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2009 Chevrolet Malibu

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Malibu years

Owner complaints for the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu are substantially higher than the model-year median of 310.5.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

1,200 reports with mileage · 309 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Steering. Review the 768 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 368 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electronic Stability Control (esc). Review the 255 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

41 crash reports9 fire reports31 injury reports

What owners actually said

1,509 reports
51,000 miles · Jul 16, 2013
Latches/locks/linkages

IN THESE CHEVROLET MALIBUS, WHEN THE CAR IS PUT INTO DRIVE THE DOORS LOCK AUTOMATICALLY, WHEN PLACED INTO PARK THE DOORS UNLOCK. WITHOUT WARNING THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS QUIT WORKING AND LEAVE YOUR CAR EITHER LOCKED OR UNLOCKED. IN CASE OF EMERGENCY YOU WILL BE SCRAMBLING TO UNLOCK THE DOOR MANUALLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10525162

Mileage unknown · Jul 11, 2013
Electrical SystemExterior LightingService Brakes

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE BRAKE LIGHTS TURN ON. IF I TOUCH THE BREAKS THEY GO OFF. THIS HAPPENS MOST OFTEN WHEN IT RAINS, SNOWS OR IF DRIVING WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING ON. THE CRUISE CONTROL STOPS WORKING AT THE SAME TIME. I HAVE HAD THIS INTO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP ON THREE OCCASIONS WHERE I HAVE BEEN TOLD "WE HAVE TO EXP…

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WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE BRAKE LIGHTS TURN ON. IF I TOUCH THE BREAKS THEY GO OFF. THIS HAPPENS MOST OFTEN WHEN IT RAINS, SNOWS OR IF DRIVING WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING ON. THE CRUISE CONTROL STOPS WORKING AT THE SAME TIME. I HAVE HAD THIS INTO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP ON THREE OCCASIONS WHERE I HAVE BEEN TOLD "WE HAVE TO EXPERIENCE THIS IN ORDER TO CORRECT IT." I AM AWARE THAT MANY OTHER MALIBU VEHICLES EXPERIENCE THIS AS THERE HAVE BEEN RUMORS OF THIS BECOMING A RECALL FOR MANY MONTHS. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A COUPLE YEARS FOR MY CAR AND I WAS UNDER WARRANTY WHEN I HAD IT IN AND NOT CORRECTED. I TRY NOT TO THINK ABOUT IT NOW THAT IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY, BUT BECAUSE I AM EXPECTING MY FIRST CHILD AND THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN I AM BECOMING MORE WORRIED. WHAT WILL IT TAKE TO GET THIS CORRECTED? HOW COULD THEY PROVE THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS DIDN'T COME ON WHEN SOMEONE STOPPED TO TURN AND THEN WAS HIT? PLEASE HELP! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10524486

Mileage unknown · Jul 10, 2013
Steering

MY CAR WAS UNDER BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY WHEN THE STEERING GEAR WAS REPLACED. NOW THE SAME PART IS GOING BAD AGAIN FOR THE SECOND TIME. TODAY'S DATE 7-10-2013. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10524231

50,000 miles · Jul 10, 2013
Latches/locks/linkagesStructure

THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR ON BOTH REAR DOORS FAIL TO UNLOCK THE DOOR. APPARENTLY THIS IS VERY COMMON IN 2008 AND 2009 MALIBU'S. CONSIDERING THAT MY CHILDREN (AS I AM SURE MANY OTHERS), IT IS UNSAFE TO HAVE VEHICLES DOORS UNLOCK FROM THE OUTSIDE. FURTHER, GIVEN THE PLACEMENT OF THE PHYSICAL NOBS (IN THE FAR REAR) IT IS IMPRACTICA…

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THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR ON BOTH REAR DOORS FAIL TO UNLOCK THE DOOR. APPARENTLY THIS IS VERY COMMON IN 2008 AND 2009 MALIBU'S. CONSIDERING THAT MY CHILDREN (AS I AM SURE MANY OTHERS), IT IS UNSAFE TO HAVE VEHICLES DOORS UNLOCK FROM THE OUTSIDE. FURTHER, GIVEN THE PLACEMENT OF THE PHYSICAL NOBS (IN THE FAR REAR) IT IS IMPRACTICAL TO ALLOW SOMEONE IN THE FRONT SEAT UNLOCK THE REAR DOORS QUICKLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10524197

139,000 miles · Jul 5, 2013
Exterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A BODY SHOP FOR INSPECTION WHERE THE WIRES WERE ADJUSTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT RECENTLY FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN BACK TO THE BODY SHOP. THE FAILURE MILEAGE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A BODY SHOP FOR INSPECTION WHERE THE WIRES WERE ADJUSTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT RECENTLY FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN BACK TO THE BODY SHOP. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

NHTSA ODI #10523252

78,000 miles · Jul 3, 2013
Latches/locks/linkages

I HAVE A CHEVY MALIBU 2009 LAST YEAR ONE BACK PASSENGER DOOR STARTED NOT LOCKING OR UNLOCKING, LATER AFTER THAT ANOTHER ONE AND NOW NONE OF THE DOORS LOCK/UNLOCK AUTOMATICALLY. I DID A SEARCH THIS ONLINE AND IT LOOKS LIKE THEY ARE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINS OF THIS SAME ISSUE. I CONTACTED THE CHEVY SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND THEY STATED…

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I HAVE A CHEVY MALIBU 2009 LAST YEAR ONE BACK PASSENGER DOOR STARTED NOT LOCKING OR UNLOCKING, LATER AFTER THAT ANOTHER ONE AND NOW NONE OF THE DOORS LOCK/UNLOCK AUTOMATICALLY. I DID A SEARCH THIS ONLINE AND IT LOOKS LIKE THEY ARE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINS OF THIS SAME ISSUE. I CONTACTED THE CHEVY SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND THEY STATED THAT THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT IS COVER UNDER WARRANTY NOR THEY HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF REPAIRING IT BECAUSE IS NOT A HAZARDOUS OR A SAFETY ISSUE. FOR ME I BELIEVE THAT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THE CAR IS SUPPOSE TO AUTOMATICALLY LOCK THE DOORS WHEN YOU MOVE INTO DRIVE AND UNLOCK WHEN IS MOVED BACK TO PARK, ALSO IF A CAR IS EQUIP WITH A SECURITY SYSTEM AND I PRESS THE LOCK BUTTON ALL DOORS SHOULD LOCK. CHEVY SERVICE DEPARTMENT CHARGERS $300.00 PER ACTUATOR PLUS THE COST OF LABOR THIS IS A HEAVY PRICE TO PAY, I UNDERSTAND IF ONE GOES BAD BUT HAVING ALL 4 DOORS GO BAD WITHIN MONTHS OF EACH OTHER FOR ME THIS IS A MANUFACTURE DEFECT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10523042

73,000 miles · Jul 1, 2013
Service Brakes

BRAKE LIGHTS MAY NOT COME ON WHEN THE PEDAL IS PRESSED, WHILE AT OTHER TIMES THE LIGHTS ILLUMINATE FOR NO REASON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10522674

63,000 miles · Jul 1, 2013
Structure

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. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10522651

50,000 miles · Jul 1, 2013
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages

DOOR LOCKS RANDOMLY LOCKED AND UNLOCKED. I COULD BE DRIVING OR THE CAR COULD BE PARKED AND THE DOOR LOCKS WOULD GO UP DOWN UP DOWN. IF IT LOCKED, THERE WAS NO WAY TO OPEN IT, I WAS STUCK IN THE CAR. I FELT IT WAS SUCH A HAZARD THAT I JUST HAD TO REMOVE THE FUSE THAT OPERATED THE DOOR LOCKS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10522647

Mileage unknown · Jun 26, 2013
Exterior LightingService Brakes

THE BRAKE LIGHTS ON MY VEHICLE STAY ILLUMINATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS NOT PRESSED. THIS CAUSES OTHER DRIVERS TO THINK THAT I AM BRAKING WHEN I AM NOT. WHEN I PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE BRAKE LIGHT GOES OFF FOR TWO SECONDS AND THEN COMES BACK ON. AFTER RELEASING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE BRAKE LIGHTS STAY ON. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN…

