Chevrolet Malibu Complaints (2005)

1,301 consumer complaints on file.

#11723407March 10, 2026
STEERING
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel became inoperable. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to the U-joint in the steering column, which made the vehicle difficult to control. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 37,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11704639December 12, 2025
STEERING
Power steering failing. As I was driving down the road I got a power steering message and chime. No dash light came on and I lost all ability to turn my vehicles steering wheel. I went to add power steering fluid just to learn that my 2005 Chevy Malibu maxx LS comes equipped with EPS(electric power steering). Then I check on NHTSA for safety recalls and there is a safety recall for the Chevy Malibu maxx including the 2005 Chevy Malibu maxx. I was pulling safely out of store parking lot into traffic and I had to hit the ditch luckily I didn't get T-boned. Thanks to my reaction time being fast I made it safely outta the road. I am available to have car inspected if needed. It just started on 11/23/2025 I bought the car used a year prior in Nov. 2024.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11700534November 20, 2025
STEERING
The steering locked up when the brakes were pressed and the steering wheel was turned to avoid crashing with another car. The result is the crash happened and damage to both cars. Thankfully traffic was only going around 10 mph. If this had happened at high speed my son may have been seriously injured or even killed. The mechanic is working on it now and has reported the power steering module and power steering motor has to be replaced.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11678786August 6, 2025
STEERING
The car has a recall for power steering the recall covers the torque sensor in the steering assembly I had the recall done about 6-8 weeks ago & now I’m dealing with another power steering issue I took the car to Chevy & the whole power steering motor has failed they say it is not covered under the recall although it should be other Malibu models are this is very frustrating & unacceptable as I just got a recall for steering done & now I can’t even drive my car
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11678257August 4, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING
The EPS began sporadically and severely jerking the steering very powerfully while driving and stationary and draining the battery at an accelerated rate necessitating multiple replacements of and charging 2 batteries to get to and from my job and anywhere else making everyday life very difficult beginning in early 2024. A couple months before this issue became a daily and constant occurrence in in February 2024 between the 6th and 13th I had a stabilizer link and control arm on the right side replaced and an alignment done at Firestone, on the document for the alignment it states no manufacturers recommended services necessary on suspension. The mechanic who replaced the parts told me that the EPS issue is a likely cause for the steering system damage as a vehicle is not meant to remain stationary while the wheels are forcibly turned as is the case when the EPS takes over and jerks the wheel often to the extremes of its function. I have video of this on multiple occasions and it can be inspected still occuring. I took it to Hendrick Chevrolet Shawnee Mission in April 2024 and explained the services done recently and the mechanics opinion on the EPS. They held my vehicle for 3 days not saying it would take so long, during which I had to use a truck I had just bought and was not ready to be driven to get to work, it's transmission blew and has sat since. They called me to come pick it up and only once there told me they had refused to replace the recalled EPS unit "due to loose steering" as quoted from the document Given to me. I asked them to reconsider since this was the only vehicle I had running and charging batteries and being nearly forced off of the road or into other cars daily was very concerning, they simply told me to take it to another dealership for "a second opinion" I stated I didn't have time for another dealer to hold my car for days because my truck had just gone OOC, they held their position and I drove it until forced to buy a new car in 03/2025
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11675929July 24, 2025
STEERING, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
POWER STEERING WENT OUT AND WATER PUMP
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11672661July 11, 2025
STEERING, TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at 60-70 MPH, the steering wheel turned to left and to the right independently. The traction control warning light was illuminated. An unknown local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 220,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11661092May 15, 2025
STEERING
The electric power steering has failed on me numerous times. From being completely locked and having to restart the car 5 times just to free it up, to it locking up while i'm going 70 down the freeway multiple times. one of those times was while i was merging lanes and my wheel got locked slightly left and it sent me into the median wall, luckily no more damage than some missing paint and scratches but this is a problem that needs fixed. I searched my vin and there is no recall but it is the exact same make and model and has the exact same EPS issues the other 05 malibus do. what are my options before i get into a really bad accident because of this?
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11647137March 8, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES
Brake lights malfunctioning due to faulty wiring in body control module, a prior recall 2 dealerships are currently refusing to honor; stating your recall has expired. According to the below link, recalls are never to expire. This condition creates an increased risk of rear end collisions, while the driver is completely unaware his or her brake lights are inoperable. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11633659January 2, 2025
STEERING
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to complete a turn, he became aware that the electronic power steering was not functioning properly, requiring an increased effort to maneuver the vehicle. The message "Service Electronic Power Steering" was displayed. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. The electronic power steering warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V153000 (Steering); but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 103,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11593799June 12, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
The brake light stays on the whole time.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11584209April 20, 2024
STEERING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
STEERING WHEEL SHAKES VIOLENTLY WHEN THE CAR IS STARTED. AFTER AWHILE IT GOES OUT COMPLETELY MAKING IT EXTREMEMLY DANGEROUS TO STEER OR TURN WHILE DRIVING. TOOK IT TO A DEALER IN NORFOLK, NE, NORFOLK GM SERVICE CENTER, AND THEY SAID RECALL WAS FIXED BACK IN 2014 AT A SHOP IN HARTINGTON, NE. SAME ISSUE IMMEDIAITLY HAPPENED AGAIN. ISSUE IS NOT FIXED AND CAR REMAINS UNSAFE FOR TRAVEL.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11582784April 13, 2024
STEERING
The car was allegedly previously repaired under Product Safety Recall Bulletin No.: 14116 back in 2014. The vehicle was 10 years old at that time. Now in 2024, 10 years later, the power steering issue is back. As the vehicle is operated, a sound rings from the computer system and a message warning about Power Steering appears on the center console screen. The electronic power steering then stops working entirely and steering becomes incredibly difficult. In July 2010, GM issued Service Bulletin No.: 10183. The Subject of the Bulletin was "Special Coverage Adjustment - Power Steering Assist." The Condition described in the bulletin is the same as the problem described above. GM extended coverage of this issue to 10 years and 100,000 miles. In May of 2012, GM issued Service Bulletin No.: 10183A, which extended coverage to 150,000 miles. In September 2014, NHTSA stepped in and forced GM to issue Recall Bulletin No.: 14116 with the subject "Power Steering Assist." GM knows that some vehicles on the road have had this repair performed 3 times, based on their decision to extend their own service bulletins. Clearly they have decided to use the same faulty part repeatedly. NHTSA needs to step in and tell them to continue repairing the defective part until all of these vehicles are off the road.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11581403April 5, 2024
STEERING
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx. The contact stated while driving on several occasions, the vehicle made an abnormal sound and the vehicle lost power steering functionality. There were no warning lights illuminated; however, the power steering failure message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who provided the contact with a Technical Service Bulletin regarding the repair for the power steering failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced TSB: 14116 as a possible solution; however, the repair was not covered. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 235,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11579961March 28, 2024
STEERING
Car is getting hard has been happening for a while but is getting worse There's is a recall on similar Chevy models but not for this specific one
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11570954February 9, 2024
STEERING
I was tightening the battery and there was a spark and it’s been difficult to steer ever since
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11559475December 11, 2023
STEERING
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that after his daughter started the vehicle, she became aware that the electronic power steering was not functioning properly. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V153000 (Steering) but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 85,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11558450December 4, 2023
STEERING
Issue started at ~80K while driving 60-65 mph, the steering wheel would unexpectedly shake violently. After hitting brakes, the steering system would return to normal. Had car evaluated by mechanic specializing in steering/suspension and could not recreate the issue. This issue has been returning intermittently for the past year (99,800 mileage now). Now the engine light is on indicating “POWER STEERING “ on dashboard and loss of power steering. I’m issuing this report because my vin number shows no outstanding recalls but there’s a known issue (14V15300) against this vehicle.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11558334December 4, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
No accedents. Trying to be a head of it!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11549150October 10, 2023
STEERING
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that he received recall notification of the NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V153000 (Steering). The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the recall was completed however, the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel became stiff and difficult to maneuver. The contact stated that he had to turn off and restart the vehicle. The power steering assist warning light intermittently illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the torque sensor assembly or the EPS motor controller unit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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