2009 Chevrolet Malibu steering problems

Related recalls

• Recall 14V153000Mar 31, 20141,373,177 vehicles
  STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

  General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 and 2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2006 Malibu Maxx, 2009-2010 HHR (non-turbo), 2010 Cobalt, 2008-2009 Saturn Aura and 2004-2007 Ion, and 2005-2009 Pontiac G6. In the affected vehicles, there may be a sudden loss of electric power steering (EPS) assist that could occur at any time while driving.

  Risk: 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.

  Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will perform one of four bulletins. Parts are not currently available. GM expects to send an interim notification around May 28, 2014. When parts are available, owners will be mailed a second letter to come in to have the applicable bulletin applied. Bulletin 14115 covers model year 2004-2007 Saturn Ion, 2009-2010 Chevrolet HHR and 2010 Chevrolet Cobalts. Dealers will replace the EPS motor. Bulletin 14116 covers model year 2004-2006 Chevrolet Malibu and Malibu Maxx, 2005-2006 Pontiac G6 and 2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from March 1, 2008, through June 27, 2008. Dealers will replace the torque sensor assembly. Bulletin 14117 covers model year 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from February 1, 2008, through February 28, 2008. Dealers will replace the torque sensor assembly and EPS motor controller unit. Bulletin 14118 covers model year 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from October 1, 2007, through January 31, 2008. Dealers will replace the EPS motor controller unit. The recall began on July 17, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, Saturn at 1-800-553-6000, and Pontiac at 1-800-620-7668. GM's number for this recall is N140115. Note: GM bulletin number 14119 will be implemented for model year 2006-2008 and early production of 2009 Chevrolet HHR (non-turbo) and model year 2003 Saturn ION to provide EPS Motor replacement for the life of the vehicle.

What owners say

1. Filed Jun 20, 2026OHSteering

   The power steering motor failed ,ESC , TRACTION and power steeringg lights came on, i am a woman and coould NOT control the car and my safety and others was at risk for an accident or crash ,there was nothing prior to this just suddenly loosing control of my car and a very scary position to be in , yes the chevy dealer has the component.I know ther was a recall on this problem and other s beside myself are still having this problem so with the low milage on this car this…

   NHTSA complaint #11745342 · source
2. Filed Mar 12, 202670,560 miILSteering

   The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel failed to turn in the intended direction. Additionally, the traction and power steering assist motor warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with power steering assist failure. The contact was informed that the power steering assist motor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not…

   NHTSA complaint #11723819 · source
3. Filed Mar 4, 2026INSteering

   I was cruise control 80mph and my.power steering went out. Esc power steering warning on dash. Car is incredibly hard to steer. When I turn car off and back on it might go away for a few minutes but then come.back randomly in a scary scenarios. Thing is a death trap.

   NHTSA complaint #11721895 · source
4. Filed Feb 23, 2026111,000 miAZSteering

   The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel failed to turn in the intended direction. In addition, the contact noticed a vibrating and clicking sound coming from the steering wheel. The “Service ESC” warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was turned off and restarted, and the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was purchased. The vehicle was diagnosed with a…

   NHTSA complaint #11719861 · source
5. Filed Feb 10, 2026107,000 miNYDriver Assistance & Safety TechSteering

   The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while the vehicle was idling, it lost power steering functionality. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and restarted the vehicle, and the power steering functionality returned. The failure reoccurred every mile while driving, requiring the driver to pull over to the side of the road to restart the vehicle. The power steering, ESC, and the traction control warning lights were illuminated. The…

   NHTSA complaint #11716945 · source
6. 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
7. Filed Jan 20, 2026KYSteering

   Power steering has failed. There are numerous complaints for these model and year cars. There has also been recalls for certain VIN numbers but not all. Very unsafe!

   NHTSA complaint #11712023 · source
8. 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
9. Filed Dec 21, 2025KYSteering

   Power steering went out and Esc warning came on the dash . This has happened multiple times mostly while sitting at idle. Turned off car and restarted and it was corrected. This is becoming more frequent.

   NHTSA complaint #11706421 · source
10. Filed Dec 3, 2025MOSteering

    The power steering fails and SERVICE ESC is displayed on the dash. This has been happening intermittently on my daughter’s car and she struggles to control the vehicle when it loses power steering. A quick internet search revealed is a known issue and is extremely dangerous. Please consider recall immediately.

    NHTSA complaint #11702817 · source
11. Filed Dec 1, 2025WASteering

    power steering will shut off when moving at slow speeds or when stopped with car running such as at a stop light. warning lights will flash. Saw that there was a recall in 2014 for the same issue and was never informed. when checking recall alerts, i don't see my VIN however i am having the same issues as the recall.

    NHTSA complaint #11702382 · source
12. Filed Nov 19, 2025INSteering

    The power steering went out while driving and is available for inspection right now. The car has 145k miles. The vehicle has been inspected by an independent service center and reproduced but has not been inspected by manufacturer/police/insurance. There were no indicators on dash before the power steering went out. Now the power steering ESC indicator as well as traction light and ABS warning show on dash now and the power steering is still out.

    NHTSA complaint #11700232 · 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