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THE BRAKE LIGHTS ON MY VEHICLE STAY ILLUMINATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS NOT PRESSED. THIS CAUSES OTHER DRIVERS TO THINK THAT I AM BRAKING WHEN I AM NOT. WHEN I PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE BRAKE LIGHT GOES OFF FOR TWO SECONDS AND THEN COMES BACK ON. AFTER RELEASING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE BRAKE LIGHTS STAY ON. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOUR TIMES. THE DEALER HAS REPLACED THE BRAKE POSITION SENSOR TWICE, THE BRAKE CONTROL MODULE, AND THEY PERFORMED A FIX THAT WAS ISSUED THROUGH A TECH BULLETIN FROM GM ABOUT THE ISSUE BY APPLYING DIELECTRIC GREASE TO THE PINS ON THE BRAKE CONTROL MODULE AND CONNECTOR. NONE OF THESE SOLUTIONS HAVE CORRECTED THE ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10521832

Official recalls

5

14V252000 · Electrical System:wiring; Electronic Stability Control (esc); Exterior Lighting:brake Lights; Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch; Vehicle Speed Control:cruise Control

May 14, 2014

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured May 16, 2003, through October 11, 2012, 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured May 26, 2004, through January 4, 2010, and 2007-2010 Saturn Aura vehicles manufactured April 24, 2006, through May 26, 2009. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the Body Control Module (BCM) connection may result in voltage fluctuations in the Brake Apply Sensor (BAS) circuit. These fluctuations can cause one or more of these conditions: the brake lights to illuminate without the brake pedal being pushed; the brake lights to not illuminate when the pedal is pushed; difficulty disengaging the cruise control; moving the gear shifter out of the 'PARK' position without pushing the brake; and disablement of crash avoidance features such as traction control, electronic stability control, and panic braking assist features.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will attach the wiring harness to the BCM with a spacer, apply dielectric lubricant to both the BCM and harness connector and the BAS and harness connector, and will relearn the brake pedal home position, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed an Interim letter to customers on July 14, 2014. The recall began on August 18, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-762-2737 (Pontiac), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). GM's number for this recall is 13036.

Additional source detail variants (5)

Electronic Stability Control (esc)

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured May 16, 2003, through October 11, 2012, 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured May 26, 2004, through January 4, 2010, and 2007-2010 Saturn Aura vehicles manufactured April 24, 2006, through May 26, 2009. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the Body Control Module (BCM) connection may result in voltage fluctuations in the Brake Apply Sensor (BAS) circuit. These fluctuations can cause one or more of these conditions: the brake lights to illuminate without the brake pedal being pushed; the brake lights to not illuminate when the pedal is pushed; difficulty disengaging the cruise control; moving the gear shifter out of the 'PARK' position without pushing the brake; and disablement of crash avoidance features such as traction control, electronic stability control, and panic braking assist features.

Consequence: Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will attach the wiring harness to the BCM with a spacer, apply dielectric lubricant to both the BCM and harness connector and the BAS and harness connector, and will relearn the brake pedal home position, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed an Interim letter to customers on July 14, 2014. The recall began on August 18, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-762-2737 (Pontiac), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). GM's number for this recall is 13036.

Vehicle Speed Control:cruise Control

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured May 16, 2003, through October 11, 2012, 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured May 26, 2004, through January 4, 2010, and 2007-2010 Saturn Aura vehicles manufactured April 24, 2006, through May 26, 2009. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the Body Control Module (BCM) connection may result in voltage fluctuations in the Brake Apply Sensor (BAS) circuit. These fluctuations can cause one or more of these conditions: the brake lights to illuminate without the brake pedal being pushed; the brake lights to not illuminate when the pedal is pushed; difficulty disengaging the cruise control; moving the gear shifter out of the 'PARK' position without pushing the brake; and disablement of crash avoidance features such as traction control, electronic stability control, and panic braking assist features.

Consequence: Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will attach the wiring harness to the BCM with a spacer, apply dielectric lubricant to both the BCM and harness connector and the BAS and harness connector, and will relearn the brake pedal home position, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed an Interim letter to customers on July 14, 2014. The recall began on August 18, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-762-2737 (Pontiac), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). GM's number for this recall is 13036.

Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured May 16, 2003, through October 11, 2012, 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured May 26, 2004, through January 4, 2010, and 2007-2010 Saturn Aura vehicles manufactured April 24, 2006, through May 26, 2009. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the Body Control Module (BCM) connection may result in voltage fluctuations in the Brake Apply Sensor (BAS) circuit. These fluctuations can cause one or more of these conditions: the brake lights to illuminate without the brake pedal being pushed; the brake lights to not illuminate when the pedal is pushed; difficulty disengaging the cruise control; moving the gear shifter out of the 'PARK' position without pushing the brake; and disablement of crash avoidance features such as traction control, electronic stability control, and panic braking assist features.

Consequence: Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will attach the wiring harness to the BCM with a spacer, apply dielectric lubricant to both the BCM and harness connector and the BAS and harness connector, and will relearn the brake pedal home position, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed an Interim letter to customers on July 14, 2014. The recall began on August 18, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-762-2737 (Pontiac), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). GM's number for this recall is 13036.

Exterior Lighting:brake Lights

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured May 16, 2003, through October 11, 2012, 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured May 26, 2004, through January 4, 2010, and 2007-2010 Saturn Aura vehicles manufactured April 24, 2006, through May 26, 2009. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the Body Control Module (BCM) connection may result in voltage fluctuations in the Brake Apply Sensor (BAS) circuit. These fluctuations can cause one or more of these conditions: the brake lights to illuminate without the brake pedal being pushed; the brake lights to not illuminate when the pedal is pushed; difficulty disengaging the cruise control; moving the gear shifter out of the 'PARK' position without pushing the brake; and disablement of crash avoidance features such as traction control, electronic stability control, and panic braking assist features.

Consequence: Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will attach the wiring harness to the BCM with a spacer, apply dielectric lubricant to both the BCM and harness connector and the BAS and harness connector, and will relearn the brake pedal home position, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed an Interim letter to customers on July 14, 2014. The recall began on August 18, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-762-2737 (Pontiac), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). GM's number for this recall is 13036.

Electrical System:wiring

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured May 16, 2003, through October 11, 2012, 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured May 26, 2004, through January 4, 2010, and 2007-2010 Saturn Aura vehicles manufactured April 24, 2006, through May 26, 2009. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the Body Control Module (BCM) connection may result in voltage fluctuations in the Brake Apply Sensor (BAS) circuit. These fluctuations can cause one or more of these conditions: the brake lights to illuminate without the brake pedal being pushed; the brake lights to not illuminate when the pedal is pushed; difficulty disengaging the cruise control; moving the gear shifter out of the 'PARK' position without pushing the brake; and disablement of crash avoidance features such as traction control, electronic stability control, and panic braking assist features.

Consequence: Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will attach the wiring harness to the BCM with a spacer, apply dielectric lubricant to both the BCM and harness connector and the BAS and harness connector, and will relearn the brake pedal home position, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed an Interim letter to customers on July 14, 2014. The recall began on August 18, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-762-2737 (Pontiac), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). GM's number for this recall is 13036.

14V153000 · Steering:electric Power Assist System

Mar 31, 2014

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 and 2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2006 Malibu Maxx, 2009-2010 HHR (non-turbo), 2010 Cobalt, 2008-2009 Saturn Aura and 2004-2007 Ion, and 2005-2009 Pontiac G6. In the affected vehicles, there may be a sudden loss of electric power steering (EPS) assist that could occur at any time while driving.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will perform one of four bulletins. Parts are not currently available. GM expects to send an interim notification around May 28, 2014. When parts are available, owners will be mailed a second letter to come in to have the applicable bulletin applied. Bulletin 14115 covers model year 2004-2007 Saturn Ion, 2009-2010 Chevrolet HHR and 2010 Chevrolet Cobalts. Dealers will replace the EPS motor. Bulletin 14116 covers model year 2004-2006 Chevrolet Malibu and Malibu Maxx, 2005-2006 Pontiac G6 and 2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from March 1, 2008, through June 27, 2008. Dealers will replace the torque sensor assembly. Bulletin 14117 covers model year 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from February 1, 2008, through February 28, 2008. Dealers will replace the torque sensor assembly and EPS motor controller unit. Bulletin 14118 covers model year 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from October 1, 2007, through January 31, 2008. Dealers will replace the EPS motor controller unit. The recall began on July 17, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, Saturn at 1-800-553-6000, and Pontiac at 1-800-620-7668. GM's number for this recall is N140115. Note: GM bulletin number 14119 will be implemented for model year 2006-2008 and early production of 2009 Chevrolet HHR (non-turbo) and model year 2003 Saturn ION to provide EPS Motor replacement for the life of the vehicle.

12V460000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl)

Sep 18, 2012

General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Saturn Aura and model year 2008-2010 Chevrolet Malibu and Pontiac G6 vehicles, equipped with a 4-speed automatic transmission. On these vehicles, the tabs on the transmission shift cable end may fracture and separate.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the tabs were to fracture and separate, the shift lever and the actual position of the transmission gear may not match. The driver would be able to move the shifter to 'PARK' and remove the ignition key, but the transmission gear may not be in 'PARK.' The vehicle may not be able to be restarted and the vehicle could roll away after the driver has exited the vehicle, resulting in a possible crash without prior warning.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install a retainer over the cable end or replace the shift cable as necessary. This service will be performed free of charge. Notification to owners began on on November 9, 2012. Owners were instructed to not bring their vehicles for repair until January 2013. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-521-7300.

09V073000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:column Shift

Mar 6, 2009

GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING 276,729 MY 2009 BUICK ENCLAVE, CHEVROLET COBALT, HHR, MALIBU, TRAVERSE, GMC ACADIA, PONTIAC G5, G6 AND SATURN AURA AND OUTLOOK PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLES SAFETY STANDARD 102, "TRANSMISSION SHIFT POSITION SEQUENCE, STARTER INTERLOCK, AND TRANSMISSION BRAKING EFFECT", AND FMVSS 114, "THEFT PROTECTION AND ROLLAWAY PREVENTION". ON SOME OF THESE VEHICLES, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE ADJUSTMENT CLIP MAY NOT BE FULLY ENGAGED. IF THE CLIP IS NOT FULLY ENGAGED, THE SHIFT LEVER AND THE ACTUAL POSITION OF THE TRANSMISSION GEAR MAY NOT MATCH. WITH THIS CONDITION, THE DRIVE COULD MOVE THE SHIFTER TO "PARK" AND REMOVE THE IGNITION KEY, BUT THE TRANSMISSION GEAR MAY NOT BE IN "PARK".

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE COULD ROLL AWAY AFTER THE DRIVER HAS EXITED THE VEHICLE, RESULTING IN A POSSIBLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND ENSURE THAT THE SHIFT CABLE ADJUSTMENT CLIP IS FULLY ENGAGED. IN THE EVENT THAT THE CLIP DOES NOT ENGAGE, THE SHIFT CABLE WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE MARCH 24, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668 AND SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876 OR AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

08V634000 · Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System

Dec 2, 2008

GM IS RECALLING 77 MY 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU HYBRID VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 103, "WINDSHIELD DEFROSTING AND DEFOGGING SYSTEM." THE HEATING, VENTILATION, AND AIRCONDITIONING (HVAC) SYSTEM MAY BECOME INOPERATIVE. IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, THE BLOWER WOULD NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY AND THE MODE SELECTOR WOULD REMAIN IN THE LAST KNOWN SETTING.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE WINDSHIELD BEGAN TO FOG OR FROST, THERE MAY NOT BE ENOUGH AIRFLOW TO CLEAR THE WINDSHIELD, RESULTING IN REDUCED DRIVER VISIBILITY AND A POSSIBLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE HVAC CONTROL HEAD MODULE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON DECEMBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE AT <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM>HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM</A> .

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

AQ10001 · Fleet Vehicle Recall Completion Audit

Opened Nov 18, 2010 · Closed Dec 28, 2015

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Unknown Or Other

On November 18, 2010, NHTSA's Recall Management Division (RMD) opened an audit query (AQ10-001) to investigate recall remedy completion by rental car companies on safety recall campaigns.It was expected to provide the agency an indication of how completely and how quickly rental car fleets perform necessary recall-related remedies on the vehicles owned and then rented/leased for use on the roadways.RMD queried three (3) major motor vehicle manufacturers (Ford, Chrysler, and General Motors) and requested data regarding completion figures for fifteen (15) discreet safety recalls.Analysis of this data demonstrated that rental car recalls completion was neither complete nor consistent.The rental car companies representing the largest market share in the industry were then queried as to their respective policies for the rental, lease, and sale of vehicles with open recalls.The data and responses from the manufacturers and the rental car companies can be found in the document repository by accessing the ?Associated Documents link above.In December 2015, Congress enacted the Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act.One section of the Act prohibits rental car companies from renting, leasing, or selling motor vehicles subject to open safety recalls.With the passage of the FAST Act and its prohibition, there is no continuing need for the agency to investigate rental car recall completions.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The agency reserves the right to open any future investigations, including audits of individual recalls, or groups of recalls, or rental car companies, to examine more closely safety recalls performance and completion issues in this area.