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.
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. Whether the vehicle was turned on or off, all the doors unlocked intermittently without warning. The dealer was not contacted. The failure recurred multiple times. The manufacturer was contacted and did not assist. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving various speeds, the gear automatically changed and the engine stalled. The electronic stability control, service traction, and check engine indicators illuminated. The contact pulled the vehicle over to the side of the road, restarted the engine, and the vehicle returned to normal. The contact also stated that the door locks automatically locked and unlocked while driving. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer stated that the VIN was not included in a recall. The approximate failure mileage was 47,000.
My rear passenger door lock disengaged from the automatic locks and can only be opened from the inside. (spring 2016) my traction control is periodically saying that it has malfunctioned but does not always. When the light comes on, I feel a pulse as I'm braking and sometimes if it comes on while I'm driving I'll feel a slight jolt through the accelerator pedal. I also hear a click noise like the pedal may disengage. (late summer 2016) I don't know if it's related but since most things seem electrical, my radio sometimes will not turn off and seems to do what it wants during times when other things are seemingly malfunctioning (I.e. in conjunction with the traction control issue). On several occasions, I have taken the key out of the ignition, opened the door but my radio doesn't turn off. (late summer 2016) on several occasions, I have taken the key out of the ignition, but the car seems to still be running, like idling. I've thought it was the cooling system, but I've never had this happen in the last 22 years I've been driving nor heard it from anyone else I ask. (late summer 2016) I have also been driving, on several occasions, with cruise control engaged and then realize that I'm slowing down only to find the cruise is no longer engaged. The first few times I thought it was me. Now, I rarely use it because it's not consistently reliable. (late summer 2016) while my fuse and bulbs are fine, both of my taillights are not working. (late November, 2016 when someone brought it to my attention).
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the rear passenger door failed to lock and unlock on the interior and exterior. In addition, as the failure progressed, the front passenger door experienced the same failure. The contact and various passengers were unable to exit the vehicle. The dealer was notified of the failures and provided an estimate for the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and provided no remedy. The failure mileage was not available. Updated 04/20/16
2009 Chevrolet Malibu. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle door locks actuator problems. The consumer stated shortly after purchasing the vehicle, the door locks began locking and unlocking by themselves continuously. It started after a month. However, recently the problem returned. It would happen when the vehicle was on, off or while driving. An inspection revealed, all four locking actuators were bad and needed to be replaced.
- Telford, PA, USA
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The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the rear interior power door locks failed to unlock when the key fob and power lock module were activated. The doors failed to unlock manually. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was unavailable. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the door locks would independently lock and unlock without warning. The contact stated that the doors would not unlock to allow exiting the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 88,269.
Power door locks do not work. I bought this beautiful 2009 Chevy Malibu used w 48,000 miles, I had it only 2 months before problems started with the locks. All locks will not open or close using the interior switch nor the key fob. If you manually open the lock by pulling it up and then start the car and put it in gear, the locks will engage automatically and lock the door properly. I checked online and everyone says the problem with the locks is the BCM connection and lack of dielectric grease.GM needs to also fix the power lock issue, it is very much well known on the internet. Anyway, checking forums it seems GM is aware of the locks failing consistently. We all owners of Chevy Malibu's have this issue with 2008, 2009, 2010 power locks that malfunction. This is a safety issue since the doors can lock and unlock at random times. I have owned Chevrolet autos for 40 years and never had one actuator go out so 4 at once is obviously a manufacturing defect and should be covered by Chevy. This is also a safety issue. I always have to roll down the windows just to open the door for my kids or anyone who is going in the back. Its very annoying and I just about had it with the Malibu even though the car drives nice it getting irritated. I don't have money to fix this problem.
Door locks and unlocks while driving as well as when no key in ignition.....continuously!!!!! :I can not even manually lock my doors...they will just unlock.
The rear door lock actuators( both doors ) stopped functioning within several months of each other. This made it such that the rear doors could not be opened without manually lifting the lock button from inside the vehicle. When a child was in a car seat the only way to open the rear door was to get back in the car, put the key in the ignition, turn it to the accessory, lower the rear window, get out of the car and reach in to pull up the lock button. Fortunately we never had an emergency situation where this could have been a critical life threatening problem. We have had the actuators replaced ( at significant expense ). my concern is many individuals, probably can not afford the cost and would forgo the repair, thus leaving the problem and its possible consequences there.
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving approximately 60 mph, the emergency steering control warning indicator illuminated and the steering wheel became difficult to turn. Also, the vehicle failed to start properly on multiple occasions. In order for the vehicle to start properly, the battery had to be disconnected until the vehicle reset. In addition, the doors failed to lock. The dealer stated that there were multiple electrical malfunctions that needed to be repaired. The vehicle was repaired, but the failures recurred multiple times. The contact was uncertain what components were replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failures. The contact stated that the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V252000 (electrical system, electronic stability control, exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic, vehicle speed control). The approximate failure mileage was 81,000.
First brand new car I ever purchased for myself- a beautiful 2009 Malibu. Within less than 2 years of purchasing the vehicle, the drivers side door started locking/unlocking when it wanted to. It wasn't long before it stopped un/locking all together and I was stuck having to crawl across from the passenger side. I paid a pretty penny to have it fixed at the dealership where I purchased it. After fixing the same problem but on the passenger side door this time which the door was rarely used because it was just myself and my daughter who rides in the backseat and paying out of pocket again and it happening a 2nd time that my passenger side door would not even unlock to open again. All of my passengers have to ride in the back seat or crawl across from the drivers side and now my back passenger side door is starting the same thing. One time, my husband got the passenger side door unlocked and it flew open while I was driving and wouldn't close or lock for sometime. If I am in an accident and the drivers side door gets crushed in, I will have no way of getting my young children out of the car safely! this is a huge safety concern not to mention a costly burden!
The locks worked fine up until a few weeks ago now none of the power lock buttons work, my doors lock and unlock randomly even while driving... this has become a huge pain... I have reached out to several Chevrolet dealers and was told that this is normal wearing on my car. Everyone I have spoken to who drives the same vehicle have all had the same issue and I feel like GM should cover the cost of the repairs!! also they should find out why this is happening in their vehicle.
The rear right door won't unlock unless done manually.this is a safety issue in case of an emegancy. The left door cannot be locked from the button I have to reach over drivers side to lock the rest of the doors. The remote will not lock doors or remote start because the power switch will not lock on drivers side.
All four (4) doors on my 2009 Malibu will not always lock or unlock from the remote. Also they will not always lock or unlock when vehicle is put in gear or out of gear. I have had them to not unlock all the way and could not get the doors open at all. You have to keep using the remote or key to keep locking or unlocking until they decide to open. Also, I have had them to not unlock and could not get out of the car, this is the worst situation to be in. Talk about an extreme safety hazzard. What will happen if there is an accident and this happens, G.M. needs to do something about this.
This has been happening for about 6 months now where when the car is put into park and I try to exit the car either the door will unlock but will not let me out or when I am able to exit the car, the door hinge will not engage and the door will not close or lock.
Intermittently the front driver door only partially unlocks when placed in park resulting in the door not being able to open from interior and only partially pulled open from outside. Once door is open it will not close/latch. Front and rear locks on passenger side do not respond to key fob and must be manually locked/unlocked. Passenger front and rear doors lock when placed in vehicle is placed in gear but do not unlock when placed in park.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Arlington, TN, USA