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ProblemsByVin File / 2009-CHEVROLET-MALIBU NHTSA data synced 4 days ago
2009 · Chevrolet

Chevrolet Malibu problems

1,507 owners have filed defect reports on this one. That's not a small number. 2 active recall campaigns on file.

0 5 10
Reliability score
6.2 / 10

Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.

0
Critical
2
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2009 Malibu?
Acceptable — with caveats

Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.

Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.

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Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints

steering
767 reports · fails ~123,638 mi · avg $700
moderate
electrical
250 reports · fails ~86,010 mi · avg $850
moderate
powertrain
98 reports · fails ~82,030 mi · avg $2,500
moderate
lighting
83 reports · fails ~95,952 mi · avg $250
moderate
airbags
47 reports · fails ~70,828 mi · avg $1,100
critical
brakes
36 reports · fails ~72,407 mi · avg $450
moderate
cruise control
26 reports · fails ~89,601 mi · avg $600
moderate
engine
24 reports · fails ~92,790 mi · avg $3,100
moderate
Buyer's checklist
Going to look at one? Use the pre-purchase inspection list.
Generated from this 2009 Malibu's actual NHTSA complaint history — every item points at a documented failure pattern on this exact vehicle, not generic walkaround filler.
See the checklist ->
Honest Calculator
Should you buy an extended warranty on this 2009 Malibu?
We pulled the math: risk-weighted exposure, typical contract cost, and our verdict on whether coverage pencils out for this specific vehicle.
See the calculator ->

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2009 Malibu · steering
At freeway speed the car wants to pull to left when turning the wheel to the right. Steering wheel makes a clunking noise when turning left or right. Hard to steer when moving slowly. Loose sloppy steering feel. The dealer is replacing the entire steering gear rack. Very costly.…
12/31/2013 · at 112,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #10557941.0 · see steering pattern →
2009 Malibu · engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The failure occurred intermittently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 109,000.
12/30/2014 · at 109,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #10668991.0 · see engine pattern →
2009 Malibu · steering
I was pulling out of a parking lot and my power steering light came on along with a chiming sound. My steering wheel locked up and I couldn't turn the wheel. The same thing happened again about a month later and a third time about another month after that. I have read that there…
12/30/2014 · at 85,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #10669108.0 · see steering pattern →
2009 Malibu · steering
Electronic power steering stops working randomly and then just stops with messages: power steering, service ESC, ESC off. Power steering stopped working driving on the expressway in the middle of traffic and in regular city driving which is completely unsafe. Steering wheel also…
12/29/2017 · at 47,200 mi · NHTSA ODI #11057431.0 · see steering pattern →
View all 1,507 owner complaints →
Had a problem with your 2009 Chevrolet Malibu? File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

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At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
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Active recalls showing 2 of 2

severe NHTSA 09V073000 March 6, 2009

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

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.

Fix: 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.
severe NHTSA 08V634000 December 2, 2008

Gm is recalling 77 my 2009 Chevrolet malibu hybrid vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no

If the windshield began to fog or frost, there may not be enough airflow to clear the windshield, resulting in reduced driver visibility and a possible crash without prior warning.

Fix: Dealers will reprogram the HVAC control head module. The recall is expected to begin on december 17, 2008. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 or through their website at <a href=http://www.gmownercenter.com>http://www.gmownercenter.com</a> .

Common questions

Is the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu reliable?

It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.2 out of 10 based on 1,507 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.

Should you avoid the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu?

The 2009 Chevrolet Malibu is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: 5 fire-related complaints and 2 crash-related complaints on the electrical system; Reliability score 6.2/10 — around the segment average; 2 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.

What's the most common problem on the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is steering, with 767 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 123,638 miles. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The airbags is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 70,828 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Chevrolet Malibu has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 1,507 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $1,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.

Related

Other model years
2013 Malibu2012 Malibu2011 Malibu2010 Malibu2008 Malibu2007 Malibu2006 Malibu2005 Malibu
Compare against
vs. 2009 nissan Altima vs. 2009 toyota Camry vs. 2009 ford Fusion vs. 2009 honda Accord
Problem categories across the fleet
steering across all vehicles electrical across all vehicles powertrain across all vehicles lighting across all vehicles airbags across all vehicles brakes across all vehicles cruise control across all vehicles engine across all vehicles
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 4 days ago. Verify the raw federal record at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2009/Chevrolet/Malibu. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with Chevrolet. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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