2008 Chevrolet Malibu
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Steering is the leading concern among 1,015 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 6th highest complaint count among 26 Malibu model years with reports.
Of the 2008 reports, 33 involved a crash and 5 involved a fire. 20 people were injured and 2 people died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
SteeringJul 21, 2014
Dorman Products, Inc. (Dorman) is recalling certain replacement intermediate steering shafts sold under the Dorman, OE Solutions, and Solutions brand names, part numbers 425-167, 2425167, and 7-3074, for installation on 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6, and 2007-2009 Saturn Aura vehicles. The affected steering shafts may have a yoke that inadequately supports the u-joint bearing resulting in a premature failure.
A joint bearing that fails prematurely may cause separation of the u-joint resulting in a complete loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Dorman will notify owners, and dealers will refund the purchase price or replace the steering shafts, free of charge. The recall began in September 2014. Owners may contact Dorman customer service at 1-800-523-2492.
Campaign 14E044000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical system, wiringMay 14, 2014
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 vehicles manufactured April 24, 2006, through May 26, 2009. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the Body Control Module (BCM) connection may result in voltage fluctuations in the Brake Apply Sensor (BAS) circuit. These fluctuations can cause one or more of these conditions: the brake lights to illuminate without the brake pedal being pushed; the brake lights to not illuminate when the pedal is pushed; difficulty disengaging the cruise control; moving the gear shifter out of the 'PARK' position without pushing the brake; and disablement of crash avoidance features such as traction control, electronic stability control, and panic braking assist features.
Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will attach the wiring harness to the BCM with a spacer, apply dielectric lubricant to both the BCM and harness connector and the BAS and harness connector, and will relearn the brake pedal home position, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed an Interim letter to customers on July 14, 2014. The recall began on August 18, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-762-2737 (Pontiac), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). GM's number for this recall is 13036.
Campaign 14V252000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, automatic transmissionApr 30, 2014
General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on April 29, 2014, that they are recalling 56,214 model year 2007 and 2008 Saturn Aura vehicles. On May 22, 2014, GM increased the recall to include an additional 1,074,899 model year 2004-2008 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured from May 16, 2003, through October 5, 2007, model year 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured from June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, and model year 2005-2008 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured from May 26, 2004, through September 28, 2007, and equipped with 4-speed transmissions. The total number vehicles being recalled is now 1,131,113.
If the transmission shift cable fractures while the vehicle is being driven, the transmission gear selection may not match the indicated gear and the vehicle may move in an unintended or unexpected direction, increasing the risk of a crash. Furthermore, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, despite selecting the PARK position, the transmission may not be in PARK. If the vehicle is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
GM will notify owners, and GM dealers will replace the shift cable assembly and mounting bracket, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for this recall is 14152.
Campaign 14V224000 on NHTSA.gov
Steering, electric power assist systemMar 31, 2014
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.
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.
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.
Campaign 14V153000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, automatic transmission, gear position indication (prndl)Sep 18, 2012
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.
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 be in 'PARK.' The vehicle may not be able to be restarted and the vehicle could roll away after the driver has exited the vehicle, resulting in a possible crash without prior warning.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will install a retainer over the cable end or replace the shift cable as necessary. This service will be performed free of charge. Notification to owners began on on November 9, 2012. Owners were instructed to not bring their vehicles for repair until January 2013. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-521-7300.
Campaign 12V460000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: air bags
66 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Air bags, May 27, 2025
My vehicle is experiencing a sudden loss of power steering assist.
Air bags, Jun 1, 2022, crash
On 5/23/2022, we were involved in a crash where a loaded asphalt dump truck pulled out in front of us on major highway. Vehicle was totaled from front end impact. Air bags did not deploy!!
Air bags, Jan 12, 2022
Air bag sensor is reading airbag as a foreign object and not apart of the vehicle. Airbag has never been deployed, nor has it ever been changed. This should not be happening.
Steering, Air bags, Aug 11, 2019
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT ABOUT 20MPH ON CITY STREETS MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT WHILE I WAS TURNING LEFT INTO A BUSINESS AND I WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. I HAD TO TURN THE CAR OFF, THEN BACK ON, AND IT WOULD DRIVE FOR A SHORT WHILE BEFORE POWER STEERING WOULD SHUT OFF AGAIN, USUALLY WHILE MAKING A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN. THE STEERING WHEEL ALSO TURNS ON ITS OWN WHILE SITTING STILL. I AM UNABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR. ALSO, THE STEERING WHEEL IS MAKING A GRINDING, POPPING NOISE AND FLASHING "CHECK AIRBAG" MESSAGES WHEN THE CAR IS TURNED ON. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM AND FOUND THE POWER STEERING ISSUE TO BE A BROAD GM VEHICLE PROBLEM. CHEVY MALIBUS FROM 2004 TO 2010 I BELIEVE WERE ALL COVERED FOR A RECALL. MY VIN HOWEVER IS NOT ON THIS LIST AND I AM SUFFERING THE SAME PROBLEMS AS ALL OF THESE OTHER CHEVY MALIBU OWNERS. MY VEHICLE HAS 128,XXX MILES.
Steering, Electrical system, Air bags, Jun 27, 2019
FIRST TIME CAR WAS IN PARK. THEN THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMES BUT DOESN'T TURN OFF. ALSO MESSAGE POPS UP SAYING TO SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL. NEXT WAS STATIONARY, I STOPPED AT A LIGHT AND THE CAR JUST SHUT OFF. NEXT WAS STATIONARY AND THE CAR TURNED ON BUT THEN THE CLUSTER INSTRUMENT LIGHTS DIDN'T COME ON IT WAS COMPLETELY DARK. ALSO WHILE IN MOTION CAR RPM DIDN'T READ ANYMORE AND IT WAS SHIFTING HARD. ANOTHER THING IT SAYS SERVICE TIRE SENSOR AND SERVICE AIRBAG
Air bags, Jun 14, 2019
AIRBAG OFF LIGHT STAYS ON
Air bags, Structure, Jan 8, 2019
CARS PURCHASED ON OCTOBER 31ST 2018 THE CAR CAN I PASS INSPECTION WITH NO ONE TO DMV THEY GAVE US A CALL BACK SAYING THE CAR WAS TOTALED IN THE SALVAGE CAR DECLARED IN 2016 THE CAR SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN SOLD FOR $2,700 WHEN CONTACTED DEALER HE REFUSED TO GIVE US OUR MONEY AND HE SAID ONLY I CAN GET ANOTHER CAR IF I PAY YOUR CAR NOTES AT THIS TIME WOULD JUST LIKE FOR MY MONEY TO BE REFUNDED THE VEHICLE CANNOT PASS INSPECTION AND IS UNSAFE TO BE DRIVEN ON THE STREET I WOULD LIKE MY MONEY BACK HE'S PUTTING MY LIFE IN DANGER
Steering, Air bags, Jan 5, 2019
DRIVING DOWNTOWN DES MOINES MY MESSAGE CENTER STARTED DINGING, THE MESSAGE OUTPUT WAS: "POWER STEERING" THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN MOVING ON ITS OWN BACK & FORTH, JERKING AND GRINDING. AT ONE POINT JERKED OUT OF MY HAND. IT BECAME ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTINUE. I PULLED INTO A CONVIENCE STORE, BOUGHT POWER STEERING FLUID AND STARTED THE VEHICLE. THE STEERING SEEMED NORMAL. THE CAR WAS NOT LOW ON FLUIDS, I DIDN'T TRAVEL FAR BEFORE IT HAPPENED AGAIN. BY THE TIME I MADE IT HOME MY RIBS WERE HURTING FROM TRYING TO MANAUVER THE CAR HOME. THIS MALFUNCTION IS THE EPS SYSTEM AND RECALLS OF THE 2008 BEGAN IN 2014. MY VIN# WASN'T INCLUDED ON THE LIST. HOWEVER, MY CAR HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. AT ONE POINT MY STEERING WHEEL JERKED SO HARD IT YANKED STEERING WHEEL AWAY FROM MY GRIP AND I CAME CLOSE TO HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE. PRIOR TO THE ABOVE OCCASION, I WOULD BE STOPPED AT A SIGNAL LIGHT AND THE STEERING WHEEL GRINDED JERKED BACK AND FOURTH AND UNFETTERED.
