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: electrical system
368 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Aug 4, 2014
THE FRONT AND REAR PASSENGER DOOR LOCKS HAVE INTERMITTENTLY LOCKED AND UNLOCKED UNTIL AUGUST 3, 2014 WHEN BOTH DOOR LOCKS WOULD NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK USING THE KEY FOB OR THE LOCK/UNLOCK SWITCH ON EITHER DOOR. THE FRONT AND REAR DRIVER'S SIDE DOORS HAVE NOT EXHIBITED THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jul 31, 2014
2009 MALIBU BEGAN HAVING ISSUES WHERE THE BAS LIGHT WOULD COME ON IN ERROR. A RECALL HAS SINCE BEEN PUT OUT FOR THIS. AROUND THIS SAME TIME, THE CAR BEGAN HAVING BLINKER ISSUES. THE RIGHT BLINKER WOULD NOT TURN OFF AFTER A TURN AND THE LEFT BLINKER WOULD NOT STAY ON WITHOUT BEING HELD DOWN. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jul 31, 2014
2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE HEADLIGHT PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS, THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS WOULD GO OUT. THE PASSENGER SIDE LIGHT WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES, AND THE DRIVER SIDE WAS REPLACED TWICE. EACH TIME, THE REPLACEMENT COST WAS $100.00. *JB
Electrical system, Jul 25, 2014
I WAS COMING UP TO THE RAILROAD TRACKS AND STOP SIGN TO TAKE A LEFT. THE CAR JUST QUIT. I KEPT TRYING TO START IT AND NOTHING HAPPENED, NO CLICK, NOTHING BUT ABOUT 5 MIN. LATER IT STARTED AGAIN. I WAS ABOUT A MILE FROM HOME SO I TOOK IT BACK HOME AND LATER, AFTER DROPPING MY DAUGHTER OFF, THAT DAY TOOK IT TO GEORGE GEE, WHERE I HAD BOUGHT IT AND HAD MY OIL CHANGES AND ANY ISSUES DONE, IT DIDN'T DO IT SO THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO.. I HAVE HAD THE CAR DO THIS 4 TIMES SINCE IVE OWNED IT AND BCUZ IT ISN'T ALL THE TIME THE DEALER SERVICE CTR SAYS THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. WHEN I HAD ISSUES WITH THE LOCKS THEY SAID THE SAME THING.. THE LOCKS WOULD LOCK AND UNLOCK ALL THE TIME WHEN I WAS DRIVING. THEY FINALLY SAID THEY WOULD REPLACE SOMETHING IN THE DRIVERS DOOR THAT WORKED FOR ABOUT 5/6 MONTHS STARTED DOING IT AGAIN BUT BY THEN MY WARRANTY WAS UP AND THEY WERE EXPENSIVE SO I TOOK IT TO A 'SMALL GUY GARAGE' THEY HAD TO REPLACE ALL 4 ACCUATORS IN THE DOORS. THERE ALSO WAS A PROBLEM IN THE TRANNY WHICH WAS UNDER THEIR 5 YR. TRAN. WARRANTY. IT HAS NOT RUN PROPERLY SINCE BUT THEY 'CANT FIND ANYTHING WRONG!' OH YES AND I WAS ALSO TOLD BY ONE OF THEIR OTHER DEALERS IN POST FALLS THAT THEY WOULDN'T HELP ME BCUZ 'I DIDN'T HAVE A RELATIONSHIP" WITH THEM. I BELIEVE THAT THEY HAVE NEVER FIXED ANY OF THE ISSUES CORRECTLY AND ALSO THAT THEY HAVE KNOWN OF THESE ISSUES WITH THIS CAR AND STILL WOULD NOT MAKE IT RIGHT. *TR
Electrical system, Jul 24, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Jul 18, 2014
THE DOOR LOCKS BEGAN LOCKING AND UNLOCKING WHILE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING AND IN PARK. AFTER TURNING IGNITION OFF AND THEN BACK ON, DOOR LOCKS CONTINUED LOCKING AND UNLOCKING WHILE DRIVING AS WELL. THEN, THE DOOR LOCK SWITCH ON DRIVER'S DOOR STOPPED WORKING. LAST TIME THIS ISSUE STARTED AND CONTINUED WITH KEY FOB NO LONGER WORKING, AND ONLY WAY TO LOCK DOORS WAS MANUALLY AND UNLOCK DRIVER'S DOOR WITH KEY AND MANUALLY UNLOCK REMAINING DOORS. DEALER REPLACED DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR AND KEY FOBS TO FIX PROBLEM. WHY IS THIS HAPPENING AGAIN AND WITHIN A FEW MONTHS OF ALREADY HAVING BEEN FIXED ONCE? IS THERE A RECALL FOR THIS? I DO NOT WANT TO PAY FOR SAME REPAIR REPEATEDLY. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jul 14, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND WOULD DIM WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE DEALER LOCATED A FAILURE CODE AT THE BRAKE PEDAL POSITION SENSOR. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,694.
