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, Sep 2, 2013
THE VEHICLE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS ARE COMING ON WHILE DRIVING WITHOUT ME PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS APPLIED THE BRAKE LIGHTS TEMPORARY GOES OFF BEFORE COMING BACK ON. *JS
Exterior lighting, Sep 1, 2013
BRAKE LIGHTS FAIL TO LIGHT AND/ OR FAIL TO TURN OFF AFTER DEPRESSING/RELEASING BRAKE PEDAL BOTH WHILE CAR WAS PARKED WITH ENGINE ON AS WE'LL AS WHILE IN MOTION INCLUDING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. *JS
Power train, Electrical system, Aug 29, 2013
WITHIN A ONE YEAR PERIOD, HAD TO HAVE ALL 4 WHEEL BEARINGS REPLACED, A STRUT, AND THE FRONT SWAY BAR LINKAGE. 2009 MALIBU LTZ, 3.6 L V6 WITH APPROX. 32,000 MILES.
Power train, Aug 21, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST ACCELERATION POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS MOVED TO THE SHOULDER WHERE IT WAS SHUT DOWN AND RESTARTED BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ROLLED AWAY WHILE IN PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 09V073000 (POWER TRAIN). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Aug 19, 2013
2009 MALIBU BRAKE LIGHT STAYED ON WHILE DRIVING THEN WHEN I HIT MY BRAKES THE LIGHTS WOULD GO OFF NO ONE KNEW WHEN I WAS USING MY BRAKES HEARD THIS ISN'T THE FIRST TIME WHY DO THE HAVE TO WAIT TILL SOMEONE CRASHES OR DIES BEFORE THEY FIX IT ALSO IT KICKED OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL . *TR
Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Aug 15, 2013
I HAVE THE SAME ISSUE ANOTHER PERSON WROTE ABOUT. I WAS DRIVING WHEN A CAR PULLED UP NEXT TO ME TO TELL ME THAT WHEN I BRAKE, MY BRAKE LIGHTS DON'T GO ON BUT WHEN I BEGIN TO DRIVE AGAIN, THEY GO ON. I WENT HOME AND TOLD MY HUSBAND. AND AT THAT TIME IT WORKED JUST FINE. BUT THEN IN JULY OF 2013 MY 23 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING MY CAR AND SHE SAID THE SAME THING HAPPENED. A CAR IN BACK OF HER ASKED HER TO PULL OVER AND TOLD HER THAT OUR BRAKE LIGHTS DON'T WORK. BUT THAT THEY GO ON WHEN SHE BEGINS TO DRIVE AGAIN. THIS CAN BE VERY VERY DANGEROUS! I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER BECAUSE I'M CURRENTLY UNEMPLOYED SO CAN'T AFFORD IT BUT NOW THAT I READ ANOTHER PERSON IS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE I THINK THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL BEFORE SOMEONE DOES GET KILLED. PLEASE LISTEN TO YOUR PURCHASERS AND RECALL THIS. *TR
Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Aug 4, 2013
THE BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS UP & SOMETIMES WON'T ILLUMINATE WHEN PEDAL IS DEPRESSED. *TR
Power train, Jul 31, 2013
I PURCHASED A USED 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU IN 2011. ON FEBRUARY 21, 2013, I TOOK MY CAR TO OURISMAN CHEVROLET IN MARLOW HEIGHTS, MD DUE TO A RECALL NOTICE RELATED TO THE TRANSMISSION. MY INVOICE SAYS THEY REPAIRED THE CABLE KIT. ON JULY 29, 2013 I PULLED INTO A SERVICE STATION FOR GAS IN NORTH CAROLINA. ALL PUMPS WERE TAKEN. I WAITED. A CAR PULLED OUT SO I PUT MY CAR IN REVERSE TO BACK UP IN ORDER TO GET TO THE PUMP. WHEN I TRIED TO PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE, THE GEAR SHIFT WOULD MOVE, HOWEVER, THE CAR REMAINED STUCK IN REVERSE. I HAD TO BACK UP TO THE SIDE OF THE GAS STATION TO MOVE OUT OF THE WAY. I PUT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ON BECAUSE THE CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO PARK. I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION, THEN TRIED TO RESTART IT. THE CAR WOULD NOT START BECAUSE IS WAS NOT IN PARK. I CALLED MY BROTHER FOR HELP. HE