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
Air bags, May 18, 2014
PASSENGER AIR BAG WILL NOT ARM ALL THE TIME WITH PASSENGER IN SEAT. STILL DOING THE SAME THING TO DATE! *JS
Steering, Air bags, Vehicle speed control, May 6, 2014, crash
ACCORDING TO WITNESS, MY SON WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT ON A TWO LANE MAIN ROAD (ON EACH SIDE). HIS 2008 CHEVY MALIBU WAS ON THE OUTER LANE WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN VEERED TO THE LEFT AS IF HEADING TOWARDS A DRIVEWAY ( WHEN HE ORIGINALLY WAS GOING STRAIGHT TO PICK UP A CO WORKER). THE CAR IMMEDIATELY JERKED TO THE RIGHT, CRASHING INTO A TREE, WHERE PARTS OF THE VEHICLE BECAME EMBEDDED INTO THE TREE. MY SON PASSED AWAY INSTANTLY. THE SPEEDOMETER REGISTERED 66 MPH AT IMPACT. HIS ORIGINAL SPEED WAS APPROXIMATELY 35MPH ESPECIALLY SINCE HE WAS JUST STOPPED AT THE LIGHT. THE WITNESS WAS COMING FROM THE OPPOSITE SIDE AND STOPPED HIS CAR WHEN HE SAW MY SON'S VEHICLE CROSSING INTO HIS LANE TOWARDS ONCOMING TRAFFIC. *TR
Steering, Air bags, Apr 9, 2014
ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS I RECEIVED A MESSAGE ON THE CONSOLE "POWER STEERING" AND COULD NOT TURN THE WHEEL. I WOULD BE IN A PARKED POSITION OR PULLING OUT (IN REVERSE) OF A PARKING SPOT. I WOULD TURN THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON AND THE MESSAGE WOULD GO AWAY. ALSO I GOT A MESSAGE REGARDING THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WAS NOT WORKING. THIS WOULD HAPPEN EACH TIME I WOULD START THE CAR AND IT WOULD STAY ON. *TR
Air bags, Feb 1, 2014
SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON WHEN STARTING VEHICLE. BROUGHT TO DEALER. WAS TOLD BOTH FRONT IMPACT SENSORS HAD FAILED. VERY EXPENSIVE FIX. *TR
Steering, Air bags, Oct 9, 2013, crash
DRIVING ON STRAIGHT ROAD AND CAR SUDDENLY PULLED RIGHT ONTO THE SHOULDER. IT FELT LIKE THE CAR LOST ITS STEERING CAPACITY. TRIED TO CORRECT THE STEERING ONTO THE ROAD AND THEN CAR SPUN 180, THEN HIT DITCH. CAR ROLLED OVER 100 FT. IN AIR AND LANDED ON WHEELS. THE FRONT, NOR SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED EVEN WHEN CAR STRUCK THE SIDE ON THE GROUND. CANADA HAS RECALLED 67,000 VEHICLES DUE TO POWER STEERING MOTOR CONTROL MODULE DEFECTIVE. GM NEEDS TO RECALL THESE IN THE US BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. (IT ALMOST KILLED US IF WE DIDN'T HAVE OUR SEATBELTS ON!) *TR
Air bags, May 10, 2013
THE SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND TOO THE CAR TO THE DEALER. DEALER STATED THAT THE CODE WAS "DIAG SIR B0081 (71) PSS1 INVALID DATA RECEIVED PPS/3025". DEALER STATED THAT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG MAY, OR MAY NOT WORK PROPERLY IN THE CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. THE SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. DEALER STATED THAT THE ISSUE WAS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CUSTOMER AND NOT THE MANUFACTURE. *TR
Air bags, Mar 13, 2013
THE "SERVICE AIR BAG" LIGHT STARTED TO COME ON WHEN THE WEATHER WAS VERY HOT OR VERY COLD FROM TIME TO TIME STARTING IN 2009. IN THE WINTER OF 2013, THE LIGHT REMAINED ON CONSTANTLY. WHEN THIS WARNING WAS ON, THE AIR BAG SENSOR WAS NOT WORKING. EVEN IF SOMEONE WAS SITTING IN THE FRONT SEAT, THE LIGHT INDICATED THAT THE SENSOR COULD NOT DETECT A PERSON AND THE AIRBAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY. OUR DEALER VERIFIED THAT THE SENSOR WASN'T WORKING AND IF WE GOT INTO A CRASH, THE AIRBAG WOULD NOT WORK. WE FELT THAT THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE DEALT WITH BY CHEVROLET AT NO COST TO US, BUT CHEVROLET CLAIMED THAT SINCE IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THERE WERE NO RECALLS, THEY COULD NOT REPLACE IT AT NO COST. WE HOPE THIS REPORT HELPS TO SHED LIGHT ON THE ISSUE, AND IF IT IS COMMON, LEADS TO A RECALL OR VOLUNTARY REPLACEMENT OF THE FAULTY SENSOR AT NO COST TO CONSUMERS. *TR
Air bags, Traction control system, Jan 15, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. ADDITIONALLY, THE SERVICE TRACTION WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE SENSOR IN THE STEERING COLUMN AND THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL SENSORS WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Air bags, Aug 8, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT AND REAR AIR BAGS DEPLOYED ERRONEOUSLY WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHTS. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND ALSO STATED THAT TOXIC FUMES EMITTED FROM THE AIR BAGS ONCE DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT AND A PASSENGER, AS WELL AS A CHILD PASSENGER, SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES FROM THE SHARDS AND FUMES OF THE AIR BAG. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS NO FAILURE AND THE REPAIR OF THE AIR BAGS COULD COST APPROXIMATELY $5,000 AT THE CONTACT EXPENSIVE. THE DEALER OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 67,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Steering, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical system, Air bags, Apr 11, 2012
WHILE DRIVING OR NOT DRIVING THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES VIGOROUSLY AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT COMES ON. THEN THE BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON WHEN I'M NOT TOUCHING THEM.WHEN I DO APPLY THE BRAKES THE LIGHTS GO OUT. THEN HAVE TO APPLY A GENEROUS AMOUNT OF PRESSURE TO GET THEM TO COME ON. I CONSTANTLY KEEP GETTING THE LIGHT SERVICE ESC THEN IT SAYS IT IS OFF. I TURN OFF CAR AND IT RESETS BUT AFTER 2 OR 3 MINUTES IT COMES BACK ON. I ALSO KEEP GETTING A SEATBELT LIGHT AS TO BUCKLE UP AND I'M ALREADY WEARING SEATBELT. THE STEERING GETS HUNG WHILE DRIVING PULLING TO EITHER SIDE OF THE ROAD. *TR
Air bags, Dec 19, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE AIR BAGS UNEXPECTEDLY DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER DENIED ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 70,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Air bags, Jan 19, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE REMAINED RUNNING AFTER SHUTTING OFF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD TO FORCIBLY SHIFT THE KEY AROUND IN THE IGNITION TO GET THE ENGINE TO SHUT OFF. AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG SERVICE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT DID NOT INFORM THE MANUFACTURER OF THE FAILURE NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,700.
Air bags, Nov 17, 2008, crash, fire
TL*THE CONTACT RENTED A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED ON THE EXPRESSWAY, THE CONTACT SWERVED TO AVOID DEBRIS FROM ANOTHER VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, SHE STRUCK A GUARDRAIL. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE AND EXPLODED, BUT THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE. THE VIN AND MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN.
Air bags, Oct 5, 2008
AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON DURING THE FIRST 24 HOURS AFTER WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. A PART IN THE STEERING COLUMN HAD TO BE REPLACED. *TR
Steering, Air bags, Sep 5, 2008, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, THE STEERING COLUMN SPONTANEOUSLY LOCKED UP. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY UNTIL MINUTES AFTER THE CRASH. THE CONTACT HAS PICTURES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 88. UPDATED 10/14/08 *BF UPDATED 10/16/08. *JB
Air bags, Electronic stability control (ESC), Aug 16, 2008, crash
HAVE HAD TWO ACCIDENTS IN THIS VEHICLE BOTH FRONT END COLLISIONS AND THE AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. ALSO THE RIMS ARE NO GOOD TIRES KEEP LOOSING AIR. *TR