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).
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that in 2017 the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V252000 (Electrical System, Exterior Lighting, Vehicle Speed Control, Electronic Stability Control) however, the brake lights would illuminate randomly without the brake pedal being depressed. The contact stated that the brake lights would fail to illuminate whenever the brake pedal was depressed. The failure recurred at various speeds. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who added di-electric grease to the harness, replaced the brake harness, replaced the position sensor, and inspected the brake light. The vehicle had been taken to the dealer approximately 7 times since the recall repair was performed; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 104,000.
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while the vehicle was idling, it lost power steering functionality. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and restarted the vehicle, and the power steering functionality returned. The failure reoccurred every mile while driving, requiring the driver to pull over to the side of the road to restart the vehicle. The power steering, ESC, and the traction control warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated who was a retired independent mechanic, determined that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V153000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included. The dealer and the manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 107,000.
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while stopped at a traffic light, the steering wheel started to vibrate. The contact stated that the power steering assist and traction control warning light were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who informed her that the vehicle needed further diagnostic testing and should be taken to an authorized dealer. The dealer was contacted and informed her of an unknown recall however, the recall had expired. The contact stated that she then contacted the manufacturer who referred her to the NHTSA for assistance. The failure mileage was 103,967.
I have a 2009 Chevy Malibu and it's very unsafe to drive. I have a 4 cylinder car with electric power steering and it was not apart of the recall. Yet it's having the same symptoms as the recall cars. I had to have my car pushed out of a ditch yesterday because it's so hard to turn my steering wheel I lost control of my car. My traction control light is on, and pressing the button does not work. I sometimes don't have control to unlock my door and have to call someone to physically open it from the outside. My check engine light is on, also my battery light. And they are all good and up to date. My traction and system light is on too. And my head lights, brake lights, and battery is constantly drained and going out. It's hard to find reasonable price's from auto shops, and the dealership prices are too expensive. …
Power steering works randomly but mostly not at all. Power steering, service traction control light. ABS light and ESC flash on dash display all in one week. Driving to work made a left hand turn and power steering went out causing me to drive off the road. Power steering came back on and then out again. And has been off since
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 …
My 2009 Malibu, which I purchased new in 2009: about 1&1/2 years ago it started running irregular, service ESC-service traction messages came on car skidding emblem came on. I have had it to dealership where I bought it 3 times-each time they could find nothing wrong-took it to independent mechanic-he told me same thing. About a week ago I called general motors-first person I talked to said to call NHTSA that they couldn't do anything until a recall. Called NHTSA told me to call GM again and start a case: I called and talked to [redacted], who was very helpful and contacted another dealership about fixing my car. I took it to them; they replaced the brake lam switch thinking that would fix it-did not. Called GM again and wads told to take it back to dealership that there was nothing they could do as far as cost for fixing it was concerned. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving 60 MPH, the contact felt an abnormality while steering the vehicle. The contact pulled the vehicle over to the side of the road and everything appeared normal. The contact began to drive again when the steering wheel pulled to the right without warning. The contact pulled the vehicle over to the side of the road again. The contact stated that the steering wheel and wheels started to move independently and the power steering, service ESC, and traction control warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer (pinegar Chevrolet Buick GMC of branson, 163 adair rd, branson, mo, 65616). The contact was informed that the vehicle would be diagnosed on the next business day, July 17, 2017. …
The caliper arms on both of my passenger side tires have gotten stuck, wore down the new brake pads completely and destroyed the rotors of my car in the past. The dealership's warranty had covered the replacement of the pads, correction of arms and rotors previously but the second occurrence happened after my warranty had expired and was extremely expensive. When the rear passenger side got stuck the sensor for my tire pressure was showing but there was no hesitation or issue with breaking. A soft dragging sound lead me to believe the sensor itself had disconnected from the vehicle and was dragging on the ground and making a soft but strange noise. Its going to take me 2 weeks to get into the dealership for an appointment ' since then, my rear rotor has become effected and will need replacing. …
Traction Control complaints in other Malibu years
Frequently asked questions
How common are traction control problems on the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu?
NHTSA has 261 complaints about the stability & traction control of the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu, 17% of the model year's 1,509 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2009 Chevrolet Malibu traction control problems?
No. NHTSA lists no stability & traction control 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 traction control problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 120,000 miles, and 4% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 1 fire and 3 injuries to stability & traction control 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.