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.
My 2005 Chevy Malibu sometimes loses power steering. When I was driving, the "power steering" message suddenly appears with a sound and I have no power steering in my car. It was very hard for me to make turns because the wheel was stiff. I turned off my car, waited a moment, and then turned it back on. It was just a temporary fix. If I was driving on the high way and cannot control my car, it could be deadly. I searched online, and a lot of owners also have this problem.
The 2005 Chevy Malibu has a weakness in its steering components similar to the other GM vehicles that are under GM's voluntary recall. The top complaint on the Malibu if one reviews various websites is the steering by a very wide margin. I bought my Malibu new in may of 2005. One year later they replaced a gear because of the noise it bade turning and looseness of the steering. 9 months later the steering had a problem again and again in 2007. That time the dealer replaced the whole steering assembly. My car is again starting to make the popping noise which is an indication that the issue is returning again. Even thought GM keeps replacing parts the problem keeps returning. Steering should not need repairing 4 times in less then 5 years. The danger is as reported on various websites is that it can fail completely and cause an accident. Mine has not caused an accident but we should not wait until it does.
05 Chevy Malibu 43,000 miles have had rack & pinnion replaced 2 times because of clunking noise when turning, also intermediate steering shaft has been replaced 3 times. Right front hub over heated at 1500 miles because it had no grease in it. This caused problems with the brakes & cv joints a retired timkin bearing worker told me that there was several problems with the computer line of putting grease the hubs because of the wt. Of the hub varying there has been many, many, many complaints of the same things on 05's on car complaints why hasn't there been a recall on this problem ?
1. in 2007, our 2005 Malibu started having popping in the steering when turning at low speeds. The rack assembly was replaced 11/02/07; the car had 20,139 miles on the odometer. 2. the popping recurred by August 2009. September 01, 2009 the rack assembly was replaced along with "set toe"; 42,809 on the odometer. 3. the popping recurred within less than 3 months. December 18, 2009, the steering gear (excessive slack) was replaced and "set toe". 4. the popping has come back within less than 2 months. It is scheduled to have a rod replaced (not sure of any other parts) March 5, 2010. We have notified GM of this and a representative has been assigned to the problem.
- Rison, AR, USA
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
The steering has a clunking in it when U tern. They fixed it 3 times and it keeps coming back every time. They said its in the gears and other components of the steering. Im just sad that GM has not found a way to solve this problem. My warranty is up and cant replace it anymore. It gets tired of hearing the clunk.
Power steering outage. Experienced problem off and on this year. I drive a 2005 Chevy Malibu lt V6. GM has not issued a recall for this make and model. However, parts were covered for the repair! I believe its unfair for the consumer to have to pay for labor for an issue they didn't cause. I am pursuing GM for a refund of what was paid for parts to correct there error.
The electronic power steering failed while driving on surface streets (in the act of turning). Although I temporarily lost control of the vehicle, I managed to complete my turn safely. This vehicle is a Chevrolet Malibu 2005. I had to have the entire power steering column replaced. I am still not satisfied that this has fixed the problem. The warning signs of a defective replacement part are still present (popping noise at the steering linkages).
Approximately the week of Feb 14, 2010, my 2005 Chevy Malibu chimed, the power steering felt funny, smelled some burning and a warning sign about my power steering. I pulled over, turned the car off and was not able to see the issue. I started the car backup and the warning was gone. It happened 2 or 3 more times that week. I notified Chevy and there is special coverage service bulletin #07126. I called Chevy and said if you are over 70,000 miles, it will not be covered. I never received this notice from Chevy or the dealership of purchase (they no longer are a Chevy dealer). I was at 72,500. I have not been riding it much and now Chevy is recalling other cars with the same issue, but not the Malibu.
Power steering failure at low speeds and highway speeds, left and right turns. Steering becomes stiff. First happened on Dec 24, 2009; reset itself when turned the engine over. Happened again 2X in January. Happened on 2/18 two times; system reset itself and reappeared after about 15 seconds. Happened a third time on 2/18 on the highway. Pulled over and turned over the engine but would not reset itself.
My son was driving my 2005 Malibu when the power steering went out. A warning light indicated the problem to him. He was able to pull to the side of the road where he restarted the car. The car reset itself but the same problem occurred again. It was at that point I told him to take to a dealer to have the car inspected. Upon inspection it was discovered that the power steering column needed to be replace. In December of 2007 General Motors sent me a letter detailing possible problems with the power steering system. What happened to my car was what was outlined in the letter. The letter said not to take the car in to be inspected if I didn't have any problems at that time. It also said that they would reimburse me if I had any problems with the car but with a deadline date. I had to take the car in by December of 2008 and the car had to have 70,000 or less miles on it. Since I did not have any problems with the car up to that point I did not take the vehicle in to be inspected. The problem with the car occurred in January of 2010. I had the car repaired because it wasn't safe to drive in the condition it was in. I contacted GM with my concerned and asked for reimbursement. I was turned down because the problem came after the deadline outlined in the letter.
Steering column pops when making a left or right turn. Causes the car to shake a little when braking. Occurred before 35,000 miles, but was never fixed by Chevy, even after complaining. Mechanic has diagnosed the problem, but believes Chevy should fix. Worried that if problem is fixed it will reoccur, and also worried it will effect power steering. Have contact Chevy multiple times about problem, but have received no help, other then a runaround.
2005 Malibu ls V6. Power steering failed making the steering very stiff. It was cold, 31 degrees. The power steering warning come on the stereo. I restarted the car and the problem went away. Prior to this, the steering has pulled to the left, even after a realignment. There have long been knocking noises when I turn the wheel.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the power steering locked and made it difficult to turn the steering wheel. When the vehicle was turned off and back on the power steering failure reset itself. The failure continued to reoccur at slow speeds and when the contact was trying to make a left or right turn. The contact also noticed that when the failure occurred, the rpms were approximately 1500. The failure mileage was 45,000. The VIN was not available. The current mileage was 75,000. Updated 3/16/10 updated 05/06/10.
I was driving on a side street at about 30 mph when the chimes sounded, the power steering light came on, and steering became very difficult. I had to stop, turn the car off and then restart it before I could steer again. I understand that this is an ongoing issue with my model car (2005 Chevy Malibu) and that Chevrolet has a technical service bulletin (#07126) on this issue, but my car is outside the maximum mileage to be covered under this tsb. I also understand that there were some NHTSA defect investigations into this issue (primarily the 2004 model), but they have since been closed because the number of reported failures was within an "acceptable range". I guess my response to that is, how many accidents do there have to be and how many people need to die before this issue is taken seriously? while my personal experience was not life-threatening, if this had occurred in heavy traffic at high speeds it very well could have resulted in a fatal accident. I saw today that federal regulators have opened an investigation into complaints that power steering systems in the Chevrolet cobalt can fail, making it more difficult to control the car. I'm sure this is the same issue that is still occurring on the Malibu. I implore you to reopen the investigation on the Malibu (a simple google of "Malibu power steering problems" will show that it is still a major issue) and do whatever is necessary to have this problem corrected.
I have a 2005 Chevy Malibu. On several occasions the power steering has failed, usually when making a sharp turn. I first noticed this around two years ago and complained to GM, in which they stated that other cars like mines had, the same issues, but my car did not qualify for a fix since I had already had too many miles on it.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated as she is driving the power steering goes out. The contact stated she has to steer the vehicle off the road, turn it on and off and it will reset itself. This happens continuously. The contact call the manufacturer and she was told to take the vehicle to the dealer for them to see what repairs can be done. The manufacturer also stated that the contact may be charged for the repairs. The contact will be taking the vehicle in to the dealer to be repaired. The failure mileage was 92,504.
2005 Chevrolet Malibu steering issue. There is a thumping noise in the steering column when turning. Our daughter's 2006 Malibu was doing the same thing which she took in under the original warranty. They said the column just needed to be lubed which they covered for her. Ours was under the extended warranty which was getting ready to expire with a $200 deductible. The amount they would charge for lubing the column was $90. We have not had it done yet, but after reading the other complaints, I am not sure the lube will ultimately solve the problem, even on our daughter's 2006.
12/2006 I purchased a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. On three occasions in 2007 I experienced a "loud knocking noise" in the steering column of my vehicle and the first two times, it was not completely fixed and finally after the 3rd time they said it was fixed. Until 12/11/2009 when while I was driving, my "power steering" warning flashed across my clock screen and my steering wheel suddenly locked up and I was unable to turn my vehicle. Then on 12/21/2009, I was pulling out of a parking lot and again, the same thing happened 3 times within an hour. I found out from aaa that Chevrolet(GM) had printed a service bulletin regarding this particular problem with the 2005 Chevrolet Malibu and I immediately took my car to steve moore Chevrolet at 9325 South boulevard, charlotte, nc -- at which time they informed me after inspecting the car, that my whole steering column had gone bad. On 1/13/2010, I had to pay $792 to have this repaired and I feel that since this was a problem that GM was aware of, I should be reimbursed for the expense that I've incurred as well as the inconvenience I was caused due to GM not being willing to extend coverage for this repair.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving 35 mph the power steering warning light illuminated and the power steering shut off. The contact turned the vehicle off and after restarting the vehicle the power steering began working normally. The dealer informed the contact that the entire power steering system needed to be replaced. The contact is aware of the safety risk and the possibility that a crash could occur and cause serious injuries. The failure mileage was 77,000.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Chicago, IL, USA