2009 Chevrolet Malibu Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 368about this part
- Share
- 24%of 1,510 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 90,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 368 complaints about the electrical system of the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu, 24% of the 1,510 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 90,000 miles. 5 of these say a crash was involved and 5 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“When I bought it worked good for bout 2 days and I started noticing a light would be blinking like the engine light and a light with like a exclamation mark in side of like a bowl and the speed would reduce and then it would just quit even while your in traffic at a stop light ,going up a hill it would do it just when it got ready”
NHTSA complaint #11355033, filed 2020-09, 113,000 miles“Power of steering keeps going out I have to turn my car off and back on just to get it to steer again. Usually happens when I'm backing out of parking spots or driving slow or turning. My headlights wiring harness has a short in it and one of my lights cuts off and on this happens randomly while I'm driving.”
NHTSA complaint #11387093, filed 2021-01, 130,000 miles“I have replaced my passenger side headlight three times now within the last two years. I dont think headlights need to be replaced this often. My passenger headlight will go on and then a little while later will go off. I just recently replaced my headlight two weeks ago and its now doing the same thing...it comes on and later goes off...”
NHTSA complaint #11065478, filed 2018-01, 90,000 miles“While driving the power locks goes off. They go lock and unlock when driving down the road they unlock and lock when wr are at home and the ignition is off. Tge brake ligjts stay on like I am hitting the brake peddle and the cruis control wont work bc the break lights stay on it cuts it off. I have been hearing noises coming from the shifter area a buzzing noise like a wire has crossed.”
NHTSA complaint #11176084, filed 2019-02, 120,000 miles“The power steering goes out and the traction control light comes on and service ESC message comes across the message center. I cannot turn the wheel when this happens. I turn the car off and back on and the light goes out, power steering comes back for a second then the light trips again and it's out again as soon as I turn the wheel. This occurs while driving the vehicle at a slow pace.”
NHTSA complaint #11281826, filed 2019-11, 138,000 milesRelated service bulletins
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- 10244214Sep 21, 2023This informational bulletin provides information for the IPC odometer programming method quick reference guide.
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Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 4 | 33% |
| 2024 | 18 | 41% |
| 2023 | 12 | 17% |
| 2022 | 33 | 33% |
| 2021 | 30 | 33% |
| 2020 | 57 | 29% |
| 2019 | 62 | 32% |
| 2018 | 192 | 27% |
| 2017 | 161 | 23% |
| 2016 | 222 | 26% |
| 2015 | 68 | 25% |
| 2014 | 86 | 25% |
| 2013 | 376 | 45% |
| 2012 | 291 | 32% |
| 2011 | 235 | 24% |
| 2010 | 295 | 22% |
| 2009 | 368 | 24% |
| 2008 | 233 | 24% |
| 2007 | 113 | 12% |
| 2006 | 142 | 13% |
| 2005 | 180 | 18% |
| 2004 | 151 | 13% |
| 2003 | 289 | 51% |
| 2002 | 259 | 46% |
| 2001 | 285 | 40% |
| 2000 | 199 | 22% |
| 1999 | 144 | 18% |
| 1998 | 130 | 13% |
| 1997 | 87 | 20% |
| 1980 | 1 | 20% |
Other parts of the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu
769 complaintsElectronic stability control
255 complaintsExterior lighting
172 complaintsBrakes
153 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
121 complaintsOther or unknown
75 complaintsVehicle speed control
73 complaintsAir bags
62 complaintsEngine
61 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
56 complaintsFuel system
34 complaintsBody and structure
31 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology