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2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 326 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx, most often about the steering (57% of complaints, typically around 85,000 miles). It is the 2nd most complained-about Malibu Maxx model year since 2000 and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx problems
Steering
185 complaints · 57%Half of these problems showed up before 85,000 miles. Parts named most often: electric power assist system, rack and pinion, hydraulic power assist system, linkages.
Today,while driving straight, felt a tug, steering lost. This was the third occurrence. The first two times this occurred in 2008, the first time power steering was partially lost. Brought it to the dealer who stated that they could not recreate the loss. Lost the steering again and the dealer replaced the module.…
Electronic assisted steering stopped working while driving. Mechanic advised it was sensor but they had to replace the entire column. Cost was 571.99.
Lights
51 complaints · 16%Half of these problems showed up before 87,000 miles. Parts named most often: turn signal, headlights, brake lights.
My 2005 Malibu Maxx indicated that a turn signal bulb was out and when I went to replace the bulb I noticed, not only that the bulb itself was significantly burned at the socket, but also that the blinker plastic was substantially melted. I checked the other side of the car and even though that bulb is still…
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx. The contact stated the headlight wiring harness melted causing the light bulb plastic covering to melt and the light bulb to fail. A local mechanic replaced the passenger headlight assembly, but the driver headlight also failed. The drivers headlight assembly was not…
Electrical
40 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 83,000 miles. Parts named most often: ignition, wiring, starter assembly.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx. The contact stated the headlight wiring harness melted causing the light bulb plastic covering to melt and the light bulb to fail. A local mechanic replaced the passenger headlight assembly, but the driver headlight also failed. The drivers headlight assembly was not…
My cars headlights are dim at night and take a while to get brighter even though I have had the bulb replaced and the lighting components checked out. The windows won't roll down from any side of the car, a recurrence from two years ago. Also my doors won't unlock from the auto-unlock button that sits on the drivers…
Seats
39 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 91,500 miles.
While driving my 2005 chevy malibu, I made a turn and the drivers seat broke on the right rear. The welds broke off the frame rail causing me to swerve in to the side of the road. The car needs a new seat rail to repair the car. The cost is about $800, gm will not assist in the repair of a defective seat weld.
Corrosion on bottom of driver seat, has allowed a crossmember to break, compromising the integrity of the seat. May be very dangerous in a crash. Vehicle is not subjected to adverse/flood conditions and driver is of average weight.
Brakes
19 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 81,000 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip.
I was driving on the interstate on my way home and my back breaks locked up and the tires and hubcaps started to burn. I had no immediate exit so I had to continue to roll slow. Once I exited the interstate my wheel was on fire. I put it out with an extinguisher. I asked the dealer and they said no recalls. I had to…
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx. The contact mentioned that the brake fluid low warning lamp illuminated and the brake lights remained on although the brakes were not engaged. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance since…
Fuel system
12 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 96,500 miles.
I started to smell gas after parking my car in garage about one month ago. Changed fuel cap, didn't work. The gas smell became more and more strong after few weeks. Did some search and found it's a common problem of fuel pump leak in 2004-2006 chevy Malibu Maxx. The high pressure line breaks and the owners have to…
You can smell fuel when you are by the car. At this time it takes 2 to 3 cranks for the car to start. I'm told that there is a leak on the top of the fuel tank somewhere.
Suspension
10 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 30,000 miles. Parts named most often: front.
2005 Malibu Maxx hatchback / v6 / at 30,000 miles on odometer steering problems intermittent for a month, mechanic could find no code when I took it to him and he drove to confirm with power steering having failed - dealer knew right away and replaced the entire steering column although no failed parts were provided…
: the contact stated the vehicle pulled to the left at various speeds. The dealership replaced the rack and pinion and steering column, but the problem persisted. Updated
Engine
9 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 130,500 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx. The contact stated that while driving various speeds, the vehicle suddenly stalled as the power diminishing and engine disabled warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was moved to the shoulder where it was restarted and operated normally. The vehicle was taken to the…
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx. While the vehicle was stationary, the vehicle would not start when prompted. The contact changed the battery and the starter, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was…
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 Maxx recalls
Stability control: electronic stability control (esc)
Risk: Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will attach the wiring harness to the BCM with a spacer, apply dielectric lubricant to both the BCM and harness connector and the bas and harness connector, and will relearn the brake pedal home position, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed an interim letter to customers on july 14, 2014. The recall began on august 18, 2014. Owners may contact general motors customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (chevrolet), 1-800-762-2737 (pontiac), 1-800-553-6000 (saturn). Gm's number for this recall is 13036.