Steering, Electrical system, Jul 8, 2014
WHILE LUCKILY DRIVING ON CITY STREETS AROUND 35MPH THE "POWER STEERING NEEDS SERVICING" LIGHT CAME ON. THOUGHT IT MIGHT NEED POWER STEERING FLUID AND WAS TOLD MY MODEL DIDN'T USE FLUID - IT WAS ALL ELECTRICAL IN THE STEERING COLUMN. SINCE IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY I TOOK IT THE NEXT DAY TO THE CHEVY DEALER WHO SOLD IT TO ME AND WAS TOLD IT WASN'T COVERED AT A COST OF OVER $600. *JS
Electrical system, Jul 7, 2014, crash
2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH RECALL. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED ON ONE OF TWO OCCASIONS, HE LOST POWER TO THE VEHICLE. HE WAS ABLE TO RE-START THE VEHICLE. ON THE SECOND OCCASION, WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED, HE SIDE SWIPED A PARKED VEHICLE, CAUSING DAMAGE TO BOTH VEHICLES.
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Jul 5, 2014
BRAKE LIGHT TURN ON WITHOUT BRAKING, BRAKE LIGHTS DON WORK WHILE BRAKING, TRACTION CONTROL BECOMES DISABLED, CRUISE WILL NOT ACTIVATE, WILL NOT COME OUT OF PARK. *TR
Electrical system, Structure, Jul 1, 2014
SUDDENLY THE DOOR LOCKS ON THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, FRONT AND BACK, BEGAN WORKING INTERMITTENTLY.THE REMOTE KEY FOB DOES NOT WORK, AND THE MANUAL BUTTON TO LOCK AND UNLOCK THE DOORS DOES NOT ALWAYS WORK. THE LOCKS ONLY PARTIALLY LOCK, RESULTING IN THE DOORS BEING ABLE TO BE PARTIALLY PULLED OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE. SOMETIMES THE TWO LOCKS ON THE DRIVERS SIDE DO NOT LOCK AT ALL. ALSO, THE ELECTRIC WINDOWS STARTED MALFUNCTIONING - THE PASSENGER WINDOW CANNOT BE RAISED AND LOWERED FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE. THIS APPEARS SIMILAR TO A RECALL IN THE NEWS COVERING DOOR LOCK MALFUNCTIONS IN OTHER GM VEHICLES, BUT THE 2009 MALIBU IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AS FAR AS I CAN TELL. *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Jun 30, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOORS WOULD SPORADICALLY LOCK AND UNLOCK INDEPENDENTLY IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, BUT NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,000.
Electrical system, Jun 25, 2014
PROBLEM WITH IGNITION SWITCH CAR WILL NOT START NOW, THEY HAVE RECALLED UP TO THE 2008 MAILBU BUT NOT THE 2009 MAILBU (LTZ) FOR THIS ISSUE. RESOLUTION TO THE ISSUE WOULD BE REPLACING THE SWITCH WITH A NEW ONE NOT WHAT THEY ARE DOING NOW DRILLING A HOLE IN THE KEY, REALLY. CHEVROLET HAS A MASSIVE ISSUE WITH A LOT MORE CARS THAT NEED TO BE RECALLED WHICH HAVE NO BEEN YET. IF THEY WANT TO KEEP THERE CUSTOMERS THEY NEED TO REPAIR CORRECTLY AND RECALL AND FIX IT THE RIGHT WAY. MY CALL NEEDS A RECALL FOR THIS NOW. *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Service brakes, Jun 20, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS HAD AN INTERMITTENT SHORT CIRCUIT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL ACTUATOR NEEDED TO BE ADJUSTED TWICE; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE POWER LOCKS FAILED AND DON'T WORK FROM THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM , ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL , EXTERIOR LIGHTING , SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC , VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE VEHICLE WAS SCHEDULED TO BE INSPECTED AND REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000. UPDATED 09/16/14*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED HE BELIEVES THE BCM IS FAULTY BEYOND A BAD CONNECTION; CAUSING THE POWER LOCKS TO MALFUNCTION. UPDATED 1/15/15*JS
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Jun 12, 2014
