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, Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Jun 17, 2013
THE BRAKE LIGHTS BEGAN TO TURN ON WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS NOT DEPRESSED, EVEN WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK. WHEN DRIVING, THE BRAKE LIGHTS WILL STAY ON AND THE CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT WORK. THESE PROBLEMS MAY ONLY LAST A COUPLE OF MINUTES BUT MAY ALSO PERSIST FOR GREATER THAN AN HOUR AT A TIME. THE PROBLEM MANIFESTS ITSELF SOMEWHAT UNPREDICTABLY BUT ITS FREQUENCY AND DURATION HAVE INCREASED OVER TIME. *TR
Electronic stability control (ESC), Traction control system, Service brakes, Jun 6, 2013
HELLO, MY CAR'S SERVICE TRACTION AND SERVICE ESC LIGHT TURNS ON INTERMITTENTLY. 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 READ THROUGH THE FORUMS AND NEWS WEBSITES AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN A LOT OF CHEVY VEHICLES. THERE IS A TSB ON THIS ISSUE AND RECALLS FOR A FEW CARS. 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 LO HELP ME OUT HERE AND FIX THIS ISSUE WITHOUT MAKING ME PAY FOR IT BUT THEY HAVE NOT RESPONDED POSITIVELY. THE DEALERSHIP CHARGES $110 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. GM OR CHEVROLET SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY TO FIX THE ISSUE. MY CAR IS OUT OF 3-YEAR WARRANTY BUT IS STILL WITHIN 5-YEAR WARRANTY (BUMPER-TO-BUMPER). I HOPE THAT AN ACTION WILL BE TAKEN AND MY CAR WILL BE REPAIRED AND/OR I WILL BE REIMBURSED FOR THE REPAIR EXPENSE. I FOUND MANY ARTICLES ON THIS ISSUE AND A FEW OF THEM ARE COPIED BELOW. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Seat belts, Service brakes, Jun 5, 2013
MY SERVICE SEAT BELT SIGN GOES ON OCCASIONALLY WHEN I START CAR, BUT GOES OFF IF I SHUT OFF CAR AND RESTART IT. THE DEALER SAID THEY CANNOT TEST IT IF THE SIGN ON DASH IS NOT ON. ALSO, I HAD TO REPLACE REAR BRAKES AND GRIND ROTORS AT 37,000 MILES-SEEMS KIND OF PREMATURE. NOW I AM HAVING SOME KIND OF POSSIBLE ELECTRICAL DRAW SINCE MY OLD AND BRAND NEW BATTERY HAVE GONE DEAD. HAS ANYONE ELSE EXPERIENCED THESE PROBLEMS? *TR
Exterior lighting, Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Jun 3, 2013
WHEN DRIVING MY 2009 MALIBU MY BRAKE LIGHTS WILL COME ON. WHEN TAPPING THE BRAKE THEY GO OFF, BUT WHEN I NEED TO USE THE BRAKE NO LIGHTS SHOW. WHEN THIS HAPPENS MY SERVICE ESC AND SERVICE TRACTION LIGHTS ALSO COME ON. IM GETTING VERY AGGRAVATED, I HAVE ONLY OWNED THIS CAR SINCE JUNE 2012, AND CONSTANTLY HAVING PROBLEMS. *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, May 30, 2013
I WAS IN MY DRIVEWAY PREPARING FOR WINDSHIELD INSTALLATION. KEPT ON HEARING INTERMITTENT CLICKING. REALIZED IT WAS THE POWER DOOR LOCKS. THEY WERE NOT FULLY LOCKING OR UNLOCKING, ONLY ATTEMPTING TO. IT CONTINUED FOR A FEW DAYS THEN STOPPED FOR A FEW WEEKS. YESTERDAY WE WERE ON A 75 MILE DRIVE AND 75 MILES BACK WITH THE LOCKS INCESSANTLY GOING THROUGH THEIR INTERMITTENT RAPID CYCLING. I NEVER KNOW FOR CERTAIN IF MY DOORS ARE LOCKED OR NOT. BESIDES BEING EXTREMELY DISTRACTING AND IRRITATING WHILE DRIVING, THERE IS THE PRESENCE OF A SAFETY ISSUE. THERE ARE A LOT OF SCENARIOS THAT COULD BE PLAYED OUT. *TR
Exterior lighting, May 28, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CENTER BRAKE LIGHT FAILED INTERMITTENTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REPORTED TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62,000. UPDATED 07/10/13*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE WITHOUT A FEE UNTIL THE FAILURE BECOMES PERMANENT. UPDATED 07/15/2013 *JS
Service brakes, May 28, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN AND STOPPED ILLUMINATING WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 37,000. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Service brakes, May 23, 2013
BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON WITHOUT PRESSING THE PEDAL AND WHEN U PRESS THE PEDAL THEY GO OFF FOR A SECOND AND COME BACK ON THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES. *TR
Exterior lighting, Service brakes, May 20, 2013
BRAKE LIGHTS REMAIN ON WHILE DRIVING. GO OFF WHEN BRAKING. HAVE BEEN STOPPED SEVERAL TIMES BY FOLKS PASSING BY TO TELL ME THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE ON. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, May 16, 2013
IF CRUISE IS ENGAGED, SOMETIMES IT WILL JUST TURN OFF. THIS IS ACCOMPANIED BY CONSTANT BRAKE LIGHTS EVEN WHEN THE BRAKES ARE NOT PRESSED. OTHER TIMES, THE CRUISE WILL NOT ENGAGE AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS WILL BE ILLUMINATED CONSTANTLY. USUALLY THIS OCCURS ALONG WITH AN ERROR MESSAGE REGARDING THE EST STABILITY SYSTEM ON THE CAR. USUALLY AFTER TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF EVERYTHING WORKS AGAIN. *TR
Electrical system, Service brakes, Apr 30, 2013
I BOUGHT THIS CAR IN JUNE 2010 AND THE FIRST THING TO HAPPEN WAS THE BATTERY EXPLODED IN 09/2010. A FEW MONTHS LATER A MY CAR WAS BROKEN INTO BECAUSE I DID NOT REALIZE THAT WHEN I LOCK MY DOORS THAT ALL LOCKS BUT 1. THE NEXT THING THAT HAPPEND WAS THE FRONT HEAD LIGHT SHORTED OUT, NOT THE ACTUAL HEAD LIGHT BUT THE SOCKET THAT THE LIGHT GOES INTO AND THAT HAPPEND AROUND 03/2012. AROUND JANUARY 2013 I WAS STOPPED BESIDE MY DAUGHTER SCHOOL AND A MAN PULLED OVER AND TOLD ME THAT MY BRAKE LIGHTS HAD BEEN ON FOR A FEW MILES. I DID NOT REALIZE THIS AND COULD NOT SEE THIS UNLESS I WAS DRIVING AT NIGHT. I RARELY DRIVE AT NIGHT BUT WHEN I WAS DRIVING AT NIGHT I NOTICED WHEN YOU GET TO A CERTAIN SPEED THE BRAKE LIGHTS WILL COME ON AND AND THEN GO OFF IF YOU TAP THE BRAKE AND THEN COME BACK ON AND STAY ON UNTIL WHENEVER THEY DECIDE TO GO OFF. SOMETIMES THEY WILL BE ON WHEN YOU CRANK UP THE CAR. IT CONCERNS ME BECAUSE WHAT IF THEY BRAKE LIGHT FAIL ALL TOGETHER. IT SEEMS LIKE THERE IS SOME KIND OF ELETRICAL MALFUNTION WITH THIS CAR. I HAVE RESEARCHED ONLINE AND FIND MANY PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME ISSUE WITH LIGHTS COMING ON IN THE CARE AT SPORADIC TIME TIMES AS WELL AS THE BRAKE LIGHT ISSUE. I CALLED GM, THEY TOOK THE INFO BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. I REALLY BELIEVE A RECALL OR SOME TYPE OF INVESTIGATION SHOULD BE DONE ON THIS. I KNOW PEOPLE THAT HAVE GOTTEN BEHIND THE SAME CAR I DRIVE AND THEY SEE THEY BRAKE LIGHTS CONTINOUSLY ON LIKE MY CAR. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. *TR
Electronic stability control (ESC), Apr 18, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL SERVICE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR THE FAILURE. THE DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC, WHICH LOCATED SEVERAL FAILURE CODES HOWEVER, THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO IDENTIFY THE STABILITY CONTROL FAILURE CODE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,204 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,222.
