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2005 Chevrolet Malibu Classic

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

68 reports with mileage · 24 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 41 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

6 crash reports1 fire reports3 injury reports

What owners actually said

92 reports
150,000 miles · May 9, 2016
Air BagsCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH OVER A BUMP, THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT IMPACT TO THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAG RELEASED INTO THE CONTACT'S FACE AND CAUSED HIM TO CRASH INTO A PARKED, UNOCCUPIED VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUFFERED FROM SWELLING TO …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH OVER A BUMP, THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT IMPACT TO THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAG RELEASED INTO THE CONTACT'S FACE AND CAUSED HIM TO CRASH INTO A PARKED, UNOCCUPIED VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUFFERED FROM SWELLING TO THE FACE AND MOUTH AREA THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A SALVAGE FACILITY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10863919

150,700 miles · Nov 25, 2015
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO START AND THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM PREVENTED THE VEH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO START AND THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM PREVENTED THE VEHICLE FROM STARTING AND NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,700.

NHTSA ODI #10806806

150,000 miles · Oct 21, 2015
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

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 …

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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. WHEN THE THEFT SYSTEM FAILS, THE ONLY WAY TO TURN ON THE VEHICLE IS TO LEAVE THE KEY IN THE IGNITION FOR 10 MINUTES WHICH THEN RESETS THE THEFT SYSTEM. GM IS BUILDING SUBSTANDARD VEHICLES AND WON'T MAKE COMPLETE REPAIRS ON THE FAULTY IGNITIONS. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE FOR GM CUSTOMERS AND AFTER A WEEK OF TRYING TO GET GM ASSISTANCE TO REPAIR MY IGNITION PROBLEM, THE GM CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE HAS NOT RETURNED MY CALLS.

NHTSA ODI #10785003

Mileage unknown · Sep 28, 2015
Steering

STEARING MAKES A CLUNKING NOISE WHEN TURNING AND I WAS TOLD IT WAS MY RAC N PINION AND SEVERAL COMPLAINT WERE REPORTED TO HIGHWAY SAFETY ABOUT THIS MATTER,

NHTSA ODI #10778085

1,230,000 miles · Sep 20, 2015
Electrical System

MY CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC 2005 RANDOMLY DOES NOT START. IN MOST VEHICLES WHEN YOU START A VEHICLE ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS TURN THE KEY, THAT IS NOT THE CASE WITH THIS CAR, YOU FIRST HAVE TO TURN THE KEY AND LISTEN FOR THE FUEL PUMP TO ENGAGE THEN AND ONLY IF YOU HEAR THAT CAN YOU TURN THE KEY THE REST OF THE WAY TO START YOUR V…

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MY CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC 2005 RANDOMLY DOES NOT START. IN MOST VEHICLES WHEN YOU START A VEHICLE ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS TURN THE KEY, THAT IS NOT THE CASE WITH THIS CAR, YOU FIRST HAVE TO TURN THE KEY AND LISTEN FOR THE FUEL PUMP TO ENGAGE THEN AND ONLY IF YOU HEAR THAT CAN YOU TURN THE KEY THE REST OF THE WAY TO START YOUR VEHICLE. IF YOU DO NOT HEAR THE FUEL PUMP AND GO AHEAD AND TRY TO START THE VEHICLE YOU TRIGGER THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM WHICH DOES NOT ALLOW THE CAR TO START FOR ANOTHER 15 MINUTES. WHILE THIS IS NOT MUCH OF A SAFETY ISSUE IT IS STILL A HUGE ISSUE, LEAVING ME STRANDED, SOMETIMES STUCK IN A HOT CAR JUST TRYING TO GET IT TO START, MADE ME LATE FOR WORK AND OTHER FUNCTIONS NUMEROUS TIMES. AFTER WAITING YOUR 15 MINUTES YOUR VEHICLE STILL MAY NOT START. IF YOU HAVE ENOUGH PATIENTS YOU CAN SET THERE AND TURN THE KEY OFF AND ON UNTIL YOU HEAR THE FUEL PUMP ENGAGE. EVERYTHING ELSE IN THE VEHICLE WORKS RADIO, LIGHTS ETC. IT JUST DOES NOT START. LEAVING ME TO BELIEVE THE IGNITION IS TO BLAME, AND HERE RECENTLY I WILL TURN THE KEY AND ABSOLUTELY NOTHING HAPPENS. I THEN TRY AGAIN AND IT STARTS LIKE A CHARM UNTIL ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO AND I COULD NOT GET IT TO DO ANYTHING, MY BOYFRIEND INFORMED ME TO TURN THE KEY AND PUT THE CAR IN THE NEUTRAL POSITION AND TRY TO START IT AGAIN THIS WORKED. ALL I KNOW IS THIS CAR HAS GIVEN ME MANY PROBLEMS THAT MY GM CERTIFIED MECHANIC FATHER IS SHORT OF FIGURING OUT. I BELIEVE IT IS DUE TO FAULTY PARTS OR JUST A BAD MAKE OF CAR. THE ONLY THING I COULD DISPUTE THAT IS WHEN IT IS ACTUALLY STARTING, NOT SHUTTING DOWN ON ME IT IS A REASONABLY GOOD VEHICLE. IT GETS ME FROM POINT A TO POINT B NOT ALWAYS SAFELY OR RELIABLY BUT AT LEAST I HAVE A VEHICLE I JUST WHICH GM WOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR PART IN THIS CARS ISSUES. OR AT LEAST INFORM THE PUBLIC IN HOW TO FIX THEM.

