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2009 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid Problems and Recalls

Owners filed 25 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid, most often about the stability control (24% of complaints). It is the most complained-about Malibu Hybrid model year since 2000.

Complaints25
Recalls0
Crashes reported1
Fires reported0
Injuries reported1

Most common 2009 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid problems

  1. Stability control

    6 complaints · 24%

    Car refused to go above 30 MPH when accelerating from light on river road even when applying full throttle. Went about half mile until I smelled friction material. Pulled car over to side of road. Walked from wheel to wheel to see how hot they were. Left front wheel was exceedingly hot as was right rear wheel. Left…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2011, at 8,300 miles
    Vehicle would not go more than 20 MPH after startup from intersection. Left front & right rear brakes applied themselves. Vehicle would not go above 20 MPH even at 4100 RPM. Pulled off to side of road. Turned engine off. Went from wheel to wheel - left front and right rear too hot to touch. Right front & left rear…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2011, at 10,250 miles

  2. Steering

    6 complaints · 24%

    While turning on the car the power steering will not turn on. We have to turn the vehicle off to gain power steering back. The car continued to do this for several months. We now lose power steering while driving down the road at random points in time. We have to pull over and restart the car to regain the power…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2014, at 155,000 miles
    My electronic or electric power steering goes out in the middle of driving with my children in the car a 1 year old daughter and 3 year old son not safe at all. Very difficult to drive I already have to other recalls on this car but I noticed other exact same model of cars have the same issue and have been recalled…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2018, at 10,119 miles

  3. Electrical

    5 complaints · 20%

    Half of these problems showed up before 112,000 miles.

    The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid. The contact stated that while parked and starting the vehicle, the passenger side air bag warning light illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15v382000 (air bags) and had the vehicle repaired by the dealer. While driving the vehicle…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2015, at 112,000 miles
    Beginning in dec/jan of 2016/2017 I began having major issues with my power steering where it would stop while I wasn't driving but also when I was driving. The steering wheel will start to aggressively shake and my traction control would cut off. It got to the point I couldn't even drive my vehicle. I then contacted…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2019, at 141,000 miles

  4. Transmission

    5 complaints · 20%

    The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving, the shift cable for the automatic transmission became detached. As a result, the vehicle was stuck in gear. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the shift cable needed to be replaced. The dealer was contacted who…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2011, at 53,000 miles
    My car feels like it is almost going to stall out whenever I accelerate from a stop. This has become very dangerous for me when crossing and intersection from a stop. I have almost been hit several times. I am not sure, but I think it has to do with the hybrid system. This usually only happens when the air conditioner…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2012, at 18,000 miles

  5. Brakes

    3 complaints · 12%

    Car refused to go above 30 MPH when accelerating from light on river road even when applying full throttle. Went about half mile until I smelled friction material. Pulled car over to side of road. Walked from wheel to wheel to see how hot they were. Left front wheel was exceedingly hot as was right rear wheel. Left…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2011, at 8,300 miles
    Vehicle would not go more than 20 MPH after startup from intersection. Left front & right rear brakes applied themselves. Vehicle would not go above 20 MPH even at 4100 RPM. Pulled off to side of road. Turned engine off. Went from wheel to wheel - left front and right rear too hot to touch. Right front & left rear…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2011, at 10,250 miles

Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.

2009 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid recalls

NHTSA lists no recalls for this model year.

Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.

Questions about the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid

What are the most common problems with the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid?
By NHTSA owner complaints: stability control (6 complaints); steering (6 complaints); electrical (5 complaints, typically around 112,000 miles).
How many recalls does the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls in case one is issued later.
Is the 2009 a bad year for the Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid?
It is the most complained-about Malibu Hybrid model year since 2000, with 25 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.

Other Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid years

Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid problems by year