MYRModel Year Report

2005 Chevrolet Malibu

◆ Worse than typical
2005 Chevrolet Malibu
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
975
Recalls
6

Campaigns on file for 2005

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Steering

52% of complaints

Complaints per year

1980: 5 complaints 1980 1981: 3 complaints 1982: 2 complaints 1983: 1 complaint 1986: 1 complaint 1989: 3 complaints 1989 1997: 443 complaints 1998: 976 complaints 1999: 789 complaints 2000: 922 complaints 2001: 721 complaints 2001 2002: 567 complaints 2003: 569 complaints 2004: 1,147 complaints 2005: 975 complaints 2005 975 2006: 1,116 complaints 2007: 977 complaints 2008: 987 complaints 2009: 1,509 complaints 2010: 1,360 complaints 2011: 978 complaints 2011 2012: 907 complaints 2013: 836 complaints 2014: 351 complaints 2015: 270 complaints 2016: 836 complaints 2016 2017: 703 complaints 2018: 697 complaints 2019: 190 complaints 2020: 196 complaints 2021: 88 complaints 2021 2022: 97 complaints 2023: 66 complaints 2024: 41 complaints 2025: 10 complaints
1980: 5 complaints 1980 1981: 3 complaints 1982: 2 complaints 1983: 1 complaint 1983 1986: 1 complaint 1989: 3 complaints 1997: 443 complaints 1997 1998: 976 complaints 1999: 789 complaints 2000: 922 complaints 2000 2001: 721 complaints 2002: 567 complaints 2003: 569 complaints 2003 2004: 1,147 complaints 2005: 975 complaints 2005 975 2006: 1,116 complaints 2007: 977 complaints 2008: 987 complaints 2009: 1,509 complaints 2009 2010: 1,360 complaints 2011: 978 complaints 2012: 907 complaints 2012 2013: 836 complaints 2014: 351 complaints 2015: 270 complaints 2015 2016: 836 complaints 2017: 703 complaints 2018: 697 complaints 2018 2019: 190 complaints 2020: 196 complaints 2021: 88 complaints 2021 2022: 97 complaints 2023: 66 complaints 2024: 41 complaints 2024 2025: 10 complaints
1980: 5 complaints 1980 1981: 3 complaints 1982: 2 complaints 1982 1983: 1 complaint 1986: 1 complaint 1986 1989: 3 complaints 1997: 443 complaints 1997 1998: 976 complaints 1999: 789 complaints 1999 2000: 922 complaints 2001: 721 complaints 2001 2002: 567 complaints 2003: 569 complaints 2003 2004: 1,147 complaints 2005: 975 complaints 2005 975 2006: 1,116 complaints 2007: 977 complaints 2007 2008: 987 complaints 2009: 1,509 complaints 2009 2010: 1,360 complaints 2011: 978 complaints 2011 2012: 907 complaints 2013: 836 complaints 2013 2014: 351 complaints 2015: 270 complaints 2015 2016: 836 complaints 2017: 703 complaints 2017 2018: 697 complaints 2019: 190 complaints 2019 2020: 196 complaints 2021: 88 complaints 2021 2022: 97 complaints 2023: 66 complaints 2023 2024: 41 complaints 2025: 10 complaints 2025

2005: 975 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19805
19813
19822
19831
19861
19893
1997443
1998976
1999789
2000922
2001721
2002567
2003569
20041,147
2005975
20061,116
2007977
2008987
20091,509
20101,360
2011978
2012907
2013836
2014351
2015270
2016836
2017703
2018697
2019190
2020196
202188
202297
202366
202441
202510

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Steering

52% · 510 reports

Most commonly citing column and electric power assist system.

CRASHINJURYDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

The steering locked up when the brakes were pressed and the steering wheel was turned to avoid crashing with another car. The result is the crash happened and damage to both cars. Thankfully traffic was only going around 10 mph.

NHTSA ODI report, 2025-11-20

The electric power steering has failed on me numerous times. From being completely locked and having to restart the car 5 times just to free it up, to it locking up while i'm going 70 down the freeway multiple times.

NHTSA ODI report, 2025-05-15

(1) none (2) loss of steering at 65 MPH: car catapulted rightwards into 2 vehicles, van and semi, and ultimately off freeway personal injuries sustained.

NHTSA ODI report, 2005-06-29

Electrical system

19% · 184 reports

Most commonly citing control module and ignition.

CRASHFIREINJURYDEATH

Exterior lighting

16% · 159 reports

Most commonly citing turn signal and headlights.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. On several occasions, the driver and passenger side turn signal bulbs failed to operate as intended.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-01-09

While turning left the orange globe in the headlight assembly melted and caused light bulb to burn plastic.

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-12-01

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-07-09

Service brakes

7% · 70 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and electric.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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 ODI report, 2021-01-18

Power train

7% · 65 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and driveshaft.

CRASH

Safety timeline

6 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2005Complaint volume 975 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. I
    2009-03-20Engineering analysisClosed 2010-08-12 Turn Signal Lamps
  3. R
    2009-05-11Exterior lighting09E012000 Sabersport is recalling 16,270 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to…

    Remedy: Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on May 11, 2009. Owners may contact sabersport at 1-909-598-7589.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2011-02-22Fuel system, gasoline11E009000 Ti automotive is recalling certain fuel pumps, part numbers TU456 and TU303, sold under various brand names as aftermarket and replacement equipment for the motor vehicles listed above. The…

    Remedy: Ti automotive will notify owners of record and will replace any defective fuel pump with a new or reworked fuel pump free of charge. The safety recall began on February 22, 2011. Owners may…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2014-06-27Power train14V224000 General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on April 29, 2014, that they are recalling 56,214 model year 2007 and 2008 Saturn Aura vehicles.

    Remedy: GM will notify owners, and GM dealers will replace the shift cable assembly and mounting bracket, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-553-6000.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2014-07-17Steering14V153000 General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 and 2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2006 Malibu Maxx, 2009-2010 HHR (non-turbo), 2010 Cobalt, 2008-2009 Saturn Aura and 2004-2007 Ion, and 2005-2009 Pontiac G6.

    Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will perform one of four bulletins. Parts are not currently available. GM expects to send an interim notification around May 28, 2014.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    2014-08-18Electrical system, electronic stability control (esc), exterior lighting, vehicle speed control14V252000 General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured May 16, 2003, through October 11, 2012, 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6...

    Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will attach the wiring harness to the BCM with a spacer, apply dielectric lubricant to both the BCM and harness connector and the BAS and harness connector, and will relearn the brake pedal home position, free of...

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. R
    2014-09-08Steering14E044000 Dorman Products, Inc.

    Remedy: Dorman will notify owners, and dealers will refund the purchase price or replace the steering shafts, free of charge. The recall began in September 2014. Owners may contact Dorman customer service at 1-800-523-2492.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2005 Chevrolet Malibu — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Steering: 510 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 184 reports on file for this year.
  • Exterior lighting: 159 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 09E012000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 11E009000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 14V224000 · Power train
  • Recall 14V153000 · Steering
  • Recall 14V252000 · Electrical system, electronic stability control (esc), exterior lighting, vehicle speed control
  • Recall 14E044000 · Steering
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2005 Chevrolet Malibu reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2005 Chevrolet Malibu is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2005 Chevrolet Malibu?
The most-reported component is steering, accounting for 52% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2005 Chevrolet Malibu have?
6 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.