2009 Chevrolet Malibu Complaint Log

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATE SPEEDS OF 15 MPH, A VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AT THE SCENE. THE CONTACT WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL AS A PRECAUTION BUT DID NOT SUFFER FROM ANY INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL TOWING COMPANY LOT AND HAD NOT BEEN FURTHER EXAMINED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE AIR BAG FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 9,000. UPDATED 08/03/10. *LJ UPDATED 08/06/10*JB

2009 CHEVY MALIBU AFTER DRIVING SEVERAL DIFFERENT CHEVY MALIBUS 2009 THE DRIVER SEAT IS CAUSING SEVERE BACK PAIN BEING 6 '3 CAUSING SHARP PAIN IN UPPER BACK AND LOWER BACK I DRIVE THE CAR 12 HOURS A DAY 48 HOURS TO 60 HOURS A DAY AS TAXI DRIVER IN LAS VEGAS VERY VERY BAD SITUATION ITS CAUSING. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE VIEW MIRROR CONTINUOUSLY BECAME DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHAT WAS CAUSING THE PROBLEM AND STATED THAT IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 37,500. UPDATED 02/11/14*LJ THE MIRROR WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES. UPDATED 02/11/14

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT AND BACK SUPPORT CUSHION WERE FALLING APART. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER THREE TIMES WHERE THE SEAT WAS REPAIRED EACH TIME HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.

ONGOING ISSUE THAT DEALERSHIP CANNOT DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR -- TRANSMISSION WILL SLIP OUT OF GEAR, RESULTING IN A LOSS OF POWER; CAR BEHAVES AS IF IT IS IN NEUTRAL. IF PRESSURE IS REMOVED FROM ACCELERATOR, TRANSMISSION WILL RE-ENGAGE. SINCE INCIDENT IS INTERMITTENT AND UNPREDICTABLE, DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO REPLICATE. I HAVE ASKED THEM MULTIPLE TIMES IF OTHER 2009 MALIBU HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND HAVE BEEN TOLD NO. GIVEN RECENT EVENTS I AM SKEPTICAL NOW OF THAT ANSWER. BECAUSE POWER TO THE VEHICLE IS LOST, THIS CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF OTHER GMS WITH THE SIX-SPEED TRANSMISSION (NEW ON THE 2009 MODEL, I BELIEVE) ARE EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM. *TR

POWER STEERING TRAIN, I PERSONALLY PURCHASE NEW LAST ONE, END OF THE YEAR VEHICLE ON THE AVAILABLE LIST. *TR

INTERMITTENTLY THE FRONT DRIVER DOOR ONLY PARTIALLY UNLOCKS WHEN PLACED IN PARK RESULTING IN THE DOOR NOT BEING ABLE TO OPEN FROM INTERIOR AND ONLY PARTIALLY PULLED OPEN FROM OUTSIDE. ONCE DOOR IS OPEN IT WILL NOT CLOSE/LATCH. FRONT AND REAR LOCKS ON PASSENGER SIDE DO NOT RESPOND TO KEY FOB AND MUST BE MANUALLY LOCKED/UNLOCKED. PASSENGER FRONT AND REAR DOORS LOCK WHEN PLACED IN VEHICLE IS PLACED IN GEAR BUT DO NOT UNLOCK WHEN PLACED IN PARK. *TR

2009 MALIBU,I HAVE REPLACED 1 TIRE WHEN SIDE WALL BROKE AFTER HITTING A BUMP ALSO HAVE A BENT RIM ON A DIFFERENT WHEEL,TIRES ARE WEAK DON'T RIDE WELL, COMPLAINED TO DEALER AND GM WAS NOT WILLING TO COMPROMISE ON COST OF NEW RIM AND DIFFERENT BRAND TIRES. WAS TOLD THAT GM DOES NOT WARRANTY THE TIRES. I HAVE OWNED CHEVY'S FOR 40 YEARS,I PRESENTLY OWN 3 THAT ARE ALL ON THE ROAD NO MORE GM'S FOR ME. *TR

2009 MALIBU,I HAVE REPLACED 1 TIRE WHEN SIDE WALL BROKE AFTER HITTING A BUMP ALSO HAVE A BENT RIM ON A DIFFERENT WHEEL,TIRES ARE WEAK DON'T RIDE WELL, COMPLAINED TO DEALER AND GM WAS NOT WILLING TO COMPROMISE ON COST OF NEW RIM AND DIFFERENT BRAND TIRES. WAS TOLD THAT GM DOES NOT WARRANTY THE TIRES. I HAVE OWNED CHEVY'S FOR 40 YEARS,I PRESENTLY OWN 3 THAT ARE ALL ON THE ROAD NO MORE GM'S FOR ME. *TR

