Print this page

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
6 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 0
Average Mileage:
81,895 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 Maxx steering problems

steering problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx Owner Comments (Page 3 of 9)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #122

Oct 012013

Malibu Maxx 6-cyl

  • miles

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

2005 Chevy Malibu mass master brake cylinder was defective and caused the brakes to wear very quickly. Also, the power steering failed. The consumer no longer owns the vehicle, as it was totaled in an accident.

- Thomaston, ME, USA

problem #121

Jan 202015

Malibu Maxx

  • 182,449 miles
I used my scanner tool and I got the code P0826 which is due to a problem with the shifter, the shift cable must be broken. Am I entitled to take my car to get fixed in a dealer before an accident occurs or somebody dies?

- Perth Amboy, NJ, USA

problem #120

Sep 232010

Malibu Maxx

  • 34,000 miles
Replaced a steering rod at 34000 & 73000 & 105,000 that was made of metal ln 05. GM went back to plastic the next year as this did not hold up. Second is the remote start problem. I had it repaired two different times at GM and does not work as of now. Was told it was a BCM problem each time.as it was an expensive fix temporary that is.as many other people have the same problem with this car!

- Whitesburg, KY, USA

problem #119

Nov 292014

Malibu Maxx

  • 140,000 miles

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

The contact owned a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu maxx. While driving downhill at approximately 35 mph with the brake pedal depressed, the ABS was activated and the steering wheel suddenly became very difficult to turn. The driver was unable to control the steering and the brakes would not stop the vehicle. The contact lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a tree. The vehicle was destroyed. No injuries were reported and no police report was filed. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN provided was incorrect. The failure mileage was 140,000.

- Alanson, MI, USA

problem #118

Jul 032014

Malibu Maxx 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 108,233 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu maxx. The contact stated that the power steering failed intermittently on several occasions. The contact mentioned that the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver due to being too loose or tight. The contact had to apply force to the steering wheel due to the failure. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who indicated that the power steering motor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14E044000 (steering) and NHTSA campaign number: 14V153000 (steering). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 108,233. Updated 01/12/15

- Grand Rapids, MI, USA

problem #117

Oct 102014

Malibu Maxx

  • 134,000 miles
At the stop light the steering locked up with engine running at stop light. After police stopped to help and another passer by stopped to help the engine was turned off and then restarted to reset cpu computer and then the steering was returned on again to work free.. this car also has the starter run on when trying to start the engine, solution is to push on gas pedal when turning the key to start and let engine then to start and run. Recall parts still on order and I keep asking to get this fixed but no parts yet. What's next with this car, ,, GM should buy it back. And scrap it.

- Joplin , MO, USA

problem #116

Jun 042014

Malibu Maxx

  • 213,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu maxx. The contact stated that while driving at 60 mph, the vehicle shook. In addition, the contact stated that when making a turn, there was an abnormal noise coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing where the front end was aligned and the vehicle was tuned up. The failure recurred. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign id number: 14V153000 (steering) however, the part needed was unavailable to perform the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 213,000.

- Lithonia , GA, USA

problem #115

Aug 092014

Malibu Maxx

  • 149,000 miles
My wife was slowing down to enter a rest stop in her 2005 Chevy Malibu maxx when there was a ding and power steering was displayed on the driver information center. At the same time, she noticed she had lost power steering. She was able to stop the vehicle safely and turned it off. A few minutes later, she restarted the car. There was no longer the power steering display and the power steering had returned. A recall notice was issued on April 21 for electric power steering assist for this generation of Malibu (GM recall no. N140116; NHTSA recall no. 14V153) but we still haven't gotten a letter. When I called the Chevrolet customer assistance center, I was told parts are still not available. Apparently there are three other GM electric power steering recalls, with parts available for those three others but not our car. So far the problem hasn't returned, but once it happens the first time doubt gets planted. Especially because this is at least the second time there has been such a recall. We got a recall notice in late 2007 for the power steering system as well, and I'm pretty sure there was another one before this year's recall.

- Springfield, OR, USA

problem #114

Jul 142006

Malibu Maxx

  • miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu maxx. While driving 30 mph, the power steering failed and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was able to be restarted and was taken to the dealer. The repairs that were made were unknown, but the failure recurred intermittently. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was unknown.

- St.Paul, MN, USA

problem #113

Jul 122014

Malibu Maxx 6-cyl

  • 141,429 miles
While driving down the highway the power steering failed and I was stuck in everyone's way. Tried to steer to the shoulder but I wasn't strong enough. After the car was turned off for awhile I started it up and the steering came back on just long enough to make it home. Chevy says they don't have part numbers but other privately owned shops in my area say they can get the parts and fix it.

- Washington, MO, USA

problem #112

Jun 272014

Malibu Maxx 6-cyl

  • 117,500 miles

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

While accelerating onto an expressway the warning chime sounded, a click was heard under the instrument panel, and the (electric) power steering assist quit. Also a battery symbol illuminated momentarily on the instrument panel. Reducing acceleration caused the power steering assist to return to normal. Upon further testing it was determined that this happens repeatedly at any speed when under heavy acceleration (often at about 4000 RPM) and while hill climbing under load at about 2100 RPM. It was noted that simultaneously the battery voltage went excessively high (16V, sometimes 17V) and occasionally multiple (all?) instrument panel warning lights illuminate. If the power steering assist quits while turning the steering wheel tends to jerk hard towards going straight, a decided safety issue. This may be the same issue detailed in the June 2010 technical service bulletin: Tsb # 08-02-32-005A and it appears to not be covered under warranty.

