10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
12 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
102,147 miles

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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #581

Oct 132020

Malibu

  • 67,050 miles
Our 2009 Malibu just turned 67,000 miles today and the ECM started flashing service steering and no traction control on a two-hour drive home. After limping home by physically man-handling the steering wheel to make a turn, we made it home. Searched on-line for possible issues and found a multitude of other 2009 Malibu owners facing the same identical issue. Checked the GM website for any possible recalls and none were found. The same was true when contacting a local GM dealership. This is a serious safety hazard that could result in serious injury or death in the event of a crash that, will eventually happen if not fixed. GM needs to step up and correct this issue.

- Livingston, TX, USA

problem #580

Oct 062020

Malibu

  • 110,000 miles
In turning the vehicle the ESC power steering trip on removing the ability to turn using power steering. Other cars were recalled for a fix for this but not my 4 cylinder 2.4 yet I'm having the same issue

- Springfield, OH, USA

problem #579

Oct 032020

Malibu

  • 246,672 miles
I have a 2009 Chevy Malibu and it's very unsafe to drive. I have a 4 cylinder car with electric power steering and it was not apart of the recall. Yet it's having the same symptoms as the recall cars. I had to have my car pushed out of a ditch yesterday because it's so hard to turn my steering wheel I lost control of my car. My traction control light is on, and pressing the button does not work. I sometimes don't have control to unlock my door and have to call someone to physically open it from the outside. My check engine light is on, also my battery light. And they are all good and up to date. My traction and system light is on too. And my head lights, brake lights, and battery is constantly drained and going out. It's hard to find reasonable price's from auto shops, and the dealership prices are too expensive. I shouldn't have to struggle to turn and work my car because of a computer system that's out. It's very dangerous. I'm going to upload a picture of my car after it was pushed out the ditch. But my steering wheel has been hard to turn and I've been having this problem since January of 2020. And it makes a loud whining noise while trying to turn the wheel.

- Memphis, TN, USA

problem #578

Sep 212020

Malibu

  • miles
The power steering just goes out, the ESC light comes on and it will just go out. Ive seen this is a know issue with this car. Also the door locks quit on most of the cars.

- Stanton, KY, USA

problem #577

Sep 292018

Malibu

  • 180,000 miles
Power steering fails often in cold weather but has grown to happen in warmer weather as well. Getting worse over the course of the last 3 years. Happens both in motion and stationary. Usually happens when turning the wheel but not always. There are recalls for this same problem with older model Malibu and other GM vehicles but not this model even though others have reported the same issue.

- Maumee, OH, USA

problem #576

Feb 012017

Malibu

  • miles
Powersteering keeps going in and out. Headlights go in and out. Ive gotten those replaced three times! I also had some of the wiring replaced for my lights. I forgot what those are called and my lights still went out. Lock buttons not working. Radio wasnt working until I replaced a fuse. Speakers go in and out. Cruise control does not work. My battery went dead, so I replaced the battery and alternator and my car still didnt work.

- Warren, MI, USA

problem #575

Sep 032020

Malibu

  • 166,250 miles
Power steering power steering pump service ESC light came

- Saginaw, MI, USA

problem #574

Oct 102019

Malibu

  • 200,000 miles
1) re-occurring recall fault 13036 -brake lights on - ESC - traction control - etc, these were repaired but you cant repair a defect 2) power steering turns off and on - mentioned to dealer end last year 2019 - mentioned did not receive recall 14116 - spoke with GM rep today 8/21/20 (john) at nbr 800-222-1020 he stated this recall expired Dec last year any repairs going forward cost on me which isnt right. These repairs - recalls - should be handled no matter mileage/age. Upon attempting a right turn all power to steering wheel was lost but regained slowly - my thought was low power fluid. I parked the night and in morning searched vehicle for power steering reservoir to no avail did I find it - dealer advised it was electronic - still at that date I received no recall to power steering trbl - this should be repaired at GM expense

- Red Bank, NJ, USA

problem #573

Jun 152020

Malibu

  • 168,000 miles
Was driving and steering just lock up I could not turn the wheel.had to get myfriendhelpme to get the car home

- Mfld, WV, USA

problem #572

Aug 142020

Malibu

  • 134,000 miles
I was driving down the road ( a country backroad and not a highway luckily), and suddenly my car lost all power to the powertrain. I was going about 45 when it happened, and I lost power steering, all power to the motor, and my brakes were incredibly hard to push. After this happened, the car has a no start no crank condition. If I were in the middle lane of a highway, or a the right lane of a busy highway or freeway, or even just going around a sharp curve, I have no doubt that I would have wrecked.

- Bainbridge, OH, USA

problem #571

Aug 132020

Malibu

  • 171,000 miles
While I was driving on my way to work going 45 miles an hour the steering wheel suddenly locked up on me almost as if the car was off and I lost complete control of the car resulting in crashing into a street light pole head on.

- Richmond, VA, USA

problem #570

Jul 242020

Malibu

  • 75,879 miles
My 2009 Chevy Malibu has 75000 miles and power steering went out. I keep reading the problems w these vehicles and no recall? im disabled and make 890 a month and cant afford to fix.this let alone reading everyones problems w same model

- Mendota, IL, USA

problem #569

Jan 082020

Malibu 6-cyl

  • 85,900 miles
My 2009 Chevy Malibu has 86K miles on it. Just before it ran out of warrenty, I had to have the steering box replaced at about 50K miles. That was almost 10 years ago. Now the same symptons are returning and I don't feel like I should be repsponsible for a second replacement. Any help?

- Franklin, TN, USA

problem #568

Jul 022020

Malibu 4-cyl

  • 225,000 miles
Car was driving fine, then all of a sudden the power steering went out. ESC light came on as well as the power steering and traction light. Became almost impossible to turn the wheel. Especially while going slower.

- Boaz, AL, USA

problem #567

Jan 152020

Malibu 4-cyl

  • 128,000 miles
While driving and in motion the vehicle back in January I would lose all steering control, the eps light would come on. I work 45 miles from home and most of that is highway. I had to slip the car into neutral, turn it off then back on to get it to kick back in 5 times before I was able to get it home. Stopping in the main highway was not an option as it was dark and not safe. I nearly ran into a medium barrier and had to stop all traffic behind going 65 mph or more. The car is still sitting in my driveway. Not safe - thank god my granddaughter was not in the care with me. When you turn the car on now there is no steering and the esp light is still on. To costly to repair.

- Mastic Beach, NY, USA

problem #566

Jun 082020

Malibu 4-cyl

  • 159,590 miles
The ESC light comes on and the steering gets kinda stiff like it's going to lock up and then it flashes engine power reduced as I was at a stop sign I pressed on the gas to go and the car took off as normal then as I was turning onto the other street to enter the freeway on-ramp the ESC light started flashing the steering began feeling like it was going to lock up and the engine power reduced started flashing.

- Perris, CA, USA

problem #565

May 312020

Malibu 4-cyl

  • 174,429 miles
I lost the electric steering power making a turn onto the highway, which caused me to exit to shoulder. I re-entered highway & struggled fiercely with the steering to make it home, fought my turn onto my street & made that hard turn into driveway. Indicator light showed up on dash during that encounter on my drive! it seems this 4 cyl was not a part of recall but it's having same symptoms as recalled cars. What a very scary, painful (arm/wrist) & dangerous driving experience. For all the money that car cost this should not be happening.

- Hampton, VA, USA

problem #564

May 212020

Malibu 4-cyl

  • 150,991 miles
A few months ago when turning the wheel, noticed a squealing, grinding noise. Recently the steering wheel has become harder to turn. Today, the power steering message popped up on the display. I've read several complaints about this. I notice some recalls for this, but not my vehicle"?"

- Richmond, IN, USA

problem #563

Mar 072020

Malibu 4-cyl

  • 140,000 miles
Recently bought a Malibu 2009,4 cylinder. When I bought the car the steering wheel was shaky as I drove the car. After a 4 days of purchase I went on the freeway and the service ESC / power steering came on the dash board. I exited the freeway when making a left turn it was difficult to turn the steering wheel. I pulled over to the side and turned the car off and then back on the car was again drivable but after about 5 mins the car did the same thing again and I could not manage to steer the wheel to make left or right turns.

- Los ÁNgeles, CA, USA

problem #562

May 012020

Malibu

  • 107,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed, the steering wheel vibrated abnormally. Additionally, at start up the power steering assist failure warning message was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to don mealey Chevrolet located at 17185 rt 50, clermont fl 34711, (352)394-6176, to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the steering shaft torque sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in the NHTSA campaign number 14V153000 (steering). The failure mileage was 107,000. The VIN was not included.

- Howey In The Hills, FL, USA

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