2005 Chevrolet Malibu Exterior Lighting Problems
- 128
- 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 128 stored complaint records:
- 2 indicate a crash
- 2 indicate injury
- 17 indicate fire
What owners report
- Turn Signal · 3 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 60–100k mi | 32 |
| 30–60k mi | 22 |
| 100–150k mi | 19 |
| 1–30k mi | 10 |
| 150–400k mi | 10 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Exterior Lighting
This is ridiculous. I have been reading about all these incidents where people's headlights are melting. I have replaced my driver's side headlight twice now! The turn signals are getting so hot they are melting the base, causing the bulbs to burn out and the casing around the bulbs to melt. I also have people flash their brights at me every night because my headlights burn so brightly. I'm afraid my headlight will…
ODI 10315975
Exterior Lighting
On a 2005 chevy malibu our brake lights, on the rear of the vehicle, often work in reverse. In other words, the brake lights are on when you aren't hitting the brakes, and they are off when you are hitting the brakes. This seems to pose a safety concern since vehicles behind you do not know when you are hitting the brakes. I am reporting this because i have seen on many forums that other people have the same problem…
ODI 10255832
Exterior Lighting
Loss of function of headlights, brake lights, turn signals and tail lights on 2005 chevy malibu ls model. The light bulbs in the signal are constantly blowing out. I have the change the bulbs at least every month. I have no use of my tail lights and turn signals as a result of this. Failure of the bulb has not resulted in heat damage to the bulb socket. *tr
ODI 10263180
Exterior Lighting · Steering
Tl*the contact owns a 2005 chevrolet malibu. The contact previously experienced failure with the driver's side headlight bulb constantly burning out. Six months later, the plastic headlight covers burned. The steering shaft has been replaced three times. The dealer stated that the plastic cover failure was a factory defect; therefore, they were unable to correct the failure. The failure mileage was 69,000 and…
ODI 10256380
Exterior Lighting
The bulb in the front left turn signal became too hot and burned out while melting the amber cover around it. After replacing the bulb, the turn signal and high level running light function would not work but the low level light still operates when the headlights are on. I replaced the bulb twice and cleaned the connector and get intermittent use of the turn signal, but i never know if it's going to work or not. *tr
ODI 10263597
Exterior Lighting
Tl*the contact owns a 2005 chevrolet malibu. While driving at an unknown speed, the contact smelled something burning. He noticed a v-shaped burnt pattern in the front driver's side headlight. Approximately one month ago, the front passenger side headlight failed. The current mileage was 102,000 and failure mileage was 101,000.
Fire reported
ODI 10249120
Exterior Lighting
About every two weeks i have to change the light bulbs in my headlights because it is becoming so warm that it is melting the plastic around the light bulb. It is becoming so warm that it is starting to melt to headlight cover! *tr
ODI 10289912
Electrical System · Exterior Lighting
Front left turn signal repeatedly burns out, amber casing has melted hole, changing bulbs does not fix problem. *tt
Fire reported
ODI 10427770
Electrical System · Exterior Lighting · Fuel/Propulsion System · Structure
We bought this car 4 yrs ago in aug 2008 at only a few yrs old we were very optimistic that the $ we were spending on it would be worth the less upkeep than that of the 1994 crown vic that we traded in (& my husbands 78 olds that has always required more work than it put out since he purchased it when we met back in 06). Since it was a few yrs old we thought that even though there was no warranty on our new "used"…
ODI 10470431
Exterior Lighting
Front turn signals and headlights burn our regularly have replace approximately 18 to date. The amber lens are melted. Gm states estimated $700 to repair. Please note numerous complaints post on several web sites. This does not appear to isolated incident is a safety concern. I noticed may be on other recall for same issue, different model year?? Tired of replacing bulbs may be a socket failure and circuit board…
ODI 10352567
Exterior Lighting · Turn Signal
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that the driver's side-turning signal failed to activate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing, who stated that the light failed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
ODI 10618150
Exterior Lighting
