2009 Chevrolet Malibu electrical system problems

Related recalls

• Recall 14V252000May 14, 20142,440,524 vehicles
  ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING · ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) · EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS · EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH · 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.

  Risk: 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.

What owners say

1. Filed Feb 11, 2026234,000 miOKElectrical System

   Odometer Fraud. The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was approximately 120,000 however, the contact researched and discovered in a Carfax Report that the mileage was approximately 234,000. The contact stated that the vehicle had several issues, leading the contact believe that the odometer had been tampered with. The contact stated that…

   NHTSA complaint #11717364 · source
2. Filed Feb 6, 2026VAElectrical SystemSteering

   Driving down the interstate I noticed the steering wheel lightly jumping intermittently like it wanted to take control and turn itself. A few minutes later the power steering completely went out and the dash board display ESC OFF, Power Steering. I had no control of the vehicle. After turning the car off and then back on it would go away but happen later. Tried the recommended disconnect of the battery and hard restart and it would be fine for a little bit but happen again.…

   NHTSA complaint #11716287 · source
3. Filed Jan 12, 2026MOElectrical SystemSteering

   So just recently I was on my way home from my parents house, and I take a highway to get there from my home. It’s a direct shot, fastest way to get to and from. I was merging right to get in the turn lane to the highway I take, and I heard a click, and my steering wheel felt like it locked up. I look at the dash, and see it says “power steering” and then “ESC OFF”. The turn to merge onto the highway is a pretty sharp turn over a very steep hill. I had to force the steering…

   NHTSA complaint #11710398 · source
4. Filed Jun 28, 2025SCElectrical SystemSteering

   The power steering keeps going in and out and the vehicle only has 85,000 miles on it. I also keep having weird electrical issues. I had to replace my headlight wiring harnesses as well as my taillights harnesses. But the power steering issue is coming from the rack and pinion. The steering wheel will shake while sitting still and the power steering will completely go out basically every other time I turn the car on.

   NHTSA complaint #11669989 · source
5. Filed Nov 24, 2024SCElectrical SystemAcceleration & Cruise ControlSteering

   I've been trying to fix the car I've put alternator new starter wires everything you can think of new fuses and the esc light burnt out 2 brand new battery's I've lost my job because it's unfixable almost killed after the power steering went out because of what's going on with this problem I can't fix it I've spent over 1000 trying to find the problem.

   NHTSA complaint #11627060 · source
6. Filed Oct 31, 2024KYBrakesElectrical SystemLighting

   While driving at night with the lights on, the rear taillights are bright all the time. when you press the brake pedal, the rear taillights go dim or completely dark. brake lights are working opposite what they should be doing. Fixed once with local mechanic. Fixed second time at dealership with a 'technical service bulletin' and now it is having the same problem for third time.

   NHTSA complaint #11622953 · source
7. Filed Aug 5, 202485,000 miWIElectrical SystemLightingAcceleration & Cruise Control

   The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the brake pedal was depressed, and the lights became inoperable. When the brake pedal was released, the lights returned to normal functionality. The contact also stated that the cruise control failed to engage as needed. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, and it was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V252000 (Electrical System,…

   NHTSA complaint #11606468 · source
8. Filed Mar 4, 2024170,000 miPAElectrical SystemLighting

   The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving and depressing the brake pedal, the third brake light failed to illuminate intermittently. Additionally, the contact stated that the third brake light would randomly illuminate while driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the third brake light was defective. Additionally, the local dealer and an unknown dealer were notified of the failure. The…

   NHTSA complaint #11575379 · source
9. Filed Feb 21, 2024NYAirbagsElectrical SystemSteering

   I brought car told dealer of air bag light on to service and tire monitor light I had my steering lock and ESC light on dealership did nothing to comply to safety of this called don't return calls

   NHTSA complaint #11573159 · source
10. Filed Nov 21, 2023NYElectrical SystemLightingWheels & Tires

    Having problems with my rear stop lights, traction control/ indicator light, ECS/ indicator light. When driving center brake light remains on but when I need to apply brakes they go off, lights on dashboard have been on since I purchased the vehicle which were never addressed the only light addressed was the check engine light. All other issues were voided being that they let me drive down to N.C. knowing it would void my warranty with them after putting 1 thousand miles on…

    NHTSA complaint #11556239 · source
11. Filed Oct 25, 2023TXBrakesElectrical System

    Per GM July2014 recall 13036 This issue with the BCM has caused my rear window break lights to function the opposite of how they are to work. I continue to experience Service ESC and Traction Control messages while driving the car. This is the second issue I have had since the recall. Per the recall, it is for the owners safety. I cannot take this chance and I need to have GM revisit the original recall and note it has not resolved the issue for my car. I fear I will be hit…

    NHTSA complaint #11551880 · source
12. Filed Sep 20, 2023OKElectrical SystemEngineAcceleration & Cruise Control

    My car is having issues driving over 60miles per hr, I have to keep pressing the gas to get the car to move, the car battery is dead and won’t turn on, I got the car repaired twice and the second time I got it repaired, it just was even worse then before . The car smells like gas , the salesman only told me that I needed a value cover gasket and he had someone repair it , but when I went to auto zone , it was still cracked, I have a oil leak and my car eats up gas.

    NHTSA complaint #11545541 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology