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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 17
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
60,908 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2005 Chevrolet Malibu lights problems

lights problem

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2005 Chevrolet Malibu Owner Comments (Page 2 of 7)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #110

Feb 062016

Malibu

  • 223,600 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I'm having an issue where's I'm scared I will be in a car accident. My engine light comes on then my tc light then my car say engine power reduce in the car will just shut off.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #109

Jun 122015

Malibu

  • 220,000 miles
Takata recall. Steering locked up while driving going around a corner and took a few minutes to get it to unlock. Happened to my wife with our son in the car. This happened before we got the recall. Got the recall fixed and now the power steering warning light is coming on. Headlight are constantly blowing bulbs. The headlight will go out so I will go to replace the build and then it comes back on. Front right turn signal goes out a lot and if I tap on it then it comes back on. The same with the rear tail light goes out often. This summer the traction control would ding and the button would not turn it on or off. When did this happen question doesn't make sense. It is a on going events.

- Pittsville, WI, USA

problem #108

Dec 222015

Malibu

  • 85,000 miles
I bought my car in 2013 and it's been a decent car. However it is the 2nd Malibu that I've owned and it's got the same issues. The running lights have an electrical error where they short out and melt the actual lights. I'm constantly having to replace the bulbs. I've gotten to where I just turn them off. The 2nd thing happened today. My first Malibu didn't have a sunroof but this one does. I was driving on the interstate when all the sudden I heard this loud explosion, like a gunshot or a semi truck tire blowing up. I look all around me and when I looked up, glass was falling on my head. My sunroof randomly exploded. And according to several mechanical engineers, it's physically impossible for an object flung by another vehicle to shatter a sunroof. Apparently manufacturers have started getting lazy with sunroofs when making cars, so if I were you, I wouldn't buy a car with a sunroof.

- Buckeye, AZ, USA

problem #107

Sep 252015

Malibu

  • 194,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The park light/daytime running lights are constantly melting the amber lens. The bulb socket melts causing the turn signal not to work. Every few months I have to remove headlight lamp and fix bulb so it will work. I have seen a number of people with the same problem with their Malibu. Chevrolet needs to fix this problem. This should be a recall as many as are having this problem.

- Scranton, SC, USA

problem #106

Feb 022015

Malibu

  • miles
The front driver turn signal does not work, it has melted the plastic inside. I have changed the bulb several times and it continues to burn out. The passenger turn signal is now blinking very fast and then slow so I'm guessing it won't be long before that one doesn't work. Also the drivers side rear blinker and brake light do not work. All of this is a hazard when driving and could easily cause an accident. I have heard of numerous people having these same issues and this needs to be resolved. Clearly this is a manufacturer problem. I would appreciate your prompt response and resolution. Thank you.

- Lincoln, NE, USA

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problem #105

Jun 172013

Malibu

  • miles
The contact owned a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. While traveling approximately 35 mph, the low beam headlamp assembly failed to work. The contact applied the brake pedal, which did not respond and extended to the floorboard. The contact stated that the vehicle spun around and crashed into a guardrail. The contact was unable to confirm if the air bags deployed. The contact was unconscious and was transported to the hospital. The driver sustained head injuries, broken wrists, a punctured and collapsed lung, and additional internal injuries that required medical treatment. The contact also stated that his teeth were fractured from his mouth due to the impact of the crash. A police report was filed. The contact also received several recall notifications pertaining to NHTSA campaign numbers: 14V252000 (electrical system, electronic stability control, exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic, vehicle speed control), 14V153000 (steering), and 14V224000 (power train). The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The failure mileage was not available.

- El Centro , CA, USA

problem #104

Jul 152015

Malibu

  • 137,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Driver side front turn signal lamps are burning out in one to two weeks even when replaced with GM parts. Both rear turn signals lamps are also burning out quickly.

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #103

Apr 012015

Malibu

  • miles
The turn signal bulbs get too hot and melts into the socket which makes the connection go bad. Even if you change the bulb the connection is bad so the socket has to be changed. This has happened on both of the front bulbs

- Northglenn, CO, USA

problem #102

Jun 172014

Malibu

  • 118,000 miles
Head lamp bulbs and turn signal bulbs have repeatedly burnt out. Bulbs have been replaced by certified GM shop only to burn out again.

- Omaha, NE, USA

problem #101

May 302015

Malibu

  • 201,000 miles
After a few days of owning this car I noticed there was an issue with the brake lights turning on while driving. When this happens it also shuts off the cruse control too. When you first press the brakes the lights shut off. Press them again and they work for a few minutes. I searched the internet for help, and noticed GM posted a service bulletin on this issue. GM advised to clean, and grease contacts for BCM. I did just that. The cleaning was only a temporary fix because the issue returned days later. Around may of 2014 I received notice that GM issued several recalls. The car had been broke down until February of 20015, and in April it was sent to my local Chevrolet dealer to have the recalls fixed. Shortly after fixing the recall issues the brake light issues returned. I contacted GM/ Chevrolet and they contacted my local dealer who agreed to look at the car again for free. After they inspected it I was told the brake switch needed replaced. On May 28, 2015 my local Chevy dealer replaced the switch. On May 30, 2015 the brake light issue returned. This is a family car and im afraid that someone will end up hitting us. Can you please help.

- Winamac, IN, USA

problem #100

Jul 312013

Malibu 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the front blinker bulbs were burning the bulb covers. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician was unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 75,000. Updated 8/27/15 updated 10/4/2017

- Modesto, CA, USA

problem #99

Mar 152012

Malibu

  • 200,000 miles
Passenger side front turn signal bulb burns out frequently. It also will work one day and suddenly stop working the next day, then work again later without having done any intervention at all. If I wiggle the bulb just right within the socket, I can get it to work. Something as simple as running into a pothole can make the bulb unit work or cease working.

- Roaring River , NC, USA

problem #98

Feb 022015

Malibu 6-cyl

  • miles
2005 Chevrolet mailbu. The consumer was dissatisfied with the services of the recall. Updated 02/12/15 the consumer received two recall notices. Recall# 14V252000 and 14V224000.

- Tunica, MS, USA

problem #97

Jan 272013

Malibu 6-cyl

  • 90,000 miles
I had to buy a transmission for my Malibu and now I am receiving recalls (multiple) # 14152 & #13036 for the same car. However, on the freeway coming home from temecula, ca, South bound on the 15 highway, my transmission was not engaging. No loud sounds, or excess acceleration, nor too much weight (driver and passenger only cargo.) the engine was on and as I accelerated the engine was going but nothing was propelling us forward. I had to buy a new transmission and pay for labor which came out to a hefty expense. With everything I have read online and forums for these recalls I feel like a reimbursement should be in order if the manufacture even had a slight hesitation of a possible defect.

- Chula Vista, CA, USA

problem #96

Oct 072014

Malibu 6-cyl

  • miles
2005 Chevrolet Malibu. Consumer received a recall notice stating the parts for the vehicle are not in stock. Consumer would like to know if they should wait for the parts or will they be rewarded a new vehicle. Recall # 14V252000.

- Shreveport, LA, USA

problem #95

Jan 132015

Malibu 6-cyl

  • 116,603 miles
My front blinker lights have melted the blinker light housing (the individual plastic globe the bulb resides in). They have to be replaced at a rate of approximately 6 months and I believe it is the car not the lights as I have tried different brands to see if the problem is with the bulbs. **note: As I have not kept a record of the incidents, I have listed the last time as precise date.

- Ada, OK, USA

problem #94

Oct 092014

Malibu 6-cyl

  • miles
Bulb design flaw: It burns hot and melts through bulb socket. Original bulb 3157 burns plastic housing on front directional turn signals on Malibu. It is a liability issue - faulty design made for failure and possible major fire hazard issues.

- Dewitt, MI, USA

problem #93

Dec 012014

Malibu 6-cyl

  • miles
2005 Chevrolet Malibu. Customer does not own vehicle anymore. Would like to stop receiving recall notices.

- Glenwood, MN, USA

problem #92

Nov 062014

Malibu

  • miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact received notifications for NHTSA campaign number: 14V252000 (electrical system, electronic stability control, exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic, vehicle speed control), NHTSA campaign number: 14V153000 (steering), and NHTSA campaign number: 14V224000 (power train). The contact stated that the parts needed were unavailable to repair the vehicle under the recalls. The dealer was unable to inform when the parts would become available. The manufacturer was not notified of the delay. The contact had not experienced a failure.

- Council Bluffs, IA, USA

problem #91

Oct 012014

Malibu

  • miles
Front turn signal sockets melted.

- Salem, NH, USA

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