Full defect summary
General motors llc (gm) is recalling certain model year 2004-2012 chevrolet malibu vehicles manufactured may 16, 2003, through october 11, 2012, 2004-2007 malibu maxx vehicles manufactured june 25, 2003, through april 5, 2007, 2005-2010 pontiac g6 vehicles manufactured may 26, 2004, through january 4, 2010, and 2007-2010 saturn aura vehicles manufactured april 24, 2006, through may 26, 2009. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the body control module (BCM) connection may result in voltage fluctuations in the brake apply sensor (bas) circuit. These fluctuations can cause one or more of these conditions: the brake lights to illuminate without the brake pedal being pushed; the brake lights to not illuminate when the pedal is pushed; difficulty disengaging the cruise control; moving the gear shifter out of the 'park' position without pushing the brake; and disablement of crash
Transmission: floor shift
Risk: If the transmission shift cable fractures while the vehicle is being driven, the transmission gear selection may not match the indicated gear and the vehicle may move in an unintended or unexpected direction, increasing the risk of a crash. Furthermore, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, despite selecting the âparkâ position, the transmission may not be in âpark.â if the vehicle is not in the "park" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to
Fix: Gm will notify owners, and gm dealers will replace the shift cable assembly and mounting bracket, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact general motors at 1-800-553-6000. Gm's number for this recall is 14152.
Full defect summary
General motors llc (gm) notified the agency on april 29, 2014, that they are recalling 56,214 model year 2007 and 2008 saturn aura vehicles. On may 22, 2014, gm increased the recall to include an additional 1,074,899 model year 2004-2008 chevrolet malibu vehicles manufactured from may 16, 2003, through october 5, 2007, model year 2004-2007 malibu maxx vehicles manufactured from june 25, 2003, through april 5, 2007, and model year 2005-2008 pontiac g6 vehicles manufactured from may 26, 2004, through september 28, 2007, and equipped with 4-speed transmissions. The total number vehicles being recalled is now 1,131,113.
Steering: electric power assist system
Risk: If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will perform one of four bulletins. Parts are not currently available. Gm expects to send an interim notification around may 28, 2014. When parts are available, owners will be mailed a second letter to come in to have the applicable bulletin applied. Bulletin 14115 covers model year 2004-2007 saturn ion, 2009-2010 chevrolet hhr and 2010 chevrolet cobalts. Dealers will replace the eps motor. Bulletin 14116 covers model year 2004-2006 chevrolet malibu and malibu maxx, 2005-2006 pontiac g6 and 2008-2009 chevrolet malibu, pontiac g6 and saturn aura built from mar
Full defect summary
General motors llc (gm) is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 and 2008-2009 chevrolet malibu, 2004-2006 malibu maxx, 2009-2010 hhr (non-turbo), 2010 cobalt, 2008-2009 saturn aura and 2004-2007 ion, and 2005-2009 pontiac g6. In the affected vehicles, there may be a sudden loss of electric power steering (eps) assist that could occur at any time while driving.
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Turn signal lamps
Summary
Gm designed the my 2004 and 2005 chevrolet malibu and malibu maxx vehicles with a daytime running lamp (drl) system that uses the same filament (the high power filament of a dual filament bulb) as the front turn signals.the high power filament operates at full battery voltage when functioning as a drl.the drl is illuminated whenever the headlamps are off, increasing the duty cycle of the front turn signal bulb.the my 2003 and earlier malibu vehicles (malibu maxx was not manufactured for sale in the u.s. Prior to my 2004) used a headlamp based design, operated at a reduced voltage, for the drl function; gm reverted back to this design on the my 2006 and later malibu and malibu maxx vehicles.
Questions about the 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
- What are the most common problems with the 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: steering (185 complaints, typically around 85,000 miles); lights (51 complaints, typically around 87,000 miles); electrical (40 complaints, typically around 83,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx have?
- 3 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from May 14, 2014 (stability control). 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 Maxx?
- It is the 2nd most complained-about Malibu Maxx model year since 2000, with 326 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.