NHTSA ODI #10765979

122,000 miles · Sep 20, 2015
Electrical System

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 O…

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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. WHILE TURNING A CORNER ALL OF A SUDDEN NO POWER STEERING SEEMS TO ME COULD CAUSE A MAJOR WRECK, AND WHILE DRIVING DOWN A HILL LOOSING YOUR POWER BRAKES COULD ALSO. THIS HAPPEN TO ME NUMEROUS TIMES BEFORE THE RECALL ALSO. I DO BELIEVE IT WAS A CHEAP WAY OF CHEVY TO TRY TO GET OUT OF THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS PROBLEM. WHEN I EXPLAINED TO THE DEALER MECHANIC WHAT WAS HAPPENING HE INFORMED ME THAT THE RECALL THAT FIXED THE KEY WOULD NOT HELP THE PROBLEM OF MY CAR RANDOMLY SHUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING IT SO WHAT WAS IT FOR THEN?

NHTSA ODI #10765796

69,300 miles · Aug 4, 2015
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE KEY WAS PLACED IN THE IGNITION, THE ENGINE FAILED TO START AND THE PASS LOCK WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE KEY WAS PLACED IN THE IGNITION, THE ENGINE FAILED TO START AND THE PASS LOCK WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASS LOCK FAILED. THE VEHICLE CODES WERE RESET; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND DIAGNOSED AS PASS LOCK SENSOR FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,300. MA 10/22/2015 *CN

NHTSA ODI #10746177

118,000 miles · Jun 5, 2015
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE ANTI THEFT SENSOR LIGHT HAD ILLUMINATED AND STAYED IN THE ON POSITION CAUSING THE IGNITION SWITCH TO BECOME DISABLED WHICH PREVENTED THE ENGINE FROM STARTING. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT FAILURE HAD OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE CAUSE OF TH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE ANTI THEFT SENSOR LIGHT HAD ILLUMINATED AND STAYED IN THE ON POSITION CAUSING THE IGNITION SWITCH TO BECOME DISABLED WHICH PREVENTED THE ENGINE FROM STARTING. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT FAILURE HAD OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10723551

60,000 miles · Apr 10, 2015
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel/propulsion System

FUEL GAUGE FLUCTUATION AND ENGINE LIGHTS COMES ON. I DID NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM UNTIL AFTER THE LAST RECALL CAR IS IN GOOD SHAPE AND I FEEL THAT SOMETHING WENT WRONG AND THEY FAILED TO TELL ME AT THE DEALERSHIP. I NEED HELP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10705064

Mileage unknown · Mar 12, 2015
Air BagsElectrical System

2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO AIRBAG RECALL PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. ALSO, THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM WITH THE KEY, WHICH WAS PREVIOUSLY RECALLED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10690409

Official recalls

1

14V400000 · Electrical System:ignition

Jul 3, 2014

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. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on July 3, 2014, that they are recalling 5,877,718 model year 2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala and Monte Carlo, 1997-2003 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2005 Malibu Classic, 1999-2004 Oldsmobile Alero, 1998-2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1999-2005 Pontiac Grand Am and 2004-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

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. GM's number for this recall is 14350.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.