TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000. UPDATED 02/27/1…
2005 chevrolet Malibu steering problems
critical 710 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700
Complaints
710
Recalls
0
Crashes
29
Avg fix
$700
What owners are reporting 12 most recent
POWER STEERING QUIT WORKING. HERE IN 2013, WITH 175000 MILES, GM WILL NOT HONOR THEIR "SERVICE POLICY" , DUE TO MILES! IT ONLY COVERED UP TO 150000 MILES! ABSURD! *TR
WAS DRIVING CAR AND THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING DISABLED AND WILL NOT TURN BACK ON. UNABLE TO DRIVE CAR SAFELY. THIS VEHICLE HAD A RECALL ON IT AND WAS TOLD IT WAS FIXED IN 2014. ONLY 5 YEARS LATER THE RECALL DEFECTED AND ALMOST CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EPS WARNING INDICATOR RANDOMLY FLASHED AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOOSELY SWAYED LEFT AND RIGHT EACH TIME THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE MANUFACTURER RECALL FOR THE POWER STEERING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE …
WHEN STARTING AND/OR DRIVING THE CAR FOR A SHORT TIME AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 5-45 POWER STEERING FAILS. THIS HAS NOT HAPPENED WITH HIGHWAY DRIVING YET BUT I AM CONCERNED IT WILL. I AM TAKING CAR IN THE NEAREST CHEVY DEALER FOR SERVICE. I DID RECEIVE A NOTICE IN THE MAIL IN DECEMBER 2007 REGARDING PROBLEMS BUT WAS NOT EXPERIENCING THE PROBLEM AT THE TIME AND DID NOT KEEP THE NOTICE; SOON THEREAFTER I DI…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 75 MPH, AN UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND A NOTIFICATION FOR STEERING FAILURE WAS SHOWN ON THE RADIO DISPLAY. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND THE OPERATED NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A LOOSE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUD…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 5-30 MPH THE POWER STEERING INDICATOR WOULD ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL, AND THEN THE RADIO AND THE POWER STEERING WOULD FAIL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE DEALER REPLACED THE POWER STEERING COLUMN . THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY REGARDING THE POWER STEERING , BUT EXCLUDED HIS VEHICLE IDENTIF…
FOR SEVERAL MONTHS, I HAVE BOTH HEARD AND FELT A "CREAKING" IN THE FRONT END OF MY VEHICLE AS THOUGH METAL PARTS ARE LOOSE WHEN THE CAR IS PUT IN MOTION BOTH BACKING AND FORWARD, TURNS IN EITHER DIRECTION. I DID BRING THIS CONDITION TO THE ATTENTION THE LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT THIS CAR AND WHERE I HAVE HAD IT SERVICED SINCE THEN. THEY INDICATED TO ME, THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLE…
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING LOCKED UP SEVERAL TIMES WHILE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN SEPTEMBER 21, 201 BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 49,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 79,000.
GRINDING, POPPING NOISES COME FROM FRONT END AND SQUEAKING NOISE FROM REAR. YOU CAN FEEL THE ENTIRE CAR SHIFT WHEN TURNING OR TRAVELING OVER BUMPS IN THE ROAD. SOUNDS LIKE THE WHOLE BODY OF THE CAR IS GOING TO SLIDE OFF OF THE CHASSIE. JANUARY 2007, DEALER REPLACED STEERING RACK AND SET TOE, HOOKED CHASSIE EARS TO THE FRONT SUSPENSION, AND REPLACED REAR SWAY BAR BUSHINGS. VEHICLE HAD 26,080 MIL…
Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2005 chevrolet Malibu?
It's a serious issue. 710 complaints have been filed, including 29 reports involving a crash and 1 fatality(ies). We've classified it as critical based on NHTSA's reported outcomes.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area.
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