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, Mar 26, 2014
REAR RIGHT DOOR (REAR PASSENGER) LOCK FAILING TO OPEN. STARTED TO RANDOMLY OPEN AND NOW IT'S TOTALLY DEAD. IF THE DOOR FAILS TO OPEN GETTING MY KID OUT OF THE CAR IN AN EMERGENCY CAN BE IMPOSSIBLE EVEN FOR OTHER PASSENGERS SITTING ON THE BACK. THIS NEEDS AN URGENT INVESTIGATION. A LOT OF OWNERS HAVE THE SAME ISSUE AND SURPRISED TO SEE A LOT OF COMPLAINTS HERE AS WELL REGARDING THE LOCKS/ACTUATORS. GM IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE ABOUT ACTUATORS FAILING CONSISTENTLY TOO, IN SOME OCCASIONS THEY HAVE MADE THE REPLACEMENTS FREE OF CHARGE OR AT A DISCOUNTED PRICE. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Mar 24, 2014
I WAS DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED (APPROX. 75 MPH) THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SHAKE AND THE TRACTION CONTROL TO TURN ON AND OFF. THEN SUDDENLY I HAD NO POWER STEERING. THIS HAPPENED TO ME AT NIGHT AND SUDDENLY, WITH OUR ANY WARNING. IT IS CONCERNING TO ME THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED! I FOUND IT TO BE EXTREMELY CHALLENGING NOT TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR SINCE I HAD BEEN TRAVELING COMFORTABLY AT 75MPH, THEN SUDDENLY HAD NO POWER STEERING. I CANNOT STRESS THE DANGER OF THIS OCCURRENCE AND THE POSSIBLE UNFORTUNATE OUTCOME HAD MY WIFE BEEN DRIVING WITH MY KIDS IN THE CAR. THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED NOW....DO NOT WAIT UNTIL IT HAS COST SOMEONE THEIR LIFE! *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Mar 21, 2014
TO THE NHTSA PERSON REVIEWING THIS: PLEASE ASSIST ON THIS ISSUE, WE DEPEND ON YOU ESCALATING THIS ISSUE. THE PROBLEM CONTAINED HERE IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE POTENTIALLY CATASTROPHIC CONDITION WAITING TO HAPPEN. WE (OWNERS OF CHEVY MALIBUS OF YEARS 2008-09, AND 10') NEED AN INVESTIGATION TO BE INITIATED. SUMMARY OF PROBLEM: THE CHEVROLET MALIBU 2008,2009, AND 2010 HAS A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM WITH THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS (WHICH OPEN AND CLOSE THE LOCKS ON THE DOORS). FOR THE MALIBU YEAR 2009, AT APPROXIMATELY 35K MILE MARK ALL POWER LOCKS OF ALL FOUR DOORS RANDOMLY OPEN AND LOCK AT ANY VEHICLE FORWARD SPEED AT RANDOM TIMES. AN UNPRECEDENTED AMOUNT OF LACK OF SAFETY CONCERNS HAVE BEEN BROUGHT UP FROM COUNTLESS CUSTOMERS THROUGH DIFFERENT WEBSITES AND ARE BEGINNING TO COME IN A MORE FORMAL MANNER SUCH AS THIS PUBLIC TOOL. SAFETY FLAW: SINCE THE OPENING AN CLOSING OF THE LOCKS ON DOORS IS OF RANDOM MANNER AND OF RAPID FREQUENCY (OPENS AND CLOSES VERY FAST) IT POSES ALL OCCUPANTS TO REMAIN INSIDE THE VEHICLE UNABLE TO ESCAPE IN THE EVENT OF A FIRE, VEHICLE CRASH, OR ANY OTHER EMERGENCY. LIKEWISE, WHEN THE INTENT IS TO HAVE THE DOORS LOCKED IT POSES THE ISSUE THAT THE DOOR LOCKS WILL BECOME OPEN AT UNEXPECTED TIMES. SOLUTION: AVOID CASUALTIES, INCIDENTS, AND KEEP THE SAFETY OF OUR LOVED ONES IN MIND. WE NEED THE NHTSA TO LAUNCH AN INVESTIGATION ON THIS ISSUE. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Mar 21, 2014
