Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2009 Chevrolet Malibu owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I purchased the car used and been driving one week. I was driving at approx 55-60 and attempted to accelerate going over hill. The car rpm went up to about 3000 and was reving high until I let of gas. I attempted again to push pedal which repeated same acceleration of rpm. I stopped and checked Trans fluid and oil both were fine. Pulled into drive and turned off ignition to check fluids again. Which were ok. Got back in car to move and had no reverse. Car would slowly go forward but Nothing else. In searching onstar ran codes and I found info about 3/5-r wave plate "service bulletin". Had car towed to dealer who confirmed and said metal flakes in tranny and was due to "common issue of wave plate" Contacted gm several times and gm will not cover cost of tranny replacement because my car is inoperable. This is a "common problem" with 09 Malibu. Why isn't it recalled tranny. …
My car is having issues driving over 60miles per hr, I have to keep pressing the gas to get the car to move, the car battery is dead and won't turn on, I got the car repaired twice and the second time I got it repaired, it just was even worse then before . The car smells like gas , the salesman only told me that I needed a value cover gasket and he had someone repair it , but when I went to auto zone , it was still cracked, I have a oil leak and my car eats up gas.
I was driving on the parkway my vehicle started making a loud sound idling high then it made a loud pop sound then began to smoke by the time I pulled over smoke was coming through the vents and fire was coming from the hood I was able to get my two small boys out before it completely went up in flames
While I was driving on my way to work going 45 miles an hour the steering wheel suddenly locked up on me almost as if the car was off and I lost complete control of the car resulting in crashing into a street light pole head on.
Friday morning at 8 am, attempted to backup car from parking space and go to work but had the hardest time turning the wheel and googled information and found recall id # 105304 for steering issue recalled July 21, 2014 & found recall id # 103669 for ESC recall date May 14,2014, I've contacted Chevrolet at [phone] and had case#: [redacted] initiated for steering and had a rep call GMC royal to service my car but found out that they wouldn't fix my steering or ESC issue since my VIN# personally hasn't been notified as a mass recall but they will fix two other issues affecting a lamp and a clamp, if I could have someone research this in depth I would greatly appreciate it as I would hate to have to pay money to have the car fixed and they send a recall letter for the same situation years later and then I'm stuck out of pocket for the prior services the main issue I experience is with the …
I have been having trouble with my car almost from the time of purchase. My vehicle is having some transmission problems. It is having problems picking up speed and jerks when gears are shifted. I have also notice that when the button is pushed to roll down the window, the light flickers a bit. My car has numerous recalls on it but everytime I take it to the shop, they tell me they are closed out. That is a safety issue, how can they legally close out a recall of something that is unsafe? He said they put a certain number out of how many vehicles have gotten the recall taken care of. The others are considered lost or stolen. I bought this car used and I did not have it in the time the recalls were issued. My vehicle has never been lost or stolen. I have taken it to bob bell numerous times, only to be told the recalls are closed. …
1) awhile back, after starting and warming engine and taking off, while making a left turn on city street, car turn off completely..wheel froze after turn. I turned key off and restarted car and it would work OK. It happened 3 0r 4 times. No warning light came on. I took it to dealership and they could not find the problem. 2) while on freeway, tire monitor warning light came on twice, I bought tires but did not have monitors checked. A few days later engine light came on. Now, I needed smog done, had to replace catalic converter (1400.00) and mechanic has a problem with car communications system. Its costing me too much. There is recall on something having to do with brakes.. Could this communications problem be related? I did have brake pads replaced last year. …
I was driving just a few blocks from my house when I stopped at a red light. The light turned green so I went to go. My car then flashed a service ESC warning, then it flashed ESC off & then flashed engine power reduced. My check engine light also came on and has stayed on. My car wouldn't even go over 10mph, and was shaking so bad I thought I was going to lose control of the vehicle. Thank god I didn't make it out of town. I just recently had my car at the Chevrolet auto shop to have my transmission completely rebuilt and for the brake light malfunction recall. Then my car ended up back in the shop apparently for a bad Cadillac converter, which I think really was this problem all along. I have only had this car for a year, and I am beyond disgusted with all the problems. I don't think I will be purchasing another vehicle from Chevrolet, as they just aren't good cars apparently. …
On Tuesday February 3rd 2015 I was on my way home from work when my 2009 Chevy Malibu cut off on me. The check engine and traction lights came on and a message of power steering service ESC came on. Cars had to swerve around me to avoid collision luckily I had not yet made it onto the interstate. I turned the engine off, waited for five minutes and restarted the vehicle. Upon restart all of the lights and messages were gone and the car was operable. I researched this issue and found that is a known issue and even on recall. I called GM and I was informed by a rep that while this is a known issue and is a recall for my model my VIN number does not meet the recall. I do not understand how a known issue that I am currently experiencing is not covered by GM. This is a extreme hazard to myself, other drivers and my newborn child that I travel with. …
I have had multiple ignition switch failures resulting in loss of airbag systems, the engine not shutting off when the key is removed, the battery dying, a brand new battery started smoking and leaking acid due to a 3rd faulty ignition switch. The issue can be spotty but indefinitely becomes more prevalent as whatever short in the switch gets worse. This is also across multiple switch manufacturers including bwd, ac delco and bmg. I have also noticed that the airbag system May remain on even with the vehicle off and, the battery drainage is much more prevalent when the airbag stays either in the on or off position with the vehicle off. The other issue this causes is the airbag system to completely go off line in which case the airbag warning light will go off but this usually resolves itself after 2 to 10 starts.
Engine complaints in other Malibu years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu?
NHTSA has 70 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu, 5% of the model year's 1,509 complaints. The component named most often is exhaust system › emission control › catalytic convertor (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2009 Chevrolet Malibu engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu, though it has 5 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2009 Chevrolet Malibu engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 109,000 miles, and 10% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 1 injury to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.