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.
Exterior lighting, Jul 9, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL REQUIRED THE DRIVER TO HOLD THE TURN SIGNAL HANDLE WHILE COMPLETING THE TURN. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON A REGULAR BASIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000 MILES AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55,000.
Steering, Electrical system, Jul 8, 2014
WHILE LUCKILY DRIVING ON CITY STREETS AROUND 35MPH THE "POWER STEERING NEEDS SERVICING" LIGHT CAME ON. THOUGHT IT MIGHT NEED POWER STEERING FLUID AND WAS TOLD MY MODEL DIDN'T USE FLUID - IT WAS ALL ELECTRICAL IN THE STEERING COLUMN. SINCE IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY I TOOK IT THE NEXT DAY TO THE CHEVY DEALER WHO SOLD IT TO ME AND WAS TOLD IT WASN'T COVERED AT A COST OF OVER $600. *JS
Steering, Jul 8, 2014
THE POWER STEERING GAVE OUT WHILE DRIVING. THE CAR WAS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL AND REQUIRED SIGNIFICANT FORCE TO TURN THE VEHICLE TO SAFELY GET OFF OF THE HIGHWAY. THIS CREATED A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE AS THE CAR WAS PRACTICALLY UN-DRIVABLE. I IMMEDIATELY CONTACTED MY GENERAL MOTORS DEALERSHIP AND ASKED IF IT WAS COVERED UNDER THE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY OR ANY RECALL (SINCE IT WAS A SAFETY ISSUE), WHICH THEY RESPONDED IT WAS NOT. TO MY DISMAY, I HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED AT MY LOCAL MECHANIC AT A COST OF $760. WITH THE STEERING COLUMN REPLACED, THE CAR IS WORKING WELL AND THERE ARE NO CURRENT SAFETY CONCERNS. WITHIN A WEEK OF HAVING MY 2009 CHEVY MALIBU REPAIRED (RECEIPT DATED 3/25/14, I READ THAT 2004-2009 CHEVY MALIBUS WERE BEING RECALLED BECAUSE OF A POWER STEERING ISSUE. THE DESCRIPTION OF THE ISSUE WAS IDENTICAL TO THE SITUATION I EXPERIENCED WITH OUR 2009 CHEVY MALIBU. I CONTACTED GM CUSTOMER SERVICE WITHIN A FEW DAYS AND THEY INSTRUCTED ME TO WAIT A FEW WEEKS FOR THE LETTERS FROM GM TELLING ME OF THE RECALL AND DETAILING HOW TO SEEK REIMBURSEMENT. AFTER WAITING SEVERAL WEEKS WITH NO LETTER, I CONTACTED GM CUSTOMER SERVICE AGAIN AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT MY VIN WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL, ONLY CERTAIN VINS OF THE 2009 MODEL YEAR WERE RECALLED. I TAKE EXTREME EXCEPTION TO THIS. THE PROBLEM I EXPERIENCED WITH MY 2009 CHEVY MALIBU IS IDENTICAL TO THE PROBLEM DESCRIBED WITHIN THE RECALL. ADDITIONALLY, THE REPAIR COVERED UNDER THE RECALL IS THE EXACT WORK THAT I NEEDED TO HAVE COMPLETED TO MAKE MY VEHICLE SAFELY OPERABLE AGAIN. EITHER GM HAS MADE A MISTAKE BY NOT INCLUDING MY VEHICLE WITHIN THE RECALL, OR THE EXTENT OF THE CURRENT RECALL IS NOT SUFFICIENT ENOUGH TO ENCOMPASS ALL 2009 CHEVY MALIBU?S THAT HAVE THE PART(S) THAT LEAD TO AN INCREASED RISK FOR FAILURE AND HENCE, INCREASED RISK OF A CRASH. *JS
Electrical system, Jul 7, 2014, crash
2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH RECALL. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED ON ONE OF TWO OCCASIONS, HE LOST POWER TO THE VEHICLE. HE WAS ABLE TO RE-START THE VEHICLE. ON THE SECOND OCCASION, WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED, HE SIDE SWIPED A PARKED VEHICLE, CAUSING DAMAGE TO BOTH VEHICLES.
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
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Jul 5, 2014
BRAKE LIGHT TURN ON WITHOUT BRAKING, BRAKE LIGHTS DON WORK WHILE BRAKING, TRACTION CONTROL BECOMES DISABLED, CRUISE WILL NOT ACTIVATE, WILL NOT COME OUT OF PARK. *TR
Steering, Jul 3, 2014
TL * THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING UNIT MADE A GRINDING NOISE AND GAVE RESISTANCE WHEN TURNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 8/27/14*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING RECALL BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS ASSEMBLED AT A DIFFERENT PLANT. THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUES AS NOTED IN THE RECALL. UPDATED 09/11/2014 *JS
Service brakes, Jul 2, 2014
I HAD A LADY FOLLOW ME DOWN A 55MPH HIGHWAY THIS MORNING, INTO MY PARKING LOT AT WORK, TO TELL ME THAT ALL OF MY BRAKE LIGHTS WERE ON AS I WAS DRIVING. ONCE I REACHED A SPEED OF 15MPH OR FASTER, MY BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD COME ON AND GO OFF WHEN I WOULD BRAKE. SHE SAID SHE FOLLOWED ME TO MAKE SURE I KNEW OF THE ISSUE AND THAT SHE ALMOST REAR-ENDED ME, BUT WAS MINDFUL THAT THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH MY BRAKES SO FOLLOWED A BIT FURTHER BEHIND. I ALSO HAVE RECENTLY NOTICED THAT MY SERVICE TRACTION AND SERVICE ESC DISPLAY WARNINGS ARE ON MY DASHBOARD, AND MY CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT WORK. IN RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE, THERE IS AN APPARENT RECALL ON THAT AFFECTS MY MAKE/MODEL YEAR VEHICLE. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS ADVISED (AFTER PROVIDING MY VIN) THAT MY CAR WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. I AM WONDERING HOW IT IS DETERMINED WHAT VIN'S ARE COVERED AND WHICH ARE NOT. I AM CLEARLY WITH A SAFETY ISSUE ON MY CAR AND SOMEONE WAS KIND ENOUGH TO BE WATCHING OUT FOR ME THIS MORNING. *TR
Electrical system, Structure, Jul 1, 2014
SUDDENLY THE DOOR LOCKS ON THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, FRONT AND BACK, BEGAN WORKING INTERMITTENTLY.THE REMOTE KEY FOB DOES NOT WORK, AND THE MANUAL BUTTON TO LOCK AND UNLOCK THE DOORS DOES NOT ALWAYS WORK. THE LOCKS ONLY PARTIALLY LOCK, RESULTING IN THE DOORS BEING ABLE TO BE PARTIALLY PULLED OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE. SOMETIMES THE TWO LOCKS ON THE DRIVERS SIDE DO NOT LOCK AT ALL. ALSO, THE ELECTRIC WINDOWS STARTED MALFUNCTIONING - THE PASSENGER WINDOW CANNOT BE RAISED AND LOWERED FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE. THIS APPEARS SIMILAR TO A RECALL IN THE NEWS COVERING DOOR LOCK MALFUNCTIONS IN OTHER GM VEHICLES, BUT THE 2009 MALIBU IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AS FAR AS I CAN TELL. *TR
Steering, Jun 30, 2014
THE STEERING ON THIS MODEL AND MAKE OF CAR IS ALL MESSED UP. IT IS THE SAME PROBLEM THAT SO MANY OTHER HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT ON THIS SITE. THE STEERING "FREAKS OUT" AND PULLS ONE WAY AND THEN GOES TO THE OTHER. IT'S BEYOND DANGEROUS. EVEN WHEN THE CAR IS STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT, IF YOU TAKE YOUR HANDS OFF THE WHEEL, THE STEERING WHEEL JERKS VIOLENTLY BACK AND FORTH. SOMETIMES ITS WORKS FINE AND THEN OUT OF NOW WHERE, IT GOES CRAZY AND PULLS YOU TO ONE SIDE OR THE OTHER AND THEN YOU HAVE TO TURN THE WHEEL TOE OPPOSITE WAY TO KEEP IT GOING STRAIGHT. I SEE TONS OF OTHER GM RECALLS AND EVEN ON THIS YEAR AND MODEL, BUT GM SAYS THAT MY PARTICULAR CAR IS NOT COVERED RIGHT NOW. THE DANGER OF THIS DEFECT IS SO HIGH THAT IF THEY THINK THEY HAVE PROBLEMS WITH LAWSUITS OVER IGNITION SWITCHES, THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT THEY WILL PAY WHEN THESE STEERING LAWSUITS START TO COME IN WILL PUT GM BACK INTO BANKRUPTCY. THE DANGER OF THIS DEFECT IS OFF THE CHARTS. *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Jun 30, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOORS WOULD SPORADICALLY LOCK AND UNLOCK INDEPENDENTLY IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, BUT NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,000.