MY SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON CONTINUOUSLY BECAUSE OF MY IGNITION SWITCH IS MALFUNCTIONING; AT TIMES IT LOCKS UP DISALLOWING ME TO BE ABLE TO START MY CAR OR REMOVE MY KEYS. I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH THE CAMSHAFT ACTUATORS AND HAS SINCE BEEN REPLACED ON THE ENGINE; BUT THIS CAR IS STILL MALFUNCTIONING. ALSO, MY LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT WILL NOT COME ON, ON THE PASSENGERS SIDE OF MY VEHICLE AFTER THE BULB HAS BEEN REPLACED. ALL OF GM CARS MADE BETWEEN 2008-2012, NEEDS TO BE RECALLED FOR THESE ISSUES NOT JUST SOME BUT ALL! *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Feb 25, 2014
LEFT REAR DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR FAILED TO OPERATE. THIS IS THE 3RD REAR DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR TO FAIL ON THIS CAR. ORIGINAL OWNER, REPLACED 2 LOCKS UNDER WARRANTY, NOW A 3RD ACTUATOR FAILURE. THIS DOOR IS THE PRIMARY DOOR USED FOR ENTRY/EGRESS BY CHILDREN. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN DUE EITHER THE INABILITY TO SAFELY REMOVE A CHILD IN AN EMERGENCY, OR LEAVE THE DOOR UNLOCKED WHILE DRIVING. THERE ARE MANY, MANY COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME PROBLEM ON THIS VEHICLE NATION WIDE OVER THE LAST 5 YEARS. PLEASE INITIATE AN INVESTIGATION INTO THIS SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Feb 3, 2014
WITHIN A WEEK OF OWNING CAR ERROR CODE P0011 CAMSHAFT ALIGNMENT?CAME UP. DEALER GOT LIGHT TO GO OFF. SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH CAR. ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH POWER LOCKS ALSO, NOW MY COMPLETE STEERING COLUMN IS GONE.5 ERROR CODES C0545/C0561, NON FUNCTIONING ELECTRIC POWER STEERING. I AM LUCKY THAT I DIDN'T DIE IN THIS CAR OR WORSE KILL SOMEONE. I CAN'T BELIEVE THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS CAR. PLENTY OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE. ARE WE WAITING FOR PEOPLE TO DIE???? SERIOUSLY. MY CAR IS AT THE DEALERSHIP TODAY AND GM DISTRICT SPECIALIST IS DEALING WITH THE CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE DEPARTMENT AT THE DEALERSHIP TO SEE WHAT THEY CAN DO. I THINK THIS WILL BE THE LAST CHEVROLET THAT I EVER PURCHASE. UNSAFE. I HOPE PEOPLE KNOW HOW TO COMPLAIN ON HERE BECAUSE THERE ARE A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE. 2008 WAS RECALLED FOR SAME ISSUES. MAYBE THEY USED SOME OF THEIR OLD PARTS IN MY CAR FROM 2008. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jan 25, 2014
THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IN TWO YEARS THE PASSENGER HEADLIGHT HAS WENT OUT. THE FIRST TIME WAS THREE WEEKS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. NOW AGAIN, THIS CAN NOT BE A SIMPLE HEADLIGHT JUST GOING OUT ON THE EXACT SAME SIDE. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Jan 11, 2014
THE BRAKE LIGHTS WILL COME ON RANDOMLY. THIS ALSO CAUSES THE CRUISE CONTROL TO KICK OFF. THE LIGHTS WILL STAY ON FOR VARYING LENGTHS. *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Oct 30, 2013
