Is the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu a bad year?
1,510 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Malibu years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu are in line with other Malibu years. Steering, electrical system, stability control and 1 more stand out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2009 Malibu owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 121,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| SteeringSTANDS OUT | 769 (51%) | 90k–155k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Electrical systemSTANDS OUT | 368 (24%) | 60k–125k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Stability controlSTANDS OUT | 255 (17%) | 86k–153k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Exterior lightingSTANDS OUT | 172 (11%) | 66k–127k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Engine | 68 (5%) | 66k–145k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Brakes | 152 (10%) | 46k–117k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 121 (8%) | 60k–118k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Speed control | 73 (5%) | 54k–120k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Air bags | 63 (4%) | 41k–113k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Latches and locksSTANDS OUT | 56 (4%) | 43k–82k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Fuel system | 34 (2%) | 68k–110k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Body structure | 31 (2%) | 50k–95k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Seats | 30 (2%) | 60k–120k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 23 (2%) | 33k–99k miles · mostly behind | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 121,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 1,510 complaints: 41 mention a crash · 9 mention a fire · 31 report an injury · 25 say the car was towed.
17 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Oct 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
Driving in traffic, vehicle suddenly lost power and I had to pull out of traffic, nearly causing an accident. Engine revved, rpms were high.
I purchased a used 2009 Chevrolet Malibu in 2011. On february 21, 2013, I took my car to ourisman Chevrolet in marlow heights, md due to a recall notice related to the transmission.
I own a 2009 chevy Malibu and vehicle was taken to a chevy service center for fuel smell on the exterior of vehicle on 09-2013.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 121,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu: 6
The affected steering shafts may have a yoke that inadequately supports the u-joint bearing resulting in a premature failure. 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.
In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the Body Control Module (BCM) connection may result in voltage fluctuations in the Brake Apply Sensor (BAS) circuit. Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.
In the affected vehicles, there may be a sudden loss of electric power steering (EPS) assist that could occur at any time while driving. 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.
On these vehicles, the tabs on the transmission shift cable end may fracture and separate. If the tabs were to fracture and separate, the shift lever and the actual position of the transmission gear may not match.
These vehicles fail to comply with federal motor vehicles safety standard 102, "Transmission shift position sequence, starter interlock, and transmission braking effect", and FMVSS 114, "Theft protection and rollaway prevention". 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.
The heating, ventilation, and airconditioning (HVAC) system may become inoperative. If this were to occur, the blower would not function properly and the mode selector would remain in the last known setting. 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.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Chevrolet: 354
Repair instructions Chevrolet sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming…
Rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or misfire, MIL with DTCs, and explains how Top Tier fuels should be used to reduce carbon build-up
Guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil Cooler Lines and Oil Tank if the engine was replaced where large amounts of debris has flowed throughout the oiling system
Proper way to install the pistons in an engine
NHTSA defect investigations: 1
Fleet Vehicle Recall Completion Audit
Neighbouring years
2008 Malibu: 986 complaints, keep it · 2010 Malibu: 1,363 complaints, keep it.
Every Chevrolet Malibu year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · All Malibu years side by side
Other Chevrolet models: Chevrolet Astro · Chevrolet Avalanche · Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 · Chevrolet Aveo · Chevrolet Blazer · Chevrolet Bolt EV · Chevrolet Camaro · Chevrolet Captiva · Chevrolet Cavalier · Chevrolet Cobalt · Chevrolet Cobalt SS · Chevrolet Colorado · Chevrolet Corvette · Chevrolet Cruze · Chevrolet Equinox · Chevrolet Equinox EV · Chevrolet Express · Chevrolet HHR · Chevrolet Impala · Chevrolet Malibu Classic · Chevrolet Malibu Maxx · Chevrolet Monte Carlo · Chevrolet S10 · Chevrolet Silverado · Chevrolet Silverado 1500 · Chevrolet Silverado 1500 HD · Chevrolet Silverado 2500 · Chevrolet Silverado 3500 · Chevrolet Sonic · Chevrolet Spark · Chevrolet Suburban · Chevrolet Suburban 1500 · Chevrolet Tahoe · Chevrolet Tracker · Chevrolet Trailblazer · Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT · Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT 370 · Chevrolet Traverse · Chevrolet Trax · Chevrolet Uplander · Chevrolet Venture · Chevrolet Volt. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu a bad year?
1,510 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Malibu years. At 121,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: steering (769), electrical system (368), stability control (255), exterior lighting (172), engine (68).
How many recalls does the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu have?
6 recall campaigns list this model year: Steering (NHTSA 14E044000), Speed control (NHTSA 14V-252), Steering (NHTSA 14V-153), Transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA 12V-460) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.