YearToAvoid

2009 Chevrolet Malibu Engine Problems

NHTSA has 133 owner complaints about engine problems in the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu, 9% of all 1,509 complaints for this model year. That is #9 highest engine complaint count among 21 Malibu model years. These complaints report 1 crash, 1 fire, and 1 injury. Median mileage at failure: 93,000 miles.

Engine complaints
133
9% of 1,509
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
1
Median mileage
93,000 mi
Related recalls
0

When 2009 Chevrolet Malibu engine complaints were filed

First complaint Jun 26, 2010, latest Nov 30, 2024.

2009 Chevrolet Malibu engine complaints: complaints filed per quarter132010 Q22012 Q32014 Q12015 Q32017 Q12018 Q32020 Q12021 Q4
133 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2010 Q2 to 2024 Q4; peak 2015 Q1 (13).

Engine recalls for the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by Malibu model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 200592 (9%)
  2. 200688 (8%)
  3. 200763 (6%)
  4. 2008109 (11%)
  5. 2009133 (9%)
  6. 2010222 (16%)
  7. 2011223 (23%)
  8. 2012144 (16%)
  9. 2013229 (27%)
  10. 2014137 (39%)
  11. 201581 (30%)
  12. 2016373 (45%)
  13. 2017314 (45%)
  14. 2018339 (49%)
  15. 201970 (37%)
  16. 202070 (35%)
  17. 202114 (16%)
  18. 202236 (37%)
  19. 202318 (26%)
  20. 20244 (10%)
  21. 20250 (0%)

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu have engine problems?
NHTSA has 133 owner complaints about the engine in the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu, 9% of all complaints for this model year, including 1 that report a crash. Median mileage at failure is 93,000 miles.
Which Chevrolet Malibu year has the most engine complaints?
The 2016 Chevrolet Malibu has the most engine complaints (373), compared with 133 for the 2009.
Is there a engine recall for the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu?
No NHTSA recall campaign for the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu is classified under engine. Complaints alone do not trigger a recall; check the full recall list and your VIN.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.