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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
79,891 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 Classic steering problems

steering problem

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2005 Chevrolet Malibu Classic Owner Comments

problem #20

Sep 022023

Malibu Classic

  • miles

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

driving the car it just shuts off which results in no power no steering and no brakes possibly an ignition switch problem.

- Fort Wayne , IN, USA

problem #19

May 252018

Malibu Classic

  • 208,029 miles
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 steering wheel and its hard an thats when "power steering" popped up on my dash. My steering wheel shakes uncontrollably and I'm scared to drive it and its my only transportation to and from my job.

- Greenville, MS, USA

problem #18

Feb 022017

Malibu Classic

  • miles
2 years ago I received a recall letter regarding steering wheel malfunction I took the car to the dealership and it was replaced, less than a year later the issues continued to occur. I've called camelback Chevrolet multiple times and left messages for the general manager with no response. The vehicle is not driveable due to this recall.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #17

Oct 132017

Malibu Classic

  • 153,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu classic. While driving 30 mph and turning the steering wheel to the left, the vehicle failed to turn. The contact stated that the steering wheel had to be turned several times in order for the vehicle to turn. There were no warning indicators illuminated. While driving to an independent mechanic, the power steering completely failed. The independent mechanic discovered that the rack and pinion was rusted and detached from the frame. The contact stated that the frame was replaced by the independent mechanic. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to NHTSA since the vehicle was out of warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 153,000. Updated 9/12/18

- Streator, IL, USA

problem #16

Jan 022016

Malibu Classic 6-cyl

  • miles
The power steering keeps going out while I'm driving. The brakes fell when all of the brake lights come on.. when I try to pump gas the gas comes back out at me.

- Kirbyville, TX, USA

problem #15

Sep 092016

Malibu Classic

  • 130,000 miles
When making a left turn, there was no ability to turn the car. The car drove onto a sidewalk. The car would not steer. Turning the steering wheel did not turn the wheels. There was a clunking noise when turning the steering wheel. The car had to be towed. I'm afraid of what could have happened if I was on the freeway or if there were people on the sidewalk.

- Maple Grove, MN, USA

problem #14

Sep 282015

Malibu Classic

  • miles

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

Stearing makes a clunking noise when turning and I was told it was my rac N pinion and several complaint were reported to highway safety about this matter,

- Saint Ann, MO, USA

problem #13

Jun 012014

Malibu Classic

  • miles
Ignition key issue in my 2005 Chevy classic Malibu when the car is on in the run position when the car is in drive and park the key can come out by taking it out and the car is still running. The key is also loose it tends to fall out of the ignition and the car is still running. The car shift gear for park and drive and neutral when you pull it back it gets stuck all the time sometimes I able to move it forward and backwards without having to press the button. The car also shakes during high winds it goes left and right from high winds.

- Omaha, NE, USA

problem #12

Nov 072014

Malibu Classic

  • 160,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu classic. The contact did not receive a recall notification. While driving approximately 5 mph the steering ability seized. No warning lights illuminated. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000.

- Sylvania, OH, USA

problem #11

Jun 122014

Malibu Classic 4-cyl

  • 88,000 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 to pull it over to the side of the road. It would not restart until I put the shift lever into park. I investigated this on the internet and found other GM vehicles being recalled but not this one. I called GM's recall line. They said to contact my dealer. I asked the dealer to make some keys with a center hole rather than a slot (at my expense) to prevent the ignition switch from rotating to engine off when a keychain is attached. They said they could not do it without GM authorization. I am concerned about my family members using this vehicle. Luckily no one was hurt.

- Cedar Falls, IA, USA

problem #10

Dec 062011

Malibu Classic

  • 145,000 miles

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

The problem started with the power steering note in the dashboard (radio display) Y went to my mechanic and he said me, the power steering is ok, I keep driving the car and the sign for power steering continued on the dashboard and I went to another expert mechanic and he saidto me if it continue and the driving and control the car became so hard, the procedure to fix is just stop the engine for a while and start again, this conduct I followed for a long time but reciently became so hard and very dangerous to drive because the problem now is random, some time every few seconds or every hour or a few time, some time at the moment I turned very I was very close to crash against other vehicles and driving in the express way I-95 for fort lauderdale heading South, I needed to brake abruptly because a landscaping trailer leave garden tool and tress, my vehicle turned wild and out control between the other vehicule, only god saved me. I went to the other mechanic and said me that is a recall for GM and I went to local roger dean GM in West palm beach and they said me that fix it matter I need to pay, after a friend of mine sent to me a website where I found the recall for power steering in my Chevy Malibu 2005. Really I apreciate if you help because roger dean the local GM dealer in West palm beach rejected my case.

- Royal Palm Beach, FL, USA

problem #9

Mar 072005

Malibu Classic 4-cyl

  • 20,000 miles
I bought a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu new in 2005. Since then, we repeatedly lost steering with the car. I was only recently made aware that there were issues with the power steering motor on these vehicles. They do not have the conventional power steering pump, but have an electrical power steering motor. No recall was issued. GM knew. I visited my local junkyard the other day. There are many of these cars with front end damage. I can only surmise how many accidents/injuries/fatalities were the result of this steering flaw. GM never informed me of the potential risks. (I did not move or change address.) I found out via the internet. I now see where GM is involved in yet another safety issue, ignition switches. Is there an investigation ongoing on these steering issues? someone is going to get killed.

- Monaca, PA, USA

problem #8

Dec 042013

Malibu Classic 6-cyl

  • 150,000 miles
Steering wheel locks up while driving.

- Tallassee, AL, USA

problem #7

Aug 022012

Malibu Classic 4-cyl

  • 150,000 miles
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 the car, other cars which are just shutting off while they are being driven.this is very dangerous to lose all power while driving!. and as well there have been numerous car owners who have replaced fuel pumps, which did not solve the problem. The car now has had the ignition replace as the mechanics "think:"its the security system!. to date the repairs are hitting $1,000. Also the turning signals, radio and A/C all work intermittently. I am no mechanic but seems there is electrical/security systems issues with these cars. The forums are loaded with car owners having the same issues! but of course they are so varied that most not reported to you!and we all know the garages don't report all issues! thanks for your help!

- Ashville, NY, USA

problem #6

Jan 282011

Malibu Classic

  • 47,000 miles
2005 Chevy Malibu steering is a problem after 47,000 miles travel. Steering wheel makes noise as it turns to right or left. Maybe steering mechanism problem.

- Hanover, MD, USA

problem #5

Aug 162009

Malibu Classic

  • 63,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated when driving at least 60-70 mph, the vehicle would abnormally vibrate excessively. The failure did not occur when driving less than 60 mph. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing or repairs. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 63,000 and the current mileage was 77,000.

- Santa Cruz, CA, USA

problem #4

Jun 102010

Malibu Classic 6-cyl

  • 92,000 miles
Power steering problems.

- Goodlettsville, TN, USA

problem #3

Feb 102009

Malibu Classic

  • 45,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu classic. The contact stated that the power steering failed whenever he made a turn while driving 10 mph. The contact stated that the wheel locked completely and the vehicle could not be turned in any direction. The failure mileage was 45,000. The current mileage was 50,000.

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

problem #2

Sep 222009

Malibu Classic

  • 76,784 miles
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 highway when the power steering quit!

- Heath, OH, USA

problem #1

May 202009

Malibu Classic

  • 70,000 miles
My wife was driving to work at about 8:00 in the morning when the steering wheel "stiffened" up on a turnaround by our house. Then she made the first left turn at a stop sign in our neighborhood..that's when the steering wheel completely locked up and she crashed into a parked car. The police arrived and filed a report. She hit a big truck that fortunately wasn't damaged but our car was left undrivable and completely totaled in the front!! we were going to just pay to get the car fixed but I looked into it further and found a large number of incidents with the steering wheel locking up on people who owned a Chevy Malibu each with various types of consequences. My wife could have been easily killed or killed someone else!!! this issue really needs to be dealt with before any further harm is done to more innocent victims!!!!!

- Riverbank, CA, USA

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