NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026
As I drive on highway and go a certain speed it slows down and engine power reduced and service traction pops up on my dashboard if cut it off it will not crank back up until I let the car cool down
Transission was recalled by GMC, however my VIN# was not included. I was told to contact you to include the VIN# in the recall. I paid $3300 to repair the transmission only to be told after the fact I need to contact NHTSA to include.
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while pulling out of a parking space, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The power steering assist warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who informed the contact that they could not duplicate the failure. The battery was replaced; however, the failure reoccurred while pulling out of a parking space. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the power steering torque sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 77,227.
well it all started at one, i fixed the electrical myself after inspecting 6 months worth of it sitting , finally found electrical problems that i got it running afterwords 2 fuel pumps later knowing pumps werent the issue then, now I almost have it paid off, its really began to just be a piece of junk after dearly taking care of it when i bought the car I loved it, now I found on it, no steering, comes and goes, like I know how to put a steering asst. in... i pulled one from the J yard, its in the backseat now, airbags indicator saying it needs servicing, tires I bought brand new last summer, they are baby butt smooth now, the car cant even squeal the tires so whatever on that, 5 days ago I threw a new alternator in it, similar to every alternator when they go it was normal... no problem, now I'm pooped out, I want the problems fixed so when its paid off in April I can sell it legally without anyone getting hurt, also the value is poor, not even close to what you value it as on here. [XXX] if I didn't spend more on costs on parts, repair, labor (thankfully I know wyf I'm doing when I work on a GM) it would be more than the car loan I took out on the junk on October 19th 2019. I think somebody is responsible in repairing these issues as I knew nothing about the problems gm had when buying this vehicle. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Occassionally and unpredictably, the service ESC, power steering, traction control and anti theft light come on and the car goes on limp mode, unable to shift past first gear. Also power locks do not work (all four doors) and tire pressure sensor is on and service tire sensor pressure light is on all the time. Took car to an independant mechanic who stated that when using his diagnostic tool, no code or fault indicated for ESC, power steering, traction control or anti theft device. It should be noted that these reset themselves when car is turned off and then go back on unpredictably, once you start driving the car. This mechanic then tried fixing the powerlocks, and stated that after replacing two of the powerlocks, he realized that they still did not work. This mechanic contacted GM and was told that the issue with the powerlocks came from the the body control module, which aparently was causing the powerlocks to fail and was also the cause of the tire pressure sensors being on all the time, since the body control module controlled the powerlocks and the tire pressure sensors. He also stated that the Chevy dealer was the only ones who could change the body control module, since they were the only ones who reprogram the new module to the car. This mechanic also stated that all four tires pressure sensors were working. I took the car to a Chevy dealer with same problem. The dealer claimed that gasoline which contained a high level of ethanol was causing the ESC, traction control and limp mode problem. They suggested for me to run the gas out and fill the car up three times with regular gasoline (87 octane) and that this would resolve this issue. They claimed that the tire pressure sensors on two of the tire were not reading properly and needed to be replaced and that the power lock switch was the root of the powerlocks not working, since two of them (the ones that were not replaced by the first mechanic) were not working. Problem with ESC wasnt resolved
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated after he had the vehicle serviced for maintenance at the local dealer, he noticed an ignition odor after parking the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact called and made the local dealer aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 94,276.
The passenger front light stops working no matter his w many times I fix it. Replaced bulb 3 times within two weeks. Works for 1-2 days then stops. Everyone I know who has a Malibu is having the same problem. The right wheel rubs and makes noise. No matter how many times I have it fixed, no matter how many times I replace the noise continues. Mechanic cannot figure out why.
My brake light illuminate while driving when not touched.. if I tap the brake they will turn off. they do not always come on when I press the brake .I have taken the vehicle to the shop and they did work on the brake system and it still does the same thing .I then found out there was a recall for 2009 Chevy malibus but for some reason my car does not fall under the category and I am unsure as to why considering I have the exact same issue as the recall States. This has continued for the past year (everytime I drive the car no matter how far or fast or how long ) and is getting worse. My drive to work daily is an hour and 15 minutes one way and it happens at least 30-40 times in one trip.