NOTICED THE SHIFT CABLE HAD COME APART. HE USED A TWIST TIE, A WASHER, AND A RUBBER CAP THAT HE FOUND IN HIS VEHICLE TO REPAIR THE SHIFT CABLE SO THAT I COULD HOPEFULLY MAKE IT BACK HOME. IT WORKED.THE NEXT DAY I MADE AN APPOINTMENT (07/31/13) TO TAKE THE CAR BACK TO OURISMAN TO FIX THE CABLE. THAT INVOICE STATES THAT I NEED A SHIFTER CABLE. ACCORDING TO OURISMAN, THIS PART IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE INITIAL RECALL. THE SHIFT CABLE ADJUSTMENT CLIP BROKE OFF SOMEHOW. THE CABLE IS STILL INTACT. THAT'S WHY MY BROTHER WAS ABLE TO FIX IT ENOUGH TO GET ME BACK HOME. I WAS TOLD BY THE CUSTOMER SERVICE TECHNICIAN THAT THE PART BROKE DUE TO NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. IN THE PAST, I'VE OWNED A CHEVROLET CAVALIER FOR 12 YEARS, AND A CHEVROLET BERETTA FOR 8 YEARS. NEITHER CAR HAD THIS PROBLEM OF "NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR". IT'S A DEFECT. THE 2/21/13 INVOICE SAYS REPLACED CABLE KIT. THE 7/31/13 INVOICE SAYS "NEEDS SHIFTER CABLE". THE BOTTOM LINE IS THE SHIFT CABLE ADJUSTMENT CLIP BROKE OFF THE SHIFTER CABLE. WHY IS THIS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL? IT'S A PIECE OF THE SAME PART. *TR
Steering, Jul 26, 2013
I HAVE A 2009 MALIBU, A LITTLE OVER 73000 MILES. 7/21/2013 WHILE IN PARK THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED SHAKING AND PULSING. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTED IT AND IT STOPPED. I GOT ON THE INTERSTATE AND THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED SHAKING AND PULSING AND SHIFTING. I HAVE TO KEEP 2 HANDS ON THE WHEEL AS NOT TO BE SHIFTED FROM LANES. I TAKE THE CAR WEDNESDAY TO A GM DEALERSHIP. THEY TOLD ME IT WASN'T CALIBRATED AFTER AN ALIGNMENT, AND THEY CALIBRATED IT DONE AND ALIGNMENT AND ROTATED THE TIRES. I PAY $220 FOR THIS SERVICE AND LEAVE. I GET HOME WITH NO PROBLEMS. VERY NEXT MORNING THURSDAY, I START MY CAR AND IT STARTS THE SAME THING ALL OVER AGAIN. IT SHAKES AND PULSES ALL THE WAY TO THE DEALERSHIP WHILE SHIFTING ME IN LANES. AFTER WAITING FOR AROUND AN HOUR AND A HALF, I AM TOLD THE ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING MOTOR IS OUT AND IT IS NEARLY $700. THIS IS $920 FOR A MOTOR IN A 4 YEAR OLD VEHICLE WITH 73000 MILES. THIS VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE CONSIDERING IF YOU DO NOT HAVE 2 HANDS ON THE VEHICLE AND PAYING VERY CLOSE ATTENTION YOU MAY END UP IN UP IN THE LANE BESIDE YOU. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS ONLINE AND FOUND 100S OF COMPLAINTS CONCERNING THIS SAME PROBLEM. I AM AMAZED THIS HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH GM. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Jul 25, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, THE CRUISE CONTROL DISENGAGED INDEPENDENTLY AND THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
Latches/locks/linkages, Jul 16, 2013
IN THESE CHEVROLET MALIBUS, WHEN THE CAR IS PUT INTO DRIVE THE DOORS LOCK AUTOMATICALLY, WHEN PLACED INTO PARK THE DOORS UNLOCK. WITHOUT WARNING THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS QUIT WORKING AND LEAVE YOUR CAR EITHER LOCKED OR UNLOCKED. IN CASE OF EMERGENCY YOU WILL BE SCRAMBLING TO UNLOCK THE DOOR MANUALLY. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Jul 11, 2013