- Ann Arbor, MI, USA

problem #111

Jun 272014

Malibu Maxx 6-cyl

  • miles
My power steering turned off suddenly while I was driving - I pulled over my car and restarted it - the power steering seemed to be on and I drove less than half a mile before the power steering once again turned off. GM has notified me there are not any parts currently to fix this problem and they will not tell me when dealerships will be provided to the parts. They also told me this is not a serious enough safety issue to warrant a rental vehicle to customers unable to drive their vehicles while this safety problem is occurring.

- Clayville, RI, USA

problem #110

May 302014

Malibu Maxx

  • 129,831 miles
A 2005 Chevrolet Malibu maxx ls. 156964 mileage. The steering wheel emitted a clucking and a creaking noise while making a turn. A clapping repeated noise somewhere in the wheels has appeared also. Blinkers burned out too often and the plastics that cover them are melt down. If it stays more than 10 minutes stopped after driving a while, the temperature gauge start rising to the overheat point, but if you turn on the air conditioning it comes back to the medium reading measurement gauge.

- Katy, TX, USA

problem #109

May 082007

Malibu Maxx 6-cyl

  • 90,000 miles
I was driving on the interstate on my way home and my back breaks locked up and the tires and hubcaps started to burn. I had no immediate exit so I had to continue to roll slow. Once I exited the interstate my wheel was on fire. I put it out with an extinguisher. I asked the dealer and they said no recalls. I had to get the tow truck and he said it was not the first for my car make and model. I replaced the breaks, rotors and tires and 2 weeks later the same thing happened again. Only this time I was in a parking lot of a grocery store. Since then I have had a total break job and replace tires and hubcaps. My power steering locked up and it was very hard but was able to use manually. The manual said to shut off car and restart to reset the power steering. This was not safe and very scary.

- Crystal Springs, MS, USA

problem #108

Aug 012013

Malibu Maxx

  • 76,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu maxx. The contact stated that the steering wheel emitted a clucking noise while making a turn. The dealer performed a diagnostic test which located the failure in the steering wheel drive shaft and column. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 76, 000 and the current mileage 78,000.

- West Mifflin , PA, USA

problem #107

Nov 102013

Malibu Maxx 6-cyl

  • 203,000 miles
Making a left turn onto busy road. Steering went out and had to go straight till I could get to a safe spot to stop. Car made chime noise and indicated power steering failure. Had to turn off the car and waited about five minutes. Started car and steering was back to normal.

- Perry, OH, USA

problem #106

Sep 042013

Malibu Maxx

  • 160,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu maxx. The contact stated that while driving approximately 10 mph and attempting a turn, the power steering assist failed. The warning light was illuminated and the power steering warning chime sounded. The contact shut off and restarted the vehicle, but the failure was still present. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who stated that the power steering module would need to be replaced. The manufacturer had previously issued a recall satisfaction campaign for the power steering module but the contact's vehicle was not eligible for repairs under the campaign because the cumulative mileage had exceeded 150,000. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000.

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #105

Sep 282010

Malibu Maxx 6-cyl

  • 44,400 miles
This is in relation to what I've seen in a few crash iihs crash videos. I was hit on the left side, with the impact range from the left front wheel to the outside mirror. I was beginning to make a left turn when I was struck. The impact on the steer tire caused the steering wheel to spin quickly to the right as it absorbed the energy from the collision. The steering wheel turned so violently rightward from the force of the vehicle hitting it, that I ended up with a fractured right elbow and torn ligaments in my right hand - injuries sustained from a collision on the left. I have seen the same thing in a few iihs crash test videos. In a few of their videos, the steering column shifts significantly to the left or right so there ends up being no contact between the dummy's head and the steering wheel airbag. I don't know if there is communication between NHTSA and the iihs, or to what standards are set, as I've seen some truly disturbing iihs videos on brand new cars; disturbing enough that I'm surprised that the vehicle is let into the market. Thanks for taking the time to read this. My right side injuries seemed very strange until seeing some of the iihs videos in slow motion that explained how this happened.

- Santa Rosa, CA, USA

problem #104

Jul 262013

Malibu Maxx

  • 122,000 miles
The contact 2005 Chevrolet Malibu maxx. The contact stated the electronic power steering module was repaired under the manufacturer's extended warranty, but the failure occurred one year later. The contact spoke with the manufacturer and stated that the vehicle would not be repaired. The failure mileage at the time of the original repair was 122,000. The current failure mileage mileage was 151,000.

- Lagrange, KY, USA

problem #103

May 082013

Malibu Maxx 6-cyl

  • 60,123 miles
I purchased a used Chevy 2005 Malibu maxx from East hills Chevrolet. I had problems with the steering in 08' they replaced or repaired the steering gears. 5 years later and 30,000 miles (local) I have the same problem that was sited in a bulletin with my VIN number however, GM, nor the dealer will repair it for me. The cost $1,100 of which I do not have at the present moment. What do I do drive a potentially dangerous car"?" I am getting no help from GM and am prepared to take my car back and sell it and buy anything but a Chevy as the whole line is plagued with this problem. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Port Washington, NY, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?