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2.0

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
78,846 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2009 Chevrolet Malibu drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2009 Chevrolet Malibu Owner Comments (Page 3 of 6)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #63

Oct 062017

Malibu

  • 130,129 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Driving the Malibu down the country road and some code flashed on the dash and then said power reduction and now its making a weird noise and car only drives slow, if this happens on a highway their will be a crash as when the power reduction kicked on it turned off traction control and power steering making it hard to move the steering wheel thank goodness I was in the country with little traffic.

- Jamestown, NY, USA

problem #62

Jan 012017

Malibu

  • 47,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving various speeds, the gear automatically changed and the engine stalled. The electronic stability control, service traction, and check engine indicators illuminated. The contact pulled the vehicle over to the side of the road, restarted the engine, and the vehicle returned to normal. The contact also stated that the door locks automatically locked and unlocked while driving. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer stated that the VIN was not included in a recall. The approximate failure mileage was 47,000.

- Bradenton, FL, USA

problem #61

Jun 222017

Malibu

  • 122,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously serviced per NHTSA campaign number: 12V460000 (power train). When the contact attempted to shift the vehicle into drive, the display on the instrument cluster indicated that the vehicle was in drive; however, the vehicle remained in neutral. The failure recurred various times, in various gears, and while driving various speeds. The vehicle was taken to copeland Chevrolet (955 pearl St, brockton, MA 02301) where it was diagnosed that the transmission shift cable failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and failed to assist. The approximate failure mileage was 122,000.

- Brockton, MA, USA

problem #60

Apr 152017

Malibu

  • 8,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. When the vehicle was shifted into reverse, it failed to reverse without warning. The vehicle was towed to springfield Mitsubishi (313 baltimore pike springfield, pa 19064, (484) 574-8434). The diagnostic results were unknown, but the ECM was replaced. The vehicle still failed to reverse and was diagnosed with transmission failure. The manufacturer stated that the transmission repairs would be covered under the warranty and was awaiting parts. The vehicle was then towed to reedman toll Chevrolet of springfield (840 baltimore pike, springfield, pa 19064 (484) 472-6290) for the transmission replacement. Upon reaching the dealer, the contact was informed that the transmission repairs would not be covered under the warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact researched online and found NHTSA campaign number: 12V460000 (power train). The manufacturer confirmed that the vehicle was not covered under warranty or included in the recall. The failure mileage was 8,000.

- Philadephia, PA, USA

problem #59

Apr 142017

Malibu

  • 91,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. While idling at a stop, the vehicle lost power without warning. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle and it returned to normal. The contact was able to drive home and the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The contact stated that the failure occurred when the vehicle was idling. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact called the manufacturer and received case number: 8-2921520333. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 91,000.

- Bryant, AR, USA

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problem #58

Feb 012017

Malibu

  • 130,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving 45 mph, the power steering warning indicator illuminated. The steering wheel began to severely vibrate, which made it difficult to control the vehicle. The dealer was unable to replicate the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

- Moore, SC, USA

problem #57

Mar 072017

Malibu

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I recently bought this car at a buy here pay here and after one say the power steering went completely out on the vehicle. I researched and found a recall on the power steering unity but dealership said it was expired?

- Owensboro, KY, USA

problem #56

Mar 022017

Malibu

  • 53,000 miles
Failed NJ dmv inspection, engine icon, PO714,715 emissions codes. Corrected and icon went off. 5 days later, while stopped at light, transmission lost forward, 2 days later, lost reverse. Codes PO716 came up. Car is a California pvec covered for a long list of failed parts, 53,000 miles, 8 yrs old, covered I thought for 15 yrs/150,000 for trans failure due to exactly this history. Dealer new trans $4000, denied it was due to covered parts. Removed and examined trans, showed metal, "from wave plate likely". therefore not covered, per dealer. Service mgr said has seen failures in lower mileage than this. I am asked to pay for break down of trans to diagnose uncovered repair, admittedly a 2-3 hour job. Decided to not repair, sell for salvage. Lease another car from dealer hoping for a better outcome down the line.

- Montclair, NJ, USA

problem #55

Feb 262017

Malibu

  • 104,740 miles
I have had the same issue as others (see complaint ids below for reference). Mine started at at 104,740 miles - very similar to ever other person. The dealer says they too believe exactly what I describe below fits the problem with the transmission clutch wave plate service bulletin (which I hope will be covered but do not think it will based on what I see on my GM owner center account and my VIN number'hope I'm wrong, I take it into the dealer in the morning again!) when I accelerated from a stop around third gear the vehicle's rpms slammed up to around 7K and then around fifth gear (I think around 55 mph) it slipped again, when I went to slow down it hung on the way down. Then, when I pulled into the left turn lane the car went into "limp" mode (think Michigan uturn). I then thought to myself, I should try shutting it off when the cars in front of me stops because I don't want more issues with the transmission. So, I did and that's when it wouldn't shift again into drive nor go into reverse (wasn't expecting that). When I was in the left hand turn lane it caused traffic to backup onto the highway (55mph), not only putting myself in danger but every person behind me that attempted to pass me (I was on my way to church'and so were 2,500 other attendees). Thankfully a police officer came until the wrecker arrived (1 hour later)'but until the officer arrived (took about 20 min.)'folks were making some very 'gutsy' moves to get around me. Reference complaint NHTSA id number: 10909571, 10806366, 10749558, 10712799, 10824378, 10611131, 10267834, 10290424, 10617224, 10654655, 10837023, 10726704, 10852752 reference service bulletin: Https://www-ODI.NHTSA.dot.gov/acms/cs/jaxrs/download/doc/ucm507769/sb-10057961-2162.pdf

- Troy, MI, USA

problem #54

Jan 292015

Malibu

  • 70,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the gear shifter failed to switch into the park position and the parking indicator would not illuminate. The vehicle failed to start. The issue occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the failure was unable to be diagnosed. The contact was informed of NHTSA campaign number: 12V460000 (power train) and service bulletin number: 12106, but the VIN was excluded. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 70,000.

- Marrero, LA, USA

problem #53

Oct 182016

Malibu

  • 75,332 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Vehicle shut off while I was driving on city street to pick up my daughter from school, and has not started since. No traction, service ESC and power loss messages appeared on the dash display. The dealer was unable to communicate with the onboard computers.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #52

Feb 012015

Malibu

  • 70,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. While the cruise control was activated, it randomly deactivated. Also, when the brake pedal was depressed, the center brake light would not illuminate and the rear brake lights illuminated very dimly. The contact also indicated that the transmission was replaced due to failures that prevented the vehicle from accelerating normally. No further information was available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 70,000.

- Raleigh, NC, USA

problem #51

Sep 222016

Malibu

  • 114,000 miles
The wave plate had fractured at 114,000 miles according to the repair shop and my transmission needs to be completely replaced. The vehicle will not go over 30mph and will not go in reverse. I cannot afford a repair of this magnitude and everyone I have talked with said this should not have happened with this many miles. I have had this car for less than 3 years. I see there are many complaints. How do I find out if my car is covered for the 10yr/120K warranty?

- Lapeer, MI, USA

problem #50

May 102015

Malibu

  • miles
Door locks and windows stopped working in suspect due to some electrical problems. And when I'm on the gas it won't pick up any speed and I think that's due to the cam shaft. And I know im not the only one having the same problems with the same car. It's really becoming a problem

- Dekalb, MS, USA

problem #49

Feb 022016

Malibu

  • 95,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. While the vehicle was stopped at a red light, the check engine, traction control off, and stability control off warning lights illuminated. While the vehicle was parked on a hill, it independently rolled backwards without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V252000 (electrical system, electronic stability control, exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic, vehicle speed control). The contact stated that the passenger side headlight failed to operate intermittently. The contact mentioned that the bulb was replaced multiple times, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the wiring harness was burned and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failures. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 09V073000 (power train) and 12V460000 (power train). The failure mileage was 95,000.

- Shreveport, LA, USA

problem #48

Jun 022016

Malibu

  • miles
I put my car in reverse it backed out of my driveway fine but as I shifted gear from reverse to drive my engine would rev but I wouldn't go anywhere and as I took my foot off the gas it would roll back even after I put it in park it would act like it wanted to roll back. Also the window locks wouldn't open if the car was in park and key out of ignition.....

- Wahiawa, HI, USA

problem #47

Aug 012015

Malibu

  • 84,000 miles
Timing chain broke in 2015 totaling the motor of the car- had to have motor replaced cost thousands of dollars. Car stalled when putting it into park in a parking spot and would start after that- no previous issues.

- Hornell, NY, USA

problem #46

May 062016

Malibu

  • miles
2009my Malibu, timing chain broken. Other issues including valves, both front outer tie rods, alignment, A/C compressor, both sway bar links, right front axle seal, and rea brake pads

- Rochester Hills, MI, USA

problem #45

Apr 012016

Malibu

  • 85,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving at various highway speeds and braking, the vehicle would not accelerate over 30 mph. The contact stated that the acceleration would be delayed and the vehicle would jerk prior to accelerating from a completed stop. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the wave plate had fractured and the transmission would need to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 85,000.

- Madison, WI, USA

problem #44

Dec 102015

Malibu

  • 90,000 miles
When hooked up to the computer it threw the code transmission control module. The car is stuck in one gear, sometimes it is 1st gear sometimes it is 5th gear. You never know when you start the car andealers take off what gear it will be in.

- Fredericktown, MO, USA

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