MYRModel Year Report

2009 Chevrolet Malibu

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2009 Chevrolet Malibu
BUILT 2026-09-02

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 PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Chevrolet Malibu Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2009 highlighted. 1980: 5 complaints 1980 1981: 3 complaints 1982: 2 complaints 1983: 1 complaints 1986: 1 complaints 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: 1147 complaints 2005: 975 complaints 2006: 1115 complaints 2006 2007: 977 complaints 2008: 987 complaints 2009: 1509 complaints 2009 2010: 1359 complaints 2011: 977 complaints 2011 2012: 905 complaints 2013: 835 complaints 2014: 350 complaints 2015: 270 complaints 2016: 835 complaints 2016 2017: 701 complaints 2018: 694 complaints 2019: 188 complaints 2020: 195 complaints 2021: 86 complaints 2021 2022: 92 complaints 2023: 64 complaints 2024: 39 complaints 2025: 10 complaints 2025
2009: 1509 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19805
19813
19822
19831
19861
19893
1997443
1998976
1999789
2000922
2001721
2002567
2003569
20041147
2005975
20061115
2007977
2008987
20091509
20101359
2011977
2012905
2013835
2014350
2015270
2016835
2017701
2018694
2019188
2020195
202186
202292
202364
202439
202510

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

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

STEERING 51%

51% of complaints: steering — 768 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing power steering fluid and hydraulic power assist system.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
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, 20240320

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, 20171120

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 24%

24% of complaints: electrical system — 368 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing switch and ignition.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
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, 20230920

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) 17%

17% of complaints: electronic stability control (esc) — 255 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 11%

11% of complaints: exterior lighting — 173 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing brake lights and headlights.

FIRE
SERVICE BRAKES 10%

10% of complaints: service brakes — 152 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic and electric.

CRASH INJURY DEATH

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20081217 — visibility

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 HREF=HTTP://W

Campaign 08V634000 — check if this car was fixed

▮ 2009 — complaint volume: 1509
R 20090315 — power train

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 C

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 EXPE

Campaign 09V073000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20101118 — AQ (closed 20151228)

Fleet Vehicle Recall Completion Audit

R 20130101 — power train

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 ve

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 o

Campaign 12V460000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20140717 — steering

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.

Campaign 14V153000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20140818 — electrical system, electronic stability control (esc), exterior lighting, vehicle speed control

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...

Campaign 14V252000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20140908 — steering

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.

Campaign 14E044000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2009 Chevrolet Malibu — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for steering issues (768 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (368 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electronic stability control (esc) issues (255 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 08V634000 (visibility) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09V073000 (power train) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 12V460000 (power train) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 14V153000 (steering) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 14V252000 (electrical system, electronic stability control (esc), exterior lighting, vehicle speed control) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 14E044000 (steering) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2024 ▲ 2023 ▲ 2021

WORST YEARS

◆ 2010 ◆ 2004 ◆ 2006

See all years ranked →

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 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.