MY SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON CONTINUOUSLY BECAUSE OF MY IGNITION SWITCH IS MALFUNCTIONING; AT TIMES IT LOCKS UP DISALLOWING ME TO BE ABLE TO START MY CAR OR REMOVE MY KEYS. I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH THE CAMSHAFT ACTUATORS AND HAS SINCE BEEN REPLACED ON THE ENGINE; BUT THIS CAR IS STILL MALFUNCTIONING. ALSO, MY LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT WILL NOT COME ON, ON THE PASSENGERS SIDE OF MY VEHICLE AFTER THE BULB HAS BEEN REPLACED. ALL OF GM CARS MADE BETWEEN 2008-2012, NEEDS TO BE RECALLED FOR THESE ISSUES NOT JUST SOME BUT ALL! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 60 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK ABNORMALLY FOLLOWED BY UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THE DEALER RELOADED THE TRANSMISSION SOFTWARE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER REPAIRS, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT PROPERLY SHIFT GEARS AND WHEN DOWNSHIFTING, THE VEHICLE WOULD ABNORMALLY ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO APPLY THE BRAKES TO STOP THE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THE DEALER RELOADED THE TRANSMISSION SOFTWARE A SECOND TIME BUT TO NO AVAIL. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER WINDOWS WOULD INTERMITTENTLY FAIL, THE FUEL LEVEL GAUGE WAS INOPERABLE AND THE AIR CONDITIONER WOULD NOT ENGAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING THE REBUILDING OF THE TRANSMISSION AND REPAIRS TO ALL FAILED COMPONENTS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 25,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE SUN WOULD SHINE ON THE CHROME INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT WOULD BECOME BLINDED BY THE REFLECTION AND GLARE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THERE WERE NO REPAIRS THAT COULD HAVE BEEN MADE TO STOP THE GLARE OF THE CHROME. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO MODIFY THE ACTUAL DESIGN OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50. UPDATED 02/03/12 UPDATED 02/22/12*LJ UPDATED 03/01/12

FROM DAY 1, THE RIGHT REAR DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR HASN'T WORKED. AFTER WE GOT IT FIXED, THE LEFT REAR DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR ALSO STOPPED WORKING. GM HAS PROVIDED PARTIAL COVERAGE FOR OUR REPAIR COSTS, BUT NOTHING FOR OUR INCONVENIENCE. (MY HUSBAND HAD TO TAKE 4-5 HOURS OFF WORK EACH TIME TO BRING THE CAR TO THE DEALER FOR THE REPAIRS).

THIS PROBLEM IS VERY INTERMITTENT AND IMPOSSIBLE TO DUPLICATE BY GM SERVICE TECHNICIANS. IT IS VERY INTERMITTENT TO ME AS THE DRIVER TOO, AND I HAVE TO DATE BEEN UNABLE TO KNOW WHAT TRIGGERS THIS. IT SEEMS TOTALLY RANDOM. INTERVALS HAVE BEEN AS LITTLE AS ONE WEEK AND AS LONG AS TWO MONTHS. THE EVENT IS CAR ENGINE HAS NEAR COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER; ENGINE TIMING PINGS HEAVILY, ENGINE POWER SURGES THEN COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER. THIS IS THE MOST SEVERE SYMPTOM. THE CAR ALSO ENCOUNTERS MODERATE PINGING, LOSS OF POWER THAT CAUSES THE CAR TO BE VERY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE. I HAVE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE STREET EVERY TIME DUE TO THE UNPREDICTABILITY OF ENGINE POWER. THE CAR HAS DIED ON THE INTERSTATE FREEWAY AND WHEN I PUSH ON GAS PEDAL, ENGINE POWER GETS WEAKER AND ENGINE PINGING IS EXTREMELY STRONG. COASTING TO SIDE OF FREEWAY IS ONLY SAFE THING TO TRY. *TR

