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: electrical system
244 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jun 14, 2017
TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP FOR RECALL ON THE ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING MODULE. AFTER WORK COMPLEDED HIGH STOP LIGHT WORKS RANDOMLY WITH REGULAR BRAKE LIGHTS, FRONT SPEAKERS STOPPED WORKING, DASH LIGHTS WORK RANDOMLY, SERIUS RADIO STOPPED WORKING, WHEN TURNING ON AC DOES NOT START WORKING IMMEDIATELY, MUST ROMP ON GAS TO CREATE A VACUMN DROP AND AFTER ABOUT 3 MILES IT WILL START WORKING. HAVE HAD FOUR SETS OF BRAKES AND ROTORS IN 155,000 MILES. CAN BE MOVING OR STATIONARY FOR THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM TO HAPPEN.. SUPPOSEDLY A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM HOWEVER SINCE I WAS OVER 150,000 MILES I AM SOL.
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.
Steering, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Apr 16, 2017
IT SAYING SERVICE POWER STEERING. THEN I CAN'T TURN THE CAR. I TURN IT OF AND BACK ON THEN IT WORKS. I'VE HAD PROPLEMS WITH THIS CAR SINCE I BOUGHT IT.
Steering, Electrical system, Mar 17, 2017
TORQUE SENSOR FOR POWER STEERING FAILURE. LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING. SHAKING OF WHEEL WHEN STEERING.
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Mar 5, 2017
BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATE DURING NORMAL DRIVING WHEN BRAKES PEDAL IS NOT BEING PUSHED. BRAKE LIGHTS THEN TURN OFF WHEN BRAKE PEDAL IS PUSHED AND DON'T COME BACK ON UNTIL BRAKE PEDAL IS PUSHED AT LEAST HALF WAY DOWN. CRUISE CONTROL DOESN'T WORK WHEN THIS IS HAPPENING. PROBLEM HAPPENS WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR ABOUT A MONTH THIS TIME. WAS PREVIOUSLY FIXED UNDER A RECALL BUT THE FIX IS NOT WORKING.
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Feb 28, 2017
TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON, ESC TURNS OFF, VEHICLE SPUTTERS WHEN THESE LIGHTS ILLUMINATE AND ENGINE LIGHT BLINKS WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, SIMILIAR RECALL FOR OLDER MODEL WAS FOUND NHTSA RECALL 14V252 BUT MY YEAR OF VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED, CAN THIS BE THE SAME ISSUE
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jan 11, 2017, crash
I AM A OWNER OF A 08 CHEVY MALIBU LT 2.4 LITER. WHEN I FIRST GOT THE CAR FROM THE DEALER (USED) FOR ABOUT TWO YEARS IT WAS RUNNING FINE WITH JUST LITTLE MAINTENANCE. WHEN THE THIRD YEAR COMES AROUND I START HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE TRACTION CONTROL AND ENGINE REDUCE POWER LIGHT. I'VE LOOKED UP FIXES FOR THESE PROBLEMS AND I'M CURRENTLY INVESTED OVER 5,000 ON FIXING THIS PROBLEM AND IT'S STILL NOT FIXED THE DEALER DIDN'T FIX IT OTHER AUTO SHOPS COULDN'T FIX IT AND IT THE ENGINE REDUCE POWER LIGHT ON THE CAR SOMETIMES N SHUTS OFF WHERE IT SITS (LIKE IN BUSY TRAFFIC). I HAVE A [XXX] SON AND I DONT TRUST PUTTING HIM IN MY CAR BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM OF STALLING OUT AND NOT BEING ABLE TO START BACK UP. MY CAR IS A DAILY DRIVER SO IT CUTS OFF IN TRAFFIC, WHEN STOPPED AT REDLIGHTS, TAKES ABOUT 2 TO 3 MINUTES TO GET IT STARTED AND IDLING PROPERLY. I FEAR THAT ONE DAY I WONT BE ABLE TO START MY CAR BACK UP AND GET INTO A CRASH IF IT STOPS IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC AGAIN. THIS IS THE MOST UNSAFE CAR I HAVE OWNED. *TR PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Electrical system, Jan 3, 2017
HEADLAMP WIRING ASSEMBLY REQUIRED REPLACING AFTER PIG TAIL MELTED CREATING A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD. THIS OCCURRED TWICE 12/17/2015 AND 12/20/2017. MELTING OCCURRED EACH TIME. THIS IS A FIRE WAITING TO HAPPEN. INVOICES FOR EACH EVENT ARE ATTACHED
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Dec 7, 2016
WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLES BRAKE LIGHTS WILL SUDDENLY ILLUMINATE EVEN WHEN THE BRAKES ARE NOT BEING PRESSED. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, I TAP THE BRAKES AND THE LIGHTS GO OFF, ONLY TO TURN ON AGAIN WITHIN A FEW SECONDS OF NO LONGER BEING PRESSED. ALSO, IN MY DASH PANEL I AM RECEIVING A "SERVICE TRACTION" AND "SERVICE ESC" WARNING. THIS OCCURANCE HAS HAPPENED BEFORE AND WAS CORRECTED IN 2014 AFTER A RECALL WAS ISSUED - HOWEVER THE SAME ISSUE IS HAPPENING AGAIN. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Structure, Nov 8, 2016
I BROUGHT A 2008 CHEV MALIBU LS THAT HAD A LOT OF PROBLEMS AND THE DEALER REFUSE TO GIVE ME MY MONEY BACK THE CAME WITH A WARRANTY BUT THE WARRANTY DIDN'T COVER THE THING THAT NEED IT TO BE FIX THE CAR HAD A BAD CATALYST COVERT AND ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS THE CAR HAS BEEN HIT ALL AROUND I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM E&S AUTO SALES IN SOUTH HACKENSACK NEW JERSEY DON'T KNOW ELIAS IT'S NOTHING BUT THE CROOK REFUSE TO GIVE MY MONEY BACK AND GIVE THIS TO A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE AND HE NEEDS TO BE STOPPED I CONTACTED THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND NEW JERSEY DMV
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Nov 2, 2016
BRAKE LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED EVEN IF BRAKE PEDAL WAS NOT PUSHED, BOTH WHILE STATIONARY AND IN MOTION. TRACTION CONTROL WAS DISABLED WHILE IN MOTION. BODY CONTROL MODULE WAS MALFUNCTIONING AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. BRAKE LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED ON ALL ROADS, IN ALL CONDITIONS, AND AT ALL TIMES. TRACTION CONTROL WAS DISABLED PRIMARILY ON CITY STREETS BUT SOMETIMES ON HIGHWAYS. THE CHEVROLET DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAID THE CAUSE WAS A MALFUNCTIONING BODY CONTROL MODULE AND HAD TO REPLACE IT. THE PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR ARE THE SAME AS THOSE IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 14V252000, ALTHOUGH A SEARCH BY VIN REVEALS NO OUTSTANDING RECALLS. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY UNDERGOING REPAIR AND I WILL HAVE REPAIR INVOICES AFTER THE REPAIRS ARE COMPLETED. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Sep 27, 2016
TAKATA RECALL I LOST CONTROL OF MY 08 CHEVY MALIBU AS IT WAS IN MOTION. DRIVING TO SCHOOL THE ABS, BRAKE, TRACTION CONTROL AND BATTERY LIGHT TURNED ON AND THE POWER STEERING LOCKED. I HAD TO FORCEFULLY TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO GET OUT OF TRAFFICS WAY AND PARK SOMEWHERE TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT.
Electrical system, Sep 12, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND RESTARTED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO OPERATE. IN ADDITION, THE SECURITY LOCK WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SAFETY SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.
Electrical system, Aug 8, 2016
ON SUNDAY 08/07/2016 MY 2008 MALIBU FAILED TO START. AFTER TESTING THE BATTERY AND STARTER, IT WAS DETERMINED BY NTB IN CHARLESTON SC THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH HAD FAILED. I CALLED SEVERAL CHEVROLET DEALERS EARLY ON 08/08/2016 TO SEE IF THEY COULD REPAIR UNDER RECALL WARRANTY. THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT HELP ME THE SAME DAY, AND MY CAR IS STRANDED FAR FROM HOME. IF NTB IS ABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM SO THAT I CAN DRIVE MY CAR BACK HOME, I STRONGLY BELIEVE GM SHOULD REIMBURSE ME FOR THE COST OF REPAIRS AND TOWING.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jul 31, 2016
THE HEADLIGHTS WEBT OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING. EVER SINCE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE MY HEADLIGHTS HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS.
Steering, Electrical system, Jul 22, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED LANES WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AS HAVING AN ELECTRONIC STEERING MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE ISSUE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000.
