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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
12 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
102,147 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 steering problems

steering problem

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2009 Chevrolet Malibu Owner Comments (Page 12 of 37)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #501

Dec 132019

Malibu

  • 113,500 miles

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

While driving, I noticed the steering wheel would pulse, especially when turning the wheel left. After about 3 or 4 days, I left work(12/17/19), and "power steering service ESC" showed on the dash display. Since that time, the power steering has been intermittent. Most times it goes out while I'm driving.

- Reynoldsburg, OH, USA

problem #500

Dec 112019

Malibu

  • 153,000 miles
Sudden loss of electronic power steering. Can happen while driving or at idle and can cause tough steering or loss or vehicle control. From the complaints ive read this seems to be more common during colder temperature days. Could happen while driving in icy conditions... my daughter is now terrified to drive her vehicle. I have contacted GM and they refuse to cover any costs for this issue even though its a nation wide known issue with these vehicles.

- Clawson, MI, USA

problem #499

Dec 162019

Malibu

  • 157,000 miles
Today I lost power steering again (also happened 2 times about a month ago). I was driving in downtown madison wi today when it happened, very unsafe situation. GM's website says there was a recall for some 2009 Malibu in 2014, but when I just called GM now they say my vehicle wasn't included in the recall. But obviously, there is an issue with my vehicle. Based on all the other complaints on the website, GM should be forced to recall these vehicles again! this time, all of them.

- Fond Du Lac, WI, USA

problem #498

Dec 052019

Malibu

  • 127,000 miles

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

I had a power steering light come one, and my ESC light come on. These lights came on with no warning and disable those features while I was driving down the highway, going 57 mph, after a major ice and snow storm. I am unable to control my vehicle while it is on the road.

- Negaunee, MI, USA

problem #497

Dec 032019

Malibu

  • 93,846 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. While making a right turn, the steering wheel became difficult to turn and forced the contact to drive forward. In addition, the ESC service needed warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was towed initially to an independent mechanics and then another independent mechanic at a different location. The contact was informed that the steering gear sensor needed to be repaired. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA campaign number: 14V153000 (steering). The contact called alan webb Chevrolet (located at 3712 ne 66th ave, vancouver, wa 98661, (360) 574-1131) and informed them of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 93,846.

- Vancouver, WA, USA

problem #496

Nov 212019

Malibu

  • 96,000 miles
Malubu 2009 bought new on 2009 April, even the first year the steering would become hard to turn while parallel parking. In the parking circle while climbing it would stiffen, it happens maybe 5 to 6 times a year and recently 2019 my wife was driving with kids and the steering froze. I was really afraid after learning about the incidence from my wife. It also happened to me in the city street, and in the parking lot while turning round and round. I am terrified that it would happen on the highway or on road again. I do not feel safe in this Malibu car while driving any more. Need help.

- West Haven, CT, USA

problem #495

Nov 272019

Malibu

  • 203,000 miles

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

While driving down the road multiple warning lights popped up on the dash 'power steering' 'service ESC off' 'brake light' 'service air bag' and the steering wheel becomes very hard to turn. Trying to get the car pulled over to the nearest parking lot to my left I was almost T-boned by another vehicle because the turning process was so hard. After pulling into the parking lot and turning the vehicle off then back on it goes away then all the warning lights pop on again. This time after a few seconds everything on the dashboard goes blank including the radio and then the car dies out draining the cars battery completely.

- Saint Louis, MO, USA

problem #494

Nov 242019

Malibu

  • 19,235 miles
Lost power while driving on main road at 55 speed zone and car would only do 15 mph finally got to a store and got it stopped and steering was shaking and car shakes when I hit brakes

- Newberry, SC, USA

problem #493

Nov 252019

Malibu

  • 110,000 miles
Stopped car, got gas, turned car back on and had no power steering. Then turned car off, waited a few minutes, turned it back on and power steering returned but power steering notice came up on the display.. noticed that there has been a recall for this but when entering the VIN, this vehicle did not fall under the recall. I believe it should due to obvious safety concerns. I also read that Chevrolet had a special recall for this that didn't show up in recall lists.

- Chattanooga, TN, USA

problem #492

Nov 242019

Malibu

  • 111,350 miles
Power steering stopped working while driving twice today.

- East Lansing, MI, USA

problem #491

Nov 202019

Malibu

  • 138,000 miles

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

The power steering goes out and the traction control light comes on and service ESC message comes across the message center. I cannot turn the wheel when this happens. I turn the car off and back on and the light goes out, power steering comes back for a second then the light trips again and it's out again as soon as I turn the wheel. This occurs while driving the vehicle at a slow pace.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #490

Nov 182019

Malibu

  • 111,100 miles
Start the car and ESC is off and power steering is off. Shut the car off, restart and it comes on. Sometimes it takes a couple of times. Also when it is on and sitting with the car in drive, the steering wheel shakes back and forth.

- East Lansing, MI, USA

problem #489

Nov 212019

Malibu

  • 12,870 miles
Twice while starting my car the indicator for power steering and service ESC came on. When I would turn it off and restart it the indicators would go away. While driving in traffic on the parkway the indicators came back on and my steering locked. I had to wait until traffic slowed down enough to stop my car and restart quickly, hoping it would unlock. Thank god it did and that my kids were not in the car with me. Scary

- Mastic Beach, NY, USA

problem #488

Nov 142019

Malibu

  • miles
While driving my 2009 Chevy Malibu in the city, the steering wheel locked up and I was not able to turn the wheel at all. This has happened twice in the past few weeks

- Norwood, MA, USA

problem #487

Nov 152019

Malibu

  • 113,856 miles
Loss of power steering while driving car. Very hard to turn steering wheel, steering wheel locked up. Eps, eps offand power steering light came on dash display. Had to bring car to stop and restart engine and then was ok to drive.

- Hanover, MA, USA

problem #486

Nov 152019

Malibu

  • 98,000 miles
Tcs, ABS, ESC, etc intermittently stop working. Electronic power steering occasionally stops working, usually when turning at low speeds. Brake lights sometimes do not illuminate when pedal is pressed. I also replaced the wiring harness to the passenger head light that had shorted out and melted. There is a slew of electrical issues, and they usually get worse as the weather gets wetter and colder.

- Niagara Falls, NY, USA

problem #485

Nov 142019

Malibu

  • 127,000 miles
Sudden loss of power steering while driving.

- Pasadena, MD, USA

problem #484

Nov 132019

Malibu

  • 150,000 miles
My power steering light went on and my ESC light went on and it lost traction while waiting in line to drop my daughter off at school. I had been driving my car for 5mins and luckily it went out there and not while driving I could barely turn the wheel and ended up driving on the side walk.

- Plainfield, IL, USA

problem #483

Nov 132019

Malibu

  • miles
Power steering service light comes on and lose power steering! it has done it while turning mostly and it doesn't matter what the temperature is outside! 3 times this week alone! it has happened on while in motion on city streets lately & I have less than 80,000 miles on 2009

- Festus, MO, USA

problem #482

Nov 112019

Malibu

  • 113,650 miles
2009 Malibu ls 2.4L with electronic steering. I'll be driving and then out of the blue the steering goes out. Hear a chime and the dic reports service ESC. Have to pull over, turn car off and then after a few cycles the steering will work again. Very dangerous, car is eventually going to crash! this is totally not safe. I've owned over 12 GM cars and currently own 6 including a new Malibu. Hopefully GM will fix the steering because it's just dangerous. I only have 113,650 miles on it and everything else on the car works great except I can't have my kids drive this car if they are going to end up in a ditch. I've own this car since new and always took action on any and all recalls but I never got a notice about this one. I can now recreate this problem by just starting it and the instant you try to turn the wheel it happens so now the car is immobile. I was able to get it to stop the first time it happened but now I can't even back out of the driveway without it happening over and over. I was able to drive it up to the front of the driveway but I can't chance my kids driving the car if it means they are going ot crash and get hurt or hurt someone else.

- Edison, NJ, USA

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