2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU

What owners reported to NHTSA, ranked by how often and how seriously.

This is complaint data, not a random sample.

It only includes owners who chose to file a federal complaint, so it over-represents dramatic and safety-related problems and under-represents minor issues an owner just had fixed without reporting. Read this as what NHTSA complainants report most, not as this vehicle's true failure rate. Full methodology.

Component ranking

  1. #1

    steering electric assist

    373 unsafe

    373
    incidents
    Typical range: 94,000–159,000 mi

    Median 127,000 mi, based on 426 reports (23% had no usable mileage)

    • "THE STEERING WHEEL TIGHTENS UP WHILE DRIVING CANNOT TURN STEERING WHEEL"~10,400 mi, complaint #1650079
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CONTACT FELT AN ABNORMALITY WHILE STEERING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND EVERYTHING APPEARED NORMAL. THE CONTACT BEGAN TO DRIVE AGAIN WHEN TH…"~93,850 mi, complaint #1392210
    • "WHILE DRIVING ESC LIGHT CAME ON, STEERING WHEEL JERKS/SHAKES UNABLE TO FULL STEER OR CONTROL VEHICLE. CUTS ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING"~121,000 mi, complaint #1645567
    • "TODAY I LOST POWER STEERING AGAIN (ALSO HAPPENED 2 TIMES ABOUT A MONTH AGO). I WAS DRIVING IN DOWNTOWN MADISON WI TODAY WHEN IT HAPPENED, VERY UNSAFE SITUATION. GM'S WEBSITE SAYS THERE WAS A RECALL FOR SOME 2009 MALIBUS IN 2014, BUT WHEN I JUST CALLED GM NOW…"~157,000 mi, complaint #1629406
    • "WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE STEERING WHEEL TIGHTENED UP AND THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON AND THE TRACTION CONTROL KICKED ON AND ESC SERVICE CAME ACROSS THE SCREEN, AND THE WHEEL IS HARD TO TURN. IT WILL KICK ON AND OFF AND BEFORE IT KICKS ON THE STEE…"~1,053,996 mi, complaint #1041954
  2. #2

    power steering hydraulic

    130 unsafe, 1 broken

    131
    incidents
    Typical range: 94,000–166,000 mi

    Median 125,500 mi, based on 119 reports (32% had no usable mileage)

    • "TURNING OUT OF A SHOPPING CENTER PARKING LOT THE POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING. *TR"~12,310 mi, complaint #1126227
    • "MY POWER STEERING JUST QUIT. I HAD TO TURN CAR OFF AND THEN BACK ON. IT'S DONE IT TWICE NOW."~95,000 mi, complaint #1546752
    • "DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AND MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT"~126,500 mi, complaint #1742079
    • "POWER STEERING POWER STEERING PUMP SERVICE ESC LIGHT CAME ON"~166,250 mi, complaint #1690149
    • "POWER STEERING NOTIFICATION COMES ON DASH AND STEERING WHEEL IS HARD TO TURN. I TURN THE CAR OFF AND RESTART AND THEN ITS FINE BUT SHORTLY AFTER DRIVING NOTICE FLASHES ON DASH AGAIN AND AM UNABLE TO TURN STEERING WHEEL."~1,200,000 mi, complaint #1536498
  3. #3

    stability and traction control

    1 stranded, 105 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    107
    incidents
    Typical range: 60,000–135,000 mi

    Median 112,000 mi, based on 180 reports (16% had no usable mileage)

    • ""NO ESC" LIGHT APPEARED. 6 SERVICE ATTEMPTS HAVE BEEN MADE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. ISSUE STILL ACTIVE. *TR"~15,180 mi, complaint #952285
    • "WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION THE DASH WILL DISPLAY THE TRACTION CONTROL SERVICE LIGHT AND THE SCREEN WILL READ SERVICE TRACTION SERVICE ESC, THE BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS NOT PUSHED AND TURN OFF WHEN IT IS PUSHED. THE CRUISE CONTROL AL…"~62,775 mi, complaint #1622850
    • "VEHICLE HAS ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL LIGHTS AND THE TRACTION CONTROL SERVICE LIGHTS LIT ON DASH. ALSO REAR BRAKE LIGHTS WILL COME ON AND OR OFF INTERMITTENTLY. CAR HAS BEEN REPAIRED WITH A NEW BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH AND A ENGINE HARNESS IN THE PAST YEAR AT TH…"~112,000 mi, complaint #1352625
    • "TAKATA RECALL ! I CURRENTLY OWN A 2009 CHEVY MALIBU ECOTEC AND WHEN STARTING THE CAR ONE MORNING MY ELECTRIC STABILITY CONTROL CAME ON ALSO SAYING NO POWER STEARING THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ON THE OTHER MODELS BUT NOT MY ECOTEC 4 CYLINDER.."~135,224 mi, complaint #1536856
    • "MY TRACTION LIGHT COMES ON AND STOPS MY WHOLE CAR AND DRIVE EXTREMELY SLOW AND MY WHOLE JUST MESSED UP AND I NEED IT FIXED ASAP I CAN'T EVEN GET TO WORK WITHOUT MY CAR MESSING UP"~228,600 mi, complaint #1690085
  4. #4

    power windows and locks

    76 unsafe, 5 broken, 7 annoyance

    88
    incidents
    Typical range: 47,500–90,000 mi

    Median 65,000 mi, based on 133 reports (19% had no usable mileage)

    • "MY MALIBU 2009 HAS LOCKS OPENING AND CLOSING OFTEN WHEN DRIVING. REMAINING OPEN IS A BIG SAFETY CONCERN. MY DEALER AND GM PRETEND NOT TO HELP UNLESS THEY ARE IN CAR WHEN THEY SEE AND HEAR IT HAPPENING. MY SON ALSO HAS THE SAME PROBLEM ON HIS NEW MALIBU 2009. D…"~4,119 mi, complaint #731249
    • "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…"~45,000 mi, complaint #974385
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE RECENTLY EXPERIENCED ELECTRICAL FAILURES WITH THE POWER WINDOWS AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO OPEN OR SHUT THE POWER WINDOWS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THEY DIAGNOS…"~65,000 mi, complaint #836901
    • "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 TA…"~90,000 mi, complaint #973006
    • "LIVING IN ARIZONA, WHEN THE WEATHER IS HOTTER THAN 90 F, THE ELECTRIC DOOR LOCKS DO NOT UNLOCK AND HAVE TO BE MANUALLY UNLOCKED. *TR"~540,000 mi, complaint #1101682
  5. #5

    lighting exterior

    28 unsafe, 2 broken, 37 annoyance

    67
    incidents
    Typical range: 66,000–119,000 mi

    Median 93,000 mi, based on 75 reports (31% had no usable mileage)

    • "I NOTICED WHEN I WOULD USE THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL THAT AFTER COMPLETING THE TURN THE SIGNAL WOULD NOT SHUT OFF. IT WOULD MAKE THE "CLICK" SOUND BUT THE LIGHT WOULD STILL FLASH. THIS HAPPENED ABOUT 50% OF THE TIME. THE DEALER REPLACED THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH TOD…"~6,600 mi, complaint #748772
    • "I HAVE HAD RECURRING AND CONSTANT PROBLEMS WITH THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS AND ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS IN THIS CAR. I'VE ALREADY HAD THE PASSENGERS SIDE HEADLIGHT AND DRIVERS SIDE HEADLIGHT "FIXED" BETWEEN 3 AND 4 TIMES. THE DRIVERS SIDE LOW BEAM IS OUT AGAIN AS…"~70,000 mi, complaint #1721066
    • "I HAVE A 2009 CHEVY MALIBU AND THE PASSENGER LOW BEAM LIGHT KEEPS GOING OUT EVERY 3-4 MONTHS. I HAVE CHANGED THE BULBS 5 TIMES NOW AND RECENTLY CHANGED THE HARNESS AND STILL WENT OUT 3 MONTHS LATER. IT IS STARTING TO COST ME A LOT OF MONEY AND KEEPS HAPPENI…"~94,236 mi, complaint #1462196
    • "THE HIGH MOUNT BRAKE LIGHT DOES NOT ALWAYS ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS ENGAGED. ON A 1 HOUR COMMUTE, THE BRAKE LIGHT CAN START WORKING, STOP WORKING, AND THEN START WORKING AGAIN. THE VEHICLE APPEARS TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM DESCRIBED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN…"~124,000 mi, complaint #1344613
    • "PASSENGER LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT ON 2009 CHEVY MALIBU. I HAVE REPLACED THE BULBS, AND THE PIGTAIL HARNESS 3 TIMES A YEAR FOR THE LAST 4 YEARS."~219,000 mi, complaint #1597836
  6. #6

    brake hydraulics

    64 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    65
    incidents
    Typical range: 55,500–126,500 mi

    Median 94,000 mi, based on 136 reports (22% had no usable mileage)

    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH HE TRIED TO ACTIVATE THE ABS BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP AND PROCEEDED THROUGH A TRAFFIC LIGHT. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT HE NEEDED A NEW MASTER CYLINDER…"~3,481 mi, complaint #754307
    • "REAR BRAKE LIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY TURN ON. THERE DOESN'T APPEAR TO BE A REASON AS TO WHEN OR WHY IT TURNS ON. DEALERSHIP SHRUGS THEIR SHOULDERS AS THEY 'FIX' THE CAR 'HOPING THAT WHAT THEY DO FIXES THE PROBLEM'. DRIVER DOESN'T KNOW THAT REAR BRAKES ARE ON UN…"~41,211 mi, complaint #870642
    • "THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON WITHOUT DEPRESSING BRAKE. WHEN BRAKE PEDDLE PRESSED, BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT ILLUMINATE. *TR"~74,326 mi, complaint #1051325
    • "FOR THE LAST YEAR OR SO I HAVE BEEN HAVING ISSUES WITH MY BRAKE LIGHTS INGAGING AND MY CRUISE CONTROL INOPERABLE. I CURRENTLY HAVE A 2009 MALIBU. A FRIEND WAS DRIVING BEHIND ME ONCE AND MENTIONED LATER THAT I WAS RIDING MY BRAKES ALL THE WAY HOME. I WAS NOT. I…"~120,000 mi, complaint #1045078
    • "RECALL FIX FAILURE - THE RECALL FIX WAS APPLIED BY THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE 'BRAKE LIGHTS MAY OR MAY NOT RANDOMLY ILLUMINATE' ISSUE, NHTSA ACTION 13005, HOWEVER IT IS ONLY TEMPORARY. AFTER A FEW MONTHS THE IDENTICAL SYMPTOMS OCCUR AT THE SAME FREQUENCY. NO NEW…"~250,000 mi, complaint #1283769
  7. #7

    transmission automatic

    7 stranded, 47 unsafe

    54
    incidents
    Typical range: 47,000–115,000 mi

    Median 86,000 mi, based on 84 reports (13% had no usable mileage)

    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V073000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT). SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT EVERYTHING L…"~2,600 mi, complaint #716846
    • "SAFETY INCIDENT:TRANSMISSION GEAR SHIFT INDICATOR SETTING: PARKED IN TOM THUMB GROCERY STORE PARKING LOT. NOSE TO NOSE WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE (WITH NO PARKING CURB BETWEEN). INCIDENT: I STARTED THE CAR AND THE CAR BEGAN TO CREEP FORWARD, WHILE STILL IN PA…"~41,346 mi, complaint #797917
    • "CURRENTLY MY CAR HAS ABOUT 86,000 MILES ALWAYS HAVE KEPT UP WITH ANY FIXES THAT NEED TO BE MADE RANDOMLY I START HEARING THIS NOISE LIKE A WHEEL BEARING SO I FIX ALL MY WHEEL BEARINGS COME TO FIND OUT IT'S MY TRANSMISSION BEARING. IT WENT OUT AND IT'LL BE 3,80…"~86,000 mi, complaint #1727400
    • "STOPPED BEHIND ANOTHER VEHICLE, WHEN I STARTED MOVING AGAIN THERE WAS A SEVERE SHUDDER OR VIBRATION. THEN MY CAR DID NOT WANT TO START MOVING AGAIN. ONCE IT DID START MOVING IT WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF FIRST GEAR."~115,000 mi, complaint #1628709
    • "I HAVE BEEN HAVING TROUBLE WITH MY CAR ALMOST FROM THE TIME OF PURCHASE. MY VEHICLE IS HAVING SOME TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. IT IS HAVING PROBLEMS PICKING UP SPEED AND JERKS WHEN GEARS ARE SHIFTED. I HAVE ALSO NOTICE THAT WHEN THE BUTTON IS PUSHED TO ROLL DOWN…"~186,262 mi, complaint #1526160
  8. #8

    airbag system

    43 unsafe

    43
    incidents
    Typical range: 39,500–120,000 mi

    Median 75,000 mi, based on 57 reports (20% had no usable mileage)

    • "AIRBAGS DEPLOYED WHEN I HIT THE BRAKES IN 2008. "~1,500 mi, complaint #1329007
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, A FEDEX TRUCK CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND PUSHED THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE INTO TRAFFIC. AS A RESULT, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE CO…"~31,000 mi, complaint #1424694
    • "ON FRIDAY, 19 MAY 2017 AT APPROXIMATELY 9:15 PM I WAS DRIVING WESTBOUND ON THUNDERBIRD ROAD AND 84TH AVENUE IN PEORIA, ARIZONA WHILE OPERATING MY WHITE IN COLOR 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU AT FORTY MPH WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN, I HEARD A LOUD BANG, SAW A FLASH OF LIGHT…"~62,000 mi, complaint #1432473
    • "FIRST ISSUE NOTICED WAS PASSENGER AIRBAG NOT ON WHILE PASSENGERS ARE IN FRONT AND REAR OF VEHICLE. THE PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR WORKS 50% OF THE TIME. SECOND ISSUE STARTED CLOSE TO THE SAME TIME AS THE AIRBAG. WHEN USING THE KEYLESS ENTRY OR THE ELECTRIC LOCK B…"~113,400 mi, complaint #1133750
    • "TAKATA RECALL PASSENGER AIR BAG IS SUNKEN IN TO THE DASHBOARD."~182,000 mi, complaint #1584059
  9. #9

    wiring harness

    33 unsafe, 1 broken, 3 annoyance

    37
    incidents
    Typical range: 50,000–137,000 mi

    Median 101,000 mi, based on 47 reports (38% had no usable mileage)

    • "CAR WILL NOT START, DOOR LOCKS LOCK AND UNLOCK W/OUT PROMPTS, LIGHT FLASH ON AND OFF, RADIO GOES ON AND OFF, & INTERIOR LIGHTS DIM. THESE SYMPTOMS OCCURRED TWICE BEFORE ... ONCE IN THE FALL AND ONCE ABOUT 7 DAYS AGO. PREVIOUSLY (SUMMER 20101) THE POWER WINDOWS…"~33,014 mi, complaint #838893
    • "EVERY NOW AND THEN THE DASH LIGHTS WILL EITHER GO DIM OR BRIGHTEN WITHOUT TOUCHING THE CONTROL."~73,800 mi, complaint #1203722
    • "PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT WENT OUT. THE CONNECTOR TO THE HEADLIGHT IS MELTED THIS IS THE FOURTH TIME IT HAS HAPPENED. GENERAL MOTORS WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. IT GETS REPLACED EVERY TIME AND THAT CONNECTOR KEEPS GETTING MELTED MAKING IT HARD TO SEE WHILE D…"~100,000 mi, complaint #1614024
    • "CAR SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING PROBLEMS ELECTRICAL"~137,000 mi, complaint #1717728
    • "The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while exiting a parking lot, the contact smelled a burning odor and felt her leg burning. When the contact exited the vehicle, she became aware that her sweater was burned, and the driver’s seat was…"~193,000 mi, complaint #1866229
  10. #10

    steering rack mechanical

    23 unsafe

    23
    incidents
    Typical range: 77,500–168,500 mi

    Median 121,000 mi, based on 54 reports (16% had no usable mileage)

    • "MY 2009 CHEVY MALIBU HAS AS SEVERE STEERING BIAS TO THE LEFT THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO FIX. *TR"~5,000 mi, complaint #719803
    • "STEERING WHEEL SHAKING, UNABLE TO TURN. *TR"~85,434 mi, complaint #1035906
    • "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…"~112,000 mi, complaint #1029532
    • "THE STEERING WHEEL ALMOST LOCKS, HAVE TO USE ALL MY POWER TO MAKE ANY TURNS. THIS HAPPENS ON ALL ROAD WAYS WHETHER STATIONARY OR IN MOTION. I HAVE SEE THERE ARE RECALLS FOR THIS IN THE EXACT YEAR MAKE AND MODEL. HOWEVER, IT SAYS THERE IS NO RECALL WITH MY VIN."~130,000 mi, complaint #1485797
    • "WHEN GOING OVER ANY BUMP OR TURNING THE FRONT END SHAKES AND MAKES A CLACKING NOISE. ESC IS OFF. TRACTION CONTROL IS ALWAYS OFF. ERROR CODES READ P0010 P0449 P0013 P0722 P0011"~188,000 mi, complaint #1701923
  11. #11

    engine stall or no start

    5 stranded, 16 unsafe

    21
    incidents
    Typical range: 67,000–140,000 mi

    Median 110,500 mi, based on 34 reports (29% had no usable mileage)

    • "LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING ON MAIN ROAD AT 55 SPEED ZONE AND CAR WOULD ONLY DO 15 MPH FINALLY GOT TO A STORE AND GOT IT STOPPED AND STEERING WAS SHAKING AND CAR SHAKES WHEN I HIT BRAKES"~19,235 mi, complaint #1624062
    • "CAR LOSS OF POWER, AND STEERING ASSIST, ENGINE STOPS. MAY START AFTER A MINUTE."~90,000 mi, complaint #1550630
    • "ENGINE SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING WHEN TRAVELING OVER 30MPH."~112,000 mi, complaint #1603141
    • "THE SECOND DAY I HAD THE VEHICLE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. I WAS DRIVING IN HOUSTON TEXAS IN FULL TRAFFIC AND MY MOTOR HAD ENGINE POWER LOSS. THEY FIXED MY POWER STEERING. NOW MY CAR GOES INTO ENGINE POWER LOSS WHEN DRIVING. ESC, TRACTION CONTROL AND ENGINE POW…"~138,000 mi, complaint #1480318
    • "CAR TURNED OFF WHILE SITTING IN THE DRIVE THRU LINE. CAR TURNED OFF DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. SOMETIMES WILL START BACK, SOMETIMES WILL NOT START BACK AND HAS TO BE TOWED. AFTER WAITING A FEW DAYS THE CAR WILL DRIVE AS NORMAL AND THEN THE NEXT…"~216,000 mi, complaint #1375851
  12. #12

    other

    9 unsafe, 10 annoyance

    19
    incidents
    Typical range: 15,000–101,000 mi

    Median 75,000 mi, based on 25 reports (38% had no usable mileage)

    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER DUE TO A VERY STRONG CHEMICAL SMELL INSIDE THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THE DEALER ADVISED HIM TO DRIVE WITH THE WINDOWS OPEN, KEEP THE VEHICLE OUT OF DIRECT SUNLIGHT, AND…"~800 mi, complaint #725334
    • "TOOK CAR INTO SHOP OVER A YEAR AGO BECAUSE BAD ODORS WERE COMING OUT OF THE CABIN AIR SUPPLY. THE CHEVROLET SHOP CLEANED OUT THE A/C - TOOK CAR BACK 8-9 MONTHS LATER, SMELLY ODORS COMING FROM AIR VENTS IN CAR. THEY CANNOT FIX - THESE CARS ARE NOT EQUIPPED WI…"~15,000 mi, complaint #926283
    • "I AM NOT SURE WHERE TO START. DOOR LOCKS INTERMITTENTLY DON'T WORK, BLUETOOTH JUST STOPPED WORKING, HAVE HAD TO CHANGE HEADLIGHT BULBS 3 TIMES IN 2 YEARS, POWER STEERING WENT OUT (HAD THAT REPAIRED BY DEALER AT NOT COST), AC/HEATER/DEFROSTER USED TO SHUT OFF I…"~75,000 mi, complaint #1465247
    • "HIGH MOUNT CENTER STOP LIGHT DOES NOT WORK DRIVERS HEATED SEAT HEATER DOES NOT WORK"~101,200 mi, complaint #1488235
    • "CONSTANT HARASSMENT BY FRIENDS (LAW ENFORCEMENT) OF[XXX] - DURING AN AFTER FEDERAL CORRUPTION TRIALS. HARASSMENT INCLUDES BUT NOT LIMITED TO: WHILE DRIVING, CONSTANTLY FOLLOWED AND THREATENED BY DEARBORN, DETROIT, FARMINGTON HILLS, NOVI AND SOUTHFIELD POL…"~999,999 mi, complaint #1053787
  13. #13

    control module

    16 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    17
    incidents
    Typical range: 57,000–102,500 mi

    Median 91,500 mi, based on 28 reports (26% had no usable mileage)

    • "THE BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON WITHOUT PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. WHEN YOU PUSH ON THE PEDAL THE LIGHTS GO OUT. WHILE ON THE SPEED CONTROL WILL NOT WORK. SEVERAL OTHER ISSUES WITH THE BCM. GM ANNOUNCED A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE ON MAY 15, 2014 BUT THE NHTSA WEBSITE LE…"~8,000 mi, complaint #1086285
    • "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…"~57,000 mi, complaint #1014737
    • "THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE WIRING HARNESS RELATED TO THESE PROBLEMS..RK CHEVROLET IN VINELAND,NJ REPAIRED IT SUPPOSEDLY. DAYS AFTER THE WARRANTY ON SOCALLED REPAIR THE PROBLEM PERSISTED YET AGAIN AND I RETURNED TO DEALERSHIP THEY SAID THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH…"~93,000 mi, complaint #1238759
    • "2009 MALIBU BEGAN HAVING ISSUES WHERE THE BAS LIGHT WOULD COME ON IN ERROR. A RECALL HAS SINCE BEEN PUT OUT FOR THIS. AROUND THIS SAME TIME, THE CAR BEGAN HAVING BLINKER ISSUES. THE RIGHT BLINKER WOULD NOT TURN OFF AFTER A TURN AND THE LEFT BLINKER WOULD NOT S…"~103,000 mi, complaint #1092685
    • "THE BCM (BODY CONTROL MODULE) ON MY 2009 CHEVY MALIBU SHORTED OUT.. CHEVY ISSUE A RECALL FOR THE SAME YEAR, MAKE ON THE HYBRID MODEL. I HAVE NO HEAT NO DEFROSTING NO CLIMATE CONTROLS WORK AT ALL.. ALL THE FUSES AND RELAYS ARE IN GOOD WORKING CONDITION."~153,000 mi, complaint #1648074
  14. #14

    seat mechanism

    15 unsafe, 1 broken

    16
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=13, median 75,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "WELD ON SEAT FRAME IS BROKEN. IN A CRASH DRIVER COULD BE EJECTED, ALONG WITH SEAT. SEATBELT IS ATTACHED TO SEAT SO BECOMES LESS USEFUL AND MORE UNSAFE. 1000'S OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE ALREADY."~15,000 mi, complaint #1605067
    • "BACK OF DRIVERS SEAT BROKE AT HINGE AREA AS I WAS LEANING BACK AND UPWARD TO PLACE WALLET IN REAR POCKET. THE SEAT BACK IS NOW LOOSE AND UNSTABLE AS IT TILTS TO CENTER CONSOLE AND IS UNSTABLE BOTH IN ACCELLERATION AND DECELLERATION AND FEELS LIKE IT WILL SEPE…"~68,000 mi, complaint #1049525
    • "I WAS DRIVING 25 MPH IN A SCHOOL ZONE WHEN IT FELT LIKE ANOTHER CAR HAD CRASHED INTO ME , I LOOKED IN ALL MY MIRRORS AND THERE WAS NO OTHER CARS AROUND , I THEN NOTICE MY DRIVER SEAT HAD ME SITTING LOPSIDED AND SOMETHING WAS STABBING ME IN THE HIP, SOMETHING U…"~90,000 mi, complaint #1114191
    • "THE DRIVER'S SEAT IS A POWER SEAT AND, WHILE I KEEP THE SEAT IN THE LOWEST POSITION, MY WIFE NEEDS THE SEAT UP HIGHER. WHEN RAISING THE SEAT, SHE NOTICED THAT THE SEAT WAS GOING UP CROOKED AND WAS NOT SUPPORTING PROPERLY ON THE SIDE NEAREST THE CENTER OF THE…"~130,000 mi, complaint #1365327
    • "WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET, I HEARD A "POP" OR "BANG" AND THEN THE BACK RIGHT SIDE OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT COLLAPSED. SEAT IS NOW UNSTABLE AND MOVES WHILE MAKING TURNS. I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THE STABILITY IF INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT."~215,000 mi, complaint #1334267
  15. #15

    steering column

    16 unsafe

    16
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=19, median 111,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "WHEN I TURN ON THE TURN SIGNALS THEY BOTH WORK PROPERLY, BUT WHEN I TURN THE WHEEL AND MAKE THE TURN THEN SIGNAL DOES NOT TURN OFF !! THE PROBLEM,AS MY MECHANIC CLAIMS IS A DEFECTIVE (CLOCK SPRING ASSEMBLY) IN THE STEERING COLUMN. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFET…"~57,000 mi, complaint #1350056
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AFTER THE ENGINE WAS STARTED. ADDITIONALLY, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE…"~80,000 mi, complaint #1054445
    • "TAKATA RECALL; STEERING COLUMN IS LOOSE(STATIONARY, MOTION). WHEEL BEARINGS ARE BAD. I TOOK THE CAR TO A CHEVROLET DEALER(CLEMSON RD.). THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO FIND AN ISSUE. EVERYTIME I MAINTENANCEPERFORMED I AM ADVISED TO HAVE THE ;STEETING COLUMN CHECK, RAT…"~111,000 mi, complaint #1320109
    • "WHEN STARTING MY CAR THE ESC LIGHT COMES ON AND I LOSE POWER STEERING. IF I SHUT THE CAR OFF AND JIGGLE THE STEERING WHEEL AND THEN TURN THE CAR BACK ON IT USUALLY WORKS FINE UNTIL I SHUT THE CAR OFF AGAIN. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC WHO CHECKED THE ERROR CODE AN…"~133,000 mi, complaint #1349588
    • "TL* THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF THE DRIVER WHO OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND POW…"~155,207 mi, complaint #1528402
  16. #16

    fuel tank and lines

    14 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    15
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=16, median 80,500 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "VEHICLE SMELLS OF GASOLINE IN THE TRUNK AREA. THE CAR HAS HAD NO DAMAGE, I THINK A FUEL SYSTEM PART HAS CRACKED."~40,000 mi, complaint #1208355
    • "AFTER SMELLING GAS FUMES FOR ABOUT A WEEK, I PULLED INTO THE DRIVEWAY WITH THE GAS TANK CLOSE TO FULL. AFTER ABOUT 5 MINUTES I LOOKED UNDER THE CAR AND SAW A 4 TO 5 INCH DIAMETER WET GAS STAIN ON THE DRIVEWAY. OVER THE NEXT 3 TO 4 MINUTES I OBSERVED SEVERAL DR…"~63,000 mi, complaint #1322155
    • "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 CRA…"~77,000 mi, complaint #1013360
    • "SMELL OF GAS REAR OF CAR AFTER FILL UP. VISIBLE MOISTURE TOP OF FUEL TANK SENDING UNIT. LEAK FROM TOP OF TANK AND OR FIXTURE."~113,409 mi, complaint #1617539
    • "FUEL ODOR COMING FROM REAR OF VEHICLE, ODOR IN GARAGE AFTER VEHICLE HAS BEEN PARKED, DAMPNESS ON TOP OF FUEL TANK. FUEL LEAK FROM TOP OF FUEL TANK."~170,000 mi, complaint #1464954
  17. #17

    brake booster

    12 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    13
    incidents
    Typical range: 64,000–105,000 mi

    Median 83,000 mi, based on 31 reports (6% had no usable mileage)

    • "I AM REPORTING TWO INCIDENTS! APPROXIMATELY 6 MONTHS AGO MY BREAK LIGHTS STARTING TURNING ON AGAIN (AFTER THE RECALL WAS FIXED A YEAR PRIOR) WHILE DIVING THE VEHICLE. I WOULD TAP THE BREAKS AND THE LIGHT WOULD TURN OFF (GIVING CARS BEHIND ME THE IDEA THAT I WA…"~15,100 mi, complaint #1364335
    • "THE BRAKE LIGHTS WILL COME ON RANDOMLY. THIS ALSO CAUSES THE CRUISE CONTROL TO KICK OFF. THE LIGHTS WILL STAY ON FOR VARYING LENGTHS. *TR"~64,000 mi, complaint #1031673
    • "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.…"~83,000 mi, complaint #1009306
    • "MY BRAKE LIGHTS AND FIFTH LIGHT IN WINDOW COME ON WITHOUT BRAKING AND GO OFF WHEN BRAKE IS PRESSED"~91,000 mi, complaint #1476283
    • "WHEN DRIVING MY VEHICLE THE BRAKE LIGHTS ARE CURRENTLY ILLUMINATING WITHOUT ME PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL AND NOT ILLUMINATING WHEN I DO PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL (BRAKE LIGHT REVERSAL). IN ADDITION MY ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) AND CRUISE CONTROL TURN OFF.…"~119,500 mi, complaint #1223137
  18. #18

    door latch and hinge

    13 unsafe

    13
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=19, median 74,500 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR DOES NOT UNLOCK UNLESS MANUALLY UNLOCKED. VEHICLE WAS SOLD TO ME USED BY CADILLAC WEST OF LAS VEGAS. UPON SELLING OF THE VEHICLE, I WAS TOLD THIS WAS A MALFUNCTION AND THE DEALERSHIP WOULD FIX THIS. TRIED CALLING ONCE AND THEY REFUSED…"~24,000 mi, complaint #1053598
    • "THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR LATCH FAILED TO OPEN. NEITHER THE INSIDE NOR OUTSIDE HANDLES WORKED. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT, ABUSE OR INDICATION OF IMMINENT FAILURE. IT WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO EXIT THE VEHICLE; MY DAUGHTER NEEDED TO CRAWL ACROSS THE CONSOLE. WOULD BE…"~57,000 mi, complaint #1046436
    • "DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN. TRIED EVERY MEANS TO OPEN DOOR. PASSENGER HAD TO CLIMB OVER CENTER CONSOLE AND IN DOING SO INJURED KNEE. *TR"~74,500 mi, complaint #1147289
    • "WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREET GOING MAYBE 35 MPH MY 3YEAR OLD WHO WAS STRAPPED INTO HIS CAR SEAT IN THE BACKSEAT BEGAN TO CHOKE. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND GOT OUT TO GO TO HIS AID BUT I COULDN'T UNLOCK THE BACK DOOR. I PANICKED AND HAD TO TRY TO CLIMB THROU…"~127,056 mi, complaint #1166791
    • "DOOR WILL NOT OPEN. I WAS LOCKED IN MY OWN CAR AT THE GAS STATION. I MANUALLY PULLED UP ON THE DOOR LOCK AND STILL COULDN'T GET OUT. I ROLLED THE WINDOW DOWN AND PULLED ON THE OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE RELEASE AND NOTHING. AFTER PUSHING EVERY BUTTON SEVERAL TIMES AN…"~140,000 mi, complaint #1061454
  19. #19

    abs module

    11 unsafe

    11
    incidents
    Typical range: 60,000–152,000 mi

    Median 83,000 mi, based on 36 reports (12% had no usable mileage)

    • "INTERMITTENTLY, THE BRAKE LIGHT WILL COME ON AND REMAIN LIT SOLIDLY UNTIL THE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED, THEN IT GOES OFF -- ACTING OPPOSITE OF THE WAY IT SHOULD. AT NIGHT, THE LIGHT IS VISIBLE IN THE REAR-VIEW MIRROR AND WE CAN SEE IT COME ON. WE THEN DEPRESS THE…"~36,500 mi, complaint #916385
    • "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…"~75,000 mi, complaint #1008161
    • "CAR WOULD ACT LIKE BRAKES WERE PRESSED WHEN THEY WEREN'T. BRAKE LIGHTS TURN ON, CRUISE CONTROL DISENGAGES, AND THE CAR WOULD DOWNSHIFT. THIS HAPPENED WHILE THE CAR WAS IN PARK OR IN MOTION. THEN WHEN PRESSING DOWN ON THE BRAKE PEDAL GENTLY, THE BRAKE LIGHTS…"~110,000 mi, complaint #1568588
    • "SINCE 2018 MY BRAKE LIGHTS WILL COME ON WITHOUT TOUCHING THE BRAKES. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, MY CRUISE CONTROL WON'T WORK. I CAN TAP THE BRAKES AND THEY'LL GO OFF FOR ABOUT 3-5 SECONDS AND THEN COME BACK ON. AFTER AWHILE, THE ESC AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS WILL…"~162,730 mi, complaint #1671270
    • "BRAKE LIGHTS GO ON WHILE DRIVING. THEN TURN OFF WHEN YOU HIT THE BRAKES TO STOP OR SLOW DOWN. ESC COME ON WHILE THIS IS HAPPENING. DEALER STATES THEY FIXED THE RECALL BUT IT IS STILL HAPPENING. NOW AFTER WARRANTY THEY SAY ITS THE ABS MODULE"~980,000 mi, complaint #1285570
  20. #20

    hv system fault reduced power

    1 stranded, 10 unsafe

    11
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=22, median 99,500 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "WHILE VEHICLE IS TRAVELING ALONG AT INTERSTATE TRAFFIC SPEEDS(60-65 MPH) THE CAR WILL GO INTO AN ENGINE REDUCED POWER MODE, AND EMERGENCY TRACTION DISPLAYS ON THE DASH. THE VEHICLE WILL NOT INCREASE IN SPEED,(20 MPH MAX) HAVE TO HURRIEDLY FIND AN EXIT TO THE…"~17,000 mi, complaint #1620461
    • "I WAS PICKING MY LITTLE BROTHER UP FROM SCHOOL I WAS AT THE LIGHT AND THE CAR STARTED TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY AND ENGINE REDUCED POWER LIGHT CAME ON IS DOES THIS ON AND OFF AND THIS IS NOT SAFE FOR ANY DRIVER. *TR"~72,000 mi, complaint #1152700
    • "I WAS DRIVING JUST A FEW BLOCKS FROM MY HOUSE WHEN I STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN SO I WENT TO GO. MY CAR THEN FLASHED A SERVICE ESC WARNING, THEN IT FLASHED ESC OFF & THEN FLASHED ENGINE POWER REDUCED. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALSO CAME ON AN…"~99,648 mi, complaint #1168821
    • "WHEN I BOUGHT IT WORKED GOOD FOR BOUT 2 DAYS AND I STARTED NOTICING A LIGHT WOULD BE BLINKING LIKE THE ENGINE LIGHT AND A LIGHT WITH LIKE A EXCLAMATION MARK IN SIDE OF LIKE A BOWL AND THE SPEED WOULD REDUCE AND THEN IT WOULD JUST QUIT EVEN WHILE YOUR IN TRAFFI…"~113,000 mi, complaint #1692429
    • "WHILE DRIVING MY 2009 CHEVY MALIBU, I ABRUPTLY GOT A WARNING MESSAGE ON MY DASH BOARD WHICH CONTAINED THE PHRASE ENGINE POWER REDUCTION AT WHICH TIME MY CAR COMPLETELY SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY HIGHWAY. THE CAR HAD NO RESPONSE EVEN THOUGH ALL THE BATTER…"~158,000 mi, complaint #1118317
  21. #21

    fuel pump

    10 unsafe

    10
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=10, median 80,500 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "I COULD SMELL GAS COMING FROM UNDERNEATH WHERE THE FUEL TANK IS LOCATED. AFTER INSPECTION THE FUEL PUMP MODULE WAS IN FACT LEAKING. *TR"~53,364 mi, complaint #1138170
    • "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…"~62,855 mi, complaint #1013270
    • "I HAD BEEN NOTICING THE SMELL OF GASOLINE AROUND THE EXTERIOR OF MY 2009 MALIBU AFTER SHUTTING DOWN THE MOTOR. I COULD NOT DETECT ANY LOCATION OF WHERE THE LEAK WAS COMING FROM. ADDITIONALLY, AT TIMES MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND THEN GO OFF. THI…"~77,657 mi, complaint #1402078
    • "I HAVE A 2009 CHEVY MALIBU WITH A GAS LEAK. ONE DAY I PARKED THE VEHICLE IN THE GARAGE AND STARTED TO SMELL FUEL. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND HE DETECTED THERE WAS A GAS LEAK THAT HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE FUEL PUMP WHICH HE SAID WOULD COST $…"~89,000 mi, complaint #1104455
    • "THERE IS A GAS LEAK AT THE FUEL PUMP. THIS IS A FIRE HAZARD DUE TO THE LARGE AMOUNT OF GAS VAPORS. THIS IS NOTICEABLE ANY TIME IT IS PARKED AFTER IT HAS BEEN DRIVEN."~105,000 mi, complaint #1232563
  22. #22

    wheel or rim

    8 unsafe, 2 broken

    10
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=12, median 46,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "I HAVE A 2009 CHEVROLET MAILBU. I AM EXPERIENCING A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH BENT WHEEL RIMS. THESE ARE THE STANDARD STEEL RIMS WITH THE PLASTIC COVERS. I HAVE LIVED IN THE SAME LOCATION FOR 17 YEARS AND HAVE OWNED OR DRIVEN 10 DIFFERENT AUTOMOBILES IN THAT TIME,…"~6,000 mi, complaint #762207
    • "VEHICLES TIRE RIGHT SIDE RODS FAILED AT 45880 WERE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY 3/4/11. COMPLAINED TO DEALER ABOUT NOISE FROM RIGHT SIDE OF CAR AT 50K DEALER CLAIMED THERE WAS NO NOISE HOWEVER DUE TO WEATHER CONDITIONS AT THE TIME (RAINING) THEY WOULD NEED TO SEE…"~45,880 mi, complaint #904737
    • "ON OR ABOUT 9/5/12, I NOTICED THAT MY LEFT FRONT TIRE PRESSURE WAS SLIGHTLY LOW (28PSI). I PUT AIR IN AND THE PRESSURE WAS BACK TO 30 PSI PER MANUFACTURER'S SPECS. ON 9/6, WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK, MY TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASH AND…"~52,000 mi, complaint #939534
    • "I WENT TO MY CAR ON THE MORNING OF 12/26/14 & NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER FRONT AIR PRESSURE WAS AT 18 PSI. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO SAMS CLUB, IN CLARKSVILLE, TN, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS A DEFECT IN THE WHEEL RIM & NOT IN THE TIRE. I HAD TO PURCH…"~95,750 mi, complaint #1142208
    • "AFTER MAKING A TURN A VIBRATION STARTED WITHIN A FEW BLOCKS THE CENTER OF THE LEFT REAR WHEEL BROKE OUT AND THE OUTER PART OF THE WHEEL WITH THE TIRE CAME OFF THE CAR AND ROLLED ACROSS THE STREET AND HIT A HOUSE. THE REAR OF THE CAR CAME DOWN GRINDING ON THE R…"~120,000 mi, complaint #1338001
  23. #23

    key fob and immobilizer

    5 unsafe, 3 annoyance

    8
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=16, median 72,500 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "ON JUNE 29, 2010 MY SON WAS ABLE TO BYPASS THE SAFETY LOCK SWITCH ON OUR 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU....WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ON JUNE 30 AND HAD THE SWITCH REPLACED ALONG WITH A DRIVERS SIDE DOOR HANDLE MY WIFE PULLED OFF THE DOOR IN A FRANTIC FRENZY TO…"~15,000 mi, complaint #798201
    • "VEHICLE REMOTE FAILURE AFTER USE. ACCORDING TO THE DEALER THE REMOTE FAILS BECAUSE THE SOLDER CONNECTION DETERIORATES. *TR"~42,000 mi, complaint #828991
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ALL FOUR DOORS LOCKED AND UNLOCKED INDEPENDENTLY WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT REMOVED THE BATTERY OUT OF THE REMOTE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES EVEN WHEN THE KEY WAS OUT OF TH…"~72,000 mi, complaint #1227138
    • "I PARKED MY CAR AND TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND THE KEY WOULD NOT COME OUT. I HAD TO CONTINUALLY RE-START THE CAR AND PUT IT IN PARK AND JIGGLE UNTIL FOR SOME REASON IT WORKED AND THE KEY FINALLY CAME OUT."~73,000 mi, complaint #1203715
    • "THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT IS ON AND I'M NOT ABLE TO START MY CAR. THE RADIO STILL WORKS AND ALL THE LIGHTS AND HEATER AND A/C. I TRY TO START THE CAR A FEW TIMES AND SOMETIMES IT TAKE SEVERAL TRYS TO GET THE CAR TO START. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING QUITE A BIT"~138,000 mi, complaint #1284110
  24. #24

    wiper and washer

    4 unsafe, 1 broken, 1 annoyance

    6
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=7)

