Major Problems with Chevrolet Malibu MAXX Derived from Complaints & Recalls

Learn about the common problems with a used Chevrolet Malibu MAXX to avoid purchasing a bad year of the model.

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Best and Worst Years for Chevrolet Malibu MAXX

Explore the chart showing how many complaints have been filed for each year of Chevrolet Malibu MAXX.

Model Year	Complaints
2007 Malibu MAXX	43
2006 Malibu MAXX	263
2005 Malibu MAXX	320
2004 Malibu MAXX	430

Worst 3 Chevrolet Malibu MAXX complaints

2004 Chevrolet Malibu MAXX EQUIPMENT Victims: 2

2004 Chevrolet Malibu MAXX ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Victims: 2 Mileage: 37000 miles

2004 Chevrolet Malibu MAXX FRONTAL Victims: 2 Mileage: 60000 miles

Browse Chevrolet Malibu MAXX complaints by category

Problems with STEERING, SEATS and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM are the most frequent issues recorded by the NHTSA from Chevrolet Malibu MAXX owners.

Problem Category	Number of Problems
STEERING whenever the contact turns the steering wheel in either direction he hears a clunking noise. the vehicle was taken.. the	574 ~ 78391 miles
SEATS driver seat frame welds snap will have to weld and make new brackets. mine did it on the left rear.	140 ~ 85634 miles
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM we learned that the brake lights were staying on when pedal was not pushed but going off when brake pedal...	96 ~ 72824 miles
EXTERIOR LIGHTING drl too hot and cause the headlight / side marker housing to melt. melted plastic causes bulb to go out...	83 ~ 67591 miles
ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM > STEERING i had an uncontrollable immediate right hand turn at a very high speed that was not initated by me. i...	48 ~ 30678 miles
POWER TRAIN i pulled into my driveway came to a complete stop and put the vehicle in park. after releasing the break...	35 ~ 65547 miles
SERVICE BRAKES tl* the contact owns a 2007 chevrolet malibu maxx. while operating the vehicle the brake sensor indicator illuminated. each time...	29 ~ 94599 miles
AIR BAGS the airbag sensor comes on periodically and says it needs serviced. i never know if my airbag is working or	28 ~ 81860 miles
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL driving along on a state hwy at 57mph power steering alarm dings and power steering ceases and oh crap!! i'm...	24 ~ 115474 miles
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL we learned that the brake lights were staying on when pedal was not pushed but going off when brake pedal...	19 ~ 88789 miles
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM vehicle began stalling. then i noticed a strong smell of gasoline and suddenly gas was pouring out near the muffler...	17 ~ 88504 miles
ENGINE slowed down to take a right turn turned right and started to speed up and the headlights shut off and...	16 ~ 111061 miles
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC have owned the vehicle for 14 months and i am getting ready to replace the rotors and brake pads for...	16 ~ 45597 miles
SUSPENSION i bought the car in 2013 from a chevy dealership in fredericktown mo. they gave me a passed inspection and...	14 ~ 27925 miles
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE tl* the contact owns a 2007 chevrolet malibu maxx. the contact stated that while driving 30 mph she smelled gasoline...	14 ~ 84026 miles
HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM > STEERING tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet malibu maxx. the contact stated that the power steering warning light would illuminate...	14 ~ 42198 miles
FRONTAL > AIR BAGS air bag presence module requires replacement estimated cost $582.00. vehicle mileage 36 522 in/36 524 out from dealership 3/5 august...	12 ~ 34174 miles
RACK AND PINION > STEERING dt*: the contact stated the steering column shakes and locks. this occurs intermittently while driving at various speeds. the dealership	12 ~ 23811 miles
COLUMN > STEERING tl*the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet malibu maxx lt. the contact stated shortly after purchasing the vehicle she noticed that...	9 ~ 46514 miles
TURN SIGNAL > EXTERIOR LIGHTING the turn signals keep burning out. i took it back to the dealers but was told that my warranty had	9 ~ 35793 miles
SEAT BELTS passenger presence module failure r&r pps module w/sensor w/heated seats (includes: calibration r&i seat) program pps module is this a...	8 ~ 37401 miles
MECHANICAL > EQUIPMENT filing a complaint regarding my 2006 chevy malibu maxx...what is a safety-related defect? the united states code for motor vehicle...	8 ~ 25500 miles
