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Used 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx Consumer Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
166 reviews
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Pros
Cons
3 out of 5 stars

Not total happy with my Maxx

laurie28, 05/09/2014
2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx LT 4dr Hatchback (3.5L 6cyl 4A)
7 of 9 people found this review helpful

I bought my Maxx in late 2004. Steering issues every year. GM kept replacing steering. Finally used a "redesigned" component that solved the problems. Tire rods replaced. Recently had loss of power steering. started working after I stopped the car. Chevy will not check it out at no charge. New brakes after 1200 miles. Back seat lever broke off. Driver seat power adjustments broke. Remote start quit working. Key fobs with new batteries still won't open or lock doors. Hatch back won't open and when to Chevy 3 times to get it fixed. One thing. Great handling and acceleration!! I won't buy another GM vehicle. Ever.

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4.13 out of 5 stars

100K and Beyond

bobd10, 05/26/2012
2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx LS 4dr Hatchback (3.5L 6cyl 4A)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful

I bought my "05 Maxx with 52k on the meter. I now have 105k. Got hit twice, both side swipes at the front end (1 on each side). Hasn't given me any major problems. Just chenged the plugs, was easy. Put in irridiums, seems like it has better response at high speed acceleration now. Only 2 gripes...the front turn signals melting and the CD player not accepting discs on the first try. Otherwise, great car.

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4 out of 5 stars

Perfect Compromise

Mark, 12/18/2018
2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx LT 4dr Hatchback (3.5L 6cyl 4A)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful

The perfect compromise: the car that is the jack of all vehicle types. I get 24 mpg in my suburban area, but it has decent pick up when I step on the gas. The cargo allows 10' boards to be stored when the seats are laid down and put between the driver and passenger. The front wheel drive does well in the snow. This car is also very easy to work on. With a basic set of metric wrenches and sockets I have done all the general maintenance and changed rotors and pads for the brakes. Now the bad part; the car makes a vibrating noise from loose trim at high speeds, the ac vents are cheap plastic and don't work well, when you floor it the torque steer locks the steering wheel and sets off the powersteering alert. Another problem is the daytime running lights literally melt the lamps on to the bulbs. Although it has these problems I love this car. It is the perfect compromise.

Safety
4 out of 5 stars
Technology
2 out of 5 stars
Performance
3 out of 5 stars
Interior
4 out of 5 stars
Comfort
4 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
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2 out of 5 stars

Buyers Beware

Jennifer Davis, 01/09/2010
2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx LS 4dr Hatchback (3.5L 6cyl 4A)
4 of 5 people found this review helpful

I have had a lot of problems with this car over the years. Researching a little I discovered that many people have had the same problems. The latest problem is the engine deciding to shut off while in the middle of driving. There doesn't seem to be any clear direction as to what causes this. Within the first 3 months of purchasing the car I started having brake problems. I had to get the brakes replaced within 6 months. The "DAB" warning shows up periodically (the dealership says it is not anything wrong and they just clear it). My CD player still doesn't work (2 replacements).

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4.13 out of 5 stars

Happy Birthday, Baby

medinamalibu, 06/10/2011
2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx LS 4dr Hatchback (3.5L 6cyl 4A)
4 of 5 people found this review helpful

My Maxx just turned six years old with 61k on the dial. I feel like I'm spoiling it with new tires so soon after replacing the battery, front brake rotors, and front ball joints. The DIC threw a "Power Steering" message the day the battery lost its cranking power, but not since. At five years, the driver's seat developed an amazing squeak, so I learned how to remove the seat and grease the mounts. I deemed one rear skylight shade a loss after a $130+ estimate for replacement, which I indirectly referenced in my three-year update. The Maxx is comfortable and maneuverable, and hasn't given me much of any trouble outside of wear items. Some of them are annoying, and some are rather expensive.

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