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.
Power train, Jun 22, 2015
DRIVING IN TRAFFIC, VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND I HAD TO PULL OUT OF TRAFFIC, NEARLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. ENGINE REVVED, RPMS WERE HIGH. SHUT CAR OFF, RESTARTED AND CAR WOULD NOT GET OUT OF SECOND GEAR. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A CHEVROLET DEALER, WHO TOLD ME MY TRANSMISSION FAILED DUE TO A WAVE PLATE ISSUE. ALTHOUGH 6T70 TRANSMISSION WARRANTY WAS EXTENDED TO SOME 6 SPEED 2009 MALIBU'S, I WAS TOLD MINE WAS NOT, EVEN THOUGH THE PROBLEM IS KNOWN TO EXIST IN ALL GM 6 SPEED TRANSMISSIONS. THIS TRANSMISSION IS A DEFINITE SAFETY HAZARD AND THE 10 YEAR 120K MILE EXTENDED WARRANTY SHOULD BE OFFERED TO EVERY AUTOMOBILE WITH THIS TRANSMISSION....UPDATED 09/22/15 *BF
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Jun 21, 2015
THERE HAVE BEEN MULTIPLE REPAIRS DONE ON THIS CAR BECAUSE OF RECALLS AND POTENTIAL RECALL ITEMS. I STILL OWE $7,000 ON THIS VEHICLE! I FEEL LIKE THE MANUFACTURER OWES ME MONEY AS WELL AS THE DEALERSHIP WHO FIXED THE RECALLED ITEMS AND THE ITEMS THAT ARE NOT YET IN RECALL THAT NEED TO BE REPAIRED ARE GOING TO CAUSE A COMPLETE ACCIDENT IF THIS IS NOT HANDLED PROMPTLY. I HAVE TWO SMALL CHILDREN AND ORGANIZE VOLUNTEER WORK IN MY AREA AND DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO FIX IT. I FEEL LIKE THIS IS ENTITLED TO ME AND I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO HAVE A FAULTY CAR WHEN I AM ALSO PAYING ON IT. I CAN OFFER MORE DETAILS WHEN YOU CONTACT ME.
Electrical system, Jun 18, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND DECELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE REGAINED POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE SPARK PLUGS, COIL SPRINGS AND THE WIRE HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO REPLACED THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,000.
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Jun 9, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR INTERIOR POWER DOOR LOCKS FAILED TO UNLOCK WHEN THE KEY FOB AND POWER LOCK MODULE WERE ACTIVATED. THE DOORS FAILED TO UNLOCK MANUALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
Steering, Jun 9, 2015
I WAS DRIVING ON THE THRUWAY WITH MY 2 KIDS BOTH 10 YEARS OLD AT 65 MPH. AND THE ELECTRONIC ASSISTED STEERING CUT OUT AND THE SERVICE STEERING MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED. THANKFULLY I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND SHUT THE CAR OFF. WHEN I RESTARTED THE CAR THE STEERING WAS NORMAL FOR ABOUT 15 MILES THEN IT CUT OUT AGAIN. I HAD MY EX HUSBAND WHO IS A CERTIFIED TOYOTA TECHNICIAN CHECK THE CAR. HE FOUND A CODE FOR THE STEERING C0545. THIS CODE AND PROBLEM IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR LINE AS GENERAL MOTORS ISSUED A SAFETY RECALL (RECALL 14116B) ALSO YOUR ORGANIZATION ISSUED A SAFETY CAMPAIGN ( NTSA CAMPAIGN # 14V153000) WHEN THIS WAS DISCOVERED WE CALLED KELLER CHEVROLET IN BUFFALO NY TO HAVE THEM DOUBLE CHECK THE ISSUE AND PAYED THEIR DIAGNOSTIC FEE, THEY CONCURRED WITH MY EX HUSBANDS DIAGNOSIS AND RAN THE VIN FOR COVERAGE UNDER THE RECALLS FOR THIS FAILURE THEY ADVISED US OUR CAR IS NOT COVERED UNDER THESE SAFETY RECALLS AND WE WOULD HAVE TO PAY OVER $1000.00 TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. NOW I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHO WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE IF GOD FORBID WE LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR WHEN THIS FAILURE OCCURRED AND SOMEONE WAS INJURED OR KILLED? HOW IS IT THAT THE SAME YEAR MAKE AND MODEL CAR CAN BE COVERED FOR THIS FAILURE AND OUR CAR THAT HAS THE SAME SYMPTOMS AND FAILURE IS NOT? IS IT ASKING TO MUCH FOR GM TO FIX A KNOWN SAFETY DEFECT? WITH ALL THE BAD PRESS GM HAS HAD OVER THE LAST COUPLE YEARS BEGINNING WITH TAKING MY TAX DOLLARS TO KEEP THEIR COMPANY AFLOAT? I'M ASKING FOR YOUR BACKING IN GETTING THIS SAFETY DEFECT COVERED UNDER THESE RECALLS.