Electrical system, Jul 3, 2016
FIRST REAR DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR FAILED. WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY BY DEALER. ABOUT TWO MONTHS OUT OF WARRANTY THE OTHER REAR DOOR ACTUATOR FAILED. GOT A QUOTE OF ALMOST $400 TO FIX. YEAH, RIGHT. THEN THE REPLACED ACTUATOR FAILED. SO WE'RE UP TO $800 TO REPAIR. THEN (SEE MY OTHER COMPLAINT FILED) - THE DOOR LOCKS START RANDOMLY LOCKING AND UNLOCKING WHETHER THE CAR IS ON OR OFF.
Electrical system, Jul 3, 2016
DOESN'T MATTER IF THE CAR IS RUNNING OR TURNED OFF - ALL DOOR LOCKS KEEP LOCKING AND UNLOCKING. VERY ANNOYING. HAD TO REMOVE FUSE FROM UNDER THE DASHBOARD TO MAKE IT STOP. NOW NONE OF MY AUTOMATIC LOCKS WILL WORK WITHOUT THE FUSE.
Electrical system, Jun 20, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ANTI-THEFT ALARM WAS ACTIVATED INDEPENDENTLY AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 145,000.
Electrical system, Jun 6, 2016
THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS HAVE FAILED IN THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE DOOR AND THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. THE DOOR LOCKS DO NOT OPERATE OR ONLY OPERATE INTERMITTENTLY WHEN USING THE ELECTRONIC DOOR LOCK/UNLOCK FEATURE ON EITHER THE KEY FOB OR THE DOOR SWITCH. THE DOOR LOCKS ALSO DO NOT OPERATE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS SHIFTED INTO OR OUT OF PARK, POTENTIALLY LEAVING THE DOORS EITHER UNLOCKED WHILE THE VEHICLE IS OPERATING OR LOCKED AFTER THE VEHICLE IS SHIFTED INTO PARK. THE BIGGEST CONCERN WITH THE LOCKS IS IN THE PLACEMENT OF THE MANUAL PULL ON THE REAR DOORS. I HAVE 2 SMALL CHILDREN IN CHILD SEATS THAT HAVE BEEN TEMPORARILY LOCKED IN THE VEHICLE WHEN THE REAR DOORS FAIL TO UNLOCK. THE REAR DOOR LOCK PULL IS LOCATED NEAR THE "C" PILLAR OF THE VEHICLE INSTEAD OF A MORE CONVENTIONAL "B" PILLAR LOCATION, MAKING MANUAL ACCESS TO THE DOOR LOCK PULL IMPOSSIBLE FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. IF THE PASSENGER IN INCAPABLE OF UNLOCKING THE DOOR THEMSELVES (SUCH AS IN THE CASE OF SMALL CHILDREN OR THE DISABLED) ANOTHER PERSON HAS TO EITHER CLIMB OVER THE FRONT SEATS OR ACROSS THE REAR SEAT FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE TO ACCESS THE PASSENGER AND/OR DOOR LOCK PULL TO UNLOCK THE DOOR. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD FOR CERTAIN VEHICLE OCCUPANTS AS WELL AS FOR THE VEHICLE OPERATOR, WHO MAY BELIEVE THAT THE VEHICLES DOORS ARE IN A LOCKED POSITION WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, WHEN IN FACT, THEY MAY NOT BE.
Electrical system, May 9, 2016
KEY WON'T TURN TO OFF POSITION IN IGNITION
Electrical system, Engine, Feb 16, 2016, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, DROVE INTO A DITCH, AND STOPPED IN AN EMBANKMENT. THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND THE GAS INSIDE CAUSED THE CONTACT TO CONTRACT PNEUMONIA. THE CONTACT SUFFERED CHEST PAINS THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO STORAGE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14E021000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) WAS RECEIVED OVER ONE YEAR AGO; HOWEVER, THE REPAIR WAS NOT PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
Steering, Electrical system, Engine, Jan 11, 2016
WHEN THE CAR WAS STARTED THE INFORMATION PANAL WAS NOT READING, IT CONSISTED OF MOSTLY DASHES. THE CAR WAS RUNNING MUCH LOUDER THAN NORMAL AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. IT STARTED SAYING SERVICE TRACTION AND ENGINE POWER LOSS. I PLACED THE CAR IN DRIVE, THE INTERIOR LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING AND LOCKS WENT UP AND DOWN RAPIDLY. I SHUT THE CAR OFF AND RE STARTED IT, ATTEMPTED TO SEE IF IT WOULD DRIVE BUT IT HAD NO POWER, COULD ONLY REVERSE AND THERE SEEMED TO BE NO POWER STEERING. THE NEXT DAY I STARTED THE CAR AGAIN, THIS TIME NO IMMEDIATE ISSUE UNTIL I PULLED OUT ON TO THE STREET. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TIGHT, AND THE CAR FAILED TO ACCELERATE. LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WAS ON THE DASH, ENGINE AND TRACTION LIGHTS REMAINED ON. RESTARTED THE CAR AND I WAS ABLE TO PARK AGAIN. THE CAR REMAINS AT THE DEALER AFTER BEING TOWED A WEEK AGO, AND THEY ARE UNSURE OF THE CAUSE. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS, ESPECIALLY IF IT WERE TO HAPPEN ON THE HIGHWAY I WOULD NOT HAVE HAD ANY CONTROL OF THE CAR AND MOST DEFINITELY WOULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT.
