AI Damage2009 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid: common problems
Owners of the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid filed 25 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electronic stability control and steering. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 25
- involving a crash
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Electronic stability control 24% of all complaints
- 2 Steering 24% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 20% of all complaints
- 4 Powertrain 20% of all complaints
- 5 Service brakes 12% of all complaints
- 6 Air bags 8% of all complaints
- 7 Engine 8% of all complaints
- 8 Equipment 4% of all complaints
- Electronic stability control: 6 complaints (24% of all).
- Steering: 6 complaints (24% of all).
- Electrical system: 5 complaints (20% of all).
- Powertrain: 5 complaints (20% of all).
- Service brakes: 3 complaints (12% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 25 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electronic stability control | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 2 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The air bags did not deploy. The contact sustained injuries as a result. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic for diagnosis. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that they would further assess the failure. The failure and the current mileage was 23,000. Updated 08/30/2012
Consumer writes in regards to transmission slipping. The consumer stated the vehicle experienced numerous issues. The dashboard warned to service the traction control and hybrid.
The contact mentioned that the steering wheel violently vibrated when the failure occurred. The vehicle was towed to gr chevrolet buick gmc cadillac ([address], stanleytown, [ZIP], [phone]), but the cause of the failure could not be determined. The vehicle was not repaired.
This morning on my way to work I experienced the most scariest moment, when I was in motion making a left turn midway on a busy intersection my steering wheel locked making me unable to control it ,while locked the (tsc) lights came on , I was freaking out I was heading towards the other cars on my right side turning…
Power steering goes out and traction control light and service esc message comes on. If I turn car off and back on the error message goes away and power steering is restored till it happens again. Happened yesterday on highway suddenly I had no steering.
Beginning in dec/jan of 2016/2017 I began having major issues with my power steering where it would stop while I wasn't driving but also when I was driving. The steering wheel will start to aggressively shake and my traction control would cut off. It got to the point I couldn't even drive my vehicle.
My electronic or electric power steering goes out in the middle of driving with my children in the car a 1 year old daughter and 3 year old son not safe at all. Very difficult to drive I already have to other recalls on this car but I noticed other exact same model of cars have the same issue and have been recalled…
Low engine light came on with service engine light as well. Turned around and drove home going no more than roughly 10-15 mph.the next day I planned to take it to get checked out and the car ran fine and engine light was off.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 7,449 of 36,659 model years in the NHTSA data (top 20% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Malibu Hybrid has 13 complaints (7 years in the data). This year has 25, above average.
What to check before buying
- Electronic stability control. ABS/ESC sensors, steering angle, codes after suspension repair.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electronic stability control, steering, electrical system. Total complaints: 25. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: steering or power steering problems (24%), warning lights, check engine (20%), stalls while driving (12%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2009 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-06.