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.
Air bags, Jan 7, 2014
START CAR UP FOR WORK AT 6:15AM AN SERVICE AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT WAS ON NEVER WAS ON BEFORE. AS OF JAN5 2014. *TR
Suspension, Jan 6, 2014
PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE BRAND NEW FROM DEALER IN JUNE OF 2009. 1ST TIME I HEARD CLUNKING NOISE FROM FRONT SUSPENSION ONLY WHEN THE TEMPS DROP BELOW 50 DEGREES. ONCE CAR WARMED UP, THE NOISE WOULD GO AWAY. SOUNDED LIKE A BROKEN STABILIZER LINK. RETURNED CAR TO DEALER AND HAD TO LEAVE OVERNIGHT SO THEY CAN HEAR THE NOISE, ONLY PROBLEM WAS THAT THE DEALER COULD HEAR THE NOISE WHEN COLD, BUT SOUND NOISE WOULD BE GONE BY THE TIME THEY GOT THE CAR ON THE LIFT. ONCE THE SOUND WAS GONE THEY HAD NO CLUE AS TO WHERE THE NOISE STARTED FROM. RETURNED TO THE DEALER ROUGHLY 7 TIMES OVER 3 YEAR PERIOD, NOW THE WARRANTY IS OVER. DEALER DID REPLACE LINKS, STRUTS, STEERING RACK, STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT AND A SLEW OF OTHER PARTS WHICH I HAVE DOCUMENTED. NOW I HAVE THE CAR FOR 5 YEARS AND YES THE NOISE IS STILL THERE EACH WINTER MORNING BELOW 50 DEGREES. ONCE THE WARMER WEATHER ARRIVES, IT NEVER MAKES A SOUND. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT A LOT OF GM CARS ALL HAVE THE SAME "CLUNKING" SOUND IN FRONT SUSPENSION. ONLY THING I CAN THINK OF IS THAT THE DEALER PARTS ARE ALL DEFECTIVE AND MAYBE AN AFTERMARKET PART MAY BE UPGRADED TO HELP ELIMINATE THE NOISE. AS FOR NOW, I JUST LIVE WITH IT AS I FEEL NO WOBBLY EFFECTS OR UNSAFE CONDITION. *TR
Steering, Dec 31, 2013
AT FREEWAY SPEED THE CAR WANTS TO PULL TO LEFT WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL TO THE RIGHT. STEERING WHEEL MAKES A CLUNKING NOISE WHEN TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT. HARD TO STEER WHEN MOVING SLOWLY. LOOSE SLOPPY STEERING FEEL. THE DEALER IS REPLACING THE ENTIRE STEERING GEAR RACK. VERY COSTLY. *TR
Air bags, Electronic stability control (ESC), Dec 19, 2013
RE-OCCURRENCE OF A PRIOR COMPLAINT. DRIVING MY VEHICLE ON A LOCAL HIGHWAY WHEN THE SERVICE TRACTION AND SERVICE ESC DISPLAYS CAME ON. CAR BEGAN TO SPUTTER AS THOUGH IT WERE GOING TO STALL. COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY, AND AFTER IDLING FOR A MINUTE THE DISPLAYS RETURNED TO NORMAL. AFTER DRIVING ABOUT 2 MILES FURTHER, IT HAPPENED AGAIN. IT CONTINUED TO HAPPEN THROUGHOUT THE REST OF MY DRIVE. THE NEXT DAY, IT RAN FINE FOR ABOUT 10 MILES OR SO, AND THEN BEGAN STALLING AGAIN AND BEGAN TO LOSE SOME BRAKING AND STEERING. LAST TIME THIS ISSUE OCCURRED, THE BRAKE LIGHTS ALSO LOCKED ON LEAVING THE DRIVERS BEHIND ME THINKING THAT I WAS BRAKING. LAST TIME THESE ALERTS WERE DISPLAYED MY VEHICLE DIED COMPLETELY AND HAD TO BE SERVICED. NOW, IT SEEMS TO BE PROGRESSING TOWARDS THE SAME RESULT. GM WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE IS AN ISSUE, BUT HUNDREDS OF MALIBU AND HHR OWNERS SINCE 2008 SEEM TO DISAGREE. I ONCE AGAIN CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP THAT GAVE ME THE EXPLANATION OF IT REQUIRING HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS TO DIAGNOSE. SEEING THAT THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR AT LEAST 5 YEARS, I WOULD IMAGINE THAT GM IS AWARE THAT THERE IS AN ISSUE. UNFORTUNATELY, IT ALWAYS SEEMS THAT IT TAKES THE DEATH OF SEVERAL DRIVERS BEFORE THERE IS A RESPONSE. ONE DRIVER IN A PRINTED CHAT WITH A GM REP STATED THAT THE ISSUE CAUSED HIS VEHICLE TO CRASH DUE TO THE LOSS OF ABS AND POWER STEERING, AND HIS AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. ISN'T A LOSS OF BRAKING, STEERING, AIR BAG, BRAKE LIGHTS AND ACCELERATION A SAFETY CONCERN? *TR
