2005 Chevrolet Malibu complaints

MY 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU LS TURNING SIGNAL LIGHT DOES NOT SEEM TO WORK PROPERLY AT TIMES CONSIDERING THE FACT THAT I ACTUALLY CHANGE THE BULB ABOUT 4 TIMES IN ONE YEAR. TO MY KNOWLEDGE I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE GOING THROUGH THIS PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. *TR

ON 8/29/09 I ASKED MY MECHANIC TO LISTEN TO THE CLUNKING SOUND MADE WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED LEFT AND RIGHT. HE CHECKED AND SAID IT WAS THE RACK AND PINION. I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM BEFORE AND HAD 2 STEERING COLUMNS REPLACED AND THE STEERING SHAFT. NOW IT'S THE RACK AND PINION. THE ABOVE INCIDENTS WERE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY BUT NOT NOW. I CHECKED FOR RECALLS BUT THERE ARE NONE. I HAVE SEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME THING ON CAR STATS. CAN'T SOMETHING BE DONE BY CHEVY BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. *TR

THE POWER STEERING ON MY 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU GOES OUT INTERMITTENTLY DRIVING ON THE FREE WAY, MAKING A RIGHT TURN,OR WHEN STARTING THE CAR. ON A RIGHT TURN THE CAR WANTS TO KEEP GOING RIGHT INSTEAD OF STRAIGHTENING OUT. SITTING AT A RED LIGHT,THE STEERING WHEEL CHATTERS AND MOVES BACK AND FORTH ON ITS OWN,THERE IS A LOUD CLUNKING SOUND WHEN MAKING TURNS.THIS CAR IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. DEALER SAYS THERE IIS NO RECALL. THIS IS AN OBVIOUS DESIGN DEFECT AND GM SHOULD BE MADE TO RECALL THE VEHICLES AND FIX THE PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM STARTED ABOUT 8 MONTHS AGO. CANNOT GIVE AN EXACT DATE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT INTERMITTENTLY THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL AND A LOUD NOISE IS PRESENT WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. IF THE POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE DRIVING, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 77000. UPDATED 10/20/09 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT INTERMITTENTLY. THE POWER STEERING WOULD GO OUT ABOUT HALF WAY INTO A TURN. THE STEERING WOULD MAKE NOISES AND TURN BACK AND FORTH BY ITSELF. THE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 10/23/09*JB

I HAVE EXPERIENCED SOME PULLING FROM MY STEERING WHEEL WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, MORE THAN ONCE. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH GM MECHANICS ( OR REPRESENTATIVES) WHO HAVE TOLD ME NOTHING WAS WRONG. WHO ELSE SHOULD I SPEAK WITH TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THE PROBLEM? MY CAR ONLY HAS 46,700 MILES ON IT, WHICH MAKES THIS A LITTLE SCARY. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS AS 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH; PROCEEDING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN, THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL SWITCH BEGAN BLINKING AT A RAPID PACE. AN AUTHORIZED TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE TURN SIGNAL BULB SOCKET OVERHEATING WHICH CAUSED THE PLASTIC TO MELT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS FOR THE IDENTICAL FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAD CONCERNS OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

MY STEERING WENT OUT WHILE ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK ON A BUSY HIGHWAY LUCKILY THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT BUT I DID DO RESEARCH AND THIS IS A COMMON THING FOR NOT JUST 2005 CHEVY MALIBUS AND ALOT OF PEOPLE HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS WITH NOTHING TO BE DONE ABOUT IT BUT MOST MALIBU I THINK IF SOMETHING NOT DONE IT WILL CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT ONE DAY.. MY CAR ONLY HAS 42852 MILES ON IT I HAVEN'T EVEN OWNED IT 2YRS YET AND BOUGHT IT WITH ABOUT 32000 MILES OR SO ON IT THERE IS NO REASON THIS SHOULD HAVE HAPPENED AND THINK SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE ABOUT THE CHEVY MALIBUS NOW. *TR

