10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 2 / 17
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 3 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 60,908 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.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
I got an important safety recall message in the mail. So I need to make an appointment and I want to do it online. The reason for being recalled should be in your records.
- Hazel Crest, IL, USA
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA campaign number: 141V252000 (electrical system, electronic stability control, exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic, vehicle speed control); however, the part needed to repair the vehicle was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified. The contact had not experienced a failure.
- Baton Rouge, LA, USA
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the headlight covers became foggy causing visibility at night to become difficult. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and the head light covers were replaced. The replaced headlight covers became foggy after some time. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure mileage was 10,000.
- Santee, SC, USA
Day time running lights in headlights overheat melting bulb base and socket. Have been replaced multiple times and keeps happening. Afraid of potential electrical fire or bulbs burn out and blinkers will not work which could cause a wreck.
- Jacksonville, AL, USA
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA campaign number: 14V252000 (electrical system, electronic stability control, exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic, vehicle speed control); however, the parts needed for the repair were unavailable. The dealer was uncertain when the parts would be available. The manufacturer was notified and informed the contact that the vehicle was also included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V153000 (steering) and NHTSA campaign number: 14V224000 (power train). The contact mentioned that the vehicle had exhibited the failure related to the steering multiple times. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.
- Connersville, IN, USA
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14V252000 (electrical system, electronic stability control, exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic, vehicle speed control); however, the parts needed for the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified. The contact had not experienced a failure.
- Natrona Heights, PA, USA
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 14V252000 (electrical system, electronic stability control, exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic, vehicle speed control); however, the part needed for the repair was unavailable. The dealer did not know when the part would arrive. The manufacturer was notified. The contact had not experienced a failure.
- Erie, PA, USA
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the driver's side-turning signal failed to activate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing, who stated that the light failed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
- Baton Rouge, LA, USA
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the power steering failed intermittently. The contact stated that the vehicle resumed normal functioned immediately after being restarted. The contact mentioned that he received a notification for recall NHTSA campaign number: 14V153000 (steering) and NHTSA campaign number: 14V252000 (electrical system, electronic stability control, exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic, vehicle speed control). The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded the reasonable amount of time for the repairs. The dealer stated the parts were not available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not taken for diagnostic test. The failure mileage was 70,000 and the current mileage was 87,000. Updated 08/27/14 updated 09/18/2014
- Albuquerque, NM, USA
While traveling home I was pulled over by a state trooper. I was told I was not using my signal lights and my brake lights were not working. For the past few weeks my ABS light has been coming on but I just had brakes put on my car. When I drive in the rain my brake petal goes almost to the floor before I can stop and my car makes strange scrubbing noises from time to time. As advised I had my lights checked by a professional and it was found my lights seemed to be burned/melted at the bottom where the bulbs connect to the base. I have replaced them several times and do not understand why they have to be replaced so often. Due to these issues I am afraid to drive in the rain and constantly check my brake and signal lights.
- Mobile, AL, USA
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while traveling 40 mph, the instrument panel lights failed. The contact mentioned that the directional signals independently activated without being engaged. The failure recurred on several occasions. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 9,000 and the current mileage was $9,127.
- El Paso, TX, USA
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the brake lights failed to illuminate when being depressed. The failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the bulb needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign id number: 14V252000( electrical system, electronic stability control, exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic, vehicle speed control ). the approximate failure mileage was 155,000.
- Laurel, MD, USA
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the day time running lights on the passenger's side malfunctioned. The light over heated and melted the bulb socket. The failure recurred on several occasions. The vehicle was not repaired or diagnosed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 23,000.
- Mekenzie, TN, USA
The drivers side turn signal bulb keeps burning out. I have replaced the bulb twice but it continues to burn out. There are many other complaints about this issue.
- Parrish, FL, USA
The car stops when driving also the exterior light have burned out the casing that holds the bulbs are melted.
- Lewisville, TX, USA
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the passenger side turn signal failed. The contact mentioned that after inspecting the vehicle, he noticed that the bulb had overheated and caused the material of the casing to melt. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The VIN was not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 95,000.
- Beebe, AR, USA
While turning left the orange globe in the headlight assembly melted and caused light bulb to burn plastic. I contacted the company General Motors before about the discoloration of my headlight assembly and they said they had not received any prior complaints. I work for a parts store and I had noticed almost every (80%) 2005 that came in for light bulb replacement has this problem. My daughter has a Malibu max 2005. She had to replace her assemblies which had burned worse, after she went to local Chevrolet dealer and they would not replace them. She purchased after market lights at about $65 each versus their $165 price not counting labor they would of charged. It's VIN #[xxx]. GM has a problem and will not do anything to fix it. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
- Goldsboro, NC, USA
Was told by a driver who had been behind me coming up to a traffic light that my brake lights were not working. She said it looked as though they were on while I was accelerating and went off when I was stopping. I have replaced the brake light diagnostic resistor and it hasn't done anything. I also have had issues with getting the car out of park and with the cruise control refusing to engage or disengaging itself. I understand now that these are reoccurring problems for this car and it has something to with terminal fretting corrosion in the body control module but there has been no recall for this problem. When I bought the car less than a year ago, there was no mention of this problem. I have no idea how long the brake light problem has existed since no one has told me about it before this but the cruise control acted funny even when I was test driving the vehicle before purchase. I mentioned it to the salesperson and he said they would check it out. It worked the next time I test drove it but has frequently not worked after I actually bought it. Getting the car out of park has been a problem on several occasions since I bought it.
- Spencerville, OH, USA
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the brake lights were illuminated independently without the brakes being applied. The vehicle was not inspected by a dealer or an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure and current mileage was approximately 153,000.
- Bedford, VA, USA
- New Castle , PA, USA