Problems · by component

2005 Chevrolet Malibu electrical system problems

261 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2005 Chevrolet Malibu cite electrical system, 19% of all 1,393 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 1 recall on this component.

Complaints
261
19% of all complaints
Crashes
8
Reported by owners
Fires
13
Reported by owners
Injuries
10
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the electrical system

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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
“STEERING WHEEL SHAKES VIOLENTLY WHEN THE CAR IS STARTED. AFTER AWHILE IT GOES OUT COMPLETELY MAKING IT EXTREMEMLY DANGEROUS TO STEER OR TURN WHILE DRIVING. TOOK IT TO A DEALER IN NORFOLK, NE, NORFOLK GM SERVICE CENTER, AND THEY SAID RECALL WAS FIXED BACK IN 2014 AT A SHOP IN HARTINGTON, NE. SAME ISSUE IMMEDIAITLY HAPPENED AGAIN. ISSUE IS NOT FIXED AND CAR REMAINS UNSAFE FOR TRAVEL.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 20, 2024Steering, Electrical systemODI 11584209
“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
“The car's anti-theft system (indicated on the dashboard lights) will randomly lock up the engine. Following a massive list of online suggestions from other Chevy owners who had the same problem, I learned to wait for 10-15 minutes with the key in the ignition (lights/radio on, no engine) before the anti-theft indicator disappears and the car can start again. Sometimes, I will have to repeat the process 2-3 times. This has been happening randomly for over 2 years despite taking it into a Chevy dealer for repairs twice. They claimed it was a battery issue and charged me over $500 to fix nothing; The engine would lock up again within a month. A cursory Google search shows that this has affected hundreds if not thousands of GM vehicles, some even claiming the anti-theft lock engaged while they were driving. Please put some serious investigation into the matter so people like me can stop getting price gouged and stuck in freezing weather for GM's incompetence.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 21, 2022Electrical system, Unknown or other, EngineODI 11498382
“I was making a right turn onto a busy highway when my front end made a loud thunk, as if something had broken, then my steering wheel threw itself and locked up on me.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 4, 2022Steering, Electrical systemODI 11450346
“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

Showing 6 of 261 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

1 recall on this component

Electrical system: wiring

Remedy pending

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.

Electrical systemReported May 14, 2014NHTSA 14V252000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026

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