6.8

fairly significant
Typical Repair Cost:
$190
Average Mileage:
45,400 miles
Total Complaints:
5 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. replace battery (5 reports)
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Chevrolet dealer.

problem #5

Jun 302014

Malibu LT 3.6L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 55,761 miles

I was already going through the process of repairing my brake lights which were staying on when they shouldn't have been (I later was recalled for this problem), when I received a Service Air Bag message. I was told that I needed a new battery. I believe that this needed repair is somehow connected to a deeper problem involving the brake light recall; however, I cannot prove this. I found someone else in the forum who had their battery replaced and it fixed the brake light problem. Sadly, I ended up paying for a new brake pedal sensor.

- Michelle H., Toronto, Ontario, Canada

problem #4

Jan 032013

Malibu LS

  • Automatic transmission
  • 38,000 miles

Sadly a 2009 Malibu with only 38000 miles needed the battery replaced as a cell dried up.

- Roy B., Springfield, OH, US

problem #3

Sep 192013

Malibu LT 4.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 72,892 miles

OK, I pretty much said everything in the previous complaint. I have a 4 year old car and I've just put in my third battery. This is absolutely ridiculous and I plan on taking it to the dealership to see if they can track the problem down AT NO CHARGE TO ME!!!! This car has turned into a lemon and, if I have to, I'll talk to a lemon law attorney.

- Lynne S., Chula Vista, CA, US

problem #2

Feb 192011

Malibu LT 4.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 28,667 miles

I bought my car new on July 12, 2009. The battery that came with the car is the one that died so I replaced it with a new one. The dealership reimbursed me. So my original battery lasted from July 12, 2009 to Feb 19, 2011.

The second battery died on Sept 19, 2013, and again, I replaced it with a new one. AAA came and tested the battery and said it was completely dead!! He said the starter and the alternator were working perfectly. So now my second battery lasted from Feb 19, 2011 to Sept 19, 2013. I am now on my third battery for a four year old car!!! Something is really wrong with this car's electrical system. I've owned several cars over the years and I have NEVER had one with kind of problem with the battery.

- Lynne S., Chula Vista, CA, US

problem #1

Apr 202011

Malibu LT 2.4L, 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 31,636 miles

There was no warning. It just didn't start. I was stranded in a deserted parking lot, in an unfamiliar place, at dusk. On Star wouldn't work due to no electrical supply.All of my other cars have had a weak start a few times before the battery needed to be replaced, so I could get it done before it died. Never had a battery that was only good for 2 years!

- Barbara A., DeLand, FL, US