TUESDAY DECEMBER 15TH 2009 I TOOK MY NEW 2009 CHEVY MALIBU TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FOR SERVICE. SERVICE DONE WAS STATE INSPECTION, OIL CHANGE, TIRE REPAIR AND FOR A RECALL ON THE TRANSMISSION LEVER. THE RECALL SERVICE WORK COMPLETED WAS THE INSTALLATION OF THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE KIT. I PICKED MY VEHICLE UP AT 2PM THAT AFTERNOON AFTER ALL SERVICE WORK WAS COMPLETE. ABOUT 20 MINUTES LATER AFTER LEAVING THE DEALERSHIP MY VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE ON THE INTERSTATE. THE POLICE AND FIRE CREW WERE ON THE SCENE TO CONTROL TRAFFIC AND THE FIRE. CAUSE OF THE FIRE IS CURRENTLY UNDER INVESTIGATION WITH MY INSURANCE CO. *TR

I WAS WARMING THE CAR UP IN THE MORNING, 32 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT AND A LAYER OF ICE ON EVERYTHING. THE DEFROST WAS JUST STARTING TO MELT THE WINDOW SO I TURNED ON THE WIPERS. THE DRIVER SIDE DID NOT MOVE AND THE PASSENGER SIDE CROSSED OVER IT GETTING STUCK THERE. I WENT OUT AND PHYSICALLY UNTANGLED THE WIPERS AND THEY SEEMED TO WORK OK FOR A WHILE BUT ON THE HIGHWAY THE DRIVER SIDE COULD NOT KEEP UP AND BECAME STUCK UNDER THE PASSENGER WIPER. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY TIGHTENED THE BOLT AT THE END OF THE WIPER CONTROL ARM, TOOK TWO SECONDS, AND IT HAS SEEMED TO BE OK SINCE. *TR

PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE BRAND NEW FROM DEALER IN JUNE OF 2009. 1ST TIME I HEARD CLUNKING NOISE FROM FRONT SUSPENSION ONLY WHEN THE TEMPS DROP BELOW 50 DEGREES. ONCE CAR WARMED UP, THE NOISE WOULD GO AWAY. SOUNDED LIKE A BROKEN STABILIZER LINK. RETURNED CAR TO DEALER AND HAD TO LEAVE OVERNIGHT SO THEY CAN HEAR THE NOISE, ONLY PROBLEM WAS THAT THE DEALER COULD HEAR THE NOISE WHEN COLD, BUT SOUND NOISE WOULD BE GONE BY THE TIME THEY GOT THE CAR ON THE LIFT. ONCE THE SOUND WAS GONE THEY HAD NO CLUE AS TO WHERE THE NOISE STARTED FROM. RETURNED TO THE DEALER ROUGHLY 7 TIMES OVER 3 YEAR PERIOD, NOW THE WARRANTY IS OVER. DEALER DID REPLACE LINKS, STRUTS, STEERING RACK, STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT AND A SLEW OF OTHER PARTS WHICH I HAVE DOCUMENTED. NOW I HAVE THE CAR FOR 5 YEARS AND YES THE NOISE IS STILL THERE EACH WINTER MORNING BELOW 50 DEGREES. ONCE THE WARMER WEATHER ARRIVES, IT NEVER MAKES A SOUND. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT A LOT OF GM CARS ALL HAVE THE SAME "CLUNKING" SOUND IN FRONT SUSPENSION. ONLY THING I CAN THINK OF IS THAT THE DEALER PARTS ARE ALL DEFECTIVE AND MAYBE AN AFTERMARKET PART MAY BE UPGRADED TO HELP ELIMINATE THE NOISE. AS FOR NOW, I JUST LIVE WITH IT AS I FEEL NO WOBBLY EFFECTS OR UNSAFE CONDITION. *TR

I NOTICED WHEN I WOULD USE THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL THAT AFTER COMPLETING THE TURN THE SIGNAL WOULD NOT SHUT OFF. IT WOULD MAKE THE "CLICK" SOUND BUT THE LIGHT WOULD STILL FLASH. THIS HAPPENED ABOUT 50% OF THE TIME. THE DEALER REPLACED THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH TODAY AND IT SEEMS TO BE OK. *TR

