2005 Chevrolet Malibu: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Apr 30, 2020 · Airbags · 154,000 miles · IL

While driving home from work on a side street I smelled a burning smell and smoke started coming out of my steering wheel. The sensor light for my air bag then came on and has been on ever since.

Filed May 16, 2011 · Electrical · 59,500 miles · MN · fire · 1 injury

My 21 yr old son was driving his car on a city street when he started to smell a bad odor, possibly melting plastic. Within 15 seconds, flames shot up the front seat center console on the passenger side. He quickly pulled over and tried to put out the flames. Burning his hand in the process and realizing very quickly this wouldn't work, he quickly and urgently left the vehicle and called 911. Within 30 seconds of leaving the vehicle, the flames spread and completely consumed the vehicle. This vehicle was in excellent condition, nothing changed/tailored from the factory (ie. Stock parts including the radio), and no recent maintenance. If there had been a small child in a car seat, etc., this situation could have resulted in serious injury, even a death.

Filed Jan 20, 2011 · Brakes · 109,000 miles · IL · fire

Tl*the contact owns a 2005 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, she applied the brakes and the pedal went to the floorboard, resulting on her brakes catching on fire. The contact mentioned that the failure occurred several times. The vehicle was taken to a local shop where they were not able to diagnose what caused the fire. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure and current mileages were 109,000.

Filed Aug 19, 2010 · Lights · 82,000 miles · MI · fire

Since the new purchase of my 2005 chevrolet malibu, the turn-signal and brake-light bulbs have failed 30+ times. Most failures have been at the base of bulb where wires contact bulb socket conductors. When the dealer was asked to repair this problem, they said it was not covered under warranty and had no service bulletin pertaining to this problem! I have been stopped by police multiple times and have had near-miss incidents due to other drivers not seeing my turn signal or brake light. Upon approaching my vehicle after using remote unlock, there were flames visible in the headlamp housing at the amber lens area. Two years ago I found an obscure gm service notice pertaining to replacing the turn signal bulb socket. I purchaced the specified parts and replaced them as instructed in this bulletin. ( I am a certified master mechanic) I currently carry the necessary tools and bulbs to replace these bulbs as it is a regular occurrence, but my wife is the primary driver of this vehicle.

Filed Mar 12, 2010 · Lights · 40,000 miles · ID

I own a 2005 chevy malibu. At about 40,000 miles I began to notice a burning smell. It smelled like hot, burning plastic. While trying to find the source of the smell, I noticed my daytime running lights (drl) were melting and charred. The housing also appeared to have smoke damage and was very hazy. In the time since I noticed the problem, visibility has gone done significantly. The problem seems to be on-going rather than a one time occurrence. I went to a chevrolet dealer and they no idea what would cause the problem. I have not had it repaired since, because after doing internet research, it seems to be a problem with many '05 malibus. I then called the gm help line where they asked a bunch of questions about where I had it repaired. They then told they were not going to do anything about it. I decided after that ( at about 120,000) I would replace the whole headlight assembly, hoping this would solve the problem. One day after installing the new assembly, the same melting and charring began to occur. At this point, I am unsure as to what to do next. It is obviously more than just a problem with the headlight since it happened after replacing the whole assembly. It also seems to be more than just an isolated incident with my vehicle since it took no time to find many malibus with the same problem. I believe this is an issue that gm needs to investigate greater and provide a desirable solution for all malibu owners.

Filed Jul 6, 2009 · Electrical · 72,000 miles · TN · fire

I stopped to air up a tire and wash my car. I noticed smoke in the back portion of my car. I looked in the trunk but couldn't tell the origin of the smoke. Smoke continued to fill my car from the back and I opened the trunk again. I placed my hand on the left fender and immediately noticed how hot it was. Another costumer came over and jerked the trunk liner back to reveal that the fuse panel was on fire.

Filed Feb 11, 2009 · Lights · GA

On our 2005 chevy malibu we have changed the front turn signal lamp numerous times since we purchased it new in 2005, the first time being only a month after we purchased the car. In nov. 2006 at our expense we had to change the turn signal lamp sockets because the dealer said the reason for the lamps burning out was due to the sockets being corroded. After that we have still had to change the lamps as frequent. I would say in all we have replaced either the left or right lamp about 12 times since the purchase date of march 2005. Recently we have noticed that the lamp housing has actually melted above where the lamps are located. We currently have the local dealer looking into the problem again. Every time I see a chevy malibu from the year model of 2005 to 2007, most often one of the front park/signal lamps is burned out. I think this is a safety hazard due to not having a properly working turn signal could cause an accident. Also if the housing is melting, then it could result in the car catching on fire I believe.

Filed Nov 18, 2008 · Lights · 101,000 miles · CA · fire

Tl*the contact owns a 2005 chevrolet malibu. While driving at an unknown speed, the contact smelled something burning. He noticed a v-shaped burnt pattern in the front driver's side headlight. Approximately one month ago, the front passenger side headlight failed. The current mileage was 102,000 and failure mileage was 101,000.

Filed Mar 9, 2006 · Electrical · 35,000 miles · MO · fire

I was driving on the highway when I smelt a smoke smell then about a min later flames started rolling from under the dash. The fd was called and the stated that he believed it came from behind the airbag compartment. Earlier in the day the heater control module was replaced under warranty at randy reed chevy, saint joseph missouri 816.232.7704 the fire caused total loss to the car.