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, Aug 13, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 2 MPH, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO MAKE A LOUD CLANKING NOISE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE RELATED DEFECT UNDER THE MANUFACTURERS VOLUNTARY RECALL. THE SPECIFIC REPAIR PERFORMED WAS UNKNOWN. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION THERE WAS A LOSS OF THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING WITH A CHIME TONE, FOLLOWED BY THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATION. THE FAILURE OCCURRENCE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ON THREE DIFFERENT TIMES FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DETECT A PROBLEM. RECENTLY, THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FROM THE MANUFACTURER OFFERING AN ADDITIONAL PROTECTION FOR THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING. THE MANUFACTURER REQUIRED THAT THE MILEAGE NOT TO EXCEED 100,000 TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE OF A FREE REMEDY. THE CONTACT STATED HER VEHICLE EXCEEDED THE MILEAGE REQUIREMENT. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 30,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Aug 13, 2010, fire
PURCHASED 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU IN MAY, 2009. ONGOING PROBLEMS WITH BRAKE AND TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS NOT WORKING. ATTEMPTED REPLACEMENT AND REPAIR BY MECHANIC. LIGHTS REMAINED INOPERABLE AS DID FUEL GAUGE BY 80,000 MILES. WHILE PARKED, CAR IGNITED FROM UNDER CENTER CONSOLE, DOOR LOCKS ENGAGED, AND INTERIOR BURNED. TOTAL LOSS OF AUTO AND CONTENTS. *TR
Steering, Aug 11, 2010, crash
TL*THE DRIVER OWNED A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 67 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY STIFF RESULTING IN A SINGLE CAR CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER WAS INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INSURANCE COMPANY AND SHE DOES NOT KNOW IF THE VEHICLE WAS EXAMINED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 109,000.
Steering, Aug 11, 2010
MY WIFE HAS A 2005 CHEVY MALIBU. SHE WAS DRIVING IT THE OTHER DAY AND THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT ON IT ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. SHE GOT THE CAR UNDER CONTROL AND PULLED TO THE SHOULDER. WHEN SHE TURNED THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTED IT THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARED. THIS HAS HAPPENED AGAIN SINCE THE 1ST INCIDENT, BUT NOW THE CAR PULLS TO THE LEFT ALL OF THE TIME. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS ONLINE AND THERE SEEMS TO MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE WITH STEERING. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. *TR
Steering, Aug 4, 2010
THE CAR BEGAN SHAKING AT SPEEDS OVER 55 AND PULLED A BIT TO THE LEFT. THE CAR WAS PARKED AND A COUPLE OF HOURS WE RETURNED TO THE CAR TO FIND THAT THE POWER STEERING WAS NOT WORKING. TRIED IT THIS MORNING AND THE POWER STEERING IS NOW WORKING BUT WITH DASH BOARD WARNING LIGHT. THIS SHOULD BE THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE EPS THAT THE 2005 COBALTS ARE BEING RECALLED FOR. THEY SHOULD EXTEND THE RECALL TO ALL EPS VEHICLES DURING THOSE YEAR INCLUDING THE 2005 MALIBU. *TR
Steering, Aug 3, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 3 MPH ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN, THE CONTACT HEARD A POPPING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE FAILURE OCCURRENCE WAS CONSISTENT. IN ADDITION, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD LOCK UP WITHOUT WARNING ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIANS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 55,000. UPDATED 11/03/10. *LJ FORM RETURNED NO CHANGE
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Aug 1, 2010
MY FRIEND, MRS. X., A WIDOW AND MOTHER OF TWO CHILDREN ATTENDING COLLEGE, HAS BEEN PLAGUED BY A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH REPAIRS PERFORMED BY JOHNNY LONDOFF CHEVROLET. HER CAR, A 2005 CHEVY MALIBU WITH 68,000 MILES, HAS BEEN IN FOR REPAIRS FOUR TIMES. . . LONDOFF HAS EXTRACTED OVER $1400.00 FROM THIS WIDOW WOMAN, CONTINUING TO REPLACE PART AFTER PART WHICH HAS DONE NOTHING TO ALLEVIATE THE COMPLAINT. THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS !!!! THE INTERNET REVEALS THOUSANDS OF IDENTICAL COMPLAINTS! ESSENTIALLY, MS. X'S CHEVY STOPS RUNNING, OR SLOWS TO 15 MPH WHILE IN THE FAST LANE OF THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY WHERE THE SPEED LIMIT IS 60 MPH WITH NO WARNING! THE LAST TIME THE CAR WAS TAKEN INTO LONDOFF, THE SERVICE MANAGER, MR. B W. ADVISED THAT AFTER TAKING $1400.00 FROM MY FRIEND FOR "REPAIRS" THAT DID NOT EFFECT A REPAIR, THAT LONDOFF WAS GOING TO REPLACE THE "POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE" UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY, TO COMPLETE THE REPAIRS WHICH THE PREVIOUS REPAIRS DID NOT FIX. TO MAKE THE STORY SHORT, LONDOFF REPLACED THE PCM AND THROTTLE BODY / PEDAL FOR MRS. X, AND NOW 30 DAYS LATER, THE CAR ONCE AGAIN STALLS IN THE FAST LANE - IN THE RAIN, AS HUGE TRACTOR TRAILERS CAME BARRELING DOWN ON HER AT HIGH SPEED AT NIGHT. I FEAR FOR BOTH MY FRIENDS LIFE AND HER SAFETY IN THIS ' 05 MALIBU. WE TOOK THE CAR IN AGAIN TODAY FOR THE 4TH REPAIR OPPORTUNITY FOR LONDOFF, AND "MR. W" REFUSED TO GUARANTEE TO MAKE GOOD ON THE 12 MONTH, 12000 REPAIR WARRANTY, AND REFUSED TO PROVIDE EITHER A LOANER OR A RENTAL AT GM'S COST SO MRS. X COULD MAKE IT TO WORK NEXT WEEK. ESSENTIALLY, THESE MEN CONTINUE TO "JACK UP" THIS POOR WIDOW WOMAN, TAKING MORE AND MORE OF HER MEAGER SUSTENANCE WITHOUT EFFECTING REPAIRS!!!! MRS.X'S LIFE, HER JOB, HER HOME, HER CREDIT, HER CHILDREN'S COLLEGE EDUCATION IS THREATENED BY GM / LONDOFF'S FAILURE TO PROPERLY REPAIR THIS VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, TIME AFTER TIME THIS CAR HAS BROKEN DOWN IN THE FAST LANE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC DURING A THUNDERSTORM. OBVIOUS RECALL !!! UPDATED IVOQ 12/01/10 *TR
Steering, Jul 31, 2010
2005 CHEVY MALIBU STEERING LOCKS UP WHEN DRIVING. *TR
Steering, Jul 29, 2010
MY POWER STEERING LIGHT FLASHES AND THE STEERING WHEEL FREEZES OR BECOMES VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. *TR
Steering, Jul 27, 2010
I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH MY POWER STEERING IN MY 2005 CHEVY MALIBU THAT HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED AS A KNOWN DEFECT WITH THE POWER STEERING COLUMN. I CALLED AND SPOKE WITH A NHTSA REPRESENTATIVE TODAY AND HE SAID IT WAS A KNOWN DEFECT ON MANY CHEVY MODELS WHERE THE COBALT WAS RECALLED BUT MY 2005 MALIBU HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED. I AM SCARED TO DEATH TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE. I'VE READ ONLINE ABOUT ACCIDENTS HAPPENING AS A RESULT OF THIS PROBLEM AS A RESULT OF POWER STEERING LOSS. PLEASE CAN YOU RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM WITH CHEVROLET SO THEY ISSUE A RECALL. I DRIVE MY KIDS IN MY CAR AND I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. UPDATED IVOQ 08/31/10*JB *TR
Electrical system, Equipment, Jul 27, 2010
I PURCHASED A 2005 CHEVY MALIBU CLASSIC. THE ANTI THEFT SYSTEM COMES ON AS THE OPERATOR DRIVES THE CAR. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING SEVERAL TIMES AND THE VEHICLE JUST LOST ALL ACCELERATION. EVERY WEEK I HAVE PROBLEMS GETTING THE VEHICLE TO START BECAUSE THE ANTI THEFT SYSTEM COMES AS THE OPERATOR TURNS THE IGNITION ON. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS AND DANGEROUS PROBLEM. I STRONGLY FEEL THAT THIS CARS SHOULD AND NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. *TR
Steering, Jul 26, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN WITH DIFFICULTY TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED THREE DIFFERENT TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. AN UNKNOWN REPAIR WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE CONTINUED AFTER THE FIRST REPAIR. THE SECOND INSPECTION THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM WITH AN ESTIMATED REPAIR COST OF $1,500. THERE HAD BEEN NO ADDITIONAL REPAIRS AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,200.
Steering, Jul 21, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED WHEN THE SPEED DECREASED. THE RACK AND PINION WAS REPLACED FOUR TIMES AND THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. A CRASH NEARLY OCCURRED ON TWO OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE AND COULD CAUSE A CRASH TO OCCUR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Jul 19, 2010
BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON BY THEMSELVES AND GO OUT WHEN PEDAL IS PUSHED. TRIED NEW SWITCH, CALIBRATION, AND TSB PROCEDURE. PROBLEM WILL GO AWAY FOR A MONTH OR TWO THEN RETURN. HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR THE LAST 2 YEARS. NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THE WEB. I HAVE SEEN OTHER CARS DRIVE BY WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. MAY WORK FINE IN THE MORNING THEN ACT UP IN THE EVENING. ALSO IMPACTS THE SIFT INTERLOCK AND CRUISE CONTROL. THE OTHER DAY THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT DISENGAGE WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES. I HAD TO TURN IT OFF BY THE SWITCH ON THE STEERING WHEEL. *TR
Steering, Jul 17, 2010
WE OWN A 2005 CHEVY MALIBU MAXX THAT WE BOUGHT CERTIFIED USED IN 2008. FOR THE PAST FEW MONTHS THE POWER STEERING STOPS WORKING WHILE THE CAR IS BEING DRIVEN.. IT BECOMES VERY HARD TO STEER AND IS VERY SCARY WHEN IT HAPPENS ESPECIALLY ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN TRAVELING AT FASTER SPEEDS. ALSO SCARY WHEN TRAVELING ON CURVY ROADS. IF WE STOP THE CAR AND RESTART IT, THE POWER STEERING RETURNS. MY HUSBAND TOOK IT TO OUR MECHANIC WHO SAYS THE PART IS ABOUT $500 AND THE LABOR IS ABOUT $200. SHOULDN'T THIS BE A RECALL? IT'S VERY UNSAFE AND COULD EASILY LEAD TO A SERIOUS, OR FATAL, ACCIDENT. PLEASE CHECK INTO THIS QUICKLY BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED. THANK YOU. *TR
Exterior lighting, Jul 13, 2010
2005 CHEVY MALIBU MAXX FRONT TURN SIGNALS BURNED OUT, BUT BEFORE THAT, THEY BURNED/MELTED THE PLASTIC GLOBE AROUND THE BULB. HAVE REPLACED BULBS NUMEROUS TIMES BEFORE, AND REPLACED BULB SOCKET (MELTED AND SHORTED) THIS TIME AROUND TOO. THIS MELTING AND SHORTING IS CERTAINLY A MFR. DEFECT AND SHOULD BE REPLACED OR FIXED BY CHEVROLET. CURRENTLY I'M TRYING TO FIND A WAY TO RUN LED BULBS TO AVOID THE HEAT, BUT CAN'T FIND AN ECONOMICAL WAY DUE TO THE NEED FOR RESISTORS (CREATING HEAT) OR NEW FLASHERS IN THE LINE IN ADDITION TO THE NEW BULBS. *TR
Steering, Jul 9, 2010
THE POWER STEERING ON THE CAR-STOPPED WORKING AND THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON, ON THE DASHBOARD. THE CAR WAS VERY HARD TO STEER. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO MY MECHANIC AND HE SAYS THAT HE HAS SEEN MANY PROBLEMS WITH STEERING PROBLEMS ON THIS GM MODEL OF CAR. *TR
Exterior lighting, Jul 9, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A ROUND AMBER-COLORED GLOBE BECAME HOT AND MELTED ONTO THE TURN SIGNAL BULB. HE CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT HE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST OF A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO OFFER HIM ANY ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,125. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.
Seats, Jul 1, 2010
A WELD BROKE FOR A CROSS BAR (DRIVER SEAT). I REQUEST GM FIX THIS FREE OF CHARGE. *TR
Exterior lighting, Jun 29, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RUNNING LIGHTS AND BLINKER LIGHTS ARE BLOWING OUT ON THE VEHICLE EVERY15 DAYS. THE CONTACT IS WORRIED ABOUT THE VEHICLE CATCHING FIRE BECAUSE THE BULBS BLOWING OUT IS STARTING TO BURN THE COVER FOR THE LIGHTS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE 72500 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75600.
Exterior lighting, Equipment, Jun 29, 2010
THE LIGHT BULBS NUMBER 3057 IN 2 OF MY CARS HAVE MELTED THE BASE AND DAMAGED THE LIGHT SOCKETS. AS A RESULT THE LIGHT WILL NOT ILLUMINATE PROPERLY. ONE VEHICLE IS A 2006 DODGE RAM 3500. THE BULB IS USED IN THE BRAKE LIGHT. WHEN IT FAILS YOU GET THE RUNNING LIGHTS BUT NOT THE BRAKE LIGHT. THERE IS NO WAY TO TELL INSIDE THE VEHICLE THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT IS NOT LIGHTING. THIS HAS A SERIOUS RISK OF BEING HIT FROM BEHIND. THE SECOND VEHICLE IS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAX. BULB 3057 IS USED IN THE FRONT TURN SIGNALS WHICH DOUBLE AS THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS. ON THIS VEHICLE NOT ONLY DOES THE BASE OF THE BULB MELT BREAKING THE ELECTRICAL CONTACT THE PLASTIC LENS OF THE LIGHT IS MELTING. ONCE FAILURE OCCURS YOU MAY OR MAY NOT GET THE EXTRA FAST TURN SIGNAL INDICATOR. ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE THE BULB HAD TO BE REPLACED 4 TIMES IN SIX MONTHS. BOTH THE FACTORY BULBS MELTED AND THE SYLVANIA REPLACEMENT LONG LIFE BULBS FAILED. *TR
Steering, Exterior lighting, Jun 28, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY STIFF AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND UPON RESTART, THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS NORMAL FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE HALF MILE BEFORE THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND WAS NOT EXAMINED FOR THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT SHE WAS EXPERIENCING A RECURRING FAILURE IN WHICH HER FRONT TURN SIGNAL WOULD NOT STOP WORKING AND SHE WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE BULBS APPROXIMATELY ONCE A MONTH. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 87,000. UPDATED 10/27/10. *LJ
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 26, 2010
WHILE DRIVING HOME IN MY 2005 CHEVY MALIBU CLASSIC I HEARD A LOAD POPPING SOUND AND SMOKE CAME ROLLING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I THOUGHT AT FIRST THAT I HAD BLOWN THE TIRE OFF THE RIM SINCE I COULD SMELL LIKE BURNT RUBBER AND SEE THE SMOKE BUT THIS WAS NOT THE CASE. I LOOKED DOWN AND SAW ALL THE GAUGES LIT UP AND THE ENGINE HAD DIED. I COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT BECAUSE THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP SMOKING AT FIRST. BY THE TIME THEY ARRIVED IT HAD STOPPED BECAUSE THE OIL HAD BURNED OFF OF THE MOTOR. AFTER HAVING THE CAR TOWED HOME AND THEN TO A REPAIR SHOP THE NEXT DAY IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE CAP CAME OFF OF THE END OF A ROD WHILE THE PISTON WAS IN THE UP POSITION THE FUEL INSIDE FORCED THE PISTON DOWN CAUSING IT TO BLOW A HOLE IN THE SIDE OF THE MOTOR. HOW OR WHAT CAUSED THAT CAP TO COME OFF CAUSING THIS ISSUE? I NOW HAVE TO TRY AND LOCATE A MOTOR TO REPLACE THE ONE CURRENTLY DESTROYED. *TR
Steering, Jun 25, 2010
MY 2005 CHEVY MALIBU IS HAVING THIS VERY LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THERE IS NO WHERE TO PUT OR CHECK THE POWER STEERING FLUID. THIS IS A PIECE OF [XXX] CAR...I AM SCARED THAT SOMETHING IS GOING TO HAPPEN AND IT IS NOT GOING TO BE PRETTY IF THE STEERING ISSUES IN MALIBUS ARE NOT RESOLVED. I HAVE SEEN A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THE STEERING IN CHEVY MALIBUS. WITH ALL THE COMPLAINTS ON LINE, THAT SHOULD BE ENOUGH TO GM TO CALL A RECALL..... THIS IS DANGEROUS AND LIVES CAN BE LOST. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Steering, Suspension, Jun 25, 2010
2005 CHEVY MALIBU LS STEERING BEGAN TO LOCK UP ON SLOW TURNS. THERE WAS NO WARNING, JUST A SUDDEN LOCKING OF THE STEERING COLUMN. (IT WOULD NOT TURN. LITERALLY LOCK THE STEERING WHEEL UNTIL ADDITIONAL SPEED COULD BE MAINTAINED. THE PROBLEM STARTED INTERMITTENTLY 2 WEEKS AGO & STEADILY WORSENED. HAPPENING 10-12 TIMES A DAY THIS WEEK. HIT 2 CURBS, NEARLY JUMPED ONE CURB & NEARLY HIT A CAR. WE HAD TO PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE TO STRAIGHTEN THE STEERING PRIOR TO COMPLETING THE TURN. CAR HAS 85000 MILES ON IT. MECHANIC SHOP REPLACED RACK/PINION STEERING & BOTH FRONT END REAR TIE ROD RINGS. THIS DEFECT IS APPARENT ON MALIBU'S ACCORDING TO THE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS SEEN ON THE INTERNET. *TR