CHEVROLET MALIBU · model year

2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU

2349 NHTSA complaints, 64 crash reports, and 6 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2009CHEVROLETMALIBU carries 2349 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 64 crashes, 13 fires, 64 injuries, and 5 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2009 MALIBU is steering with 759 filings, followed by electrical system (358) and electronic stability control (esc) (255). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 6 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 57 investigation files overlapping the 2009 MALIBU, and 2 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

2349
Complaints
64
Crashes
13
Fires
64
Injuries
5
Deaths

Total Complaints

2349 filings

Crashes Reported

64 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
STEERING759
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM358
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)255
EXTERIOR LIGHTING154
SERVICE BRAKES142
POWER TRAIN103
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL71
ENGINE61
AIR BAGS60
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES54
UNKNOWN OR OTHER53
SEATS29
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM29
STRUCTURE:BODY22
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM22

Recalls (6)

14V15300031/03/2014

STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

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. In the affected vehicles, there may be a sudden loss of electric power

14E04400021/07/2014

STEERING

Dorman Products, Inc. (Dorman) is recalling certain replacement intermediate steering shafts sold under the Dorman, OE Solutions, and Solutions brand names, part numbers 425-167, 2425167, and 7-3074, for installation on 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6, and 2007-2009 Saturn Aura vehi

12V46000018/09/2012

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)

General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Saturn Aura and model year 2008-2010 Chevrolet Malibu and Pontiac G6 vehicles, equipped with a 4-speed automatic transmission. On these vehicles, the tabs on the transmission shift cable end may fracture and separate.

14V25200014/05/2014

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

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

09V07300006/03/2009

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT

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. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLES SAFETY STANDARD 102, "TRANSMISSION SHIFT POSITION SEQUENCE, STARTE

08V63400002/12/2008

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

GM IS RECALLING 77 MY 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU HYBRID VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 103, "WINDSHIELD DEFROSTING AND DEFOGGING SYSTEM." THE HEATING, VENTILATION, AND AIRCONDITIONING (HVAC) SYSTEM MAY BECOME INOPERATIVE. IF THIS WERE T

Recent Complaints

20260211ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER

Odometer Fraud. The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was approximately 120,000 however, the contact researched and discovered in a Carfax Report that the mileage was approximately 234,000. The contact stated that the vehicle had several issues, leading the contact believe that the odometer had been tampered with. The contact stated that the current approximate mileage on the vehicle was 141,000, which the contact believed to be inaccurate.

Mileage: 234,000

20260210STEERING

The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while the vehicle was idling, it lost power steering functionality. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and restarted the vehicle, and the power steering functionality returned. The failure reoccurred every mile while driving, requiring the driver to pull over to the side of the road to restart the vehicle. The power steering, ESC, and the traction control warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated who was a retired independent mechanic, determined that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V153000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included. The dealer and the manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 107,000.

Mileage: 107,000

20260210ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while the vehicle was idling, it lost power steering functionality. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and restarted the vehicle, and the power steering functionality returned. The failure reoccurred every mile while driving, requiring the driver to pull over to the side of the road to restart the vehicle. The power steering, ESC, and the traction control warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated who was a retired independent mechanic, determined that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V153000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included. The dealer and the manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 107,000.

Mileage: 107,000

20260210TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while the vehicle was idling, it lost power steering functionality. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and restarted the vehicle, and the power steering functionality returned. The failure reoccurred every mile while driving, requiring the driver to pull over to the side of the road to restart the vehicle. The power steering, ESC, and the traction control warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated who was a retired independent mechanic, determined that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V153000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included. The dealer and the manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 107,000.

Mileage: 107,000

20260206STEERING

Driving down the interstate I noticed the steering wheel lightly jumping intermittently like it wanted to take control and turn itself. A few minutes later the power steering completely went out and the dash board display ESC OFF, Power Steering. I had no control of the vehicle. After turning the car off and then back on it would go away but happen later. Tried the recommended disconnect of the battery and hard restart and it would be fine for a little bit but happen again. Fast forward 2 weeks later and now completely out. This is extremely dangerous and a recall was already conducted for this year, make and model, but not on ALL VINs associated. This recall needs to be reinstated covering all VINs of this year before someone is seriously hurt or possibly killed.

20260206ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Driving down the interstate I noticed the steering wheel lightly jumping intermittently like it wanted to take control and turn itself. A few minutes later the power steering completely went out and the dash board display ESC OFF, Power Steering. I had no control of the vehicle. After turning the car off and then back on it would go away but happen later. Tried the recommended disconnect of the battery and hard restart and it would be fine for a little bit but happen again. Fast forward 2 weeks later and now completely out. This is extremely dangerous and a recall was already conducted for this year, make and model, but not on ALL VINs associated. This recall needs to be reinstated covering all VINs of this year before someone is seriously hurt or possibly killed.

20260120STEERING

Power steering has failed. There are numerous complaints for these model and year cars. There has also been recalls for certain VIN numbers but not all. Very unsafe!

20260112STEERING

So just recently I was on my way home from my parents house, and I take a highway to get there from my home. It’s a direct shot, fastest way to get to and from. I was merging right to get in the turn lane to the highway I take, and I heard a click, and my steering wheel felt like it locked up. I look at the dash, and see it says “power steering” and then “ESC OFF”. The turn to merge onto the highway is a pretty sharp turn over a very steep hill. I had to force the steering wheel to the right, and crush on the brakes to get on the side of the road, where I could stop and inspect. I inevitably ended up giving up, because it’s freezing outside and I am not a mechanic. But it didn’t happen the rest of the way to my home. Since then though, it happens every time I drive the car. Turning the car off and on, while moving the steering wheel from left/right seems to temporarily fix the issue. Until the cars is idling again, and then it clicks off. I have a video of my steering wh

20260112ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

So just recently I was on my way home from my parents house, and I take a highway to get there from my home. It’s a direct shot, fastest way to get to and from. I was merging right to get in the turn lane to the highway I take, and I heard a click, and my steering wheel felt like it locked up. I look at the dash, and see it says “power steering” and then “ESC OFF”. The turn to merge onto the highway is a pretty sharp turn over a very steep hill. I had to force the steering wheel to the right, and crush on the brakes to get on the side of the road, where I could stop and inspect. I inevitably ended up giving up, because it’s freezing outside and I am not a mechanic. But it didn’t happen the rest of the way to my home. Since then though, it happens every time I drive the car. Turning the car off and on, while moving the steering wheel from left/right seems to temporarily fix the issue. Until the cars is idling again, and then it clicks off. I have a video of my steering wh

20251221STEERING

Power steering went out and Esc warning came on the dash . This has happened multiple times mostly while sitting at idle. Turned off car and restarted and it was corrected. This is becoming more frequent.

20251203STEERING

The power steering fails and SERVICE ESC is displayed on the dash. This has been happening intermittently on my daughter’s car and she struggles to control the vehicle when it loses power steering. A quick internet search revealed is a known issue and is extremely dangerous. Please consider recall immediately.

20251201STEERING

power steering will shut off when moving at slow speeds or when stopped with car running such as at a stop light. warning lights will flash. Saw that there was a recall in 2014 for the same issue and was never informed. when checking recall alerts, i don't see my VIN however i am having the same issues as the recall.

20251119STEERING

The power steering went out while driving and is available for inspection right now. The car has 145k miles. The vehicle has been inspected by an independent service center and reproduced but has not been inspected by manufacturer/police/insurance. There were no indicators on dash before the power steering went out. Now the power steering ESC indicator as well as traction light and ABS warning show on dash now and the power steering is still out.

20250830STEERING

2009 chevy malibu i lost of Electric Power Steering it happened to me twice both when i was driving one was in the freeway the bad thing my car or vin wasn't included in the recall the dealer said its not included in the affected cars unfortunately it deed my vehicle has 40k miles on the odometer although its a 2009 its very clean. I brought it at firestone auto they said after diagnosing it that they can't fix it because it had a recall so i bring it to were we bought it at Guaranty Chevy in Santa Ana i paid $240. to have it diagnose and they said it was wiring issue so i went home after a day drove the car the next day the STEERING went out again and i was driving it again i was on the freeway this could cause an accident. So when i brought it back to the dealer they fix it for a whopping $1144.87 plus the initial $240 to diagnose says on my receipt the sensor that was actually on their recall again my Vin wasn't included in the affected cars obviously it did. I ask the dealer if the

20250830STEERING

My 2009 chevy malibu is 40k miles only! The Electronic Power Steering failed almost causing me into an accident they had a recall on this but unfortunately the dealer said my car was not on the list. I went to the dealer and had it diagnose for $240 i paid out of pocket a day later they called me Chevy Guaranty at Santa Ana CA. That my car was fix so i was happy a day later i was driving at the 5 highway and it happened again the steering wheel was locked engine running ac and everything but i can’t steer it there was no power assist so i had to call AAA again i used my towing 3 times in a soan of almost 3 days just to fix this when i told the dealer what had happen they had the car for kike 4 days and when it was done the cost of repair and parts was $1144.87 i feel kike they should have done this in good faith because its a known issue but my car wasn’t in the affected vin so there were no recalls but at 40k i could have been in an accident worst it could have out me in danger an

20250628ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The power steering keeps going in and out and the vehicle only has 85,000 miles on it. I also keep having weird electrical issues. I had to replace my headlight wiring harnesses as well as my taillights harnesses. But the power steering issue is coming from the rack and pinion. The steering wheel will shake while sitting still and the power steering will completely go out basically every other time I turn the car on.

20250628STEERING

The power steering keeps going in and out and the vehicle only has 85,000 miles on it. I also keep having weird electrical issues. I had to replace my headlight wiring harnesses as well as my taillights harnesses. But the power steering issue is coming from the rack and pinion. The steering wheel will shake while sitting still and the power steering will completely go out basically every other time I turn the car on.

20250424STEERING

Experiencing power steering issues, Power steering goes off randomly and airbag light has come on and won’t go off.

20250424ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Experiencing power steering issues, Power steering goes off randomly and airbag light has come on and won’t go off.

20250314STEERING

While driving the car, the power steering suddenly goes out and a message displays saying something like "service ESC Power Steering". It seems completely random. Some days, power steering works all day and other days it is completely intermittent. There is a recall for this exact car, Recall 14V153000 from 3-31-2014 but somehow according to the VIN this car is not in that group. It needs to be expanded. I have researched this problem extensively, and it is identical to the symptoms described in Recall 14V153000. I do not know why this car is not included in the recall. It is the identical electrical power steering system, and clearly it is faulty.

Compare 2009CHEVROLETMALIBU to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 2 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU have?
The 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU has 2349 NHTSA complaints, 64 crashes, 13 fires, 64 injuries, and 5 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU?
Yes, the 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU has 6 recall(s). The most common affected component is STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU?
The most-complained component for the 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU is STEERING with 759 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ELECTRICAL SYSTEM and ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC).
Is the 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.