HAVING PROBLEMS WITH 2009 CHEVY MALIBU LT. BRAKE LIGHTS STAY ON CONSTANT, AND TURNS OFF WHEN BRAKE PEDAL IS PRESSED. WHAT EVER THE PROBLEM HAS EFFECTED THE TRACTION CONTROL AND CRUISE CONTROL. BEEN TO DEALER TWICE. FIRST TIME THEY PUT IN A NEW BRAKE SWITCH AND SAID IT WAS FAULTY AND PUT SOME GEL ON SOME CONNECTORS "250$" WEEK LATER HAVING SAME PROBLEM. TOOK BACK TO DEALER. KNOW THERE REPLACING WIRING AND CONNECTORS SAYING ITS A WIRING ISSUE "645$"... *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Jun 11, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR INTERIOR POWER DOOR LOCKS FAILED TO UNLOCK WHEN THE KEY FOB AND POWER LOCK MODULE WERE ACTIVATED. THE DOORS COULD ONLY BE UNLOCKED MANUALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
Electrical system, Jun 9, 2014
WHILE IDLING WITH THE VEHICLE IN GEAR AT A DRIVE-THRU WINDOW, THE IGNITION TURNED OFF WITHOUT ANY INPUT (INTENTIONAL OR UNINTENTIONAL) FROM THE DRIVER. BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT LISTED AS BEING IMPACTED BY THE IGNITION SWITCH RECALL, I HAD NOT REMOVED THE MANY KEYS THAT I KEEP ON MY KEY RING. NO REPORT MADE AT THE TIME, ANTICIPATING THE IGNITION SWITCH RECALL WOULD EVENTUALLY BE WIDENED TO INCLUDE MY VEHICLE, BUT IT HAS NOT. DECIDED IT'S TIME TO FINALLY FILE A REPORT IN CASE MY VEHICLE IS PART OF AN AS YET, UNDETECTED PROBLEM WITH THE IGNITION. (CURRENTLY FOLLOWING THE SUGGESTION TO MINIMIZE WHAT IS KEPT ON THE KEYRING THAT HOLDS THE KEY TO THE VEHICLE.) *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Jun 8, 2014
CAR IS HAVING ELECTRICAL ISSUES LOCKS GOING UP AND DOWN WITHOUT PRESSING POWER BUTTON CAR ALSO ALARMING OFF ALSO HAVE TAKEN CARE TO BE SERVICED FOR MISFIRING AND JERKING WHEN DRIVING. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Jun 6, 2014
MALIBU HAS HAD A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT PROBLEMS. WHILE DRIVING THE ELECTRICAL PANEL INCLUDING WARNING LIGHTS WOULD FLICKER ON AND OFF ALONG WITH THE VEHICLE LOSING POWER. MULTIPLE TIMES THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP WHO ULTIMATELY TOLD ME A GROUNDING WIRE HAD SOME PROBLEMS AND THEY FIXED THE ISSUE. THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE PROBLEMS WERE SOLVED WITH THAT FIX. SINCE THEN THE VEHICLE HAS HAD ISSUES WITH THE STEERING. WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING WHEEL WILL MOVE ITSELF BACK AND FORTH. THE PROBLEM IS NOT ALL THE TIME, AND VERY RANDOM. THIS USUALLY HAPPENS WITHIN THE FIRST FEW MINUTES AFTER THE START OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN MOVING THE STEERING WHEEL WILL WOBBLE BACK AND FORTH EVEN WITH BOTH HANDS ON THE WHEEL.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jun 3, 2014
AFTER FILING TWO COMPLAINTS WITH YOU, AND RECEIVING A RECALL ALERT FROM YOU, I AM BEING TOLD BY GM THAT MY VEHICLE, A 2009 MALIBU BUILT BETWEEN THE YEARS SPECIFIED IN YOUR RECALL NOTICE, IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL YOU ALERTED ME ABOUT. HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE? THE REFERENCED RECALL # 14V252000, AS HE EXPERIENCED THE SAME MALFUNCTION, AS DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL. THE CONSUMER HAS INVOICES, THAT DATE BATE TO 2011, WHERE HE HAD TO TAKE THE VEHICLE, BACK TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, FOR AN INOPERABLE CRUISE CONTROL AND ESC LIGHTING ILLUMINATING. UPDATED 07/16/14
Electrical system, Service brakes, May 15, 2014
