Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2005 Chevrolet Malibu owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
1st when got car from local dealer cruise control worked next day still hasn't, interior lights not working with new bulb, brake light on, leaking oil from pan, front end drifting, than at station no power steering, didn't know wtf, wheels didn't turn, shut off he later was there ignition switch will keep turning. Rins battery dead. I'm scared power steering will go out while driving. It's a scary thought, think I will sell .It's the worse recall I've heard of can they be fixed. Consumer has all 7 recalls.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. On several occasions, the driver and passenger side turn signal bulbs failed to operate as intended. Upon inspecting the bulb and wiring harness, the contact became aware that the turn lamp housing was melted, which caused the turn signal to become inoperable. The contact stated that the bulb and housing were replaced on three occasions; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to wheelers Chevrolet GMC (2701 s maple ave, marshfield, wi 54449, [phone]) where it was diagnosed that the turn signal housing and bulbs needed to be replaced. There was no remedy for the failure. The contact stated that the bulbs and housing were being replaced every two months. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 85,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the front blinker bulbs were burning the bulb covers. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician was unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 75,000. Updated 8/27/15 updated 10/4/2017
After a few days of owning this car I noticed there was an issue with the brake lights turning on while driving. When this happens it also shuts off the cruse control too. When you first press the brakes the lights shut off. Press them again and they work for a few minutes. I searched the internet for help, and noticed GM posted a service bulletin on this issue. GM advised to clean, and grease contacts for BCM. I did just that. The cleaning was only a temporary fix because the issue returned days later. Around May of 2014 I received notice that GM issued several recalls. The car had been broke down until February of 20015, and in April it was sent to my local Chevrolet dealer to have the recalls fixed. Shortly after fixing the recall issues the brake light issues returned. I contacted GM/ Chevrolet and they contacted my local dealer who agreed to look at the car again for free. …
Tl* the contact owned a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. While traveling approximately 35 MPH, the low beam headlamp assembly failed to work. The contact applied the brake pedal, which did not respond and extended to the floorboard. The contact stated that the vehicle spun around and crashed into a guardrail. The contact was unable to confirm if the air bags deployed. The contact was unconscious and was transported to the hospital. The driver sustained head injuries, broken wrists, a punctured and collapsed lung, and additional internal injuries that required medical treatment. The contact also stated that his teeth were fractured from his mouth due to the impact of the crash. A police report was filed. …
Since the new purchase of my 2005 Chevrolet Malibu, the turn-signal and brake-light bulbs have failed 30+ times. Most failures have been at the base of bulb where wires contact bulb socket conductors. When the dealer was asked to repair this problem, they said it was not covered under warranty and had no service bulletin pertaining to this problem! I have been stopped by police multiple times and have had near-miss incidents due to other drivers not seeing my turn signal or brake light. Upon approaching my vehicle after using remote unlock, there were flames visible in the headlamp housing at the amber lens area. Two years ago I found an obscure GM service notice pertaining to replacing the turn signal bulb socket. I purchaced the specified parts and replaced them as instructed in this bulletin. …
I bought my car in 2013 and it's been a decent car. However it is the 2nd Malibu that I've owned and it's got the same issues. The running lights have an electrical error where they short out and melt the actual lights. I'm constantly having to replace the bulbs. I've gotten to where I just turn them off. The 2nd thing happened today. My first Malibu didn't have a sunroof but this one does. I was driving on the interstate when all the sudden I heard this loud explosion, like a gunshot or a semi truck tire blowing up. I look all around me and when I looked up, glass was falling on my head. My sunroof randomly exploded. And according to several mechanical engineers, it's physically impossible for an object flung by another vehicle to shatter a sunroof. Apparently manufacturers have started getting lazy with sunroofs when making cars, so if I were you, I wouldn't buy a car with a sunroof.
My key will not turn in the ignition and I checked for recalls. I called the dealer to fix the recall on the ignition, and was notified that they would only put a piece of plastic over key and would not fix the ignition to turn. I can hardly even start my car because the key won't turn. The key is going to break off in the ignition. The horn and radio do not work either. Not having a horn for incoming traffic towards my vehicle is very dangerous. The turn signals only work at random times and that is very dangerous when switching lanes into traffic. Also, something in the back of the car squeaks for no reason when going down the road at random and when going over speed bumps. This car also drains the battery with unknown electrical problems. The drivers side back passenger window wont go down either. This car has way too many safety issues for only 137,000 miles on it.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving and depressing the brake pedal, the brake lights failed to illuminate. The failure occurred on several occasions. The contact also stated that on a few occasions, the brake lights illuminated independently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was informed that the brake stop lamp, brake lamp harness and brake light position sensor all needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired, however the failure recurred. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V252000 (service brakes, hydraulic, electrical system, exterior lighting, vehicle speed control, electronic stability control). The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 152,000.
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 number: 14V252000 (electrical system, electronic stability control, exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic, vehicle speed control). The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the brake light switch was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred on several occasions. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 199,000.
NHTSA investigations
Turn Signal Lamps
GM designed the MY 2004 and 2005 Chevrolet Malibu and Malibu Maxx vehicles with a daytime running lamp (DRL) system that uses the same filament (the high power filament of a dual filament bulb) as the front turn signals.The high power filament operates at full battery voltage when functioning as a DRL.The DRL is illuminated whenever the headlamps are off, increasing the duty cycle of the front turn signal bulb.The…
Headlight complaints in other Malibu years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 2005 Chevrolet Malibu?
NHTSA has 153 complaints about the lights of the 2005 Chevrolet Malibu, 16% of the model year's 975 complaints. The component named most often is turn signal (14 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Chevrolet Malibu headlight problems?
No. NHTSA lists no lights recall for the 2005 Chevrolet Malibu, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2005 Chevrolet Malibu headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 78,000 miles, and 10% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 22 fires and 3 injuries to lights problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.