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Vehicle speed controlPart report

2009 Chevrolet Malibu Vehicle speed control Problems

Complaints
73about this part
Share
5%of 1,511 total for the year
Median mileage
82,500miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 73 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu, 5% of the 1,511 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 82,500 miles.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“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

“My steering wheel aggressively shakes when I'm in park, at slow speeds and at higher speeds. The 'ESC off' displays on the dash and I lose power steering. This use to happen rarely, but now it is almost every time I start my vehicle. Even when I'm able to start the vehicle without this warning displaying, it is still very difficult to control the vehicle at any speed due to the shaking. This started 3 years ago and has gotten progressively worse since.”

NHTSA complaint #11405279, filed 2021-03, 150,000 miles

“Service ESC light comes on &power steering goes out. Happens over and over randomly. Dealership told me it was a battery issue since the power steering is electrical, however I replaced the battery and the issue persists. After searching the internet I saw a ton of other chevy Malibu owners have the exact same issue.”

NHTSA complaint #10691053, filed 2015-02, 115,000 miles

“When driving my 2009 Malibu my brake lights will come on. When tapping the brake they go off, but when I need to use the brake no lights show. When this happens my service ESC and service traction lights also come on. Im getting very aggravated, I have only owned this car since june 2012, and constantly having problems.”

NHTSA complaint #10514874, filed 2013-06, 72,000 miles

“When starting my car, I attempt to take it out of park and I need to step on my brakes as if I am slamming them just to move my car out of park. My brake lights are reversed, I noticed this at night when a car almost hit me. I thought it was the brake sensor so I changed it and that didn't fix the issue. Since then 3 cars have almost hit me because of this braking issue. While driving my traction light also comes on, it states 'service traction, service ESC' and makes my car shake.”

NHTSA complaint #11202885, filed 2019-04, 207,000 miles

Vehicle speed control: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202412%
202323%
202244%
202111%
2020189%
2019126%
201811416%
201713519%
201615218%
20152810%
2014175%
2013283%
2012526%
2011879%
20101169%
2009735%
2008424%
2007313%
2006353%
2005273%
2004272%
20038515%
200261%
2001253%
2000212%
199971%
1998222%
1997133%

Other parts of the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu

Steering
769 complaints
Electrical system
368 complaints
Electronic stability control
255 complaints
Exterior lighting
172 complaints
Brakes
153 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
121 complaints
Other or unknown
75 complaints
Air bags
63 complaints
Engine
61 complaints
Latches, locks and linkages
56 complaints
Fuel system
34 complaints
Body 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 Nov 1, 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