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2009 Chevrolet Malibu brakes complaints

Page 5 of 6: complaints 101 to 130 of 153, newest first, as owners wrote them.

See the summary of 2009 Chevrolet Malibu brakes problems: which part fails, at what mileage and related recalls.

Filed Jun 5, 2014 · Brakes · 115,000 miles · MD

While driving on multiple occasions, the service traction, service ESC, and ESC off warning lights have illuminated on my dash. On two of these occasions, motorists have attracted my attention and notified me that my brake lights are reversed. Apparently, the brake lights stay on when the brakes are not applied, and the lights go off when the brakes are applied. I assume this only happens when the warning lights appear, which is at random times on the highway.

Filed Jun 4, 2014 · Acceleration, Brakes · 58,000 miles · MI

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 has been getting gradually worse and with the brake light activating, could cause drivers behind me to think I am stopping when I am not. This problem was mentioned in an article in USA today a couple of weeks ago, that gm will be issuing a recall for.

Filed Jun 3, 2014 · Acceleration, Brakes · WI

After filing two complaints with you, and receiving a recall alert from you, I am being told by gm that my vehicle, a 2009 malibu built between the years specified in your recall notice, is not included in the recall you alerted me about. How is this possible? The referenced recall # 14v252000, as he experienced the same malfunction, as described in the recall. The consumer has invoices, that date bate to 2011, where he had to take the vehicle, back to the dealer several times, for an inoperable cruise control and ESC lighting illuminating. Updated 07/16/14

Filed May 22, 2014 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 135,000 miles · MD

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed and there was a delay in response. In addition, the ESC active warning light illuminated. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised that the vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign id number: 14v252000 (electrical system, electronic stability control, exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic, vehicle speed control). The approximate failure mileage was 135,000. The VIN was unavailable.

Filed May 21, 2014 · Brakes · 61,000 miles · IL

The traction control and service ESC lights come on. The brake light come on while driving but will not come on when the brake is pushed. The cruise control stops working and it's loud when trying to accelerate.

Filed May 21, 2014 · Brakes · 39,750 miles · MD

2009 chevy malibu's, service traction control and electronic stability control lights come on the dash when driving. Rear brake lights do not illuminate when the brake pedal is pushed and stay on when I am not pressing on the brake.

Filed May 19, 2014 · Brakes · FL

As I was approaching a red light there was a car in front of me, I went to push the brake and the brakes did not work, I almost hit the car in front of me but the light turned green before I could hit the car.

Filed May 15, 2014 · Brakes, Electrical · 101,000 miles · OH

While night driving at 55 MPH on a busy, wet highway, I noticed in my rearview mirror that the center brake light had illuminated on my car. I checked to see if the pedal was stuck by lifting it with my foot; it was not stuck. Then I quickly tapped the brakes - the brake light went off only to re-illuminate seconds later. I quickly exited the highway as motorists were beginning to beep at me. I continued to press and release the brake pedal on the off ramp, only to receive the same response from the brake light system. While driving, the brake light would stay on; upon slowing or stopping, the brake light would go off. I have looked at this issue online and see that this is a common complaint from owners of the 2009 malibu. A recall has been in question since march of 2013; I stress that the federal safety agency needs to address this issue, as the malfunction is severe enough to cause fatalities.

Filed May 4, 2014 · Brakes, Lights · 80,000 miles · MN

While driving the brake lights will come on for no reason and the service traction control warning will activate. If you tap the brakes the lights will go off for a few seconds but then come back on. If you apply the brakes to stop the lights go out and people behind you are confused. We get honked at and hand gestures constantly. We replaced the brake light switch and it was recalibrated and the problem still exists. We checked the fuse and put dialetric grease on it as suggested by the dealer and still the brake lights activate without touching the pedal. Gm needs to fix this before someone is killed.

Filed Apr 24, 2014 · Brakes · 80,000 miles · MA

Brake lights turn on when brake pedal is not pressed, and goes off when brakes are touched lightly; shortly after, the brake lights come back on when pedal is released. Several cars have come close to rear-ending me due to the brake light failure. Took to chevrolet dealer, they said the wiring harness looked good, no service performed on it.

Filed Apr 14, 2014 · Brakes · 54,700 miles · GA

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 claiming them this is a mechanical defect that can cause an accident, due to a car roll over or not having an emergency brake. The pads were low but did not were on metal.

Filed Apr 8, 2014 · Airbags, Brakes · 3,200 miles · DC · crash · 1 injury

On september 14, 2008 at approximately 12:30 am, the car I was driving suddenly went into a skid after which I aggressively deployed the brakes when the airbags deployed leaving me unconscious and not in control of the car. The car then hit the barrier and then a parked disabled car at a high speed. I was injured and the driver of the parked car was fatally killed. I went to prison for five years because no one would believe my story.

Filed Mar 18, 2014 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 28,000 miles · MI

Esc light stays on has been replaced 3 times. Causes traction control not to work properly also brake lights fail to work or will stay on and or stay off. Have reported to chevy dealer in traver city michigan they say nothing is wrong.. But something is wrong ... Or not right I never know if my tail lights or brake lights are going to work and traction control...

Filed Mar 12, 2014 · Acceleration, Brakes · 120,000 miles · IN

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 notice a few days later this happened again, but it was dusk and I could see from my rear window the reflection of my break light, it was on and my brake was not ingaged. This has happened several other times, to my knowledge. If I tap my brakes the lights will go off, however will come back on within a few seconds. I'm highly concerned about a rear end collision. If I actually do have to stop quickly and the person behind me hitting me because my break lights are not functioning properly. I've taken it in to a mechanic and they can't replicate the issues. It's intermittent.

Filed Feb 28, 2014 · Brakes, Steering · OH

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 steering wheel jerks back and forth. Then was driving down the road and came up on a exit and went to hit the brakes and the brakes went out but then cameback on. Car keeps doing it with the steering wheel it will go on and off.

Filed Jan 15, 2014 · Brakes · 45,000 miles · TN

The brake lights on my 2009 chevrolet malibu ltz come on for no reason even when I remote start my vehicle and the brake lights have never been engaged. When I am driving my brake lights will stay on and if I tap my brakes they will go off but 5 - 6 seconds later they will come back on and stay on. When I then need to stop and apply my brakes my brake lights will go off once I engage the pedal but will not come back on unless I slam on my brakes. It seems to be worse during the summer months or when it rains. Also, when I am in stop and go traffic and my brake lights are having this issue on my dashboard service lights begin to come on. My car with flash "service ESC" then flash "service traction". I have taken the vehicle to my dealership on several occasions and have the paperwork they provide me stating they cannot duplicate the issue. I am concerned because I have an infant child and I travel a very congested interstate with him in the car every day. I have on many occasions heard tires/brakes screeching from the vehicles behind me because they have no warning I am stopping. I fear that I am going to be rear ended every day. I am not sure of the exact start date of the issue but I know this has been going on for at least 50,000 miles and my dealership keeps stating they cannot reproduce the issue. I fear for my families safety. Please help in any way.

Filed Jan 11, 2014 · Acceleration, Brakes · 64,000 miles · IA

The brake lights will come on randomly. This also causes the cruise control to kick off. The lights will stay on for varying lengths.

Filed Oct 21, 2013 · Acceleration, Brakes · 68,000 miles · ID

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. However it appears there was a previous recall for this type of problem with earlier general motors models and the problem is still recurring. Chevrolet has not send any kind of notice to owners about this potentially dangerous situation. The computer code c0131 is activated when this occurs.

Filed Oct 18, 2013 · Brakes, Lights · 65,000 miles · WI

Brake lights turn on for no reason. When they are on for no reason pressing the brake pedal turns them off. They do not illuminate when pressing brake pedal. Later on the ESC and traction control turn off on their own.

Filed Oct 9, 2013 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 57,000 miles · WV

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 replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 57,000 and the current mileage was 67,000 plus. When my foot is on the brake the brake lights go off. Upon taking foot off the brake the brake lights stay on.

Filed Oct 8, 2013 · Brakes · 63,510 miles · MI

Brakes lights are staying on when car is in motion and brake lights go off when brakes are applied. Release brake and brake lights go on. Press brakes and brake lights off. The problem is persistant.

Filed Sep 25, 2013 · Acceleration, Brakes · SC

2009 malibu brake lights stay on while driving then when I press my brakes the lights would go off no one knew when I was using my brakes. This was brought to my attention when I was on a major hwy/speed limit 70 MPH when all of a sudden traffic was stopping. The cars behind me were coming at a high speed, but luckily the car directly behind me just short of crashing into my rear missed me. . He got out of his car while the traffic was stopped and approached me to let me know I had no break lights and he also noticed that prior to stopping my break lights were on. In the meantime I had warnings pop up on my car service traction/ESC service. Well of course, my car was taken to a shop where it showed a break switch needed to be replaced and switch brake needed to be calibrated by the dealership. The car was taken to the dealership and the break switch failed when they performed brake position calibration. The gentlemen said that the switch could be bad even thou it was a new one that was purchased from the dealership. They replaced it again and re-calibrated and afterwards said everything works well. Within two weeks the problem with breaks are still there. There is a major problem we have with the 2009 malibu. I?m just lucky I?m still alive. What upsets me the most is the problem is there, but dealerships want to keep replacing parts and charging you $$$$ for something that needs to be recalled before someone gets killed!

Filed Sep 22, 2013 · Brakes · CA

The traction control warning light came on then I noticed the brake light would go on when I pressed the gas pedal and the brake light would go off when I pressed the brake pedal.

Filed Sep 19, 2013 · Brakes · SC

2009 malibu brake lights stay on while driving then when I press my brakes the lights would go off no one knew when I was using my brakes. This was brought to my attention when I was on a major hwy/speed limit 70 MPH when all of a sudden traffic was stopping. The cars behind me were coming at a high speed, but luckily the car directly behind me just short of crashing into my rear missed me. . He got out of his car while the traffic was stopped and approached me to let me know I had no break lights and he also noticed that prior to stopping my break lights were on. In the meantime I had warnings pop up on my car service traction/ESC service. Well of course, my car was taken to a shop where it showed a break switch needed to be replaced and switch brake needed to be calibrated by the dealership. The car was taken to the dealership and the break switch failed when they performed brake position calibration. The gentlemen said that the switch could be bad even thou it was a new one that was purchased from the dealership. They replaced it again and re-calibrated and afterwards said everything works well. Within two weeks the problem with breaks are still there. There is a major problem we have with the 2009 malibu. I?m just lucky I?m still alive. What upsets me the most is the problem is there, but dealerships want to keep replacing parts and charging you $$$$ for something that needs to be recalled before someone gets killed!

Filed Sep 12, 2013 · Brakes, Electrical · 83,000 miles · VA

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. Please recall before someone has major accident! Thank you

Filed Sep 9, 2013 · Acceleration, Brakes · 75,000 miles · WV

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 is actually stopping and or accelerating.

Filed Aug 19, 2013 · Acceleration, Brakes · 68,477 miles · OH

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 .

Filed Aug 15, 2013 · Brakes, Lights · 90,000 miles · CA

I have the same issue another person wrote about. I was driving when a car pulled up next to me to tell me that when I brake, my brake lights don't go on but when I begin to drive again, they go on. I went home and told my husband. And at that time it worked just fine. But then in july of 2013 my 23 year old daughter was driving my car and she said the same thing happened. A car in back of her asked her to pull over and told her that our brake lights don't work. But that they go on when she begins to drive again. This can be very very dangerous! I haven't been able to take it to the dealer because I'm currently unemployed so can't afford it but now that I read another person is having the same issue I think there needs to be a recall before someone does get killed. Please listen to your purchasers and recall this.

Filed Aug 4, 2013 · Brakes, Lights · 111,586 miles · KY

The brake lights illuminate when the brake pedal is up & sometimes won't illuminate when pedal is depressed.

Filed Jul 11, 2013 · Brakes, Electrical · MI

While driving down the road the brake lights turn on. If I touch the breaks they go off. This happens most often when it rains, snows or if driving with the air conditioning on. The cruise control stops working at the same time. I have had this into a local dealership on three occasions where I have been told "we have to experience this in order to correct it." I am aware that many other malibu vehicles experience this as there have been rumors of this becoming a recall for many months. This has been going on for a couple years for my car and I was under warranty when I had it in and not corrected. I try not to think about it now that it is out of warranty, but because I am expecting my first child and this is a safety concern I am becoming more worried. What will it take to get this corrected? How could they prove that the brake lights didn't come on when someone stopped to turn and then was hit? Please help!

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