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.
Suddenly the door locks on the drivers side of the vehicle, front and back, began working intermittently.the remote key fob does not work, and the manual button to lock and unlock the doors does not always work. The locks only partially lock, resulting in the doors being able to be partially pulled open from the outside. Sometimes the two locks on the drivers side do not lock at all. Also, the electric windows started malfunctioning - the passenger window cannot be raised and lowered from the drivers side. This appears similar to a recall in the news covering door lock malfunctions in other GM vehicles, but the 2009 Malibu is not included in the recall as far as I can tell.
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the doors would sporadically lock and unlock independently in the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing, but not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 61,000.
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the brake lights had an intermittent short circuit. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer who diagnosed that the brake pedal actuator needed to be adjusted twice; however, the failure recurred. The power locks failed and don't work from the inside of the vehicle. The contact was not included in NHTSA recall campaign number: 14V252000 (electrical system, electronic stability control, exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic, vehicle speed control). The vehicle was scheduled to be inspected and repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 10,000. Updated 09/16/14 the consumer stated he believes the BCM is faulty beyond a bad connection; causing the power locks to malfunction. Updated 1/15/15
Having problems with 2009 Chevy Malibu lt. Brake lights stay on constant, and turns off when brake pedal is pressed. What ever the problem has effected the traction control and cruise control. Been to dealer twice. First time they put in a new brake switch and said it was faulty and put some gel on some connectors "250$" week later having same problem. Took back to dealer. Know there replacing wiring and connectors saying its a wiring issue "645$"...
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 could only be unlocked manually. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was not notified. The VIN was unavailable. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.
- Walmut Ridge, AR, USA
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Car is having electrical issues locks going up and down without pressing power button car also alarming off also have taken care to be serviced for misfiring and jerking when driving.
Malibu has had a couple of different problems. While driving the electrical panel including warning lights would flicker on and off along with the vehicle losing power. Multiple times the vehicle was taken to a local dealership who ultimately told me a grounding wire had some problems and they fixed the issue. The vast majority of the problems were solved with that fix. Since then the vehicle has had issues with the steering. While driving the steering wheel will move itself back and forth. The problem is not all the time, and very random. This usually happens within the first few minutes after the start of the vehicle. When moving the steering wheel will wobble back and forth even with both hands on the wheel.
After filing two complaints with you, and receiving a recall alert from you, I am being told by GM that my vehicle, a 2009 Malibu built between the years specified in your recall notice, is not included in the recall you alerted me about. How is this possible? the referenced recall # 14V252000, as he experienced the same malfunction, as described in the recall. The consumer has invoices, that date bate to 2011, where he had to take the vehicle, back to the dealer several times, for an inoperable cruise control and ESC lighting illuminating. Updated 07/16/14
While night driving at 55 mph on a busy, wet highway, I noticed in my rearview mirror that the center brake light had illuminated on my car. I checked to see if the pedal was stuck by lifting it with my foot; it was not stuck. Then I quickly tapped the brakes - the brake light went off only to re-illuminate seconds later. I quickly exited the highway as motorists were beginning to beep at me. I continued to press and release the brake pedal on the off ramp, only to receive the same response from the brake light system. While driving, the brake light would stay on; upon slowing or stopping, the brake light would go off. I have looked at this issue online and see that this is a common complaint from owners of the 2009 Malibu. A recall has been in question since March of 2013; I stress that the NHTSA needs to address this issue, as the malfunction is severe enough to cause fatalities.
Door will not open. I was locked in my own car at the gas station. I manually pulled up on the door lock and still couldn't get out. I rolled the window down and pulled on the outside door handle release and nothing. After pushing every button several times and putting the car in and out of park I finally managed to get out. 2 days later the same thing happened but I was outside the car. I had to crawl from the passengers side to get into the drivers seat to get to work. Since the door locks were acting up I pulled the fuse and decided to do it old school and use the key to lock and unlock my car. Good idea until I was leaving work and the key wouldn't open the door. Great!!! hey, I will just unlock the passenger door and climb in. Did you know there is no place to insert a key to unlock the door on the passenger side" I do now. After much cursing I managed to get in using the key but then the door wouldn't close. Oh my god I thought. I had to use 2 bungee cords to hold the door close so I could drive the car 25 miles home. I didn't mention that the back door quit working over a year ago did I" I think it is time for a recall. Being locked in your car in not a good thing. Imagine if the first responders couldn't get you out of your car if you were in a accident because of faulty door actuators. I see multiple complaints of this defect and now it is time somebody has to step up and do their job and address this issue. Apparently somebody has to die first and sue everyone involved to make something happen.
While driving door locks continually go up and down and while parked door locks open and close until we took fuse out to stop. This is a safety hazard can't open door while its doing this and can't lock doors, because they start going up and down again, afraid will drain battery or cause an accident because of this distraction.
Rear passenger side door does not unlock unless manually unlocked. Vehicle was sold to me used by Cadillac West of las vegas. Upon selling of the vehicle, I was told this was a malfunction and the dealership would fix this. Tried calling once and they refused to do so, saying it was GM's issue. Figured they just sold it "as is", wasn't aware that this was so common.
The electronic power steering failed while driving on highway, causing loss of normal steering control, making the vehicle difficult to steer. Vehicle had to be moved out of traffic and restarted to reset the failure. Loss of steering and ESC. Error code later determined to have been CO545 (steering torque sensor).
Rear right door (rear passenger) lock failing to open. Started to randomly open and now it's totally dead. If the door fails to open getting my kid out of the car in an emergency can be impossible even for other passengers sitting on the back. This needs an urgent investigation. A lot of owners have the same issue and surprised to see a lot of complaints here as well regarding the locks/actuators. GM is aware of the issue about actuators failing consistently too, in some occasions they have made the replacements free of charge or at a discounted price.
I was driving at highway speed (approx. 75 mph) the steering wheel began to shake and the traction control to turn on and off. Then suddenly I had no power steering. This happened to me at night and suddenly, with our any warning. It is concerning to me that this problem has not been recalled! I found it to be extremely challenging not to loose control of the car since I had been traveling comfortably at 75mph, then suddenly had no power steering. I cannot stress the danger of this occurrence and the possible unfortunate outcome had my wife been driving with my kids in the car. This needs to be recalled now....do not wait until it has cost someone their life!
To the NHTSA person reviewing this: Please assist on this issue, we depend on you escalating this issue. The problem contained here is a major safety issue potentially catastrophic condition waiting to happen. We (owners of Chevy Malibu of years 2008-09, and 10') need an investigation to be initiated. Summary of problem: The Chevrolet Malibu 2008,2009, and 2010 has a manufacturing problem with the door lock actuators (which open and close the locks on the doors). For the Malibu year 2009, at approximately 35K mile mark all power locks of all four doors randomly open and lock at any vehicle forward speed at random times. An unprecedented amount of lack of safety concerns have been brought up from countless customers through different websites and are beginning to come in a more formal manner such as this public tool. Safety flaw: Since the opening an closing of the locks on doors is of random manner and of rapid frequency (opens and closes very fast) it poses all occupants to remain inside the vehicle unable to escape in the event of a fire, vehicle crash, or any other emergency. Likewise, when the intent is to have the doors locked it poses the issue that the door locks will become open at unexpected times. Solution: Avoid casualties, incidents, and keep the safety of our loved ones in mind. We need the NHTSA to launch an investigation on this issue.
My service engine light has been on continuously because of my ignition switch is malfunctioning; at times it locks up disallowing me to be able to start my car or remove my keys. I have had issues with the camshaft actuators and has since been replaced on the engine; but this car is still malfunctioning. Also, my low beam headlight will not come on, on the passengers side of my vehicle after the bulb has been replaced. All of GM cars made between 2008-2012, needs to be recalled for these issues not just some but all!
Left rear door lock actuator failed to operate. This is the 3rd rear door lock actuator to fail on this car. Original owner, replaced 2 locks under warranty, now a 3rd actuator failure. This door is the primary door used for entry/egress by children. This is a serious safety concern due either the inability to safely remove a child in an emergency, or leave the door unlocked while driving. There are many, many complaints of the same problem on this vehicle nation wide over the last 5 years. Please initiate an investigation into this safety issue.
Within a week of owning car error code P0011 camshaft alignment"came up. Dealer got light to go off. Said nothing was wrong with car. Electrical problems with power locks also, now my complete steering column is gone.5 error codes C0545/C0561, non functioning electric power steering. I am lucky that I didn't die in this car or worse kill someone. I can't believe there is no recall on this car. Plenty of complaints online. Are we waiting for people to die???" seriously. My car is at the dealership today and GM district specialist is dealing with the customer experience department at the dealership to see what they can do. I think this will be the last Chevrolet that I ever purchase. Unsafe. I hope people know how to complain on here because there are a lot of complaints online. 2008 was recalled for same issues. Maybe they used some of their old parts in my car from 2008.
This is the second time in two years the passenger headlight has went out. The first time was three weeks after purchasing the vehicle. Now again, this can not be a simple headlight just going out on the exact same side.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Saint Louis, MO, USA