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: exterior lighting

172 reports, newest first. Show all

  1. Exterior lighting, Mar 18, 2016

    MY PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT WORKS INTERMITTENTLY. I HAD THE BULB REPLACED TWO MONTHS AGO. I'D SAY IT WORKS ABOUT HALF THE TIME. THIS IS AT ALL TIMES, BOTH MOVING AND STATIONARY AND ON CITY STREETS OR HIGHWYS.

  2. Exterior lighting, Feb 17, 2016

    MY DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT KEEPS GOING OUT I'VE REPLACED IT MANY TIME. THE WIRE HARNESS GETS REALLY HOT AND MELTS THE WIRES.

  3. Exterior lighting, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Dec 22, 2015

    WHILE DRIVING MY CAR THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT FLASHES AND THE SERVICE ESC LIGHT FLASHES IN THE DASH OF MY CAR. MY BRAKE LIGHT REMAIN ON AT ALL TIME, WHEN I MASH THE BRAKES NO BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON. THE BRAKE LIGHT IS DOING THE OPPOSITE OF WHAT IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE DOING. THIS OCCURED MONTHS AFTER I HAD RECALL WORK DONE (AT A CERTIFIED GM DEALER) UNDER GM RECALL NUMBER 13036 AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 14V252000.

  4. Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Dec 10, 2015

    HIGH MOUNTED BRAKE LIGHT RANDOMLY WORKS, SIMILAR TO PREVIOUS RECALL. CHEVY DEALER TRIES TO TELL ME LIGHT IS "FRIED" WHEN IT ACTUALLY WORKS, INTERMITTENTLY. GM HAS YET TO CONTACT ME ON WHETHER THEY WILL COVER THE COST

  5. Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Nov 20, 2015

    RT FRONT HEADLIGHT BECAME INOPERATIVE TOOK VEHICLE TO CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR MECHANIC FOUND HEADLIGHT CONNECTOR BURNED AND MELTED--LIGHT BULB CONNECTOR BURNED POSSIBILITY OF ELECTRICAL FIRE

  6. Exterior lighting, Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Nov 16, 2015

    THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE WIRING HARNESS RELATED TO THESE PROBLEMS..RK CHEVROLET IN VINELAND,NJ REPAIRED IT SUPPOSEDLY. DAYS AFTER THE WARRANTY ON SOCALLED REPAIR THE PROBLEM PERSISTED YET AGAIN AND I RETURNED TO DEALERSHIP THEY SAID THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH IT...GAVE ME CODES FOR SOMETHING ELSE WHICH DID NOT RELATE TO WHAT IS WRONG...I'M GETTING NOWHERE WITH THIS AND IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE WHICH IS NEEDED FOR FAMILY TRANSPORTATION AND WORK.ESC LIGHT STAYS ON,TRACTION CONTROL STAYS ON,BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON WHILE DRIVING BUT NOT WHEN BRAKING.

  7. Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Oct 22, 2015

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED WITHOUT THE BRAKE PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED. IN ADDITION, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,997.

  8. Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Oct 15, 2015

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL), BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT WIRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. ...UPDATED 02/19/16 *BF UPDATED 4/19/18*JB DEALERSHIP CLAIMS IT IS NOT PART OF RECALL, BUT THERE IS A RECALL FOR BRAKE LIGHT MALFUNCTION. UPDATED 4/19/18*JB *CN

  9. Exterior lighting, Air bags, Oct 6, 2015

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT FAILED TO WORK WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BULB WAS CHANGED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND WOULD NOT RECOGNIZE IF SOMEONE WERE SEATED IN THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

  10. Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Electronic stability control (ESC), Oct 5, 2015, fire

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE HEAD LAMP. IN ADDITION, BOTH THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE HIGH AND LOW BEAM HEAD LAMPS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS AND THE HEAD LAMP ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT, "SERVICE ESC, SERVICE TRACTION. ESC OFF" WAS DISPLAYED ACROSS THE MESSAGE BOARD. THE ESC WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

  11. Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Sep 30, 2015

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL), BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000.

  12. Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Sep 24, 2015

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS CONSTANTLY REMAINED ILLUMINATED. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT BRIEFLY DEACTIVATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND ILLUMINATED AFTERWARDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE SWITCH, THE BRAKE ASSEMBLY LIGHT, AND THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,000.

