2005 Chevrolet Malibu Classic Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
No verdict The 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Classic has 92 NHTSA complaints, ranking worst among the 3 model years with data and a complaint index of 100. Electrical System problems dominate at 47% of complaints, with Steering (22%) and Engine (16%) following, plus one recall.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 100/100
- #1 of 3 Malibu Classic years
- Verdict
- No verdict
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 92
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 1
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 6
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 5
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- Best nearby year
- —
- no alternative with data
Top 2005 Chevy Malibu Classic problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System43 (47%)
- Steering20 (22%)
- Engine15 (16%)
- Brakes11 (12%)
- Fuel System9 (10%)
- Airbags5 (5%)
- Other4 (4%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (3%)
- Structure & Body2 (2%)
- Transmission & Powertrain2 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report the engine stalling suddenly without warning, sometimes while cornering or at highway speed, leading to loss of control and crashes.
- Steering wheels reportedly stiffen or lock up completely during turns, in one case causing a crash into a parked vehicle.
- Electrical problems include smoke and burning wires coming from the cigarette lighter and connected radio and climate control wiring.
- Airbags have deployed without any impact, striking occupants in the face during normal driving over bumps.
- A Takata-related airbag deployment during a crash reportedly sent excess material out of the airbag and injured the driver's hand.
- Some owners describe unexplained rattling noises from the passenger side that dealers could not recreate or diagnose.
2005 Chevrolet Malibu Classic recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.
- NHTSA 14V400000Jul 3, 2014Electrical System5,877,718 vehicles
Electrical system:ignition
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.
Risk: 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.
2005 compared with other Malibu Classic years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Classic reliable?
- Based on NHTSA data, the 2005 model has 92 complaints and ranks worst (1st) among the 3 Malibu Classic model years tracked, with a complaint index of 100, the highest of the group.
- What are the most common problems with the 2005 Malibu Classic?
- Electrical System issues make up 47% of complaints, followed by Steering at 22% and Engine problems at 16%, according to NHTSA complaint data.
- Does the 2005 Malibu Classic have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists one recall, campaign 14V400000, covering an airbag-related defect tied to the ignition key ring; it is not a do-not-drive recall.
- At what mileage do 2005 Malibu Classic problems typically appear?
- Median mileage at failure across all reported problems is 90,500 miles, with Electrical System failures reported around 90,000 miles and Engine failures around 102,164 miles.