2009 Chevrolet Malibu
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Steering is the leading concern among 1,509 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 2nd highest complaint count among 26 Malibu model years with reports.
Of the 2009 reports, 41 involved a crash and 9 involved a fire. 44 people were injured and 3 people died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
SteeringJul 21, 2014
Dorman Products, Inc. (Dorman) is recalling certain replacement intermediate steering shafts sold under the Dorman, OE Solutions, and Solutions brand names, part numbers 425-167, 2425167, and 7-3074, for installation on 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6, and 2007-2009 Saturn Aura vehicles. The affected steering shafts may have a yoke that inadequately supports the u-joint bearing resulting in a premature failure.
A joint bearing that fails prematurely may cause separation of the u-joint resulting in a complete loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Dorman will notify owners, and dealers will refund the purchase price or replace the steering shafts, free of charge. The recall began in September 2014. Owners may contact Dorman customer service at 1-800-523-2492.
Campaign 14E044000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical system, wiringMay 14, 2014
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured May 16, 2003, through October 11, 2012, 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured May 26, 2004, through January 4, 2010, and 2007-2010 Saturn Aura vehicles manufactured April 24, 2006, through May 26, 2009. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the Body Control Module (BCM) connection may result in voltage fluctuations in the Brake Apply Sensor (BAS) circuit. These fluctuations can cause one or more of these conditions: the brake lights to illuminate without the brake pedal being pushed; the brake lights to not illuminate when the pedal is pushed; difficulty disengaging the cruise control; moving the gear shifter out of the 'PARK' position without pushing the brake; and disablement of crash avoidance features such as traction control, electronic stability control, and panic braking assist features.
Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will attach the wiring harness to the BCM with a spacer, apply dielectric lubricant to both the BCM and harness connector and the BAS and harness connector, and will relearn the brake pedal home position, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed an Interim letter to customers on July 14, 2014. The recall began on August 18, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-762-2737 (Pontiac), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). GM's number for this recall is 13036.
Campaign 14V252000 on NHTSA.gov
Steering, electric power assist systemMar 31, 2014
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 and 2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2006 Malibu Maxx, 2009-2010 HHR (non-turbo), 2010 Cobalt, 2008-2009 Saturn Aura and 2004-2007 Ion, and 2005-2009 Pontiac G6. In the affected vehicles, there may be a sudden loss of electric power steering (EPS) assist that could occur at any time while driving.
If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will perform one of four bulletins. Parts are not currently available. GM expects to send an interim notification around May 28, 2014. When parts are available, owners will be mailed a second letter to come in to have the applicable bulletin applied. Bulletin 14115 covers model year 2004-2007 Saturn Ion, 2009-2010 Chevrolet HHR and 2010 Chevrolet Cobalts. Dealers will replace the EPS motor. Bulletin 14116 covers model year 2004-2006 Chevrolet Malibu and Malibu Maxx, 2005-2006 Pontiac G6 and 2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from March 1, 2008, through June 27, 2008. Dealers will replace the torque sensor assembly. Bulletin 14117 covers model year 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from February 1, 2008, through February 28, 2008. Dealers will replace the torque sensor assembly and EPS motor controller unit. Bulletin 14118 covers model year 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from October 1, 2007, through January 31, 2008. Dealers will replace the EPS motor controller unit. The recall began on July 17, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, Saturn at 1-800-553-6000, and Pontiac at 1-800-620-7668. GM's number for this recall is N140115. Note: GM bulletin number 14119 will be implemented for model year 2006-2008 and early production of 2009 Chevrolet HHR (non-turbo) and model year 2003 Saturn ION to provide EPS Motor replacement for the life of the vehicle.
Campaign 14V153000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, automatic transmission, gear position indication (prndl)Sep 18, 2012
General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Saturn Aura and model year 2008-2010 Chevrolet Malibu and Pontiac G6 vehicles, equipped with a 4-speed automatic transmission. On these vehicles, the tabs on the transmission shift cable end may fracture and separate.
If the tabs were to fracture and separate, the shift lever and the actual position of the transmission gear may not match. The driver would be able to move the shifter to 'PARK' and remove the ignition key, but the transmission gear may not be in 'PARK.' The vehicle may not be able to be restarted and the vehicle could roll away after the driver has exited the vehicle, resulting in a possible crash without prior warning.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will install a retainer over the cable end or replace the shift cable as necessary. This service will be performed free of charge. Notification to owners began on on November 9, 2012. Owners were instructed to not bring their vehicles for repair until January 2013. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-521-7300.
Campaign 12V460000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, automatic transmission, lever and linkage, column shiftMar 6, 2009
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING 276,729 MY 2009 BUICK ENCLAVE, CHEVROLET COBALT, HHR, MALIBU, TRAVERSE, GMC ACADIA, PONTIAC G5, G6 AND SATURN AURA AND OUTLOOK PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLES SAFETY STANDARD 102, "TRANSMISSION SHIFT POSITION SEQUENCE, STARTER INTERLOCK, AND TRANSMISSION BRAKING EFFECT", AND FMVSS 114, "THEFT PROTECTION AND ROLLAWAY PREVENTION". ON SOME OF THESE VEHICLES, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE ADJUSTMENT CLIP MAY NOT BE FULLY ENGAGED. IF THE CLIP IS NOT FULLY ENGAGED, THE SHIFT LEVER AND THE ACTUAL POSITION OF THE TRANSMISSION GEAR MAY NOT MATCH. WITH THIS CONDITION, THE DRIVE COULD MOVE THE SHIFTER TO "PARK" AND REMOVE THE IGNITION KEY, BUT THE TRANSMISSION GEAR MAY NOT BE IN "PARK".
THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE COULD ROLL AWAY AFTER THE DRIVER HAS EXITED THE VEHICLE, RESULTING IN A POSSIBLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND ENSURE THAT THE SHIFT CABLE ADJUSTMENT CLIP IS FULLY ENGAGED. IN THE EVENT THAT THE CLIP DOES NOT ENGAGE, THE SHIFT CABLE WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE MARCH 24, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668 AND SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876 OR AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
Campaign 09V073000 on NHTSA.gov
Visibility, defroster/defogger/hvac systemDec 2, 2008
GM IS RECALLING 77 MY 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU HYBRID VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 103, "WINDSHIELD DEFROSTING AND DEFOGGING SYSTEM." THE HEATING, VENTILATION, AND AIRCONDITIONING (HVAC) SYSTEM MAY BECOME INOPERATIVE. IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, THE BLOWER WOULD NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY AND THE MODE SELECTOR WOULD REMAIN IN THE LAST KNOWN SETTING.
IF THE WINDSHIELD BEGAN TO FOG OR FROST, THERE MAY NOT BE ENOUGH AIRFLOW TO CLEAR THE WINDSHIELD, RESULTING IN REDUCED DRIVER VISIBILITY AND A POSSIBLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE HVAC CONTROL HEAD MODULE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON DECEMBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE AT <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM>HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM</A> .
Campaign 08V634000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: air bags
62 reports, newest first. Show all