BOUGHT THE 2005 MALIBU USED IN AUGUST 2007. I HAVE REPLACED THE BOTH FRONT DIRECTIONAL BULBS AT LEAST 10 TIMES SINCE BUYING THE CAR. THE LIGHTS WORK INTERMITTENTLY OR NOT AT ALL. THE RIGHT BULB WAS OUT FOR ABOUT 3 MONTHS THEN THE LEFT BULB WENT OUT. I WENT TO REPLACE THE BULBS AGAIN YESTERDAY. I JIMMIED THE SOCKET THEY GO INTO AND NOW THEY BOTH APPEAR TO BE WORKING. HOWEVER, I NOTICED THE AMBER PLASTIC COVERING ON THE LEFT BULB WAS BURNED, THERE WAS A LARGE BURN HOLE IN IT, AND THE MELTED PLASTIC WAS DRIPPING INTO THE BOTTOM OF THE COVERING. I AM ALSO NOTICING, AND HAVE BEEN NOTICING, A LOUD THUMPING SOUND WHEN I HIT THE GAS AS IF SOMETHING HAS TO ROLL INTO PLACE. LATELY IT ALSO SEEMS AS THOUGH THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES VERY, VERY SLIGHTLY KICK IN WHEN I AM BRAKING AND GO OVER A BUMP. AFTER READING THE OTHER COMMENTS I AM GOING TO MY MECHANIC TO HAVE HIM LOOK AT THE ISSUES AS SAFETY IS A LARGE CONCERN. *TR

HEADLIGHT LENS MELTED AND TAIL LIGHTS WENT OUT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED WHENEVER TRAVELING AT ANY GIVEN SPEED THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED FOR THE MALFUNCTION. THE MANUFACTURER HAD A SPECIAL COVERAGE ADJUSTMENT REGARDING REPAIRS FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM FREE REMEDY REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,026. UPDATED 09/25/09 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE STEERING WENT COMPLETELY OUT WHILE DRIVING. THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. SHE HAD TO CUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND WAIT A FEW MINUTES. ONCE THAT WAS DONE THE POWER STEERING RESUMED AS NORMAL. UPDATED 09/29/09.*JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT THE VEHICLE MADE A VERY LOUD THUMPING NOISE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE STEERING RACK AND PINION AND CORRECTED THE FAILURE FOR 2 YEARS; HOWEVER, IT RECURRED. THE SECOND TIME THE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED AND FAILED AFTER 8 MONTHS. THE STEERING SHAFT WAS ALSO REPLACED ON TWO OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT IS AWARE OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED DUE TO FREQUENT FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 27,927. UPDATED 09/11/09 *BF UPDATED 09/15/09.*JB

EXTERIOR LIGHTING ON 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU FAILS INTERMITTENTLY. *TR

2005 MALIBU PURCHASED NEW. DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT/PARK/TURN SIGNAL MELTING THE AMBER BULB SURROUND AND DISCOLORING AND CRACKING THE OUTER HEADLIGHT LENSES. THIS CAR HAS NOT BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENT TO DATE. I HAVE REPLACED THE LEFT REAR TURN SIGNAL BULB TWICE OVER THE LIFE OF THE CAR. ALL FRONT LIGHTS ARE ORIGINAL AS PURCHASED. I'M CONCERNED THAT THE LIGHTS WILL CATCH FIRE AND SO NOW I TRY TO REMEMBER TO DISENGAGE THE DRL FEATURE WHILE DRIVING. I FEEL THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DESIGN PROBLEM AND SHOULD BE REPLACED WITH NO COST TO THE CONSUMER. I STARTED TO REPLACE THE LIGHTS ON MY OWN WITH "EAGLE EYES" REPLACEMENTS UNITS BUT I HAVE FOUND THAT THESE ARE SUBJECT TO A NHTSA RECALL AS WELL. I WILL HOLD OUT TO SE IF A RECALL IS ISSUED BY NHTSA FOR THIS SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