Steering, Exterior lighting, Air bags, Dec 3, 2018
MY AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON AIRBAG ISSUES, I HAVE HAD MY HEADLIGHTS CHECKED THREE TIMES AND THEY KEEP GOING COMPLETELY OUT THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE HEADLIGHTS THE STEERING IS ALWAYS SHAKY ITS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH MY CAR
Power train, Electrical system, Air bags, Oct 19, 2018, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, IT WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. ALL OF THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL UPON IMPACT. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED SIGNIFICANT INJURIES TO THE HEAD AND A TEMPORARY LOSS OF ORIENTATION. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE BACK. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC REPAIRED THE VEHICLE BY RESETTING THE AIR BAG INDICATOR, AND THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT AND GEAR SHIFT ASSEMBLY WERE REPLACED. ED BOZARTH CHEVROLET (5501 DREXEL ROAD, LAS VEGAS, NEVADA 89130, (702) 967-5500) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE CRASH. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT REFERENCED SEVERAL OCCASIONS OF BECOMING LOCKED OUT AND LOCKED IN THE VEHICLE. ALSO, ON ONE OCCASION, THE TRANSMISSION BECAME STUCK IN THE REVERSE POSITION WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE CRASH AND OTHER FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Air bags, Aug 3, 2018
RED AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON ALSO SERVICE AIR BAG MESSAGE IS ON. THIS IS ON WHILE STATIONARY AND WHILE MOVING. NO ISSUES TO THE VEHICLE THAT WOULD HAVE CAUSED THIS TO OCCUR.
Air bags, Jul 26, 2018
PASSENGER AIR BAG ERROR MESSAGE THAT AIR BAG SENSOR DOES NOT WORK.
Air bags, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 20, 2017
THE AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON AND IT SAYS TO BE SERVICED. SOMETIMES IT COMES ON AND IT CAN STAY OFF FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME. THE SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT CAN COME ON WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION AND THEN TURN OFF, SOMETIMES IT DOES STAY ON. MY VEHICLE IS GIVING A STRONG SMELL OF FUEL COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE CAR. I NOTICE IT BEING A STRONGER SMELL AFTER I STATION IT AFTER A DRIVE. I HAVE NOT SEEN A NOTICEABLE LEAK YET. I WILL HAVE A MECHANIC CHECK THAT FOR ME.
Air bags, Wheels, Jun 26, 2017
AIR BAR WARNING LIGHT AND TIRE SENSOR WARNING LITE BOTH CAME ON AT THE SAME TIME. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER AND WAS ADVISED THAT THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG WAS FAULTY.
Air bags, Apr 28, 2017
SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON
Electrical system, Air bags, Engine, Apr 27, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG WAS DEPLOYING FROM THE DRIVER SEAT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT A SENSOR FAILED, BUT IT WAS NOT A CONCERN. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT OBSERVED A LEAK COMING FROM THE VEHICLE AND TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER. IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEAD GASKET FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, ONE MONTH LATER, THE CONTACT OBSERVED A LEAK AGAIN, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, AND AN ABNORMAL CLICKING NOISE WAS HEARD. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO THE HEAD GASKET BEING PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED IMPROPERLY. THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED. ONE MONTH LATER, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRING WAS DONE IMPROPERLY AND NOT UP TO SAFETY STANDARDS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,723.
Air bags, Jan 18, 2017
SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON TAKEN TO GARAGE SCANNED NO ERRORS RESET LIGHT BACK ON TAKEN BACK TO GARAGE SCANNED AGAIN NO ERROR CODE.THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE UP FOR A RECALL.
Steering, Air bags, Electronic stability control (ESC), Dec 27, 2016
POWER LOCKS HAVE ONLY WORKED FOR FRONT DOORS FOR AS LONG AS IVE HAD THE CAR, ABOUT A YEAR..... OVER THE PAST MONTH - SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON SHORTLY AFTER STARTING THE CAR ONE DAY. A FEW WEEKS LATER, SERVICE ESC AND TRACTION CONTROL POPPED UP AFTER STARTING THE CAR. NOW MY POWER STEERING HAS GONE OUT AND DOES NOT RESET UPON RESTARTING THE CAR.
Air bags, Nov 18, 2016
A FEW WEEKS AGO MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HERE 2008 MALIBU AND SHE SMELLED A SLIGHT BURNING AND VERY STRONG CHEMICAL ODOR IN THE CAR, SHORTLY AFTER THAT THE SERVICE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON FOR THE AIR BAG SYSTEM. WINDOWS HAD TO BE OPENED FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE 30 MINUTE TRIP. SOMETIME LATER MY WIFE REMOVED SOMETHING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AND NOTICE A COLOR CHANGE TO CIRCULAR PALE YELLOW WITH A CENTRAL CHARRED MARK IN PART OF THE COVER MATERIAL, UPON TOUCHING SEAT COVER MATERIAL DISINTEGRATED AND DISAPPEARED INTO THE SEAT. A PICTURE IS ATTACHED OF THE PASSENGER SEAT. LATER I INVESTIGATED THE SERVICE LIGHT AND FOUND B0081 SYMPTOM 71 WAS SET. I BELIEVE THE SEAT SENSOR SHORTED OUT CAUSING THE SEAT COVER AND FOAM TO SMOLDER POSSIBLY ON ITS WAY TO AN OPEN FLAME BEFORE THE POWER SOURCE FAILED. THE VIN NUMBER [XXX]. A COPY OF THIS LETTER WILL ALSO BE SEND TO THE NHTSA. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Exterior lighting, Air bags, Seat belts, Nov 17, 2016, crash
FRONT END WAS WRECK, DAUGHTER LIP BUSTED , NO AIRBAG EXPLODE
Air bags, Nov 16, 2016
TAKATA RECALL, THE VEHICLE CONSTANTLY DISPLAYS SERVICE AIR BAG SYSTEM AND WILL NOT ACTIVATE. DOESNT MATTER IF IN MOTION OR NOT THE WARNING GOES ON AND OFF AT RANDOM.
Air bags, Sep 22, 2016
BOUGHT MY CAR 3 MONTHS AGO FROM A CHEVY DEALERSHIP, 3 DAYS LATER MY SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHTS CAME ON. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD I WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO GET IT FIXED, THEY SAID THAT MY AIRBAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY IF THIS LIGHT WAS ON. WHY SHOULD I PAY FOR A SAFETY FEATURE THAT SHOULD NOT HAVE PROBLEMS? ITS LIKE SELLING A CAR WITH A PASSENGER SEATBELT ONLY. I DO NOT FEEL I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR MY AIRBAGS TO BE WORKED ON. WITH ALL OF THE RECALLS FOR AIRBAGS I THINK THEY MISSED MY YEAR MAKE AND MODEL. ITS REDICULOUS
Air bags, Wheels, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 12, 2016
WENT I BOUGHT THE CAR HAD BEEN GIVE PROBLEM NOW THE CAR SMELL LIKE IS LEAKING GAS AND THE AIRBAG SYSTEM TURN ON MY FRONT WHEEL CRACK WENT I TURN RIGHT OR LEFT I TOOK TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAID THEY FIX THE PROBLEM BUT STILL DOES SAME THING THEY DON'T HELP ANYTHING MAKE ME WASTE MY TIME MY CAR I PEACE [XXX] I WANTED MY ALL MY MONEY BACK. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Air bags, Jan 5, 2016
WHEN DRIVING, 2 MESSAGES APPEARED ON DASH - "POWER STEERING" AND "SERVICE AIR BAG." WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE CAR LATER, IT WOULD NOT TURN OVER, AND THE "ANTI-THEFT" LIGHT WAS ON, ALONG WITH THE OTHER 2 WARNING MESSAGES FROM ABOVE. AFTER OTHER LIGHTS TURNED OFF, THE "ANTI-THEFT" AND "SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT" REMAINED AND THE CAR WOULD NOT START. ODOMETER: 101844
Air bags, Nov 30, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000.