this model year6 further recall campaigns cover this model year. Ask a dealer which remain outstanding on this car.
this model yearOf 1,393 owner complaints for this model year, around 8% describe 3 deaths, 69 injuries, and 45 fires. These are unverified owner accounts, but the pattern is worth reading before buying.
Almost all of this describes the model year, not the individual car. Nothing here can tell you about this vehicle’s mileage, accidents or ownership — no identifier encodes those.
Recalls for this model year
6 recalls on record
14V252000
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured May 16, 2003, through October 11, 2012, 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured May 26, 2004, through January 4, 2010, and 2007-2010 Saturn Aura vehicles manufactured April 24, 2006, through May 26, 2009. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the Body Control Module (BCM) connection may result in voltage fluctuations in the Brake Apply Sensor (BAS) circuit. These fluctuations can cause one or more of these conditions: the brake lights to illuminate without the brake pedal being pushed; the brake lights to not illuminate when the pedal is pushed; difficulty disengaging the cruise control; moving the gear shifter out of the 'PARK' position without pushing the brake; and disablement of crash avoidance features such as traction control, electronic stability control, and panic braking assist features.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will attach the wiring harness to the BCM with a spacer, apply dielectric lubricant to both the BCM and harness connector and the BAS and harness connector, and will relearn the brake pedal home position, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed an Interim letter to customers on July 14, 2014. The recall began on August 18, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-762-2737 (Pontiac), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). GM's number for this recall is 13036.
14V224000
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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 year 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured from June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, and model year 2005-2008 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured from May 26, 2004, through September 28, 2007, and equipped with 4-speed transmissions. The total number vehicles being recalled is now 1,131,113.
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. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for this recall is 14152.
14V153000
STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 and 2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2006 Malibu Maxx, 2009-2010 HHR (non-turbo), 2010 Cobalt, 2008-2009 Saturn Aura and 2004-2007 Ion, and 2005-2009 Pontiac G6. In the affected vehicles, there may be a sudden loss of electric power steering (EPS) assist that could occur at any time while driving.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will perform one of four bulletins. Parts are not currently available. GM expects to send an interim notification around May 28, 2014. When parts are available, owners will be mailed a second letter to come in to have the applicable bulletin applied. Bulletin 14115 covers model year 2004-2007 Saturn Ion, 2009-2010 Chevrolet HHR and 2010 Chevrolet Cobalts. Dealers will replace the EPS motor. Bulletin 14116 covers model year 2004-2006 Chevrolet Malibu and Malibu Maxx, 2005-2006 Pontiac G6 and 2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from March 1, 2008, through June 27, 2008. Dealers will replace the torque sensor assembly. Bulletin 14117 covers model year 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from February 1, 2008, through February 28, 2008. Dealers will replace the torque sensor assembly and EPS motor controller unit. Bulletin 14118 covers model year 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from October 1, 2007, through January 31, 2008. Dealers will replace the EPS motor controller unit. The recall began on July 17, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, Saturn at 1-800-553-6000, and Pontiac at 1-800-620-7668. GM's number for this recall is N140115. Note: GM bulletin number 14119 will be implemented for model year 2006-2008 and early production of 2009 Chevrolet HHR (non-turbo) and model year 2003 Saturn ION to provide EPS Motor replacement for the life of the vehicle.
14E044000
STEERING
Dorman Products, Inc. (Dorman) is recalling certain replacement intermediate steering shafts sold under the Dorman, OE Solutions, and Solutions brand names, part numbers 425-167, 2425167, and 7-3074, for installation on 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6, and 2007-2009 Saturn Aura vehicles. The affected steering shafts may have a yoke that inadequately supports the u-joint bearing resulting in a premature failure.
Remedy: Dorman will notify owners, and dealers will refund the purchase price or replace the steering shafts, free of charge. The recall began in September 2014. Owners may contact Dorman customer service at 1-800-523-2492.
11E009000
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
TI AUTOMOTIVE IS RECALLING CERTAIN FUEL PUMPS, PART NUMBERS TU456 AND TU303, SOLD UNDER VARIOUS BRAND NAMES AS AFTERMARKET AND REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE MOTOR VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP MAY SEIZE, STOPPING THE FUEL FLOW TO THE ENGINE CREATING A STALLING CONDITION.
Remedy: TI AUTOMOTIVE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND WILL REPLACE ANY DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP WITH A NEW OR REWORKED FUEL PUMP FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 22, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TI AUTOMOTIVE AT 1-866-867-3759 OR LOG ON TO WWW.RECALLRESPONSE.COM.
09E012000
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
Published by model year, not by VIN — may not apply to this vehicle, or may already have been done. Confirm with a dealer.
