2009 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid problems & reliability
25 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
1 complaint report injuries (1 injured).
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 6 | 24% |
| Steering | 6 | 24% |
| Electrical System | 5 | 20% |
| Power Train | 5 | 20% |
| Air Bags | 2 | 8% |
| Engine | 2 | 8% |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 2 | 8% |
| Equipment | 1 | 4% |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 | 4% |
| Service Brakes | 1 | 4% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
All 15 reported components →Mileage when problems occurred
Among the 21 complaints that included a usable odometer reading, the median reported incident mileage was 59,000 miles (middle 50% between 17,588 and 126,000 miles).
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“2009 chevrolet malibu hybrid. Consumer writes in regards to transmission slipping. *ld the consumer stated the vehicle experienced numerous issues. The dashboard warned to service the traction control and hybrid. *js”
Power Train · filed May 17, 2019
“Takata recall: I don't know if I'm doing this right but my car's warning system alerted me that the esc was turned off and to "service esc", this always happens while driving my car, never stationary.it's an intermittent problem but one that is mentioned as a recall for my make, model and year. When I search my vin I…”
Electronic Stability Control (esc) · filed Apr 10, 2019
“Tl* the contact owns a 2009 chevrolet malibu hybrid. While driving various speeds, the steering wheel seized and the traction control warning indicator illuminated. The contact mentioned that the steering wheel violently vibrated when the failure occurred. The vehicle was towed to gr chevrolet buick gmc cadillac (930…”
Steering · filed Apr 9, 2019
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Technical service bulletins
186 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid. The 10 most recent:
New Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH
13598 · Other · issued Sep 9, 2025
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on. Technician may…
PIC5650M · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 7, 2025
This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.
PIP5601C · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 18, 2025
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
PIT5074R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 30, 2025
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
PIT5074R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 30, 2025
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
PIT5074R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 30, 2025
This service bulletin provides information for maintenance cleaning of the fuel injectors and gasoline detergent additive.
04-06-04-051J · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 27, 2024
This service bulletin provides information on some vehicles that may rock or move slightly forward or rearward while in Park at start up after cold soak. This condition may be accompanied by a clunk noise. This is a…
08-07-30-026I · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 16, 2024
This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on When and How to Submit a Field Product Report (FPR) (U.S. and Canada Dealers Only).
02-00-89-002X · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 9, 2024
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about changing the tire and wheel size on vehicles. General Motors will only support a tire calibration for tires that have been sized…
PIT3271P · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 6, 2024
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
No NHTSA recall campaigns name the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid in our current data. Recalls may apply only to certain VIN ranges — always confirm with a VIN check.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 2009 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.
- · Among complaints with usable mileage, the median reported incident mileage was 59,000 miles. This does not predict when a particular vehicle will develop a problem.