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.

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

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

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #10

Nov 302008

Malibu 6-cyl

  • 69,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact previously experienced failure with the driver's side headlight bulb constantly burning out. Six months later, the plastic headlight covers burned. The steering shaft has been replaced three times. The dealer stated that the plastic cover failure was a factory defect; therefore, they were unable to correct the failure. The failure mileage was 69,000 and current mileage was 78,400. Updated 02-23-09 updated 02/24/09.

- Deltona, FL, USA

problem #9

Dec 202008

Malibu

  • 52,000 miles
On a 2005 Chevy Malibu our brake lights, on the rear of the vehicle, often work in reverse. In other words, the brake lights are on when you aren't hitting the brakes, and they are off when you are hitting the brakes. This seems to pose a safety concern since vehicles behind you do not know when you are hitting the brakes. I am reporting this because I have seen on many forums that other people have the same problem so this should be a factory recall instead of something we have to pay for to get it fixed. Here are some links that prove this problem isn't isolated: www.fixya.com/cars/T822542-brake_lights_wont_go_off www.2carpros.com/forum/2005-Chevy-Malibu--brake-lights-will-not-go-off-VT181519.html www.carcomplaints.com/Chevrolet/Malibu/2004/lights/brake_lights_blink_on_by_themselves.shtml www.cardealercheck.com/forum/thread15599.html.

- Meridian, ID, USA

problem #8

Oct 112008

Malibu

  • 101,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving at an unknown speed, the contact smelled something burning. He noticed a V-shaped burnt pattern in the front driver's side headlight. Approximately one month ago, the front passenger side headlight failed. The current mileage was 102,000 and failure mileage was 101,000.

- Joshua Tree, CA, USA

problem #7

May 152005

Malibu

  • 6 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. Within a series of months, both the front and rear turn signal bulbs have all needed to be replaced. The dealer found the vehicle to be operating normally. The failure has occurred ever since the vehicle was purchased. The current mileage was 27,000 and failure mileage was 6.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #6

Feb 282006

Malibu

  • miles
Headlights and taillights keep burning out on my 2005 Chevy Malibu at the base of the bulb. This is an 05 and the dealers keep telling me it is the bulb I use - that I need to use an oem bulb, when I let them change it they used the same bulb and the base of the bulbs turn black and only last about a week or so.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

problem #5

Jul 012008

Malibu

  • 51,000 miles
Noticed both front turn signals/daytime running lamps yellow covers were melted. It had discolored light lens due to apparent extreme heat.

- Bowling Green, MO, USA

problem #4

Dec 152007

Malibu

  • 40,000 miles
The blinker will always fail to work. The bulbs are just fine and intact, but the blinker will stop working. There is some electrical problem with the headlights. This has caused other vehicles to get in close contact with me, and almost in crashes. I have heard many different cases of this problem with other 2005 Chevy Malibu's as well.

- Fargo, ND, USA

problem #3

May 062008

Malibu 6-cyl

  • 45,000 miles
I just replaced the front driver's side flasher light in my 2005 Chevy Malibu and the plastic base of the bulb was melted. This appears to be a possible fire hazard.

- West Point, GA, USA

problem #2

Oct 012006

Malibu 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Email (in) requesting an investigation of General Motors re their dangerous & defective products. Updated 2/15/2007 - the consumer smelled antifreeze coming through the air vents. The driver's side headlight had to be replaced. Problem with brakes. A steering gear associated with the rack and pinion was replaced. The transmission hesitated. The consumer heard a knocking noise when turning the steering wheel. Passenger side front turn signal failed. The dash light and tail light failed.

- Merrillville, IN, USA

problem #1

Aug 082006

Malibu 4-cyl

  • miles
Since purchase of 05 Malibu I have had breaking vibration and vibration in turns to the right. Have had 2 sets of pads and rotors turned once. I am on the third set of tires with rotations every 6000 miles but still get uneven wear. 43,000+ miles and the dealer says there is nothing wrong with the breaking or wheels. Drivers side daytime running light and turn signal has blown 3 times.

- Franklin, NC, USA