Model year record

2005 Chevrolet Malibu Classic recalls & problems

The 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Classic has 1 safety recall and 92 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (43 complaints).

Recalls1safety recalls

Complaints92filed by owners

Crashes · fires6 · 1reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths5 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Electrical systemJul 3, 2014

Ignition

Recall 14V4000005,877,718 vehicles

Problem: This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on July 3, 2014, that they are recalling 5,877,718 model year 2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala and Monte Carlo, 1997-2003 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2005 Malibu Classic, 1999-2004 Oldsmobile Alero, 1998-2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1999-2005 Pontiac Grand Am and 2004-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.
Risk: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 9, 2014. GM's number for this recall is 14350.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Electrical systemIgnition › Anti-theft › Control module; Ignition › Switch	43	0	1	0	90,000 mi
Steering	20	1	0	0	92,000 mi
Engine	8	1	0	3	133,180 mi
Exterior lighting	6	0	0	0	101,396 mi
Fuel/propulsion system	6	0	0	0	146,000 mi
Electronic stability control (esc)	5	0	0	0	—
Air bags	5	3	0	5	124,356 mi
Engine and engine coolingExhaust system › Emission control › Catalytic convertor; Engine	4	1	0	0	47,521 mi
Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components › Disc › Caliper	4	0	0	0	—
Fuel system, gasolineDelivery › Fuel pump	4	0	0	0	—
Vehicle speed controlAccelerator pedal	3	1	0	0	—
SuspensionFront	2	0	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Engine
While driving on the interstate while using the cruise control, the vehicle started increasing speed and rpmâs. I could not turn off cruise by braking or using the off button on steering wheel. I had to put it in neutral which caused the engine to redline in rpmâs, so I could use brakes to safely stop on the side of the interstate highway. I turned off the engine and opened the hood to look inside. I turned ignition back on and immediately the engine revved to redline rpmâs again.
Jan 20, 2024
Air bags
driving the car it just shuts off which results in no power no steering and no brakes possibly an ignition switch problem.
Sep 2, 2023
Electrical system
IGNITION SWITCH PROOBLEMS
Aug 17, 2020
Electrical system › Ignition › Anti-theft › Control module
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE ANTI-THEFT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START. MIDWAY CHEVROLET(381 12TH ST, PLAINWELL, MI) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000.
Mar 1, 2019 · 190,000 miles
Electrical system › Ignition › Anti-theft › Control module
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR FLASHED AND THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE STARTED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS DEFECTIVE. THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000.
Apr 1, 2019 · 36,000 miles
Electronic stability control (esc)
THE THEFT SYSTEM KEEPS GOING OFF FOR NO REASON LEAVING ME STRANDED FOR 10-15 MINUTES. IT HAPPENED TO TURN OFF WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY 3 TIMES IN THE PAST THE WHOLE DASH BOARD LIT UP AND THE THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT WAS BLINKING. IT ALSO HAPPENS WHILE I INITIALLY START THE CAR UP.
Jun 12, 2019 · 140,000 miles
Electrical system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT TOOK SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 223,000.
May 1, 2006 · 223,000 miles
Electrical system
I HAVE A 2005 MALIBU - THAT IS A MONEY PIT- THIER IS A WIRING IGNITION PROBLEM - MY CAR IS AN INTERMITTENT STARTER - I'VE CHANGED FUSES- ALTERNATOR - FUEL PUMP- BEEN TOLD THIS AND THAT - I'M A SINGLE FEMALE - AND CAN'T DRIVE THIS CAR ANYWHERE - IT STOPS WHEN EVER IT WANTS TO - IN ORDER HE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD - OR GOING TO THE GROCERY STORE AAA HAS RETIRED MY TOWING - I'M ONLINE READING AND EVERYBODY HAS WENT THROUGH MY HE SAME - I CALLED LAST WEEK BEFORE HAVING MY CAR TOWED AGAIN - TO SEE IF THIER HAS BEEN A RECALL AND I HEARD NO- I HAD IT TOWED - SPENT 320 DOLLARS BEING TOLD IT WAS THE ALTERNATOR AFTER GOING THROUGH 2 BATTERIES - FOR THE SAME THING - I JUST GOT MY CAR BACK - WENT OUT TO GET…
Jan 24, 2019 · 179,000 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.