  13. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Sep 17, 2015

    2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO BODY CONTROL MODULE CONNECTION SYSTEM RECALL REIMBURSEMENT. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED IN JUNE 2014, THE VEHICLE WASN'T RUNNING SMOOTHLY. IT SEEMED TO EXHIBIT A JERK MOTION AND FELT AS THOUGH IT WAS GOING TO STALL. THE ESC LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE AND THEN GO OUT. THE DEALER MADE SOME REPAIRS ON JUNE ON JUNE 27, 2014. AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE MADE, THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER. HOWEVER, THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. GM INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THE REPAIRS WERE NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL. ACCORDING TO THE INVOICE, THE FUEL INJECTOR WIRE WAS REPLACED. RECALL # 14V252000 UPDATED 12/30/15.*JB

  14. Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Air bags, Sep 1, 2015

    FIRST ISSUE HAPPENED WITH THE DRIVER LOW BEAM NOT WORKING THEN WORK AGAIN A FEW DAYS LATER. THE PROBLEM KEEPS GOING ON FROM PASSENGER AND DRIVER LOW BEAMS. I'VE NOTICED THE CONNECTORS WERE MELTED AND CHANGED THEM AND THEY WOULD BOTH WORK FOR A FEW WEEKS THEN ONE WOULD GO OUT AGAIN. SECOND ISSUE IS THE PASSENGER AIRBAG DOESN'T TURN ON WHEN PASSENGERS ARE IN THE VEHICLE. IT WORKS SOMETIMES BUT NOT EVERYTIME. THIRD ISSUE IS THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR LOCKS. THE DOOR LOCKS WORK SOMETIMES AND AGAIN NOT EVERYTIME LIKE THEY SHOULD. THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE REPORTING THESE SAME ISSUES BUT NOTHING GETS DONE UNLESS IT'S OUT OF OUR POCKETS.

  15. Exterior lighting, Aug 3, 2015

    AFTER THE COMPLETION OF REPAIRS FOR RECALL 13036 IN THE FALL OF 2014 I WAS INFORMED THAT MY HIGH MOUNT BREAK LIGHT WAS NO LONGER FUNCTION. AFTER DOING A GREAT DEAL OF RESEARCH I HAVE LEARNED THAT A GREAT NUMBER OF CONSUMERS ARE FACING THE SAME CHALLENGE. MY LIGHT WORKED WITHOUT ISSUES UNTIL THE RECALL WORK WAS DONE ON MY CAR. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT IT WAS NOT WARRANTY COVERED NOR WERE THEY LIABLE FOR THE MALFUNCTION. IT SEEMS THERE IS A DIRECT CONNECTION BETWEEN THE RECALL REPAIRS AND THESE LIGHTS NO LONGER FUNCTIONING.

  16. Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jul 21, 2015

    BOUGHT MY 2009 CHEVY MALIBU LTZ IN APRIL 2015 IN MAY 2015 MY SERVICE ESC SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS STARTED TO COME ON AND MY TAILLIGHTS ARE LIGHTING UP AS IF ON THE BREAKS WHEN I AM NOT.( THEY COME ON WHILE I AM STOPED AT A RED LIGHT HAVE NEVER COME ON WHILE MOVING) RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I GOT MY CAR AND THE LIGHTS WERE OFF SO THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING UNTIL THE LIGHTS WERE ON(THE LIGHTS RESET WHEN I SHUT MY CAR OFF). THEY CAME ON LAST NIGHT WENT TO CHEVY DEALERSHIP LAST NIGHT 7/20/2015 AND THEY TOLD ME TO REPLACE THE BREAK PEDAL SWITCH AND WE DID THAT BUT MY BREAK LIGHTS ARE STILL COMING ON WHEN THEY WANT,IT LOOKS LIKE THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS BEFORE I GOT MY CAR AND I DON'T KNOW IF IT WAS FIXED OR NOT AND IF IT COULD BE FIXED AGAIN UNDER THE RECALL...... VERY UNHAPPY ABOUT THIS.

  17. Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jan 8, 2015

    THE PASSENGER FRONT HEADLIGHT BURNED OUT. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND HAD IT REPLACED. WITHIN A WEEK OR SO, IT HAD BURNED BACK OUT. AT THAT TIME THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THAT THE ENTIRE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACE. I RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM ON.CHEVYMALIBUFORUM.COM AND THIS IS APPARENTLY VERY COMMON. *TR

  18. Exterior lighting, Dec 27, 2014

    THE PASSENGER FRONT HEADLIGHT BURNED OUT. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND HAD IT REPLACED. WITHIN A WEEK OR SO, IT HAD BURNED BACK OUT. AT THAT TIME THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THAT THE ENTIRE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *TR

  19. Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Dec 2, 2014

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

  20. Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Air bags, Nov 22, 2014

    FIRST ISSUE NOTICED WAS PASSENGER AIRBAG NOT ON WHILE PASSENGERS ARE IN FRONT AND REAR OF VEHICLE. THE PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR WORKS 50% OF THE TIME. SECOND ISSUE STARTED CLOSE TO THE SAME TIME AS THE AIRBAG. WHEN USING THE KEYLESS ENTRY OR THE ELECTRIC LOCK BUTTONS INSIDE THE CAR , IT FAILS TO LOCK OR UNLOCK THE PASSENGER SIDE DOORS. AFTER 30 MINUTES OR SO IT WILL THEN LOCK THE DOORS. THE LATEST ISSUE STARTED ON THE 19TH OF NOVEMBER 2014 WITH THE DRIVER SIDE LOWBEAM NOT WORKING AS LIKE IT'S BLOWN. THE CAR HAS BEEN SITTING FOR TWO DAYS SINCE AND NOW THE LOWBEAM IS WORKING BUT, IT'S DIM COMPARED TO THE PASSENGER LOWBEAM. I BELIEVE THERE'S A SHORT IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FROM MANUFACTURER. THERE ARE MANY FORUMS ONLINE ABOUT THESE ISSUES ONLINE FROM OTHER OWNERS. THIS CAR HAS NOT HAD ANY AFTERMARKET INSTALLATIONS OF ITS ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS AND THE BATTERY IS NEW. CHEVROLET NEEDS TO TAKE THE TIME WHEN MANUFACTURING THEIR VEHICLES INSTEAD OF CUTTING CORNERS. THEIR CUSTOMERS SAFETY SHOULD BE VALUED BETTER THAN WORRYING ABOUT SALES. YOU WOULD THINK AFTER GOING UNDER THEY WOULD TAKE THE TIME TO DO THINGS RIGHT THE FIRST TIME. I HIGHLY DOUBT I WILL EVER PURCHASE A VEHICLE MANUFACTURED AFTER 2002 FROM CHEVROLET DUE TO ALL OF THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS THAT FAIL OR CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. PLEASE FIX THESE ISSUES OR LOSE A 15 YEAR CUSTOMER. *TR

  21. Steering, Power train, Exterior lighting, Oct 30, 2014

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL HAD BECOME TIGHT AND EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS MERGED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN AND THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHO REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,590. UPDATED 12/22/14*LJ UPDATED 9/28/2015 *JS

  22. Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Vehicle speed control, Sep 24, 2014

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE CONTACT STATED THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE THE HIGH BEAMS TO DRIVE AT NIGHT. THE FAILURE OCCURRED FOR ONE MONTH. ALSO, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE AFTER A STOP WAS MADE. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED, VIBRATED VIOLENTLY, AND STALLED. THE DECELERATION FAILURE BEGAN ONE WEEK AGO AND THE ACCELERATION HESITATION BEGAN TWO MONTHS AGO. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 93,000.

  23. Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 18, 2014

    I HAVE HAD SO MUCH TROUBLE WITH THE 2009 CHEVY MALIBU I BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW NO MILES THINKING I WAS GOING TO BE STRESS FREE BUT IT HAS GIVEN ME THE MOST HEADACHES EVER. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE SHIFT GEAR AND THAT MY HEAD LIGHTS HAVE HAD TO BEEN REPLACE AT LEAST ONCE A YEAR SINCE I GOT IT THE HEADACHE ABOUT THAT IS THAT THE WHOLE BUMPER HAS TO BE REMOVED TO HAVE THEM REPLACE. I ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. I DON'T THINK I WILL EVER PURCHASE ANOTHER CHEVY CAR. *TR

  24. Exterior lighting, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Sep 5, 2014

    I HAVE TO CHANGE HEAD LIGHTS 3 TIMES. ONLY CAN TAKE TO DEALER ($150.00). WHEN HAVING TIRES REPLACES AND BRAKES. THE ABS/ESC/TRACTION CONTROL ALARMS LIGHTS STAYS ON WHILE DRIVING. I CONTACT CHEVROLET NOW FOR LAST THREE YEARS. I WAS TOLD BECAUSE MY CAR IS OUT WARRANTY THEY WILL NOT APPROVAL REPAIR. I RECENTLY TAKEN CAR TO DEALER RECALL # 13036. THAT MY CAR WOULD BE APPROVAL FOR LOANER. CHEVROLET/ DEALER. ALL WARRANTY HAVE EXPIRES THAT WOULD NOT APPROVAL FOR REPAIRS THERE'S NO ONE TO BILL OR PAY FOR REPAIRS AND LOANER. I WILL BE TAKEN THIS PUBLIC. AS A CONSUMERS AND WOULD LIKE TO STAY A PURCHASER OF GM/CHEVY TO WARN EVERYONE OF THEIR PRACTICES. *TR

  25. Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Aug 30, 2014

    BACK DRIVER SIDE TURNING LIGHT BULB KEEPS BURNING OUT. BEFORE IT GOES OUT IT WILL WORK SOMETIMES. SO I DON'T THINK IT IS THE BULB, BUT SOME OTHER ISSUE. AT THIS TIME MY CAR IS 6 YEARS OLD WITH 32,000 MILES AND THIS WILL BE THE 4TH TIME OF CHANGING THIS BULB. *TR