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.

Complaints by model year
  1. 1,509

Of the 2009 reports, 41 involved a crash and 9 involved a fire. 44 people were injured and 3 people died.

Primary concernSteering768 reports · 51% of complaints
Owner complaints1,509Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship6 safety recallsNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Steering768
  2. Electrical system368
  3. Electronic stability control (ESC)255
  4. Exterior lighting172
  5. Service brakes152
  6. Power train121
  7. Vehicle speed control73
  8. Air bags62

Recalls and investigations

  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  1. Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Sep 24, 2021

    Electrical system, electronic stability control, exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic, vehicle speed control

  2. Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Sep 7, 2021

    Occassionally and unpredictably, the service ESC, power steering, traction control and anti theft light come on and the car goes on limp mode, unable to shift past first gear. Also power locks do not work (all four doors) and tire pressure sensor is on and service tire sensor pressure light is on all the time. Took car to an independant mechanic who stated that when using his diagnostic tool, no code or fault indicated for ESC, power steering, traction control or anti theft device. It should be noted that these reset themselves when car is turned off and then go back on unpredictably, once you start driving the car. This mechanic then tried fixing the powerlocks, and stated that after replacing two of the powerlocks, he realized that they still did not work. This mechanic contacted GM and was told that the issue with the powerlocks came from the the body control module, which aparently was causing the powerlocks to fail and was also the cause of the tire pressure sensors being on all the time, since the body control module controlled the powerlocks and the tire pressure sensors. He also stated that the Chevy dealer was the only ones who could change the body control module, since they were the only ones who reprogram the new module to the car. This mechanic also stated that all four tires pressure sensors were working. I took the car to a Chevy dealer with same problem. The dealer claimed that gasoline which contained a high level of ethanol was causing the ESC, traction control and limp mode problem. They suggested for me to run the gas out and fill the car up three times with regular gasoline (87 octane) and that this would resolve this issue. They claimed that the tire pressure sensors on two of the tire were not reading properly and needed to be replaced and that the power lock switch was the root of the powerlocks not working, since two of them (the ones that were not replaced by the first mechanic) were not working. Problem with ESC wasnt resolved

  3. Electrical system, Service brakes, Sep 1, 2021

    The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the brake lights, service traction, and ESC warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, the cruise control was inoperable. While driving the brake pedal was depressed however, the brake lights failed to illuminate. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the brake pedal switch and calibration needed to be repaired. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the brake pedal switch was replaced. The manufacturer was notified and referred the contact to the NHTSA. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V252000 (Electrical system, Exterior Lighting, Vehicle Speed Control, Electronic Stability Control). The failure mileage was 98,514.

  4. Steering, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Apr 25, 2021

    THE STEERING WHEEL MOVES BACK AND FORTH ON ITS OWN WHILE IDLING. IT GETS HARD TO STEER WHEN THE TRACTION LIGHT COMES ON. THE LIGHT ABOVE OUR HEADS DON'T WORK. THE BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON WHILE WE'RE DRIVING WHEN I'M NOT PRESSING ON THE BRAKES. THE TIRE PRESSURE DON'T WORK TO LET US KNOW HOW MUCH AIR IS IN THE TIRE AND THE TIRE CAUTION LIGHT IS ON AT ALL TIMES. THE FRONT FENDER ON THE BOTTOM IS BROKE. WE JUST BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE LAST MONTH

  5. Steering, Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Mar 28, 2021

    MY STEERING WHEEL AGGRESSIVELY SHAKES WHEN I'M IN PARK, AT SLOW SPEEDS AND AT HIGHER SPEEDS. THE 'ESC OFF' DISPLAYS ON THE DASH AND I LOSE POWER STEERING. THIS USE TO HAPPEN RARELY, BUT NOW IT IS ALMOST EVERY TIME I START MY VEHICLE. EVEN WHEN I'M ABLE TO START THE VEHICLE WITHOUT THIS WARNING DISPLAYING, IT IS STILL VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AT ANY SPEED DUE TO THE SHAKING. THIS STARTED 3 YEARS AGO AND HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE SINCE.

