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, Nov 30, 2022
I have lost power steering multiple times while driving! I was able to turn the car off and turn it back in to regain steering! It is a reoccurring issue! The issue has not been taken to a dealer, as they told me if it was the Steering shaft torque sensor that it would be roughly 700$ to fix it! (This is what was fixed in both my sister and cousins 2009 Malibu’s and I can provide the Vins if requested! As they had the exact same issues! I believe the code it throws is a EPS code on the dash! This issue seems to Happen more so when it is cold as it has happened in the past as well and finally quit giving me problems after it got warm again! But now that it is cold again it is starting to act up again as it has reoccurred 7 Times in the last 200 miles
Steering, Nov 27, 2022
Driving at around 40MPH last night the power steering quick working. The EPS light and traction lights came on as well. Luckily I was only about 1/2 mile from home. Now this morning looking into it by checking fuses etc, trying to figure what is wrong, I turn it on and the steering is working again.
Steering, Oct 27, 2022
My power steering suddenly stopped working in a very unsafe location. This has happened several times. In the past, I've been able to shut the car off, wait for a couple minutes, start the car back up, and the warning lights are no longer lit (the road hazard light and the check engine light come on during this episode, which has happened on more than one occasion, both times in unsafe locations. This model with this specific 2.4L motor has not been recalled but I have been told that these malibus with the larger motors have at least had bulletins issued for the same exact characteristic. My fear is that one of my daughters will be driving this car and the power steering pump will go out when they are on the highway. So even though my car has 156,000 miles on it, this has happened since I bought the car with 48,000 miles on the odometer.
Steering, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Oct 27, 2022
my transmission is slipping when there was a recall and my car went in to get fixed for both my power steering and my transmission and my power steering does not work and my transmission is slipping.
Steering, Electrical system, Oct 21, 2022
when It gets colder my cars power steering goes out and my no traction light turns on, I can’t turn my vehicle properly and have no traction it’s dangerous in the winter time. I have noticed other malibu’s from 2009 were recalled for the same exact issue yet mine was not. If i can’t turn or break properly it puts others on the road in risk especially in the snow. The problem always appears when it is cold.
Steering, Suspension, Wheels, Jul 18, 2022, crash
Steering has become increasingly stiff and harder to turn, as if the power steering doesn't work. My granddaughter hit a curb in a tight turning entrance to a 4 lane highway and broke the wheel and other component parts.
Steering, Jul 7, 2022
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while pulling out of a parking space, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The power steering assist warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who informed the contact that they could not duplicate the failure. The battery was replaced; however, the failure reoccurred while pulling out of a parking space. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the power steering torque sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 77,227.
Steering, Jun 30, 2022
The vehicle loses power steering at random moments while driving. I have had to stop and turn off the vehicle in order to regain power steering function in the middle of intersections several times and lost control while driving around corners barely avoiding accidents.
Steering, Jun 20, 2022
After exiting the highway, I came to a four-way stop sign, started a left-turn when I heard a chime, I think a light came on & suddenly my power steering went out completely in the middle of the turn. I had to fight to complete the turn without hitting other cars as well as a biker who was crossing the lane I was leaving. I had just left I-40, traveling highway speeds, with my daughter & 2-year-old granddaughter in the car with me. The car has NEVER done anything like this before. I am terrified to think what would have happened if it had done this while we were traveling at 70 MPH with the cruise control engaged. I called the dealership & they can't repair my car until 6/24/22, over a week after this event. I REFUSE to drive this car again until they fix it. I thank God no one was hurt.
Steering, May 1, 2022
After I’ve been driving the car for a while, the steering wheel doesn’t just shakes, it jerks violently very quickly in the left/right direction as if it’s trying to turn. It happens so fast to where I couldn’t stop the wheel if I wanted to without injuring myself. It also places grave danger while driving anywhere. I’ve turned the car off & back on, it’s fine for maybe 20-30 mins. But now it’s worsen to where immediately once I start the car, the steering wheel spins left and right as if it’s trying to find a direction to turn. No one (mechanic) seems to be able to identify the issue leaving me with a vehicle I’m unable to drive or fix.
Steering, Apr 19, 2022
Lost power steering while driving on the highway. The display board is reading power steering, service ESC, and the traction control symbol is on.
Steering, Apr 18, 2022
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving at approximately 35 MPH, the power steering failed to operate with the electronic stability control and power steering warning lights illuminated. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The approximate failure mileage was 144,000.
Steering, Apr 8, 2022
The contact's son owns a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while his son's wife was driving 45 MPH, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact stated that the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) warning light was illuminated. The driver parked on the side road, restarted the vehicle, and was able drive to her residence. The contact's son called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Upon further investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 14E044000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included. The contact attempted to call the manufacturer but was unable to speak to a representative. The failure mileage was approximately 152,000.
Steering, Apr 7, 2022
Power steering shut off
Steering, Apr 4, 2022
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated upon starting the vehicle, the power steering warning light and the message to "Service ESC" illuminated. The contact stated he turned off and restarted the vehicle, the warning light and warning message were no longer illuminated; however, the vehicle lost power steering while driving and making a turn. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and assisted the contact with setting up an appointment with the dealer for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the power steering assist control motor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring daily while driving. The failure mileage was approximately 149,450.
Steering, Apr 1, 2022
experience a sudden loss of electric power steering assist. If power steering assist is lost, a message displays on the Driver Information Center and a chime sounds to inform the driver. Steering control can be maintained because the vehicle will revert to manual steering, but greater driver effort would be required at low vehicle speeds, which could increase the risk of a crash. the power steering motor, the steering column, the power steering motor control unit or a combination of the steering column and the power steering motor control unit.
Steering, Mar 25, 2022
I was diving when my power steering stops working. Stop the car, turn it off restart it and it works again. It's been happening for the past few weeks and is happening more often as time goes on.
Steering, Mar 20, 2022
WHILE DRIVING MY CAR MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND I COULD NOT STEERING MY CAR AT ALL.
Steering, Mar 19, 2022
I OWN A 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. I noticed a few times while stopped at a traffic light, the steering wheel started to vibrate. On start up, intermittently the power steering assist and traction control warning light will illuminate. I also noted no power steering when this happened. I shut the vehicle off. Upon restart the problem was solved.
Steering, Mar 13, 2022
Electric power steering randomly shuts off
Steering, Mar 9, 2022
Power steering intermittently fails.
Steering, Traction control system, Mar 8, 2022
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while stopped at a traffic light, the steering wheel started to vibrate. The contact stated that the power steering assist and traction control warning light were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who informed her that the vehicle needed further diagnostic testing and should be taken to an authorized dealer. The dealer was contacted and informed her of an unknown recall however, the recall had expired. The contact stated that she then contacted the manufacturer who referred her to the NHTSA for assistance. The failure mileage was 103,967.
Steering, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Mar 2, 2022
Steering affected, unable to control direction of vehicle. Luckily I was not on highway driving at high speed ....it very well had caused a serious accident. Warning lights on : dashboard monitor messaged " power steering " traction control light First time it happened was on December 22, 2021 . The most recent time was on February 21, 2022.
Steering, Mar 2, 2022
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the steering wheel suddenly seized. The power steering warning light and the traction warning light illuminated. The vehicle was restarted however, the vehicle failed to regain power steering functionality. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 123,025.
Steering, Mar 2, 2022
I was driving and my steering wheel got extremely tight not allowing me to turn the car steering left or right. My service ESC light is on and power steering came across the dash.