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, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jan 30, 2015
I WAS PICKING MY LITTLE BROTHER UP FROM SCHOOL I WAS AT THE LIGHT AND THE CAR STARTED TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY AND ENGINE REDUCED POWER LIGHT CAME ON IS DOES THIS ON AND OFF AND THIS IS NOT SAFE FOR ANY DRIVER. *TR
Steering, Jan 30, 2015
THE POWER STEERING IN MY 09 MALIBU STOPPED WORKING WHILE I WAS DRIVING WHILE DRIVING AT 50MPH ON EXPRESSWAY. MY STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY, THEN THE EPS SERVICE LIGHT CAME ON. I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, TURNED THE CAR OFF AND CALLED FOR HELP. WHEN I TURNED THE CAR BACK ON THE LIGHT WAS OFF AND THE STEERING WAS WORKING AGAIN. I DROVE HOME THE CAR HOME AND THE POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING AGAIN AND THE WARNING LIGHT RETURNED. I SEARCHED THE WEB FOR RECALLS FOR A 09 MALIBU (STEERING ISSUES HAS A RECALL). I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, I WAS INFORMED THAT MY VEHICLE VIN WAS NOT COVERED IN THE RECALL AND THAT THE SERVICE WILL COST $516 + TAX. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Jan 28, 2015
THE SAME DAY I BROUGHT MY CAR TO MY LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND A BRAKE LIGHT MALFUNCTION RECALL, I HAD THE FIRST OCCURRENCE OF THE ISSUE. WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY, A CHIME SOUNDED, AND THE INFORMATION DISPLAY ON THE DASH SHOWED POWER STEERING AND SERVICE ESC. THE POWER STEERING WAS TURNED OFF, AND TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT. WHEN I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON, THE PROBLEM WAS GONE. HOWEVER, AFTER DRIVING FOR A FEW MINUTES, THE SAME CHIME SOUNDS, SAME ERRORS COME UP, AND POWER STEERING SHUTS OFF. THIS NOW HAPPENS EVERY TIME I DRIVE MY CAR. I FOUND OUT THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR SEVERAL GM VEHICLES, INCLUDING SOME 2009 MALIBUS, FOR AN ELECTRIC POWER STEERING (EPS) ISSUE. IN THE RECALL, THE DESCRIPTION THEY GIVE MATCHES MY ISSUE PERFECTLY. HOWEVER, MY SPECIFIC 2009 MALIBU ISN'T PART OF THE RECALL FOR SOME REASON. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jan 27, 2015
I WAS DRIVING AT AROUND 45MPH AND SUDDENLY LOST POWER STEERING ASSISTANCE, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO STEER, AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. THERE HAVE ALREADY BEEN MULTIPLE RECALLS FOR THIS ISSUE BUT MY CAR IS NOT INCLUDED IN THESE RECALLS. *TR
Electrical system, Structure, Jan 27, 2015
REAR DOOR LOCKS JUST QUIT WORKING, DOESN'T WORK WITH KEY FOB OR INSIDE SWITCH. *TR
Steering, Jan 26, 2015
POWER STEERING FAILED. DROVE, PARKED, RESTARTED AND POWER STEERING RETURNED. WENT TO MECHANIC AND ADVISED THAT SENSOR ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. CHEVROLET DEALER ADVISED THAT CAR DID NOT FALL INTO RECALL N140115. I HAVE READ ABOUT MANY OTHERS WITH THIS PROBLEM THAT ALSO DO NOT FALL INTO THE RECALL TIME PERIOD. POSSIBLY THEY NEED TO EXTEND THE RECALL OUT IF THEY HAVE THIS MANY FAILURES. BY THE WAY, I AM A STRONG ADULT MALE AND HAD DIFFICULTY STEERING WITHOUT THE POWER. *TR
Steering, Jan 23, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TIGHT AND EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN MENTIONED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN MAY BE DEFECTIVE PERTAINING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14E044000 (STEERING) AND 14V153000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Traction control system, Jan 21, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AS THE TRACTION CONTROL AND ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE WAS 110,000.
