YearToAvoid

2005 Chevrolet Malibu Engine Problems

NHTSA has 92 owner complaints about engine problems in the 2005 Chevrolet Malibu, 9% of all 975 complaints for this model year. That is #11 highest engine complaint count among 21 Malibu model years. These complaints report 7 crashes, 2 fires, and 9 injuries. Median mileage at failure: 94,000 miles.

Engine complaints
92
9% of 975
Crashes reported
7
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
9
Median mileage
94,000 mi
Related recalls
0

When 2005 Chevrolet Malibu engine complaints were filed

First complaint Nov 16, 2005, latest Dec 21, 2022.

2005 Chevrolet Malibu engine complaints: complaints filed per quarter122005 Q42007 Q22010 Q42013 Q32014 Q42016 Q12018 Q32021 Q4
92 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2005 Q4 to 2022 Q4; peak 2014 Q3 (12).

Engine recalls for the 2005 Chevrolet Malibu

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by Malibu model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 200592 (9%)
  2. 200688 (8%)
  3. 200763 (6%)
  4. 2008109 (11%)
  5. 2009133 (9%)
  6. 2010222 (16%)
  7. 2011223 (23%)
  8. 2012144 (16%)
  9. 2013229 (27%)
  10. 2014137 (39%)
  11. 201581 (30%)
  12. 2016373 (45%)
  13. 2017314 (45%)
  14. 2018339 (49%)
  15. 201970 (37%)
  16. 202070 (35%)
  17. 202114 (16%)
  18. 202236 (37%)
  19. 202318 (26%)
  20. 20244 (10%)
  21. 20250 (0%)

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2005 Chevrolet Malibu have engine problems?
NHTSA has 92 owner complaints about the engine in the 2005 Chevrolet Malibu, 9% of all complaints for this model year, including 7 that report a crash. Median mileage at failure is 94,000 miles.
Which Chevrolet Malibu year has the most engine complaints?
The 2016 Chevrolet Malibu has the most engine complaints (373), compared with 92 for the 2005.
Is there a engine recall for the 2005 Chevrolet Malibu?
No NHTSA recall campaign for the 2005 Chevrolet Malibu is classified under engine. Complaints alone do not trigger a recall; check the full recall list and your VIN.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.