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.
Electrical system, Jun 9, 2014
WHILE IDLING WITH THE VEHICLE IN GEAR AT A DRIVE-THRU WINDOW, THE IGNITION TURNED OFF WITHOUT ANY INPUT (INTENTIONAL OR UNINTENTIONAL) FROM THE DRIVER. BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT LISTED AS BEING IMPACTED BY THE IGNITION SWITCH RECALL, I HAD NOT REMOVED THE MANY KEYS THAT I KEEP ON MY KEY RING. NO REPORT MADE AT THE TIME, ANTICIPATING THE IGNITION SWITCH RECALL WOULD EVENTUALLY BE WIDENED TO INCLUDE MY VEHICLE, BUT IT HAS NOT. DECIDED IT'S TIME TO FINALLY FILE A REPORT IN CASE MY VEHICLE IS PART OF AN AS YET, UNDETECTED PROBLEM WITH THE IGNITION. (CURRENTLY FOLLOWING THE SUGGESTION TO MINIMIZE WHAT IS KEPT ON THE KEYRING THAT HOLDS THE KEY TO THE VEHICLE.) *TR
Steering, Jun 9, 2014
WHILE DRIVING (EXITING FREEWAY) THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING FAILED MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. (NO REPORT FILED AT THE TIME, BUT A COUPLE MONTHS LATER HEARD THAT GM WAS RECALLING '09 MALIBUS FOR POWER STEERING FAILURES. UPON CONTACTING GM THIS WEEK TO FIND OUT WHY I HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL, I HAVE FOUND THAT MY VEHICLE IS NOT AFFECTED BY THE RECALL AND DECIDED TO REPORT THE FAILURE IN CASE IT IS A PATTERN OF FAILURES BEYOND THE INITIAL RECALL SCOPE.) *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Jun 8, 2014
CAR IS HAVING ELECTRICAL ISSUES LOCKS GOING UP AND DOWN WITHOUT PRESSING POWER BUTTON CAR ALSO ALARMING OFF ALSO HAVE TAKEN CARE TO BE SERVICED FOR MISFIRING AND JERKING WHEN DRIVING. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Jun 6, 2014
MALIBU HAS HAD A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT PROBLEMS. WHILE DRIVING THE ELECTRICAL PANEL INCLUDING WARNING LIGHTS WOULD FLICKER ON AND OFF ALONG WITH THE VEHICLE LOSING POWER. MULTIPLE TIMES THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP WHO ULTIMATELY TOLD ME A GROUNDING WIRE HAD SOME PROBLEMS AND THEY FIXED THE ISSUE. THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE PROBLEMS WERE SOLVED WITH THAT FIX. SINCE THEN THE VEHICLE HAS HAD ISSUES WITH THE STEERING. WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING WHEEL WILL MOVE ITSELF BACK AND FORTH. THE PROBLEM IS NOT ALL THE TIME, AND VERY RANDOM. THIS USUALLY HAPPENS WITHIN THE FIRST FEW MINUTES AFTER THE START OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN MOVING THE STEERING WHEEL WILL WOBBLE BACK AND FORTH EVEN WITH BOTH HANDS ON THE WHEEL.
Service brakes, Jun 5, 2014
WHILE DRIVING ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, THE SERVICE TRACTION, SERVICE ESC, AND ESC OFF WARNING LIGHTS HAVE ILLUMINATED ON MY DASH. ON TWO OF THESE OCCASIONS, MOTORISTS HAVE ATTRACTED MY ATTENTION AND NOTIFIED ME THAT MY BRAKE LIGHTS ARE REVERSED. APPARENTLY, THE BRAKE LIGHTS STAY ON WHEN THE BRAKES ARE NOT APPLIED, AND THE LIGHTS GO OFF WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. I ASSUME THIS ONLY HAPPENS WHEN THE WARNING LIGHTS APPEAR, WHICH IS AT RANDOM TIMES ON THE HIGHWAY. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Jun 4, 2014
WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH WITH CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED, THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT IN THE REAR WINDOW WOULD RANDOMLY COME ON CAUSING THE CRUISE CONTROL TO SHUT OFF. SOON AFTER THIS HAPPENS I GET WARNINGS ON THE DASH TO SERVICE THE ECS AND TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM. IT HAS BEEN GETTING GRADUALLY WORSE AND WITH THE BRAKE LIGHT ACTIVATING, COULD CAUSE DRIVERS BEHIND ME TO THINK I AM STOPPING WHEN I AM NOT. THIS PROBLEM WAS MENTIONED IN AN ARTICLE IN USA TODAY A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO, THAT GM WILL BE ISSUING A RECALL FOR. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jun 3, 2014
AFTER FILING TWO COMPLAINTS WITH YOU, AND RECEIVING A RECALL ALERT FROM YOU, I AM BEING TOLD BY GM THAT MY VEHICLE, A 2009 MALIBU BUILT BETWEEN THE YEARS SPECIFIED IN YOUR RECALL NOTICE, IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL YOU ALERTED ME ABOUT. HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE? THE REFERENCED RECALL # 14V252000, AS HE EXPERIENCED THE SAME MALFUNCTION, AS DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL. THE CONSUMER HAS INVOICES, THAT DATE BATE TO 2011, WHERE HE HAD TO TAKE THE VEHICLE, BACK TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, FOR AN INOPERABLE CRUISE CONTROL AND ESC LIGHTING ILLUMINATING. UPDATED 07/16/14
Steering, Jun 3, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 65 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE WARNING LIGHTS FOR THE TRACTION SERVICE AND POWER STEERING ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MERGED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL FUNCTION. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 118,000. UPDATED 10/7/14*CN
Steering, Jun 3, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING AND THE TCS LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TORQUE SENSOR ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 14V153000 (STEERING) BUT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.
Steering, Jun 2, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY MALFUNCTIONED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT AFTER A COOL DOWN PERIOD OF 35-45 MINUTES, HE RESTARTED THE ENGINE, THE VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 14V153000(STEERING). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD EXPERIENCED THE SAME DEFECT LISTED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. UPDATED 08/12/14*LJ
Steering, May 28, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE ESC WARNING LIGHT. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED OR DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V15300 (STEERING). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.
Air bags, May 25, 2014
THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SHOWS OFF WHEN THE SEAT IS OCCUPIED. ALL PASSENGERS ARE 110 LB AND ABOVE. THIS HAPPENS LESS THAN HALF THE TIME. MY MOTHER HAS A 2007 EQUINOX WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP WORKED ON IT AND THEN REPLACED THE SEAT SENSOR BUT AFTER A SHORT TIME IT STARTED AGAIN, ABOUT THREE QUARTERS OF THE TIME IT SHOWS OFF. *TR
Steering, May 23, 2014
I WAS DRIVING AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE POWERING STEERING ALERT SOUNDS. I LOST POWER STEERING AND THE ESC IS TURNED OFF. *TR
Power train, May 23, 2014
ONGOING ISSUE THAT DEALERSHIP CANNOT DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR -- TRANSMISSION WILL SLIP OUT OF GEAR, RESULTING IN A LOSS OF POWER; CAR BEHAVES AS IF IT IS IN NEUTRAL. IF PRESSURE IS REMOVED FROM ACCELERATOR, TRANSMISSION WILL RE-ENGAGE. SINCE INCIDENT IS INTERMITTENT AND UNPREDICTABLE, DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO REPLICATE. I HAVE ASKED THEM MULTIPLE TIMES IF OTHER 2009 MALIBU HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND HAVE BEEN TOLD NO. GIVEN RECENT EVENTS I AM SKEPTICAL NOW OF THAT ANSWER. BECAUSE POWER TO THE VEHICLE IS LOST, THIS CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF OTHER GMS WITH THE SIX-SPEED TRANSMISSION (NEW ON THE 2009 MODEL, I BELIEVE) ARE EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), May 22, 2014
WHEN DRIVING THE ALERT WILL SOUND ALERTING THAT ENGINE POWER HAS BEEN REDUCED. THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL IS THEN TURNED OFF AND TRACTION CONTROL IS LOST. WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS PUSHED IT HESITATES BEFORE ACCELERATING. *TR
Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, May 22, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THERE WAS A DELAY IN RESPONSE. IN ADDITION, THE ESC ACTIVE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Service brakes, May 21, 2014
THE TRACTION CONTROL AND SERVICE ESC LIGHTS COME ON. THE BRAKE LIGHT COME ON WHILE DRIVING BUT WILL NOT COME ON WHEN THE BRAKE IS PUSHED. THE CRUISE CONTROL STOPS WORKING AND IT'S LOUD WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE. *TR
Service brakes, May 21, 2014
2009 CHEVY MALIBU'S, SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL AND ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL LIGHTS COME ON THE DASH WHEN DRIVING. REAR BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS PUSHED AND STAY ON WHEN I AM NOT PRESSING ON THE BRAKE. *TR
Service brakes, May 19, 2014
AS I WAS APPROACHING A RED LIGHT THERE WAS A CAR IN FRONT OF ME, I WENT TO PUSH THE BRAKE AND THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK, I ALMOST HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME BUT THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN BEFORE I COULD HIT THE CAR. *JS
Steering, Traction control system, May 17, 2014
POWER STEERING MOTOR FAILURE WARNING LIGHT APPEARED ON DASH, TRACTION CONTROL DISABLED WARNING APPEARS. HAPPENS VERY OFTEN AT STARTUP, MAKING STEERING DIFFICULT AND DISABLING TRACTION CONTROL. HAS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING DIFFICULT STEERING. IF VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED, WORKS PROPERLY APPROX. 50% OF THE TIME. *JS
Air bags, Seat belts, Seats, May 16, 2014, crash
I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT AND A MAN WHO WASN'T PAYING ATTENTION CAME SPEEDING UP AND REAR ENDED ME HE HIT ME SO HARD THAT MY CAR HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME AND THAT CAR HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF HIM. 4 CARS TOTAL. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND I AM SUFFERING FROM MANY INJURIES BECAUSE OF THAT. THE MAN WHO HIT ME WAS GOING AROUND 50 MILES PER HOUR. I BELIEVE WITH SUCH IMPACT THAT HE HIT ME THE AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. MY FACE SLAMMED INTO THE STEERING WHEEL AND HURT ME VERY BADLY ALSO I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE SEAT AND THE SEATBELT. THE SEAT I WAS IN IS ALL BROKEN NOW DUE TO THE ACCIDENT AND I AM ALSO THINKING THAT THE SEATBELT IS ALSO DEFECTIVE. *TR
Steering, May 16, 2014
I BOUGHT MY CAR NEW IN 2009 AND I ONLY HAVE NOW JUST A LITTLE OVER 40,000 MILES. I AM A SINGLE MOM AND MY CAR IS USED FOR DRIVING MY [XXX] YEAR OLD SON TO AND FROM DAY CARE AND MYSELF TO AND FROM WORK. ON FEBRUARY 3RD I NOTICED MY STEERING WHEEL FELT FUNNY LIKE SOMETHING WAS LOOSE, I DIDN'T THINK ANYTHING OF IT UNTIL MY TRACTION LIGHT THEN SUDDENLY STARTED TO GO ON AND OFF IN THE MORNING ON MY WAY TO WORK. BY THE TIME I PULLED INTO WORK THE POWER STEERING HAD GONE COMPLETELY OUT. I THEN PULLED ONTO A SIDE STREET IN FEAR OF GETTING INTO AN ACCIDENT, I'M SMALL AND WEIGH NO MORE THAN 115 LBS, SO IT WAS EXTREMELY ROUGH AND SCARY TO ME. I STOPPED THE CAR AND SHUT IT OFF AFTER LOOKING UP ON MY PHONE ABOUT SIMILAR PROBLEMS PEOPLE HAVE BEEN HAVING. I SHUT IT OFF WAITED A FEW MINUTES THEN IT WAS FINE, UNTIL I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE THEN IT WENT OUT AGAIN. I DID THIS A FEW TIMES IN ORDER TO MAKE IT TO WORK. BY LUNCH TIME MY CAR WAS RUNNING FINE BUT STILL FELT FUNNY FOR THE NEXT 4 DAYS. FRIDAY 2/7/14 MY CARS POWER STEERING HAD GONE OUT FOR GOOD AND THE TURNING IT ON AND OFF DIDN'T HELP, I ENDED UP PAYING $840 DOLLARS TO GET THE ENTIRE COLUMN REPLACED.THAT WAS OUT OF POCKET BECAUSE OF COURSE THIS WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE MANUFACTURES WARRANTY OR THE PT WARRANTY. A MONTH LATER I HEARD ABOUT THE RECALL, SO I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP, THEY HEARD NOTHING SO I CALLED GM, MY VIN WASN'T LISTED. I HAVE CALLED BACK SEVERAL TIMES SINCE AND CHECK THE "OWNER" SECTION ON GM'S WEBSITE AND STILL NOTHING, AND ALL THEY KEEP TELLING ME IS THAT ONLY SOME WERE RECALLED AND MINE MIGHT NOT BE APART OF IT EVEN THOUGH AFTER READING THE RECALL, THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED TO MY VEHICLE. *TR 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), May 15, 2014
HELLO, MY CAR'S SERVICE TRACTION AND SERVICE ESC LIGHT TURNS ON INTERMITTENTLY. WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE BRAKE LIGHTS BEHAVE IN THE OPPOSITE WAY, I.E. THEY STAY ON DURING NORMAL DRIVING, TURN OFF WHEN I PRESS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, AND TURN BACK ON WHEN I RELEASE THE BRAKE. THE CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT WORK WHENEVER THIS HAPPENS. I DO NOT EXPERIENCE ANYTHING DIFFERENT WHILE DRIVING AND I BELIEVE THIS IS A SENSOR/CIRCUITRY ISSUE. I HAD THIS REPAIRED AT THE DEALER THE FIRST TIME (AUGUST, 2012) WHERE THEY PERFORMED THE TSB FIX OF ADDING GREASE TO THE ESC CONNECTORS. THIS PROBLEM HAS RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES, AND I EVEN HAD THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH REPLACED, AND IT NOW OCCURS WHENEVER IT RAINS. I READ THROUGH THE FORUMS AND NEWS WEBSITES AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN A LOT OF CHEVY VEHICLES. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE AS IT MIGHT LEAD TO ACCIDENTS WHEN SOMEONE DRIVING BEHIND MY CAR SEES THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT TURNS OFF WHEN I PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL. I WOULD LIKE GM/CHEVROLET TO HELP ME OUT HERE AND FIX THIS ISSUE WITHOUT MAKING ME PAY FOR IT BUT THEY HAVE NOT RESPONDED POSITIVELY. THE DEALERSHIP CHARGES $130 JUST FOR DOING SIMPLE DIAGNOSTICS. BUT THIS ISSUE IS SOMETHING PRETTY COMMON TO A LOT OF CHEVROLET CARS AND IS NOT A WEAR RELATED ISSUE. THIS IS AN DEFECT THAT IS A SAFETY RISK THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. GM OR CHEVROLET SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY TO FIX THE ISSUE. *TR
Steering, Traction control system, May 15, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE APPROACHING A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING MESSAGE ILLUMINATED. THERE WAS ALSO A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE CONTACT HAD TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF; HOWEVER, SHE WAS ABLE TO RESTART IT. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY AND WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,720.
Electrical system, Service brakes, May 15, 2014
WHILE NIGHT DRIVING AT 55 MPH ON A BUSY, WET HIGHWAY, I NOTICED IN MY REARVIEW MIRROR THAT THE CENTER BRAKE LIGHT HAD ILLUMINATED ON MY CAR. I CHECKED TO SEE IF THE PEDAL WAS STUCK BY LIFTING IT WITH MY FOOT; IT WAS NOT STUCK. THEN I QUICKLY TAPPED THE BRAKES - THE BRAKE LIGHT WENT OFF ONLY TO RE-ILLUMINATE SECONDS LATER. I QUICKLY EXITED THE HIGHWAY AS MOTORISTS WERE BEGINNING TO BEEP AT ME. I CONTINUED TO PRESS AND RELEASE THE BRAKE PEDAL ON THE OFF RAMP, ONLY TO RECEIVE THE SAME RESPONSE FROM THE BRAKE LIGHT SYSTEM. WHILE DRIVING, THE BRAKE LIGHT WOULD STAY ON; UPON SLOWING OR STOPPING, THE BRAKE LIGHT WOULD GO OFF. I HAVE LOOKED AT THIS ISSUE ONLINE AND SEE THAT THIS IS A COMMON COMPLAINT FROM OWNERS OF THE 2009 MALIBU. A RECALL HAS BEEN IN QUESTION SINCE MARCH OF 2013; I STRESS THAT THE NHTSA NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE, AS THE MALFUNCTION IS SEVERE ENOUGH TO CAUSE FATALITIES. *TR