1. Chevrolet Malibu
  2. Problems
  3. 2005
  4. Electrical System

2005 Chevrolet Malibu Electrical System Problems

144
Owner complaint records in our dataset

Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.

Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.

Among these 144 stored complaint records:

  • 5 indicate a crash
  • 5 indicate injury
  • 9 indicate fire
  • 1 indicate a death

What owners report

  • failure mileage · 21 records
  • electrical system · 19 records
  • power steering · 18 records
  • brake lights · 16 records
  • notified failure · 16 records
  • ignition switch · 15 records

Mileage in stored records

BandRecords
100–150k mi33
60–100k mi22
150–400k mi19
30–60k mi15
1–30k mi12

Complaint records

Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.

  • May 1, 2014 · 108,182 miles

    Electrical System · Steering

    Tl* the contact owns a 2005 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 55 mph, the steering wheel was difficult to turn. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to diagnose the failure. The contact also stated that the entire door locks independently locked and unlocked. The contact received multiple notifications for nhtsa campaign number: 14v252000 (electrical) and nhtsa…

    ODI 10631065

  • April 27, 2014 · 153,000 miles

    Electrical System

    I started my car and my empty light started blinking and dinging saying that my car had no fuel despite that i had put in $30 the day before, but when i looked at my miles to empty option on my radio it said 331 miles to empty. I decided once i got to work i'd try restarting it to see if that worked, well while i was driving down the street i realized none of my gauges were working i was going at least 35-40 and my…

    ODI 10585161

  • April 18, 2014 · 458,978 miles

    Electrical System · Engine

    I went to school to drop off kids i went to start the car an all the lights in the dash board goes on but wont crank. *tr

    ODI 10583720

  • April 2, 2014

    Air Bags · Electrical System · Steering

    I have a 2005 chevy malibu it has all of the symptoms as the recall for the ignition switch, the power steering goes out when it wants to, it shuts off sometimes when you come to a stop and the air bag light is on, it has not occurred since we put the key on a ring by itself, but they won"t honor it says it's not on the list but the 2005 malibu maxx is on the list! The maxx is the same car but with a hatchback…

    ODI 10584904

  • April 1, 2014

    Electrical System · Exterior Lighting

    The drivers side turn signal bulb keeps burning out. I have replaced the bulb twice but it continues to burn out. There are many other complaints about this issue. *js

    ODI 10592112

  • April 1, 2014

    Electrical System

    2005 chevy malibu. Consumer writes in regards to being stranded several times and having vehicle towed. Consumer found many complaints on line for same problem. *smd

    ODI 10583786

  • March 30, 2014 · 92,000 miles

    Electrical System · Latches/Locks/Linkages

    Door locks go up and down continuously while driving the car. When the car is parked and not locked (inside a secure garage), the factory alarm goes off when opening the doors. The electric lock switch on the driver door will not always unlock the other car doors. The key-in-ignition chime has started chiming even when the keys are not in the ignition. This all started sunday, march 30th, 2014. It has continued…

    ODI 10576758

  • March 14, 2014

    Air Bags · Electrical System

    2005 chevrolet malibu. Consumer writes in regards to ignition lock cylinder recall. *smd the consumer stated the vehicle stalled, as she was arriving at a busy intersection. The vehicle had to be towed, because the she was unable to re-start the vehicle. According to the invoice, the ignition cylinder was replaced. *jb

    ODI 10582771

  • March 3, 2014 · 88,450 miles

    Electrical System · Steering

    I have to turn my steering wheel back and forth and my shifting gear in order to start the car then when going down the highway computer goes off steering becomes harder. A light comes on showing a car and a lock. A message comes on the computer "steering". It does randomly. Is there a recall on this? *tr

    ODI 10583845

  • February 12, 2014 · 59,000 miles

    Anti-Theft Devices · Electrical System

    Tl* the contact owns a 2005 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated when attempting to park, the engine stalled as the anti-theft warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where the pass lock sensor and the ignition switch were replaced. The dealer was notified of the problem and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in any recalls. The manufacturer was notified…

    ODI 10594325

  • February 5, 2014

    Electrical System · Electronic Stability Control

    Takata recall fuel sensor problem stemming from recall in 2014

    ODI 10991063

  • February 5, 2014 · 40,600 miles

    Control Module (Tcm, Pcm) · Electrical System

    Tl* the contact owns a 2005 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 mph, the vehicle suddenly stalled. The contact indicated that the engine and all of the electronics in the vehicle suddenly shut off. The vehicle was diagnosed by the dealer and the contact was informed that the ignition switch was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified and no solution was…

    ODI 10565156

  • February 4, 2014

    Electrical System · Electronic Stability Control · Power Train · Steering

    I received 2 notices about 2 recalls on my car that could cause a crash without warning or control. I did experience one of the conditions were i could not put the gear in park or drive when i was trying to start the car to drive. Also once the key was stuck in he ignition fortunately these occurrences were during me trying to start the car when it had been parked. This problem was stated in the notice as a…

