Print this page

7.4

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$600
Average Mileage:
57,450 miles
Total Complaints:
31 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (17 reports)
  2. manually operate locks (8 reports)
  3. replaced actuators (4 reports)
  4. gm needs to fix this immediately (1 reports)
  5. think it is a faulty BCM or harness (1 reports)
2009 Chevrolet Malibu accessories - interior problems

accessories - interior problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2009 Chevrolet Malibu Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #31

Jan 172020

Malibu LT 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 178,000 miles

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

Door locks work on occasion but passenger rear door has never locked or unlocked using key phone or manual lock on drivers door. Real pain due to the location of rear manual lock button. Have to roll window down and unlock manually or lean passenger front seat all the way back to reach it inside the vehicle.

- Rochell M., San Bernardino, US

problem #30

Jul 012017

Malibu 2LT 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 130,000 miles

I have a 09 Malibu and when it gets warm outside the door locks will not unlock or lock by either the key fob or manually pressing the door lock buttons. This will also cause the door to lock when the door is shut while the vehicle is still running. I have to keep a second key on my person so I will not be locked out of my vehicle. This is a safety hazard and I can only imagine if there were children in the vehicle and the door decided to lock itself. The GM dealership will not help vehicle is to old no warranty. I removed the door switch panel and tested the electrical and the switch was operating as normal. There is no smell of burning wire. The locks work just fine in the winter.

- cantshovelsunshine, Phx, AZ, US

problem #29

Dec 022014

Malibu LS 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 27,148 miles

Rear power door lock failure presents hazards for children in back seat. Lock does not engage and is very difficult for driver to access. Also, the automatic lock feature touted as a safety feature is worse than manual. If someone is not aware of the malfunction they may drive with rear doors unlocked. Also, placement of manual access is difficult at best unless seated in the rear. Unlocking does not function either which presents a real danger in the event of a need for a quick exit. If fire or other hazard exists and driver cannot unlock door quickly, more injury or death could be direct result of non actuating unlocking mechanism.

- lfk777, Canton, MI, US

problem #28

Jul 072014

Malibu LT

  • Automatic transmission
  • 35,000 miles

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

In the Summer of 2014 my car was parked at the park-and-ride and when I tried to unlock the drivers door using the remote and I found that it would not unlock. Initially I was not very concerned because I figured it was just a one time freak occurrence. However As time went on I found that the hotter it was outside the more my lock would not open however it was somewhat intermittent. Then during the winter Of 2014 i did not seem to have the same problem. So I actually forgot about it.

Then in summer of 2015, We are having another hot summer in Houston And I'm having the same issue occurring daily instead of intermittently. This is significant because I park at a park-and-ride and sometimes return from work quite late. So when I am approaching my car I use the remote to unlock the drivers door so that I can enter quickly and safely. However the lock does not unlock. At times it does not even unlock easily using the key. I am now finding that the drivers side passenger door is also having the same issue however it is intermittent.

On 2 occasions, when I put the car in park and tried to get out of the car, I was not able to open the door. And even pulling up the lock did not unlock the door. Of course I panicked because it was quite hot in the car. I finally realized that I needed to climb over to the passenger side and get out that way. My biggest fear is that I am in a serious situation where I need to get out of the car quickly and I will be stuck especially if I am panicking and not thinking.

- jfleon, Houston, TX, US

problem #27

Apr 142013

Malibu LTZ V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 61,000 miles

In 2012 I was happy to have purchased my Chevy Malibu 2009 LTZ. I was pumping gas, then the locks did not want to work, and my kids were in the car, hazard & life threatening for the child. I was scared, gladly my 6 year old daughter figured out how to open the door. I really want GM to fix this malfunctioning lock problem, this could have been life threatening to my kids.

I love GM, I don't want any other car, but come on, I have better things to spend my money on than repair some locks, like my mortgage payment. I now have an emergency key hidden under the car for this type of emergency.

- albertotx, Mcallen, TX, US

problem #26

Feb 022015

Malibu LT 2.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 141,000 miles

I wanted to support GM, I left Nissan to own an American car. What a mistake, it's been one problem after another, poor quality in parts. Replace tire rods, struts, 4 sets of tires , just problems. Never again will I buy a Chevy.

- Larry J., Midlothian, VA, US

problem #25

May 052014

Malibu LT

  • Automatic transmission
  • 63,000 miles

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

Little by little I've noticed that my rear passenger door lock doesn't unlock/lock with the use off the power lock switch, key remote, or shifting into park or drive, etc. It sometimes doesn't work at all and sometimes it works just fine. It's rather annoying because you can't really reach your arm around to unlock/lock it and as a result you have to either lower the window or climb to that side from the other rear door. We aren't sure what the problem is but will entail taking the door apart to figure it out.

- Gina E., Chicago, IL, US

problem #24

Nov 012013

Malibu LS 2.4L 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 48,000 miles

Power door lock and window actuators operated by a keyless remote should never go out in the first 5 years of life on a $25,000 car - PERIOD. That's just piss poor car part manufacturing. This is the second time this exact problem has happened to me with a GM vehicle (the first time it happened was on my 3-year old Pontiac Sunfire). It cost $325-ish in 2005 (not under warranty - it had just expired - of course, perfect timing GM). I planned on letting it go this time, but I caved because it was continuously annoying when I'd have passengers about to sit in the front seat waiting on me to have to reach over to manually unlock the door for them. The other main reason I got it fixed is for resale value. When I want to sell this thing, I don't want to have to explain to my potential buyer "Oh sorry, only 3 doors unlock with the remote" and no buyer wants to hear that either. Nickel and diming is GM's specialty!

- Carrie I., St. Paul, MN, US

problem #23

Jun 012014

Malibu 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles

Power door locks do not work . 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. Today I got a letter from GM that this vehicle is now being recalled for a faulty ( Body Control Module (BCM) connection that results in fluctuations in the Brake Apply Sensor ( BAS). It mentions other possible electrical problems that may occur. Cruise Control,Traction Control ,ECS may be affected also. It does not mention that it may cause electric lock issue .

At this time I am having a problem with BAS . Brake lights come on for no reason and also does not come on when brakes are applied. Parts are not yet available and GM will contact me at some time in the future with further directions once parts are available . During the first year of ownership I did take the car to my local dealer on two different occasions and complained about the brake light issue . They adjusted the brake sensor switch . I think the locks are part of the same problem GM better fix them at the same time as the recall work is done. 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. Thank You

- smegggy, Brecksville, OH, US

problem #22

Nov 012012

Malibu LT 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles

Back door locks started not working two years after I bought the car and now all locks are beginning not to work.

- Danielle D., Bossier City, LA, US

problem #21

Dec 122012

Malibu LX 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 35,000 miles

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

Chevy WILL NOT take responsibility for their faulty engineering or bad parts. They are ridiculous. They were bailed out and will eventually go under. This is not my first experience with Chevy taking no responsibility. But it is my last Chevy. Period.

- Donna B., Marlton, NJ, US

problem #20

Aug 052013

Malibu

  • Automatic transmission
  • 69,000 miles

It seems like every time you turn around there's another recall, start building the cars like they were years & years ago. They cost a lot of money for sub standard vehicles. The passenger rear door lock started acting up last year, my oldest son was sick with cancer, so I couldn't go & have it fixed then, now he's passed away, and the problem is worst. My father was always a Chevy person, he's probably rolling over in his grave with all the recalls. My son's HHR is now having problems with power steering, it's already been recalled along with our Cobalt. When you call after receiving the recall notice (Cobalt & HHR) the parts are not in stock, and you're told 6 weeks. I'm beginning to have my doubts about GM vehicles.

- Shirley D., Cream Ridge,, NJ, US

problem #19

May 042014

Malibu

  • Automatic transmission
  • 66,000 miles

This all started with my remote not working... I replaced the battery and it still is not working... 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 in the ass... 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!!! With further research I found out that the issue also occurs in the 2008 model of the Chevy Malibu!!!

- mzluv82, Omaha, NE, US

problem #18

Feb 062013

Malibu LT 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 66,000 miles

THE FRIGGEN PASSENGER SIDE (FRONT & BACK ) DOOR LOCKS WORK WHENEVER THEY WANT TO! SOMETIMES THEY ARE FINE & BAM, THEY WON'T WORK AT ALL UNLESS YOU PULL UP ON THEM MANUALLY !

- rick_vicki1ohio, East Liverpool, OH, US

problem #17

Mar 052014

Malibu LS

  • Automatic transmission
  • 27,100 miles

Rear door lock started to malfunction about 2,3 weeks ago. Sometimes the lock will work fine and in other occasions not at all. After pulling a fight it finally died and we have to manually unlock the door to get my little kid off his chair and ultimately off the car. But this is just a pain in the rear! What happens if in an emergency I need to get my kid out and stupid lock does not work?

Anyway, checking forums it seems GM is aware of the locks failing consistently - more exactly the actuators - and in some occasions it has made the repairs free of charge. Not sure if that is directly from GM or the dealer out of goodwill but GM definitely knows about this. Called Chevrolet customer care service to see if I could get more info on that since I am just out of bumper to bumper warranty and I am trying to save myself $90 diagnostic for an issue I already know what is the cause and still have to pay on top of that for a manufacturer defect. Got kicked back need to take my car in to the shop. I just might fight a bit and get it fixed myself.

- Josue P., Salem, OR, US

problem #16

Nov 272013

Malibu LS V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 30,000 miles

We all owners of Chevy Malibus 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. We need to raise this to the National Highway Transportation Safety Agency. They will raise an investigation and order the manufacturer to recall the vehicles affected since its safety related.

•Call the U.S. Department of Transportation's Vehicle Safety Hotline: (888) 327-4236 or (800) 424-9153, toll free from anywhere in the United States, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands

•Report the issue online at the NHTSA's vehicle safety Web site: http://www.safercar.gov/

- Nelson H., Everett, WA, US

problem #15

Jul 152012

Malibu LT 2.4L Gas

  • Automatic transmission
  • 56,000 miles

On occasion the passenger door's lock only depresses/open partially. Locking/unlocking manually was the work-around, but now the power lock feature seems to be functioning.

- morbius, South Jordan, UT, US

problem #14

Jul 012013

Malibu LS V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 45,000 miles

I bought my Malibu about a yr ago used. Power train warranty still in effect. My driver passenger door lock quit working, will my warranty cover it? This is a huge problem.

- tabbyal, Huntsville, AL, US

problem #13

Jul 012013

Malibu LS 2.4L V4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles

2009 Malibu, 60,000 miles. Driver side door lock began failing 2 years after purchase. Dealer replaced it for less than $50 due to partial warranty. Passenger side front and passenger side rear locks started acting up in 2013. Symptoms included passenger getting trapped in front. Door would not open from inside or outside. Had to play with locks for 10 mins before it would work. What an embarrassment. 2nd occasion passenger in rear could not get out. Had to manually push in and pull out lock with window down multiple times. 3rd occasion happened where passenger door would not latch. multiple tries to lock and unlock and retry closing door before it would latch. I took it to a local dealer. Dealer recommended replacing lock actuators for $365 per door. I told them not for that price. I called GM and complained to their service department and the person there was going to talk to dealership to see if they will do it for less. I thanked her for that, however, recommended GM really needs to investigate this for Recall. Too many complaints about this issue. How many people will have to get injured because faulty GM parts. She said she would escalate it to her regional manager. Whatever that means.

- nzhxky63, Oakland, MI, US

problem #12

Sep 012012

Malibu LS 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 33,300 miles

My 2009 Malibu (33,300 mi) door locks stopped working intermittently at first then within six months, they all quit working. I only noticed the drivers side because I don't have passengers very often. After taking my car to the dealership, I found it was all the actuators in all four doors. This has to be a manufacturer defect, especially I see how many others have the same problem. This is a very expensive repair. While searching for this issue, I noticed there were more complaints under the 2008 model than the 2009 model but my car was put in service July of 2008 so I believe the actuators installed from that time period are defective on both model years. 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.

- Colleen L., Oviedo, FL, US

Read the next 11 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?