2005 Chevrolet Malibu: battery drain or dead battery

Filed Aug 4, 2025 · Electrical, Steering · KS

The EPS began sporadically and severely jerking the steering very powerfully while driving and stationary and draining the battery at an accelerated rate necessitating multiple replacements of and charging 2 batteries to get to and from my job and anywhere else making everyday life very difficult beginning in early 2024. A couple months before this issue became a daily and constant occurrence in in February 2024 between the 6th and 13th I had a stabilizer link and control arm on the right side replaced and an alignment done at Firestone, on the document for the alignment it states no manufacturers recommended services necessary on suspension. The mechanic who replaced the parts told me that the EPS issue is a likely cause for the steering system damage as a vehicle is not meant to remain stationary while the wheels are forcibly turned as is the case when the EPS takes over and jerks the wheel often to the extremes of its function. I have video of this on multiple occasions and it can be inspected still occuring. I took it to Hendrick Chevrolet Shawnee Mission in April 2024 and explained the services done recently and the mechanics opinion on the EPS. They held my vehicle for 3 days not saying it would take so long, during which I had to use a truck I had just bought and was not ready to be driven to get to work, it's transmission blew and has sat since. They called me to come pick it up and only once there told me they had refused to replace the recalled EPS unit "due to loose steering" as quoted from the document Given to me. I asked them to reconsider since this was the only vehicle I had running and charging batteries and being nearly forced off of the road or into other cars daily was very concerning, they simply told me to take it to another dealership for "a second opinion" I stated I didn't have time for another dealer to hold my car for days because my truck had just gone OOC, they held their position and I drove it until forced to buy a new car in 03/2025

Filed Dec 6, 2021 · Acceleration, Electrical · SD

1st when got car from local dealer cruise control worked next day still hasn't, interior lights not working with new bulb, brake light on, leaking oil from pan, front end drifting, than at station no power steering, didn't know wtf, wheels didn't turn, shut off he later was there ignition switch will keep turning. Rins battery dead. I'm scared power steering will go out while driving. It's a scary thought, think I will sell .It's the worse recall I've heard of can they be fixed. Consumer has all 7 recalls.

Filed Aug 6, 2019 · Driver assistance, Electrical · LA

Car battery keeps dying even though it's new and we have changed fuses. We took the car to mechanic they can find why losing charge on battery. Keep jumping of won't stay charged bit 1 day .

Filed Apr 12, 2016 · Electrical, Lights · 136 miles · KY

My key will not turn in the ignition and I checked for recalls. I called the dealer to fix the recall on the ignition, and was notified that they would only put a piece of plastic over key and would not fix the ignition to turn. I can hardly even start my car because the key won't turn. The key is going to break off in the ignition. The horn and radio do not work either. Not having a horn for incoming traffic towards my vehicle is very dangerous. The turn signals only work at random times and that is very dangerous when switching lanes into traffic. Also, something in the back of the car squeaks for no reason when going down the road at random and when going over speed bumps. This car also drains the battery with unknown electrical problems. The drivers side back passenger window wont go down either. This car has way too many safety issues for only 137,000 miles on it.

Filed Aug 17, 2015 · Electrical, Engine · 162,000 miles · GA

I was driving as normal with no incident, parked went into home and came out 10 minutes later, car would not crank, as if battery was dead.. Went back in to get a multi-meter and checked battery, showed 12.3 volts. Went back into car and it cranked right up , no hesitation. Next day went to get my grand-daughter (2 years old) and parked at her home. Loaded the baby-seat, and went to start car, dead battery symptom again. Jumped the car from my daughter and went tom walmart to have battery checked. Battery and charge system checked fine. Tried to start the car after test, acted like a dead battery again. Walmart tech said looks like a bad starter motor. I purchased a new starter and installed. Cranked on first hit. Checked charging amps while running, 13.4 volts. Went 25 miles to town. Parked and after 2 hours came back to car and would not crank. (turned motor once then click click. Click.) got a ride home and checked internet for probable cause, seems like hundreds (thousands) have the same situation. I feel the anti-theft system is cutting off power to car. I tried the fix that I found, lock, unlock, lock unlock car with key then wait 10 minutes and crank the car. It worked. I pulled away from my lodge and went down the road. Stopped, made a right turn heading for a traffic light and the car died in the middle of the road. Could not turn the steering wheel, no electrical signs other than anti theft light flashing on dash. Tried repetitively to start the car but again just click click. Click. If I had been on the thru-way, it would probably been an accident. Further search on internet shows this a major problem, but no recall is found. Why???