I have a 2009 chevy malibu .recall webisite reflects numerous recalls regarding my auto , make and model. While driving on a 6 lane hwy,, I have lost power steering twice. Which is almost impossable to control. Also, the automatic locks have stopped operating even when pressing the door auto lock/ unlock button .you can hear then trying to function however does not. Also, while sitting in park, I crank my car and shift to reverse, my car does not go into reverse. Sometime it will hit very hard and sometime not go into gear at all. I place my car in drive and move forward then to reverse , the car goes into reverse . On other occasions , I turn the car off, re-crank it and its fine. These problems are listed as recalls for the make and model of my auto however, doesn't apoear under my VIN when I search. What can I do I am affraid for my safety while driving my car and also reluctant to drive it. These issues need to be resolved as they appear as recalls. When you loose control while driving and your safety is in jeopardy, its time to expect results.
2009 Chevrolet Malibu electrical complaints
Page 5 of 13: complaints 101 to 130 of 368, newest first, as owners wrote them.
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-95 and city street. Dealership stated the timing chain need to be done so it got done and car still doing the same thing. Sensors also has been replaced.
Starting last week, I've noticed that my brake lights turn on when I'm not even touching the brake pedal. It happens all the time and the brake lights turn on when I'm accelerating and then turn off when I apply the brakes. I have to really push down hard on the brake pedal to have the brake lights turn on. The electronic stability control and traction lights also appeared on my dashboard and that's when I took my vehicle to the car shop today, but there was nothing wrong with my brakes, brake pads or suspension system. I looked online to find the recall number 14v252000 matching the exact description of what I'm experiencing in my chevy malibu. I searched on VIN on the online database, but my car didn't appear in the search even though my car matches the make, model, year and manufacture date range (august 2008).
"takata recall" recently while driving and in park, even when I am sitting at a red light my car my locks will lock and unlock without me pushing the buttons on the door, which are broken and the dealer would not fix it upon request. Also my car will stall at times because the door locks are motioning on their own. For some reason the electrical system in the car messed with the locks when the prior owner put in a auto start in the car, which I did not know of until the car was owned and it was'nt told to me either. I feel this car was a rough struggle since getting it and now its so hard to get fixed because of someone else's non knowledge before selling it.
While driving on highway, traction service indicator would come on as well as ESC indicating it was off, also brake lights would stay on all the time and cruise control would not work, vehicle would downshift at highway speeds (approximately 60 MPH). Passenger side lower beam light continues to blowout (have replaced three times in as many months) also turn signal will not always click off after turning. As far as repairs on traction,ESC brake lights and downshifting, I removed the bcm connector, cleaned it and used dielectric grease on it and as of now seems to have resolved the problem, however, the headlight problem is ongoing as well as the turn indicator, if you will go online, (google) lower beam headlight problem on chevy malibu's as well as as the other electrical problems, you will find numberous complaints, but no recalls
Brake lights stay on while driving and brake light goes off when stepping on the brake pedal. The lights are intermittently working and I've taken the car to get the problem taken care of, but it returns.
Takata recall. Esc triggers with turns, power steering shuts down making it difficult to turn. On multiple occasions steering has failed causing me to stop in the middle of traffic, luckily able to avoid accidents. 09' malibu @ 148k
While driving each light comes on follow by power steering the wheel automatically started clicking while turning the wheel in the mist the wheel jerks the opposite direction make it hard to turn and can cause an accident. The power steering then goes completely out
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
Steering wheel locks up in cold weather even after being warmed up for more than 5 minutes. Happened twice, second time I did a normal turn to the right it locked up and had to pull over right away. Always unlocks when restarting the car. Right headlight also doesn't properly work. Changed the light bulb two weeks ago and turned off just today. Checked the bulb and still works. I've researched the problems online and there's been recalls and complaints about both of my problems.
I purchased the car march 14, 2019 from a family member. The front passenger low beam headlight was not working. The prior owner stated they had taken the car in to have the light repaired at least 6 times in since 2009. April 2, 2019 I took the car to clint newell chevrolet to have the low beam headlight fixed. The problem was the wire that plugs into the light was melted. The repair cost was $172.33. On april 4, 2019 the rear passenger turn signal quit working. I replaced the bulb. April 9, 2019 the passenger tail light quit working. April 11, 2019 I replaced the bulb. As soon as that was done the front passenger low beam headlight quit working again. I checked the low beam fuse and it was fine. I cannot afford 172.00 again 9 days later for this repair. I have also found online in chevy forums, this seems to be a problem for many people that own chevrolet malibus.
While operating my 2009 chevy malibu 4cyl in a turn, the electric power steering without any warning failed. A warning indicator afterwards then flashed power steering and electronic stability control failure. The result was almost total loss of control of vehicle while driving in heavy city traffic going through a traffic circle with children in backseat of my vehicle. This is because without warning the electronic power steering failed which caused me to panic emotionally and also caused me great physical difficulty as I am a woman and I all of a sudden had to garner all this strength to manually steer the vehicle in heavy city traffic. Chevy is aware of this defect and will repair this if the vehicle is less than 10 years old and had less than 150,000 miles. We could have all died in a car crash. I think this should be recalled as this is a safety hazard that comes without any warning and renders the vehicle undrivable unless repaired as it is unsafe. The chevy mechanic indicates if both the sensor and motor need to be replaced it will cost $1200.00. My husband is a veteran and we cannot afford this costly repair.