I NEED YOUR HELP. I BOUGHT A 2005 MALIBU FROM A LOCAL CAR DEALER. THE CAR HAD LOW MILES AND I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE A SAFE AND RELIABLE CAR. SO SAFE, THAT I ALLOWED MY TEENAGE SON TO DRIVE MY CAR. WHILE HE WAS MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN FROM A 4-WAY STOP, HE HEARD A POP AND THEN HAD NO STEERING WITHOUT ANY WAY TO CONTROL THE CAR HE ENDED UP IN A FIELD. I THANK GOD HE WAS NOT GOING FAST, THAT THERE WAS NO OTHER CARS OR PEOPLE INVOLVED, AND HE WAS NOT HURT. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO MY MECHANIC WHO IS A CERTIFIED MASTER TECHNICIAN, WHO WORKED FOR GM AS A LINE TECH FOR 25 YRS. HE INFORMS ME THAT THIS SHOULD HAVE NEVER HAPPENED IN A CAR THAT IS ONLY 4 YRS OLD, AND FELT IT WAS DEFECTIVE. HE SAID THE FAILURE OCCURRED INSIDE THE STEERING RACK CAUSING THE PINION TO DISENGAGE RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL. I THEN HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A GM DEALER WHO?S MECHANIC SAID THE SAME THING BUT BECAUSE I DID NOT BUY THE CAR FROM THEM, THEY WOULD NOT HELP ME?.MY NEXT STEP WAS TO CONTACT GM?.THEY TOOK A WEEK TO INVESTIGATE?AND DECIDED THAT BECAUSE I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM A PRIVATE CAR DEALER, IT HAD 86K MILES ON IT AND IT WAS PAST THE FACTORY WARRANTY THEY FELT NO NEED TO DO ANY THING ABOUT THIS. NOT ONLY WAS THE STEERING RACK AND PINION DAMAGED, THE POWER STEERING UNIT UNDER THE DASH AND THE AIR BAG COILS WERE DAMAGED AS WELL. THE COST TO REPAIR THIS IS OVER $2000.00. IT?S NOT JUST THE COST TO REPAIR THE CAR THAT UPSETS ME; IT?S THE FACT THAT GM HAS NO CONCERN FOR SAFETY. I HAVE FOUND LONG LIST FOR CONSUMER

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING LOCKS WHENEVER HE STARTS HIS VEHICLE AND BEGINS DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE CANNOT AFFORD TO REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN AT THIS TIME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT SEPARATED FROM THE BASE AND CAME OFF TRACK. THE FAILURE OCCURRED IMMEDIATELY AFTER SHE SAT IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM THE STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY DETERMINED THAT THE POWER STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE COST OF $1,000. THREE YEARS LATER, WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT HEARD A KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE RACK AND PINION WAS FAILING. THE REPAIR WOULD COST $500. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT A COMPLAINT WAS FILED AND THAT HE WOULD RECEIVE A FOLLOW UP CALL ON THE NEXT BUSINESS DAY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,748 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 103,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHEN THE CONTACT SAT DOWN IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT, THE SEAT COLLAPSED AND SHIFTED TO THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE WELD THAT HOLDS THE SEAT IN PLACE PEELED OFF A PIECE OF THE METAL FROM THE METAL BAR, WHICH CAUSED THE SEAT TO DETACH FROM THE METAL TRACK. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD BE UNABLE TO MAKE THE REPAIRS AND THAT THE SEAT WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. NO ESTIMATE WAS PROVIDED FOR THE PURCHASE OF A NEW SEAT. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT NO COMPENSATION WOULD BE PROVIDED DUE TO THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 82,000.

I STOPPED TO AIR UP A TIRE AND WASH MY CAR. I NOTICED SMOKE IN THE BACK PORTION OF MY CAR. I LOOKED IN THE TRUNK BUT COULDN'T TELL THE ORIGIN OF THE SMOKE. SMOKE CONTINUED TO FILL MY CAR FROM THE BACK AND I OPENED THE TRUNK AGAIN. I PLACED MY HAND ON THE LEFT FENDER AND IMMEDIATELY NOTICED HOW HOT IT WAS. ANOTHER COSTUMER CAME OVER AND JERKED THE TRUNK LINER BACK TO REVEAL THAT THE FUSE PANEL WAS ON FIRE. *TR

FRONT DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS ARE GETTING HOT MELTING THEM. THIS IS CAUSING TURN SIGNALS TO BURN OUT AND NOT WORK PROPERLY. GOT PULLED OVER BY A STATE TROOPER TODAY BECAUSE OF THIS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER DUE TO AN UNFAMILIAR NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING. THE FAILURE WAS NOTICED WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH. THE PREVIOUS DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE STEERING COLUMN WAS DETERMINED TO BE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED HER TO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH NHTSA. THE VEHICLE WILL BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000. UPDATED 6/8/09 *CN THE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED 3 TIMES. UPDATED 06/11/09.*JB

I AM WRITING TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE EXTERIOR HEADLIGHTS MELTING. IT COULD CAUSE A FIRE. IT SEEMS THAT THE AMBER LIGHTS HAVE MELTED THE CASING. THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE A RECALL AND THE DEALERS SHOULD REPLACE THE HOUSING FREE OF CHARGE. *TR

THE BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON BY THEMSELVES, THEY BLINK OFF AND ON. SOMETIMES THEY JUST STAY ON,AND OTHER TIMES WHEN YOU BRAKE THEY WANT COME ON AT ALL. HAVE HAD THE CAR AT THE DEALER 3 OR 4 TIMES THEY CAN'T SEEM TO FIX THE PROBLEM . I HAVE SEARCHED ONLINE AND OTHER OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. THEY SAID THEY ADJUSTED BRAKE SWITCH AND THEY DID SOME OTHER THINGS BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXIST. *TR

I PURCHASED A 2005 CHEVY MALIBU IN MARCH OF 09 IT'S NOW MAY 09 AND I WILL BE REPLACING MY INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT THE CAR CHECK THAT WAS PERFORMED AFTER I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE SHOWED THAT IS WAS REPLACED 30K MILES AGO. THE CAR POPS AND CRACKS WHENEVER I SLOW DOWN OR TURN AFRAID IT WILL BREAK BEFORE IT IS FIXED. *TR

POWER STEERING GOES OUT WHILE DRIVING AT LOW AND HIGHWAY SPEEDS. STEERING WHEEL BECOMES STIFF AND HARD TO TURN. MANUFACTURER REPLACED ELECTRIC STEERING COLUMNS ON VEHICLES BUT MINE WAS INELIGIBLE BECAUSE OF MILEAGE ACCUMULATED. *TR

POWER STEERING FAILURE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER WINDOWS, LOCKS, LINKAGES, AND IGNITION SWITCH SPORADICALLY BECOME INOPERATIVE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH AT THE COST OF $495. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY REPAIRS BECAUSE THE VEHICLE EXCEEDED ITS MILEAGE. ALL REMEDIES AS OF MARCH 31, 2009 HAVE BEEN INSUFFICIENT IN CORRECTING THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 51,000.

THE BULB IN THE FRONT LEFT TURN SIGNAL BECAME TOO HOT AND BURNED OUT WHILE MELTING THE AMBER COVER AROUND IT. AFTER REPLACING THE BULB, THE TURN SIGNAL AND HIGH LEVEL RUNNING LIGHT FUNCTION WOULD NOT WORK BUT THE LOW LEVEL LIGHT STILL OPERATES WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS ARE ON. I REPLACED THE BULB TWICE AND CLEANED THE CONNECTOR AND GET INTERMITTENT USE OF THE TURN SIGNAL, BUT I NEVER KNOW IF IT'S GOING TO WORK OR NOT. *TR

LOSS OF FUNCTION OF HEADLIGHTS, BRAKE LIGHTS, TURN SIGNALS AND TAIL LIGHTS ON 2005 CHEVY MALIBU LS MODEL. THE LIGHT BULBS IN THE SIGNAL ARE CONSTANTLY BLOWING OUT. I HAVE THE CHANGE THE BULBS AT LEAST EVERY MONTH. I HAVE NO USE OF MY TAIL LIGHTS AND TURN SIGNALS AS A RESULT OF THIS. FAILURE OF THE BULB HAS NOT RESULTED IN HEAT DAMAGE TO THE BULB SOCKET. *TR