Electronic stability control (ESC), Dec 19, 2013
DRIVING ON A STRETCH OF HIGHWAY AT 55MPH, MY SERVICE TRACTION AND SERVICE ESC LIGHTS CAME ON. IMMEDIATELY, THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING, BRAKING, AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO STALL. VEHICLES BEHIND ME STARTED BRAKING. UPON GUIDING MY VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, IT STALLED OUT. WHEN I WALKED TO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, I SAW THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE LOCKED IN THE ON POSITION, SO DRIVERS BEHIND ME WOULD HAVE PERCEIVED MY VEHICLE AS STOPPING. AFTER A FEW MINUTES I WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT IT STILL WAS VERY SLUGGISH AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS REMAINED ON. I CONTACTED A LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID TO BRING IT IN BECAUSE IT COULD BE CAUSED BY MANY FACTORS AND COULD COST THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO DIAGNOSE AND CORRECT DEPENDING UPON THE ISSUE. I LIMPED MY VEHICLE TO A LOCAL GARAGE THAT TOLD ME THE SAME THING, BUT WAS ABLE TO NARROW THE ISSUE DOWN TO A FAULTY MAP SENSOR. MY VEHICLE HAD TO BE PUSHED INTO A SERVICE BAY BECAUSE IT NO LONGER WOULD RUN AT ALL. THE MAP SENSOR WAS REPLACED AND THE VEHICLE HAS RUN FINE. MY CONCERN IS THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF THESE ISSUES WITH BOTH MALIBU AND HHR OWNERS SINCE 2008 THRU 2011, YET IT HAS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED. LOSS OF STEERING, BRAKING, ACCELERATION AND LOCKED BRAKE LIGHTS ARE A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
Steering, Nov 15, 2013
ON SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2013, THE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON WARNING ME THAT WE HAD NO POWER STEERING FOR THE FIRST TIME. ON MONDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2013, WE AGAIN RECEIVED THE MESSAGE THAT WE HAD NO POWER STEERING. AND WE DID NOT HAVE POWER STEERING. YOU HAD TO TURN THE IGNITION OFF AND RESTART NUMEROUS TIMES FOR THE WARNING LIGHT NOT TO COME ON. ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2013, MY INTENT WAS TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE MALIBU CHECKED OUT, WHEN MY WIFE CALLED ON HER WAY TO WORK AND SAID THAT SHE HAD TROUBLE STARTING THE MALIBU WITHOUT THE POWER STEERING WARNING, THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE STEERING AS SHE WAS DRIVING, AND WE SHOULD EXCHANGE VEHICLES AT A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. THEY LOOKED AT THE ERROR CODE (DTC C0545), PRINTED ME A COPY OF THE TECHNICAL BULLETIN (09-02-36-001), AND RECOMMENDED THAT I TAKE THE MALIBU TO A DEALER. IT TOOK FIVE STARTS BEFORE THE MALIBU WOULD START ON THEIR PARKING LOT BEFORE THE POWER STEERING WARNING WENT OFF. AS I DROVE TO THE DEALER THE CAR WAS DRIVABLE, BUT THERE WAS DEFINITELY SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE STEERING. WHEN I ARRIVED AT THE DEALER, I PLACED THE TRANSMISSION IN PARK AND SET THE EMERGENCY BRAKE; WHEN I TOOK MY HANDS OFF THE STEERING WHEEL TO TURN OFF THE IGNITION, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS GOING LEFT AND RIGHT ON ITS OWN ? I CAN?T EMPHASIZE THIS ENOUGH. I HAVE NEVER WITNESSED (OR HAVE EVEN HEARD OF) A CAR?S STEERING WHEEL PERFORMING IN THIS MANNER BEFORE. IN ADDRESSING THE SITUATION WITH THE TECHNICIAN WRITING UP MY PROBLEM, WE DISCUSSED PAYMENT AND WARRANTY AND HE SAID HE WOULD CALL GM AND CALL ME BACK. HE CALLED ME BACK LATER AND SAID THAT GM WOULD PAY HALF THE REPAIR AND THAT MY COST EVENTUALLY WORKED OUT TO $497.66. *TR
Visibility, Nov 5, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE VIEW MIRROR CONTINUOUSLY BECAME DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHAT WAS CAUSING THE PROBLEM AND STATED THAT IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 37,500. UPDATED 02/11/14*LJ THE MIRROR WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES. UPDATED 02/11/14
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Oct 30, 2013
THE MALIBU MY WIFE AND I OWN HAVE HAD PROBLEM WITH THE LEFT PASSENGER DOOR LOCK NOT BEING ACTUATED WHEN COMMANDED. FOR EXAMPLE, WHEN THE DOOR WAS COMMANDED TO LOCK, IT WOULD STAY UNLOCKED. BUT MORE SERIOUSLY, IT WOULD STAY LOCKED WHEN COMMANDED TO UNLOCK. I TOOK IT TO NEUVILLE MOTORS IN WAUPACA, WI, A GM/CHEVY DEALER, TO HAVE IT FIXED. ACCORDING TO A SERVICE MANAGER AT THE DEALERSHIP, DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR MALFUNCTIONS IN MALIBUS FROM THAT MODEL YEAR IS COMMON AND HE SEES MANY OF THEM COME IN WITH EXACT SAME PROBLEM AS MY CAR'S. I BELIEVE A DOOR STAYING LOCKED WHEN COMMANDED TO OPEN IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD IF A RAPID EVACUATION OUT OF THE VEHICLE BECOMES NECESSARY. ALSO, IF THE VEHICLE ROLLS ON THE SIDE OF THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF MALFUNCTIONING DOOR, EVACUATING PASSENGERS OCCUPYING REAR SEATS CAN BE A CHALLENGE AS THE ONLY DOOR AVAILABLE MAY STAY LOCKED WHEN COMMANDED TO UNLOCK. I HAVE CONTACTED GM, BUT THEY INSISTED THAT THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE AS THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND A RECALL WAS NOT ISSUED BY YOUR ADMINISTRATION. THE REFERENCE NUMBER OF MY COMPLAINT WITH GM IS [XXX]. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE IF CHILDREN/ELDERLY/PETS ARE OCCUPYING THE REAR SEAT, OR THE PASSENGER IN THE BACK SEAT BECOMES UNCONSCIOUS IN CASE OF A CRASH. PLEASE CONSIDER ISSUING A RECALL IF THE PROBLEM IS A COMMON ONE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Steering, Oct 28, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER AS THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 66,024.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Oct 21, 2013
THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS MALFUNCTIONING AND AFTER RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM I DISCOVERED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS COULD ALSO BE AFFECTED. WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKE THE LIGHT IN THE REAR WINDOW WOULD ACTUALLY GO COMPLETELY OFF. THE REPAIR IS DESCRIBED IN TSB 08-05-22-009C AND WAS COMPLETED. THE PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE FIXED. HOWEVER IT APPEARS THERE WAS A PREVIOUS RECALL FOR THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM WITH EARLIER GENERAL MOTORS MODELS AND THE PROBLEM IS STILL RECURRING. CHEVROLET HAS NOT SEND ANY KIND OF NOTICE TO OWNERS ABOUT THIS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. THE COMPUTER CODE C0131 IS ACTIVATED WHEN THIS OCCURS. *TR
Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Oct 18, 2013
BRAKE LIGHTS TURN ON FOR NO REASON. WHEN THEY ARE ON FOR NO REASON PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL TURNS THEM OFF. THEY DO NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN PRESSING BRAKE PEDAL. LATER ON THE ESC AND TRACTION CONTROL TURN OFF ON THEIR OWN. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Oct 14, 2013
I HAVE A GAS LEAK COMING FROM THE TOP OF MY GAS TANK. I NOTICED GM HAS HAD RECALLS FOR THIS ON CERTAIN VEHICLES BUT NOT FOR MY SPECIFIC VEHICLE(09 CHEVY MALIBU). I HAVE READ ONLINE AND SEVERAL OTHER 09 CHEVY MALIBU OWNERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. I CALLED THE CHEVY DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THERE IS NO RECALL AND CANNOT HELP ME. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Oct 11, 2013
I HAD A HEADLIGHT GO OUT OVER A YEAR AGO, HAD TO PAY 300$ TO GET IT REPLACED (NEW DESIGN.... MAKES EVERYTHING COMPLICATED, THANKS GM!). NOT EVEN 3 MONTHS LATER, SAME HEADLIGHT OUT AGAIN (PASSENGER). MY MECHANIC NOTICED WATER IN THE LIGHT COMPARTMENT (CONDENSATION) WHICH HE SAYS WILL CAUSE THEM TO OVERHEAT AND DIE. GOT THE LIGHT CHANGED AGAIN, HOPING AVOIDING CAR-WASHES WAS THE SOLUTION. NOPE. OUT AGAIN. AND THEN ON AGAIN! AND NOW OUT AGAIN FOR THE PAST 4 MONTHS. I HAVEN'T HAD THE MONEY TO GET IT FIXED AND BY THE GRACE OF GOD I HAVE NOT GOTTEN A TICKET. THE BRIGHTS BOTH WORK!!!! I BELIEVE IT IS A WIRING PROBLEM, AND JUDGING FROM THE INTERNET THIS PROBLEM SEEMS FREQUENT ENOUGH TO WARRANT A RECALL. NOTE: THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS ON THIS CAR, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO FOCUS ON THIS ONE GETTING RECALLED. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 10, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON INSPECTION, THERE WAS A STRONG GASOLINE ODOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL SHOP WHERE THE MECHANIC STATED THAT A CONNECTOR ABOVE THE FUEL TANK HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78,822.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Traction control system, Service brakes, Oct 9, 2013
I OWN A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE SERVICE TRACTION, SERVICE ESC AND ESC OFF WARNING LAMPS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE BODY CONTROL MODULE WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 67,000 PLUS. WHEN MY FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE THE BRAKE LIGHTS GO OFF. UPON TAKING FOOT OFF THE BRAKE THE BRAKE LIGHTS STAY ON. *TR
Service brakes, Oct 8, 2013
