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: steering
768 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Jul 8, 2014
THE POWER STEERING GAVE OUT WHILE DRIVING. THE CAR WAS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL AND REQUIRED SIGNIFICANT FORCE TO TURN THE VEHICLE TO SAFELY GET OFF OF THE HIGHWAY. THIS CREATED A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE AS THE CAR WAS PRACTICALLY UN-DRIVABLE. I IMMEDIATELY CONTACTED MY GENERAL MOTORS DEALERSHIP AND ASKED IF IT WAS COVERED UNDER THE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY OR ANY RECALL (SINCE IT WAS A SAFETY ISSUE), WHICH THEY RESPONDED IT WAS NOT. TO MY DISMAY, I HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED AT MY LOCAL MECHANIC AT A COST OF $760. WITH THE STEERING COLUMN REPLACED, THE CAR IS WORKING WELL AND THERE ARE NO CURRENT SAFETY CONCERNS. WITHIN A WEEK OF HAVING MY 2009 CHEVY MALIBU REPAIRED (RECEIPT DATED 3/25/14, I READ THAT 2004-2009 CHEVY MALIBUS WERE BEING RECALLED BECAUSE OF A POWER STEERING ISSUE. THE DESCRIPTION OF THE ISSUE WAS IDENTICAL TO THE SITUATION I EXPERIENCED WITH OUR 2009 CHEVY MALIBU. I CONTACTED GM CUSTOMER SERVICE WITHIN A FEW DAYS AND THEY INSTRUCTED ME TO WAIT A FEW WEEKS FOR THE LETTERS FROM GM TELLING ME OF THE RECALL AND DETAILING HOW TO SEEK REIMBURSEMENT. AFTER WAITING SEVERAL WEEKS WITH NO LETTER, I CONTACTED GM CUSTOMER SERVICE AGAIN AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT MY VIN WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL, ONLY CERTAIN VINS OF THE 2009 MODEL YEAR WERE RECALLED. I TAKE EXTREME EXCEPTION TO THIS. THE PROBLEM I EXPERIENCED WITH MY 2009 CHEVY MALIBU IS IDENTICAL TO THE PROBLEM DESCRIBED WITHIN THE RECALL. ADDITIONALLY, THE REPAIR COVERED UNDER THE RECALL IS THE EXACT WORK THAT I NEEDED TO HAVE COMPLETED TO MAKE MY VEHICLE SAFELY OPERABLE AGAIN. EITHER GM HAS MADE A MISTAKE BY NOT INCLUDING MY VEHICLE WITHIN THE RECALL, OR THE EXTENT OF THE CURRENT RECALL IS NOT SUFFICIENT ENOUGH TO ENCOMPASS ALL 2009 CHEVY MALIBU?S THAT HAVE THE PART(S) THAT LEAD TO AN INCREASED RISK FOR FAILURE AND HENCE, INCREASED RISK OF A CRASH. *JS
Steering, Jul 3, 2014
TL * THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING UNIT MADE A GRINDING NOISE AND GAVE RESISTANCE WHEN TURNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 8/27/14*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING RECALL BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS ASSEMBLED AT A DIFFERENT PLANT. THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUES AS NOTED IN THE RECALL. UPDATED 09/11/2014 *JS
Steering, Jun 30, 2014
THE STEERING ON THIS MODEL AND MAKE OF CAR IS ALL MESSED UP. IT IS THE SAME PROBLEM THAT SO MANY OTHER HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT ON THIS SITE. THE STEERING "FREAKS OUT" AND PULLS ONE WAY AND THEN GOES TO THE OTHER. IT'S BEYOND DANGEROUS. EVEN WHEN THE CAR IS STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT, IF YOU TAKE YOUR HANDS OFF THE WHEEL, THE STEERING WHEEL JERKS VIOLENTLY BACK AND FORTH. SOMETIMES ITS WORKS FINE AND THEN OUT OF NOW WHERE, IT GOES CRAZY AND PULLS YOU TO ONE SIDE OR THE OTHER AND THEN YOU HAVE TO TURN THE WHEEL TOE OPPOSITE WAY TO KEEP IT GOING STRAIGHT. I SEE TONS OF OTHER GM RECALLS AND EVEN ON THIS YEAR AND MODEL, BUT GM SAYS THAT MY PARTICULAR CAR IS NOT COVERED RIGHT NOW. THE DANGER OF THIS DEFECT IS SO HIGH THAT IF THEY THINK THEY HAVE PROBLEMS WITH LAWSUITS OVER IGNITION SWITCHES, THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT THEY WILL PAY WHEN THESE STEERING LAWSUITS START TO COME IN WILL PUT GM BACK INTO BANKRUPTCY. THE DANGER OF THIS DEFECT IS OFF THE CHARTS. *TR
Steering, Jun 27, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A STOP, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND A UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. TH VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. UPDATED 08/11/14*LJ
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jun 18, 2014
MY POWER STEERING AND SERVICE ESC LIGHT WOULD COME ON. MY STEERING WHEEL WOULD LOCK UP. GM STATED THEY WOULD NOT REIMBURSE ME FOR MY ISSUE EVEN THOUGH THERE IS AN RECALL OUT FOR THE SAME ISSUE. *TR
Steering, Jun 17, 2014
WAS DRIVING AND THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING SYSTEM WENT OUT. I NEARLY HIT 3 CARS TRYING TO GET OFF OF THE ROAD. *TR
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jun 13, 2014
I WAS DRIVING AND MY ESC LIGHT CAME ON AND I HAD A DIFFICULT TIME STEERING MY CAR IN THE WORSE TRAFFIC I COULD BE IN. I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH I GOT OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BEFORE I HIT SOMEONE AND PUT IT IN A DITCH. ALSO, LUCKY ENOUGH IT WAS ME DRIVING AND NOT MY [XXX] YEAR OLD DAUGHTER. I CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY GOT ME RIGHT IN TO GET IT FIXED, BUT I HAD TO PAY FOR IT OUT OF MY OWN POCKET. HOWEVER, WHEN I CONTACTED GM I WAS TOLD I WOULD BE REIMBURSED FOR THIS AND I WOULD GET A LETTER AS OF APRIL 28TH. I NOTICED IT WAS MOVED TO MAY 28TH AND AS OF TODAY I HAVE STILL YET TO BE NOTIFIED? DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO BE INJURED OR KILLED TO GET AN ACTUAL RESPONSE FROM SOMEONE? UPDATED 1/9/2015 *JS PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Steering, Jun 11, 2014
POWER STEERING IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. NO ASSIST OR LITTLE ASSIST. *TR
Steering, Jun 9, 2014
WHILE DRIVING (EXITING FREEWAY) THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING FAILED MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. (NO REPORT FILED AT THE TIME, BUT A COUPLE MONTHS LATER HEARD THAT GM WAS RECALLING '09 MALIBUS FOR POWER STEERING FAILURES. UPON CONTACTING GM THIS WEEK TO FIND OUT WHY I HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL, I HAVE FOUND THAT MY VEHICLE IS NOT AFFECTED BY THE RECALL AND DECIDED TO REPORT THE FAILURE IN CASE IT IS A PATTERN OF FAILURES BEYOND THE INITIAL RECALL SCOPE.) *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Jun 8, 2014
CAR IS HAVING ELECTRICAL ISSUES LOCKS GOING UP AND DOWN WITHOUT PRESSING POWER BUTTON CAR ALSO ALARMING OFF ALSO HAVE TAKEN CARE TO BE SERVICED FOR MISFIRING AND JERKING WHEN DRIVING. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Jun 6, 2014
MALIBU HAS HAD A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT PROBLEMS. WHILE DRIVING THE ELECTRICAL PANEL INCLUDING WARNING LIGHTS WOULD FLICKER ON AND OFF ALONG WITH THE VEHICLE LOSING POWER. MULTIPLE TIMES THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP WHO ULTIMATELY TOLD ME A GROUNDING WIRE HAD SOME PROBLEMS AND THEY FIXED THE ISSUE. THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE PROBLEMS WERE SOLVED WITH THAT FIX. SINCE THEN THE VEHICLE HAS HAD ISSUES WITH THE STEERING. WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING WHEEL WILL MOVE ITSELF BACK AND FORTH. THE PROBLEM IS NOT ALL THE TIME, AND VERY RANDOM. THIS USUALLY HAPPENS WITHIN THE FIRST FEW MINUTES AFTER THE START OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN MOVING THE STEERING WHEEL WILL WOBBLE BACK AND FORTH EVEN WITH BOTH HANDS ON THE WHEEL.
Steering, Jun 3, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 65 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE WARNING LIGHTS FOR THE TRACTION SERVICE AND POWER STEERING ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MERGED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL FUNCTION. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 118,000. UPDATED 10/7/14*CN
Steering, Jun 3, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING AND THE TCS LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TORQUE SENSOR ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 14V153000 (STEERING) BUT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.
Steering, Jun 2, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY MALFUNCTIONED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT AFTER A COOL DOWN PERIOD OF 35-45 MINUTES, HE RESTARTED THE ENGINE, THE VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 14V153000(STEERING). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD EXPERIENCED THE SAME DEFECT LISTED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. UPDATED 08/12/14*LJ
Steering, May 28, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE ESC WARNING LIGHT. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED OR DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V15300 (STEERING). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.
Steering, May 23, 2014
I WAS DRIVING AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE POWERING STEERING ALERT SOUNDS. I LOST POWER STEERING AND THE ESC IS TURNED OFF. *TR
Steering, Traction control system, May 17, 2014
POWER STEERING MOTOR FAILURE WARNING LIGHT APPEARED ON DASH, TRACTION CONTROL DISABLED WARNING APPEARS. HAPPENS VERY OFTEN AT STARTUP, MAKING STEERING DIFFICULT AND DISABLING TRACTION CONTROL. HAS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING DIFFICULT STEERING. IF VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED, WORKS PROPERLY APPROX. 50% OF THE TIME. *JS
Steering, May 16, 2014
I BOUGHT MY CAR NEW IN 2009 AND I ONLY HAVE NOW JUST A LITTLE OVER 40,000 MILES. I AM A SINGLE MOM AND MY CAR IS USED FOR DRIVING MY [XXX] YEAR OLD SON TO AND FROM DAY CARE AND MYSELF TO AND FROM WORK. ON FEBRUARY 3RD I NOTICED MY STEERING WHEEL FELT FUNNY LIKE SOMETHING WAS LOOSE, I DIDN'T THINK ANYTHING OF IT UNTIL MY TRACTION LIGHT THEN SUDDENLY STARTED TO GO ON AND OFF IN THE MORNING ON MY WAY TO WORK. BY THE TIME I PULLED INTO WORK THE POWER STEERING HAD GONE COMPLETELY OUT. I THEN PULLED ONTO A SIDE STREET IN FEAR OF GETTING INTO AN ACCIDENT, I'M SMALL AND WEIGH NO MORE THAN 115 LBS, SO IT WAS EXTREMELY ROUGH AND SCARY TO ME. I STOPPED THE CAR AND SHUT IT OFF AFTER LOOKING UP ON MY PHONE ABOUT SIMILAR PROBLEMS PEOPLE HAVE BEEN HAVING. I SHUT IT OFF WAITED A FEW MINUTES THEN IT WAS FINE, UNTIL I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE THEN IT WENT OUT AGAIN. I DID THIS A FEW TIMES IN ORDER TO MAKE IT TO WORK. BY LUNCH TIME MY CAR WAS RUNNING FINE BUT STILL FELT FUNNY FOR THE NEXT 4 DAYS. FRIDAY 2/7/14 MY CARS POWER STEERING HAD GONE OUT FOR GOOD AND THE TURNING IT ON AND OFF DIDN'T HELP, I ENDED UP PAYING $840 DOLLARS TO GET THE ENTIRE COLUMN REPLACED.THAT WAS OUT OF POCKET BECAUSE OF COURSE THIS WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE MANUFACTURES WARRANTY OR THE PT WARRANTY. A MONTH LATER I HEARD ABOUT THE RECALL, SO I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP, THEY HEARD NOTHING SO I CALLED GM, MY VIN WASN'T LISTED. I HAVE CALLED BACK SEVERAL TIMES SINCE AND CHECK THE "OWNER" SECTION ON GM'S WEBSITE AND STILL NOTHING, AND ALL THEY KEEP TELLING ME IS THAT ONLY SOME WERE RECALLED AND MINE MIGHT NOT BE APART OF IT EVEN THOUGH AFTER READING THE RECALL, THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED TO MY VEHICLE. *TR PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Steering, Traction control system, May 15, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE APPROACHING A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING MESSAGE ILLUMINATED. THERE WAS ALSO A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE CONTACT HAD TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF; HOWEVER, SHE WAS ABLE TO RESTART IT. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY AND WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,720.
Steering, May 14, 2014
WHILE MY HUSBAND WAS TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE AT APPROX. 75 MPH. (CRUISE CONTROL WAS SET), WITHOUT WARNING, THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO VIOLENTLY SHAKE. OVER A PERIOD OF APPROX. 30 SECONDS, THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT FLASHED AND ALL POWER STEERING WAS LOST. HE MANAGED TO SLOW THE CAR AND SAFELY GET TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. THE EPS MESSAGE WAS ALSO FLASHING ACROSS THE ACROSS THE ODOMETER. WE MONITORED THE NHTSA COMPLAINTS SINCE THERE WERE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS BEING FILED REGARDING OTHER CONSUMERS EXPERIENCING THE SAME MECHANICAL FAILURE. WE WAITED UNTIL 03/27/2014 TO HAVE THE REPAIRS PERFORMED, WHICH CONSISTED OF THE REPLACEMENT OF THE STEERING COLUMN DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE POWER STEERING ASSIST MOTOR. GM THEN ISSUED A RECALL ON 03/31/2014 TO INCLUDE SELECT 2009 CHEVY MALIBU'S. HOWEVER, WHEN I CONTACTED GM, I WAS TOLD MY VIN IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND I WILL NOT SUBJECT TO REIMBURSEMENT FOR MY REPAIRS (TOTALING $773.62). I SPOKE WITH NUMEROUS REPRESENTATIVES AT GM, AND WAS TOLD BY EACH OF THEM, THAT THE RECALL IS ONLY FOR SELECT VEHICLES AND DESPITE MY CLAIM THAT MY CAR EXPERIENCED THE EXACT MECHANICAL FAILURE AS LISTED IN THE RECALL, MY VIN IS NOT INCLUDED AND ANY CLAIM I SUBMIT WILL BE DENIED. I AM APPLAUDED THAT DEFECTIVE EQUIPMENT HAS BEEN INSTALLED IN MY CAR (WHICH HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN TWO OTHER GM RECALLS SUCH AS THE IGNITION SWITCH AND THE SHIFT LEVER INDICATOR) AND GM IS REFUSING RESOLVE THIS SITUATION. I AM TURNING TO NHTSA FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION SO ALL CONSUMERS AFFECTED, INCLUDING MYSELF, BE PROPERLY REIMBURSED FOR THE EXPENSE INCURRED TO CORRECT GM'S ALREADY PROVEN DEFECTIVE EQUIPMENT. THE EXTENT OF STRESS GM HAS CAUSED MY FAMILY BY NEAR TRAGIC ACCIDENT OF MY HUSBAND AND THE FINANCIAL BURDEN OF PAYING TO CORRECT A PROBLEM THEY HAVE ALREADY IDENTIFIED AS A PROBLEM IS UNETHICAL AND CRIMINAL. *TR
Steering, May 13, 2014
IN JANUARY OF 2014, I EXPERIENCED TWO SEPARATE INSTANCES OF THE ELECTRICAL POWER ASSIST STEERING FAILING SUDDENLY IN MY 2009 MALIBU. FORTUNATELY I WAS TRAVELING AT LOW SPEEDS IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA BOTH TIMES AND WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE CAR. THE PROBLEM WOULD NOT CORRECT UNTIL I STOPPED THE CAR, TURNED IT OFF AND RESTARTED IT. WHEN GENERAL MOTORS ACKNOWLEDGED A PROBLEM WITH POWER ASSIST STEERING IN 2008-2009 MALIBUS IN MARCH OF 2014, I REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO GENERAL MOTORS' CUSTOMER SERVICE. I EXPECTED THAT THE RECALL WOULD INCLUDE MY VEHICLE. I HAVE BEEN INFORMED BY GENERAL MOTORS THAT MY VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. I FIND IT TROUBLING THAT IF I EXPERIENCED TWO INSTANCE OF THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND REPORTED IT TO GM, THAT MY CAR WOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. I'M WRITING TO ADVISE OF MY EXPERIENCES SO YOU CAN INCLUDE MY 2009 MALIBU IN THE SCOPE OF THE RECALL. *TR
Steering, May 12, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT MULTIPLE SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST MALFUNCTIONED AND CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO BECOME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHTS WAS ALSO ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 14V153000(STEERING). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME DEFECT LISTED IN THE RECALL.THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
Steering, Apr 17, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE ESC WARNING LIGHT. THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING OVER A ONE YEAR PERIOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
Steering, Apr 9, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN HE STARTED VEHICLE, THE CHECK ENGINE AND POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,753.
Steering, Apr 8, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AFTER THE ENGINE WAS STARTED. ADDITIONALLY, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. UPDATED 5/22/14*CN UPDATED 8/17/17*CN