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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
213,424 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 drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2005 Chevrolet Malibu Owner Comments (Page 1 of 3)

problem #56

Nov 282020

Malibu

  • miles

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

My 2005 Malibu stirring wheel ; my my 2005 Malibu maxx ls V6, stirring wheel locked up when I was getting on the interstate interstate, cruise control dosent work, and when im driving sometimes when I get up to a ceartain speed car shakes bad and it shakes when I use brakes. My stirring wheel makes noises sometimes and feel like its gonna brake sometimes. When I go over speed bumps car squeaks like front tire is gonna come off, electrical problems can get radiator fans to come on have to cut ac on in order for fans to work ac been stop working horn don't work I thought sunroof came up and most of time trunk wont open and when it does open it wont close. I'm scared to drive because of my stirring wheel locked up 4 times on me already about drive but I have to drive for my business to make delivers.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #55

Jun 292020

Malibu 6-cyl

  • 210,000 miles
Wiring issues replaced everything new it the charging department 2 times and the problems kept arising thus the computer the PCM fired so idk what went wrong but it's something that needs to be discussed I will never own another Chevrolet car

- Trinity, NC, USA

problem #54

Nov 042019

Malibu

  • 100 miles
Traction control on and off. Feels hard and forced steering wheel assistance turns off, wheel too hard using too much gas.

- San Ysidro, CA, USA

problem #53

Mar 112018

Malibu

  • 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 vehicle overheated. If the vehicle was too hot, the engine would not start and the gear shift did not move. The vehicle also leaked anti-freeze. The contact had to pump the brake pedal in order for the lever to operate. Also, the air bag warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to East pat O'brien Chevrolet (2810 bishop rd, willoughby hills, oh 44092, (440) 348-0553) where it was diagnosed that the hood release was fractured and the egl sensor was separated. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was invalid.

- Cleveland Heights, OH, USA

problem #52

Sep 022018

Malibu

  • 115,795 miles
Well after a day of no issues I was driving went to park and I put my car into park the car died and reversed a little bit. It now won't turn over and won't make any noise under the hood. I tried jumping it but that didn't work and I tried to see if maybe the anti lock system shut it off but it's not that either. When I turn the key to the on position it says it's still in reverse and when I move the shifter it doesn't register on the dashboard. So my car still thinks I'm in reverse.

- Lebanon, PA, USA

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problem #51

Oct 282017

Malibu

  • miles
Called Chevy multiple times. Went in for to have part replcaement recall, always get an answer of part is not available..

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #50

Nov 012017

Malibu

  • 105,000 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 vehicle experienced trouble shifting in the intended gear. The failure occurred approximately three times. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the transmission shift cable was defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified and stated that the vehicle had already been repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 14V224000 (power train). The manufacturer provided case number: 8-394-3260477. No further assistance was offered. The vehicle was taken to ed morse sawgrass Buick GMC (14351 w sunrise blvd, sunrise, fl) where it was diagnosed that the shift cable assembly was defective and would have to be replaced. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.

- Plantation, FL, USA

problem #49

Jan 252018

Malibu

  • 288,000 miles
Reverse is not engaging.

- Philadelphia, MS, USA

problem #48

Sep 152017

Malibu

  • 246,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. On several occasions, while driving various speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to flemington Buick GMC Cadillac at (908) 751-4316 (211 us-202, flemington, NJ 08822) where no diagnostic failure codes were found and the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the catalytic converter and O2 sensors needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 246,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Lawrenceville Township, NJ, USA

problem #47

May 162016

Malibu

  • 87,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14V252000 (service brakes, hydraulic, electrical system, exterior lighting, vehicle speed control, electronic stability control). The vehicle was taken to smith Chevrolet Cadillac at (209) 632-3946 (1601 auto mall dr, turlock, ca 95380) where it was diagnosed that the transmission shift cable and the brake lighting needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. Later, while pulling in the driveway, the transmission shift cable fractured without warning and the brake lights failed. The vehicle was taken back to smith Chevrolet Cadillac, but the dealer refused to service the vehicle. The contact stated that the remedy failed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and did not assist. The approximate failure mileage was 87,000.

