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: vehicle speed control
73 reports, newest first. Show all
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jul 30, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED AFTER THE FIRST ATTEMPT, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) HOWEVER, THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000.
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jul 21, 2014
BEGINNING ON APRIL 15, 2014 MY CAR FLASHES ESC OFF, SERVICE ESC, SERVICE TRACTION. THIS HAPPENS OFTEN AND IT TURNS OFF THE TRACTION CONTROL IN MY CAR AND CAUSES THE CRUISE CONTROL TO CEASE FUNCTION. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Jul 14, 2014
THE BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON WITHOUT PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. WHEN YOU PUSH ON THE PEDAL THE LIGHTS GO OUT. WHILE ON THE SPEED CONTROL WILL NOT WORK. SEVERAL OTHER ISSUES WITH THE BCM. GM ANNOUNCED A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE ON MAY 15, 2014 BUT THE NHTSA WEBSITE LETTER ON THAT DATE LETTER NVS-215KS / 14V-252 STATED THAT GM MUST NOTIFY THE OWNERS WITHIN 60 DAYS. IT HAS BEEN 60 DAYS AND THERE HAS NOT BEEN A NOTIFICATION. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP UNDER WARRANTY APPROX. 5 TIMES AND I HAVE HAD TO ALSO REPAIR THE SAME ISSUE. NOW THE CAR IS NOT DRIVE ABLE BECAUSE IF I PLACE IT IN PARK IT WILL NOT GO IN REVERSE. THIS IS ALSO DUE TO THE SAME BCM PROBLEM. IF THEY (GM) HAS 60 DAYS, WHY HAVE THEY NOT RECALLED THIS VEHICLE? I TOOK IT TO THE GM DEALER AND GAVE THEM THE RECALL NUMBER FOUND ON THE INTERNET AND WAS TOLD THEY HAVE NO INFORMATION ABOUT IT. HOW CAN I GET THIS INFORMATION BUT THEIR OWN DEALERS CAN'T. *TR
Exterior lighting, Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Jul 5, 2014
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY BETWEEN 70 & 75 MPH. I HEARD BRAKES SCREECHING BEHIND ME. I THEN REALIZED THAT MY CRUZ HAD ALSO WENT OFF. I KNEW THAT MY BRAKE LIGHTS HAD COME ON FOR NO REASON AGAIN AS THEY HAD IN THE PAST. I WAS SURE CARS WERE GOING TO START REAR ENDING EACH OTHER BECAUSE THEY THOUGHT I HAD SLAMMED ON MY BRAKES. WHEN THIS IS OCCURRING WITH MY VEHICLE THE BRAKE LIGHTS ARE OFF WHEN I'M STOPPED AT A LIGHT OR A STOP SIGN AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON WHEN I TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKES. THE CAR WILL JERK LIKE IT IS TRYING TO STALL. THE RPM'S WILL SURGE TO 4000 WHILE AT THE SAME TIME THE CAR IS SLOWING DOWN. THE CRUZ WILL NOT ENGAGE WHEN THE BRAKE LIGHTS ARE ON. THESE PROBLEMS ONLY OCCURS WHEN THE BRAKE LIGHTS WILL NOT GO OFF. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Jun 4, 2014
WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH WITH CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED, THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT IN THE REAR WINDOW WOULD RANDOMLY COME ON CAUSING THE CRUISE CONTROL TO SHUT OFF. SOON AFTER THIS HAPPENS I GET WARNINGS ON THE DASH TO SERVICE THE ECS AND TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM. IT HAS BEEN GETTING GRADUALLY WORSE AND WITH THE BRAKE LIGHT ACTIVATING, COULD CAUSE DRIVERS BEHIND ME TO THINK I AM STOPPING WHEN I AM NOT. THIS PROBLEM WAS MENTIONED IN AN ARTICLE IN USA TODAY A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO, THAT GM WILL BE ISSUING A RECALL FOR. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jun 3, 2014
AFTER FILING TWO COMPLAINTS WITH YOU, AND RECEIVING A RECALL ALERT FROM YOU, I AM BEING TOLD BY GM THAT MY VEHICLE, A 2009 MALIBU BUILT BETWEEN THE YEARS SPECIFIED IN YOUR RECALL NOTICE, IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL YOU ALERTED ME ABOUT. HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE? THE REFERENCED RECALL # 14V252000, AS HE EXPERIENCED THE SAME MALFUNCTION, AS DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL. THE CONSUMER HAS INVOICES, THAT DATE BATE TO 2011, WHERE HE HAD TO TAKE THE VEHICLE, BACK TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, FOR AN INOPERABLE CRUISE CONTROL AND ESC LIGHTING ILLUMINATING. UPDATED 07/16/14
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), May 22, 2014
WHEN DRIVING THE ALERT WILL SOUND ALERTING THAT ENGINE POWER HAS BEEN REDUCED. THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL IS THEN TURNED OFF AND TRACTION CONTROL IS LOST. WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS PUSHED IT HESITATES BEFORE ACCELERATING. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Mar 12, 2014
FOR THE LAST YEAR OR SO I HAVE BEEN HAVING ISSUES WITH MY BRAKE LIGHTS INGAGING AND MY CRUISE CONTROL INOPERABLE. I CURRENTLY HAVE A 2009 MALIBU. A FRIEND WAS DRIVING BEHIND ME ONCE AND MENTIONED LATER THAT I WAS RIDING MY BRAKES ALL THE WAY HOME. I WAS NOT. I NOTICE A FEW DAYS LATER THIS HAPPENED AGAIN, BUT IT WAS DUSK AND I COULD SEE FROM MY REAR WINDOW THE REFLECTION OF MY BREAK LIGHT, IT WAS ON AND MY BRAKE WAS NOT INGAGED. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL OTHER TIMES, TO MY KNOWLEDGE. IF I TAP MY BRAKES THE LIGHTS WILL GO OFF, HOWEVER WILL COME BACK ON WITHIN A FEW SECONDS. I'M HIGHLY CONCERNED ABOUT A REAR END COLLISION. IF I ACTUALLY DO HAVE TO STOP QUICKLY AND THE PERSON BEHIND ME HITTING ME BECAUSE MY BREAK LIGHTS ARE NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. I'VE TAKEN IT IN TO A MECHANIC AND THEY CAN'T REPLICATE THE ISSUES. IT'S INTERMITTENT. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Jan 11, 2014
THE BRAKE LIGHTS WILL COME ON RANDOMLY. THIS ALSO CAUSES THE CRUISE CONTROL TO KICK OFF. THE LIGHTS WILL STAY ON FOR VARYING LENGTHS. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Oct 21, 2013
THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS MALFUNCTIONING AND AFTER RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM I DISCOVERED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS COULD ALSO BE AFFECTED. WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKE THE LIGHT IN THE REAR WINDOW WOULD ACTUALLY GO COMPLETELY OFF. THE REPAIR IS DESCRIBED IN TSB 08-05-22-009C AND WAS COMPLETED. THE PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE FIXED. HOWEVER IT APPEARS THERE WAS A PREVIOUS RECALL FOR THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM WITH EARLIER GENERAL MOTORS MODELS AND THE PROBLEM IS STILL RECURRING. CHEVROLET HAS NOT SEND ANY KIND OF NOTICE TO OWNERS ABOUT THIS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. THE COMPUTER CODE C0131 IS ACTIVATED WHEN THIS OCCURS. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Sep 25, 2013
2009 MALIBU BRAKE LIGHTS STAY ON WHILE DRIVING THEN WHEN I PRESS MY BRAKES THE LIGHTS WOULD GO OFF NO ONE KNEW WHEN I WAS USING MY BRAKES. THIS WAS BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION WHEN I WAS ON A MAJOR HWY/SPEED LIMIT 70 MPH WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN TRAFFIC WAS STOPPING. THE CARS BEHIND ME WERE COMING AT A HIGH SPEED, BUT LUCKILY THE CAR DIRECTLY BEHIND ME JUST SHORT OF CRASHING INTO MY REAR MISSED ME. . HE GOT OUT OF HIS CAR WHILE THE TRAFFIC WAS STOPPED AND APPROACHED ME TO LET ME KNOW I HAD NO BREAK LIGHTS AND HE ALSO NOTICED THAT PRIOR TO STOPPING MY BREAK LIGHTS WERE ON. IN THE MEANTIME I HAD WARNINGS POP UP ON MY CAR SERVICE TRACTION/ESC SERVICE. WELL OF COURSE, MY CAR WAS TAKEN TO A SHOP WHERE IT SHOWED A BREAK SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND SWITCH BRAKE NEEDED TO BE CALIBRATED BY THE DEALERSHIP. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE BREAK SWITCH FAILED WHEN THEY PERFORMED BRAKE POSITION CALIBRATION. THE GENTLEMEN SAID THAT THE SWITCH COULD BE BAD EVEN THOU IT WAS A NEW ONE THAT WAS PURCHASED FROM THE DEALERSHIP. THEY REPLACED IT AGAIN AND RE-CALIBRATED AND AFTERWARDS SAID EVERYTHING WORKS WELL. WITHIN TWO WEEKS THE PROBLEM WITH BREAKS ARE STILL THERE. THERE IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WE HAVE WITH THE 2009 MALIBU. I?M JUST LUCKY I?M STILL ALIVE. WHAT UPSETS ME THE MOST IS THE PROBLEM IS THERE, BUT DEALERSHIPS WANT TO KEEP REPLACING PARTS AND CHARGING YOU $$$$ FOR SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED! *JS
Exterior lighting, Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Sep 9, 2013
BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING. THERE IS NO INDICATOR WHEN OR HOW THIS IS HAPPENING. IT HAS AFFECTED THE CRUISE CONTROL OPTION AS WELL AS THE TRACTION CONTROL ON THE VEHICLE. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN FOR ALL MOTORISTS - UNSURE WHEN A CARE IS ACTUALLY STOPPING AND OR ACCELERATING. *TR
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
Vehicle speed control, Jul 25, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, THE CRUISE CONTROL DISENGAGED INDEPENDENTLY AND THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
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
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
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
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
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
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
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Vehicle speed control, Aug 17, 2011
THE BRAKE LIGHTS ON MY DAUGHTER'S 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU COME ON WHILE SHE IS DRIVING & HER CRUISE CONTROL STOPS WORKING. SHE TOOK HER CAR INTO THE DEALER & 2 OTHER PEOPLE WERE THERE WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT. THE SERVICE DEPT. SAID IT WAS FIXED BUT THE SAME DAY AS SHE PICKED IT UP, IT HAPPENED AGAIN. WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY @ 70 MPH WITH THE CRUISE ON, THE BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON AND STAY ON UNTIL SHE PRESSES THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE BRAKE LIGHTS GO OUT WHILE SHE IS APPLYING THE BRAKES & COME BACK ON WHEN SHE RELEASES THE BRAKE PEDAL. ALSO, SHE ALSO CAN NO LONGER SET HER CRUISE CONTROL. AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN PARKED FOR A FEW HOURS, THE CRUISE & BRAKE LIGHTS WORK PROPERLY. ANYONE FOLLOWING HER, ESPECIALLY @ NIGHT, MIGHT ASSUME THAT SHE IS STOPPING WHILE DRIVING & DRIVING WHILST STOPPING. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS COULD CAUSE A FIRE IF THE PROBLEM IS ELECTRICAL IN NATURE, (BOTH TAILLIGHT BULBS HAVE RECENTLY BURNT OUT OR SHORTED OUT & BEEN REPLACED). I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT THIS COULD CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. *KB
Suspension, Power train, Vehicle speed control, Sep 16, 2010
THE EVENT LEADING UP TO : TURNING RIGHT FROM SIDE STREET THE CAR LUNGES INTO THE LEFT LANE WHEN ACCELERATING . THE FAILURE OCCURS EVERY TIME WHEN THE CAR TAKES OFF FROM A STOP TO ENTER INTO FREEWAY. STEERING WHEEL ROTATES WITH FAST ACTION CLOCK WISE 360 DEGREES.WHAT WAS DONE TOOK CAR TO 4 DEALERS ALL SAID IT MEETS THE SPECIFICATIONS OF THE CAR. CAR DEALER SAID IT WAS A GLITCH CORPORATE SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. UPDATED 10/05/10 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE PULL TO THE RIGHT. UPDATED 10/07/10 *TR