2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU Recalls, Complaints & Safety

The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel became inoperable. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to the U-joint in the steering column, which made the vehicle difficult to control. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 37,000.

Power steering failing. As I was driving down the road I got a power steering message and chime. No dash light came on and I lost all ability to turn my vehicles steering wheel. I went to add power steering fluid just to learn that my 2005 Chevy Malibu maxx LS comes equipped with EPS(electric power steering). Then I check on NHTSA for safety recalls and there is a safety recall for the Chevy Malibu maxx including the 2005 Chevy Malibu maxx. I was pulling safely out of store parking lot into traffic and I had to hit the ditch luckily I didn't get T-boned. Thanks to my reaction time being fast I made it safely outta the road. I am available to have car inspected if needed. It just started on 11/23/2025 I bought the car used a year prior in Nov. 2024.

The steering locked up when the brakes were pressed and the steering wheel was turned to avoid crashing with another car. The result is the crash happened and damage to both cars. Thankfully traffic was only going around 10 mph. If this had happened at high speed my son may have been seriously injured or even killed. The mechanic is working on it now and has reported the power steering module and power steering motor has to be replaced.

Crash

The car has a recall for power steering the recall covers the torque sensor in the steering assembly I had the recall done about 6-8 weeks ago & now I’m dealing with another power steering issue I took the car to Chevy & the whole power steering motor has failed they say it is not covered under the recall although it should be other Malibu models are this is very frustrating & unacceptable as I just got a recall for steering done & now I can’t even drive my car

The EPS began sporadically and severely jerking the steering very powerfully while driving and stationary and draining the battery at an accelerated rate necessitating multiple replacements of and charging 2 batteries to get to and from my job and anywhere else making everyday life very difficult beginning in early 2024. A couple months before this issue became a daily and constant occurrence in in February 2024 between the 6th and 13th I had a stabilizer link and control arm on the right side replaced and an alignment done at Firestone, on the document for the alignment it states no manufacturers recommended services necessary on suspension. The mechanic who replaced the parts told me that the EPS issue is a likely cause for the steering system damage as a vehicle is not meant to remain stationary while the wheels are forcibly turned as is the case when the EPS takes over and jerks the wheel often to the extremes of its function. I have video of this on multiple occasions and it can be inspected still occuring. I took it to Hendrick Chevrolet Shawnee Mission in April 2024 and explained the services done recently and the mechanics opinion on the EPS. They held my vehicle for 3 days not saying it would take so long, during which I had to use a truck I had just bought and was not ready to be driven to get to work, it's transmission blew and has sat since. They called me to come pick it up and only once there told me they had refused to replace the recalled EPS unit "due to loose steering" as quoted from the document Given to me. I asked them to reconsider since this was the only vehicle I had running and charging batteries and being nearly forced off of the road or into other cars daily was very concerning, they simply told me to take it to another dealership for "a second opinion" I stated I didn't have time for another dealer to hold my car for days because my truck had just gone OOC, they held their position and I drove it until forced to buy a new car in 03/2025

POWER STEERING WENT OUT AND WATER PUMP

The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at 60-70 MPH, the steering wheel turned to left and to the right independently. The traction control warning light was illuminated. An unknown local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 220,000.

The electric power steering has failed on me numerous times. From being completely locked and having to restart the car 5 times just to free it up, to it locking up while i'm going 70 down the freeway multiple times. one of those times was while i was merging lanes and my wheel got locked slightly left and it sent me into the median wall, luckily no more damage than some missing paint and scratches but this is a problem that needs fixed. I searched my vin and there is no recall but it is the exact same make and model and has the exact same EPS issues the other 05 malibus do. what are my options before i get into a really bad accident because of this?

Crash

Brake lights malfunctioning due to faulty wiring in body control module, a prior recall 2 dealerships are currently refusing to honor; stating your recall has expired. According to the below link, recalls are never to expire. This condition creates an increased risk of rear end collisions, while the driver is completely unaware his or her brake lights are inoperable. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to complete a turn, he became aware that the electronic power steering was not functioning properly, requiring an increased effort to maneuver the vehicle. The message "Service Electronic Power Steering" was displayed. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. The electronic power steering warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V153000 (Steering); but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 103,000.

