS REALLY SCARED. *LN
Steering, Jan 9, 2011
2005 MALIBU-POWER STEERING SYSTEM FAILURE. *TR
Steering, Dec 27, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING LOCKED UP SEVERAL TIMES WHILE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN SEPTEMBER 21, 201 BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 49,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 79,000.
Steering, Dec 14, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME ABNORMALLY STIFF. HE WAS NO LONGER ABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL IN ANY DIRECTION. DURING THE FAILURE, THE WRENCH WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SAFELY MOVE OFF THE ROADWAY USING EXTREME BODILY FORCE WHERE THE ENGINE WAS SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND THE STEERING WHEEL RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,300.
Steering, Dec 13, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX LS (NA). WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 149,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 148,500.
Steering, Power train, Nov 18, 2010
VEHICLES INTERMEDIATE DRIVE SHAFT WAS GOING OUT. EVERY TURN YOU MADE IT WOULD MAKE A CLUNKING SOUNDS. OCCURRED ON THE VEHICLE RIGHT AFTER IT WAS BOUGHT. TALKED TO DEALER AND THEY SAID IT JUST NEEDED TO BE LUBED. LUBED VEHICLE OURSELVES AND DID NOTHING. AFTER TIME THE CLUNKING WOULD GET LOUDER AND LOUDER. TOOK IT TO DIFFERENT REPAIR SHOP AND IT WAS THE INTERMEDIATE DRIVE SHAFT. I HAD HEARD FROM A SOURCE THAT THE 2006 MALIBU'S HAD A RECALL ON THE STEERING COLUMN BUT THEY DID NOT RECALL THE 2005. THE VEHICLES STRUCTURE BEHIND THEM ARE EXACTLY THE SAME JUST DIFFERENT BODY STYLES. THIS IS NOT SAFE IF IT WERE TO HAVE GONE OUT IF WE HAD TO HAVE BEEN MAKING SOME SORT OF A TURN OR DRIVING DOWN A HIGHWAY OR INTERSTATE. I HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS ACCOUNTS OF THIS HAPPENING TO THE SAME YEAR AND MAKE AS MINE ON WWW.AUTOBEEF.COM. CAR DID HAVE THE PART REPLACED. *TR
Steering, Nov 15, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THE POWER STEERING WOULD SPORADICALLY FAIL. THE VEHICLE WOULD EXHIBIT A WARNING CHIME BEFORE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE PROGRESSED TO A REGULAR OCCURRENCE OVER A ONE WEEK PERIOD. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC POWER ASSIST FAILED AND WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY OR RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 123,500.
Steering, Nov 12, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND IT WAS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS WITHIN THE POWER STEERING TORQUE INPUT SENSOR. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000. UPDATED 01/13/11*BF THE CONSUMER STATED FROM TIME TO TIME AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THE POWER STEERING WOULD GO OUT AND THE VEHICLE WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. UPDATED 03/30/11
Steering, Nov 9, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE CONTACT TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL AND HEARD A KNOCKING SOUND. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHENEVER THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO GREASE LUBRICATING THE STEERING BOX. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AGAIN A FEW MONTHS LATER AND WAS REPAIRED AT THE DEALER. ONE YEAR LATER, THE FAILURE OCCURRED AGAIN AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000.
Steering, Nov 5, 2010, crash
2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU CAR VEERED TO LEFT AND CROSSED MEDIAN. DRIVER OF MALIBU KILLED AND ALSO STRUCK ANOTHER CAR WHERE PASSENGERS WERE INJURED. WITNESS STATED MALIBU BRAKED AND THERE WERE TIRE MARKS, NO VEHICLE IN FRONT OF MALIBU AT TIME OF BRAKING. WITNESS STATED CAR VEERED TO LEFT AND DRIVER APPEARED TO LOSE CONTROL CROSSING MEDIAN AND STRUCK ANOTHER AUTOMOBILE. WITNESS STATES DRIVER WAS NOT ON A CELL PHONE. THIS INFORMATION IS IN THE POLICE REPORT. THE CHEVROLET MALIBU HAD STEERING SHAFT REPLACED PRIOR TO ACCIDENT. THIS WAS PERFORMED AT GM DEALER DUE TO POPPING NOISE WHILE STEERING, DIAGNOSED AT DEALER. REPAIR PAID FOR BY OWNER. CHEVY MALIBU HAD 65,000 MILES AT TIME OF ACCIDENT. *TR
Steering, Oct 27, 2010
UNEXPECTED LOSS OF POWER STEERING DURING ACCELERATION - DANGEROUS SITUATION. DEALER CORRECTED PROBLEM USING TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN #08-02-32-005A. THE SERVICE BULLETIN REQUIRED ADDING A GROUND STRAP AND REPLACING THE IGNITION MODULE. SOUNDS LIKE A DESIGN ISSUE (LACK OF REQUIRED GROUND STRAP) CORRECTED IN A SERVICE BULLETIN. IN MY OPINION IT SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER AN EXTENDED WARRANTY TO CORRECT A DESIGN DEFECT. *TR
Steering, Oct 24, 2010
2005 MALIBU POWER STEERING SUDDENLY STOPS WORKING -- WHEN WE FIRST THE RECALL NOTICE IN DECEMBER OF 2007, IT WASN'T AN ISSUE (BUT WAS WITHIN THE MILEAGE LIMIT). KNOW THAT WE HAVE THE PROBLEM, IT'S OUT OF THE MILEAGE RANGE. *TR