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: exterior lighting
172 reports, newest first. Show all
Exterior lighting, Dec 13, 2018
LOW BEAM PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT KEEPS GOING OUT, EVEN AFTER REPLACING MULTIPLE TIMES
Steering, Exterior lighting, Dec 12, 2018
POWER STEERING KEEPS GOING OUT MAKES IT HARD TO DRIVE STRAIGHT AND MAKE TIGHT TURNS AND MY LOW BEAMS ON MY HEADLIGHTS KEEPS GOING OUT TOO. BUT THERE IS NO RECALL ON MY CAR AT AND IT IS REALLY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE WITH MY FAMILY IN IT.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Dec 7, 2018
PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM KEEP GOING OUT. REPLACED BULB MULTIPLE TIMES, STILL DOESNT WORK. REPLACED WIRING HARNESS WITHIN FIRST WEEK OF PURCHASING VEHICLE AND HAVING REPEATED PROBLEMS.
Exterior lighting, Nov 11, 2018
MY HEADLIGHTS GO OUT ALL TIME N IT'S VERY SCARY WHEN YOU DRIVE N AT NIGHT IT HAPPENS
Steering, Exterior lighting, Electronic stability control (ESC), Nov 1, 2018
CONTACTED LOCAL DEALERSHIP FOR RECALL. THEY INFORMED ME IT WAS LREADY DONE,BUT PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS. I PURCHASED VEHICLE FROM MY MOTHER AND SHE SAID SHE NEVER HAD THE WORK DONE.. POWER STEERING KEEPS GOING IN AND OUT AND IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Oct 24, 2018
WHILE DRIVING, SOMETIMES MY BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON WHEN I AM NOT DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, SOMETIMES, WHEN I PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL THE BREAK LIGHTS DO NOT COME ON, THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS OF THEN LATER IT GOES OFF.
Exterior lighting, Air bags, Seat belts, Oct 22, 2018
PASSENGER HEADLIGHT HAS BLOWN TWICE IN LESS THEN A YEAR. DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT NO LONGER RETRACTS.
Exterior lighting, Oct 15, 2018
PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT INTERMITTENTLY GOES OUT. IT IS NOT DETERMINED BY IF IT'S PARKED OR I'M DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD.
Exterior lighting, Oct 6, 2018
HEADLIGHT CONNTOR KEEP BURING OUT LOW BEAM ON PASSAGER SIDE SECOND TIME REPLACING IT IN TWO YEARS
Exterior lighting, Sep 11, 2018
SINCE I HAVE HAD THIS CAR IN 2010, I HAVE REPLACED HEADLIGHTS AT LEAST 3 TIMES A YEAR, WHICH HAS COST ME AT LEAST $200.00 EACH VISIT, I HAVE SEARCHED ONLINE AND IT SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON ISSUE. I HAVE DROPPED IT OFF FOR THE SECOND TIME IN 3 MONTHS TO GET
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Sep 2, 2018
PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT ISSUE . HEADLIGHT LOWBEAM SPECIFICALLY ON PASSENGER SIDE KEEP GOING OUT . AFTER RESEARCH AND TESTING TO FIND OUT IT'S NOT THE ACTUAL BULB THAT'S THE ISSUE. IT'S THAT HEADLIGHT WIRING ON SEVERAL DIFFERENT MALIBU'S . CHANGED BULB 3 TIMES IN 6 MONTH WINDOW .
Exterior lighting, Aug 14, 2018
THE DRIVER'S SIDE LOW BEAM LIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT AND NOT I THINK IT IS AFFECTING MY DRIVER'S SIDE REAR LIGHTS. I ALREADY HAD IT FIXED AND PAID A TRAFFIC TICKET TOTALING $700.00 ON IT. THE FIRST TIME I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST THE BULB. I FOUND OUT IT WAS ELECTRICAL PROBLEM AND IT TURNED OUT TO BE THE PIGTAIL. I REPLACED IT AND NOW AFTER 4 MONTHS THEY ARE OUT AGAIN. I HAVE SEEN MANY COMPLAINTS SIMILAR TO MINE IN MULTIPLE BLOGS.
Steering, Exterior lighting, Aug 10, 2018
THE PASSENGER LOW BEAM LIGHT BURNS OUT FREQUENTLY. UPON FIXING THE CONNECTION WAS MELTED. THE STEERING BECOMES HARD TO TURN WHILE DRIVING SLOW OR SLOWING DOWN TO TURN.
Exterior lighting, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Jul 3, 2018
THE SECOND DAY I HAD THE VEHICLE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. I WAS DRIVING IN HOUSTON TEXAS IN FULL TRAFFIC AND MY MOTOR HAD ENGINE POWER LOSS. THEY FIXED MY POWER STEERING. NOW MY CAR GOES INTO ENGINE POWER LOSS WHEN DRIVING. ESC, TRACTION CONTROL AND ENGINE POWER LOSS COME ON THE DISPLAY. WE'VE CHANGED THE SPARK PLUGS AND THROTTLE BODY BUT STILL NOTHING. THE CAR SHAKES AT REDLIGHTS AND STOP SIGNS. THE AC SMELLS LIKE FUMES. WHEN THE CAR IS STATIONARY WITH THE AC ON THE CAR GOES INTO ENGINE POWER LOSS. LEFT FRONT HEADLIGHT GOES OUT AND COMES BACK ON.
Exterior lighting, Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jun 17, 2018
MY BRAKE LIGHTS AND FIFTH LIGHT IN WINDOW COME ON WITHOUT BRAKING AND GO OFF WHEN BRAKE IS PRESSED
Exterior lighting, Jun 12, 2018
PASSENGER HEADLIGHT LOSES POWER. LIGHT BULB CHANGES 3 TIMES AND THEY ALL ARE NOT BURNED OUT. CHANGED WIRING. LIGHT WILL NOW STAY LIT. LOW BEAM ONLY. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A YEAR.
Exterior lighting, May 20, 2018
PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM HEAD LIGHT WENT OUT FOR 3RD TIME WITHIN ABOUT 8 MONTHS.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Apr 23, 2018
TAKATA RECAL, MY CARS LOCK BUTTON STOPPED WORKING AND MY KEY PADS AS WELL AS MY HEADLIGHTS GO OUT AND COME BACK ON ON THEIR OWN. MY CAR WAS IN MY DRIVEWAY AND ALL THIS HAPPENED A FEW WEEKS OF EACHOTHER. WENT TO CHANGE MY BULB AND OLD BULB CAME BACK ON. AS WELL AS WHEN ALL MY ELECTRICAL WENT BAD IT WAS SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY ALL NIGHT AND BATTERY QUIT WORKING.
Exterior lighting, Apr 17, 2018
I HAVE A 2009 CHEVY MALIBU AND THE PASSENGER LOW BEAM LIGHT KEEPS GOING OUT EVERY 3-4 MONTHS. I HAVE CHANGED THE BULBS 5 TIMES NOW AND RECENTLY CHANGED THE HARNESS AND STILL WENT OUT 3 MONTHS LATER. IT IS STARTING TO COST ME A LOT OF MONEY AND KEEPS HAPPENING.
Exterior lighting, Mar 18, 2018
PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT WIRE HARNESS KEEPS GOING BAD. LIGHTBULB IS GOOD. 3RD ONE WITHIN A YEAR AND A HALF.
Steering, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Mar 15, 2018
POWER STEERING BECOMES STIFF AFTER IDLING FOR A FEW MOMENTS. SHUT THE ENGINE OFF AND RESTART AND PROBLEM GOES AWAY. BRAKE LIGHTS WORK INTERMITTENTLY. POWER DOOR LOCKS WORK INTERMITTENTLY WHEN LOCK BUTTON IS PUSHED SEVERAL TIMES. UNLOCKING DOESN'T WORK AT ALL UNLESS CAR IS PUT IN REVERSE THEN BACK INTO PARK.
Steering, Exterior lighting, Electronic stability control (ESC), Mar 8, 2018
I HAVE HAD THE CAR SERVICED 3 TIMES FOR THE HEADLIGHTS GOING OUT ON ME. I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AT 930PM AND NOTICED MY LIGHTS WERE NOT ON. IT WAS PITCH BLACK BECAUSE I HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE PARK TO GET HOME. I ALMOST HIT THE CURB BECAUSE I COULD NOT SEE. I PANICKED BUT I TRIED THE BRIGHTS AND THEY WORKED SO I USED THEM TO GET HOME. THE GREENWOOD CHEVROLET REPLACED THE HEAD LIGHT BULBS 3 TIMES BUT IT HAS TO BE ELECTRICAL BEING THAT IT WENT OUT 3 TIMES IN 2 MONTHS I HAVEN'T EVEN HAD THE CAR A YEAR! ON MY WAY HOME FROM THE GROCERY STORE ON 3/6/2018 I ALMOST WRECKED BECAUSE THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT ON THE VEHICLE. I ATTEMPTED TO TURN AND ALMOST RAN INTO THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. THE SUSPENSION DOESN'T WORK EITHER. AS OF TODAY I CANNOT DRIVE AT NIGHT BECAUSE I DO NOT HAVE ANY HEAD LIGHTS (THAT'S BEEN FOR 3 MONTHS) I CANNOT DRIVE THE CAR NOW BECAUSE I DO NOT HAVE POWER STEERING TO DRIVE THE CAR. I'M MAKING PAYMENTS ON A DEATH TRAP BECAUSE I ALMOST WRECKED TWICE THANK GOODNESS GOD WAS WITH ME.
Exterior lighting, Jan 5, 2018
HIGH MOUNTED STOP LAMP, WORKS INTERMITTENTLY,STOPPED OR IN MOTION,(I HAVE READ ONLINE ITS A CONNECTION AT THE LED HIGH MOUNTED STOP LAMP).LEFT AND RIGHT FENDER STOP LAMPS WORK CORRECTLY. NOT PART OF RECALL 13036
Exterior lighting, Dec 6, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAD TO REPLACE THE DRIVER SIDE HEAD LAMP SEVERAL TIMES BECAUSE IT FAILED TO OPERATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
Exterior lighting, Nov 13, 2017
THE LOW BEAM LIGHTS ARE CONSTANTLY GOING OUT. SOMETIMES THEY WILL COME BACK ON BY THEMSELVES OR IF WE MOVE THINGS AROUND A BIT, BUT MOST OF THE TIME THEY STAY OFF. MOST OF THE TIME IT IS ONE OR THE OTHER, BUT AS OF TODAY BOTH OF MY LOW BEAM LIGHTS ARE OUT. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE