2009
Chevrolet Malibu
EPA MPG:
26 mpg
Owner Reported MPG:
EPA MPG:
26 mpg
Owner Reported MPG:
RECALL ALERT:
There are 6 recalls on this vehicle.
Learn More.
There are 6 recalls on this vehicle.
Learn More.
RECALL ALERT:
There are 6 recalls on this vehicle.
Learn More.
There are 6 recalls on this vehicle.
Learn More.
Reliability
Overall Reliability
The 2009 Malibu is less reliable than other cars from the same model year.
The 2009 Chevrolet Malibu has been recalled 6 times by NHTSA.
View Recalls
The 2009 Chevrolet Malibu has been recalled 6 times by NHTSA.
View Recalls
2009 Sedans & Hatchbacks Reliability
This Car
0
100
0 - 100
Chevrolet vs. Other New Car Brands Reliability
Reliability History
*
Redesign year
Overall Reliability Verdict
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
POTENTIAL TROUBLE SPOTS
Engine Major
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Engine Minor
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Engine Cooling
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Engine Electrical
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Transmission Major
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Transmission Minor
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Drive System
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Fuel System/Emissions
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Exhaust
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Suspension/Steering
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Brakes
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Climate System
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Electrical Accessories
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Body Hardware
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Paint/Trim
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Noises/Leaks
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
In-car Electronics
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Overall Reliability Verdict
Potential Trouble Spots
2000
NA
2001
NA
2002
NA
2003
NA
2004*
NA
2005
NA
2006
NA
2007
NA
2008*
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013*
2014
2015
2016*
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
NA
Powertrain
2000
NA
2001
NA
2002
NA
2003
NA
2004*
NA
2005
NA
2006
NA
2007
NA
2008*
NA
2009
NA
2010
NA
2011
NA
2012
2013*
2014
2015
2016*
2017
2018
2019
NA
2020
NA
2021
NA
2022
NA
2023
NA
2024
NA
2025
NA
Engine Major
2000
NA
2001
NA
2002
NA
2003
NA
2004*
NA
2005
NA
2006
NA
2007
NA
2008*
NA
2009
NA
2010
NA
2011
NA
2012
2013*
2014
2015
2016*
2017
2018
2019
NA
2020
NA
2021
NA
2022
NA
2023
NA
2024
NA
2025
NA
Engine Minor
2000
NA
2001
NA
2002
NA
2003
NA
2004*
NA
2005
NA
2006
NA
2007
NA
2008*
NA
2009
NA
2010
NA
2011
NA
2012
2013*
2014
2015
2016*
2017
2018
2019
NA
2020
NA
2021
NA
2022
NA
2023
NA
2024
NA
2025
NA
Engine Cooling
2000
NA
2001
NA
2002
NA
2003
NA
2004*
NA
2005
NA
2006
NA
2007
NA
2008*
NA
2009
NA
2010
NA
2011
NA
2012
2013*
2014
2015
2016*
2017
2018
2019
NA
2020
NA
2021
NA
2022
NA
2023
NA
2024
NA
2025
NA
Engine Electrical
2000
NA
2001
NA
2002
NA
2003
NA
2004*
NA
2005
NA
2006
NA
2007
NA
2008*
NA
2009
NA
2010
NA
2011
NA
2012
2013*
2014
2015
2016*
2017
2018
2019
NA
2020
NA
2021
NA
2022
NA
2023
NA
2024
NA
2025
NA
Transmission Major
2000
NA
2001
NA
2002
NA
2003
NA
2004*
NA
2005
NA
2006
NA
2007
NA
2008*
NA
2009
NA
2010
NA
2011
NA
2012
2013*
2014
2015
2016*
2017
2018
2019
NA
2020
NA
2021
NA
2022
NA
2023
NA
2024
NA
2025
NA
Transmission Minor
2000
NA
2001
NA
2002
NA
2003
NA
2004*
NA
2005
NA
2006
NA
2007
NA
2008*
NA
2009
NA
2010
NA
2011
NA
2012
2013*
2014
2015
2016*
2017
2018
2019
NA
2020
NA
2021
NA
2022
NA
2023
NA
2024
NA
2025
NA
Drive System
2000
NA
2001
NA
2002
NA
2003
NA
2004*
NA
2005
NA
2006
NA
2007
NA
2008*
NA
2009
NA
2010
NA
2011
NA
2012
2013*
2014
2015
2016*
2017
2018
2019
NA
2020
NA
2021
NA
2022
NA
2023
NA
2024
NA
2025
NA
Fuel System/Emissions
2000
NA
2001
NA
2002
NA
2003
NA
2004*
NA
2005
NA
2006
NA
2007
NA
2008*
NA
2009
NA
2010
NA
2011
NA
2012
2013*
2014
2015
2016*
2017
2018
2019
NA
2020
NA
2021
NA
2022
NA
2023
NA
2024
NA
2025
NA
Exhaust
2000
NA
2001
NA
2002
NA
2003
NA
2004*
NA
2005
NA
2006
NA
2007
NA
2008*
NA
2009
NA
2010
NA
2011
NA
2012
2013*
2014
2015
2016*
2017
2018
2019
NA
2020
NA
2021
NA
2022
NA
2023
NA
2024
NA
2025
NA
Show all Powertrain Trouble Spots
Suspension/Steering
2000
NA
2001
NA
2002
NA
2003
NA
2004*
NA
2005
NA
2006
NA
2007
NA
2008*
NA
2009
NA
2010
NA
2011
NA
2012
2013*
2014
2015
2016*
2017
2018
2019
NA
2020
NA
2021
NA
2022
NA
2023
NA
2024
NA
2025
NA
Brakes
2000
NA
2001
NA
2002
NA
2003
NA
2004*
NA
2005
NA
2006
NA
2007
NA
2008*
NA
2009
NA
2010
NA
2011
NA
2012
2013*
2014
2015
2016*
2017
2018
2019
NA
2020
NA
2021
NA
2022
NA
2023
NA
2024
NA
2025
NA
Climate System
2000
NA
2001
NA
2002
NA
2003
NA
2004*
NA
2005
NA
2006
NA
2007
NA
2008*
NA
2009
NA
2010
NA
2011
NA
2012
2013*
2014
2015
2016*
2017
2018
2019
NA
2020
NA
2021
NA
2022
NA
2023
NA
2024
NA
2025
NA
Build Quality
2000
NA
2001
NA
2002
NA
2003
NA
2004*
NA
2005
NA
2006
NA
2007
NA
2008*
NA
2009
NA
2010
NA
2011
NA
2012
2013*
2014
2015
2016*
2017
2018
2019
NA
2020
NA
2021
NA
2022
NA
2023
NA
2024
NA
2025
NA
Electrical Accessories
2000
NA
2001
NA
2002
NA
2003
NA
2004*
NA
2005
NA
2006
NA
2007
NA
2008*
NA
2009
NA
2010
NA
2011
NA
2012
2013*
2014
2015
2016*
2017
2018
2019
NA
2020
NA
2021
NA
2022
NA
2023
NA
2024
NA
2025
NA
Body Hardware
2000
NA
2001
NA
2002
NA
2003
NA
2004*
NA
2005
NA
2006
NA
2007
NA
2008*
NA
2009
NA
2010
NA
2011
NA
2012
2013*
2014
2015
2016*
2017
2018
2019
NA
2020
NA
2021
NA
2022
NA
2023
NA
2024
NA
2025
NA
Paint/Trim
2000
NA
2001
NA
2002
NA
2003
NA
2004*
NA
2005
NA
2006
NA
2007
NA
2008*
NA
2009
NA
2010
NA
2011
NA
2012
2013*
2014
2015
2016*
2017
2018
2019
NA
2020
NA
2021
NA
2022
NA
2023
NA
2024
NA
2025
NA
Noises/Leaks
2000
NA
2001
NA
2002
NA
2003
NA
2004*
NA
2005
NA
2006
NA
2007
NA
2008*
NA
2009
NA
2010
NA
2011
NA
2012
2013*
2014
2015
2016*
2017
2018
2019
NA
2020
NA
2021
NA
2022
NA
2023
NA
2024
NA
2025
NA
Show all Build Quality Trouble Spots
In-car Electronics
2000
NA
2001
NA
2002
NA
2003
NA
2004*
NA
2005
NA
2006
NA
2007
NA
2008*
NA
2009
NA
2010
NA
2011
NA
2012
2013*
2014
2015
2016*
2017
2018
2019
NA
2020
NA
2021
NA
2022
NA
2023
NA
2024
NA
2025
NA
Reliability indicates how models have performed in the past, providing the basis for predicting
how the vehicles will hold up in the year ahead. These charts provide the most comprehensive reliability
information available to consumers. Based on information received from our latest subscriber survey for
about 380,000 vehicles, our reliability history charts give
you a rundown on how 2000 through 2025 vehicles are holding up in 20 potential
trouble spots, ranging from the engine, transmission, electric motor, EV charging, and brakes,
to power equipment and the electrical accessories.
Recalls
PROVIDED BY
STEERING
Jul 21, 2014
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.
Summary:
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 premature failure.
What should you do:
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. Owners may contact Dorman customer service at 1-800-523-2492.
For more information:
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number:
14E044000
Potential Number of Units Affected:
7304
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), EXTERIOR LIGHTING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
May 14, 2014
Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.
Summary:
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured May 16, 2003, through October 11, 2012, 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured May 26, 2004, through January 4, 2010, and 2007-2010 Saturn Aura vehicles manufactured April 24, 2006, through May 26, 2009. 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 shifter out of the 'PARK' position without pushing the brake; and disablement of crash avoidance features such as traction control, electronic stability control, and panic braking assist features.
What should you do:
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 letter to customers on July 14, 2014. The recall began on August 18, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-762-2737 (Pontiac), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). GM's number for this recall is 13036.
For more information:
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number:
14V252000
Potential Number of Units Affected:
2440524
STEERING
Mar 31, 2014
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.
Summary:
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 and 2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2006 Malibu Maxx, 2009-2010 HHR (non-turbo), 2010 Cobalt, 2008-2009 Saturn Aura and 2004-2007 Ion, and 2005-2009 Pontiac G6. In the affected vehicles, there may be a sudden loss of electric power steering (EPS) assist that could occur at any time while driving.
What should you do:
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 14115 covers model year 2004-2007 Saturn Ion, 2009-2010 Chevrolet HHR and 2010 Chevrolet Cobalts. Dealers will replace the EPS motor. Bulletin 14116 covers model year 2004-2006 Chevrolet Malibu and Malibu Maxx, 2005-2006 Pontiac G6 and 2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from March 1, 2008, through June 27, 2008. Dealers will replace the torque sensor assembly. Bulletin 14117 covers model year 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from February 1, 2008, through February 28, 2008. Dealers will replace the torque sensor assembly and EPS motor controller unit. Bulletin 14118 covers model year 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from October 1, 2007, through January 31, 2008. Dealers will replace the EPS motor controller unit. The recall began on July 17, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, Saturn at 1-800-553-6000, and Pontiac at 1-800-620-7668. GM's number for this recall is N140115. Note: GM bulletin number 14119 will be implemented for model year 2006-2008 and early production of 2009 Chevrolet HHR (non-turbo) and model year 2003 Saturn ION to provide EPS Motor replacement for the life of the vehicle.
For more information:
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number:
14V153000
Potential Number of Units Affected:
1373177
POWER TRAIN
Sep 18, 2012
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 and the vehicle could roll away after the driver has exited the vehicle, resulting in a possible crash without prior warning.
Summary:
General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Saturn Aura and model year 2008-2010 Chevrolet Malibu and Pontiac G6 vehicles, equipped with a 4-speed automatic transmission. On these vehicles, the tabs on the transmission shift cable end may fracture and separate.
What should you do:
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. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-521-7300.
For more information:
General Motors safety recall number 12106. Customers may contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); or go to www.safercar.gov.
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number:
12V460000
Potential Number of Units Affected:
426240
POWER TRAIN
Mar 06, 2009
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.
Summary:
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING 276,729 MY 2009 BUICK ENCLAVE, CHEVROLET COBALT, HHR, MALIBU, TRAVERSE, GMC ACADIA, PONTIAC G5, G6 AND SATURN AURA AND OUTLOOK PASSENGER VEHICLES. 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 TRANSMISSION GEAR MAY NOT MATCH. WITH THIS CONDITION, THE DRIVE COULD MOVE THE SHIFTER TO "PARK" AND REMOVE THE IGNITION KEY, BUT THE TRANSMISSION GEAR MAY NOT BE IN "PARK".
What should you do:
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. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668 AND SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876 OR AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
For more information:
GENERAL MOTORS RECALL NO. 09041.OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number:
09V073000
Potential Number of Units Affected:
276729
VISIBILITY
Dec 02, 2008
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.
Summary:
GM IS RECALLING 77 MY 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU HYBRID VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 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.
What should you do:
DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE HVAC CONTROL HEAD MODULE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON DECEMBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE AT <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM>HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM</A> .
For more information:
GM RECALL NO. 08388.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number:
08V634000
Potential Number of Units Affected:
77
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