Page 30 of 31 · complaints 1,451–1,500 of 1,511

2009 Chevrolet Malibu complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2009 record →

SteeringFire
Filed Jun 8, 201162,000 milesNC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO JERK ABNORMALLY. AFTER TIME, THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE FAILURE BEGAN TO RECUR INTERMITTENTLY AND WITH TIME, BECAME A CONSTANT OCCURRENCE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT NOTICED A BURNING ODOR WHEN FIRST STARTING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS OR REPAIRS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.

Steering
Filed Jun 7, 201162,000 milesNC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THE POWER STEERING FAILED INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED OVER 30 MPH. THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHILE THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED AT THE STEERING COLUMN AND THE POWER STEERING MOTOR. THE DEALER REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN AND THE POWER STEERING MOTOR YET THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE STEERING CONTINUED TO FAIL WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

Power Train › Automatic TransmissionCrash
Filed Jun 3, 201160,000 milesNC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. IN ADDITION, THE GEAR SHIFTER WOULD NOT REMAIN IN PARK. ON ONE OCCASION, THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND ROLLED AWAY, CRASHING INTO A CONCRETE BARRIER. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED WHO MADE HER AWARE THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER A NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V073000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT) AND ADVISED HER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE VEHICLE INSPECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE 61,000.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed May 31, 201130,000 milesMI

VEHICLE WOULD NOT RECOGNIZE THAT VEHICLE WAS IN PARK. *TR

Steering
Filed May 18, 201133,000 milesMI

TL*THE DRIVER OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE DRIVER WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH WHEN HE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND THE DRIVER COULD NO LONGER CONTROL THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIE ROD DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 33,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Air Bags
Filed May 9, 2011TN

HAVE TOLD THE DEALERSHIP OF THESE PROBLEMS WITH THE SERVICE AIRBAG AND SERVICE TRACTION. ALSO I SENT AN EMAIL TO THE CHEVROLET HEADQUARTERS AND RECEIVED A CALL FROM THEM TELLING ME THAT IT WAS MY REPAIR NOT THEIR FAULT. THIS PAST FRIDAY THE 20TH I TOOK THE CAR AGAIN TO THE DEALERSHIP AS THE SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ON CONSTANTLY FOR THE PAST TWO WEEKS. I WAS INFORMED THAT THE MODULE WAS BAD AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY $250.00 DOLLARS ( MY DEDUCTIBLE SINCE I HAVE THE EXTENDED WARRANTY, PAID EXTRA FOR THAT WHEN WE BOUGHT THE CAR). HOW CAN A MODULE BE BAD ON A 2 YEAR OLD CAR IS THE ISSUE I AM HAVING AND WHY I HAVE TO PAY TO FIX/REPLACE IT. I COULD UNDERSTAND IF THE CAR WAS OLDER, BUT FEEL ANYTHING ELECTRONIC THAT GOES WRONG WITH A CAR TODAY NOW FALLS ON THE CONSUMER.

Equipment › Appliance › Air Conditioner
Filed Feb 28, 2011FL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. UPON ENTERING THE VEHICLE THE CONTACT TURNED ON THE AIR CONDITIONER AND BEGAN TO SMELL A SILICONE ODOR. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS OPERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THERE WAS MILDEW ON THE AIR CONDITIONER EVAPORATOR. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 9,700.

Steering
Filed Feb 20, 201150,000 milesMO

STEERING IN 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU IS ERRATIC AT BEST AT TIMES EVEN SITTING PERFECTLY STILL THE STEERING WHEEL WILL MOVE ERRATICALLY BACK AND FORTH AS IF THE CAR WAS TRYING TO STEER ITSELF. THIS SEEMS INHERENTLY DANGEROUS AS IT HAS ALMOST CAUSED MY WIFE TO CHANGE LANES ABRUPTLY. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jan 28, 2011MD

LETTER FROM SENATOR BURR ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT CONCERNING PROBLEMS WITH HER 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU: SHE FEELS IT A PRIME CANDIDATE FOR GM TO RECLAIM UNDER PROVISIONS OF THE NORTH CAROLINA LEMON LAW *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED ON SECOND DAY OF OWNERSHIP, THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE RETURNED TO THE DEALER FOR DEFECTIVE PARTS AND REMAINED THERE FOR APPROXIMATELY THREE WEEKS. SINCE THEN, THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN RETURNED SEVERAL TIMES FOR DEFECTS RELATING TO THE ENGINE, COMPUTER, AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING ON MOUNTAINOUS OR HILLY TERRAINS THE ENGINE WOULD SLOW DOWN DRAMATICALLY. *JB

Electrical System
Filed Jan 26, 201133,014 milesMO

CAR WILL NOT START, DOOR LOCKS LOCK AND UNLOCK W/OUT PROMPTS, LIGHT FLASH ON AND OFF, RADIO GOES ON AND OFF, & INTERIOR LIGHTS DIM. THESE SYMPTOMS OCCURRED TWICE BEFORE ... ONCE IN THE FALL AND ONCE ABOUT 7 DAYS AGO. PREVIOUSLY (SUMMER 20101) THE POWER WINDOWS WOULD NOT FUNCTION - DEALER STATED IT WAS A PINCHED WIRE. I ALSO NOTICED A FEW WEEKS BACK THE INSTRUMENTS COULD NOT BE READ DURING THE DAY W/OUT TURNING ON THE HEADLIGHTS.

Electrical System
Filed Jan 19, 201150,000 milesLA

I HAVE A 2009 CHEVY MALIBU THE POWER LOCKS HAS BEEN LOCKING AND UNLOCKING WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION CAUSING SAFETY ISSUES FOR ME AND MY YOUNG CHILDREN THAT ARE PASSENGERS IN MY VEHICLE. *TR

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Jan 14, 201165,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE RECENTLY EXPERIENCED ELECTRICAL FAILURES WITH THE POWER WINDOWS AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO OPEN OR SHUT THE POWER WINDOWS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THEY DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS A SHORTAGE IN THE WIRE ON THE DRIVER SIDE PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

Steering
Filed Jan 13, 2011108,000 milesLA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT FOR HER TO MANEUVER. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS THAT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT SHE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE STEERING TORQUE INPUT SENSOR. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 108,000.

Steering
Filed Jan 3, 201150,000 milesTX

I HAVE AN 2009 CHEVY MALIBU AND THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES AND IT WILL SHAKE AT A STOP LIGHT AND WHILE IM DRIVING . WHEN IT SHAKES WHILE IM DRIVING IT FEELS LIKE ITS BEGINNING TO LOCK UP. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAY ITS FROM A POWERSTEERING PROBLEM AND ITS BECAUSE IT IS ELECTRICAL POWERSTEERING. *TR

Equipment
Filed Dec 3, 201042,000 milesNC

VEHICLE REMOTE FAILURE AFTER USE. ACCORDING TO THE DEALER THE REMOTE FAILS BECAUSE THE SOLDER CONNECTION DETERIORATES. *TR

Suspension
Filed Sep 16, 201013,000 milesWA

THE EVENT LEADING UP TO : TURNING RIGHT FROM SIDE STREET THE CAR LUNGES INTO THE LEFT LANE WHEN ACCELERATING . THE FAILURE OCCURS EVERY TIME WHEN THE CAR TAKES OFF FROM A STOP TO ENTER INTO FREEWAY. STEERING WHEEL ROTATES WITH FAST ACTION CLOCK WISE 360 DEGREES.WHAT WAS DONE TOOK CAR TO 4 DEALERS ALL SAID IT MEETS THE SPECIFICATIONS OF THE CAR. CAR DEALER SAID IT WAS A GLITCH CORPORATE SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. UPDATED 10/05/10 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE PULL TO THE RIGHT. UPDATED 10/07/10 *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Sep 7, 201015,240 milesOK

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. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Aug 30, 201000

OWN A 2009 MALIBU THAT HESITATES WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE INTO TRAFFIC, OR SLOW DOWN AND TRY TO PICK UP SPEED AGAIN BROUGHT IT TO DEALERSHIPS ATTENTION EVERY TIME I TAKE IT IN FOR SERVICE, THEY SAY THIS IS NORMAL AND NOTHING IS BEING DONE TO FIX THE PROBLEM, THIS IS GOING TO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT OR DEATH IN THIS MAKE OF CAR. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Aug 23, 201012,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 60 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK ABNORMALLY FOLLOWED BY UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THE DEALER RELOADED THE TRANSMISSION SOFTWARE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER REPAIRS, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT PROPERLY SHIFT GEARS AND WHEN DOWNSHIFTING, THE VEHICLE WOULD ABNORMALLY ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO APPLY THE BRAKES TO STOP THE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THE DEALER RELOADED THE TRANSMISSION SOFTWARE A SECOND TIME BUT TO NO AVAIL. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER WINDOWS WOULD INTERMITTENTLY FAIL, THE FUEL LEVEL GAUGE WAS INOPERABLE AND THE AIR CONDITIONER WOULD NOT ENGAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING THE REBUILDING OF THE TRANSMISSION AND REPAIRS TO ALL FAILED COMPONENTS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 25,000.