    • "I WAS WARMING THE CAR UP IN THE MORNING, 32 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT AND A LAYER OF ICE ON EVERYTHING. THE DEFROST WAS JUST STARTING TO MELT THE WINDOW SO I TURNED ON THE WIPERS. THE DRIVER SIDE DID NOT MOVE AND THE PASSENGER SIDE CROSSED OVER IT GETTING STUCK THERE…"~6,810 mi, complaint #748787
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS TURNED ON, BUT THE AIR FAILED TO FLOW CORRECTLY. AS A RESULT THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO SEE OUT THE WINDSHIELD AS IT FOGGED UP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SULLIVAN-…"~39,250 mi, complaint #1384444
    • "THE BALL AND SOCKET JOINT THAT CONNECTS THE MODULE WIPER SYSTEM TO THE WIPER MOTOR HAS FAILED TWICE. ONCE AT APPROXIMATELY 62,000 MILES AND AGAIN THIS WEEK AT APPROXIMATELY 104,000. BOTH FAILURES OCCURRED DURING A LOW VISIBILITY CONDITION (STORM EVENT) WHEN…"~62,000 mi, complaint #1138516
    • "THE DRIVE LINKAGE BUSHING KEEPS SEPARATING FROM THE BALL JOINT CAUSING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS NOT TO WORK AT ALL. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES, EVEN AFTER PURCHASING AND INSTALLING BRAND NEW WINDSHIELD WIPER BUSHINGS. *TR"~90,000 mi, complaint #1099793
    • "THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOP FOR NO APPARENT REASON ON THE LOW SETTING. THEY WILL MAKE APPROXIMATELY ONE FULL PASS TO CLEAR THE WINDSHIELD AND THE STOP HALFWAY THROUGH THE SECOND IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD. THIS MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO SEE WHILE DRIVING IN IN…"~120,000 mi, complaint #1524681
  25. #25

    acceleration loss or hesitation

    5 unsafe

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=7)

    • " The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH while and approaching a traffic light, the vehicle started driving rough. The contact that several unknown warning lights illuminated and the vehicle lost motive power. The cont…"~83,763 mi, complaint #1819180
    • "SOME TIMES WHEN GETTING ON HIGHWAY .OR FROM A STOP THE CAR BOGGES DOWN AND THEN STARTS TO RACE. I THINK THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE GETTING ON THE HIGHWAY YOUR CAR SHOULD NOT BOG DOWN AND THEN START TO RACE. ME AND MY FAMILY WAS GETTING ON THE HIGHWAY AND A…"~85,378 mi, complaint #1209188
    • "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…"~100,000 mi, complaint #1003868
  26. #26

    alignment and pull

    5 unsafe

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=7)

    • "THE EVENT LEADING UP TO : TURNING RIGHT FROM SIDE STREET THE CAR LUNGES INTO THE LEFT LANE WHEN ACCELERATING . THE FAILURE OCCURS EVERY TIME WHEN THE CAR TAKES OFF FROM A STOP TO ENTER INTO FREEWAY. STEERING WHEEL ROTATES WITH FAST ACTION CLOCK WISE 360 DEGREE…"~13,000 mi, complaint #814648
    • "WHEELS WOBBLING WHEN I BOUGHT THE CERTIFIED VEHICLE, TOOK IT BACK TO DEALER. THEY REPLACED FRONT TIRES AND ALIGNED VEHICLE. ALSO STEERING WHEEL DOES NOT LOCK INTO PLACE WHEN PUT IN PARK AND KEY REMOVED FROM IGNITION. CONSTANT STEERING CORRECTION AT ANY SPEED.…"~58,000 mi, complaint #906946
    • "IT PULLS TO THE RIGHT. IT STARTED ALL OF A SUDDEN. IT IS A FIGHT TO KEEP IT ON ROAD. I HAVE A FLAT ON RIGHT SIDE ONCE A WEEK. IT WAS FINE UNTIL ABOUT 6MONS AGO AND I STARTED DOWN THE STREET HEARD A NOISE AND THAT'S WHEN IT STARTED."~190,000 mi, complaint #1650566
  27. #27

    interior trim

    3 unsafe, 2 broken

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=7)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT AND BACK SUPPORT CUSHION WERE FALLING APART. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER THREE TIMES WHERE THE SEAT WAS REPAIRED EACH TIME HOWEVER, THE FAILURE…"~20,000 mi, complaint #1047042
    • "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"~53,900 mi, complaint #966079
    • "SIDE HEATED SEATS BURNED MY GIRLFRIENDS BACK AND PUT AHOLE IN THE SEAT SHE WAS DRIVING TO WORK."~59,885 mi, complaint #1240583
    • "DROVE FROM MY BOYFRIENDS HOUSE APPROX. 2 MILES AND PARKED IN A WALGREENS PARKING LOT AND WHEN I GOT OUT I TOLD HIM I SMELL SOMETHING BURNING, HE LOOKED OVER AND THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE BACK PART OF THE SEAT WITH SMOKE COMING OUT HE GRABBED A BOTTLE OF WATER T…"~98,000 mi, complaint #1037596
    • " TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT HEATING SYSTEM FAILED, CAUSING THE FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT TO OVERHEAT AND CAUSE TWO BURNT HOLES. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACTS JACKET BURNED DUE TO THE FAILURE. THERE WERE…"~112,000 mi, complaint #1456869
  28. #28

    timing belt or chain

    5 unsafe

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=6)

    • "THIS PROBLEM IS VERY INTERMITTENT AND IMPOSSIBLE TO DUPLICATE BY GM SERVICE TECHNICIANS. IT IS VERY INTERMITTENT TO ME AS THE DRIVER TOO, AND I HAVE TO DATE BEEN UNABLE TO KNOW WHAT TRIGGERS THIS. IT SEEMS TOTALLY RANDOM. INTERVALS HAVE BEEN AS LITTLE AS ON…"~1,500 mi, complaint #893592
    • "GM: SOME DTC CODES MAY BE SET, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0008, OR P0009. 3.6 LY7 WITH CAM ACTUATOR DTC.THE RELUCTOR FOR THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR PRESSED ON THE CRANKSHAFT MAY HAVE MOVED. MY CODE IS P0016 CAR IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY PLEASE HELP! *TR"~58,459 mi, complaint #1105668
    • "TIMING CHAIN BROKE IN 2015 TOTALING THE MOTOR OF THE CAR- HAD TO HAVE MOTOR REPLACED COST THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS. CAR STALLED WHEN PUTTING IT INTO PARK IN A PARKING SPOT AND WOULD START AFTER THAT- NO PREVIOUS ISSUES."~84,000 mi, complaint #1286100
    • "WARNING LIGHTS ON DASH CONTANTLY FLASH: ESC, BRAKE LIGHTS, TIRE SENSORS, TIRE TRACTION, ENGINE REDUCE SPEED. THE CAR TURNS OFF WHILE ACTIVELY DRIVING (IN MOTION) , SOMETIMES WILL START UP IN NEUTRAL OR PARK RIGHT AWAY AND SOMETIMES NOT. ON I-[REDACTED ADDRESS]…"~87,000 mi, complaint #1583460
  29. #29

    transmission manual clutch

    1 stranded, 3 unsafe, 1 broken

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF THE DRIVER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO REVERSE AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDI…"~61,450 mi, complaint #1503038
    • "I COULD NOT SHIFT CAR INTO PARK. I COULD NOT TURN THE KEY TO OFF. CAR WAS STUCK IN DRIVE. HAD TO CALL A TOWING SERVICE TO PICK UP. THE NEAREST AUTO SHOP HAD TO PUT IN PARK, AND FIX THE SHIFT CABLE. WE WERE OUT OF 165.00 DOLLARS, PLUS RENTAL FEES COST OF 85.00…"~95,000 mi, complaint #1159392
    • "I HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE AS OTHERS (SEE COMPLAINT IDS BELOW FOR REFERENCE). MINE STARTED AT AT 104,740 MILES - VERY SIMILAR TO EVER OTHER PERSON. THE DEALER SAYS THEY TOO BELIEVE EXACTLY WHAT I DESCRIBE BELOW FITS THE PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION CLUTCH WAVE…"~104,740 mi, complaint #1359326
    • "THE SHIFT CABLE TO THE TRANSMISSION BECAME LOOSE WHILE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING. I WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE UNTIL THE CABLE WAS RECONNECTED BY HAND. THE VEHICLE HAS AN ISSUE WITH ACCELERATING ESPECIALLY WHEN TRYING TO GO HIGHWAY SPEEDS. IT CANT FLOW INTO TRA…"~126,700 mi, complaint #1457389
  30. #30

    battery and charging

    2 stranded, 2 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=7)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BATTERY MELTED AND LEAKED ACID ONTO THE ENGINE. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE AIR BAG LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATED. AN ACID ODOR ALSO BECAME PRESENT AND SMOKE EMITTED FROM UNDER THE HOOD…"~38,000 mi, complaint #903344
    • "REPLACED BATTERY, STARTER, AND ALTERNATOR DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY ESU WARNING AND TRACTION SERVICE LIGHT COME ON POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON. CAR LOSS POWER AND CUT OFF"~104,478 mi, complaint #1561692
    • "THERE IS SOMETHING FAULTY IN THE SYSTEM WHICH IS CAUSING THE BATTERY TO BECOME COMPLETELY DRAINED IF THE CAR SITS 2/3 DAYS WITHOUT BEING STARTED. I HAVE REPLACED MY 3 TIMES AND STILL SOMETHING IN THE CAR IS CONTINUING TO DRAIN THE BATTERY. THERE IS HUNDREDS OF…"~155,000 mi, complaint #1249534
  31. #31

    catalytic converter

    3 unsafe, 1 broken

    4
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=11, median 100,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "I HAVE HAD SO MUCH TROUBLE WITH THE 2009 CHEVY MALIBU I BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW NO MILES THINKING I WAS GOING TO BE STRESS FREE BUT IT HAS GIVEN ME THE MOST HEADACHES EVER. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE SHIFT GEAR AND THAT MY HEAD LIGHTS HAVE HAD TO BEEN REPLACE AT LE…"~60,000 mi, complaint #1110842
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A DEFECTIVE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE CONTACT ALSO STAT…"~100,000 mi, complaint #1619292
    • "I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING AN ISSUE WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON ALMOST EVERY FUEL FILL UP I HAVE REPLACED THE CAP 3 TIMES ALREADY AND I KEEP GETTING THE SAME CODE. NOW I AM GETTING A P0420 CODE FOR EITHER THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER OR THE OXYGEN SENSOR…"~126,000 mi, complaint #1665320
    • "1) AWHILE BACK, AFTER STARTING AND WARMING ENGINE AND TAKING OFF, WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN ON CITY STREET, CAR TURN OFF COMPLETELY..WHEEL FROZE AFTER TURN. I TURNED KEY OFF AND RESTARTED CAR AND IT WOULD WORK OK. IT HAPPENED 3 0R 4 TIMES. NO WARNING LIGHT C…"~170,000 mi, complaint #1397776
  32. #32

    engine internal

    4 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON EVERY SIX OR SEVEN STARUPS AND STAYS ON FOR ABOUT SIX MORE CAR STARTS. PEP BOYS SERVICED THE ENGINE LIGHT CODE CAMSHAFT POSITION ACTUATOR SOLENOID SENSOR. THEY TESTED RESISTANCE AND NOTHING WAS OUT OF PARAMETERS AND OIL VISCOSITY WAS CORR…"~84,000 mi, complaint #1296853
    • "DURING A SEVEN DAY PERIOD THE CAR WAS TOWED THREE TIMES TO LUTHER BROOKDALE CHEVROLET BUICK GMC. THE FIRST TIME THEY REPLACED THE BATTERY. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THERE WAS ONLY 2 QTS OF OIL IN THE CAR. MY DAUGHTER WAS DEALING WITH THE DEALER UNTIL THE THIR…"~145,000 mi, complaint #1145516
  33. #33

    suspension arms and bushings

    3 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=7)

    • "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 D…"~3,000 mi, complaint #1030680
    • "TL*THE DRIVER OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE DRIVER WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH WHEN HE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND THE DRIVER COULD NO LONGER CONTROL THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORME…"~33,000 mi, complaint #857275
    • "STEERING SUSPENSION, 29NOV09 REPLACED RIGHT SWAY BAR LINK. 25JAN20 REPLACED SWAY BAR BUSHINGS AT THE FRAME. 10MAR10 REPLACED SWAY BAR INSULATORS AT THE FRAME. 04MAY10 REPLACED SWAY BAR LINKS AGAIN ONLY AFTER 6 MONTHS FROM LAST REPLACEMENT. THERE IS OBVIOUSLY…"~35,870 mi, complaint #785541
    • "CAR BEGAN TO MAKE A RANDOM CLUNK WHEN TURNING. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AS SOON AS THEY WERE OPEN. ALIGNMENT BEGAN TO PULL. FRONT END STARTED TO HUM. DEALER SERVICE MANAGER SAID WHEEL BEARINGS FAILING IN FRONT END. STRUT ASSEMBLIES IN FRONT NEED REPLACEM…"~89,000 mi, complaint #1509634
  34. #34

    heater core and blower

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "CONDENSED WATER FROM MY CARS AIR CONDITION IS DRAINING INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND ACCUMULATES BEHIND THE RIGHT PASSENGERS SEAT ON THE FLOORBOARD. I HAVE NOTICE IT WHEN THE WATER WAS ABOUT 1 INCHES HIGH. AFTER CLEANING THE DRAIN PIPE, WHICH IS VERY HARD TO GET TO…"~60,000 mi, complaint #878449
    • "LAST WINTER I HAD TO REPAIR THE HEATER, SWITCHING FROM HOT TO COLD, CAUSING WINDOWS TO FOG UP AND ICE, MY HEATER IS NOW DOING IT AGAIN. SUMMER TIME THE AIR WORKS FINE AS SOON AS COLD SEASON STARTS IT FREEZES UP IN THE COLD SETTING. YOU CAN HERE A SOUND LIKE…"~68,000 mi, complaint #888347
  35. #35

    starter

    1 stranded, 2 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "PROBLEM WITH IGNITION SWITCH CAR WILL NOT START NOW, THEY HAVE RECALLED UP TO THE 2008 MAILBU BUT NOT THE 2009 MAILBU (LTZ) FOR THIS ISSUE. RESOLUTION TO THE ISSUE WOULD BE REPLACING THE SWITCH WITH A NEW ONE NOT WHAT THEY ARE DOING NOW DRILLING A HOLE IN THE…"~76,242 mi, complaint #1079594
    • "THE IGNITION SEEMS TO SHUTOFF GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. I WAS DOING 65 MPH DOWN THE INTERSTATE AND THE CAR ALL OF SUDDEN SHUTS OFF FOR A SECOND. THE SECURITY LIGHT APPEARS ON THE DASH. THEN IT FIRES BACK UP AND CONTINUE DOWN THE HIGHWAY. HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIME…"~93,000 mi, complaint #1204159
  36. #36

    tpms

    2 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "AUTOMATIC TIRE-PRESSURE MONITOR DISPLAYING INCORRECTLY. I ATTEMPTED TO PUT MORE AIR IN ALL THE TIRES BEGINNING WITH THE FRONT LEFT TIRE BUT THE ON BOARD DISPLAY INDICATED THAT THE PRESSURE WAS NOT INCREASING. I THEN HAD MY SON CHANGE THE DISPLAY TO SHOW THE…"~13,250 mi, complaint #742164
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A SENSOR NEEDED TO BE RE-LEARNED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER…"~53,000 mi, complaint #1200188
  37. #37

    wheel bearing

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "04FEB09 VEHICLE IN FOR REAR WHEEL BEARING AND NHUB REPLACEMENT 14MAY 09 IN FOR REPLACE TRANS SHIFT CABLE, THEN IN 09SEP09 RECALL 23NOV09 IN FOR STEERING SHAFT KIT REPLACEMENT & REPLACE RIGHT SWAY BAR LINK 21JAN10 BACK IN FOR CLUNKING NOISE, 25JAN10 ORDERED…"~8,454 mi, complaint #765690
    • "AT 15,237 MILES THE RIGHT FRONT HUB BEARING WAS REPLACED. MFG PART # 20907865 AT 24,079 MILES THE LEFT FRONT HUB BEARING WAS REPLACED. MFG PART # 20907865 AT 24,079 MILES THE RIGHT FRONT HUB BEARING WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED. MFG PART # 20907865 TH…"~15,237 mi, complaint #900077
    • "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. "~34,000 mi, complaint #1005688
  38. #38

    ac compressor and refrigerant

    1 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CONDENSER FAILED TWICE WITHIN A TWO MONTH PERIOD. WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURED, THE AIR CONDITIONER WOULD BLOW WARM AIR. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT PROTECTED FROM ROAD DEBRIS AN…"~48,011 mi, complaint #881397
  39. #39

    adas collision warning

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH WITH CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED, THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT IN THE REAR WINDOW WOULD RANDOMLY COME ON CAUSING THE CRUISE CONTROL TO SHUT OFF. SOON AFTER THIS HAPPENS I GET WARNINGS ON THE DASH TO SERVICE THE ECS AND TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM. IT…"~58,000 mi, complaint #1071944
  40. #40

    cruise control conventional

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "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 WIT…"~36,000 mi, complaint #979821
  41. #41

    engine cooling

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "My vehicle can overheat at times and the thermostat won’t work. That’s during the summer and winter so the temperature could rise above normal and I wouldn’t know because of the electric problems. It’s happened too many times to count. The ESC sign comes on ac…"complaint #1909513
    • "ODOR FROM LEAKING COOLING SYSTEM. CAR PULLS TO LEFT. DRIVER DOES SEAT NOT ADJUST WITH THE CONTROL. FRONT TIRES ARE WORN DOWN CORDS SHOWING. BOUGHT CAR AT OURISMAN CHEV. CAR DEALER (34,523 MILES) WITH PLATINUM COVERAGE. CAR CURRENT (49,512 MILES). THEY INSIST…"complaint #952365
  42. #42

    engine head gasket

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. ALSO, WHEN THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE DID NOT ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO REGAL LAKELAND ([REDACTED ADDR…"~118,368 mi, complaint #1535738
  43. #43

    engine oil consumption

    1 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS CONSUMING EXCESSIVE OIL, CAUSING OIL TO SPILL INTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILUR…"~86,000 mi, complaint #1233323
  44. #44

    exhaust system

    1 unsafe, 1 broken

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "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 *BF UPDATED 09/08/15*LJ UPDATED 10/14/15*JS UPDATED 12/10/2015 *JS "~105,843 mi, complaint #1192906
    • "I HAVE CRACKED EXHAUST MANIFOLD. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I HAVE TO GET IT REPLACED AT THE DEALERSHIP. THIS TIME THE PART ONLY LASTED 18 MONTHS. EXHAUST GASES ARE COMING INTO THE INTERIOR COMPARTMENT OF THE VEHICLE. I HAVE CONTACTED CHEVY CUSTOMER SERVICE A…"~138,000 mi, complaint #1235396
  45. #45

    glass and windshield

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE WINDSHIELD STARTED TO FROST. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO USE THE DEFROSTER, BUT THE HVAC DEFROSTER FAILED TO FUNCTION. AS A RESULT, THE INTERIOR WINDSHIELD BECAME FOGGY. THE CONTACT A…"~67,000 mi, complaint #1377508
  46. #46

    mirror

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • " OBSERVED THAT BOTTOM HALF OF HEATED DRIVER SIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR HAD BECOME SCORCHED - LIMITING VISIBILITY IN BOTTOM HALF OF MIRROR. COULD THIS BE A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD? *TR"~59,645 mi, complaint #1138621
  47. #47

    parking brake

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "I WENT TO START THE CAR AND PRESSED THE PARKING BRAKE PEDAL, WHEN SUDDENLY I HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND HAVE NO PARKING BRAKE. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEIR DIAGNOSE WAS THAT THE PARKING BRAKE CABLE BROKE BECAUSE THE REAR BRAKE PADS WERE LOW, I AM CLAIM…"~54,700 mi, complaint #1056751
    • "EMERGENCY BRAKE FAILED WHEN RELEASING THE BRAKE. LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD AND THEN HAVE NO EMERGENCY BRAKE. TOOK TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD THAT IT WAS OWNER FAULT, REAR BRAKE PAD WERE UNDER THEIR SPECIFICATION AND THAT CREATED TOO MUCH STRESS TO THE CABLE,…"~55,500 mi, complaint #1137527
  48. #48

    seatbelt and pretensioner

    1 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "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-SEEM…"~37,000 mi, complaint #983975
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. AFTER STOPPING AT A RED LIGHT, A POPPING NOISE EMITTED FROM THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR AND THE SEAT BELT SUDDENLY BECAME LOOSE AND WOULD NOT SECURE THE DRIVER. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. T…"~65,000 mi, complaint #1208907
  49. #49

    tire failure

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "PREMATURE TIRE FAILURE AT THE BEAD OF THE TIRE. BRIDGESTONE DRIVEGUARD RUN FLAT TIRES. VEHICLE HAS A TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM. TWO DAYS BEFORE THE EVENT WE REPLACED A NON RELATED SENSOR IN THE VEHICLE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN FOR SERVICE A COMPLETE…"~5,000 mi, complaint #1309019
    • "THE TWO BACK TIRES KEEP GOING ON FLAT I PURCHASED THE CAR IN FEBRUARY I HAVE TO REPLACE THE TIRES EVERY OTHER WEEK AND I HAVE TO PUT AIR IN THE TIRES ON A DAILY BASIS SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR. *TR"~81,000 mi, complaint #1080682
  50. #50

    brake pads and rotors

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

  51. #51

    ev drive unit or inverter

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "THIS IS THE MALIBU HYBRID WITH DYNAMIC BRAKING. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE: GOING UP A HILL, THE ENGINE SEEMS TO LOSE POWER, BUT I BELIEVE IT IS WORKING AGAINST THE BRAKES WHICH ARE BEING APPLIED AND RELEASED RAPIDLY. IT STARTS BUCKING SLIGHTLY THEN SEVERE…"~59,000 mi, complaint #1276149
  52. #52

    fluid leak unspecified

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WATER WAS LEAKING INTO THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. "~130,000 mi, complaint #1095252
  53. #53

    fuel injector

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO BODY CONTROL MODULE CONNECTION SYSTEM RECALL REIMBURSEMENT. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED IN JUNE 2014, THE VEHICLE WASN'T RUNNING SMOOTHLY. IT SEEMED TO EXHIBIT A JERK MOTION AND FELT AS THOUGH IT WAS GOING T…"complaint #1219660
  54. #54

    instrument cluster

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "Odometer Fraud. The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was approximately 120,000 however, the contact researched and discove…"~234,000 mi, complaint #2175934
  55. #55

    noise or vibration unspecified

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "I BOUGHT A 2009 MALIBU FROM CHEVY THE PROBLEM I HAVE IS WHEN YOU DRIVE THE CAR WITH THE REAR WINDOWS DOWN YOU GET THIS TERRIBLE NOISE SOUNDS LIKE A HELICOPTER IN YOUR CAR. IF YOU DRIVE LONG ENOUGH IT GIVES YOU HEADACHES, NOISE GETS SO BAD IT VIBRATES THE DOOR…"~3,015 mi, complaint #746844
  56. #56

    software or update

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "MY CAR HAS BLUETOOTH CAPABILITIES AND MY DEVICE WAS CONNECTED UNTIL OCT 2018. WHEN I PRESS THE BUTTON, MUTES RADIO. COMPUTER NEVER RESPONDS, "READY". I ALSO NOTICED THAT ONSTAR IS NO LONGER WORKING. DOES NOT MAKE A NOISE WHEN BLUE BUTTON IS PRESSED. I LOOKED U…"complaint #1554336
  57. #57

    sunroof

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Sunroof glass seperated from frame And broke "complaint #2028298
  58. #58

    throttle and pedal

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving approximately 55-60 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently decelerated to 40 MPH and the warning messages; “Service ESC” and “Engine Power Reduced” was displayed. The contact continued to drive…"~153,224 mi, complaint #1801800
  59. #59

    torque converter

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TRANSMISSION BELL HOUSING AND TORQUE CONVERTER SEALS. WHY WAS THE TRANSMISSION NOT UNDER WARRANTY FOR THIS REPAIR. I PURCHASED THE CAR AT 36,045 MILES, AT 78,798 MILES THIS TRANSMISSION PAN LEAKAGE OCCURS. THIS RESULT IN 3RD GEAR SHIFT SLIPPING. RENDERING ME…"~78,798 mi, complaint #1242947
  60. #60

    trunk or liftgate

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "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 S…"~63,000 mi, complaint #990527
  61. #61

    unintended acceleration

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "WHILE DRIVING THE CAR AT ANY SPEED THE VEHICLE WILL ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN AND THE RPM WILL INCREASE TO 4 OR HIGHER AS IF I AM SMASHING THE GAS. DURING THIS TIME OF THE RPM FLUCTUATION YOU CAN HEAR THE ENGINE SOUND LOUDER AND FEEL THE ACCELERATION ALMOST LIKE…"~65,000 mi, complaint #1170086

Recall-sized clusters

These are large batches of near-identical complaints (recall notifications, service campaigns), kept separate from the ranking above so they don't drown out individually-reported problems.

Not matched to any cluster below: every campaign NHTSA has on file for this exact make/model/year is 08V634000, 09V073000, 12V460000, 14E044000, 14V153000, 14V252000. This is a vehicle-wide list, not an attribution - see below for which clusters have a real, complainant-cited match.

NHTSA investigations

Search NHTSA's own recall and complaint database for CHEVROLET MALIBU directly.