2005 Chevrolet Malibu maxx problems
The Chevrolet Malibu is a mid-size car manufactured and marketed by Chevrolet from model years 1964–1983 and since 1997. The Malibu began as a trim-level of the Chevrolet Chevelle, becoming its own model line in 1978. Originally a rear-wheel drive intermediate, GM revived the Malibu nameplate as a front-wheel-drive car in 1997.
Named after the coastal community of Malibu, California, the Malibu was marketed primarily in North America, with the eighth generation introduced globally. It is currently the only sedan offered by Chevrolet in the U.S.
First generation (Chevelle Malibu, 1964)
The first Malibu was a top-line subseries of the mid-sized Chevrolet Chevelle from 1964 to 1972. Malibus were generally available in a full range of bodystyles including a four-door sedan, two-door Sport Coupe hardtop, convertible and two-seat station wagon. Interiors were more lavish than lesser Chevelle 300 and 300 Deluxe models thanks to patterned cloth and vinyl upholstery (all-vinyl in convertibles and station wagons), deep-twist carpeting, deluxe steering wheel and other items. The Malibu SS performance package was available only as a two-door Sport Coupe hardtop or convertible and added bucket seats, center console (with optional four-speed manual or Powerglide transmissions), engine gauges and special wheelcovers, and offered with any six-cylinder or V8 engine offered in other Chevelles - with the top option being a 300 hp (224 kW; 304 PS) 327 cu in (5.4 L) in 1964.
For 1965, Malibus and other Chevelles received new grilles and revised tail sections and had the exhaust pipes replaced but carried over the same basic styling and bodystyles from 1964. The Malibu and Malibu SS models continued as before with the SS featuring a blacked-out grille and special wheelcovers. Top engine option was now a 350 hp (261 kW; 355 PS) 327 cu in (5.4 L) V8. 201 of the 1965 Malibu SS cars got Regular Production Option (RPO) Z16, which include a heavily modified chassis and Chevy's new 375 horsepower 396 cubic inch V8. All were hardtops, although rumors persist that one convertible was built.
The Malibu SS was replaced in 1966 by a new Chevelle SS-396 series that included a big-block 396 cu in (6.5 L) V8 engine (Canadian market did not receive the SS396 but marketed the former Malibu SS nameplate until January 1967 when it was phased out), heavy duty suspension and other performance equipment. Other SS-396 equipment was similar to Malibu Sport Coupes and convertibles including an all-vinyl bench seat. Bucket seats and console with floor shift were now optional on the SS and for 1966 with the SS now denoting a car with a big-block engine, the bucket seats became a new option on the regular Malibu Sport Coupe and convertible, upon which any six-cylinder or small-block V8 could be ordered. Also new for 1966 was the Chevelle Malibu four-door Sport Sedan hardtop. Styling revisions on all 1966 Chevelles including more rounded styling similar to the full-sized Chevrolets with sail panels and tunneled rear windows featured on two-door hardtop coupes.
For 1967, the same assortment of bodystyles were continued with styling changes similar to all other Chevelles including a new grille and revised tail section with taillights that wrapped around to the side. New this year was a Chevelle Malibu Concours station wagon with simulated woodgrain exterior side panel trim. Front disc brakes were a new option along with a stereo 8-track tape player. The same assortment of drivetrains carried over from 1966 with the top 327 cu in (5.4 L) V8 dropped from 350 to 325 hp (261 to 242 kW; 355 to 330 PS).
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Common 2005 Chevrolet Malibu maxx problems
Based on complaints from owners of the 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx, several common problems have been reported:
- Power Steering: Some owners have faced power steering issues, but fortunately, recalls have addressed this problem, providing a solution for affected vehicles.
- Reliability Concerns: Consumer Reports suggest that the 2005 Malibu Maxx may have average reliability compared to other new cars, indicating potential issues with long-term dependability.
- Interior Stains: Cloth seats in the Malibu Maxx can stain easily, requiring extra care to maintain the interior's appearance.
- Visibility Challenges: Due to the hatchback configuration, some owners have noted difficulties with rear visibility, which can be a downside of the vehicle's design.
- Transmission Failure: Complaints have been lodged regarding transmission failures in the 2005 Malibu Maxx, indicating potential issues with the vehicle's transmission system.
- Traction Control: Owners have reported instances where the traction control system kicks on while driving, suggesting potential malfunctions in this safety feature.
These problems highlight various issues that owners of the 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx have encountered, ranging from mechanical concerns to comfort and maintenance issues.
Is a 2005 Chevy Malibu a good car?
Edmunds says
Roomy, affordable and well equipped, the Malibu delivers excellent value but lacks some of the performance and refinement of the class leaders.
Is the Malibu Maxx a good car?
Edmunds says
Spacious and well equipped, the Malibu Maxx is a well-executed design that adds the functionality of a wagon without giving up sedan drivability.
What is the most common problem with Chevy Malibu?
Common Issues with the Chevrolet Malibu
Transmission problems: Some Malibu models have experienced transmission issues, including rough shifting and delayed acceleration. Electrical issues: Some Malibu models have experienced electrical issues, including problems with the power steering system and battery.
