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2009 Chevrolet Malibu Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 1,509 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu, most often about the steering (51% of complaints, typically around 120,000 miles). It is the most complained-about Malibu model year since 2000 and has 5 recalls.
Most common 2009 Chevrolet Malibu problems
Steering
768 complaints · 51%Half of these problems showed up before 120,000 miles. Parts named most often: column, hydraulic power assist system, hydraulic power assist, electric power assist system.
While driving the elec. Stability control light came on and steering became difficult due to the power steering assist motor giving out. When this happen, the steering wheel would inadvertently move back & forth. The sensor in the motor and in the lower steering column both went out. This was an extremely expensive…
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.
Electrical
368 complaints · 24%Half of these problems showed up before 90,000 miles. Parts named most often: ignition, wiring, 12v/24v/48v battery, seat heater.
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…
Within a week of owning car error code p0011 camshaft alignment?came up. Dealer got light to go off. Said nothing was wrong with car. Electrical problems with power locks also, now my complete steering column is gone.5 error codes c0545/c0561, non functioning electric power steering. I am lucky that I didn't die in…
Stability control
255 complaints · 17%Half of these problems showed up before 120,000 miles.
My power steering and service ESC light would come on. My steering wheel would lock up. Gm stated they would not reimburse me for my issue even though there is an recall out for the same issue.
Driving vehicle around a curve when ESC light came on and lost power steering. Parked car over night and waited for dealership to open. After research, realized the vehicle has a recall number of 14v252 which may root of the problem. When I turned on the vehicle to take to the dealer, the light was off and power…
Lights
172 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 94,000 miles. Parts named most often: brake lights, headlights, turn signal.
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA campaign number: 14v252000 (electrical system, electronic stability control, exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic, vehicle speed control). The contact stated the headlights failed to illuminate while driving. The…
The passenger front headlight burned out. I took it to the dealership and had it replaced. Within a week or so, it had burned back out. At that time the dealership determined that the entire headlight assembly needed to be replaced.
Brakes
152 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 68,500 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, pedals and linkages, brake fluid low warning.
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 .
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.…
Transmission
121 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 88,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, clutch assembly.
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving 50 MPH, the traction control warning light illuminated and the vehicle independently decreased in speed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who was unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage…
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle suddenly decelerated as the check engine warning light illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the gear shift failed to switch into the drive position. The vehicle was…
Speed control
73 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 82,500 miles. Parts named most often: cruise control, accelerator pedal, throttle.
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…
The brake lights would turn on while driving and the RPM tach would rev uncontrollably. When the brake is applied, the light turns off and the ESC warning appears on the dash. Fixed in 2014 as part of the exterior lighting recall (14v252000). As of the last two months, the problem started up again. First, I went and…
Engine
70 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 107,500 miles. Parts named most often: exhaust system.
Crack in the 2009 exhaust manifold; had to be replaced as this is part of the catalytic convert. Looked on chevy forums and multple people with same issue....updated 08/31/15 updated 09/08/15 updated 10/14/15 updated 12/10/2015
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The failure occurred intermittently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 109,000.
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 recalls
Stability control: electronic stability control (esc)
Risk: Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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
Steering: electric power assist system
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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 mar
Full defect summary
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.
Transmission: gear position indication (prndl)
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Transmission: column shift
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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".
Visibility and wipers: defroster/defogger/hvac system
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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> .
Full defect summary
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.
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Fleet vehicle recall completion audit
Summary
On november 18, 2010, NHTSA's recall management division (rmd) opened an audit query (aq10-001) to investigate recall remedy completion by rental car companies on safety recall campaigns.it was expected to provide the agency an indication of how completely and how quickly rental car fleets perform necessary recall-related remedies on the vehicles owned and then rented/leased for use on the roadways.rmd queried three (3) major motor vehicle manufacturers (ford, chrysler, and general motors) and requested data regarding completion figures for fifteen (15) discreet safety recalls.analysis of this data demonstrated that rental car recalls completion was neither complete nor consistent.the rental
Questions about the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu
- What are the most common problems with the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: steering (768 complaints, typically around 120,000 miles); electrical (368 complaints, typically around 90,000 miles); stability control (255 complaints, typically around 120,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu have?
- 5 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from May 14, 2014 (stability control). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2009 a bad year for the Chevrolet Malibu?
- It is the most complained-about Malibu model year since 2000, with 1,509 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.