My vehicle can overheat at times and the thermostat won’t work. That’s during the summer and winter so the temperature could rise above normal and I wouldn’t know because of the electric problems. It’s happened too many times to count. The ESC sign comes on across the dash for me letting me know there are issues with power steering and traction. I can drive on my way to work and on the highway and it happens randomly. It’s dangerous and scary I have to pull over on the side of the road to turn it off and on. Sometimes more than three to four times before it acts normal again. I tried to go to GM because my car has the symptoms of the cars being repaired in the recalls. But I’m told there are none for my car but yet the car still locks on me. It jumps too as it’s accelerating.
2009 Chevrolet Malibu transmission problems
121 complaints (8% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 88,000. 2 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 121
- of this car's complaints
- 8%
- typical mileage
- 88,000
- crashes
- 2
- recalls
- 2
Which part fails
- Automatic transmission17
- Clutch assembly1
- Automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift1
- Automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Chevrolet Malibu transmission problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu transmission
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Jerking 43Won't shift 11Harsh shifting 9Hesitation 9Transmission failure 8Slipping 5
Related recalls
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)
- What is wrong
- General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Saturn Aura and model year 2008-2010 Chevrolet Malibu and Pontiac G6 vehicles, equipped with a 4-speed automatic transmission. On these vehicles, the tabs on the transmission shift cable end may fracture and separate.
- Risk
- If the tabs were to fracture and separate, the shift lever and the actual position of the transmission gear may not match. The driver would be able to move the shifter to 'PARK' and remove the ignition key, but the transmission gear may not be in 'PARK.' The vehicle may not be able to be restarted and the vehicle could roll away after the driver has exited the vehicle, resulting in a possible crash without prior warning.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will install a retainer over the cable end or replace the shift cable as necessary. This service will be performed free of charge. Notification to owners began on on November 9, 2012. Owners were instructed to not bring their vehicles for repair until January 2013. Owners may contact General Motors at 1‑800‑521‑7300.
Recall number 12V460000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift
- What is wrong
- General motors is recalling 276,729 my 2009 buick enclave, chevrolet cobalt, hhr, malibu, traverse, gmc acadia, pontiac g5, g6 and saturn aura and outlook passenger vehicles. These vehicles fail to comply with federal motor vehicles safety standard 102, "transmission shift position sequence, starter interlock, and transmission braking effect", and fmvss 114, "theft protection and rollaway prevention". On some of these vehicles, the transmission shift cable adjustment clip may not be fully engaged. If the clip is not fully engaged, the shift lever and the actual position of the transmission gear may not match. With this condition, the drive could move the shifter to "park" and remove the ignition key, but the transmission gear may not be in "park".
- Risk
- The driver may not be able to restart the vehicle and the vehicle could roll away after the driver has exited the vehicle, resulting in a possible crash without prior warning.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and ensure that the shift cable adjustment clip is fully engaged. In the event that the clip does not engage, the shift cable will be replaced free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on or before march 24, 2009. Owners may contact buick at 1‑866‑608‑8080, chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438, gmc at 1‑866‑996‑9463, pontiac at 1‑800‑620‑7668 and saturn at 1‑800‑972‑8876 or at www.gmownercenter.com.
Recall number 09V073000 · Recall details
What 2009 Chevrolet Malibu owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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.
Loss of power steered. Power steering esc code appears. Steering wheel locks when I first start vehicle.
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH while and approaching a traffic light, the vehicle started driving rough. The contact that several unknown warning lights illuminated and the vehicle lost motive power. The contact scheduled an appointment for the vehicle to be diagnosed. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 83,763.
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving approximately 55-60 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently decelerated to 40 MPH and the warning messages; “Service ESC” and “Engine Power Reduced” was displayed. The contact continued to drive the vehicle however, the vehicle failed to exceed 40 MPH. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the throttle body and the accelerator pedal needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic who replaced the computer software; however, the failure persisted. The independent mechanic advised the contact to purchase the throttle body from the dealer and have it replaced by an independent mechanic. The contact purchased the part from an unknown dealer and it was replaced by an independent mechanic; however, the failure persisted with the Traction Control warning light illuminated. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 153,224.
I couldbt turn tge car out of nowhere an nout ran off the road
I purchased the car used and been driving one week. I was driving at approx 55-60 and attempted to accelerate going over hill. The car rpm went up to about 3000 and was reving high until I let of gas. I attempted again to push pedal which repeated same acceleration of rpm. I stopped and checked Trans fluid and oil both were fine. Pulled into drive and turned off ignition to check fluids again. Which were ok. Got back in car to move and had no reverse. Car would slowly go forward but Nothing else. In searching onstar ran codes and I found info about 3/5-r wave plate “service bulletin”. Had car towed to dealer who confirmed and said metal flakes in tranny and was due to “common issue of wave plate” Contacted gm several times and gm will not cover cost of tranny replacement because my car is inoperable. This is a “common problem” with 09 Malibu. Why isn’t it recalled tranny. Very sad I feel I’ll never buy a Chevy/gm product again
2009 chevrolet malibu. Consumer writes in regards to transmission and suspension failures.
Transission was recalled by GMC, however my VIN# was not included. I was told to contact you to include the VIN# in the recall. I paid $3300 to repair the transmission only to be told after the fact I need to contact the federal safety agency to include.
Power steering flashes on dash board and I lose complete control. I then have to use my strength to turn the wheel while the vehicle slows down. Sometimes this goes away and it drives fine. I've experienced it shutting down while going down the high way and this cannot be safe! After researching recalls, it appears I am experiencing the details of the recall for the torque sensor. The vehicle is below 150,000 miles. It also randomly will flash 'service air bag'.
Questions about the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu transmission
Does the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu have transmission problems?
Owners have filed 121 complaints about the transmission of the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu, 8% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2009 Chevrolet Malibu transmission problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 88,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu transmission?
Yes, 2 recalls: 12V460000, 09V073000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Chevrolet Malibu have bad transmission?
The Chevrolet Malibu model years with the most transmission complaints are 2018 (171 complaints), 2016 (166 complaints) and 2017 (139 complaints).
Other 2009 Chevrolet Malibu problems
Steering 769Electrical 368Driver assistance 264Lights 172Brakes 153Acceleration 73Engine 70Airbags 63Locks 56Fuel system 34Body 31Seats 30Visibility 23Wheels 21Suspension 11Seat belts 7Tires 6
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