Tl* the contact owns a 2005 malibu maxx. While operating the vehicle, the passenger and driver side turn signals malfunctioned and would not illuminate. The vehicle was taken to lewis chevrolet of garden city (1903 us 50 bus e., garden city , ks) where it was diagnosed that the headlight bulb sockets had melted and damaged the bulbs. The dealer stated that the bulbs could not be screwed out of the light bulb sockets and the entire headlight bulb assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact indicated that the failure occurred to both the driver and passenger side assemblies on multiple occasions. The manufacturer was not notified. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 160,000.
2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx lights problems
51 complaints (16% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 87,000.
- owner complaints
- 51
- of this car's complaints
- 16%
- typical mileage
- 87,000
- crashes
- 0
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
- Turn signal5
- Headlights3
- Brake lights2
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Chevrolet Malibu Maxx lights problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx lights
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Related investigations
Turn Signal Lamps
GM designed the MY 2004 and 2005 Chevrolet Malibu and Malibu Maxx vehicles with a daytime running lamp (DRL) system that uses the same filament (the high power filament of a dual filament bulb) as the front turn signals.The high power filament operates at full battery voltage when functioning as a DRL.The DRL is illuminated whenever the headlamps are off, increasing the duty cycle of the front turn signal bulb.The MY 2003 and earlier Malibu vehicles (Malibu Maxx was not manufactured for sale in the U.S. prior to MY 2004) used a headlamp based design, operated at a reduced voltage, for the DRL function; GM reverted back to this design on the MY 2006 and later Malibu and Malibu Maxx vehicles. Filament based bulbs have a finite life (hours of illumination) for any given operating voltage.As a result, increasing the duty cycle of a bulb typically decreases the life span of the bulb.GM identified and addressed two front turn signal/DRL and rear turn signal bulb quality issues early in MY 2004 production, however vehicle warranty claims for failed bulbs continued to occur.To address the high warranty levels of bulb failures (90% of the warranty claims submitted to ODI by GM were bulb failures and 10% were socket failures), GM issued a technical service bulletin in March 2006 advising dealers to use a new specification of bulb when addressing service failures, and to also inspect the electrical sockets for thermal damage and replace if necessary.In June 2006 (after subject vehicle production ended) GM changed the turn signal bulb specification to that of the TSB bulb in vehicle production also.To date, ODI has not identified any allegations of crash, injury, or fire related to the alleged defect even though the subject vehicles have experienced 5 - 6 years of field exposure.ODI's analysis of consumer complaints, both VOQ and manufacturer, shows a declining trend.The warranty rate for turn signal bulb replacement is high however statistical analysis of the warranty data suggests that the majority of the original equipment bulbs have already been replaced.GM conducted a safety recall (06V‑263) for MY 2004-2005 Cadillac XLR to replace the front turn signal/DRL bulbs and the electrical sockets.However GM advised that the turn signal/DRL bulbs/sockets on the subject vehicles differ from those on the recalled XLRs in several respects, including using bulb sockets with four electrical terminals as opposed to three, which improves the electrical connection, allows the bulb to operate at a lower temperature, and adds stability to the bulb in the socket; operating at a lower voltage, which increases vehicle bulb life; using vented headlamps, which allows bulbs to run cooler than those installed in a non-vented XLR headlamp; and using a clear bulb, which runs cooler than the amber bulbs installed on the XLR.Additionally, the warranty claim level related to subject vehicle sockets is unremarkable compared to other defect investigations into defective socket assemblies.A safety-related defect trend has not been identified at this time.Further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that a safety-related defect does not exist.The agency will take further action if warranted by the circumstances.See attached report for further information.
EA09004
What 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Ignition staying stuck alowing starter to continue to turn, day time no break lights , night time break lights stay lit up or flash on and off , fuel gauge drops to empty even when full bounces back and forth empty full , service air bag and check engine lights keep coming on even after they have been reset, cruise control will not engage , hard time to take car out of park even with brake depressed, lower gears on transmission will not engage into 3,2,1 speed, driver seat bracket broke in weld causing seat to be unstable, faulty ignition switch and more this car has less than 150 k on it 148 and some change,,, air bag service light keeps coming on as well as check engine light, this car will not pass any state inspection , and even states with out inspection would advise that the car be recalled
The front and rear turn signal bulbs continually burn out. They get so hot that both front orange bulb covers have holes burnt in them and the socket has discolored because of the heat. This began shortly after I purchased the car in 2005 but did not notice the holes until recently.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 chevrolet malibu maxx. When the steering wheel was turned to the left and when starting the vehicle, an abnormal noise emerged from the steering wheel. The dealer was notified of the failure and indicated that it was due to a safety feature. In addition, the brake lights remained illuminated when the brakes had not been applied. The VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v252000 (electrical system, electronic stability control, exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic, vehicle speed control). The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was not available.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 chevrolet malibu maxx. While driving 35 MPH, the air bag warning light illuminated intermittently. The contact also stated that both turn signals failed to function. The failures recurred numerous times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 98,000.
Took car to the chevrolet dealership, for the federal safety agency id: 14v252000/gm safety recall: 13036, to correct the issues in the body control module which impacted the brake apply sensor. Now rear top brake lights no longer illuminate when the brake pedal is being pushed. Front low-beam headlights goes on and off while driving. Replaced both low-beam lights on 12/6/2014. Front low beam headlights still goes off and on intermittently. Also upon visual inspection, the turn signal blinkers have melted the yellow plastic inside the headlight. Brought back to the same chevrolet dealership on 1/2/2015, for vehicle recall the federal safety agency id: 14v224000/gm safety recall 14152 to have the shift cable assembly and mounting bracket installed. I notified the dealership that I was having issues with the electrical system tied to the exterior lighting system. They could not provide me the reason for the fault.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 chevrolet malibu maxx. The contact stated that the amber lights burned out and melted the plastic shield. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 124,370. Updated 10/10/14*cn the consumer stated the lights were not burned out. The plastic cove over the running lights melted and the right turn signal failed. The technician advised all light s needed to be replaced but, would not assist with the repairs due to the age of the vehicle. Updated 05/18/2015
I purchased this vehicle used and have had an electrical problem with the passenger headlights.going on and off.I have replaced the wire harness 7 times in 2 years.is their a recall on these cars for the headlight issues.if so I need to be notified asap before their is a fire in my car.I am a handicap mother that needs her car.
A 2005 chevrolet malibu maxx ls. 156964 mileage. The steering wheel emitted a clucking and a creaking noise while making a turn. A clapping repeated noise somewhere in the wheels has appeared also. Blinkers burned out too often and the plastics that cover them are melt down. If it stays more than 10 minutes stopped after driving a while, the temperature gauge start rising to the overheat point, but if you turn on the air conditioning it comes back to the medium reading measurement gauge.
I purchased this vehicle yesterday and upon inspection last night I realized that the orange plastic dome that fits over the lamp for the passenger side blinker is unattached, when my father looked further into it he became aware that the wires are melted and so is the part of the orange piece that attaches, upon further research it seems that this is a problem that many owners of this model have encountered, is there a recall or something on this to have it replaced?
Questions about the 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx lights
Does the 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx have lights problems?
Owners have filed 51 complaints about the lights of the 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx, 16% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx lights problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 87,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx lights?
There is no recall for this problem on this model year.
What year does the Chevrolet Malibu Maxx have the most lights problems?
The Chevrolet Malibu Maxx model years with the most lights complaints are 2005 (51 complaints) and 2004 (38 complaints).
Other 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx problems
Steering 185Electrical 40Seats 39Brakes 19Fuel system 12Suspension 10Airbags 9Driver assistance 9Engine 9Acceleration 5Body 3Transmission 3Visibility 3Wheels 3Locks 1Seat belts 1Tires 1
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