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2009 Chevrolet Malibu: sudden loss of power

106 of the 1,511 complaints about the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu describe sudden loss of power.

owner complaints
106
of this car's complaints
7%
typical mileage
115,000
recalls
0
Is there a fix? 174 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Sudden loss of power by model year

What owners say

Filed Oct 27, 2026 · Steering · NY

Power steering and esc lights came on, Lost power assist.

Filed Feb 10, 2026 · Driver assistance, Steering · 107,000 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while the vehicle was idling, it lost power steering functionality. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and restarted the vehicle, and the power steering functionality returned. The failure reoccurred every mile while driving, requiring the driver to pull over to the side of the road to restart the vehicle. The power steering, ESC, and the traction control warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated who was a retired independent mechanic, determined that the failure was related to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 14V153000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included. The dealer and the manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 107,000.

Filed Feb 11, 2025 · Steering · OH

My chevy malibu has been losing power steering multiple times per day. It comes back on after turning the car off and on again, but then goes out again after just a few miles. I understand this is an issue with the 4 cylinder, electric power-steering malibus from that year. However, my VIN is not covered by the recall for this.

Filed Jan 21, 2025 · Steering · IA

Driving and suddenly lose power steering. Service ESC comes on and service power steering. Seems dangerous has happened multiple times past few years

Filed Mar 21, 2024 · Steering · CO

Loss of Power Steering Assist while driving, increasing risk of crash, occurred on 3/8/24. No warning of failure, but upon failure the dash indicated Power Steering malfunction. When able to schedule into repair shop, system error codes indicated the Electronic Power Steering Motor Control Module and Steering Column required replacement (shop mechanic said these parts have worn out). Vehicle has not been repaired due to excessive cost ($1400 parts, plus $385 labor and shop supplies, plus sales tax). Vehicle only had 96,227 miles when malfunction occurred and has never been driven hard. Malfunctioning parts are still in vehicle and are thus available for inspection upon removal. Vehicle is still in use and probably poses an elevated and unnecessary risk to the general public and occupants of this vehicle due to poor manufacturer design and/or quality assurance. I have driven the vehicle 11 miles to date, without re-occurrence of malfunction (yet).

Filed Feb 27, 2024 · Steering · MI

Loss of power steering while driving nearly causing an accident, very dangerous situation.

Filed Jun 19, 2023 · Electrical · OK

The fuse box is faulty. It’s not giving power to the starter when the car heats or if it is hot outside. My car has been showing “reduced engine power” and it will no longer turn on. I have researched online and on YouTube from mechanics that the fuse box is the problem. I have taken the car in multiple times and my mechanics never get a code for electric issues. There is a brand new radiator, alternator and battery that has been put into my car. There is no problem with the actual starter itself. When the car is jumped it comes on but turns off while driving when it gets hot. Multiple cars similar to mine have been having this problem and it was never made public.

Filed May 3, 2023 · Electrical, Steering · GA

The car suddenly turns off while driving shutting down the power steering making it difficult or impossible to maneuver. It is a death trap. This happened 3 times today May 5, 2023 Losing power while driving is a major safety issue that is putting innocent people's lives at risk.

Filed Apr 17, 2023 · Electrical, Transmission · IL

Loss of power steered. Power steering esc code appears. Steering wheel locks when I first start vehicle.

Filed Feb 15, 2023 · Steering · 100,000 miles · PA

The contact's daughter owns a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at 55 MPH, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist. The vehicle was taken to an independent dealer, where it was diagnosed as EPS System failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed Feb 14, 2023 · Steering · 115,000 miles · WI

The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist. The traction control warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed as power steering assist failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.

Filed Feb 7, 2023 · Steering · MI

Electric power steering failure (EPS). I looked on the website and shows a recall but I called my dealer and said my VIN does not come up. I have loss of power steering. driving down the road it will stop working or when in a parking lot trying to maneuver around. Warning lamps are on. Steering is very difficult. I do not feel safe having anyone drive my car because it is so hard to steer when it stops working. It will catch you off guard and when you are in traffic it could be fatal. Loss of steering has been happening for about 6 months but has gotten worse the last week to the point I cant even drive and feel safe.

Questions about the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu loss of power

Is sudden loss of power a common problem on the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu?

106 of 1,511 owner complaints about the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu (7%) mention sudden loss of power. The model year with the most reports is 2017.

Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu?

There are 0 recalls and 174 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.

Other symptoms on the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu

Power steering loss 244Headlights 94Door locks 85Steering lock-up 84Adaptive cruise 59Engine failure 48Jerking 43Check engine light 42Stalling 39ABS 25Won't start 22No deployment 18Airbag light 16Fuel pump 16Fuel smell 16Key fob 15Fuel leak 12Fire or smoke 11Won't shift 11Pulling 10Harsh shifting 9Hesitation 9Grinding brakes 8Transmission failure 8Wipers 8Steering noise 7Warning lights 7Ball joint 5Brake failure 5Overheating 5Slipping 5

All model years of the Chevrolet Malibu

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