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
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Aug 19, 2013
2009 MALIBU BRAKE LIGHT STAYED ON WHILE DRIVING THEN WHEN I HIT MY BRAKES THE LIGHTS WOULD GO OFF NO ONE KNEW WHEN I WAS USING MY BRAKES HEARD THIS ISN'T THE FIRST TIME WHY DO THE HAVE TO WAIT TILL SOMEONE CRASHES OR DIES BEFORE THEY FIX IT ALSO IT KICKED OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL . *TR
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
Service brakes, Jul 1, 2013
BRAKE LIGHTS MAY NOT COME ON WHEN THE PEDAL IS PRESSED, WHILE AT OTHER TIMES THE LIGHTS ILLUMINATE FOR NO REASON. *TR
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
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Jun 19, 2013
THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DISPLAY A "SERVICE TRACTION/ESC" MESSAGE ON THE HUD. BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD COME ON RANDOMLY AND STAY ON, SOMETIMES FOR MINUTES, SOMETIMES FOR HOURS. AS A RESULT OF BRAKE LIGHTS BEING ON, CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT FUNCTIONAL. HAD A SENSOR REPLACED WHICH TEMPORARILY RESOLVED THE ISSUE. THE PROBLEM HAS RETURNED 53 WEEKS AND 17,000 MILES LATER. *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
Electronic stability control (ESC), Traction control system, Service brakes, Jun 6, 2013
HELLO, MY CAR'S SERVICE TRACTION AND SERVICE ESC LIGHT TURNS ON INTERMITTENTLY. THE BRAKE LIGHTS BEHAVE IN THE OPPOSITE WAY, I.E. THEY STAY ON DURING NORMAL DRIVING, TURN OFF WHEN I PRESS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, AND TURN BACK ON WHEN I RELEASE THE BRAKE. THE CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT WORK WHENEVER THIS HAPPENS. I DO NOT EXPERIENCE ANYTHING DIFFERENT WHILE DRIVING AND I BELIEVE THIS IS A SENSOR/CIRCUITRY ISSUE. I READ THROUGH THE FORUMS AND NEWS WEBSITES AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN A LOT OF CHEVY VEHICLES. THERE IS A TSB ON THIS ISSUE AND RECALLS FOR A FEW CARS. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE AS IT MIGHT LEAD TO ACCIDENTS WHEN SOMEONE DRIVING BEHIND MY CAR SEES THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT TURNS OFF WHEN I PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL. I WOULD LIKE GM/CHEVROLET LO HELP ME OUT HERE AND FIX THIS ISSUE WITHOUT MAKING ME PAY FOR IT BUT THEY HAVE NOT RESPONDED POSITIVELY. THE DEALERSHIP CHARGES $110 JUST FOR DOING SIMPLE DIAGNOSTICS. BUT THIS ISSUE IS SOMETHING PRETTY COMMON TO A LOT OF CHEVROLET CARS AND IS NOT A WEAR RELATED ISSUE. GM OR CHEVROLET SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY TO FIX THE ISSUE. MY CAR IS OUT OF 3-YEAR WARRANTY BUT IS STILL WITHIN 5-YEAR WARRANTY (BUMPER-TO-BUMPER). I HOPE THAT AN ACTION WILL BE TAKEN AND MY CAR WILL BE REPAIRED AND/OR I WILL BE REIMBURSED FOR THE REPAIR EXPENSE. I FOUND MANY ARTICLES ON THIS ISSUE AND A FEW OF THEM ARE COPIED BELOW. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Seat belts, Service brakes, Jun 5, 2013
MY SERVICE SEAT BELT SIGN GOES ON OCCASIONALLY WHEN I START CAR, BUT GOES OFF IF I SHUT OFF CAR AND RESTART IT. THE DEALER SAID THEY CANNOT TEST IT IF THE SIGN ON DASH IS NOT ON. ALSO, I HAD TO REPLACE REAR BRAKES AND GRIND ROTORS AT 37,000 MILES-SEEMS KIND OF PREMATURE. NOW I AM HAVING SOME KIND OF POSSIBLE ELECTRICAL DRAW SINCE MY OLD AND BRAND NEW BATTERY HAVE GONE DEAD. HAS ANYONE ELSE EXPERIENCED THESE PROBLEMS? *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
Service brakes, May 28, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN AND STOPPED ILLUMINATING WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 37,000. *TR
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
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, May 16, 2013
IF CRUISE IS ENGAGED, SOMETIMES IT WILL JUST TURN OFF. THIS IS ACCOMPANIED BY CONSTANT BRAKE LIGHTS EVEN WHEN THE BRAKES ARE NOT PRESSED. OTHER TIMES, THE CRUISE WILL NOT ENGAGE AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS WILL BE ILLUMINATED CONSTANTLY. USUALLY THIS OCCURS ALONG WITH AN ERROR MESSAGE REGARDING THE EST STABILITY SYSTEM ON THE CAR. USUALLY AFTER TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF EVERYTHING WORKS AGAIN. *TR
Electrical system, Service brakes, Apr 30, 2013
I BOUGHT THIS CAR IN JUNE 2010 AND THE FIRST THING TO HAPPEN WAS THE BATTERY EXPLODED IN 09/2010. A FEW MONTHS LATER A MY CAR WAS BROKEN INTO BECAUSE I DID NOT REALIZE THAT WHEN I LOCK MY DOORS THAT ALL LOCKS BUT 1. THE NEXT THING THAT HAPPEND WAS THE FRONT HEAD LIGHT SHORTED OUT, NOT THE ACTUAL HEAD LIGHT BUT THE SOCKET THAT THE LIGHT GOES INTO AND THAT HAPPEND AROUND 03/2012. AROUND JANUARY 2013 I WAS STOPPED BESIDE MY DAUGHTER SCHOOL AND A MAN PULLED OVER AND TOLD ME THAT MY BRAKE LIGHTS HAD BEEN ON FOR A FEW MILES. I DID NOT REALIZE THIS AND COULD NOT SEE THIS UNLESS I WAS DRIVING AT NIGHT. I RARELY DRIVE AT NIGHT BUT WHEN I WAS DRIVING AT NIGHT I NOTICED WHEN YOU GET TO A CERTAIN SPEED THE BRAKE LIGHTS WILL COME ON AND AND THEN GO OFF IF YOU TAP THE BRAKE AND THEN COME BACK ON AND STAY ON UNTIL WHENEVER THEY DECIDE TO GO OFF. SOMETIMES THEY WILL BE ON WHEN YOU CRANK UP THE CAR. IT CONCERNS ME BECAUSE WHAT IF THEY BRAKE LIGHT FAIL ALL TOGETHER. IT SEEMS LIKE THERE IS SOME KIND OF ELETRICAL MALFUNTION WITH THIS CAR. I HAVE RESEARCHED ONLINE AND FIND MANY PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME ISSUE WITH LIGHTS COMING ON IN THE CARE AT SPORADIC TIME TIMES AS WELL AS THE BRAKE LIGHT ISSUE. I CALLED GM, THEY TOOK THE INFO BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. I REALLY BELIEVE A RECALL OR SOME TYPE OF INVESTIGATION SHOULD BE DONE ON THIS. I KNOW PEOPLE THAT HAVE GOTTEN BEHIND THE SAME CAR I DRIVE AND THEY SEE THEY BRAKE LIGHTS CONTINOUSLY ON LIKE MY CAR. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Mar 26, 2013
THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM, BEGINNING NEARLY 2 YEARS AGO. I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIRS SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THE LAST DOCUMENTABLE INCIDENT IS MARCH 9, 2013. ESC SERVICE LIGHT COMES ON, CRUISE CONTROL SHUTS DOWN, BRAKES LIGHTS ILLUMINATING WHEN THEY SHOULD NOT, AND NOT ILLUMINATING WHEN THEY SHOULD. THERE'S ALWAYS BEEN SOME "THING" THEY FIND WRONG, FROM RE-CALIBRATION OF THE ESC SYSTEM TO THIS LAST INCIDENT, WHERE THEY TOLD ME IT WAS THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH! I HAD JUST HAD THE VEHICLE IN TO HAVE A HEADLIGHT REPLACED THE PRIOR WEEKEND AND I NEVER NOTICED THE BRAKE LIGHTS NOT WORKING, AND THE DEALER THAT REPLACED THE HEADLIGHT NEVER MENTIONED IT EITHER. I'M THINKING THEY WOULD HAVE IF THEY COULD CHARGE ME TO FIX SOMETHING ADDITIONAL ON THE CAR. I JUST PAID $250 TO REPLACE WHAT I WAS TOLD WAS A BURNED OUT BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ON MARCH 9TH, (PALMEN MOTORS, KENOSHA, WI), AND ITS ALREADY RECURRING. I HEARD PART OF POSSIBLE RECALL ON WNN ABC NEWS AND STARTED RESEARCHING AND ENDED UP AT YOUR SITE THIS MORNING. I WANT TO REPORT THIS. THERE'S NO TELLING HOW MANY DOLLARS HAVE BEEN PAID TO MECHANICS TO FIX UNNECESSARY REPAIRS BECAUSE OF THIS! I AM FURIOUS! I AM HOPING THAT IF THIS IS A RECALL, OR MADE ONE, I CAN AT LEAST GET SOME OF MY MONEY BACK! THANK YOU, *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
Service brakes, Sep 26, 2012
BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVE WAY THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE CALIPER LOCKED UP AND WOULD NOT RELEASE THE ROTOR. UNDER WARRANTY THE DEALER REPLACED THE ROTOR, CALIPER, FLEXIBLE HOSE AND PADS. THE CAR WOULD MOVE FORWARD BUT FELT LIKE THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. AFTER A SHORT DISTANCE THE ROTOR HEATED UP AND WAS SMOKING. THIS SAME THING OCCURRED AGAIN ON 9/24/2012. MILEAGE AT THAT TIME WAS 37900. DEALER CURRENTLY HAS THE CAR AND IS TRYING TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *TR
Service brakes, Jul 31, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN AND STOPPED ILLUMINATING WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT AFTER HAVING THE BRAKES, ROTORS, AND CALIBERS REPLACED AT THE DEALER, THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BECAUSE THE DEALER STATED THAT MOISTURE WAS PENETRATING THE BRAKE SYSTEM. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 41,000.
Service brakes, May 18, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE TRACTION CONTROL AND ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL LIGHTS BEGAN TO ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY. THE CRUISE CONTROL FEATURE THEN FAILED. THE BRAKE INDICATOR ALSO FAILED, AS IT INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BRAKING WHEN IT WAS NOT. THE INDICATOR ALSO DISPLAYED A MESSAGE THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT BRAKING WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 37,000.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electronic stability control (ESC), Apr 27, 2012
INTERMITTENTLY, THE BRAKE LIGHT WILL COME ON AND REMAIN LIT SOLIDLY UNTIL THE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED, THEN IT GOES OFF -- ACTING OPPOSITE OF THE WAY IT SHOULD. AT NIGHT, THE LIGHT IS VISIBLE IN THE REAR-VIEW MIRROR AND WE CAN SEE IT COME ON. WE THEN DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL AND IT WILL REMAIN ON TAIL LIGHTS ONLY FOR A FEW MINUTES, THEN IT GLOWS BRIGHTLY AGAIN AS THOUGH THE DRIVER WERE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. WHEN THE LIGHT IS ON TAIL LIGHTS ONLY, THE BRAKE LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE CORRECTLY WHEN THE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED AND THE BRAKES APPEAR TO BE EFFECTIVE. THERE IS AN OCCASIONAL "SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL" AND "SERVICE ESC" LIGHT THAT APPEARS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. WHEN THE FAULT CODES ARE SCANNED WITH AN ABS BRAKING SYSTEM CODE READER, IT YIELDS A C-0131 ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM PRESSURE CIRCUIT MALFUNCTION. THIS PROBLEM SEEMS PRETTY PREVALENT WITH LATE MODEL CHEVROLET VEHICLES FROM WHAT I HAVE READ ON THE INTERNET, BUT THE REPAIR PROCEDURE IS NOT CLEAR TO ANYONE WHO IS EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM. SOME SAY THAT IT IS A $1,000.00+ DEALER REPAIR ITEM AND THAT THE PROBLEM TENDS TO OCCUR AT THE END OF THE 36,000 MILE WARRANTY PERIOD, JUST LIKE OURS DID. IT IS EXTREMELY ANNOYING AND DISTRACTING TO OTHER DRIVERS, SOME OF WHOM PULL ALONGSIDE AND SAY THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT IS WORKING "OPPOSITE" OF THE WAY IT SHOULD. THE BRAKES SEEM EFFECTIVE, BUT IN CASE OF A LOSS OF TRACTION, SKID, ETC., I AM NOT SURE WHAT THE RESULT MIGHT BE TO THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL OR THE TRACTION CONTROL -- BOTH OF WHICH WE KEEP TURNED OFF TO MINIMIZE ANY PROBLEM UNTIL I CAN LOCATE AN APPROPRIATE FIX. IT SEEMS THAT A RECALL OF THESE VEHICLES IS IN ORDER. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Vehicle speed control, Nov 16, 2011
WHILE DRIVING AT 68MPH WITH THE SPEED CONTROL ENGAGED, THE SPEED CONTROL TURNED OFF. I LOOKED IN THE REAR VIEW MIRROR AND SAW BREAK LIGHTS ON. I CHECKED THE MAT TO VERIFY THAT IT WAS NOT PRESSING THE PEDAL. I THEN DEPRESSED THE PEDAL, THE CAR SLOWED AND THE BREAK LIGHTS TURNED OFF. NOW THE BRAKE LIGHTS ARE ALWAYS ON WHEN THE PEDAL IS NOT PRESSED, AND THEY TURN OFF AFTER PRESSING THE PEDAL. THIS CAUSES OTHER DRIVERS TO NOT BE AWARE THAT I AM STOPPING. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 15, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH AND UPON ENGAGING THE BRAKE THERE WAS VIBRATION WITHIN THE BRAKE PEDAL AND STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER THREE DIFFERENT TIMES FOR THE IDENTICAL FAILURE. THE FIRST REPAIR CONSISTED OF RESURFACING THE FRONT ROTORS AND EVENTUALLY BOTH ROTORS WERE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, BOTH FRONT BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED AT A DIFFERENT TIME. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC THAT BOTH REAR BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE REPEATED DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Service brakes, Electric, Jun 26, 2010
1. BRAKES SQUEAK AND ARE NOT AS RESPONSIVE AS THEY SHOULD BE A. THE DEALER HAS CHECKED THEM SEVERAL TIMES AND SAYS THERE IS NO PROBLEM 2. ON TWO OCCASIONS WHEN TRAVELING BETWEEN 50-75 M.P.H, THE CAR HAS NOT ACCELERATED PROPERLY AND HAS MADE STRANGE GRINDING NOISE A. DEALER INDICATED THAT ANOTHER OWNER OF THE SAME MODEL VEHICLE EXPRESSED THE SAME COMPLAINT B. DEALER SAID COMPUTER DID NOT SHOW ANYTHING WRONG ON MY VEHICLE, OR THE OTHER VEHICLE OWNER'S VEHICLE 3. ON 4-6 OCCASIONS, THE CAR HAS SURGED... SOMETIMES THIS HAPPENS @ SLOW SPEEDS AND OTHER TIMES WHEN CRUISE CONTROL IS ENGAGED.... I AM AFRAID TO USE CRUISE CONTROL ANYMORE A. DEALER SAYS COMPUTER SHOWS NO PROBLEMS. *TR