2009 Chevrolet Malibu: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Feb 21, 2022 · Electrical, Steering · MN

I started to smell a slight burning smell, as I pulled off the road to investigate at the gas station my power steering failed upon restarting the vehicle. On the message center it says power steering, service ESC, ESC off. This could have caused an accident if i had not pulled off the road. Upon research, it shows a recall bulletin has been issued for 2008-2009 Chevy Malibu for a torque sensor, which appears to be the same issue. Bulletin No.: 14116B Date: October 2014 GM recall search returns no results for this VIN#, so we were not notified of a recall. This appears to be a mistake, as the recall is for the same issue as what we have experienced.

Filed Dec 12, 2020 · Engine · 7 miles · MD · fire

I was driving on the parkway my vehicle started making a loud sound idling high then it made a loud pop sound then began to smoke by the time I pulled over smoke was coming through the vents and fire was coming from the hood I was able to get my two small boys out before it completely went up in flames

Filed Oct 21, 2019 · Electrical · OH

When I was driving at night my passenger side headlight went out. This is not the first time this has happened. Have had it replaced for other times and the connector to the headlight keeps melting. Then there is a smell of plastic melting almost like it is going to catch on fire

Filed Dec 12, 2017 · Airbags · 62,000 miles · AZ · 1 injury

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 and smelled a fire. Instantly, shrapnel flew throughout the car and my seatbelt tightened. The first thing I thought was have I been shot or is my car on fire? I immediately lost my hearing for several minutes and had pain on the left side of my chest. My passenger curtain side airbags had deployed suddenly and without notice. The airbag failure mileage was 62,000. (photographs attached) I was in shock, I didn't know if I was hurt or what had happened. I was right near my home and the car could still drive, so I went the couple of blocks home. I pulled into the driveway, turned off the car, and carefully took off my seatbelt. I went inside to the mirror to examine my body, to see how hurt I was. I wasn't bleeding, but it felt like I had been burned, my chest was stinging and I had burns and welts on my chest that were approximately three inches in length and two inches wide. I was very concerned so I then took a shower to wash the chemicals and whatever had flown throughout the vehicle off of my body. (photographs attached) **time sensitive - I need to make a decision on what to do by december 14th-

Filed Nov 26, 2016 · Fuel system · 67,000 miles · CA

Several months ago I noticed the strong odor of gas coming from the rear of the car., but saw no leaks. Last week I noticed a leak coming from the top of the fuel tank and dripping on to the exhaust system. I took the car to folsom chevrolet and they diagnosed the problem as a defective fuel pump housing and estimated the replacement of the fuel pump to be about $1,200. However, I went to the chevrolet forums on the internet and found hundreds of identical problems reported to gm by users, but gm has taken no action to correct this dangerous fire hazard. The complaints begin in 2012 when the cars were only 3 years old and continue to be filed. I contacted gm and was simply told "the car is out of warranty". There have been announced recalls for other gm vehicles with the same fuel pump and problem and this vehicle should have been included. Please have these vehicles recalled before a family departs tis earth in a ball of flames because of the uncaring attitude of gm. Folsom chevrolet, 916‑985‑5600, has diagnosed my my vehicle and can provide more information and details. But for this problem to have been reported in so many vehicles over so many years and gm to have ignored it is a serious issue and I believe one that only your agency can address.

Filed Oct 5, 2015 · Driver assistance, Electrical · WI · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 chevrolet malibu. While driving at 30 MPH, the contact noticed smoke coming from the front passenger side head lamp. In addition, both the passenger and driver side high and low beam head lamps failed to illuminate. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who diagnosed that the wiring harness and the head lamp assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred on numerous occasions. The contact also stated that while at a stop light, "service ESC, service traction. Esc off" was displayed across the message board. The ESC warning light illuminated and the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who was unable to diagnose or repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v252000 (electrical system, electronic stability control, exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic, vehicle speed control). The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Jul 25, 2015 · Electrical · 75,000 miles · CA

When parked or when driving, doors randomly lock and unlock. Have seen several other complaints online from consumers around the country with this exact same problem. They all say that chevrolet dealerships refuse to repair at their cost and that cost is too high for most consumers ($300/lock). I also believe this is a safety concern, my grandchildren often ride with me, what if they open the door on the freeway?! Locked inside the car while it's on fire?! To say that this is not a safety concern is simply gross negligence! Negligence case law has shown that failure to act with prior knowledge is complicity of/to manslaughter, and this turns an accidental death into manslaughter. Gm! Wake up, get into gear here. Does your new ceo really want to deal with another recall cover up??!!!!

Filed Jan 9, 2015 · Fuel system · 57,843 miles · CA

Nov 10-started to smell a fuel odor near left wheel -smell became worse on daily basis to the point I could smell fumes as I drove. I park in a car park and was told I could not park my car there because of the strong fuel smell-that it was a danger and I needed to take care of it. I went to the service station across the street and the technician told me to leave the car that it was leaking fuel and I was in danger. The agent had to replace the fuel pump because the feed line (outlet) was leaking. Total replacement was necessary and clean up as leaking fuel was making its way onto the exhaust. The technician stated it was a dangerous situation and was surprised at the low mileage and this defective feed line. I wrote gm about this because this was so dangerous-had I been involved in an accident-my car would have gone up in flames. Had someone been smoking near my car while in the car port-there would have been a fire. This part was defective-there is nothing I could have done to cause a fuel leak-the gm part was defective.

Filed Feb 9, 2014 · Seats · 98,000 miles · NY · fire

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 that I had in the center console and poured it on the burning part of the seat. It also burned a hole in my coat and into the shirt I was wearing.. Contacted gm that day.

Filed Mar 5, 2012 · Body · VA

We've had problems where the doors at times will not open at all. Not only would we try to unlock with the push button, but we would try with the key. This happened on several occasions & we haven't had the car for a full year yet. We would have to climb through the back to get out. We had instances with both of the front doors. It's a concern because anything could be going on (car on fire, leaking gas, etc) & if we need to get out the car quickly & the doors will not open every time, then we're in trouble.

Filed Dec 19, 2009 · Transmission · 10,133 miles · VA · fire

Tuesday december 15th 2009 I took my new 2009 chevy malibu to the dealership where I purchased the vehicle for service. Service done was state inspection, oil change, tire repair and for a recall on the transmission lever. The recall service work completed was the installation of the transmission shift cable kit. I picked my vehicle up at 2pm that afternoon after all service work was complete. About 20 minutes later after leaving the dealership my vehicle caught fire on the interstate. The police and fire crew were on the scene to control traffic and the fire. Cause of the fire is currently under investigation with my insurance co.