Question: What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Answer: The drivers seat frame failed via a broken weld. The weld is located on the front and right hand side of the seat (assuming you are sitting in the seat). The seat became very unstable and I do not believe the seat is safe if a crash would occur. The seat is available for inspection. I am an average sized adult in terms of weight (<200 lbs). Question: How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Answer: The seat is no longer rigid and thus in the event of a crash I cannot believe the seat is safe. Question: Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Answer: It is clear the seat failed - see the picture. Searching online I found many people with the same problem and the pictures online of the failure matched what happened with my seat. Question: Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Answer: No, reading online people with the same problem were not happy with GM's lack of response so I did not bother to consult with GM on this broken seat. Question: Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? Answer: No. The failure occurred this year. Picture: I am uploading a picture of the broken weld which I temporarily repaired using a hose clamp (I do not have a picture before I installed the hose clamp). In the picture you can clearly see the broken weld.
Electrical system, electronic stability control, exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic, vehicle speed control
SERVICE ESC WARNING RANDOMLY COMES ON AND IMMEDIATE LOSS OF POWER STEERING. MANY OF THE SAME COMPLAINTS ONLINE AND NO RECALLS.
INTERMITTENTLY MY CAR ESC SERVICE POWER STEERING LIGHT GOES ON AND THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT. I HAVE TO PULL OVER AND TURN THE ENGINE OFF AND THEN THE POWER STEERING COMES ON. I'M AN OLDER WOMAN AND AM TERRIFIED TO GET ON A FREEWAY OR BUSY STREET BECAUSE I CAN BARELY STEER THE CAR WHEN THE POWER STEERING GOES OFF. AFTER READING NUMEROUS REPORTS ONLINE, THIS SEEMS TO BE A DEFECT WITH THE CAR AND IS VERY EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR. SINCE I'M NOT IN A POSITION TO SPEND THE MONEY RIGHT NOW, IT FEELS AS THOUGH I TAKE MY LIFE IN MY HANDS EVERY TIME I DRIVE. THERE IS NO PREDICTING WHEN THE STEERING GOES OUT. SOMETIMES IT'S SEVERAL TIMES A WEEK, SOMETIMES IT'S MONTH BETWEEN. VERY DANGEROUS!!!!
POWER STEERING LIGHT ON PROBLEM OF THE 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU AS I WAS AT THE HOUSE WAYNESBORO GEORGIA IT HAPPENED ON HIGHWAY 25 IT HAPPENED TAKING OFF FROM WORK ON HIGHWAY 56 IN AUGUSTA GEORGIA MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND WAS HARD TO TURN CAUSING ME TO ALMOST CRASH. IT HAPPENS WHEN YOU'RE SPEEDING UP OR SLOWING DOWN MAINTAINING SPEED IS OKAY THE ESC LIGHT AND POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON. THE STEERING WHEEL IS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN. THIS IS BEEN GOING ON FOR THE LAST COUPLE WEEKS THE END OF APRIL THIS IS NOW MAY 10 2020 I AM ON UNEMPLOYMENT AND I AM TRYING TO GET THE CAR THAT I GOT FOR MY DAUGHTER FIXED
DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AND MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT
AS I WAS DRIVING, MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND WAS HARD TO TURN CAUSING ME TO ALMOST CRASH. THE ESC LIGHT AND POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON. THE STEERING WHEEL IS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN. THE CAR HAS 100K MILES AND IS A 2009 CHEVY MALIBU. THIS IS NOT PART OF A RECALL THAT IS EXTENDED TO MY CAR BUT I AM AWARE THAT MANY MANY OTHERS ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE SAME CAR SINCE 2015! THANK YOU.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST AND THE SERVICE ESC WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN HOWEVER, SHE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO HER DESTINATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER BLEECKER CHEVROLET (1200 E CUMBERLAND ST, DUNN, NC 28334, (910)891-1001) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING THE STEERING SENSOR MODULE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 155,000.
MY POWER STEERING HAS GONE OUT 2X NOW IN LESS THAN A YEAR OF HAVING THE VEHICLE
POWER STEERING KEEPS GOING OUT SAYS NO ESC SERVICE POWER STEERING. WAS THE STEERING COLUMN MODULE COSTED ME 1600 BECAUSE MINE WASN'T INCLUDED IN RECALL SO MANY ALBUMS WERE COVERED WHY WAS MINE NOT
HAVE PLMS FOR ELECTRIC POWER STEERING IT LITTL HARD TURN AND IT NOT SAFE
THE STEERING WHEEL MOVES BACK AND FORTH ON ITS OWN WHILE IDLING. IT GETS HARD TO STEER WHEN THE TRACTION LIGHT COMES ON. THE LIGHT ABOVE OUR HEADS DON'T WORK. THE BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON WHILE WE'RE DRIVING WHEN I'M NOT PRESSING ON THE BRAKES. THE TIRE PRESSURE DON'T WORK TO LET US KNOW HOW MUCH AIR IS IN THE TIRE AND THE TIRE CAUTION LIGHT IS ON AT ALL TIMES. THE FRONT FENDER ON THE BOTTOM IS BROKE. WE JUST BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE LAST MONTH
2014 I WAS TOLD THE CAR HAD THE RECALL FIXED, I DID T PURCHASED THE CAR UNTIL THREE YEARS WHICH WAS 2017 ,NOW IT'S 2021 THE SAME ISSUES THAT THE RECALL NEEDED I NEED FIX AND CHEVY SAID THEY CAN'T FIX IT I NEED TO KNOW WHAT TO DO BECAUSE I'VE ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR ABOUT 4-5 YEARS AND NOW APPARENTLY THE SAME ISSUES IS REOCCURRING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PARKED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HER RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NEXT TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALER VANDEVERE CHEVROLET (1490 VERNON ODOM BLVD, AKRON, OH 44320, (330) 800-0230) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE RECALL HAD EXPIRED ON THE VIN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
POWER STEERING COMPLETELY WENT OUT, AND ESC SERVICE LIGHT TURNED ON WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 45MPH
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving approximately 55-60 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently decelerated to 40 MPH and the warning messages; “Service ESC” and “Engine Power Reduced” was displayed. The contact continued to drive the vehicle however, the vehicle failed to exceed 40 MPH. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the throttle body and the accelerator pedal needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic who replaced the computer software; however, the failure persisted. The independent mechanic advised the contact to purchase the throttle body from the dealer and have it replaced by an independent mechanic. The contact purchased the part from an unknown dealer and it was replaced by an independent mechanic; however, the failure persisted with the Traction Control warning light illuminated. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 153,224.
DRIVING ON INTERSTATE A LIGHT COMES ON DASH SAYING SERVICE ESC POWER STEERING AND THEN ESC OFF. THE POWER STEERING GOES AND CAN BARELY TURN THE WHEEL ENOUGH TO GET OFF . GOING 60 MPH AND SCRAPE THE RETENTION WALL. NO WARNING AT ALL JUST STOPPED. THIS IS INSANE.
DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND HEAR A BEEPING NOISE THEN A LIGHT COMES ON DASH SAYING SERVICE ESC POWER STEERING AND THEN ESC OFF. THE POWER STEERING GOES OFF AND I CAN HARDLY HANDLE TURNING THE WHEEL. I GOT IT TURNED AROUND AND TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK HOME THEN LOOKED ONLINE AND FOUND THAT THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE FOR THIS MODEL VEHICLE FOR AWHILE NOW AND THAT THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ISSUED BUT MY VIN IS NOT LISTED FOR THIS RECALL. OBVIOUSLY IT NEEDS TO BE ADDED.
POWER STEERING GOES OUT AND LIGHT COMES ON
OUT OF NO WHERE MY POWER STEERING IS GONE AND 'SERVICE ESC' DISPLAYS ON MY DASH WHILE I'M STATIONARY AS WELL AS IN MOTION AND TURNING.
I'M HAVING POWER STEERING ISSUES AND THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THE RECALL PARTS HAVE EXPIRED! I'M VERY UPSET BECAUSE THEY ARE TRYING TO CHARGE ME 2,700 OUT OF MY POCKETS BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT TO DO THE WORK FOR FREE. THESE PARTS THAT THEY NEED ARE RECALL PARTS!!
WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT, NO STEERING CONTROL THE POWER STEERING ,AND ESC WARNINGS LIGHT CAME ON DASH
POWER STEERING FLASHES ON DASH BOARD AND I LOSE COMPLETE CONTROL. I THEN HAVE TO USE MY STRENGTH TO TURN THE WHEEL WHILE THE VEHICLE SLOWS DOWN. SOMETIMES THIS GOES AWAY AND IT DRIVES FINE. I'VE EXPERIENCED IT SHUTTING DOWN WHILE GOING DOWN THE HIGH WAY AND THIS CANNOT BE SAFE! AFTER RESEARCHING RECALLS, IT APPEARS I AM EXPERIENCING THE DETAILS OF THE RECALL FOR THE TORQUE SENSOR. THE VEHICLE IS BELOW 150,000 MILES. IT ALSO RANDOMLY WILL FLASH 'SERVICE AIR BAG'.
THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT ON MY VEHICLE A LOT. IT IS NOT SAFE AND IT SAYS THERE'S NO RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE. IT LOCKS UP ALL OF A SUDDEN. WHEN I'M DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND/OR INTERSTATE. ALSO, WHEN I MAKE A TURN. IT IS NOT SAFE AT ALL AND FROM THE LOOKS OF IT, I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM. THERE NEEDS TO BE AN INVESTIGATION AND RECALL ON THESE VEHICLES.
My car keep showing the engine reduced light and esc service light I have paid to get a new computer and gas petal and a throttle body from the Chevy computer and it’s still doing the same thing
POWER STEERING LIGHT COMES ON AND STEERING WHEEL SHAKES AND LOCKS UP.
CURRENTLY MY CAR HAS ABOUT 86,000 MILES ALWAYS HAVE KEPT UP WITH ANY FIXES THAT NEED TO BE MADE RANDOMLY I START HEARING THIS NOISE LIKE A WHEEL BEARING SO I FIX ALL MY WHEEL BEARINGS COME TO FIND OUT IT'S MY TRANSMISSION BEARING. IT WENT OUT AND IT'LL BE 3,800. MECHANIC SAID THEY SENT OUT THE CAR AT THE MANUFACTURER PLANT KNOWING FULL WELL IT WAS GOING TO GO OUT BECAUSE THESE THINGS DON'T JUST GO OUT.
WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT, THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON, AND SERVICE ESC MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS IN THE LANE BESIDE MY WIFE BECAUSE IT HAPPENED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE CAR WAS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER. SHE MANAGED TO PULL INTO A SHOPPING CENTER PARKING LOT, TURNED THE CAR OFF AND CALLED FOR A TOW. WHEN THE TOW DRIVER ARRIVED AND TURNED ON THE VEHICLE, WARNING LIGHTS HAD DISAPPEARED, AND POWER STEERING WAS OK. I STILL HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED AND AM AWAITING DIAGNOSTICS. I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE USED, AND HAVE ONLY HAD IT FOR 2 WEEKS. WHEN RESEARCHING THE ISSUE, IT APPEARS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE IN THE 2009 MALIBU. WONDERING WHY THE ISSUE HAS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED BEFORE NOW AS IT IS JUST A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE AN ACCIDENT OCCURS.
POWER STEERING GOES OUT WHILE DRIVING. MAKES STEERING/DRIVING/TURNING ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE.
SON DRIVING HOME FROM COLLEGE, LOSES POWER STEERING AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON. READOUT BAR SERVICE POWER STEERING AND ESC. THERE ARE SEVERAL RECALLS ON THIS EXACT PROBLEM AND EXACT YEAR OF VEHICLE BUT HIS VEHICLE VIN IS NOT INCLUDED. SO IRRITATING WHEN MANUFACTURERS WILL NOT STAND BEHIND AND FIX A KNOWN ISSUE... CLEARLY THEY KNOW THE RAMIFICATIONS, THEY HAVE A RECALL ALREADY!
SERVICE ESC LIGHT ON, LOSS OF POWER STEERING, CRUISE CONTROL, AND TRACTION CONTROL...TURNOFF VEHICLE AND TURN BACK ON AND PROBLEM IS RECTIFIED .VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AT HIGHWAY SPEED 60-65 MAKING TURNING EXTREMELY DIFFICULT.
THE ZERO POSITIONING SENSOR WENT OUT . I DO NOT HAVE POWERSTEERING!!!! IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE. IT IS A RECALL BUT NOT FOR MY VIN. IT SHOULD BE! IT IS VERY DANGEROUS. IT WAS IN MOTION WHEN IT WENT OUT.
INTERMITTENTLY LOSES POWER STEERING AND SERVICE ESC, POWER STEERING LIGHTS COME ON IN THE DASH. THIS HAS HAPPENED DURING NORMAL IN TOWN DRIVING. WHEN WE TURN IT OFF THE SYSTEM WILL REST, BUT COMES ON NOW AT RANDOM INTERVALS. SEVERAL TIMES TODAY
ESC LIGHT CAME ON,WIFE COULD NOT STEER CAR,LOOSES STEERING WHEN TURN AT INTERSECTIONS ,VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION, SHE COULDN'T STEER CAR AND WENT INTO DITCH,LUCKILY WAS GOING SLOW AND DIDN'T TEAR ANYTHING UP, BUT IF ANOTHER VEHICLE WAS THERE IT COULD HAVE BEEN DEADLY
I HAVE HAD RECURRING AND CONSTANT PROBLEMS WITH THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS AND ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS IN THIS CAR. I'VE ALREADY HAD THE PASSENGERS SIDE HEADLIGHT AND DRIVERS SIDE HEADLIGHT "FIXED" BETWEEN 3 AND 4 TIMES. THE DRIVERS SIDE LOW BEAM IS OUT AGAIN AS OF 2 DAYS AGO. AS FAR AS THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, MY TRUNK POP BUTTON DOESN'T WORK, THE RR PASSENGERS SIDE DOOR DOESN'T LOCK, AND I SOMETIMES HAVE TROUBLE GETTING ANY OF THE BUTTONS ON MY DASH TO WORK TO CHANGE OR CONTROL ANYTHING IN THE CAR. I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE BUTTONS ON MY STEERING WHEEL. MY CAR HAS JUST OVER 70,000 MILES ON IT. THE HEADLIGHT BEING OUT IS ALWAYS AN ISSUE WHEN I'M DRIVING. I GOT PULLED OVER TWICE THE OTHER NIGHT BECAUSE THE HEADLIGHT WAS OUT. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM - I'VE DONE MY RESEARCH AND I KNOW THAT LOTS OF PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR. NOT TO MENTION THE LABOR INVOLVED TO EVEN ACCESS THE HEADLIGHT. IT'S MADDENING TO HAVE WASTED A LOT OF MONEY TO NOT HAVE THIS ISSUE FIXED. I'VE HAD THE BULB REPLACED MULTIPLE TIMES, NEW PIGTAILS INSTALLED AND EVEN REMOVED THE DAY TIME RUNNING LIGHTS CONNECTION FROM THE FUSE BOX BECAUSE I READ THAT HAVING THAT CONNECTED MIGHT CONTRIBUTE TO THE HEADLIGHT ISSUE. EVEN THAT DIDN'T WORK. CHEVY NEEDS TO ISSUE A RECALL. 2 WORKING HEADLIGHTS IS A BASIC NEED TO DRIVE A CAR. TO HAVE THIS CONSTANT ISSUE IS RIDICULOUS.
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the steering wheel was difficult to turn. The contact stated that there was no warning light illuminated. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA campaign number: 14V153000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
POWER STEERING FAILS WHILE DRIVING, HAD TO SHUT MY CAR OFF WHILE I TRIED TO MAKE A TURN ON THE HIGWAY. THE 1ST TIME IT HAPPENED AT HOME ON MAY 2020, CAR LOCKED UP AND WOULDN'T MOVE AT ALL. DASHBOARD WILL SAY TRACTION OFF, ESC OFF AND IT WON'T LET ME MOVE MY STEERING WHEEL. I HAVE TO SHUT OFF THE CAR AND WAIT A FEW MINUTES FOR IT TO COME BACK. CAR IS AT ROUGHLY 133K MILES AND HAD NO ISSUES PRIOR TO THIS. ALSO, WHEN I DRIVE MY FRONT SIDE OF THE CAR SHAKES AS IF IT IS GOING OVER STUFF. I REPLACED BOTH CV JOINTS, GOTTEN THE CAR ALIGNED, AND BALANCED MY TIRES AND THEY STILL CAN'T FIND THE ISSUE WITH IT. ONLY RECALL THAT POPS UP IS THE ELECTRONIC, BUT I BELIEVE IT HAS THE STEERING RECALL AS WELL.
THE POWER STEERING LIGHT COMES ON AND MY STEERING WHEEL GETS STIFF. THIS HAPPENED TO ME LEAVING HOME AND WHILE I WAS TURNING ON THE HIGHWAY. IT IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED, AND I HAVE READ THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS.
IT IS JANUARY 4, 2021. MY CAR HAS 172,000 MILES ON IT AND THIS WINTER I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING A PROBLEM WITH THE POWER STEERING AND TRACTION CONTROL. I WILL BE DRIVING AND NEXT THING YOU KNOW MY TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON WITH THE POWER STEERING WARNING. I HAVE RED CHEVY MALIBU FORMS AND IT SEEMS LIKE I'M NOT THE FIRST ONE TO EXPERIENCE THIS PROBLEM. IT SOUNDS LIKE THIS IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED BUT OBVIOUSLY IT WASN'T. THE ONLY WAY I'M ABLE TO CLEAR IT WHILE DRIVING IS PUTTING MY CAR IN PARK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WITH MY HAZARD LIGHTS ON TURNING MY CAR OFF AND BACK ON THEN THEY GO AWAY. AND THEN IT DOESN'T APPEAR FOR A COUPLE DAYS THE NEXT THING YOU KNOW IT POPS BACK UP MULTIPLE TIMES. I JUST WANT TO KNOW IF THERE CAN BE A SOLUTION FOR ME FOR THE SITUATION. IT HAPPENS BOTH WHILE DRIVING AND EVEN SITTING AT A LIGHT.
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the vehicle was included in, and repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 14V252000 (Electrical System, Exterior Lighting, Vehicle Speed Control, Electronic Stability Control). After the vehicle was repaired, the ESP system with the warning light illuminated. Due to the failure, the braking system activated without the brake pedal being depressed. Additionally, on occasions, the brakes failed to operate as intended with the brake pedal depressed. The contact stated that the brakes functioned opposite to what was intended. The failure was intermittent but started occurring more frequently. The contact contacted the local dealer who confirmed the failure however, the dealer was not able to do the repair under the recall. The contact was informed that in 2017 the manufacturer released information for a special coverage regarding the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 151,000.
SERVICE ESC LIGHT COMES ON AND LOSES POWER STEERING WHILE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AT LEAST 3 TIMES PER WEEK, ESPECIALLY IN COLDER CONDITIONS.! DUE TO THIS ISSUE, THIS CAR IS OFF LIMITS TO MY WIFE. I WOULD NOT WANT POWER STEERING TO GO OUT ON HER WHILE SHE'S GOING DOWN THE ROD WITH OUR [XXX] IN THE CAR. NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON FORUMS REGARDING THIS PARTICULAR YEAR MAKE AND MODEL. PLEASE HELP! PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
THE ESC ELECTRONIC STEERING CONTROL FAULTED WHILE ACTIVELY DRIVING THE VEHICLE TWICE IN THE LAST DAY I WAS DRIVING IT. IF I WAS NOT A STRONG MALE I WOULD HAVE CRASHED DUE TO THE COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING ASSIST. THE FAULT MESSAGE WENT AWAY AFTER STOPPING THE ENGING AND RESTARTING THE VEHICLE. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH 2009 MALIBU BUT MY VEHICLE, BY VIN IS UNAFFECTED.