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U.S. public vehicle records

2005 Chevrolet MALIBU problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

975 owner complaints analyzed

3 distinct recall campaigns

88,725 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2005 model year. Data snapshot: . 762 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 461 of 975 complaints (47.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Steering behavior50251.5%
Braking behavior12312.6%
Electrical and battery issues929.4%
Engine operation666.8%
Transmission and shifting383.9%
Fuel system concerns323.3%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Steering
461
Electrical System
159
Exterior Lighting
130
Seats
60
Power Train
57
Engine
49
Service Brakes
43
Unknown Or Other
33
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Steering461
Electrical System159
Exterior Lighting130
Seats60
Power Train57
Engine49
Service Brakes43
Unknown Or Other33

Steering: 461; Electrical System: 159; Exterior Lighting: 130; Seats: 60; Power Train: 57; Engine: 49; Service Brakes: 43; Unknown Or Other: 33

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
74
25,000 to 49,999
91
50,000 to 74,999
130
75,000 to 99,999
139
100,000 to 149,999
199
150,000 and above
129
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,00074
25,000 to 49,99991
50,000 to 74,999130
75,000 to 99,999139
100,000 to 149,999199
150,000 and above129

Under 25,000: 74; 25,000 to 49,999: 91; 50,000 to 74,999: 130; 75,000 to 99,999: 139; 100,000 to 149,999: 199; 150,000 and above: 129

100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (199). 213 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2004
3
2005
19
2006
23
2007
48
2008
42
2009
62
2010
123
2011
85
2012
46
2013
44
2014
166
2015
85
2016
43
2017
48
2018
37
2019
40
2020
25
2021
10
2022
5
2023
6
2024
5
2025
9
2026
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20043
200519
200623
200748
200842
200962
2010123
201185
201246
201344
2014166
201585
201643
201748
201837
201940
202025
202110
20225
20236
20245
20259
20261

2004: 3; 2005: 19; 2006: 23; 2007: 48; 2008: 42; 2009: 62; 2010: 123; 2011: 85; 2012: 46; 2013: 44; 2014: 166; 2015: 85; 2016: 43; 2017: 48; 2018: 37; 2019: 40; 2020: 25; 2021: 10; 2022: 5; 2023: 6; 2024: 5; 2025: 9; 2026: 1

Pattern summary

Steering leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 502 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 123 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 92 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Complaint evidence

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10095645 · 2004-10-12 (October 12, 2004)

PICKED UP NEW FLEET VEHICLE AT DEALERSHIP 10 11 04 AND DROVE HOME APPROXIMATELY 35 MILES. BEGAN APPRAISAL ROUTE 10 12 04. IT BECAME IMMEDIATELY APPARENT THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOOSE ON THE STEERING SHAFT AND WAS BECOMING INCREASINGLY LOOSE WITH EACH MOVEMENT OF THE STEERING WHEEL. IN LESS THAN 40 MILES OF TOTAL DRIVING SINCE PICKING UP THE NEW CAR, THE STEERING WHEEL HAD SO MUCH PLAY (ROCKED 3/4 OF AN INCH FRONT TO BACK AT EITHER SIDE AND COULD BE PUSHED IN AND GENTLY PULLED BACK AT LEAST 1/2" ON SPLINED SHAFT) THE CAR WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIV…

Owner-reported narrative. 37 miles reported. Look up ODI 10095645 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10119286 · 2005-05-23 (May 23, 2005)

THE CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A POWER STEERING PROBLEM. WHICH MALFUNCTIONED INTERMITTENTLY. THE OWNER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, WHERE IT IS CURRENTLY BEING SERVICED. *AK THE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED. *SC *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 21,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10119286 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10126944 · 2005-06-28 (June 28, 2005)

MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH 2005 CHEVY MALIBU. 1.) KEY STICKING IN IGNITION. RETURNED CAR TO DEALER 3 TIMES. TWO OF THESE TIMES THE KEY COULD NOT BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED AND PARK CABLE ADJUSTED TWICE. 2.) TRACTION CONTROL (T/C), ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON AT ENGINE START UP. A SENSOR WAS REPLACED IN RIGHT REAR WHEEL HUB AND BEARING. IN ADDITION, THE EBCM COMPUTER TO THE BREAK SYSTEM HAS BEEN REPLACED. VEHICLE IS NOW IN FOR SERVICE FOR THE 6TH TIME. ALL 3 LIGHTS ARE ON AGAIN. I HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH GE…

Owner-reported narrative. 2,757 miles reported. Look up ODI 10126944 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10137789 · 2005-09-26 (September 26, 2005)

UPON TRYING TO BRAKE, THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK. PRESSED HARDER ON THE BRAKES AND THE BRAKES LOCKED CAUSING MY 2005 MALIBU TO SKID UNCONTROLLABLY INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. STARTED BRAKING APPROXIMATELY 40 - 50 FEET FROM STOPPED VEHICLE. WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH WITH DRY ROAD CONDITIONS. HAVE HAD SEVERAL OTHER OCCASIONS OF SKIDDING WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED SINCE THE 9/23 INCIDENT. *NM

Owner-reported narrative. 1,050 miles reported. Look up ODI 10137789 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10162750 · 2006-07-18 (July 18, 2006)

VEHICLE PURCHASED DEC 31, 2004 AND IT IS NOW JULY AND GUESS WHAT? THE 2005 MALIBU CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING PLUS 1 DAYTIME DRIVING LIGHT!!! TOO EARLY FOR THE CRUISE CONTROL TO QUIT WORKING, NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM IN ANY VEHICLE I HAVE HAD AND EVERYONE SAID SAME THING! THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL OF ALL MALIBU 2005'S WITH CRUISE CONTROL PROBLEMS BECAUSE OF SPEED SENSOR OR SOME ELECTRICIAL PROBLEM IN THE CAR THAT GM SHOULD BE THE RESPONSIBLITY OF PAYING FOR NOT CUSTOMERS BECAUSE EARLIER I HAD TO TAKE CAR IN FOR PROBLEMS WITH THE DOORS NOT U…

Owner-reported narrative. 35,720 miles reported. Look up ODI 10162750 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10177878 · 2007-01-05 (January 5, 2007)

TL* - THE CONTACT COMPLAINED ABOUT ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THE BRAKE LIGHT FUSE FAILED. THE FRONT LEFT BLINKER LIGHT FAILED, AND THE VEHICLE STALLED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. THE VEHICLE DID RESTART. ON DEC 31, 2006, THE VEHICLE STALLED IN A BUSY INTERSECTION. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH. THE CONTACT WAS USING THE CRUISE CONTROL. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER, AT WHICH TIME THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE DID NOT LOSE COMPLETE POWER, BUT WAS TOWED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A …

Owner-reported narrative. 8,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10177878 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10193999 · 2007-06-22 (June 22, 2007)

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE AND THE BRAKES STIFFENED. THE VEHICLE THEN STALLED AND THE REAR WHEELS LOCKED. THE ENGINE WILL RUN, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILS TO MOVE. THE FAILURE OCCURS EVERY TWO DAYS. IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO BE DRIVEN, THE CONTACT MUST WAIT APPROXIMATELY ONE HOUR BEFORE SHE CAN RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 39,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.

Owner-reported narrative. 35,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10193999 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10153112 · 2006-03-18 (March 18, 2006)

VIBRATION IN FRONT END SCREECHING IN TRANSMISSION WHEN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS 65-70. *NM

Owner-reported narrative. 3,885 miles reported. Look up ODI 10153112 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10171196 · 2006-10-12 (October 12, 2006)

EMAIL (IN) REQUESTING AN INVESTIGATION OF GENERAL MOTORS RE THEIR DANGEROUS & DEFECTIVE PRODUCTS. *TS *NM UPDATED 2/15/2007 - THE CONSUMER SMELLED ANTIFREEZE COMING THROUGH THE AIR VENTS. THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT HAD TO BE REPLACED. PROBLEM WITH BRAKES. A STEERING GEAR ASSOCIATED WITH THE RACK AND PINION WAS REPLACED. THE TRANSMISSION HESITATED. THE CONSUMER HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. PASSENGER SIDE FRONT TURN SIGNAL FAILED. THE DASH LIGHT AND TAIL LIGHT FAILED. *NM

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10171196 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10103240 · 2004-12-07 (December 7, 2004)

THE SMELL OF FUEL PROMPTED THE CONSUMER TO MAKE CONTACT WITH THE MANUFACTURE AND THE DEALER SINCE THERE WAS A FUEL TANK RECALL. THE CONSUMER LOCATED A CRACK ON THE FUEL TANK. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. 135,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10103240 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10132128 · 2005-08-09 (August 9, 2005)

INSTALL JUMPER HARNESS PER PIP3098A NECK, FUEL TANK FILLER REPLACE TIE ROD END AND/OR ADJUSTER SLEEVE RIGHT REPLACE PANEL, SEAT BACK OF BACK PASSENGER R&R OR REPLACE RECEIVER, RADIO REMOVE, REPAIR AND REPLACE RADIO. *NM

Owner-reported narrative. 19,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10132128 at NHTSA ↗