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
1,393 reports, newest first.
Air bags, May 9, 2016, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH OVER A BUMP, THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT IMPACT TO THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAG RELEASED INTO THE CONTACT'S FACE AND CAUSED HIM TO CRASH INTO A PARKED, UNOCCUPIED VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUFFERED FROM SWELLING TO THE FACE AND MOUTH AREA THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A SALVAGE FACILITY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Steering, Apr 29, 2016
POWER STEERING WENT OUT AND THE STEERING WHEEL TURNS 360 DEGREES BUT THE TIRES DON'T TURN. FORTUNATELY THE CAR WAS BEING PARKED SO NO ONE WAS INJURED. DEALERSHIP THINKS THE WHOLE POWER STEERING BRACKET NEEDS REPLACING AND QUOTES APPROX. $1,000 TO REPLACE.
Steering, Apr 25, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE POWER STEERING SEIZED AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 144,000.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Other or unspecified, Apr 12, 2016
MY KEY WILL NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION AND I CHECKED FOR RECALLS. I CALLED THE DEALER TO FIX THE RECALL ON THE IGNITION, AND WAS NOTIFIED THAT THEY WOULD ONLY PUT A PIECE OF PLASTIC OVER KEY AND WOULD NOT FIX THE IGNITION TO TURN. I CAN HARDLY EVEN START MY CAR BECAUSE THE KEY WON'T TURN. THE KEY IS GOING TO BREAK OFF IN THE IGNITION. THE HORN AND RADIO DO NOT WORK EITHER. NOT HAVING A HORN FOR INCOMING TRAFFIC TOWARDS MY VEHICLE IS VERY DANGEROUS. THE TURN SIGNALS ONLY WORK AT RANDOM TIMES AND THAT IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN SWITCHING LANES INTO TRAFFIC. ALSO, SOMETHING IN THE BACK OF THE CAR SQUEAKS FOR NO REASON WHEN GOING DOWN THE ROAD AT RANDOM AND WHEN GOING OVER SPEED BUMPS. THIS CAR ALSO DRAINS THE BATTERY WITH UNKNOWN ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THE DRIVERS SIDE BACK PASSENGER WINDOW WONT GO DOWN EITHER. THIS CAR HAS WAY TOO MANY SAFETY ISSUES FOR ONLY 137,000 MILES ON IT.
Engine, Apr 11, 2016, fire
I WAS DRIVING HOME WITH MY DAUGHTER ON INTERSTATE ROUTE 80 WHEN I NOTICED MY CAR WAS EMITTING A THICK BLACK SMOKE TRAIL. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE NEXT EXIT AND PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT. MY DAUGHTER AND I THEN JUMPED OUT OF THE SMOKE FILLED CAR. WE THEN RAN AWAY AS WE WATCHED THE INFERNO TAKE OVER AND THEN THE CAR SUDDENLY EXPLODED. BLOWING BACK THE HOOD AND SMASHING THE WINDSHIELD.
Suspension, Wheels, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 7, 2016
I CURRENTLY HAVE SEVERAL MECHANICAL ISSUES WITH MY 2005 CHEVY MALIBU AS DESCRIBED IN THE NHTSA AND MANUFACTURER'S RECALL NUMBERS: NHTSA #09E012000; NHTSA #14V224000; NHTSA #11E009000; 10032206; 10019020; 10030685; AND 10059101. THE PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE EXIST WHETHER THE CAR IS STATIONARY OR IN MOTION, HOWEVER, THEY ARE MOST NOTICEABLE WHEN DRIVING.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 25, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS FILLED WITH FUEL, THE CONTACT HAD TO MAKE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND FAILED TO START THE FOLLOWING DAY. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED PERMANENTLY AND THE FUEL GAUGE FLUCTUATED BETWEEN EMPTY AND FULL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT DID NOT REGISTER ANY FAILURE CODES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,000.
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Mar 22, 2016
A DASHBOARD LIGHT CAME ON ( T/C ) AND DISABLED MY CRUSE CONTROL WHILE DRIVING. THE NEXT DAY, MY TRANSMISSION SEEM TO STOP IN SECOND GEAR, EVEN WHEN ACCELERATING. I CANNOT TURN THE T/C ON WITH THE CONSOLE BUTTON OR ENGAGE CRUISE CONTROL. MY TRANSMISSION IS NOW SHIFTING HARD INTO SECOND GEAR... STILL NO CRUISE CONTROL OR T/C THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING APPROX. 1 1/2 WEEKS MOSTLY HIGHWAY DRIVING, CLEAR SKIES AND NO WATER ON ROAD. THE T/C LIGHT COMES ON WHEN I SHIFT FROM PARK TO DRIVE AND WILL NOT TURN OFF.
Electrical system, Mar 5, 2016
THERFT DETERRENT WILL NOT LET CAR START ISSUE IS GEETING WORST. CAR WILL NOT START. THIS HAPPENS ALOT CAR IS PARKED.
Power train, Electronic stability control (ESC), Mar 2, 2016
MY TRACTION CONTROL ENGAGES EVERYTIME I PUT THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE AND IT DISENGAGES WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PUT IN REVERSE. I HAD THE RECALL DONE ON MY VEHICLE AND I THOUGHT THAT WOULD COPRRECT THE PROBLEM BUT IT HASN'T AND THE DEALER WOULD NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM THEY SAID IT WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL WHAT AM I TO DO?
Steering, Mar 2, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN AT A STOP SIGN. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN TURNING IT LEFT OR RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,000. UPDATED 06/08/17*LJ *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Other or unspecified, Feb 19, 2016
BOUGHT CAR USED AT 136,000 MILES. CAR RADIO DOES NOT LIGHT UP OR WORK, AND HORN DOESN'T WORK. DRIVERS SIDE BACK WINDOW WON'T GO DOWN. FIRST DAY DRIVING THE CAR, TURN SIGNALS STOPPED BLINKING AND THEN STARTED BLINKING AGAIN. SUSPENSION IN THE BACK SQUEAKS BADLY WHEN DRIVING AT RANDOM AND GOING OVER SPEED BUMPS. DID NOT DRIVE THE CAR FOR MORE THAN ONE DAY AND NOW CAR WON'T START AT ALL (NO CRANK, NO START). THESE ARE MAJOR SAFETY ISSUES INCLUDING SERIOUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THE BATTERY IS ONLY ONE YEAR OLD ON THE CAR WHEN PURCHASED, SO SHOULD BE GOOD. THESE ELECTRICAL ISSUES NEED TO BE RECALLED. NOW I AM STUCK WITH A CAR THAT HAS SO MANY PROBLEMS AND WON'T START AND IS DEFINITELY NOT SAFE TO DRIVE.
Electrical system, Feb 11, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START INTERMITTENTLY. THE BATTERY AND STARTER WERE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ALTERNATOR WAS TESTED, AND WAS FOUND TO BE IN PERFECT WORKING ORDER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Steering, Feb 11, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A DINGING NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE FAILURES RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Engine, Feb 7, 2016, crash
I'M HAVING AN ISSUE WHERE'S I'M SCARED I WILL BE IN A CAR ACCIDENT. MY ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON THEN MY TC LIGHT THEN MY CAR SAY ENGINE POWER REDUCE IN THE CAR WILL JUST SHUT OFF.
Electrical system, Jan 27, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE ANTI-THEFT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000.
Steering, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jan 17, 2016
TAKATA RECALL. STEERING LOCKED UP WHILE DRIVING GOING AROUND A CORNER AND TOOK A FEW MINUTES TO GET IT TO UNLOCK. HAPPENED TO MY WIFE WITH OUR SON IN THE CAR. THIS HAPPENED BEFORE WE GOT THE RECALL. GOT THE RECALL FIXED AND NOW THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT IS COMING ON. HEADLIGHT ARE CONSTANTLY BLOWING BULBS. THE HEADLIGHT WILL GO OUT SO I WILL GO TO REPLACE THE BUILD AND THEN IT COMES BACK ON. FRONT RIGHT TURN SIGNAL GOES OUT A LOT AND IF I TAP ON IT THEN IT COMES BACK ON. THE SAME WITH THE REAR TAIL LIGHT GOES OUT OFTEN. THIS SUMMER THE TRACTION CONTROL WOULD DING AND THE BUTTON WOULD NOT TURN IT ON OR OFF. WHEN DID THIS HAPPEN QUESTION DOESN'T MAKE SENSE. IT IS A ON GOING EVENTS.
Steering, Jan 12, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC BUT THE DIAGNOSIS WAS NOT PROVIDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT PREVIOUSLY WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY FORCE TO THE STEERING WHEEL IN ORDER TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Steering, Jan 8, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A MANUFACTURERS RECALL ON THE POWER STEERING. HOWEVER, AFTER THE DEALER INSTALLED THE TORQUE SENSOR AND TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE DEALER WOULD NOT RELEASE THE VEHICLE TO THE CONTACT. THE DEALER LATER RELEASED THE VEHICLE AND THE FAILURE REOCCURRED. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS EXTREMELY TIGHT EACH TIME THE VEHICLE HAD COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY REFUSED TO PROVIDE A PERMANENT REMEDY FOR THE CONDITION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 141,774.
Steering, Jan 7, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE INSPECTED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE POWER STEERING MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 232,000.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Vehicle speed control, Jan 7, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE AND THE CRUISE CONTROL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL), BUT THE REPAIR DID NOT REMEDY THE FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 54,000.
Steering, Dec 29, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 75 MPH, AN UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND A NOTIFICATION FOR STEERING FAILURE WAS SHOWN ON THE RADIO DISPLAY. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND THE OPERATED NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A LOOSE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,000.
Electrical system, Dec 28, 2015, fire
I RETURNED FROM PICKING UP MY GRAND DAUGHTER FROM SCHOOL WHICH IS ABOUT 2MILES ONE WAY. ONCE AT HOME I TURNED OFF MY CAR WENT INSIDE TO GET PAPER WORK AND NOTICED IT WAS TIME TO GET MY SON FROM HIS BUS STOP, WHICH IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER FROM MY HOUSE... AS I TURNED ON THE CAR I NOTICED/SMELLED SMOKE INSIDE THE CAR, SO I TURNED IT OFF AND GOT OUT, I CALLED OUT TO MY KIDS AND MY DAUGHTER TOLD ME THAT I HAVE TO POP THE HOOD, I WAS AFRAID... SO MY DAUGHTER POPED THE HOOD AND THEN WE SAW THE SMALL FIRE, SO MY DAUGHTER GRABBED THE WATER SHOES AND ATTEMPTED TO PUT IT OUT AND MY OTHER DAUGHTER CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THEN A BALL OF FIRE FELL TO THE GROUND UP UNDER THE CAR...THEN SHE PUT THAT OUT...SO AS THEY WERE CALLING THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, I HAD TO RUN AROUND THE CORNER TO GET MY SON FROM THE BUS STOP, AS WE WERE ON OUR WAY BACK, THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS COMING.... SO THEY CHECKED IT OUT AND IN HOOKED THE BATTERY AND CHECKED TO MAKE SURE THE FIRE WAS ALL THE WAY OUT...TOLD ME THAT THE CAR WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE, CAUSE IT MAY SPARK A FLAME ALL OVER AGAIN AND BE WORSE THEN WHAT JUST HAPPENED... PRIOR TO THIS I HAVE HAVE SMALL PROBLEM'S... LIKE MY DOME LIGHT STOP WORKING A YEAR IN HALF AGO, I TRYED TO CHANGE THE FUSE, BUT EVERY ATTEMPT THEY BURNED OUT TO THE TOUCH, SO I GAVE UP...THEN MY FRONT LIGHT WOULD KEEP BURNING OUT EVER MONTH OR TWO...TO WEAR IT MELT THE YELLOW COVERING OF THE BULB AND MELTS THE AREA WERE THE LIGHT BULB SITS IN...TO WERE I REPLACED THE WHOLE FRONT LIGHT COVER. THEN RECENTLY MY BACK BREAK LIGHT WENT OUT... I THOUGHT IT WAS THE BULB OR FUSE AFTER CHANGING THEM, COME TO FIND OUT IT WAS BREAK RELAY SWITCH... SO I HAD IT REPLACED IN JULY 2015...AND ALSO WITHIN A YEAR I HAD TO REPLACE MY STARTER, LUCKLY ITS UNDER A LIFETIME WARRENTY ....THEN SHORTLY AFTER THAT I GOT MY OIL CHANGE ECT..DONE. ALL THIS HAPPENED 6 WEEKS BEFORE THE FIRE.
Other or unspecified, Dec 26, 2015
I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR THE IGNITION RECALL AND ALL THE DEALERSHIP DID WAS CHARGE ME FOR A REPLACEMENT KEY. THE KEY WAS WORKING FINE FOR A FEW DAYS AND NOW THE IGNITION IS HARD TO TURN OVER AND THE CAR HAS ACTUALLY NOT TURNING OVER AND THE ANTI THEFT LIGHTS CAME ON WHILE THE CAR WAS AT A CAR WASH GETTING DETAILED AND I HAD TO TOW THE CAR. WHEN I CALLED THE IRVING TEXAS DEALERSHIP I KEPT GETTING ASKED THE SAME QUESTIONS AND THEN NO ONE RETURNED MY CALL. THE CAR HAD BEEN WORKING FINE AND WAS STOPPED WHEN ALL THIS HAPPENED.
Exterior lighting, Other or unspecified, Dec 22, 2015
I BOUGHT MY CAR IN 2013 AND IT'S BEEN A DECENT CAR. HOWEVER IT IS THE 2ND MALIBU THAT I'VE OWNED AND IT'S GOT THE SAME ISSUES. THE RUNNING LIGHTS HAVE AN ELECTRICAL ERROR WHERE THEY SHORT OUT AND MELT THE ACTUAL LIGHTS. I'M CONSTANTLY HAVING TO REPLACE THE BULBS. I'VE GOTTEN TO WHERE I JUST TURN THEM OFF. THE 2ND THING HAPPENED TODAY. MY FIRST MALIBU DIDN'T HAVE A SUNROOF BUT THIS ONE DOES. I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN ALL THE SUDDEN I HEARD THIS LOUD EXPLOSION, LIKE A GUNSHOT OR A SEMI TRUCK TIRE BLOWING UP. I LOOK ALL AROUND ME AND WHEN I LOOKED UP, GLASS WAS FALLING ON MY HEAD. MY SUNROOF RANDOMLY EXPLODED. AND ACCORDING TO SEVERAL MECHANICAL ENGINEERS, IT'S PHYSICALLY IMPOSSIBLE FOR AN OBJECT FLUNG BY ANOTHER VEHICLE TO SHATTER A SUNROOF. APPARENTLY MANUFACTURERS HAVE STARTED GETTING LAZY WITH SUNROOFS WHEN MAKING CARS, SO IF I WERE YOU, I WOULDN'T BUY A CAR WITH A SUNROOF.