20 of the
416 complaints about the 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx are about the
braking system — 5% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
72,000 miles.
THE BRAKES ARE NOT RELEASING AFTER NORMAL PRESSURE IS APPLIED TO THEM, WHICH IS CAUSING SMOKE AND BURNING FUMES TO ESCAPE FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR AND FROM BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE TIRES (VERY DANGEROUS). THE BRAKES BECOME LOCKED OR STUCK WITH THE PRESSURE NOT RELEASING FOR A FEW HOURS OR UNTIL THE NEXT DAY. EVEN THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT WILL LOCK AS IF THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN SLAMMED, BUT WERE NOT. ALL OF THIS IS HAPPENING WHILE DRIVING AROUND TOWN.
NHTSA complaint #10970943 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Thomaston, ME
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
2005 CHEVY MALIBU MASS MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER WAS DEFECTIVE AND CAUSED THE BRAKES TO WEAR VERY QUICKLY. *MW ALSO, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE CONSUMER NO LONGER OWNS THE VEHICLE, AS IT WAS TOTALED IN AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10658511 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 163,000 milesPhiladelphia, PA
SERVICE BRAKES
TOOK CAR TO THE CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP, FOR NHTSA ID: 14V252000/GM SAFETY RECALL: 13036, TO CORRECT THE ISSUES IN THE BODY CONTROL MODULE WHICH IMPACTED THE BRAKE APPLY SENSOR. NOW REAR TOP BRAKE LIGHTS NO LONGER ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS BEING PUSHED. FRONT LOW-BEAM HEADLIGHTS GOES ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING. REPLACED BOTH LOW-BEAM LIGHTS ON 12/6/2014. FRONT LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS STILL GOES OFF AND ON INTERMITTENTLY. ALSO UPON VISUAL INSPECTION, THE TURN SIGNAL BLINKERS HAVE MELTED THE YELLOW PLASTIC INSIDE THE HEADLIGHT. BROUGHT BACK TO THE SAME CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP ON 1/2/2015, FOR VEHICLE RECALL NHTSA ID: 14V224000/GM SAFETY RECALL 14152 TO HAVE THE SHIFT CABLE ASSEMBLY AND MOUNTING BRACKET INSTALLED. I NOTIFIED THE DEALERSHIP THAT I WAS HAVING ISSUES WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM TIED TO THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING SYSTEM. THEY COULD NOT PROVIDE ME THE REASON FOR THE FAULT.
NHTSA complaint #10669640 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 140,000 milesAlanson, MICrash
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. WHILE DRIVING DOWNHILL AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE ABS WAS ACTIVATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE STEERING AND THE BRAKES WOULD NOT STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED AND NO POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN PROVIDED WAS INCORRECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
NHTSA complaint #10661559 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bremen, GA
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #10630336 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,000 milesHouston, TX
SERVICE BRAKES
BRAKES FAILED. I AM CONCERNED WITH 3 RECALLS ON MAJOR PARTS: IGNITION, POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. I HAD TO PAY FOR A BRAKE REPAIR OUT OF POCKET BECAUSE THE CAR WAS TOTALLY UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I SHOULD GET A REFUND. I HAVE 3 RECALL LETTERS AND I AM TOLD THE PARTS ARE UNAVAILABLE. THIS IS NOT SAFE. I NEED MY CAR TO DRIVE 30 MILES ACROSS TOWN TO WORK.
NHTSA complaint #10628566 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 72,000 milesSchererville, IN
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE BRAKE FLUID LOW WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS REMAINED ON ALTHOUGH THE BRAKES WERE NOT ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, AND SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 73,900.
NHTSA complaint #10607369 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,000 milesCrystal Springs, MSFire
SERVICE BRAKES
I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE ON MY WAY HOME AND MY BACK BREAKS LOCKED UP AND THE TIRES AND HUBCAPS STARTED TO BURN. I HAD NO IMMEDIATE EXIT SO I HAD TO CONTINUE TO ROLL SLOW. ONCE I EXITED THE INTERSTATE MY WHEEL WAS ON FIRE. I PUT IT OUT WITH AN EXTINGUISHER. I ASKED THE DEALER AND THEY SAID NO RECALLS. I HAD TO GET THE TOW TRUCK AND HE SAID IT WAS NOT THE FIRST FOR MY CAR MAKE AND MODEL. I REPLACED THE BREAKS, ROTORS AND TIRES AND 2 WEEKS LATER THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN. ONLY THIS TIME I WAS IN A PARKING LOT OF A GROCERY STORE. SINCE THEN I HAVE HAD A TOTAL BREAK JOB AND REPLACE TIRES AND HUBCAPS. MY POWER STEERING LOCKED UP AND IT WAS VERY HARD BUT WAS ABLE TO USE MANUALLY. THE MANUAL SAID TO SHUT OFF CAR AND RESTART TO RESET THE POWER STEERING. THIS WAS NOT SAFE AND VERY SCARY.
NHTSA complaint #10579092 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Antioch, TNCrash
SERVICE BRAKES
THE CAR IS A WRECK.
NHTSA complaint #10521051 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 136,000 milesParma, OH
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION ALREADY ON THIS CAR, AND IT STILL IS NOT RIGHT. THE POWER STEERING WILL BE GONE NO MATTER THE TEMPERATURE, BUT THEN COMES RIGHT BACK. THE BRAKES ARE ALWAYS GOING BAD ON IT, I HAVE REPLACED THEM SEVERAL TIMES WITHIN THE 25K MILES OF OWNING THE CAR. THE DRIVER SEAT LEANS TO THE LEFT AND DID NOT KNOW THIS WAS NOT NORMAL UNTIL AFTER READING REPORTS OF IT BEING A PROBLEM IN THIS CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10452332 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 92,000 milesGainesville, VA
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR
SUBJECT: NHTSA ITEM NUMBER 10032206 BRAKE LIGHTS COMMENTS: MY 2005 MALIBU MAXX HAS INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS WITH BRAKE LIGHTS. THEY GO ON WITHOUT PUTTING ON THE BRAKES AND GO OFF WHEN I PUT ON THE BRAKES. IN ADDITION, THE CRUISE CONTROL WORKS INTERMITTENTLY. I FOUND A TSB DATED 2009-06-01 THAT DESCRIBES IT PERFECTLY. CHEVY CAN'T FIND THE SAME TSB IN THEIR SYSTEM AND WON'T HELP ME. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BRAKE LAMP, BUT THAT IS CLEARLY NOT THE PROBLEM (BASED ON THE TSB). THE DEALER CAN'T SEE THE PROBLEM BECAUSE IT'S INTERMITTENT. I WANT THIS FIXED (THE CAR IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE) BUT DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO PAY AGAIN, WHEN I FIRST PAID FOR SOMETHING THAT WAS CLEARLY THE WRONG SOLUTION, AND FOR WHICH THE DEALER COULD HAVE FOUND THE SAME TSB THAT I FOUND (EVEN IF IT'S NOT IN THE GM SYSTEM). THE SOLUTION APPEARS TO BE "HIGH RESISTANCE TO TERMINAL FRETTING CORROSION IN THE BODY CONTROL MODULE (BCM) C2 CONNECTOR (SPECIFICALLY PINS C2-18, C2-31, AND C2-59). THE CORRECTION IS TO UNLATCH THE C2 CONNECTOR AND DISCONNECT FROM THE BCM. THEN REPEAT THIS AND THEN APPLY DIELECTRIC LUBRICANT ON THE BCM C2 PINS. IT IS NOT A BRAKE SWITCH PROBLEM. PLEASE CONTACT ME AND LET ME KNOW WHAT OPTIONS I HAVE, AND IF NHTSA CAN DEAL WITH GM ABOUT THIS. THANK YOU.
NHTSA complaint #10372294 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 26,000 milesWinchester, OR
PARKING BRAKE
THE PARKING BRAKE ON MY 2005 CHEVY MALIBU MAXX WON'T FULLY RELEASE AND AS EVIDENCED HAS CAUSED EXTREME HEAT IN THE REAR DISC BRAKES. THIS HAS RENDERED THE PARKING BRAKE UNUSABLE AND THERE IS NO ADJUSTMENT TO FACILITATE FULL PARKING BRAKE RELEASE AS TOLD TO ME BY A CHEVROLET DEALER. I MUST NOW PARK MY CAR WITH NO PARKING BRAKE SET.
NHTSA complaint #10332746 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 26,000 milesWinchester, OR
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
THE PARKING BRAKE ON MY 2005 CHEVY MALIBU MAXX WON'T FULLY RELEASE AND AS EVIDENCED HAS CAUSED EXTREME HEAT IN THE REAR DISC BRAKES. THIS HAS RENDERED THE PARKING BRAKE UNUSABLE AND THERE IS NO ADJUSTMENT TO FACILITATE FULL PARKING BRAKE RELEASE AS TOLD TO ME BY A CHEVROLET DEALER. I MUST NOW PARK MY CAR WITH NO PARKING BRAKE SET.
NHTSA complaint #10332746 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ST Pete, FL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
2005 MALIBU MAXX LS- TICKING NOISE SHAFT WENT ROD TIRE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS ENGINE ON BUT NOTHING IS REGISTERING CAR SEEM TO LOCK UP, SAME BRAKE LIGHT GOES OUT, CAR HESITATES,REPLACED BRAKES AFTER ONLY 2YR, NEW TIRE. I FILED A COMPLAIN WITH ATTORNEY GENERAL BILL MCCOLLUM. I HAVE INVOICES OF HOW MANY TIME MY CAR HAS GONE IN TO THE SHOP FOR MAJOR PROBLEMS AND EVER SINCE IT LOCK UP AND HESITATE I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING IT. I DID FOUND OTHER CONSUMER WITH THE SAME COMPLAINS THAT I HAVE. THEY HAVE HAD TO REPAIR TIRE RODS, SHAFT AND MOST DANGEROUS IS THE STEERING COLUMN IS LOCKING UP. I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING LONG DISTANCE OR ON THE HIGHWAY. PLEASE HELP ME. I WROTE TO GMAC VP TIMOTHY LEE WITH OUT NO RESPOND. MR. LEE PASSED MY COMPLAINT TO A CUSTOMER SERVICE REP THAT REPEATS HIMSELF AND WONT LET YOU SPEAK. PLEASE IF YOU WANT CONTACT ATTORNEY OFFICE THEY HAVE MY COMPLAINT ON FILE. I DON'T WANT TO HURT MYSELF OR SOMEONE ELSE SHOULD MY CAR LOCK UP.
NHTSA complaint #10314257 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 55,000 milesWoodbridge, VA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WHEN THE CAR WAS NEW, IT SHOOK WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY CORRECTED THE PROBLEM BY SMOOTHING THE BRAKE PADS. A FEW MONTHS AGO, THE CAR BEGAN TO SHAKE WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AT SPEEDS ABOVE 35 MPH. THIS PROBLEM HAS GRADUALLY BECOME WORSE AND THE CAR NOW SHAKES EXCESSIVELY WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED AT SPEEDS AT OR ABOVE 55 MPH, MAKING DRIVING IN ANYTHING BUT A STRAIGHT LINE IMPOSSIBLE. STOPPING DISTANCE HAS ALSO SUBSTANTIALLY INCREASED. I NO LONGER CONSIDER THE CAR SAFE FOR USE AT SPEEDS ABOVE 55 MPH.
NHTSA complaint #10269060 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 112,000 milesBelvedere, IL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. FOR APPROXIMATELY TWO MONTHS, THE CONTACT HEARD A HISSING NOISE EACH TIME THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. ON A SEPARATE OCASSION, WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 65 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IN ORDER TO SLOW DOWN THE VEHICLE AND REACH A COMPLETE STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE ANTILOCK BRAKING SYSTEM PUMP FAILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 126,239.
NHTSA complaint #10251529 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 5,500 milesWindsor Locks, CT
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. WHEN THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES AT 65 MPH, THE ENTIRE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE REAR ROTORS WERE RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED FOR THE FAILURE SEVERAL DIFFERENT TIMES, BUT IT STILL PERSISTS. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 47,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,500. UPDATED 09/10/08 *BF UPDATED 09/15/08
NHTSA complaint #10238901 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 30,000 milesPort ST. Lucie, FL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
AFTER THE FIRST 200 MILES ON THE ODOMETER, THE CAR HAD FRONT ROTOR PROBLEMS. THE DEALER TRIED TO FIX IT 2 TIMES BY TURNING THE ROTORS, ONLY TO RETURN IN LESS THAN 2,000 MILES EACH TIME. THEY FINALLY CHANGED OUT THE ROTORS FOR BRAND NEW ONES AFTER I COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER OWNER AND MANAGEMENT ABOUT THE PROBLEM. THE SECOND ISSUE WAS LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN. THIS WAS CAUSED BY A FAULTY ELECTRICAL CONNECTION AT THE FUSE BOX, WHICH I TOOK IT UPON MYSELF TO REPAIR AND THE PROBLEM NEVER RETURNED. THE THIRD PROBLEM STARTED IN JANUARY 2007, JUST ONE AND A HALF YEARS OF OWNING THE CAR. STEERING ASSEMBLY NOISES IDENTICAL TO ALL PREVIOUS REPORTS WAS CORRECTED BY A RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY REPLACEMENT. IN JULY 2007 (JUST 6 MONTHS LATER) IT WAS CHANGED AGAIN. NOW IN OCTOBER (3 MONTHS LATER) IT IS SCHEDULED TO RETURN TO THE DEALER FOR YET ANOTHER REPLACEMENT, MAKING THIS THE 4TH RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY TO DATE (INCLUDING THE ORIGINAL). THIS IS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE FOR A VEHICLE OF THIS PRICE RANGE... AND THE ONLY SOLUTION TO DATE IS TO CONTINUE TO CHANGE OUT THE ASSEMBLY.
NHTSA complaint #10205717 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Caldwell, ID
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
FRONT SUSPENSION IS CLUNKY AS IF THERE ARE LOOSE-FITTED PARTS. FRONT BRAKES PULSATE AT FREEWAY SPEEDS CAUSING STEERING DIFFICULTY IN CORNERS.
NHTSA complaint #10163854 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 8,000 milesNovi, MICrash1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE DRIVING 68 MPH AND HAD APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS HARD TO CONTROL; VEERED TO THE RIGHT AND VEHICLE ROLLED OVER INTO A DITCH. *AK RENTAL VEHICLE FROM ENTERPRISE CONTRACT #113732
NHTSA complaint #10101113 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.