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…
2005 Chevrolet Malibu steering problems
critical 710 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
710
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
29crashes
1fire
26injuries
1fatality
When does it fail?
Of the 710 steering complaints filed for the 2005 Chevrolet Malibu, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Steering accounts for 51% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 12 categories tracked.
Owners have filed 710 steering complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2005 Malibu has a well-documented history of electric power steering failures ranging from sudden loss of assist to jerking wheels and steering locks. Owners report repeated repairs, partial recalls that don't fix the problem, and some vehicles becoming undrivable—avoid this generation unless the EPS system has been completely replaced with current components.
Owners describe an epidemic of electric power steering (EPS) failures in the 2005 Malibu. The most common complaint is sudden, unpredictable loss of power steering assist while driving—the wheel goes stiff, especially at low speeds or during turns—and driving reverts to manual steering, which takes significant physical effort. Some owners report the power returns after turning the car off and restarting; others experience repeated failures even after dealership repairs.
A second major failure mode involves the steering wheel moving or jerking on its own without any driver input, moving side to side or back and forth. One owner documented a vehicle with the EPS causing the wheel to jerk violently while stationary, draining the battery at an accelerated rate and necessitating multiple battery replacements.
Clunking, popping, and grinding noises from the steering column or assembly plague many owners, often recurring even after dealerships replace the steering rack multiple times within short intervals—one owner had four rack replacements in three months, with the problem returning within 1 mile of the third replacement.
GM issued recalls for the torque sensor assembly starting in 2014 (campaign 14V153000), but many owners report their VINs are excluded from the recall despite owning an identical year and experiencing identical symptoms. Some dealerships have refused to address failures, citing "closed recalls" or loose steering as reasons to deny warranty work. One owner's dealership held the vehicle for three days, refused the recalled EPS replacement, and told the owner to seek a second opinion—the owner eventually traded the car in after years of intermittent battery drain and erratic steering made it undrivable. Post-recall repairs sometimes create new problems: one vehicle became completely undrivable after recall service, and a dealership mechanic told the owner he wouldn't let family members drive it.
Dealership parts shortages have left owners on waiting lists for months, unable to have their cars repaired under recall. Multiple owners report being charged out-of-pocket ($600–$2,000) for repairs that should have been covered.
Same Chevrolet Malibu steering reports on nearby years: 2006 · 2007 · 2008
Failure modes owners describe
Sudden loss of electric power steering assist (EPS)
EPS cuts out without warning, requiring the driver to steer manually with significantly greater effort. The vehicle reverts to manual steering mode. Power typically returns after turning the car off and restarting. Loss can occur at low speeds during turns, at highway speeds, or during acceleration.
When: Intermittently; some owners report increased frequency in hot weather or during air conditioning use. Issues start as early as first 200 miles to several years of ownership. Some vehicles fail multiple times.
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering assist suddenly stops working; Steering wheel becomes very stiff or hard to turn; Warning light or message on dashboard indicating power steering failure; Audible chime or alert from vehicle; Loss of steering control momentarily or completely
Codes mentioned: C0900, B1325, C0176
Repairs/costs cited: Dealerships have replaced torque sensor assembly, steering column motor, power steering motor, steering column, and/or steering motor module. Costs cited range from $600–$1,500 for column replacement; one owner paid $660.05 for motor repair out of pocket. Some dealers report parts unavailable and place customers on waiting lists.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM issued recall 14V153000 (NHTSA campaign) in 2014 to replace torque sensor assembly for certain VINs, but many owners report their VINs excluded despite experiencing identical symptoms. GM Special Service Bulletin 10183 (issued 2007) extended warranty to 10 years/100,000 miles for power steering assist; later revised to 150,000 miles in 2012. Some owners received letters from GM dated 2007 offering reimbursement up to a deadline (e.g., by December 2008 with mileage ≤70,000), but strict cutoffs denied coverage for failures outside the window. Dealers have refused repairs citing closed recalls or exclusions.
Steering wheel locks or freezes in place
Steering wheel becomes immobile or locked, unable to be turned left or right. Occurs momentarily or for extended periods. Sometimes accompanied by an audible chime. Recovery typically requires turning vehicle off and restarting.
When: Intermittently during normal driving, often while turning at low speed or during acceleration. Some occur at highway speeds during lane changes.