Air bags, Electronic stability control (ESC), Dec 19, 2013
RE-OCCURRENCE OF A PRIOR COMPLAINT. DRIVING MY VEHICLE ON A LOCAL HIGHWAY WHEN THE SERVICE TRACTION AND SERVICE ESC DISPLAYS CAME ON. CAR BEGAN TO SPUTTER AS THOUGH IT WERE GOING TO STALL. COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY, AND AFTER IDLING FOR A MINUTE THE DISPLAYS RETURNED TO NORMAL. AFTER DRIVING ABOUT 2 MILES FURTHER, IT HAPPENED AGAIN. IT CONTINUED TO HAPPEN THROUGHOUT THE REST OF MY DRIVE. THE NEXT DAY, IT RAN FINE FOR ABOUT 10 MILES OR SO, AND THEN BEGAN STALLING AGAIN AND BEGAN TO LOSE SOME BRAKING AND STEERING. LAST TIME THIS ISSUE OCCURRED, THE BRAKE LIGHTS ALSO LOCKED ON LEAVING THE DRIVERS BEHIND ME THINKING THAT I WAS BRAKING. LAST TIME THESE ALERTS WERE DISPLAYED MY VEHICLE DIED COMPLETELY AND HAD TO BE SERVICED. NOW, IT SEEMS TO BE PROGRESSING TOWARDS THE SAME RESULT. GM WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE IS AN ISSUE, BUT HUNDREDS OF MALIBU AND HHR OWNERS SINCE 2008 SEEM TO DISAGREE. I ONCE AGAIN CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP THAT GAVE ME THE EXPLANATION OF IT REQUIRING HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS TO DIAGNOSE. SEEING THAT THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR AT LEAST 5 YEARS, I WOULD IMAGINE THAT GM IS AWARE THAT THERE IS AN ISSUE. UNFORTUNATELY, IT ALWAYS SEEMS THAT IT TAKES THE DEATH OF SEVERAL DRIVERS BEFORE THERE IS A RESPONSE. ONE DRIVER IN A PRINTED CHAT WITH A GM REP STATED THAT THE ISSUE CAUSED HIS VEHICLE TO CRASH DUE TO THE LOSS OF ABS AND POWER STEERING, AND HIS AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. ISN'T A LOSS OF BRAKING, STEERING, AIR BAG, BRAKE LIGHTS AND ACCELERATION A SAFETY CONCERN? *TR
Air bags, Structure, Apr 17, 2013, crash
I WAS DRIVING TO WORK APRIL 10TH & I WAS SIDE SWIPE BY AN 18 WHEELER DUMP TRUCK STARTING ON MY DRIVER SIDE PASSENGER DOOR. MY FRONT END WAS HIT BY THE NOSE OF THE DUMP TRUCK, I WAS SPUN 180 DEGREES SLAMMED INTO A SCHOOL BUS TO WHICH THE TRUCK SQUASHED ME UP AGAINST THE BUS DRAGGED ME UP THE Q BRIDGE LEAVING ME THERE WITH NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED OR ONSTAR ALERT! MY CONCERN IS I HAVE FRONT & SIDE AIRBAGS & I AM NOT SURE WHY NONE OF THEM WENT OFF. MY CAR WAS TOWED AWAY & I WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE IT AWAY & IS NOW TOTALED! *TR
Air bags, Oct 15, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A MECHANIC OR THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 29,230.
Air bags, Sep 10, 2012, crash
I WAS HIT VERY HARD ON DRIVER FRONT AND SIDE PANEL. OTHER DRIVER IN TRUCK FAILED TO YIELD (TEXTING AND TALKING ON BLUETOOTH) WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN AND RAN INTO OUR CAR I WAS MOVING ABOUT 10-15 MPH NO ONSTAR CALL AND NONE OF THE BAGS DEPLOYED. 3 PEOPLE HURT AND STILL SORE MUST SEE DOCTOR FOR >12 TREATMENTS TO REALIGN AND STOP SORENESS. MY X-RAYS OF MY BACK LOOK AWFUL. WE ALL HAVE VERTEBRAE DAMAGE IN OUR NECKS INJURED NECK, SHOULDERS, ARMS/WRIST, HEADACHES, BACK, RIBS, KNEES, NUMBNESS IN FEET. HURTS VERY MUCH. M.D. STATED I WOULD HAVE BEEN LESS HURT IF BAG(S) HAD DEPLOYED. CALLED GM OUT OF CONCERN. THEY CALLED ME FOR INFO. LAST CALL, FRIDAY GM REP (FAITH) READ STATEMENT " IT MAY TAKE UP TO 120 DAYS TO INVESTIGATE AND DURING THAT TIME I'M RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING FOR A CAR RENTAL, IF