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 30, 2007
WHEN STARTING AND/OR DRIVING THE CAR FOR A SHORT TIME AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 5-45 POWER STEERING FAILS. THIS HAS NOT HAPPENED WITH HIGHWAY DRIVING YET BUT I AM CONCERNED IT WILL. I AM TAKING CAR IN THE NEAREST CHEVY DEALER FOR SERVICE. I DID RECEIVE A NOTICE IN THE MAIL IN DECEMBER 2007 REGARDING PROBLEMS BUT WAS NOT EXPERIENCING THE PROBLEM AT THE TIME AND DID NOT KEEP THE NOTICE; SOON THEREAFTER I DID EXPERIENCE REFERENCED STEERING PROBLEM. *TR
Steering, Suspension, Dec 27, 2007
I PURCHASED MY 2005 CHEVY MALIBU MAXX LS AS A "PROGRAM CAR" THINKING IT WAS THE NEXT BEST THING TO A NEW CAR. I GUESS I WAS WRONG. SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE IN APRIL 2006 I HAVE HAD CONSISTENT TROUBLE WITH MY FRONT END. I HAVE HAD TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER FOR WARRANTY REPAIRS FOUR TIMES! NOW AT 50,500 MILES MY FRONT END IS ACTING UP AGAIN. THE LAST TIME I HAD MY REPAIRS DONE I WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND CALLED GMAC AND ASKED FOR A REPURCHASE. GMAC CONTACTED MY DEALER AND RETURNED A CALL TO ME STATING THAT I SHOULD TRY ANOTHER DEALER THEY COULD NOT GET ANYWHERE WITH MY CURRENT DEALER. I WAS NOT SURPRISED AFTER BEING TOLD BY THE SHOP LEADER THAT"HIS WIFE'S CAR DID THE SAME THING AND THAT THE BEST THING I COULD DO IS DRIVE IT TILL ITS PAID FOR! I HAVE HAD IT WITH THIS CAR AND THE SERVICE MY LOCAL DEALER . I LOVE GMAC AND I WISH THEY WOULD BE MORE AGGRESSIVE AT DEALING WITH BAD DEALERSHIPS. MY DEALERSHIP MADE ME FEEL STUPID AND LIKE I WAS BOTHERING THEM. I AM STILL PAYING ON MY MALIBU BUT AM LOOKING TO TRADE BUT I AM SO SCARED THAT I WILL JUST GAIN A WHOLE NEW PROBLEM FROM ANOTHER VEHICLE...WHAT DO I DO? *TR
Steering, Dec 27, 2007
GRINDING, POPPING NOISES COME FROM FRONT END AND SQUEAKING NOISE FROM REAR. YOU CAN FEEL THE ENTIRE CAR SHIFT WHEN TURNING OR TRAVELING OVER BUMPS IN THE ROAD. SOUNDS LIKE THE WHOLE BODY OF THE CAR IS GOING TO SLIDE OFF OF THE CHASSIE. JANUARY 2007, DEALER REPLACED STEERING RACK AND SET TOE, HOOKED CHASSIE EARS TO THE FRONT SUSPENSION, AND REPLACED REAR SWAY BAR BUSHINGS. VEHICLE HAD 26,080 MILES ON IT. 11 MONTHS LATER,NOW 38,800 MILES, SAME ISSUE. HAVING TO TAKE VEHICLE BACK TO DEALERSHIP AGAIN AND IT IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY, TO HAVE STEERING AND SUSPENSION ASSESSED AGAIN. GM NEEDS TO ASSESS THIS PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED IN THESE MALIBUS. ANOTHER LOCAL DEALER STATES THEY SEE THIS SAME PROBLEM IN OTHER MALIBUS, YET NO RECALL. WHAT IS GM WAITING FOR? THEY NEED TO OWN UP TO A DESIGN FLAW. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Dec 13, 2007
WHILE DRIVING AFTER A RECENT EPISODE OF RAIN, I TRIED TO COME TO A STOP AT A RED LIGHT. I WAS DRIVING DOWN HILL AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH WHEN I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE. AS SOON AS I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE, I BEGAN SLIDING AT A DIAGONAL TO THE DIRECTION OF THE STREET. I TRIED TO COMPENSATE BECAUSE I WAS APPROACHING ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND THEN BEGAN TO SLIDE THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION, BUT STILL DIAGONAL TO THE STREET ON WHICH I WAS TRAVELING. I AGAIN TRIED TO GAIN CONTROL OF THE CAR AND ALMOST TURNED PERPENDICULAR. I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO GAIN CONTROL OF MY CAR, AFTER GOING THROUGH A RED LIGHT AND ALMOST SLIDING INTO HEAD ON TRAFFIC. ALL 4 OF MY TIRES MUST HAVE BEEN LOCKED UP TO SLIDE ON A DAMP SURFACE WITHOUT REGAINING TRACTION UNTIL AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF MANEUVERING WAS DONE. THIS INCIDENT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN DEATH. I AM IN THE PROCESS OF FINDING OUT WHAT I CAN DO TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM INVESTIGATED SO THAT MY LIFE, OR MY SON'S LIFE, IS NOT PUT INTO DANGER AGAIN. *TR
Steering, Dec 12, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 25-60 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED. FIVE SECONDS LATER, THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING ABILITY. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND THE POWER STEERING RETURNED AFTER 15 MINUTES. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 88,238.
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 27, 2007
ELECTRONIC PROBLEM . CAR STALLS WHEN DRIVING DOWN ROAD. GAUGES,WINDOWS,RADIO,HEAT,AIRCONDITIONING ALSO DON'T WORK PROPERLY WHEN THIS HAPPENS. NOT SAFE WHEN DRIVING, WE HAVE TO COAST CAR OFF ROAD TO GET STARTED. SOMETIMES IT WILL START RIGHT AWAY AND SOMETIMES IS DIFFICULT TO GET STARTED. WHEN STARTED SOMETIMES WILL STALL OUT WHEN PUT IN GEAR AND TAKES SEVERAL TIMES STARTING BEFORE IT WILL STAY RUNNING WHEN PUT IN GEAR. *TR
Exterior lighting, Nov 16, 2007
2005 CHEVY MALIBU HEADLIGHT OVER HEATING. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE FRONT COVER OF THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS AND TURN SIGNALS MELT. WHEN THE COVER DRIPS ONTO THE LIGHT BULB IT PUTS A HOLE IN THE BULB. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE PLASTIC COVERINGS WERE DISCOLORED ABOVE THE BULB DUE TO EXTREME HEAT WHICH WAS AN OBVIOUS DEFECTIVE DESIGN AND /OR IMPROPER BULB. NOT ONLY DID THE HEADLIGHTS FAIL, BUT THE RIGHT FRONT PARK AND SIGNAL LIGHT HAD TO BE REPLACED AS WELL. *JB
Electrical system, Nov 16, 2007
2005 CHEVY MALIBU WITH ODOMETER PROBLEM. CONSUMER STATES SHE TALKED TO THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY SAID THE ODOMETER WAS ABSOLUTELY ACCURATE. CONSUMER BELIEVES THE ODOMETER IS READING 3.4% HIGH, GIVING THE VEHICLE MORE MILEAGE. *KB
Steering, Nov 13, 2007
2005 MALIBU MAXX AT 35,504 MILES. THUMPING NOISE FROM STEERING AND STEERING REQUIRED MORE EFFORT. DEALER REPLACED INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT PER CHEV. BULLETIN #06-02-32-007. COST WOULD HAVE BEEN $174 BUT WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. *TR
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Nov 5, 2007
LOUD "CLUNKING" SOUND IN STEERING COLUMN AND LOSS OF POWER ASSISTED STEERING WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE FOR REPAIR 5 TIMES. STEERING COLUMN HAS BEEN REPLACED AND ELECTRIC STEERING GEAR. STILL GET A LOUD "CLUNK" WHEN STEERING AS WELL AS LOSS OF POWER ASSIST. CAR PULLS TO THE RIGHT AND I HAVE TO CONSTANTLY STEER LEFT TO STAY STRAIGHT. DEALERSHIP CLAIMS THE STEERING IS ALIGNED AND THAT THEY CAN NO LONGER WORK ON THE VEHICLE, EXCEPT TO GREASE THE STEERING COLUMN. *TR
Steering, Nov 1, 2007
CAR, MAKES LOUD KNOCKING NOISE WHEN TURNING LEFT, LOSS OF TIGHTNESS IN THE STEERING WHEEL, RACK AND PINION REPLACED. *TR
Steering, Power train, Oct 29, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL AT 5 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A THUMPING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE STEERING GEAR FAILED AND MADE THE REPLACEMENT. THREE MONTHS LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THREE MONTHS LATER, THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AGAIN AND STATED THAT THEY TIGHTENED IT UP, BUT DID NOT STATE WHAT THEY TIGHTENED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE THUMPING SOUND CONTINUED TO OCCUR AND WAS LOUDER THAN BEFORE. AS OF OCTOBER 29, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 42,000. THERE WAS A NOISE WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS GOING INTO 2ND GEAR. U[DATED 11/21/07. *JB
Steering, Oct 17, 2007
INTERMEDIATE SHAFT HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 40,000 MILES. I HAD ALREADY HAD IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP BEFORE AND THEY "LUBED IT" OF COURSE THE REPLACEMENT WAS OUT OF THE WARRANTY PERIOD. NOW THE CLUNKING SOUND IS BACK AND I HATE TO GO BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND PAY AGAIN. SOUNDS LIKE CHEVY HAS A REAL PROBLEM THEY DON'T WANT TO DEAL WITH. *JB
Steering, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Oct 15, 2007
AFTER THE FIRST 200 MILES ON THE ODOMETER, THE CAR HAD FRONT ROTOR PROBLEMS. THE DEALER TRIED TO FIX IT 2 TIMES BY TURNING THE ROTORS, ONLY TO RETURN IN LESS THAN 2,000 MILES EACH TIME. THEY FINALLY CHANGED OUT THE ROTORS FOR BRAND NEW ONES AFTER I COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER OWNER AND MANAGEMENT ABOUT THE PROBLEM. THE SECOND ISSUE WAS LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN. THIS WAS CAUSED BY A FAULTY ELECTRICAL CONNECTION AT THE FUSE BOX, WHICH I TOOK IT UPON MYSELF TO REPAIR AND THE PROBLEM NEVER RETURNED. THE THIRD PROBLEM STARTED IN JANUARY 2007, JUST ONE AND A HALF YEARS OF OWNING THE CAR. STEERING ASSEMBLY NOISES IDENTICAL TO ALL PREVIOUS REPORTS WAS CORRECTED BY A RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY REPLACEMENT. IN JULY 2007 (JUST 6 MONTHS LATER) IT WAS CHANGED AGAIN. NOW IN OCTOBER (3 MONTHS LATER) IT IS SCHEDULED TO RETURN TO THE DEALER FOR YET ANOTHER REPLACEMENT, MAKING THIS THE 4TH RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY TO DATE (INCLUDING THE ORIGINAL). THIS IS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE FOR A VEHICLE OF THIS PRICE RANGE... AND THE ONLY SOLUTION TO DATE IS TO CONTINUE TO CHANGE OUT THE ASSEMBLY. *TR
Steering, Oct 12, 2007
PURCHASED VEHICLE IN OCT, 2006 AT WHICH TIME WE FOUND THE STEERING RACK NEEDED REPLACEMENT, THE REPLACEMENT LASTED UNTIL JUNE OF 2007. AT WHICH TIME IT WAS REPLACED AGAIN. NOW IT IS OCTOBER 2007 AND THE RACK IS BAD AGAIN AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED . I WANT TO KNOW WHAT CHEVROLET IS GOING TO DO ABOUT THIS PROBLEM? *JB
Electrical system, Oct 2, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE BOTH HANDS TO STEER THE VEHICLE WITH EXCESSIVE FORCE. THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF FOR APPROXIMATELY SIXTEEN HOURS TO RESET THE STEERING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS A SHORT IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 51,000.
Exterior lighting, Sep 28, 2007, fire
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE HEADLIGHT AREA BEGAN SMOKING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON THREE OCCASIONS. WHEN THE CONTACT SHUT THE ENGINE AND HEADLIGHTS OFF, THE SMOKING CEASED. NO FIRE OCCURRED. THE CHEVROLET SERVICE DEPARTMENT ADVISED HER TO HAVE THE DEALER DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD REPLACE BOTH LIGHTS FOR $275 EACH AT HER EXPENSE. THE BULBS HAVE MELTED THE HEADLIGHT LENS, BUT THE DEALER DID NOT RECOMMEND CHANGING THE BULBS. THE TAIL LIGHTS WERE OPERATING NORMALLY. THE FENDER AREA IS MUCH HOTTER THAN NORMAL DUE TO THE HEADLIGHTS OVERHEATING. THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD TO INDICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 81,000.
Steering, Sep 24, 2007
I BOUGHT A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU APRIL 6, 2006 WITH 17,000 MILES. IN OCTOBER OF 2006 WITH 31,500 MILES THE STEERING WAS MAKING TERRIBLE POPPING NOISES. THE DEALER REPLACED THE STEERING RACK AND THE PROBLEM WENT AWAY FOR A FEW MONTHS. AT 41,000 MILES I AGAIN HAD TO HAVE THE STEERING RACK REPLACED, THIS TIME GM COVERED IT AS A "GOODWILL" GESTURE. NOW, AT 54,000 MILES, THE STEERING IS MAKING THE SAME NOISE AGAIN. IT CAN'T BE SAFE TO DRIVE. THREE STEERING RACKS IN 20,000 MILES IS PRETTY EXCESSIVE. *JB
Steering, Sep 24, 2007, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH IN THE RAIN, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DISPLAYED "POWER STEERING", BUT THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT NEVER ILLUMINATED. SHE WAS DRIVING ON THE LEFT SIDE OF A THREE LANE ROAD WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO VEER TO THE RIGHT AS SHE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL. AS A RESULT, SHE STRUCK THE RIGHT GUARDRAIL, WHICH CAUSED AXLE FAILURE, BODY WORK, AND DAMAGE TO THE PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHERE IT CURRENTLY REMAINS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 55,000.
Electrical system, Sep 13, 2007
2003 CHEVY MALIBU PASS LOCK SYSTEM IS DEFECTIVE. CUSTOMER STATES WHEN TRYING TO START THE CAR THE PASS LOCK SYSTEM WILL ENGAGE SHUTTING OFF THE VEHICLE AND YOU HAVE TO WAIT AT LEAST 10 MINUTES TO RESTART IT. **NAR**KB
Steering, Sep 8, 2007
POWER STEERING WILL LOCK AND CAR IS HARD TO TURN. *TR
Electrical system, Aug 31, 2007
I JUST PURCHASED A 2005 CHEVY MALIBU MAXX LS AND IM HAVING INTERMITTENT STARTING PROBLEMS. IT APPEARS TO HAPPEN MORE WHEN I'VE BEEN DRIVING WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER ON AND I STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CAR WILL CRANK FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME LIKE ITS GOING TO START BUT WILL NOT START INITIALLY. AFTER A WHILE IT DOES START AND THEN APPEARS TO BE NORMAL. I'VE CHECKED THE STARTER, ALTERNATOR, AND THE BATTERY ALL CHECKS OUT GOOD. *JB
Electrical system, Aug 29, 2007
I BOUGHT MY CAR ABOUT 9 MONTHS AGO. IT HAS ABOUT 36,750 MILES ON IT NOW AND MY THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT STARTED STAYING ON AFTER I WOULD START MY CAR. THEN A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER IT WOULD NOT LET ME START THE CAR AT ALL. THE THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT WOULD STEADILY BLINK. I HAD TO GET IT TOWED, THEY CHANGED OUT THE IGNITION IN IT AND REPROGRAMMED THE CAR AND RUNS FINE. THE GM PLACE I TOOK IT TO SAID THEY HAVE HAD A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS CERTAIN PART GOING OUT IN CARS. I DON'T THINK IT IS FAIR THAT I HAD TO PAY FOR THIS WHEN IT HAS BEEN OUT OF WARRANTY FOR ONLY 700 MILES. *JB
Latches/locks/linkages, Aug 29, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE VEHICLE IS NOT EQUIPPED WITH CHILD SAFETY LOCKS. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED WITHOUT THE CHILD SAFETY LOCKS. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED HER A VOUCHER TOWARDS THE PURCHASE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE SINCE THAT WAS NOT DISCLOSED AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE. THERE ARE NO FAILURES AT THIS TIME. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62000.
Latches/locks/linkages, Aug 27, 2007
NO CHILD REAR DOOR SAFETY LOCKS. *JB