THE MALIBU MY WIFE AND I OWN HAVE HAD PROBLEM WITH THE LEFT PASSENGER DOOR LOCK NOT BEING ACTUATED WHEN COMMANDED. FOR EXAMPLE, WHEN THE DOOR WAS COMMANDED TO LOCK, IT WOULD STAY UNLOCKED. BUT MORE SERIOUSLY, IT WOULD STAY LOCKED WHEN COMMANDED TO UNLOCK. I TOOK IT TO NEUVILLE MOTORS IN WAUPACA, WI, A GM/CHEVY DEALER, TO HAVE IT FIXED. ACCORDING TO A SERVICE MANAGER AT THE DEALERSHIP, DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR MALFUNCTIONS IN MALIBUS FROM THAT MODEL YEAR IS COMMON AND HE SEES MANY OF THEM COME IN WITH EXACT SAME PROBLEM AS MY CAR'S. I BELIEVE A DOOR STAYING LOCKED WHEN COMMANDED TO OPEN IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD IF A RAPID EVACUATION OUT OF THE VEHICLE BECOMES NECESSARY. ALSO, IF THE VEHICLE ROLLS ON THE SIDE OF THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF MALFUNCTIONING DOOR, EVACUATING PASSENGERS OCCUPYING REAR SEATS CAN BE A CHALLENGE AS THE ONLY DOOR AVAILABLE MAY STAY LOCKED WHEN COMMANDED TO UNLOCK. I HAVE CONTACTED GM, BUT THEY INSISTED THAT THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE AS THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND A RECALL WAS NOT ISSUED BY YOUR ADMINISTRATION. THE REFERENCE NUMBER OF MY COMPLAINT WITH GM IS [XXX]. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE IF CHILDREN/ELDERLY/PETS ARE OCCUPYING THE REAR SEAT, OR THE PASSENGER IN THE BACK SEAT BECOMES UNCONSCIOUS IN CASE OF A CRASH. PLEASE CONSIDER ISSUING A RECALL IF THE PROBLEM IS A COMMON ONE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Oct 21, 2013
THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS MALFUNCTIONING AND AFTER RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM I DISCOVERED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS COULD ALSO BE AFFECTED. WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKE THE LIGHT IN THE REAR WINDOW WOULD ACTUALLY GO COMPLETELY OFF. THE REPAIR IS DESCRIBED IN TSB 08-05-22-009C AND WAS COMPLETED. THE PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE FIXED. HOWEVER IT APPEARS THERE WAS A PREVIOUS RECALL FOR THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM WITH EARLIER GENERAL MOTORS MODELS AND THE PROBLEM IS STILL RECURRING. CHEVROLET HAS NOT SEND ANY KIND OF NOTICE TO OWNERS ABOUT THIS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. THE COMPUTER CODE C0131 IS ACTIVATED WHEN THIS OCCURS. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Oct 11, 2013
I HAD A HEADLIGHT GO OUT OVER A YEAR AGO, HAD TO PAY 300$ TO GET IT REPLACED (NEW DESIGN.... MAKES EVERYTHING COMPLICATED, THANKS GM!). NOT EVEN 3 MONTHS LATER, SAME HEADLIGHT OUT AGAIN (PASSENGER). MY MECHANIC NOTICED WATER IN THE LIGHT COMPARTMENT (CONDENSATION) WHICH HE SAYS WILL CAUSE THEM TO OVERHEAT AND DIE. GOT THE LIGHT CHANGED AGAIN, HOPING AVOIDING CAR-WASHES WAS THE SOLUTION. NOPE. OUT AGAIN. AND THEN ON AGAIN! AND NOW OUT AGAIN FOR THE PAST 4 MONTHS. I HAVEN'T HAD THE MONEY TO GET IT FIXED AND BY THE GRACE OF GOD I HAVE NOT GOTTEN A TICKET. THE BRIGHTS BOTH WORK!!!! I BELIEVE IT IS A WIRING PROBLEM, AND JUDGING FROM THE INTERNET THIS PROBLEM SEEMS FREQUENT ENOUGH TO WARRANT A RECALL. NOTE: THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS ON THIS CAR, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO FOCUS ON THIS ONE GETTING RECALLED. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Sep 12, 2013
BRAKE LIGHTS MALFUNCTION. THANK GOD, I WAS DRIVING BEHIND MY WIFE AND HER MALIBU'S BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT ON WHEN SHE BRAKED. AND THEN TURNED ON WHEN SHE DIDN'T HAVE HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP, AND HE SAID HE'S BEEN SEEING THAT ALOT LATELY. PLEASE RECALL BEFORE SOMEONE HAS MAJOR ACCIDENT! THANK YOU *TR
Electrical system, Sep 9, 2013
FOR SEVERAL MONTHS MY PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WILL EITHER LOCK (AND YOU CANNOT GET OUT OF THE CAR) OR, ONCE YOU ARE OUT, THE DOOR LOCK PREVENTS THE DOOR FROM CLOSING. THIS HAS OCCURRED ONLY WHEN STOPPED, AT THIS POINT.THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN INTERMITTENT AND GIVES NO WARNING. I AM ALSO HAVING ISSUES WITH THE LIGHTING ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL; WHEN OUTSIDE LIGHTING IS DIM, IT OFTEN WILL NOT COME ON IF SET IN AUTO MODE. BOTH HAVE BEEN REPORTED TO DEALER AND I AM TOLD THEY "CANNOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM- BRING IT BACK WHEN IT IS OCCURRING!". BOTH ISSUES RAISE SIGNIFICANT SAFETY CONCERNS FOR ME. I CERTAINLY HOPE GM ISN'T WAITING FOR SOME OF US OR FAMILY MEMBERS TO BE KILLED BEFORE THEY ACT TO CORRECT THESE ISSUES. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Aug 29, 2013
WITHIN A ONE YEAR PERIOD, HAD TO HAVE ALL 4 WHEEL BEARINGS REPLACED, A STRUT, AND THE FRONT SWAY BAR LINKAGE. 2009 MALIBU LTZ, 3.6 L V6 WITH APPROX. 32,000 MILES.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Jul 11, 2013
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE BRAKE LIGHTS TURN ON. IF I TOUCH THE BREAKS THEY GO OFF. THIS HAPPENS MOST OFTEN WHEN IT RAINS, SNOWS OR IF DRIVING WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING ON. THE CRUISE CONTROL STOPS WORKING AT THE SAME TIME. I HAVE HAD THIS INTO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP ON THREE OCCASIONS WHERE I HAVE BEEN TOLD "WE HAVE TO EXPERIENCE THIS IN ORDER TO CORRECT IT." I AM AWARE THAT MANY OTHER MALIBU VEHICLES EXPERIENCE THIS AS THERE HAVE BEEN RUMORS OF THIS BECOMING A RECALL FOR MANY MONTHS. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A COUPLE YEARS FOR MY CAR AND I WAS UNDER WARRANTY WHEN I HAD IT IN AND NOT CORRECTED. I TRY NOT TO THINK ABOUT IT NOW THAT IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY, BUT BECAUSE I AM EXPECTING MY FIRST CHILD AND THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN I AM BECOMING MORE WORRIED. WHAT WILL IT TAKE TO GET THIS CORRECTED? HOW COULD THEY PROVE THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS DIDN'T COME ON WHEN SOMEONE STOPPED TO TURN AND THEN WAS HIT? PLEASE HELP! *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Jul 1, 2013
