Three problems related to steering is loose have 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.
When I turn the steering wheel right or left I hear a knocking sound and steering loose.
Made a "pit stop" on way to work my car made a sound alert and "power steering" came on over my radio message window. 2 weeks ago steering felt loose turning left but a little stiff turning right but after a few days it was fine. This morning it happened again but today was the only day of the alert sound and message. Found it could be that the electric power steering column needs to be replaced cost ($600 - $1500). Power steering electric motor / control module / steering rack / failing sensor in steering column / voltage problem between the alternator & ignition coil assembly. I have printed out 11 pages of similar complaints and noticed the chevy cobalt & other chevy models had or are having a recall for the same complaints as the chevy Malibu but the Malibu is not one of them. This problem can cause complete steering failure or just very hard steering (unpredicted) & can cause accidents. I'm still waiting to find out which expensive repair mine will be. I did find that if my VIN is between 5f100001 - 5f250216 that I need to call chevy if my mileage is under 70,000 & they cover the cost of repair. I don't have my VIN as my car is in the shop now.
Have had numerous warranty work done. Purchased car 4 months ago with 24,000 miles now has 28,000. 6 warranty replacements. Around 25,000 started car and steering wheel was turning violently. Shut car off and it was fine. Later noticed steering was looser and thumping noise. Chevy replaced steering gear. Now at current mileage did the same thing has happened and replacing another component in steering. This is very dangerous. When driving around turns it felt like I had no control over car. Now that my warranty is out my when I put my car into d half the time it will jump into gear and sometimes it gets stuck or wants to stop at r. A car with 28,000 miles should not be having this kind of trouble. I can only imagine what it will be like with 75,000 miles on it.