2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx fuel system problems

Filed Mar 22, 2017 · Fuel system · 94,480 miles · TX

Noticed a fuel smell coming from back of 2005 mailbu maxx, nothing leaking for 3 days, then noticed fuel on the ground, was having issue starting (fuel line not pressurized) turning the car on and off a couple of times before cranking worked to pressurize the line. At the shop now, they said it a non-repairable fuel line coming off of the pump, going to have to replace the entire sending unit and it is going to cost me out the wahzoo to repair, how is there no recall on this? I spoke with gm recall line and was told there is no recall associated with the VIN of my car.

Filed Oct 19, 2015 · Fuel system, Seats · 95,000 miles · KS

Issue one is the drivers seal welds brake on the rear and front from the floor mount base to the elevated control thus in the case of a crash the seat is compromised to separate completely from the floor mount due to these welds being broke. Second issue fuel pumps begin to leak at the seal of the pump at the fuel tank leaking heavy amounts of fuel from the tank and onto the exhaust. Third issue which I have seen multiple reports of recalls but the dealership denies there is an issue with the maxx that only the base model is effected but while driving the power steering will fail and the car has no control and will violently jerk in one direction throwing the vehicle in to oncoming lanes or even into the ditch. Happens periodically the power steering message appears on main control message screen and car will sound an alarm, other times the entire dash board warning lights from check engine, oil, air bag, seat belt, so on so all come on and the power steering goes out. I have found that this issue usually occurs while accelerating whether slowly or even while trying to speed up more aggressively to merge unto expressway traffic. I have nearly wrecked into numerous cars due to steering going out and wheel will violently jerk one direction or to the other. Not sure why this site shows a recall for power steering but dealership denies there is a active recall for the maxx but they have one for the 2005 base malibu

Filed Oct 14, 2015 · Fuel system · 197,000 miles · CA

Fuel pump leak. Noticed strong gas smell that only increased as time passed, driving and parked. Fuel pump needs to be replaced. Have noticed this is a common problem in this vehicle. Seriously needs to be investigated.

Filed Oct 20, 2014 · Fuel system · TX

There is a crack/leak in the fuel sending unit. This is the second one to be replaced on this car. The first was about a year after purchase (2006) and the newest problem was diagnosed around the first of this year (2014). I took it to a couple of mechanics and the entire unit will have to be replaced. The unit is around 500 plus labor and totals about 1000 dollars. This is on the short list of problems I have had with this car, even though it has been well maintained and taken care of. I have not had any major issues as others have, but this particular one concerns me quite a bit.

Filed Oct 1, 2014 · Fuel system · 101,000 miles · MD

Fuel leak from the sending unit above the fuel tank.

Filed Jan 18, 2014 · Electrical, Fuel system · 176,000 miles · CA

When starting the car it would hesitate before turning over. Later it began to struggle to turn over. Now its struggling to turn over but won't. I purchased a new battery at firestone less than a month ago and the car has plenty of gas. I also took the car into firestone for a vehicle inspection the day before I bought the battery. If the cause is a defective fuel pump, the pump may seize stopping the fuel flow to the engine creating a stalling condition. A vehicle crash could occur should the engine stall while in use. Many chevy malibu owners found that the alarm or anti-theft system had the fuel system locked and the car would not start. This happens randomly and at the most inconvenient times. The owner's manual said to turn the ignition key to the on position leave it on for 10 minutes, then turn it off for 5 seconds and then it started up. I have not tried this yet but I will in the morning.

Filed Jun 17, 2013 · Fuel system · 97,555 miles · MS

You can smell fuel when you are by the car. At this time it takes 2 to 3 cranks for the car to start. I'm told that there is a leak on the top of the fuel tank somewhere.

Filed Nov 7, 2012 · Fuel system · 77,000 miles · AZ

Around june 2012 I started smelling fuel when I parked the car in the garage. I thought I may have over filled. The problem persisted and I took the car into a chevrolet dealership for repair. The plastic line from the fuel pump had cracked causing the leak of fuel. I checked for a recall and found there was one but the maxx was not on the list. I do believe this recall included a pontiac with the same fuel pump. Since I have a safety issue due to the arizona heat in phoenix the maxx should be included due to the mileage and the year. Thanks

Filed Oct 26, 2012 · Fuel system · 96,500 miles · TX

I started to smell gas after parking my car in garage about one month ago. Changed fuel cap, didn't work. The gas smell became more and more strong after few weeks. Did some search and found it's a common problem of fuel pump leak in 2004-2006 chevy malibu maxx. The high pressure line breaks and the owners have to replace the fuel pump completely, which costs more than $600. There was a recall of fuel pump but not for the original one. Gm/chevy should recall the faulty fuel pump, it's very dangerous since it's easy to catch fire and very bad for the environment!!!

Filed Oct 1, 2012 · Fuel system · 68,000 miles · NM

A fuel smell/odor began permeating the vehicle and the immediate area around it. The next day, vehicle began requiring two cranks to get started. After troubleshooting, it was determined that there was a fuel leak, and it was coming from the fuel pump. The part was replaced, and the fuel pump had a cracked plastic portion which the mechanic said he had never seen happen before. This kind of thing must have been the result of a defect within the formation of that plastic portion of the fuel pump.