Steering
Filed Jul 30, 201024,571 milesMI

2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU 2LT 2.4L ECOTEC W/ELECTRIC STEERING ASSIST. WHEN MY WIFE LEFT WORK LAST NIGHT, TURNING RIGHT OUT OF PARKING LOT, STEERING LOCKED, WOULD NOT UNLOCK UNTIL VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. MAY NOT HAVE BEEN COMPLETELY LOCKED, BUT WAS WAY BEYOND EFFORT NORMALLY REQUIRED TO STEER WITHOUT POWER STEERING. CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALER IMMEDIATELY, THEY SEEMED TO KNOW ALL ABOUT THE PROBLEM, EVEN KNEW WHICH DIRECTION SHE TURNED. WE HAVE NOT HAD ANY PREVIOUS PROBLEMS OR INDICATION OF A PROBLEM. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Jul 25, 201027,697 milesTN

I HAVE A 2009 MALIBU, RECENTLY EXPERIENCING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE WINDOWS. THIS PROBLEM CREATES A SAFETY RISK FOR ME AND MY FAMILY. THE WINDOWS WILL NOT GO UP OR DOWN, THE REPAIR SHOPS STATES THERE WAS A BLOWN FUSE WHICH THEY SAID WAS REPLACED. WINDOWS WORKED FOR A WHILE. SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED IN SAME DAY. CAR REMAINED IN SHOP FOR A WEEK. DROVE CAR FOR ABOUT A WEEK PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN, THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD, HOPE REAL PROBLEM IS DISCOVERED. ALSO COMPLAINED ABOUT SQUEAKY BRAKES BUT THERE WAS NO PROBLEM FOUND. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jul 20, 201034,500 milesMI

OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU, VEHICLE HESITATES WHILE ACCELERATING, WHEN IN GEAR HESITATES WHEN YOU ACCELERATED TO MOVE VEHICLE INTO TRAFFIC, VEHICLE MOVE VERY SLOWLY, THE RPM SHOW ENGINE HIGH BUT VEHICLE MOVE SLOW, BEEN INFORM BY DEALERSHIP THAT THIS IS COMMON WITH THIS TYPE OF TRANSMISSION ON THIS VEHICLE, AND NOTHING CAN BE DONE TO FIX IT, GM HAS BEEN INFORM AND NOTHING IS BEING DONE FROM THAT END, THIS VEHICLE IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN, IT IS UNSAFE. *TR

Steering
Filed Jul 16, 201045,055 milesTX

THE "POWER STEERING" MESSAGE IS ON AT THE PANEL CONTROL. EVERY TIME WHEN I TURN TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT WITH MY CAR, THE WHEEL WAS HARD AND IS DIFFICULT TO DRIVE ON HIGHWAYS. MY CAR IS A CHEVROLET MALIBU 2009, 4 CYLINDERS. THE DEALER REPAIR THE FAULT AND I PAY $ 509.00. *TR

Air BagsCrash2 injured
Filed Jul 16, 201045,000 milesMO

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT 10 MPH, SHE CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AFTER THE OTHER VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP FOR A TRAFFIC LIGHT. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED MODERATE FRONT END DAMAGE. BOTH DRIVERS SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES BUT WERE NOT TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. BOTH DRIVERS WERE WEARING A SEAT BELT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING AN ASSESSMENT OF THE DAMAGES BY HER INSURANCE COMPANY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 45,000.

