"How reliable is the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu?"

"Based on 2354 NHTSA complaints, the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu has a median complaint mileage of 100000 miles. The most common issue is Steering."

"What are common problems with the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu?"

"The most frequently reported component in NHTSA complaints for the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu is Steering, accounting for a significant portion of the 2354 total complaints filed."

2009 Chevrolet Malibu: Reliability Data

Source: NHTSA — 2354 complaints

2354

Total Complaints

100,000mi

Median Mileage

Steering

Top Issue

Crash Reports

When Do Complaints Happen?

Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.

65,000 25th Percentile

100,000 Median Mileage

136,000 75th Percentile

What Fails?

Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.

Steering

763

Electrical System

359

Electronic Stability Control (Esc)

255

Exterior Lighting

154

Service Brakes

142

Power Train

103

Vehicle Speed Control

Engine

Air Bags

Latches/Locks/Linkages

Severity Assessment

Crashes

Fires

Injuries

Deaths

Sample Complaint Reports

"ALTHOUGH THERE HAS NOT BEEN AN ACCIDENT YET, DUE TO THE DESIGN OF THE CARS HEADLIGHTS, AND TAIL LIGHTS, (AND THE REMOVAL OF THE SIDE REPEATER LAMP FOR TURN SIGNAL INDICATION ON THE 2009 MODEL YEAR MALIBU), THERE IS NO VISIBLE TURN INDICATOR FOR OTHER DRIVERS TO SEE INDICATION OF A SIGNAL FROM THE CA..."

"TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING, THE GLARE FROM THE DASH DISPLAYED ONTO THE WINDSHIELD. AS A RESULT, VISIBILITY WAS GREATLY REDUCED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION; HOWEVER, THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS NO REMEDY. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT M..."

Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.

When Were Complaints Filed?

Number of complaints by the year the issue occurred.

When Does Each Component Fail?

Median mileage at complaint for top components.

Steering 763 complaints

25th: 89,000 mi Median: 120,000 mi 75th: 155,000 mi

Electrical System 359 complaints

25th: 59,575 mi Median: 90,000 mi 75th: 125,000 mi

Electronic Stability Control (Esc) 255 complaints

25th: 85,387 mi Median: 119,750 mi 75th: 152,250 mi

Exterior Lighting 154 complaints

25th: 70,000 mi Median: 98,000 mi 75th: 130,000 mi

Service Brakes 142 complaints

25th: 48,825 mi Median: 74,000 mi 75th: 118,375 mi

Where Are Complaints Coming From?

Top states by complaint count.

MI: 227 OH: 146 NY: 145 IL: 134 TX: 119 CA: 118 PA: 105 VA: 90 WI: 89 MD: 82

Who Files Complaints?

1.2%

Original Owners

98.8%

Second+ Owners

Chevrolet Malibu — Other Years

See how this model compares across different model years.

Year	Complaints	Median Mileage	Top Issue	Crashes
1997	693	82,750	Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip	34
1998	1480	70,000	Rotor	53
1999	1227	60,000	Rotor	61
2000	1379	65,000	Electrical System	71
2001	1005	70,000	Electrical System	51
2002	754	68,607	Electrical System	28
2003	772	70,000	Electrical System	52
2004	1639	69,000	Steering	78
2005	1385	89,000	Steering	67
2006	1473	85,000	Steering	59
2007	1252	100,000	Steering	53
2008	1482	80,000	Steering	54
2010	2193	82,000	Steering	72
2011	1512	79,632	Electrical System	71
2012	1470	87,000	Electrical System	93
2013	1367	70,000	Electrical System	50
2014	561	60,000	Engine	32
2015	389	50,000	Engine	30
2016	1424	50,000	Engine	37
2017	1157	51,000	Engine	25
2018	1166	44,700	Engine	34
2019	293	41,750	Power Train	9
2020	307	70,000	Engine	15
2021	99	21,000	Unknown Or Other	0
2022	116	42,000	Electrical System	6
2023	48	34,853	Electrical System	5

Active Recalls (6)

Federal safety recalls issued for this vehicle.

Wiring

Campaign 14V252000 | 14/05/2014

Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.

GM will notify owners, and dealers will attach the wiring harness to the BCM with a spacer, apply dielectric lubricant to both the BCM and harness connector and the BAS and harness connector, and will relearn the brake pedal home position, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed an Interim let

Electric Power Assist System

Campaign 14V153000 | 31/03/2014

If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.

GM will notify owners, and dealers will perform one of four bulletins. Parts are not currently available. GM expects to send an interim notification around May 28, 2014. When parts are available, owners will be mailed a second letter to come in to have the applicable bulletin applied. Bulletin 1

Steering

Campaign 14E044000 | 21/07/2014

A joint bearing that fails prematurely may cause separation of the u-joint resulting in a complete loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Dorman will notify owners, and dealers will refund the purchase price or replace the steering shafts, free of charge. The recall began in September 2014. Owners may contact Dorman customer service at 1-800-523-2492.

Gear Position Indication (Prndl)

Campaign 12V460000 | 18/09/2012

If the tabs were to fracture and separate, the shift lever and the actual position of the transmission gear may not match. The driver would be able to move the shifter to 'PARK' and remove the ignition key, but the transmission gear may not be in 'PARK.' The vehicle may not be able to be restarted

GM will notify owners, and dealers will install a retainer over the cable end or replace the shift cable as necessary. This service will be performed free of charge. Notification to owners began on on November 9, 2012. Owners were instructed to not bring their vehicles for repair until January 201

Column Shift

Campaign 09V073000 | 06/03/2009

THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE COULD ROLL AWAY AFTER THE DRIVER HAS EXITED THE VEHICLE, RESULTING IN A POSSIBLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND ENSURE THAT THE SHIFT CABLE ADJUSTMENT CLIP IS FULLY ENGAGED. IN THE EVENT THAT THE CLIP DOES NOT ENGAGE, THE SHIFT CABLE WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE MARCH 24, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CHEVROLET AT

Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System

Campaign 08V634000 | 02/12/2008

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.

DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE HVAC CONTROL HEAD MODULE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON DECEMBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE AT <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM>HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM</A> .

Protect Your Steering System

Based on the most common issues reported for this vehicle.

Get a wheel alignment annually or after hitting a significant pothole
Don't hold the steering wheel at full lock for more than a few seconds
Check power steering fluid monthly on hydraulic systems
Address wandering, vibration, or play in the wheel promptly
Replace worn tie rod ends before they cause tire wear

Vehicle Rankings

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Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.

Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.

Data through: 2026-03-28