2005 Chevrolet Malibu Classic

Routine

Owners filed 92 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the electrical system. It has been recalled 1 time.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
90,000 milesMedian miles at failure

67 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 150,000200,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Electrical System32
010
Steering15
100
Engine5
103
Fuel/Propulsion System4
000
Electrical System › Ignition › Anti-theft › Control Module4
000
Air Bags4
202
Electronic Stability Control (esc)3
000
Vehicle Speed Control2
100
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Caliper2
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic2
000

1 safety recall

Part 573 reports
Electrical System › Ignition14V400000
Filed Jul 3, 20145,877,718 vehiclesGeneral Motors Llc

Defect. This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on July 3, 2014, that they are recalling 5,877,718 model year 2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala and Monte Carlo, 1997-2003 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2005 Malibu Classic, 1999-2004 Oldsmobile Alero, 1998-2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1999-2005 Pontiac Grand Am and 2004-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.

Risk. If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy. GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 9, 2014. GM's number for this recall is 14350.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Engine
Filed Jan 21, 2024MN

While driving on the interstate while using the cruise control, the vehicle started increasing speed and rpm’s. I could not turn off cruise by braking or using the off button on steering wheel. I had to put it in neutral which caused the engine to redline in rpm’s, so I could use brakes to safely stop on the side of the interstate highway. I turned off the engine and opened the hood to look inside. I turned ignition back on and immediately the engine revved to redline rpm’s again.

Air Bags
Filed Sep 4, 2023IN

Driving the car it just shuts off which results in no power no steering and no brakes possibly an ignition switch problem.

Electrical System
Filed Aug 24, 2020AZ

IGNITION SWITCH PROOBLEMS

Electrical System › Ignition › Anti-theft › Control Module
Filed Sep 18, 2019190,000 milesMI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE ANTI-THEFT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START. MIDWAY CHEVROLET(381 12TH ST, PLAINWELL, MI) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000.

Electrical System › Ignition › Anti-theft › Control Module
Filed Aug 14, 201936,000 milesMO

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR FLASHED AND THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE STARTED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS DEFECTIVE. THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Jun 12, 2019140,000 milesNJ

THE THEFT SYSTEM KEEPS GOING OFF FOR NO REASON LEAVING ME STRANDED FOR 10-15 MINUTES. IT HAPPENED TO TURN OFF WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY 3 TIMES IN THE PAST THE WHOLE DASH BOARD LIT UP AND THE THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT WAS BLINKING. IT ALSO HAPPENS WHILE I INITIALLY START THE CAR UP.

Electrical System
Filed May 20, 2019223,000 milesTN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT TOOK SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 223,000.

Electrical System
Filed Jan 27, 2019179,000 milesTX

I HAVE A 2005 MALIBU - THAT IS A MONEY PIT- THIER IS A WIRING IGNITION PROBLEM - MY CAR IS AN INTERMITTENT STARTER - I'VE CHANGED FUSES- ALTERNATOR - FUEL PUMP- BEEN TOLD THIS AND THAT - I'M A SINGLE FEMALE - AND CAN'T DRIVE THIS CAR ANYWHERE - IT STOPS WHEN EVER IT WANTS TO - IN ORDER HE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD - OR GOING TO THE GROCERY STORE AAA HAS RETIRED MY TOWING - I'M ONLINE READING AND EVERYBODY HAS WENT THROUGH MY HE SAME - I CALLED LAST WEEK BEFORE HAVING MY CAR TOWED AGAIN - TO SEE IF THIER HAS BEEN A RECALL AND I HEARD NO- I HAD IT TOWED - SPENT 320 DOLLARS BEING TOLD IT WAS THE ALTERNATOR AFTER GOING THROUGH 2 BATTERIES - FOR THE SAME THING - I JUST GOT MY CAR BACK - WENT OUT TO GET SOME COFFEE - COME OUT AND THE CAR WON'T START AGAIN - WOULD SOMEONE CALL ME ABOUT THIS - 214 755 -3606

Power Train
Filed Aug 17, 2018123,596 milesLA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT WAS DIFFICULT TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION DUE TO THE GEAR SHIFTER NOT BEING IN THE PARK POSITION, ALTHOUGH THE SHIFT INDICATOR DISPLAYED PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. MAGEE AUTOPLEX CHEVROLET (2127 WASHINGTON ST, FRANKLINTON, LA 70438, (866) 551-5128) WAS CONTACTED AND AN APPOINTMENT WAS MADE TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V224000 (POWER TRAIN). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,596.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Jun 2, 2018208,029 milesMS

I CAN'T USE POWER STEERING FLUID IN MY CAR BECAUSE I'VE BEEN TOLD IT'S ELECTRICAL. I WAS PULLING OUT OF MY APARTMENT BUILDING AND I CAME UP TO A RED LIGHT UP THE ROAD TO TURN LEFT. I STOPPED AT THE LIGHT FOR A MINUTE, AS THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN I CONTINUED AN THATS WHEN THE PROBLEM OCCURRED. I COULDN'T BARELY TURN MY STEERING WHEEL AND ITS HARD AN THATS WHEN "POWER STEERING" POPPED UP ON MY DASH. MY STEERING WHEEL SHAKES UNCONTROLLABLY AND I'M SCARED TO DRIVE IT AND ITS MY ONLY TRANSPORTATION TO AND FROM MY JOB.