Power Train › Automatic TransmissionCrash
Filed Jul 9, 201015,000 milesMI

ON JUNE 29, 2010 MY SON WAS ABLE TO BYPASS THE SAFETY LOCK SWITCH ON OUR 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU....WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ON JUNE 30 AND HAD THE SWITCH REPLACED ALONG WITH A DRIVERS SIDE DOOR HANDLE MY WIFE PULLED OFF THE DOOR IN A FRANTIC FRENZY TO TRY TO STOP HIM. ON JULY 8TH WHILE TIGHTENING DOWN MY CHILD'S CAR SEAT, MY SON AGAIN WAS ABLE TO BYPASS THE SAFETY SWITCH BY TURNING THE KEY TO THE ACC MODE OF THE IGNITION AND PUSHING THE BUTTON ON THE SHIFTER, HE THEN STARTED THE CAR AND BEGAN DRAGGING ME ACROSS A PARKING LOT INTO A CEMENT LIGHT POLE. WHEN WE CALLED GM TO INFORM THEM THAT THIS SHOULD BE A SAFETY CONCERN THAT CHILDREN CAN BYPASS THIS SWITCH, THEY INFORMED US THE VEHICLE ISN'T DESIGNED FOR A TWO YEAR OLD!!!!!! THEY ALSO REFERRED US TO THE OWNERS MANUAL CLAIMING THAT THIS IS A DINGHY TOWING OPTION. IN THAT SECTION IT TELLS YOU TO PLACE THE PARKING BRAKE ON. IN THREE OTHER AREAS THE BOOK CLAIMS THAT YOU MUST PUSH THE BRAKE TO GET THE SHIFTER TO MOVE FROM PARK. MY SON NEVER TOUCHED THE BRAKE PEDAL, AND THE CAR CAME OUT OF PARK AND BEGAN TO MOVE... WHILE I UNDERSTAND THAN MY CHILD IS WELL BELOW DRIVING AGE, I DO BELIEVE THAT GM HAS A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM HERE. WHILE MY INSURANCE IS COVERING THE DAMAGES AND NOT GM, I WOULD THINK THAT THEY WOULD AT LEAST WANT TO LOOK AT THIS AS A POTENTIAL FOR A HUGE LIABILITY CLAIM......I HOPE THAT SOMEONE CAN GET THROUGH TO THEM BEFORE SOMEONE SERIOUSLY GETS HURT OR KILLED. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jul 8, 201041,346 milesTX

SAFETY INCIDENT:TRANSMISSION GEAR SHIFT INDICATOR SETTING: PARKED IN TOM THUMB GROCERY STORE PARKING LOT. NOSE TO NOSE WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE (WITH NO PARKING CURB BETWEEN). INCIDENT: I STARTED THE CAR AND THE CAR BEGAN TO CREEP FORWARD, WHILE STILL IN PARK. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF THE IGNITION. I RESTARTED CAR. THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN. I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION. I STARTED CAR A THIRD TIME, THIS TIME WITH LEFT FOOT FIRMLY ON BRAKE, AND MY RIGHT FOOT READY TO USE GAS PEDAL. I PUT CAR INTO REVERSE AND THE CAR STILL INCHED FORWARD. I TURNED OFF IGNITION AND PUT ON EMERGENCY BRAKE. BY NOW, THERE WAS VERY LITTLE ROOM LEFT BETWEEN MY CAR AND THE ONE PARKED ACROSS FROM IT. SO I GAVE UP AND CALLED FOR A RIDE. SEVERAL HOURS LATER, A FRIEND DROVE MY HUSBAND TO THE CAR. THERE WAS NO LONGER ANY CAR PARKED ACROSS FROM OURS, SO HE FELT IT WAS SAFE TO TRY STARTING IT AGAIN. THIS TIME, THE CAR STARTED UP NORMALLY. THIS INCIDENT IS INTERMITTENT. WE DROVE THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY LOOKED IT OVER AND SAID THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE ISSUE. SINCE RECALL #09077A: F/CMVSS WAS PERFORMED ON THE CAR, THEY WOULD DO NOTHING. THEY WOULD NOT REDO THE RECALL AGAIN. GM WOULD NOT ALLOW THEM TO DO ANYTHING UNLESS THEY RECREATE THE INCIDENT AGAIN. THEY SAID GM HAS TIED THEIR HANDS AND THEY WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING BECAUSE OF LIABILITY ISSUES AND FEARS. WE CONTACTED GM AND THEY CREATED A CASE STATING THAT WE HAD A VERY GOOD CASE AND THAT THIS WAS A SAFETY ISSUE. AFTER A FEW DAYS WE WERE CONTACTED B

Seats
Filed Jul 3, 20101 milesNV

2009 CHEVY MALIBU AFTER DRIVING SEVERAL DIFFERENT CHEVY MALIBUS 2009 THE DRIVER SEAT IS CAUSING SEVERE BACK PAIN BEING 6 '3 CAUSING SHARP PAIN IN UPPER BACK AND LOWER BACK I DRIVE THE CAR 12 HOURS A DAY 48 HOURS TO 60 HOURS A DAY AS TAXI DRIVER IN LAS VEGAS VERY VERY BAD SITUATION ITS CAUSING. *TR

Seats › Mid/Rear Assembly
Filed Jul 2, 2010PA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU LS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR MIDDLE SEAT BOLSTER CONTAINED POLYETHYLENE AND SHE WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY HAZARD. IN THE EVENT A FIRE OCCURRED, THE POLYETHYLENE COULD BURN HER SKIN. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE BOLSTER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED; HOWEVER, THEY WOULD NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE, SINCE THE BOLSTER WAS CUT. THE VIN INFORMATION WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jun 26, 201010,000 milesFL

1. BRAKES SQUEAK AND ARE NOT AS RESPONSIVE AS THEY SHOULD BE A. THE DEALER HAS CHECKED THEM SEVERAL TIMES AND SAYS THERE IS NO PROBLEM 2. ON TWO OCCASIONS WHEN TRAVELING BETWEEN 50-75 M.P.H, THE CAR HAS NOT ACCELERATED PROPERLY AND HAS MADE STRANGE GRINDING NOISE A. DEALER INDICATED THAT ANOTHER OWNER OF THE SAME MODEL VEHICLE EXPRESSED THE SAME COMPLAINT B. DEALER SAID COMPUTER DID NOT SHOW ANYTHING WRONG ON MY VEHICLE, OR THE OTHER VEHICLE OWNER'S VEHICLE 3. ON 4-6 OCCASIONS, THE CAR HAS SURGED... SOMETIMES THIS HAPPENS @ SLOW SPEEDS AND OTHER TIMES WHEN CRUISE CONTROL IS ENGAGED.... I AM AFRAID TO USE CRUISE CONTROL ANYMORE A. DEALER SAYS COMPUTER SHOWS NO PROBLEMS. *TR

Tires
Filed Jun 16, 201000

2009 MALIBU,I HAVE REPLACED 1 TIRE WHEN SIDE WALL BROKE AFTER HITTING A BUMP ALSO HAVE A BENT RIM ON A DIFFERENT WHEEL,TIRES ARE WEAK DON'T RIDE WELL, COMPLAINED TO DEALER AND GM WAS NOT WILLING TO COMPROMISE ON COST OF NEW RIM AND DIFFERENT BRAND TIRES. WAS TOLD THAT GM DOES NOT WARRANTY THE TIRES. I HAVE OWNED CHEVY'S FOR 40 YEARS,I PRESENTLY OWN 3 THAT ARE ALL ON THE ROAD NO MORE GM'S FOR ME. *TR

Tires
Filed Jun 16, 20101,500 miles00

2009 MALIBU,I HAVE REPLACED 1 TIRE WHEN SIDE WALL BROKE AFTER HITTING A BUMP ALSO HAVE A BENT RIM ON A DIFFERENT WHEEL,TIRES ARE WEAK DON'T RIDE WELL, COMPLAINED TO DEALER AND GM WAS NOT WILLING TO COMPROMISE ON COST OF NEW RIM AND DIFFERENT BRAND TIRES. WAS TOLD THAT GM DOES NOT WARRANTY THE TIRES. I HAVE OWNED CHEVY'S FOR 40 YEARS,I PRESENTLY OWN 3 THAT ARE ALL ON THE ROAD NO MORE GM'S FOR ME. *TR

Air BagsCrash
Filed Jun 3, 20109,000 milesOH

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATE SPEEDS OF 15 MPH, A VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AT THE SCENE. THE CONTACT WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL AS A PRECAUTION BUT DID NOT SUFFER FROM ANY INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL TOWING COMPANY LOT AND HAD NOT BEEN FURTHER EXAMINED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE AIR BAG FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 9,000. UPDATED 08/03/10. *LJ UPDATED 08/06/10*JB

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Caliper
Filed May 13, 201015,972 milesNY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SLIDES AND CALIPERS WERE RUSTED AND BENDING. THE BRAKES WERE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 15,972.

Suspension › Front
Filed May 5, 201035,870 milesMI

STEERING SUSPENSION, 29NOV09 REPLACED RIGHT SWAY BAR LINK. 25JAN20 REPLACED SWAY BAR BUSHINGS AT THE FRAME. 10MAR10 REPLACED SWAY BAR INSULATORS AT THE FRAME. 04MAY10 REPLACED SWAY BAR LINKS AGAIN ONLY AFTER 6 MONTHS FROM LAST REPLACEMENT. THERE IS OBVIOUSLY A QUALITY ISSUE HERE. *TR

Steering
Filed Mar 3, 2010134 milesTX

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH. THE STEERING WHEEL EXHIBITED LOOSENESS; FOLLOWED BY A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE. THERE WAS DIFFICULTY TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL AS A RESULT OF THE DRIVER SUSTAINING PAIN TO THE ARM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 6,900.

Suspension › Front
Filed Feb 23, 20108,454 milesMI

04FEB09 VEHICLE IN FOR REAR WHEEL BEARING AND NHUB REPLACEMENT 14MAY 09 IN FOR REPLACE TRANS SHIFT CABLE, THEN IN 09SEP09 RECALL 23NOV09 IN FOR STEERING SHAFT KIT REPLACEMENT & REPLACE RIGHT SWAY BAR LINK 21JAN10 BACK IN FOR CLUNKING NOISE, 25JAN10 ORDERED BUSHING REPLACEMENT PART CALLED CHEVY CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AND TIFFANY FROM GM CALLED ME BACK AND STATED THAT GM IS UNABLE TO GET PART DUE TO SUPPLIER, AFTER WAITING ONE (1) MONTH STILL NO PART. TIFFANY STATED THAT GM WILL NOT BUY BACK THIS VEHICLE AND THEY WILL NOT EXTEND MY WARRANTY. I HAVE BEEN A LIFE TIME GM CUSTOMER AND I WILL NO LONGER BUY A GM VEHICLE. *TR

Wheels
Filed Feb 12, 20106,000 milesMI

I HAVE A 2009 CHEVROLET MAILBU. I AM EXPERIENCING A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH BENT WHEEL RIMS. THESE ARE THE STANDARD STEEL RIMS WITH THE PLASTIC COVERS. I HAVE LIVED IN THE SAME LOCATION FOR 17 YEARS AND HAVE OWNED OR DRIVEN 10 DIFFERENT AUTOMOBILES IN THAT TIME, NEVER EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH BENT RIMS. BOTH THE DEALER AND GM HAVE BEEN TOLD OF THE PROBLEM BUT THEY BOTH DENY ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE DAMAGED RIMS. THEY SAY THAT THIS A DRIVER PROBLEM AND BAD ROAD CONDITIONS IN THE AREA WHERE I LIVE. I HAVE ANECDOTAL EVIDENCE THAT THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED PROBLEM FROM BOTH A NATIONAL TIRE CHAIN AND RECENT POSTINGS ON THIS WEB SITE. I HAVE BEEN ADVISED THAT THIS PROBLEM EXISTS ON THE SATURN AURA, WHICH IS THE SAME BASIC CAR AS THE MALIBU. THESE BENT RIMS CAUSE A SEVERE OUT OF BALANCE CONDITION AND CAN AFFECT THE LOW TIRE SENSORS, CAUSING A FALSE READING. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Master Cylinder
Filed Jan 26, 20103,481 milesWI

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH HE TRIED TO ACTIVATE THE ABS BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP AND PROCEEDED THROUGH A TRAFFIC LIGHT. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT HE NEEDED A NEW MASTER CYLINDER FOR THE BRAKING SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER THE WARRANTY FOR THAT FAILURE. HE SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS OFFERED TWO YEARS OF MAINTENANCE SERVICE WHICH THE CONTACT DECLINED. HE ASKED THE DEALER FOR A RELATED SERVICE BULLETIN BUT WAS DENIED THE BULLETIN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 11,829. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,481.

Air Bags
Filed Jan 25, 201015,500 milesNE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT AND AIR BAG LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON WHEN SOMEONE IS SITTING IN THE FRONT SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THERE WERE NO CODES FOR THE MALFUNCTION. THE CONTACT CALLED THE GM MANUFACTURER IN REGARDS TO THE REPAIR; HOWEVER, THEY DIDN'T OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,500.