The daylight - signal bulb melted the plastic enclosure and smoked the headlights lenses reducing the visibility on night time at less than half.i notice this material-design defent on many cars in parking lots.this happen over the time, is not an instant failure and usual after long trips on night with the long beam on.. *tr
ODI 10370858
Exterior Lighting
Noticed both front turn signals/daytime running lamps yellow covers were melted. It had discolored light lens due to apparent extreme heat. *tr
ODI 10236647
Exterior Lighting
My 2005 chevrolet malibu ls turning signal light does not seem to work properly at times considering the fact that i actually change the bulb about 4 times in one year. To my knowledge i am not the only one going through this problem with this vehicle. *tr
ODI 10284791
Exterior Lighting
I just replaced the front driver's side flasher light in my 2005 chevy malibu and the plastic base of the bulb was melted. This appears to be a possible fire hazard. *tr
ODI 10226826
Exterior Lighting
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that both headlights stopped illuminating. The contact examined the headlights and noticed that the bulbs burned out and melted the housing assembly. The vehicle was not taken to have the failure diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Fire reported
ODI 10464746
Exterior Lighting
The blinker will always fail to work. The bulbs are just fine and intact, but the blinker will stop working. There is some electrical problem with the headlights. This has caused other vehicles to get in close contact with me, and almost in crashes. I have heard many different cases of this problem with other 2005 chevy malibu's as well. *tr
ODI 10226976
Exterior Lighting
I own a 2005 chevy malibu. At about 40,000 miles i began to notice a burning smell. It smelled like hot, burning plastic. While trying to find the source of the smell, i noticed my daytime running lights (drl) were melting and charred. The housing also appeared to have smoke damage and was very hazy. In the time since i noticed the problem, visibility has gone done significantly. The problem seems to be on-going…
ODI 10319109
Exterior Lighting
Left directional light bulb burns out, because the sockets that hold the bulb overheat and melt the bulbs. Occurs because the day time running lights overheat. Have burned out 4 bulbs in the last 12 months. Overheating is starting to affect the right directional as well. Will need to replace both sockets. *tr
ODI 10313084
Automatic Transmission · Cooling System · Exterior Lighting · Instrument Cluster/Panel · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Steering
Email (in) requesting an investigation of general motors re their dangerous & defective products. *ts *nm updated 2/15/2007 - the consumer smelled antifreeze coming through the air vents. The driver's side headlight had to be replaced. Problem with brakes. A steering gear associated with the rack and pinion was replaced. The transmission hesitated. The consumer heard a knocking noise when turning the steering wheel.…
ODI 10171196
Exterior Lighting · Turn Signal
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that the turning lights burned out and also caused the headlights to burn out. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was told that the failure was a known issue with his particular year vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The vin was not available. The failure mileage was unknown and the current mileage was 140,000. Have replaced lights 3…
ODI 10415329
Exterior Lighting · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Since purchase of 05 malibu i have had breaking vibration and vibration in turns to the right. Have had 2 sets of pads and rotors turned once. I am on the third set of tires with rotations every 6000 miles but still get uneven wear. 43,000+ miles and the dealer says there is nothing wrong with the breaking or wheels. Drivers side daytime running light and turn signal has blown 3 times. *nm
ODI 10165156
Exterior Lighting
Exterior lighting on 2005 chevrolet malibu fails intermittently. *tr
ODI 10280494
Exterior Lighting
Headlights and taillights keep burning out on my 2005 chevy malibu at the base of the bulb. This is an 05 and the dealers keep telling me it is the bulb i use - that i need to use an oem bulb, when i let them change it they used the same bulb and the base of the bulbs turn black and only last about a week or so. *tr
ODI 10240326
Exterior Lighting
Front daytime running lights are getting hot melting them. This is causing turn signals to burn out and not work properly. Got pulled over by a state trooper today because of this. *tr
ODI 10274387
Catalog parts for this system
Catalog year/make/model rows for 2005 Chevrolet Malibu.
Catalog fitment does not by itself prove OEM-equivalent compatibility.