Steering
Filed May 15, 2018AZ

2 YEARS AGO I RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER REGARDING STEERING WHEEL MALFUNCTION I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND IT WAS REPLACED, LESS THAN A YEAR LATER THE ISSUES CONTINUED TO OCCUR. I'VE CALLED CAMELBACK CHEVROLET MULTIPLE TIMES AND LEFT MESSAGES FOR THE GENERAL MANAGER WITH NO RESPONSE. THE VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVEABLE DUE TO THIS RECALL.

Engine
Filed Jan 27, 2018116,285 milesNM

TAKATA RECALL ENGINE OIL KEEPS DISAPPEARING EVERY WEEK ! THERE ARE NO LEAKS ! THERE IS NO OIL IN THE WATER THAT I CAN SEE !

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Nov 26, 2017124,356 milesCA

TAKATA RECALL ON 01/10/2012 , I WAS IN A CRASH ,, INVOLVING A AIR BAG DEPOLYMENT IN WHICH , THE AIR BAR DEPLOYED DURRING A CRASH , , I REAR ENDED A CAR AFTER IT HAD STOPPED SUDDENDLY AFTER A PEDIESTRAIN HAD CROSSED THE STREET , UNEXPECTALLY , ,, AFTER THE SUDDEN DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAG , SO MUCH MATERAIL HAD BLOWEN OUT OF THE AIR BAG , HITTING MY HAND , MOST OF THE INJURY WAS ON MY FACE AREA MOUTH WAS BLEEDING AS THE MATERAIL HAD STRUCK MY MOUTH AREA , ,, I THOUGHT THE CAR WAS ON FIRE , FROM THE SMOKE AND MATERAIL EXPLOIDED OUT OF IT , I HAD A HARD TIME SLEEPING AND WAS VERY DISTRUBED BY IT , THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE JUNK YARD , AS THE INSURANCE COMPANY TOOK THE CAR , AS IT WAS JUNKED , CAN PROVIDE POLICE REPORT AND INSURANCE DOCUMENTS , JUST NEED SOME TIME TO RETRIVE THEM ,

Steering
Filed Oct 25, 2017153,000 milesIL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH AND TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO TURN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL HAD TO BE TURNED SEVERAL TIMES IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO TURN. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. WHILE DRIVING TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, THE POWER STEERING COMPLETELY FAILED. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE RACK AND PINION WAS RUSTED AND DETACHED FROM THE FRAME. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME WAS REPLACED BY THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 153,000. *TT UPDATED 9/12/18*JB

Unknown or Other
Filed Sep 25, 2017TN

SINCE 2010, WITH CAR ONLY BEING 5 YEARS OLD, THE KEY BEGAN HARDLY WORKING IN THE IGNITION. WE HAD TO KEEP JIGGLING AND RE-TRYING UNTIL WOULD WORK. THE RECALL ONLY COVERED NOTIFYING OWNERS NOT TO PUT EXTRA KEYS ON THEIR KEY CHAIN BUT WOULD NOT COVER THE FACT THAT THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER WAS FAULTY. CONTINUED TO LIVE WITH THIS PROBLEM, THEN THE THEFT DETERRANT LIGHT STARTED GOING ON BECAUSE OF THE NECESSARY JIGGLING -- WHERE THE CAR WON'T START AND YOU HAVE TO TURN TO ACC AND WAIT 10 MINUTES. ONCE AGAIN, DEALER REFUSED TO COVER. STATIONARY PROBLEM, BUT FOR MY ELDERLY FATHER, NOT GOOD FOR THE KEY NOT TO WORK FOR A WHILE, OR WILL NOT START FOR AT LEAST 10 MINUTES DUE TO THEFT SYSTEM BEING ACTIVIATED

Engine
Filed May 17, 2017148,569 milesIL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE INTAKE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 148,569.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed May 16, 2017155,000 milesAZ

MAY BE FUEL PUMP. CAR WILL TURN OVER BUT WON'T START.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Dec 6, 2016TX

THE POWER STEERING KEEPS GOING OUT WHILE I'M DRIVING. THE BRAKES FELL WHEN ALL OF THE BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON.. WHEN I TRY TO PUMP GAS THE GAS COMES BACK OUT AT ME. *TR

Steering
Filed Sep 12, 2016130,000 milesMN

WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN, THERE WAS NO ABILITY TO TURN THE CAR. THE CAR DROVE ONTO A SIDEWALK. THE CAR WOULD NOT STEER. TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL DID NOT TURN THE WHEELS. THERE WAS A CLUNKING NOISE WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED. I'M AFRAID OF WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED IF I WAS ON THE FREEWAY OR IF THERE WERE PEOPLE ON THE SIDEWALK.

Electrical System › Ignition › Anti-theft › Control Module
Filed Jul 1, 201698,000 milesWA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTI-THEFT LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND PREVENTED THE VEHICLE FROM STARTING. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON A REGULAR BASIS AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC WAS ABLE TO RESET THE ANTI-THEFT LIGHT; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND STATED THAT IT HAD NOT BEEN ABLE TO START SINCE THE LAST FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED AND NO FURTHER REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

20 of 92 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2004
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
200821000Routine
200715000Routine
2005 — this page92110Routine
2004116120Routine
200316000Routine
200216000Routine
200113000Routine
200011000Routine
19994010Routine
19985001Fatalities reported
19973000Routine

Compare every Malibu Classic year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Jul 3, 2014. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.