Sell your 2009 Chevrolet Malibu for cash

The 2009 Chevrolet Malibu is a midsize car that came with a choice of 2.4L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl and 3.6L 6-cyl engines. At 17 years old, many are reaching the point where repairs cost more than the car is worth. Running or not, we'll make you an offer and tow it away for free.

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2009 Chevrolet Malibu at a glance

Body styleMidsize Cars
Engines2.4L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl
TransmissionsAutomatic (S6), Automatic 4-spd
DriveFront-Wheel Drive
FuelRegular Gasoline
Fuel economy17–26 city / 26–34 highway / 20–29 combined MPG
EPA annual fuel cost$2,300–$3,350 a year (EPA estimate at current fuel prices, 15,000 miles)
Tailpipe CO₂306–444 grams per mile
Curb weight (NHTSA test vehicle)3,430 lb
Versions tested by EPA6 configurations: Malibu, Malibu Hybrid
Age17 years

Specs, fuel cost and emissions from the EPA's fueleconomy.gov data; weights from NHTSA crash-test records. Your car's exact equipment may differ.

What affects its junk value

  • Age: at 17 years old, most of a 2009 Malibu's value comes from reusable parts and scrap metal, not resale.
  • Weight: NHTSA's crash-test 2009 Malibu weighed 3,430 lb at curb weight. Scrap value is largely priced by weight, so this is a good starting point. See how scrap prices by weight work.
  • Catalytic converter: like all gas and diesel cars, it has a catalytic converter containing precious metals, one of the most valuable parts on a junk car. An offer assumes it's still in place. More on catalytic converters.
  • Hybrid battery: hybrid versions also carry a high-voltage battery pack, which recyclers and rebuilders pay for.
  • Recalls: NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2009 Malibu. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking it.
  • Known problems: owners reported the most issues with the steering, typically around 112,000 miles. If that's what failed on yours, it can still be sold as-is.

How junk car offers are calculated

2009 Chevrolet Malibu recalls

NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls covering the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking the car, but check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which apply to yours.

Electronic Stability Control (Esc)May 2014 · NHTSA campaign 14V252000

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…

Risk: Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.

SteeringMar 2014 · NHTSA campaign 14V153000

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…

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.

Power TrainSep 2012 · NHTSA campaign 12V460000

General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Saturn Aura and model year 2008-2010 Chevrolet Malibu and Pontiac G6 vehicles, equipped with a 4-speed automatic transmission. On these vehicles, the tabs on the transmission shift cable end may fracture and separate.

Risk: If the tabs were to fracture and separate, the shift lever and the actual position of the transmission gear may not match. The driver would be able to move the shifter to 'PARK' and remove the ignition key, but the transmission gear may not

Power TrainMar 2009 · NHTSA campaign 09V073000

General motors is recalling 276,729 my 2009 buick enclave, Chevrolet cobalt, hhr, Malibu, traverse, gmc acadia, pontiac g5, g6 and saturn aura and outlook passenger vehicles. These vehicles fail to comply with federal motor vehicles safety standard 102, "transmission shift position sequence, starter interlock, and transmission…

Risk: The driver may not be able to restart the vehicle and the vehicle could roll away after the driver has exited the vehicle, resulting in a possible crash without prior warning.

VisibilityDec 2008 · NHTSA campaign 08V634000

Gm is recalling 77 my 2009 Chevrolet Malibu hybrid vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 103, "windshield defrosting and defogging system." the heating, ventilation, and airconditioning (HVAC) system may become inoperative. If this were to occur, the blower would not…

Risk: If the windshield began to fog or frost, there may not be enough airflow to clear the windshield, resulting in reduced driver visibility and a possible crash without prior warning.

Common 2009 Malibu problems

Owners have filed 1,534 complaints about the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu with NHTSA. 42 reports involved a crash and 9 reports involved a fire. Owners reported 45 injuries.

Complaints are reports from owners and aren't verified by NHTSA. One complaint can list several components. Mileage is the median odometer reading owners reported for that component.

Most-reported components

  • Steering770
  • Electrical System364
  • Electronic Stability Control (Esc)261
  • Exterior Lighting154
  • Service Brakes142
  • Power Train108

Typical mileage when problems were reported

  • Steering112,000 mi
  • Electrical System90,000 mi
  • Electronic Stability Control (Esc)119,000 mi
  • Exterior Lighting98,000 mi
  • Service Brakes75,000 mi
  • Power Train94,000 mi

2009 Chevrolet Malibu service bulletins

Manufacturers have filed 1,098 technical service bulletins and communications with NHTSA covering the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. These are repair instructions for known issues, not recalls.

Most common bulletin topics

  • Equipment158
  • Equipment141
  • Electrical System88
  • Engine and Engine Cooling83
  • Engine63
  • Equipment Adaptive/Mobility48

Recent bulletins

  • OtherSep 2025 · 13598

    New Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsAug 2025 · PIC5650M

    This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsJul 2025 · PIP5601C

    This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsMay 2025 · PIT5074R

    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

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications (technical service bulletins).

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA opened 1 defect investigation covering the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu.

Unknown or OtherAQ10001 · opened Nov 2010, closed Dec 2015

Fleet Vehicle Recall Completion Audit

On November 18, 2010, NHTSA's Recall Management Division (RMD) opened an audit query (AQ10-001) to investigate recall remedy completion by rental car companies on safety recall campaigns.It was expected to provide the agency an indication of how completely and how quickly rental car fleets perform necessary recall-rela

Selling a 2009 Malibu: questions

How much is a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu worth for junk?

It depends on its condition, whether major parts like the engine, transmission and catalytic converter are still there, and current scrap and parts prices where you live. Its parts make up much of its value. Enter your ZIP code above for a free offer on your specific car.

Can I junk a 2009 Malibu that doesn't run?

Yes. We buy 2009 Malibus that don't start, were in an accident, failed inspection or have a blown engine or transmission. Towing is always free.

Can I sell a 2009 Malibu with open recalls?

Yes. Open recalls don't prevent a junk sale. NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu; you can check whether any are still open on yours with the VIN lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What paperwork do I need to sell my 2009 Malibu?

Usually the title and a photo ID. Rules differ by state, including what to do with your plates and whether to file a notice of sale. Check our state-by-state car title guides for the official forms.

Sources

Data retrieved October 2026.

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