The brake light stays on the whole time.

STEERING WHEEL SHAKES VIOLENTLY WHEN THE CAR IS STARTED. AFTER AWHILE IT GOES OUT COMPLETELY MAKING IT EXTREMEMLY DANGEROUS TO STEER OR TURN WHILE DRIVING. TOOK IT TO A DEALER IN NORFOLK, NE, NORFOLK GM SERVICE CENTER, AND THEY SAID RECALL WAS FIXED BACK IN 2014 AT A SHOP IN HARTINGTON, NE. SAME ISSUE IMMEDIAITLY HAPPENED AGAIN. ISSUE IS NOT FIXED AND CAR REMAINS UNSAFE FOR TRAVEL.

The car was allegedly previously repaired under Product Safety Recall Bulletin No.: 14116 back in 2014. The vehicle was 10 years old at that time. Now in 2024, 10 years later, the power steering issue is back. As the vehicle is operated, a sound rings from the computer system and a message warning about Power Steering appears on the center console screen. The electronic power steering then stops working entirely and steering becomes incredibly difficult. In July 2010, GM issued Service Bulletin No.: 10183. The Subject of the Bulletin was "Special Coverage Adjustment - Power Steering Assist." The Condition described in the bulletin is the same as the problem described above. GM extended coverage of this issue to 10 years and 100,000 miles. In May of 2012, GM issued Service Bulletin No.: 10183A, which extended coverage to 150,000 miles. In September 2014, NHTSA stepped in and forced GM to issue Recall Bulletin No.: 14116 with the subject "Power Steering Assist." GM knows that some vehicles on the road have had this repair performed 3 times, based on their decision to extend their own service bulletins. Clearly they have decided to use the same faulty part repeatedly. NHTSA needs to step in and tell them to continue repairing the defective part until all of these vehicles are off the road.

Car is getting hard has been happening for a while but is getting worse There's is a recall on similar Chevy models but not for this specific one

I was tightening the battery and there was a spark and it’s been difficult to steer ever since

The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that after his daughter started the vehicle, she became aware that the electronic power steering was not functioning properly. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V153000 (Steering) but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 85,000.

No accedents. Trying to be a head of it!

Issue started at ~80K while driving 60-65 mph, the steering wheel would unexpectedly shake violently. After hitting brakes, the steering system would return to normal. Had car evaluated by mechanic specializing in steering/suspension and could not recreate the issue. This issue has been returning intermittently for the past year (99,800 mileage now). Now the engine light is on indicating “POWER STEERING “ on dashboard and loss of power steering. I’m issuing this report because my vin number shows no outstanding recalls but there’s a known issue (14V15300) against this vehicle.

No accedents. Trying to be a head of it!

The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that he received recall notification of the NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V153000 (Steering). The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the recall was completed however, the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel became stiff and difficult to maneuver. The contact stated that he had to turn off and restart the vehicle. The power steering assist warning light intermittently illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the torque sensor assembly or the EPS motor controller unit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

This problem has occurred many times and I have taken to the internet to find out what I could to try to remedy it myself as I don't have endless disposable income to have someone else fix it. I have not had it seen by a professional, only consulted with a manager of a gm dealership repairs department over the phone as well as various mechanics and locksmiths. As I said I don't have endless disposable money to throw at this. The car will completely shut off in the middle of driving, I lose all power. The antitheft system engages in the middle of driving. Then I get no crank no start. I get stuck in the middle of the road. In the past I was able to just turn the key off and remove it and let it sit for a while and then it would let me start it again, this began a year ago and has gotten progressively worse and more frequent since it first occurred and I am now at the point where the car is completely no crank no start and anti theft system will not disengage. From my own research online I've found many others complaining of similar problems and they say it's related to gm passlock system.