ROTOR > DISC > FOUNDATION COMPONENTS brake pads worn out (all 4) after only 17 000 miles rotors warped. chevrolet warranty will not cover this even...	8 ~ 10588 miles
EQUIPMENT we had the brakes serviced . it included the changing over the brake pads and the rotors turned. and in...	7 ~ 29040 miles
STARTER ASSEMBLY > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet malibu maxx. after the ignition key was turned to the on position the...	6 ~ 50833 miles
UNKNOWN OR OTHER when shifting into park the shifter does not actually go into park therefore car keeps rolling.you have to shift the	6 ~ 91250 miles
WHEELS last november 2013 i was driving my 2006 chevrolet malibu maxx lt on simsbury rd. in avon ct when i...	5 ~ 72280 miles
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION > POWER TRAIN loose power steering during parking and driving. *tr...	5 ~ 41686 miles
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES using my mother's 2006 malibu maxx on 12/24/08 the back liftgate came crashing down on my wife's head while she...	5 ~ 55577 miles
HEADLIGHTS > EXTERIOR LIGHTING replace a c/s l/f parking lamp burned and melted l/f headlamp assembly b c/s r/f parking lamp burned and melted	5 ~ 39113 miles
ENGINE > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING car is less than two weeks old and under 400 miles on the odometer. constant stalling and eventually difficult to...	5 ~ 670 miles
ELECTRICAL > EQUIPMENT 2006 malibu maxx lt. power steering failure while hard acceleration. had the problem since the first day it was purchased....	4 ~ 24250 miles
PINION SHAFT > RACK AND PINION > STEERING i purchased my 2005 chevy malibu maxx ls as a "program car" thinking it was the next best thing to...	4 ~ 30915 miles
BODY > STRUCTURE rear hatch back hinge has popped off it's pivot resulting in the hatch back slamming down and glass shattering. *tr...	3 ~ 44745 miles
IGNITION > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet malibu maxx. the contact stated that the power steering warning light illuminated then...	3 ~ 42667 miles
TIRES 3 tires with egg size bubble(s) on inside sidewall of tire two tires had 2 bubbles. fourth tire was replaced...	3 ~ 127354 miles
SIDEWALL > TIRES uniroyal tiger paw p215/60 r16 oem tire. driving at highway speed right rear tire sidewall blew out and sidewall completely...	3 ~ 101769 miles
PADS > DISC > FOUNDATION COMPONENTS brake pads worn out (all 4) after only 17 000 miles rotors warped. chevrolet warranty will not cover this even...	3 ~ 7700 miles
FRONT > SUSPENSION my husband and i purchased a used certified 2005 malibu maxx in july of 2006 by the time the weather...	3 ~ 63077 miles
INTERIOR LIGHTING dt*: the contact stated while driving 70 mph the headlights and interior lights went out. the contact had to hold...	3 ~ 38988 miles
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM dt*: the contact stated the vehicle's instrument panel on the dashboard has 12 safety messages that does not illuminate bright...	3 ~ 10000 miles
LINKAGES > STEERING my chevrolet malibu maxx (2005 17k miles) frequently has a clunking noise that appears to be coming from the left...	3 ~ 19833 miles
ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP > SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC while driving 68 mph and had applied the brakes the steering wheel was hard to control veered to the right	3 ~ 19345 miles
CONCEALMENT DEVICES > HEADLIGHTS > EXTERIOR LIGHTING tl* the contact owned a 2004 chevrolet malibu maxx. while driving approximately 30 mph the contact depressed the brake pedal...	2 ~ 205000 miles
FUEL PUMP > DELIVERY > FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE i have a 2007 chevy malibu maxx i have the engine light and service transaction. i took the car when...	2 ~ 103217 miles
BRAKE LIGHTS > EXTERIOR LIGHTING 2005 mailbu maxx. consumer states intermittent problems with brake lights *tgw the consumer stated the brake lights would illuminate when...	2
CALIPER > DISC > FOUNDATION COMPONENTS letter from senator nelson on behalf of constituent regarding steering problems on her 2006 chevrolet malibu please send response directly...	2 ~ 24380 miles
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING my 2006 malibu maxx has 73000 miles on it. while driving the air conditioning stopped blowing cool air. the...	2 ~ 36450 miles
STRUCTURE 2006 chevy malibu maxx - 2 problems 1. metal to metal noise as steering wheel is turned 2. vibrating noise	2 ~ 18500 miles
SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE > FRONTAL > AIR BAGS tl* the contact owns a 2007 chevrolet malibu maxx. the airbag module light failed. the vehicle was taken to the...	2 ~ 42500 miles
CONTROL MODULE > ANTI-THEFT > IGNITION my 2005 malibu maxx lt has had a recurring problem besides the "electric power steering failure" which has so far...	2 ~ 105000 miles
TIE ROD ASSEMBLY > LINKAGES > STEERING tie rod end failure.*cn...	2 ~ 25000 miles
LATCH > DOORS > LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES tl*the contact owns a 2005 chevrolet malibu maxx. while driving 60 mph the contact's five and seven year old children...	2 ~ 15250 miles
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC 2006 chevrolet malibu maxx ss all four rotors had to be resurfaced/turned to warping at 10 000 miles. car currently	2 ~ 5000 miles
GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION) > STEERING clunking noise in steering when turning left to right. dealership inspected and said steering gear box is bad. only 33	2 ~ 32811 miles
HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE > BODY > STRUCTURE took maxx to dealer for clicking noise in steering column and thumping noise in rear of vehicle upon deceleration. was...	2 ~ 23465 miles
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER a few days after purchasing the car new the "check gas cap" warning started displaying. the dealer diagnosed the problem...	2 ~ 5950 miles
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet malibu maxx. while driving approximately 50 mph the contact depressed the brake pedal...	1 ~ 200200 miles
TRACTION BATTERY > PROPULSION SYSTEM > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM tl* the contact owns a 2007 chevrolet malibu maxx. while the vehicle was stationary and while driving various speeds the...	1 ~ 113309 miles
AIR CONDITIONER > APPLIANCE > EQUIPMENT tl* the contact owned a 2004 chevrolet malibu maxx. while driving approximately 30 mph the contact depressed the brake pedal...	1 ~ 130000 miles
MASTER CYLINDER > FOUNDATION COMPONENTS > SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 2005 chevy malibu mass master brake cylinder was defective and caused the brakes to wear very quickly. *mw also the	1
RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC. > ELECTRICAL > EQUIPMENT in june the drivers seat began listing to the right and rocking. the dealer looked at it and said it...	1 ~ 75000 miles
POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS > VISIBILITY my cars headlights are dim at night and take a while to get brighter even though i have had the...	1 ~ 80038 miles
EXHAUST SYSTEM > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING complete and total lock up of power steering battery light flicks on and then everything locks up until you replace...	1 ~ 142225 miles
POWER ADJUST > FRONT ASSEMBLY > SEATS the passenger front seat went to adjust it and it started going up at an angle. it got tilted and...	1 ~ 125000 miles
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR subject: nhtsa item number 10032206 brake lights comments: my 2005 malibu maxx has intermittent problems with brake lights. they go...	1 ~ 92000 miles
WIRING > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM tl* the contact owns a 2005 chevrolet malibu maxx. the contact stated the headlight wiring harness melted causing the light...	1 ~ 86000 miles
REAR WINDOW WIPER/WASHER > VISIBILITY 2006 chevy malibu maxx - 2 problems 1. metal to metal noise as steering wheel is turned 2. vibrating noise	1 ~ 37000 miles
LABELS > OTHER > EQUIPMENT i've been driven my 04 chevy malibu max with out power steering for about 4 months now. every time i...	1
FAN/MOTOR > DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM > VISIBILITY heat? air condition fans do not blow on #1-3. only operates on level #4. *tr...	1 ~ 60000 miles
SIDE/WINDOW > AIR BAGS my car was in a rollover accident where it left the road and flipped twice landing on it's side against...	1 ~ 65000 miles
FRAME AND MEMBERS > STRUCTURE bought a certified used 2004 malibu maxx in august 2007 with 19000 miles. currently have 68000 miles. drivers seat frame...	1 ~ 67800 miles
PARKING BRAKE the parking brake on my 2005 chevy malibu maxx won't fully release and as evidenced has caused extreme heat in...	1 ~ 26000 miles
LOWER BALL JOINT > CONTROL ARM > FRONT ball joint worn out in vehicle at little over 50k miles--had to replace lower ball joint and control arm. very...	1 ~ 55500 miles
POWER STEERING FLUID > HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST > STEERING i was making a turn a turn that i have done for four years of my life and the vehicle	1 ~ 36000 miles
POWER ASSIST SYSTEM > DRAG > LINKAGES i was making a turn a turn that i have done for four years of my life and the vehicle	1 ~ 36000 miles
ANCHORAGE > FRONT > SEAT BELTS tl*the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu maxx. on may 15 2007 the contact's vehicle was struck on the driver's...	1 ~ 16500 miles
LPG SYSTEMS > RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER > EQUIPMENT 2005 malibu maxx ls- ticking noise shaft went rod tire electrical problems engine on but nothing is registering car seem...	1
TAIL LIGHTS > EXTERIOR LIGHTING dt*: the contact stated while driving 70 mph the headlights and interior lights went out. the contact had to hold...	1 ~ 14965 miles
BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS > GASOLINE > ENGINE i went to the dealership and traded my saturn vue for the 2004 malibu maxx. when i test drove the...	1 ~ 30000 miles
SEAT HEATER/COOLER > FRONT ASSEMBLY > SEATS i went to the dealership and traded my saturn vue for the 2004 malibu maxx. when i test drove the...	1 ~ 30000 miles
LATCH > TAILGATE > LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES i went to the dealership and traded my saturn vue for the 2004 malibu maxx. when i test drove the...	1 ~ 30000 miles
SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY > VISIBILITY dt*: the contact stated the moon roof vibrated violently along with the entire roof anytime the rear windows were down....	1 ~ 13000 miles
RACK > RACK AND PINION > STEERING steering pop when turning car on 2005 malibu maxx. *jb...	1 ~ 43000 miles
VISIBILITY proably not important but. chevy malibu maxx. bought used. 60 000(ish) miles 'cracked' windshield 62 000(ish) miles. glass tech reports...	1 ~ 63000 miles
INTERIOR/UNDER DASH > WIRING > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM upon starting the car the instrument panel was completely down except for the low fuel warning light however the car...	1 ~ 6700 miles
GASOLINE > ENGINE > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING brand new monte carlo ss 2004 useing exsessive amount of oil.this problem started about 700 miles and continues today have	1 ~ 700 miles
FOUNDATION COMPONENTS > SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC bought car april 2004 every few weeks to once a month car has been in the shop for noises. since...	1 ~ 17000 miles
OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL > OTHER > EQUIPMENT consumer concerned about owners being notified by dealership about recalls. *bf the consumer was informed of two recalls (04027 and...	1
STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR > STEERING dt: the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu maxx. the contact states that she has a dislocation of the sc...	1
SWITCH > HEADLIGHTS > EXTERIOR LIGHTING i own a 2004 chevy malibu maxx which has automatic headlights. when the headlights work in automatic mode everything works...	1
LOCK > TRUNK LID > LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES the incident occurred in sc where i was residing at the time. the car was parked in the driveway of...	1 ~ 1549 miles
INTERIOR > REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES > VISIBILITY tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet malibu maxx purchased in 2004. the rear view mirror began to fall off...	1 ~ 10000 miles
ANTI-THEFT DEVICES > ELECTRICAL > EQUIPMENT i purchased a 2004 malibu maxx new not used. the second day i drove it it sputtered a little as...	1 ~ 780 miles
CRUISE CONTROL > VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL a few days after purchasing the car new the "check gas cap" warning started displaying. the dealer diagnosed the problem...	1 ~ 400 miles
HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS > DELIVERY > FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE when the vehicle was started with the remote control dashboard components failed to function when the key was turned in...	1 ~ 1379 miles
ANTI-THEFT DEVICE > COLUMN LOCKING > STEERING when the vehicle was started with the remote control dashboard components failed to function when the key was turned in...	1 ~ 1379 miles

FAQ

What year Chevrolet Malibu MAXX is the most reliable?

Speaking of the models produced in the last 4 years, Chevrolet Malibu MAXX models of 2007, 2006, 2005 year of manufacture have had the least number of complaints.

What year was a bad year for Chevrolet Malibu MAXX?

Chevrolet Malibu MAXX models of 2004 and 2005 are probably the years to be avoided like the plague due to a higher than an average number of issues reported.

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