2005 Chevrolet Malibu Power Train
Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.
Complaint Timeline
Chronological view of owner reports
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT WAS DIFFICULT TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION DUE TO THE GEAR SHIFTER NOT BEING IN THE PARK POSITION, ALTHOUGH THE SHIFT INDICATOR DISPLAYED PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. MAGEE AUTOPLEX CHEVROLET (2127 WASHINGTON ST, FRANKLINTON, LA 70438, (866) 551-5128) WAS CONTACTED AND AN APPOINTMENT WAS MADE TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V224000 (POWER TRAIN). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,596.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED TROUBLE SHIFTING IN THE INTENDED GEAR. THE FAILURE OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD ALREADY BEEN REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V224000 (POWER TRAIN). THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 8-394-3260477. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ED MORSE SAWGRASS BUICK GMC (14351 W SUNRISE BLVD, SUNRISE, FL) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SHIFT CABLE ASSEMBLY WAS DEFECTIVE AND WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 105,000.
CALLED CHEVY MULTIPLE TIMES. WENT IN FOR TO HAVE PART REPLCAEMENT RECALL, ALWAYS GET AN ANSWER OF PART IS NOT AVAILABLE..
REVERSE IS NOT ENGAGING.
I GOT IN MY CAR SHIFTED TO DRIVE AND INSTEAD IT WENT REVERSE INSTEAD OF FORWARD.
2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TRANSMISSION RECALL NOTICE. *SMD THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *JB
WE JUST GOT OUT OF CHURCH AND WAS STOPPING AT A GAS STATION TO GET SOME GAS. PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND IT WENT INTO REVERSE AND STAYED IN REVERSE. NO MATTER HOW WE TRIED TO GET THE GEAR SHIFT OUT OF REVERSE, IT WOULD MOVE UP AND DOWN BUT WOULD NOT COME OUT OF REVERSE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS IN MY OPINION AND I AM SURE WE ARE NOT THE ONLY ONES THIS HAS HAPPENED TO RECENTLY. RIGHT NOW THE VEHICLE IS IN OUR DRIVE WAY AND IT'S DIFFICULT TO EVEN FIND A TOW COMPANY THAT WILL MOVE A CAR STUCK IN REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVING PERFECT PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. DON'T GET STUCK ON THE FREE WAY IN REVERSE!!
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SHIFT LEVER FAILED TO SHIFT OUT OF GEAR. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL HAD TO BE DEPRESSED IN ORDER TO SHIFT OUT OF GEAR BUT NOW IT'S FAILING TO DO SO. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. ALSO, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIR UNDER THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY, THE LEVER SHIFTED OUT OF THE PARK POSITION INDEPENDENTLY. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE ROLLED AWAY AND CRASHED INTO THE NEIGHBOR'S FENCE AND A CEMENT PILLAR. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER VERIFIED THAT THE VIN WAS AFFECTED BY NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V092000 (POWER TRAIN). THE TECHNICIAN DENIED THAT THE POTENTIAL RECALL FAILURE WAS THE CAUSE OF THE CRASH. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SHIFT LEVER SHIFTED OUT OF DRIVE INDEPENDENTLY AND THE VEHICLE DECELERATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V224000 (POWER TRAIN); HOWEVER, THE REPAIR FAILED TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.
