10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
6 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 0
Average Mileage:
80,944 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 Maxx:

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

problem #161

Sep 152022

Malibu Maxx

  • miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the power steering assist fault message was displayed and the steering wheel became very difficult to turn in either direction. Additionally, there was a ticking sound coming from the steering column while turning the steering wheel. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V153000 (Steering). The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Laramie, WY, USA

problem #160

Dec 062020

Malibu Maxx 6-cyl

  • 98,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx. The contact stated that while her husband was driving 55 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that her husband manually steered the vehicle and veered to the side of the road. The contact stated that her husband turned off and restarted the vehicle and the power steering functionality returned. The contact's husband continued to drive the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the power steering control module, steering control module, and torque sensors needed to be replaced. The dealer also advised the contact that she would be responsible for the cost of the repair as an unknown recall had expired in 2014. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 98,000.

- Mc Kee, KY, USA

problem #159

Apr 012020

Malibu Maxx

  • 45,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu maxx. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, a clunking sound was coming from the steering column while turning the steering wheel in either direction. The cause of the failure was not determined. The contact indicated that the steering column was previously replaced however, the failure persisted. The local dealer john elway Chevrolet located at 5200 S. broadway, englewood, co 80113 and the manufacturer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 45,000.

- Denver, CO, USA

problem #158

Mar 192019

Malibu Maxx

  • 170,000 miles
GM recalled several vehicles for problems with the power steering and electric steering assist in 2014. According to the GM newsbrief, "if power steering assist is lost, a message displays on the driver information center and a chime sound to inform the driver. Steering control can be maintained because the vehicle will revert to manual steering, but greater driver effort would be required at low vehicle speeds, which could increase the risk of a crash." Chipman & taylor, a certified GM dealer and service repair shop, has indicated that the aforementioned units are failing in my vehicle which was identified as one of the vehicles in the recall. However, they indicated that the 2005 Chevy Malibu maxx ls was not eligible for the full repair and only replaced a singular part which did not fix the issue that they were attempting to resolve via their recall procedure. It is both irresponsible and reprehensible that they are aware of the issue, made a statement regarding their intent to remedy the situation, and simultaneously failed to follow through with their promises to consumers. This type of negligence puts every person on the road at risk. 'with these safety recalls and lifetime warranties, we are going after every car that might have this problem, and we are going to make it right. We have recalled some of these vehicles before for the same issue and offered extended warranties on others, but we did not do enough.' Their failure to follow through with their promise is an atrocity of monumental proportions and should not be taken lightly. 612,203 vehicles were affected by this recall and GM has the audacity to allow citizens to be placed in grave danger due to their negligence.

- Moscow, ID, USA

problem #157

Jan 072019

Malibu Maxx

  • miles
My power steering is constantly going out on my car while driving on the highway as well as city streets and I have to pull over and park for a few minutes before it will work again. It is very dangerous and I've barrowly avoided an accident several times most recently it has failed 3 times in 2 hours hole driving normally. This has been going on for the past year but incidents of failure have increased since reaching 156000 miles on my car. It appears that there is a recal for this issue for my year and model and yet I've been told there is a recall but my car isn't covered

- St. Louis, MO, USA

problem #156

Nov 032018

Malibu Maxx

  • 79,500 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu maxx. While the vehicle was stationary at a drive-thru, the steering wheel independently maneuvered left, right, back, and forth. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact called the dealer (chase Chevrolet, located at 6441 holman rd, stockton, ca 95212, 209-475-6600) and a supervisor agreed to replace the torque sensor assembly for free. The dealer confirmed that the previous vehicle owner serviced the vehicle per NHTSA campaign number: 14V153000 (steering) in 2014. When the vehicle was taken back to the dealer it was diagnosed that the power steering motor and the power steering column needed to be replaced. In addition, the mechanic mentioned that there were no diagnostic codes found on the vehicle. The contact and the mechanic test drove the vehicle and the steering wheel vibrated. Additionally, the steering wheel independently maneuvered left, right, back and forth during the test drive. The vehicle was at the dealer for one week, but was not repaired due to the repair costs. The mechanic informed the contact that the vehicle was unsafe to drive and handed the keys back to the contact. While reversing from a parking space and turning to the left, the steering wheel veered independently to the right without warning. In addition, the contact stated that the steering wheel would independently move back and forth. As a result, the contact crashed into a pole. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. The contact was concerned that the failure could have caused a fatal injury. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for the most recent failure. The contact stated that the failure occurred on various occasions. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The approximate failure mileage was 79,500.

- Stockton, CA, USA

problem #155

Dec 142018

Malibu Maxx

  • 180,000 miles
Takata recall I was driving on route 19 just before the maple fork exit the light was red and I began to slow down. All of a sudden the brakes and steering would not work and the car hit the rear end of the car in front of me. Causing major damages to the front of my car. The other car was not affected nearly as much. It was like the car just stopped. No airbags was deployed.

- Summersville, WV, USA

problem #154

Nov 152018

Malibu Maxx

  • 320,000 miles
When I was driving on the highway, I heard a chime and a message popped up and stated 'power steering' my steering wheel locked up and made it hard to turn. I was still able to drive to my destination. I was also able to turn my car off and it'll reset and the power steering message would go away and it'll be easier to use my steering wheel

- Tucson, AZ, USA

problem #153

Oct 062018

Malibu Maxx

  • 194,500 miles
Power steering assist failed on the highway. Was able to pull off and turn the car off and back on and it came back momentarily. Sporadically went on and off for several days, however have had no power steering since Friday October 12th, today is October 16th.