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel becomes locked or frozen; Complete loss of steering control; Unable to turn wheel left or right; Audible chime when lock occurs; Brief hard steering before complete lock
Repairs/costs cited: Steering column replaced multiple times on some vehicles. One owner had column replaced three times within approximately 6 months. Repair costs paid out-of-pocket range from $792 to over $2,000.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No specific recall issued for this failure mode alone. Dealerships cite closed recalls and refuse further service. One dealership performed recall work but rendered vehicle undrivable and declined to repair.
Steering wheel jerks or moves independently
Steering wheel moves, jerks, or maneuvers on its own without driver input, moving left and right, or back and forth. Can occur while vehicle is stationary or moving. Wheel may move to extremes of function.
When: Intermittently; can occur while driving or parked at drive-thru. More frequent with newer vehicles (low mileage).
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel moves or jerks without driver input; Wheel maneuvers left, right, back and forth on its own; Steering wheel vibrates or twitches; No warning indicator lights illuminated in some cases; Vehicle harder to steer as a result
Repairs/costs cited: One dealership diagnosed need for power steering motor and power steering column replacement but did not complete repairs due to cost and safety concerns; mechanic stated vehicle unsafe to drive. Another owner attempted repairs but dealer held vehicle for one week, then advised it was undrivable and declined further work.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership (Chase Chevrolet) agreed to replace torque sensor assembly free after contact but later diagnosed motor and column needing replacement, which was not covered. Vehicle was declared unsafe to drive.
Steering system degradation and clunking/popping noises
Clunking, popping, thumping, or grinding noises emanate from steering column or assembly when steering wheel is turned, especially sharply. Steering feels loose or has excessive play. Noises persist or recur despite multiple repairs.
When: Early in ownership (2–3 months to 1 year after purchase). Recurs even after replacement parts installed.
Symptoms owners cite: Loud clunking or popping sound from steering column when turning; Steering wheel feels loose with excessive play; Grinding noises during turning; Thumping sensation in steering; Grinding or whining noises after recall work
Repairs/costs cited: Dealerships replaced steering rack three to four times on individual vehicles within short intervals (one owner had four replacements over ~3 months). Other repairs include U-joint lubrication, steering rack replacement, and gear replacement. One owner had same issue recur within 1 mile after third replacement. Trenor Motors replaced rack in June, August, October 2009 and again in August 2010; owner eventually gave up after warranty expiration.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealerships performed warranty repairs but could not resolve underlying issue. GM did not acknowledge root cause or issue recall. One dealership lubed I-shaft as alternative but problem returned. GM contact investigated but declined restitution after BBB and attorney general involvement.
Steering wheel retaining nut loose on shaft
Steering wheel retaining nut backs off the steering shaft, causing excessive play (looseness) in steering wheel. Nut can be turned by hand and is nearly completely off within the first 40 miles of driving a new vehicle.
When: Very early in vehicle life—within 40 miles of driving a brand-new vehicle from dealership.
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel rocks 3/4 inch front to back on either side; Play in steering wheel of at least 1/2 inch on splined shaft; Car unsafe to drive due to excessive steering wheel play
Repairs/costs cited: Body shop owner tightened retaining nut (made at least four full turns before resistance) to correct problem immediately upon discovery.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented; issue identified and corrected by independent body shop.
Rapid battery drain attributed to EPS system
Vehicle battery drains at accelerated rate, requiring frequent recharging or replacement. Battery tests normal but vehicle exhibits dead-battery symptoms. Issue coincides with or follows EPS jerking and malfunction. May be related to EPS drawing excessive power.
When: Early 2024 in one detailed account; began several months before becoming daily/constant issue by February 2024.
Symptoms owners cite: Battery drains rapidly despite testing normal; Vehicle acts as if battery is dead; Multiple battery replacements necessary; Requires frequent charging to drive to/from work; Battery voltage normal when tested but vehicle won't start
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple battery replacements and charges required. Owner replaced batteries and had them charged repeatedly to get to and from work.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chevrolet dealership (Hendrick Chevrolet Shawnee Mission) refused to replace recalled EPS unit, citing 'loose steering' as reason to deny warranty service in April 2024. Dealership declined to reconsider despite owner's concerns about battery drain and erratic steering.
Stalling and electrical shutdown
Vehicle stalls or experiences complete electrical shutdown while driving or at stops. Power steering is lost as part of shutdown. In some cases, anti-theft system suspected as cause. Vehicle can be restarted after delay.
When: Intermittently, often after 2+ hours parked or during turns at low speed. Can occur multiple times within an hour or over prolonged period.