Steering, Jan 21, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE RIGHT AND TO THE LEFT. IN ADDITION, TWO DAYS LATER, WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY EXCESSIVE FORCE TO THE STEERING WHEEL IN ORDER TO TURN THE VEHICLE. THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,185.
Steering, Jan 21, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING SEIZED AND THE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING SHAFTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
Steering, Power train, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jan 17, 2015
WE REPORTED LAST YEAR TO GM THAT WE WERE WITHOUT POWER STEERING, INSTEAD OF FIXING OUR CAR THE ARGUED WITH US THAT THERE HASN'T BEEN A RECALL ON THE POWER STEERING. NOW WE ARE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE TRACKING. AND THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN SLIPPING SINCE LAST SUMMER. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jan 16, 2015
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WITH MY SON GOING AT RATES OF 70MPH. MY POWER STEERING GAVE OUT AND I WAS UNABLE TO TURN WHEEL. TRYING TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS WRONG I FOUND OUT THE POWER STEERING TORQUE SENSOR GAVE OUT. I CONTACTED GM AND MY LOCAL DEALER ABOUT INCIDENT BECAUSE THERE HAS BEEN REPORTS OF THIS HAPPENING ON SEVERAL OF THIS YEAR AND MODEL CAR. OTHER GM CARS HAVE PUT RECALL ON THE POWER STEERING, NOT MINE. I CONTACTED DEALER BECAUSE THEY HAVE ME A PRICE OF $500-$1200. I CONTACTED GM THEY REFUSE TO HELP ME AT ALL. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND I FEEL UNSAFE DRIVING MY OWN CAR. I PURCHASED THE SENSOR ON MY OWN BECAUSE THE DEALER MARK UP WAS DOUBLE OF WHAT THE PART COST. GM REFUSES TO HELP AND I AM NOW RENTING A CAR WAITING FOR THIS TO BE FIXED TO SELL IT. I WAS WITH MY YOUNG CHILD ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN IT LOCKED UP. PLEASE HELP! *TR
Steering, Jan 16, 2015
TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,000. DJR
Steering, Jan 15, 2015
2009 CHEVY MALIBU WHEN BATTERY IS ON PRIOR TO STARTING CAR OCCASIONALLY SHOWED POWER STEERING AND ESC AND TO SERVICE BOTH. NOW IT HAS BEEN OCCURRING WHILE DRIVING AND RESETS ITSELF IF CAR IS SHUT OFF AND ALSO CONTINUES TO OCCUR IN BATTERY MODE. VIN IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL LIST YET ITS MANUFACTURE DATE WAS WITHIN THE GUIDELINES FOR THE RECALL. *TR
Steering, Jan 13, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE SERVICE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME STIFF. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING).THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 148,000.
Electrical system, Jan 13, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000.
Structure, Jan 13, 2015
DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN. TRIED EVERY MEANS TO OPEN DOOR. PASSENGER HAD TO CLIMB OVER CENTER CONSOLE AND IN DOING SO INJURED KNEE. *TR
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jan 12, 2015
LOSS OF ELECTRIC POWER STEERING ASSIST. HAS HAPPENED LITERALLY DOZENS OF TIMES. CAN BE DRIVING OR AT A STOP AND THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WILL GO AWAY, THE DASH WILL CHIME, AND MESSAGES WILL BE DISPLAYED SAYING "POWER STEERING", "SERVICE ESC", AND "ESC OFF". AFTER THAT POINT THERE WILL BE NO STEERING ASSIST UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS RESTARTED. SEEMS TO BE THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS CARS AFFECTED BY THE POWER STEERING RECALL, HOWEVER MY VIN SHOWS THAT MY CAR IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Jan 12, 2015
DOOR LOCKS AND UNLOCKS WHILE DRIVING AS WELL AS WHEN NO KEY IN IGNITION.....CONTINUOUSLY!!!!! :I CAN NOT EVEN MANUALLY LOCK MY DOORS...THEY WILL JUST UNLOCK. *TR
Wheels, Jan 11, 2015
ON 4-1-2014 OUR RIGHT REAR TIRE WAS EXTREMELY LOW. AT A GAS STATION THE LEAK WAS FOUND NOT FROM THE TIRE, BUT FROM A CRACK IN THE RIM. YOU COULD SEE THE BUBBLES COMING THROUGH THE CRACK UNDER WATER. WE ENDED UP REPLACING THE WHEEL. WE HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS BUT THOUGHT IT WAS A FLUKE. ON 12-19-2014 WHEN I WAS DRIVING HOME I NOTICED THE TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT WAS ON AND THE CAR MADE A STRANGE SOUND. I STOPPED AT A GAS STATION AND SAW THAT THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE WAS VERY LOW. I INFLATED IT, THEN DROVE HOME. THE NEXT MORNING (12-20) THE TIRE WAS VERY LOW AGAIN SO WE INFLATED IT AND TOOK THE CAR TO AMERICAN TIRE IN OCEANSIDE. MY HUSBAND AND I DECIDED THAT SINCE THE TREAD WAS GETTING LOW WE WOULD GET A SET OF NEW TIRES. THE NEXT MORNING ONE TIRE WAS VERY LOW AGAIN. WE WENT BACK TO AMERICAN TIRE. THEY FOUND THAT THE LEAK WAS FROM A CRACK IN THE WHEEL. SINCE THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAPPENED WE DECIDED TO CONTACT CHEVROLET BECAUSE WE FELT IT WAS A DEFECT IN MANUFACTURING. IN THE MEANTIME I HAD AMERICAN TIRE CHECK THE OTHER WHEELS FOR CRACKS. THEY DETERMINED THAT TWO MORE WHEELS HAD CRACKS AND THEY MARKED THE SPOTS ON THE WHEELS. WE SPOKE FIRST WITH CHEVROLET, THEN DEALT WITH [XXX] AT GM FOR MORE THAN 2 WEEKS. SHE ASKED THAT WE TAKE IT TO THE CHEVROLET SERVICE DEPT FOR THEM TO LOOK AT IT. I DID THAT ON JAN. 7. [XXX] AT THE SERVICE DEPT WROTE ON THE REPORT THAT THERE WAS INDEED A CRACK IN THE RIM THAT WAS LEAKING, AND THAT THERE WAS NO OTHER DAMAGE ON THE WHEEL THAT WOULD INDICATE MISUSE. EVEN AFTER THAT CHEVROLET AND GM DECLINED TO ACCEPT ANY RESPONSIBILITY. [XXX] ALSO TOLD ME THAT HE VISUALLY SAW THE CRACKS ON THE OTHER TWO WHEELS BUT DID NOT SEE A LEAK. HE SAID, HOWEVER, THAT THOSE TWO WHEELS WERE ONLY IN THE WATER 5-10 MIN. I FEEL THAT THESE WHEELS ARE A HAZARD DUE TO ADVICE FROM THE FIRST SERVICE STATION THAT CRACKED WHEELS ARE UNSAFE TO DRIVE ON. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Steering, Jan 9, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME STIFF AND FAILED TO TURN WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND FUNCTIONED AS NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 9, 2015
NOV 10-STARTED TO SMELL A FUEL ODOR NEAR LEFT WHEEL -SMELL BECAME WORSE ON DAILY BASIS TO THE POINT I COULD SMELL FUMES AS I DROVE. I PARK IN A CAR PARK AND WAS TOLD I COULD NOT PARK MY CAR THERE BECAUSE OF THE STRONG FUEL SMELL-THAT IT WAS A DANGER AND I NEEDED TO TAKE CARE OF IT. I WENT TO THE SERVICE STATION ACROSS THE STREET AND THE TECHNICIAN TOLD ME TO LEAVE THE CAR THAT IT WAS LEAKING FUEL AND I WAS IN DANGER. THE AGENT HAD TO REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP BECAUSE THE FEED LINE (OUTLET) WAS LEAKING. TOTAL REPLACEMENT WAS NECESSARY AND CLEAN UP AS LEAKING FUEL WAS MAKING ITS WAY ONTO THE EXHAUST. THE TECHNICIAN STATED IT WAS A DANGEROUS SITUATION AND WAS SURPRISED AT THE LOW MILEAGE AND THIS DEFECTIVE FEED LINE. I WROTE GM ABOUT THIS BECAUSE THIS WAS SO DANGEROUS-HAD I BEEN INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT-MY CAR WOULD HAVE GONE UP IN FLAMES. HAD SOMEONE BEEN SMOKING NEAR MY CAR WHILE IN THE CAR PORT-THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A FIRE. THIS PART WAS DEFECTIVE-THERE IS NOTHING I COULD HAVE DONE TO CAUSE A FUEL LEAK-THE GM PART WAS DEFECTIVE. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jan 8, 2015
THE PASSENGER FRONT HEADLIGHT BURNED OUT. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND HAD IT REPLACED. WITHIN A WEEK OR SO, IT HAD BURNED BACK OUT. AT THAT TIME THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THAT THE ENTIRE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACE. I RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM ON.CHEVYMALIBUFORUM.COM AND THIS IS APPARENTLY VERY COMMON. *TR
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jan 8, 2015
DRIVING VEHICLE AROUND A CURVE WHEN ESC LIGHT CAME ON AND LOST POWER STEERING. PARKED CAR OVER NIGHT AND WAITED FOR DEALERSHIP TO OPEN. AFTER RESEARCH, REALIZED THE VEHICLE HAS A RECALL NUMBER OF 14V252 WHICH MAY ROOT OF THE PROBLEM. WHEN I TURNED ON THE VEHICLE TO TAKE TO THE DEALER, THE LIGHT WAS OFF AND POWER STEERING RETURNED. WHILE DRIVING TO THE DEALER, LIGHT CAME ON AND LOST POWER STEERING AGAIN. *TR
Engine, Jan 7, 2015
DURING A SEVEN DAY PERIOD THE CAR WAS TOWED THREE TIMES TO LUTHER BROOKDALE CHEVROLET BUICK GMC. THE FIRST TIME THEY REPLACED THE BATTERY. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THERE WAS ONLY 2 QTS OF OIL IN THE CAR. MY DAUGHTER WAS DEALING WITH THE DEALER UNTIL THE THIRD TIME WHEN I CALLED GM. GM JUST TOLD ME (20 MINUTES AGO, [XXX] (SP) ON A GM RECORDED CONVERSATION) THAT HE KNOWS OF NO INTERNAL GM PHONE NUMBER TO CALL FOR LIFE AND DEATH SAFETY ISSUES. THE THIRD TIME THE DEALER STATED THE CARS ENGINE IS BAD AND NEEDS "PISTONS, CYL HEAD, CRANK AND ROD AND MAIN BEARINGS, NEEDS ENGINE" . THEY STATE THEY FOUND METAL SHAVINGS IN THE ENGINE. I AGAIN ASKED THE GM SENIOR ADVISOR IF THERE WAS ANY MECHANISM TO REPORT LIFE AND DEATH SAFETY ISSUES FOR GM PRODUCTS AND HE STATED NO AND THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY. HE WILL CALL THE DEALER AND TALK WITH THEM ABOUT REPLACING THE ENGINE. I STATED THIS IS A GM ISSUE AND NOT A DEALER ISSUE, HE STATED THIS IS WHAT HE WILL DO. THERE IS CERTAINLY SOMETHING WRONG HERE. MY DAUGHTER WAS STALLED THREE TIMES, 1 WHEN SHE TRIED TO START THE CAR AND TWICE DRIVING THE CAR - THE CAR STALLED ON THE INTERSTATE. I ALSO STATED FOR HIS OWN JOB SECURITY HE SHOULD ROUTE THIS CALL TO A QUALITY CONTROL DEPARTMENT FUNCTION - HE STATED THIS IS NOT HIS JOB - AGAIN THIS IS RECORDED. VALVOLINE CHECKED THE BATTERY AND CHANGED THE OIL. IF THE DEALER WAS ACCURATE, DOUBTFUL, THEN THE CAR LOSES OIL IN THREE MONTHS AND STALLS WHEN DRIVING. IF THE DEALER IS NOT ACCURATE, HAS OIL, WHICH IS THE PROBABLY THE CASE, THE ENGINE GOES BAD AND THE CAR STALLS. HELP. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR