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.
Steering, Dec 14, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME ABNORMALLY STIFF. HE WAS NO LONGER ABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL IN ANY DIRECTION. DURING THE FAILURE, THE WRENCH WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SAFELY MOVE OFF THE ROADWAY USING EXTREME BODILY FORCE WHERE THE ENGINE WAS SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND THE STEERING WHEEL RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,300.
Steering, Dec 13, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX LS (NA). WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 149,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 148,500.
Exterior lighting, Dec 1, 2010, fire
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED THE CONTACT TURNED ON THE FRONT TURN SIGNAL AND IT DID NOT WORK. HE CHANGED THE LIGHT BULB WHICH CORRECTED TEMPORARILY CORRECTED THE FAILURE. HE REPLACED THE BULB 6 TO 8 TIMES PER THE MANUFACTURERS RECOMMENDATION AND THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE GLOBE WAS HOT ENOUGH TO MELT THE BULB. HE REPLACED A BULB ON NOVEMBER 18,2010 AND THE FOLLOWING DAY THAT BULB BURNED OUT. THE LAST BULB WAS NOT REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105,000.
Exterior lighting, Nov 24, 2010, fire
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU LT CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHT SOCKET WAS BURNT. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE TURN SIGNAL HOUSING WAS MELTED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT THEY WOULD CONTACT THE DEALER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 93,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000.
Electrical system, Equipment, Nov 22, 2010
I HAVE A 2005 MALIBU CLASSIC FIRST THE INTERIOR LIGHTS IN THE CONSOLE WENT OUT ABOUT MONTH I BOUGHT IT IN 2007. THEN A YEAR LATER THE THEFT SYSTEM STARTED TO ACT UP HAD TO WAIT FOR TEN MINUTES TO TURN THE LIGHT OFF, DID THAT AND KNOW THE LIGHT JUST STAYS ON THE DASH . TRIED EVERYTHING IT SAID TO DO IN THE MANUAL, BUT NOTHING HAPPEN. FOR MY OPINION I THINK THERE SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL ON ALL THE CHEVY MODELS BEFORE SOMEONE SERIOUSLY GET HURT WITH THESE FAULTY EQUIPMENT INSTALL IN MOST CARS. *TR
Steering, Power train, Nov 18, 2010
VEHICLES INTERMEDIATE DRIVE SHAFT WAS GOING OUT. EVERY TURN YOU MADE IT WOULD MAKE A CLUNKING SOUNDS. OCCURRED ON THE VEHICLE RIGHT AFTER IT WAS BOUGHT. TALKED TO DEALER AND THEY SAID IT JUST NEEDED TO BE LUBED. LUBED VEHICLE OURSELVES AND DID NOTHING. AFTER TIME THE CLUNKING WOULD GET LOUDER AND LOUDER. TOOK IT TO DIFFERENT REPAIR SHOP AND IT WAS THE INTERMEDIATE DRIVE SHAFT. I HAD HEARD FROM A SOURCE THAT THE 2006 MALIBU'S HAD A RECALL ON THE STEERING COLUMN BUT THEY DID NOT RECALL THE 2005. THE VEHICLES STRUCTURE BEHIND THEM ARE EXACTLY THE SAME JUST DIFFERENT BODY STYLES. THIS IS NOT SAFE IF IT WERE TO HAVE GONE OUT IF WE HAD TO HAVE BEEN MAKING SOME SORT OF A TURN OR DRIVING DOWN A HIGHWAY OR INTERSTATE. I HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS ACCOUNTS OF THIS HAPPENING TO THE SAME YEAR AND MAKE AS MINE ON WWW.AUTOBEEF.COM. CAR DID HAVE THE PART REPLACED. *TR
Steering, Nov 15, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THE POWER STEERING WOULD SPORADICALLY FAIL. THE VEHICLE WOULD EXHIBIT A WARNING CHIME BEFORE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE PROGRESSED TO A REGULAR OCCURRENCE OVER A ONE WEEK PERIOD. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC POWER ASSIST FAILED AND WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY OR RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 123,500.
Steering, Nov 12, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND IT WAS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS WITHIN THE POWER STEERING TORQUE INPUT SENSOR. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000. UPDATED 01/13/11*BF THE CONSUMER STATED FROM TIME TO TIME AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THE POWER STEERING WOULD GO OUT AND THE VEHICLE WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. UPDATED 03/30/11
Steering, Nov 9, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE CONTACT TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL AND HEARD A KNOCKING SOUND. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHENEVER THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO GREASE LUBRICATING THE STEERING BOX. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AGAIN A FEW MONTHS LATER AND WAS REPAIRED AT THE DEALER. ONE YEAR LATER, THE FAILURE OCCURRED AGAIN AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000.
Steering, Nov 5, 2010, crash
2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU CAR VEERED TO LEFT AND CROSSED MEDIAN. DRIVER OF MALIBU KILLED AND ALSO STRUCK ANOTHER CAR WHERE PASSENGERS WERE INJURED. WITNESS STATED MALIBU BRAKED AND THERE WERE TIRE MARKS, NO VEHICLE IN FRONT OF MALIBU AT TIME OF BRAKING. WITNESS STATED CAR VEERED TO LEFT AND DRIVER APPEARED TO LOSE CONTROL CROSSING MEDIAN AND STRUCK ANOTHER AUTOMOBILE. WITNESS STATES DRIVER WAS NOT ON A CELL PHONE. THIS INFORMATION IS IN THE POLICE REPORT. THE CHEVROLET MALIBU HAD STEERING SHAFT REPLACED PRIOR TO ACCIDENT. THIS WAS PERFORMED AT GM DEALER DUE TO POPPING NOISE WHILE STEERING, DIAGNOSED AT DEALER. REPAIR PAID FOR BY OWNER. CHEVY MALIBU HAD 65,000 MILES AT TIME OF ACCIDENT. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Nov 1, 2010
THE DRIVERS SIDE TURN SIGNAL (INSIDE THE HARNESS IN THE HEADLIGHT) KEEPS MELTING THE PLASTIC SNAP IN BASE OF THE TURN SIGNAL LIGHT BULB AND CAUSES IT TO BECOME INOPERATIVE. ALMOST CAUSING OTHER VEHICLES TO CRASH IN TO ME AT 4 WAY STOP SIGNS. THE HARNESS ASSEMBLY GETS VERY HOT. MAY ONE DAY CAUSE A FIRE. I HAVE REPLACED LIGHT BULBS 4 TIMES IN THE LAST MONTH. WILL HAVE TO GET SERVICED. *TR
Steering, Oct 27, 2010
UNEXPECTED LOSS OF POWER STEERING DURING ACCELERATION - DANGEROUS SITUATION. DEALER CORRECTED PROBLEM USING TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN #08-02-32-005A. THE SERVICE BULLETIN REQUIRED ADDING A GROUND STRAP AND REPLACING THE IGNITION MODULE. SOUNDS LIKE A DESIGN ISSUE (LACK OF REQUIRED GROUND STRAP) CORRECTED IN A SERVICE BULLETIN. IN MY OPINION IT SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER AN EXTENDED WARRANTY TO CORRECT A DESIGN DEFECT. *TR
Steering, Oct 24, 2010
2005 MALIBU POWER STEERING SUDDENLY STOPS WORKING -- WHEN WE FIRST THE RECALL NOTICE IN DECEMBER OF 2007, IT WASN'T AN ISSUE (BUT WAS WITHIN THE MILEAGE LIMIT). KNOW THAT WE HAVE THE PROBLEM, IT'S OUT OF THE MILEAGE RANGE. *TR
Steering, Exterior lighting, Oct 21, 2010
TAIL LIGHTS HAVE FILLED UP WITH WATER AND CONDENSATION EVERY TIME IT RAINS. STEERING POPS AND MAKES NOISES WHEN I MAKE A TURN . *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 18, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE BACK ON AND IT PERFORMED NORMALLY. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER WHO ADVISED HER TO TAKE THE VEHICLE IN FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 58,000.
Exterior lighting, Oct 14, 2010
FRONT BLINKERS ON 2005 CHEVY MALIBU, ONE OF THE BULBS BLOW ABOUT ONCE A MONTH. I HAVE TO REPLACE BULB EVERY TIME. *TR
Steering, Oct 12, 2010
TL *THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 10-15 MPH, A CHIME SOUNDED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, FOLLOWED BY THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKING. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN INTO A PARKING SPACE SAFELY. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO OPERATE PROPERLY FOR THIRTY SECONDS. THEN THE FAILURE REOCCURRED REPEATEDLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY STATED THERE WAS NOT A RECALL RELATED TO THE DEFECT. THE MANUFACTURER ISSUED A 100,000 MILE EXTENDED WARRANTY PERTAINING TO THE STEERING COLUMN, HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE EXCEEDED THE REQUIRED MILEAGE. THE CONTACT SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER FOR THE STEERING COLUMN REPLACEMENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,009.
Steering, Oct 5, 2010
I HAVE A 2005 MALIBU THAT I BOUGHT NEW. IT HAS ALWAYS HAD A "POPPING" NOISE IN THE FRONT END WHEN YOU MAKE A TURN. AT FIRST IT WAS INTERMITTENT, SEEMED LIKE IT DID IT WORSE WHEN YOU MADE SHARP TURNS. I ASKED THE DEALER TO CHECK IT OUT A FEW TIMES - ALWAYS TOLD THEY COULD NEVER FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. IT HAS GOTTEN WORSE OVER THE YEARS, IT SEEMS TO POP ALL OF THE TIME NOW AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEEMS TO VIBRATE A LITTLE - ESPECIALLY ON ROUGH ROADS. STILL, THE DEALER SAYS THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG--ACTUALLY GOT TIRED OF ASKING THEM & QUIT ASKING WHEN I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR SERVICE. NOW I GET A LETTER ABOUT SOMETHING BEING WRONG WITH THE POWER STEERING AND THEY WILL REPLACE IT FOR 10 YEARS, 100,000 MILES. CALLED THE DEALER-THEY ARGUED THAT IT WAS ONLY 70,000 MILES. HAD TO FAX THEM A COPY OF MY LETTER PROVING IT SAID 100,000 MILES. I ASKED IF THIS WAS THE SAME PROBLEM THAT I'D BEEN HAVING WITH THE POPPING NOISE-THEY TOLD ME THAT THIS PART WASN'T GOING TO FIX THAT POPPING NOISE. HAD TO KEEP ASKING FOR THE PART TO BE REPLACED. I AM HOPING THIS PART WILL FIX WHATEVER THE POPPING NOISE IS. MY SON DRIVES THIS CAR EVERY DAY AND I'M WORRIED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE CAR. *TR
Exterior lighting, Oct 4, 2010, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAX. THE CONTACT STATED THE AMBER LIGHT REFLECTOR WOULD BECOME ABNORMALLY HOT AND BURN THE PLASTIC HOUSING, CAUSING THE HEADLIGHTS TO FAIL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE LIGHT BULB AND SOCKET WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT DID NOT REPLACE THE LIGHT BULB OR THE LIGHT SOCKET. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WERE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ONLINE REGARDING THE LIGHT BULBS BURNING THROUGH THE HOUSING AND A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000.
Steering, Oct 4, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD LOCK AND THE VEHICLE WOULD ABNORMALLY PULL TO EITHER THE LEFT OR RIGHT. THE FAILURE WAS CONSTANT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE IGNITION COIL WOULD NEED TO BE DISCONNECTED AND THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 76,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 91,000.
Steering, Sep 29, 2010
I WAS TURNING ONTO A ROAD WHILE DRIVING TO WORK AND MY POWER STEERING FAILED. I ALMOST DROVE OFF OF THE ROAD INTO A TREE! THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE STEERING COLUMN MUST BE REPLACED TO FIX THIS ISSUE. *TR
Seats, Sep 27, 2010, crash
WHILE DRIVING MY 2005 CHEVY MALIBU, I MADE A TURN AND THE DRIVERS SEAT BROKE ON THE RIGHT REAR. THE WELDS BROKE OFF THE FRAME RAIL CAUSING ME TO SWERVE IN TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CAR NEEDS A NEW SEAT RAIL TO REPAIR THE CAR. THE COST IS ABOUT $800, GM WILL NOT ASSIST IN THE REPAIR OF A DEFECTIVE SEAT WELD. *TR
Steering, Sep 25, 2010
MY 2005 MALIBU STARTED MAKING A 'THUMPING' SOUND COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN WHEN TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT. IT SEEMS TO OCCUR AS THE STEERING WHEEL RETURNS TO CENTER. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS ENOUGH TO KNOW THAT IF IT GETS WORSE I PROBABLY WILL NEED TO REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN. I CALLED GM CUSTOMER SERVICE AND TOLD THEM THAT I CONSIDERED THIS TO BE A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM (BASED ON MY RESEARCH OF NUMEROUS VEHICLES WITH FAILED STEERING COMPONENTS) THEY WERE VERY SYMPATHETIC BUT TOTALLY UNCONCERNED ABOUT THE PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD THAT THEY WOULD NOT PAY FOR ANY REPAIRS BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. MY CAR HAS JUST OVER 42,000 MILES. I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A SAFETY RELATED DEFECT IN THE STEERING COLUMN. *TR
Steering, Sep 24, 2010
1. I WAS PASSING A CAR UP HILL ON A CURVE IN THE ROAD. WHEN I ACCELERATE HARD I LOSS MY POWER STEERING. I HAD TO APPLIED MORE PRESSURE ON THE WHEEL TO GET AROUND THE CAR I WAS PASSING BUT HALF WAY AROUND THE CAR THE POWER STEERING KICKED BACK IN BUT BECAUSE OF THE EXTRA PRESSURE I WAS APPLYING ON THE STEERING WHEEL I OVER STEERED AND ALMOST HIT THE GUARD RAIL. THIS WAS ON A VERY BUSY HIGHWAY IN THE NEW YORK CITY AREA AND EVERYONE WAS TRAVELING AT HIGH SPEED. 2. I EXPERIENCE A LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST CAUSED BY ELECTRICAL INPUT SIGNALS WITHIN THE STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY. 3. GM SENT A LETTER TOO MY HOME STATING THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT WILL ONLY FIX IT IF THE CAR HAS LESS THAN 100,000 MILES. MY CAR IS OVER THAT LIMIT. GM SAYS IT IS NOT A RECALL. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THE POWER STEERING CUTS OUT AT HIGH SPEEDS. *TR
Steering, Sep 22, 2010, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED SHE HEARD A LOUD NOISE IN THE STEERING FOR A WHILE. ON JULY 24, 2010 WHILE REVERSING INTO A PARKING SPACE, AND THEN MOVING FORWARD TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN A STRAIGHT LINE THE POWER STEERING FAILED. SHE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A CURVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE GARAGE, DIAGNOSTIC TESTING LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE STEERING SHAFT AND GEAR BOX. THE STEERING SHAFT AND GEAR BOX WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR, BECAUSE THE PARTS THAT WERE REPLACED WERE NOT COVERED BY THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,849 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 34,300.