Problems · NHTSA complaints

2009 Chevrolet Malibu problems

Owners filed 1,511 complaints about the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu with NHTSA between Oct 2008 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is steering (769).

Complaints
1,511
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
41
Reported by owners
Fires
9
Reported by owners
Injuries
44
People reported injured
Deaths
3
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Steering769
  2. Electrical system368
  3. Electronic stability control (esc)255
  4. Exterior lighting172
  5. Service brakes142
  6. Power train121
  7. Vehicle speed control73
  8. Air bags63
  9. Engine61
  10. Latches/locks/linkages56
  11. Structure31
  12. Seats30
  13. Fuel/propulsion system29
  14. Traction control system22

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20082
200919
201026
201128
201235
201372
2014199
2015231
2016105
2017133
2018142
2019180
2020114
202169
202267
202336
202421
202519
202613

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Steering

769 reports13 crashes1 fire2 related recalls
“The power steering motor failed ,ESC , TRACTION and power steeringg lights came on, i am a woman and coould NOT control the car and my safety and others was at risk for an accident or crash ,there was nothing prior to this just suddenly loosing control of my car and a very scary position to be in , yes the chevy dealer has the component.I know ther was a recall on this problem and other s beside myself are still having this problem so with the low milage on this car this should NOT have happened , General Motoors should stand behind a recall no matter how long, a recall is a recall 10 years or the life off the car.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 20, 2026SteeringODI 11745342

Electrical system

368 reports5 crashes5 fires1 related recall
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 11, 2026Electrical systemODI 11717364

Electronic stability control (esc)

255 reports5 crashes1 fire
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 10, 2026Steering, Electronic stability control (esc), Traction control systemODI 11716945

Exterior lighting

172 reports1 fire
“While driving at night with the lights on, the rear taillights are bright all the time. when you press the brake pedal, the rear taillights go dim or completely dark. brake lights are working opposite what they should be doing. Fixed once with local mechanic. Fixed second time at dealership with a 'technical service bulletin' and now it is having the same problem for third time.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 31, 2024Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Service brakesODI 11622953

Service brakes

142 reports3 crashes
“I have a 2009 chevy malibu that is under the NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V252000. The recall fix on this vehicle was performed but did not fix the issue and when contacting the local gm dealerships (multiple ones) I was told that the recall was closed on this vehicle and they refused to help at all. this is a very deadly issue the brake lights staying on until you press the brake pedal then they go out when stopped can cause a fatal accident these vehicles need to be properly fixed or repurchased by GM. this is a recurring issue with these vehicles.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 25, 2023Exterior lighting, Service brakesODI 11561759

Power train

121 reports2 crashes1 fire2 related recalls
“My vehicle can overheat at times and the thermostat won’t work. That’s during the summer and winter so the temperature could rise above normal and I wouldn’t know because of the electric problems. It’s happened too many times to count. The ESC sign comes on across the dash for me letting me know there are issues with power steering and traction. I can drive on my way to work and on the highway and it happens randomly. It’s dangerous and scary I have to pull over on the side of the road to turn it off and on. Sometimes more than three to four times before it acts normal again. I tried to go to GM because my car has the symptoms of the cars being repaired in the recalls. But I’m told there are none for my car but yet the car still locks on me. It jumps too as it’s accelerating.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 13, 2023Steering, Power train, Electrical systemODI 11532030
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.