Chevrolet Malibu Complaints (2009)

1,536 consumer complaints on file.

#10574050March 21, 2014
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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 MALIBUS 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. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10573936March 21, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10573888March 20, 2014
POWER TRAIN
PLEASE REVIEW NHTSA ID NUMBERS 10360384, AND 10464366. MY ORIGINAL CASE IS 10360384, AND BOTH ARE THE SAME PROBLEM. I WORKED WITH GM A FEW YEARS AGO, WHEN I SUBMITTED MY CASE. THEY NOTED THE HESITATION AND SAID THAT IT WAS NORMAL. MY CAR WAS "BETTER" FOR A WHILE AND HAS GOTTEN WORSE LATELY. I AM WANTING TO KNOW NOW IF THIS IS A SIMILAR ISSUE IN REALITY TO THE OWNERS THAT COMPLAIN OF THE BRAKES BEING LOCKED ON. NOW I AM ALSO NOTICING THAT WHEN AT A CRUISE AND HAVING TO ACCELERATE SOME, THERE IS A CHUGGING FEELING. MY FUEL ECONOMY FOR CITY DRIVING HAS ALSO DROPPED DOWN TO 18 MPG OR BELOW, WHICH IS UNUSUAL. I HAVE NOT TAKEN BACK IN FOR SERVICE BECAUSE I HAVE ALREADY HAD NO LUCK DEALING WITH THEM ON THIS ISSUE, WHICH IS WHY REPORTED TO NHTSA. THIS IS AN EXTREME SAFETY ISSUE AND IS VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE BECAUSE THERE IS NO WARNING. IF THE VEHICLE ISN'T CHUGGING, IT IS JUST EXTREMELY BOGGED DOWN, ESPECIALLY WHEN ACCELERATING INTO TRAFFIC AND TURNING. THIS COULD INDICATE SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE STEERING SYSTEM SINCE IT IS INTEGRATED WITH THE HYBRID SYSTEM. I 100% AGREE WITH HAVING TO PUSH THE PEDDLE ALL OF THE WAY DOWN TO MAKE IT NOT FEEL THAT IT WILL STALL WHEN I NOTICE THE CHUGGING IS HAPPENING. UNFORTUNATELY, THE CHUGGING IS EXTREMELY RANDOM, SO HOW TO REPRODUCE FOR A DEALER. THE SLUGGISHNESS IS FREQUENT. IN RELATION TO THIS BEING SIMILAR TO THE BRAKES BEING LOCKED ISSUE, I AM WONDERING IF IT IS SIMILAR BUT OUR VEHICLES CORRECT THEMSELVES QUICKLY. THE VEHICLE DOES ACT AS IF THE HYBRID AUTO STOP FEATURE IS TRYING TO TURN THE CAR OFF WHILE ACCELERATING. THERE HAS TO BE MORE PEOPLE WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM AND CONCERN WITH THE MALIBU HYBRID, BUT NOT THAT MANY WERE BUILT OR SOLD, SO YOU MAY NOT NOTICE ENOUGH CASES TO WARRANT INVESTIGATION OR A RECALL. THIS PROBLEM IS OBVIOUSLY WITH THE HYBRID SYSTEM BECAUSE I HAVE DRIVEN THE STANDARD 2009 4 CYLINDER MALIBU. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10573557March 19, 2014
AIR BAGS, SEATS
THE VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS WITH THE PASSENGER POSITION SENSING SYSTEM WHICH CAUSE THE PASSENGER AIR BAG SYSTEM TO BECOME DISABLED, NOTWITHSTANDING A PASSENGER BEING SEATED IN THE AFFECTED PASSENGER SEAT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10573071March 18, 2014
SEATS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT AND BACK SUPPORT CUSHION WERE FALLING APART. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER THREE TIMES WHERE THE SEAT WAS REPAIRED EACH TIME HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10573116March 18, 2014
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER WAS TRAVELING 75 MPH AND CRASHED INTO THE CENTER MEDIAN. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE COMPANY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10573271March 18, 2014
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), SERVICE BRAKES, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
ESC LIGHT STAYS ON HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES. CAUSES TRACTION CONTROL NOT TO WORK PROPERLY ALSO BRAKE LIGHTS FAIL TO WORK OR WILL STAY ON AND OR STAY OFF. HAVE REPORTED TO CHEVY DEALER IN TRAVER CITY MICHIGAN THEY SAY NOTHING IS WRONG.. BUT SOMETHING IS WRONG ... OR NOT RIGHT I NEVER KNOW IF MY TAIL LIGHTS OR BRAKE LIGHTS ARE GOING TO WORK AND TRACTION CONTROL... *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10572653March 16, 2014
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES, STRUCTURE:BODY
THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR LATCH FAILED TO OPEN. NEITHER THE INSIDE NOR OUTSIDE HANDLES WORKED. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT, ABUSE OR INDICATION OF IMMINENT FAILURE. IT WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO EXIT THE VEHICLE; MY DAUGHTER NEEDED TO CRAWL ACROSS THE CONSOLE. WOULD BE EVEN MORE DIFFICULT (PERHAPS IMPOSSIBLE) IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION. I SEARCHED THE CHEVROLET OWNER FORUMS ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND MANY PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM GOING BACK YEARS. DEALER SERVICE PERSONNEL KNEW OF THE PROBLEM; OFFERED TO WAIVE USUAL $108 DIAGNOSTIC FEE FOR REPAIR. CHEVROLET CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE AGREED TO PAY $37 TOWARDS NECESSARY CORRECTION IF I PAID THE FIRST $200. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10568841March 12, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VISIBILITY
DEFROSTER DIDN'T WORK CAUSING VISIBILITY PROBLEMS. NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V634000 COMPONENT(S): VISIBILITY MANUFACTURER: GENERAL MOTORS CORP. SUMMARY: GM IS RECALLING (77) 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. CONSEQUENCE: 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. MY CHEVROLET DEALER SERVICE ADVISOR TOLD ME THAT MY VIN IS OUTSIDE THE VIN RANGE OF THIS RECALL NOTICE AND THEREFORE WAS NOT COVERED FOR REPAIR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10568740March 12, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
