Known Recalls

Model year record

2009 Chevrolet Malibu

5 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 2,395 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 14V252000

Electronic stability control (ESC)

Component
Electronic stability control (ESC)
Manufacturer
General Motors LLC
Vehicles affected
2,440,524
Reported to NHTSA
2014-05-14
Owners notified
2014-08-18

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 14V153000

Steering: electric power assist system

Component
Steering: electric power assist system
Manufacturer
General Motors LLC
Vehicles affected
1,373,177
Reported to NHTSA
2014-03-31
Owners notified
2014-07-17

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 12V460000

Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)

Component
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)
Manufacturer
General Motors LLC
Vehicles affected
426,240
Reported to NHTSA
2012-09-18
Owners notified
2013-01-01

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 09V073000

Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift

Component
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
276,729
Reported to NHTSA
2009-03-06
Owners notified
2009-03-15

Defect description

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".

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 08V634000

Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system

Component
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
77
Reported to NHTSA
2008-12-02
Owners notified
2008-12-17

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer remedy

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> .

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Steering792120,000 mi
Electrical system36490,000 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)256119,000 mi
Exterior lighting15495,000 mi
Service brakes14275,000 mi
Power train10395,000 mi
Vehicle speed control7180,000 mi
Air bags6268,000 mi
Engine61113,000 mi
Unknown or other5588,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages5456,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system2989,000 mi
Seats2975,000 mi
Traction control system2388,000 mi
Structure: body2265,000 mi
Wheels1995,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission1715,000 mi
Exterior lighting: brake lights1375,000 mi
Visibility/wiper1290,000 mi
Suspension989,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling715,000 mi
Seat belts760,000 mi
Structure: body: door750,000 mi
Visibility66,810 mi
Fuel system, gasoline583,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic536,500 mi
Tires55,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights495,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch482,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch376,242 mi
Structure3250 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls365,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition228,000 mi
Electrical system: instrument panel: speedometer/odometer2234,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor2100,000 mi
Equipment235,870 mi
Equipment adaptive/mobility261,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner248,011 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal251,000 mi
Forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking2—
Suspension: front28,454 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal240,800 mi
Vehicle speed control: cruise control240,000 mi
Wheels: rim27,975 mi
Air bags: frontal1800 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery138,000 mi
Electrical system: seat heater: wiring harness1193,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system1105,843 mi
Lane departure: warning1137,000 mi
Parking brake150,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)1—
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift160,000 mi
Power train: clutch assembly1100,016 mi
Seats: mid/rear assembly1—
Service brakes, electric110,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: brake fluid low warning: lamp1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper115,972 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder13,481 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages1149,000 mi
Steering: column150,000 mi
Steering: electric power assist system1—
Steering: hydraulic power assist system1103,967 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist: power steering fluid1—
Suspension: rear18,454 mi
Tires: pressure monitoring and regulating systems113,250 mi
Vehicle speed control: throttle1153,224 mi
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior15,000 mi
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly1—

The 2008 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. The 2010 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.