MYRModel Year Report

2009 Chevrolet Malibu

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2009 Chevrolet Malibu
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
1,509
Recalls
6

Campaigns on file for 2009

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Steering

51% of complaints

Complaints per year

1980: 5 complaints 1980 1981: 3 complaints 1982: 2 complaints 1983: 1 complaint 1986: 1 complaint 1989: 3 complaints 1989 1997: 443 complaints 1998: 976 complaints 1999: 789 complaints 2000: 922 complaints 2001: 721 complaints 2001 2002: 567 complaints 2003: 569 complaints 2004: 1,147 complaints 2005: 975 complaints 2006: 1,116 complaints 2007: 977 complaints 2008: 987 complaints 2009: 1,509 complaints 2009 1,509 2010: 1,360 complaints 2011: 978 complaints 2012: 907 complaints 2013: 836 complaints 2014: 351 complaints 2015: 270 complaints 2016: 836 complaints 2016 2017: 703 complaints 2018: 697 complaints 2019: 190 complaints 2020: 196 complaints 2021: 88 complaints 2021 2022: 97 complaints 2023: 66 complaints 2024: 41 complaints 2025: 10 complaints
1980: 5 complaints 1980 1981: 3 complaints 1982: 2 complaints 1983: 1 complaint 1983 1986: 1 complaint 1989: 3 complaints 1997: 443 complaints 1997 1998: 976 complaints 1999: 789 complaints 2000: 922 complaints 2000 2001: 721 complaints 2002: 567 complaints 2003: 569 complaints 2003 2004: 1,147 complaints 2005: 975 complaints 2006: 1,116 complaints 2006 2007: 977 complaints 2008: 987 complaints 2009: 1,509 complaints 2009 1,509 2010: 1,360 complaints 2011: 978 complaints 2012: 907 complaints 2012 2013: 836 complaints 2014: 351 complaints 2015: 270 complaints 2015 2016: 836 complaints 2017: 703 complaints 2018: 697 complaints 2018 2019: 190 complaints 2020: 196 complaints 2021: 88 complaints 2021 2022: 97 complaints 2023: 66 complaints 2024: 41 complaints 2024 2025: 10 complaints
1980: 5 complaints 1980 1981: 3 complaints 1982: 2 complaints 1982 1983: 1 complaint 1986: 1 complaint 1986 1989: 3 complaints 1997: 443 complaints 1997 1998: 976 complaints 1999: 789 complaints 1999 2000: 922 complaints 2001: 721 complaints 2001 2002: 567 complaints 2003: 569 complaints 2003 2004: 1,147 complaints 2005: 975 complaints 2005 2006: 1,116 complaints 2007: 977 complaints 2007 2008: 987 complaints 2009: 1,509 complaints 2009 1,509 2010: 1,360 complaints 2011: 978 complaints 2011 2012: 907 complaints 2013: 836 complaints 2013 2014: 351 complaints 2015: 270 complaints 2015 2016: 836 complaints 2017: 703 complaints 2017 2018: 697 complaints 2019: 190 complaints 2019 2020: 196 complaints 2021: 88 complaints 2021 2022: 97 complaints 2023: 66 complaints 2023 2024: 41 complaints 2025: 10 complaints 2025

2009: 1,509 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19805
19813
19822
19831
19861
19893
1997443
1998976
1999789
2000922
2001721
2002567
2003569
20041,147
2005975
20061,116
2007977
2008987
20091,509
20101,360
2011978
2012907
2013836
2014351
2015270
2016836
2017703
2018697
2019190
2020196
202188
202297
202366
202441
202510

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Steering

51% · 768 reports

Most commonly citing power steering fluid and hydraulic power assist system.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

In 2012, I was driving down a somewhat of a curvy road when all of a sudden when approaching a curve, the car would not turn!!! I was headed straight for a tree as well as traveling into opposing traffics lane. Fortunately, no one was coming.

NHTSA ODI report, 2024-03-20

My seventeen-year-old daughter was coming home from cheering at a basketball game at 9:30 p.m. She was driving up signal mountain from dunlap Tennessee on HWY127 about three-quarters of the way up the mountain her power steering stopped working.

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-11-20

Electrical system

24% · 368 reports

Most commonly citing switch and ignition.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

My car is having issues driving over 60miles per hr, I have to keep pressing the gas to get the car to move, the car battery is dead and won’t turn on, I got the car repaired twice and the second time I got it repaired, it just was even worse then...

NHTSA ODI report, 2023-09-20

Electronic stability control (esc)

17% · 255 reports
CRASHFIREINJURY

Exterior lighting

11% · 173 reports

Most commonly citing brake lights and headlights.

FIRE

Service brakes

10% · 152 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and electric.

CRASHINJURYDEATH

Safety timeline

6 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2008-12-17Visibility08V634000 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."

    Remedy: 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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. ▮
    2009Complaint volume 1,509 complaints filed for this model year.
  3. R
    2009-03-15Power train09V073000 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…

    Remedy: 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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. I
    2010-11-18Audit queryClosed 2015-12-28 Fleet Vehicle Recall Completion Audit
  5. R
    2013-01-01Power train12V460000 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…

    Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install a retainer over the cable end or replace the shift cable as necessary. This service will be performed free of charge. Notification to owners began on…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2014-07-17Steering14V153000 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.

    Remedy: 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    2014-08-18Electrical system, electronic stability control (esc), exterior lighting, vehicle speed control14V252000 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...

    Remedy: 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...

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. R
    2014-09-08Steering14E044000 Dorman Products, Inc.

    Remedy: 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2009 Chevrolet Malibu — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Steering: 768 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 368 reports on file for this year.
  • Electronic stability control (esc): 255 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 08V634000 · Visibility
  • Recall 09V073000 · Power train
  • Recall 12V460000 · Power train
  • Recall 14V153000 · Steering
  • Recall 14V252000 · Electrical system, electronic stability control (esc), exterior lighting, vehicle speed control
  • Recall 14E044000 · Steering
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu?
The most-reported component is steering, accounting for 51% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu have?
6 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.