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, Sep 1, 2013
BRAKE LIGHTS FAIL TO LIGHT AND/ OR FAIL TO TURN OFF AFTER DEPRESSING/RELEASING BRAKE PEDAL BOTH WHILE CAR WAS PARKED WITH ENGINE ON AS WE'LL AS WHILE IN MOTION INCLUDING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. *JS
Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Aug 15, 2013
I HAVE THE SAME ISSUE ANOTHER PERSON WROTE ABOUT. I WAS DRIVING WHEN A CAR PULLED UP NEXT TO ME TO TELL ME THAT WHEN I BRAKE, MY BRAKE LIGHTS DON'T GO ON BUT WHEN I BEGIN TO DRIVE AGAIN, THEY GO ON. I WENT HOME AND TOLD MY HUSBAND. AND AT THAT TIME IT WORKED JUST FINE. BUT THEN IN JULY OF 2013 MY 23 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING MY CAR AND SHE SAID THE SAME THING HAPPENED. A CAR IN BACK OF HER ASKED HER TO PULL OVER AND TOLD HER THAT OUR BRAKE LIGHTS DON'T WORK. BUT THAT THEY GO ON WHEN SHE BEGINS TO DRIVE AGAIN. THIS CAN BE VERY VERY DANGEROUS! I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER BECAUSE I'M CURRENTLY UNEMPLOYED SO CAN'T AFFORD IT BUT NOW THAT I READ ANOTHER PERSON IS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE I THINK THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL BEFORE SOMEONE DOES GET KILLED. PLEASE LISTEN TO YOUR PURCHASERS AND RECALL THIS. *TR
Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Aug 4, 2013
THE BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS UP & SOMETIMES WON'T ILLUMINATE WHEN PEDAL IS DEPRESSED. *TR
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
Exterior lighting, Jul 5, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A BODY SHOP FOR INSPECTION WHERE THE WIRES WERE ADJUSTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT RECENTLY FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN BACK TO THE BODY SHOP. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Jun 26, 2013
THE BRAKE LIGHTS ON MY VEHICLE STAY ILLUMINATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS NOT PRESSED. THIS CAUSES OTHER DRIVERS TO THINK THAT I AM BRAKING WHEN I AM NOT. WHEN I PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE BRAKE LIGHT GOES OFF FOR TWO SECONDS AND THEN COMES BACK ON. AFTER RELEASING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE BRAKE LIGHTS STAY ON. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOUR TIMES. THE DEALER HAS REPLACED THE BRAKE POSITION SENSOR TWICE, THE BRAKE CONTROL MODULE, AND THEY PERFORMED A FIX THAT WAS ISSUED THROUGH A TECH BULLETIN FROM GM ABOUT THE ISSUE BY APPLYING DIELECTRIC GREASE TO THE PINS ON THE BRAKE CONTROL MODULE AND CONNECTOR. NONE OF THESE SOLUTIONS HAVE CORRECTED THE ISSUE. *TR
Exterior lighting, Jun 21, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS NOT BEING DEPRESSED. ADDITIONALLY, WHEN THE BRAKE WAS BEING DEPRESSED, THE BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000. *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
Exterior lighting, Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Jun 17, 2013
THE BRAKE LIGHTS BEGAN TO TURN ON WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS NOT DEPRESSED, EVEN WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK. WHEN DRIVING, THE BRAKE LIGHTS WILL STAY ON AND THE CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT WORK. THESE PROBLEMS MAY ONLY LAST A COUPLE OF MINUTES BUT MAY ALSO PERSIST FOR GREATER THAN AN HOUR AT A TIME. THE PROBLEM MANIFESTS ITSELF SOMEWHAT UNPREDICTABLY BUT ITS FREQUENCY AND DURATION HAVE INCREASED OVER TIME. *TR