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Apr 17, 2013
RECENTLY, I EXPERIENCED A FAILED DOOR LOCKING ACTUATOR IN MY 2009 CHEVY MALIBU WHILE DRIVING MY 2YR OLD TO DAYCARE. I WAS TURNING RIGHT OUT OF MY NEIGHBORHOOD, WHEN MY DOOR(DRIVER'S DOOR) SWUNG OPEN. I GRABBED IT AND TRIED SHUTTING, BUT THE LOCKING MECHANISM WAS LOCKED, SO IT WOULDN'T SHUT. I PULLED OVER AND HAD TO MANUALLY UNLOCK THE DOOR SO MY DOOR WOULD SHUT. I COULDN'T EVEN IMAGINE IF THIS SITUATION OCCURRED TO A DOOR IN THE BACKSEAT WITH MY DAUGHTER SITTING THERE IN HER CHILD SEAT. FAST FORWARD ONE WEEK, AND NOW 3 OF MY 4 LOCKING ACTUATORS ARE FAILED. I DID SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND NOTICED THAT THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FROM MALIBU OWNERS ABOUT THESE FAILED LOCKING ACTUATORS. I THEN STARTED TO WONDER IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS. I CALLED GM AND THEY SAID THERE ISN'T A RECALL AND THAT IS JUST NORMAL PART FAILURE. NORMAL PART FAILURE?!?! I'VE HAD THE CAR FOR LESS THAN 4 YEARS AND HAVE ONLY PUT 45K MILES ON IT. IN MY OPINION, THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
Air bags, Structure, Apr 17, 2013, crash
I WAS DRIVING TO WORK APRIL 10TH & I WAS SIDE SWIPE BY AN 18 WHEELER DUMP TRUCK STARTING ON MY DRIVER SIDE PASSENGER DOOR. MY FRONT END WAS HIT BY THE NOSE OF THE DUMP TRUCK, I WAS SPUN 180 DEGREES SLAMMED INTO A SCHOOL BUS TO WHICH THE TRUCK SQUASHED ME UP AGAINST THE BUS DRAGGED ME UP THE Q BRIDGE LEAVING ME THERE WITH NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED OR ONSTAR ALERT! MY CONCERN IS I HAVE FRONT & SIDE AIRBAGS & I AM NOT SURE WHY NONE OF THEM WENT OFF. MY CAR WAS TOWED AWAY & I WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE IT AWAY & IS NOW TOTALED! *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Apr 9, 2013, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOORS WOULD SPORADICALLY BECOME LOCKED AND UNLOCKED INDEPENDENTLY. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT NOTICED A BURNING ODOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING DIAGNOSIS OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Power train, Apr 2, 2013
BOUGHT VEHICLE NEW 01/09, 3 MON. LATER RECEIVED LETTER FROM GM CITING RECALL FOR TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE, TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER AND THEY REPLACED. RECALL ID # 78844 - POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT NO PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE UNTIL 12/12 DRIVING ON INTERSTATE AT APPROX. 50 MPH VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHIFT HARD/ERRATIC WITH RPM GAGE GOING TO 6-7 BEFORE VEHICLE WOULD SHIFT/ACCELERATE, CHECK ENGINE, ABS, CHECK TIRE PRESSURE LIGHTS ALL CAME ON. CALLED ONSTAR WAS TOLD THERE NOTHING INDICATED ON DIAGNOSTICS REPORT AND TO CONTACT GM. CONTACTED GM WAS TOLD THERE WAS ANOTHER RECALL ON MY VEHICLE FOR RECALL ID # 94402 - POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL). TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, DEALER SAID THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE PROBLEM I WAS HAVING AND WOULD NOT HAVE PARTS UNTIL LATE JAN. TO FIX RECALL IF THAT WAS IN FACT THE ISSUE. TOLD BY DEALER THAT ERRATIC SHIFTING IS A NORMAL PROBLEM WITH THOSE VEHICLES. ON 4/2/13 CAR WILL NOT GO IN PARK COMPLETELY AND IGNITION WILL NOT TURN TO "OFF" POSITION, CANNOT REMOVE KEY FROM IGNITION. CONTACTED GM WAS TOLD THERE WERE NO ACTIVE RECALLS ON MY VEHICLE BECAUSE ORIGINAL RECALL FROM 2009 FIXED THE SHIFT CABLE AND REPLACEMENT PART WAS ONLY COVERED BY GM FOR 12 MONTHS. GM SAID SECOND RECALL WAS NOT ATTACHED TO VIN# AND THEREFORE MY VEHICLE WAS NOT AFFECTED ALTHOUGH GM REP AND DEALER VERIFIED IT WAS IN NOV 2012. GM SAID TO TAKE TO DEALER AND GET DIAGNOSTIC REPORT AND THEY WOULD GO FROM THERE BUT ISSUE WOULD PROBABLY NOT BE COVERED IF IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH SHIFT CABLE BECAUSE WARRANTY OF 12 MON. ON REPLACEMENT PARTS HAS EXPIRED. IF GM KNOWS THERE IS A CONTINUOUS PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE/MODEL AND THIS COMPONENT THEN IT SHOULD BE COVERED REGARDLESS. HOW MANY TIMES SHOULD YOU HAVE TO TAKE VEHICLE IN FOR SAME SET OF ISSUES. IF GM DOES NOT OWN THIS PROBLEM I WILL NEVER BUY A GM VEHICLE AGAIN! *TR
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Mar 26, 2013
THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM, BEGINNING NEARLY 2 YEARS AGO. I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIRS SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THE LAST DOCUMENTABLE INCIDENT IS MARCH 9, 2013. ESC SERVICE LIGHT COMES ON, CRUISE CONTROL SHUTS DOWN, BRAKES LIGHTS ILLUMINATING WHEN THEY SHOULD NOT, AND NOT ILLUMINATING WHEN THEY SHOULD. THERE'S ALWAYS BEEN SOME "THING" THEY FIND WRONG, FROM RE-CALIBRATION OF THE ESC SYSTEM TO THIS LAST INCIDENT, WHERE THEY TOLD ME IT WAS THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH! I HAD JUST HAD THE VEHICLE IN TO HAVE A HEADLIGHT REPLACED THE PRIOR WEEKEND AND I NEVER NOTICED THE BRAKE LIGHTS NOT WORKING, AND THE DEALER THAT REPLACED THE HEADLIGHT NEVER MENTIONED IT EITHER. I'M THINKING THEY WOULD HAVE IF THEY COULD CHARGE ME TO FIX SOMETHING ADDITIONAL ON THE CAR. I JUST PAID $250 TO REPLACE WHAT I WAS TOLD WAS A BURNED OUT BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ON MARCH 9TH, (PALMEN MOTORS, KENOSHA, WI), AND ITS ALREADY RECURRING. I HEARD PART OF POSSIBLE RECALL ON WNN ABC NEWS AND STARTED RESEARCHING AND ENDED UP AT YOUR SITE THIS MORNING. I WANT TO REPORT THIS. THERE'S NO TELLING HOW MANY DOLLARS HAVE BEEN PAID TO MECHANICS TO FIX UNNECESSARY REPAIRS BECAUSE OF THIS! I AM FURIOUS! I AM HOPING THAT IF THIS IS A RECALL, OR MADE ONE, I CAN AT LEAST GET SOME OF MY MONEY BACK! THANK YOU, *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Mar 21, 2013
I HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKE LIGHT FUNCTION. WHEN DRIVING, THE BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD BE ON. WHEN PRESSING THE BRAKE, THE LIGHTS WOULD TURN OFF. I HAD TO PAY TO HAVE A SWITCH REPLACED BY THE DEALERSHIP TO FIX THIS ISSUE. *TR
Electrical system, Mar 16, 2013
CRUISE CONTROL DISENGAGED. THIRD BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON AND BRAKE LIGHTS CAME ON. WOULD NOT GO OFF. AFTER A PERIOD OF TIME ( 30 MINUTES OR SO ) THE BRAKE LIGHT WENT OFF. PEOPLE HAVE TOLD US NUMEROUS TIMES WE HAD NO BRAKE LIGHTS. THIS HAS HAPPENED A LOT OF TIMES SINCE THEN. DEALER SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG.
Electrical system, Seats, Mar 2, 2013
HEATING ELEMENT OF HEATED SEAT FEATURE BURNED A HOLE COMPLETELY THROUGH THE FRONT OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT BACK. THE HOLE IS CENTERED IN THE LOWER LUMBAR AREA OF THE SEAT BACK. *TR
Structure, Feb 28, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR COULD NOT BE OPENED. THE CONTACT HAD TO PULL THE DOOR HANDLE SEVERAL TIMES IN BEFORE IT WOULD OPEN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Feb 6, 2013
WHILE DRIVE DOWN THE ROAD THIS ESC LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND TELLS ME TO SERVICE TRACTION SOON. I DON'T NOTICE ANYTHING DIFFERENT ABOUT THE WAY IT HANDLES OR DRIVES BUT WHEN THIS LIGHT IS ON YOU CANT SEE THE ODOMETER. TURN THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON THE LIGHT GOES OFF, YESTERDAY IT DID THE SAMETHING. MY CAR ONLY HAS 24000 MILES ON IT. *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Jan 30, 2013
DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS HAVE FAILED. INTERMITTENTLY, OPENING ANY OF THE FOUR DOORS AT ANY GIVEN TIME WILL CAUSE ALL LOCKS TO ENGAGE. *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Jan 29, 2013
MY REAR DRIVER DOOR LOCK WILL NOT ACTIVATE. ONLY MANUALLY. VERY DANGEROUS. IT SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON THING WITH THESE CARS. THEY HAVE BAD ACTUATORS. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL BY GENERAL MOTORS... *TR
Steering, Dec 28, 2012
ERRATIC STEERING WHILE TRYING TO PARK. CHIMES WERE HEAD, MESSAGE CAME ACROSS SPEEDO, MAJOR CLUNK ALSO STARTED AT SAME TIME. SOUNDS LIKE RIGHT FRONT. ANOTHER ELECTRIC POWER STEERING FAILURE FROM A CAR BARELY BROKEN IN, FROM GM. WHEN WILL THEY TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR SUBSTANDARD PARTS THEY IMPORT FOR AMERICAN CARS? *TR