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, Wheels, Feb 25, 2012
WHEELS WOBBLING WHEN I BOUGHT THE CERTIFIED VEHICLE, TOOK IT BACK TO DEALER. THEY REPLACED FRONT TIRES AND ALIGNED VEHICLE. ALSO STEERING WHEEL DOES NOT LOCK INTO PLACE WHEN PUT IN PARK AND KEY REMOVED FROM IGNITION. CONSTANT STEERING CORRECTION AT ANY SPEED. WHEEL DANCES BACK AND FORTH AND FEELS BOUNCY. DEALER STATED THAT THERE IS NO PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING WHEEL. RETURNED TO DEALER ON FEB. 23 2012. THEY REPLACED FRONT TIRES AGAIN. TEST DROVE CAR AND STATED THE CAR WAS FIXED. CAR STILL WONDERS, WHEELS STILL WOBBLE..STILL PLAY IN STEERING WHEEL. SPOKE WITH GM REP. EXPLAINED ISSUE. GM REP. ALSO SPOKE WITH DEALER MECHANIC. DEALER MECHANIC ADVISED GM REP. THAT CAR WHEELS AND STEERING WAS FIXED. INCORRECT. DEALER DID NOT ADDRESS STEERING WHEEL. ONLY REPLACED TIRES. ISSUE STILL EXISTS. EASY TO LOSE CONTROL. FEELS LIKE IT HAS BAD WHEEL BEARINGS OR BUSTED HUB. BUT DEALER MECHANICS SAYS ITS OKAY. *TR
Steering, Vehicle speed control, Wheels, Feb 12, 2012
VEHICLES TIRE RIGHT SIDE RODS FAILED AT 45880 WERE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY 3/4/11. COMPLAINED TO DEALER ABOUT NOISE FROM RIGHT SIDE OF CAR AT 50K DEALER CLAIMED THERE WAS NO NOISE HOWEVER DUE TO WEATHER CONDITIONS AT THE TIME (RAINING) THEY WOULD NEED TO SEE VEHICLE ON A DRY DAY. VEHICLE IN SHOP NOW WITH 64000 ALMOST 1YR LATER RIGHT SIDE TIRE RODS NEED REPLACING AGAIN. THIS IS MY SECOND CHEVY MALIBU AND I AM NOT HAPPY. DOUBT I WILL PURCHASE CHEVY AGAIN!!! *TR
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Nov 12, 2011
BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT POWER STEERING GAVE OUT. SERVICE ESC LIGHT CAME ON. POWER STEERING MESSAGE LIT. PULLED INTO PARKING SPOT SHUT CAR OFF. STARTED CAR SECONDS LATER - NO WARNING LIGHTS ON AND POWER STEERING WAS BACK BUT DID NOT FEEL RIGHT. TURNED WHEEL WHILE PARKED AND ESC AND POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. TRIED AGAIN, SAME THING. HAD TO DRIVE 2 MILES TO HOME WITH NO POWER STEERING. OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE WAS 34 DEGREES AT THE TIME. *TR
Steering, Sep 20, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED. THE SERVICE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.
Steering, Jun 8, 2011, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO JERK ABNORMALLY. AFTER TIME, THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE FAILURE BEGAN TO RECUR INTERMITTENTLY AND WITH TIME, BECAME A CONSTANT OCCURRENCE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT NOTICED A BURNING ODOR WHEN FIRST STARTING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS OR REPAIRS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.
Steering, Jun 7, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THE POWER STEERING FAILED INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED OVER 30 MPH. THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHILE THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED AT THE STEERING COLUMN AND THE POWER STEERING MOTOR. THE DEALER REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN AND THE POWER STEERING MOTOR YET THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE STEERING CONTINUED TO FAIL WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
Steering, May 18, 2011
TL*THE DRIVER OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE DRIVER WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH WHEN HE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND THE DRIVER COULD NO LONGER CONTROL THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIE ROD DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 33,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Steering, Feb 20, 2011
STEERING IN 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU IS ERRATIC AT BEST AT TIMES EVEN SITTING PERFECTLY STILL THE STEERING WHEEL WILL MOVE ERRATICALLY BACK AND FORTH AS IF THE CAR WAS TRYING TO STEER ITSELF. THIS SEEMS INHERENTLY DANGEROUS AS IT HAS ALMOST CAUSED MY WIFE TO CHANGE LANES ABRUPTLY. *TR
Steering, Jan 13, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT FOR HER TO MANEUVER. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS THAT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT SHE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE STEERING TORQUE INPUT SENSOR. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 108,000.
Steering, Jan 3, 2011
I HAVE AN 2009 CHEVY MALIBU AND THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES AND IT WILL SHAKE AT A STOP LIGHT AND WHILE IM DRIVING . WHEN IT SHAKES WHILE IM DRIVING IT FEELS LIKE ITS BEGINNING TO LOCK UP. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAY ITS FROM A POWERSTEERING PROBLEM AND ITS BECAUSE IT IS ELECTRICAL POWERSTEERING. *TR
Steering, Jul 30, 2010
2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU 2LT 2.4L ECOTEC W/ELECTRIC STEERING ASSIST. WHEN MY WIFE LEFT WORK LAST NIGHT, TURNING RIGHT OUT OF PARKING LOT, STEERING LOCKED, WOULD NOT UNLOCK UNTIL VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. MAY NOT HAVE BEEN COMPLETELY LOCKED, BUT WAS WAY BEYOND EFFORT NORMALLY REQUIRED TO STEER WITHOUT POWER STEERING. CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALER IMMEDIATELY, THEY SEEMED TO KNOW ALL ABOUT THE PROBLEM, EVEN KNEW WHICH DIRECTION SHE TURNED. WE HAVE NOT HAD ANY PREVIOUS PROBLEMS OR INDICATION OF A PROBLEM. *TR
Steering, Jul 16, 2010
THE "POWER STEERING" MESSAGE IS ON AT THE PANEL CONTROL. EVERY TIME WHEN I TURN TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT WITH MY CAR, THE WHEEL WAS HARD AND IS DIFFICULT TO DRIVE ON HIGHWAYS. MY CAR IS A CHEVROLET MALIBU 2009, 4 CYLINDERS. THE DEALER REPAIR THE FAULT AND I PAY $ 509.00. *TR
Steering, Suspension, Equipment, May 5, 2010
STEERING SUSPENSION, 29NOV09 REPLACED RIGHT SWAY BAR LINK. 25JAN20 REPLACED SWAY BAR BUSHINGS AT THE FRAME. 10MAR10 REPLACED SWAY BAR INSULATORS AT THE FRAME. 04MAY10 REPLACED SWAY BAR LINKS AGAIN ONLY AFTER 6 MONTHS FROM LAST REPLACEMENT. THERE IS OBVIOUSLY A QUALITY ISSUE HERE. *TR
Steering, Mar 3, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH. THE STEERING WHEEL EXHIBITED LOOSENESS; FOLLOWED BY A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE. THERE WAS DIFFICULTY TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL AS A RESULT OF THE DRIVER SUSTAINING PAIN TO THE ARM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 6,900.
Steering, Jan 18, 2010
FROM THE VERY FIRST I HAVE NOTICED IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO KEEP MY 4 CYLINDER CHEVY MALIBU GOING IN A STRAIGHT LINE. THERE HAS TO BE CONSTANT CORRECTION AND IT MAKES IT VERY TIRING TO DRIVE. IF I JUST GLANCE AWAY FROM THE ROAD I FIND THAT WHEN I GLANCE BACK I AM GOING OUT OF MY LANE. THIS CAN'T BE SAFE. *TR
Steering, Sep 22, 2009
AN ONGOING POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE ON MY 2009 CHEVY MALIBU (4 CYLINDER MODEL ONLY) IS DESCRIBED BELOW. THIS VEHICLE HAS ELECTRONIC STEERING AND THE COMPLAINT I HAVE IS THAT WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING STRAIGHT DOWN THE ROAD AND WANT TO MAKE VERY SMALL STEERING INPUTS TO GO STRAIGHT, THE ELECTRONIC STEERING ASSIST MAKES YOU OVER CORRECT. IF YOU ARE SITTING STILL WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING AND YOU TURN THE STEERING WHEEL VERY SLIGHTLY LEFT OR RIGHT, IT FEELS STIFF AT FIRST, FOLLOWED BY A SUDDEN BURST OF ASSIST, WHICH CAUSES YOU TO CONTINUALLY FIGHT THE CAR TO GO IN A STRAIGHT LINE. THIS IS A POTENTIAL DESIGN FLAW. THE V6 MALIBU THAT I DROVE WITH HYDRAULIC POWER STEERING IS NOT A PROBLEM, ONLY THE 4 CYLINDER. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO THE DEALERSHIP AS I ONLY RECENTLY PURCHASED THE CAR ON JULY 24, 2009. THEY CONTACTED TECHNICAL SUPPORT AT CHEVROLET. THEY HAVE HAD OTHER COMPLAINTS, BUT THERE IS NO FIX YET. THEY SAY IN THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING, A TORQUE SENSOR IS ACTIVATED WHEN YOU MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL, SO IT MUST BE MOVED WITHOUT ASSIST FOR A SPLIT SECOND UNTIL IT RECOGNIZES THAT YOU WANT TO TURN AND APPLIES POWER ASSIST. IT CANNOT BE ADJUSTED. THIS IS THE CAUSE OF THE CONTINUOUS OVER CORRECTION ISSUE. HOW CAN THIS BE SAFE? THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE THAT CHEVROLET SAYS IS "NORMAL OPERATION" AT THIS TIME. *TR
Steering, May 13, 2009
MY 2009 CHEVY MALIBU HAS AS SEVERE STEERING BIAS TO THE LEFT THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO FIX. *TR
Steering, May 3, 2009
2009 CHEVY MALIBU WITH 6 CYLINDER ENGINE. HAS A SEVERE AND SIGNIFICANT TORQUE STEER ON ACCELERATION (MOST NOTICEABLE FROM A STOP) CAUSING CAR TO DRAMATICALLY AND DANGEROUSLY PULL TO LEFT. HAS ALMOST CAUSED ACCIDENTS MORE THAN ONCE. . IN ADDITION IT REQUIRES A LOT OF PRESSURE TO PUT THE EMERGENCY (PARKING) BRAKE DOWN TO WHERE IT WILL HOLD THE CAR ON A HILL. HAVE HAD THIS CHECKED OUT BY 3 SEPARATE CHEVROLET DEALERS AND ALL TELL ME THEY ARE DESIGN ISSUES, NORMAL CONDITIONS THAT CANNOT BE CORRECTED. *TR