2005 Chevrolet Malibu Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 506about this part
- Share
- 52%of 975 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 90,500miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 506 complaints about the steering of the 2005 Chevrolet Malibu, 52% of the 975 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 90,500 miles. 22 of these say a crash was involved, 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.
“Started my car up to around 2:00 to go my lunch break. Powering steering was in my radio dash. After turning it off and back on it resolved the problem for a short period of time but has cutoff consistently when I am driving reverting back to manual steering which is difficult to control with low speeds and dangerous it puts everybody at risk if it happens on the freeway.”
NHTSA complaint #11378494, filed 2020-12, 170,000 miles“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?”
NHTSA complaint #11407476, filed 2021-04, 144,000 miles“I turned my car on and the service light was on and the message on my car read power steering. I couldn't turn my wheel at all. I turned the car off and back on again and it went away. A few days later while driving straight down a local highway the light came on again and the power steering is not working. It seems to be locked up”
NHTSA complaint #11173895, filed 2019-02, 173,000 miles“I was on my way to work driving on the 405 freeway in california going around a ramp in my steering wheel locked up on me I hit the brake it released the next morning on my way back home from work I was on my way on the freeway so I accelerate on the gas and my steering wheel locked up as soon as I took my foot off the ignition gas it released. …”
NHTSA complaint #11149980, filed 2018-11, 180,000 miles“Turning left off the highway onto a road the steering froze. I had to stop and back up to release the steering. This has happened 2 or 3 times both right or left turn. The steering column is making a noise and I believe it is the intermediate shaft. Mayploe chev replaced the steering column.”
NHTSA complaint #11194575, filed 2019-04, 180,000 milesRelated recalls
- 14V153000Mar 31, 2014General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 and 2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2006 Malibu Maxx, 2009-2010 HHR (non-turbo), 2010…Covers: Chevrolet Malibu 2004–2006, 2008–2009, Saturn Ion 2004–2007, Pontiac G6 2005–2006, 2008–2009 +4 more
Related service bulletins
- 10245395Nov 6, 2023This service bulletin provides a vibration analysis worksheet the technician can use in conjunction with the appropriate Vibration Analysis-Road testing procedure when diagnosing…
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 8% |
| 2024 | 2 | 5% |
| 2023 | 5 | 7% |
| 2022 | 2 | 2% |
| 2021 | 2 | 2% |
| 2020 | 16 | 8% |
| 2019 | 2 | 1% |
| 2018 | 42 | 6% |
| 2017 | 47 | 7% |
| 2016 | 42 | 5% |
| 2015 | 9 | 3% |
| 2014 | 26 | 7% |
| 2013 | 181 | 22% |
| 2012 | 191 | 21% |
| 2011 | 214 | 22% |
| 2010 | 454 | 33% |
| 2009 | 769 | 51% |
| 2008 | 460 | 47% |
| 2007 | 667 | 68% |
| 2006 | 812 | 73% |
| 2005 | 506 | 52% |
| 2004 | 798 | 70% |
| 2003 | 21 | 4% |
| 2002 | 13 | 2% |
| 2001 | 41 | 6% |
| 2000 | 45 | 5% |
| 1999 | 37 | 5% |
| 1998 | 74 | 8% |
| 1997 | 80 | 18% |
Other parts of the 2005 Chevrolet Malibu
180 complaintsExterior lighting
153 complaintsBrakes
70 complaintsFuel system
70 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
65 complaintsSeats
62 complaintsEngine
49 complaintsOther or unknown
35 complaintsElectronic stability control
30 complaintsVehicle speed control
27 complaintsAir bags
25 complaintsSuspension
21 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2005 Chevrolet Malibu
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