WHEN FIRST GOT CAR DOORS LOCKED AND UNLOCKED WITH REMOTE FOR APPS 1 WEEK. THEN OVER APPX MONTH STOPPED WORKING 1 DOOR AT A TIME. AT THIS POINT THE POWER LOCKS INSIDE (ON DOOR) DO NOT WORK AND LOCK/ UNLOCK INTERMITTENTLY AND EVEN IF I CAN UNLOCK MANUALLY MY DRIVERS DOOR IT STILL STAYS LOCKED EVEN WHEN LOCK IS IN FULLY UNLOCKED POSITION. QUITE SCARY FOR SOMEONE THAT DRIVES ALONE AT NIGHT AND MY DOORS ARE UNLOCKING THEMSELVES. GOD FORBID I DO GET INTO AN ACCIDENT AND NEED TO GET OUT OF THE CAR QUICKLY. ALSO THIS MAKES IT SO MY PANIC DOES NOT WORK ON MY FOB. YES I'VE CHANGED BATTERIES MULTIPLE TIMES. ALSO MY POWER STEERING HAS BEEN CUTTING IN AND OUT WHILE MOVING MOST OFTEN DURING TURNS. WHAT HAPPENS IF I AM MOVING ON A HIGHWAY AND I CANNOT STEER CORRECTLY? FEELING VERY UNSURE OF MY SAFETY AT THIS POINT.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO JERK ABNORMALLY. AFTER TIME, THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE FAILURE BEGAN TO RECUR INTERMITTENTLY AND WITH TIME, BECAME A CONSTANT OCCURRENCE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT NOTICED A BURNING ODOR WHEN FIRST STARTING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS OR REPAIRS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.

I BOUGHT A 2009 MALIBU FROM CHEVY THE PROBLEM I HAVE IS WHEN YOU DRIVE THE CAR WITH THE REAR WINDOWS DOWN YOU GET THIS TERRIBLE NOISE SOUNDS LIKE A HELICOPTER IN YOUR CAR. IF YOU DRIVE LONG ENOUGH IT GIVES YOU HEADACHES, NOISE GETS SO BAD IT VIBRATES THE DOOR PANELS AND SUNROOF. SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE WITH THIS PROBLEM WHAT EFFECT WILL IT HAVE ON CHILDREN RIDING IN THE CAR. I TALKED TO GM THEY TELL ME ALL CARS MAKE THAT NOISE JUST DEAL WITH IT . SPEND 28,000. DOLLARS TO GET YOUR HEAD POUNDED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A SENSOR NEEDED TO BE RE-LEARNED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED AND LOW PRESSURE, CHECK SVC WAS DISPLAYED ACROSS THE MESSAGE BOARD. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEFROSTER FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V634000 (VISIBILITY); HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000. UPDATED 09/25/15*LJ UPDATED 10/13/15*JB

AUTOMATIC TIRE-PRESSURE MONITOR DISPLAYING INCORRECTLY. I ATTEMPTED TO PUT MORE AIR IN ALL THE TIRES BEGINNING WITH THE FRONT LEFT TIRE BUT THE ON BOARD DISPLAY INDICATED THAT THE PRESSURE WAS NOT INCREASING. I THEN HAD MY SON CHANGE THE DISPLAY TO SHOW THE REAR TIRE PRESSURES AND THE LEFT-REAR WAS INCREASING IN PRESSURE EVEN THOUGH I WAS FILLING THE LEFT-FRONT (DRIVERS SIDE). I COULD HAVE OVER-INFLATED THE TIRE AND POSSIBLY EXPLODED THE TIRE HAD WE NOT CHECKED. I LATER TRIED FILLING THE RIGHT-FRONT AND EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEMS. *TR

I NOTICED LATELY ON GM VEHICLES, THAT THE BACK UP LAMPS ARE COMING ON ALTHOUGH NOBODY IS IN THE VEHICLE. RECENTLY I WAS TRYING TO BACK OUT OF A PARKING SPOT. IT WAS DARK AND COULD NOT SEE, THAT NOBODY WAS IN THE VEHICLE. AFTER A COUPLE OF MINUTES I REALIZED, THAT THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE WAS JUST WALKING UP TO THE VEHICLE. WHILE THE WHOLE TIME I COULD HAVE BACKED OUT SAFELY. I WAS VERY IRRITATED ABOUT THIS AND THINK THIS WILL CAUSE PEOPLE TO START IGNORING THE BACK UP LIGHTS ON VEHICLES. DOWN THE ROAD THIS WILL LEAD TO ACCIDENTS AND INJURIES IN PARKING LOTS. *TR

