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, Aug 13, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 2 MPH, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO MAKE A LOUD CLANKING NOISE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE RELATED DEFECT UNDER THE MANUFACTURERS VOLUNTARY RECALL. THE SPECIFIC REPAIR PERFORMED WAS UNKNOWN. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION THERE WAS A LOSS OF THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING WITH A CHIME TONE, FOLLOWED BY THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATION. THE FAILURE OCCURRENCE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ON THREE DIFFERENT TIMES FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DETECT A PROBLEM. RECENTLY, THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FROM THE MANUFACTURER OFFERING AN ADDITIONAL PROTECTION FOR THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING. THE MANUFACTURER REQUIRED THAT THE MILEAGE NOT TO EXCEED 100,000 TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE OF A FREE REMEDY. THE CONTACT STATED HER VEHICLE EXCEEDED THE MILEAGE REQUIREMENT. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 30,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Steering, Aug 11, 2010, crash
TL*THE DRIVER OWNED A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 67 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY STIFF RESULTING IN A SINGLE CAR CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER WAS INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INSURANCE COMPANY AND SHE DOES NOT KNOW IF THE VEHICLE WAS EXAMINED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 109,000.
Steering, Aug 11, 2010
MY WIFE HAS A 2005 CHEVY MALIBU. SHE WAS DRIVING IT THE OTHER DAY AND THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT ON IT ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. SHE GOT THE CAR UNDER CONTROL AND PULLED TO THE SHOULDER. WHEN SHE TURNED THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTED IT THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARED. THIS HAS HAPPENED AGAIN SINCE THE 1ST INCIDENT, BUT NOW THE CAR PULLS TO THE LEFT ALL OF THE TIME. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS ONLINE AND THERE SEEMS TO MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE WITH STEERING. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. *TR
Steering, Aug 4, 2010
THE CAR BEGAN SHAKING AT SPEEDS OVER 55 AND PULLED A BIT TO THE LEFT. THE CAR WAS PARKED AND A COUPLE OF HOURS WE RETURNED TO THE CAR TO FIND THAT THE POWER STEERING WAS NOT WORKING. TRIED IT THIS MORNING AND THE POWER STEERING IS NOW WORKING BUT WITH DASH BOARD WARNING LIGHT. THIS SHOULD BE THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE EPS THAT THE 2005 COBALTS ARE BEING RECALLED FOR. THEY SHOULD EXTEND THE RECALL TO ALL EPS VEHICLES DURING THOSE YEAR INCLUDING THE 2005 MALIBU. *TR
Steering, Aug 3, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 3 MPH ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN, THE CONTACT HEARD A POPPING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE FAILURE OCCURRENCE WAS CONSISTENT. IN ADDITION, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD LOCK UP WITHOUT WARNING ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIANS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 55,000. UPDATED 11/03/10. *LJ FORM RETURNED NO CHANGE
Steering, Jul 31, 2010
2005 CHEVY MALIBU STEERING LOCKS UP WHEN DRIVING. *TR
Steering, Jul 29, 2010
MY POWER STEERING LIGHT FLASHES AND THE STEERING WHEEL FREEZES OR BECOMES VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. *TR
Steering, Jul 27, 2010
I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH MY POWER STEERING IN MY 2005 CHEVY MALIBU THAT HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED AS A KNOWN DEFECT WITH THE POWER STEERING COLUMN. I CALLED AND SPOKE WITH A NHTSA REPRESENTATIVE TODAY AND HE SAID IT WAS A KNOWN DEFECT ON MANY CHEVY MODELS WHERE THE COBALT WAS RECALLED BUT MY 2005 MALIBU HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED. I AM SCARED TO DEATH TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE. I'VE READ ONLINE ABOUT ACCIDENTS HAPPENING AS A RESULT OF THIS PROBLEM AS A RESULT OF POWER STEERING LOSS. PLEASE CAN YOU RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM WITH CHEVROLET SO THEY ISSUE A RECALL. I DRIVE MY KIDS IN MY CAR AND I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. UPDATED IVOQ 08/31/10*JB *TR
Steering, Jul 26, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN WITH DIFFICULTY TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED THREE DIFFERENT TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. AN UNKNOWN REPAIR WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE CONTINUED AFTER THE FIRST REPAIR. THE SECOND INSPECTION THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM WITH AN ESTIMATED REPAIR COST OF $1,500. THERE HAD BEEN NO ADDITIONAL REPAIRS AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,200.
Steering, Jul 21, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED WHEN THE SPEED DECREASED. THE RACK AND PINION WAS REPLACED FOUR TIMES AND THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. A CRASH NEARLY OCCURRED ON TWO OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE AND COULD CAUSE A CRASH TO OCCUR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
Steering, Jul 17, 2010
WE OWN A 2005 CHEVY MALIBU MAXX THAT WE BOUGHT CERTIFIED USED IN 2008. FOR THE PAST FEW MONTHS THE POWER STEERING STOPS WORKING WHILE THE CAR IS BEING DRIVEN.. IT BECOMES VERY HARD TO STEER AND IS VERY SCARY WHEN IT HAPPENS ESPECIALLY ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN TRAVELING AT FASTER SPEEDS. ALSO SCARY WHEN TRAVELING ON CURVY ROADS. IF WE STOP THE CAR AND RESTART IT, THE POWER STEERING RETURNS. MY HUSBAND TOOK IT TO OUR MECHANIC WHO SAYS THE PART IS ABOUT $500 AND THE LABOR IS ABOUT $200. SHOULDN'T THIS BE A RECALL? IT'S VERY UNSAFE AND COULD EASILY LEAD TO A SERIOUS, OR FATAL, ACCIDENT. PLEASE CHECK INTO THIS QUICKLY BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED. THANK YOU. *TR
Steering, Jul 9, 2010
THE POWER STEERING ON THE CAR-STOPPED WORKING AND THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON, ON THE DASHBOARD. THE CAR WAS VERY HARD TO STEER. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO MY MECHANIC AND HE SAYS THAT HE HAS SEEN MANY PROBLEMS WITH STEERING PROBLEMS ON THIS GM MODEL OF CAR. *TR
Steering, Exterior lighting, Jun 28, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY STIFF AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND UPON RESTART, THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS NORMAL FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE HALF MILE BEFORE THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND WAS NOT EXAMINED FOR THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT SHE WAS EXPERIENCING A RECURRING FAILURE IN WHICH HER FRONT TURN SIGNAL WOULD NOT STOP WORKING AND SHE WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE BULBS APPROXIMATELY ONCE A MONTH. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 87,000. UPDATED 10/27/10. *LJ
Steering, Jun 25, 2010
MY 2005 CHEVY MALIBU IS HAVING THIS VERY LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THERE IS NO WHERE TO PUT OR CHECK THE POWER STEERING FLUID. THIS IS A PIECE OF [XXX] CAR...I AM SCARED THAT SOMETHING IS GOING TO HAPPEN AND IT IS NOT GOING TO BE PRETTY IF THE STEERING ISSUES IN MALIBUS ARE NOT RESOLVED. I HAVE SEEN A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THE STEERING IN CHEVY MALIBUS. WITH ALL THE COMPLAINTS ON LINE, THAT SHOULD BE ENOUGH TO GM TO CALL A RECALL..... THIS IS DANGEROUS AND LIVES CAN BE LOST. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Steering, Suspension, Jun 25, 2010
2005 CHEVY MALIBU LS STEERING BEGAN TO LOCK UP ON SLOW TURNS. THERE WAS NO WARNING, JUST A SUDDEN LOCKING OF THE STEERING COLUMN. (IT WOULD NOT TURN. LITERALLY LOCK THE STEERING WHEEL UNTIL ADDITIONAL SPEED COULD BE MAINTAINED. THE PROBLEM STARTED INTERMITTENTLY 2 WEEKS AGO & STEADILY WORSENED. HAPPENING 10-12 TIMES A DAY THIS WEEK. HIT 2 CURBS, NEARLY JUMPED ONE CURB & NEARLY HIT A CAR. WE HAD TO PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE TO STRAIGHTEN THE STEERING PRIOR TO COMPLETING THE TURN. CAR HAS 85000 MILES ON IT. MECHANIC SHOP REPLACED RACK/PINION STEERING & BOTH FRONT END REAR TIE ROD RINGS. THIS DEFECT IS APPARENT ON MALIBU'S ACCORDING TO THE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS SEEN ON THE INTERNET. *TR
Steering, Jun 22, 2010
MY SON WAS DRIVING MY 2005 CHEVY MALIBU TO WORK & THE "POWER STEERING" LIGHT CAME ON & WAS HAVING TROUBLES GETTING THE CAR TO TURN CORNERS. HE CALLED ME; I TOLD HIM TO GET FLUID. UPON GETTING FLUID & READING THE MANUAL, HE DISCOVERED THAT IT WAS AN "ELECTRIC" POWER STEERING & GET TO YOUR GM DEALER IMMEDIATELY. WE DID SO & WAS TOLD THE POWER STEERING COLUMN WAS SHORTING OUT & NEEDED REPLACED. THERE HAD BEEN NO RECALL ON THIS FOR THE MALIBU BUT HAD FOR THE PONTIAC G6, COBALT & OTHERS. THE DEALERSHIP WE WENT TO REPLACED & I HAD TO PAY OUT OF MY POCKET $644.86. I FEEL THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL & THAT THE SAFETY OF MY SON DRIVING AT THE TIME PUT HIS LIFE IN DANGER. I WOULD LIKE REIMBURSED BY GM FOR THIS EXPENSE & A RECALL DONE SO THAT OTHER MALIBU OWNERS DO HAVE INCUR ANY INJURIES AND/OR EXPENSE FOR REPLACEMENT. I AM SENDING A LETTER TO GM AS WELL AS A COPY OF THE LETTER TO NHTSA EVEN THOUGH I AM SUBMITTING AN EMAIL COMPLAINT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION IN THIS MATTER. *TR
Steering, Jun 17, 2010
3RD POSTING HERE. SAME PROBLEM. NO POWER STEERING. NOW IT IS TO THE POINT WHERE IM LUCKY TO GET POWER STEERING FOR THE LENGTH OF MY DRIVEWAY. I CALLED THE LOCAL CHEVY DEALERSHIP TO INQUIRE ABOUT THE COBALT RECALL (WHICH IS THE SAME ISSUE AS THE MALIBU POWER STEERING ISSUE) AND THEY TOLD ME AT THIS TIME THERE IS NOTHING THAT CAN BE DONE BY THEM. I TOLD THEM I HAD BEEN IN 2 TIMES TO A DEALERSHIP AND THAT WAS TOLD THE SAME THING. THE NEXT THING SAID REALLY SURPRISED ME. APPARENTLY THERE IS A "SUPER SECRET WARRANTY" FOR THIS VERY PROBLEM. AS LUCK WOULD HAVE IT I WAS NOT INFORMED OF THIS WARRANTY UNTIL IT HAD EXPIRED ON MY CAR. CHEVROLET HANDLED THIS IN TRUE CUSTOMER IS ALWAYS RIGHT FASHION. IF I WANT TO TAKE IT IN AND PAY FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC AND REPAIR THEY WOULD POSSIBLY REFUND ME THE COST OF THE REPAIR ONLY. NEEDLESS TO SAY, IF I HAD THE FUNDS AVAIL TO GET THE WORK DONE I WOULD HAVE EITHER DONE IT ALREADY OR SWITCHED TO A FORD. TO ALL YOU PEOPLE OUT THERE WITH THIS ISSUE GO INTO A DEALERSHIP AND ASK ABOUT THE "SUPER SECRET WARRANTY" THEN AFTER YOU GET IT FIXED, SELL IT!!!!! *TR
Steering, Jun 14, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 25 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND STEERING BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED AND THE CONTACT WOULD BE LIABLE FOR ANY REPAIRS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000. UPDATED 10/27/10. *LJ
Steering, Jun 11, 2010
LOOSE/CLUNKY STEERING. THE CLUNKY SOUND AND FEEL CAN BE HEARD/FELT WHENEVER THE STEERING WHEEL IS MOVED. THERE IS ALSO SOME SPACE BETWEEN WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED AND WHEN THE WHEELS ACTUALLY TURN. FEELS UNSAFE TO ME. I'M VERY EASY ON THE TURNS, IT SCARES ME THAT SOMETHING IS GOING TO BREAK WHEN I TURN. DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S THE CASE I'M NOT A MECHANIC, BUT IT FEELS AND SOUNDS AWFUL. IT STARTED MONTHS AFTER I BOUGHT THE CARE. I PURCHASED IT APRIL 2006, BASICALLY A NEW CAR, BUT AFTER A FEW MONTHS THE PROBLEM STARTED. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY FIXED IT, BUT IT STARTED UP AGAIN AFTER A FEW MONTHS. I TOOK IT IN AGAIN TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAID THEY WERE INSTALLING A NEW IMPROVED STEERING GEAR OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT. IT LASTED A LITTLE LONGER THIS TIME, BUT THE PROBLEM STARTED AGAIN. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL REPAIR. THE WARRANTY IS OVER SO I'M NOT TAKING IT IN AGAIN. IT ISN'T WORTH THE EXPENSE - A TEMPORARY FIX IS NOT THE SOLUTION. THIS WILL PROBABLY BE MY LAST CHEVY. IT'S DISAPPOINTING. MY CARS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN AT LEAST 6 YEARS OLD WHEN PURCHASED. THIS WAS MY NEWEST CAR PURCHASED. IT WAS EXCITING, BUT THEN ENDED UP BEING SO DISAPPOINTING. MY NEXT NEWER CAR PURCHASE WILL BE NISSAN. I MISS MY OLD NISSAN. *TR
Steering, Jun 10, 2010
POWER STEERING PROBLEMS. *TR
Steering, Jun 8, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED, THE VEHICLE AND THE STEERING WHEEL PULLED TO THE LEFT. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE EXTREME FORCE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE OR LOCATE A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Steering, Jun 4, 2010
MY 2005 CHEVY MALIBU HAS INTERMITTENT POWER STEERING FAULT ON THE CENTER DISPLAY, AND YESTERDAY THE POWER STEERING ACTUALLY SHUT OFF WHILE GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 70MPH. VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER JUST TO GET OFF OF THE ROAD. PULLED OVER AND SHUT OFF CAR AND RESTARTED AND IT WORKED FOR 5 MINUTES AND THEN SHUT DOWN AGAIN, WRESTLED THE CAR HOME, AND TODAY IT WORKS FINE. CHEVY COBALT ALREADY HAS A RECALL FOR THIS, WHY NOT THE MALIBU. I HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH CHEVROLET AND WAS INSTRUCTED TO GET THE CAR FIXED AS IT WAS CLEARLY A DANGEROUS SITUATION, BUT IT WOULD HAVE TO BE AT MY EXPENSE. DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO DIE TO ADMIT THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION AND SHOULD BE RECALLED? I DO SEE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME ISSUE ON THIS WEB SITE, AND EVEN MORE ON OTHER SITES. *TR
Steering, Jun 3, 2010
I HAVE A 2005 CHEVY. MALIBU V6 THAT HAS HAD A PROBLEM WITH IT'S POWER STEERING. I WAS GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHEN SUDDENLY THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT AND IT WAS VERY HARD TO STEER AND GET OUT OF FAST MOVING TRAFFIC. WHEN I GOT IT TO THE DEALER, I WAS TOLD THAT THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN. I HAVE DONE RESEARCH ON THIS AND HAVE FOUND A NUMBER OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME EXPERIENCE WITH CHEVY. MALIBU'S. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS DEFECT THAT THE COMPANY SHOULD RECALL AND REPAIR! SOME PEOPLE HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN MORE THAN ONCE BECAUSE THE NEW COLUMN PUT IN IS STILL BEING MADE WITH THE DEFECT. THIS POWER STEERING FAILURE OCCURS WITHOUT ANY WARNING AND IN MY CASE IT HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY AT 65MPH. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO KEEP IT UNDER CONTROL BUT IT WAS AMAZING THAT I WAS ABLE TO CONSIDERING THAT I WAS CHANGING LANES AT THE TIME! AFTER DOING RESEARCH ON THIS I HAVE LEARNED THAT OTHERS HAVE HAD SIMILAR EXPERIENCES. I CERTAINLY HOPE SOMETHING CAN BE DONE ABOUT THIS. *TR
Steering, Jun 2, 2010, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED THREE TIMES AS THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY LOCKED. THE VEHICLE VEERED OFF TO THE RIGHT AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE CONTACT WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL AND SUFFERED A BROKEN RIGHT HIP. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AS A RESULT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 79,000.
Steering, May 27, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE TRAVELING AT SPEEDS OF 30 MPH, THERE WAS AN UNUSUAL CHIME AND WITHIN SECONDS, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED AND THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 60,000.