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2005 Chevrolet Malibu Classic Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 92 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Classic, most often about the electrical (45% of complaints, typically around 90,000 miles). It is the 2nd most complained-about Malibu Classic model year since 2000 and has 1 recall.
Most common 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Classic problems
Electrical
41 complaints · 45%Half of these problems showed up before 90,000 miles. Parts named most often: ignition.
The electrical system l will not always work correctly sometimes a widow will not roll up or the automatic lock will not work on one or two doors. The anti-theft sensor has had to be replaced and re-programmed 3 times since june of 2010. The first time it was re programmed and the senor malfunctioned again and the…
Car wont start at times because of ignition switch a real problem getting to work been waiting for my recall haven't received yet its not just a problem while driving its a problem getting the car to start also please let gm know this.
Steering
20 complaints · 22%Half of these problems showed up before 92,000 miles.
While checking out my daughters 2005 Malibu Classic for complaints about intermittent airbag light I happened to slightly tug on her keychain while driving about 50 MPH on the highway. The engine shut off. I lost power steering. I lost power brakes. I could not restart the car while it was moving. Luckily I was able…
Lost power steering without any notice or indicator error lights. Previously when turning would make some squealing noise like low on power steering fluid, but is electronic power assisted turning. Car is chevy Malibu Classic 2005 with 76,000 miles on it. Safety issue as I could have been driving 55 - 65 MPH on…
Engine
12 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 109,000 miles. Parts named most often: exhaust system, engine.
While driving home in my 2005 chevy Malibu Classic I heard a load popping sound and smoke came rolling from under the hood. I thought at first that I had blown the tire off the rim since I could smell like burnt rubber and see the smoke but this was not the case. I looked down and saw all the gauges lit up and the…
We bought a 2005 chevy Malibu Classic base model from a reputable dealer. Everything was working fine until my son flipped the switch on the turn signal indicator for the lights from "auto" to full lights at night. The dash cluster illumination went out along with the radio back lighting, HVAC back lighting, door lock…
Fuel system
9 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 105,500 miles. Parts named most often: delivery.
My daughter was driving her car and for no reason the car just shuts off. This has happened 3 times in the last weeks. The car also on 6 occasions would not start(has brand new battery) won't turn over, my daughter has been stranded several times. After a $400. 00 fuel pump replacement , which after it was replaced…
Fuel gauge fluctuation and engine lights comes on. I did not have this problem until after the last recall car is in good shape and I feel that something went wrong and they failed to tell me at the dealership. I need help.
Brakes
6 complaints · 7%Parts named most often: foundation components.
- the contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Classic. The contact stated that the popping sound in the steering wheel has occurred since he purchased the vehicle. The contact has a problem with his brakes. The calipers have been replaced three times since he purchased the vehicle. The contact stated that they worked for…
The bracket holding the brake manifold to the frame lost its bolts causing the front right brake line to rub the engine and cause a hole in the line. My wife lost all her brake fluid and also her brakes.
Lights
6 complaints · 7%I have a 2005 Malibu Classic where the turn signals will stop working then all of a sudden start working again. The fuses are good, no loose wires that I can see, bulbs are good. I have read other complaints from 2000 when a recall was issued for the hazard switch. This is a issue and can result in a potential…
I have a 2005 chevy Malibu Classic and the signal keeps failing you don't know when it will happen you just signal and notice it doesn't come on..very dangerous when driving..it starts back up again when it feel like it..I feel like this is very unsafe and scary..it has happen to me on several occasions and in fed up…
Stability control
5 complaints · 5%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…
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.
Air bags
5 complaints · 5%The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Classic. Contact stated that while driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. As a result, the contact lost control of the vehicle which rolled over three times. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact stated that the driver and two passengers…
The contact owned a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Classic. While driving approximately 30 MPH over a bump, the front driver and passenger side air bags deployed without impact to the vehicle. The air bag released into the contact's face and caused him to crash into a parked, unoccupied vehicle. The contact suffered from…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2005 Chevrolet Malibu Classic recalls
Electrical: ignition
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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Classic
- What are the most common problems with the 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Classic?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (41 complaints, typically around 90,000 miles); steering (20 complaints, typically around 92,000 miles); engine (12 complaints, typically around 109,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Classic have?
- 1 recall listed by NHTSA, the latest from July 3, 2014 (electrical). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2005 a bad year for the Chevrolet Malibu Classic?
- It is the 2nd most complained-about Malibu Classic model year since 2000, with 92 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.
Other Chevrolet Malibu Classic years
- 2004
- 2005