2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
No verdict The 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx has the highest complaint index (100) of the three model years with data, ranking worst among 2005-2007, driven mainly by steering complaints (57% of all complaints) and electrical fires. NHTSA lists 326 complaints, 3 recalls, and 10 fires for this year.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 100/100
- #1 of 3 Malibu Maxx years
- Verdict
- No verdict
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 326
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 13
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 10
- Injuries
- 9
- Top issue
- Steering
- Best nearby year
- —
- no alternative with data
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 23
- 20 city / 28 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 9 / 0
Top 2005 Chevy Malibu Maxx problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Steering185 (57%)
- Electrical System74 (23%)
- Structure & Body43 (13%)
- Brakes26 (8%)
- Engine14 (4%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires14 (4%)
- Fuel System12 (4%)
- Airbags9 (3%)
- Other6 (2%)
- Transmission & Powertrain3 (1%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Steering wheel suddenly loses power assist or locks up while driving, sometimes leading to a crash.
- Front headlight and parking light assemblies overheat, melt, and in some cases catch fire.
- Turn signal sockets and bulb housings burn or melt, causing lighting failures.
- Driver seat frame welds crack at the rear, causing the seat to shift during turns.
- Steering rack and shaft fail after front-end noise complaints, sometimes returning to full loss of control shortly after dealer service.
2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 14V252000May 14, 2014Brakes2,440,524 vehicles
Electronic stability control (esc)
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.
Risk: Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.
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.
- NHTSA 14V224000Apr 30, 2014Transmission & Powertrain1,131,113 vehicles
Power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:floor shift
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.
Risk: 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 vehicle, despite selecting the ÂPARK position, the transmission may not be in ÂPARK. If the vehicle is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
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.
- NHTSA 14V153000Mar 31, 2014Steering1,373,177 vehicles
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.
Risk: 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.
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.
2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 20 MPG
- Highway
- 28 MPG
- Combined
- 23 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,800
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2005 compared with other Malibu Maxx years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2005 model has the highest complaint index (100) among the three Malibu Maxx years with data, ranking worst first with 326 complaints and 10 reported fires.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2005 Malibu Maxx?
- Steering is the top problem area, accounting for 57% of complaints (185 of 326), including reports of sudden loss of steering control at highway speed.
- Does the 2005 Malibu Maxx have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2005 Malibu Maxx covering brakes, transmission shift cable, and steering, none of which are do-not-drive recalls.
- At what mileage do problems typically show up?
- Median mileage at failure across all reported problems is 85,000 miles, with steering failures also reported at a median of 85,000 miles and structure/body issues at 91,500 miles.
- How does the 2005 compare to other Malibu Maxx years?
- The 2005 model's complaint index of 100 is higher than the 2006 model's 50 and the 2007 model's 0, making 2005 the worst-ranked year of the three.