Owner complaints for this model year
1,393Complaints
65Involved a crash
45Involved a fire
69Injuries
3Deaths
Most reported components
steering711
electrical system261
exterior lighting210
seats102
service brakes95
power train70
Read 15 of the most serious reports
steering1 death3 injuriescrash
NHTSA #10364224
2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU CAR VEERED TO LEFT AND CROSSED MEDIAN. DRIVER OF MALIBU KILLED AND ALSO STRUCK ANOTHER CAR WHERE PASSENGERS WERE INJURED. WITNESS STATED MALIBU BRAKED AND THERE WERE TIRE MARKS, NO VEHICLE IN FRONT OF MALIBU AT TIME OF BRAKING. WITNESS STATED CAR VEERED TO LEFT AND DRIVER APPEARED TO LOSE CONTROL CROSSING MEDIAN AND STRUCK ANOTHER AUTOMOBILE. WITNESS STATES DRIVER WAS NOT ON A CELL PHONE. THIS INFORMATION IS IN THE POLICE REPORT. THE CHEVROLET MALIBU HAD STEERING SHAFT REPLACED PRIOR TO ACCIDENT. THIS WAS PERFORMED AT GM DEALER DUE TO POPPING NOISE WHILE STEERING, DIAGNOSED AT DEALER. REPAIR PAID FOR BY OWNER. CHEVY MALIBU HAD 65,000 MILES AT TIME OF ACCIDENT. *TR
MY HUSBAND WAS KILLED IN AN ACCIDENT INVOLVING THIS VEHICLE. IT SAYS IN THE ACCIDENT REPORT THAT THE BCM WAS UNRESPONSIVE AS WELL AS ANOTHER COMPUTER SYSTEM AND THE WIPERS WERE ON IN DRY WEATHER. I BELIEVE A DEFECT CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT. MY HUSBAND WAS TRAVELING WITH THE RIGHT OF WAY ON A MOTORCYCLE WHEN THE SEDAN LEFT TURNED IN FRONT OF HIM. I WILL GIVE YOU MORE INFORMATION WHEN I RECEIVE SOME DOCUMENTS FROM OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS. THANK YOU *TR
unknown or other1 deathcrash
NHTSA #10693507
2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE VEERED OFF THE ROAD, INTO A DITCH, OVERTURNED AND EJECTED THE DRIVER. *SMD THE CONSUMER WROTE IN ON BEHALF OF HIS DECEASED DAUGHTER, WHO WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE. ACCORDING TO THE POLICE REPORT, THE DRIVER MAY HAVE BEEN SLEEPY. *JB
steering,electrical system,unknown or other4 injuriescrash
NHTSA #10888612
ON 28 FEB 2016 AROUND 11:50 AM, ME, MY TWO DAUGHTERS AND MY MOM WAS HEADED NORTH ON I-185. WHILE RIDING WE WERE TALKING ABOUT WHAT WE WAS GOING TO PUT IN THE HOUSE WE HAD JUST GOTTEN APPROVED FOR THAT FRIDAY AND IN MID CONVERSATION AS I'M GOING AROUND THE CURVE MY CAR GOES OVER THE FOG LINE AND I COULDN'T GET THE CAR BACK INTO MY LANE AND BEFORE I KNEW IT I HIT THE MEDIAN (WALL) ON THE LEFT SIDE, MY HOOD FLEW UP AND THE CAR BOUNCED OFF THE WALL AND ALL I REALLY REMEMBER FROM THAT POINT IS SMASHING ON BREAK BUT APPARENTLY THE CAR KEPT GOING, HIT THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE WALL AND CAME TO A STOP THERE. NEXT THING I KNOW A MAN WAS WAKING ME UP ASKING AM I OKAY AND SAID HELP WAS ON THE WAY. I HEARD MY DAUGHTER CRYING FOR HER SISTER BECAUSE SHE WOULDN'T MOVE SO I GET OUT THE CAR AND BEGAN TO GET THEM OUT TO ASSURE THEY'RE OKAY AND EVERYTHING ELSE IS REALLY A BLUR. I REMEMBER A MAN HELPING MY MOM OUT THE CAR AS ME AND MY KIDS SAT ON THE GROUND WAITING FOR HELP AND I REMEMBER GOING TO THE HOSPITAL WITH MY KIDS.
steering,air bags3 injuriescrash
NHTSA #10811736
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH ON AN INCLINE IN INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SPIN AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A GUARDRAIL MULTIPLE TIMES. THE STEERING WHEEL COMPLETELY FRACTURED FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR NECK AND LEFT ARM INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED THIGH INJURIES AND THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE PASSENGER DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURIES. BOTH PASSENGERS DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM THE CRASH SCENE TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 223,000.