GM FINDS PROBLEM, THEY WILL PAY FOR THE RENTAL AND/OF OTHER AWARDS." I WAS IN BED SORE DURING THIS CALL AND I'VE BEEN EXPERIENCING IMPAIRED THINKING SINCE THIS ACCIDENT. AFTER I HUNG UP I WAS VERY ANGRY ABOUT THIS. GM CAN AND PROBABLY WILL SAY "NOTHINGS WRONG" AND I'M STUCK WITH HUGE RENTAL BILL AND POSSIBLY A DEFECTIVE CAR. I CALLED BACK AND LEFT MSG W/FAITH AND HER BOSS ON ANSWERING SERVICE. I ASK "WHAT IF I DON'T AGREE TO THESE TERMS?" FAITH SAID THE FILE WOULD BE CLOSED. GM, THIS IS SERIOUS, YOU CAN'T OFFER A LOANER CAR? THE AVERAGE SMALL CAR RENTAL IS AROUND $27.00 A DAY. I FEEL LIKE THIS IS A CATCH-22 SITUATION. I HAD BEEN PLANNING SINCE LAST YEAR TO BUY THE CHEVY EQUINOX - FORGET THAT. BROUGHT CAR DURING THE GOVERNMENT REBATE TO TRADE OLD CAR IN WHEN GM. NOW I'M STUCK WITH A CAR I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE. I LIVE IN A CITY WHERE DRUNK DRIVING FATALITIES OCCUR DAILY WITH TEXTING AND OTHER CARELESS DRIVERS. CAR ALSO EMITS A STRONG SOUR SMELL WHEN STARTED BUT GOES AWAY AFTER THE WINDOWS ARE DOWN SOME MINUTES. I LOVED THIS CAR BUT, SADLY I HOPE ITS TOTALED - SERIOUSLY. *TR
Air bags, Sep 10, 2012, crash
I WAS HIT BY A TRUCK THAT STRUCK THE DRIVER FRONT END AND SIDE PANEL. I WAS MOVING ABOUT 1-15 MPH (?)DRIVER WAS TEXTING AND TALING ON BLUETOOTH DID NOT SEE US, CITED FOR FAILING TO STOP. OTHER DRIVER WAS DRIVING FASTER THAN 15 MPH MAKING A LEFT TURN. SHE NEVER PUT ON BRAKES. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. ONSTAR NEVER CALLED LIKE IN THE COMMERCIALS ON T.V. ALL PASSENGERS HURT ENOUGH TO HAVE TO SEE A CHIROPRACTOR 10XS FOR BACK, NECK, KNEES, HEADACHE - ALL OVER BODY PAIN. AWFUL X-RAYS... CHIROPRACTOR STATED I'D BEEN LESS HURT IF BAGS HAD DEPLOYED. I THE DRIVER HAVE TO SEE A MD TOMMORROW CAN'T STAND BACK PAIN . CALLED GM WAS TOLD IT MAY TAKE 120 DAYS TO CHECK CAR BUT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR MY RENTAL DURING THE PROCESS. GM CAN EASILY SAY NOTHINGS WRONG TO ME AND NOT PAY FOR RENTAL. GM REP SAID IF I REFUSE THE TERMS THEN CASE WILL BE CLOSED. CATCH -22. I FEEL THIS IS UNFAIR GM SHOULD PUT SAFETY FIRST AND OFFER LOANER CAR. TEXAS HAS HAD A HUGE PROBLEM WITH FATALITIES DUE TO DRUNKS, TEXTING OR CARELESS DRIVERS FROM SMALL CARS TO 18 WHEELERS. LOVE THE MALIBU BUT I'M EXTREMELY AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS CAR. SADLY, I'M HOPING ITS TOTALLED. WHY IS GM TREATING CONSUMERS LIKE THIS. BROUGHT CAR DURING REBATE OUT OF LOYALTY TO HELP AMERICAN COMPANY/JOBS STAY AFLOAT. THANKS A LOT GM. I JUST WANT CAR FIXED OR ANOFFER TO BUY ANOTHER CAR - I WAS PLANNING TO BUY A CHEVY SUV PRIOR TO THIS ACCIDENT. MY MALIBU ALSO OFTEN HAS A STRANGE SOUR SMELL EMITTING FROM AIR CONDITIONER THAT GOES AWAY AFTER THE WINDOWS ARE LEFT DOWN FOR A FEW MINUTES - I JUST NEVER HAD TIME TO TAKE IT IN FOR THAT. I ALWAYS KEPT CAR IN GOOD MAINTENANCE AS SCHEDULED. SKIPPED ON FORDS NOW I'M ADDING CHEVY TO MY " DON'T BUY" LIST AND WILL SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT MY EXPERIENCE UNLESS THEY COME THROUGH WITH A BETTER WAY TO HANDLE SERIOUS PROBLEMS. NOW I KNOW HOW THAT TOYOTA DRIVER FELT. THANKS. *TR
Air bags, Mar 19, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE ON-STAR SYSTEM PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC WHICH LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE FRONT BUMPER SENSOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.
