Electrical System:wiring
NHTSA campaign 14V252000 · 2014 · reported 05/14/2014
Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
2009 Chevrolet Malibu Problems & Recalls
Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026
High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Steering — runs 8.2× the fleet median for that category across the 1655 model-years tracked on this site.
1,509Complaints
6Recalls
41Crashes
9Fires
44Injured
3Deaths
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Is this problem acknowledged?
The most-reported problem — Steering (50.6% of complaints) — is covered by 2 NHTSA recall campaigns.
Steering complaints here are 8.2× the median for that category across the 1655 model-years tracked on this site.
3 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 3 rest on owner reports alone.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 764 · 50.6% | Recalled | Recall 14V153000 · Recall 14E044000 |
| Electrical System | 359 · 23.8% | Recalled | Recall 14V252000 |
| Electronic Stability Control (ESC) | 255 · 16.9% | No official action | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 154 · 10.2% | No official action | — |
| Service Brakes | 142 · 9.4% | No official action | — |
| Power Train | 103 · 6.8% | Recalled | Recall 12V460000 · Recall 09V073000 |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Complaints by component
Percentages are the share of the 1,509 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
Recalls — 6 campaigns
Steering:electric Power Assist System
NHTSA campaign 14V153000 · 2014 · reported 03/31/2014
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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Steering
NHTSA campaign 14E044000 · 2014 · reported 07/21/2014
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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl)
NHTSA campaign 12V460000 · 2012 · reported 09/18/2012
If the tabs were to fracture and separate, the shift lever and the actual position of the transmission gear may not match.… Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:column Shift
NHTSA campaign 09V073000 · 2009 · reported 03/06/2009
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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System
NHTSA campaign 08V634000 · 2008 · reported 12/02/2008
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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What owners report
“ERRATIC STEERING WHILE TRYING TO PARK. CHIMES WERE HEAD, MESSAGE CAME ACROSS SPEEDO, MAJOR CLUNK ALSO STARTED AT SAME TIME. SOUNDS LIKE RIGHT FRONT. ANOTHER…”NHTSA complaint 10490350 — filed 12/28/2012 · STEERING
“THE POWER STEERING GOES INOP. AT TIMES. THE POWER STEERING LIGHT COMES ON AND VEHICLE IS VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. WHEN YOU TURN THE VEHICLE…”NHTSA complaint 10485864 — filed 11/23/2012 · STEERING
“POWER STEERING - WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL, YOU FEEL NON-SMOOTH CONDITION, UNUSUAL HUMMING OR MOANING NOISE. SOME POWER STEERING FLUID HAD TO BE REPLACED…”NHTSA complaint 10455362 — filed 04/16/2012 · STEERING
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Complaint trend by year filed
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu?
Steering issues are the most-reported category, cited in 764 of 1,509 NHTSA complaints (50.6%), followed by electrical system (359), electronic stability control (esc) (255), exterior lighting (154). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many complaints does the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu have?
1,509 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 41 involved a crash, 9 involved a fire, and 44 reported injuries. 3 deaths were reported.
Does the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu have any recalls?
Yes — 6 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 14V252000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Has NHTSA acted on the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu's reported problems?
3 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.
Is a complaint proof of a defect?
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.
