Chevrolet Malibu Complaints (2005)

1,301 consumer complaints on file.

#10257031January 31, 2009
SEATS
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10256380January 26, 2009
EXTERIOR LIGHTING, STEERING
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10255832January 21, 2009
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10255582January 19, 2009
STEERING
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10253516January 1, 2009
SUSPENSION:FRONT
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10252772December 25, 2008
STEERING
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10252745December 24, 2008
STEERING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX . WHEN DRIVING LOW SPEEDS RANGING FROM 0 TO 10MPH THERE IS A CLUNKING NOISE IN THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN. WHEN HE MADE A LEFT AND RIGHT TURN OR DROVE IN REVERSE THE NOISE WAS PRESENT. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED HIM TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO DIAGNOSIS THE FAILURE AND PERFORM A POSSIBLE REPAIR. AN APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED FOR THE END OF DECEMBER 2008. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10251780December 15, 2008
STEERING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE
MY 2005 MALIBU MAXX LT HAS HAD A RECURRING PROBLEM BESIDES THE "ELECTRIC POWER STEERING FAILURE" WHICH HAS SO FAR NOT FAILED AGAIN (DID TWICE ONCE WHEN BRAND NEW, AND AGAIN AT ABOUT 20,000 KM. VEHICLE HAS ONLY 45,000 KM ON IT NOW! WE LIVE IN WINNIPEG WHERE WINTER TEMPERATURES OFTEN ARE BELOW FREEZING FROM MID NOVEMBER TO MID APRIL. TODAY IT IS -25 C WITH WINDCHILL OF -44 C. EVERY WINTER WE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM.....THE IGNITION KEY WILL NOT COME OUT OF ITS SLOT...TRY WIGGLING IT AND AT THE SAME TIME WIGGLING THE SHIFT LEVER IN PARK....SOMETIMES IT WORKS SOMETIMES NOT. THE GM DEALER (VICKARS COMMUNITY CHEVROLET) WHERE WE GO FOR SERVICE HAS TRIED TO FIX IT TWICE, BUT IT ALWAYS RECURS WHEN IT IS VERY COLD. WE HAVE HAD TO REMOVE THE "REMOTE DOOR UNLOCK AND LEAVE THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AT TIMES. THIS IS NOT A GOOD THING IN THE CANADIAN CITY WITH THE HIGHEST CAR THEFT RATE! WE THINK IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE ANTI-THEFT PASS LOCK SYSTEM. BY THE WAY ALL CARS IN MANITOBA MUST HAVE AN APPROVED ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM TO BE INSURED OR REGISTERED. THE MANITOBA PUBLIC INSURANCE CORP. DOES APPROVE THE FACTORY SYSTEM ON THE MALIBU MAXX. IT IS JUST TOO FINICKY AND INCONVENIENT. BUT AT LEAST WE WERE NOT FORCED TO PUT IN A "THIRD PARTY" FOB WHICH MANY PEOPLE HAVE FOUND CAUSES ALL KINDS OF OTHER PROBLEMS ESPECIALLY WITH "COMMAND START" SYSTEMS (MALIBU HAS A FACTORY COMMAND START.) WONDER IF OTHERS HAVE SIMILAR PROBLEM?? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10251570December 12, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TURN SIGNAL & 4-WAY FLASHER OPERATION, COMPLETE FAILURE, INTERMITTENT. HOT, COLD, KEY/ENGINE/HEADLAMPS ON/OFF. DRL REMAINS FUNCTIONAL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10251529December 11, 2008
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. FOR APPROXIMATELY TWO MONTHS, THE CONTACT HEARD A HISSING NOISE EACH TIME THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. ON A SEPARATE OCASSION, WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 65 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IN ORDER TO SLOW DOWN THE VEHICLE AND REACH A COMPLETE STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE ANTILOCK BRAKING SYSTEM PUMP FAILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 126,239.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10250370December 1, 2008
STEERING
CLUNK, KNOCK OR RATTLE NOISE FROM FRONT OF VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING OR TURNING OVER BUMPS AT LOW SPEEDS. DEALER FIXED CLUNK. THE CLUNK CAME BACK. DEALER DID NOT MENTION WHAT PARTS WERE REPLACED OR FIXED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10249697November 24, 2008
STEERING
LEARNED OF A POWER STEERING SERVICE NOTICE AFTER THE POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE ENTERING TRAFFIC. GM AUTHORIZED THE REPAIR AND THE DEALER FAILED TO COMPLETELY REPAIR THE STEERING OR OTHER ISSUE THAT WAS DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE FAILED STEERING. THE DEALER DID NOT INFORM ME THAT THE CAR WAS NOT COMPLETELY REPAIRED. THE STEERING NOW ALTERNATES BETWEEN TOO MUCH PLAY OR PARTIAL FAILURE WHEN TURNING. I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT GM DID NOT WANT TO COMPLETELY REPAIR THE POWER STEERING. THE STEERING IS WORSE SINCE THE REPAIR. AT LEAST BEFORE I ONLY LOST IT TWICE BUT WHEN IT WORKED IT WORKED FINE. NOW I PARTIALLY LOSE STEERING EVERY LEFT HAND TURN AND RIGHT TURNS ALTERNATE WITH A REAL LOT OF PLAY AND ALMOST NORMAL. DRIVING STRAIGHT THE CAR PULLS TO THE RIGHT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10249120November 18, 2008
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10249024November 17, 2008
STEERING
POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE TURNING LEFT INTO TRAFFIC. THE LED READ OUT SAID "POWER STEERING". TURNED CAR OFF. SEARCHED INTERNET AND FOUND A SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THE CAR #07126. CALLED GM AND ASKED WHY I WASN'T INFORMED OF THIS BULLETIN SINCE I COMPLAINED OF SIMILAR BUT LESS INTENSE OCCURRENCES SINCE PURCHASE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10248001November 8, 2008
STEERING
POWER STEERING WENT OUT, I COULD BARELY TURN THE WHEEL. STERRING COLUMN WILL COST ME ALMOST SIX HUNDRED DOLLARS TO FIX. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10245657October 16, 2008
SUSPENSION, STEERING, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
I OWN A 2005 MALIBU MAXX AND AFTER ONE YEAR OLD IT BEGAN MAKING CLUNKING NOISES IN THE FRONT. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THEY HAD TO REPLACE A PART OF THE STEERING SHAFT. THEY DID WHAT THEY DID AND THE NOISE WAS GONE. THEY ALSO REPLACED STRUTS. A FEW MONTHS LATER IT DID IT AGAIN. THIS TIME THEY REPLACED TIE ROD ENDS. BY THIS TIME MY WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. THEN 2 MONTHS LATER IT DID IT AGAIN! THEY LUBED SOMETHING AND NOW IT HAS BEEN 8 MONTHS AND IT HAS NOT RETURNED YET. NOW MY ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AND I KEEP GETTING A MESSAGE TO CHECK MY GAS CAP. I CHECK IT AND NOTHING IS WRONG. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10245712October 16, 2008
STEERING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. WHENEVER THE CONTACT TURNS THE STEERING WHEEL IN EITHER DIRECTION, HE HEARS A CLUNKING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE STEERING SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED THREE TIMES. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 40,050.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10245627October 15, 2008
STEERING, EQUIPMENT
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10245285October 13, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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 COST AROUND $600 AND THAT IT PROBABLY ISN'T THE SAME PART ANYWAY. THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM I HAVE HAD FROM DAY ONE OF OWNING THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE HAD IT IN AND OUT OF DEALERSHIPS WHO COULDN'T TRULY DISCOVER THE PROBLEM. I DON'T THINK THAT I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY TO FIX SOMETHING THAT I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET FIXED FROM DAY ONE. I WOULD THINK THAT IF IT WAS SOMETHING DIFFERENT THERE WOULD BE DIFFERENT PROBLEMS THAN ALWAYS LOSING POWER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10245016October 9, 2008
STEERING
UNDER WARRANTY MY 2005 MALIBU MAXX DEVELOPED A CLUNKING NOISE THAT YOU ALSO FEEL IN THE STEERING. MOSTLY TURNING LEFT. GOING FORWARD OR REVERSE. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE STEERING GEAR AND IT FIXED THE PROBLEM. NOT A SOUND TURNING LEFT ,RIGHT OR WHATEVER. I WAS VERY SATISFIED BUT 10 MONTHS AND 12,500 MILES LATER GUESS WHAT ! IT'S BAAACK ! INCLUDE ME IN THE LIST ! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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