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

Steering has the largest group in NHTSA complaints, followed by the electrical system and electronic stability control.

How many complaints does the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu have?

NHTSA has 1,534 owner complaints on file for this model year.

Does the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu have recalls?

Yes. The by-year fact counts 5 recalls for 2009. The Recalls section on this page lists them.

What is the gas mileage of the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu?

See the fuel economy section on this page for the EPA figures.

Is the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu reliable?

Owner complaints are spread over steering, electrical, stability control and lighting. See the by-year section to compare model years.

2009 Chevrolet Malibu Problems, Recalls and MPG

NHTSA has 1,534 owner complaints on file for the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu^[1]. Steering is the biggest group, with 774 complaints^[2].

1,534owner complaints^[1]

5recalls^[3]

20–29MPG combined (EPA)^[4]

Problems
Recalls
Fuel economy
Safety
Engine and size
By year
Verdict
FAQ

Most reported problems

Owners filed complaints across several parts of the car, and these are the biggest groups.

Steering. 774 complaints^[2]. In the stories we read, owners describe a car that pulls to one side, drifts and needs constant small corrections, or loses power assist. Some talk about repeated sway bar repairs.
Electrical System. 373 complaints^[5]. Owners describe door locks that move on their own while driving, turn signals that keep flashing, and windows that stop working even after a fuse swap.
Electronic Stability Control (ESC). 261 complaints^[6]. Owners describe warning lights for traction control and stability control, and in some stories the car feels held back or the steering assist drops out.
Exterior Lighting. 173 complaints^[7]. Owners describe brake lights that come on by themselves, headlights that burn out again and again, and a turn indicator they find hard for other drivers to see.
Brakes. 155 complaints^[8].
Power Train. 126 complaints^[9].
Speed Control. 74 complaints^[10].
Engine. 72 complaints^[11].

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2009 Malibu is necessarily included.

Electronic Stability Control (Esc) (14V252), May 2014. About 2,440,524 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[12]
Steering › Electric Power Assist System (14V153), March 2014. About 1,373,177 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, steering problems.^[13]
Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Gear Position Indication (Prndl) (12V460), September 2012. About 426,240 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, the car rolling away, parts separating. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[14]
Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Lever And Linkage › Column Shift (09V073), March 2009. About 276,729 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, the car rolling away. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[15]
Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System (08V634), December 2008. About 77 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, reduced visibility.^[16]

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Version	City / highway / combined MPG	Annual fuel cost
Malibu, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[17]	22 / 33 / 26	$2,600
Malibu, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[18]	22 / 30 / 25	$2,700
Malibu, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[19]	18 / 29 / 22	$3,050
Malibu, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[20]	17 / 26 / 20	$3,350
Malibu Hybrid, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[4]	26 / 34 / 29	$2,300
Malibu, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Gasoline or E85, Front-Wheel Drive^[21]	19 / 29 / 23	$2,900

Safety ratings

NHTSA lists these versions as not rated: 4 DR FWD^[22], 4 DR FWD^[23].

Engine and size

These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.

Version	Length	Width	Height	Wheelbase	Curb weight
MALIBU HYBRID 4DR SEDAN FWD^[24]	192 in	70 in	57 in	112 in	3,455 lb
MALIBU LS/1LT/2LT/LTZ 4DR SEDAN FWD^[25]	192 in	70 in	57 in	112 in	3,459 lb

How 2009 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Malibu model year. The 2009 is highlighted^[3].

Show the numbers

Model year	Complaints	Recalls
1997	446	4
1998	981	3
1999	793	1
2000	933	3
2001	734	2
2002	583	2
2003	585	2
2004	1,697	7
2005	1,393	4
2006	1,387	6
2007	1,036	3
2008	1,017	4
2009	1,534	5
2010	1,365	3
2011	978	3
2012	907	2
2013	924	11
2014	363	6
2015	270	3
2016	865	10
2017	725	4
2018	711	6
2019	195	1
2020	199	1
2021	90	2
2022	99	1
2023	71	2
2024	43	2
2025	11	1

NHTSA's counts for the Malibu show 1,534 complaints and 5 recalls for 2009^[3]. Among the 29 model years listed, 27 have fewer complaints than 2009 and 1 have more^[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2025 (11) and the most are for 2004 (1,697)^[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.

Should you buy a used 2009 Malibu?

The 2009 Malibu has a long complaint record, with 1,534 reports on file^[1]. Steering stands out in size, and electrical, stability control and lighting complaints follow^[2]^[5]^[6]^[7]. These are unverified owner reports, so they show what people experienced and not how often a part fails. The recall list and the other sections on this page add more context. If you are shopping for one, check the steering and the lights on a test drive and make sure any open recall work has been done.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu?: Steering has the largest group in NHTSA complaints, followed by the electrical system and electronic stability control^[2]^[5]^[6].
How many complaints does the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu have?: NHTSA has 1,534 owner complaints on file for this model year^[1].
Does the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu have recalls?: Yes. The by-year fact counts 5 recalls for 2009^[3]. The Recalls section on this page lists them.
What is the gas mileage of the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu?: See the fuel economy section on this page for the EPA figures.
Is the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu reliable?: Owner complaints are spread over steering, electrical, stability control and lighting^[2]^[5]^[6]^[7]. See the by-year section to compare model years.

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Chevrolet Malibu

2005 1,393 complaints, 4 recalls
2009 this page
2010 1,365 complaints, 3 recalls
2011 978 complaints, 3 recalls
2012 907 complaints, 2 recalls
2013 924 complaints, 11 recalls
2014 363 complaints, 6 recalls
2015 270 complaints, 3 recalls
2016 865 complaints, 10 recalls
2017 725 complaints, 4 recalls

Compare all model years of the Chevrolet Malibu

Other Chevrolet models from 2009

2009 Chevrolet Cobalt 900 complaints, 5 recalls
2009 Chevrolet Colorado 67 complaints, 3 recalls
2009 Chevrolet HHR 508 complaints, 4 recalls

All Chevrolet models

Similar cars from 2009: midsize cars

2009 Acura TL 42 complaints, 3 recalls
2009 Cadillac CTS 167 complaints, 5 recalls
2009 Mitsubishi Galant 16 complaints, 0 recalls
2009 Volvo S80 16 complaints, 5 recalls

All midsize cars we cover

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 1,534 owner complaints on file for the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu (42 mention a crash, 9 a fire, 45 injuries, 3 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
774 complaints name the steering component group (13 crashes, 1 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 120,000). NHTSA vehicle records
Owner complaints and recalls for every Chevrolet Malibu model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Malibu Hybrid, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 26 city / 34 highway / 29 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,300. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
373 complaints name the electrical system component group (5 crashes, 5 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 90,000). NHTSA vehicle records
261 complaints name the electronic stability control (esc) component group (5 crashes, 1 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 119,250). NHTSA vehicle records
173 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 94,236). NHTSA vehicle records
155 complaints name the brakes component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 5 injuries, median mileage at failure 68,238). NHTSA vehicle records
126 complaints name the power train component group (2 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 86,500). NHTSA vehicle records
74 complaints name the speed control component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 77,500). NHTSA vehicle records
72 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 107,421). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 14V252, filed May 14, 2014: Electronic Stability Control (Esc). NHTSA recall database
Recall 14V153, filed March 31, 2014: Steering › Electric Power Assist System. NHTSA recall database
Recall 12V460, filed September 18, 2012: Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Gear Position Indication (Prndl). NHTSA recall database
Recall 09V073, filed March 6, 2009: Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Lever And Linkage › Column Shift. NHTSA recall database
Recall 08V634, filed December 2, 2008: Visibility › Defroster / Defogger / Hvac System. NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Malibu, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 33 highway / 26 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,600. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Malibu, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 30 highway / 25 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Malibu, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 29 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Malibu, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 26 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Malibu, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Gasoline or E85, Front-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 29 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, MALIBU HYBRID 4DR SEDAN FWD: length 192 in, width 70 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 112 in, curb weight 3,455 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, MALIBU LS/1LT/2LT/LTZ 4DR SEDAN FWD: length 192 in, width 70 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 112 in, curb weight 3,459 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

2009 Chevrolet Malibu: problems, recalls and fuel economy