2009 Chevrolet Malibu Problems, Recalls & Reliability
2,356 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu, alongside 6 recall campaigns and 1 defect investigation. It scores 93/100 on the trouble index — one of the years to avoid for this model. Steering leads the reports, typically around 121,500 miles.
Avoid this year if you can. The 2009 Chevrolet Malibu sits at the top of this model's complaint rankings. Quieter picks in the same family: 2015, 2019–2022.
Avoid
Where 2009 sits among all Malibu years
What owners report
“My 2009 malibu 4 cylinder power steering(esc) locked while driving in my community.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2009 Malibu
“Constantly have had problem with low beam passenger side light going out. Replaced harness, now light went out again. Intermittently working, problem is now my daughter is going down i94 in the dark and the lights shut off. Only way to drive is with the high beams on.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2009 Malibu
“01/04/2018 while driving on the freeway the power steering went out and service esc light came on. Continued to drive it all the way into work and had no power steering.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2009 Malibu
“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”— owner report to NHTSA, 2009 Malibu
“Loss of power steered. Power steering esc code appears. Steering wheel locks when I first start vehicle.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2009 Malibu
“My brake lights and fifth light in window come on without braking and go off when brake is pressed”— owner report to NHTSA, 2009 Malibu
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 1,805 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 100,145 miles. Half of those reports fall between 66,000 and 137,000 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (6)
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…
Fix: 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…
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…
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…
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,…
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,…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
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)…
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…
Federal defect investigations
Technical service bulletins
1,098 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on electrical and engine — are on file for the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.
See the 2009 Malibu TSB list →
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu reliable?
The 2009 Chevrolet Malibu drew 2,356 complaints in federal safety records — one of the years to avoid for this model. Its trouble index is 93/100, scored against the model's worst year (2004).
What are the most common 2009 Chevrolet Malibu problems?
The top reported problems for the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu are steering (768 complaints), electrical (541), and other (337).
At what mileage do 2009 Chevrolet Malibu problems show up?
Owners most often report 2009 Chevrolet Malibu problems around 100,145 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 66,000 and 137,000 miles.
Does the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu have recalls?
6 recall campaigns apply to the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.