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, Electrical system, Nov 16, 2021
There is a clicking noise in the steering wheel column while it jerks both left and right while driving. Happening every time it is driven hard to turn steering wheel both left and right.
Steering, Nov 10, 2021
My power steering has intermittently gone off making the vehicle nearly impossible to steer at times while driving. It appears to be in line with recall # 14V153000. When I brought this to the attention of a local dealership, they advised my car now has too many miles and is past the end date of this recall. For one, I never received notice that my car was eligible for this recall and two, it wasn't causing these issues until recently- and the dealership said to repair this would be in excess of $2000. The car is still drivable and available to be inspected. It would be preferred that it was examined soon as this is not only a hazard to myself & those in my vehicle, but others on the road as I would not be able to avoid them. The power steering alert comes on when this occurs, but obviously it is too late as it provides no prior warning that this is about to happen - and this has happened multiple times.
Steering, Electrical system, Wheels, Nov 8, 2021
UNKNOWN I was driving to work last week on Thursday and when I attempted to make a right turn my steering wheel was difficult to turn and a few seconds later it locked and the car turned off and on the dash board the battery light turned on and the words that appeared were Service Traction, Service ESC, and Power Steering.
Steering, Electrical system, Oct 19, 2021
I started my vehicle and began to drive it as I normally would. After stopping at a stop sign, I began accelerating and turning 90° left onto the street. Mid-turn my power steering completely shut off and I almost got into an accident. Luckily there was a turn around right there I was able to veer to. Turning this vehicle without power steering is nearly impossible. I'm a strong guy and it was pretty tough for me. This issue happened completely out of the blue without any warning whatsoever. When it happened, the ESC light came on as well as saying something about power steering. I turned the car off and then back on and noticed that the ESC light and power steering message were now gone and the car drive as it should. But it decides to go out randomly at any given time while driving and that is a HUGE safety hazard for not only me but others on the road as well. It has come to my attention after plenty of research that this seems to be massive issue among Chevrolet Malibu owners. The issue was recalled for different models/engines but not the 2.4 liter. At this point it's obvious that this is a vehicle wide issue and needs to be recalled for all models/engines.
Steering, Aug 20, 2021
Steering is difficult after driving and components get hot, research shows many other Vehicles have same issue. costing 300.00 to 1200.00 for repairs. Needs reported this to GM and the NHTSA. You never know, GM might cover some of the replacement cost. There is a video on youtube that covers replacing the torque tube sensor but what if that is not the cause? Yes, a GM tech 2 scan tool is required to set up the front end once the part has been replaced. Keep any bills you acquire during this job so that GM may reimburse you in the future should they decide to cover this repair. it also could be a module in the steering colum plus the turn signals do not shut off making it a hazard to drive while turn signals are still on! SEE LINK BELOW: THIS IS HARD TO TURN WHILE DRIVING AT SLOW SPEEDS! https://www.chevymalibuforum.com/threads/2009-esc-service-light-no-power-steering.47242/
Steering, Aug 10, 2021
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the steering wheel was difficult to turn. The contact stated that there was no warning light illuminated. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA campaign number: 14V153000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
Steering, May 11, 2021
POWER STEERING LIGHT ON PROBLEM OF THE 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU AS I WAS AT THE HOUSE WAYNESBORO GEORGIA IT HAPPENED ON HIGHWAY 25 IT HAPPENED TAKING OFF FROM WORK ON HIGHWAY 56 IN AUGUSTA GEORGIA MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND WAS HARD TO TURN CAUSING ME TO ALMOST CRASH. IT HAPPENS WHEN YOU'RE SPEEDING UP OR SLOWING DOWN MAINTAINING SPEED IS OKAY THE ESC LIGHT AND POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON. THE STEERING WHEEL IS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN. THIS IS BEEN GOING ON FOR THE LAST COUPLE WEEKS THE END OF APRIL THIS IS NOW MAY 10 2020 I AM ON UNEMPLOYMENT AND I AM TRYING TO GET THE CAR THAT I GOT FOR MY DAUGHTER FIXED
Steering, May 10, 2021
SERVICE ESC WARNING RANDOMLY COMES ON AND IMMEDIATE LOSS OF POWER STEERING. MANY OF THE SAME COMPLAINTS ONLINE AND NO RECALLS.
Steering, Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, May 3, 2021
HAVE PLMS FOR ELECTRIC POWER STEERING IT LITTL HARD TURN AND IT NOT SAFE
Steering, May 1, 2021
INTERMITTENTLY MY CAR ESC SERVICE POWER STEERING LIGHT GOES ON AND THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT. I HAVE TO PULL OVER AND TURN THE ENGINE OFF AND THEN THE POWER STEERING COMES ON. I'M AN OLDER WOMAN AND AM TERRIFIED TO GET ON A FREEWAY OR BUSY STREET BECAUSE I CAN BARELY STEER THE CAR WHEN THE POWER STEERING GOES OFF. AFTER READING NUMEROUS REPORTS ONLINE, THIS SEEMS TO BE A DEFECT WITH THE CAR AND IS VERY EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR. SINCE I'M NOT IN A POSITION TO SPEND THE MONEY RIGHT NOW, IT FEELS AS THOUGH I TAKE MY LIFE IN MY HANDS EVERY TIME I DRIVE. THERE IS NO PREDICTING WHEN THE STEERING GOES OUT. SOMETIMES IT'S SEVERAL TIMES A WEEK, SOMETIMES IT'S MONTH BETWEEN. VERY DANGEROUS!!!!
Steering, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Apr 25, 2021
THE STEERING WHEEL MOVES BACK AND FORTH ON ITS OWN WHILE IDLING. IT GETS HARD TO STEER WHEN THE TRACTION LIGHT COMES ON. THE LIGHT ABOVE OUR HEADS DON'T WORK. THE BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON WHILE WE'RE DRIVING WHEN I'M NOT PRESSING ON THE BRAKES. THE TIRE PRESSURE DON'T WORK TO LET US KNOW HOW MUCH AIR IS IN THE TIRE AND THE TIRE CAUTION LIGHT IS ON AT ALL TIMES. THE FRONT FENDER ON THE BOTTOM IS BROKE. WE JUST BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE LAST MONTH
Steering, Apr 22, 2021
POWER STEERING KEEPS GOING OUT SAYS NO ESC SERVICE POWER STEERING. WAS THE STEERING COLUMN MODULE COSTED ME 1600 BECAUSE MINE WASN'T INCLUDED IN RECALL SO MANY ALBUMS WERE COVERED WHY WAS MINE NOT
Steering, Apr 19, 2021
DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AND MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT
Steering, Apr 15, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST AND THE SERVICE ESC WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN HOWEVER, SHE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO HER DESTINATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER BLEECKER CHEVROLET (1200 E CUMBERLAND ST, DUNN, NC 28334, (910)891-1001) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING THE STEERING SENSOR MODULE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 155,000.
Steering, Apr 12, 2021
AS I WAS DRIVING, MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND WAS HARD TO TURN CAUSING ME TO ALMOST CRASH. THE ESC LIGHT AND POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON. THE STEERING WHEEL IS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN. THE CAR HAS 100K MILES AND IS A 2009 CHEVY MALIBU. THIS IS NOT PART OF A RECALL THAT IS EXTENDED TO MY CAR BUT I AM AWARE THAT MANY MANY OTHERS ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE SAME CAR SINCE 2015! THANK YOU.
Steering, Apr 6, 2021
MY POWER STEERING HAS GONE OUT 2X NOW IN LESS THAN A YEAR OF HAVING THE VEHICLE
Steering, Mar 29, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PARKED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HER RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NEXT TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALER VANDEVERE CHEVROLET (1490 VERNON ODOM BLVD, AKRON, OH 44320, (330) 800-0230) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE RECALL HAD EXPIRED ON THE VIN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Steering, Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Mar 28, 2021
MY STEERING WHEEL AGGRESSIVELY SHAKES WHEN I'M IN PARK, AT SLOW SPEEDS AND AT HIGHER SPEEDS. THE 'ESC OFF' DISPLAYS ON THE DASH AND I LOSE POWER STEERING. THIS USE TO HAPPEN RARELY, BUT NOW IT IS ALMOST EVERY TIME I START MY VEHICLE. EVEN WHEN I'M ABLE TO START THE VEHICLE WITHOUT THIS WARNING DISPLAYING, IT IS STILL VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AT ANY SPEED DUE TO THE SHAKING. THIS STARTED 3 YEARS AGO AND HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE SINCE.
Steering, Mar 24, 2021
2014 I WAS TOLD THE CAR HAD THE RECALL FIXED, I DID T PURCHASED THE CAR UNTIL THREE YEARS WHICH WAS 2017 ,NOW IT'S 2021 THE SAME ISSUES THAT THE RECALL NEEDED I NEED FIX AND CHEVY SAID THEY CAN'T FIX IT I NEED TO KNOW WHAT TO DO BECAUSE I'VE ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR ABOUT 4-5 YEARS AND NOW APPARENTLY THE SAME ISSUES IS REOCCURRING
Steering, Mar 18, 2021
POWER STEERING COMPLETELY WENT OUT, AND ESC SERVICE LIGHT TURNED ON WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 45MPH
Steering, Mar 14, 2021
POWER STEERING LIGHT COMES ON AND STEERING WHEEL SHAKES AND LOCKS UP.
Steering, Mar 13, 2021, crash
DRIVING ON INTERSTATE A LIGHT COMES ON DASH SAYING SERVICE ESC POWER STEERING AND THEN ESC OFF. THE POWER STEERING GOES AND CAN BARELY TURN THE WHEEL ENOUGH TO GET OFF . GOING 60 MPH AND SCRAPE THE RETENTION WALL. NO WARNING AT ALL JUST STOPPED. THIS IS INSANE.
Steering, Mar 13, 2021
OUT OF NO WHERE MY POWER STEERING IS GONE AND 'SERVICE ESC' DISPLAYS ON MY DASH WHILE I'M STATIONARY AS WELL AS IN MOTION AND TURNING.
Steering, Mar 11, 2021
DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND HEAR A BEEPING NOISE THEN A LIGHT COMES ON DASH SAYING SERVICE ESC POWER STEERING AND THEN ESC OFF. THE POWER STEERING GOES OFF AND I CAN HARDLY HANDLE TURNING THE WHEEL. I GOT IT TURNED AROUND AND TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK HOME THEN LOOKED ONLINE AND FOUND THAT THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE FOR THIS MODEL VEHICLE FOR AWHILE NOW AND THAT THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ISSUED BUT MY VIN IS NOT LISTED FOR THIS RECALL. OBVIOUSLY IT NEEDS TO BE ADDED.
Steering, Mar 8, 2021
POWER STEERING GOES OUT AND LIGHT COMES ON