Tires, Jun 29, 2014
THE TWO BACK TIRES KEEP GOING ON FLAT I PURCHASED THE CAR IN FEBRUARY I HAVE TO REPLACE THE TIRES EVERY OTHER WEEK AND I HAVE TO PUT AIR IN THE TIRES ON A DAILY BASIS SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR. *TR
Steering, Jun 27, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A STOP, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND A UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. TH VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. UPDATED 08/11/14*LJ
Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Jun 25, 2014
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE SERVICE LIGHT CAME ON FOR ESC/TRACTION CONTROL AND ALSO MY BRAKE LIGHTS CAME ON WHILE MY FOOT WAS ON ACCELERATOR, I APPLIED THE BRAKE AND THE BRAKE LIGHT TURNED OFF, BUT WHEN I ACCELERATED AGAIN THE BRAKE LIGHT CAME BACK ON AFTER A FEW SECONDS. ON DIFFERENT OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY THE SAME THING HAPPENED AND I WAS UNABLE TO ENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL. WHEN I TURN OFF THE CAR AND RESTART IT, THE SERVICE LIGHT TURNS OFF BUT ONLY MOMENTARILY. IT EVENTUALLY COMES BACK ON. EXTREMELY IRRITATING, INCONVENIENT, AND DANGEROUS! *TR
Electrical system, Jun 25, 2014
PROBLEM WITH IGNITION SWITCH CAR WILL NOT START NOW, THEY HAVE RECALLED UP TO THE 2008 MAILBU BUT NOT THE 2009 MAILBU (LTZ) FOR THIS ISSUE. RESOLUTION TO THE ISSUE WOULD BE REPLACING THE SWITCH WITH A NEW ONE NOT WHAT THEY ARE DOING NOW DRILLING A HOLE IN THE KEY, REALLY. CHEVROLET HAS A MASSIVE ISSUE WITH A LOT MORE CARS THAT NEED TO BE RECALLED WHICH HAVE NO BEEN YET. IF THEY WANT TO KEEP THERE CUSTOMERS THEY NEED TO REPAIR CORRECTLY AND RECALL AND FIX IT THE RIGHT WAY. MY CALL NEEDS A RECALL FOR THIS NOW. *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Service brakes, Jun 20, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS HAD AN INTERMITTENT SHORT CIRCUIT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL ACTUATOR NEEDED TO BE ADJUSTED TWICE; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE POWER LOCKS FAILED AND DON'T WORK FROM THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM , ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL , EXTERIOR LIGHTING , SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC , VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE VEHICLE WAS SCHEDULED TO BE INSPECTED AND REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000. UPDATED 09/16/14*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED HE BELIEVES THE BCM IS FAULTY BEYOND A BAD CONNECTION; CAUSING THE POWER LOCKS TO MALFUNCTION. UPDATED 1/15/15*JS
Electronic stability control (ESC), Jun 19, 2014
AT FIRST, ONLY THE ESC LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND THE CAR WOULD BEGIN TO MISS AND SKIP. TOOK TO THE DEALER, THEY "COULD NOT DUPLICATE". HAPPENED AGAIN, THIS TIME ALL THE ELECTRONIC LIGHTS (ESC, POWER STEERING, TRACTION CONTROL, BRAKES, ETC) WOULD LIGHT UP AND BLINK. WHEN THIS IS HAPPENING, THE CAR WILL JERK AND MISFIRE, AND SLOWLY PICKS UP SPEED WHILE JERKING. AS SOON AS THE LIGHTS GO OFF, THE CARD DRIVES PERFECTLY FINE. TOOK TO DEALER AGAIN, WAS TOLD THAT THEY SAW ALL THE CODES, BUT COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEM, CLEANED THE WIRE LEADS AND THAT WAS THAT. SEVERAL WEEKS LATER, STARTED UP AGAIN. THIS TIME, ALL THE LIGHTS COME ON, NEARLY EVERY ELECTRIC LIGHT WARNING YOU CAN THINK OF, AND ALL OF THE GAUGES DROP TO ZERO. THE CAR JERKS INTO GEARS, SOMETIMES THE POWER STEERING DOESN'T WORK, VERY HARD TO TURN, AND ON TOP OF THAT, THE AIR CONDITIONING STOPS WORKING. IT'S SO RANDOM AND INTERMITTENT, AS SOON AS THE SERVICE ESC LIGHT GOES OFF (ALONG WITH ALL THE OTHER WARNINGS). THE CAR DRIVES LIKE ITS BRAND NEW, AIR WORKS PERFECTLY FINE, POWER STEERING WORKS PERFECTLY. THE SAD PART ABOUT IT IS THAT I HAD TAKEN MY CAR IN A COUPLE TIMES, WHILE I WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, AND THE DEALERSHIP, 'COULD NOT DUPLICATE, COULDN'T FIND PROBLEM, NOW IT IS HAPPENING MORE OFTEN THAN NAUGHT, ESPECIALLY IN WARM WEATHER. THIS VERY COLD WINTER, THE PROBLEM DID NOT OCCUR NOT ONCE, AS SOON AS THE WEATHER WARMED UP, THE PROBLEM OCCURS. SOMETIMES EVERYDAY, SOMETIMES IT'LL GO A WEEK AND THE CAR DRIVES PERFECTLY. ONLY WHEN THESE LIGHTS COME ON, DOES THE CAR BEGIN TO MISFIRE, JERK, AIR STOPS WORKING. THIS IS A VERY ODD PROBLEM, AND I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL STORIES ON THE INTERNET OF OTHER FOLKS HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM WITH CHEVY MALIBUS. THIS SHOULD DEFINITELY BE A RECALL ISSUE; THE POTENTIAL FOR HARM IS GREAT, ESP, WHEN THESE LIGHTS JUST POP ON WHILE DRIVING THE EXPRESSWAY OR IN BAD WEATHER. *TR
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jun 18, 2014
MY POWER STEERING AND SERVICE ESC LIGHT WOULD COME ON. MY STEERING WHEEL WOULD LOCK UP. GM STATED THEY WOULD NOT REIMBURSE ME FOR MY ISSUE EVEN THOUGH THERE IS AN RECALL OUT FOR THE SAME ISSUE. *TR
Steering, Jun 17, 2014
WAS DRIVING AND THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING SYSTEM WENT OUT. I NEARLY HIT 3 CARS TRYING TO GET OFF OF THE ROAD. *TR
Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Jun 13, 2014
MY BRAKE LIGHT WOULD COME ON FOR NO APPARENT REASON THEN GOES OFF WHEN I TOUCH MY BRAKES. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 6 TIMES THAT I KNOW OF. ALSO, MY STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON ONCE EVERY COUPLE OF MONTHS AND SAID IT NEEDS MAINTENANCE. WHEN I CALL THE DEALERSHIP AND THE RUN MY VIN THEY SAY MY CAR IS NOT LISTED. *JS
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jun 13, 2014
I WAS DRIVING AND MY ESC LIGHT CAME ON AND I HAD A DIFFICULT TIME STEERING MY CAR IN THE WORSE TRAFFIC I COULD BE IN. I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH I GOT OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BEFORE I HIT SOMEONE AND PUT IT IN A DITCH. ALSO, LUCKY ENOUGH IT WAS ME DRIVING AND NOT MY [XXX] YEAR OLD DAUGHTER. I CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY GOT ME RIGHT IN TO GET IT FIXED, BUT I HAD TO PAY FOR IT OUT OF MY OWN POCKET. HOWEVER, WHEN I CONTACTED GM I WAS TOLD I WOULD BE REIMBURSED FOR THIS AND I WOULD GET A LETTER AS OF APRIL 28TH. I NOTICED IT WAS MOVED TO MAY 28TH AND AS OF TODAY I HAVE STILL YET TO BE NOTIFIED? DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO BE INJURED OR KILLED TO GET AN ACTUAL RESPONSE FROM SOMEONE? UPDATED 1/9/2015 *JS PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Electronic stability control (ESC), Traction control system, Jun 12, 2014
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING AND THE "SERVICE ESC / SERVICE TRACTION" CAME ON, ON MY 2009 CHEVY MALIBU. THERE WAS A SLIGHT ROUGHNESS ON THE ENGINE. WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEM WITHTHE VEHICLE AND WE PAID THE DIAGNOSTIC FEE. IT HAS APPEARED SEVERAL TIMES AFTER THAT BUT NOT OFTEN. I CALLED CHEVROLET ABOUT IT AND THEY SAID THAT THERE IS NO RECALL ON MY VEHICLE. I SAW A RECALL ( RECALL ID 103629) ON ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL FOR 2009 CHEVY MALIBU BUT THEY SAID MY VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED ON THE RECALL LIST. MY MAIN CONCERN IS THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY AND MY WIFE. I HAVE READ SEVERAL CONCERNS OF PEOPLE WHO OWN THIS VEHICLES AND WHAT HAPPENED WITH THEM. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Jun 12, 2014
HAVING PROBLEMS WITH 2009 CHEVY MALIBU LT. BRAKE LIGHTS STAY ON CONSTANT, AND TURNS OFF WHEN BRAKE PEDAL IS PRESSED. WHAT EVER THE PROBLEM HAS EFFECTED THE TRACTION CONTROL AND CRUISE CONTROL. BEEN TO DEALER TWICE. FIRST TIME THEY PUT IN A NEW BRAKE SWITCH AND SAID IT WAS FAULTY AND PUT SOME GEL ON SOME CONNECTORS "250$" WEEK LATER HAVING SAME PROBLEM. TOOK BACK TO DEALER. KNOW THERE REPLACING WIRING AND CONNECTORS SAYING ITS A WIRING ISSUE "645$"... *TR
Steering, Jun 11, 2014
POWER STEERING IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. NO ASSIST OR LITTLE ASSIST. *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Jun 11, 2014
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 COULD ONLY BE UNLOCKED MANUALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.