Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
This problem has occurred many times and I have taken to the internet to find out what I could to try to remedy it myself as I don't have endless disposable income to have someone else fix it. I have not had it seen by a professional, only consulted with a manager of a gm dealership repairs department over the phone as well as various mechanics and locksmiths. As I said I don't have endless disposable money to throw at this. The car will completely shut off in the middle of driving, I lose all power. The antitheft system engages in the middle of driving. Then I get no crank no start. I get stuck in the middle of the road. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. While the vehicle was parked in a residential driveway, the lever shifted out of the park position independently. As a result, the vehicle rolled away and crashed into the neighbor's fence and a cement pillar. A police report was filed and no injuries were sustained. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The dealer verified that the VIN was affected by NHTSA campaign number: 14V092000 (power train). The technician denied that the potential recall failure was the cause of the crash. The dealer was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 130,000.
I was on my way to school. When I took my exit (23 on route 2), the car simply turned off, locking my steering wheel. I lost control, spung twice and landed on the ramp of that exit. The car has been useless since then. I called the recall hotline to get support and they did nothing for me. I'm left with no car and no support by the GM team that forward me endless recall letters. I've had endless issues with this car since I financed it. Endless repairs, close accidents encounter because of car sensor issues. Brakes no properly working. Traction failing. It has been a nightmare. How can I get support for a vehicle which I loved so dearly and yet nearly cost me my life?
After daughter stopped at red traffic light car would not go forward. Only gear was reverse. Drove backwards to safe location. Car would not go into any other gear. I am on disability so I did assume my transmission went out. So I did replace. My ex-husband doing all work in my driveway, as I can't afford mechanic. Long and short of it still wouldn't go into park. Discover it was the shift cable. Order shift cable directly from dealership. Replaced and everything works fine. Nothing was even mentioned when I would call dealership to ask question about getting the right transmission for my car, because I guess there was three different ones. Nothing was even mentioned when I order my cable through the dealership that there was a recall. Problem is GM doesn't want to reimburse because I didn't have the work done by a licensed mechanic. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the anti-theft warning lamp flashed up to three times and that the key would not turn over to start the vehicle. The contact indicated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the anti-theft module, ignition switch, BCM, and additional components needed to be replaced due to the failure. The vehicle was also included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V224000 (power train), but the contact had not received notification of the safety recall to schedule the repair. The vehicle was not repaired and the contact was not able to get the key to turn over to start the vehicle. The anti-theft warning lamp continued to flash three times or more and the vehicle was unable to be driven. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided no remedy. The approximate failure mileage was 185,445.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14V252000 (service brakes, hydraulic, electrical system, exterior lighting, vehicle speed control, electronic stability control). The vehicle was taken to smith Chevrolet Cadillac at [phone] (1601 auto mall dr, turlock, ca 95380) where it was diagnosed that the transmission shift cable and the brake lighting needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. Later, while pulling in the driveway, the transmission shift cable fractured without warning and the brake lights failed. The vehicle was taken back to smith Chevrolet Cadillac, but the dealer refused to service the vehicle. The contact stated that the remedy failed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and did not assist. The approximate failure mileage was 87,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced trouble shifting in the intended gear. The failure occurred approximately three times. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the transmission shift cable was defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified and stated that the vehicle had already been repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 14V224000 (power train). The manufacturer provided case number: 8-394-3260477. No further assistance was offered. The vehicle was taken to ed morse sawgrass Buick GMC (14351 w sunrise blvd, sunrise, fl) where it was diagnosed that the shift cable assembly was defective and would have to be replaced. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle suddenly stalled. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. In addition, after starting the vehicle the contact was unable to shift into gear. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the transmission shift cable failed. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure persisted. The contact also indicated that the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the fuel cap needed to be replaced. The fuel cap was replaced but the check engine warning light continued to illuminate. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 47,000.
I had to buy a transmission for my Malibu and now I am receiving recalls (multiple) # 14152 & #13036 for the same car. However, on the freeway coming home from temecula, ca, south bound on the 15 highway, my transmission was not engaging. No loud sounds, or excess acceleration, nor too much weight (driver and passenger only cargo.) the engine was on and as I accelerated the engine was going but nothing was propelling us forward. I had to buy a new transmission and pay for labor which came out to a hefty expense. With everything I have read online and forums for these recalls I feel like a reimbursement should be in order if the manufacture even had a slight hesitation of a possible defect.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. On several occasions, while driving various speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to flemington Buick GMC Cadillac at [phone] (211 us-202, flemington, nj 08822) where no diagnostic failure codes were found and the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the catalytic converter and o2 sensors needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 246,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Related recalls
Power train › Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Floor shift
General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on April 29, 2014, that they are recalling 56,214 model year 2007 and 2008 Saturn Aura vehicles. On May 22, 2014, GM increased the recall to include an additional 1,074,899 model year 2004-2008 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured from May 16, 2003, through October 5, 2007, model…
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and GM dealers will replace the shift cable assembly and mounting bracket, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule.
Transmission complaints in other Malibu years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2005 Chevrolet Malibu?
NHTSA has 65 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2005 Chevrolet Malibu, 7% of the model year's 975 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (6 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Chevrolet Malibu transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 14V-224 (floor shift, Apr 30, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2005 Chevrolet Malibu transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 90,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.