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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
13 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
100,888 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 5 of 37)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #650

Jan 072022

Malibu

  • miles

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

The power steering will just randomly shut off, no rhyme or reason and then when the car is turned off and on it will be back.

- Winchester, VA, USA

problem #649

Jan 112022

Malibu

  • miles
Steering failed when driving on freeway, abruptly stopped and had to restart on the road to can control of steering. Spent several hundred dollars, replacing breaks and to fix the check engine light error. Despite service, ABS, service tire pressure, service + passenger air bag and other controls flash in and out when driving at various speeds/times. Breaks seem not to work right when stopping and speeding up is strained. Now cruise control is not disengaging consistently.and power steering issues are returning this winter. Dashboard lights are in and out and I can't read speed. Do not purchase!

- Milwaukee, WI, USA

problem #648

Jan 072022

Malibu

  • miles
There was a recall in 2014 on this car.I did not receive a notice so I did not know anything about it. My car has 78,500 miles.I have noticed a power steering leak. I am unable to purchase a new car or have this fixed without the past recall being honored. I am afraid of having a crash. Please send me a recall from the year it was recalled so that I can have it fixed.I have owned this car sense 2009 the year it was manufactured.

- Oklahoma City, OK, USA

problem #647

Jan 042022

Malibu

  • miles

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

While driving the "power steering" light and traction control light came on the dash and immediately the car became almost uncontrollable as the steering became VERY hard to steer. I pulled over and turned the car off and restarted and it seemed to be fine, but did it a couple of days later. I have not driven the car since as it is unsafe to drive in this condition since there is no warning when it will happen. The car is available for inspection if needed.

- Ryland Heights, KY, USA

problem #646

Dec 102021

Malibu

  • 202,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while turning the ignition key, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact stated that the power steering and the service ESC warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated when she turned off the vehicle, the failure would cease. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V153000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 202,000.

- Chatfield, MN, USA

problem #645

Dec 252019

Malibu

  • miles
December 25th, 2019- Driving home from work, steering wheel twitched then began to shake. Thought it was just needing alignment or tires. Drove on highway (70mph) 8.5months pregnant and then abs light, Traction off/service traction, service ESC and Power steering pop up on cluster panel and then steering became hard and my car shut off on its own. Wouldn't start back up. For 2 days. After it being look at by 4 DIFFERENT mechanics they all seem to have no idea except one. Complete Steering Column replacement. This is extremely unsafe for anyone and I have 2 kids I can't risk to drive in this vehicle AND just paid off.Recalls shouldn't expire and they should be honored if a new owner has the same issue. This is deadly and if I wasn't as strong as I am, I doubt I'd be able to steer it like I did.

- Portage, WI, USA

problem #644

Dec 122021

Malibu

  • miles

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

Electric power steering failure while vehicle was in motion resulting in difficulty to steer vehicle. "Power Steering, " "ESC OFF" message codes on information panel. GM issued a recall for a series of 2009 Chevrolet Malibus regarding the same safety issue with the power steering, unfortunately my NIN is not covered under the recall. Issue started at ~188k miles and has not yet been verified by a certified mechanic. Power Steering failure has occurred once while vehicle was in motion and on multiple occasions on start-up; would clear on restart.

- Haysville , KS, USA

problem #643

Nov 182021

Malibu

  • miles
When i turn the wheel almost all the way i loose power steering i almost hit some one & their car due to this i took it to the dealer and they said my vin wasn't apart of the recall

- Lutz, FL, USA

problem #642

Feb 202020

Malibu

  • miles
There is a clicking noise in the steering wheel column while it jerks both left and right while driving. Happening every time it is driven hard to turn steering wheel both left and right.

- Clarksville, TN, USA

problem #641

Oct 132021

Malibu

  • miles
My power steering has intermittently gone off making the vehicle nearly impossible to steer at times while driving. It appears to be in line with recall # 14V153000. When I brought this to the attention of a local dealership, they advised my car now has too many miles and is past the end date of this recall. For one, I never received notice that my car was eligible for this recall and two, it wasn't causing these issues until recently- and the dealership said to repair this would be in excess of $2000. The car is still drivable and available to be inspected. It would be preferred that it was examined soon as this is not only a hazard to myself & those in my vehicle, but others on the road as I would not be able to avoid them. The power steering alert comes on when this occurs, but obviously it is too late as it provides no prior warning that this is about to happen - and this has happened multiple times.

- San Jose, CA, USA

problem #640

Nov 042021

Malibu

  • miles

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

UNKNOWN I was driving to work last week on Thursday and when I attempted to make a right turn my steering wheel was difficult to turn and a few seconds later it locked and the car turned off and on the dash board the battery light turned on and the words that appeared were Service Traction, Service ESC, and Power Steering.

- Pomona, CA, USA

problem #639

Oct 192021

Malibu

  • miles
I started my vehicle and began to drive it as I normally would. After stopping at a stop sign, I began accelerating and turning 90? left onto the street. Mid-turn my power steering completely shut off and I almost got into an accident. Luckily there was a turn around right there I was able to veer to. Turning this vehicle without power steering is nearly impossible. I'm a strong guy and it was pretty tough for me. This issue happened completely out of the blue without any warning whatsoever. When it happened, the ESC light came on as well as saying something about power steering. I turned the car off and then back on and noticed that the ESC light and power steering message were now gone and the car drive as it should. But it decides to go out randomly at any given time while driving and that is a HUGE safety hazard for not only me but others on the road as well. It has come to my attention after plenty of research that this seems to be massive issue among Chevrolet Malibu owners. The issue was recalled for different models/engines but not the 2.4 liter. At this point it's obvious that this is a vehicle wide issue and needs to be recalled for all models/engines.

- Youngstown, OH, USA

problem #638

Jun 012019

Malibu

  • miles
Steering is difficult after driving and components get hot, research shows many other Vehicles have same issue. costing $300 to $1200 for repairs. Needs reported this to GM and the NHTSA. You never know, GM might cover some of the replacement cost. There is a video on youtube that covers replacing the torque tube sensor but what if that is not the cause? Yes, a GM tech 2 scan tool is required to set up the front end once the part has been replaced. Keep any bills you acquire during this job so that GM may reimburse you in the future should they decide to cover this repair. it also could be a module in the steering colum plus the turn signals do not shut off making it a hazard to drive while turn signals are still on! SEE LINK BELOW: THIS IS HARD TO TURN WHILE DRIVING AT SLOW SPEEDS! https://www.chevymalibuforum.com/threads/2009-esc-service-light-no-power-steering.47242/

- Newark, OH, USA

problem #637

Jan 112021

Malibu

  • 60,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the steering wheel was difficult to turn. The contact stated that there was no warning light illuminated. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA campaign number: 14V153000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

- Charlotte, MI, USA

problem #636

Apr 172021

Malibu

  • miles
Power steering light on problem of the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu as I was at the house waynesboro Georgia it happened on highway 25 it happened taking off from work on highway 56 in augusta Georgia my steering wheel locked up and was hard to turn causing me to almost crash. It happens when you're speeding up or slowing down maintaining speed is okay the ESC light and power steering light came on. The steering wheel is nearly impossible to turn. This is been going on for the last couple weeks the end of April this is now May 10 2020 I am on unemployment and I am trying to get the car that I got for my daughter fixed

- Waynesboro, GA, USA

problem #635

May 082021

Malibu

  • 101,000 miles
Service ESC warning randomly comes on and immediate loss of power steering. Many of the same complaints online and no recalls.

- Ellwood City, PA, USA

problem #634

Apr 012021

Malibu

  • miles
Have plms for electric power steering it littl hard turn and it not safe

- Melrose Park, IL, USA

problem #633

May 012021

Malibu

  • 110,000 miles
Intermittently my car ESC service power steering light goes on and the power steering goes out. I have to pull over and turn the engine off and then the power steering comes on. I'm an older woman and am terrified to get on a freeway or busy street because I can barely steer the car when the power steering goes off. After reading numerous reports online, this seems to be a defect with the car and is very expensive to repair. Since I'm not in a position to spend the money right now, it feels as though I take my life in my hands every time I drive. There is no predicting when the steering goes out. Sometimes it's several times a week, sometimes it's month between. Very dangerous!!!!

- Lomita, CA, USA

problem #632

Mar 272021

Malibu

  • 199,000 miles
The steering wheel moves back and forth on its own while idling. It gets hard to steer when the traction light comes on. The light above our heads don't work. The brake light comes on while we're driving when I'm not pressing on the brakes. The tire pressure don't work to let us know how much air is in the tire and the tire caution light is on at all times. The front fender on the bottom is broke. We just bought this vehicle last month

- Porcupine, SD, USA

problem #631

Apr 012021

Malibu

  • 63,000 miles
Power steering keeps going out says no ESC service power steering. Was the steering column module costed me 1600 because mine wasn't included in recall so many albums were covered why was mine not

- South Saint Paul, MN, USA

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