Structure, Jun 3, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOORS FAILED TO OPEN. THE CONTACT HAD TO ENTER AND EXIT THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,622. MA 08/06/15 UPDATED 8/14/15 *JS
Power train, Jun 1, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT FAILED TO SWITCH INTO THE PARK POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SHIFTER CABLE KIT AND BRACKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V224000 (POWER TRAIN). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
Electrical system, May 20, 2015
DOOR ACTUATORS DO NOT WORK BY REMOTE OR WHEN VEHICLE IS PLACED IN PARK. THIS POSSESS A SERIOUS SAFETY RISK IF IN AN ACCIDENT OR IF THE VEHICLE CATCHES FIRE. DEALER SAID THAT THEY HAVE HAD MANY COMPLAINTS AND HAVE ALSO REPLACED ACTUATORS ON MANY DIFFERENT TYPES OF GM VEHICLES. I HAVE ALREADY HAD ONE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY AND THE OTHER THREE WENT OUT SHORTLY AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRED. THIS POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUED NEEDS TO BE CONSIDERED AGGRESSIVELY AND IN A TIMELY MANNER BEFORE FATALITIES HAPPEN BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, May 9, 2015
THE DOOR LOCKS ON THIS VEHICLE WILL NOT SECURE AND MUST BE SECURED MANUALLY WHEN ENTERING OR EXITING THE VEHICLE, ALSO UNLOCKS AND LOCKS DURING DRIVING.. VERY UNSAFE VEHICLE AT THIS TIME DUE TO THESE DOOR LOCK ISSUES. NOT ABLE TO FEEL COMFORTABLE AS MUCH WITH THIS VEHICLE DUE TO THESE ISSURES. PLEASE FIX.
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, May 7, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOOR LOCKS WOULD INDEPENDENTLY LOCK AND UNLOCK WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOORS WOULD NOT UNLOCK TO ALLOW EXITING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,269.
Steering, May 7, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE REVERSING FROM PARKING, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THE POWER STEERING SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,430.
Steering, May 4, 2015
POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ACTIVATED THEN LOST OF STEERING WHILE IN PROCESS OF TURNING RIGHT FROM A STOP. HAD SERVICE REPAIR DONE AND TORQUE SENSOR WAS REPLACED. *TR
Electronic stability control (ESC), Apr 30, 2015
WHILE DRIVING THE SERVICE ESC LIGHT CAME ONTHE THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON THEN CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAN ON WITH REDUCE ENGINE POWER. HAD TO PULL OVER CUT CAR OFF AND BACK ON EVERYTHING WENT AWAY EXCEPT CHECK ENGINE TOOK THAT TO BE CHECKED OUR IT CAME BACK AS A THROTTLE BODY OR LOOSE HOSE. CUT CAR BACK ON EVERYTHING WAS OFF. WENT TO WORK STARTED BACK UP EVERYTHING WAS FINE THEN AT 45 DID IT AGAIN. *TR
Electrical system, Apr 30, 2015
I OWN A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU THAT I BOUGHT BRAND NEW FROM A DEALERSHIP. APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR AGO (2014) MY POWER LOCKS STARTED FAILING. PRIMARILY THE DRIVER'S DOOR AND THE REAR DRIVER'S DOOR, ALTHOUGH THE PASSENGER SIDE DOORS HAVE FAILED ON OCCASION. THE LOCKS WILL NOT UNLOCK OR LOCK, INTERMITTENTLY. THE REAR DRIVER'S DOOR WON'T WORK AT ALL ANYMORE AND YOU HAVE TO CLIMB OVER THE SEATS TO MANUALLY PULL UP THE LOCK. I NOTICE THIS OCCURS MORE OFTEN WHEN THE WEATHER IS HOT OUTSIDE, AND LESS FREQUENTLY WHEN IT IS COOLER OUTSIDE. THIS IS A BIG SAFETY HAZARD AND I AM AFRAID THAT IF I GET INTO AN ACCIDENT THERE WILL BE ISSUES IN GETTING MYSELF OR PASSENGERS OUT OF THE VEHICLE SAFELY. I ONLY HAVE 44,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AS I SEE MANY MANY MALIBU OWNERS HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THIS ISSUE. *TR