- Irving, TX, USA

problem #152

Mar 192018

Malibu Maxx

  • 115,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu maxx. While driving at an unknown speed, the power steering warning indicator illuminated and the steering wheel seized. The contact stated that the vehicle exhibited the same symptoms as indicated in NHTSA campaign number: 14V153000 (steering). The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer was not contacted for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer stated that the failure was included in an unknown recall that was closed. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.

- Marietta, PA, USA

problem #151

May 212018

Malibu Maxx

  • miles
While the car is in motion and even in idle the steering wheel sometimes will lock. It has happened while making turns, going around roundabouts, on the highway, and on a regular 15 min. Work commute. The car will beep as if the trunk is open. The beeping is right before the stiffness of the steering wheel. I have to turn off the ignition and turn the ignition back on in order to proceed in driving. If you're in motion it's best to pull over due to the engine sometimes lag when trying to start the car back up. Once it is starting, it drives just fine. I've seen tons of people with this exact problem in regards to this particular vehicle. It could cause accidents if our steering wheel locks and we're unable to just pull over to safety. Since our car is mostly electrical it's not as if we could just check the steering fluid. This happens at least once a day.

- Columbus, GA, USA

problem #150

Mar 112018

Malibu Maxx

  • 135,000 miles
Alert system dings three times, power steering issue indicator comes on, power steering is completely out while driving. Contacted Chevrolet and was told there was no recall on my specific vehicle, although there were two recalls for the same exact issue. Was told there was nothing they could do to repair this common problem with this style.

- Glouster, OH, USA

problem #149

Mar 152018

Malibu Maxx

  • 180,000 miles
Power steering goes out while driving with no warning. Different times.

- Pataskala, OH, USA

problem #148

Mar 012018

Malibu Maxx

  • 225,000 miles
Just purchased this vehicle and it has power steering problems off and on saw it was recalled prior and not sure if it was properly fixed what am I supposed do?

- Greenwood, SC, USA

problem #147

Feb 162018

Malibu Maxx

  • 136,000 miles
Started the car, power steering worked and then suddenly, while driving on a city street, I hear "ding ding ding" and the power steering suddenly goes out making the vehicle extremely difficult to control and leaving me with no response time.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #146

Jan 302018

Malibu Maxx

  • 176,000 miles
I was driving and a warning signal sound came on and the "power steering" message appears on the screen then the power steering went out. I was on on on the highway so that was the scary part. I started to go home because I knew it was not safe. The car would shake and make noises while I was stopped at a stoplight and the steering wheel would jerk and move and continue to rattle. I was able to pull over and turned the car off. I started it back up and it was okay. I started to drive and again the signal sound and the power steering message came on and it went out while I was turning which was a scary moment because an accident would've happened had another car been in the way. It was very difficult to drive and I was worried about an accident happening. I was told to take it to the shop and did so. Was told it was probably a sensor. I looked up recalls and that was a recall on my car. I called the GM/Chevy consumer line and they recommended it take it to my local Chevy dealer and stated the recall had been fixed. Local Chevy dealer calls to tell me that there is a "bulletin" and the steering column needs to be replaced at a cost of $1,100. The steering column is listed on the previous recall but they only replaced a sensor. I was told I had to pay to have it fixed. I find it very disturbing that millions of cars have this issue and nothing is being put out to fix the problem. It is dangerous.

- Liberal, KS, USA

problem #145

Jan 272018

Malibu Maxx

  • miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu maxx. The contact stated that the manufacturer indicated that an unknown eps recall remedy was performed by an unknown dealer before the contact owned the vehicle. The contact stated that the steering wheel made an abnormal noise and was extremely difficult to turn in either direction. The vehicle was not diagnosed by a dealer, but was inspected by an independent mechanic. The manufacturer provided no solution other than stating that a recall had been performed. The failure mileage was not available.

- Medina, TN, USA

problem #144

Dec 312017

Malibu Maxx

  • 95,000 miles
My steering wheel is hard to turn at startup, like it is manual or metal on metal feel like there is no lubrication. It is surely not safe to even back out of the driveway let alone drive it. I looked to see if there was no steering fluid but learned there is no such thing on this make/model but that it uses electrical steering assist instead. I have seen many complaints on the web regarding steering assist on this model and I know my local dealer told me there was a recall and had worked on the steering and replaced something there at some point because of the recall yet my VIN search show nothing on this site. It doesn't even show past recall work!

- Waldorf, MD, USA

problem #143

May 012017

Malibu Maxx

  • 200,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu maxx. While driving various speeds, the steering wheel seized and pulled to the left. Bill crispin Chevrolet in saline, Michigan was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and referred the contact to NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

- Highland Park, MI, USA

problem #142

Sep 192017

Malibu Maxx

  • 140,000 miles
When accelerating to for example mars onto the interstate, the steering locks up and post left while it all warning lights flash in the system chimes three times. After letting off the gas and the steering comes back in the vehicle is once again control. But until then it will pull you directly into oncoming traffic

- Highland Park, MI, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »