2009 Chevrolet Malibu Transmission & Powertrain Problems
NHTSA has 121 owner complaints about transmission problems in the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu, 8% of all 1,509 complaints for this model year. That is #5 highest transmission complaint count among 21 Malibu model years. These complaints report 2 crashes and 1 fire. Median mileage at failure: 88,000 miles.
- Transmission & Powertrain complaints
- 121
- 8% of 1,509
- Crashes reported
- 2
- Fires reported
- 1
- Injuries reported
- 0
- Median mileage
- 88,000 mi
- Related recalls
- 2
When 2009 Chevrolet Malibu transmission complaints were filed
First complaint Apr 20, 2009, latest Jul 13, 2023.
Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu
- NHTSA 12V460000Sep 18, 2012Transmission & Powertrain426,240 vehicles
Power train:automatic transmission:gear position indication (prndl)
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.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 09V073000Mar 6, 2009Transmission & Powertrain276,729 vehicles
Power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:column shift
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".
Risk: 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.
Transmission & Powertrain complaints by Malibu model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- Does the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu have transmission problems?
- NHTSA has 121 owner complaints about the transmission in the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu, 8% of all complaints for this model year, including 2 that report a crash. Median mileage at failure is 88,000 miles.
- Which Chevrolet Malibu year has the most transmission complaints?
- The 2018 Chevrolet Malibu has the most transmission complaints (170), compared with 121 for the 2009.
- Is there a transmission recall for the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu?
- Yes — 2 NHTSA recall campaigns for the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu concern the transmission: 12V460000 and 09V073000.