YearToAvoid

2005 Chevrolet Malibu Structure & Body Problems

NHTSA has 85 owner complaints about body and structure problems in the 2005 Chevrolet Malibu, 9% of all 975 complaints for this model year. That is #3 highest body and structure complaint count among 21 Malibu model years. These complaints report 1 crash and 4 injuries. Median mileage at failure: 82,500 miles.

Structure & Body complaints
85
9% of 975
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
4
Median mileage
82,500 mi
Related recalls
0

When 2005 Chevrolet Malibu body and structure complaints were filed

First complaint Jan 18, 2005, latest Oct 5, 2020.

2005 Chevrolet Malibu structure & body complaints: complaints filed per quarter52005 Q12007 Q32009 Q42011 Q32012 Q42014 Q22015 Q32018 Q4
85 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2005 Q1 to 2020 Q4; peak 2011 Q4 (5).

Structure & Body recalls for the 2005 Chevrolet Malibu

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Structure & Body complaints by Malibu model year

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

  1. 200585 (9%)
  2. 200616 (1%)
  3. 200723 (2%)
  4. 200897 (10%)
  5. 2009114 (8%)
  6. 201079 (6%)
  7. 201158 (6%)
  8. 201253 (6%)
  9. 201347 (6%)
  10. 201418 (5%)
  11. 201522 (8%)
  12. 201647 (6%)
  13. 201724 (3%)
  14. 20189 (1%)
  15. 20193 (2%)
  16. 20202 (1%)
  17. 20213 (3%)
  18. 20222 (2%)
  19. 20232 (3%)
  20. 20242 (5%)
  21. 20250 (0%)

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2005 Chevrolet Malibu have body and structure problems?
NHTSA has 85 owner complaints about the body and structure in the 2005 Chevrolet Malibu, 9% of all complaints for this model year, including 1 that report a crash. Median mileage at failure is 82,500 miles.
Which Chevrolet Malibu year has the most body and structure complaints?
The 2009 Chevrolet Malibu has the most body and structure complaints (114), compared with 85 for the 2005.
Is there a body and structure recall for the 2005 Chevrolet Malibu?
No NHTSA recall campaign for the 2005 Chevrolet Malibu is classified under structure & body. 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.