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
1,509 reports, newest first.
Steering, Feb 19, 2023
I was pulling out of my alley onto a main street and my power steering went out I had to pull over I shut the car off and restarted it and it came back. When this happened got a message on dash ESC active and service power steering.
Steering, Feb 15, 2023
The contact's daughter owns a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at 55 MPH, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist. The vehicle was taken to an independent dealer, where it was diagnosed as EPS System failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000. The VIN was not available.
Steering, Feb 14, 2023
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist. The traction control warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed as power steering assist failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.
Steering, Feb 13, 2023
Loses power steering and switches to manual steering, making it hard to steer.
Steering, Feb 7, 2023
Electric power steering failure (EPS). I looked on the website and shows a recall but I called my dealer and said my VIN does not come up. I have loss of power steering. driving down the road it will stop working or when in a parking lot trying to maneuver around. Warning lamps are on. Steering is very difficult. I do not feel safe having anyone drive my car because it is so hard to steer when it stops working. It will catch you off guard and when you are in traffic it could be fatal. Loss of steering has been happening for about 6 months but has gotten worse the last week to the point I cant even drive and feel safe.
Steering, Jan 31, 2023
My power steering Assist is beginning to fail again. In January 2020, I had my power steering Assist motor replaced. Now, just over 3 years later, the power steering is failing again. This can be extremely dangerous if it fails while on the freeway.
Other or unspecified, Jan 18, 2023
It’s going on with a lot of Malibu’s with the starting issue with the whole fuse box the copper in the fuse box is making a hairline split in the copper in the fuse box one the car heats up enough to make the plastic fuse box hot there no engine light for this so people would go threw thousands of dollars and never find the issue this really needs a recall because it’s happening to mys and if you take the fuse box apart and don’t see a split in the copper your going have to have a hot gun to warm it it up to show I did what many people did I change the starter I change the starter relay and a few other fuses and still have a starting problem sometimes my car starts up fine then other times it won’t start after trying aleast 6 times then I got wait 20 to 30 mins then it will start this is a major problem for these models and for a mechanic to find unless you explain the situation this need to be recall for the fuse boxes with it over heating in splitting the wire inside to cause starting problems and power problems and sometimes throwing out faulty codes please resolve this issue so I can bring my car in for new fuse box are a recall to shouldering the wire as they call it this is major
Electrical system, Jan 17, 2023
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while exiting a parking lot, the contact smelled a burning odor and felt her leg burning. When the contact exited the vehicle, she became aware that her sweater was burned, and the driver’s seat was burned. The contact was not severely injured. The contact had not sought medical attention. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the fuse for the seat warmer was removed, but the seat was not replaced. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 193,000.
Steering, Jan 13, 2023
While driving vehicle on highway a sudden loss of power steering happened. A message did appear on the dash stating “service powering steering system ESP”. I immediately turned off the highway as I was very afraid of what had happened. I got a ride from a friend and left the car on the side road overnight. After researching what happened it is a very common issue with this year, make and model. Since I researched it was a loss of power steering I knew I had to get it serviced and knew it would be difficult to steer under manual steering. I was able to drop it off at a local AAA service center. The service center contacted me the next day and said this particulat steering column has been recalled by GM. I called GM and they said my vehicle was not recalled by the VIN I had. I called the service center back and they called a certified GM technician and again stated the steering column had been recalled. I decided to go ahead with the repair the service center had to get a remanufactured GM steering column and that’s what was replaced. I am requesting an investigation to why my VIN was not part of the recall and I would like to request reimbursement by GM. The NTHSA campaign id# is 14V153 and the GM technical bulletin that was issued for my year make and model is bulletin 14116 and 14116B.
Steering, Jan 10, 2023
2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO LOSS OF POWER STEERING.
Steering, Electrical system, Jan 2, 2023
The power steering just stopped working. Not really safe to drive. I did research and found that many GM cars have had this problem. No warning messages came on prior to the problem happening. I think this is a sensor problem with this car.
Service brakes, Jan 1, 2023
My 2009 malibu has had the recall fixed a few years ago for the brake lights but they are currently turning on when I let off the brake peddle and turn off when I press the brake peddle but at random times. Everytime I drive I never know if my brake lights are on when they need to be or if I'm driving with no lights. My ESC and traction control error keeps coming on and going away as well. Not sure if these issues are connected but started around the same time.
Service brakes, Dec 28, 2022
My brake light illuminate while driving when not touched.. if I tap the brake they will turn off. they do not always come on when I press the brake .I have taken the vehicle to the shop and they did work on the brake system and it still does the same thing .I then found out there was a recall for 2009 Chevy malibus but for some reason my car does not fall under the category and I am unsure as to why considering I have the exact same issue as the recall States. This has continued for the past year (everytime I drive the car no matter how far or fast or how long ) and is getting worse. My drive to work daily is an hour and 15 minutes one way and it happens at least 30-40 times in one trip.
Steering, Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Dec 22, 2022
Bought a 2009 Malibu (2.4 engine with electric power steering) a few weeks ago. Pulled into my driveway today and the power steering goes out and the traction control light comes on and service ESC message comes across the message center. Turn the car off and back on and the light goes out, power steering comes back for a second then the light trips again and it's out again as soon as I turn the wheel. It’s absolutely insane and I can’t even drive it half the time. I’m a nurse and a mother of two. This is the same recall in many of the same year and vehicle type, and we have snow. Severe snow. It can kill me. The ESC LIGHT TRACTION CONTROL ABS POWER STEERING AND CHECK ENGINE LOGHT ARE ALL ON BECAUSE OF THIS DEATHTRAP OF AN electronic steering system you have
Steering, Dec 22, 2022
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH and exiting a highway exit ramp, the steering wheel and column started to shake and vibrate abnormally. The contact stated she drove the vehicle to a nearby independent mechanic. The contact was able to place the vehicle in park P) and turned off the vehicle. The contact returned to the vehicle to drive to a maintenance bay however, the power steering function was unavailable. The contact stated she observed an unknown warning light. The vehicle was diagnosed, and the independent mechanic determined that the steering motor and the steering angle sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was driven back to the same mechanic who diagnosed that the u-joint on the steering shaft had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The independent mechanic researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14E044000 (Steering). The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 129,000.
Steering, Dec 21, 2022
At the time I bought my Chevy Malibu Hybrid in 2009, I was not aware nor was it made known to me by the dealership or the Sales Rep. that the steering mechanism was electronically controlled and not hydraulic. Had I known that to be the case, I would have reconsidered the purchase. In September of 2015 GM issued a notice informing me and those who were owners of my particular vehicle equipped with electric power assist (EPS): "... the steering column torque sensor or the EPS motor/controller may cause the vehicle to suddenly lose EPS ...The vehicle will revert to a manual steering mode, which requires greater driver effort to operate at low vehicle speeds." GM's resolution: 10 year warranty from date of purchase or 105,000 mile whichever occurs first. About two years after the warranty was issued, I started experiencing an intermittent failure with the steering upon starting on extremely cold mornings though not while driving. Once the car warmed up the steering problem went away. But because it was not continuous and difficult to replicate and thus to diagnose, the dealership as well as GM found that it would be hard for my unique problem to be covered by the warranty. I verbalized my complaint to GM on Oct. 15, 2016. Additionally, I was told by the dealership, if a diagnostic code (ESP) could not be found at the time the vehicle was bought in, a fee of $119.00 for diagnostics would be owed at that time. Note: A total failure of the torque sensor is the only time a code is present therefore I was reluctant to bring the vehicle in. The warranty expired for my vehicle in 2019. Recently, within a year or two, the steering has failed me while driving - twice, intermittently. When failure does occur on a car with this type of steering it is extremely difficult to steer and very dangerous especially at low speeds. Therefore, my plea is for NHTSA to issue a recall, not a limited warranty for this kind of safety issue. The estimated cost to repair: $1,500.
Steering, Dec 19, 2022
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving 5 MPH and making a turn, the vehicle lost power steering functionality with an alarm engaged. Additionally, the message "Service ESC" was displayed. The contact pulled into his driveway and turned off the vehicle. The contact stated upon restarting the vehicle, the power steering responded as needed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle could not repair the vehicle under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V153000 (Steering) because an unknown TSB had expired. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 81,230. The dealer diagnosed the defect as the torque sensor and along with the power assist motor needed to be replaced to fix the power steering loss issue. The manufacturer informed the consumer that since the repairs were not made by the dealer, they could not even offer the minimal remedy of a loyalty certificate.
Steering, Nov 30, 2022
I have lost power steering multiple times while driving! I was able to turn the car off and turn it back in to regain steering! It is a reoccurring issue! The issue has not been taken to a dealer, as they told me if it was the Steering shaft torque sensor that it would be roughly 700$ 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.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Vehicle speed control, Nov 7, 2022
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to a dealer to be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V252000 (Electrical System, Exterior Lighting, Vehicle Speed Control, Electronic Stability Control). The contact stated that after the repair, the failure persisted. The contact took the vehicle back to the dealer where the starter and PCV hose were replaced; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided a case number. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 104,000.
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.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Electronic stability control (ESC), Oct 25, 2022
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that in 2017 the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V252000 (Electrical System, Exterior Lighting, Vehicle Speed Control, Electronic Stability Control) however, the brake lights would illuminate randomly without the brake pedal being depressed. The contact stated that the brake lights would fail to illuminate whenever the brake pedal was depressed. The failure recurred at various speeds. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who added di-electric grease to the harness, replaced the brake harness, replaced the position sensor, and inspected the brake light. The vehicle had been taken to the dealer approximately 7 times since the recall repair was performed; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 104,000.
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.
Electrical system, Service brakes, Aug 18, 2022
There is a recall that was preformed on my vehicle before I bought it for brake light issues NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V252000. The issue has come back I just bought the car. I called the dealer and they said it had been fixed in 2014 but it has started doing the same thing and they said that they can fix it but I will have to pay. I have tried to call the corporate gm office but keep getting sent back to the dealer near me