Most common 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Classic problems
Share of the 92 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Chevrolet Malibu Classic complaints by model year
Best Malibu Classic years: 1998, 2000, 2001. Years to avoid: 2004, 2005, 2008. Compare all years →
2005 Chevrolet Malibu Classic recalls (1)
Electrical system › Ignition
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.
Remedy: 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.
What 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Classic owners say
Electrical system all 41 →
After taking my Chevrolet Malibu Classic 2005 into the dealership for the recall in which they put inserts on my key and a king ring, ridiculous if you ask me, my car has now done the same thing three more times I thought the recall was suppose to fix. While driving at different speeds ( 60 MPH., 45 MPH., 20 MPH) my cars shuts off as if I turned the key off. My power steering, brakes all electrical components are effected. I have to then turn my key to the off position and again start my car to continue driving. It does this with no warning, while driving down a highway, while turning, while driving down a hill which are all very much safety issues. Driving 60 on a highway and the car shuts down leaving you with no power steering no power brakes no warning lights etc. Very scary. …
The ignition cylinder on my 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Classic failed, and the key comes out of the ignition in the accessory position. The general motors recall to make the key hole smaller on the key itself to fix ignition problems is an incomplete repair. Upon contacting GM about the ignition problem, they immediately told me not to drive the vehicle, and they had the vehicle towed to gillman Chevrolet harlingen at their expense, but so far GM has refused to make a complete repair to the ignition. GM maintains that the recall to the ignition problem is only to fix the key hole, and does not want to authorize a complete repair for the ignition failure. Also, the shifter selenoid has failed, and the key won't return to the off position. The theft system also failed on this vehicle and won't allow the car to turn on. …
Steering all 20 →
My wife was driving to work at about 8:00 in the morning when the steering wheel "stiffened" up on a turnaround by our house. Then she made the first left turn at a stop sign in our neighborhood..that's when the steering wheel completely locked up and she crashed into a parked car. The police arrived and filed a report. She hit a big truck that fortunately wasn't damaged but our car was left undrivable and completely totaled in the front!! We were going to just pay to get the car fixed but I looked into it further and found a large number of incidents with the steering wheel locking up on people who owned a Chevy Malibu each with various types of consequences. My wife could have been easily killed or killed someone else!!! This issue really needs to be dealt with before any further harm is done to more innocent victims!!!!!
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Classic. While driving 30 MPH and turning the steering wheel to the left, the vehicle failed to turn. The contact stated that the steering wheel had to be turned several times in order for the vehicle to turn. There were no warning indicators illuminated. While driving to an independent mechanic, the power steering completely failed. The independent mechanic discovered that the rack and pinion was rusted and detached from the frame. The contact stated that the frame was replaced by the independent mechanic. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to NHTSA since the vehicle was out of warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 153,000. Updated 9/12/18
Engine & cooling
While driving on the interstate while using the cruise control, the vehicle started increasing speed and rpm's. 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 rpm's, 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 rpm's again.
Dt*: the consumer stated the engine stalled without prior warning. When this occurred there was a loss of all power and no warning lights illuminated. The consumer was driving around a sharp curve when the engine stalled and lost control of the vehicle. Although there was a crash, there were no injuries or damage to the vehicle. The police were not contacted. The vehicle was seen by a dealer, but the service department was unable to duplicate the problem. In addition to the stalling problem, the trunk lid leaked allowing rain to enter the trunk compartment. The trunk carpeting was replaced, but the trunk lid continues to leak. Prior to the problems, the vehicle was exposed to a hurricane but did not have any flood damage.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Classic a good car?
Based on 92 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2005 Malibu Classic rates avoid: 24.5× as many complaints as a typical year of the Malibu Classic at the same age. It is one of the Malibu Classic years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Classic?
The electrical system — 41 complaints, 45% of all complaints for this model year, most often about ignition › anti-theft › control module. Next are the steering (20) and engine & cooling (12).
How many recalls does the 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Classic have?
There is 1 recall for the 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Classic, the most recent from July 3, 2014 (ignition). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Chevrolet Malibu Classic?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 1998, 2000 and 2001. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2004, 2005 and 2008. See the full Chevrolet Malibu Classic years comparison.
At what mileage do 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Classic problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 90,000 miles; 18% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.