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).
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at 60-70 MPH, the steering wheel turned to left and to the right independently. The traction control warning light was illuminated. An unknown local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 220,000.
I was on my way to work driving on the 405 freeway in california going around a ramp in my steering wheel locked up on me I hit the brake it released the next morning on my way back home from work I was on my way on the freeway so I accelerate on the gas and my steering wheel locked up as soon as I took my foot off the ignition gas it released. And just recently about 3 days ago today is November 7th so November 2nd on my way home from work all of this happened on my way to work in from work but on my way from work I went down to start my car and steering wheel starts shaking real bad start jerking real bad and from there other things to start happening to the car steering wheel starts shaking real bad as I put on my seatbelt the seatbelt sign will not go off and we'll make a beeping sound every few minutes also the total contraction sign also cut on and then for some reason I had a …
I'm stationary position my steering wheel automatically turns 90 degrees to the right and vibrates back and forth. If I turn it to the left and let go, it automatically turns right. When I'm driving, it does the same thing but not as bad. If I let go of the steering wheel while driving down the highway it will turn right then turn straight almost like a zigzag pattern. Eventually power steering will go out and I have to pull over, shut my car off and start it back up to reattain power steering . I contacted Chevy customer care and they said they can't fix the recalled problem because the service was already performed earlier in the car. (figured they would have a warranty on their own part)they refused to help with any cash assistance and due to having 200K miles on it they will not fix it in any way. It's a known issue in my year of car.
Referred to you by GM after dealer refused to consider this a free repair, as my vehicle is not covered by recall #13036d. Vehicle is exhibiting same conditions as per your recall, brake light remains illuminated .panic-brake assist malfunctioned 2 weeks ago; almost resulting in a rear end collision. This occurred on a 4 lane highway, and vehicle began to skid. At that point I released the brake, and was forced to pump them in order to slow vehicle. Park-brake feature also malfunctions randomly. These are all due to voltage fluctuations in body control module connection, requiring a spacer to be installed.
A dashboard light came on ( t/c ) and disabled my cruse control while driving. The next day, my transmission seem to stop in second gear, even when accelerating. I cannot turn the t/c on with the console button or engage cruise control. My transmission is now shifting hard into second gear... Still no cruise control or t/c this has been occurring approx. 1 1/2 weeks mostly highway driving, clear skies and no water on road. The t/c light comes on when I shift from park to drive and will not turn off.
Steering shaft inadequate support of u-joint. The steering wheel shakes going down the road. You can feel a clicking in it when you turn. It's like the steering wheel could break or something. Also every now and then there is a sudden loss of power steering. Power steering goes out and steering wheel locks up. It's done this numerous times over the years. And when we take it in they say the recall won't cover it. I've tried calling dealership and they say theirs no open recalls for the vehicle.
I turned my car on and the service light was on and the message on my car read power steering. I couldn't turn my wheel at all. I turned the car off and back on again and it went away. A few days later while driving straight down a local highway the light came on again and the power steering is not working. It seems to be locked up
I've had my car for almost three years. I've had multiple issues with it and the local dealership whiteheads Chevrolet where I had my recalls fixed is by far the worst dealership anyone could take their car too. I took them my car and they were going to fix the recalls the steering shaft inadequate support of u joint transmission shift cable steering loss of electric power steering they had my car for a couple days but when I got it back it seemed like nothing was fixed I took it back 3 different times for the same recalls the last time I picked up my car the airbag light came on all of a sudden I called them and told them about it they said to bring it in so I did they had it for another day I went back got it and drove straight home later that day I needed to go get my daughter some diapers I got in the car started it and the airbag light was on again I called the dealership told them …
For awhile now my power steering indicator has been going off and a few months ago it had become an issue when I veered off the road on a u-turn. I brought it to my local Chevrolet dealership and they told me nothing was wrong with my car and that id be fine. Few weeks ago I had another incident to where I was backing into a spot and couldn't turn my wheel and almost hit the car behind me. The chime goes off 2-3 times a week and have trouble starting my car sometimes ad well. Being concerned I had done some research and found out that there is a recall on my 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. I immediately called GM and they took info from me and left message for Chevy to call me. Chevy never called me back so I called and they began to tell me the parts are not available to remedy the problem and the car is on a waiting list. I immediately began to do more research and came up empty. …
My car theft system light keep coming on. One day it came on while I was driving and the car cut off in the middle of the high way I was struck there for 20 minutes until the light stop blinking. This is very very dangerous this is going to cause someone to get into a bad accident. U don't know when the light will come on but it do u will be stranded somewhere this need to recalled. I have research the internet and this have been going on with Chevy cars for a while now this doesn't make any sense. I have put and new fuel pump in the car and spstk plugs. If this don't get recall I will never never never get an Chevy car again and I will make sure my family and friends and their family and friends don't either.
Traction Control complaints in other Malibu years
Frequently asked questions
How common are traction control problems on the 2005 Chevrolet Malibu?
NHTSA has 31 complaints about the stability & traction control of the 2005 Chevrolet Malibu, 3% of the model year's 975 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2005 Chevrolet Malibu traction control problems?
No. NHTSA lists no stability & traction control 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 traction control problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 170,000 miles, and 7% before 25,000 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.