2009 Chevrolet Malibu: stuck in gear or won't shift

Filed Sep 7, 2021 · Acceleration, Electrical · WI

Occassionally and unpredictably, the service ESC, power steering, traction control and anti theft light come on and the car goes on limp mode, unable to shift past first gear. Also power locks do not work (all four doors) and tire pressure sensor is on and service tire sensor pressure light is on all the time. Took car to an independant mechanic who stated that when using his diagnostic tool, no code or fault indicated for ESC, power steering, traction control or anti theft device. It should be noted that these reset themselves when car is turned off and then go back on unpredictably, once you start driving the car. This mechanic then tried fixing the powerlocks, and stated that after replacing two of the powerlocks, he realized that they still did not work. This mechanic contacted GM and was told that the issue with the powerlocks came from the the body control module, which aparently was causing the powerlocks to fail and was also the cause of the tire pressure sensors being on all the time, since the body control module controlled the powerlocks and the tire pressure sensors. He also stated that the Chevy dealer was the only ones who could change the body control module, since they were the only ones who reprogram the new module to the car. This mechanic also stated that all four tires pressure sensors were working. I took the car to a Chevy dealer with same problem. The dealer claimed that gasoline which contained a high level of ethanol was causing the ESC, traction control and limp mode problem. They suggested for me to run the gas out and fill the car up three times with regular gasoline (87 octane) and that this would resolve this issue. They claimed that the tire pressure sensors on two of the tire were not reading properly and needed to be replaced and that the power lock switch was the root of the powerlocks not working, since two of them (the ones that were not replaced by the first mechanic) were not working. Problem with ESC wasnt resolved

Filed Dec 13, 2019 · Driver assistance, Engine · 115,000 miles · AL

Stopped behind another vehicle, when I started moving again there was a severe shudder or vibration. Then my car did not want to start moving again. Once it did start moving it would not shift out of first gear.

Filed Jul 24, 2019 · Electrical, Steering · 155,000 miles · SC

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.

Filed May 31, 2019 · Acceleration, Engine · MD

I have had problems with this vehicle from day one. I filed a report previously and I am filing another one in reference to my power transmission. I have a 2009 chevy malibu, 4 speed, automatic. I was driving and the vehicle downshifted itself without my doing anything, almost causing an accident because it would not shift into high gear. Something popped in the vehicle and the gear shifted for a little bit and worked and then it happened again. I think the shifting cable may have fractured or separated. This was very nerve wracking, because it was in the late evening hours and traffic was extremely heavy. Now it is sitting in the driveway.

Filed Dec 24, 2018 · Transmission · 110,000 miles · IN

My son drove this 09 malibu to work and when he got off of work the car would not go into reverse. I have done some research on this issue and it seems like this is a defect inside the transmoissions on these vehicles and the wave-plte brakes requiring a rebuild. I cannot believe these vehicles have not been recalled to fix this defect!!!!!

Filed Feb 27, 2017 · Transmission · 104,740 miles · MI

I have had the same issue as others (see complaint ids below for reference). Mine started at at 104,740 miles - very similar to ever other person. The dealer says they too believe exactly what I describe below fits the problem with the transmission clutch wave plate service bulletin (which I hope will be covered but do not think it will based on what I see on my gm owner center account and my VIN number'hope I'm wrong, I take it into the dealer in the morning again!) when I accelerated from a stop around third gear the vehicle's rpms slammed up to around 7k and then around fifth gear (I think around 55 MPH) it slipped again, when I went to slow down it hung on the way down. Then, when I pulled into the left turn lane the car went into "limp" mode (think michigan uturn). I then thought to myself, I should try shutting it off when the cars in front of me stops because I don't want more issues with the transmission. So, I did and that's when it wouldn't shift again into drive nor go into reverse (wasn't expecting that). When I was in the left hand turn lane it caused traffic to backup onto the highway (55mph), not only putting myself in danger but every person behind me that attempted to pass me (I was on my way to church'and so were 2,500 other attendees). Thankfully a police officer came until the wrecker arrived (1 hour later)'but until the officer arrived (took about 20 min.)'folks were making some very 'gutsy' moves to get around me. Reference complaint the federal safety agency id number: 10909571, 10806366, 10749558, 10712799, 10824378, 10611131, 10267834, 10290424, 10617224, 10654655, 10837023, 10726704, 10852752 reference service bulletin: https://www-odi.the federal safety agency.dot.gov/acms/cs/jaxrs/download/doc/ucm507769/sb-10057961-2162.pdf

Filed Nov 23, 2015 · Transmission · 65,000 miles · OH

October 23, 2015, my wife was driving the 2009 malibu to work when, all of a sudden, the transmission would not shift. She was able to get to the side of the road and stopped. She tried to go forward and the car stayed in first gear. She stopped tried to back up and it would not go. She called me and, I was able to get the car home slowly in first gear. We knew the warranty was done as of the 5 years but only had 65,000 miles on it. So, after reading on line about dealerships using used parts to fix the transmission, we chose atlas transmission to do the work. We were told the wave plate broke basically taking out the trans and needed a new trans. $2808 later we had the car fixed. I contacted chevrolet anf gm about this since I read the coverage on the 6 speed automatic was extended to 10 years or 120,000 miles. I was told my car was not in that recall and they couldnt do anything to help me since it was a government mandated coverage because it was a safety issue. Really?-- my wife breaking down in traffic on the highway was not a safety issue? --really?-- I am very dissappointed in chevrolet and general motors. I have driven their cars for 40 years! --a known problem with the wave plate, a transmission replaced at 65,000 miles because of the known problem. $2808 cash out of my pocket because of a known problem and they cant do anything for me ? I think that sucks! I was offered a gift card for the service department or to buy accessories for my car as compensation for the problem. --really?--- wow, I thought gm would step up to the plate on this one, especially because they were covering other transmissions with the same problem. --well, they definately lost me as a future customer. I traded it in om a new ford escape for my wife. A much better choice as I see it. Im sure they will take better care of their customers,---as they did in the past.

Filed Nov 9, 2015 · Electrical, Transmission · 86,000 miles · MD

While driving the car at 55 MPH it started jumping/skipping while I was driving on a 3 lane highway and then it just died. I couldn't get it in reverse and it wouldn't shift at all. The electrical information on the dash went out as well. I had to arrange a tow. I'm being told it needs a new transmission and there is electrical failure as well. The car has 86,000 miles on it and has been serviced routinely. How does a transmission go from working to dead in seconds?

Filed Jul 29, 2014 · Transmission · 100,016 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that the vehicle speed suddenly decelerated and the vehicle would not shift into gear. The vehicle was restarted and the vehicle would not accelerate over 20 MPH or operate in reverse. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that the clutch wave plate ruptured and caused the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,016.

Filed Jul 31, 2013 · Transmission · 86,000 miles · MD

I purchased a used 2009 chevrolet malibu in 2011. On february 21, 2013, I took my car to ourisman chevrolet in marlow heights, md due to a recall notice related to the transmission. My invoice says they repaired the cable kit. On july 29, 2013 I pulled into a service station for gas in north carolina. All pumps were taken. I waited. A car pulled out so I put my car in reverse to back up in order to get to the pump. When I tried to put the car in drive, the gear shift would move, however, the car remained stuck in reverse. I had to back up to the side of the gas station to move out of the way. I put the emergency brake on because the car would not go into park. I turned off the ignition, then tried to restart it. The car would not start because is was not in park. I called my brother for help. He noticed the shift cable had come apart. He used a twist tie, a washer, and a rubber cap that he found in his vehicle to repair the shift cable so that I could hopefully make it back home. It worked.the next day I made an appointment (07/31/13) to take the car back to ourisman to fix the cable. That invoice states that I need a shifter cable. According to ourisman, this part is not covered under the initial recall. The shift cable adjustment clip broke off somehow. The cable is still intact. That's why my brother was able to fix it enough to get me back home. I was told by the customer service technician that the part broke due to normal wear and tear. In the past, I've owned a chevrolet cavalier for 12 years, and a chevrolet beretta for 8 years. Neither car had this problem of "normal wear and tear". It's a defect. The 2/21/13 invoice says replaced cable kit. The 7/31/13 invoice says "needs shifter cable". The bottom line is the shift cable adjustment clip broke off the shifter cable. Why is this not covered under the recall? It's a piece of the same part.

Filed Sep 7, 2010 · Transmission · 15,240 miles · OK

In october of 2009 I noticed the shifting of vehicle was erratic and improper. Car would act like it would not shift or if it did was really labored. November of 2009 as I pulled into work transmission exploded. Had towed to dealer said repaired/ replaced/rebuilt, was back with more problems only to find out parts were replaced backwards onto transmission fixed that only for me to return again for transmission issues. Now again the car acts like it wont shift properly will not attempt to go sometimes, was back at shop, they said they couldn't find anything wrong. So now I have made a video and have taken pictures of transmission fluid leaking from pan under car. I am afraid to take it back to where I have been going because when they have attempted to repair its worse or in same condition,so have appointment today with another auto mechanic to try an diagnosis. This is the fifth time I have had my 2009 chevrolet malibu in for defective and dangerous transmission issues.