2009 Chevrolet Malibu: steering wheel locks up

84 of the 1,511 complaints about the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu describe steering wheel locks up.

owner complaints: 84
of this car's complaints: 6%
typical mileage: 110,000
recalls: 1

Is there a fix? There is 1 recall and 19 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below

Steering wheel locks up by model year

2025
1
2023
1
2021
1
2018
2
2017
8
2016
9
2014
5
2013
41
2012
15
2011
24
2010
55
2009
84
2008
43
2007
90
2006
118
2005
45
2004
98
2001
5
2000
5
1999
8
1998
1
1997
8

What owners say

Filed Feb 21, 2024 · Airbags, Electrical · NY

I brought car told dealer of air bag light on to service and tire monitor light I had my steering lock and ESC light on dealership did nothing to comply to safety of this called don't return calls

Filed Sep 22, 2023 · Airbags, Steering · 184,553 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while attempting to turn the steering wheel to the left or the right, the steering wheel seized and failed to operate as needed. The contact aggressively maneuvered the steering wheel to regain normal functionality. The air bag warning light was also illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 184,553.

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 Apr 10, 2023 · Electrical, Steering · NJ

My steering wheel shakes and jerks while driving and when I start the car. Also, my car steers and pulls to the left while I’m driving until the electric power steering light comes on and then the steering locks up and I am unable to turn the steering wheel to make a turn which can lead to a crash because I have to force the wheel in order to turn. I was driving on the highway and my steering locked and I pulled over safely and tried turning the car off and on. This has turned the electric power steering light off and I was able to turn the wheel but my steering wheel still shakes and jerks and the car pulls to the left. To add, a few minutes later my steering locks up and the electric power steering light comes on again and I am unable to turn the steering wheel. A couple of days ago I was coming off of an exit and the power steering light came on and I could turn the wheel to make the turn, almost causing an accident. Fortunately, I was able to force the steering to make the turn. *This has been a reoccurring issue. I will post the date below for the latest occurrence.

Filed Mar 18, 2023 · Steering · CA

Unknown when I try to turn the steering locks up and then it lets go it’s like grabbing not wanting to let me turn

Filed Mar 20, 2022 · Steering · MI

While driving my car my steering wheel locked up and I could not steering my car at all.

Filed Feb 26, 2022 · Steering · IN

I was driving on a main road when my steering wheel locked up and was almost impossible to turn. It read SERVICE ESC and POWER STEERING. Barely made it home without an accident.

Filed Feb 13, 2022 · Electrical, Steering · NY

My cars power steering failed while making a right turn the steering wheel locked up and wouldn’t move I turn the car off and the issue went away but I know it will come apparently there has been a recall on this cars EPS but there’s no open recall on my vehicle

Filed Feb 7, 2022 · Steering · 48,477 miles · NJ

The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel locked up. The Electronic Stability Control (ESC) warning light and power steering assist warning message were displayed. The failure nearly caused a collision. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the dealer could not duplicate the failure. The dealer performed a P-Module program and relearn, a T-S module unit, and a multi-point inspection; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic, who related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 14V153000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 48,477.

Filed Jan 21, 2022 · Steering · MI

Steering wheel locks while driving. Only way to unlock steering is by parking the car, turning off the ignition, starting the ignition and it will unlock. Parking brake light, ABS and traction control lights come on when this happens.

Filed May 11, 2021 · Steering · GA

Power steering light on problem of the 2009 chevrolet malibu as I was at the house waynesboro georgia it happened on highway 25 it happened taking off from work on highway 56 in augusta georgia my steering wheel locked up and was hard to turn causing me to almost crash. It happens when you're speeding up or slowing down maintaining speed is okay the ESC light and power steering light came on. The steering wheel is nearly impossible to turn. This is been going on for the last couple weeks the end of april this is now may 10 2020 I am on unemployment and I am trying to get the car that I got for my daughter fixed

Filed Apr 12, 2021 · Steering · 100,000 miles · IL

As I was driving, my steering wheel locked up and was hard to turn causing me to almost crash. The ESC light and power steering light came on. The steering wheel is nearly impossible to turn. The car has 100k miles and is a 2009 chevy malibu. This is not part of a recall that is extended to my car but I am aware that many many others are having the same issue with the same car since 2015! Thank you.

Service bulletins that may apply

Nov 6, 2023 Service bulletinThis service bulletin provides a vibration analysis worksheet the technician can use in conjunction with...
Apr 4, 2023 Service bulletinSteering
Mar 8, 2021 Service bulletinThis service bulletin provides a procedure inspecting for excess grease or Sealant on the Exterior of the...
Jun 5, 2020 Service bulletinThis technical bulletin provides a procedure to eliminate a power steering noise due to extremely low...
Aug 5, 2019 Service bulletinThis technical bulletin provides a procedure inspecting for excess grease or Sealant on the Exterior of...
Nov 1, 2018 Service bulletinThis engineering informational bulletin is requesting information on electric power steering loss of...
Mar 17, 2017 Service bulletinSteering
Feb 20, 2017 Service bulletinSteering

Related recalls

Steering: electric power assist systemReported March 31, 2014 · 1,373,177 vehicles affected

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 steering lock-up

Is steering wheel locks up a common problem on the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu?

84 of 1,511 owner complaints about the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu (6%) mention steering wheel locks up. The model year with the most reports is 2006.

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.

All model years of the Chevrolet 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