2005 Chevrolet Malibu: Reliability Data
Source: NHTSA — 1385 complaints
1385
Total Complaints
89,000mi
Median Mileage
Steering
Top Issue
67
Crash Reports
When Do Complaints Happen?
Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.
51,230
25th Percentile
89,000
Median Mileage
134,000
75th Percentile
What Fails?
Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.
Steering
460
Electrical System
159
Exterior Lighting
130
Seats
60
Power Train
57
Engine
49
Service Brakes
43
Unknown Or Other
33
Fuel System, Gasoline
32
Fuel/Propulsion System
32
Severity Assessment
67
Crashes
38
Fires
86
Injuries
4
Deaths
Sample Complaint Reports
"PICKED UP NEW FLEET VEHICLE AT DEALERSHIP 10 11 04 AND DROVE HOME APPROXIMATELY 35 MILES. BEGAN APPRAISAL ROUTE 10 12 04. IT BECAME IMMEDIATELY APPARENT THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOOSE ON THE STEERING SHAFT AND WAS BECOMING INCREASINGLY LOOSE WITH EACH MOVEMENT OF THE STEERING WHEEL. IN LESS THAN ..."
"THE SMELL OF FUEL PROMPTED THE CONSUMER TO MAKE CONTACT WITH THE MANUFACTURE AND THE DEALER SINCE THERE WAS A FUEL TANK RECALL. THE CONSUMER LOCATED A CRACK ON THE FUEL TANK. *AK"
"FAILURE WAS A SIDEWALL BLOWOUT. CAUSE WAS A SLIGHT CURB STRIKE. THIS 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU HAS 1200 MILES. THIS IS THE SECOND TIRE FAILURE, THE FIRST ONE HAPPENED AT 850 MILES."
Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.
When Were Complaints Filed?
Number of complaints by the year the issue occurred.
When Does Each Component Fail?
Median mileage at complaint for top components.
Steering
460 complaints
25th: 57,986 mi
Median: 100,000 mi
75th: 145,250 mi
Electrical System
159 complaints
25th: 61,000 mi
Median: 108,021 mi
75th: 148,000 mi
Exterior Lighting
130 complaints
25th: 55,000 mi
Median: 78,000 mi
75th: 108,400 mi
Seats
60 complaints
25th: 73,333 mi
Median: 90,000 mi
75th: 105,949 mi
Power Train
57 complaints
25th: 68,250 mi
Median: 106,500 mi
75th: 123,340 mi
Where Are Complaints Coming From?
Top states by complaint count.
CA: 95
TX: 91
PA: 89
OH: 74
NY: 72
GA: 68
IL: 63
MI: 60
FL: 51
LA: 47
Who Files Complaints?
5.3%
Original Owners
94.7%
Second+ Owners
Chevrolet Malibu — Other Years
See how this model compares across different model years.
Active Recalls (6)
Federal safety recalls issued for this vehicle.
Wiring
Campaign 14V252000 | 14/05/2014
Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.
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 let
Electric Power Assist System
Campaign 14V153000 | 31/03/2014
If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
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 1
Automatic Transmission
Campaign 14V224000 | 30/04/2014
If the transmission shift cable fractures while the vehicle is being driven, the transmission gear selection may not match the indicated gear and the vehicle may move in an unintended or unexpected direction, increasing the risk of a crash. Furthermore, when the driver goes to stop and park the veh
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.
Steering
Campaign 14E044000 | 21/07/2014
A joint bearing that fails prematurely may cause separation of the u-joint resulting in a complete loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Fuel Pump
Campaign 11E009000 | 28/02/2011
A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR SHOULD THE ENGINE STALL WHILE IN USE.
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.
Exterior Lighting
Campaign 09E012000 | 07/04/2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
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.
Protect Your Steering System
Based on the most common issues reported for this vehicle.
- Get a wheel alignment annually or after hitting a significant pothole
- Don't hold the steering wheel at full lock for more than a few seconds
- Check power steering fluid monthly on hydraulic systems
- Address wandering, vibration, or play in the wheel promptly
- Replace worn tie rod ends before they cause tire wear
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Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.
Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.
Data through: 2026-03-28