MY WIFE ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT WHEN THE POWER STEERING FAILED. SHE PULLED OUT INTO AN INTERSECTION AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THEN THE CAR STALLED IN THE INTERSECTION THE CAR TO A CERTIFIED REPAIR SHOP. HE SAID THERE WAS A BULLETIN OUT BY GENERAL MOTORS DATED NOVEMBER 8, 2007 THAT 2004-2005 MALIBU'S AND 2005 PONTIAC G 6'S ARE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE POWER STEERING. GENERAL MOTORS KNEW THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE A LACK OF POWER STEERING, VIBRATION, OR A RATTLE OR CLUNK NOISE FROM THE LEFT LOWER INSTRUMENT PANEL. GM SHOULD HAVE RECALLED THESE CARS TO FIX THEIR PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS PROBLEM WAS A SAFETY ISSUE AND THAT GENERAL MOTORS SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE. I TOOK THE CAR TO A GM DEALER AND HE AGREED THAT GM SHOULD FIX THE CAR. I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH GM AND FINALLY AFTER CALLING FOR 2 WEEKS, THEY SAID THEY WOULD DO NOTHING. I AM VERY UPSET WITH GM AND JUST WONDER HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE WRECKED MALIBU'S BECAUSE OF THE FAILURE OF POWER STEERING. IF YOU HAVE ONE OF THESE CARS, I SUGGEST YOU SELL IT OR TAKE IT TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR BEFORE YOU LOSE YOUR POWER STEERING WHEN PULLING OUT INTO AN INTERSECTION AND THE CAR DIES IN FRONT OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER GM PRODUCT AND ADVISE THE SAME FOR ANYONE ELSE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING AND IT BECAME VERY STIFF. HE WAS ABLE TO SAFELY MANEUVER THE VEHICLE TO HIS DESTINATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY DETERMINED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR FREE. FOUR MONTHS LATER, WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE STEERING FAILED AGAIN. THE DEALER MADE THE REPAIRS FOR FREE ONCE AGAIN. THE STEERING COLUMN CONTINUED TO FAIL OVER THE NEXT THREE YEARS ON FIVE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS RECENTLY REPAIRED IN JANUARY OF 2009 FOR THE STEERING SHAFT. THE STEERING SHAFT WAS REPAIRED AT THE COST OF $100. THE CONTACT HAD TO PAY A DEDUCTIBLE FOR THIS REPAIR BECAUSE THE STEERING COLUMN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE WARRANTY. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WERE GOING TO OFFER HIM A SEVEN YEARS OR 70,000 MILE WARRANTY FOR THE STEERING COLUMN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,838 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 31,000. UPDATED 3/16/09 *CN UPDATED 03/20/09.*JB

AS OF THIS DATE, FEB. 17, 2009, THE PART IN QUESTION HAS NOT FAILED, CAUSING ANY CRASHES OR INJURIES. SHORTLY AFTER I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, I NOTICED A THUMPING WHENEVER THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED SHARPLY TO THE RIGHT OR TO THE LEFT. WHILE UNDER MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY, I HAD IT CHECKED OUT AT LEAST 3 TIMES, AND EACH TIME THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT ASSURED ME THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE PART, THE BOOT OF JOINT SOMEHOW CONNECTED TO THE STEERING. SINCE THAT TIME, I HAVE HAD MY PERSONAL MECHANIC CHECK OUT THE PROBLEM AND HE HAS DILIGENTLY CHECKED FOR A RECALL OR A CORRECTIVE MEASURE FROM CHEVROLET, BUT THERE HAS BEEN NONE. THE MECHANIC HAS GREASED THIS JOINT SEVERAL TIMES, AND IT HELPS THE THUMPING, BUT EVENTUALLY IT RETURNS OVER TIME. I HAVE READ WHERE OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THEIR STEERING TOTALLY GOING OUT BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. I AM AFRAID FOR MY FAMILY'S SAFETY DUE TO THIS PROBLEM THAT CHEVROLET HAS CONSTANTLY REFUSED TO ADDRESS. COMPONENT #2: I WAS CONSTANTLY HAVING TO REPLACE THE FRONT TURN SIGNALS AS THE BULBS WERE CONSTANTLY BURNING OUT. COMPONENT #3 THE FAN WHICH CONTROLS THE INSIDE AIR FLOW HAS CONSTANTLY RATTLED UNLESS THE FAN IS TURNED ON THE HIGHEST SETTING. THE DEALERSHIP EVEN REPLACED THAT FAN, TELLING ME A BROKEN PART HAD FALLEN DOWN INTO IT. I RETURNED THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AT LEAST 3 TIMES, BUT THEY FINALLY SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING ELSE. IT STILL RATTLES HORRIBLY. *TR

ON OUR 2005 CHEVY MALIBU WE HAVE CHANGED THE FRONT TURN SIGNAL LAMP NUMEROUS TIMES SINCE WE PURCHASED IT NEW IN 2005, THE FIRST TIME BEING ONLY A MONTH AFTER WE PURCHASED THE CAR. IN NOV. 2006 AT OUR EXPENSE WE HAD TO CHANGE THE TURN SIGNAL LAMP SOCKETS BECAUSE THE DEALER SAID THE REASON FOR THE LAMPS BURNING OUT WAS DUE TO THE SOCKETS BEING CORRODED. AFTER THAT WE HAVE STILL HAD TO CHANGE THE LAMPS AS FREQUENT. I WOULD SAY IN ALL WE HAVE REPLACED EITHER THE LEFT OR RIGHT LAMP ABOUT 12 TIMES SINCE THE PURCHASE DATE OF MARCH 2005. RECENTLY WE HAVE NOTICED THAT THE LAMP HOUSING HAS ACTUALLY MELTED ABOVE WHERE THE LAMPS ARE LOCATED. WE CURRENTLY HAVE THE LOCAL DEALER LOOKING INTO THE PROBLEM AGAIN. EVERY TIME I SEE A CHEVY MALIBU FROM THE YEAR MODEL OF 2005 TO 2007, MOST OFTEN ONE OF THE FRONT PARK/SIGNAL LAMPS IS BURNED OUT. I THINK THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD DUE TO NOT HAVING A PROPERLY WORKING TURN SIGNAL COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. ALSO IF THE HOUSING IS MELTING, THEN IT COULD RESULT IN THE CAR CATCHING ON FIRE I BELIEVE. *TR

IN 2006 I BOUGHT AN 2005 CHEVY MALIBU. BEFORE 49600 THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP 8 TIMES BEFORE THEY COULD TELL THAT IT WAS THE STEERING COLUMN. IT GOES OUT WITHOUT WARNING. WE HAVE ALMOST WRECKED SEVERAL TIMES. IT HAS GONE OUT GOING DOWN THE INTERSTATE. I STARTED TO REPLACE IT, BUT BEFORE I DID THAT I RESEARCHED THE MATTER. IT APPEARS THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM THAT I AM HAVING, FROM THE 2005S TO THE 2008S, FROM THE MALIBU TO THE MALIBU MAXX. I HAVE NOT REPLACED IT BECAUSE MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THEM CHANGED THREE OR FOUR TIMES AND THEY KEEP BREAKING. I DON'T HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY TO JUST THROW AWAY. I CAN'T AFFORD TO SELL IT EITHER OR TRADE IT IN. I AM THE ONE WHO DRIVES IT MOST OF THE TIME BECAUSE I AM AFRAID IT WILL GO OUT WHEN MY WIFE IS IN A CURVE, AND SHE COULD WRECK AND DIE BECAUSE SHE IS NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO CONTROL IT WHEN IT GOES OUT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE HOOD ON THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE FLEW UP UNEXPECTEDLY. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND COULD NOT CLOSE THE HOOD BECAUSE IT WAS DENTED. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY SENT HIM TO A BODY SHOP. THE HOOD WOULD COST $1,600 TO REPLACE. THE HOOD HAD NOT BEEN OPENED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,600.

2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE DRIVERS SEAT RAILS AND FACTORY WELDS HAVE FAILED. THE SEAT IS NOT SECURE TO THE CAR. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR (FITZGERALDS AUTO MALL IN FREDERICK) AND WAS TOLD IT IS NOT COVERED AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY THE $700+ DOLLARS TO HAVE IT FIXED. THERE IS 91000 MILES ON THE CAR. THIS SEEMS TO ME A SAFETY ISSUE AND MANUFACTURERS DEFECT. THEY DID NOT BUDGE AND ALLOWED ME TO DRIVE AWAY. NOT SURE WHAT TO DO NOW..CERTAINLY DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY ON TOP OF THE MONTHLY PAYMENTS I MAKE TO FIX. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT PREVIOUSLY EXPERIENCED FAILURE WITH THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT BULB CONSTANTLY BURNING OUT. SIX MONTHS LATER, THE PLASTIC HEADLIGHT COVERS BURNED. THE STEERING SHAFT HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PLASTIC COVER FAILURE WAS A FACTORY DEFECT; THEREFORE, THEY WERE UNABLE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78,400. UPDATED 02-23-09 *BF UPDATED 02/24/09. *JB

