Problems · NHTSA complaints

2005 Chevrolet Malibu problems

Owners filed 1,393 complaints about the 2005 Chevrolet Malibu with NHTSA between Oct 2004 and Mar 2026. The most-cited component is steering (711).

Complaints
1,393
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
65
Reported by owners
Fires
45
Reported by owners
Injuries
69
People reported injured
Deaths
3
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Steering711
  2. Electrical system261
  3. Exterior lighting210
  4. Seats102
  5. Power train70
  6. Engine62
  7. Service brakes53
  8. Fuel/propulsion system46
  9. Fuel system, gasoline45
  10. Electronic stability control (esc)44
  11. Service brakes, hydraulic40
  12. Air bags39
  13. Vehicle speed control35
  14. Suspension33

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20044
200525
200648
200767
200869
200996
2010188
2011128
201270
201366
2014218
2015118
201655
201767
201855
201949
202026
202113
20227
20237
20247
20259
20261

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Steering

711 reports29 crashes1 fire2 related recalls
“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 dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 37,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 10, 2026SteeringODI 11723407

Electrical system

261 reports8 crashes13 fires1 related recall
“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 2024. A couple months before this issue became a daily and constant occurrence in in February 2024 between the 6th and 13th I had a stabilizer link and control arm on the right side replaced and an alignment done at Firestone, on the document for the alignment it states no manufacturers recommended services necessary on suspension. The mechanic who replaced the parts told me that the EPS issue is a likely cause for the steering system damage as a vehicle is not meant to remain stationary while the wheels are forcibly turned as is the case when the EPS takes over and jerks the wheel often to the extremes of its function. I have video of this on multiple occasions and it can be inspected still occuring. I took it to Hendrick Chevrolet Shawnee Mission in April 2024 and explained the services done recently and the mechanics opinion on the EPS. They held…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 4, 2025Steering, Electrical systemODI 11678257

Exterior lighting

210 reports2 crashes30 fires1 related recall
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 6, 2021Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Vehicle speed controlODI 11442888

Seats

102 reports2 crashes
“DRIVER'S SEAT IS WOBBLING AND FEELS LIKE SOMETHING IS BROKEN OR DETACHED BENEATH THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE SEAT. I'VE READ MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS IN A CHEVY MALIBU/MAXX. SHOULD BE A RECALL. MECHANICS ON THE PHONE ASSUME IT'S A WELDING ISSUE. THE WOBBLING OCCURRED OVER TIME. SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY FOR A MANUFACTURING DEFECT.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 13, 2018SeatsODI 11078865

Power train

70 reports2 crashes1 related recall
“This problem has occurred many times and I have taken to the internet to find out what I could to try to remedy it myself as I don't have endless disposable income to have someone else fix it. I have not had it seen by a professional, only consulted with a manager of a gm dealership repairs department over the phone as well as various mechanics and locksmiths. As I said I don't have endless disposable money to throw at this. The car will completely shut off in the middle of driving, I lose all power. The antitheft system engages in the middle of driving. Then I get no crank no start. I get stuck in the middle of the road. In the past I was able to just turn the key off and remove it and let it sit for a while and then it would let me start it again, this began a year ago and has gotten progressively worse and more frequent since it first occurred and I am now at the point where the car is completely no crank no start and anti theft system will not disengage. From my own research online I've found many others complaining of similar problems and they say it's related to gm passlock system.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 10, 2023Power train, Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11531451

Engine

62 reports7 crashes1 fire
“While driving on the interstate while using the cruise control, the vehicle started increasing speed and rpm’s. I could not turn off cruise by braking or using the off button on steering wheel. I had to put it in neutral which caused the engine to redline in rpm’s, so I could use brakes to safely stop on the side of the interstate highway. I turned off the engine and opened the hood to look inside. I turned ignition back on and immediately the engine revved to redline rpm’s again.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 21, 2024EngineODI 11566791
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.