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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 1 of 7)

problem #130

Jun 102024

Malibu

  • miles

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

The brake light stays on the whole time.

- Oakland, CA, USA

problem #129

Dec 062021

Malibu 6-cyl

  • miles
1st when got car from local dealer cruise control worked next day still hasn't, interior lights not working with new bulb, brake light on, leaking oil from pan, front end drifting, than at station no power steering, didn't know wtf, wheels didn't turn, shut off he later was there ignition switch will keep turning. Rins battery dead. I'm scared power steering will go out while driving. It's a scary thought, think I will sell.It's the worse recall I've heard of can they be fixed. Consumer has all 7 recalls.

- Veblen, SD, USA

problem #128

Aug 172019

Malibu

  • 99,000 miles
Steering wheel started shaking slightly in August. Now it shakes and then power steering goes out. This happens on the highway, city streets anywhere going any speed. As soon as the car starts the steering wheel shakes, of you turn the wheel in either direction it will clam it a little. Break lights randomly stop working. Replaced break lights 6 times in the past 2 years. Headlights melt the plastic has been going on since we purchased the vehicle in 2017. All of these issues have been recalled but not on my VIN.

- Murfreesboro, TN, USA

problem #127

Jul 172019

Malibu

  • 104,000 miles

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

My passenger side headlamp light (turn signal) assembly keeps burning out and melting the bulb housing and orange lens. It burned a hole in the orange turn signal lens. I replace bulb after bulb but it keeps failing. Please issue a recall because no car owner should have to keep replacing bulbs constantly only for them to fail over and over again! this happens when the car is stationary, moving, etc..

- Raleigh, NC, USA

problem #126

Jan 212019

Malibu

  • 123,388 miles
The car is hard to shift out of park, the break lights stay on while driving and go off when pressed.

- Franklin, OH, USA

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problem #125

Jul 012018

Malibu

  • 60,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. While operating the vehicle, the brake lights intermittently failed to illuminate when depressing the brake pedal. Also, the front driver side window failed to operate and would not roll down and the rear passenger door could not be unlocked from inside the vehicle. Furthermore, the ignition key could be removed from the ignition switch while driving the vehicle and, after starting the engine, the vehicle suddenly stalled and shut off. The cause of the failures was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 60,000.

- Garden Grove, CA, USA

problem #124

Aug 252018

Malibu

  • 70,500 miles

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

Referred to you by GM after dealer refused to consider this a free repair, as my vehicle is not covered by recall #13036D. Vehicle is exhibiting same conditions as per your recall, brake light remains illuminated.panic-brake assist malfunctioned 2 weeks ago; almost resulting in a rear end collision. This occurred on a 4 lane highway, and vehicle began to skid. At that point I released the brake, and was forced to pump them in order to slow vehicle. Park-brake feature also malfunctions randomly. These are all due to voltage fluctuations in body control module connection, requiring a spacer to be installed.

- Elgin, IL, USA

problem #123

Aug 082018

Malibu

  • 158,331 miles
Low beam headlight continues to short out even after replacement of the socket assembly.

- Braddock, PA, USA

problem #122

Aug 142013

Malibu 4-cyl

  • 131,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the exterior headlamps would function intermittently and the power steering warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to southern Chevrolet (5845 coliseum blvd, alexandria, la), but the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact indicated that the bulbs were previously replaced and the vehicle was repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 14V153000 (steering). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 131,000. *

- Alexandria, LA, USA

problem #121

Jun 082015

Malibu

  • 106,038 miles
The front turning signals have not worked for 2 years I have had the head lights completely replace twice. The second time I had them replaced when the light housing of the turn signals were opened the light bulb and hook ups were melted together.

- Davenport, IA, USA

problem #120

Apr 012017

Malibu

  • miles

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

Headlights and tail lights are not working they go out once a month and now they just out and this car is defiantly unsafe to drive. The locks go up and down while driving, and auto lock if left running. Gas fumes through out the car. These are very serious problems, also I have two toddlers that are forced to ride in this death trap!!

- Brunswick, GA, USA

problem #119

Jan 092016

Malibu

  • 85,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. On several occasions, the driver and passenger side turn signal bulbs failed to operate as intended. Upon inspecting the bulb and wiring harness, the contact became aware that the turn lamp housing was melted, which caused the turn signal to become inoperable. The contact stated that the bulb and housing were replaced on three occasions; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to wheelers Chevrolet GMC (2701 S maple ave, marshfield, wi 54449, (715) 502-4130) where it was diagnosed that the turn signal housing and bulbs needed to be replaced. There was no remedy for the failure. The contact stated that the bulbs and housing were being replaced every two months. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 85,000.

- Marshfield, WI, USA

problem #118

Apr 162017

Malibu

  • miles
Headlights and front blinkers quit working. When I went to change thenergy-saving lights the connectors were melted and wires were exposed. The orange lense on the drivers side has melted and is disconnected from the fixture and is lying inside the light inclosure. The lights and blinkers quit working as I was driving the vehicle. I cannot drive the vehicle at night because I am afraid to have the lights on for fear of possible first hazard. The cruise control stopped working around the end 2016

- Anniston, AL, USA

problem #117

Jan 232017

Malibu

  • 57,000 miles
The amber plastic housings enclosing the turn-signal/drl bulbs in the headlamp assemblies on both sides of the vehicle are melting, apparently due to the bulbs getting too hot. The melting plastic has dripped down onto the bulbs and the fumes from the melting plastic have fogged up part of the headlight lens. I am very concerned that this could cause a fire. I purchased this vehicle new. The headlamp assemblies and bulbs are original equipment, so this is clearly a design defect.

- Loveland, OH, USA

problem #116

Jan 092017

Malibu

  • 152,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving and depressing the brake pedal, the brake lights failed to illuminate. The failure occurred on several occasions. The contact also stated that on a few occasions, the brake lights illuminated independently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was informed that the brake stop lamp, brake lamp harness and brake light position sensor all needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired, however the failure recurred. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V252000 (service brakes, hydraulic, electrical system, exterior lighting, vehicle speed control, electronic stability control). The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 152,000.

- Midland, PA, USA

problem #115

Jan 042016

Malibu

  • miles
The turn signal lights are burning out the socket as well as the light covering. I have to replace the bulb it seems like every month.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #114

Jan 232017

Malibu

  • 57,145 miles
The amber plastic housings enclosing the turn-signal/drl bulbs in the headlamp assemblies on both sides of the vehicle are melting, apparently due to the bulbs getting too hot. The melting plastic has dripped down onto the bulbs and the fumes from the melting plastic have fogged up part of the headlight lens. I am very concerned that this could cause a fire. I purchased this vehicle new. The headlamp assemblies and bulbs are original equipment, so this is clearly a design defect. I have read many similar complaints about other 2005 Malibu in various internet forums, and GM is apparently not willing to take any responsibility for the problem.

- Loveland, OH, USA

problem #113

Aug 152016

Malibu 6-cyl

  • 120,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving approximately 35 mph, the brake lights started to flash. The vehicle was repaired by the dealer in August of 2014 for the same failure. The vehicle was driven home and was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000. Updated 02/03/17 the consumer stated the vehicle was repaired twice, for the same recall issue. Updated 02/07/17.

- Edwardsville, IL, USA

problem #112

Feb 122016

Malibu

  • 136 miles
My key will not turn in the ignition and I checked for recalls. I called the dealer to fix the recall on the ignition, and was notified that they would only put a piece of plastic over key and would not fix the ignition to turn. I can hardly even start my car because the key won't turn. The key is going to break off in the ignition. The horn and radio do not work either. Not having a horn for incoming traffic towards my vehicle is very dangerous. The turn signals only work at random times and that is very dangerous when switching lanes into traffic. Also, something in the back of the car squeaks for no reason when going down the road at random and when going over speed bumps. This car also drains the battery with unknown electrical problems. The drivers side back passenger window wont go down either. This car has way too many safety issues for only 137,000 miles on it.

- Bowling Green, KY, USA

problem #111

Feb 132016

Malibu

  • 136,000 miles
Bought car used at 136,000 miles. Car radio does not light up or work, and horn doesn't work. Drivers side back window won't go down. First day driving the car, turn signals stopped blinking and then started blinking again. Suspension in the back squeaks badly when driving at random and going over speed bumps. Did not drive the car for more than one day and now car won't start at all (no crank, no start). These are major safety issues including serious electrical problems. The battery is only one year old on the car when purchased, so should be good. These electrical issues need to be recalled. Now I am stuck with a car that has so many problems and won't start and is definitely not safe to drive.

- Bowling Green, KY, USA

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