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: HTTP://WWW.FIXYA.COM/CARS/T822542-BRAKE_LIGHTS_WONT_GO_OFF HTTP://WWW.2CARPROS.COM/FORUM/2005-CHEVY-MALIBU--BRAKE-LIGHTS-WILL-NOT-GO-OFF-VT181519.HTML HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/CHEVROLET/MALIBU/2004/LIGHTS/BRAKE_LIGHTS_BLINK_ON_BY_THEMSELVES.SHTML HTTP://WWW.CARDEALERCHECK.COM/FORUM/THREAD15599.HTML. *TR

KNOCKING OR BANGING SOUND IN THE FRONT END LED TO THE POWER STEERING RACK BEING REPLACED ON 11/17/06 AT 27M MILES ON MY 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE SAME HAPPENED AGAIN ON 12/05/08 AT 50M MILES. BOTH REPAIRS DONE BY THE DEALER. I REPORTED TO CHEVROLET THAT THE RACK FAILS APPROXIMATELY EVERY 25M MILES. *TR

THE FRONT END SOUNDS LIKE IT IS GOING TO FALL OUT ALONG WITH FEELING A METAL CLANKING SOUND AT 18000 MILES. I TOOK THIS TO BLACK CHEVROLET IN NASHVILLE WHICH WAS NOT THE SALE DEALERSHIP BUT ONE I HAD BOUGHT A TRUCK WITH AND WAS USING THEIR SERVICE THEY STATED THAT A RECALL MIGHT BE COMING SOON ON THE PROBLEM AND IT WOULD NOT PRESENT A SAFETY CONCERN. THE CAR WAS MY FATHERS WHICH DIED IN 2006 AND MY MOTHER WAS PUT IN ASSISTED LIVING IN 2008 SO I JUST FOUND OUT THE PROBLEM PLEASE HELP. *TR

POWER STEERING FAILURES... HAS HAPPENED TWICE IN 2 WEEKS NOW. ONCE WHILE SITTING STILL, THE OTHER WHILE ON THE INTERSTATE! AFTER SEARCHING ONLINE, I'VE FOUND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN MALIBU'S. I THINK THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL. I THOUGHT I WAS BUYING A RELIABLE CAR AND INSTEAD GOT A BIG BURDEN. BEING A SINGLE MOM, THESE HIGH REPAIR COSTS WILL CAUSE ME TO FALL BEHIND IN EITHER MY CAR PAYMENT OR MY HOUSE PAYMENT... AND BELIEVE ME I'D RATHER LIVE IN MY HOUSE THEN MY CAR. *TR

TL*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.

POWER STEERING WENT OUT, I COULD BARELY TURN THE WHEEL. STERRING COLUMN WILL COST ME ALMOST SIX HUNDRED DOLLARS TO FIX. *TR

2005 MALIBU,HAVE HAD BOTH TIE ROD ENDS REPLACED,STRUTS ETC. MAKES A LOUD CLUNKING WHEN DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS AND TURNING. SOUNDS LIKE WHEELS COMING LOOSE. SOUND,SOUNDS LIKE IT IS COMING FROM STEERING COLUMN,CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON WHEN I FILL GAS TANK AND STAYS ON UNTIL APPROX 1/2 TANK. *TR

I FIRST PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN MARCH 2005. AFTER A MONTH I STARTED HAVING DIFFICULTIES WITH STARTING IT. I WOULD TURN THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND NOTHING WOULD HAPPEN THERE WOULD BE NO POWER, I WOULD TURN THE KEY AGAIN AND THERE WOULD BE POWER BUT THE INFO STATION WOULD RESET. I HAVE A FRIEND WHO DROVE IT SOMETIMES AND THE SAME THING WOULD OCCUR FOR HIM. WE TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP IT WAS PURCHASED FROM THREE DIFFERENT TIMES, THEY COULDN'T LOCATE THE PROBLEM BUT WOULD RESET THE COMPUTERS TO FACTORY, ONE TIME THEY INSTALLED AN UPDATE. IT WOULD STOP FOR A FEW MONTHS AND THEN START BACK UP. A YEAR AFTER PURCHASE I FOUND A DIFFERENT DEALERSHIP(2006), THEY SAID IT WAS THE HEADLIGHT AND REPLACED IT, THEY ALSO UPDATED AND RESET THE COMPUTER. IT STOPPED FOR SEVERAL MONTHS AND THEN RESTARTED. THEN ONE DAY THE CD PLAYER WOULDN'T QUIT WORKING, IT SHOWED I NEEDED TO EJECT CD BUT THERE WAS NO CD TO EJECT, IT WOULD WHIR CONSTANTLY. THEN ONE MORNING LAST FALL(2007) THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO POWER, WE GOT IT JUMP STARTED AND TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY DISCOVERED SOMETHING WITH AN IGNITION CONNECTION BEING PLASTIC INSTEAD OF METAL. THEY REPLACED THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN UNDER A GOODWILL WARRANTY. NOW MY VEHICLE IS DOING THE SAME THING, YOU TURN THE KEY AND THERE IS NO POWER, THE SECOND TIME THERE IS POWER, BUT THE INFO STATION IS RESET. WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WE ARE OVER THE 12000 WARRANTY MILES ON THE NEW PART, SO THERE IS NO GOODWILL WARRANTY ON THIS ONE AND IT WILL C

TL*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.

THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM IN MY 2005 CHEVY MALIBU LS KEEPS COMING ON WHILE I'M DRIVING. WHEN THAT HAPPENS EVERYTHING ON THE DASH STOPS WORKING. MPH, FUEL ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON . WHEN ANTI-THEFT LIGHT COMES ON THE CAR WILL NOT START. SO THAT LEAVES ME AND MY DAUGHTERS STUCK. NOW WHEN I STOP AND PARK THE CAR FOR ANY LENGTH OF TIME THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM ACTIVATES. I AM SO SCARED TO DRIVE THIS CAR BECAUSE I NEVER KNOW IF IT'S GOING TO START. ME AND MY DAUGHTERS HAVE BEEN STRANDED IN DARK PARKING LOTS FOR UP TO 6 HOURS. ALSO THE BREAK LIGHT ARE A MESS. WHEN I'M DRIVING THE ARE ON AND WHEN I PUSH ON THE BREAK THE GO OFF. SOMEONE PLEASE HELP US WITH THIS HORRIBLE CAR. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER AMERICAN MADE CAR AGAIN. *TR

ON 8/25/2008 MY STEERING LOCKED UP ON MY 2005 MALIBU CLASSIC. O LOST CONTROL IF MY CAR AND CRASHED INTO 2 TELEPHONE BOXES. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS INCIDENT ON THE INTERNET I FIND THAT THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ELECTRONIC STEERING PROBLEM. *TR

I PURCHASED TWO 2005 CHEVY MALIBUS - ONE LT AND ONE LS. IN FEBRUARY 2008 MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING THE LS AND REARENDED ME INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I WAS AT A DEAD STOP AND IT PROPELLED ME 4 FEET BEFORE I SLAMMED INTO THE CAR INFRONT OF ME. SHE WENT UP MY BUMPER AND INTO MY TRUNK AND NO AIRBAGS IN HER MALIBU OR MINE WERE DEPLOYED. IN JULY 2008 SHE WAS DRIVING THE LT AND ROLLED THE CAR TWO TIMES AT 55 MPH AND NONE OF THE 6 AIRBAGS DEPLOYED THAT TIME EITHER. THE FIRST ACCIDENT CAUSED $8,000 DAMAGE TO HER CAR AND $ 10,000 TO MINE YET NO AIRBAGS. THE SECOND ACCIDENT THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS AND NO AIRBAGS. *TR

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. *TR