Problems with 2009 Chevrolet Malibu EXTERIOR LIGHTING

I received a recall notice number13036. to my understanding the recall has not been sent out to the current dealers to deal with the recall. my car brakes lights illuminated and the traction control light comes on while i'm driving putting my life in danger. took the car to the dealer several times, but since the lights were not showing any defect they said there was nothing they could do. i have contacted the dealer several times, but since the recall is still in the notification process they tell me there is nothing they can do since the parts are not available. if and when i take my vehicle in if the lights are not coming on while the car is running or in park they told me there is nothing they can do. what am i left to do at this point i'm very concerned that before this is all over someone is going to lose their life. *tr

The rear brake lights come on without depressing brake. when brake peddle pressed, brake lights do not illuminate. *tr

This is the second time in two years the passenger headlight has went out. the first time was three weeks after purchasing the vehicle. now again, this can not be a simple headlight just going out on the exact same side. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 chevrolet malibu. the contact stated that the power steering failed and the vehicle stalled. the contact indicated that the steering wheel had become tight and extremely difficult to turn. the vehicle was merged to the side of the road where the vehicle was restarted after several attempts. the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer. the technician diagnosed that the steering column and the fuel pump needed to be replaced. the vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop who replaced the steering column. the vehicle was repaired. the vehicle was not included in recall nhtsa campaign number: 14v153000 (steering). the manufacturer was notified of the failure. the approximate failure mileage was 115,590. updated 12/22/14*lj updated 9/28/2015 *js

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 chevrolet malibu. the contact stated that they had to replace the headlights an excessive amount of times. the contact stated that replacement headlights were needed an average of once or twice a year. the contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic who diagnosed that the wiring harness that was connected to the headlights was faulty, would overheat, and burn out, causing the headlights to fail. the wiring harness had not been replaced. the manufacturer was made aware of the issue and informed the contact that there was no recall regarding the failure. the contact was referred to nhtsa to file a complaint. the dealer was not contacted. the approximate failure mileage was 185,200.

The brake lights will come on randomly. this also causes the cruise control to kick off. the lights will stay on for varying lengths. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 chevrolet malibu. the contact stated that the brake lights illuminated while driving at various speeds and would dim when the brake pedal was depressed. the dealer located a failure code at the brake pedal position sensor. the vehicle was repaired. the manufacturer stated that the vin was excluded from nhtsa campaign number: 14v252000 (electrical system, electronic stability control, exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic, vehicle speed control). the failure mileage was 53,694.

Brake lights malfunction. thank god, i was driving behind my wife and her malibu's brake lights were not on when she braked. and then turned on when she didn't have her foot on the brake pedal. took to dealership, and he said he's been seeing that alot lately. please recall before someone has major accident! thank you *tr

The cruise control was malfunctioning and after researching the problem i discovered that the brake lights could also be affected. when applying the brake the light in the rear window would actually go completely off. the repair is described in tsb 08-05-22-009c and was completed. the problem appears to be fixed. however it appears there was a previous recall for this type of problem with earlier general motors models and the problem is still recurring. chevrolet has not send any kind of notice to owners about this potentially dangerous situation. the computer code c0131 is activated when this occurs. *tr

Brake lights come on intermittently while driving. there is no indicator when or how this is happening. it has affected the cruise control option as well as the traction control on the vehicle. this is a safety concern for all motorists - unsure when a care is actually stopping and or accelerating. *tr

The vehicle rear brake lights are coming on while driving without me pressing the brake pedal. when the brake pedal is applied the brake lights temporary goes off before coming back on. *js

While driving the brake lights will come on for no reason and the service traction control warning will activate. if you tap the brakes the lights will go off for a few seconds but then come back on. if you apply the brakes to stop the lights go out and people behind you are confused. we get honked at and hand gestures constantly. we replaced the brake light switch and it was recalibrated and the problem still exists. we checked the fuse and put dialetric grease on it as suggested by the dealer and still the brake lights activate without touching the pedal. gm needs to fix this before someone is killed. *tr

The brake lights illuminate when the brake pedal is up & sometimes won't illuminate when pedal is depressed. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 chevrolet malibu. while driving at 30 mph, the contact noticed smoke coming from the front passenger side head lamp. in addition, both the passenger and driver side high and low beam head lamps failed to illuminate. the vehicle was taken to a dealer who diagnosed that the wiring harness and the head lamp assembly needed to be replaced. the vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred on numerous occasions. the contact also stated that while at a stop light, "service esc, service traction. esc off" was displayed across the message board. the esc warning light illuminated and the vehicle stalled. the contact was able to restart the vehicle, but the failure recurred. the vehicle was taken to a dealer who was unable to diagnose or repair the vehicle. the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. the vin was included in nhtsa campaign number: 14v252000 (electrical system, electronic stability control, exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic, vehicle speed control). the failure mileage was unknown.

I have the same issue another person wrote about. i was driving when a car pulled up next to me to tell me that when i brake, my brake lights don't go on but when i begin to drive again, they go on. i went home and told my husband. and at that time it worked just fine. but then in july of 2013 my 23 year old daughter was driving my car and she said the same thing happened. a car in back of her asked her to pull over and told her that our brake lights don't work. but that they go on when she begins to drive again. this can be very very dangerous! i haven't been able to take it to the dealer because i'm currently unemployed so can't afford it but now that i read another person is having the same issue i think there needs to be a recall before someone does get killed. please listen to your purchasers and recall this. *tr

Esc light stays on has been replaced 3 times. causes traction control not to work properly also brake lights fail to work or will stay on and or stay off. have reported to chevy dealer in traver city michigan they say nothing is wrong.. but something is wrong ... or not right i never know if my tail lights or brake lights are going to work and traction control... *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 chevrolet malibu. the contact stated that the passenger's side headlight failed. the vehicle was taken to a body shop for inspection where the wires were adjusted. the contact stated that the driver's side headlight recently failed. the vehicle was not taken back to the body shop. the failure mileage was 139,000 and the current mileage was 140,000.

Brake lights remain on while driving. go off when braking. have been stopped several times by folks passing by to tell me that the brake lights were on. *tr

Brake lights come on without pressing the pedal and when u press the pedal they go off for a second and come back on this has happened numerous times. *tr

When driving my 2009 malibu my brake lights will come on. when tapping the brake they go off, but when i need to use the brake no lights show. when this happens my service esc and service traction lights also come on. im getting very aggravated, i have only owned this car since june 2012, and constantly having problems. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 chevrolet malibu. the contact stated that the center brake light failed intermittently and without warning. the vehicle was taken to the dealer for a diagnostic. the failure was not reported to the manufacturer. the failure mileage was 50,000. the current mileage was 62,000. updated 07/10/13*lj the consumer stated the dealer could not diagnose the vehicle without a fee until the failure becomes permanent. updated 07/15/2013 *js

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 chevrolet malibu. while driving approximately 45 mph, the brake lights failed to illuminate when the brake pedal was depressed. the contact mentioned that the brake lights illuminated when the vehicle was in motion. in addition, the traction control and esc warning indicators illuminated continuously. the contact received a recall notice for nhtsa campaign number: 14v252000 (electrical system, electronic stability control, exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic, vehicle speed control); however, the part needed for the repair was unavailable. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer was not notified. the approximate failure mileage was 66,000.

The brake lights began to turn on when the brake pedal was not depressed, even when the vehicle was in park. when driving, the brake lights will stay on and the cruise control does not work. these problems may only last a couple of minutes but may also persist for greater than an hour at a time. the problem manifests itself somewhat unpredictably but its frequency and duration have increased over time. *tr

The passenger front headlight burned out. i took it to the dealership and had it replaced. within a week or so, it had burned back out. at that time the dealership determined that the entire headlight assembly needed to be replace. i researched the problem on.chevymalibuforum.com and this is apparently very common. *tr

Back driver side turning light bulb keeps burning out. before it goes out it will work sometimes. so i don't think it is the bulb, but some other issue. at this time my car is 6 years old with 32,000 miles and this will be the 4th time of changing this bulb. *tr

Brake lights turn on for no reason. when they are on for no reason pressing the brake pedal turns them off. they do not illuminate when pressing brake pedal. later on the esc and traction control turn off on their own. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 chevrolet malibu. while driving various speeds, the passenger side headlight failed to work without warning. the contact stated that the bulb was changed; however, the failure recurred. the contact also stated that the air bag warning indicator illuminated and would not recognize if someone were seated in the passenger side of the vehicle. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. the failure mileage was 40,000.

The brake lights on my vehicle stay illuminated when the brake pedal is not pressed. this causes other drivers to think that i am braking when i am not. when i press the brake pedal, the brake light goes off for two seconds and then comes back on. after releasing the brake pedal, the brake lights stay on. the vehicle has been to the dealership four times. the dealer has replaced the brake position sensor twice, the brake control module, and they performed a fix that was issued through a tech bulletin from gm about the issue by applying dielectric grease to the pins on the brake control module and connector. none of these solutions have corrected the issue. *tr

I had a problem with the brake light function. when driving, the brake lights would be on. when pressing the brake, the lights would turn off. i had to pay to have a switch replaced by the dealership to fix this issue. *tr

I have to change head lights 3 times. only can take to dealer ($150.00). when having tires replaces and brakes. the abs/esc/traction control alarms lights stays on while driving. i contact chevrolet now for last three years. i was told because my car is out warranty they will not approval repair. i recently taken car to dealer recall # 13036. that my car would be approval for loaner. chevrolet/ dealer. all warranty have expires that would not approval for repairs there's no one to bill or pay for repairs and loaner. i will be taken this public. as a consumers and would like to stay a purchaser of gm/chevy to warn everyone of their practices. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 chevrolet malibu. while parked, the contact noticed that the turn signals and the hazard lights would not function. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostics. the mechanic replaced the hazard switch unit and the relay however, the failure continued after the repair. the vehicle was taken back to the mechanic where the turn signal unit and ignition were replaced but to no avail. the contact stated that there was a manufacturer's recall for the exterior lighting but her vin was not included in the recall. the vehicle was not repaired. the approximate failure mileage was 130,000.

I had a headlight go out over a year ago, had to pay 300$ to get it replaced (new design.... makes everything complicated, thanks gm!). not even 3 months later, same headlight out again (passenger). my mechanic noticed water in the light compartment (condensation) which he says will cause them to overheat and die. got the light changed again, hoping avoiding car-washes was the solution. nope. out again. and then on again! and now out again for the past 4 months. i haven't had the money to get it fixed and by the grace of god i have not gotten a ticket. the brights both work!!!! i believe it is a wiring problem, and judging from the internet this problem seems frequent enough to warrant a recall. note: there have been numerous electrical problems on this car, but i would like to focus on this one getting recalled. *tr

Since the 1st of march the headlights have been burning out. i have been replacing the headlights with regular oem replacements. i have noticed that the plugs are melting on the headlights. this is a great safety concern in my opinion. i can understand normal life of the bulb, but to have 4 sets of lights go out in just over a month is an issue. i think this may be happening due to no ventilation behind the headlight causing excessive heat therefore causing a possible fire hazard and possible accident during night driving. please consider looking into this as a possible recall. *js

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 chevrolet malibu. the contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the brake lights illuminated when the brake pedal was not being depressed. additionally, when the brake was being depressed, the brake lights would not illuminate. the vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis where the technician was unable to diagnose the failure. the manufacturer was not made aware of failure. the vehicle was not repaired. the approximate failure mileage was 18,000. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 chevrolet malibu. the contact stated that when driving at various speeds, the service traction, service esc and esc off warning lamps illuminated. the vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technician advised that the body control module was defective and needed to be replaced. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure but only offered to cover part of the repair costs. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure mileage was 30,000 and the current mileage was 67,000. ..updated 01/16/2013 *bf the consumer stated when the driver's foot is on the brake the brake lights go off. upon taking foot off the brake the brake lights stay on. this happens when the service traction light comes on. updated 1/28/2013 *js

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 chevrolet malibu. the contact stated that the driver's side headlight failed to illuminate. the contact mentioned that the failure occurred multiple times. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the bulb and harness were replaced, but the failure recurred. the vehicle was not taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing or repairs. the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. the failure mileage was approximately 95,000.

I have had so much trouble with the 2009 chevy malibu i bought it brand new no miles thinking i was going to be stress free but it has given me the most headaches ever. i have had to replace the shift gear and that my head lights have had to been replace at least once a year since i got it the headache about that is that the whole bumper has to be removed to have them replace. i also had to replace the catalytic converter. i don't think i will ever purchase another chevy car. *tr

The brake lights on my daughter's 2009 chevrolet malibu come on while she is driving & her cruise control stops working. she took her car into the dealer & 2 other people were there with the same complaint. the service dept. said it was fixed but the same day as she picked it up, it happened again. while driving down the highway @ 70 mph with the cruise on, the brake lights come on and stay on until she presses the brake pedal. the brake lights go out while she is applying the brakes & come back on when she releases the brake pedal. also, she also can no longer set her cruise control. after the vehicle has been parked for a few hours, the cruise & brake lights work properly. anyone following her, especially @ night, might assume that she is stopping while driving & driving whilst stopping. i am concerned that this could cause a fire if the problem is electrical in nature, (both taillight bulbs have recently burnt out or shorted out & been replaced). i am very concerned that this could cause a serious accident. *kb

Rear brake lights intermittently turn on. there doesn't appear to be a reason as to when or why it turns on. dealership shrugs their shoulders as they 'fix' the car 'hoping that what they do fixes the problem'. driver doesn't know that rear brakes are on unless driving at night or attempting to use cruise control. i believe this is a safety issue. *tr

While driving down the road the brake lights turn on. if i touch the breaks they go off. this happens most often when it rains, snows or if driving with the air conditioning on. the cruise control stops working at the same time. i have had this into a local dealership on three occasions where i have been told "we have to experience this in order to correct it." i am aware that many other malibu vehicles experience this as there have been rumors of this becoming a recall for many months. this has been going on for a couple years for my car and i was under warranty when i had it in and not corrected. i try not to think about it now that it is out of warranty, but because i am expecting my first child and this is a safety concern i am becoming more worried. what will it take to get this corrected? how could they prove that the brake lights didn't come on when someone stopped to turn and then was hit? please help! *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 chevrolet malibu. the contact stated while driving the vehicle, another driver informed her that the brake light was illuminated when the brake pedal was not engaged. the vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection and they confirmed that the wiring harness needed to be replaced. the vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. the manufacturer was notified of the failure. the vin was unavailable. the failure mileage was 50,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 chevrolet malibu. the contact stated that the brake light illuminated when the brake pedal was not depressed and failed to illuminate when the brake pedal was depressed. in addition, the contact stated that the esc traction control and the cruise control independently disengaged. the contact also mentioned that the vehicle would hesitate when shifting gears. the failure occurred intermittently. the vehicle was not repaired. the contact stated that nhtsa campaign: 14v252000 (brakes, exterior lighting, electronic stability control) exceeded a reasonable amount for the recall repair. the dealer stated that the part was not available. the manufacturer was made aware of the delay. the contact had experienced the failure. the failure mileage was 30,000 and the currently mileage was 90,000.

Car will not start, door locks lock and unlock w/out prompts, light flash on and off, radio goes on and off, & interior lights dim. these symptoms occurred twice before ... once in the fall and once about 7 days ago. previously (summer 20101) the power windows would not function - dealer stated it was a pinched wire. i also noticed a few weeks back the instruments could not be read during the day w/out turning on the headlights.

While driving, the car will appear to think that the brakes are being applied. the brake lights will all activate, and cruise control will cease working. when the brake pedal is depressed, the brake lights turn off. the brakes still stop the car, but the lights and cruise control appear to be not calibrated to the brake sensor. also, sometimes 3 warnings appear in the dash display: esc off, service esc, and service traction, though it is not necessary for the problem to occur. this happens very intermittently, but once it starts, it usually doesn't go away. i've had the problem repaired about 6 times, but it keeps coming back. i am out of options, as the repairmen seem to not know what is wrong with the car. *tr

My service engine light has been on continuously because of my ignition switch is malfunctioning; at times it locks up disallowing me to be able to start my car or remove my keys. i have had issues with the camshaft actuators and has since been replaced on the engine; but this car is still malfunctioning. also, my low beam headlight will not come on, on the passengers side of my vehicle after the bulb has been replaced. all of gm cars made between 2008-2012, needs to be recalled for these issues not just some but all! *tr

I noticed lately on gm vehicles, that the back up lamps are coming on although nobody is in the vehicle. recently i was trying to back out of a parking spot. it was dark and could not see, that nobody was in the vehicle. after a couple of minutes i realized, that the driver of the vehicle was just walking up to the vehicle. while the whole time i could have backed out safely. i was very irritated about this and think this will cause people to start ignoring the back up lights on vehicles. down the road this will lead to accidents and injuries in parking lots. *tr

Brake lights fail to light and/ or fail to turn off after depressing/releasing brake pedal both while car was parked with engine on as we'll as while in motion including at highway speeds. *js

Although there has not been an accident yet, due to the design of the cars headlights, and tail lights, (and the removal of the side repeater lamp for turn signal indication on the 2009 model year malibu), there is no visible turn indicator for other drivers to see indication of a signal from the car unless other drivers are directly in front of, or behind the car. for example, if a driver is sitting at a 4 way stop, or likewise, because the turn signal does not wrap around the front or back of the car, drivers to the left, and right of the car, cannot see the turn signal, which poses a safety hazard. on the 2008 malibu, there was a side marker repeater lamp on the front quarter panel, and it was removed from the 2009 my. i feel that this is a large safety concern, and they should be put back onto the cars, or a redesign of the headlamp assy. *tr