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, Dec 25, 2005
I PURCHASED A CAR SEPTEMBER 1, 2005. WITHIN THE FIRST 20 DAYS OF OWNING THE CAR, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. IT HAS BEEN DUPLICATED BY BOB BROWN IN ANKENY MULTIPLE TIMES. THE STEERING COLUMN HAS BEEN REPLACED MULTIPLE TIMES, AND THIS HAS BEEN DOCUMENTED AND I HAVE THE COPIES. MY CONCERN IS THE VEHICLE STILL HAS ISSUES WITH THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKING UP. GM IS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING FURTHER WITH MY CAR. I HAVE SOME SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERNS. I AM AFRAID THIS CAR WILL KILL ME AND MY SON. *NM
Steering, Latches/locks/linkages, Dec 12, 2005
THERE HAS BEEN A CONTINUOUS GRINDING NOISE WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL OF MY CAR EVEN IF TURNING ONLY SLIGHTLY. MY GIRLFRIEND HAS THE SAME CAR AND HAS HAD TO BRING HER VEHICLE TO THE MANUFACTURE THREE TIMES IN THE PAST 5 MONTHS TO BE FIXED. THE PROBLEM IS THAT IT IS WEARING DOWN THE BRAKES. MY CAR IS ONLY 6 MONTHS OLD AND THE BRAKES ARE ALREADY SQUEEKING. ALSO THE REAR DOOR LATCH GETS STUCK AND WILL NOT ALLOW THE DOOR TO CLOSE UNTIL A SCREWDRIVER IS TAKEN TO IT. THIS IS FOR A 2005 CHEVY MALIBU. *NM
Steering, Nov 19, 2005
POWER STEERING FAILED 2 TIMES IN LAST 3 DAYS AND BOTH TIMES IT HAS HAPPENED I WAS STOPPED. I HAD NO POWER ASSIST AND IT TAKES A LOT OF EFFORT TO MOVE THE WHEEL IN ANY DIRECTION. AFTER I DID MOVE THE WHEEL SEVERAL TIMES I REGAINED POWER STEERING AND WAS ABLE TO PROCEED ON MY WAY. I THINK THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE UPGRADED TO A RECALL ASAP! *JB
Steering, Nov 10, 2005
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THAT THE STEERING COLUMN HAS TO BE REPLACED. THE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED THE FIRST TIME IN SEPTEMBER 2005. WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED THERE WAS A POPPING NOISE. THE CONTACT STATED THE STEERING WHEEL WAS BINDING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER SEVEN TIMES THIS WEEKEND FOR THE POPPING. THE DEALER SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE STEERING COLUMN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, AND THEY OFFERED NO FREE REMEDY. *AK
Steering, Equipment, Sep 6, 2005
OUR 2005 CHEVY MALIBU HAS HAD STEERING ISSUES SINCE IT WAS NEW. THE DEALER AND GM HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIX IT AS OF YET. THE CAR HAS A CONSTANT PULL TO THE LEFT AND ON OCCASION (4 TIMES) THE CAR WILL VEER TO THE LEFT CROSSING LANES BEFORE YOU CAN GET CONTROL AND BRING IT BACK IT TO THE CORRECT DRIVING LANE. THE REPAIR SO FAR HAS BEEN TO REPROGRAM THE STEERING MODULE OR REPLACE IT. THIS HAS NOT WORKED AND IS WHAT THEY ARE ATTEMPTING TO DO AGAIN. *JB
Steering, Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Seats, Equipment, Aug 9, 2005
INSTALL JUMPER HARNESS PER PIP3098A NECK, FUEL TANK FILLER REPLACE TIE ROD END AND/OR ADJUSTER SLEEVE RIGHT REPLACE PANEL, SEAT BACK OF BACK PASSENGER R&R OR REPLACE RECEIVER, RADIO REMOVE, REPAIR AND REPLACE RADIO. *NM
Steering, Fuel system, Gasoline, Aug 2, 2005
VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY WANTS TO STEER ON ITS OWN. THIS HAPPENS FOR ONLY A SHORT TIME WHEN IT OCCURS. PRIMARILY IT WANTS TO GO LEFT. ONCE I TRIED TO GO INTO THE LEFT LANE OF A FREEWAY QUITE GRADUALLY...IT WANTED TO GO LEFT ALRIGHT...ALTHOUGH IT WANTED TO GO QUICKLY INTO THE LANE! CAR HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER 5 TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE DEALER HAS NEVER BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THEY HAVE REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN TWICE. THE LAST TIME WAS THIS PAST FRIDAY (7/30/05). HASN'T HAPPENED SINCE THEN (TUESDAY, 8/2/05)...BUT...AGAIN THIS IS A VERY INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. MY MILEAGE HAS DROPPED FROM 33 MILES PER GALLON TO 29 MILES PER GALLON. DEALER SAYS THAT NOTHING THEY HAVE DONE SHOULD HAVE CAUSED THIS PROBLEM. THEY SAY THAT THE 29 MILES PER GALLON IS WITHIN SPECIFICATIONS...THIS DROP IS VERY SIGNIFICANT. HAVE REQUESTED A BUY BACK DIRECT FROM CHEVROLET. THE VEHICLE WELL EXCEEDS THE REQUIREMENTS FOR A BUY BACK ACCORDING THE OHIO LEMON LAW. CHEVROLET SAYS THAT THEY WILL NOT BUY BACK THE CAR...EVEN THOUGH IT EXCEEDS THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE OHIO LEMON LAW! MY BIGGEST CONCERN IS THAT THE STEERING WILL GO TOTALLY OUT AND THE CAR WILL GO WHEREVER IT DECIDES TO...I DON'T WANT TO BE INJURED AND DON'T WANT TO INJUR ANY ONE ELSE. *JB
Steering, Jun 29, 2005, crash
(1) NONE (2) LOSS OF STEERING AT 65 MPH: CAR CATAPULTED RIGHTWARDS INTO 2 VEHICLES, VAN AND SEMI, AND ULTIMATELY OFF FREEWAY PERSONAL INJURIES SUSTAINED. (3) RECOVERED FRACTURED PART OF VEHICLE AT SITE OF COLLISION 2 DAYS LATER.PART IDENTIFIED BY CHEVROLET DEALER AS ENGINE MOUNTING BRACKET BELONGING TO MY MAKE AND YEAR OF CAR.
Steering, May 23, 2005
THE CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A POWER STEERING PROBLEM. WHICH MALFUNCTIONED INTERMITTENTLY. THE OWNER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, WHERE IT IS CURRENTLY BEING SERVICED. *AK THE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED. *SC *JB
Steering, Apr 4, 2005
THERE WERE NO EVENTS THAT LEAD UP TO THE FAILIURES. I HAVE THE PAPER WORK OF THE TWO TIMES I 'VE TAKEN MY CARE TO BE REPAIRED. THE DATE I INIDATE BELOW IS NOT ACCURATE HOWEVER, JUST AN ESTIMATED DATE.*AK THE FAILURE WAS THE ELECTRIC POWER STEARING HAS GONE OUT NUMEROUS TIMES. I'VE HAD IT IN TEH SHOP TWICE. THE FIRST TIME, THEY REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN, THE SECOND TIME, THEY CLAIMED ITS NOT THE STEERING COLUMN, BUT THAT IT IS SOMETHING THEY CAN'T FIX BUT CAN CLEAR OUT THE "CODES" AND IT WILL BE "TEMPORARLY" FIXED. ACCORDING TO GM " THEY KNOW THE PROBLEM EXISTS IN THIS TYPE OF CAR BUT ARE UNABLE TO FIX IT" THE OTHER PROBLEM IS THE THAT THE STEERING IS PULLING TO THE LEFT. THE DEALERSHIP MECHANIC CLAIMED IT BE TORQUE STEERING AND THEY ARE UNABLE TO FIX THAT AS ITS "NORMAL" I HAVE NEVER HAD A VEHICLE PULL TO THE LEFT SO MUCH AS THIS CAR DOES. THEY ROTATED MY TIRES TO SEE IF THAT WOULD WORK BUT IT DIDN'T.
Steering, Oct 12, 2004
PICKED UP NEW FLEET VEHICLE AT DEALERSHIP 10 11 04 AND DROVE HOME APPROXIMATELY 35 MILES. BEGAN APPRAISAL ROUTE 10 12 04. IT BECAME IMMEDIATELY APPARENT THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOOSE ON THE STEERING SHAFT AND WAS BECOMING INCREASINGLY LOOSE WITH EACH MOVEMENT OF THE STEERING WHEEL. IN LESS THAN 40 MILES OF TOTAL DRIVING SINCE PICKING UP THE NEW CAR, THE STEERING WHEEL HAD SO MUCH PLAY (ROCKED 3/4 OF AN INCH FRONT TO BACK AT EITHER SIDE AND COULD BE PUSHED IN AND GENTLY PULLED BACK AT LEAST 1/2" ON SPLINED SHAFT) THE CAR WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. SINCE I DID NOT HAVE NEARBY ACCESS TO DEALER, I HAD A BODY SHOP OWNER AT MY FIRST STOP LOOK AT THE PROBLEM. TO GET RIGHT TO THE POINT, AFTER REMOVING THE PLASTIC STEERING COLUMN COVERS AND ADJACENT COVER ON COLUMN SIDE OF STEERING WHEEL, THE RETAINING NUT FOR THE STEERING WHEEL COULD BE TURNED WITH A FINGER AND WAS NEARLY OFF THE END OF THE STEERING SHAFT. THE SHOP OWNER WAS ABLE TO ACCESS THE NUT WITH AN OPEN END WRENCH AND MADE AT LEAST 4 FULL TURNS ON THE NUT BEFORE IT BEGAN TO OFFER RESISTANCE. THE NUT WAS TIGHTENED 1/8 TURN AT A TIME DUE TO LIMITED ACCESS, BUT CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER, MY CONCERN IS THE SPEED AT WHICH THE NUT BACKED OFF INITIALLY WHILE DRIVING. I NOTICED NO SUCH FREE PLAY ON MY TRIP HOME FROM THE DEALER ON 10 11 04. MOST OF THE LOOSENING OF THE NUT SEEMS TO HAVE OCCURRED WITHIN THE NEXT 5 MILES OF DRIVING, WHICH WAS MOSTLY STOP AND GO RESIDENTIAL WITH LOTS OF TURNS. CLEARLY,IF THE AVERAGE CONSUMER WERE PRESENTED WITH THIS SITUATION, HE/SHE MAY HAVE ELECTED TO TRY TO RETURN TO THE DEALERSHIP WITH THE CAR, WHICH COULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC. I MEAN, THE WHEEL BECAME SO LOOSE THE CAR WAS UNDRIVEABLE IN LESS THAN 40 MILES FROM NEW. *NM