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7.6

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
64,550 miles
Total Complaints:
5 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (5 reports)
2009 Chevrolet Malibu brakes problems

brakes problem

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2009 Chevrolet Malibu Owner Comments

problem #5

Mar 212017

Malibu LS 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,244 miles

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

I own a 2009 Malibu LS. Only 105,000 Km only. 3.5 L. V6 engine. Dealer cannot fix my Traction Control and Service ESC warning lights on problems. They changed the brake pedal position sensor sw. still cannot fix the problem.

Wake up GM. No body is going to buy another GM if you can't fix these problems. Plus all the other problems I have. For example, the rear lights always on while I am driving. Dealerships is making a lot of money in repair but unable to sell one more GM sedan car. What is the intelligence here?

We try to support home-grown business but you GM make it very difficult for our wonderful initiative. No wonder you don't see only a few GM sedans on the road, nowadays.

What are you CEOs doing to the company? I guess you guys don't care the future of GM?

- Tony T., Brampton, ON, Canada

problem #4

Nov 052016

Malibu LS V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 66,000 miles

My brake lights illuminate intermittently while not depressed, and don't light up when used. The issue would come and go over the last few months. I recently received a letter about the issue from GM. They'll only fix it if the problem is occurring at the time of my appointment. They know the sensor has problems. I fear this is an accident waiting to happen and GM doesn't care.

- Donna B., Wisconsin Rapids, US

problem #3

May 212015

Malibu LT 4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 89,000 miles

Yesterday (5/21/15) when I was on my way to work my 09' Chevy Malibu started jerking when I put on the cruise control. I took it out of cruise control and accelerated and it started jerking again and the Service ESC light came on along with the "check engine" light which started blinking.

Long story short, the dealership told me $550 to do an engine tear down to find the exact cause of the problem and once they find it they'll let me know the total price. So I called GM customer service and they told me my vin number doesn't fall in the category of recalls for the Service ESC problem only the brake light. As I calmly told her my brake light wasn't the f*cking problem she said there's really nothing they can do about getting my car fixed for me because it wasn't made in the same factory that the recall came from.

Again, I calmly told her that maybe they shared the f*cked up part with the factory that made my car and I promised her I would make sure everyone knows not to buy any Chevy cars. I had to remind her that social media is a bitch and they won't like what is going to be said. They promised they would call the dealer and figure out how to get my car fixed for free.

Today, 5/22/15 still no answer, and I promise I'm going back to Nissan and Honda! F*ck American cars and their dumb-ass your cars' vin number doesn't fall in the category!

- Marcus L., Blackwood, NJ, US

problem #2

Sep 092014

Malibu LT 3.6L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 58,245 miles

Last June I found my brake lights were staying on and I had the messages: Service ESC, Service Traction Control and Traction Off appearing. I found a GM recall for this problem on the internet. The dealership told me that I needed a new brake pedal sensor to fix the problem. They said that my specific VIN was not recalled yet thus I had to pay out of pocket and mentioned that the repair recommendations for that recall from GM would be ineffective anyway. They had to order the brake pedal sensor so I paid $133.67 for that diagnosis visit and went back for a third time the following week with more warning lights. This time it said: Service Air Bag. This time I was told that the Service Air Bag light was because I would need a new battery! So I had that repaired, along with the new brake pedal sensor. I paid $798.96 this visit. The best part was after I left the dealership, I drove for 5 minutes and pulled over. I got out and found that my brake lights were staying on! I went back to the dealer immediately and they took the car back for 30 minutes. I believe they said they reset the computer. Ever since then, the brake lights have been working properly. Strange since the brake pedal sensor they installed was supposed to fix the problem. (I received my recall notice in the mail several weeks later).

Just last week, I had Service ESC, Service Traction and ESC off messages return. I took my car into the dealer to have this new problem looked at and I asked about being reimbursed for the recall repairs I had done previously in the summer. The dealer said that they won’t refund me the money because it was different repairs (and restated that the GM repairs would not have fixed the problem anyway). I feel this is for the exact same issue as in the recall and my money should be returned. The dealer said they agreed that I should be compensated but to complain to GM.

To make matters more complicated, the dealer found that my latest problem is due to the fact that I need a new Brake Pressure Modulator Valve and Electronic Brake Control Module. As a result, I currently have no ABS Brakes, Stabilitrack or Traction Control. They can order the part and repair it, all for the low cost of $1267! I paid my $135 for the diagnosis and told them to hold off.

I just read over the brake light recall notice tonight and it states that Traction Control, ECS and Traction Control may be disabled with the brake light problem. I personally believe that all of this is connected to one major GM defect but I’m not sure who to blame; the dealership or GM. I feel that there is an obvious defect related to all of my recent issues (including the battery) but I don’t have the car knowledge to prove it.

I will never, ever, ever, buy a GM car again!

- Michelle H., Toronto, Ontario, Canada

problem #1

Oct 062014

Malibu LX 4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 44,117 miles

After driving a short time, the Electonric Staility Control (ESC) and traction control (TRAC) indicators are illuminated. Shortly after this the engine starts to miss and occasionally the Check Engine indicator is illuminated. The engine has quit completely on three occasions. Whenever the engine is turned off and back on the indicators are extinguished. This is an intermittent problem.

I had a recall on the vehicle shortly after this started and mentioned it to the mechanic, but he stated that he could do nothing unless an indicator remained lit so he could use the OBD.

I have seen this problem mentioned many times and there has never been a solution.

- Carl D., Goodyear, AZ, US

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