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ProblemsByVin File / 2009-CHEVROLET-MALIBU
2009 · Chevrolet

Chevrolet Malibu problems

2 safety recalls. 1,507 owner complaints. We mapped every trouble spot before you sign the papers.

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

Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints

steering
767 reports · avg $700
moderate
electrical
250 reports · avg $850
moderate
powertrain
98 reports · avg $2,500
moderate
lighting
83 reports · avg $250
moderate
airbags
47 reports · avg $1,100
critical
brakes
36 reports · avg $450
moderate
cruise control
26 reports · avg $600
moderate
engine
24 reports · avg $3,100
moderate

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2009 Malibu · other
THE ESC LIGHT HAS COME ON ALONG WITH SEVERAL OTHER LIGHTS LIKE TRACTION CONTROL AND AIR BAG ON THE DASH AND NOW IT WON'T START.
12/31/2018 · NHTSA ODI #11164320.0
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 · NHTSA ODI #10557941.0
2009 Malibu · other Injury
SEAT FRAME INTEGRITY IS COMPROMISED. SEAT IS NOT SECURED TO THE RUNNING BOARDS. JOINTS WHERE THE TUBES ARE WELDED ARE COMPROMISED AND SEPARATED. APPEARS TO BE A FATIGUE FAILURE. IN JANUARY 2013, WITH MUCH ARGUMENT WITH GM ABOUT REPLACING THE SEAT FRAME, THEY FINALLY AGREED…
12/30/2016 · NHTSA ODI #10938870.0
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 · NHTSA ODI #10668991.0

Estimate your repair exposure

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

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Active recalls showing 2 of 2

severe NHTSA 09V073000 06/03/2009

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 02/12/2008

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.

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. 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. 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 aren't always better value.

Related vehicles

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 1 day ago. 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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