Came back from running an errand and when I went to go back out to the car to start it to run another errand it wouldn't turn over. The lights and alarm, the radio wipers a/c everything else would come on but it just wouldn't turn over! And I need my vehicle I have upcoming appointments and it's the only thing I have to get around. I've been without a vehicle for almost three weeks now. I need help, I'm low income and I need help getting it back on the road.

The car's anti-theft system (indicated on the dashboard lights) will randomly lock up the engine. Following a massive list of online suggestions from other Chevy owners who had the same problem, I learned to wait for 10-15 minutes with the key in the ignition (lights/radio on, no engine) before the anti-theft indicator disappears and the car can start again. Sometimes, I will have to repeat the process 2-3 times. This has been happening randomly for over 2 years despite taking it into a Chevy dealer for repairs twice. They claimed it was a battery issue and charged me over $500 to fix nothing; The engine would lock up again within a month. A cursory Google search shows that this has affected hundreds if not thousands of GM vehicles, some even claiming the anti-theft lock engaged while they were driving. Please put some serious investigation into the matter so people like me can stop getting price gouged and stuck in freezing weather for GM's incompetence.

The contact's wife owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle emitted a chime and the message "Steering" was displayed. The contact stated that the vehicle did not experience any mechanical failure and he was able to continue driving. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the steering torque sensor needed to be reprogrammed. The independent mechanic referred the contact to the dealer for assistance. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist as the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V153000 (Steering) on February 09, 2015. The failure mileage was approximately 106,200.

In January 2022, I started to lose the power steering my 2005 Chevy Malibu. After much research, I have learned that Chevrolet installed EPS systems on the 2004-2007 Malibus. I found there has been a recall on the failure of this system. I contacted our local Chevrolet dealership in April 2022 to learn there is a mileage stipulation on the recall. Presently this is my only mode of transportation, which loses the power steering ability while driving. I am a Disabled Senior on a fixed income, therefore, leaving me with a crippled vehicle. I purchased this pre-owned vehicle in 2012, with the intention of not buying another one. I would like assistance with the repair on my Malibu.

Power Steering goes in & out. Wheel sometimes shakes side to side with & without touching wheel

I was making a right turn onto a busy highway when my front end made a loud thunk, as if something had broken, then my steering wheel threw itself and locked up on me.

The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH and making a turn, the steering wheel inadvertently lost power steering assist functionality. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to continue to drive the vehicle with the extra effort needed to steer the vehicle. The contact stated that as she arrived at her destination, turned off the vehicle, and restarted it, the steering wheel regained power steering functionality. The contact notified an independent mechanic who advised her that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V153000 (Steering). The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring while driving and the steering wheel was increasingly more difficult to maneuver. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist because NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V153000 (Steering) had expired. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 183,000.

1st when got car from local dealer cruise control worked next day still hasn't, interior lights not working with new bulb, brake light on, leaking oil from pan, front end drifting, than at station no power steering, didn't know wtf, wheels didn't turn, shut off he later was there ignition switch will keep turning. Rins battery dead. I'm scared power steering will go out while driving. It's a scary thought, think I will sell .It's the worse recall I've heard of can they be fixed. Consumer has all 7 recalls.

Starting feeling a clunking in steering wheel while driving. 5 days later cars dic said power steering while driving 60 down the highway. Car was hard to handle and turn.

loss of steering. couldn't steer the car. no power steering message came up on display screen only warning alarm sounded. This has happened when trying to park in a parking spot as well as two separate times on the freeway.

loss of steering. couldn't steer the car. no power steering message came up on display screen

Driving at any speed the car will randomly brake on its own.

WHEN I'M DRIVING OFTEN..I TURN THE WHEEL AS NORMAL. INTERMITTENTLY I HEAR A DING NOISE COMING FROM MY CONSOLE, AND MY STEERING WHEEL STIFFENS AND I HAVE TO USE A LARGE AMOUNT OF FORCE TO STRAIGHTEN OUT. I HAVE CALLED GM MANY TIMES AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THERE ARE NO RECALLS WITH THIS ISSUE. I BELIEVE THAT THEY SHOULD BE A CLASS ACTION. OVER 500 OR OTHER OWNERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE. WHAT GIVES GM?