Air bags, Electronic stability control (ESC), May 9, 2011
HAVE TOLD THE DEALERSHIP OF THESE PROBLEMS WITH THE SERVICE AIRBAG AND SERVICE TRACTION. ALSO I SENT AN EMAIL TO THE CHEVROLET HEADQUARTERS AND RECEIVED A CALL FROM THEM TELLING ME THAT IT WAS MY REPAIR NOT THEIR FAULT. THIS PAST FRIDAY THE 20TH I TOOK THE CAR AGAIN TO THE DEALERSHIP AS THE SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ON CONSTANTLY FOR THE PAST TWO WEEKS. I WAS INFORMED THAT THE MODULE WAS BAD AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY $250.00 DOLLARS ( MY DEDUCTIBLE SINCE I HAVE THE EXTENDED WARRANTY, PAID EXTRA FOR THAT WHEN WE BOUGHT THE CAR). HOW CAN A MODULE BE BAD ON A 2 YEAR OLD CAR IS THE ISSUE I AM HAVING AND WHY I HAVE TO PAY TO FIX/REPLACE IT. I COULD UNDERSTAND IF THE CAR WAS OLDER, BUT FEEL ANYTHING ELECTRONIC THAT GOES WRONG WITH A CAR TODAY NOW FALLS ON THE CONSUMER.
Air bags, Jul 16, 2010, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT 10 MPH, SHE CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AFTER THE OTHER VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP FOR A TRAFFIC LIGHT. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED MODERATE FRONT END DAMAGE. BOTH DRIVERS SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES BUT WERE NOT TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. BOTH DRIVERS WERE WEARING A SEAT BELT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING AN ASSESSMENT OF THE DAMAGES BY HER INSURANCE COMPANY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 45,000.
Air bags, Jun 3, 2010, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATE SPEEDS OF 15 MPH, A VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AT THE SCENE. THE CONTACT WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL AS A PRECAUTION BUT DID NOT SUFFER FROM ANY INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL TOWING COMPANY LOT AND HAD NOT BEEN FURTHER EXAMINED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE AIR BAG FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 9,000. UPDATED 08/03/10. *LJ UPDATED 08/06/10*JB
Air bags, Seat belts, Jan 25, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT AND AIR BAG LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON WHEN SOMEONE IS SITTING IN THE FRONT SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THERE WERE NO CODES FOR THE MALFUNCTION. THE CONTACT CALLED THE GM MANUFACTURER IN REGARDS TO THE REPAIR; HOWEVER, THEY DIDN'T OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,500.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Jun 29, 2009, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER DUE TO A VERY STRONG CHEMICAL SMELL INSIDE THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THE DEALER ADVISED HIM TO DRIVE WITH THE WINDOWS OPEN, KEEP THE VEHICLE OUT OF DIRECT SUNLIGHT, AND ALLOW IT TO AIR OUT. AFTER A FEW WEEKS OF AIRING OUT THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE AT 40 MPH. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE STRONG SCENT IN THE VEHICLE CAUSED HIM TO BECOME DISORIENTED WHILE DRIVING. HE BELIEVED THAT THE SCENT WAS SO STRONG THAT IT CAUSED HIM TO DRIVE POORLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND REPAIRED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE CONTACT DOES NOT WANT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE ODOR. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 800. UPDATED 07/14/09 *BF THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED AFTER CRASHING INTO SEVERAL CARS, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE REASON HE CRASHED WAS DUE TO THE CHEMICAL SMELL IN THE VEHICLE WHICH CAUSED HIM TO BECOME DISORIENTED. UPDATED 07/16/09.*JB
Air bags, May 21, 2009, crash
I WAS SB ON SHIRLEY AVENUE IN SIOUX FALLS, SD. I WAS MAKING A LEFT ON A GREEN LIGHT WHEN A LADY TRAVELING EB RAN A RED LIGHT AND HIT ME ON THE RIGHT FRONT OF MY VEHICLE. MY VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. I WAS INJURED. MY VEHICLE IS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR