The Lemon Index2009 Chevrolet Malibu.
The 2009 Chevrolet Malibu is about average by owner complaints: 119 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 92, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about transmission & drivetrain, it has 6 recalls, and it gets 20 to 29 mpg combined. The best Chevrolet Malibu year is 2022.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 1,534 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Chevrolet Malibu year. 2009 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 64K to 135K miles on the car (1,216 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- steering complaints mostly came at 89K–155K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 58K–125K miles
- stability control complaints mostly came at 82K–152K miles
Recalls 6
- steering 2014
The affected steering shafts may have a yoke that inadequately supports the u-joint bearing resulting in a premature failure.
- electrical 2014
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.
- steering 2014
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.
Show all 6 recalls
- transmission & drivetrain 2012
On these vehicles, the tabs on the transmission shift cable end may fracture and separate.
- transmission & drivetrain 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.
- visibility 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, VENTILA…
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Chevy told dealers about
Chevy sent dealers 1098 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Malfunction indicator lamp on-check engine light; engine cranks, do not start, harsh or no…
- On some of these vehicles, transient voltage surges from the engine cooling fans may be
- An automatic transmission concern of no movement, no reverse or slipping
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedFleet vehicle recall completion audit2010–2015
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $2200–3200 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.4L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
My 2009 chevy Malibu has as severe steering bias to the left that the manufacturer has been unable to fix.
2009 Chevrolet Malibu owner · NHTSA complaint 10268594
More owner reports
Vehicle would not recognize that vehicle was in park.
NHTSA complaint 10403827
Quick answers
Is the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew about the average number of complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 92; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Chevrolet Malibu year by this measure is 2022.
What are the most common 2009 Chevrolet Malibu problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (20%), steering (18%) and electrical (14%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu have?
6 safety recalls (latest: steering). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu get?
20 to 29 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2009 Chevrolet Malibu problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 64,000 and 135,000 miles. The middle report was at 99,900 miles, from 1,216 complaints.
Does the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 20% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu cost in fuel a year?
About $2200 to $3200 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu have?
2.4L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl.
What Chevrolet Malibu year is better than the 2009?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2022, 2014 and 2015.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works