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, Exterior lighting, Oct 21, 2010
TAIL LIGHTS HAVE FILLED UP WITH WATER AND CONDENSATION EVERY TIME IT RAINS. STEERING POPS AND MAKES NOISES WHEN I MAKE A TURN . *TR
Steering, Oct 12, 2010
TL *THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 10-15 MPH, A CHIME SOUNDED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, FOLLOWED BY THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKING. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN INTO A PARKING SPACE SAFELY. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO OPERATE PROPERLY FOR THIRTY SECONDS. THEN THE FAILURE REOCCURRED REPEATEDLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY STATED THERE WAS NOT A RECALL RELATED TO THE DEFECT. THE MANUFACTURER ISSUED A 100,000 MILE EXTENDED WARRANTY PERTAINING TO THE STEERING COLUMN, HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE EXCEEDED THE REQUIRED MILEAGE. THE CONTACT SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER FOR THE STEERING COLUMN REPLACEMENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,009.
Steering, Oct 5, 2010
I HAVE A 2005 MALIBU THAT I BOUGHT NEW. IT HAS ALWAYS HAD A "POPPING" NOISE IN THE FRONT END WHEN YOU MAKE A TURN. AT FIRST IT WAS INTERMITTENT, SEEMED LIKE IT DID IT WORSE WHEN YOU MADE SHARP TURNS. I ASKED THE DEALER TO CHECK IT OUT A FEW TIMES - ALWAYS TOLD THEY COULD NEVER FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. IT HAS GOTTEN WORSE OVER THE YEARS, IT SEEMS TO POP ALL OF THE TIME NOW AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEEMS TO VIBRATE A LITTLE - ESPECIALLY ON ROUGH ROADS. STILL, THE DEALER SAYS THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG--ACTUALLY GOT TIRED OF ASKING THEM & QUIT ASKING WHEN I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR SERVICE. NOW I GET A LETTER ABOUT SOMETHING BEING WRONG WITH THE POWER STEERING AND THEY WILL REPLACE IT FOR 10 YEARS, 100,000 MILES. CALLED THE DEALER-THEY ARGUED THAT IT WAS ONLY 70,000 MILES. HAD TO FAX THEM A COPY OF MY LETTER PROVING IT SAID 100,000 MILES. I ASKED IF THIS WAS THE SAME PROBLEM THAT I'D BEEN HAVING WITH THE POPPING NOISE-THEY TOLD ME THAT THIS PART WASN'T GOING TO FIX THAT POPPING NOISE. HAD TO KEEP ASKING FOR THE PART TO BE REPLACED. I AM HOPING THIS PART WILL FIX WHATEVER THE POPPING NOISE IS. MY SON DRIVES THIS CAR EVERY DAY AND I'M WORRIED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE CAR. *TR
Steering, Oct 4, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD LOCK AND THE VEHICLE WOULD ABNORMALLY PULL TO EITHER THE LEFT OR RIGHT. THE FAILURE WAS CONSTANT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE IGNITION COIL WOULD NEED TO BE DISCONNECTED AND THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 76,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 91,000.
Steering, Sep 29, 2010
I WAS TURNING ONTO A ROAD WHILE DRIVING TO WORK AND MY POWER STEERING FAILED. I ALMOST DROVE OFF OF THE ROAD INTO A TREE! THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE STEERING COLUMN MUST BE REPLACED TO FIX THIS ISSUE. *TR
Steering, Sep 25, 2010
MY 2005 MALIBU STARTED MAKING A 'THUMPING' SOUND COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN WHEN TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT. IT SEEMS TO OCCUR AS THE STEERING WHEEL RETURNS TO CENTER. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS ENOUGH TO KNOW THAT IF IT GETS WORSE I PROBABLY WILL NEED TO REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN. I CALLED GM CUSTOMER SERVICE AND TOLD THEM THAT I CONSIDERED THIS TO BE A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM (BASED ON MY RESEARCH OF NUMEROUS VEHICLES WITH FAILED STEERING COMPONENTS) THEY WERE VERY SYMPATHETIC BUT TOTALLY UNCONCERNED ABOUT THE PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD THAT THEY WOULD NOT PAY FOR ANY REPAIRS BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. MY CAR HAS JUST OVER 42,000 MILES. I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A SAFETY RELATED DEFECT IN THE STEERING COLUMN. *TR
Steering, Sep 24, 2010
1. I WAS PASSING A CAR UP HILL ON A CURVE IN THE ROAD. WHEN I ACCELERATE HARD I LOSS MY POWER STEERING. I HAD TO APPLIED MORE PRESSURE ON THE WHEEL TO GET AROUND THE CAR I WAS PASSING BUT HALF WAY AROUND THE CAR THE POWER STEERING KICKED BACK IN BUT BECAUSE OF THE EXTRA PRESSURE I WAS APPLYING ON THE STEERING WHEEL I OVER STEERED AND ALMOST HIT THE GUARD RAIL. THIS WAS ON A VERY BUSY HIGHWAY IN THE NEW YORK CITY AREA AND EVERYONE WAS TRAVELING AT HIGH SPEED. 2. I EXPERIENCE A LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST CAUSED BY ELECTRICAL INPUT SIGNALS WITHIN THE STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY. 3. GM SENT A LETTER TOO MY HOME STATING THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT WILL ONLY FIX IT IF THE CAR HAS LESS THAN 100,000 MILES. MY CAR IS OVER THAT LIMIT. GM SAYS IT IS NOT A RECALL. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THE POWER STEERING CUTS OUT AT HIGH SPEEDS. *TR
Steering, Sep 22, 2010, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED SHE HEARD A LOUD NOISE IN THE STEERING FOR A WHILE. ON JULY 24, 2010 WHILE REVERSING INTO A PARKING SPACE, AND THEN MOVING FORWARD TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN A STRAIGHT LINE THE POWER STEERING FAILED. SHE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A CURVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE GARAGE, DIAGNOSTIC TESTING LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE STEERING SHAFT AND GEAR BOX. THE STEERING SHAFT AND GEAR BOX WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR, BECAUSE THE PARTS THAT WERE REPLACED WERE NOT COVERED BY THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,849 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 34,300.
Steering, Sep 22, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A POPPING NOISE IN THE STEERING WHEN HITTING A ROUGH SPOT OR BUMP IN THE ROAD. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE TIE RODS BUT THAT DID NOT RESOLVE THE ISSUE. A NEW STEERING UNIT WAS INSTALLED AND THIS SEEMED TO RESOLVE THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000. UPDATED 12/22/10 *BF THE OUTER TIE ROD WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 12/30/10*JB
Steering, Sep 20, 2010
I WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 40MPH AND A WARNING "POWER STEERING "SHOWED UP ON THE DRIVERS INFORMATION CENTER. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY HARD TO STEER. I PULLED OVER SHUT OFF THE CAR AND RESTARTED IT AND EVERYTHING WORKED FINE. THIS HAS HAPPENED 2 OTHER TIMES UNDER SIMILAR CONDITIONS. *TR
Steering, Sep 18, 2010
SAFETY ISSUE WITH 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. BECAUSE OF A NUMBER OF PROBLEMS WITH STEERING AND SUSPENSION, I HAVE HAD FOUR CERTIFIED MECHANICS INSPECT THE CAR. THREE FOUND THAT THE STEERING RACK IS DEFECTIVE; ONE FOUND THAT THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT IS DEFECTIVE. NEITHER SHOULD BE DEFECTIVE ON A CAR WITH 57K MILES. THE ONLY WAY THAT THE STEERING RACK COULD BE DEFECTIVE IS IF THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE HEAT TREATMENT DURING MANUFACTURE; THIS WOULD IMPLY THAT THE ENTIRE BATCH IS DEFECTIVE. SIMILARLY, THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT IS A THICK PIECE OF SHEET METAL THAT SHOULD NOT BE DEFECTIVE WITH LOW MILEAGE. THE PROBLEM(S) HAS BEEN REPORTED TO GENERAL MOTORS, WHO HAVE NOT RESPONDED TO REPEATED CONTACTS. BECAUSE THE MECHANICS DO NOT AGREE, I WILL HAVE THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT REPLACED TO SEE IF THAT SOLVES THE PROBLEM. IF NOT, THEN I WILL REPLACE THE STEERING RACK. *TR
Steering, Sep 14, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAX. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 10 MPH AND ATTEMPTING A RIGHT TURN WHEN THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME INCREASINGLY HARD. THE CONTACT WAS BARELY ABLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE TO AVOID A CRASH. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS OVER 100,000 MILES, THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,000.
