| 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
2009 Chevrolet Malibu repairs by problem area
Engine (22%)
Transmission and Drivetrain (9%)
Brakes and Traction Control (5%)
Suspension and Steering (22%)
Electrical and Air Conditioning (26%)
Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (10%)
Other (6%)
Chart based on 228 repairs.
2009 Chevrolet Malibu engine repair cost distribution
$2500+ (0%)
$1000 - $2499 (8%)
$500 - $999 (3%)
$100 - $499 (21%)
< $100 (69%)
Chart based on 39 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.
2009 Chevrolet Malibu
Engine not specified
| 34000 mi | 3.5V6 engine has a rough idle, took back to dealer 3 times and dealer stated this is normal for this engine. Dealer stated that Mfg's now set the fuel very lean and this causes the rough idle. I am taking vehicle to another GM dealer. |
2009 Chevrolet Malibu 4dr Sedan
252-horsepower 3.6L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 6820 mi | Shift from 1 to 2 then down to 1 felt "jerky" (like someone dropping clutch in a standard) |
| 58000 mi | Throttle Position Sensor |
| 66000 mi | While stopped with it in drive, it would not respond to throttle even with gear shifts unless it was turned off then on |
| 68000 mi US $65 |
code PO 443 EVAP Solenoid circuit fault |
| 250 mi | Transmission had forgotten how to shift; had to be reprogrammed using "quick learn" |
2009 Chevrolet Malibu 4dr Sedan
169-horsepower 2.4L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 42300 mi | Engine missing during idle. #1 fuel injector harness was replaced. |
| 51000 mi US $240 |
OBDS reported bad thermostat. Thermostat replaced and changed coolant as preventive maintenance. |
| 54800 mi | check engine light on |
| 56600 mi | fuel injector problems |
| 46000 mi | Check engine light came on intermitantly. Took to dealership and they diagnosed a shorted intake solenoid. Replaced cam solenoid. No cost to me. Covered by powertrain warrenty. Less than 3 hours to repair. |
| 105000 mi | Radiator fluid dropped 1/2 inch every two weeks. Heard gurgling sound in engine when making slow speed turns. |
| 121000 mi US $139 |
Original accelerator pedal has embdded sensors that failed. I went to auto parts store, found part, watched video, and replaced unit myself. Took about an hour. |
| 117000 mi | The ignition cylinder was getting frozen and not letting me remove my key. I hit the cylinder with some WD-40 and worked the key back and forth until it was no longer and issue. It still get a bit catchy here and there for a few days but it seems to be good now. |
| 126000 mi | Check engine light was on. Cam sensor failure. Car still drove fine, but I wanted to get rid of the check engine light. |
| 94000 mi | Unable to get read-out check engine due to a short that was blowing fuses. Seems to be related to our use of ethanol-added to the gasoline. Seemed to get better with a tank of ethanol-free gas. In Aug. traded it in for a 2016 Malibu 2LT. |
| 64000 mi US $156 |
SES/Check engine light illuminated on dash. Scanned Code P0013. Diagnostic found exhaust cam position solenoid had debris trapped in it. Replaced cam position solenoid. SES/Check engine light illuminated intermittently. Scanned Code p0010. Diagnostics found intake camshaft position sensor sticking. Replaced camshaft position sensor. |
| 30123 mi | Exhaust Cam Solenoid stuck caused check engine light to come on. Repaired under original 3/36 warranty. |
| 70000 mi US $400 |
Check engine light came on. Had to have cam phasers, both intake and exhaust, replaced again. |
| 24000 mi | 2.4L engine is mysteriously losing coolant. Did pressure and cylinder tests, could not find any reason for the problem (though the engine continues to lose coolant). Check engine light; dealer claims error code indicating poor fuel. Added octane booster, reset light, suggested I use better quality fuel. |
| 28000 mi | Different dealer discovered leak in Cylinder #3 due to cracked head gasket and head warped. Head and head gasket replaced. Coolant loss still evident after head gasket replacement. Additional tests indicated porosity in the engine block casting; GM decided on a complete engine replacement. |
| 24000 mi | Output speed sensor was replaced. Car would shift hard when accelerating. The car was losing track of the speed and the transmission didn't know how to act. |
| 41000 mi | check engine light came on |
| 31000 mi | Camshaft solenoid failed and was replaced. Tripped the CEL. |
| 34500 mi | "Service ESC" warning flashed, but error code not displayed after messaged flashed. Dealer replaced #1 fuel injector. Motor will intermittently idle rough once the motor is warmed up. Also high speed stalling. Tends to occur when the outside temp is 65+ degrees. Has been occuring for 4 months. Dealer has not experianced in three visits for problem. |
| 49000 mi US $165 |
Camshaft actuator failed, replaced by dealer. |
| 52000 mi | Cylinder head replaced for rough idle and high speed stalling. Valve guides for Cylinder # 1 worn out. Leak down test was at 80%. Problem reoccurred within 40 miles of getting car back, with rough idle even worse than before. That is it, I gave up and traded the car in. |
| 9300 mi | Could not remove key from ignition . Ignition sensor had to be replaced . |
2009 Chevrolet Malibu 4dr Sedan
169-horsepower 2.4L I4 4-speed automatic FWD
| 8000 mi US $25 |
TSB for tranny reflash -- shifting irregular |
| 51066 mi | CEL/SES reported P0010 code. Took to dealer to replace intake camshaft actuator solenoid valve and was replaced under power train warranty. CEL/SES reported P0010 code. Took to dealer to replace intake camshaft actuator solenoid valve and was replaced under power train warranty. |
| 52000 mi | Cracked engine block. Replaced and rebuilt engine. |
| 55000 mi | Problem returns two days later, root cause is the same, cracked block between first and second cylinder. Entire new engine placed in car |
| 61000 mi US $1136 |
Car failed to start. Was able to start by holding accelerator to the floor. Dealer said it had jumped time because of a broken timing chain tensioner. Replaced tensioner and chain. Had engine light, returned to dealer, they had to replace the exhaust cam actuator solenoid... Again with the cam timing system. |
| 100000 mi US $120 |
Replaced the solenoids. |
| 105000 mi | Replaced belt tensioner |
| 61000 mi | Replace catalytic converter |
| 41000 mi | Car failed to run. Towed to dealer and diagnosed with a bad map sensor. Replaced for free under emissions warranty. |
| 97960 mi C $1100 |
Replaced lower exhaust system including catlytic converter |
2009 Chevrolet Malibu 4dr Sedan
164-horsepower 2.4L I4 Hybrid 4-speed automatic FWD
| 34300 mi | The catalytic converter failed. Symptoms were poor gas mileage and sluggish engine response. There was no other issue with the engine to cause the failure and no trouble codes were showing up. The converter was replaced under warranty. |
| 51320 mi C $600 |
The engine was making a knocking noise when it shut off (intersections and turning the ignition off). The throttle body was failing and it was replaced at the dealership. Engine now has more power and fuel economy is better. |
| 70680 mi C $170 |
The main camshaft position sensor was intermittently faulting, causing several warnings to flash. The sensor was replaced with a new one. |
| 73780 mi | Engine burned oil between 5,000 km oil changes and burned out without notice. Engine not functional. No repairs possible other than engine change. Car likely to be scrapped. No repair attempted. |
2009 Chevrolet Malibu 4dr Sedan
| 108000 mi US $1500 |
Major tune up - Included spark plugs, air filter, serpentine belt, brakes, Recommended timing chain replacement. Budget disallowed. Seeking second opinion. |
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