air bags,engine3 injuriescrash
NHTSA #10638036
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHICH ROLLED OVER THREE TIMES. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER AND TWO PASSENGERS SUSTAINED UNKNOWN INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 12/9/14*CN THE CONSUMER DID NOT RECEIVE A RECALL NOTIFICATION. UPDATED 06/1/2015 *JS
air bags3 injuriescrash
NHTSA #10241021
I PURCHASED TWO 2005 CHEVY MALIBUS - ONE LT AND ONE LS. IN FEBRUARY 2008 MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING THE LS AND REARENDED ME INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I WAS AT A DEAD STOP AND IT PROPELLED ME 4 FEET BEFORE I SLAMMED INTO THE CAR INFRONT OF ME. SHE WENT UP MY BUMPER AND INTO MY TRUNK AND NO AIRBAGS IN HER MALIBU OR MINE WERE DEPLOYED. IN JULY 2008 SHE WAS DRIVING THE LT AND ROLLED THE CAR TWO TIMES AT 55 MPH AND NONE OF THE 6 AIRBAGS DEPLOYED THAT TIME EITHER. THE FIRST ACCIDENT CAUSED $8,000 DAMAGE TO HER CAR AND $ 10,000 TO MINE YET NO AIRBAGS. THE SECOND ACCIDENT THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS AND NO AIRBAGS. *TR
air bags3 injuriescrash
NHTSA #10169023
WHILE DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER, I LOST CONTROL OF MY COMPANY-FURNISHED 2005 CHEVY MALIBU AND CRASHED HEAD-ON INTO A TREE AT 55 MPH. THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND I WAS HOSPITALIZED WITH EXTENSIVE HEAD INJURY (TRAUMA, CRANIAL BLEEDING, ETC...) AND A BROKEN CLAVICAL. I CONTINUE TO SUFFER FROM THESE INJURIES WITH NO NEUROLOGICAL RELIEF IN SIGHT. MY EMPLOYER'S AUTO INSURANCE COMPANY INVESTIGATED THE EQUIPMENT SIDE OF THE ACCIDENT AND DETERMINED THAT THE AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY BY DESIGN (SOMETHING ABOUT A SENSOR BAR NOT BEING IMPACTED - I CAN'T REMEMBER WHAT THEY SAID). HECK, I CAN'T REMEMBER MUCH THESE DAYS IT SEEMS. NOTHING WAS DONE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE AS THE FRONT END OF THE CAR WAS DEMOLISHED AND THE VEHICLE WRITTEN OFF AS A TOTAL LOSS. SEEMS TO ME THAT IF THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY BY DESIGN THEN THERE'S A DESIGN DEFECT THAT GM NEEDS TO CORRECT. *NM UPDATED 03/23/09. *JB
air bags,vehicle speed control3 injuriescrash
NHTSA #10142919
DT: THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE SWERVED ACROSS THE ROAD AND THEN ACCELERATED DOWN THE HIGHWAY, HITTING A TREE. THE CONTACT COULD NOT STOP THE VEHICLE WITH THE BRAKES. UPON IMPACT, THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT KNOW WHAT CAUSED THE ACCIDENT OR WHY THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.*AK
engine and engine cooling2 injuriesfire
NHTSA #10193185
2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WAS DRIVING WEST BOUND ON THE OHIO TURNPIKE WHEN SMOKE STARTED TO COME FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. CONSUMER PULLED OVER THE VEHICLE WAS OVERCOME BY THE FIRE. *MC OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT. *TR
exterior lighting,service brakes2 injuriescrash
NHTSA #10734535
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. THE CONTACT ALSO RECEIVED SEVERAL RECALL NOTIFICATIONS PERTAINING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL), 14V153000 (STEERING), AND 14V224000 (POWER TRAIN). THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
steering2 injuriescrash
NHTSA #10648726
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE CHIME ALARM ACTIVATED AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED AS THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY MALFUNCTIONED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND DROVE OFF THE ROAD AND DOWN AN EMBANKMENT. DURING THE INCIDENT, THE DRIVER SUFFERED A BRUISED LEFT SHOULDER AND LEFT RIBS AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SUFFERED A DISLOCATED RIGHT SHOULDER AND NECK INJURY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. UPDATED 12/17/14*LJ UPDATED 06/2/2015 *JS
air bags2 injuriescrash
NHTSA #10133148
MY SON USED MY NEW CHEV 2005 MALIBU LS AND WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT. THIS ACCIDENT OCCURRED ON THE HIGHWAY HE LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR AND HIT THE GUARD RAIL AND THE FRONT END CRASHED INTO THE GROUND SMASHING THE WHOLE FRONT END AND THE AIR BAGS NEVER WENT OFF. THANK GOD HE AND HIS COUSIN WERE NOT KILLED. I THOUGHT THE AIR BAGS WERE TO WORK WHEN YOU HIT THE FRONT END OF YOUR CAR?*JB
structure2 injuries
NHTSA #10408886
REAR HATCH BACK HINGE HAS POPPED OFF IT'S PIVOT RESULTING IN THE HATCH BACK SLAMMING DOWN AND GLASS SHATTERING. *TR
structure,latches/locks/linkages2 injuries
NHTSA #10164276
2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. DOOR STOP MECHANISM DOES NOT WORK. DOORS SWING CLOSED WITH LITTLE OR NO RESISTANCE CAUSING LEG INJURIES AND FALL RISK. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE NO SOLUTIONS. PROBLEM IS CONTINUOUS SINCE WE HAVE HAD THE CAR. *JB
Filed by owners of this model year and unverified by NHTSA — one person’s account, not an established fact.