    ODI 10618894

  • January 1, 2014 · 139,855 miles

    Electrical System · Engine

    Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu. While driving 15 mph, the vehicle would overheat and failed to turn off. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was repaired; however, the failure recurred. In addition, the contact received notifications for nhtsa campaign numbers: 14v252000 (electrical system), 14v153000 (steering), and 14v252000 (electrical system, electronic stability control); however, the…

    ODI 10717053

  • December 25, 2013 · 79,000 miles

    Electrical System · Fuel System, Gasoline · Power Train · Service Brakes

    Vehicles brake lights stick on while driving. Sometimes they flash when going aprox 65 and up. It appears the brake lights also flash when car is changing gears. The car once would not shift into drive while reversing and lost all power steering. Also the brakes or something at front of car shakes rapidly when accelerating and even worse when going down hills. *tr

    ODI 10588686

  • October 1, 2013

    Brake Lights · Electrical System

    Tl* the contact owns a 2005 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that the brake lights illuminated when the brake pedal was not depressed. The failure occurred intermittently. The vehicle was repaired under nhtsa campaign number: 14v252000 (electrical system, electronic stability control, exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic, vehicle speed control); however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not…

    ODI 10650297

  • June 6, 2013

    Electrical System · Engine · Fuel/Propulsion System

    Like the current gm cobalt problems, car stalled while traveling on interstate. Luckily we were able to pull to side of the road and get towed. It was in the garage for a week and they could not find problem even with driving it 50 miles a day. Local dealer said they had not had problems, but i could bring it in. Lots of complaints on internet about this, but no service bulletins or recalls. Car has 35k miles on it,…

    ODI 10575331

  • April 30, 2013 · 55,000 miles

    Electrical System · Exterior Lighting

    Day time running lights in headlights overheat melting bulb base and socket. Have been replaced multiple times and keeps happening. Afraid of potential electrical fire or bulbs burn out and blinkers will not work which could cause a wreck. *tr

    ODI 10627482

  • April 17, 2013 · 87,000 miles

    Electrical System

    Vehicle was burning out front and rear directional light bulbs to the point i had to replace the front passenger light socket that melted from intense heat and the front passenger headlight assembly. Four months later, i had to repair/replace bulbs in the same location. *tr

    ODI 10637337

  • April 10, 2013 · 80,000 miles

    Electrical System

    Tl* the contact owns a 2005 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was restarted after several attempts. The failure recurred on fourteen separate occasions at any given speed being driven. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the ignition switch was replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate…

    ODI 10760266

  • April 1, 2013

    Electrical System · Engine · Steering

    My wife and i have contacted chevy dealer a long time ago about safety recalls on this vehicle a long time ago and have not received any info. On when these recalls can be done. Most of these recalls state that the parts have not been sent. What can your company do about getting these resolved. *tr

    ODI 10713291

  • March 12, 2013 · 109,000 miles

    Electrical System · Steering

    I was driving my vehicle down i-680 in northern ca's bay area. While i was on the freeway in the slow lane and my power steering warning popped up on my car stereo display and a split second later i lost the ability to steer my car. I slowed the vehicle as fast as i could without slamming on the brakes. All of the cars behind me slammed on the brakes and i thought i was going to cause a pile-up. A nice man behind…

    ODI 10503252

  • March 1, 2013 · 199,000 miles

    Brake Lights · Cruise Control · Electrical System

    Tl* the contact owns a 2005 chevrolet malibu. While driving approximately 65 mph with the cruise control engaged, the cruise control deactivated and the brake lights illuminated without warning. The contact depressed the brake pedal and the brake lights turned off. The contact powered the vehicle off and back on and the brake lights resumed normal operation. The vehicle was previously repaired under nhtsa campaign…

    ODI 10722749

  • January 22, 2013 · 63,779 miles

    Electrical System · Fuel System, Gasoline

    I consider us lucky. We were in a wal-mart parking lot 25 miles from home, and the car wouldn't start. I played with the ignition off and on for half an hour, and a connection was made, and the car started. I was careful to keep it running, and made it home. The next day, the same problem. The electrical connection to the fuel pump was missing. I had it towed to my repair shop, and they replaced the ignition switch.…

    ODI 10567607

  • January 16, 2013 · 66,000 miles

    Electrical System

    The key will not come out of the ignition in colder weather. I can turn the car on and off but not remove the key unless the car is driven for at least 20 mins. And is warm. This makes it very difficult for short trips where i need to park. Dealership replaced ignition cylinder & keys10/24/2013 but problem still there. Impalas has same problem - had shift lock replaced 4/4/2014. This car needs to be recalled. *tr

    ODI 10614456

Catalog parts for this system

Catalog year/make/model rows for 2005 Chevrolet Malibu.

Catalog fitment does not by itself prove OEM-equivalent compatibility.