Exterior lighting, Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Jun 3, 2013
WHEN DRIVING MY 2009 MALIBU MY BRAKE LIGHTS WILL COME ON. WHEN TAPPING THE BRAKE THEY GO OFF, BUT WHEN I NEED TO USE THE BRAKE NO LIGHTS SHOW. WHEN THIS HAPPENS MY SERVICE ESC AND SERVICE TRACTION LIGHTS ALSO COME ON. IM GETTING VERY AGGRAVATED, I HAVE ONLY OWNED THIS CAR SINCE JUNE 2012, AND CONSTANTLY HAVING PROBLEMS. *TR
Exterior lighting, May 28, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CENTER BRAKE LIGHT FAILED INTERMITTENTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REPORTED TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62,000. UPDATED 07/10/13*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE WITHOUT A FEE UNTIL THE FAILURE BECOMES PERMANENT. UPDATED 07/15/2013 *JS
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
Exterior lighting, Service brakes, May 20, 2013
BRAKE LIGHTS REMAIN ON WHILE DRIVING. GO OFF WHEN BRAKING. HAVE BEEN STOPPED SEVERAL TIMES BY FOLKS PASSING BY TO TELL ME THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE ON. *TR
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
Power train, Exterior lighting, Dec 17, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE SERVICE TRACTION, SERVICE ESC AND ESC OFF WARNING LAMPS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE BODY CONTROL MODULE WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT ONLY OFFERED TO COVER PART OF THE REPAIR COSTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 67,000. ..UPDATED 01/16/2013 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN THE DRIVER'S FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE THE BRAKE LIGHTS GO OFF. UPON TAKING FOOT OFF THE BRAKE THE BRAKE LIGHTS STAY ON. THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE SERVICE TRACTION LIGHT COMES ON. UPDATED 1/28/2013 *JS
Exterior lighting, Aug 21, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE TURN SIGNALS AND THE HAZARD LIGHTS WOULD NOT FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE HAZARD SWITCH UNIT AND THE RELAY HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED AFTER THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE MECHANIC WHERE THE TURN SIGNAL UNIT AND IGNITION WERE REPLACED BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL FOR THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING BUT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
Exterior lighting, Apr 17, 2012
SINCE THE 1ST OF MARCH THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE BEEN BURNING OUT. I HAVE BEEN REPLACING THE HEADLIGHTS WITH REGULAR OEM REPLACEMENTS. I HAVE NOTICED THAT THE PLUGS ARE MELTING ON THE HEADLIGHTS. THIS IS A GREAT SAFETY CONCERN IN MY OPINION. I CAN UNDERSTAND NORMAL LIFE OF THE BULB, BUT TO HAVE 4 SETS OF LIGHTS GO OUT IN JUST OVER A MONTH IS AN ISSUE. I THINK THIS MAY BE HAPPENING DUE TO NO VENTILATION BEHIND THE HEADLIGHT CAUSING EXCESSIVE HEAT THEREFORE CAUSING A POSSIBLE FIRE HAZARD AND POSSIBLE ACCIDENT DURING NIGHT DRIVING. PLEASE CONSIDER LOOKING INTO THIS AS A POSSIBLE RECALL. *JS
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Vehicle speed control, Aug 17, 2011
