Chevrolet Malibu HybridModel year report

2009 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid Problems

Complaints: 25filed with NHTSA
Median mileage: 59,000miles, 21 complaints with mileage
Recalls: 0campaigns on record
Trend: StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating: —overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy: 29 mpgcombined, 2.4L 4-cyl · hybrid FWD · 26 city / 34 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 25 consumer complaints for the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid. The part named most often is electronic stability control, with 6 complaints (24% of the total), followed by steering (6) and electrical system (5). 21 of the complaints include a mileage, and 43% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 59,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 186 technical service bulletins for this model year. Steering complaints overlap with 6 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Body and structure (1), Vehicle speed control (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).

Example complaints

Electronic stability control: “Takata recall: I don't know if I'm doing this right but my car's warning system alerted me that the ESC was turned off and to service ESC , this always happens while driving my car, never stationary.it's an intermittent problem but one that is mentioned as a recall for my make, model and year. When I search my VIN I get no alerts on recalls for my specific vehicle but wanted to be sire it wasn't skipped or missed. …”

NHTSA complaint #11195403, filed 2019-04, 95,000 miles

Steering: “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 but my car and VIN # is not listed on the recall but have exactly the same issues as others.”

NHTSA complaint #11063523, filed 2018-01, 10,119 miles

Electrical system: “There is a recall of my vehicles battery hybrid pack. I brought in the car 2 weeks ago b/c the engine ceases and restarts by itself and jerks forward at every stop sign and red light. The dealer said today that the parts wont be in for another 2 weeks. The car is hazardous to drive and they wont give me a loaner.”

NHTSA complaint #10357191, filed 2010-09, 14,900 miles

Transmission and drivetrain: “My car feels like it is almost going to stall out whenever I accelerate from a stop. This has become very dangerous for me when crossing and intersection from a stop. I have almost been hit several times. I am not sure, but I think it has to do with the hybrid system. This usually only happens when the air conditioner is on, but I have experienced it with it off too. Now, whenever I come to a stop and try to accelerate, I have to push the gas pedal all the way to the floor because if I do that, it doesn't feel like its going to stall out near as bad. …”

NHTSA complaint #10464366, filed 2012-07, 18,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

43% of the 21 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 17,588 and 126,000 miles.

Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (21 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 59,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

Version	Overall	Frontal	Side	Side pole	Rollover
Malibu Hybrid · sedan FWD	not rated	5 / 5	—	—	—

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2009 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

Version	Engine	Transmission	City	Hwy	Comb.	Fuel / yr
Malibu Hybrid FWD	2.4L 4-cyl · hybrid	4-speed automatic	26	34	29	$2,300

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 186 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

11023091Sep 9, 2025Other or unknown. New Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH
11021792Aug 7, 2025Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming…
11020816Jul 18, 2025Other or unknown. This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.
11019074May 30, 2025Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
11019073May 30, 2025Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
11019072May 30, 2025Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
11009531Sep 27, 2024Engine. This service bulletin provides information for maintenance cleaning of the fuel injectors and gasoline detergent additive.
11009088Sep 16, 2024Transmission and drivetrain. This service bulletin provides information on some vehicles that may rock or move slightly forward or rearward while in Park at start up after cold soak. This condition may be accompanied by a clunk…
11008956Sep 9, 2024Other or unknown. This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on When and How to Submit a Field Product Report (FPR) (U.S. and Canada Dealers Only).
11007208Sep 6, 2024Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about changing the tire and wheel size on vehicles. General Motors will only support a tire calibration for tires…

See all 186 bulletins →

Other model years of the Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid

Year	Complaints	Median mi	Recalls	Crash ★	MPG	Score (50 = typical)	Trend
2018	11	45,174	0	—	46	—	Not enough data
2017	22	14,725	0	—	46	—	Falling
2016	24	28,609	1	—	46	—	Stable
2009	25	59,000	0	—	29	Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years)	Stable
2008	7	70,580	0	—	27	—	Not enough data

All Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid have?

NHTSA recorded 25 consumer complaints for the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid is reported most often?

Electronic stability control is named most often, in 6 complaints (24% of the total), followed by steering with 6.

Has the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid been recalled?

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid get?

The EPA rates the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid (Malibu Hybrid, 2.4L 4-cyl · hybrid) at 29 mpg combined, 26 city and 34 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,300 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid reported?

Among the 21 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 59,000 miles and the middle half falls between 17,588 and 126,000 miles; 43% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.