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE BRAKE LIGHTS TURN ON. IF I TOUCH THE BREAKS THEY GO OFF. THIS HAPPENS MOST OFTEN WHEN IT RAINS, SNOWS OR IF DRIVING WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING ON. THE CRUISE CONTROL STOPS WORKING AT THE SAME TIME. I HAVE HAD THIS INTO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP ON THREE OCCASIONS WHERE I HAVE BEEN TOLD "WE HAVE TO EXPERIENCE THIS IN ORDER TO CORRECT IT." I AM AWARE THAT MANY OTHER MALIBU VEHICLES EXPERIENCE THIS AS THERE HAVE BEEN RUMORS OF THIS BECOMING A RECALL FOR MANY MONTHS. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A COUPLE YEARS FOR MY CAR AND I WAS UNDER WARRANTY WHEN I HAD IT IN AND NOT CORRECTED. I TRY NOT TO THINK ABOUT IT NOW THAT IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY, BUT BECAUSE I AM EXPECTING MY FIRST CHILD AND THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN I AM BECOMING MORE WORRIED. WHAT WILL IT TAKE TO GET THIS CORRECTED? HOW COULD THEY PROVE THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS DIDN'T COME ON WHEN SOMEONE STOPPED TO TURN AND THEN WAS HIT? PLEASE HELP! *TR
Steering, Jul 10, 2013
MY CAR WAS UNDER BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY WHEN THE STEERING GEAR WAS REPLACED. NOW THE SAME PART IS GOING BAD AGAIN FOR THE SECOND TIME. TODAY'S DATE 7-10-2013. *TR
Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, Jul 10, 2013
THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR ON BOTH REAR DOORS FAIL TO UNLOCK THE DOOR. APPARENTLY THIS IS VERY COMMON IN 2008 AND 2009 MALIBU'S. CONSIDERING THAT MY CHILDREN (AS I AM SURE MANY OTHERS), IT IS UNSAFE TO HAVE VEHICLES DOORS UNLOCK FROM THE OUTSIDE. FURTHER, GIVEN THE PLACEMENT OF THE PHYSICAL NOBS (IN THE FAR REAR) IT IS IMPRACTICAL TO ALLOW SOMEONE IN THE FRONT SEAT UNLOCK THE REAR DOORS QUICKLY. *TR
Exterior lighting, Jul 5, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A BODY SHOP FOR INSPECTION WHERE THE WIRES WERE ADJUSTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT RECENTLY FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN BACK TO THE BODY SHOP. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
Latches/locks/linkages, Jul 3, 2013
I HAVE A CHEVY MALIBU 2009 LAST YEAR ONE BACK PASSENGER DOOR STARTED NOT LOCKING OR UNLOCKING, LATER AFTER THAT ANOTHER ONE AND NOW NONE OF THE DOORS LOCK/UNLOCK AUTOMATICALLY. I DID A SEARCH THIS ONLINE AND IT LOOKS LIKE THEY ARE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINS OF THIS SAME ISSUE. I CONTACTED THE CHEVY SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND THEY STATED THAT THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT IS COVER UNDER WARRANTY NOR THEY HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF REPAIRING IT BECAUSE IS NOT A HAZARDOUS OR A SAFETY ISSUE. FOR ME I BELIEVE THAT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THE CAR IS SUPPOSE TO AUTOMATICALLY LOCK THE DOORS WHEN YOU MOVE INTO DRIVE AND UNLOCK WHEN IS MOVED BACK TO PARK, ALSO IF A CAR IS EQUIP WITH A SECURITY SYSTEM AND I PRESS THE LOCK BUTTON ALL DOORS SHOULD LOCK. CHEVY SERVICE DEPARTMENT CHARGERS $300.00 PER ACTUATOR PLUS THE COST OF LABOR THIS IS A HEAVY PRICE TO PAY, I UNDERSTAND IF ONE GOES BAD BUT HAVING ALL 4 DOORS GO BAD WITHIN MONTHS OF EACH OTHER FOR ME THIS IS A MANUFACTURE DEFECT. *TR
Service brakes, Jul 1, 2013
BRAKE LIGHTS MAY NOT COME ON WHEN THE PEDAL IS PRESSED, WHILE AT OTHER TIMES THE LIGHTS ILLUMINATE FOR NO REASON. *TR
Structure, Jul 1, 2013
I'VE HAD THIS TERRIBLE SMELL IN THE CAR SO I WENT EXPLORING TO SEE WHAT IT COULD BE. I OPENED THE TRUNKS AND NOTICED SOME MOLD SO I LIFTED THE LINER AND MY WHEEL WELL WAS FILLED UP WITH WATER. AFTER SOME MORE EXPLORATION, I FOUND THE FLOORBOARD IN THE BACK SEAT TO BE SOPPING WET. *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Jul 1, 2013
DOOR LOCKS RANDOMLY LOCKED AND UNLOCKED. I COULD BE DRIVING OR THE CAR COULD BE PARKED AND THE DOOR LOCKS WOULD GO UP DOWN UP DOWN. IF IT LOCKED, THERE WAS NO WAY TO OPEN IT, I WAS STUCK IN THE CAR. I FELT IT WAS SUCH A HAZARD THAT I JUST HAD TO REMOVE THE FUSE THAT OPERATED THE DOOR LOCKS. *TR
Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Jun 26, 2013
THE BRAKE LIGHTS ON MY VEHICLE STAY ILLUMINATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS NOT PRESSED. THIS CAUSES OTHER DRIVERS TO THINK THAT I AM BRAKING WHEN I AM NOT. WHEN I PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE BRAKE LIGHT GOES OFF FOR TWO SECONDS AND THEN COMES BACK ON. AFTER RELEASING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE BRAKE LIGHTS STAY ON. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOUR TIMES. THE DEALER HAS REPLACED THE BRAKE POSITION SENSOR TWICE, THE BRAKE CONTROL MODULE, AND THEY PERFORMED A FIX THAT WAS ISSUED THROUGH A TECH BULLETIN FROM GM ABOUT THE ISSUE BY APPLYING DIELECTRIC GREASE TO THE PINS ON THE BRAKE CONTROL MODULE AND CONNECTOR. NONE OF THESE SOLUTIONS HAVE CORRECTED THE ISSUE. *TR
Electronic stability control (ESC), Traction control system, Jun 22, 2013
WHILE SLOWING DOWN WHILE ATTEMPTING TO COME TO A STOP THE WARNING SYSTEM CAME ON TO SERVICE THE STABILITY CONTROL AND TRACTION CONTROL. THIS SEEMED TO RESET WHEN IGNITION TURNS OFF BUT COMES BACK AT ANY TIME. TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC SHOP AND AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS A CODE CAME UP AND THEY REPLACED THE BRAKE POSITIONING SWITCH . THIS WORKED FOR 3 MONTHS WHEN AGAIN THE WARNING NOTICE CAME ON. TOOK IT BACK TO THE SHOP AND THEY REPLACED THE SWITCH AGAIN FIGURING IT MAY BE DEFECTIVE. THAT WORKED FOR ONLY 3 WEEKS WHEN IT CAME ON AGAIN. ALSO WHILE THIS WARNING NOTICE COMES ON THE CARS BRAKE LIGHTS STAY ON BUT GO OFF EACH TIME THE BRAKES PEDAL IS APPLIED AND COMES BACK ON A FEW SECONDS AFTER MY FOOT IS OFF THE BRAKE SO FROM THE REAR OF THE CAR IT LOOKS LIKE I AM STOPPING WHEN I AM ACTUALLY MOVING AND LOOKS LIKE I AM GOING WHILE ACTUALLY STOPPING. SO FAR MY SHOP CAN NOT FIND THE CAUSE. THEY SAY IT KEEPS COMING UP WITH THE SAME CODE. *TR
Exterior lighting, Jun 21, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS NOT BEING DEPRESSED. ADDITIONALLY, WHEN THE BRAKE WAS BEING DEPRESSED, THE BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jun 21, 2013
WHILE DRIVING, THE CAR WILL APPEAR TO THINK THAT THE BRAKES ARE BEING APPLIED. THE BRAKE LIGHTS WILL ALL ACTIVATE, AND CRUISE CONTROL WILL CEASE WORKING. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED, THE BRAKE LIGHTS TURN OFF. THE BRAKES STILL STOP THE CAR, BUT THE LIGHTS AND CRUISE CONTROL APPEAR TO BE NOT CALIBRATED TO THE BRAKE SENSOR. ALSO, SOMETIMES 3 WARNINGS APPEAR IN THE DASH DISPLAY: ESC OFF, SERVICE ESC, AND SERVICE TRACTION, THOUGH IT IS NOT NECESSARY FOR THE PROBLEM TO OCCUR. THIS HAPPENS VERY INTERMITTENTLY, BUT ONCE IT STARTS, IT USUALLY DOESN'T GO AWAY. I'VE HAD THE PROBLEM REPAIRED ABOUT 6 TIMES, BUT IT KEEPS COMING BACK. I AM OUT OF OPTIONS, AS THE REPAIRMEN SEEM TO NOT KNOW WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE CAR. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Jun 20, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOORS FAILED TO UNLOCK DURING HIGH TEMPERATURES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Jun 19, 2013
THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DISPLAY A "SERVICE TRACTION/ESC" MESSAGE ON THE HUD. BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD COME ON RANDOMLY AND STAY ON, SOMETIMES FOR MINUTES, SOMETIMES FOR HOURS. AS A RESULT OF BRAKE LIGHTS BEING ON, CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT FUNCTIONAL. HAD A SENSOR REPLACED WHICH TEMPORARILY RESOLVED THE ISSUE. THE PROBLEM HAS RETURNED 53 WEEKS AND 17,000 MILES LATER. *TR