FOR THE LAST YEAR OR SO I HAVE BEEN HAVING ISSUES WITH MY BRAKE LIGHTS INGAGING AND MY CRUISE CONTROL INOPERABLE. I CURRENTLY HAVE A 2009 MALIBU. A FRIEND WAS DRIVING BEHIND ME ONCE AND MENTIONED LATER THAT I WAS RIDING MY BRAKES ALL THE WAY HOME. I WAS NOT. I NOTICE A FEW DAYS LATER THIS HAPPENED AGAIN, BUT IT WAS DUSK AND I COULD SEE FROM MY REAR WINDOW THE REFLECTION OF MY BREAK LIGHT, IT WAS ON AND MY BRAKE WAS NOT INGAGED. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL OTHER TIMES, TO MY KNOWLEDGE. IF I TAP MY BRAKES THE LIGHTS WILL GO OFF, HOWEVER WILL COME BACK ON WITHIN A FEW SECONDS. I'M HIGHLY CONCERNED ABOUT A REAR END COLLISION. IF I ACTUALLY DO HAVE TO STOP QUICKLY AND THE PERSON BEHIND ME HITTING ME BECAUSE MY BREAK LIGHTS ARE NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. I'VE TAKEN IT IN TO A MECHANIC AND THEY CAN'T REPLICATE THE ISSUES. IT'S INTERMITTENT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10566517February 28, 2014
STEERING, SERVICE BRAKES
WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE STEERING WHEEL TIGHTENED UP AND THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON AND THE TRACTION CONTROL KICKED ON AND ESC SERVICE CAME ACROSS THE SCREEN, AND THE WHEEL IS HARD TO TURN. IT WILL KICK ON AND OFF AND BEFORE IT KICKS ON THE STEERING WHEEL JERKS BACK AND FORTH. THEN WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND CAME UP ON A EXIT AND WENT TO HIT THE BRAKES AND THE BRAKES WENT OUT BUT THEN CAMEBACK ON. CAR KEEPS DOING IT WITH THE STEERING WHEEL IT WILL GO ON AND OFF. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10565829February 25, 2014
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10565663February 24, 2014
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN IN ANY DIRECTION. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SHAKE AND VEER TO THE LEFT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN FOR INSPECTION OR DIAGNOSIS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10565699February 24, 2014
STEERING
I WAS DRIVING AND THE POWER STEERING STARTED TO SHAKE AND THE LIGHT CAME ON. HARD DIFFICULTY DRIVING. I CONTACTED MY LOCAL DEALER WHO SAYS THERE ARE LOTS OF COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE BUT NO RECALL. I LOOKED ONLINE TO FIND HUNDREDS IF COMPLAINTS. I CONTACTED GM TO MAKE COMPLAINT AND SEE WHY NOT RECALLED. THEY TOLD ME GM DOESN'T RECALL VEHICLES THE HIGHWAY DEPT DOES. PRETTY AWFUL THEY ARE WILLING TO JEOPARDIZE MY LIFE BUT NOT FIX MY CAR. VERY UNHAPPY WITH GM THIS HAS TO BE A RECALL NOW !! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10565001February 19, 2014
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST SUDDENLY MALFUNCTIONED MAKING THE STEERING WHEEL VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER TURNING THE ENGINE OFF AND RESTARTING, THE DEFECT WAS CORRECTED. THE NEXT MORNING WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE POWER STEERING SENSOR LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AND THE DEFECT HAD RECURRED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE DEFECT WAS INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND NO SOLUTION WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10564263February 13, 2014
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST BECAME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED, BUT THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10563624February 9, 2014
SEATS
DROVE FROM MY BOYFRIENDS HOUSE APPROX. 2 MILES AND PARKED IN A WALGREENS PARKING LOT AND WHEN I GOT OUT I TOLD HIM I SMELL SOMETHING BURNING, HE LOOKED OVER AND THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE BACK PART OF THE SEAT WITH SMOKE COMING OUT HE GRABBED A BOTTLE OF WATER THAT I HAD IN THE CENTER CONSOLE AND POURED IT ON THE BURNING PART OF THE SEAT. IT ALSO BURNED A HOLE IN MY COAT AND INTO THE SHIRT I WAS WEARING.. CONTACTED GM THAT DAY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10563398February 7, 2014
STEERING
OVER LAST SUMMER I HAD A HOSE GO. NOT A BIG DEAL. ONLY A $200 DOLLAR REPAIR. LAST WEEK IS WHEN THE REST OF THE POWER STEERING FAILED. MY POWER STEERING PUMP BLEW WHEN I WAS TRYING TO LEAVE WORK. I ATTEMPTED TO MOVE THE CAR BUT I COULD BARELY STEER, SO I HAD TO GET A TOW. WHEN I BROUGHT IT TO THE SHOP, A NEW PUMP WAS INSTALLED. 15 MINUTES LATER THAT PUMP BLEW OUT. WHEN THIS FIRST PUMP BLEW IT SUCKED METAL INTO THE POWER STEERING GEAR WHICH THEN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THIS REPAIR COST ME $900. I THINK THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL. I SEE LOTS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND IF IT WERE TO HAPPEN WHILE I WAS DRIVING I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10562721February 3, 2014
STEERING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10562464February 1, 2014
STEERING
STEERING WHEEL SHAKING, UNABLE TO TURN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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