THE BRAKE LIGHTS ON MY DAUGHTER'S 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU COME ON WHILE SHE IS DRIVING & HER CRUISE CONTROL STOPS WORKING. SHE TOOK HER CAR INTO THE DEALER & 2 OTHER PEOPLE WERE THERE WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT. THE SERVICE DEPT. SAID IT WAS FIXED BUT THE SAME DAY AS SHE PICKED IT UP, IT HAPPENED AGAIN. WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY @ 70 MPH WITH THE CRUISE ON, THE BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON AND STAY ON UNTIL SHE PRESSES THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE BRAKE LIGHTS GO OUT WHILE SHE IS APPLYING THE BRAKES & COME BACK ON WHEN SHE RELEASES THE BRAKE PEDAL. ALSO, SHE ALSO CAN NO LONGER SET HER CRUISE CONTROL. AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN PARKED FOR A FEW HOURS, THE CRUISE & BRAKE LIGHTS WORK PROPERLY. ANYONE FOLLOWING HER, ESPECIALLY @ NIGHT, MIGHT ASSUME THAT SHE IS STOPPING WHILE DRIVING & DRIVING WHILST STOPPING. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS COULD CAUSE A FIRE IF THE PROBLEM IS ELECTRICAL IN NATURE, (BOTH TAILLIGHT BULBS HAVE RECENTLY BURNT OUT OR SHORTED OUT & BEEN REPLACED). I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT THIS COULD CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. *KB
Exterior lighting, Jul 31, 2011
REAR BRAKE LIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY TURN ON. THERE DOESN'T APPEAR TO BE A REASON AS TO WHEN OR WHY IT TURNS ON. DEALERSHIP SHRUGS THEIR SHOULDERS AS THEY 'FIX' THE CAR 'HOPING THAT WHAT THEY DO FIXES THE PROBLEM'. DRIVER DOESN'T KNOW THAT REAR BRAKES ARE ON UNLESS DRIVING AT NIGHT OR ATTEMPTING TO USE CRUISE CONTROL. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jan 26, 2011
CAR WILL NOT START, DOOR LOCKS LOCK AND UNLOCK W/OUT PROMPTS, LIGHT FLASH ON AND OFF, RADIO GOES ON AND OFF, & INTERIOR LIGHTS DIM. THESE SYMPTOMS OCCURRED TWICE BEFORE ... ONCE IN THE FALL AND ONCE ABOUT 7 DAYS AGO. PREVIOUSLY (SUMMER 20101) THE POWER WINDOWS WOULD NOT FUNCTION - DEALER STATED IT WAS A PINCHED WIRE. I ALSO NOTICED A FEW WEEKS BACK THE INSTRUMENTS COULD NOT BE READ DURING THE DAY W/OUT TURNING ON THE HEADLIGHTS.
Exterior lighting, Oct 29, 2009
I NOTICED LATELY ON GM VEHICLES, THAT THE BACK UP LAMPS ARE COMING ON ALTHOUGH NOBODY IS IN THE VEHICLE. RECENTLY I WAS TRYING TO BACK OUT OF A PARKING SPOT. IT WAS DARK AND COULD NOT SEE, THAT NOBODY WAS IN THE VEHICLE. AFTER A COUPLE OF MINUTES I REALIZED, THAT THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE WAS JUST WALKING UP TO THE VEHICLE. WHILE THE WHOLE TIME I COULD HAVE BACKED OUT SAFELY. I WAS VERY IRRITATED ABOUT THIS AND THINK THIS WILL CAUSE PEOPLE TO START IGNORING THE BACK UP LIGHTS ON VEHICLES. DOWN THE ROAD THIS WILL LEAD TO ACCIDENTS AND INJURIES IN PARKING LOTS. *TR
Exterior lighting, Oct 19, 2008
ALTHOUGH THERE HAS NOT BEEN AN ACCIDENT YET, DUE TO THE DESIGN OF THE CARS HEADLIGHTS, AND TAIL LIGHTS, (AND THE REMOVAL OF THE SIDE REPEATER LAMP FOR TURN SIGNAL INDICATION ON THE 2009 MODEL YEAR MALIBU), THERE IS NO VISIBLE TURN INDICATOR FOR OTHER DRIVERS TO SEE INDICATION OF A SIGNAL FROM THE CAR UNLESS OTHER DRIVERS ARE DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF, OR BEHIND THE CAR. FOR EXAMPLE, IF A DRIVER IS SITTING AT A 4 WAY STOP, OR LIKEWISE, BECAUSE THE TURN SIGNAL DOES NOT WRAP AROUND THE FRONT OR BACK OF THE CAR, DRIVERS TO THE LEFT, AND RIGHT OF THE CAR, CANNOT SEE THE TURN SIGNAL, WHICH POSES A SAFETY HAZARD. ON THE 2008 MALIBU, THERE WAS A SIDE MARKER REPEATER LAMP ON THE FRONT QUARTER PANEL, AND IT WAS REMOVED FROM THE 2009 MY. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A LARGE SAFETY CONCERN, AND THEY SHOULD BE PUT BACK ONTO THE CARS, OR A REDESIGN OF THE HEADLAMP ASSY. *TR