repaired · 2016 Q2
Electrical system: ignition
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.
2005 Chevrolet Malibu ClassicProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 92 owner complaints about the 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Classic, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 1 safety recall, and for recall 14V-400 the manufacturer reports only 22% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through January 21, 2024. Updated daily. Photo: MercurySable99, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Classic has problems
92 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
41Electrical system1 crash/fire/injury
20Steering1 crash/fire/injury
8Engine1 crash/fire/injury
6Exterior lighting
6Fuel/propulsion system
5Air bags
5Electronic stability control (ESC)
4Engine and engine cooling
4Fuel system, gasoline
2010 other systems2 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 41 | 1 |
| Steering | 20 | 1 |
| Engine | 8 | 1 |
| Exterior lighting | 6 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 6 | 0 |
| Air bags | 5 | 3 |
| Electronic stability control (ESC) | 5 | 0 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 4 | 1 |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 4 | 0 |
| 10 other systems | 20 | 2 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
1 recall
2005 Chevrolet Malibu Classic recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Chevrolet.
Mileage at failure
When do electrical system problems start?
90kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 31 electrical system complaints. 61% were reported before 100,000 miles.
1under 30k miles19under 100k miles12100k miles or more
Best & worst years
2005 vs. every other Malibu Classic year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Malibu Classic median. How we score
'78'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'07'08
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
In owners' words
What Malibu Classic owners report
Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE ANTI-THEFT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START. MIDWAY CHEVROLET(381 12TH ST, PLAINWELL, MI) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR FLASHED AND THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE STARTED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS DEFECTIVE. THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED, BUT…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT TOOK SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 223,000.
Own a 2005 Malibu Classic?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.