AFTER DAUGHTER STOPPED AT RED TRAFFIC LIGHT CAR WOULD NOT GO FORWARD. ONLY GEAR WAS REVERSE. DROVE BACKWARDS TO SAFE LOCATION. CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO ANY OTHER GEAR. I AM ON DISABILITY SO I DID ASSUME MY TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. SO I DID REPLACE. MY EX-HUSBAND DOING ALL WORK IN MY DRIVEWAY, AS I CAN'T AFFORD MECHANIC. LONG AND SHORT OF IT STILL WOULDN'T GO INTO PARK. DISCOVER IT WAS THE SHIFT CABLE. ORDER SHIFT CABLE DIRECTLY FROM DEALERSHIP. REPLACED AND EVERYTHING WORKS FINE. NOTHING WAS EVEN MENTIONED WHEN I WOULD CALL DEALERSHIP TO ASK QUESTION ABOUT GETTING THE RIGHT TRANSMISSION FOR MY CAR, BECAUSE I GUESS THERE WAS THREE DIFFERENT ONES. NOTHING WAS EVEN MENTIONED WHEN I ORDER MY CABLE THROUGH THE DEALERSHIP THAT THERE WAS A RECALL. PROBLEM IS GM DOESN'T WANT TO REIMBURSE BECAUSE I DIDN'T HAVE THE WORK DONE BY A LICENSED MECHANIC. I HAD TALK TO A SENIOR ADVISOR AND THIS IS THE INFORMATION SHE HAD GIVEN TO ME. I FEEL THIS IS NOT FAIR JUST BECAUSE OF MY FINANCIAL SITUATION. I RECEIVED MY RECALL LETTER IN JULY 2014 ABOUT RECALL AND ANOTHER LETTER JANUARY 16, 2015 LETTING ME KNOW THAT WORK COULD BE DONE. I AM HOPING YOU CAN HELP ME WITH THIS ISSUE OR I CAN TRY LEGAL AID. THANK YOU. *TR
NHTSA RECALL # 14V224 (MANUFACTURER RECALL # N140152) CAR HAS BEEN ON RECALL SINCE MAY 16, 2014. BROUGHT CAR TO PAUL CONTI CHEVEROLET, FREEPORT ON 12/22/2014 TO BE SERVICED AND WAS TOLD AGAIN "PART NOT AVAILABLE." *TR
THE KNOB YOU CHANGE GEARS WITH HAS A PIN IT AND THE PIN HAS BROKEN. IT GOT TO BE A PROBLEM WHEN I WHEN TO THE JUNK YARD TO BUY A KNOB ALL OF THEM WAS BROKEN IT IS VERY HARD TO FIND IN THE JUNK YARD . WILL YOU PLEASE HELP ME FIND ONE I AM 75 YEARS OLD AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO SOME TIME WHEN I TRY TO PUT THE CAR IN GEAR IT WILL NOT MOVE. ONE AUTO REPAIRMAN SAY I WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THE WHOLE DRIVE CONSOLE. PLEASE HELP ME!!! *TR
IT HAS BEEN OVER 5 MONTHS SINCE RECALL, AND GM HAS STILL NOT COME UP WITH THE REPLACEMENT PARTS. THIS DELAY APPEARS TO BE INTENTIONAL. CAN NHTSA DO ANYTHING TO SPEED UP THIS PROCESS? *TR
AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS WARMED UP AFTER DRIVING 10 MILES, THE GEARS DO NOT SHIFT APPROPRIATELY. THE TRANSMISSION STAYS IN 2ND OR 3RD GEAR CAUSING LOSS OF ACCELERATION FROM A STOPPED POSITION (SUCH AS A RED LIGHT) MECHANIC RULED OUT ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION BY ITSELF. GM DEALER TOLD ME ABOUT THIS RECALL. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND LOST ACCELERATION. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V224000 (POWER TRAIN) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
I RECEIVED A LETTER IN JULY FROM GM ADVISING ME OF A RECALL OF MY TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE. IN SHORT, IT COULD FRACTURE AT ANY MOMENT, CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. IT ALSO HAS BEGUN SHIFTING TO DIFFERENT GEARS WITHOUT PRESSURE BEING APPLIED TO THE GEAR SHIFT BUTTON. IN OTHER WORDS, IT CAN SHIFT INTO A DIFFERENT GEAR ON ITS OWN. THIS AS MY PRIMARY TRANSPORTATION. THE PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR ARE A RESULT OF THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE, UNDER RECALL 14152. IN THE LETTER (AGAIN, RECEIVED IN JULY) I WAS INFORMED THAT CHEVROLET DEALERSHIPS DO NOT HAVE THE PARTS TO FIX THE PROBLEM. IT IS NOW THE END OF AUGUST AND THE PARTS ARE STILL NOT AVAILABLE. MY QUESTION TO GM, AS A SINGLE WOMAN WITH ONE VEHICLE THAT I CAN'T SAFELY DRIVE, WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO? THEY HAD NO ANSWER. WHEN IS GM GOING TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE POSITION IN WHICH THEY HAVE PUT THOUSANDS OF CONSUMERS? WHY ISN'T THERE A FORCED BUY BACK? AND WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO UNTIL THEY MAKE PARTS AVAILABLE? *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V224000 (POWER TRAIN) HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING 65MPH DOWN HWY 75 AND THE ENGINE JUST SHUT DOWN, ROLLED TO A STOP AND AFTER A LITTLE WHILE HE GOT IT STARTED AND WE WENT ON DOWN THE ROAD. THE NEXT TWO WEEKS WHEN DRIVING, THE CAR WOULD JUST DIE AND I WOULD HAVE TO WAIT A BIT TO GET IT STARTED. AFTER DYING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC I TOOK IT TO ARMBRUSTER MOTOR CO. IN FALLS CITY NB. WHERE THEY SAID IT WAS THE IGNITION AND PUT A NEW ONE ON. COMING HOME GOING 60MPH AND NEARING A CURVE THE CAR DIED AND LOCKED UP AND I ALMOST HAD A WRECK. ARMBRUSTER MOTOR TOOK IT BACK AND PUT THESE PARTS ON. 1EACH #19210069 PCM 3.670,ACH 19210069 CORE CHARGE AND 1 EACH 19210069 CORE RETURN. ALSO PARTS: 1EACH 3157 BULB, AND 1 EACH 3057 BULB. PARTS AND LABOR CAME TO $663.06 NOW THE CAR WORKS GREAT AND HAVEN'T HAD TROUBLE SINCE GETTING IT BACK BUT THERE IS ALWAYS THAT FEAR OF WRECKING WHEN I GET ON THE HIGHWAY NOW. IS THIS A MANUFACTURE DEFECT? IS THIS GOING TO HAPPEN AGAIN? I FEEL THAT EVERYONE SHOULD BE WARNED ABOUT THE CHEV MALFUNCTIONS AND HOW YOUR LIFE IS ONE THE LINE WHEN YOU TAKE A CHEV ON THE HIGHWAY. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V224000 (POWER TRAIN); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,188. UPDATED 3/20/13 *CN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 50 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE BECAME UNRESPONSIVE TO ACCELERATION ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD ENGAGED INTO LIMP MODE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SECOND AND THIRD SHIFT CYLINDERS HAD ALSO FAILED, INDICATING THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD REQUIRE REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 119,000. *TR
I OWN A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. I HAVE HAD A "CLUNKING" OF THE "I" SHAFT SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR AND WAS TOLD "NOT TO WORRY ABOUT IT". "WON'T HURT ANYTHING." "YOU CAN HAVE IT REPLACED IF IT BECOMES ANNOYING." "IS NOT COVERED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY." I HAVE MY CAR AT A DEALERSHIP RIGHT NOW TO GET THE "I" SHAFT REPLACED. THE SHOP FOREMAN JUST CAME IN AND TOLD ME HE HAS HAD TO REPLACE THIS ON "SEVERAL" MALIBUS AND GM HAS INCREASED THE COST OF THE "I" SHAFT BECAUSE OF SO MANY REPAIRS. IT USE TO COST $90-$125. NOW HE TELLS ME IT WILL COST $150 JUST FOR THE "I" SHAFT. HE EVEN RECOMMENDED I FILE THE COMPLAINT AND SEE IF GM WILL ADDRESS THIS ISSUE AND REIMBURSE ME FOR THE COSTS. IF A DEALER REPAIR SHOP IS SAYING THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL CARS WITH THIS PROBLEM, THEN GM SHOULD HAVE CORRECTED THIS ISSUE AT NO COST TO THE CONSUMER 5 YEARS AGO. PLEASE HELP! I AM A RETIRED WORKER AND THIS IS KILLING MY MEAGER BUDGET. *TR
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Quick Summary
The 2005 Chevrolet Malibu has 27 Power Train complaints on file. 1 crashes have been reported. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.