2009 Chevrolet Malibu lighting 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 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
2. 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
3. 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
4. Filed Dec 25, 2023MIBrakesLighting

   I have a 2009 chevy malibu that is under the NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V252000. The recall fix on this vehicle was performed but did not fix the issue and when contacting the local gm dealerships (multiple ones) I was told that the recall was closed on this vehicle and they refused to help at all. this is a very deadly issue the brake lights staying on until you press the brake pedal then they go out when stopped can cause a fatal accident these vehicles need to be properly…

   NHTSA complaint #11561759 · source
5. 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
6. Filed Nov 7, 2022104,000 miMSElectrical SystemLightingAcceleration & Cruise Control

   The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to a dealer to be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V252000 (Electrical System, Exterior Lighting, Vehicle Speed Control, Electronic Stability Control). The contact stated that after the repair, the failure persisted. The contact took the vehicle back to the dealer where the starter and PCV hose were replaced; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the…

   NHTSA complaint #11492633 · source
7. Filed Oct 25, 2022104,000 miMSDriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical SystemLighting

   The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that in 2017 the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V252000 (Electrical System, Exterior Lighting, Vehicle Speed Control, Electronic Stability Control) however, the brake lights would illuminate randomly without the brake pedal being depressed. The contact stated that the brake lights would fail to illuminate whenever the brake pedal was depressed. The failure recurred at various speeds. The…

   NHTSA complaint #11490852 · source
8. Filed Apr 19, 2022181,326 miTXLighting

   The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, the brake lights would illuminate briefly but for a shorter period than the normal time duration. Additionally, the brake lights would illuminate spontaneously without depressing the brake pedal. The electronic stability control warning light was illuminated. The contact also stated that the driver’s side lock would malfunction causing the door to remain locked. The vehicle…

   NHTSA complaint #11461309 · source
9. Filed Nov 17, 2021120,000 miMOLighting

   The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the ESC and traction control warning lights illuminated. The contact continued driving to his residence. The contact was informed that while pulling into the driveway, the brake lights were not operational. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the brake sensor and Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) sensor was faulty and needed to be replaced.…

   NHTSA complaint #11440814 · source
10. Filed Jul 7, 2021SCLightingWheels & Tires

    The passenger front light stops working no matter his w many times I fix it. Replaced bulb 3 times within two weeks. Works for 1-2 days then stops. Everyone I know who has a Malibu is having the same problem. The right wheel rubs and makes noise. No matter how many times I have it fixed, no matter how many times I replace the noise continues. Mechanic cannot figure out why.

    NHTSA complaint #11423827 · source
11. Filed Jun 9, 2021151,000 miTNBrakesLighting

    The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the vehicle was included in, and repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 14V252000 (Electrical System, Exterior Lighting, Vehicle Speed Control, Electronic Stability Control). After the vehicle was repaired, the ESP system with the warning light illuminated. Due to the failure, the braking system activated without the brake pedal being depressed. Additionally, on occasions, the brakes failed to operate as…

    NHTSA complaint #11420237 · source
12. Filed Apr 25, 2021199,000 miSDElectrical SystemLightingSteering

    The steering wheel moves back and forth on its own while idling. It gets hard to steer when the traction light comes on. The light above our heads don't work. The brake light comes on while we're driving when i'm not pressing on the brakes. The tire pressure don't work to let us know how much air is in the tire and the tire caution light is on at all times. The front fender on the bottom is broke. We just bought this vehicle last month

    NHTSA complaint #11413851 · 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