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: service brakes
152 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, May 18, 2017
WHILE IN MOTION GOING TO FL ON RT 95 MY SPEED CONTROL STOPPED WORKING, WHAT I DIDN'T KNOW UNTIL I GOT TO FL. THAT MY BREAK LIGHTS WERE ON ALL THE TIME AND WHEN I WOULD HIT THE BREAKS THEY WOULD GO OFF AND THEN COME BACK ON. I TOOK THE CAR TO A DEALER IN FL AND THEY COULD NOT DUBLACATE THE PROBLEM. THEY DID REPLACE THE THIRD BREAK LIGHT AND AFTER RESEARCHING ABOUT THE PROBLEM I TOLD THEM TO CHANGE THE BREAK PEDDLE SWITCH. I DROVE BACK FROM FL TO PA. WITH NO PROBLEMS. I KNOW THERE WERE RECALLS ABOUT THE BCM AND DID RECEIVE OTHER LETTERS THAT IF A BREAK LIGHT PROBLEM LIKE ABOVE WOULD HAPPEN TO TAKE IT TO A DEALER. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM. SENT REINVERSMENT PAPERS TOCHEV. BUT THEY SENT ME S LETTER TELLING ME THEY WOULD NOT PAY FOR REPAIRS.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Apr 20, 2017
WHILE DRIVING, BRAKE LIGHTS WILL ILLUMINATE WITHOUT DEPRESSING THEM, AND BRAKE LIGHTS WON'T ILLUMINATE WHILE PRESSED. OPPOSITE OF WHAT'S SUPPOSED TO BE. THIS HAS BEEN INTERMITTENT. SOMETIMES BRAKE WARNING LIGHT COMES ON IN DASHBOARD. ALSO THE ESC LIGHT. HAVE AN APPOINTMENT WITH CHEVY DEALER TO REPAIR, BUT WAS INFORMED THEY'LL FIX IF NOT FUNCTIONING AT TIME OF APPOINTMENT. IT'S AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM.
Steering, Service brakes, Mar 20, 2017
I AM REPORTING TWO INCIDENTS! APPROXIMATELY 6 MONTHS AGO MY BREAK LIGHTS STARTING TURNING ON AGAIN (AFTER THE RECALL WAS FIXED A YEAR PRIOR) WHILE DIVING THE VEHICLE. I WOULD TAP THE BREAKS AND THE LIGHT WOULD TURN OFF (GIVING CARS BEHIND ME THE IDEA THAT I WAS BREAKING WHEN I WASN'T AND WHEN I WAS BREAKING TO SLOW DOWN, THEY COULDN'T TELL). IT STILL DOES THIS PROBLEM. NOW AS OF 3/18/2017 WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY MY "SERVICE ESC POWER STEERING" LIGHT CAME ON. IT WAS VERY HARD TO STEER OFF THE HIGHWAY OR EVEN GET THE VEHICLE HOME. AS I RESEARCH MY VEHICLE ONLINE, THESE TWO ISSUES WERE RECALLED BACK IN 2014. I DON'T KNOW IF MY VEHICLE WAS SERVICED FOR THE POWER STEERING RECALL AS I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE ON 12/26/2014. I DO KNOW THAT THE BREAK LIGHT RECALL WAS SERVICED BECAUSE I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN FOR THE RECALL. I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT TOMORROW AT THE CHEVROLET DEALER, BUT I KNOW I'M GOING TO HAVE TO PAY $1200 TO $1600 FOR THIS REPAIR. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THESE RECALLS! SOMEONE NEEDS TO MAKE SURE THEY DON'T CONTINUE TO HAPPEN EVERY YEAR OR EVERY OTHER YEAR GOING FORWARD.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Electronic stability control (ESC), Traction control system, Service brakes, Mar 1, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL REPAIR FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL). TWO YEARS LATER, THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE WHEN APPLIED, BUT WOULD ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS NOT DEPRESSED. THE SERVICE ESC AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATORS FLASHED. ALSO, THE CRUISE CONTROL SHUT OFF AND OPERATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 11/01/17*LJ *CN
Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Feb 25, 2017
I HAVE FILED COMPLAINT BEFORE. DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN WORKING ON IT. IT HAS SET IDLE NOW FOR 2 WEEKS. MESSAGES SERVICE ESC -SERVICE STAB.-BRAKES LIGHTS STAY ON-RPMS ESCALATES AND CAR CHUGS DOWN. I HAVE HAD TO DEALERSHIPS 7 TIMES AND INDEPENDENT MECHANIC 1 TIME. HAVE TALKED TO GM NUMEROUS TIMES. FINALLY TALKED TO [XXX]-HE HAD REAL GOOD ADVICE-TRADE IT OFF-LET SOME OTHER SUCKER HAVE THE PROBLEM-HE WILL ALLOW ME $2,500 GM CUSTOMER LOYALTY REBATE ON NEW CAR(GM). IF YOU ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM YOU MAY CALL [XXX] AT [XXX]. GOOD LUCK. THIS HAS BEEN ONGOING FOR ALMOST 2 YEARS. 4. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Feb 10, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BE SERVICED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 (SERVICE BRAKES). THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE HIGH MOUNT BRAKE LIGHT FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HIGH MOUNT BRAKE WIRING AND THE LIGHT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 88,000.
Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Jan 31, 2017
I MADE A COMPLAINT ON AROUND L/17/17 COMPLAINING ABOUT MY CAR HAVE SERVICE ESC SERVICE TRACTION AND TRYING TO STALL OUT WITH BRAKE LIGHTS BEING ON> SINCE THAT TIME IT HAS BEEN AT DEALERSHIP MORE THAN BEING DRIVEN. IT IS THERE NOW, MAKING THIS THE 7TH TRIP TO DEALERSHIP AND ONCE TO INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH MALIBU AND NEEDS TO BE RESOLVED BY GENERAL MOTORS-NOT ME. YOU ASK FOR A DATE WHEN THIS HAPPENED-THE SPACE ONLY ALLOWS FOR 1 DATE. IT HAS BEEN ONGOING FOR OVER 1 & 1/2 YEARS.
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Jan 17, 2017
MY 2009 MALIBU, WHICH I PURCHASED NEW IN 2009: ABOUT 1&1/2 YEARS AGO IT STARTED RUNNING IRREGULAR, SERVICE ESC-SERVICE TRACTION MESSAGES CAME ON CAR SKIDDING EMBLEM CAME ON. I HAVE HAD IT TO DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT IT 3 TIMES-EACH TIME THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG-TOOK IT TO INDEPENDENT MECHANIC-HE TOLD ME SAME THING. ABOUT A WEEK AGO I CALLED GENERAL MOTORS-FIRST PERSON I TALKED TO SAID TO CALL NHTSA THAT THEY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING UNTIL A RECALL. CALLED NHTSA TOLD ME TO CALL GM AGAIN AND START A CASE: I CALLED AND TALKED TO [XXX], WHO WAS VERY HELPFUL AND CONTACTED ANOTHER DEALERSHIP ABOUT FIXING MY CAR. I TOOK IT TO THEM; THEY REPLACED THE BRAKE LAM SWITCH THINKING THAT WOULD FIX IT-DID NOT. CALLED GM AGAIN AND WADS TOLD TO TAKE IT BACK TO DEALERSHIP THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO AS FAR AS COST FOR FIXING IT WAS CONCERNED. MY CAR IS JUST SITTING IDLE BECAUSE I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT MORE THAN A FEW MILES-AFRAID IT WILL STALL OUT IN TRAFFIC. I HAVE LOOKED THIS UP ON THE INTERNET HOPING TO GET SOME INFORMATION AS TO WHAT IS WRONG. THERE ARE NUMEROUS PEOPLE WHO ARE HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR MALIBUS. NONE OF THE DEALERSHIPS SEEM TO KNOW WHAT IS WRONG AND OWNERS ARE STUCK WITH PAYING TO HAVE NUMEROUS THINGS REPLACED THAT DO NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. IT IS TIMER SOMEONE TOOK RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS FLAW AND ISSUE A RECALL. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Dec 7, 2016
BRAKE LIGHTS, RADIO, TRUNK OPENER ON DRIVERS DOOR , LEFT TURN SIGNAL, DOORS RANDOMLY LOCK , 3RD BRAKE LIGHT DIM, SOMETIMES DRIVER DOOR WON'T OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE WITH DOOR UNLOCKED , SOMETIMES DRIVERS DOOR WON'T SHUT, 105K MILES ON THIS CAR. THIS IS THE MOST EXPENSIVE VEHICLE I'VE OWNED AND IT'S THE WORST VEHICLE I'VE EVER OWNED. THE DRIVERS DOOR IS STUCK SHUT CURRENTLY.
Steering, Service brakes, Nov 26, 2016
DRIVING DOWN AN EXPRESSWAY ABOUT 60MPH AND THE POWER STEERING QUIT WORKING, A MESSAGE DISPLAYED ON MY DASH "POWER STEERING SERVICE ESC" THE ABS INDICATOR LIGHT ALSO DISPLAYED AT THE SAME TIME. I HAVE NO POWER STEERING. MY CAR HAS APPROX 125,000 MILES ON IT. I GOOGLED THE ISSUE AND THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE FOR 2006-2007 CHEVY MALIBUS SO I CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THEY SAID MY CAR DOES NOT HAVE A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE. I DO HAVE A RECALL THAT I HAVE NOT HAD FIXED YET FOR THE BRAKE LAMP MALFUNCTION 13036 WHICH DEALER STATED IS UNRELATED ISSUE. I SEE SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE ONLINE ARE REPORTING THIS SAME ISSUE FOR THE 2009 4 CYLINDER CHEVY MALIBU'S. I WOULD HOPE GM WILL RECALL THIS AND TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM.
Air bags, Service brakes, Oct 26, 2016, crash
AIRBAGS DEPLOYED WHEN I HIT THE BRAKES IN 2008.
Electrical system, Traction control system, Service brakes, Aug 2, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE TRACTION CONTROL, BRAKE, AND ESC SENSOR LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. ALSO, THE BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD ILLUMINATE EVEN THOUGH THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS NOT DEPRESSED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE LISTED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 179,000. UPDATED 10/04/16*LJ *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Jul 25, 2016
THE BREAK LIGHTS TURN ON WITHOUT THE PEDAL BEING PRESS DOWN WHILE THE CAR MOVING . ALSO WHILE THE CAR IN NOT MOVING AND THE ENGINE RUNNING. ALSO ANOTHER PROBLEM THAT I HAVE IS THAT TIRE MONITOR LIGHT COME ON ALL THE TIME WITHOUT THE TIRE NEEDING AIR.
Service brakes, Jun 21, 2016
THE BRAKE LIGHTS BEGAN TURNING ON BY THEMSELVES, AND WHEN I WOULD STEP ON THE BRAKE PEDAL THEY WOULD SHUT OFF. THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED IN LATE 2014, BUT THEN THE ISSUE BEGAN AGAIN IN MAY, 2016. THE DEALERSHIP RAN THE DIAGNOSTIC TESTS AND REPLACED THE BRAKE PEDAL POSITION SENSOR, WHICH I WAS CHARGED FOR, BUT THAT DIDN'T TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM. NOW THEY DECIDED THAT THEY NEED TO REPLACE THE BRAKE CONTROL MODULE, AGAIN, AT MY EXPENSE. THERE IS AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH THE BRAKE'S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, WHICH IS A QUALITY CONTROL ISSUE AT GM. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE FOR EVERYONE INVOLVED. THE BRAKE LIGHTS WILL COME ON ANYTIME, WHETHER IT'S IDLING IN MY DRIVEWAY OR BEING DRIVEN DOWN THE ROAD.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, May 27, 2016
BRAKE LIGHTS GO ON WHILE DRIVING. THEN TURN OFF WHEN YOU HIT THE BRAKES TO STOP OR SLOW DOWN. ESC COME ON WHILE THIS IS HAPPENING. DEALER STATES THEY FIXED THE RECALL BUT IT IS STILL HAPPENING. NOW AFTER WARRANTY THEY SAY ITS THE ABS MODULE
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, May 19, 2016
RECALL FIX FAILURE - THE RECALL FIX WAS APPLIED BY THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE 'BRAKE LIGHTS MAY OR MAY NOT RANDOMLY ILLUMINATE' ISSUE, NHTSA ACTION 13005, HOWEVER IT IS ONLY TEMPORARY. AFTER A FEW MONTHS THE IDENTICAL SYMPTOMS OCCUR AT THE SAME FREQUENCY. NO NEW SYMPTOMS ARE PRESENT AND NO PREVIOUS SYMPTOMS ARE ABSENT. THESE INCLUDE; BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATING WITH NO PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, BRAKE LIGHTS TURNING OFF WHEN PRESSURE IS APPLIED TO BRAKE PEDAL (INCLUDING HOLDING THE BRAKES AT A STOP), CRUISE CONTROL FAILING TO ACTIVATE, TRACTION CONTROL TURNING OFF, ESC TURNING OFF, AND VEHICLE GEARING DOWN (AS LOW AS 3RD GEAR AT 60 MPH BEFORE INTERVENTION) TO ASSIST BY ENGINE BRAKING. MOST SYMPTOMS OCCUR AT STANDSTILL AS WELL AS CITY AND HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE DEALERSHIP'S STANCE IS THAT, ONCE A RECALL IS APPLIED, THE TICKET IS CLOSED AND IS THE VEHICLE OWNER'S RESPONSIBILITY TO COVER THE COST OF FURTHER FIXES.
Service brakes, Apr 18, 2016
THIS IS THE MALIBU HYBRID WITH DYNAMIC BRAKING. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE: GOING UP A HILL, THE ENGINE SEEMS TO LOSE POWER, BUT I BELIEVE IT IS WORKING AGAINST THE BRAKES WHICH ARE BEING APPLIED AND RELEASED RAPIDLY. IT STARTS BUCKING SLIGHTLY THEN SEVERELY. WHEN I REACH THE TOP, I PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND START COASTING AND THE BUCKING STOPS. WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKE TO PULL OVER AND STOP, IT STARTS BUCKING LIKE IT DID GOING UP THE HILL. I GET THE CAR STOPPED, PUT IT IN PARK, TURN THE ENGINE ON, PUT IT IN REVERSE, BACK UP A LITTLE, PUT IT IN DRIVE, GO FORWARD A LITTLE, AND PULL OUT IN TRAFFIC AND CONTINUED ABOUT 100 MILES TO GET HOME. DROVE INTO A CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP AND A VERY EXPERIENCED HYBRID TECH SAID "NEVER SEEN THIS BEFORE." HE RAN THE SCANNER AND NOTHING SHOWED UP. IT HAPPENS SO INFREQUENTLY THAT I DOUBT THE TECHNICIAN WILL EVER INCUR THE PROBLEM IF HE WERE TO RIVE THE CAR, THIS IS SERIOUS ... ONLY MY SKILLFUL HANDLING OF THE INCIDENT GOT ME OFF THE ROAD AND OUT OF THE WAY ALTHOUGH TRAFFIC WAS BLOWING BY ME. MY GUESS IS A PROBLEM IN THE DYNAMIC BRAKING (E.G WHEN YOU TAKE YOUR FOOT OFF THE GAS, THE "ECO" LIGHT COMES ON AND THE GENERATOR ON THE BRAKING SYSTEM CHARGES THE 24 VOLT BATTERY.
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Apr 7, 2016
IN DECEMBER OF 2014, A CHEVROLET DEALER PERFORMED REPAIRS TO ADDRESS NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 (I HAD NOT EXPERIENCED ANY PROBLEMS RELATED TO THIS ISSUE AT THE TIME). RECENTLY I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING THE SYMPTOMS RELATED TO THIS RECALL, INCLUDING THE "SERVICE ESC" AND "SERVICE TRACTION" MESSAGES, THE BRAKE PEDAL REQUIRING EXTRA PRESSURE TO GET THE VEHICLE OUT OF PARK, AND THE DISABLING OF CRUISE CONTROL. I HAVE NOT HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO CHECK IF THE BRAKE LIGHTS ALSO EXHIBIT THE PROBLEM DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL. THE PROBLEM HAS TRIGGERED WHILE I'M BRAKING, AS WELL AS WHEN I WAS AT HIGHWAY SPEED WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED, WITHOUT APPLYING THE BRAKES.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Traction control system, Apr 5, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR A MANUFACTURER RECALL CONCERNING NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE CONTACT WAS NOT EXPERIENCING ANY FAILURES BEFORE THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED BY THE DEALER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ESC AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS RANDOMLY ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER INDICATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT SENSOR SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
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.
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Nov 11, 2015
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; AND DISABLEMENT OF CRASH AVOIDANCE FEATURES SUCH AS TRACTION CONTROL, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, AND PANIC BRAKING ASSIST FEATURES. THIS OCCURS AFTER WE HAVE HAD THE WORK DONE THAT WAS FOR GM RECALL NUMBER 13036/NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 MULTIPLE TIMES.
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.
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.
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Sep 27, 2015
WHEN DRIVING MY VEHICLE THE BRAKE LIGHTS ARE CURRENTLY ILLUMINATING WITHOUT ME PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL AND NOT ILLUMINATING WHEN I DO PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL (BRAKE LIGHT REVERSAL). IN ADDITION MY ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) AND CRUISE CONTROL TURN OFF. I PREVIOUSLY REPORTED THIS PROBLEM TO THE AGENCY UNDER NHTSA ID NUMBER 10548365. I HAD THE RECALL WORK PERFORMED IN THE SUMMER OF 2014. IN ADDITION I PREVIOUSLY HAD THE BRAKE PEDAL POSITION SENSOR REPLACED PRIOR TO THAT, BUT IT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM HAS REAPPEARED EVEN THOUGH THE SUGGESTED FIX WAS APPLIED. PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS PROBLEM WAS ORIGINALLY REPORTED IN RHINELANDER, WI.
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.