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: electronic stability control (esc)
71 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Apr 3, 2017
WHEN I START THE CAR THE STEERING WHEEL DOES NOT MOVE AT ALL. ON THE DASH IT SAYS POWER STEERING THEN ESC OFF POPS UP. I HAVE TO RESTART THE CAR A FEW TIMES IN ORDER FOR IT TO BE ABLE TO MOVE AND THE MESSAGE IS GONE. WHEN IM DRIVING THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES AND TURNING GETS A LITTLE STIFF. I DRIVE BOTH CITY STREETS AND HIGHWAYS IM AFRAID IT WILL LOCK UP ON ME WHEN IN MOTION.
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)
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jan 10, 2017
THERE IS A RECALL NO 14116 AND 14116B INVOLVING THE TORQUE SENSOR ON 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU BUT NOT ON MY PARTICULAR VIN. IT CAUSES A LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHICH I AM HAVING. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY MY PARTICULAR MODEL IS NOT COVERED IN THIS SAFETY ISSUE AND WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT IT. I HAVE HAD NO ACCIDENTS YET BUT HAVE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD AND RESTART MY CAR. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Traction control system, Jan 6, 2017
AS I'M DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY GOING ABOUT 70 MPH I HEAR ABOUT 3 OR 4 DINGS GO OFF ALL AT ONE TIME. THE SERVICE ESC , ENGINE PWR REDUCED, SERVICE TRACTION, AND ESC OFF WARNINGS CAME ON MY 2008 CHEVY MALIBU LT DASH AS WELL AS THE TRACTION WARNING LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. MY CAR ALMOST INSTANTLY STARTING TO DECELERATE AT AN EXCEPTIONAL SPEED. I HAD TO "FLOOR IT" TO MAKE IT STOP AND THEN IT SLOWLY ACCELERATED. ONCE I GOT HOME I GOOGLED THE PROBLEM AND A LOT OF PEOPLE WERE SAYING IT HAS TO DO WITH THE FUSE BOX OR THROTTLE BODY OR BOTH. I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT AND I DON'T HAVE A LOT OF EXTRA MONEY RIGHT NOW SO I'M KINDA STUCK DRIVING IT LIKE THIS FOR AWHILE SINCE IT IS NOT UNDER ANY TYPE OF WARRANTY AND I HAVE TO GO TO WORK. *TR
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.
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, Electronic stability control (ESC), Oct 7, 2016
I WAS TURNING RIGHT AT ABOUT 20 MPH, THE NORMAL SPEED I TURN AT. MY MALIBU SLID AND I COULDN'T TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CAR BEEPED AT ME AND IT SAID ESC ON THE DASH COMPUTER. I CALLED ABOUT THE RECALL FOR EPS, AND MY CAR DOES NOT HAVE ONE. KIND OF WEIRD TO SEE WHEN OTHERS ARE RECALLED FOR THIS ISSUE. I DID HAVE THE POWER STEERING TORQUE REPLACED IN 2015. THE CAR IS STILL DRIVABLE, BUT TO ME I FEEL UNSAFE BECAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL NOW HAS A MIND OF ITS OWN WHEN TURNING, AND I CANNOT AFFORD A REPLACEMENT RIGHT NOW, AS WELL AS AN ACCIDENT.
