general problems of the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu - part 1

The car suddenly turns off while driving shutting down the power steering making it difficult or impossible to maneuver. It is a death trap. This happened 3 times today may 5, 2023 losing power while driving is a major safety issue that is putting innocent people's lives at risk.

Loss of power steered. Power steering esc code appears. Steering wheel locks when I first start vehicle.

My vehicle can overheat at times and the thermostat won’t work. That’s during the summer and winter so the temperature could rise above normal and I wouldn’t know because of the electric problems. It’s happened too many times to count. The esc sign comes on across the dash for me letting me know there are issues with power steering and traction. I can drive on my way to work and on the highway and it happens randomly. It’s dangerous and scary I have to pull over on the side of the road to turn it off and on. Sometimes more than three to four times before it acts normal again. I tried to go to gm because my car has the symptoms of the cars being repaired in the recalls. But I’m told there are none for my car but yet the car still locks on me. It jumps too as it’s accelerating.

The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving 30 mph while and approaching a traffic light, the vehicle started driving rough. The contact that several unknown warning lights illuminated and the vehicle lost motive power. The contact scheduled an appointment for the vehicle to be diagnosed. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 83,763.

I couldbt turn tge car out of nowhere an nout ran off the road.

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. Very sad I feel I’ll never buy a chevy/gm product again.

Transission was recalled by GMC, however my VIN# was not included. I was told to contact you to include the VIN# in the recall. I paid $3300 to repair the transmission only to be told after the fact I need to contact NHTSA to include.

The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving approximately 55-60 mph, the vehicle inadvertently decelerated to 40 mph and the warning messages; “service esc” and “engine power reduced” was displayed. The contact continued to drive the vehicle however, the vehicle failed to exceed 40 mph. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the throttle body and the accelerator pedal needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic who replaced the computer software; however, the failure persisted. The independent mechanic advised the contact to purchase the throttle body from the dealer and have it replaced by an independent mechanic. The contact purchased the part from an unknown dealer and it was replaced by an independent mechanic; however, the failure persisted with the traction control warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 153,224.

Power steering flashes on dash board and I lose complete control. I then have to use my strength to turn the wheel while the vehicle slows down. Sometimes this goes away and it drives fine. I've experienced it shutting down while going down the high way and this cannot be safe! after researching recalls, it appears I am experiencing the details of the recall for the torque sensor. The vehicle is below 150,000 miles. It also randomly will flash �service air bag�.

It is January 4, 2021. My car has 172,000 miles on it and this winter I have been experiencing a problem with the power steering and traction control. I will be driving and next thing you know my traction control light comes on with the power steering warning. I have red chevy Malibu forms and it seems like I'm not the first one to experience this problem. It sounds like this is something that should have been recalled but obviously it wasn�t. The only way I'm able to clear it while driving is putting my car in park in the middle of the road with my hazard lights on turning my car off and back on then they go away. And then it doesn't appear for a couple days the next thing you know it pops back up multiple times. I just want to know if there can be a solution for me for the situation. It happens both while driving and even sitting at a light.

I've been having an issue with my vehicle registering which gear it is in. The gears shift hard, and when placing the vehicle in reverse, the vehicle vigorously jerks back and forth. While driving the vehicle on the road, it slowed down to a complete stop in the middle of traffic. The vehicle would not accelerate, and when it finally did, it just takes off with no warning. When placing the vehicle on park, at times it would still roll. . There is also the power steering and traction control sensors that are both illuminated on the dashboard. The steering stiffening in the vehicle is an issue only sometimes. However, it still worries me while driving on the road with my toddler in the vehicle as well. I did research recalls associated with the make, model, and year of my vehicle and found that there is a recall in each area I'm having trouble in. However, when I spoke with a Chevrolet associate, I was told that there was nothing they could do for me. I won't drive the vehicle because I don't feel it's safe and I'm afraid of an accident taking place.

I was driving down the road ( a country backroad and not a highway luckily), and suddenly my car lost all power to the powertrain. I was going about 45 when it happened, and I lost power steering, all power to the motor, and my brakes were incredibly hard to push. After this happened, the car has a no start no crank condition. If I were in the middle lane of a highway, or a the right lane of a busy highway or freeway, or even just going around a sharp curve, I have no doubt that I would have wrecked.

I went to the store came back out an it wouldn't trun over I got a new battery an got the same result.

Transmission won't go in reverse when stepping on the gas pedal. Also, power steering keeps going out when first starting car. Vehicle was in my driveway when this happened.

While vehicle is traveling along at interstate traffic speeds(60-65 mph) the car will go into an engine reduced power mode, and emergency traction displays on the dash. The vehicle will not increase in speed,(20 mph max) have to hurriedly find an exit to the right to avoid a crash. At the end of recall 14v252, it states service esc and/or traction control tell-tales illuminate with this condition. The dealer has agreed to repair the brake light malfunction recall # 13036 but will not repair the engine stalling issues, or the problem previously stated.

On November 6, 2019 was driving my kids to school on a regular street, when suddenly without warning my power steering goes completely out. Ran up on a curb almost hitting a pole because I was unable to turn wheel. I took vehicle to get power steering fluid and was told it was electrical. Took to another place to have tested and a recall came up for vehicle. Took to dealership and was told it was not a recall but it is listed as one. Refuse to help fix the problem due to over mileage and me not being the original owner. Refusal for rental or even a loaner.

2009 Malibu downshifted all at once almost causing an accident.

Esc car, car completely shuts down and esc tracking light comes on and it says no power/low power esc - this can cause an accident. The car completely shuts down!.

I have had problems with this vehicle from day one. I filed a report previously and I am filing another one in reference to my power transmission. I have a 2009 chevy Malibu, 4 speed, automatic. I was driving and the vehicle downshifted itself without my doing anything, almost causing an accident because it would not shift into high gear. Something popped in the vehicle and the gear shifted for a little bit and worked and then it happened again. I think the shifting cable may have fractured or separated. This was very nerve wracking, because it was in the late evening hours and traffic was extremely heavy. Now it is sitting in the driveway.

Tl the contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at 65 mph, the engine power reduced warning message displayed on the instrument panel as the vehicle stalled. The contact had the vehicle towed to courtesy Chevrolet san diego (750 camino del rio n, san diego, CA 92108) where it was discovered that metal fragments were inside the throttle body. The vehicle was repaired. After the vehicle was repaired, on another occasion while driving at 30 mph, the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed to the residence. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer had were notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 168,150.

Tl the contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to shift into park. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the shift cable needed to be repaired. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified and did not assist. The failure mileage was 34,000.

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. I had to get my insurance to pay for one of the recall issues because my steering while locked up while driving and I was unable to turn the wheel. This transmission issue I am having has to do with another recall issue but they tell me it is closed out. There is also an open recall for the takata inflators. When I get into the vehicle and start it then put it in reverse to back out, I can feel it jerk and often hear a pop sound. Sometimes it is extremely difficult to get it to shift into reverse. It seems stuck. The vehicle seem sluggish, like it does not have full power.

My son drove this 09 Malibu to work and when he got off of work the car would not go into reverse. I have done some research on this issue and it seems like this is a defect inside the transmoissions on these vehicles and the wave-plte brakes requiring a rebuild. I cannot believe these vehicles have not been recalled to fix this defect!!!!!.

Car won't go in reverse and won't change to 3rd gear. Rpm wind high going at a slow speed of 30mph and won't switch to higher gear. Chevy paid for transmissions with this same issue for 2008-2009 Malibus with 6t70 or 6t75 but said mine wasn't part of #14404b: special coverage adjustment since my transmission is 6t40 or 6t45 even though I am having the same exact issue. I had to pull over and have cars pass me as I couldn't keep up with traffic speeds. Before that I couldn't get out of my parking space. Pushed my car backwards just so I was able to move forward. Called gm and made case# 8-4709450172.

Tl the contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact called on behalf of the driver. While driving approximately 40 mph, the vehicle failed to accelerate. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle failed to reverse and the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The contact coasted the vehicle to the side of the road. The vehicle was restarted and was able to drive, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to bob johnson Chevrolet (1271 w ridge rd, rochester, NY 14615, (866) 915-9664) where it was diagnosed that the transmission clutch wave plate needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and opened case number: 8-4620605328. The contact was referred to NHTSA. The approximate failure mileage was 61,450.

My 2009 Chevrolet Malibu experienced a wave plate issue that gm is aware about but won't cover. The problem was issued special coverage #14404 for same Malibu 2008-2009 but they say my vehicle is not covered but won't give specifics only saying I should have received a letter and only which I need to produce to have my problem fixed. They don't keep an accurate record of people's addresses so how am I supposed to know. Doesn't make sense that they won't fix it when it clearly shows it's a known problem for my vehicle type and rating.

I have not had my 2009 Malibu for almost a year now. I took it to the dealership to get looked at and they want to charge me 140 dollars for looking at it, just to tell me the transmission is messed up. I knew this. It started when I was driving to work and a light came on and it was really hard to turn the steering wheel. I had to slow way down because I could barely turn the wheel. This was a huge safety issue. I was terrified for my life with my three year old son in the back seat. I pulled off to the side and shut the car off, then started it up again. The steering wheel was fine. Then again I got into my car the next day and it did it again! but only this time, it didn't stop. No matter what. Then my car stopped shifting. I capped they chevy dealership and they set me up an appointment to bring my car in. I explained it was unsafe to drive it so they scheduled a tow for me. That following week, (carless) I was waiting for the tow to show up and no one came. I called the dealship and she said that something happened and I had to drive my vehicle in, I explained, again, that it was unsafe to drive. She told me that I couldn't get my vehicle looked at then if it wasn't there. I drove 20 miles going ten miles an hour with my hazards on to get it there, just to leave it there for three days then be told that my transmission is messed up and they needed four thousand dollars to fix it. Needeless to say, my car has been sitting there for almost a year now. Nothing being done to it. If my transmission is messed up. . . Which it is. . . . It's because of them!! I checked my recalls and I have recalls for all of these things on a website. But not yours? I don't understand. Please help.

I put the shift level in park but it does not put the transmission in park. The call rolls when this happens. This is the exact symptom shown in Chevrolet recall number 09v073000. Chevrolet will not honor it.

2009 Chevrolet Malibu. Consumer writes in regards to transmission problems. The consumer stated the vehicle was repaired. The transmission clutch wave plate was replaced. The consumer requested to be reimbursed for the repairs.

Lost the 35r gears in my 6t45 transmission just as the 6t70 & 6t75 transmission which are under TSB 14404 but as gm noted it's only for the v6 engines (high output) and not the 2. 4l engines. Same issue but not covered. I only have 84, 000miles on the car, engine runs great, body is in great shape just have a bad transmission. Looking to get a TSB to cover the 6t40 & 6t45 transmissions. Called gm and they will do nothing.

The shift cable to the transmission became loose while vehicle was running. I was unable to shift the vehicle until the cable was reconnected by hand. The vehicle has an issue with accelerating especially when trying to go highway speeds. It cant flow into traffic normally. The check engine code is p0420 for the catalytic converter.

Takata recall the airbag light has come on and stays on something with the steering, wheels, drivetrain, and possibly bcm. A lot of vibration when driving and braking. Becoming such an issue to the point I fear to have my 11 month old child in it.

Tl the contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving approximately 40 mph, the vehicle jerked when the gear was switched and the check engine indicator illuminated. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road, turned off, and restarted. The vehicle was taken to steve rayman Chevrolet (678-269-7886, located at 2155 cobb pkwy se, smyrna, GA 30080) where it was diagnosed that a new transmission was needed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that there was no recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 88,000.

Takata recall I was at a stop sign at a very busy intersection. When I pulled out my power steering went out. I had no way in turning the vehicle. I had to reverse the vehicle and put it in park then turn off the vehicle. When turning back on vehicle was fine. Drove a mile to local bank and it did it again in the drive thru. As I was trying to make it to work it went out as I was pulling into parking lot. The first time power steering went out two lanes of oncoming traffic had to stop to keep from hitting my vehicle. I was completely exposed. This is a family vehicle and in 9 years this should not be a concern for my family. The car said "power steering" & "esc" when it locked down. There is a recall # 14772 for 2004-2007 Malibu's that state the same issue I am having.

Sudden loss of electric power steering when I drive in cold weather, am accelerating and turning to the left at any variation of degree. Frightening that it happens while I'm driving and have no upper body strength. The sensor flashed and then disappeared. Once the car was shut off and turned on again there were no more issues. Took it to the dealer and they said they could not recreate the issue so I'd have to bring it back to them while the problem was happening.