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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 13 of 37)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #481

Nov 092019

Malibu

  • miles

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

Gauges go crazy on dashboard

- Washington, DC, USA

problem #480

Nov 012018

Malibu

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that an abnormal noise was heard coming from the engine. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a defective catalytic converter. The contact also stated that when turning the steering wheel, the wheels failed to respond. In addition, the ABS and ECM warning indicators illuminated when the failure occurred. Ed bozarth Chevrolet (2001 S havana St, Aurora, co 80014, (720) 746-2716) and autonation Chevrolet North (7320 N broadway, denver, co 80216, (303) 720-7609) were contacted and stated that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified of the failures. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 100,000.

- Denver, CO, USA

problem #479

Nov 062019

Malibu

  • 167,500 miles
On November 6, 2019 was driving my kids to school on a regular street, when suddenly without warning my power steering goes completely out. Ran up on a curb almost hitting a pole because I was unable to turn wheel. I took vehicle to get power steering fluid and was told it was electrical. Took to another place to have tested and a recall came up for vehicle. Took to dealership and was told it was not a recall but it is listed as one. Refuse to help fix the problem due to over mileage and me not being the original owner. Refusal for rental or even a loaner.

- Ravenna, OH, USA

problem #478

Oct 252019

Malibu

  • 143,000 miles

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

Power steering quits abruptly

- No. Kingstown, RI, USA

problem #477

Nov 012019

Malibu

  • 122,000 miles
My car is the 4 cylinder with electric power steering and when driving it and making a turn I lose all power steering, the traction control light comes on turning off the traction control and the ESC service light comes on. My car was not on the recall list but is having the same problem as cars on the recall list.

- Galesburg, IL, USA

problem #476

Oct 132019

Malibu

  • 122,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving 30 mph and making a right turn, the steering seized and the traction control warning indicator illuminated. The contact had to turn off and restart the vehicle for it to resume normal operation. The vehicle was taken to phil long Ford at chapel hills (1565 auto mall loop, Colorado springs, co 80920, (844) 234-1769) where it was diagnosed that the eps needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and the failure recurred seven times. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 14V153000 (steering). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 122,000.

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA

problem #475

Oct 152019

Malibu

  • 108,000 miles

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

After pulling away from espresso stand the power steering on 2009 Chevy Malibu completely failed w/out warning. This occurred as I was just going into a right hand turn in a parking lot at approximately 5 to 10mph. I nearly hit the drivers door of a vehicle in the intersection as they were taking a left turn into the parking lot. The steering was extremely difficult and required both hands. I came to a stop as I completed the turn, just before the parking lot exited to a side road. The truck behind me was honking and my vehicle was barely positioned safely on 'my' side of the driveway. I had no choice but to turn right onto the roadway and pull as far off to the shoulder as I could. The shoulder; is about two car lengths long before it turns into a sidewalk. It should have been an easy task however, due to the steering I could barely get off the roadway- my front tires all but resting on the start of the sidewalk. The message center on my dash read "power steering" followed by "service ESC" and the ESC/ traction control indicator light on the dash was lit up. I called for help & they arrived within minutes. We are unable to access the power steering unit as is located underneath the alternator, and requires removal of the alternator. About 30 min after incident I moved car back several feet - steering was still hard. I turned it off. A few minutes later I turned back on. Still getting message, but decided to drive the 5 mi back since only 2 turns were necessary. One person helping was in front and one person following. It was uneventful however warning indicators were still on & steering extremely difficult. 3hrs later I turn car on to get mileage and noticed that indicators are off. Tested the steering- it has resumed to normal. Vehicle is driven approximately 8mi hm. Message displayed twice during this drive. Vehicle had pre-trip inspection 1wk prior. 108K mile

- Tulalip, WA, USA

problem #474

Jul 012019

Malibu

  • 127,000 miles
Electrical-I was following someone who was driving my Malibu, and we came up to a stoplight. I noticed that my brakes lights didn't illuminate when he was stopping, the light turned green and we proceeded down the road. I then saw the brakes lights going on and off a couple of times. We were not coming up on a light, nor was there anyone in front of him. When we got to our destination, I asked if he was tapping the brakes when we pulled away from that red light, and he said no, not once. This issue continues to happen, almost causing me to get into an accident. Steering- the power steering will just stop working when I am driving. It does this often. To correct it, I have to pull over and turn the car off and then back on. Sometimes I have to do this a few times right in a row before it corrects the problem. I have looked up recalls for my year vehicle. Currently, there are recalls for both of these issues, just not for my VIN. I cannot help but think that if the same exact issues have been happening with other vehicles from the same year as mine and they have gotten the recalls, that there is a very good chance that mine should probably be included in these recalls as well. Those recalls are 14V153000 and 14V252000.

- Wichita, KS, USA

problem #473

Aug 152018

Malibu

  • 115,000 miles
I have not had my 2009 Malibu for almost a year now. I took it to the dealership to get looked at and they want to charge me 140 dollars for looking at it, just to tell me the transmission is messed up. I knew this. It started when I was driving to work and a light came on and it was really hard to turn the steering wheel. I had to slow way down because I could barely turn the wheel. This was a huge safety issue. I was terrified for my life with my three year old son in the back seat. I pulled off to the side and shut the car off, then started it up again. The steering wheel was fine. Then again I got into my car the next day and it did it again! but only this time, it didn't stop. No matter what. Then my car stopped shifting. I capped they Chevy dealership and they set me up an appointment to bring my car in. I explained it was unsafe to drive it so they scheduled a tow for me. That following week, (carless) I was waiting for the tow to show up and no one came. I called the dealship and she said that something happened and I had to drive my vehicle in, I explained, again, that it was unsafe to drive. She told me that I couldn't get my vehicle looked at then if it wasn't there. I drove 20 miles going ten miles an hour with my hazards on to get it there, just to leave it there for three days then be told that my transmission is messed up and they needed four thousand dollars to fix it. Needeless to say, my car has been sitting there for almost a year now. Nothing being done to it. If my transmission is messed up... which it is.... it's because of them!! I checked my recalls and I have recalls for all of these things on a website. But not yours? I don't understand. Please help.

- Hamilton, IN, USA

problem #472

Mar 012018

Malibu

  • miles
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving various speeds, the power assist completely failed. The contact stated that the warning indicators only illuminated on the vehicle after the failure occurred. The contact took the vehicle to two different independent mechanics where the vehicle was repaired; however, the failure continued. The contact spoke with dublin Chevrolet GMC Buick (2042 veterans blvd, dublin, ga 31021, 478-246-4916) and was informed that the vehicle was not included in a recall. No further assistance was offered. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Byron, GA, USA

problem #471

Jul 012016

Malibu

  • 156,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. Upon purchasing the vehicle, the contact noticed that the steering wheel rattled whenever the vehicle was in motion. On other occasions, while attempting to turn the steering wheel, the wheels on the vehicle failed to turn and perform as desired. The contact drove to baldwin Chevrolet Cadillac (621 S westwood blvd, poplar bluff, mo 63901, 573-840-0228) and was informed that the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 14E044000 (steering) prior to her purchasing the vehicle. The dealer stated that the recall was repaired; therefore, any remaining issues would have to be paid out of pocket. The manufacturer was not notified. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 156,000.

- Newport, AR, USA

problem #470

May 202019

Malibu

  • 146,000 miles
Issue started with gear shift not going into park and then power steering started having issues and quit working while driving with wheel shaking back and forth. Next transmission began slipping and now barely shifts. Wheel jerks so hard when I turn now that it kicks my hand off wheel. Coughlin automotive in london, Ohio told us that recall had been fixed but refuses to give us proof. Power steering has gone out in the middle of turning.

- Springfield, OH, USA

problem #469

Jul 242019

Malibu

  • 70,520 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the power steering was faulty and the steering wheel seized while making a turn. The contact was unable to turn the steering wheel at all. When the contact turned off and restarted the vehicle, the steering wheel returned to normal; however, the traction control and ESC indicators illuminated. The vehicle was driven to an independent mechanic, but could not be serviced because the failure was electric and the mechanic did not have the proper tools. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer and dealer were not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 70,520.

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #468

Jun 222019

Malibu

  • 155,000 miles
I have a 2009 Chevy Malibu.recall webisite reflects numerous recalls regarding my auto, make and model. While driving on a 6 lane hwy, , I have lost power steering twice. Which is almost impossable to control. Also, the automatic locks have stopped operating even when pressing the door auto lock/ unlock button.you can hear then trying to function however does not. Also, while sitting in park, I crank my car and shift to reverse, my car does not go into reverse. Sometime it will hit very hard and sometime not go into gear at all. I place my car in drive and move forward then to reverse, the car goes into reverse. On other occasions, I turn the car off, re-crank it and its fine. These problems are listed as recalls for the make and model of my auto however, doesn't apoear under my VIN when I search. What can I do I am affraid for my safety while driving my car and also reluctant to drive it. These issues need to be resolved as they appear as recalls. When you loose control while driving and your safety is in jeopardy, its time to expect results.

- Rock Hill, SC, USA

problem #467

Jan 142019

Malibu

  • 130,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving various speeds or while stopped, the steering wheel shook. Also, the power steering failed when the vehicle was started. The contact shook the steering wheel a couple of times to get it to operate. The failures recurred several times. The dealer and the manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

- Spanaway, WA, USA

problem #466

Jun 022019

Malibu

  • 209,000 miles
While driving down the highway there was a sudden loss of electric power steering. Just as described in bulletin 114116, making it hard for me to turn the steering wheel which caused the car to shake terribly.

- Enterprise, AL, USA

problem #465

May 182019

Malibu

  • 172,000 miles
Randomly without warning the ESC light will come on and the cars electric steering goes out and makes it nearly impossible to steer. As of now you can shut the car down and wait a few minutes and start the vehicle and it will work but then shut down within 10 miles. This makes the car extremely dangerous to drive.

- Fort Myers, FL, USA

problem #464

May 172019

Malibu

  • 148,000 miles
Takata recall. ESC triggers with turns, power steering shuts down making it difficult to turn. On multiple occasions steering has failed causing me to stop in the middle of traffic, luckily able to avoid accidents. 09' Malibu @ 148K

- Lake Worth, FL, USA

problem #463

May 132019

Malibu

  • 3 miles
I recently bought this car for my son. The seller told me that the steering was not right. So while driving it home it became very hard to steer. The dash flashed "power steering". so I searched recalls and found the attached print out. But when I search though your website it says no open recalls. Seems to be harder to steer while turning and at all different speeds.

- Wheeling, IL, USA

problem #462

May 012019

Malibu

  • 88,000 miles
Power steering light is on. Before the light came on the wheel randomly became hard to turn and a danger to drive

- San Bernardino, CA, USA

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