2005 Chevrolet Malibu Classic problems
Owners have filed 123 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Classic. Electrical system is the most reported problem area, at 35% of complaints. Next are steering (16%) and engine (10%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 123 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Electrical system 35% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 8 and 1
- Injuries and deaths
- 8 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 91,000 miles 89 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 2 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 11 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 5 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 12 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 18 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 9 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 6 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 16 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 3 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 2 |
| 200k+ miles | 5 |
What the data shows
Of the 89 complaints that include odometer readings, half describe a problem before roughly 91,000 miles. For electrical system specifically, the median reported mileage is about 90,000 miles (33 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 8 complaints mention a crash; 1 complaint mentions a fire; 8 injuries reported.
It is also covered by 1 safety recall campaign.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 chevrolet malibu classic. Contact stated that while driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. As a result, the contact lost control of the vehicle which rolled over three times. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact stated that the driver and two passengers sustained unknown injuries. A police report was filed of the incident. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was unavailable.
Tl* the contact owned a 2005 chevrolet malibu classic. While driving approximately 30 MPH over a bump, the front driver and passenger side air bags deployed without impact to the vehicle. The air bag released into the contact's face and caused him to crash into a parked, unoccupied vehicle. The contact suffered from swelling to the face and mouth area that did not require medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was deemed destroyed and towed to a salvage facility.
I put down the back windows and now they won't go back up. I have an '05 malibu and rarely use the windows. The motor should not have went (if that is in fact the problem). I will not be able to put my infant in the car in the winter if this problem isn't fixed?
Fuel gauge fluctuation and engine lights comes on. I did not have this problem until after the last recall car is in good shape and I feel that something went wrong and they failed to tell me at the dealership. I need help.