Steering, Electrical system, Jan 11, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING IN A PARKING LOT, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE TURNING. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY EXTREME PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT WAS NOT NOTIFIED, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REMEDIED. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 12V460000 (POWER TRAIN) AND 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE CONTACT DID NOT RECEIVE NOTIFICATION OF THOSE TWO RECALL REPAIRS AND HAD TO CALL THE MANUFACTURER TO BE REFERRED TO A DEALER TO SCHEDULE THE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jan 8, 2016
BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD BE ON WHEN NOT APPLYING BRAKES AND BRAKES LIGHTS WOULD NOT COME ON WHEN APPLYING BRAKES - ESC AND SERVICE TRACTION INDICATORS REMAINED ON. ON THE WAY TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM REPAIR FOR THE 3RD TIME, THE ENGINE LOSS POWER WHILE I WAS DRIVING APPROX 75MPH ON AN EXTREMELY BUSY INTERSTATE. ONE OF THE SCARIEST MOMENTS OF MY ENTIRE LIFE. PULLED OVER, PUT THE CAR IN PARK & THEN IS SHUTOFF. THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AT THE SAME TIME AS THE REDUCED ENGINE POWER WARNING. AFTER WAITING AWHILE, I RESTARTED THE CAR AND WAS ABLE TO GET TO THE DEALERSHIP. SERVICE TECH SAID THE BRAKE LIGHTS WORKED FIND - HE HAD NO EVIDENCE THAT THEY WERE STAYING ON. HE SAID THE ESC & TRACTION WAS RELATED TO THE REDUCED ENGINE POWER & I NEEDED TO HAVE THE THROTTLE BODY REPLACED - $550. HAD THE THROTTLE BODY REPLACED AND DRIVING HOME-APPROX 30 MINS LATER-THE CAR STARTS DOING WEIRD IDLE THINGS. IN PARK THE RPM HAND FLUCUATED BETWEEN 1.5-2 AND THEN OUT OF NOWHERE 3.0-IN PARK, NOT APPLYING GAS OR BRAKES. I HAD TO APPLY BRAKES AND PUT THE CAR IN GEAR TO MAKE IT STOP. WHEN I RELEASED THE BRAKES AT THE STOPLIGHT-NOT APPLYING GAS-CAR ACCELERATED TO 20 MPH ON IT'S OWN. CALLED DEALERSHIP BACK-THEY IMPLIED IT WAS MY FAULT FOR LEAVING THE LOT IF SOMETHING WAS WRONG. THE ONLY THING THAT THE CAR DID BEFORE LEAVING DEALERSHIP WAS FOR APPROX 5 SECS IT WAS A TAD BE LOUDER THAN NORMAL WHEN I STARTED THE ENGINE. THE OTHER PROBLEMS DID NOT PRESENT UNTIL AFTER I WAS SEVERAL MILES AWAY (INTERSTATE) AND MORE SO WHEN I WAS OFF THE INTERSTATE WHERE THERE WAS MORE SLOWING, STOPPING, ETC. I PARKED AFTER MY CONCERN INCREASED. TURNED THE CAR AND THEN RESTARTED AFTER A PERIOD-THAT IS WHEN IT IDLED UP TO 3.0 RPMS IN PARK-PEOPLE WALKING BY LOOKED AT ME STRANGE AS IF I WAS SITTING IN THE PARKED CAR JUST PRESSING THE GAS-NOT. I AM JUST AS TERRIFIED TO DRIVE THE CAR TONIGHT AS I WAS BEFORE IT WAS REPAIRED EARLIER TODAY.