10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
114,565 miles

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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #14

Apr 042014

Malibu Classic 4-cyl

  • 117,792 miles
We bought a 2005 Chevy Malibu classic base model from a reputable dealer. Everything was working fine until my son flipped the switch on the turn signal indicator for the lights from "auto" to full lights at night. The dash cluster illumination went out along with the radio back lighting, HVAC back lighting, door lock and window switch lighting. The dome light stopped working. The dome light had burned wires and the plastic fixture was burned. Replaced it back to the harness. Fuses kept blowing. Have since tried replacing the turn indicator/lights/wiper module, the dimmer switch, and dash cluster, upon inspecting the body control module I found corroded module connectors that were corroded and burned. Now the car won't start and the suspect is the anti-theft system. This is clearly an electrical malfunction from the assembly line and thousands of dollars in waste by myself my son and others reporting across the internet with the same problems as ourselves.

- Spokane, WA, USA

problem #13

Sep 102012

Malibu Classic

  • 146,000 miles
I purchased this vehicle very used at 143xxx miles, from a "reputable" dealer. I got a tune up as well as an oil change, standard used car purchase procedure. My dad initially brought to my attention that while driving my fuel gauge dropped down to E, the low gas light lit up and the check engine light came on. A local auto parts store said I should use a fuel injection kit for the check engine light. Now I have 146xxx miles and it happens every single time I get gas. It's nerve racking because I do drive frequently and my main concern is how much gas do I have? I came across a guy that works at a different auto store and he said it's probably my sender unit for my gas tank, which should cost about $300 to fix depending on where I take it. My next set of issues is my horn, I was unaware that it didn't work upon purchasing until I went to honk it and nothing happened. I took it to midas and they replaced the fuse. After driving it home the horn stopped working again. I heard it's just some wires touching but nobody does electrical work. Today, a friend asked if my turn signals were working. I said they did and he said they were burnt up, plastic and all. I looked and sure enough they were melted and the light itself was black on the inside and it looked like it's on the verge of shattering. He asked if there were recalls on anything with this car, I told him I called a local Chevy dealer and the guy insisted otherwise. Now, I checked this website and both the gas and lights are on a list of recalls. Apparently, not all dealers know half the information they should for concerned drivers.

- Campbell, OH, USA

problem #12

Aug 092012

Malibu Classic

  • 194,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu classic. The contact stated that after using the cigarette lighter, smoke started to emit from the holder. The contact stated that after inspecting the lighter he noticed more smoke coming from the wires that were attached to the radio, air conditioner, heater, which were also burned. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 194,000.

- Greendale, IN, USA

problem #11

Oct 212011

Malibu Classic

  • miles
Upon attempting to start my vehicle as always I was surprised to find my vehicle would not start. I had an anti theft light come on as well. I waited, tried again no luck. To help things out my cell phone was dead and I could not call anyone. I was eventually able to get back into my work which has high security, and I was able to contact my husband who eventually was able to tell me how to bypass this issue. So I went back out and tried it and after 10 min of sitting in my cold car in a dark parking lot alone I was able to start my vehicle. This really needs to be fixed. I finally made it home an hour and a half after I was off work but what a scary and could have been expensive issue to have.

- Bella Vista, AR, USA

problem #10

Dec 012011

Malibu Classic 6-cyl

  • miles
All the door locks unlock and lock with in driving position followed by a beep it does this constantly. I believe is very unsafe with children in the back seat. Issue with the gas gauge going crazy, goes from full to empty so you never know when the gas is going to run out. Also issues with the headlights and other bulbs being blown. All seems like some electrical issues but not sure.

- Goshen, OH, USA

problem #9

Aug 172011

Malibu Classic 4-cyl

  • 75,000 miles
Wiring harness under carpet corroded and burning. One wire burned all the way back.

- Bethel, CT, USA

problem #8

Apr 242011

Malibu Classic 4-cyl

  • 82,233 miles
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.

- Bremerton, WA, USA

problem #7

Feb 242011

Malibu Classic 4-cyl

  • 62,000 miles
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.

- Wilmington, NC, USA

problem #6

Apr 192010

Malibu Classic

  • miles
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.

- El Mirage, AZ, USA

problem #5

Jan 092009

Malibu Classic

  • miles
I drive a 2005 Malibu classic and it stalled at 40mph for no reason. No warning lights or nothing. I drive 12 to 15 miles and after turning the car off it will not start again for at least one to four hours. I have spent $400 dollars on repairs and the problems still exist. I want to live. Other driver are having the same problems. I found this information on the internet. What can I do. I am still making payments on T hes car and I have owned it for one year. Please help.

- Glendale, CO, USA

problem #4

Jan 162009

Malibu Classic

  • 91,000 miles
Car would not start. Thought the battery was dead due to the cold weather, thought the carburetor was flooded. Got a jump, car wouldn't start. Went back out the next day, tried de-icer, tried to jump it, still wouldn't start. Went back 2 days later, tried to jump it, tried using quickstart, still wouldn't start. Got it towed the next day, they told me the passlock sensor needed to be replaced because the anti-theft system was enabled. Paid $453 for a new passlock sensor and tow. Went online and found hundreds of complaints from other people w/ Chevy Malibu with the same problem. All you have to do apparently is turn the key to on, hold it there for 10 minutes or until theft light goes off, turn the key to off for a few seconds. Then they car will start. I had to get rides to work, missed several appointments this weekend, all because I did not have a vehicle. Paid $453 for a problem that could have been corrected for free and should not have occurred in the first place.

- Sandusky, OH, USA

problem #3

Aug 092008

Malibu Classic

  • 58,029 miles
My windshield wipers will work sometimes and not others, I replaced the fuse. In the rain wipers will be working fine, then quit all of a sudden. My mechanic could find nothing wrong. If you do not take the fuse out now, the wipers will stay on constantly. If you want to use them now you have to put the fuse back in to make them work. You have to hope you can pull over safely once the rain starts. I am constantly using rain X when it looks like rain. This is the 2nd electrical problem I have had with my 2005 Chevy Malibu.

- Vancouver, WA, USA

problem #2

Apr 142008

Malibu Classic

  • 73,000 miles
1)ignition switch failed. I was told by a service employee at the Chevy dealer to make sure my extended service contract covered electrical parts because the switch would fail and it would cost $500 to fix. Sure enough, 6 months later, it did. Warranty covered part replacement. 2) transmission shifts very hard. This happened 4 days in a row. After driving for approx 2 hours, the transmission started shifting extremely hard. I turned the car off and restarted it and the problem was gone. After the 4th day, it has not happened again for approx 5 months now. 3) electrical problems. Window motor went out. Replaced part. High/low beam (combination switch) went out, replaced part. Now horn honks at will. Had to pull the relay to stop it.

- Amboy, WA, USA

problem #1

Jul 052006

Malibu Classic 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 25,168 miles
: the contact stated while driving 70 mph the entire lighting system failed. The vehicle was pulled off the road without incident. The headlights were manually switched on and the vehicle was driven to the dealer. This was the third time this same problem has happened. On the first and second occasions the electrical computer system was replaced. The manufacturer has been alerted.

- Liberty , MO, USA