The Lemon IndexC0545 is a chassis code from the standard list, but carmakers often use these codes their own way, so its exact meaning depends on the make. Full C0545 page
19 owner complaints · the #2 code Chevrolet Malibu owners name · 7% of Chevrolet Malibu complaints that name a code (every car: 0.4%)
Middle of 88,000 miles · most between 75,000 and 110,000 (17 owners gave it)
Chevrolet Malibu owners named C0545 in 19 complaints to the U.S. government (NHTSA), most often on the 2009, 2004 and 2011 model years, at a middle of 88,000 miles. The part they name most is the power steering part (7 complaints). Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.
Chevrolet Malibu model years that report C0545
Owner complaints naming C0545, by model year. Raw counts: years that sold more get more complaints, so this is each model year's record, not a failure rate.
Mileage when it happened
88,000 miles is the middle of what 17 owners entered. Half were between 75,000 and 110,000 miles.
The mileage on the complaint form, when the owner gave one.
What owners say caused it or fixed it
The most-named part is the power steering part, in 7 of the 19 complaints (37%). 7 of those mention it being replaced or repaired, and 1 say the problem came back afterwards.
- Power steering part7 complaints7 mention a repair or replacement, 1 of them says the problem came back
10 complaints mention a recall.
Counted from the owners' own words: a part counts when a sentence names it with a cause or repair word. What owners wrote, not a diagnosis. A shop should confirm the cause before replacing parts.
Symptoms owners describe with C0545
- Warning lights and electrical faults21%4 of 19 complaints
- Loses power or goes into limp mode16%3 of 19 complaints
- Brakes or ABS act up16%3 of 19 complaints
- Transmission slips or shifts hard11%2 of 19 complaints
Share of the complaints naming C0545 whose text also describes each problem. A complaint can describe more than one.
Codes owners report with it
C0460 2 U0121 2
Other codes named in the same Chevrolet Malibu complaints, and in how many.
Recalls on these Chevrolet Malibu years
- Steering · 2006 · issued 2015
In the affected vehicles, there may be a sudden loss of electric power steering (EPS) assist that could occur at any time while driving. NHTSA 15V064000 - Steering · 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 · issued 2014
The affected steering shafts may have a yoke that inadequately supports the u-joint bearing resulting in a premature failure. NHTSA 14E044000 - Steering · 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009 · issued 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. NHTSA 14V153000
3 recalls for the same systems (steering) on the Chevrolet Malibu model years above. A recall for the same system isn't proof it's behind C0545. Recall work is free at any dealer: check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with our VIN check.
Keep going
- C0545: meaning, causes and every car that reports it
- Chevrolet Malibu reliability by year
- 2009 Chevrolet Malibu problems and recalls
Other codes Chevrolet Malibu owners report
C0545 on other cars
Chevrolet Colorado (19) · GMC Canyon (11)
The details
How we count
We read every owner complaint in the NHTSA file whose text names this trouble code, and count the ones filed about this model (matched by the make, model and model year on the complaint). Mileage is what the owner entered on the form.
Parts: a complaint counts for a part when one of the owner's own sentences names that part together with a cause word (failed, bad, diagnosed, caused by, leaking ...) or a repair word (replaced, repaired, new, reprogrammed ...). "Came back" means the same complaint also says the problem returned or the repair didn't fix it. These are counts of what owners wrote, not a diagnosis, and one complaint can name several parts.
Complaints are reports, not proof of a defect, and most owners never file one. Popular models get more complaints, so the counts are not a failure rate. The code meaning is the standard SAE J2012 definition in our own words, or the carmaker's meaning where we verified it for that make.
What C0545 means
C0545 is in the standard chassis code range, but carmakers often define chassis codes their own way, so the same code can point to different problems on different brands. We haven't verified its meaning for Chevrolet yet. A dealer or a scanner with the maker's software can tell you exactly.
Check the complaints yourself
NHTSA complaint numbers (search them at nhtsa.gov): 11755071, 11446364, 11382995, 11318575, 11315896, 11311356, 11166004, 11076425, 10945947, 10724184, 10693743, 10617419 and 7 more.
Quick answers
Which Chevrolet Malibu years have the most C0545 complaints?
In complaints to NHTSA, owners of the 2009 (6), 2004 (3), 2011 (2) Chevrolet Malibu named C0545 most (19 complaints in all, 2004–2020). Raw counts, not a failure rate.
What fixes C0545 on a Chevrolet Malibu?
Owners most often name the power steering part (7 of 19 complaints). That's what owners wrote, not a diagnosis: have a shop confirm the cause with a scan and tests before replacing parts.
At what mileage does C0545 show up on a Chevrolet Malibu?
Owners who gave their mileage reported a middle of 88,000 miles; half were between 75,000 and 110,000 (17 owners).
Sources: NHTSA owner complaints that name C0545 on the Chevrolet Malibu, counted by The Lemon Index; NHTSA recalls; repair bills owners named. Meanings: SAE J2012 in our own words. Owner reports, not a diagnosis or repair advice for your car.