Quite often I have problems getting my car to start. This has been going on since shortly after we bought this car (bought it used). The place where we bought it from couldn't tell us how to fix it, only how to get the car started once it happens. The instructions they gave us was a 40 minute process. We later found out, that when it happens we can get it started with only a 10 minute process.

It has something to do with the theft system. Once the car doesn't start, the theft light starts blinking, we have to leave the key in the 'on' position for 10 minutes until the theft light stops blinking, then we are able to start the car. It's very random when it happens. I can have weeks go by and not have a problem at all, but I can also have weeks where it happens almost every time I start the car!

Everything I have found online says that this is a VERY common problem with this particular car; but no one, not even the Chevy Dealership Service Depts know how to fix it! I am going to start posting a complaint on here every time it happens, and maybe eventually someone will figure out how to fix it and create a recall for this issue.

This is a total mess. I was on the Freeway @ posted speeds of I25 Colorado Springs, Colorado. Bad enough it was rainy but for no reason whats so ever the theft system comes on and starts to disable the car. The car MPH dropped rapidly, I got off at the next exit and held my collective breathe for a second. The car was still running so i managed to get my passengers and myself home safely. On top of that the car randomly wont start no matter the situation, you have to wait x amount of minutes before it will start. My normal mechanic could not pin point the problem because the entire week and a half he had the car it decided to work for him. I am full time student and working part time i drive to two different campuses and a third for work. Needless to say im on the road a lot. Chevy needs to do something or we can get together and file a class action law suit.

I think this is a problem that dealer should stand behind.I have always trusted gm products until know. I bought this car for my daughter for graduation and now have to go and haul it home to be repaired for a security issue . Car thinks it is being hijacked. this has happened five times in the last six months. I have had payed over 500.00 dollars to fix this and it still does not work.I have another daughter with gm car and have a similar problem with .security. Go online and you will find many problems with this passlock system. I have checked and gm has changed this passlock system at least four times trying to get it right but ???

I have owned this stupid Malibu / Classic Car for not even a year, First off I bought it from a Low Life Dealership,who screwed me in the first place, So I had the Car for not even a week and the Anti-theft system went out, took it to a different Dealership cause of course i didnt have a warranty, it cost me 900 to fix,(which they screwed me too im sure) Then 3 months later I replaced the ENGINE.. seriously.... So a couple months down the road My AXEL shaft Breaks, So I am already out what lets say 3000.00 Then just this Februrary my STUPID Fuel PUMP goes out, that another 300 part plus 230 for labor NOW once again I am sitting here typing this cause MY ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM goes out again ALMOST A YEAR LATER!!!!!!! SO HERE I AM STRANDED WITH MY 3 YEAR OLD DAUGHTWER IN THE CAR...maybe that should be Chevys new commercial.... sittin on the side ofthe road with your hazards time and time again..... STUPID CARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! REALLY.......................... CHEVY you need to do something about your stupid cars i think its time for a RECALL!!!!!! enough people have had the same problem time to fix it!!!! I cant AFFORD to keep Fixing it.If i would have known they had this problem i would have never gotten this stupid car I knew I should have bought a FORD!!!!!!!.. guess im the stupid one for buying a chevy! NEVER AGAIN

For 6 months, my 2005 Malibu has had problems starting. I was told to turn the ignition to run for a few seconds to "prime" the fuel pressure. This has worked fine until this past weekend (great timing - 4th of July!). Now it won't start at all. The funny thing is that if you move the car a few feet and let it roll forward, it then will start for about 2 seconds. This indicated that the fuel level might be too low (just over a half tank). Tried putting a couple more gallons in, no change. Now after reading about all the people that have had problems with the anti-theft system, will try the 10 minute reset procedure next. Will add to this post with results. The fuel pump is set to run for a couple seconds unless it gets an engine start code, which will allow the pump to keep running. The pump can be heard when the ignition is switched to on, meaning it still works. If the anti-theft system cuts the engine, then the fuel pump will stop too.

Update from Jul 15, 2010: The anti-theft reset procedure did the trick. On for 10 minutes until the light stops flashing (it comes on for a second after 10 minutes and then goes out and stays out). Then to off for 5 seconds. After that, the car started right up.

My main concern now is that this isn't well understood by Malibu (or other GM product) owners. It appears that many service departments have had no problem charging for towing and diagnostics when they could have asked about the Theft System light first. They obviously have an incentive to make the stranded motorist pay. In my opinion, this is unethical behavior.

When it happened the 1st time, I was getting off work around 7 pm. Had no idea what the problem was. Thought it was maybe fuel filter or fuel pump. Had a buddy stop off auto parts store on the way to get me for a fuel filter. He thought I had a Malibu, told the guy at the counter that, asked for a fuel filter for an 05 Malibu and they told him that the Malibu has no fuel filter, that you have to replace the fuel pump. Cute, eh? Found out the next day though that the 05 Classic (which looks exactly like a Malibu) does have one. Anyhow, we tried to find out the problem in the parking lot with no success and ended up having to get it towed home the following morning. My wife found out that the anti-theft device could be the problem by searching the internet, but the info she found was vague so she didnt even think to mention it to me. I got a fuel filter anyhow. My buddy came over again that evening to help out putting in a fuel filter. We used his gauge to check the fuel pressure and it was a-okay. Filter change did nothing. We came in the house scratching our heads, and she mentioned the anti-theft. My buddy grabbed the car manual and looked it up, and we went out and tried what it said, waited 15 minutes, and started it right up. It's done it a couple more times since then, and I have a feeling that this is going to cost me big bucks to get fixed and something I cant do on my own.

I know it wont be a recall because it isnt a safety issue, so every person who has this issue with their 05 Classic has to be punished for (and foot the bill for) Chevy's irresponsibility. Chevy, this is why so many people stop buying your cars (and switch to Honda). This will be my last Chevy for sure. Especially after just reading the other service bulletins on this car.

One day after I filled up my gas tank at the local gas station I hopped in the car and tried to start it. It was completely dead. After we pushed it away from the pumps there was nothing we could think of doing besides calling a tow truck. I decided to leave it for a bit and come home to research the problem. Many people mentioned the anti theft system. I also went through my manual. It mentioned to put your key in the ignition and turn it to on (all the way before starting the engine) and leave it there for 10 min. So I did this. And right after 10 min. I started the car right up. My check engine light came on after that for about 2months on and off. I haven't had a problem since...knock on wood!!!