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.
Electrical system, May 16, 2011, fire
MY 21 YR OLD SON WAS DRIVING HIS CAR ON A CITY STREET WHEN HE STARTED TO SMELL A BAD ODOR, POSSIBLY MELTING PLASTIC. WITHIN 15 SECONDS, FLAMES SHOT UP THE FRONT SEAT CENTER CONSOLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. HE QUICKLY PULLED OVER AND TRIED TO PUT OUT THE FLAMES. BURNING HIS HAND IN THE PROCESS AND REALIZING VERY QUICKLY THIS WOULDN'T WORK, HE QUICKLY AND URGENTLY LEFT THE VEHICLE AND CALLED 911. WITHIN 30 SECONDS OF LEAVING THE VEHICLE, THE FLAMES SPREAD AND COMPLETELY CONSUMED THE VEHICLE. THIS VEHICLE WAS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION, NOTHING CHANGED/TAILORED FROM THE FACTORY (IE. STOCK PARTS INCLUDING THE RADIO), AND NO RECENT MAINTENANCE. IF THERE HAD BEEN A SMALL CHILD IN A CAR SEAT, ETC., THIS SITUATION COULD HAVE RESULTED IN SERIOUS INJURY, EVEN A DEATH. *TR
Steering, May 16, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH THE WHEELS WOULD LOCK. WHILE MAKING A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN THE WHEELS WOULD MAKE A LOUD NOISE BEFORE THE WHEEL LOCKED AGAIN. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT WAS UNABLE TO OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000. UPDATED 06/14/11 *BF THE DEALER REPLACED THE RACK AND PINION. HOWEVER, THE NOISE RETURNED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THERE WAS NO SOLUTION FOR THE PROBLEM. UPDATED 11/23/11
Steering, May 16, 2011
THIS IS MY SECOND COMPLAINT FOR MY 05 MALIBU LS, I PURCHASED IN 2006, APPROXIMATELY 20,000 MILES, NOTICED SHORTLY AFTER THE POPPING NOISE IN THE STEERING AREA. I WAS TOLD AT THAT TIME GM WAS AWARE AND WORKING ON IT. KEPT TAKING IT BACK FOR REPAIRS/SERVICE. IN 08 HAD THE STEERING GEAR BOX REPLACED, NOW I'M TOLD IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN ALONG WITH THE I SHAFT. CURRENT MILE 109,000, IT HAS ONLY BEEN 50,000 MILES SINCE THE LAST GEAR BOX WAS REPLACED. I ASKED IF THIS WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM OR WOULD I HAVE REPLACE IT AGAIN AND THEY COULD NOT SAY AND OFFERED ME $2,000 ON TRADE IN. LOL I DON'T THINK SO. AND I WOULDN'T WANT TO MAKE THIS SOMEONE ELSE'S PROBLEM. WHEN WILL GM, WITH ALL THE COMPLAINTS DO A RECALL?!! WHAT WILL IT TAKE TO GET A RECALL ON THIS SAFETY ISSUE WILL SOMEONE HAVE TO DIE? GM MUST SEE THAT THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM... *TR
Seats, May 6, 2011
2005 CHEVY MALIBU LS V6, DRIVERS POWER SEAT IS COMING APART. WELDS HAVE SEPARATED NEAR LOWER, REAR RH SIDE. SEAT BELTS ARE ATTACH TO SEAT. NOT SURE HOW SAFE CAR IS NOW. DEALER WANT TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE SEAT. FOR ABOUT A $1000. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, May 5, 2011
2005 CHEVY MALIBU. GAS GAUGE STARTED GIVING INCORRECT READINGS RESULTING IN CAR RUNNING OUT OF GAS AND STALLING, UNABLE TO RESTART. GAUGE NOW WILL ALWAYS READ COMPLETELY FULL WHEN STARTING CAR, THEN AFTER A FEW MINUTES, WILL FAIL AND DROP ALL THE WAY TO COMPLETELY EMPTY. I HAVE SPOKEN TO MANY OTHER GM OWNERS AND SEVERAL OF THEM HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUE, COSTING THEM ALMOST $1,000 IN REPAIRS TO GET THE GAUGE/FLOAT REPLACED. THIS IS A SERIOUS AND POTENTIALLY A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM BECAUSE PEOPLE COULD RUN OUT OF GAS AND BE STRANDED MILES FROM HELP AND THIS COULD HAPPEN IN ADVERSE OR FREEZING WEATHER CONDITIONS. IF CHILDREN HAPPEN TO BE IN THE CAR, THE SERIOUSNESS OF THIS IS CONSIDERABLY HIGHER. I FEEL THIS IS A MAJOR AND WIDESPREAD DEFECT AND THAT THIS PARTICULAR PIECE OF EQUIPMENT SHOULD BE RECALLED AND FIXED AT NO COST TO THE CUSTOMER. I HAVE OWNED GM CARS MY ENTIRE LIFE AND I WOULD THINK THAT THEY WOULD CORRECT THIS AND KEEP THEIR DEDICATED CUSTOMERS SAFE AND SATISFIED. *TR
Steering, May 5, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VEER TOWARD THE LEFT BEFORE THE POWER STEERING FAILED. DURING THE FAILURE, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF AND UPON RESTART, THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS NORMAL. THE FAILURE HAD SINCE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 114,000.
Steering, May 4, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN BECAME HARD TO MOVE. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING A RESPONSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO ADVISED HER TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,000.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Apr 29, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACTS WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH WHEN A WARNING ALARM SOUNDED IN THE VEHICLE. THE FUEL LEVEL GAUGE WAS PROVIDING A READING OF EMPTY AND BEGAN FLUCTUATING ERRATICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS RECENTLY REFUELED TO FULL CAPACITY. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO DRIVE AT A SLOWER SPEED UNTIL THE COMPONENTS RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED SPORADICALLY WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS REFUELED. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
Exterior lighting, Apr 26, 2011, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS HAD OVERHEATED AND BURNED THROUGH THE PLASTIC BECAUSE OF THE BULBS BECOMING TOO HOT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 111,000.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Apr 24, 2011
I HAVE A 2005 CHEVY MALIBU CLASSIC AND THE SIGNAL KEEPS FAILING YOU DON'T KNOW WHEN IT WILL HAPPEN YOU JUST SIGNAL AND NOTICE IT DOESN'T COME ON..VERY DANGEROUS WHEN DRIVING..IT STARTS BACK UP AGAIN WHEN IT FEEL LIKE IT..I FEEL LIKE THIS IS VERY UNSAFE AND SCARY..IT HAS HAPPEN TO ME ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND IN FED UP WITH THIS PROBLEM..ITS HAS HAPPEN 3 TIMES IN A 3 WEEK PERIOD AND THAT DOESN'T SEEM NORMAL. I WAS TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM CANT BE CHECKED UNTIL IT HAPPENS AGAIN BUT HOW AM I TO KNOW WHEN IT WILL OCCUR IT JUST HAPPENS WHEN IT WANTS TO. *TR
Seats, Apr 18, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH THE SEAT SHIFTED BACKWARDS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN HE STOPPED AND INSPECTED THE VEHICLE HE NOTICED A TUBE THAT WAS ATTACHED TO THE WELD OF THE SEAT WAS BROKEN. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,800.
Seats, Apr 14, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SEAT FRAME WAS FRACTURED AND LEANING TO THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INFORMED HER THAT REPAIRS TO THE SEAT WOULD ESTIMATE $800 AT THE CONTACTS EXPENSE. THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000.
Steering, Apr 11, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH WHEN AND A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING OCCURRED, FOLLOWED BY THE ILLUMINATION OF THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING USING EXTREME BODILY FORCE TO MANEUVER THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 52,000. UPDATED 05/18/11
Exterior lighting, Apr 10, 2011
WHILE CLEANING PLASTIC HEAD/DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT COVER ON LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE, I NOTICED BOTH AMBER DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT/TURN SIGNAL LENS ARE MELTED AT THE TOP AND BURNED FROM THE HEAT OF THE BULBS, WHICH MAY LEAD TO A FIRE.
Steering, Apr 9, 2011
II HAVE A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU LT THAT I BOUGHT USED IN SEPTEMBER 2010. IT HAD 43,000 MILES WHEN I PURCHASED IT, AND NOW HAS JUST OVER 46,000 MILES. SOON AFTER WE BOUGHT IT I HEARD A LOUD 'CLUNKING' SOUND COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. I DID THE CUSTOMARY ON LINE RESEARCH AND FOUND THIS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THAT YEAR AND MODEL. I CONTACTED GM CUSTOMER SERVICE AND REQUESTED THAT THEY REPAIR THE VEHICLE AS I CONSIDERED THIS TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE. THEY REFUSED TO ASSIST IN THE REPAIR AND WOULD NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THAT IT WAS A SAFETY PROBLEM. THEY OFFERED ME A $100.00 CREDIT TO BE USED ON ANY FUTURE SERVICE OR REPAIR ON THE MALIBU EXCEPT THE STEERING PROBLEM! THE STEERING HAS NOT FAILED ON THE VEHICLE YET, BUT BASED ON THE MANY COMPLAINTS THAT I HAVE READ I AM LEERY OF DRIVING IT ON THE OPEN ROAD FOR FEAR THAT IT MAY FAIL WHILE I AM DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. BECAUSE OF THE SAFETY CONCERN I WILL HAVE TO HAVE THE STEERING COLUMN REPLACED AT MY OWN EXPENSE. WHAT IS IT GOING TO TAKE TO GET GM TO ADMIT THAT THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE? AND WHY DOESN'T NHTSA DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS OBVIOUS DEFECT IN THE DESIGN OF THE STEERING COMPONENTS? THESE VEHICLES NEED TO BE RECALLED AND REPAIRED BY GM. THIS IS A FOLLOW UP TO AN EARLIER COMPLAINT THAT I FILED. *TR
Electrical system, Apr 2, 2011
2005 CHEVY MALIBU. EVERY FEW WEEKS THE CAR WILL NOT START UNTIL TEN MINUTES HAVE PASSED AFTER LEAVING THE KEY IN THE ON POSITION. THE THEFT CONTROL MODULE IS FAULTY AND THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH GM CARS. DANGEROUS TO LEAVE A KEY IN AN UNLOCKED CAR. DEALERS OFFER NO HELP UNLESS YOU PAY $400. *TR
Steering, Apr 1, 2011
STOPPED AT STOP SIGN AND I WAS TRYING TO MAKE A RIGHT HAND TURN. WHEN TRAFFIC CLEARED I PUSHED ON THE GAS TO ENTER ONTO THE WHEN MY CAR STARTED TO MAKE THIS LOUD DING, DING, DING SOUND AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. AT THAT TIME I COULD NOT TURN MY STEERING WHEEL. THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE STEERING UNLOCKED AND I THEN MADE LIKE A SHARP RIGHT AS IT KICKED IN. VERY SCARY. DURING THE LOUD DINGING SOUND I WAS LOOKING TO FIND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT OR SOME INDICATOR TO WHAT WAS GOING ON. I DID NOT SEE IT UNTIL THIS HAPPENED A SECOND TIME ABOUT A WEEK LATER AND IT FLASHED POWER STEERING. THERE IS A TSB ON THIS BUT BECAUSE I AM OVER THE MILES THEY WON'T HELP ME. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND EVERY VEHICLE SHOULD BE RECALLED.
Steering, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Mar 30, 2011
THE STEERING HAS A HEAVY CLUNK SOUND WHEN TURNING LEFT IN REVERSE, NO SOUND WHEN GOING TO THE RIGHT. THEN AT JUST OVER 50K MILES, THE STEERING ON THE VEHICLE STARTED HAVING ISSUES WITH POWER WHILE TURNING TO THE RIGHT UNDER POWER, TO THE LEFT WAS JUST FINE. THE HEAD LAMPS ALSO HAVE GOTTEN SEVERELY CLOUDY WHICH LIMITS VISIBILITY DURING NIGHT TIME DRIVING. FRONT TURN INDICATOR LIGHTS ALSO HAD A PROBLEM WITH LOOSE SOCKETS, CAUSING THE LIGHTS TO SHORT OUT AND EVENTUALLY FAIL BECAUSE OF SPARKING RESIDUE ON THE CONTACTS. ALSO, FOR SOME REASON THE REAR WINDOW WIPER RANDOMLY TURNS ON FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THE VEHICLE ALSO HAS A STARTING PROBLEM WHERE AT TIMES, THE VEHICLE WILL CRANK AND NOT START. LOOKING AROUND, QUITE A FEW FOLKS HAVE THAT PROBLEM AS WELL, WHERE SOME PEOPLE HAVE HAD TO SHORT OUT THE HOOD SAFETY SWITCH TO MAKE THE CAR WORK... NOW THAT IS CRAZY TO HAVE TO SHORT OUT SOMETHING TO START YOUR CAR. APPARENTLY THOUGH, THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS SEVERELY SENSITIVE TO VOLTAGE ISSUES IN GENERAL, MORE SO THEN MOST VEHICLES ON THE ROAD.
Steering, Mar 30, 2011
2005 CHEVY MALIBU STEERING IS FAILING. LOUD CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM STEERING COLUMN AND THE STEERING WHEEL TURNS WILE THE TIRES DO NOT. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND A COMPLETE SAFETY HAZARD! I AM BEING TOLD THIS WILL NOT BE COVERED BY GM. A SAFETY RECALL IS NEEDED. *TR
Structure, Vehicle speed control, Mar 23, 2011
THE CAR HAS A CONSOLE. THERE ARE ACCESS PANELS ON EITHER SIDE. WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, I HAT A POT HOLE, AND THE DRIVERS SIDE PANEL CAME OFF AND DROPPED BETWEEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDLE, AND THE SIDE OF THE HUMP HOLDING THE ACCELERATOR DOWN. I WAS FORCED TO PUT THE CAR IN NUTERAL AND GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE I WAS ABLE TO REMOVE THE PANEL. WHEN I INSPECTED THE PANEL, I FOUND IT IS HELD IN PLACE BY A 1" SQUARE OF VELCROW. I WILL BE REINSTALLING THE PANEL, AND INSERTING A SCREW THROUGH THE VELCROW MOUNT. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A SERIEOUS INCEIDENT!
Steering, Mar 21, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH DOWNHILL WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND THE STEERING WHEEL COLLAPSED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL THE STEERING COLUMN BACK UP BUT HAD TO HOLD IT UPWARD WHILE DRIVING. THE FAILURE PERSISTED. LATER, THE CONTACT PURCHASED A REPAIR KIT DIRECTLY FROM THE MANUFACTURER AT A LOCAL AUTO REPAIR SHOP. AFTER THE REPAIR KIT WAS INSTALLED, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE DID RECUR BUT NOT AS OFTEN AS BEFORE THE KIT WAS INSTALLED. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
Steering, Mar 8, 2011
LIGHTS WILL START BLINKING AND DOOR LOCKS GO UP AND DOWN THEN ON THE RADIO IT WILL SAY POWER STEERING AND THE STEERING WILL GO OUT ITS REALLY HARD TO STEER. IT ALSO COMES UP ON THE RADIO ENGINE POWER DECREASED AND THE CAR WILL JUST DIE AND YOU HALF TO WAIT A COUPLE OF MINUTES BEFORE IT WILL START. IT HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 40 TIMES. *TR
Steering, Mar 7, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXHIBITING AN UNUSUAL KNOCKING AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS EXHIBITING AN ABNORMAL GRINDING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE STEERING SHAFT AND STEERING GEAR WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED YET THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTICE FROM THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE STEERING BUT THEY STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE UNTIL A FAILURE OCCURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 145,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Exterior lighting, Mar 5, 2011
HEADLIGHTS ARE DULL. PASSENGER BLINKER DOES NOT WORK. CHANGED THE BULB A COUPLE TIMES. AMBER COVER INSIDE THE HEADLIGHT IS MELTED. HARDLY ANY LIGHT WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. THIS IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. WENT TO DEALER AND THEY COULDN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS WRONG. TOLD ME TO GO SEE SOMEONE WHO KNOWS ABOUT HEAD LIGHTS! REALLY? *TR
Steering, Mar 4, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED FOLLOWED BY A LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST. THE WHEELS ALSO LOCKED ABNORMALLY. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED IN REGARDS TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 125,000.