10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 5 / 1
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 3 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 104,900 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
There is a recall. Chevy is refusing to honor because they state I'm over the mileage they set as acceptable.
- Henderson, KY, USA
Driving this car loses its power steering. GM states my car is not included in recall even though they installed a defective sensor.
- Grand Rapids, MI, USA
I have a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu and the service ESC light comes on followed by power steering and then there is a sudden power steering lost. Chevrolet says it is not their responsibility yet there are thousands of records of the same issue and they will not cover the cost to fix it.vehicle was in motion
- Manchester, MD, USA
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the steering wheel became extremely tight without warning and the ESC warning light remained illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failure and indicated that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 14E044000 (steering) and 14V153000 (steering). The vehicle was taken to a repair shop for further inspection. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 14V252000 (electrical system, electronic stability control, exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic, vehicle speed control) and 12V460000 (power train). The dealer was to schedule both recall repair appointments. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 175,000. Parts distribution disconnect. Updated 04/06/16
- Arlington, TX, USA
While driving the car the service traction/ESC light comes on and startes jerking the rpms shoot up to 4000 and makes a rattle noise. When doing this the speed does not change to reflect the rpms. When at a idle the rpms rest at about 2200. The car doesnt fully want to stop when coming to red light or when breaking. I have had the car a diffrent speeds and tends to stall and shack no matter what.
- South Point, OH, USA
My electric steering pump suddenly stop working yesterday while driving on street. Two warning messages appeared on eic. " check steering" "ESC off check". I have read on many forums, by Chevy Malibu owners, have complain having same issue. I' M concern for my family safety if this steering pump fails again at greater speed.
- Converse, TX, USA
I've had the recall done to ( supposedly ) fix the issue of the service ESC and traction control light fixed, but it just came back on again. When it is on I have no brake lights or the brake lights stay on. This is very dangerous and I've almost been in a wreck because of it. Also I have been getting a lot of water in my passenger side floor to the point I've taken the back seat out so I can lift the carpet to vacuum it out.
- Lincolnton, NC, USA
Engine power reduced and car cranks but wont start. It also slowed down when that engine power reduced came on almost had an accident and my family was in the car.
- Pflugerville, TX, USA
Vehicle in airport parking lot and temp was 29 degrees. Started vehicle and proceeded to leave parking lot. Power steering warning appeared on dash board. Continue diving on interstate for next 15 minutes to reach home. About a half mile before reaching home, service ESC appeared on dash. Did not lose control O vehicle and vehicle has no been moved since. New years day 2016, no dealer service is open. I understand this is a known issue with the Malibu, however my VIN # does not appear to be part of the recall. Will take to dealership for diagnosis.
- Indianapolis, IN, USA
While driving my car the traction control light flashes and the service ESC light flashes in the dash of my car. My brake light remain on at all time, when I mash the brakes no brake light comes on. The brake light is doing the opposite of what it is supposed to be doing. This occured months after I had recall work done (at a certified GM dealer) under GM recall number 13036 and NHTSA campaign number 14V252000.
- Washington, DC, USA
As I was drivingdown the street, the power steering/service ESC light and message came on my car. It also said ESC off. I got pulled into a parkuing lot and turned off my car and restarted it and it worked for a few minutes. After work it did it to me when I started it. I killed it and restarted it and jerked the steering wheel back and forth and it worked for around five minutes. I have read on many forums that this is a known problem with many years of the Malibu and other cars. GM has extended the warranty to 100,000 miles but most of them are over that limit. This is a dangerous problem!!!!!
- O'donnell, TX, USA
There was a recall for the wiring harness related to these problems..rk Chevrolet in vineland, NJ repaired it supposedly. Days after the warranty on socalled repair the problem persisted yet again and I returned to dealership they said there was no problem with it...gave me codes for something else which did not relate to what is wrong...I'm getting nowhere with this and it is not safe to drive this vehicle which is needed for family transportation and work.ESC light stays on, traction control stays on, brake lights come on while driving but not when braking.
- Millville, NJ, USA
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; and disablement of crash avoidance features such as traction control, electronic stability control, and panic braking assist features. This occurs after we have had the work done that was for GM recall number 13036/NHTSA campaign number: 14V252000 multiple times.
- Wauconda, IL, USA
Driving at 65 mph on the interstate and ESC light, check engine light, and security light came on. The speedometer needle and the fuel guage needle started jumping sporadically and then I lost power for a moment and could not accelerate. Had to coast to the side of the road. Very dangerous situation. Turned the car off and restarted, and it happened numerous more times. Had to end up having it towed. It is in the shop now, and they haven't determined what is wrong yet.
- Radcliff, KY, USA
One October 5, 2015 owner was driving at or around 35mph when the vehicles, ESC, check engine light, and brake dashboard icons came on. Then car then lost engine power, and would not accelerate. Owner then cruised the car to the side of the road, where turned the key to the off position and then tried to restart it. Owner tried turning the key to restart the vehicle multiple times over the course of 15 minutes and the vehicle would not start. Finally, the vehicle restarted and the owner was able to drive off the freeway and contacted the GM customer service number to report the incident.
- Long Beach, CA, USA
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving at 30 mph, the contact noticed smoke coming from the front passenger side head lamp. In addition, both the passenger and driver side high and low beam head lamps failed to illuminate. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who diagnosed that the wiring harness and the head lamp assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred on numerous occasions. The contact also stated that while at a stop light, "service ESC, service traction. ESC off" was displayed across the message board. The ESC warning light illuminated and the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who was unable to diagnose or repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V252000 (electrical system, electronic stability control, exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic, vehicle speed control). The failure mileage was unknown.
- Milwaukee, WI, USA
When driving my vehicle the brake lights are currently illuminating without me pressing the brake pedal and not illuminating when I do press the brake pedal (brake light reversal). In addition my electronic stability control (ESC) and cruise control turn off. I previously reported this problem to the Agency under NHTSA id number 10548365. I had the recall work performed in the summer of 2014. In addition I previously had the brake pedal position sensor replaced prior to that, but it did not fix the problem. The problem has reappeared even though the suggested fix was applied. Please note that this problem was originally reported in rhinelander, wi.
- Minneapolis, MN, USA
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving 30 mph, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact had to apply force to the steering wheel in order to steer the vehicle. The service electronic stability control (ESC) was displayed across the message board. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who diagnosed that the steering wheel torque input sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 77,457.
- Central Square , NY, USA
2009 Chevrolet Malibu. Consumer writes in regards to body control module connection system recall reimbursement. The consumer stated in June 2014, the vehicle wasn't running smoothly. It seemed to exhibit a jerk motion and felt as though it was going to stall. The ESC light would illuminate and then go out. The dealer made some repairs on June on June 27, 2014. After the repairs were made, the consumer received a recall letter. However, the parts were not available. GM informed the consumer, the repairs were not covered by the recall. According to the invoice, the fuel injector wire was replaced. Recall # 14V252000 updated 12/30/15.
- Geneva, IL, USA
- Smyrna, GA, USA