10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
6 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 0
Average Mileage:
89,034 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2005 Chevrolet Malibu:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #49

Dec 212022

Malibu

  • miles
The car's anti-theft system (indicated on the dashboard lights) will randomly lock up the engine. Following a massive list of online suggestions from other Chevy owners who had the same problem, I learned to wait for 10-15 minutes with the key in the ignition (lights/radio on, no engine) before the anti-theft indicator disappears and the car can start again. Sometimes, I will have to repeat the process 2-3 times. This has been happening randomly for over 2 years despite taking it into a Chevy dealer for repairs twice. They claimed it was a battery issue and charged me over $500 to fix nothing; The engine would lock up again within a month. A cursory Google search shows that this has affected hundreds if not thousands of GM vehicles, some even claiming the anti-theft lock engaged while they were driving. Please put some serious investigation into the matter so people like me can stop getting price gouged and stuck in freezing weather for GM's incompetence.

- Lincoln, NE, USA

problem #48

Nov 202018

Malibu

  • 155,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while at a complete stop, the vehicle would not accelerate and the engine completely failed without warning. As a result, an 18 wheeler truck tapped the rear of her vehicle. No air bags deployed. As a result of the impact, no injuries were sustained, no medical attention was needed, and there was no police report filed. The contact had been experiencing the failure several times prior to the incident. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer (cecil atkission motors - kerrville Chevrolet, Cadillac and Buick 550 benson dr, kerrville, tx 78028 (866) 240-2964) where the vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been notified of the failure; there are no recall associated with this VIN. The failure mileage was 155,000.

- Junction, TX, USA

problem #47

Mar 112018

Malibu

  • miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the vehicle overheated. If the vehicle was too hot, the engine would not start and the gear shift did not move. The vehicle also leaked anti-freeze. The contact had to pump the brake pedal in order for the lever to operate. Also, the air bag warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to East pat O'brien Chevrolet (2810 bishop rd, willoughby hills, oh 44092, (440) 348-0553) where it was diagnosed that the hood release was fractured and the egl sensor was separated. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was invalid.

- Cleveland Heights, OH, USA

problem #46

Jan 022019

Malibu

  • 223,000 miles
When I am driving, highway or local, my engine will stutter and shut down, or just quietly shut down right in the middle of traffic. It is happening a lot. I have found myself facing oncoming traffic during some of these stalls. Sometimes I can get it to restart snd other times I cannot. Also. I am having trouble get gas into the tank when fueling. I hear air escaping and the pump will shut off. Local mechanics do not want to tackle that issue. The dealer I bought it from says since I bought it used, as-is, that the problem is on me. I have read online that many people are having this same problem. I don't want me ire anyone to become a fatality because of this. What can be done?

- Newport, TN, USA

problem #45

Jul 192018

Malibu

  • 106,500 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact noticed oil leaking underneath the vehicle. In addition, the vehicle failed to respond without warning when the accelerator pedal was depressed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified. The failure mileage was 106,500.

- Augusta, KS, USA

problem #44

Jul 012018

Malibu

  • 60,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. While operating the vehicle, the brake lights intermittently failed to illuminate when depressing the brake pedal. Also, the front driver side window failed to operate and would not roll down and the rear passenger door could not be unlocked from inside the vehicle. Furthermore, the ignition key could be removed from the ignition switch while driving the vehicle and, after starting the engine, the vehicle suddenly stalled and shut off. The cause of the failures was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 60,000.

- Garden Grove, CA, USA

problem #43

Sep 152017

Malibu

  • 246,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. On several occasions, while driving various speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to flemington Buick GMC Cadillac at (908) 751-4316 (211 us-202, flemington, NJ 08822) where no diagnostic failure codes were found and the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the catalytic converter and O2 sensors needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 246,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Lawrenceville Township, NJ, USA

problem #42

Dec 122017

Malibu

  • 175,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving 60 mph, the steering wheel became inoperable. Also, the air bag and check engine indicators illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer advised the contact to take the vehicle for diagnostic testing. The failure mileage was approximately 175,000.

- Lancaster, CA, USA

problem #41

Oct 022017

Malibu

  • 45 miles
I was driving to work on the freeway and I accelerated to merge into traffic I slightly turned the wheel to the left and it went to the right and the faster I tried to go it was going all over the road from left to right.I didnt have much control so I decided to get off the freeway and go back home.

- Merced, CA, USA

problem #40

Sep 082010

Malibu

  • 62,000 miles
My vehicle stalled on rairoad track-when it hit the jarring --between the pavement and the tracks---the train was at a great distance---so the engineer stated---when they were 2078 feet from my Chevrolet Malibu -2005---they started to blow whistle----when I saw tghe train at a great distance -and yes I did have heavy things on my keychain--but GM failed to notify -I have a mailbox and a telephone--I was hitting the gas pedal over and over again and when I was doing that I remember hitting the ignition switch but the car was already dead-I was impacted and almost lost my life---it took me 3 years to recoperate----I did not know about the recall--and they started the recall in 2014--cover up GM--you should have startedit in 2010!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! there are 26 photos -but not in my posession I will attempt to obtain them----

- Breaux Bridge, LA, USA

problem #39

Dec 062016

Malibu 6-cyl

  • miles
While driving along the freeway, car dinged at me 3 times, reduced engine power warning came on, couldn't accelerate, braking power was reduced, traction control light came on. Had throttle body cleaned and inspected..worked good for about 3 days and is happening again. And now the weld is broken on the drivers seat!

- Saint Paul, MN, USA

problem #38

Sep 292016

Malibu

  • 154,000 miles
Had M Y car in for recall work now it shows reduced engine power or something like that and dies I replaced throttle body and no change still does it now it is throwing a code of P0826

- Salem, OR, USA

problem #37

Jun 242016

Malibu

  • miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. Four days after purchasing the vehicle, the check engine light illuminated while driving at an unknown speed. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed that there were "156 issues with the vehicle". the technician advised the contact to return the vehicle to the dealer. The contact stated that the dealer refused to take the vehicle back, stating that it was sold as is. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. The contact reported the matter to the ftc, but was advised to file a complaint with NHTSA. The VIN and failure mileage were unknown.

- Charlestown, IN, USA

problem #36

Jun 192016

Malibu

  • 150 miles
My 2005 Malibu is extremely hard to start. It also cuts off without warning. This is very dangerous, as well as frustrating. In cold weather, it will crank after only a few tries. In warm weather or after driving the car, it can take up to 30 minutes to crank. It spins but does not start without a major hassle. When the car finally starts, I have to hold down the gas pedal to prevent it from cutting off again. Frequently, it still cuts off when I put it into gear & I have to go through the starting process repeatedly. It is not reliable & has resulted in my being late to work, as well as leaving me stranded. A female being stranded is not safe. If it should happen to cut off in traffic, I will have no control of the vehicle which could result in an accident. I have tried the suggestions related to this common issue which is blamed on the theft deterrent system, but I continue to have the same problems. This is an every day occurrence, forcing me to start cranking my car 30-45 minutes before I have to leave for work & causing me to sit alone in parking lots trying to start my car so I can go home. The check engine light is on and I had it connected to a computer to be tested. The code number said "no part, no fix" & the mechanic who checked it said he had never seen that so had absolutely no idea what it meant. Reading online forums, I have found that this is a very common complaint from Malibu owners, yet nobody knows how to fix the problem. Chevrolet needs to recall and resolve this issue before someone dies due to it.

- Lake Wylie, SC, USA

problem #35

Jun 172016

Malibu

  • miles
I have to replace my signal lights every 2 to 3 months and they look like they melted inside also I have problems with my fuel like my car is not getting fuel while driving. And I'm angry because I've had my car for about 9 years and no one has ever mailed a recall to my home for anything on my car and I may be putting my life in danger. I learned about these recalls from my insurance company.

- Maumelle, AR, USA

problem #34

Apr 082016

Malibu

  • 242,000 miles
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.

- Flanders, NJ, USA

problem #33

Mar 252016

Malibu

  • 109,000 miles
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.

- Tifton, GA, USA

problem #32

Feb 062016

Malibu

  • 223,600 miles
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.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #31

Jan 022012

Malibu 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 101,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. While parked, the vehicle was not able to start. The contact mentioned that it took two attempts to start the vehicle. In addition, after switching off the vehicle, the key would get stuck and the vehicle had to be restarted in order to remove the key. The failure recurred intermittently. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 101,000. Updated 01/27/16 the ignition switch tumbler was replaced. Updated 02/09/16

- North Little Rock, AR, USA

problem #30

Sep 022008

Malibu

  • 47,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle suddenly stalled. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. In addition, after starting the vehicle the contact was unable to shift into gear. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the transmission shift cable failed. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure persisted. The contact also indicated that the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the fuel cap needed to be replaced. The fuel cap was replaced but the check engine warning light continued to illuminate. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 47,000.

- Fort Myers, FL, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »