One problem related to steering anti-theft device has been reported for the 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2005 Chevrolet Malibu based on all problems reported for the 2005 Malibu.
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???.