2009 Chevrolet Malibu Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 31about this part
- Share
- 2%of 1,510 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 62,500miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 31 complaints about the body and structure of the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu, 2% of the 1,510 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 62,500 miles. 5 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The doors on my 2009 chevy Malibu do not open no matter what I do with the locks this is a safety issue if I was in an accident I would not be able to get out of the vehicle the problem has gone on and off for the last year and sometimes they won't work and sometimes they will work. I have seen many complaints about this issue and think it should be addressed as a serious safety issue”
NHTSA complaint #11210059, filed 2019-05, 65,000 miles“Rear passenger side door does not unlock unless manually unlocked. Vehicle was sold to me used by cadillac west of las vegas. Upon selling of the vehicle, I was told this was a malfunction and the dealership would fix this. Tried calling once and they refused to do so, saying it was GM's issue. Figured they just sold it as is , wasn't aware that this was so common.”
NHTSA complaint #10577538, filed 2014-04, 24,000 miles“My traction light comes on and stops my whole car and drive extremely slow and my whole just messed up and I need it fixed asap I can't even get to work without my car messing up”
NHTSA complaint #11353290, filed 2020-09, 228,600 miles“I've had this terrible smell in the car so I went exploring to see what it could be. I opened the trunks and noticed some mold so I lifted the liner and my wheel well was filled up with water. After some more exploration, I found the floorboard in the back seat to be sopping wet.”
NHTSA complaint #10522651, filed 2013-07, 63,000 miles“I was traveling wb ih-30 west of e. Grand ave in the hov lane. A car was stopped in front of me due to heavy traffic. I was coming to a stop. A truck rear ended me due coming into the hov lane very fast, made contact with me from behind knocking me into the car in front of me. When the truck hit me, he smashed the whole back end forcing the back windshield to break and my face hit the steering wheel causing severe bruising around my left eye. My air bags did not deploy when the truck crashed into me.”
NHTSA complaint #10576668, filed 2014-04, 105,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10250244Jan 18, 2024This preliminary informational (PI) bulletin provides information to dealership personnel which may be helpful when addressing underbody component corrosion with customers.
- 10235561Apr 4, 2023This preliminary informational (PI) bulletin provides information to dealership personnel which may be helpful when addressing underbody component corrosion with customers.
- 10213818May 31, 2022This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an unusual noise and is difficult to identify, isolate or pinpoint…
- 10213768Jan 27, 2022This preliminary informational bulletin provides information on Damaged, Disassembled or Improperly Packaged Turbochargers Returned to Warranty Part Center.
- 10197294May 12, 2021This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an unusual noise and is difficult to identify, isolate or pinpoint…
Body and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2 | 3% |
| 2022 | 2 | 2% |
| 2021 | 2 | 2% |
| 2020 | 2 | 1% |
| 2019 | 2 | 1% |
| 2018 | 7 | 1% |
| 2017 | 19 | 3% |
| 2016 | 40 | 5% |
| 2015 | 13 | 5% |
| 2014 | 11 | 3% |
| 2013 | 25 | 3% |
| 2012 | 16 | 2% |
| 2011 | 19 | 2% |
| 2010 | 44 | 3% |
| 2009 | 31 | 2% |
| 2008 | 21 | 2% |
| 2007 | 6 | 1% |
| 2006 | 6 | 1% |
| 2005 | 12 | 1% |
| 2004 | 8 | 1% |
| 2003 | 9 | 2% |
| 2002 | 12 | 2% |
| 2001 | 14 | 2% |
| 2000 | 25 | 3% |
| 1999 | 20 | 3% |
| 1998 | 18 | 2% |
| 1997 | 13 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu
769 complaintsElectrical system
368 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 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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