2005 Chevrolet Malibu lights problems

153 complaints (16% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 75,000. 2 crashes reported.

owner complaints: 153
of this car's complaints: 16%
typical mileage: 75,000
crashes: 2
recalls: 0

Which part fails

Turn signal
14
Headlights
6
Brake lights
6
Headlights: concealment devices
2
Hazard flashing warning lights: switch
1

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 lights problems in other years

Specific symptoms reported on the 2005 Chevrolet Malibu lights

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Headlights 60

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Related investigations

Turn Signal LampsOpened March 20, 2009, closed August 12, 2010

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 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jun 12, 2024 · Electrical, Lights · CA

The brake light stays on the whole time.

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 Nov 11, 2019 · Lights, Steering · 99,000 miles · TN

Steering wheel started shaking slightly in august. Now it shakes and then power steering goes out. This happens on the highway, city streets anywhere going any speed. As soon as the car starts the steering wheel shakes, of you turn the wheel in either direction it will clam it a little. Break lights randomly stop working. Replaced break lights 6 times in the past 2 years. Headlights melt the plastic has been going on since we purchased the vehicle in 2017. All of these issues have been recalled but not on my VIN.

Filed Sep 9, 2019 · Electrical, Lights · 104,000 miles · NC

My passenger side headlamp light (turn signal) assembly keeps burning out and melting the bulb housing and orange lens. It burned a hole in the orange turn signal lens. I replace bulb after bulb but it keeps failing. Please issue a recall because no car owner should have to keep replacing bulbs constantly only for them to fail over and over again! This happens when the car is stationary, moving, etc..

Filed Mar 4, 2019 · Brakes, Lights · 123,388 miles · OH

The car is hard to shift out of park, the break lights stay on while driving and go off when pressed.

Filed Oct 5, 2018 · Electrical, Engine · 60,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 chevrolet malibu. While operating the vehicle, the brake lights intermittently failed to illuminate when depressing the brake pedal. Also, the front driver side window failed to operate and would not roll down and the rear passenger door could not be unlocked from inside the vehicle. Furthermore, the ignition key could be removed from the ignition switch while driving the vehicle and, after starting the engine, the vehicle suddenly stalled and shut off. The cause of the failures was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 60,000.

Filed Sep 5, 2018 · Driver assistance, Lights · 70,500 miles · IL

Referred to you by gm after dealer refused to consider this a free repair, as my vehicle is not covered by recall #13036d. Vehicle is exhibiting same conditions as per your recall, brake light remains illuminated .panic-brake assist malfunctioned 2 weeks ago; almost resulting in a rear end collision. This occurred on a 4 lane highway, and vehicle began to skid. At that point I released the brake, and was forced to pump them in order to slow vehicle. Park-brake feature also malfunctions randomly. These are all due to voltage fluctuations in body control module connection, requiring a spacer to be installed.

Filed Sep 3, 2018 · Electrical, Lights · 158,331 miles · PA

Low beam headlight continues to short out even after replacement of the socket assembly.

Filed Aug 14, 2018 · Lights, Steering · 131,000 miles · LA

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that the exterior headlamps would function intermittently and the power steering warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to southern chevrolet (5845 coliseum blvd, alexandria, la), but the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact indicated that the bulbs were previously replaced and the vehicle was repaired per the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v153000 (steering). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 131,000. **tr

Filed Jun 18, 2018 · Electrical, Lights · 106,038 miles · IA

The front turning signals have not worked for 2 years I have had the head lights completely replace twice. The second time I had them replaced when the light housing of the turn signals were opened the light bulb and hook ups were melted together.

Questions about the 2005 Chevrolet Malibu lights

Does the 2005 Chevrolet Malibu have lights problems?

Owners have filed 153 complaints about the lights of the 2005 Chevrolet Malibu, 16% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2005 Chevrolet Malibu lights problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 75,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2005 Chevrolet Malibu lights?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

What year does the Chevrolet Malibu have the most lights problems?

The Chevrolet Malibu model years with the most lights complaints are 2000 (241 complaints), 2012 (202 complaints) and 2010 (195 complaints).