2009 Chevrolet Malibu: windshield wiper failure

Filed May 19, 2022 · Electrical, Visibility · IL

Just bought the car and it started acting funny. The windshield wipers haven't worked almost the whole time we've had the car. We have attempted to fix them and we think the problem is fixed all for them to stop working again. So needless to say we either can't drive while it's raining or we attempt to risk ours and others lives by driving with no windshield wipers at all. Now the temperature gauge, and ac are randomly deciding to stop working. Plus the check engine light would randomly come on and off. Found that there was a recall out for these exact problems. So we took it to the dealership and they told us there's nothing they can do the recall has expired almost 3 years ago. Now we just bought the car and all this stuff started and now we're being told it's pretty much our problem because the last owner didn't stay up to date on the car and it's recalls. so I'm trying to figure out how we can still get this fixed specially since we have kids and even grandkids that ride in this car. But now as of these last few days we haven't been able to drive it at all. So we're trying to figure out how we can get the problem that is now ours and shouldn't be fixed.

Filed Mar 5, 2021 · Electrical, Steering · 130,000 miles · OH

Has a problem with cold start needs a jump alot, service ESC comes on with lose of traction and power steering, sensor in wheels go out often wheels sound weird when turning, headlight goes out often windshield wipers are out ,gearshift linkage has broken while trying to shift gears problem occurs both non-stationary

Filed Dec 18, 2018 · Electrical, Visibility · 120,000 miles · KY

The windshield wipers stop for no apparent reason on the low setting. They will make approximately one full pass to clear the windshield and the stop halfway through the second in the middle of the windshield. This makes it difficult to see while driving in inclimate weather.

Filed Aug 8, 2017 · Driver assistance, Steering · 119,000 miles · PA

Doors lock and you cant get out of or in the car even if your holding an infant child and its 3 degrees outside and I can't use the unlock button to get in and the [xxx] key wont even open the door. Its just stuck and who knows for how long sometimes in last just 3-5 mins other others going on 40 mins. The headlights have been replaced 3 times countless tail lights. I had to put replace the windhield wiper assembly that one sucked I could not operate the car for a week unless it would rain and this was happening this april when its always raining they actually quit working on fourth of the july going 70mph down interstate 79 in pouring rain. I purchased as many rain deterrents as I could try out which none last but a few mins.. Then between getting pulled over by police countless times for headlight being out and I fix it then the same one or even the other side the next week will go out just 1 month later it goes back out and that same cop stop you again and they don't believe you that it was just replaced. Then the interiour lights all of them from gauges and headlamps turn on. My car is currently telling me to service svc tire sensors and other abbreviated sensors and traction control light is on. Also and maybe the most dangerous is the cruise control malfunctions which range from only working occasionally to acceleration engages if you scroll threw screen options and use cruise control simultaneously . And sometimes my trunk will just pop open when the car starts. The plastic hub caps constantly fall off and the back of the drivers seat plastic backing has broken loose the steering colum it sounds like u joints that have worn or a hydraulic issue parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Dec 12, 2014 · Visibility · 62,000 miles · NY

The ball and socket joint that connects the module wiper system to the wiper motor has failed twice. Once at approximately 62,000 miles and again this week at approximately 104,000. Both failures occurred during a low visibility condition (storm event) when the wipers were on "high." this is a catastrophic failure that disables the wipers and both times created a very dangerous situation. The socket portion of the ball and socket joint is a plastic part that in my opinion is poorly designed. Over time the socket wears and eventually it is not able to withstand the force when the wipers are switched to high/fast mode. Of course the high/fast mode is used only during very low visibility conditions and, as such, the failure causes a dangerous driving condition.

Filed Sep 21, 2014 · Engine, Seats · NJ

Seats - front driver power seat, there is a bracket or brace that goes across the front and supports the seat, it is welded, the weld is broken, after doing forum and google searches this is a common problem for years with the broken weld, causing the seat to become unstable and allowed to rock while driving. Engine - the front engine oil seal or crankshaft pulley seal is prone to leaking, there is service bulletin out about this issue for a 6 cyl model, apparently the 4cyl model has the same problem. The fix is to have the seal replaced with an updated style constructed with a better spring and seal wiper. This can cause a substantial oil leak, even though this could not cause (to the best I know) a serious problem, it does cause oil to leak along the frame and onto the bottom of the engine and possibly onto the exhaust piping behind the engine. It also cause an environment issue causing motor oil to leak onto the ground.

Filed Aug 20, 2014 · Electrical, Visibility · 90,000 miles · MI

The drive linkage bushing keeps separating from the ball joint causing the windshield wipers not to work at all. This has happened multiple times, even after purchasing and installing brand new windshield wiper bushings.

Filed Dec 17, 2009 · Visibility · 6,810 miles · MA

I was warming the car up in the morning, 32 degrees fahrenheit and a layer of ice on everything. The defrost was just starting to melt the window so I turned on the wipers. The driver side did not move and the passenger side crossed over it getting stuck there. I went out and physically untangled the wipers and they seemed to work ok for a while but on the highway the driver side could not keep up and became stuck under the passenger wiper. I took it to the dealer and they tightened the bolt at the end of the wiper control arm, took two seconds, and it has seemed to be ok since.