  6. Steering, Electrical system, Visibility/wiper, Mar 5, 2021

    HAS A PROBLEM WITH COLD START NEEDS A JUMP ALOT, SERVICE ESC COMES ON WITH LOSE OF TRACTION AND POWER STEERING, SENSOR IN WHEELS GO OUT OFTEN WHEELS SOUND WEIRD WHEN TURNING, HEADLIGHT GOES OUT OFTEN WINDSHIELD WIPERS ARE OUT ,GEARSHIFT LINKAGE HAS BROKEN WHILE TRYING TO SHIFT GEARS PROBLEM OCCURS BOTH NON-STATIONARY

  7. Steering, Electrical system, Feb 28, 2021

    I'M HAVING POWER STEERING ISSUES AND THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THE RECALL PARTS HAVE EXPIRED! I'M VERY UPSET BECAUSE THEY ARE TRYING TO CHARGE ME 2,700 OUT OF MY POCKETS BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT TO DO THE WORK FOR FREE. THESE PARTS THAT THEY NEED ARE RECALL PARTS!!

  8. Steering, Electrical system, Feb 28, 2021

    POWER STEERING GOES OUT WHILE DRIVING. MAKES STEERING/DRIVING/TURNING ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE.

  9. Steering, Electrical system, Feb 8, 2021

    SERVICE ESC LIGHT ON, LOSS OF POWER STEERING, CRUISE CONTROL, AND TRACTION CONTROL...TURNOFF VEHICLE AND TURN BACK ON AND PROBLEM IS RECTIFIED .VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AT HIGHWAY SPEED 60-65 MAKING TURNING EXTREMELY DIFFICULT.

  10. Steering, Electrical system, Feb 4, 2021

    SON DRIVING HOME FROM COLLEGE, LOSES POWER STEERING AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON. READOUT BAR SERVICE POWER STEERING AND ESC. THERE ARE SEVERAL RECALLS ON THIS EXACT PROBLEM AND EXACT YEAR OF VEHICLE BUT HIS VEHICLE VIN IS NOT INCLUDED. SO IRRITATING WHEN MANUFACTURERS WILL NOT STAND BEHIND AND FIX A KNOWN ISSUE... CLEARLY THEY KNOW THE RAMIFICATIONS, THEY HAVE A RECALL ALREADY!

  11. Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jan 20, 2021

    I HAVE HAD RECURRING AND CONSTANT PROBLEMS WITH THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS AND ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS IN THIS CAR. I'VE ALREADY HAD THE PASSENGERS SIDE HEADLIGHT AND DRIVERS SIDE HEADLIGHT "FIXED" BETWEEN 3 AND 4 TIMES. THE DRIVERS SIDE LOW BEAM IS OUT AGAIN AS OF 2 DAYS AGO. AS FAR AS THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, MY TRUNK POP BUTTON DOESN'T WORK, THE RR PASSENGERS SIDE DOOR DOESN'T LOCK, AND I SOMETIMES HAVE TROUBLE GETTING ANY OF THE BUTTONS ON MY DASH TO WORK TO CHANGE OR CONTROL ANYTHING IN THE CAR. I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE BUTTONS ON MY STEERING WHEEL. MY CAR HAS JUST OVER 70,000 MILES ON IT. THE HEADLIGHT BEING OUT IS ALWAYS AN ISSUE WHEN I'M DRIVING. I GOT PULLED OVER TWICE THE OTHER NIGHT BECAUSE THE HEADLIGHT WAS OUT. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM - I'VE DONE MY RESEARCH AND I KNOW THAT LOTS OF PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR. NOT TO MENTION THE LABOR INVOLVED TO EVEN ACCESS THE HEADLIGHT. IT'S MADDENING TO HAVE WASTED A LOT OF MONEY TO NOT HAVE THIS ISSUE FIXED. I'VE HAD THE BULB REPLACED MULTIPLE TIMES, NEW PIGTAILS INSTALLED AND EVEN REMOVED THE DAY TIME RUNNING LIGHTS CONNECTION FROM THE FUSE BOX BECAUSE I READ THAT HAVING THAT CONNECTED MIGHT CONTRIBUTE TO THE HEADLIGHT ISSUE. EVEN THAT DIDN'T WORK. CHEVY NEEDS TO ISSUE A RECALL. 2 WORKING HEADLIGHTS IS A BASIC NEED TO DRIVE A CAR. TO HAVE THIS CONSTANT ISSUE IS RIDICULOUS.

  12. Steering, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jan 7, 2021

    POWER OF STEERING KEEPS GOING OUT I HAVE TO TURN MY CAR OFF AND BACK ON JUST TO GET IT TO STEER AGAIN. USUALLY HAPPENS WHEN I'M BACKING OUT OF PARKING SPOTS OR DRIVING SLOW OR TURNING. MY HEADLIGHTS WIRING HARNESS HAS A SHORT IN IT AND ONE OF MY LIGHTS CUTS OFF AND ON THIS HAPPENS RANDOMLY WHILE I'M DRIVING.

  13. Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Lane departure, Jan 5, 2021

    CAR SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING PROBLEMS ELECTRICAL

  14. Steering, Electrical system, Wheels, Jan 4, 2021

    POWER STEERING FAILS WHILE DRIVING, HAD TO SHUT MY CAR OFF WHILE I TRIED TO MAKE A TURN ON THE HIGWAY. THE 1ST TIME IT HAPPENED AT HOME ON MAY 2020, CAR LOCKED UP AND WOULDN'T MOVE AT ALL. DASHBOARD WILL SAY TRACTION OFF, ESC OFF AND IT WON'T LET ME MOVE MY STEERING WHEEL. I HAVE TO SHUT OFF THE CAR AND WAIT A FEW MINUTES FOR IT TO COME BACK. CAR IS AT ROUGHLY 133K MILES AND HAD NO ISSUES PRIOR TO THIS. ALSO, WHEN I DRIVE MY FRONT SIDE OF THE CAR SHAKES AS IF IT IS GOING OVER STUFF. I REPLACED BOTH CV JOINTS, GOTTEN THE CAR ALIGNED, AND BALANCED MY TIRES AND THEY STILL CAN'T FIND THE ISSUE WITH IT. ONLY RECALL THAT POPS UP IS THE ELECTRONIC, BUT I BELIEVE IT HAS THE STEERING RECALL AS WELL.

  15. Steering, Electrical system, Jan 2, 2021

    WHEN DRIVING AND AT A STOP/LIGHT, THE CAR SHUTS OFF, OR IT SHAKES AS IF IT GONNA DIE OUT. THE ESC SERVICE LIGHT APPEARS ON DASHBOARD. SOMETIMES WHEN JUST DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, IT JERKS AND BOTH ESC SERVICE LIGHT AND TRACTION CONTROL BOTH COME ON THE DASHBOARD.

  16. Steering, Electrical system, Dec 6, 2020

    MY DOOR LOCKS WERE AUTOMATICLY GOING UP AND DOWN. NOW DOORS LOCK OUT OF BLUE. KINDA DISCOURAGING NOW MY POWER STEERING AND SERVICE HAS ACTED UP 2 TIMES ON DEC 06 2020. BOTH TIMES THE POWER STEERING WARNING CAME ON I HAVE BEEN SITTING STILL. HEARD THERE HAS BEEN RECALL ON PREVIOUS MALIBU.

  17. Steering, Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Nov 30, 2020

    POWER STEERING FAILURE WITH EPS SERVICE WARNING. SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND A WARNING THAT STATES SERVICE ESC. WHEN I TURN OFF THE VEHICLE AND TURN BACK ON SYSTEMS MAY RETURN BUT EVENTUALLY FAIL WITH SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND ESC. THIS OCCURS WHILE DRIVING OR STATIONARY INTERMITTENTLY AT STOP LIGHTS WHILE DRIVING AND PARKED.

  18. Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Nov 13, 2020

    PASSENGER LOW BEAM BULB REPEATEDLY BURNS OUT. LASTS FOR LESS THAN A DAY.

  19. Steering, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Oct 26, 2020

    POWER STEERING FAILS WHILE DRIVING. DASHBOARD WILL SAY "TRACTION OFF, ESC OFF" AND I WON'T BE ABLE TO MOVE STEERING WHEEL. THIS HAS HAPPENED IN BUSY INTERSECTIONS. I HAVE TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND RESTART IN ORDER TO GAIN POWER STEERING AGAIN. MECHANIC HAS DIAGNOSED IT AS TORQUE SENSOR/STEERING COLUMN. THIS WAS RECALLED ON MANY OTHER MALIBUS, BUT NOT MINE. A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM BUT WEREN'T INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE I PURCHASED VEHICLE SEVEN YEARS AGO AT 80,000 MILES (ABOUT ONCE PER YEAR) AND HAS GOTTEN WORSE RECENTLY AT 170,000 MILES (MULTIPLE TIMES PER MONTH). THIS IS DANGEROUS AND VERY EXPENSIVE.*DT *TR

  20. Steering, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Oct 4, 2020, crash

    I HAVE A 2009 CHEVY MALIBU AND IT'S VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I HAVE A 4 CYLINDER CAR WITH ELECTRIC POWER STEERING AND IT WAS NOT APART OF THE RECALL. YET IT'S HAVING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS THE RECALL CARS. I HAD TO HAVE MY CAR PUSHED OUT OF A DITCH YESTERDAY BECAUSE IT'S SO HARD TO TURN MY STEERING WHEEL I LOST CONTROL OF MY CAR. MY TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT IS ON, AND PRESSING THE BUTTON DOES NOT WORK. I SOMETIMES DON'T HAVE CONTROL TO UNLOCK MY DOOR AND HAVE TO CALL SOMEONE TO PHYSICALLY OPEN IT FROM THE OUTSIDE. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON, ALSO MY BATTERY LIGHT. AND THEY ARE ALL GOOD AND UP TO DATE. MY TRACTION AND SYSTEM LIGHT IS ON TOO. AND MY HEAD LIGHTS, BRAKE LIGHTS, AND BATTERY IS CONSTANTLY DRAINED AND GOING OUT. IT'S HARD TO FIND REASONABLE PRICE'S FROM AUTO SHOPS, AND THE DEALERSHIP PRICES ARE TOO EXPENSIVE. I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO STRUGGLE TO TURN AND WORK MY CAR BECAUSE OF A COMPUTER SYSTEM THAT'S OUT. IT'S VERY DANGEROUS. I'M GOING TO UPLOAD A PICTURE OF MY CAR AFTER IT WAS PUSHED OUT THE DITCH. BUT MY STEERING WHEEL HAS BEEN HARD TO TURN AND I'VE BEEN HAVING THIS PROBLEM SINCE JANUARY OF 2020. AND IT MAKES A LOUD WHINING NOISE WHILE TRYING TO TURN THE WHEEL.

  21. Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Sep 18, 2020

    FOR YEARS NOW I HAVE HAD A FEW ISSUES. ONE OF WHICH IS THE LOCKS WITH IN THE VEHICLE. AT ONE POINT ONE LOCK WOULDNT BE RECOGNIZED BY THE FOB OR INTERNAL LOCKING MECHANISM AND THEN EVENTUALLY ALL LOCKS WOULD BE UNRESPONSIVE. I NOW HAVE TO MANUALLY LOCK AND UNLOCK ALL DOORS. SECOND ISSUE IS THE 3RD BRAKE LIGHT. IT APPEARS THAT IT WANTS TO WORK WHEN IT FEELS LIKE IT. I TYPICALLY SEE IT WORKING IN EARLY MORNINGS WHEN ITS COLD, AND THEN EVENTUALLY IT DIMS OUT AND COMPLETELY STOPS WORKING. I HAVE NOTICED THIS IN OTHER MALIBU'S THAT I SEE DRIVING AND I HAVE READ ON MANY OTHER FORUMS THAT BOTH OF THESE ISSUES EXIST. I REALLY WISH THE MANUFACTURER WOULD ISSUE A RECALL FOR BOTH OF THESE. THIRD, IM ROUGHLY 200LBS SOAKING WET AND FOR WHATEVER REASON THE SEAT BRACKET THAT IS USED TO LIFT AND TILT HAS BROKE. MY DRIVER SEAT NOW LEANS TO ONE SIDE AND I CAN NO LONGER LIFT IT UP BECAUSE OF THIS.

  22. Steering, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Sep 16, 2020

    POWERSTEERING KEEPS GOING IN AND OUT. HEADLIGHTS GO IN AND OUT. IVE GOTTEN THOSE REPLACED THREE TIMES! I ALSO HAD SOME OF THE WIRING REPLACED FOR MY LIGHTS. I FORGOT WHAT THOSE ARE CALLED AND MY LIGHTS STILL WENT OUT. LOCK BUTTONS NOT WORKING. RADIO WASNT WORKING UNTIL I REPLACED A FUSE. SPEAKERS GO IN AND OUT. CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT WORK. MY BATTERY WENT DEAD ,SO I REPLACED THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR AND MY CAR STILL DIDNT WORK.

  23. Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Sep 14, 2020

    WHEN I BOUGHT IT WORKED GOOD FOR BOUT 2 DAYS AND I STARTED NOTICING A LIGHT WOULD BE BLINKING LIKE THE ENGINE LIGHT AND A LIGHT WITH LIKE A EXCLAMATION MARK IN SIDE OF LIKE A BOWL AND THE SPEED WOULD REDUCE AND THEN IT WOULD JUST QUIT EVEN WHILE YOUR IN TRAFFIC AT A STOP LIGHT ,GOING UP A HILL IT WOULD DO IT JUST WHEN IT GOT READY

  24. Steering, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Aug 20, 2020

    1) RE-OCCURRING RECALL FAULT 13036 -BRAKE LIGHTS ON - ESC - TRACTION CONTROL - ETC, THESE WERE REPAIRED BUT YOU CANT REPAIR A DEFECT 2) POWER STEERING TURNS OFF AND ON - MENTIONED TO DEALER END LAST YEAR 2019 - MENTIONED DID NOT RECEIVE RECALL 14116 - SPOKE WITH GM REP TODAY 8/21/20 (JOHN) AT NBR 800-222-1020 HE STATED THIS RECALL EXPIRED DEC LAST YEAR ANY REPAIRS GOING FORWARD COST ON ME WHICH ISNT RIGHT. THESE REPAIRS - RECALLS - SHOULD BE HANDLED NO MATTER MILEAGE/AGE. UPON ATTEMPTING A RIGHT TURN ALL POWER TO STEERING WHEEL WAS LOST BUT REGAINED SLOWLY - MY THOUGHT WAS LOW POWER FLUID. I PARKED THE NIGHT AND IN MORNING SEARCHED VEHICLE FOR POWER STEERING RESERVOIR TO NO AVAIL DID I FIND IT - DEALER ADVISED IT WAS ELECTRONIC - STILL AT THAT DATE I RECEIVED NO RECALL TO POWER STEERING TRBL - THIS SHOULD BE REPAIRED AT GM EXPENSE

  25. Power train, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Aug 14, 2020

    I WENT TO THE STORE CAME BACK OUT AN IT WOULDN'T TRUN OVER I GOT A NEW BATTERY AN GOT THE SAME RESULT