2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 326 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is steering (52% of complaints); the 2007 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2014
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 326 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx. The contact stated while driving on several occasions, the vehicle made an abnormal sound and the vehicle lost power steering functionality. There were no warning lights illuminated; however, the power steering failure message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who provided the contact with a Technical Service Bulletin regarding the repair for the power steering failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced TSB: 14116 as a possible solution; however, the repair was not covered. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 235,000.”Owner report · Steering · Mar 2024
“The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the power steering assist fault message was displayed and the steering wheel became very difficult to turn in either direction. Additionally, there was a ticking sound coming from the steering column while turning the steering wheel. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V153000 (Steering). The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was unknown.”Owner report · Steering · Sep 2022
“The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH and making a right turn, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to pull to the side of the road and stop the vehicle. The contact drove the vehicle to an independent mechanic, where it was not diagnosed due to the mechanics being unable to replicate the failure. The contact became aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V153000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.”Owner report · Steering · Dec 2021
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 2005 chevrolet malibu maxx. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 mph, the vehicle loss motive power and stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to john elway chevrolet located at 5200 s. Broadway, englewood, co 80113, to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the timing chain had failed and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 47,000.”Owner report · Engine · Apr 2021
“Tl* the contact owns a 2005 chevrolet malibu maxx. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, a clunking sound was coming from the steering column while turning the steering wheel in either direction. The cause of the failure was not determined. The contact indicated that the steering column was previously replaced however, the failure persisted. The local dealer john elway chevrolet located at 5200 s. Broadway, englewood, co 80113 and the manufacturer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 45,000.*dt”Owner report · Steering · Apr 2020
“Tl* the contact owns a 2005 chevrolet malibu maxx. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start and the anti-theft warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer and dealer were not contacted. The failure mileage was 165,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2019
“My power steering is constantly going out on my car while driving on the highway as well as city streets and I have to pull over and park for a few minutes before it will work again. It is very dangerous and I've barrowly avoided an accident several times most recently it has failed 3 times in 2 hours hole driving normally. This has been going on for the past year but incidents of failure have increased since reaching 156000 miles on my car. It appears that there is a recal for this issue for my year and model and yet I've been told there is a recall but my car isn't covered”Owner report · Steering · Jan 2019
“Takata recall I was driving on route 19 just before the maple fork exit the light was red and I began to slow down. All of a sudden the brakes and steering would not work and the car hit the rear end of the car in front of me. Causing major damages to the front of my car. The other car was not affected nearly as much. It was like the car just stopped. No airbags was deployed.”Owner report · Electrical System · Dec 2018
“When I was driving on the highway, I heard a chime and a message popped up and stated 'power steering' my steering wheel locked up and made it hard to turn. I was still able to drive to my destination. I was also able to turn my car off and it'll reset and the power steering message would go away and it'll be easier to use my steering wheel”Owner report · Steering · Nov 2018
“Power steering assist failed on the highway. Was able to pull off and turn the car off and back on and it came back momentarily. Sporadically went on and off for several days, however have had no power steering since friday october 12th, today is october 16th.”Owner report · Steering · Oct 2018
When filing, owners marked a crash in 13 of these complaints and injuries in 9 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
How other years compare
Check your exact Malibu Maxx by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx reliable?
NHTSA has 326 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx. The most complained-about area is steering (52% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 85,500 miles or less.
Does the 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting:brake lights:switch. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.