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ProblemsByVinFile / 2009-CHEVROLET-MALIBUNHTSA data synced 1 day ago
Chevrolet
2009 Chevrolet Malibu problems
The 2009 Chevrolet Malibu has 1,509 NHTSA owner complaints on file — not a small number. 6 active recall campaigns.
The 2009 Chevrolet Malibu has 1,509 NHTSA owner complaints and 6 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is steering at 768 complaints, typically surfacing around 123,638 miles (~$700 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Below average for the segment. Multiple systems have recurring complaints.
0
Critical
6
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2009 Malibu?
Acceptable — with caveats
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
5 fire-related complaints and 2 crash-related complaints on the electrical system
Reliability score 5.4/10 — around the segment average
6 recall campaigns on file
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.
Buying a used 2009 Chevrolet Malibu? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
steering — 768 owner reports
· tends to show around 123,638 mi · ~$700 to fix
electrical — 250 owner reports
· tends to show around 86,010 mi · ~$850 to fix
powertrain — 98 owner reports
· tends to show around 82,030 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
lighting — 83 owner reports
· tends to show around 95,952 mi · ~$250 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: airbags is flagged
critical on this model
, showing up around 70,758 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 6 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 5.4/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
engine (~$3,100) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you,
what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact
year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
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.…
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.
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…
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…
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.
A joint bearing that fails prematurely may cause separation of the u-joint resulting in a complete loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dorman will notify owners, and dealers will refund the purchase price or replace the steering shafts, free of charge. The recall began in September 2014. Owners may contact Dorman customer service at 1-800-523-2492.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured May 16, 2003, through October 11, 2012, 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured May 26, 2004, through January 4, 2010, and 2007-2010 Saturn Aura vehicles manufactured April 24, 2006, through May 26, 2009
Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will attach the wiring harness to the BCM with a spacer, apply dielectric lubricant to both the BCM and harness connector and the BAS and harness connector, and will relearn the brake pedal home position, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed an Interim letter to customers on July 14, 2014. The recall began on August 18, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-762-2737 (Pontiac), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). GM's number for this recall is 13036.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 and 2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2006 Malibu Maxx, 2009-2010 HHR (non-turbo), 2010 Cobalt, 2008-2009 Saturn Aura and 2004-2007 Ion, and 2005-2009 Pontiac G6
If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will perform one of four bulletins. Parts are not currently available. GM expects to send an interim notification around May 28, 2014. When parts are available, owners will be mailed a second letter to come in to have the applicable bulletin applied. Bulletin 14115 covers model year 2004-2007 Saturn Ion, 2009-2010 Chevrolet HHR and 2010 Chevrolet Cobalts. Dealers will replace the EPS motor. Bulletin 14116 covers model year 2004-2006 Chevrolet Malibu and Malibu Maxx, 2005-2006 Pontiac G6 and 2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from March 1, 2008, through June 27, 2008. Dealers will replace the torque sensor assembly. Bulletin 14117 covers model year 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from February 1, 2008, through February 28, 2008. Dealers will replace the torque sensor assembly and EPS motor controller unit. Bulletin 14118 covers model year 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from October 1, 2007, through January 31, 2008. Dealers will replace the EPS motor controller unit. The recall began on July 17, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, Saturn at 1-800-553-6000, and Pontiac at 1-800-620-7668. GM's number for this recall is N140115. Note: GM bulletin number 14119 will be implemented for model year 2006-2008 and early production of 2009 Chevrolet HHR (non-turbo) and model year 2003 Saturn ION to provide EPS Motor replacement for the life of the vehicle.
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 5.4 out of 10 based on 1,509 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 5.4/10 — around the segment average; 6 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2009 Chevrolet Malibu?
Inspect the steering first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 768 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 123,638 miles. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu a good used car to buy?
It scores 5.4 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 1,509 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is steering. Typical failure occurs around 123,638 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is steering, with 768 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 70,758 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 1,509 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.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 1 day 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.
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