How much is a 2005 Chevy Malibu Maxx worth?
The value of a used 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx ranges from $494 to $2,566, based on vehicle condition, mileage, and options.
2005 Chevrolet Malibu maxx complaints
The NHTSA has received 0 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2005 Chevrolet Malibu maxx.
You can leave your car complaint via the special form below.
2005 Chevrolet Malibu maxx recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 3 recalls for different components of the 2005 Chevrolet Malibu maxx.
- Manufacturer: General Motors LLC
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
- Summary: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured May 16, 2003, through October 11, 2012, 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured May 26, 2004, through January 4, 2010, and 2007-2010 Saturn Aura vehicles manufactured April 24, 2006, through May 26, 2009. 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. These fluctuations can cause one or more of these conditions: the brake lights to illuminate without the brake pedal being pushed; the brake lights to not illuminate when the pedal is pushed; difficulty disengaging the cruise control; moving the gear shifter out of the 'PARK' position without pushing the brake; and disablement of crash avoidance features such as traction control, electronic stability control, and panic braking assist features.
- Consequence: Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will attach the wiring harness to the BCM with a spacer, apply dielectric lubricant to both the BCM and harness connector and the BAS and harness connector, and will relearn the brake pedal home position, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed an Interim letter to customers on July 14, 2014. The recall began on August 18, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-762-2737 (Pontiac), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). GM's number for this recall is 13036.
- Manufacturer: General Motors LLC
- Components: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
- Summary: General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on April 29, 2014, that they are recalling 56,214 model year 2007 and 2008 Saturn Aura vehicles. 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 vehicles manufactured from June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, and model year 2005-2008 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured from May 26, 2004, through September 28, 2007, and equipped with 4-speed transmissions. The total number vehicles being recalled is now 1,131,113.
- Consequence: If the transmission shift cable fractures while the vehicle is being driven, the transmission gear selection may not match the indicated gear and the vehicle may move in an unintended or unexpected direction, increasing the risk of a crash. Furthermore, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, despite selecting the PARK position, the transmission may not be in PARK. If the vehicle is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
- Remedy: GM will notify owners, and GM dealers will replace the shift cable assembly and mounting bracket, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for this recall is 14152.
- Manufacturer: General Motors LLC
- Components: STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
- Summary: General 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 Cobalt, 2008-2009 Saturn Aura and 2004-2007 Ion, and 2005-2009 Pontiac G6. In the affected vehicles, there may be a sudden loss of electric power steering (EPS) assist that could occur at any time while driving.
- Consequence: 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.
- Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will perform one of four bulletins. Parts are not currently available. GM expects to send an interim notification around May 28, 2014. When parts are available, owners will be mailed a second letter to come in to have the applicable bulletin applied. Bulletin 14115 covers model year 2004-2007 Saturn Ion, 2009-2010 Chevrolet HHR and 2010 Chevrolet Cobalts. Dealers will replace the EPS motor. Bulletin 14116 covers model year 2004-2006 Chevrolet Malibu and Malibu Maxx, 2005-2006 Pontiac G6 and 2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from March 1, 2008, through June 27, 2008. Dealers will replace the torque sensor assembly. Bulletin 14117 covers model year 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from February 1, 2008, through February 28, 2008. Dealers will replace the torque sensor assembly and EPS motor controller unit. Bulletin 14118 covers model year 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from October 1, 2007, through January 31, 2008. Dealers will replace the EPS motor controller unit. The recall began on July 17, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, Saturn at 1-800-553-6000, and Pontiac at 1-800-620-7668. GM's number for this recall is N140115. Note: GM bulletin number 14119 will be implemented for model year 2006-2008 and early production of 2009 Chevrolet HHR (non-turbo) and model year 2003 Saturn ION to provide EPS Motor replacement for the life of the vehicle.
Negative 2005 Chevrolet Malibu maxx car reviews
Positive 2005 Chevrolet Malibu maxx car reviews
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I've had many cars and makes over the years, but the Malibu Maxx is definitely one of the best. I've owned it for six years now and it has 80K miles on it. I've only needed to do normal maintenance, replace a couple of wheel bearings, a tie rod, ball joints, a new steering rack, and a tail light assembly. Even though the car is now in its ninth year, it still drives and looks great. I've treated it with rust proofing every other year, which has helped to keep it in such good condition. I would consider moving up to a newer model, but I haven't found anything out there that can replace it. I'm still loving this one-of-a-kind car and plan to keep driving it for as long as possible.
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This is the first Chevy I've bought since my 1982 Z28. It's been a while, but I'm glad to say that Chevy's quality has really improved. Over the last 3 months, I've looked at a variety of vehicles, including the Mazda3, Audi A4, Subaru Outback, Baja, and Impreza, Mitsubishi Outlander, PT Cruiser, and the Saab 92x. While they were all nice vehicles, the Maxx offered the best value with all the rebates thrown at you. I really appreciate the versatility of this car. Most of the time, I'm the only one in the car, but at times I need to haul 4 more around, and this car does that comfortably. Plus, I can even fit my bike in the back! The bells and whistles for the money are great, and the back seat room was a big factor for me. There is a ton of it, making it a great choice for anyone who needs extra space.