DOOR LOCKS RANDOMLY LOCKED AND UNLOCKED. I COULD BE DRIVING OR THE CAR COULD BE PARKED AND THE DOOR LOCKS WOULD GO UP DOWN UP DOWN. IF IT LOCKED, THERE WAS NO WAY TO OPEN IT, I WAS STUCK IN THE CAR. I FELT IT WAS SUCH A HAZARD THAT I JUST HAD TO REMOVE THE FUSE THAT OPERATED THE DOOR LOCKS. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jun 21, 2013
WHILE DRIVING, THE CAR WILL APPEAR TO THINK THAT THE BRAKES ARE BEING APPLIED. THE BRAKE LIGHTS WILL ALL ACTIVATE, AND CRUISE CONTROL WILL CEASE WORKING. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED, THE BRAKE LIGHTS TURN OFF. THE BRAKES STILL STOP THE CAR, BUT THE LIGHTS AND CRUISE CONTROL APPEAR TO BE NOT CALIBRATED TO THE BRAKE SENSOR. ALSO, SOMETIMES 3 WARNINGS APPEAR IN THE DASH DISPLAY: ESC OFF, SERVICE ESC, AND SERVICE TRACTION, THOUGH IT IS NOT NECESSARY FOR THE PROBLEM TO OCCUR. THIS HAPPENS VERY INTERMITTENTLY, BUT ONCE IT STARTS, IT USUALLY DOESN'T GO AWAY. I'VE HAD THE PROBLEM REPAIRED ABOUT 6 TIMES, BUT IT KEEPS COMING BACK. I AM OUT OF OPTIONS, AS THE REPAIRMEN SEEM TO NOT KNOW WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE CAR. *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, May 30, 2013
I WAS IN MY DRIVEWAY PREPARING FOR WINDSHIELD INSTALLATION. KEPT ON HEARING INTERMITTENT CLICKING. REALIZED IT WAS THE POWER DOOR LOCKS. THEY WERE NOT FULLY LOCKING OR UNLOCKING, ONLY ATTEMPTING TO. IT CONTINUED FOR A FEW DAYS THEN STOPPED FOR A FEW WEEKS. YESTERDAY WE WERE ON A 75 MILE DRIVE AND 75 MILES BACK WITH THE LOCKS INCESSANTLY GOING THROUGH THEIR INTERMITTENT RAPID CYCLING. I NEVER KNOW FOR CERTAIN IF MY DOORS ARE LOCKED OR NOT. BESIDES BEING EXTREMELY DISTRACTING AND IRRITATING WHILE DRIVING, THERE IS THE PRESENCE OF A SAFETY ISSUE. THERE ARE A LOT OF SCENARIOS THAT COULD BE PLAYED OUT. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Service brakes, May 23, 2013
BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON WITHOUT PRESSING THE PEDAL AND WHEN U PRESS THE PEDAL THEY GO OFF FOR A SECOND AND COME BACK ON THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES. *TR
Electrical system, Service brakes, Apr 30, 2013
I BOUGHT THIS CAR IN JUNE 2010 AND THE FIRST THING TO HAPPEN WAS THE BATTERY EXPLODED IN 09/2010. A FEW MONTHS LATER A MY CAR WAS BROKEN INTO BECAUSE I DID NOT REALIZE THAT WHEN I LOCK MY DOORS THAT ALL LOCKS BUT 1. THE NEXT THING THAT HAPPEND WAS THE FRONT HEAD LIGHT SHORTED OUT, NOT THE ACTUAL HEAD LIGHT BUT THE SOCKET THAT THE LIGHT GOES INTO AND THAT HAPPEND AROUND 03/2012. AROUND JANUARY 2013 I WAS STOPPED BESIDE MY DAUGHTER SCHOOL AND A MAN PULLED OVER AND TOLD ME THAT MY BRAKE LIGHTS HAD BEEN ON FOR A FEW MILES. I DID NOT REALIZE THIS AND COULD NOT SEE THIS UNLESS I WAS DRIVING AT NIGHT. I RARELY DRIVE AT NIGHT BUT WHEN I WAS DRIVING AT NIGHT I NOTICED WHEN YOU GET TO A CERTAIN SPEED THE BRAKE LIGHTS WILL COME ON AND AND THEN GO OFF IF YOU TAP THE BRAKE AND THEN COME BACK ON AND STAY ON UNTIL WHENEVER THEY DECIDE TO GO OFF. SOMETIMES THEY WILL BE ON