- Modesto, CA, USA

problem #46

Oct 022017

Malibu

  • 45 miles

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

I was driving to work on the freeway and I accelerated to merge into traffic I slightly turned the wheel to the left and it went to the right and the faster I tried to go it was going all over the road from left to right.I didnt have much control so I decided to get off the freeway and go back home.

- Merced, CA, USA

problem #45

Feb 052017

Malibu

  • miles
I got in my car shifted to drive and instead it went reverse instead of forward.

- Hughson, CA, USA

problem #44

Jul 202014

Malibu 6-cyl

  • 8,500,000 miles
Takata recall. When the transmission control cable broke in my car, the recall covered the replacement of the cable.. but the key is stuck in my car every since this incident of the cable.. my car was stationary, just within minutes of getting of the interstate. I pulled into store parking lot. The cable broke, the key was stuck. I had to be towed home. To this day, I have not been able to remove the key.. both of these incidents happened at the same time. This should of been fixed, but it wasn't. now my car is having electrical problems and sometimes won't start.. please help me to correct this.

- Spanish Fork, UT, USA

problem #43

Jan 062015

Malibu

  • miles
My traction control engages everytime I put the vehicle in drive and it disengages when the vehicle is put in reverse. I had the recall done on my vehicle and I thought that would coprrect the problem but it hasn't and the dealer would not correct the problem they said it was not part of the recall what am I to do?

- Fort Polk, LA, USA

problem #42

Sep 022008

Malibu

  • 47,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle suddenly stalled. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. In addition, after starting the vehicle the contact was unable to shift into gear. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the transmission shift cable failed. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure persisted. The contact also indicated that the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the fuel cap needed to be replaced. The fuel cap was replaced but the check engine warning light continued to illuminate. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 47,000.

- Fort Myers, FL, USA

problem #41

Aug 142015

Malibu

  • 112,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the shift lever failed to shift out of gear. The contact mentioned that the brake pedal had to be depressed in order to shift out of gear but now it's failing to do so. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Also, the contact stated that the vehicle was repair under the NHTSA campaign number: 14V153000 (steering). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 112,000.

- Benton, AR, USA

problem #40

Jun 222015

Malibu

  • 185,445 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the anti-theft warning lamp flashed up to three times and that the key would not turn over to start the vehicle. The contact indicated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the anti-theft module, ignition switch, BCM, and additional components needed to be replaced due to the failure. The vehicle was also included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V224000 (power train), but the contact had not received notification of the safety recall to schedule the repair. The vehicle was not repaired and the contact was not able to get the key to turn over to start the vehicle. The anti-theft warning lamp continued to flash three times or more and the vehicle was unable to be driven. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided no remedy. The approximate failure mileage was 185,445.

- Lafayette, IN, USA

problem #39

Jun 212014

Malibu

  • 108,300 miles
I was on my way to school. When I took my exit (23 on route 2), the car simply turned off, locking my steering wheel. I lost control, spung twice and landed on the ramp of that exit. The car has been useless since then. I called the recall hotline to get support and they did nothing for me. I'm left with no car and no support by the GM team that forward me endless recall letters. I've had endless issues with this car since I financed it. Endless repairs, close accidents encounter because of car sensor issues. Brakes no properly working. Traction failing. It has been a nightmare. How can I get support for a vehicle which I loved so dearly and yet nearly cost me my life?

- Lakewood, OH, USA

problem #38

Sep 052014

Malibu

  • miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the key was difficult to turn over to start the vehicle and that the vehicle stalled several times. The vehicle was taken to the authorized dealer six months ago and was repaired according to NHTSA campaign numbers: 14V252000 (electrical system, electronic stability control, exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic, vehicle speed control) and 14V224000 (power train), but the contact indicated that the dealer stated that the repairs were not sufficient. The contact was waiting for the repair for NHTSA campaign id number: 14V224000 (electrical system) and was unable to determine when the recall would be performed. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The failure mileage was not available.

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

problem #37

Feb 012015

Malibu

  • 200,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the shift lever shifted out of drive independently and the vehicle decelerated. The contact mentioned that vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 14V224000 (power train); however, the repair failed to correct the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.

- Pascagoula, MS, USA

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