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, Sep 16, 2009
ON 8/29/09 I ASKED MY MECHANIC TO LISTEN TO THE CLUNKING SOUND MADE WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED LEFT AND RIGHT. HE CHECKED AND SAID IT WAS THE RACK AND PINION. I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM BEFORE AND HAD 2 STEERING COLUMNS REPLACED AND THE STEERING SHAFT. NOW IT'S THE RACK AND PINION. THE ABOVE INCIDENTS WERE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY BUT NOT NOW. I CHECKED FOR RECALLS BUT THERE ARE NONE. I HAVE SEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME THING ON CAR STATS. CAN'T SOMETHING BE DONE BY CHEVY BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. *TR
Steering, Sep 12, 2009
THE POWER STEERING ON MY 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU GOES OUT INTERMITTENTLY DRIVING ON THE FREE WAY, MAKING A RIGHT TURN,OR WHEN STARTING THE CAR. ON A RIGHT TURN THE CAR WANTS TO KEEP GOING RIGHT INSTEAD OF STRAIGHTENING OUT. SITTING AT A RED LIGHT,THE STEERING WHEEL CHATTERS AND MOVES BACK AND FORTH ON ITS OWN,THERE IS A LOUD CLUNKING SOUND WHEN MAKING TURNS.THIS CAR IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. DEALER SAYS THERE IIS NO RECALL. THIS IS AN OBVIOUS DESIGN DEFECT AND GM SHOULD BE MADE TO RECALL THE VEHICLES AND FIX THE PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM STARTED ABOUT 8 MONTHS AGO. CANNOT GIVE AN EXACT DATE. *TR
Steering, Sep 9, 2009
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT INTERMITTENTLY THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL AND A LOUD NOISE IS PRESENT WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. IF THE POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE DRIVING, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 77000. UPDATED 10/20/09 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT INTERMITTENTLY. THE POWER STEERING WOULD GO OUT ABOUT HALF WAY INTO A TURN. THE STEERING WOULD MAKE NOISES AND TURN BACK AND FORTH BY ITSELF. THE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 10/23/09*JB
Steering, Sep 8, 2009
I HAVE EXPERIENCED SOME PULLING FROM MY STEERING WHEEL WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, MORE THAN ONCE. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH GM MECHANICS ( OR REPRESENTATIVES) WHO HAVE TOLD ME NOTHING WAS WRONG. WHO ELSE SHOULD I SPEAK WITH TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THE PROBLEM? MY CAR ONLY HAS 46,700 MILES ON IT, WHICH MAKES THIS A LITTLE SCARY. *TR
Steering, Sep 4, 2009
MY STEERING WENT OUT WHILE ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK ON A BUSY HIGHWAY LUCKILY THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT BUT I DID DO RESEARCH AND THIS IS A COMMON THING FOR NOT JUST 2005 CHEVY MALIBUS AND ALOT OF PEOPLE HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS WITH NOTHING TO BE DONE ABOUT IT BUT MOST MALIBU I THINK IF SOMETHING NOT DONE IT WILL CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT ONE DAY.. MY CAR ONLY HAS 42852 MILES ON IT I HAVEN'T EVEN OWNED IT 2YRS YET AND BOUGHT IT WITH ABOUT 32000 MILES OR SO ON IT THERE IS NO REASON THIS SHOULD HAVE HAPPENED AND THINK SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE ABOUT THE CHEVY MALIBUS NOW. *TR
Steering, Equipment, Aug 29, 2009, crash
TODAY,WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT, FELT A TUG, STEERING LOST. THIS WAS THE THIRD OCCURRENCE. THE FIRST TWO TIMES THIS OCCURRED IN 2008, THE FIRST TIME POWER STEERING WAS PARTIALLY LOST. BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT RECREATE THE LOSS. LOST THE STEERING AGAIN AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE MODULE. THERE WERE NO PARTS RETURNED TO ME. THIS TIME, THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED DAMAGE. THE TOW COMPANY INFORMED ME THAT THE CAR IS NOT DRIVABLE - NO STEERING. *TR
Steering, Exterior lighting, Aug 28, 2009
BOUGHT THE 2005 MALIBU USED IN AUGUST 2007. I HAVE REPLACED THE BOTH FRONT DIRECTIONAL BULBS AT LEAST 10 TIMES SINCE BUYING THE CAR. THE LIGHTS WORK INTERMITTENTLY OR NOT AT ALL. THE RIGHT BULB WAS OUT FOR ABOUT 3 MONTHS THEN THE LEFT BULB WENT OUT. I WENT TO REPLACE THE BULBS AGAIN YESTERDAY. I JIMMIED THE SOCKET THEY GO INTO AND NOW THEY BOTH APPEAR TO BE WORKING. HOWEVER, I NOTICED THE AMBER PLASTIC COVERING ON THE LEFT BULB WAS BURNED, THERE WAS A LARGE BURN HOLE IN IT, AND THE MELTED PLASTIC WAS DRIPPING INTO THE BOTTOM OF THE COVERING. I AM ALSO NOTICING, AND HAVE BEEN NOTICING, A LOUD THUMPING SOUND WHEN I HIT THE GAS AS IF SOMETHING HAS TO ROLL INTO PLACE. LATELY IT ALSO SEEMS AS THOUGH THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES VERY, VERY SLIGHTLY KICK IN WHEN I AM BRAKING AND GO OVER A BUMP. AFTER READING THE OTHER COMMENTS I AM GOING TO MY MECHANIC TO HAVE HIM LOOK AT THE ISSUES AS SAFETY IS A LARGE CONCERN. *TR
Steering, Aug 20, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED WHENEVER TRAVELING AT ANY GIVEN SPEED THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED FOR THE MALFUNCTION. THE MANUFACTURER HAD A SPECIAL COVERAGE ADJUSTMENT REGARDING REPAIRS FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM FREE REMEDY REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,026. UPDATED 09/25/09 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE STEERING WENT COMPLETELY OUT WHILE DRIVING. THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. SHE HAD TO CUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND WAIT A FEW MINUTES. ONCE THAT WAS DONE THE POWER STEERING RESUMED AS NORMAL. UPDATED 09/29/09.*JB
Steering, Aug 17, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT THE VEHICLE MADE A VERY LOUD THUMPING NOISE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE STEERING RACK AND PINION AND CORRECTED THE FAILURE FOR 2 YEARS; HOWEVER, IT RECURRED. THE SECOND TIME THE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED AND FAILED AFTER 8 MONTHS. THE STEERING SHAFT WAS ALSO REPLACED ON TWO OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT IS AWARE OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED DUE TO FREQUENT FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 27,927. UPDATED 09/11/09 *BF UPDATED 09/15/09.*JB
Steering, Jul 28, 2009
DRIVER OF A 2005 CHEVY MALIBU MAXX SUDDENLY LOST ALL ELECTRIC POWER STEERING ASSISTANCE WITHOUT WARNING MAKING THE VEHICLE DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE DEFECT IS INTERMITTENT AND IS SOMETIMES ACCOMPANIED BY A WARNING CHIME BUT WITHOUT ANY MALFUNCTION INDICATOR ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. *TR
Steering, Jul 28, 2009
I NEED YOUR HELP. I BOUGHT A 2005 MALIBU FROM A LOCAL CAR DEALER. THE CAR HAD LOW MILES AND I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE A SAFE AND RELIABLE CAR. SO SAFE, THAT I ALLOWED MY TEENAGE SON TO DRIVE MY CAR. WHILE HE WAS MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN FROM A 4-WAY STOP, HE HEARD A POP AND THEN HAD NO STEERING WITHOUT ANY WAY TO CONTROL THE CAR HE ENDED UP IN A FIELD. I THANK GOD HE WAS NOT GOING FAST, THAT THERE WAS NO OTHER CARS OR PEOPLE INVOLVED, AND HE WAS NOT HURT. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO MY MECHANIC WHO IS A CERTIFIED MASTER TECHNICIAN, WHO WORKED FOR GM AS A LINE TECH FOR 25 YRS. HE INFORMS ME THAT THIS SHOULD HAVE NEVER HAPPENED IN A CAR THAT IS ONLY 4 YRS OLD, AND FELT IT WAS DEFECTIVE. HE SAID THE FAILURE OCCURRED INSIDE THE STEERING RACK CAUSING THE PINION TO DISENGAGE RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL. I THEN HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A GM DEALER WHO?S MECHANIC SAID THE SAME THING BUT BECAUSE I DID NOT BUY THE CAR FROM THEM, THEY WOULD NOT HELP ME?.MY NEXT STEP WAS TO CONTACT GM?.THEY TOOK A WEEK TO INVESTIGATE?AND DECIDED THAT BECAUSE I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM A PRIVATE CAR DEALER, IT HAD 86K MILES ON IT AND IT WAS PAST THE FACTORY WARRANTY THEY FELT NO NEED TO DO ANY THING ABOUT THIS. NOT ONLY WAS THE STEERING RACK AND PINION DAMAGED, THE POWER STEERING UNIT UNDER THE DASH AND THE AIR BAG COILS WERE DAMAGED AS WELL. THE COST TO REPAIR THIS IS OVER $2000.00. IT?S NOT JUST THE COST TO REPAIR THE CAR THAT UPSETS ME; IT?S THE FACT THAT GM HAS NO CONCERN FOR SAFETY. I HAVE FOUND LONG LIST FOR CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ABOUT GM?S STEERING FAILURES. ?UNBELIEVABLE? AND THIS IS NOT THE ONLY SITE THAT HAS COMPLAINTS. I KNOW THERE WAS A RECALL TO ADDRESS THE STEERING DEFECT IN THE MALIBU. BUT THEY OBVIOUSLY DECIDED IT WAS OF NO BIG CONCERN TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR
Steering, Jul 20, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING LOCKS WHENEVER HE STARTS HIS VEHICLE AND BEGINS DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE CANNOT AFFORD TO REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN AT THIS TIME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,000.
Steering, Jul 9, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM THE STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY DETERMINED THAT THE POWER STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE COST OF $1,000. THREE YEARS LATER, WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT HEARD A KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE RACK AND PINION WAS FAILING. THE REPAIR WOULD COST $500. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT A COMPLAINT WAS FILED AND THAT HE WOULD RECEIVE A FOLLOW UP CALL ON THE NEXT BUSINESS DAY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,748 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 103,000.
Steering, Jun 26, 2009, crash
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING TO WORK AT ABOUT 8:00 IN THE MORNING WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL "STIFFENED" UP ON A TURNAROUND BY OUR HOUSE. THEN SHE MADE THE FIRST LEFT TURN AT A STOP SIGN IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD..THAT'S WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL COMPLETELY LOCKED UP AND SHE CRASHED INTO A PARKED CAR. THE POLICE ARRIVED AND FILED A REPORT. SHE HIT A BIG TRUCK THAT FORTUNATELY WASN'T DAMAGED BUT OUR CAR WAS LEFT UNDRIVABLE AND COMPLETELY TOTALED IN THE FRONT!! WE WERE GOING TO JUST PAY TO GET THE CAR FIXED BUT I LOOKED INTO IT FURTHER AND FOUND A LARGE NUMBER OF INCIDENTS WITH THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKING UP ON PEOPLE WHO OWNED A CHEVY MALIBU EACH WITH VARIOUS TYPES OF CONSEQUENCES. MY WIFE COULD HAVE BEEN EASILY KILLED OR KILLED SOMEONE ELSE!!! THIS ISSUE REALLY NEEDS TO BE DEALT WITH BEFORE ANY FURTHER HARM IS DONE TO MORE INNOCENT VICTIMS!!!!! *TR
Steering, Equipment, Jun 3, 2009
VEHICLE MADE A LOUD POP NOISE. STEERING SHAFT WAS REPLACED AT 35,000 MILES DUE TO A DEFECTIVE STEERING SHAFT. VEHICLE IS NOW AT 70,000 MILES AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. I CONTACTED CHEVY AND WAS ISSUED A CASE NUMBER. THEY ADVISED ME A CHEVY DEALER DIAGNOSTIC WAS REQUIRED. CHEVY DEALERSHIP CONFIRMED STEERING SHAFT AGAIN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, HOWEVER HEAD OFFICE DENIED MY REQUEST. A STEERING SHAFT ALMOST NEVER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED IN A VEHICLE, SINCE THE TIME OF MY REPLACEMENT AT 35,000 MILES ALTERATIONS HAVE BEEN MADE TO THEIR REPLACEMENTS. THIS WOULD INDICATE A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. *TR
Steering, May 19, 2009
2005 CHEVY MALIBU, 95000 MILES. FOR 60000 MILES HAVE HAD LIMITED IF ANY POWER STEERING. IT GENERALLY GOES OUT RIGHT AWAY WHEN OUTSIDE TEMP IS ABOVE 60 DEGREES. OTHERWISE WITHIN 20 MILES OF DRIVING IT GOES OUT. WHEN IT GOES OUT I AM USUALLY GOING AROUND A CORNER OR CLOVERLEAF. WHEN POWER STEERING GOES OUT STEERING BECOMES EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN AND USUALLY TRIES TO GO BACK TO A FORWARD DIRECTION. NOT CONVENIENT WHEN TRYING TO TURN. MY WIFE IT TOTALLY UNABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR, FOR IT WOULD LEAD TO A CRASH. I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE, AFTER INVESTIGATING THIS PROBLEM ONLINE, THAT CHEVY HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS A HUGE ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. THE COUPLE OF TIME I HAVE TAKEN IT INTO A CHEVY DEALER I WAS TOLD THERE IS NO WARRANTY ON THIS CAR. THE FIRST TIME I TOOK IT IN THERE WAS ONLY 38,000 MILES ON THE CAR. NEEDLESS TO SAY CHEVY HAS LOST A CUSTOMER. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM THAT STARTED AROUND THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR 2007. *TR
Steering, May 18, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER DUE TO AN UNFAMILIAR NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING. THE FAILURE WAS NOTICED WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH. THE PREVIOUS DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE STEERING COLUMN WAS DETERMINED TO BE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED HER TO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH NHTSA. THE VEHICLE WILL BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000. UPDATED 6/8/09 *CN THE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED 3 TIMES. UPDATED 06/11/09.*JB
Steering, Apr 30, 2009
I PURCHASED A 2005 CHEVY MALIBU IN MARCH OF 09 IT'S NOW MAY 09 AND I WILL BE REPLACING MY INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT THE CAR CHECK THAT WAS PERFORMED AFTER I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE SHOWED THAT IS WAS REPLACED 30K MILES AGO. THE CAR POPS AND CRACKS WHENEVER I SLOW DOWN OR TURN AFRAID IT WILL BREAK BEFORE IT IS FIXED. *TR
Steering, Apr 28, 2009
POWER STEERING GOES OUT WHILE DRIVING AT LOW AND HIGHWAY SPEEDS. STEERING WHEEL BECOMES STIFF AND HARD TO TURN. MANUFACTURER REPLACED ELECTRIC STEERING COLUMNS ON VEHICLES BUT MINE WAS INELIGIBLE BECAUSE OF MILEAGE ACCUMULATED. *TR
Steering, Apr 26, 2009
POWER STEERING FAILURE. *TR
Steering, Apr 15, 2009
STEERING RACK FAILURE DUE TO INSUFFICIENT LUBRICATION BY DESIGN. HAVE NOT HAD ACTUAL FAILURE, BUT SYMPTOMS OF STEERING RACK FAILURE PRESENT W/IN ONE YEAR OF REPLACEMENT. FAILURE OF STEERING RACK COULD RESULT IN STEERING FAILURE, WHICH WOULD LIKELY RESULT IN A CRASH. *TR
Steering, Mar 19, 2009
MY WIFE ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT WHEN THE POWER STEERING FAILED. SHE PULLED OUT INTO AN INTERSECTION AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THEN THE CAR STALLED IN THE INTERSECTION THE CAR TO A CERTIFIED REPAIR SHOP. HE SAID THERE WAS A BULLETIN OUT BY GENERAL MOTORS DATED NOVEMBER 8, 2007 THAT 2004-2005 MALIBU'S AND 2005 PONTIAC G 6'S ARE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE POWER STEERING. GENERAL MOTORS KNEW THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE A LACK OF POWER STEERING, VIBRATION, OR A RATTLE OR CLUNK NOISE FROM THE LEFT LOWER INSTRUMENT PANEL. GM SHOULD HAVE RECALLED THESE CARS TO FIX THEIR PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS PROBLEM WAS A SAFETY ISSUE AND THAT GENERAL MOTORS SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE. I TOOK THE CAR TO A GM DEALER AND HE AGREED THAT GM SHOULD FIX THE CAR. I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH GM AND FINALLY AFTER CALLING FOR 2 WEEKS, THEY SAID THEY WOULD DO NOTHING. I AM VERY UPSET WITH GM AND JUST WONDER HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE WRECKED MALIBU'S BECAUSE OF THE FAILURE OF POWER STEERING. IF YOU HAVE ONE OF THESE CARS, I SUGGEST YOU SELL IT OR TAKE IT TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR BEFORE YOU LOSE YOUR POWER STEERING WHEN PULLING OUT INTO AN INTERSECTION AND THE CAR DIES IN FRONT OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER GM PRODUCT AND ADVISE THE SAME FOR ANYONE ELSE. *TR
Steering, Feb 27, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING AND IT BECAME VERY STIFF. HE WAS ABLE TO SAFELY MANEUVER THE VEHICLE TO HIS DESTINATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY DETERMINED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR FREE. FOUR MONTHS LATER, WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE STEERING FAILED AGAIN. THE DEALER MADE THE REPAIRS FOR FREE ONCE AGAIN. THE STEERING COLUMN CONTINUED TO FAIL OVER THE NEXT THREE YEARS ON FIVE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS RECENTLY REPAIRED IN JANUARY OF 2009 FOR THE STEERING SHAFT. THE STEERING SHAFT WAS REPAIRED AT THE COST OF $100. THE CONTACT HAD TO PAY A DEDUCTIBLE FOR THIS REPAIR BECAUSE THE STEERING COLUMN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE WARRANTY. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WERE GOING TO OFFER HIM A SEVEN YEARS OR 70,000 MILE WARRANTY FOR THE STEERING COLUMN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,838 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 31,000. UPDATED 3/16/09 *CN UPDATED 03/20/09.*JB
Steering, Suspension, Feb 17, 2009
BALL JOINT WORN OUT IN VEHICLE AT LITTLE OVER 50K MILES--HAD TO REPLACE LOWER BALL JOINT AND CONTROL ARM. VERY LIGHT AND SMALL IN SIZE FOR SUCH A POWERFUL V6 FWD---I SUSPECT NOT HEAVY ENOUGH FOR THIS VEHICLE--HAVE FOUND MANY OTHERS WITH SAME PROBLEM. LUCKY THAT AS A FORMER SERVICE MGR. I RECOGNIZED STEERING PROBLEM OR COULD HAVE BEEN AN UNCONTROLLED CRASH POSSIBLE---CALLED GM---THEY SAID NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR---I HAVE HAD SEVERAL OTHER GM PRODUCTS AND ALL BALL JOINTS LASTED ABOUT 100K MILES. *TR
Steering, Exterior lighting, Feb 17, 2009
AS OF THIS DATE, FEB. 17, 2009, THE PART IN QUESTION HAS NOT FAILED, CAUSING ANY CRASHES OR INJURIES. SHORTLY AFTER I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, I NOTICED A THUMPING WHENEVER THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED SHARPLY TO THE RIGHT OR TO THE LEFT. WHILE UNDER MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY, I HAD IT CHECKED OUT AT LEAST 3 TIMES, AND EACH TIME THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT ASSURED ME THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE PART, THE BOOT OF JOINT SOMEHOW CONNECTED TO THE STEERING. SINCE THAT TIME, I HAVE HAD MY PERSONAL MECHANIC CHECK OUT THE PROBLEM AND HE HAS DILIGENTLY CHECKED FOR A RECALL OR A CORRECTIVE MEASURE FROM CHEVROLET, BUT THERE HAS BEEN NONE. THE MECHANIC HAS GREASED THIS JOINT SEVERAL TIMES, AND IT HELPS THE THUMPING, BUT EVENTUALLY IT RETURNS OVER TIME. I HAVE READ WHERE OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THEIR STEERING TOTALLY GOING OUT BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. I AM AFRAID FOR MY FAMILY'S SAFETY DUE TO THIS PROBLEM THAT CHEVROLET HAS CONSTANTLY REFUSED TO ADDRESS. COMPONENT #2: I WAS CONSTANTLY HAVING TO REPLACE THE FRONT TURN SIGNALS AS THE BULBS WERE CONSTANTLY BURNING OUT. COMPONENT #3 THE FAN WHICH CONTROLS THE INSIDE AIR FLOW HAS CONSTANTLY RATTLED UNLESS THE FAN IS TURNED ON THE HIGHEST SETTING. THE DEALERSHIP EVEN REPLACED THAT FAN, TELLING ME A BROKEN PART HAD FALLEN DOWN INTO IT. I RETURNED THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AT LEAST 3 TIMES, BUT THEY FINALLY SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING ELSE. IT STILL RATTLES HORRIBLY. *TR