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This car is a joy to drive and park, with a great turning radius that allows it to fit into even the tightest of spots. My husband is particularly fond of this feature. I love the spaciousness of the interior, as well as the skylights in the rear and the moonroof in the front. We also have satellite radio, which is a great addition. The 6-disc CD player has excellent sound quality. Despite being reasonably priced, this car has all the features I would expect from a more expensive model. It runs quietly, with a low engine noise and no outside disturbances. It has plenty of power when you need it and handles well on ice and snow. The brakes are really good, and we are currently averaging 27.6 mpg. Overall, we are extremely satisfied with this car and would highly recommend it to anyone.
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We purchased our Maxx when gas prices were nearly 5 dollars a gallon. Although we downsized from a minivan, we absolutely loved this vehicle. It has great gas mileage! The hatchback allowed us to fit a significant amount of equipment and home repair supplies in the back, and both rear seats fold down. It was a fantastic car for our kids to learn to drive in. The handling is great, and it's fun to drive. The quality and reliability are also excellent. The safety features are fantastic, as we experienced when we were unfortunately in an accident that totaled the car with bilateral front airbag deployment. However, we walked away with just a bruise and sore muscles, thanks to the adjustable gas and brake pedals that prevented contact with the airbag. It's a shame that they no longer make this model. We are currently looking for another used one to purchase.
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After doing months of internet research and weeks of test driving 8 cars, I finally chose the Malibu Maxx. I absolutely love it! When I was looking for a car, I wanted plenty of leg room, a good ride, good fuel economy, nice looks, comfortable interior, and most importantly, an affordable price. The Maxx has it all! I was pleasantly surprised by its performance - it's very quick and gets good mileage too. Recently, we went on an 800 mile trip and averaged 30.8 mpg while driving at highway speeds of 75-80 mph. The interior space is in a class of its own in the mid-size segment. Even at 6'4
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2005 Chevrolet Malibu maxx problems:
2005 Malibu Maxx LS electrical issues | Chevrolet Malibu Forums
Sep 21, 2016 ... The plastic around the pin going to ground look scorched (was also a less noticeable browning on the 3rd pin on the other row). And all the fuse ...
2005 Chevrolet Malibu Problems and Complaints - 31 Issues
Top 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Problems ; Problems With Electric Power Steering System May Require Steering Column Replacement. 848 people have reported this. 317 ; No ...
Chevrolet Malibu Maxx Transmission Issues — Car Forums at ...
Jul 9, 2011 ... I purchased My 2005 malibu maxx ls used in january 2011. It had 124000 Miles and was in excellent condition.
Reliability of a 2005 Chevy Malibu after 100k miles? : r/cars
Mar 18, 2014 ... Reliability of a 2005 Chevy Malibu after 100k miles? I asked this in askcarsales with no luck. My mom was offered a Chevy Malibu for $4,000 ...
2005 Chevrolet Malibu Review, Problems, Reliability, Value, Life ...
Feb 23, 2023 ... Reliability 7/10 – You can expect the transmission and engine to make at least 200,000 miles. But you'll be making a lot of little electrical ...
Other years of Chevrolet Malibu maxx
Are you having problems with your 2005 Chevrolet Malibu maxx?
Ellis Swift 2025-01-14
I purchased my Maxx back in late 2004 and have had some issues with the steering over the years. However, GM has been very helpful in replacing the steering and even introduced a redesigned component that solved the problem. I also had to replace the tire rods. Recently, I experienced a loss of power steering, but it started working again after I stopped the car. Unfortunately, Chevy will not check it out at no charge. I also had some issues with the brakes, back seat lever, driver seat power adjustments, remote start, and key fobs. Despite these issues, the car has great handling and acceleration! However, I have decided not to purchase another GM vehicle in the future.
Cordell Klein 2024-11-19
This vehicle has had some issues over the years, including the replacement of the rack and pinion steering column, struts, and ball joints. The cruise control and shifter automatic have also given me some trouble. However, I have taken great care of this vehicle and maintained it regularly. While I wouldn't purchase another one, I am confident in my ability to handle any issues that may arise in the future.
Selmer Harber 2024-05-26
Great acceleration with the v-6 engine! However, I understand your concerns about the brakes and steering. It's a shame that you had to replace the rear brake pads at 58000 miles. Additionally, the intermediate steering arm assemblies have caused issues for those who have purchased the electric power steering groups. I hope that these issues can be resolved for you soon!
Zane Rohan 2024-05-22
Hello! Thank you for considering this car. I just wanted to let you know that in case you live in an area with severe winters, you might want to consider replacing the stock tires as they don't perform well in deep snow. Additionally, I have had some issues with the car, such as the timing chain snapping and the power steering needing replacement. However, I have found that replacing the tires with Firestone ones has helped a lot. I just wanted to give you a heads up so you can make an informed decision. Let me know if you have any questions!