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 steering went out while on my way home from work on a busy highway luckily there was no accident but I did do research and this is a common thing for not just 2005 Chevy Malibu and alot of people have been complaining about this with nothing to be done about it but most Malibu I think if something not done it will cause a serious accident one day.. my car only has 42852 miles on it I haven't even owned it 2yrs yet and bought it with about 32000 miles or so on it there is no reason this should have happened and think something should be done about the Chevy Malibu now.
Bought the 2005 Malibu used in August 2007. I have replaced the both front directional bulbs at least 10 times since buying the car. The lights work intermittently or not at all. The right bulb was out for about 3 months then the left bulb went out. I went to replace the bulbs again yesterday. I jimmied the socket they go into and now they both appear to be working. However, I noticed the amber plastic covering on the left bulb was burned, there was a large burn hole in it, and the melted plastic was dripping into the bottom of the covering. I am also noticing, and have been noticing, a loud thumping sound when I hit the gas as if something has to roll into place. Lately it also seems as though the anti-lock brakes very, very slightly kick in when I am braking and go over a bump. After reading the other comments I am going to my mechanic to have him look at the issues as safety is a large concern.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving at various speeds and turning the steering wheel to the left and right the vehicle made a very loud thumping noise. The vehicle has been diagnosed by the dealer on numerous occasions. The mechanic replaced the steering rack and pinion and corrected the failure for 2 years; however, it recurred. The second time the steering column was replaced and failed after 8 months. The steering shaft was also replaced on two occasions. The contact is aware of the safety risk involved due to frequent failures. The failure mileage was 12,000 and the current mileage was 27,927. Updated 09/11/09 updated 09/15/09.
I need your help. I bought a 2005 Malibu from a local car dealer. The car had low miles and I thought it would be a safe and reliable car. So safe, that I allowed my teenage son to drive my car. While he was making a left hand turn from a 4-way stop, he heard a pop and then had no steering without any way to control the car he ended up in a field. I thank god he was not going fast, that there was no other cars or people involved, and he was not hurt. I had the car towed to my mechanic who is a certified master technician, who worked for GM as a line tech for 25 yrs. He informs me that this should have never happened in a car that is only 4 yrs old, and felt it was defective. He said the failure occurred inside the steering rack causing the pinion to disengage resulting in loss of control. I then had the car towed to a GM dealer who"S mechanic said the same thing but because I did not buy the car from them, they would not help me?.my next step was to contact GM?.they took a week to investigate?and decided that because I bought the car from a private car dealer, it had 86K miles on it and it was past the factory warranty they felt no need to do any thing about this. Not only was the steering rack and pinion damaged, the power steering unit under the dash and the air bag coils were damaged as well. The cost to repair this is over $2000. It?S not just the cost to repair the car that upsets me; it?S the fact that GM has no concern for safety. I have found long list for consumer complaints about GM?S steering failures. ?unbelievable" and this is not the only site that has complaints. I know there was a recall to address the steering defect in the Malibu. But they obviously decided it was of no big concern to fix the problem.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the power steering locks whenever he starts his vehicle and begins driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they stated that the steering column needed to be replaced. The contact stated that he cannot afford to replace the steering column at this time. The failure mileage was 44,000.
- Taylor, TX, USA
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The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving 30 mph, the contact heard a knocking sound coming from the steering. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they determined that the power steering gear assembly failed. The vehicle was repaired at the cost of $1,000. Three years later, while driving at an unknown speed, the contact heard a knocking sound coming from the steering column. The vehicle was taken to a local repair shop and the mechanic determined that the rack and pinion was failing. The repair would cost $500. The vehicle has not been repaired. The contact called the manufacturer and was informed that a complaint was filed and that he would receive a follow up call on the next business day. The failure mileage was 35,748 and current mileage was 103,000.
I purchased a 2005 Chevy Malibu in March of 09 it's now May 09 and I will be replacing my intermediate steering shaft the car check that was performed after I bought the vehicle showed that is was replaced 30K miles ago. The car pops and cracks whenever I slow down or turn afraid it will break before it is fixed.
Power steering goes out while driving at low and highway speeds. Steering wheel becomes stiff and hard to turn. Manufacturer replaced electric steering columns on vehicles but mine was ineligible because of mileage accumulated.
My wife almost had an accident when the power steering failed. She pulled out into an intersection and the power steering failed and then the car stalled in the intersection the car to a certified repair shop. He said there was a bulletin out by General Motors dated November 8, 2007 that 2004-2005 Malibu's and 2005 Pontiac G 6's are having problems with the power steering. General Motors knew that you might have a lack of power steering, vibration, or a rattle or clunk noise from the left lower instrument panel. GM should have recalled these cars to fix their problem. I was told that this problem was a safety issue and that General Motors should be responsible. I took the car to a GM dealer and he agreed that GM should fix the car. I filed a complaint with GM and finally after calling for 2 weeks, they said they would do nothing. I am very upset with GM and just wonder how many people have wrecked Malibu's because of the failure of power steering. If you have one of these cars, I suggest you sell it or take it to the dealer for repair before you lose your power steering when pulling out into an intersection and the car dies in front of another vehicle. I will never buy another GM product and advise the same for anyone else.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. On several occasions, the power steering failed. While driving 25 mph, the contact lost control of the steering and it became very stiff. He was able to safely maneuver the vehicle to his destination. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they determined that the steering column failed. The vehicle was repaired for free. Four months later, while driving 20 mph, the steering failed again. The dealer made the repairs for free once again. The steering column continued to fail over the next three years on five occasions. The vehicle was recently repaired in January of 2009 for the steering shaft. The steering shaft was repaired at the cost of $100. The contact had to pay a deductible for this repair because the steering column was not included in the warranty. The contact called the manufacturer and was informed that they were going to offer him a seven years or 70,000 mile warranty for the steering column. The failure mileage was 14,838 and current mileage was 31,000. Updated 3/16/09 updated 03/20/09.
As of this date, Feb. 17, 2009, the part in question has not failed, causing any crashes or injuries. Shortly after I purchased the vehicle, I noticed a thumping whenever the steering wheel was turned sharply to the right or to the left. While under manufacturer's warranty, I had it checked out at least 3 times, and each time the dealership service department assured me there was no recall on the part, the boot of joint somehow connected to the steering. Since that time, I have had my personal mechanic check out the problem and he has diligently checked for a recall or a corrective measure from Chevrolet, but there has been none. The mechanic has greased this joint several times, and it helps the thumping, but eventually it returns over time. I have read where others have experienced their steering totally going out because of this issue. I am afraid for my family's safety due to this problem that Chevrolet has constantly refused to address. Component #2: I was constantly having to replace the front turn signals as the bulbs were constantly burning out. Component #3 the fan which controls the inside air flow has constantly rattled unless the fan is turned on the highest setting. The dealership even replaced that fan, telling me a broken part had fallen down into it. I returned the car to the dealership at least 3 times, but they finally said they could not find anything else. It still rattles horribly.
In 2006 I bought an 2005 Chevy Malibu. Before 49600 the power steering went out. I took it to the shop 8 times before they could tell that it was the steering column. It goes out without warning. We have almost wrecked several times. It has gone out going down the interstate. I started to replace it, but before I did that I researched the matter. It appears that a lot of people are having the same problem that I am having, from the 2005S to the 2008S, from the Malibu to the Malibu maxx. I have not replaced it because many people have had them changed three or four times and they keep breaking. I don't have that kind of money to just throw away. I can't afford to sell it either or trade it in. I am the one who drives it most of the time because I am afraid it will go out when my wife is in a curve, and she could wreck and die because she is not strong enough to control it when it goes out.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact previously experienced failure with the driver's side headlight bulb constantly burning out. Six months later, the plastic headlight covers burned. The steering shaft has been replaced three times. The dealer stated that the plastic cover failure was a factory defect; therefore, they were unable to correct the failure. The failure mileage was 69,000 and current mileage was 78,400. Updated 02-23-09 updated 02/24/09.
Knocking or banging sound in the front end led to the power steering rack being replaced on 11/17/06 at 27M miles on my 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. The same happened again on 12/05/08 at 50M miles. Both repairs done by the dealer. I reported to Chevrolet that the rack fails approximately every 25M miles.
Power steering failures... has happened twice in 2 weeks now. Once while sitting still, the other while on the interstate! after searching online, I've found this is a common problem in Malibu's. I think there should be a recall. I thought I was buying a reliable car and instead got a big burden. Being a single mom, these high repair costs will cause me to fall behind in either my car payment or my house payment... and believe me I'd rather live in my house then my car.
2005 Malibu, have had both tie rod ends replaced, struts etc. Makes a loud clunking when driving at low speeds and turning. Sounds like wheels coming loose. Sound, sounds like it is coming from steering column, check engine light comes on when I fill gas tank and stays on until approx 1/2 tank.
On 8/25/2008 my steering locked up on my 2005 Malibu classic. O lost control if my car and crashed into 2 telephone boxes. After researching this incident on the internet I find that there are many complaints about this electronic steering problem.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. Since purchasing the vehicle, the anti theft device has failed repeatedly, the engine makes a ticking sound, the steering wheel is slipping or loose, and oil leaks from the engine. While driving 45 mph, the dashboard. Vibrates. The contact hears a noise in the radio when the vehicle is turned on, the engine service light is illuminated on the instrument panel, the interior lights failed, the remote start would not start the vehicle, and the engine shakes roughly. The current mileage was 12,030 and failure mileage was 100. Updated 09/24/08. The consumer stated there was a problem with the entire suspension. The shocks and bearings made a noisy. The hazard lights failed. Updated 09/30/08.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Menomonee Falls, WI, USA