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SteeringPart report

2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx Steering Problems

Complaints
185about this part
Share
57%of 326 total for the year
Median mileage
85,000miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 185 complaints about the steering of the 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx, 57% of the 326 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 85,000 miles. 6 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“When I was driving on the highway, I heard a chime and a message popped up and stated 'power steering' my steering wheel locked up and made it hard to turn. I was still able to drive to my destination. I was also able to turn my car off and it'll reset and the power steering message would go away and it'll be easier to use my steering wheel”

NHTSA complaint #11151717, filed 2018-11, 320,000 miles

“Takata recall I was driving on route 19 just before the maple fork exit the light was red and I began to slow down. All of a sudden the brakes and steering would not work and the car hit the rear end of the car in front of me. Causing major damages to the front of my car. The other car was not affected nearly as much. It was like the car just stopped. No airbags was deployed.”

NHTSA complaint #11161778, filed 2018-12, 180,000 miles

“Power steering went out after having it recalled in oct 2104. Obviously the recall didn't fix the original problem. Luckily it happened while it was in park and we were not driving when it happened. The recall happened when my mileage was roughly 147,000 and now we have roughly 183,00, which was less than 40,000 miles.”

NHTSA complaint #10967774, filed 2017-03, 183,000 miles

“Going down the road the power steering stopped working suddenly.pulled over , restarted car, worked fine. Found out it had a recall, took it in around 11-16-2016 .drove car that next weekend. Steering stopped again.restarted car, worked fine afterwards. Recontacted dealer , told them problem still exists, they wont fix it without charging me. Said there is nothing they can do, unless I pay them.”

NHTSA complaint #10927473, filed 2016-11, 174,000 miles

“While driving down the highway the power steering failed and I was stuck in everyone's way. Tried to steer to the shoulder but I wasn't strong enough. After the car was turned off for awhile I started it up and the steering came back on just long enough to make it home. Chevy says they don't have part numbers but other privately owned shops in my area say they can get the parts and fix it.”

NHTSA complaint #10615349, filed 2014-07, 141,429 miles

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Steering: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
20071023%
200620777%
200518557%
200425158%

Other parts of the 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx

Exterior lighting
51 complaintsElectrical system
40 complaintsSeats
39 complaintsBrakes
19 complaintsFuel system
12 complaintsSuspension
10 complaintsAir bags
9 complaintsElectronic stability control
9 complaintsEngine
5 complaintsVehicle speed control
5 complaintsEngine cooling
4 complaintsEquipment
3 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology