10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
52,457 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.

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problem #14

Nov 282020

Malibu

  • miles
My 2005 Malibu stirring wheel ; my my 2005 Malibu maxx ls V6, stirring wheel locked up when I was getting on the interstate interstate, cruise control dosent work, and when im driving sometimes when I get up to a ceartain speed car shakes bad and it shakes when I use brakes. My stirring wheel makes noises sometimes and feel like its gonna brake sometimes. When I go over speed bumps car squeaks like front tire is gonna come off, electrical problems can get radiator fans to come on have to cut ac on in order for fans to work ac been stop working horn don't work I thought sunroof came up and most of time trunk wont open and when it does open it wont close. I'm scared to drive because of my stirring wheel locked up 4 times on me already about drive but I have to drive for my business to make delivers.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #13

Jul 222018

Malibu

  • 189,000 miles
I've had my car for almost three years. I've had multiple issues with it and the local dealership whiteheads Chevrolet where I had my recalls fixed is by far the worst dealership anyone could take their car too. I took them my car and they were going to fix the recalls the steering shaft inadequate support of U joint transmission shift cable steering loss of electric power steering they had my car for a couple days but when I got it back it seemed like nothing was fixed I took it back 3 different times for the same recalls the last time I picked up my car the airbag light came on all of a sudden I called them and told them about it they said to bring it in so I did they had it for another day I went back got it and drove straight home later that day I needed to go get my daughter some diapers I got in the car started it and the airbag light was on again I called the dealership told them what was going on the guy told me there was nothing they could do about it. I got upset called the main Chevrolet company made a complaint nothing was resolved. Well recently I was driving down the road with my infant and toddler in the car going 35mph and all of a sudden my steering wheel felt like it locked up took it to them asked them to look at the recalls again and they refused they said once the recall has been closed there was nothing they could do. So I have rarely been driving my car it did the same thing on 07/22/18 the steering was gone my car was still running no indicator lights came on I stopped put it in lark turned it off waited 10 mins started it and had no power steering I tried to drive it home and it would not accelerate. I didn't drive it for a couple days until yesterday and now the car shakes very badly like a (death wobble) no matter what speed and all of a sudden it feels like the whole front end is going to come right out from under the car. I can'tpaytofixit

- Truth Or Consequences, NM, USA

problem #12

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 #11

Aug 052013

Malibu

  • 50,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact's vehicle was serviced under NHTSA campaign number: 14V153000 (steering), NHTSA campaign number: 14V224000 (power train), and NHTSA campaign number: 14V252000 (electrical system, electronic stability control, exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic, vehicle speed control). Shortly after the repair, the vehicle stalled without warning, the power steering failed, a clunking noise was heard in the front end, and the vehicle independently veered to the left. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The dealer stated that the recall repair could not be performed again. In addition, the dealer stated that the steering column and suspension would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. In previous years, the contact had to replace the gear box and rack and pinion nut on two separate occasions at a dealer. The contact informed the manufacturer of all the failures. The failure mileage was 50,000.

- Haines City , FL, USA

problem #10

Sep 012014

Malibu

  • miles
First I have had nothing but steering issues and have had parts replaced previously on this vehicle. Now I have to replace struts, axles and needless to say new tires because of the wear on them due to the steering issues. However, I have a recalled shift cable and have been waiting since last year in August or September. I asked isn't this a safety issue and they stated, they all are. So I am still waiting for the call that they have this shift cable and can only pray nothing happens, like a bad accident. If something were it probably wouldn't be good for you all. Anyway when will this part be in so I can get it taken care of. Went to [xxx] in Kansas City ks. Bought the vehicle from them and have had nothing but issues with the car. Please advise. By the way the seat broke, the automatic locks stopped working and I'm not real happy. Of course its paid for now and not under a warranty. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Kansas City, KS, USA

problem #9

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 #8

Nov 142011

Malibu

  • miles
Was doing 40mph power steering failed spun out hit a wall ended up facing the wrong way on one way highway.. I have had so many issues with the 2005 Malibu it should be pulled off the road for sure, I have had to replace struts 2 times now and about to replace my 2nd fuel pump, my car has stalled out on many occasions, has left me stranded many other occasions. For as much money as I have spent to buy the car used in 2009 with 22000 miles on it cost us 10500$ we have easily spent over that in repairing it, the worst investment I have ever made.. the lighting constantly burns out the blinkers and headlights fail constantly, the gas cap threads expand and or shrink and causes the cap to either be impossible to remove or impossible to lock depending on the weather. I also have had anti theft security lock out many times where the car stalls and locks me out of using it. Power steering failed, fuel would not pump properly into the vehicle, the fuel gauge displayed improper readings, and the speedometer was inoperative.my remote keys fail constantly as well, alignment which makes the car shake/vibrate at speeds 60+ my cd player does not work either I had dealership repair it before warranty it would lock the disc in the player after warranty problem started again, , my seat warmers get stuck on it was a constant problem even before warranty was done the dealership would fix it but now not under warranty they wouldn't repair it or the cd player again even though it was an obvious complaint before the end of the warranty well we are car shopping now for 2 new cars and I promise you I will never purchase another GM/Chevy ever again worst customer service worst cars and to dangerous to reconsider.

- Redford, MI, USA

problem #7

Apr 012011

Malibu 4-cyl

  • 45,000 miles
At 45000 miles I noticed a popping noise in the front end (passenger side) when I made a left turn. I took it into my mechnic and he said the cv shaft was going out, but it would take awhile before it did. It didnt get worse for awhile, now at 62000, the front end has a horrible shaking, pulls to the right side, pops all the time and the tire on that side makes a weird flapping noise, it almost feels like the tire itself is out of round or something, and it is wearing smooth on the inside of the tire. I have been doing some research and it seems other Malibu owners are having the exact same problems, is this a safety issue that needs to be under recall" is GM aware of this issue"

- Dearing, KS, USA

problem #6

May 132009

Malibu 6-cyl

  • 71,000 miles
The power steering goes out a few times each week on this 2005 Malibu with the electric power steering. It started happening only occasionally, but now much more frequently. I reset it by turning off engine and restarting when I am able to stop. It usually happens fairly soon after starting when cold. Sometimes it takes 2 or 3 restarts to keep it working. In addition, the problems that many others are experiencing are also present... like the drift at highway speeds, and the clunking sounds in the front end. So far, the dealer has not been helpful. They just want to replace parts and charge around $800 to repair. This is definitely a safety issue on the Malibu as well as other models (like the cobalt) which already have recalls issued for these parts.

- Elkhorn, NE, USA

problem #5

May 052010

Malibu

  • 63,300 miles
I have a 2005 Chevy Malibu, bought brand new, I've had problems from the start with this car. The rack & pinion has been replaced twice. The hub bearings have had to be replaced, the rear stabilizer bar needs replacing. I have a gas cap issue, now to top it all off, I've been having issues where I am driving and I start to accelerate and the steering wheel locks up, I have been on the freeway several times when this happens. This is a very dangerous situation, GM will do nothing about this. They know that the 2005 Malibu is a dangerous car but will not recall at all.

- Maple Heights, OH, USA

problem #4

Dec 102009

Malibu 4-cyl

  • 108,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving 30 mph the steering column locked without prior warnings. The vehicle was towed to the dealership and the steering column needed to be replaced. She called and sent a letter to the manufacturer, but no assistance was provided. The current and failure mileages were approximately 108,000. Updated 03/04/10 the consumer stated the right tie rod failed, the front struts were leaking, the steering rack failed and the transmission was leaking. Updated 10/05/10

- Renton, WA, USA

problem #3

Sep 092005

Malibu

  • 12,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving approximately 40 mph, there was a pulling sensation and noise underneath the vehicle. There was also excessive vibration. There was no warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on three separate occasions, but the failures were not resolved. The contact stated that there has been a suspension malfunction with the vehicle since it was purchased. The failure mileage was 12,000 and current mileage was 12,330.

- Bremerton, WA, USA

problem #2

Sep 082005

Malibu 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. Since purchasing the vehicle, the anti theft device has failed repeatedly, the engine makes a ticking sound, the steering wheel is slipping or loose, and oil leaks from the engine. While driving 45 mph, the dashboard. Vibrates. The contact hears a noise in the radio when the vehicle is turned on, the engine service light is illuminated on the instrument panel, the interior lights failed, the remote start would not start the vehicle, and the engine shakes roughly. The current mileage was 12,030 and failure mileage was 100. Updated 09/24/08. The consumer stated there was a problem with the entire suspension. The shocks and bearings made a noisy. The hazard lights failed. Updated 09/30/08.

- Bremerton, WA, USA

problem #1

Jul 182008

Malibu 6-cyl

  • 50,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. When turning the steering wheel, the contact heard a popping sound. The failure began six months ago and now it is causing the power steering to fail. The failure was very subtle at first, but now the power steering fails for days at a time. The air conditioning would activate on and off, but now it does not work at all. The dealer stated that the power steering module and air conditioning resistor needed to be replaced. The contact also stated that the control panel is warm to the touch after driving for some time. The vehicle is currently with the dealer and the repair will cost over $900. The current mileage was 70,000 and failure mileage was 50,000. Updated 09/10/08. The consumer stated the shocks went bad, the tie rod ends had to be replaced, the cd became stuck in the cd player. The rear calipers had to be replaced and the starter worked intermittently. Updated 09/12/08.

- Columbus, GA, USA