Brake lights not functioning correctly .brake lights illuminate at the opposite times. Meaning lights come on when not touching the brake pedal yet go off when depressing the brake pedal. This brake light malfunction is intermittent. I have taken the vehicle to the dealer 6 times in last 9 years for repair. Chevy has a service bulletin on how to fix and dealer does repairs for free. The repair lasts not long before I notice they are again malfunctioning. Took vehicle to dealer twice so far in 2019 and each time the brake lights worked perfectly and they could do nothing. Today they are not functioning ,but by time I get an appointment and arrive at the dealer the lights will function correctly. But they will fail again this cycle has gone on for years and chevy is aware of this issue . The dealer service bulletin has them putting dielectric grease and a wire harness on the body control module connection .which they have done at least 3 times . Please issue a recall as I see 09 malibu s driving down the highway with brake lights on routinely and the web has tons of people complaining. You can have my car to test if you need it to prove the problem exists . Once before you took my chevy tahoe 97 to prove a power steering issue . Date listed below is the last date I took car to dealer for repair , but they could not get the brakes to malfunction yet a day prior they malfunctioned. In next question it asks how many miles on car when happened . I put in the first time I took it to the dealer in 2010
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.
My car power steering goes out and comes pack after I turn my car off and on. Sometimes the car won't start and the ABS light and the traction control light is on on the dash and the inside lock and unlock buttons don't work. They will go up and down on their own in the beginning now if I open my door it locks on me. I changed the wheel barring on the front right tire because bell tire said that the sensor was bad and you have to replace the whole thing g. Still having issues. I don't feel safe where I work I travel and I don't always work in the best of neighborhoods and I don't want to get my car broken into or robbed. And I surely don't want my power steering to go out again while driving on the high way and me crashing and possibly injuring or killing someone else.
Electronic power system failed.. While driving it became difficult to steer. Managed to get off the road and wait for help.. Was driving in the city limits of town
My power source in car won't work, my cruise control won't work, my power steering went out fist I would just have to restart the car and it would be fine not anymore. Some times my car completely locks up in the middle of driving, my headlights sometimes work and sometimes don't
Power steering, along with some other electric problems I am having with this car. I have only had the car for 3 years and already the steering wheel locks up frequently while driving my car on the highways, and traveling through the city. Last night the power steering locked as me and my child was driving home. I had to leave the car parked on a side street because the car would not allow me to turn the steering wheel to operate the car properly. At this time I am seeking immediate help with this issue.
Power steering randomly stops work. I was driving down a busy highway and it completely stoped working! I have to stop the car shut it off and back on for the power steering to start working again. Also, when I start the car the wheel starts to shake (when in park) and also shakes going down the highway. Happens at least 3-4 times a week.
The electrical power steering and ESC control are turned off as soon as I start the cars ignition. When the car is parked , the power steering begins to twitch the wheel and does not stop. When you turn the car off then back on, it resolves the problem for several seconds then continues to do the same thing. This problem creates a very dangerous car when combined when traveling down the road. The power steering has also done this whole driving. This is a huge issue in manufacturing and poses a life threat to my 100lb fiance and our newborn baby.
Powersteering starting periodically going out and ESC notification would appear. Eventually it completely quit. Called chevrolet and was told my car is not part of the recall for that issue.
Car will intermittently not start. While camping in arizona my car wouldn't start. I took it to a repair shop where they replaced the starter and fuel pump. It started fine for a little while and then decided to randomly stop starting again.
While driving the power locks goes off. They go lock and unlock when driving down the road they unlock and lock when wr are at home and the ignition is off. Tge brake ligjts stay on like I am hitting the brake peddle and the cruis control wont work bc the break lights stay on it cuts it off. I have been hearing noises coming from the shifter area a buzzing noise like a wire has crossed.
The car has the 2.4 4 cylinder with the unreliable electric power steering unit that shuts off almost everytime the car is driven.it shuts off and the car must be turned off then restarted before steering is restored.it goes off under all driving situations sitting,in motion,turning,going forward or backing up.on city streets or major highways..it happens at all speeds and all weather conditions ...
When driving the car, the brake lights go on when not braking and go off when applying the brakes. This happens on city streets and highways.
Vehicle was in drive but stopped in a drive thru. Service ESC, power steering light came on. Power steering went out and wheel would not turn. Turned off car. Problem went away after restarting.
The ESC was turned off making it difficult to steer the vehicle. There was a recall for this issue but my vehicle was not included. How is that possible?! I have also had issue with the fuel pump, headlights and arm bars. I bought this as a used vehicle 3 years ago and have had nothing but mechanical issue after issue. Poorly manufactured vehicle. Including having to change out the entire fuse box.
The power door locks engage and disengage at random. When using the unlock button on the key fob or using the button inside the car, the passenger and rear door looks will partially disengage making it hard/impossible to open the door with out manually pulling the lock tab on the door. The electric stability control and traction control will random engage/disengage or display a service message on the cluster screen. The third break light illuminates at random, not always the break is applied. The radio will display random characters while on or go completely blank.
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 inclimate weather.
Passenger low beam keeps going out. I've replaced the bulb 3 times in one year, and even changed the housing. This seems to be an issue with several model years of the malibu.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2009 Chevrolet Malibu?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history