Electrical system, Apr 28, 2015
PASSENGER DOORS (FRONT AND BACK) STOPPED LOCKING/UNLOCKING. ALTHOUGH THEY CLICK TO REFLECT THAT IT IS ATTEMPTING, IT DOES NOT COMPLETE. I HAVE READ ON COUNTLESS SITES THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM FOR MANY 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU'S AND VOICING MY COMPLAINT AS WELL IN HOPES THAT GM IS FORCED TO DEAL WITH THEIR GROWING AND CONTINUED ISSUE. *TR
Power train, Apr 26, 2015
WHILE DRIVING POWER STEERING WENT OUT. 2014 APRIL 26. SAME THING HAPPENED A YEAR LATER THE EXACT DATE 2015. *TR
Power train, Apr 25, 2015
VEHICLE SUDDENLY STARTING JERKING WHILE DRIVING ON MAIN ROAD BARELY MADE IT HOME UNABLE TO PUT CAR IN REVERSE HAD CAR TOWED TO DEALER WAVE PLATE DISINTEGRATED AND HAD TO HAVE TRANSMISSION REBUILT. GENERAL MOTORS HAS ISSUED A SPECIAL SERVICE COVERAGE FOR CERTAIN VEHICLES WITH THIS PROBLEM MINE IS NOT INCLUDED AND BEING THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM THEY REALLY SHOULD INCLUDE ALL VEHICLES AFFECTED BY THIS KNOWN ISSUE. *TR
Steering, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Apr 24, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHEN THE CONTACT TURNED THE IGNITION SWITCH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE BRAKE PEDAL FAILED TO RESPOND WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 149,000.
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Apr 20, 2015
POWER DOOR LOCKS DO NOT WORK. I BOUGHT THIS BEAUTIFUL 2009 CHEVY MALIBU USED W 48,000 MILES, I HAD IT ONLY 2 MONTHS BEFORE PROBLEMS STARTED WITH THE LOCKS. ALL LOCKS WILL NOT OPEN OR CLOSE USING THE INTERIOR SWITCH NOR THE KEY FOB. IF YOU MANUALLY OPEN THE LOCK BY PULLING IT UP AND THEN START THE CAR AND PUT IT IN GEAR, THE LOCKS WILL ENGAGE AUTOMATICALLY AND LOCK THE DOOR PROPERLY. I CHECKED ONLINE AND EVERYONE SAYS THE PROBLEM WITH THE LOCKS IS THE BCM CONNECTION AND LACK OF DIELECTRIC GREASE.GM NEEDS TO ALSO FIX THE POWER LOCK ISSUE, IT IS VERY MUCH WELL KNOWN ON THE INTERNET. ANYWAY, CHECKING FORUMS IT SEEMS GM IS AWARE OF THE LOCKS FAILING CONSISTENTLY. WE ALL OWNERS OF CHEVY MALIBU'S HAVE THIS ISSUE WITH 2008, 2009, 2010 POWER LOCKS THAT MALFUNCTION. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE SINCE THE DOORS CAN LOCK AND UNLOCK AT RANDOM TIMES. I HAVE OWNED CHEVROLET AUTOS FOR 40 YEARS AND NEVER HAD ONE ACTUATOR GO OUT SO 4 AT ONCE IS OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND SHOULD BE COVERED BY CHEVY. THIS IS ALSO A SAFETY ISSUE. I ALWAYS HAVE TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOWS JUST TO OPEN THE DOOR FOR MY KIDS OR ANYONE WHO IS GOING IN THE BACK. ITS VERY ANNOYING AND I JUST ABOUT HAD IT WITH THE MALIBU EVEN THOUGH THE CAR DRIVES NICE IT GETTING IRRITATED. I DON'T HAVE MONEY TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Steering, Apr 17, 2015
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AN AUDIBLE ALARM SOUNDED AND A MESSAGE APPEARED IN THE DRIVER INFORMATION CONSOLE INDICATING A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE STEERING WAS BARELY FUNCTIONAL AND COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A CRASH IF MY SPOUSE OR CHILDREN HAD BEEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THIS CONDITION OCCURRED OFF AND ON FOR ABOUT A WEEK BEFORE I COULD HAVE IT SERVICED AT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP. UPON A SEARCH OF THE INTERNET FOR RECALLS, I NOTICED THAT MY MAKE, MODEL, AND CERTAIN VEHICLES MANUFACTURED THE SAME YEAR WERE PART OF A RECALL FOR THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM THAT I HAD REPAIRED - A FAULTY TORQUE SENSOR IN THE POWER STEERING UNIT. MY DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME THAT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE SAFETY RECALL. A CALL TO THE CHEVROLET CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER ON 4-17-2015 WAS UNSATISFACTORY. CHEVROLET DECLINED TO REIMBURSE ME FOR REPAIRS TO MY VEHICLE FOR THE SAME ISSUE THAT OTHER MALIBUS, PRODUCED IN THE SAME YEAR, WERE COVERED BY A RECALL. I REQUEST THE NHTSB EXTEND THE RECALL ON THE POWER STEERING FAILURE TO ALL 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU VEHICLES. I HAVE READ IN ONLINE FORUMS THAT MANY OTHER OWNERS ARE FACING THE SAME ISSUE, AND MANY ARE NOT HAVING REPAIRS MADE DUE TO COST. THIS IS INDEED CREATING AN UNSAFE CONDITION TO THE OWNERS AND THE MOTORING PUBLIC. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Apr 15, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Steering, Apr 13, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK, THE STEERING WHEEL MOVED INDEPENDENTLY IN BOTH DIRECTIONS. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY FORCE TO THE STEERING WHEEL IN ORDER TO TURN THE VEHICLE. A "POWER STEERING" MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED ACROSS THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,640.
Steering, Apr 9, 2015
STARTED CAR UP AND MESSAGE CENTER FLASHES POWER STEERING, SERVICE ESC. I GET CODES U2143, C0561 ON SCANNER . TOTAL LOSS OF STEERING ASSIST. THIS CAR IS NOT PART OF RECALL ON STEERING PROBLEM BUT IT SHOULD BE! *TR
Electronic stability control (ESC), Apr 9, 2015
WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AROUND A CURVE, LIGHT APPLICATION OF THE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN THE VEHICLE, ESC ACTIVATES WITH A WARNING LAMP AND "ESC ACTIVE" MESSAGE. THERE IS TYPICALLY NO NEED FOR STABILITY CONTROL TO BE ACTIVE AND IS A PERSISTENT PROBLEM BECAUSE THE COMPUTER OVER-AGGRESSIVELY TRIES TO COMPENSATE FOR A NON EXISTENT ISSUE MAKING CONTROLLING THE VEHICLE DIFFICULT AS WELL AS DANGEROUS DUE TO THE INABILITY FOR THE DRIVER TO SAFELY APPLY THE BRAKES DUE TO THE ESC OVERRIDE. *TR
Electronic stability control (ESC), Apr 9, 2015
UPON STARTUP OF THE VEHICLE, THE YELLOW WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATES WITH THE MESSAGES "SERVICE ESC" FOLLOWED BY "ESC OFF". THIS IS CONCURRENT WITH LOSS OF POWER TO THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING MAKING LOW-SPEED TURNS INCREDIBLY DIFFICULT, BUT STILL MANAGEABLE. PUTTING THE CAR IN PARK, TURNING THE IGNITION OFF AND THEN RESTARTING THE ENGINE MITIGATES THIS ISSUE. *TR