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls without warning; Steering wheel becomes immobile with stall; No electrical signs except anti-theft light flashing; Vehicle won't crank or cranks slowly with clicking; Power steering lost with stall; Requires repeated restart attempts
Repairs/costs cited: Owner identified and applied internet-sourced workaround (lock, unlock, lock, unlock with key, then wait 10 minutes before cranking). Problem recurred; vehicle died in middle of road after workaround application.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented for anti-theft system stalling complaint. Issue noted as widespread ('thousands') per owner research but no recall found.
Post-recall steering problems and complications
Vehicle develops new steering or related problems immediately after dealership completes recall service. Issues include inability to steer, new grinding/whining noises, stalling, and other defects not present before recall work.
When: Within days to weeks after recall repair completion.
Symptoms owners cite: Steering becomes difficult or impossible to operate after recall service; New grinding or whining noises from power steering; Vehicle stalling at traffic lights or stops after recall; Vehicle becomes undrivable after recall work; Airbag light and other warning lights illuminate after recall
Repairs/costs cited: One dealer (Chuck Hutton Chevy) claimed power steering rack and wheel alignment needed after recall; owner disputed, noting tires were only 6 months old and car was fully serviced in August prior to recall. One dealership had vehicle for one week, returned it unable to steer, and refused further repairs. Another vehicle became undrivable after recall; service manager stated he wouldn't let family members drive it.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealerships refused to acknowledge or correct problems introduced by recall work. One dealership offered $500 trade-in value if customer purchased different vehicle from them as only resolution. Dealerships stated nothing else could be done.
Vehicle pulling to one side and tire wear issues
Vehicle pulls sharply to one side (usually left) while driving, especially at certain speeds. Steering wheel may turn 360 degrees on its own when stopped. Tire wear is accelerated and uneven due to pulling.
When: Intermittently while driving; pulling occurs more noticeable at higher speeds (45+ mph). Steering wheel rotation occurs when vehicle is stopped.
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle pulls sharply to one side while driving; Steering wheel turns 360 degrees twice on its own when parked; Vibration in tires at 45+ mph; Premature and excessive tire wear; Difficulty controlling vehicle during pulling episodes
Repairs/costs cited: One owner had to replace tires prematurely due to wear caused by pulling. Parts on waiting list at dealership with no timeline for availability.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership (Galles Chevrolet) advised owner on waiting list for parts but parts remained unavailable months after recall notice. Recall issued but parts backlog left vehicle unsafe and undrivable for extended period.
Voltage spikes damaging EPS motor and related components
Defective ignition coil causes voltage spikes in electrical system, damaging the electric power steering motor/module and potentially other electrical components. Related to TSB 08-02-32-005.
When: Can occur at any time; owner experienced failures multiple times after recall service.
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of power steering after acceleration; Power steering problem worsens after recall service; Voltage spikes detected in electrical system
Codes mentioned: C0900, B1325, C0176
Repairs/costs cited: Owner ordered new enhanced coil and ground strap per TSB 08-02-32-005 to address voltage spikes. Steering motor/module still requires replacement, which dealership indicated is necessary but costly.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM issued TSB 08-02-32-005 identifying defective coil as cause of voltage spikes. TSB 10183 extends warranty to 10 years/100,000 miles for loss of signal from steering column, but owner's VIN not covered by this TSB. GM acknowledged defect in TSB but refused to recall as safety issue.
Steering sensor failures and recalls not covering all affected vehicles
Torque sensor and related steering column sensors fail, triggering recalls. However, many owners report their VINs are excluded from recall notices despite owning the same year, make, and model and experiencing identical symptoms.
When: Varies; some failures occur early (under 50,000 miles) and some after many years of ownership.
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering assist loss; Steering wheel jerks or becomes stiff; Warning lights and chimes indicate sensor/steering failure; VIN incorrectly excluded from recall despite matching symptoms and vehicle specifications
Repairs/costs cited: Dealerships state VIN not covered by recall and refuse free repairs. One owner had torque sensor replaced under recall but steering motor then failed and was not covered; owner paid out-of-pocket.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM recall 14V153000 issued April 2014 for certain VINs but many owners with matching year/make/model report exclusion. GM customer service has told owners their VINs 'are not among those affected' despite documented similar failures in other vehicles with same parts. Dealerships cite VIN exclusion as reason to deny recall coverage.
Synthesized from 710 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Had steering trouble with your 2005 Chevrolet Malibu?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
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?
Across the 575 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 50,000 and 140,000 miles, with the median around 92,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 50,000; a quarter make it past 140,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
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.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2005/Chevrolet/Malibu.
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. Some links on this page are affiliate links.