The Lemon Index2005 Chevrolet Malibu.
The 2005 Chevrolet Malibu is worse than average by owner complaints: 213 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 151, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about steering, it has 6 recalls, and it gets 23 to 25 mpg combined. The best Chevrolet Malibu year is 2022.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 1,393 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Chevrolet Malibu year. 2005 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 51K to 128K miles on the car (1,091 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- steering complaints mostly came at 49K–136K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 56K–142K miles
- lights complaints mostly came at 54K–108K miles
Recalls 6
- steering 2014
The affected steering shafts may have a yoke that inadequately supports the u-joint bearing resulting in a premature failure.
- electrical 2014
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.
- transmission & drivetrain 2014
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 vehicle…
Show all 6 recalls
- steering 2014
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.
- fuel system, gasoline 2011
TI AUTOMOTIVE IS RECALLING CERTAIN FUEL PUMPS, PART NUMBERS TU456 AND TU303, SOLD UNDER VARIOUS BRAND NAMES AS AFTERMARKET AND REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE MOTOR VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.
- lights 2009
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Chevy told dealers about
Chevy sent dealers 643 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Intermittent steering wheel dither after front end alignment was performed
- Electric steering is inoperative with c0545
- Loss of power steering assist at high engine rpm
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedTurn signal lamps2009–2010
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $2550–2800 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.2L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
Power steering fails with only a beep as warning(as it happens...not before) extremely dangerous.
2005 Chevrolet Malibu owner · NHTSA complaint 10222177
More owner reports
The consumer complained about a power steering problem. Which malfunctioned intermittently. The owner took the vehicle to the dealer, where it is currently being serviced.
NHTSA complaint 10119286
Car, makes loud knocking noise when turning left, loss of tightness in the steering wheel, rack and pinion replaced.
NHTSA complaint 10207667
Quick answers
Is the 2005 Chevrolet Malibu reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew 1.5× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 151; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Chevrolet Malibu year by this measure is 2022.
What are the most common 2005 Chevrolet Malibu problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are steering (52%), electrical (14%) and lights (12%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2005 Chevrolet Malibu have?
6 safety recalls (latest: steering). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2005 Chevrolet Malibu get?
23 to 25 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2005 Chevrolet Malibu problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 51,200 and 128,000 miles. The middle report was at 88,000 miles, from 1,091 complaints.
Does the 2005 Chevrolet Malibu have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2005 Chevrolet Malibu cost in fuel a year?
About $2550 to $2800 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2005 Chevrolet Malibu have?
2.2L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl.
What Chevrolet Malibu year is better than the 2005?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2022, 2014 and 2015.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works