WHILE NIGHT DRIVING AT 55 MPH ON A BUSY, WET HIGHWAY, I NOTICED IN MY REARVIEW MIRROR THAT THE CENTER BRAKE LIGHT HAD ILLUMINATED ON MY CAR. I CHECKED TO SEE IF THE PEDAL WAS STUCK BY LIFTING IT WITH MY FOOT; IT WAS NOT STUCK. THEN I QUICKLY TAPPED THE BRAKES - THE BRAKE LIGHT WENT OFF ONLY TO RE-ILLUMINATE SECONDS LATER. I QUICKLY EXITED THE HIGHWAY AS MOTORISTS WERE BEGINNING TO BEEP AT ME. I CONTINUED TO PRESS AND RELEASE THE BRAKE PEDAL ON THE OFF RAMP, ONLY TO RECEIVE THE SAME RESPONSE FROM THE BRAKE LIGHT SYSTEM. WHILE DRIVING, THE BRAKE LIGHT WOULD STAY ON; UPON SLOWING OR STOPPING, THE BRAKE LIGHT WOULD GO OFF. I HAVE LOOKED AT THIS ISSUE ONLINE AND SEE THAT THIS IS A COMMON COMPLAINT FROM OWNERS OF THE 2009 MALIBU. A RECALL HAS BEEN IN QUESTION SINCE MARCH OF 2013; I STRESS THAT THE NHTSA NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE, AS THE MALFUNCTION IS SEVERE ENOUGH TO CAUSE FATALITIES. *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, May 1, 2014
DOOR WILL NOT OPEN. I WAS LOCKED IN MY OWN CAR AT THE GAS STATION. I MANUALLY PULLED UP ON THE DOOR LOCK AND STILL COULDN'T GET OUT. I ROLLED THE WINDOW DOWN AND PULLED ON THE OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE RELEASE AND NOTHING. AFTER PUSHING EVERY BUTTON SEVERAL TIMES AND PUTTING THE CAR IN AND OUT OF PARK I FINALLY MANAGED TO GET OUT. 2 DAYS LATER THE SAME THING HAPPENED BUT I WAS OUTSIDE THE CAR. I HAD TO CRAWL FROM THE PASSENGERS SIDE TO GET INTO THE DRIVERS SEAT TO GET TO WORK. SINCE THE DOOR LOCKS WERE ACTING UP I PULLED THE FUSE AND DECIDED TO DO IT OLD SCHOOL AND USE THE KEY TO LOCK AND UNLOCK MY CAR. GOOD IDEA UNTIL I WAS LEAVING WORK AND THE KEY WOULDN'T OPEN THE DOOR. GREAT!!! HEY, I WILL JUST UNLOCK THE PASSENGER DOOR AND CLIMB IN. DID YOU KNOW THERE IS NO PLACE TO INSERT A KEY TO UNLOCK THE DOOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE? I DO NOW. AFTER MUCH CURSING I MANAGED TO GET IN USING THE KEY BUT THEN THE DOOR WOULDN'T CLOSE. OH MY GOD I THOUGHT. I HAD TO USE 2 BUNGEE CORDS TO HOLD THE DOOR CLOSE SO I COULD DRIVE THE CAR 25 MILES HOME. I DIDN'T MENTION THAT THE BACK DOOR QUIT WORKING OVER A YEAR AGO DID I? I THINK IT IS TIME FOR A RECALL. BEING LOCKED IN YOUR CAR IN NOT A GOOD THING. IMAGINE IF THE FIRST RESPONDERS COULDN'T GET YOU OUT OF YOUR CAR IF YOU WERE IN A ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF FAULTY DOOR ACTUATORS. I SEE MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS OF THIS DEFECT AND NOW IT IS TIME SOMEBODY HAS TO STEP UP AND DO THEIR JOB AND ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. APPARENTLY SOMEBODY HAS TO DIE FIRST AND SUE EVERYONE INVOLVED TO MAKE SOMETHING HAPPEN. *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Apr 7, 2014
WHILE DRIVING DOOR LOCKS CONTINUALLY GO UP AND DOWN AND WHILE PARKED DOOR LOCKS OPEN AND CLOSE UNTIL WE TOOK FUSE OUT TO STOP. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD CAN'T OPEN DOOR WHILE ITS DOING THIS AND CAN'T LOCK DOORS, BECAUSE THEY START GOING UP AND DOWN AGAIN, AFRAID WILL DRAIN BATTERY OR CAUSE AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS DISTRACTION. *TR
Electrical system, Structure, Apr 5, 2014
REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR DOES NOT UNLOCK UNLESS MANUALLY UNLOCKED. VEHICLE WAS SOLD TO ME USED BY CADILLAC WEST OF LAS VEGAS. UPON SELLING OF THE VEHICLE, I WAS TOLD THIS WAS A MALFUNCTION AND THE DEALERSHIP WOULD FIX THIS. TRIED CALLING ONCE AND THEY REFUSED TO DO SO, SAYING IT WAS GM'S ISSUE. FIGURED THEY JUST SOLD IT "AS IS", WASN'T AWARE THAT THIS WAS SO COMMON. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Mar 30, 2014
THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, CAUSING LOSS OF NORMAL STEERING CONTROL, MAKING THE VEHICLE DIFFICULT TO STEER. VEHICLE HAD TO BE MOVED OUT OF TRAFFIC AND RESTARTED TO RESET THE FAILURE. LOSS OF STEERING AND ESC. ERROR CODE LATER DETERMINED TO HAVE BEEN CO545 (STEERING TORQUE SENSOR). *TR