184 of the
1,386 complaints about the 2005 Chevrolet Malibu are about the
electrical system — 13% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
101,000 miles.
D
184
Complaints
6
Crashes
11
Fires
6
Injuries
Exactly what failed
Electrical System
15986.4%
Control Module
52.7%
Ignition
42.2%
Switch
31.6%
Instrument Cluster/Panel
31.6%
Wiring
21.1%
Module
21.1%
Front Underhood
10.5%
Horn
10.5%
Fuses AND Circuit Breakers
10.5%
Electrical System across every Chevrolet Malibu year
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 my vehicle for 3 days not saying it would take so long, during which I had to use a truck I had just bought and was not ready to be driven to get to work, it's transmission blew and has sat since. They called me to come pick it up and only once there told me they had refused to replace the recalled EPS unit "due to loose steering" as quoted from the document Given to me. I asked them to reconsider since this was the only vehicle I had running and charging batteries and being nearly forced off of the road or into other cars daily was very concerning, they simply told me to take it to another dealership for "a second opinion" I stated I didn't have time for another dealer to hold my car for days because my truck had just gone OOC, they held their position and I drove it until forced to buy a new car in 03/2025
NHTSA complaint #11678257 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Oakland, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The brake light stays on the whole time.
NHTSA complaint #11593799 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Norfolk, NE
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #11584209 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Maple Heights, OH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
No accedents. Trying to be a head of it!
NHTSA complaint #11558334 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Friendsville, MD
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #11531451 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lincoln, NE
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #11498382 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
St Mary, MO
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #11450346 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Veblen, SD
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #11442888 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Westland, MI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Driving at any speed the car will randomly brake on its own.
NHTSA complaint #11421999 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 144,000 milesWappingers Falls, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHEN I'M DRIVING OFTEN..I TURN THE WHEEL AS NORMAL. INTERMITTENTLY I HEAR A DING NOISE COMING FROM MY CONSOLE, AND MY STEERING WHEEL STIFFENS AND I HAVE TO USE A LARGE AMOUNT OF FORCE TO STRAIGHTEN OUT. I HAVE CALLED GM MANY TIMES AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THERE ARE NO RECALLS WITH THIS ISSUE. I BELIEVE THAT THEY SHOULD BE A CLASS ACTION. OVER 500 OR OTHER OWNERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE. WHAT GIVES GM?
NHTSA complaint #11407476 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 200,000 milesJackson, MSCrash1 injured
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I LOST ALL POWER ASSIST IN MY STEERING WHEEL ON THE INTERSTATE. IT WAS SHOWING A RECALL FOR THE ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING BUT WHEN I CALLED CHEVROLET, THEY DIDN'T SEE IT.
NHTSA complaint #11388707 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 245,000 milesBrandenburg, KY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
BODY CONTOL MODULE MALFUNCTIONING CAUSING SENSORS TO MALFUNCTION AND READ ISSUES OR CONDITIONS SUCH AS TIRE SLIPPAGE, OVERHEATING, POWER STEERING MALFUNCTION, ETC WHERE THERE IS NO ISSUE OR WET ROAD CONDITION.
NHTSA complaint #11341314 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 225,000 milesKissimmee, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
STEERING IS NOT WORKING, MAKING IT TOO HARD TO TURN THE WHEEL. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION WHEN IT HAPPENED, WHILE IN A HIGHWAY; HAS SOME ELECTRICAL ISSUES LIKE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AND SPEED CONTROL IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY
NHTSA complaint #11338815 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 210,000 milesTrinity, NC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WIRING ISSUES REPLACED EVERYTHING NEW IT THE CHARGING DEPARTMENT 2 TIMES AND THE PROBLEMS KEPT ARISING THUS THE COMPUTER THE PCM FIRED SO IDK WHAT WENT WRONG BUT IT'S SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE DISCUSSED I WILL NEVER OWN ANOTHER CHEVROLET CAR
NHTSA complaint #11331416 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 104,000 milesRaleigh, NC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY PASSENGER SIDE HEADLAMP LIGHT (TURN SIGNAL) ASSEMBLY KEEPS BURNING OUT AND MELTING THE BULB HOUSING AND ORANGE LENS. IT BURNED A HOLE IN THE ORANGE TURN SIGNAL LENS. I REPLACE BULB AFTER BULB BUT IT KEEPS FAILING. PLEASE ISSUE A RECALL BECAUSE NO CAR OWNER SHOULD HAVE TO KEEP REPLACING BULBS CONSTANTLY ONLY FOR THEM TO FAIL OVER AND OVER AGAIN! THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR IS STATIONARY, MOVING, ETC..
NHTSA complaint #11254046 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Gonzales, LA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CAR BATTERY KEEPS DYING EVEN THOUGH IT'S NEW AND WE HAVE CHANGED FUSES. WE TOOK THE CAR TO MECHANIC THEY CAN FIND WHY LOSING CHARGE ON BATTERY. KEEP JUMPING OF WON'T STAY CHARGED BIT 1 DAY .
NHTSA complaint #11242103 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 223,000 milesNewport, TN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHEN I AM DRIVING, HIGHWAY OR LOCAL, MY ENGINE WILL STUTTER AND SHUT DOWN, OR JUST QUIETLY SHUT DOWN RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. IT IS HAPPENING A LOT. I HAVE FOUND MYSELF FACING ONCOMING TRAFFIC DURING SOME OF THESE STALLS. SOMETIMES I CAN GET IT TO RESTART SND OTHER TIMES I CANNOT. ALSO. I AM HAVING TROUBLE GET GAS INTO THE TANK WHEN FUELING. I HEAR AIR ESCAPING AND THE PUMP WILL SHUT OFF. LOCAL MECHANICS DO NOT WANT TO TACKLE THAT ISSUE. THE DEALER I BOUGHT IT FROM SAYS SINCE I BOUGHT IT USED, AS-IS, THAT THE PROBLEM IS ON ME. I HAVE READ ONLINE THAT MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM. I DON'T WANT ME IRE ANYONE TO BECOME A FATALITY BECAUSE OF THIS. WHAT CAN BE DONE?
NHTSA complaint #11164688 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 49,000 milesLOS Angeles, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FELIX CHEVROLET (3330 S FIGUEROA ST, LOS ANGELES, CA 90007) FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. AFTERWARDS, THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED MULTIPLE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BACK AND FORTH TO THE DEALER AT LEAST FIVE TIMES FOR MULTIPLE FAILURES, INCLUDING THE DOOR LOCKS NOT WORKING, THE BATTERY, THE ODOMETER NUMBERS BEING ERASED, AND THE VEHICLE NOT STARTING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURES WERE DUE TO THE CONTROL MODULE THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000.
NHTSA complaint #11154825 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,000 milesGarden Grove, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE BRAKE LIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY FAILED TO ILLUMINATE WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. ALSO, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WINDOW FAILED TO OPERATE AND WOULD NOT ROLL DOWN AND THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR COULD NOT BE UNLOCKED FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE. FURTHERMORE, THE IGNITION KEY COULD BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND, AFTER STARTING THE ENGINE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED AND SHUT OFF. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
NHTSA complaint #11133439 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 145,000 milesEpworth, GA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE KEY SEIZED IN THE IGNITION AND WAS UNABLE TO BE REMOVED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000.
NHTSA complaint #11132937 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 158,331 milesBraddock, PA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT CONTINUES TO SHORT OUT EVEN AFTER REPLACEMENT OF THE SOCKET ASSEMBLY.
NHTSA complaint #11124073 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 115,795 milesLebanon, PA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WELL AFTER A DAY OF NO ISSUES I WAS DRIVING WENT TO PARK AND I PUT MY CAR INTO PARK THE CAR DIED AND REVERSED A LITTLE BIT. IT NOW WON'T TURN OVER AND WON'T MAKE ANY NOISE UNDER THE HOOD. I TRIED JUMPING IT BUT THAT DIDN'T WORK AND I TRIED TO SEE IF MAYBE THE ANTI LOCK SYSTEM SHUT IT OFF BUT IT'S NOT THAT EITHER. WHEN I TURN THE KEY TO THE ON POSITION IT SAYS IT'S STILL IN REVERSE AND WHEN I MOVE THE SHIFTER IT DOESN'T REGISTER ON THE DASHBOARD. SO MY CAR STILL THINKS I'M IN REVERSE.
NHTSA complaint #11124087 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 106,038 milesDavenport, IA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE FRONT TURNING SIGNALS HAVE NOT WORKED FOR 2 YEARS I HAVE HAD THE HEAD LIGHTS COMPLETELY REPLACE TWICE. THE SECOND TIME I HAD THEM REPLACED WHEN THE LIGHT HOUSING OF THE TURN SIGNALS WERE OPENED THE LIGHT BULB AND HOOK UPS WERE MELTED TOGETHER.
NHTSA complaint #11102393 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brunswick, GA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
HEADLIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING THEY GO OUT ONCE A MONTH AND NOW THEY JUST OUT AND THIS CAR IS DEFIANTLY UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE LOCKS GO UP AND DOWN WHILE DRIVING, AND AUTO LOCK IF LEFT RUNNING. GAS FUMES THROUGH OUT THE CAR. THESE ARE VERY SERIOUS PROBLEMS, ALSO I HAVE TWO TODDLERS THAT ARE FORCED TO RIDE IN THIS DEATH TRAP!!
NHTSA complaint #11083148 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 132,000 milesCrane, MO
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WENT TO STOP AND AIRBAG LIGHT COME ON. AND THE STEERING STARTED GETTING JAM FELT LIKE IT WAS GONNA BREAK AND BRAKES STARTED PUMPING ON THEIR OWN AND BRAKES DIDN'T WORK RIGHT .OR STEERING. THIS IS UNSAFE WHEN STEERING AND BRAKES ARE MESSING UP AT THE SAME TIME. AND STEERING WHEEL FILL LIKE IT GONNA BREAK .
NHTSA complaint #11081886 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Elpaso, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
IGNITION SWITCH SOMETIMES STARTS OK BUT NOT ALL THE TIME HAVE CHANGE STARTER AND FUEL PUNP DEALER PURCHASE AND INSTALLED OEM DEALER CHECKED CAR IS STATIONARY BUT WILL NOT START ALL THE TIME
NHTSA complaint #11078343 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 200,000 milesAffton, MO
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT VERY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE CAR OR EVEN MAKE TURNS AND PARALLLEL PARK ALSO ELECTRICAL SYSTEM COMES AND GOES WHEN IT PLEASES I
NHTSA complaint #11055170 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 87,000 milesModesto, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SMITH CHEVROLET CADILLAC AT (209) 632-3946 (1601 AUTO MALL DR, TURLOCK, CA 95380) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE AND THE BRAKE LIGHTING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. LATER, WHILE PULLING IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE FRACTURED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO SMITH CHEVROLET CADILLAC, BUT THE DEALER REFUSED TO SERVICE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REMEDY FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000.
NHTSA complaint #11053566 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 62,000 milesBreaux Bridge, LACrash1 injured
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY VEHICLE STALLED ON RAIROAD TRACK-WHEN IT HIT THE JARRING --BETWEEN THE PAVEMENT AND THE TRACKS---THE TRAIN WAS AT A GREAT DISTANCE---SO THE ENGINEER STATED---WHEN THEY WERE 2078 FEET FROM MY CHEVROLET MALIBU -2005---THEY STARTED TO BLOW WHISTLE----WHEN I SAW TGHE TRAIN AT A GREAT DISTANCE -AND YES I DID HAVE HEAVY THINGS ON MY KEYCHAIN--BUT GM FAILED TO NOTIFY -I HAVE A MAILBOX AND A TELEPHONE--I WAS HITTING THE GAS PEDAL OVER AND OVER AGAIN AND WHEN I WAS DOING THAT I REMEMBER HITTING THE IGNITION SWITCH BUT THE CAR WAS ALREADY DEAD-I WAS IMPACTED AND ALMOST LOST MY LIFE---IT TOOK ME 3 YEARS TO RECOPERATE----I DID NOT KNOW ABOUT THE RECALL--AND THEY STARTED THE RECALL IN 2014--COVER UP GM--YOU SHOULD HAVE STARTEDIT IN 2010!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THERE ARE 26 PHOTOS -BUT NOT IN MY POSESSION I WILL ATTEMPT TO OBTAIN THEM----
NHTSA complaint #11024648 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTI-THEFT ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED. THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED AND CAUSED THE ENGINE NOT TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE GMC DEALER IN LITHONIA, GA FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, WHICH LOCATED A FAILURE CODE AT THE BODY CONTROL MODULE AND THE PASS LOCK SENSOR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
NHTSA complaint #10991259 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.