2005 Chevrolet Malibu Steering Problems

Which parts fail

• Column
  15
• Electric power assist system
  11
• Rack and pinion
  8
• Hydraulic power assist system
  4
• Linkages › Tie rod assembly
  3
• Rack and pinion › Rack
  3

Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  379%
• 25k–50k
  6014%
• 50k–75k
  6215%
• 75k–100k
  6415%
• 100k–150k
  10625%
• 150k+
  8721%

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 65 MPH and making a turn, the steering wheel inadvertently lost power steering assist functionality. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to continue to drive the vehicle with the extra effort needed to steer the vehicle. The contact stated that as she arrived at her destination, turned off the vehicle, and restarted it, the steering wheel regained power steering functionality. The contact notified an independent mechanic who advised her that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V153000 (Steering). The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring while driving and the steering wheel was increasingly more difficult to maneuver. …

The contact's wife owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle emitted a chime and the message "Steering" was displayed. The contact stated that the vehicle did not experience any mechanical failure and he was able to continue driving. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the steering torque sensor needed to be reprogrammed. The independent mechanic referred the contact to the dealer for assistance. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist as the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V153000 (Steering) on February 09, 2015. The failure mileage was approximately 106,200.

The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to complete a turn, he became aware that the electronic power steering was not functioning properly, requiring an increased effort to maneuver the vehicle. The message "Service Electronic Power Steering" was displayed. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. The electronic power steering warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V153000 (Steering); but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 103,000.

The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that he received recall notification of the NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V153000 (Steering). The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the recall was completed however, the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel became stiff and difficult to maneuver. The contact stated that he had to turn off and restart the vehicle. The power steering assist warning light intermittently illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the torque sensor assembly or the EPS motor controller unit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

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. one of those times was while i was merging lanes and my wheel got locked slightly left and it sent me into the median wall, luckily no more damage than some missing paint and scratches but this is a problem that needs fixed. I searched my vin and there is no recall but it is the exact same make and model and has the exact same EPS issues the other 05 malibus do. what are my options before i get into a really bad accident because of this?

The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that after his daughter started the vehicle, she became aware that the electronic power steering was not functioning properly. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V153000 (Steering) but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 85,000.

The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel became inoperable. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to the U-joint in the steering column, which made the vehicle difficult to control. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 37,000.

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. If this had happened at high speed my son may have been seriously injured or even killed. The mechanic is working on it now and has reported the power steering module and power steering motor has to be replaced.

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.

The car was allegedly previously repaired under Product Safety Recall Bulletin No.: 14116 back in 2014. The vehicle was 10 years old at that time. Now in 2024, 10 years later, the power steering issue is back. As the vehicle is operated, a sound rings from the computer system and a message warning about Power Steering appears on the center console screen. The electronic power steering then stops working entirely and steering becomes incredibly difficult. In July 2010, GM issued Service Bulletin No.: 10183. The Subject of the Bulletin was "Special Coverage Adjustment - Power Steering Assist." The Condition described in the bulletin is the same as the problem described above. GM extended coverage of this issue to 10 years and 100,000 miles. In May of 2012, GM issued Service Bulletin No.: 10183A, which extended coverage to 150,000 miles. …

Related recalls

Steering complaints in other Malibu years