IN OCTOBER OF 2009 I NOTICED THE SHIFTING OF VEHICLE WAS ERRATIC AND IMPROPER. CAR WOULD ACT LIKE IT WOULD NOT SHIFT OR IF IT DID WAS REALLY LABORED. NOVEMBER OF 2009 AS I PULLED INTO WORK TRANSMISSION EXPLODED. HAD TOWED TO DEALER SAID REPAIRED/ REPLACED/REBUILT, WAS BACK WITH MORE PROBLEMS ONLY TO FIND OUT PARTS WERE REPLACED BACKWARDS ONTO TRANSMISSION FIXED THAT ONLY FOR ME TO RETURN AGAIN FOR TRANSMISSION ISSUES. NOW AGAIN THE CAR ACTS LIKE IT WONT SHIFT PROPERLY WILL NOT ATTEMPT TO GO SOMETIMES, WAS BACK AT SHOP, THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. SO NOW I HAVE MADE A VIDEO AND HAVE TAKEN PICTURES OF TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKING FROM PAN UNDER CAR. I AM AFRAID TO TAKE IT BACK TO WHERE I HAVE BEEN GOING BECAUSE WHEN THEY HAVE ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR ITS WORSE OR IN SAME CONDITION,SO HAVE APPOINTMENT TODAY WITH ANOTHER AUTO MECHANIC TO TRY AN DIAGNOSIS. THIS IS THE FIFTH TIME I HAVE HAD MY 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU IN FOR DEFECTIVE AND DANGEROUS TRANSMISSION ISSUES. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT AND AIR BAG LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON WHEN SOMEONE IS SITTING IN THE FRONT SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THERE WERE NO CODES FOR THE MALFUNCTION. THE CONTACT CALLED THE GM MANUFACTURER IN REGARDS TO THE REPAIR; HOWEVER, THEY DIDN'T OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,500.

FROM THE VERY FIRST I HAVE NOTICED IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO KEEP MY 4 CYLINDER CHEVY MALIBU GOING IN A STRAIGHT LINE. THERE HAS TO BE CONSTANT CORRECTION AND IT MAKES IT VERY TIRING TO DRIVE. IF I JUST GLANCE AWAY FROM THE ROAD I FIND THAT WHEN I GLANCE BACK I AM GOING OUT OF MY LANE. THIS CAN'T BE SAFE. *TR

I HAVE A 2009 CHEVROLET MAILBU. I AM EXPERIENCING A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH BENT WHEEL RIMS. THESE ARE THE STANDARD STEEL RIMS WITH THE PLASTIC COVERS. I HAVE LIVED IN THE SAME LOCATION FOR 17 YEARS AND HAVE OWNED OR DRIVEN 10 DIFFERENT AUTOMOBILES IN THAT TIME, NEVER EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH BENT RIMS. BOTH THE DEALER AND GM HAVE BEEN TOLD OF THE PROBLEM BUT THEY BOTH DENY ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE DAMAGED RIMS. THEY SAY THAT THIS A DRIVER PROBLEM AND BAD ROAD CONDITIONS IN THE AREA WHERE I LIVE. I HAVE ANECDOTAL EVIDENCE THAT THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED PROBLEM FROM BOTH A NATIONAL TIRE CHAIN AND RECENT POSTINGS ON THIS WEB SITE. I HAVE BEEN ADVISED THAT THIS PROBLEM EXISTS ON THE SATURN AURA, WHICH IS THE SAME BASIC CAR AS THE MALIBU. THESE BENT RIMS CAUSE A SEVERE OUT OF BALANCE CONDITION AND CAN AFFECT THE LOW TIRE SENSORS, CAUSING A FALSE READING. *TR

BOUGHT A NEW 2009 MALIBU WITH A SIX SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IN SEPT. '09. I NOTICED THE PROBLEM AFTER ABOUT A WEEK AND A HALF OR DRIVING THE CAR. I FEEL A HESITATION, THEN JERK WHEN RESUMING ACCELERATION WHILE TRAVELING 5-35 MPH AFTER HAVING DECELERATED TO THE LOWER SPEED FROM A GREATER SPEED. IT HAPPENS CONSISTENTLY WHILE DRIVING, BUT DOES NOT OCCUR WHEN ACCELERATION BEGINS FROM A STOP OR AT SPEEDS GREATER THAN 35 MPH. BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALER, AND TRANSMISSION WAS REPROGRAMMED AND UPDATED TWICE. BECAUSE THE COMPUTER IS READING EVERYTHING AS NORMAL, GM WILL APPROVE NO WORK ON VEHICLE. SO FAR GM HAS SAID THERE IS NOTHING THEY WILL DO TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. HE TOOK HIS VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR ROUTINE SERVICE , AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THE RIMS ON BOTH PASSENGER SIDE WHEELS WERE BENT. THE DEALER SPECULATED THAT HE STRUCK A POTHOLE. HOWEVER HE NEVER STRUCK A POTHOLE WHILE DRIVING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,975.

MY NEW 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU DOES NOT PROVIDE FOR DISABLING THE AUTO DOOR LOCKING FEATURE. HAVING WORKED IN LAW ENFORCEMENT AND BEEN INVOLVED IN ACCIDENT INVESTIGATIONS, I KNOW THAT RESCUERS HAVE A MORE DIFFICULT TIME OF REMOVING SOMEONE FROM A VEHICLE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT IF THE DOORS ARE LOCKED ESPECIALLY IF THAT PERSON IS A GOOD SAMITITAN WITH NO HEAVY TOOLS. BOTH THE DEALER AND GM HAVE REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS PROBLEM OR DO ANYTHING TO REMEDIATE IT. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THIS CHANGED BEFORE AN ACCIDENT OCCURS WHERE THE OCCUPANTS CANNOT BE REMOVED FROM THE VEHICLE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED, THE ENGINE STALLED, AND AN UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WAS UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000.

OWN A 2009 MALIBU THAT HESITATES WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE INTO TRAFFIC, OR SLOW DOWN AND TRY TO PICK UP SPEED AGAIN BROUGHT IT TO DEALERSHIPS ATTENTION EVERY TIME I TAKE IT IN FOR SERVICE, THEY SAY THIS IS NORMAL AND NOTHING IS BEING DONE TO FIX THE PROBLEM, THIS IS GOING TO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT OR DEATH IN THIS MAKE OF CAR. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH. THE STEERING WHEEL EXHIBITED LOOSENESS; FOLLOWED BY A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE. THERE WAS DIFFICULTY TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL AS A RESULT OF THE DRIVER SUSTAINING PAIN TO THE ARM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 6,900.

MY MALIBU 2009 HAS LOCKS OPENING AND CLOSING OFTEN WHEN DRIVING. REMAINING OPEN IS A BIG SAFETY CONCERN. MY DEALER AND GM PRETEND NOT TO HELP UNLESS THEY ARE IN CAR WHEN THEY SEE AND HEAR IT HAPPENING. MY SON ALSO HAS THE SAME PROBLEM ON HIS NEW MALIBU 2009. DESPERATE FOR HELP. WE HAVE LITTLE CHILDREN OFTEN IN CAR AND THE LOCKS ARE OPEN., WHEN THIS HAPPENS. *TR

PURCHASED NEW 2009 CHEVY MALIBU 6/16/09 AT JOHN THORNTON CHEVROLET. TOOK CAR BACK ON 6/20/09 DUE TO MALFUNCTIONING BRAKES; ROTORS WERE RUSTED AND HAD TO BE SKIMMED. ON 7/27/09, ON WAY TO WORK, CAR KEPT STALLING IN TRAFFIC; PUT FOOT ON GAS, WOULD HESITATE; HEARD WHIZZING NOISES. BECAUSE MOVING THE CAR WAS GETTING WORSE, I DECIDED TO TURN AROUND AND HEAD TO THE DEALERSHIP. WHEN I GOT ON THE FREEWAY, THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE ENOUGH TO PROCEED, IT WOULD NOT GO PAST 20 MPH AND I KNEW IT WAS TOO DANGEROUS TO KEEP GOING. I PULLED OFF FREEWAY AND FOUND A LOT TO PULL OVER. CALLED ONSTAR WHO TAPPED INTO MY DIAGNOSTIC AND INFORMED ME THERE WERE TWO PROBLEMS INDICATED IN THE TRANSMISSION. I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. SINCE THEN JOHN THORNTON GAVE ME A RENTAL. SAID THEY WERE GOING TO REPLACE A PART AND LAST WEEK ADVISED ME THEY HAVE TO INSTALL A NEW TRANSMISSION; IT WILL BE COMING FROM THE FACTORY AND OFFERED TO REIMBURSE ME THE AMOUNT OF MY FIRST CAR NOTE. AS OF 8/17/09 THEY HAVE HAD MY CAR 3 WKS. AS OF 8/26/09 IT WILL BE THE 30TH DAY AND I WILL BE ELIGIBLE TO EITHER GET A REFUND OR REPLACEMENT VEHICLE. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT I HAVE A FAULTY TRANSMISSION. *TR

AN ONGOING POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE ON MY 2009 CHEVY MALIBU (4 CYLINDER MODEL ONLY) IS DESCRIBED BELOW. THIS VEHICLE HAS ELECTRONIC STEERING AND THE COMPLAINT I HAVE IS THAT WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING STRAIGHT DOWN THE ROAD AND WANT TO MAKE VERY SMALL STEERING INPUTS TO GO STRAIGHT, THE ELECTRONIC STEERING ASSIST MAKES YOU OVER CORRECT. IF YOU ARE SITTING STILL WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING AND YOU TURN THE STEERING WHEEL VERY SLIGHTLY LEFT OR RIGHT, IT FEELS STIFF AT FIRST, FOLLOWED BY A SUDDEN BURST OF ASSIST, WHICH CAUSES YOU TO CONTINUALLY FIGHT THE CAR TO GO IN A STRAIGHT LINE. THIS IS A POTENTIAL DESIGN FLAW. THE V6 MALIBU THAT I DROVE WITH HYDRAULIC POWER STEERING IS NOT A PROBLEM, ONLY THE 4 CYLINDER. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO THE DEALERSHIP AS I ONLY RECENTLY PURCHASED THE CAR ON JULY 24, 2009. THEY CONTACTED TECHNICAL SUPPORT AT CHEVROLET. THEY HAVE HAD OTHER COMPLAINTS, BUT THERE IS NO FIX YET. THEY SAY IN THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING, A TORQUE SENSOR IS ACTIVATED WHEN YOU MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL, SO IT MUST BE MOVED WITHOUT ASSIST FOR A SPLIT SECOND UNTIL IT RECOGNIZES THAT YOU WANT TO TURN AND APPLIES POWER ASSIST. IT CANNOT BE ADJUSTED. THIS IS THE CAUSE OF THE CONTINUOUS OVER CORRECTION ISSUE. HOW CAN THIS BE SAFE? THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE THAT CHEVROLET SAYS IS "NORMAL OPERATION" AT THIS TIME. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH HE TRIED TO ACTIVATE THE ABS BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP AND PROCEEDED THROUGH A TRAFFIC LIGHT. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT HE NEEDED A NEW MASTER CYLINDER FOR THE BRAKING SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER THE WARRANTY FOR THAT FAILURE. HE SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS OFFERED TWO YEARS OF MAINTENANCE SERVICE WHICH THE CONTACT DECLINED. HE ASKED THE DEALER FOR A RELATED SERVICE BULLETIN BUT WAS DENIED THE BULLETIN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 11,829. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,481.

OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU, VEHICLE HESITATES WHILE ACCELERATING, WHEN IN GEAR HESITATES WHEN YOU ACCELERATED TO MOVE VEHICLE INTO TRAFFIC, VEHICLE MOVE VERY SLOWLY, THE RPM SHOW ENGINE HIGH BUT VEHICLE MOVE SLOW, BEEN INFORM BY DEALERSHIP THAT THIS IS COMMON WITH THIS TYPE OF TRANSMISSION ON THIS VEHICLE, AND NOTHING CAN BE DONE TO FIX IT, GM HAS BEEN INFORM AND NOTHING IS BEING DONE FROM THAT END, THIS VEHICLE IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN, IT IS UNSAFE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE WASHING THE EXTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE, THE INTERIOR CARPET BECAME SATURATED WITH WATER. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT MILDEW HAD BEGUN TO GROW ON THE CARPET. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THERE WAS LEAK WITHIN THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 38,000.

1. BRAKES SQUEAK AND ARE NOT AS RESPONSIVE AS THEY SHOULD BE A. THE DEALER HAS CHECKED THEM SEVERAL TIMES AND SAYS THERE IS NO PROBLEM 2. ON TWO OCCASIONS WHEN TRAVELING BETWEEN 50-75 M.P.H, THE CAR HAS NOT ACCELERATED PROPERLY AND HAS MADE STRANGE GRINDING NOISE A. DEALER INDICATED THAT ANOTHER OWNER OF THE SAME MODEL VEHICLE EXPRESSED THE SAME COMPLAINT B. DEALER SAID COMPUTER DID NOT SHOW ANYTHING WRONG ON MY VEHICLE, OR THE OTHER VEHICLE OWNER'S VEHICLE 3. ON 4-6 OCCASIONS, THE CAR HAS SURGED... SOMETIMES THIS HAPPENS @ SLOW SPEEDS AND OTHER TIMES WHEN CRUISE CONTROL IS ENGAGED.... I AM AFRAID TO USE CRUISE CONTROL ANYMORE A. DEALER SAYS COMPUTER SHOWS NO PROBLEMS. *TR

BRAKE LIGHTS FAIL TO LIGHT AND/ OR FAIL TO TURN OFF AFTER DEPRESSING/RELEASING BRAKE PEDAL BOTH WHILE CAR WAS PARKED WITH ENGINE ON AS WE'LL AS WHILE IN MOTION INCLUDING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. *JS

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER DUE TO A VERY STRONG CHEMICAL SMELL INSIDE THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THE DEALER ADVISED HIM TO DRIVE WITH THE WINDOWS OPEN, KEEP THE VEHICLE OUT OF DIRECT SUNLIGHT, AND ALLOW IT TO AIR OUT. AFTER A FEW WEEKS OF AIRING OUT THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE AT 40 MPH. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE STRONG SCENT IN THE VEHICLE CAUSED HIM TO BECOME DISORIENTED WHILE DRIVING. HE BELIEVED THAT THE SCENT WAS SO STRONG THAT IT CAUSED HIM TO DRIVE POORLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND REPAIRED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE CONTACT DOES NOT WANT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE ODOR. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 800. UPDATED 07/14/09 *BF THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED AFTER CRASHING INTO SEVERAL CARS, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE REASON HE CRASHED WAS DUE TO THE CHEMICAL SMELL IN THE VEHICLE WHICH CAUSED HIM TO BECOME DISORIENTED. UPDATED 07/16/09.*JB

I WAS SB ON SHIRLEY AVENUE IN SIOUX FALLS, SD. I WAS MAKING A LEFT ON A GREEN LIGHT WHEN A LADY TRAVELING EB RAN A RED LIGHT AND HIT ME ON THE RIGHT FRONT OF MY VEHICLE. MY VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. I WAS INJURED. MY VEHICLE IS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V073000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT). SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT EVERYTHING LOOKED NORMAL. ONE MONTH LATER, WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO PLACE THE GEAR INTO PARK, IT WOULD NOT MOVE. THE CONTACT MOVED THE VEHICLE TO A SPOT WHERE IT WOULD NOT ROLL AWAY AND PLACED THE GEAR INTO NEUTRAL. SHE THEN APPLIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE RESTARTED AND WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHERE IT CURRENTLY REMAINS. THE CONTACT IS WAITING ON A RESPONSE FROM THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 2,600.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PARK GEAR DOES NOT REMAIN ENGAGED. IF PARKED ON A HILL, THE VEHICLE WOULD ROLL DOWN. THE DEALER REPLACED THE SHIFT LOCK CABLE FOR FREE. A RECALL WAS ISSUED AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN THE RECALL BECAUSE OF WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THERE ARE MORE 2009 MALIBUS WITH THIS ISSUE. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 5,543 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,400. UPDATED 062909 *BF UPDATED 07/01/09.*JB

TL*THE CONTACT'S RELATIVE OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HESITATES WHILE ACCELERATING. THE FAILURE WAS NOTICED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH. THE VEHICLE HAS A 6 SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION THAT HESITATES, BUT THE DEALER CANNOT REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THIS WAS A STANDARD FEATURE ON THIS TYPE OF TRANSMISSION, WHICH WAS TESTED BY GM. THE CONTACT ASKED THE DEALER TO INSTALL A FOUR CYLINDER TRANSMISSION FROM THE CHEVROLET IMPALA, BUT GM REFUSED WITHOUT PROVIDING AN EXPLANATION. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1,300 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE EMERGENCY STEERING CONTROL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. ALSO, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START PROPERLY ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO START PROPERLY, THE BATTERY HAD TO BE DISCONNECTED UNTIL THE VEHICLE RESET. IN ADDITION, THE DOORS FAILED TO LOCK. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WERE MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTIONS THAT NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURES RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN WHAT COMPONENTS WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,000.

04FEB09 VEHICLE IN FOR REAR WHEEL BEARING AND NHUB REPLACEMENT 14MAY 09 IN FOR REPLACE TRANS SHIFT CABLE, THEN IN 09SEP09 RECALL 23NOV09 IN FOR STEERING SHAFT KIT REPLACEMENT & REPLACE RIGHT SWAY BAR LINK 21JAN10 BACK IN FOR CLUNKING NOISE, 25JAN10 ORDERED BUSHING REPLACEMENT PART CALLED CHEVY CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AND TIFFANY FROM GM CALLED ME BACK AND STATED THAT GM IS UNABLE TO GET PART DUE TO SUPPLIER, AFTER WAITING ONE (1) MONTH STILL NO PART. TIFFANY STATED THAT GM WILL NOT BUY BACK THIS VEHICLE AND THEY WILL NOT EXTEND MY WARRANTY. I HAVE BEEN A LIFE TIME GM CUSTOMER AND I WILL NO LONGER BUY A GM VEHICLE. *TR

MY 2009 CHEVY MALIBU HAS AS SEVERE STEERING BIAS TO THE LEFT THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO FIX. *TR