Steering, Sep 2, 2010
STEERING ISSUES WITH THE CAR SINCE I BOUGHT IT, BRAND NEW. TOOK IT TO A GARAGE TWICE AND WAS TOLD THAT THESE PARTICULAR CARS WERE HAVING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE ELECTRONIC STEERING. TODAY MY POWER STEERING SYSTEM FAILED AS I WAS DRIVING TO WORK. I SEE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE ON THE INTERNET BUT STILL NOT RECALL. *TR
Steering, Sep 1, 2010
I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM CHEVY ABOUT ELECTRIC POWER STEERING LOSS ON CHEVY MALIBU. THE LETTER SAID THAT NOT TO TAKE TO DEALER UNLESS YOU ARE EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS. I WASN'T UNTIL YESTERDAY. WHILE TAKING MY CHILDREN TO SCHOOL, THERE WAS LOSS OF STEERING, IT LOCKED DOWN, AND POWER STEERING WAS DISPLAYED IN THE INFORMATION CENTER. I CALL CHEVY AND NOW THEY SAY IT DON'T APPLY TO ME BECAUSE MY CAR IS OVER 100,000 MILES ON IT. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN AS AFTER RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM ONLINE THERE ARE MANY REPORTED CASES OF LOSS OF STEERING BUT CHEVY WILL NOT FIX BECAUSE OF BEING OVER MILEAGE. I THOUGHT WITH IT POSSIBLY ENDANGERING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE RIDING IN THE CAR THAT IT WOULD BE FIXED REGARDLESS. THE STEERING LOCKS DOWN AND THE VEHICLE CAN NOT BE CONTROLLED. *TR
Steering, Aug 31, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD WHEN THE WHEEL TURNED IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION THAT SHE WAS TURNING IN. THE POWER STEERING ALARM ALSO FAILED AND THE WARNING LIGHT BEGAN TO FLICKER. SPEED DOES NOT SEEM TO BE A FACTOR. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE STEERING HARNESS AND COIL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 65,000.
Steering, Aug 31, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE POWER STEERING FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE POWER STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. HE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM CHEVROLET IN AUGUST 2010 THAT SPECIFIED IF THE VEHICLE WAS OVER 100,000 MILES THE STEERING FAILURE WOULD NOT BE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT EXPLAINED TO GENERAL MOTORS THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BEFORE THE 100,000 MILES, BUT HE COULD NOT HAVE THE REPAIR DONE; THEREFORE, THE VEHICLE SHOULD REPAIRED BY GENERAL MOTORS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE 115,000. UPDATED 12/15/10. *LJ THE CONSUMER SENT IN A RECALL NOTICE ALONG WITH HIS COMPLAINT REGARDING THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING. UPDATED 12/27/10
Steering, Aug 25, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 55 MPH WHEN THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING BECAME EXTREMELY STIFF. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO HER RESIDENCE AT LESS THAN 40 MPH. THE DEALER ADVISED HER THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED WITHIN SIX MONTHS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE COULD BE RELATED TO THE RACK AND PINION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED SHE RECEIVED AN UNKNOWN RECALL FOR THE RACK AND PINION AND WHEN TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, SHE WAS ADVISED THAT THE RECALL WOULD NOT BE HONORED DUE TO THE MILEAGE OF THE VEHICLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 230,000.
Steering, Electrical system, Aug 23, 2010
ELECTRICAL ISSUES WITH MY 05 MALIBU MAXX.THE POWER STEERING KEEPS GOING OUT-CHEVY IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM. THE ENGINE HAS TROUBLE STARTING. THE REAR WIPER GOES BY ITSELF WITHOUT ANYONE TOUCHING THE CONTROL-MOST RECENT EVENT, HAPPENS EVERY FEW DAYS 1 OR 2 TIMES. I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH THE STARTING FROM THE BEGINNING OF OWNERSHIP. THE POWER STEERING ISSUE HAS BEEN OVER THE PAST MONTH. SOMETIMES THE WARNING LIGHT COMES ON FIRST, USUALLY NOT. I HAVE NOT PAID TO HAVE ANY WORK DONE, BUT HAVE CONTACTED CHEVY'S CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WAS TOLD, THAT THEY WOULD MAKE A RECORD OF IT. RESTARTING THE CAR USUALLY FIXES THE POWER STEERING TEMPORARILY. I HAVE TO CHANGE THE BRAKES ONCE A MONTH, SO THEY DON'T DESTROY MY ROTORS. POWER STEERING SEEMS TO GO OUT MORE OFTEN WHEN IT IS HOT OUTSIDE. *TR
Steering, Aug 19, 2010
I HAVE A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU AND THE ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING WENT OUT ON MY CAR EXACTLY ONE WEEK AFTER CHEVROLET SENT ME A LETTER INFORMING ME OF THIS EXACT PROBLEM. THEY ARE REFUSING TO COVER THIS REPAIR BECAUSE MY CAR HAS 130,000 MILES, ALTHOUGH THEY ARE ALL HIGHWAY MILES BECAUSE I WORK AN HOUR AWAY FROM MY HOME AND MY CAR IS ONLY 5 YEARS OLD. I AM A LOYAL GENERAL MOTORS CUSTOMER, DESPITE THE FACT THAT I WORK FOR FORD MOTOR COMPANY, AND THIS IS MY THIRD BRAND NEW GENERAL MOTORS CAR THAT I HAVE PURCHASED, MY HUSBAND HAS AS WELL PURCHASED AT LEAST 10-15 BRAND NEW CARS THROUGH GENERAL MOTORS. I AM A VERY UNHAPPY CUSTOMER AND I WILL NO LONGER BE PURCHASING ANY CARS FROM YOUR COMPANY IN THE FUTURE IF THIS IS HOW LOYAL CUSTOMERS ARE TREATED. *TR
Steering, Aug 19, 2010
WHILE DRIVING ON LOCAL STREET AT APPROXIMATELY 35MPH, THE POWER STEERING ON OUR CAR STOPPED WORKING MAKING STEERING VERY DIFFICULT. MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING AND HE HAD TROUBLE STEERING TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. HE TURNED OFF THE CAR AND RESTARTED IT, AND THE POWER STEERING CAME BACK ON. WITHIN A 2 MILE SPAN, THIS OCCURRED TWICE. I ASKED MY KIDS AND HUSBAND HOW OFTEN THIS HAPPENS, AND IT'S EVERY TIME THE CAR IS DRIVEN. IF MY HUSBAND HAD TROUBLE STEERING WHEN THE POWER STEERING STOPS, IT MUST BE EVEN WORSE FOR MY 2 GIRLS. IF THIS OCCURS ON THE HIGHWAY, THERE COULD EASILY BE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I LOOKED ONLINE AND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN MADE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLETIN FOR IT BUT IT NEEDS TO BE A RECALL. I READ THAT MAZDA3 AND MAZDA 5 CARS ARE BEING RECALLED FOR POWER STEERING FAILURE. WHY HAVEN'T CHEVY MALIBUS BEEN RECALLED? PLEASE HELP. *TR
Steering, Aug 18, 2010
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.
Steering, Suspension, Wheels, Equipment, Other or unspecified, Aug 18, 2010
LOSS OF POWER STEERING. FRONT WHEELS SOUND LIKE THEY'RE ABOUT TO FALL OFF. POPPING NOISE IN STEERING COLUMN. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Aug 18, 2010
POWER STEERING FAILURE. *TR
Steering, Aug 18, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN DRIVING AT LEAST 60-70 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD ABNORMALLY VIBRATE EXCESSIVELY. THE FAILURE DID NOT OCCUR WHEN DRIVING LESS THAN 60 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 77,000.
Steering, Aug 18, 2010
THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR MORE THAN 6 MONTHS NOW, POSSIBLY A YEAR. HARD TO DETERMINE AS IT WAS VERY INCONSISTENT AT FIRST. OCCURS MORE OFTEN NOW. WHEN ACCELERATING, GENERALLY OVER 3000 RPM'S (THINK PASSING ON FREEWAY OR LEFT TURN ACROSS TRAFFIC) THE STEERING WILL FREEZE FOR A FEW SECONDS. THERE IS ALSO A TRIPLE BELL SOUND AND THE MESSAGE CENTER WILL DISPLAY "POWER STEERING". IN 12/2007 I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM GM SAYING THEY WILL FIX THE PROBLEM WITH THE "POWER STEERING ASSIST" IF WITHIN 7 YEARS OR 70,000 MILES. I DID NOT HAVE THE PROBLEM PLUS I WAS OVER MILES STATED. THIS WEEK I RECEIVED A SIMILAR LETTER SAYING THE SAME, THAT THEY WOULD FIX THE STEERING IF UNDER 10 YEARS OR 100,000 MILES. AGAIN I AM OVER MILES(BY 7000 MILES). I CALLED TO CONFIRM AND WAS TOLD THAT THEIR POLICY WAS VERY STRICT AND WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO HELP ME. OBVIOUSLY THEY KNOW OF THE ISSUE AND ARE JUST TRYING TO PAY AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE IN REPAIR/REPLACEMENT COSTS. *TR