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.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Jul 28, 2016
JUST TOOK POSSESSION OF A 2008 CHEVY MALIBU LTZ V6 3.6 WITH ON 36K ORIGINAL MILES ON IT. HAVE HAD FOR ONLY 5 DAYS AND GOT A DASH NOTIFICATION OF CHECK ESC SOON, TRACTION CONTROL, ENG POWER REDUCED WARNING WITH THE CHECK ENGINE SYMBOL. I PULLED IN MY DRIVEWAY HOME FROM WORK AND IMMEDIATELY NOTIFIED MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP. BACKED OUT OF DRIVEWAY TO TAKE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND HAD NO POWER TO GO ANYWHERE SO PULLED BACK IN DRIVE AND SHUT THE CAR OFF TO GO INSIDE MY HOUSE, CAME BACK OUT TURN THE CAR BACK ON AND PUT IN REVERSE, ALL SEEMED FIND WITH POWER, THEN PROCEEDED ON TO THE DEALERSHIP WITH NO POWER FAILURE, BUT ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON. WITH ONLY 36K MILES AND LOTS OF REVIEWS I AM READING ON THE INTERNET ABOUT THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE AN ISSUE AND RECURRING THAT NO ONE CAN SEEM TO FIND A FIX FOR. HOW MANY COMPLAINTS BEFORE THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE. I TRAVEL OUT OF TOWN AT LEAST TWO WEEKENDS A MONTH AND BEING A SINGLE FEMALE I CANNOT AFFORD TO GET STRANDED AND CAUSE A WRECK DUE TO POWER FAILURE. SERIOUSLY WHEN DOES THIS PROBLEM GET RECOGNIZED AND CORRECTED TO SAVE A LIFE.
Suspension, Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Mar 14, 2016
DISPLAYS, ESC OFF, TRACTION CONTROL SERVICE, AND ENGINE POWER REDUCED. AND WHEN ACCELERATING IT DOESN'T REALLY MOVE . IT TAKES A WHILE TO GET SPEED UP. AND I WAS ALMOST RUN OVER BY A TRACTOR TRAILER. THIS JUST STARTED ALL OF A SUDDEN. AND I HAVE ONLY HAD THIS CAR FOR ABOUT A YEAR. IT IS STATED THAT THE MALIBU HAS RECALLS.
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jan 14, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE POWER STEERING AND THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM , ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL , EXTERIOR LIGHTING , SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC , VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
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.
Exterior lighting, Electronic stability control (ESC), Traction control system, Service brakes, Nov 10, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ESC AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT THE BRAKE PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO REPAIRED THE VEHICLE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL); HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. UPDATE 01/15/16 MA
Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Aug 26, 2015, crash
I WAS DRIVING MY CHEVY MALIBU AND STARTED TO FELL MY CAR START TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY AND THEN MY SERVICE ESC WAS POPULATING ON THE DASH AND TRACTION CONTROL HAD BEEN LOST IN THE CAR. I WAS HAVING DIFFICULTY BREAKING AS IF THE ABS BREAK SYSTEM WAS NOT WORKING IN THE CAR.I GOT THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND ENDED UP HITTING A GUARD RAIL. I THEN FOUND OUT THAT IT WAS MULTIPLE RECALLS ISSUED ON MY VEHICLE AND I CALLED THE CHEVROLET CUSTOMER SUPPORT TO DISCUSS THE CURRENT RECALL WHICH APPEARED TO BE THE ISSUE. I WAS INSTRUCTED THAT I COULD DROP MY CAR OFF AT BEST CHEVROLET SERVICE CENTER AND THEY WERE AWARE OF THE RECALL AND WOULD ASSIST ME. I DROPPED MY CAR OFF, EXPLAINED THE SITUATION. THEY CALLED ME TO LET ME KNOW THE RECALL WASN'T THE ISSUE EVEN THOUGHT EVERYTHING I EXPERIENCED WAS LISTED IN THE RECALL.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jun 29, 2015
2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO UNSATISFACTORY CUSTOMER SERVICE AT DEALERSHIP FOR UNNECESSARY REPAIR WORK AND SEEKS REIMBURSEMENT. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE SERVICE BRAKE ILLUMINATED WHEN THE BRAKE WAS NOT APPLIED, THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT ENGAGE AND THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. INSTEAD OF FIXING THE WIRING HARNESS AS DESCRIBED IN THE SAFETY RECALL NOTICE THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE BRAKE SENSOR AND CHARGED HIM $245. 03. THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING, HE DISCOVERED THE CRUISE CONTROL HAD NOT BEEN FIXED., EVEN THOUGH THE TECHNICIAN NOTED EVERYTHING WAS OPERABLE. THE CONSUMER RETURNED TO THE DEALER, WHERE THEY KEPT THE CAR FOR A DAY AND A HALF AND REPLACED THE BCM AND DTC.*JB UPDATED 09/10/15*LJ UPDATED 10/2/2017*CN
Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, May 27, 2015
I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE AND NOTICED MY CHECK ESC CHECK TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON IN MY DRIVER NOTIFICATION PANEL. WHEN I GOT HOME I NOTICED THAT MY REAR BRAKE LIGHTS WERE ON AND I WASNT EVEN IN THE VEHICLE PRESSING ON THE BRAKE. SO I TOOK IT FOR A TEST DRIVE AND NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD COME ON WITHOUT ME HITTING THE BRAKES AND THEN WHEN I DID HIT THE BRAKES THE BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD NOT COME ON. THIS HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR THE FIFTH TIME NOW FOR THE SAME THING. HUGE SAFETY CONCERN WHEN YOUR BRAKE LIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 28, 2015
WHILE DRIVING ON A CROWDED FREEWAY THE CAR STARTED TO SLOW DOWN ON ITS OWN. I FIGURED I WAS OUT OF GAS SO I CHECKED THE GAUGE AND IT WAS AT 1/2 TANK. THE MESSAGE SAID SERVICE ESC, ENGINE POWER REDUCED. THERE WAS NO PLACE TO SAFELY PULL OVER SO I HAD TO CONTINUE TO THE NEXT EXIT AT THE REDUCED SPEED. NEEDLESS TO SAY THIS WAS VERY FRIGHTENING AS TRAFFIC WAS TRYING TO PASS ME. I COULD HAVE BEEN REAR ENDED BUT LUCKILY NOTHING BAD HAPPENED. I FOUND A PLACE TO STOP, SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND WAITED 5 MINUTES. I RESTARTED THE CAR AND IT RAN NORMAL AS IF NOTHING HAPPENED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS STILL ON. I RESET THE CODE ( SOMETHING ABOUT A TPS) WHEN I GOT HOME. THIS SCENARIO HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL MORE TIMES EVEN AT CITY SPEEDS (35 MPH). I DON'T DRIVE ON THE FREEWAY ANYMORE AND HAVE TO TAKE ALTERNATE ROUTES THAT ARE SAFER TO PULL OVER WHEN THIS HAPPENS. I THINK I SHOULD SELL THE CAR BUT I CANT IN GOOD CONSCIENCE PASS THIS ON TO SOMEONE ELSE LIKE GM DID TO ME. REALLY GUYS THIS SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED ASAP SO THAT NO ONE GETS HURT OR KILLED ! *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Power train, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Oct 27, 2014
2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO GM RECALL #13036 AND REPAIR REIMBURSEMENT. * LD
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Power train, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Oct 1, 2014
2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER STATES HE RECEIVED 2 RECALL NOTICES AND HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH HIS VEHICLE THAT ARE OUTLINED IN THE RECALL NOTICE. *TGW
Steering, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Power train, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Sep 24, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL NOTIFICATIONS FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V460000 (POWER TRAIN), NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL), AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING). THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Sep 17, 2014, crash
DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, TRIED TO SWITCH LANES AND VEHICLE'S TRACTION WENT OUT OF CONTROL, MAKING THE VEHICLE HAD UNSTABLE, TRIED TO CONTROLLED THE CAR, BUT THERE WERE OTHER VEHICLES DRIVING NEXT TO THE CAR WHICH RESULTED IN A MULTIPLE CAR CRASH, HAD RECENTLY RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER FROM GM STATING THAT THE CAR HAD THAT PROBLEM BUT THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS AVAILABLE, THEY WERE GOING TO CONTACT ME AS SOON AS THE PARTS WERE AVAILABLE BUT UP TO TODAY I HAVE NOT HEARD ANYTHING FROM GENERAL MOTORS. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Aug 29, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL); HOWEVER, THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE DELAY. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Steering, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Aug 14, 2014
PULLING OUT OF MY PARKING SPACE MY STEERING WHEEL GOT STIFF. I PUT CAR IN PARK RESTARTED CAR AND IT LOOSENED UP BUT AS I STARTED TO DRIVE IT THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON AND NOW MY STEERING WHEEL IS STARTING TO SHAKE AND MY ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. *TR