BRAKES LIGHTS ARE STAYING ON WHEN CAR IS IN MOTION AND BRAKE LIGHTS GO OFF WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. RELEASE BRAKE AND BRAKE LIGHTS GO ON. PRESS BRAKES AND BRAKE LIGHTS OFF. THE PROBLEM IS PERSISTANT. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Oct 1, 2013
I BEGAN TO SMELL GAS AROUND MY CAR ONE DAY, NOTICED THE NEXT DAY THERE WAS A PUDDLE OF FUEL UNDER MY VEHICLE. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE FOR THE SOURCE OF THE LEAK WE FOUND THAT THERE IS A PLASTIC ADAPTER THAT PLUGS A FUEL LINE INTO THE FUEL PUMP THAT IS CRACKED AND BUBBLING GAS. *TR
Power train, Oct 1, 2013
I OWN A 2009 CHEVY MALIBU AND VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A CHEVY SERVICE CENTER FOR FUEL SMELL ON THE EXTERIOR OF VEHICLE ON 09-2013. CHEVY SERVICE CENTER FOUND CAUSE FUEL PUMP MODULE CRACKED AND REPLACED FAULTY PART AT NO CHARGE AND STATED THAT IT WAS COVERED UNDER POWER TRAIN WARRANTY. NHTSA/GM RECALLED 40,000. 2007-2009 CHEVY COLBALTS AND OTHER TWIN VEHICLES IN 09-2012 FOR FAULTY FUEL PUMP MODULES THAT CRACK AND CAUSE FUEL LEAKS THAT HAS A POTENTIAL OF IGNITING A FIRE. I'M HERE TO FILE A COMPLAINT AGAINST GM AND MAKE THE PUBLIC AWARE OF OTHER VEHICLES IN THE GM FAMILY THAT ARE NOT LISTED IN THE RECALL AND ADVISING NHTSA TO FURTHER INVESTIGATE 2007-2009 CHEVY MALIBU. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Sep 25, 2013
2009 MALIBU BRAKE LIGHTS STAY ON WHILE DRIVING THEN WHEN I PRESS MY BRAKES THE LIGHTS WOULD GO OFF NO ONE KNEW WHEN I WAS USING MY BRAKES. THIS WAS BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION WHEN I WAS ON A MAJOR HWY/SPEED LIMIT 70 MPH WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN TRAFFIC WAS STOPPING. THE CARS BEHIND ME WERE COMING AT A HIGH SPEED, BUT LUCKILY THE CAR DIRECTLY BEHIND ME JUST SHORT OF CRASHING INTO MY REAR MISSED ME. . HE GOT OUT OF HIS CAR WHILE THE TRAFFIC WAS STOPPED AND APPROACHED ME TO LET ME KNOW I HAD NO BREAK LIGHTS AND HE ALSO NOTICED THAT PRIOR TO STOPPING MY BREAK LIGHTS WERE ON. IN THE MEANTIME I HAD WARNINGS POP UP ON MY CAR SERVICE TRACTION/ESC SERVICE. WELL OF COURSE, MY CAR WAS TAKEN TO A SHOP WHERE IT SHOWED A BREAK SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND SWITCH BRAKE NEEDED TO BE CALIBRATED BY THE DEALERSHIP. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE BREAK SWITCH FAILED WHEN THEY PERFORMED BRAKE POSITION CALIBRATION. THE GENTLEMEN SAID THAT THE SWITCH COULD BE BAD EVEN THOU IT WAS A NEW ONE THAT WAS PURCHASED FROM THE DEALERSHIP. THEY REPLACED IT AGAIN AND RE-CALIBRATED AND AFTERWARDS SAID EVERYTHING WORKS WELL. WITHIN TWO WEEKS THE PROBLEM WITH BREAKS ARE STILL THERE. THERE IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WE HAVE WITH THE 2009 MALIBU. I?M JUST LUCKY I?M STILL ALIVE. WHAT UPSETS ME THE MOST IS THE PROBLEM IS THERE, BUT DEALERSHIPS WANT TO KEEP REPLACING PARTS AND CHARGING YOU $$$$ FOR SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED! *JS
Service brakes, Sep 22, 2013
THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHT CAME ON THEN I NOTICED THE BRAKE LIGHT WOULD GO ON WHEN I PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL AND THE BRAKE LIGHT WOULD GO OFF WHEN I PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL.
Service brakes, Sep 19, 2013
2009 MALIBU BRAKE LIGHTS STAY ON WHILE DRIVING THEN WHEN I PRESS MY BRAKES THE LIGHTS WOULD GO OFF NO ONE KNEW WHEN I WAS USING MY BRAKES. THIS WAS BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION WHEN I WAS ON A MAJOR HWY/SPEED LIMIT 70 MPH WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN TRAFFIC WAS STOPPING. THE CARS BEHIND ME WERE COMING AT A HIGH SPEED, BUT LUCKILY THE CAR DIRECTLY BEHIND ME JUST SHORT OF CRASHING INTO MY REAR MISSED ME. . HE GOT OUT OF HIS CAR WHILE THE TRAFFIC WAS STOPPED AND APPROACHED ME TO LET ME KNOW I HAD NO BREAK LIGHTS AND HE ALSO NOTICED THAT PRIOR TO STOPPING MY BREAK LIGHTS WERE ON. IN THE MEANTIME I HAD WARNINGS POP UP ON MY CAR SERVICE TRACTION/ESC SERVICE. WELL OF COURSE, MY CAR WAS TAKEN TO A SHOP WHERE IT SHOWED A BREAK SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND SWITCH BRAKE NEEDED TO BE CALIBRATED BY THE DEALERSHIP. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE BREAK SWITCH FAILED WHEN THEY PERFORMED BRAKE POSITION CALIBRATION. THE GENTLEMEN SAID THAT THE SWITCH COULD BE BAD EVEN THOU IT WAS A NEW ONE THAT WAS PURCHASED FROM THE DEALERSHIP. THEY REPLACED IT AGAIN AND RE-CALIBRATED AND AFTERWARDS SAID EVERYTHING WORKS WELL. WITHIN TWO WEEKS THE PROBLEM WITH BREAKS ARE STILL THERE. THERE IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WE HAVE WITH THE 2009 MALIBU. I?M JUST LUCKY I?M STILL ALIVE. WHAT UPSETS ME THE MOST IS THE PROBLEM IS THERE, BUT DEALERSHIPS WANT TO KEEP REPLACING PARTS AND CHARGING YOU $$$$ FOR SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED! *TR
Steering, Sep 18, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING WHEEL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 69,886.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Sep 12, 2013
BRAKE LIGHTS MALFUNCTION. THANK GOD, I WAS DRIVING BEHIND MY WIFE AND HER MALIBU'S BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT ON WHEN SHE BRAKED. AND THEN TURNED ON WHEN SHE DIDN'T HAVE HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP, AND HE SAID HE'S BEEN SEEING THAT ALOT LATELY. PLEASE RECALL BEFORE SOMEONE HAS MAJOR ACCIDENT! THANK YOU *TR
Electrical system, Sep 9, 2013
FOR SEVERAL MONTHS MY PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WILL EITHER LOCK (AND YOU CANNOT GET OUT OF THE CAR) OR, ONCE YOU ARE OUT, THE DOOR LOCK PREVENTS THE DOOR FROM CLOSING. THIS HAS OCCURRED ONLY WHEN STOPPED, AT THIS POINT.THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN INTERMITTENT AND GIVES NO WARNING. I AM ALSO HAVING ISSUES WITH THE LIGHTING ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL; WHEN OUTSIDE LIGHTING IS DIM, IT OFTEN WILL NOT COME ON IF SET IN AUTO MODE. BOTH HAVE BEEN REPORTED TO DEALER AND I AM TOLD THEY "CANNOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM- BRING IT BACK WHEN IT IS OCCURRING!". BOTH ISSUES RAISE SIGNIFICANT SAFETY CONCERNS FOR ME. I CERTAINLY HOPE GM ISN'T WAITING FOR SOME OF US OR FAMILY MEMBERS TO BE KILLED BEFORE THEY ACT TO CORRECT THESE ISSUES. *TR
Exterior lighting, Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Sep 9, 2013
BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING. THERE IS NO INDICATOR WHEN OR HOW THIS IS HAPPENING. IT HAS AFFECTED THE CRUISE CONTROL OPTION AS WELL AS THE TRACTION CONTROL ON THE VEHICLE. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN FOR ALL MOTORISTS - UNSURE WHEN A CARE IS ACTUALLY STOPPING AND OR ACCELERATING. *TR