10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
17 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
20 / 1
Average Mileage:
87,234 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 #272

Jun 022014

Malibu

  • 150,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the steering wheel would seize while driving various speeds. The failure occurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V153000 (steering); however, the part needed for the repair was unavailable. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.

- Dryridge, KY, USA

problem #271

Aug 162010

Malibu 4-cyl

  • 60,000 miles
I have received numerous recall notices and whenever I call a dealer I am told either there is no recall for this notice or they don't have the parts for this recall. I think they are waiting for me to either get rid of the car or get in an accident. If my car is affected I want it fixed. Is there anything the NHTSA can do?

- Elmhurst, IL, USA

problem #270

Feb 042014

Malibu 4-cyl

  • miles
I received 2 notices about 2 recalls on my car that could cause a crash without warning or control. I did experience one of the conditions were I could not put the gear in park or drive when I was trying to start the car to drive. Also once the key was stuck in he ignition fortunately these occurrences were during me trying to start the car when it had been parked. This problem was stated in the notice as a condition in which the transmission shift cable may fracture at any time.currently there are no parts available to fix these recalls. I am afraid for my safety as well as my family.

- Wallkill, NY, USA

problem #269

Jun 022014

Malibu 4-cyl

  • miles
To date, I have received 3 different recall notices from GM dealing with my vehicle. Though I understand that these parts may not be available immediately, I don't and will never understand why I am unable to get a loaner car until these problems can be taken care of. I was instructed to drive my vehicle until I had a problem and then it would be taken care of. What kind of advice is that? I've talked to several people today about my issue and no one cares. I can pretty much guarantee none of them would have their wives and small children in the same position I'm in. All I want to be able to do is go to work and make it home safely to my child.

- Desoto, TX, USA

problem #268

Jun 082014

Malibu 4-cyl

  • 146,000 miles
When I turn the steering wheel right or left I hear a knocking sound and steering loose.

- Abingdon, MD, USA

problem #267

Jul 232014

Malibu

  • miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving at an unknown speed, the power steering failed. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V153000 (steering), but the manufacturer stated that the parts for the repair were unavailable. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or repaired. The contact had not experienced a failure.

- Craryville, NY, USA

problem #266

Jun 302014

Malibu 6-cyl

  • miles
I own a 2005 Malibu. I keep getting recall letters (electronic steering, ignition, body control module) they have no parts to repair any of them. What good is a recall when you can't get your car fixed? how long does the gov give manufacturers to actually repair a recall. Seems to me if the default(s) is/are dangerous enough to issue a recall, there should be some repercussions when GM does not repair recalls in a timely manner. Should I just go to the dealer and demand a rental till my car is made safe to drive" how about a picket sign? should I go and pay an independent mechanic and bill GM" [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Oak Lawn, IL, USA

problem #265

Jul 072014

Malibu 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,000 miles
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

problem #264

Jun 272014

Malibu 6-cyl

  • 152,000 miles
For awhile now my power steering indicator has been going off and a few months ago it had become an issue when I veered off the road on a U-turn. I brought it to my local Chevrolet dealership and they told me nothing was wrong with my car and that id be fine. Few weeks ago I had another incident to where I was backing into a spot and couldn't turn my wheel and almost hit the car behind me. The chime goes off 2-3 times a week and have trouble starting my car sometimes ad well. Being concerned I had done some research and found out that there is a recall on my 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. I immediately called GM and they took info from me and left message for Chevy to call me. Chevy never called me back so I called and they began to tell me the parts are not available to remedy the problem and the car is on a waiting list. I immediately began to do more research and came up empty. I don't understand how GM can leave me in this situation. I don't know if because my car is almost at the 10 year mark and than GM is not liable, or there is a loop hole in some way they can drag their feet. Is there anything I can do, or anything being done about this?!

- Neptune City, NJ, USA

problem #263

Aug 082013

Malibu

  • miles
Was traveling app. 35 mi per hr and went to make a turn and lost the power steering and was almost hit by another car. I have lost the ability to steer properly several times over the last year the worst being when this happens and I am on the interstate. This recall happened in may of 2014 and now it is July and the dealer is saying they still don't have the parts to fix the problem. Are they waiting till our cars are to old for them to be fixed under the recall? I have not received any notice from General Motors.

- Suffolk, VA, USA

problem #262

Jun 242014

Malibu

  • 63,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving 45 mph, the power steering light illuminated and the power steering failed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician was unable to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 63,000. The VIN was not available.

- Elizabeth, NJ, USA

problem #261

Jun 192014

Malibu 6-cyl

  • 156,670 miles
While driving home I lost control of my steering wheel. It became hard to steer and I could barely turn off the street into a parking lot. At the time of the incident it was raining and 5 O'clock traffic was getting heavy.

- Mobile, AL, USA

problem #260

May 202014

Malibu 4-cyl

  • 140,200 miles
Shifting has been hard from park position, wheel alignment very bad, shifting from left to right. A recall was done by GM on 05/20/2014 but my car was not recall until today, I check everyday on GM with my VIN number. On May 1st I went to my auto services and they find out major problems with transmission shift cable and inner tie-rod end. As I did not receive a recall order, GM won't do anything. Very dangerous situation for my 18 year old and I as auto repair shop will charge me over $600++ which I can't afford now. Scary and unfair. Thank you in advance for listening and advising me in the very near future.

- Naples, FL, USA

problem #259

Jun 052014

Malibu

  • 142,035 miles
This relates to recall campaign 14V153000. In 2009, I first began having power steering failures when accelerating from stopped. I would feel the steering wheel jerk to the path of least resistance (straighten) if I was in a turn, and would hear three chimes (ding-ding-ding). If I released the gas pedal, the power steering would resume operations, but if I maintained pedal activation, power steering would remain off and an alert would illuminate on the dashboard indicating power steering failure. The problem occurred with increased frequency on hot days, especially when air conditioning was operating on high (leading me to believe that it was a loss of power to the steering column, induced by a problem with the way that the electrical system was set up--giving higher priority to A/C fans than to the power steering). In October 2009, the vehicle was repaired under special bulletin 10183. However, in April 2014, I began having this problem again. On every day where the temperature was above 75 degrees, I've had this issue. I called GM and they stated that my VIN is not among those affected, though I drive a 2005 Chevy Malibu and I clearly have had the same problem that other vehicles using the same parts. The dealer refuses to look at it unless I have a recall letter. NHTSA should look into how many customers have been notified out of this my, especially since there is nothing in the language (or logic) of this recall that should exclude my vehicle.

- Bowie, MD, USA

problem #258

Mar 282014

Malibu 4-cyl

  • 101,000 miles
While driving making left turn, power steering seized making steering impossible. Dash message screen indicated "power steering" problem.

- Riverside, CT, USA

problem #257

Dec 242007

Malibu 6-cyl

  • 62,694 miles
My family and I were returning from portland, Oregon to our home in woodburn, Oregon. The steering froze (power steering ceased to work). I had to struggle to pull the car off the road, as all systems seemed to shut down. I checked under he hood, but of course could see nothing wrong. After an unspecified period of time, I tried to start the car again. The car started and the power steering started working again. The steering made a squeaking noise when I would make a left turn.

- Bend, OR, USA

problem #256

Apr 022012

Malibu 6-cyl

  • 180,000 miles
The warning chime will sound, then I sometimes get a warning note across the dashboard stating "power steering" & then for a brief moment I will have trouble turning the steering wheel; one time when this happened all the warning lights flashed across the dashboard and I lost power for a second & then everything went back to normal until several miles later when the chiming came on again; I paid the Chevy dealer to replace the power steering in the summer of 2012 but the problem recurred almost immediately afterward. I am now afraid to drive the car. I don't want any refund, I just want the car to operate reliably & safely.

- Accord, NY, USA

problem #255

Sep 012006

Malibu 6-cyl

  • 22,000 miles
The brakes lights on my vehicle come on without pressure applied to the brakes resulting in the cruise control to kick off. The brake lights will go off once the brakes are pressed. This presents an unsafe situation as it is never known when it will happen. This resulted in my vehicle being rear ended while at a stop sign coming off the off ramp from the highway. I have had to have this issue fixed several times and it keeps reoccurring. The power steering goes completely out on the vehicle while driving at random times. I have had to have this fixed at least two times. I know that there have been recalls on both issues for my make, model and year however I keep getting told that my vehicle is not on the list.

- Alma, MI, USA

problem #254

May 172014

Malibu

  • miles
I had sent an email regarding the recalls I had heard about. Someone from your company called and also contacted nick Chevrolet. When I was talking to the service tech ([xxx]) he made an appointment for me to drop my car off so that they could look at all of the issues I was having. When I got to the dealership on Saturday May 17th I spoke with louis and explained what was going on and what [xxx] told me to do. [xxx] then proceeded to tell me "he didn't care what I was told, he was the service manager" at that point he proceed to tell me that the only recall for my car was some wire and that they didn't have the part and didn't know when it would be in. So he didn't listen and anything I had to say about my email to you or my conversation with [xxx]. I am extremely disappointed with GM and this dealership and would not recommend either to my worst enemy, hence my last email. If anything happens to me or my vehicle because of GM and/or [xxx] from nick Chevrolet both will be held accountable! information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Oakmont, PA, USA

problem #253

Mar 122014

Malibu

  • 96,000 miles
As I was pulling out of my garage I had no power steering.

- Oakmont, PA, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »