Power steering went out
2009 Chevrolet Malibu: loss of power steering
244 of the 1,511 complaints about the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu describe loss of power steering.
- owner complaints
- 244
- of this car's complaints
- 16%
- typical repair cost reported
- $1,000
- typical mileage
- 120,000
- recalls
- 1
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall and 19 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below
Loss of power steering by model year
What owners say
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel failed to turn in the intended direction. Additionally, the traction and power steering assist motor warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with power steering assist failure. The contact was informed that the power steering assist motor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact referenced the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 14V153000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not associated. The failure mileage was approximately 70,560.
I was cruise control 80mph and my.power steering went out. Esc power steering warning on dash. Car is incredibly hard to steer. When I turn car off and back on it might go away for a few minutes but then come.back randomly in a scary scenarios. Thing is a death trap.
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.
Power steering went out and Esc warning came on the dash . This has happened multiple times mostly while sitting at idle. Turned off car and restarted and it was corrected. This is becoming more frequent.
The power steering went out while driving and is available for inspection right now. The car has 145k miles. The vehicle has been inspected by an independent service center and reproduced but has not been inspected by manufacturer/police/insurance. There were no indicators on dash before the power steering went out. Now the power steering ESC indicator as well as traction light and ABS warning show on dash now and the power steering is still out.
My 2009 chevy malibu is 40k miles only! The Electronic Power Steering failed almost causing me into an accident they had a recall on this but unfortunately the dealer said my car was not on the list. I went to the dealer and had it diagnose for $240 i paid out of pocket a day later they called me Chevy Guaranty at Santa Ana CA. That my car was fix so i was happy a day later i was driving at the 5 highway and it happened again the steering wheel was locked engine running ac and everything but i can’t steer it there was no power assist so i had to call AAA again i used my towing 3 times in a soan of almost 3 days just to fix this when i told the dealer what had happen they had the car for kike 4 days and when it was done the cost of repair and parts was $1144.87 i feel kike they should have done this in good faith because its a known issue but my car wasn’t in the affected vin so there were no recalls but at 40k i could have been in an accident worst it could have out me in danger and other all i ask is GM pays me back what i paid the initial diagnostic of $240 plus the $1114.87 i think aftertax i paid almost $1200 the 2nd time but the taught that i almost crashed is not something i could let go they knew it but wouldnt help me!
The power steering in my 2009 Chevy Malibu went out on . The car is available for inspection upon request. This is very unsafe because I am unable to turn the car quickly, if needed. This is a safety risk to not only me, but other drivers on the road. I took the car to Tire Rama in Helena, Montana on February 12, 2025. The receipt stated that there was a steering column internal wire issue. The car has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representative or others. The message, ESC (electronic steering control) occurred at the same time the power steering stopped working. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
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.
After no issues with my electric power steering for the vehicles whole life, it randomly started shutting off and back on. If I were to park and restart the car, the power steering will return, then shut off again once I steer while driving. The next day, no power steering at all and none since. After taking it into a shop, they told be the steering sensor needed to be replaced and would cost about $1000. I read on this and found there was a recall for '09 Malibus for the electric power steering, but my car was not part of the recall. All of the symptoms of the issue listed in the recall are the same and many people online report the same. Same issues, same shutting on and off and a complete shutdown.
Power steering failing intermittently. While driving get message power steering and check ESC. After stopping and restarting the car the failure goes away but returns few miles later. It's very hard turning with no power steering. If I had to avoid something I probably wouldn't be able to respond quickly enough. I probably will go to car shop to have it checked. I see that on Chevy forums this issue is common. Some VINS recalled and some not? No warning lamps other than when it happens I get the power steering indication and check ESC.
Driving and suddenly lose power steering. Service ESC comes on and service power steering. Seems dangerous has happened multiple times past few years
Service bulletins that may apply
- This service bulletin provides a vibration analysis worksheet the technician can use in conjunction with...
- Steering
- This service bulletin provides a procedure inspecting for excess grease or Sealant on the Exterior of the...
- This technical bulletin provides a procedure to eliminate a power steering noise due to extremely low...
- This technical bulletin provides a procedure inspecting for excess grease or Sealant on the Exterior of...
- This engineering informational bulletin is requesting information on electric power steering loss of...
- Steering
- Steering
Related recalls
Steering: electric power assist system
- What is wrong
- 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, there may be a sudden loss of electric power steering (EPS) assist that could occur at any time while driving.
- Risk
- If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- 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, owners will be mailed a second letter to come in to have the applicable bulletin applied. Bulletin 14115 covers model year 2004-2007 Saturn Ion, 2009-2010 Chevrolet HHR and 2010 Chevrolet Cobalts. Dealers will replace the EPS motor. Bulletin 14116 covers model year 2004-2006 Chevrolet Malibu and Malibu Maxx, 2005-2006 Pontiac G6 and 2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from March 1, 2008, through June 27, 2008. Dealers will replace the torque sensor assembly. Bulletin 14117 covers model year 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from February 1, 2008, through February 28, 2008. Dealers will replace the torque sensor assembly and EPS motor controller unit. Bulletin 14118 covers model year 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from October 1, 2007, through January 31, 2008. Dealers will replace the EPS motor controller unit. The recall began on July 17, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438, Saturn at 1‑800‑553‑6000, and Pontiac at 1‑800‑620‑7668. GM's number for this recall is N140115. Note: GM bulletin number 14119 will be implemented for model year 2006-2008 and early production of 2009 Chevrolet HHR (non-turbo) and model year 2003 Saturn ION to provide EPS Motor replacement for the life of the vehicle.
Recall number 14V153000 · Recall details
Questions about the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu power steering loss
Is loss of power steering a common problem on the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu?
244 of 1,511 owner complaints about the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu (16%) mention loss of power steering. The model year with the most reports is 2004.
How much does it cost to fix loss of power steering on the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $1,000 (median of 17 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu?
There is 1 recall and 19 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu
Loss of power 106Headlights 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
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