What are the most common problems with the 2005 Chevrolet Malibu?

Owners have filed 975 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is steering (506 complaints), followed by electrical system (180).

How many 2005 Chevrolet Malibu complaints mention a crash or fire?

46 of 975 complaints report a crash and 34 a fire; 55 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

2005 Chevrolet Malibu recalls and problems

3 recalls and 975 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2005 Chevrolet Malibu.

recalls

975

owner complaints

complaints mentioning a crash

mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2005 Chevrolet Malibu recalls

Electronic stability control (ESC) · Vehicle speed control: cruise control · Exterior lighting: brake lights, switch · Exterior lighting: brake lights · Electrical system: wiring

NHTSA campaign 14V252000 · reported May 14, 2014 · General Motors LLC · 2,440,524 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured May 16, 2003, through October 11, 2012, 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured May 26, 2004, through January 4, 2010, and 2007-2010 Saturn Aura vehicles manufactured April 24, 2006, through May 26, 2009. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the Body Control Module (BCM) connection may result in voltage fluctuations in the Brake Apply Sensor (BAS) circuit. These fluctuations can cause one or more of these conditions: the brake lights to illuminate without the brake pedal being pushed; the brake lights to not illuminate when the pedal is pushed; difficulty disengaging the cruise control; moving the gear shifter out of the 'PARK' position without pushing the brake; and disablement of crash avoidance features such as traction control, electronic stability control, and panic braking assist features.
The risk: Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will attach the wiring harness to the BCM with a spacer, apply dielectric lubricant to both the BCM and harness connector and the BAS and harness connector, and will relearn the brake pedal home position, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed an Interim letter to customers on July 14, 2014. The recall began on August 18, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-762-2737 (Pontiac), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). GM's number for this recall is 13036.

Power train: automatic transmission, lever and linkage, floor shift · Power train: automatic transmission

NHTSA campaign 14V224000 · reported April 30, 2014 · General Motors LLC · 1,131,113 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on April 29, 2014, that they are recalling 56,214 model year 2007 and 2008 Saturn Aura vehicles. On May 22, 2014, GM increased the recall to include an additional 1,074,899 model year 2004-2008 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured from May 16, 2003, through October 5, 2007, model year 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured from June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, and model year 2005-2008 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured from May 26, 2004, through September 28, 2007, and equipped with 4-speed transmissions. The total number vehicles being recalled is now 1,131,113.
The risk: If the transmission shift cable fractures while the vehicle is being driven, the transmission gear selection may not match the indicated gear and the vehicle may move in an unintended or unexpected direction, increasing the risk of a crash. Furthermore, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, despite selecting the PARK position, the transmission may not be in PARK. If the vehicle is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
The fix: GM will notify owners, and GM dealers will replace the shift cable assembly and mounting bracket, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for this recall is 14152.

Steering: electric power assist system

NHTSA campaign 14V153000 · reported March 31, 2014 · General Motors LLC · 1,373,177 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 and 2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2006 Malibu Maxx, 2009-2010 HHR (non-turbo), 2010 Cobalt, 2008-2009 Saturn Aura and 2004-2007 Ion, and 2005-2009 Pontiac G6. In the affected vehicles, there may be a sudden loss of electric power steering (EPS) assist that could occur at any time while driving.
The risk: If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will perform one of four bulletins. Parts are not currently available. GM expects to send an interim notification around May 28, 2014. When parts are available, owners will be mailed a second letter to come in to have the applicable bulletin applied. Bulletin 14115 covers model year 2004-2007 Saturn Ion, 2009-2010 Chevrolet HHR and 2010 Chevrolet Cobalts. Dealers will replace the EPS motor. Bulletin 14116 covers model year 2004-2006 Chevrolet Malibu and Malibu Maxx, 2005-2006 Pontiac G6 and 2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from March 1, 2008, through June 27, 2008. Dealers will replace the torque sensor assembly. Bulletin 14117 covers model year 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from February 1, 2008, through February 28, 2008. Dealers will replace the torque sensor assembly and EPS motor controller unit. Bulletin 14118 covers model year 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from October 1, 2007, through January 31, 2008. Dealers will replace the EPS motor controller unit. The recall began on July 17, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, Saturn at 1-800-553-6000, and Pontiac at 1-800-620-7668. GM's number for this recall is N140115. Note: GM bulletin number 14119 will be implemented for model year 2006-2008 and early production of 2009 Chevrolet HHR (non-turbo) and model year 2003 Saturn ION to provide EPS Motor replacement for the life of the vehicle.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

Steering506
Electrical system180
Exterior lighting153
Power train65
Seats62
Engine49
Service brakes43
Fuel system, gasoline37
Unknown or other33
Fuel/propulsion system32

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Mar 10, 2026 · Steering · 37,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel became inoperable. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to the U-joint in the steering column, which made the vehicle difficult to control. The…

Dec 12, 2025 · Steering
Power steering failing. As I was driving down the road I got a power steering message and chime. No dash light came on and I lost all ability to turn my vehicles steering wheel. I went to add power steering fluid just to learn that my 2005 Chevy Malibu maxx LS comes equipped with EPS(electric power steering). Then I…

Nov 20, 2025 · Steering · crash reported
The steering locked up when the brakes were pressed and the steering wheel was turned to avoid crashing with another car. The result is the crash happened and damage to both cars. Thankfully traffic was only going around 10 mph. If this had happened at high speed my son may have been seriously injured or even killed…

Aug 6, 2025 · Steering
The car has a recall for power steering the recall covers the torque sensor in the steering assembly I had the recall done about 6-8 weeks ago & now I’m dealing with another power steering issue I took the car to Chevy & the whole power steering motor has failed they say it is not covered under the recall although it…

Aug 4, 2025 · Electrical system
The EPS began sporadically and severely jerking the steering very powerfully while driving and stationary and draining the battery at an accelerated rate necessitating multiple replacements of and charging 2 batteries to get to and from my job and anywhere else making everyday life very difficult beginning in early…

Malibu model years compared

Year	Recalls	Complaints	Crashes	Fires
2002	2	567	18	1
2003	2	569	35	4
2004	6	1,147	47	7
2005	3	975	46	34
2006	6	1,117	42	6
2007	3	977	37	2
2008	4	989	30	5

Across all years, the 2009 Malibu has the most complaints (1,509). All Chevrolet Malibu years →

Questions

Does the 2005 Chevrolet Malibu have any recalls?: Yes. NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2005 Chevrolet Malibu, the most recent reported on May 14, 2014 (Electronic stability control (ESC), Vehicle speed control: cruise control, Exterior lighting: brake lights, switch, Exterior lighting: brake lights, Electrical system: wiring). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2005 Chevrolet Malibu?: Owners have filed 975 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is steering (506 complaints), followed by electrical system (180).
How many 2005 Chevrolet Malibu complaints mention a crash or fire?: 46 of 975 complaints report a crash and 34 a fire; 55 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received March 10, 2026.