2005 Chevrolet Malibu problems
Owners have filed 1,386 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. Steering is the most reported problem area, at 37% of complaints. After that come electrical system (13%) and lighting (12%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 1,386 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Steering 37% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 67 and 38
- Injuries and deaths
- 86 and 4
- Typical mileage
- 89,000 miles 1,021 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 | 92 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 73 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 131 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 143 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 135 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 126 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 87 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 101 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 44 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 31 |
| 200k+ miles | 58 |
What the data shows
Among the 1,021 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 89,000 miles. For steering specifically, the median reported mileage is about 90,000 miles (420 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 67 complaints mention a crash; 38 complaints mention a fire; 86 injuries reported; 4 deaths reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2005 ranks 16th most-complained-about out of 28 model years of the Chevrolet Malibu with enough data (496 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 3 safety recall campaigns.
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.
2005 chevrolet malibu car veered to left and crossed median. Driver of malibu killed and also struck another car where passengers were injured. Witness stated malibu braked and there were tire marks, no vehicle in front of malibu at time of braking. Witness stated car veered to left and driver appeared to lose control crossing median and struck another automobile. Witness states driver was not on a cell phone. This information is in the police report.
My husband was killed in an accident involving this vehicle. It says in the accident report that the bcm was unresponsive as well as another computer system and the wipers were on in dry weather. I believe a defect contributed to the accident. My husband was traveling with the right of way on a motorcycle when the sedan left turned in front of him. I will give you more information when I receive some documents from other family members. Thank you
Brake lights are reversed. They come on and stay on then when you brake the light go out. Safety issue for sure. This has happened 4 times about one year apart each time.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that while traveling 50 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated as the vehicle became unresponsive to acceleration attempts. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was advised that the vehicle had engaged into limp mode. The dealer stated that the second and third shift cylinders had also failed, indicating that the transmission would require replacing. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 119,000.