Model year
2009 Chevrolet Malibu
NHTSA lists 5 recalls and 1,509 complaints for the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). NHTSA also lists 0 recalls and 25 complaints under MALIBU HYBRID. Those counts are separate from the numbers above. The components listed on the most complaints are STEERING (764), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (359), ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) (255). NHTSA lists 1 investigation. NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here. EPA rates it 20–29 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $2,300–$3,350, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2000 922 complaints
- 2001 721 complaints
- 2002 567 complaints
- 2003 569 complaints
- 2004 1,147 complaints
- 2005 975 complaints
- 2006 1,117 complaints
- 2007 977 complaints
- 2008 989 complaints
- 2009 1,509 complaints
- 2010 1,363 complaints
- 2011 978 complaints
- 2012 907 complaints
- 2013 837 complaints
- 2014 351 complaints
- 2015 270 complaints
- 2016 841 complaints
- 2017 703 complaints
- 2018 700 complaints
- 2019 193 complaints
- 2020 199 complaints
- 2021 90 complaints
- 2022 99 complaints
- 2023 72 complaints
- 2024 43 complaints
- 2025 11 complaints
Recalls
14V252000 · May 14, 2014
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC); VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL; EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH; EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE…
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured May 16, 2003, through October 11, 2012, 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured May 26,…
14V153000 · Mar 31, 2014
STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 and 2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2006 Malibu Maxx, 2009-2010 HHR (non-turbo), 2010 Cobalt, 2008-2009 Saturn Aura and 2004-2007 Ion, and 2005-2009 Pontiac G6. In the affected vehicles, there may be a sudden…
12V460000 · Sep 18, 2012
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)
General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Saturn Aura and model year 2008-2010 Chevrolet Malibu and Pontiac G6 vehicles, equipped with a 4-speed automatic transmission. On these vehicles, the tabs on the transmission shift cable end may fracture and separate.
09V073000 · Mar 6, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING 276,729 MY 2009 BUICK ENCLAVE, CHEVROLET COBALT, HHR, MALIBU, TRAVERSE, GMC ACADIA, PONTIAC G5, G6 AND SATURN AURA AND OUTLOOK PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLES SAFETY STANDARD 102, "TRANSMISSION SHIFT…
08V634000 · Dec 2, 2008
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
GM IS RECALLING 77 MY 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU HYBRID VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 103, "WINDSHIELD DEFROSTING AND DEFOGGING SYSTEM." THE HEATING, VENTILATION, AND AIRCONDITIONING (HVAC) SYSTEM MAY BECOME…
Complaints
1,509 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 41, fire flag on 9, injury field 44, deaths field 3. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Other NHTSA names
These names matched the same EPA model but are not included in the headline counts above.
| Name | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| MALIBU HYBRID | 0 | 25 |
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| AQ10001 | Fleet Vehicle Recall Completion Audit · UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Nov 18, 2010 | Dec 28, 2015 |
Safety ratings
NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here.
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Malibu · 2.4L · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 22 | 33 | 26 | — | — | $2,600 |
| Malibu · 2.4L · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 22 | 30 | 25 | — | — | $2,700 |
| Malibu · 3.5L · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 18 | 29 | 22 | — | — | $3,050 |
| Malibu · 3.6L · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 17 | 26 | 20 | — | — | $3,350 |
| Malibu Hybrid · 2.4L · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline · Hybrid | 26 | 34 | 29 | — | — | $2,300 |
| Malibu · 3.5L · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline · FFV | 19 | 29 | 23 | — | — | $2,900 |
Open this model year in the fuel-cost calculator. The calculator starts with no fuel price filled in.
Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2009 Chevrolet Malibu at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.