WHEN YOU CRANK UP THE CAR. IT CONCERNS ME BECAUSE WHAT IF THEY BRAKE LIGHT FAIL ALL TOGETHER. IT SEEMS LIKE THERE IS SOME KIND OF ELETRICAL MALFUNTION WITH THIS CAR. I HAVE RESEARCHED ONLINE AND FIND MANY PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME ISSUE WITH LIGHTS COMING ON IN THE CARE AT SPORADIC TIME TIMES AS WELL AS THE BRAKE LIGHT ISSUE. I CALLED GM, THEY TOOK THE INFO BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. I REALLY BELIEVE A RECALL OR SOME TYPE OF INVESTIGATION SHOULD BE DONE ON THIS. I KNOW PEOPLE THAT HAVE GOTTEN BEHIND THE SAME CAR I DRIVE AND THEY SEE THEY BRAKE LIGHTS CONTINOUSLY ON LIKE MY CAR. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Apr 17, 2013
RECENTLY, I EXPERIENCED A FAILED DOOR LOCKING ACTUATOR IN MY 2009 CHEVY MALIBU WHILE DRIVING MY 2YR OLD TO DAYCARE. I WAS TURNING RIGHT OUT OF MY NEIGHBORHOOD, WHEN MY DOOR(DRIVER'S DOOR) SWUNG OPEN. I GRABBED IT AND TRIED SHUTTING, BUT THE LOCKING MECHANISM WAS LOCKED, SO IT WOULDN'T SHUT. I PULLED OVER AND HAD TO MANUALLY UNLOCK THE DOOR SO MY DOOR WOULD SHUT. I COULDN'T EVEN IMAGINE IF THIS SITUATION OCCURRED TO A DOOR IN THE BACKSEAT WITH MY DAUGHTER SITTING THERE IN HER CHILD SEAT. FAST FORWARD ONE WEEK, AND NOW 3 OF MY 4 LOCKING ACTUATORS ARE FAILED. I DID SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND NOTICED THAT THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FROM MALIBU OWNERS ABOUT THESE FAILED LOCKING ACTUATORS. I THEN STARTED TO WONDER IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS. I CALLED GM AND THEY SAID THERE ISN'T A RECALL AND THAT IS JUST NORMAL PART FAILURE. NORMAL PART FAILURE?!?! I'VE HAD THE CAR FOR LESS THAN 4 YEARS AND HAVE ONLY PUT 45K MILES ON IT. IN MY OPINION, THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Apr 9, 2013, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOORS WOULD SPORADICALLY BECOME LOCKED AND UNLOCKED INDEPENDENTLY. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT NOTICED A BURNING ODOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING DIAGNOSIS OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Mar 21, 2013
I HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKE LIGHT FUNCTION. WHEN DRIVING, THE BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD BE ON. WHEN PRESSING THE BRAKE, THE LIGHTS WOULD TURN OFF. I HAD TO PAY TO HAVE A SWITCH REPLACED BY THE DEALERSHIP TO FIX THIS ISSUE. *TR
Electrical system, Mar 16, 2013
CRUISE CONTROL DISENGAGED. THIRD BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON AND BRAKE LIGHTS CAME ON. WOULD NOT GO OFF. AFTER A PERIOD OF TIME ( 30 MINUTES OR SO ) THE BRAKE LIGHT WENT OFF. PEOPLE HAVE TOLD US NUMEROUS TIMES WE HAD NO BRAKE LIGHTS. THIS HAS HAPPENED A LOT OF TIMES SINCE THEN. DEALER SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG.
Electrical system, Seats, Mar 2, 2013
HEATING ELEMENT OF HEATED SEAT FEATURE BURNED A HOLE COMPLETELY THROUGH THE FRONT OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT BACK. THE HOLE IS CENTERED IN THE LOWER LUMBAR AREA OF THE SEAT BACK. *TR