1.9

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
83,293 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 #32

Jul 012022

Malibu

  • miles
This problem has occurred many times and I have taken to the internet to find out what I could to try to remedy it myself as I don't have endless disposable income to have someone else fix it. I have not had it seen by a professional, only consulted with a manager of a gm dealership repairs department over the phone as well as various mechanics and locksmiths. As I said I don't have endless disposable money to throw at this. The car will completely shut off in the middle of driving, I lose all power. The antitheft system engages in the middle of driving. Then I get no crank no start. I get stuck in the middle of the road. In the past I was able to just turn the key off and remove it and let it sit for a while and then it would let me start it again, this began a year ago and has gotten progressively worse and more frequent since it first occurred and I am now at the point where the car is completely no crank no start and anti theft system will not disengage. From my own research online I've found many others complaining of similar problems and they say it's related to gm passlock system.

- Friendsville, MD, USA

problem #31

Jan 012020

Malibu

  • 140,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle loss power steering assist. An audible chime was heard during the failure. The vehicle was stopped, and the power steering assist returned independently. Additionally, the check fuel cap warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer nor independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 14E044000 (steering) however, the repair failed to prevent the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 140,000.

- Florence, SC, USA

problem #30

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 #29

Apr 182016

Malibu

  • 92,000 miles
Starting around two years ago, fuel gauge after filling tank and then starting car would fall to empty along with low fuel light coming on. When restart car was okay. So, did not fill tank anymore, alleviated problem for a year. In past year got worst, and check engine light would come on until using up until at least 2 gallons was used when gasoline was added. Then engine light went off. As time went on, fuel gauge acting up more, never reading accurately how much gas is in car. In last month, no matter how much or little fuel is added, reads full for a long time, then gauge drops suddenly to empty and low fuel light comes on, and check engine light comes on. Had checked, indicates the fuel sensor is entirely not working now /or fuel pump may not work soon. So every 100 miles, guess how much fuel to add. Not knowing, could run out of gas anytime, and car shut down. Could not live with condition anymore. So, have the combined fuel senor/fuel pump replaced. My opinion, this safety issues should result in General Motors issuing a recall for this problem, and reimbursing any owner with same problem; should they had the problem repaired previously.

- Monroe Township, NJ, USA

problem #28

Apr 012017

Malibu

  • miles
Headlights and tail lights are not working they go out once a month and now they just out and this car is defiantly unsafe to drive. The locks go up and down while driving, and auto lock if left running. Gas fumes through out the car. These are very serious problems, also I have two toddlers that are forced to ride in this death trap!!

- Brunswick, GA, USA

problem #27

May 132017

Malibu

  • 159,890 miles
These are the photos take of the fuel pump after it was removed by mathis auto service (see the attached invoice). As you can see the tag has only a small part of a bar code, I didn't know whether or not this was the part number or not, but it seem there was no number. The top of the pump was very dirty and wet from gasoline. I had the fuel pump replace after I was transporting a client and the car started sputtering and lost power from 45-miles-per hour to about 10-miles per hour, before I was able to turn into a parking lot. This scared the client and lead them to report to lyft about the incident. I also reported the issue to lyft ride share and they shut down my vehicle for safety reasons by deactivating my account. Since then I have had the Chevrolet dealership to complete 4 recalls, which did not clear up the problem. Or correct the fuel pump from seizing up and stalling out. I paid for the replacement part of a new fuel pump and everything has been working properly. And my account has been reactivated with lyft. I spoke to ti automotive CEO, about their recall on their fuel pump seize, stopping the fuel flow to the engine creating a stalling condition. I was told these issue was only in 2010 models and they will not repair or acknowledge the defects in earlier models of Chevy Malibu. But there are issues with other years models stalling out in traffic.

- Suwanee, GA, USA

problem #26

May 082017

Malibu

  • 134,000 miles
Gas gauge reads incorrectly and bounces erratically from full to empty and back again turning on the check-engine light and setting off the audible low fuel warning. This happens have every fill-up. In between fill-ups, gas gauge "sticks": to some arbitrary intermediate value. It never displays accurate fuel-remaining. I must used the odometer mileage to know when to get gas. This erratic behavior occurs when vehicle is in motion or stopped at a red light.

- Lancaster, CA, USA

problem #25

Apr 092017

Malibu

  • 139,200 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the fuel sensor level failed, and the fuel sensor and check engine indicator illuminated. The contact mentioned that the fuel tank would be full, but the fuel level sensor showed half a tank. In addition, the vehicle failed the state inspection due to the fuel sensor and codes. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 139,200.

- Kennesaw, GA, USA

problem #24

Mar 022017

Malibu

  • 38,000 miles
Replaced canister purge valve and solenoid as well as gas cap twice. 2006 and 2012. Dealer service no warranty. Check engine light still does not stay off. Scares you when you are driving because you don't know if car will stop or get you home. Could cause problem if there is leak or mechanical issue. #2 seat belt light comes on and off every 3 to 5 miles. Dealer can't find issue.

- Goldsbor, NC, USA

problem #23

Nov 062016

Malibu

  • 295,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving 30 mph, the steering wheel seized and became difficult to maneuver. The power steering warning indicator illuminated and the brakes failed to respond. When the vehicle was being refueled, the fuel spewed out the fuel filler pipe. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failures. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V153000 (steering). The failure mileage was 295,000.

- Kirbyville, TX, USA

problem #22

Sep 302016

Malibu

  • 98,000 miles
Fuel gage doesn't work causing a safety hazard in traffic

- Rockmart, GA, USA

problem #21

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 #20

Mar 012016

Malibu

  • miles
I currently have several mechanical issues with my 2005 Chevy Malibu as described in the NHTSA and manufacturer's recall numbers: NHTSA #09E012000; NHTSA #14V224000; NHTSA #11E009000; 10032206; 10019020; 10030685; and 10059101. The problems with the vehicle exist whether the car is stationary or in motion, however, they are most noticeable when driving.

- Washington, DC, USA

problem #19

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 #18

Jan 122013

Malibu

  • 90,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. While attempting to start the vehicle, it would not start. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000.

- Campbellsville, KY, USA

problem #17

Apr 232015

Malibu 6-cyl

  • miles
I was driving on freeway and my vehicle stalled and shut down. I had no acceleration from gas pedal, so I had to signal over to the right shoulder of road and coast to a complete stop. Tried starting the vehicle a few times, it would start but would not rev up, even when gas pedal was pressed. Utah road incident management helped by putting one gallon of gasoline in tank since the tank was close to empty, but still would not start. Also, tried using carburetor spray to start the vehicle but, still did not work. Had to be towed to a service shop, where they performed tests to figure out what was wrong. After tests diagnosed that it was the fuel pump and filter. I looked up whether or not there was a recall on this model and year of vehicle. There was a recall for aftermarket fuel pumps, but I believe that recall has closed. I hope to have my vehicle fixed under the same recall.

- Kearns, UT, USA

problem #16

Mar 222015

Malibu 6-cyl

  • 122,000 miles
Filled 2005 Malibu with gas. Fuel read full. Pulled off from gas station fuel gauge went to empty. Fuel light and check engine light came on car turned off while at the light. I am not trying to die due to a corporation negligence!!!!

- Nashville, TN, USA

problem #15

Jan 302015

Malibu 6-cyl

  • 119,000 miles
The current issue I am having is every time I get gas, which is often because I drive 80 miles a day for work, my gauge will drop to empty and low fuel/ light comes on! next day low fuel light on still, goes off on my drive eventually, but the check engine light is now on! that goes away as well. I went to get the codes check at autozone and they are as follows: P0463.

- Springfield , IL, USA

problem #14

Oct 092014

Malibu 6-cyl

  • 150,000 miles
My power steering keeps locking up on me and will not allow me to turn. It locks up while im driving on the highway and it locks up some time when I start the car up. Also my fuel pump failed. It does not read telling me how much fuel I have in my tank.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #13

Jul 282014

Malibu 6-cyl

  • miles
For the past 4-5 months, every time we fill up with gas and then start the car, the fuel gauge jumps up to full, stays there for a few miles, then drops to empty and low fuel message comes on. The check engine lamp also comes on and stays on. After about 20-30 miles, the fuel gauge goes back to full and at the point, the check engine light goes off. This doesn't always happen. Sometimes the check engine light stays on until the next fill-up, then the same thing happens all over again.

- Dickson, TN, USA

Read the next 12 complaints »