Steering
Filed Jan 18, 2010140 milesMI

FROM THE VERY FIRST I HAVE NOTICED IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO KEEP MY 4 CYLINDER CHEVY MALIBU GOING IN A STRAIGHT LINE. THERE HAS TO BE CONSTANT CORRECTION AND IT MAKES IT VERY TIRING TO DRIVE. IF I JUST GLANCE AWAY FROM THE ROAD I FIND THAT WHEN I GLANCE BACK I AM GOING OUT OF MY LANE. THIS CAN'T BE SAFE. *TR

Power Train › Automatic TransmissionFire
Filed Dec 19, 200910,133 milesVA

TUESDAY DECEMBER 15TH 2009 I TOOK MY NEW 2009 CHEVY MALIBU TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FOR SERVICE. SERVICE DONE WAS STATE INSPECTION, OIL CHANGE, TIRE REPAIR AND FOR A RECALL ON THE TRANSMISSION LEVER. THE RECALL SERVICE WORK COMPLETED WAS THE INSTALLATION OF THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE KIT. I PICKED MY VEHICLE UP AT 2PM THAT AFTERNOON AFTER ALL SERVICE WORK WAS COMPLETE. ABOUT 20 MINUTES LATER AFTER LEAVING THE DEALERSHIP MY VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE ON THE INTERSTATE. THE POLICE AND FIRE CREW WERE ON THE SCENE TO CONTROL TRAFFIC AND THE FIRE. CAUSE OF THE FIRE IS CURRENTLY UNDER INVESTIGATION WITH MY INSURANCE CO. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Dec 17, 20096,600 milesMA

I NOTICED WHEN I WOULD USE THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL THAT AFTER COMPLETING THE TURN THE SIGNAL WOULD NOT SHUT OFF. IT WOULD MAKE THE "CLICK" SOUND BUT THE LIGHT WOULD STILL FLASH. THIS HAPPENED ABOUT 50% OF THE TIME. THE DEALER REPLACED THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH TODAY AND IT SEEMS TO BE OK. *TR

Visibility
Filed Dec 17, 20096,810 milesMA

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. *TR

Visibility
Filed Dec 4, 20093,015 milesPA

I BOUGHT A 2009 MALIBU FROM CHEVY THE PROBLEM I HAVE IS WHEN YOU DRIVE THE CAR WITH THE REAR WINDOWS DOWN YOU GET THIS TERRIBLE NOISE SOUNDS LIKE A HELICOPTER IN YOUR CAR. IF YOU DRIVE LONG ENOUGH IT GIVES YOU HEADACHES, NOISE GETS SO BAD IT VIBRATES THE DOOR PANELS AND SUNROOF. SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE WITH THIS PROBLEM WHAT EFFECT WILL IT HAVE ON CHILDREN RIDING IN THE CAR. I TALKED TO GM THEY TELL ME ALL CARS MAKE THAT NOISE JUST DEAL WITH IT . SPEND 28,000. DOLLARS TO GET YOUR HEAD POUNDED. *TR

Tires › Pressure Monitoring and Regulating Systems
Filed Nov 2, 200913,250 milesIN

AUTOMATIC TIRE-PRESSURE MONITOR DISPLAYING INCORRECTLY. I ATTEMPTED TO PUT MORE AIR IN ALL THE TIRES BEGINNING WITH THE FRONT LEFT TIRE BUT THE ON BOARD DISPLAY INDICATED THAT THE PRESSURE WAS NOT INCREASING. I THEN HAD MY SON CHANGE THE DISPLAY TO SHOW THE REAR TIRE PRESSURES AND THE LEFT-REAR WAS INCREASING IN PRESSURE EVEN THOUGH I WAS FILLING THE LEFT-FRONT (DRIVERS SIDE). I COULD HAVE OVER-INFLATED THE TIRE AND POSSIBLY EXPLODED THE TIRE HAD WE NOT CHECKED. I LATER TRIED FILLING THE RIGHT-FRONT AND EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEMS. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Oct 30, 2009200 milesCA

BOUGHT A NEW 2009 MALIBU WITH A SIX SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IN SEPT. '09. I NOTICED THE PROBLEM AFTER ABOUT A WEEK AND A HALF OR DRIVING THE CAR. I FEEL A HESITATION, THEN JERK WHEN RESUMING ACCELERATION WHILE TRAVELING 5-35 MPH AFTER HAVING DECELERATED TO THE LOWER SPEED FROM A GREATER SPEED. IT HAPPENS CONSISTENTLY WHILE DRIVING, BUT DOES NOT OCCUR WHEN ACCELERATION BEGINS FROM A STOP OR AT SPEEDS GREATER THAN 35 MPH. BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALER, AND TRANSMISSION WAS REPROGRAMMED AND UPDATED TWICE. BECAUSE THE COMPUTER IS READING EVERYTHING AS NORMAL, GM WILL APPROVE NO WORK ON VEHICLE. SO FAR GM HAS SAID THERE IS NOTHING THEY WILL DO TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM. *TR

Exterior Lighting
Filed Oct 29, 2009MI

I NOTICED LATELY ON GM VEHICLES, THAT THE BACK UP LAMPS ARE COMING ON ALTHOUGH NOBODY IS IN THE VEHICLE. RECENTLY I WAS TRYING TO BACK OUT OF A PARKING SPOT. IT WAS DARK AND COULD NOT SEE, THAT NOBODY WAS IN THE VEHICLE. AFTER A COUPLE OF MINUTES I REALIZED, THAT THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE WAS JUST WALKING UP TO THE VEHICLE. WHILE THE WHOLE TIME I COULD HAVE BACKED OUT SAFELY. I WAS VERY IRRITATED ABOUT THIS AND THINK THIS WILL CAUSE PEOPLE TO START IGNORING THE BACK UP LIGHTS ON VEHICLES. DOWN THE ROAD THIS WILL LEAD TO ACCIDENTS AND INJURIES IN PARKING LOTS. *TR

Wheels › Rim
Filed Oct 21, 20097,975 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. HE TOOK HIS VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR ROUTINE SERVICE , AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THE RIMS ON BOTH PASSENGER SIDE WHEELS WERE BENT. THE DEALER SPECULATED THAT HE STRUCK A POTHOLE. HOWEVER HE NEVER STRUCK A POTHOLE WHILE DRIVING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,975.

Steering
Filed Sep 22, 2009318 milesKS

AN ONGOING POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE ON MY 2009 CHEVY MALIBU (4 CYLINDER MODEL ONLY) IS DESCRIBED BELOW. THIS VEHICLE HAS ELECTRONIC STEERING AND THE COMPLAINT I HAVE IS THAT WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING STRAIGHT DOWN THE ROAD AND WANT TO MAKE VERY SMALL STEERING INPUTS TO GO STRAIGHT, THE ELECTRONIC STEERING ASSIST MAKES YOU OVER CORRECT. IF YOU ARE SITTING STILL WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING AND YOU TURN THE STEERING WHEEL VERY SLIGHTLY LEFT OR RIGHT, IT FEELS STIFF AT FIRST, FOLLOWED BY A SUDDEN BURST OF ASSIST, WHICH CAUSES YOU TO CONTINUALLY FIGHT THE CAR TO GO IN A STRAIGHT LINE. THIS IS A POTENTIAL DESIGN FLAW. THE V6 MALIBU THAT I DROVE WITH HYDRAULIC POWER STEERING IS NOT A PROBLEM, ONLY THE 4 CYLINDER. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO THE DEALERSHIP AS I ONLY RECENTLY PURCHASED THE CAR ON JULY 24, 2009. THEY CONTACTED TECHNICAL SUPPORT AT CHEVROLET. THEY HAVE HAD OTHER COMPLAINTS, BUT THERE IS NO FIX YET. THEY SAY IN THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING, A TORQUE SENSOR IS ACTIVATED WHEN YOU MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL, SO IT MUST BE MOVED WITHOUT ASSIST FOR A SPLIT SECOND UNTIL IT RECOGNIZES THAT YOU WANT TO TURN AND APPLIES POWER ASSIST. IT CANNOT BE ADJUSTED. THIS IS THE CAUSE OF THE CONTINUOUS OVER CORRECTION ISSUE. HOW CAN THIS BE SAFE? THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE THAT CHEVROLET SAYS IS "NORMAL OPERATION" AT THIS TIME. *TR

Latches/Locks/Linkages
Filed Sep 9, 2009MD

MY NEW 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU DOES NOT PROVIDE FOR DISABLING THE AUTO DOOR LOCKING FEATURE. HAVING WORKED IN LAW ENFORCEMENT AND BEEN INVOLVED IN ACCIDENT INVESTIGATIONS, I KNOW THAT RESCUERS HAVE A MORE DIFFICULT TIME OF REMOVING SOMEONE FROM A VEHICLE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT IF THE DOORS ARE LOCKED ESPECIALLY IF THAT PERSON IS A GOOD SAMITITAN WITH NO HEAVY TOOLS. BOTH THE DEALER AND GM HAVE REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS PROBLEM OR DO ANYTHING TO REMEDIATE IT. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THIS CHANGED BEFORE AN ACCIDENT OCCURS WHERE THE OCCUPANTS CANNOT BE REMOVED FROM THE VEHICLE. *TR

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

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