2009 Chevrolet Malibu: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu: 5 recalls, 1509 owner complaints and up to 26 mpg combined.
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Recalls
5 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 1 equipment/tire recall that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Visibility (wipers, glass) Vehicle recall #08V634000 · 2008 · 77 vehicles
What's wrong: 103, "windshield defrosting and defogging system." the heating, ventilation, and airconditioning (HVAC) system May become inoperative. If this were to occur, the blower would not function properly and the mode selector would remain in the last known setting.
Why it matters: If the windshield began to fog or frost, there May not be enough airflow to clear the windshield, resulting in reduced driver visibility and a possible crash without prior warning.
The fix: Dealers will reprogram the HVAC control head module. The recall is expected to begin on December 17, 2008.
Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #09V073000 · 2009 · 276,729 vehicles
What's wrong: These vehicles fail to comply with federal motor vehicles safety standard 102, "transmission shift position sequence, starter interlock, and transmission braking effect", and fmvss 114, "theft protection and rollaway prevention". On some of these vehicles, the transmission shift cable adjustment clip May not be fully engaged. If the clip is not fully engaged, the shift lever and the actual position of the…
Why it matters: The driver May not be able to restart the vehicle and the vehicle could roll away after the driver has exited the vehicle, resulting in a possible crash without prior warning.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and ensure that the shift cable adjustment clip is fully engaged. In the event that the clip does not engage, the shift cable will be replaced free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on or before March 24, 2009.
Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #12V460000 · 2012 · 426,240 vehicles
What's wrong: On these vehicles, the tabs on the transmission shift cable end May fracture and separate.
Why it matters: If the tabs were to fracture and separate, the shift lever and the actual position of the transmission gear May not match. The driver would be able to move the shifter to 'park' and remove the ignition key, but the transmission gear May not be in 'park.' the vehicle May not be able to be restarted…
The fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will install a retainer over the cable end or replace the shift cable as necessary. This service will be performed free of charge. Notification to owners began on on November 9, 2012. Owners were instructed to not bring their vehicles for repair until January 2013.
Steering Vehicle recall #14V153000 · 2014 · 1,373,177 vehicles
What's wrong: In the affected vehicles, there May be a sudden loss of electric power steering (eps) assist that could occur at any time while driving.
Why it matters: If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will perform one of four bulletins. Parts are not currently available. Gm expects to send an interim notification around May 28, 2014. When parts are available, owners will be mailed a second letter to come in to have the applicable bulletin applied. Bulletin…
Stability control, Speed control / throttle Vehicle recall #14V252000 · 2014 · 2,440,524 vehicles
What's wrong: In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the body control module (bcm) connection May result in voltage fluctuations in the brake apply sensor (bas) circuit. These fluctuations can cause one or more of these conditions: the brake lights to illuminate without the brake pedal being pushed; the brake lights to not illuminate when the pedal is pushed; difficulty disengaging the cruise control; moving the gear…
Why it matters: Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will attach the wiring harness to the bcm with a spacer, apply dielectric lubricant to both the bcm and harness connector and the bas and harness connector, and will relearn the brake pedal home position, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed an interim…
1 aftermarket equipment / tire recall replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Steering Equipment recall #14E044000 · 2014 · 7,304 vehicles
What's wrong: Dorman products, Inc. (dorman) is recalling certain replacement intermediate steering shafts sold under the dorman, oe solutions, and solutions brand names, part numbers 425-167, 2425167, and 7-3074, for installation on 2004-2012 Chevrolet malibu, 2005-2010 Pontiac g6, and 2007-2009 Saturn aura vehicles. The affected steering shafts May have a yoke that inadequately supports the u-joint bearing resulting in a…
Why it matters: A joint bearing that fails prematurely May cause separation of the u-joint resulting in a complete loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dorman will notify owners, and dealers will refund the purchase price or replace the steering shafts, free of charge. The recall began in September 2014.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 9 mention a fire, 44 injuries and 3 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Steering (768): the most common themes are steering problems (736), warning light on (196).
- Electrical (368): the most common themes are door / lock issues (126), electrical failure (97).
- Stability control (255): the most common themes are warning light on (72), stalls / loses power (39).
- Exterior lights (172): the most common themes are electrical failure (50), warning light on (45).
The 2009 Chevrolet Malibu has 1509 owner complaints, ranking #1 of 29 Malibu model years for complaints (2.3× the average Malibu year). Complaints peaked in 2015 (231 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 8 years old, at a median of 100,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2008 (988 complaints, 4 recalls), 2010 (1362 complaints, 3 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4 L 4-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 33 | 26 | Regular |
| 2.4 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 30 | 25 | Regular |
| 3.5 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 29 | 23 | Gasoline or E85 |
| 3.5 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 29 | 22 | Regular |
| 3.6 L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 26 | 20 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu.
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FAQ
Does the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 5 vehicle recalls for the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu, plus 1 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2009 Chevrolet Malibu problems?
Owners have filed 1509 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are steering (768), electrical (368), stability control (255).
What gas mileage does the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu get?
EPA ratings run up to 26 mpg combined (2.4 L, Automatic (S6)), across 5 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.