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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
- Deltona, FL, USA