Model year guide

2009 Chevrolet Malibu

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 435 on record.

2009 Chevrolet Malibu — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2009 Chevrolet Malibu at a glance

Safety recalls6
Owner complaints1,509
Combined23 mpg
Typical price$6,548

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2009 Chevrolet Malibu recalls 6

Electrical System:wiring NHTSA Campaign #14V252000 · 14/05/2014

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 vehicle…

Fix: 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 le…

Steering:electric Power Assist System NHTSA Campaign #14V153000 · 31/03/2014

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.

Fix: 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 …

Steering NHTSA Campaign #14E044000 · 21/07/2014

Dorman Products, Inc. (Dorman) is recalling certain replacement intermediate steering shafts sold under the Dorman, OE Solutions, and Solutions brand names, part numbers 425-167, 2425167, and 7-3074, for installation on 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6, and 2007-2009 Saturn Aura vehicles. The affected steering shafts may have a yoke that inadequately supports the u-joint bearing resulting in a prema…

Fix: Dorman will notify owners, and dealers will refund the purchase price or replace the steering shafts, free of charge. The recall began in September 2014. Owners may contact Dorman customer service at 1-800-523-2492.

Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl) NHTSA Campaign #12V460000 · 18/09/2012

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.

Fix: 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 20…

Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:column Shift NHTSA Campaign #09V073000 · 06/03/2009

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 T…

Fix: 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 A…

Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System NHTSA Campaign #08V634000 · 02/12/2008

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.

Fix: 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> .

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2009 Chevrolet Malibu common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 1,509 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Traction Control System
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

2009 Chevrolet Malibu safety ratings

Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu 4-DR w/SAB. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

2009 Chevrolet Malibu MPG & running costs

Combined23 mpg
City20 mpg
Highway29 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,670

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu worth?

Low
$4,200
Typical price
$6,548
High
$8,900

From 432 comparable 2009 Chevrolet Malibu listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$13,350
Depreciation (5 yrs)$4,500
Total$17,850
Per mile$0.24

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($6,548) with the same model 5 model-years older ($2,027), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2009 Chevrolet Malibu trims & engines on record

Trims
LS · LT1 · LT2 · LTZ · Fleet · LT/2LT · LT/1LT · BAS Hybrid
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl · 3.6L 6-cyl · 3.5L 6-cyl

2009 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles on record

Other Chevrolet Malibu model years

2009 Chevrolet Malibu — frequently asked questions

Does the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls for the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu?

Based on 1,509 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are steering, electrical system, air bags.

What is the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu crash-test ratings of frontal 5★, side 5★ (out of 5; this model year pre-dates NHTSA's overall score).

What gas mileage does the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu at about 23 mpg combined (20 city / 29 highway).

How much is a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu worth?

Comparable 2009 Chevrolet Malibu listings run roughly $4,200–$8,900, typically around $6,548 (from 432 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.