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: exterior lighting
107 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jul 20, 2019
PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT GOES OUT REPEATEDLY! BAD WIRING, MULTIPLE CUSTOMERS ARE HAVING THIS SAME ISSUE
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, May 22, 2019
REPLACED PASSENGER HEADLIGHT HARNESS TWICE, AS THE LOW BEAM/ DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT CONNECTOR BURNS UNTIL THE BULB ITSELF BURNS OUT, OR THE CONNECTOR FALLS OFF THE BULB. MOSTLY NOTICED AT NIGHT, AS THE AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHTS ARE USUALLY NEEDED THEN.
Exterior lighting, Apr 20, 2019
PASSENGER HEADLIGHT KEEPS BLOWING OUT
Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Mar 14, 2019
BRAKE LIGHTS STAYING ON WHILE CAR IS IN PARKED AND WHILE VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Mar 5, 2019
WHILE IN MOTION BRAKE LIGHT STAYS ON.
Exterior lighting, Jan 26, 2019
MY LOW BEAM ON MY 08 CHEVY MALIBU CONTINUOUSLY BURNS OUT AT THE CONNECTOR. HAVE HAD TO TAKE IT IN SEVERAL TIMES TO HAVE IT FIXED WHICH IS COSTLY AND SO INCONVENIENT/TIME CONSUMING. THIS STARTED TO HAPPEN TO MY VEHICLE IN MARCH 2018 IT IS NOW JANUARY 26 2019 AND I AM STILL DEALING WITH THIS ISSUE.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jan 2, 2019
I BEEN HAVING ISSUES WITH MY PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT . THOUGHT IS WAS THE BULB THAT DIDNT WORK. I THEN REPLACED THE CONNECTION AND I WORKED FOR A 4 MONTHS NOW IT'S THE SAME ISSUE AGAIN.
Steering, Exterior lighting, Electronic stability control (ESC), Traction control system, Dec 4, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, ELECTRIC POWER STEERING, AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT FELT A STRONG VIBRATION COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE STEERING WHEEL FREQUENTLY SEIZED. THE CONTACT HAD TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND BACK ON TO RESET THE COMPUTER. IN ADDITION, THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14E044000 (STEERING) AND 14V153000 (STEERING). THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED THE SAME FAILURE AS LISTED IN THE RECALL CAMPAIGNS. OCEAN CITY CHEVROLET (2366 OCEAN HWY W, SHALLOTTE, NC 28459, (910) 364-9917) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES, BUT DID NOT DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS TO PROVIDE FURTHER TECHNICAL INFORMATION CONCERNING THE DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES AND RECOMMENDATIONS. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC INDICATED THAT THE FAILURES NEEDED TO BE ADDRESSED BY THE MANUFACTURER TO RECEIVE REPAIRS FROM AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES TO DETERMINE THEIR GUIDELINES TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
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
Exterior lighting, Nov 28, 2018
THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT. REPLACED THE BULBS A FEW TIMES BUT STILL KEEP GOING OUT EVERY FEW WEEKS. IT IS HARD TO KNOW HOW AND WHEN IT GOES OUT. IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE WITH THIS PROBLEM THAT CAN HAPPEN AT NIGHT MIDDLE OF ROAD. IT IS ALSO EXTREMELY DIFFICULT AND COSTLY TO REPLACE BULB EACH TIME.
Steering, Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Nov 11, 2018
MY DRIVE SHAFT LINE BROKE BY MY THE GEAR SHIFT
Exterior lighting, Nov 6, 2018
MY PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT KEEP GOING OUT. MY MECHANIC HAS CHECKED EVERYTHING BULB, WIRE HARNESS WIRES EVERYTHING POSSIBLE. I HAVE USED AFTERMARKET AND GM BRAND PARTS AND HAVE THE SAME ISSUES. THE LIGHT WOULD SOMETIMES COME ON WHEN HITTING A BUMP BUT NOW NOTHING. I CAN NO LONGER DEPEND ON MY VEHICLE FOR NIGHT DRIVING. THE LIGHT WOULD ALSO COME ON AFTER A FEW SECONDS AFTER STARTING.
Exterior lighting, Oct 27, 2018
HIGHBEAM HEADLIGHTS DID NOT COME RATHER CAR IS STARTED OR NOT.
Exterior lighting, Sep 27, 2018
PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT KEEPS GOING OUT. CHANGED BULBS, WIRE ASSEMBLIES. PROBLEM STILL OCCURS.
Exterior lighting, Aug 21, 2018
HEAD LIGHT LOW BEAM KEEP GOING OUT AFTER CHANGING LIGHT BULBS WIRE HARNESSES
Exterior lighting, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Jul 25, 2018
WHEN DRIVING BRAKE LIGHT CONTINUE TO STAY ON. WHEN PRESSED THEY GO OFF AND PRESSING TO FLOOR THEY COME ON BUT WHEN RELEASED AROUND 6 SECONDS LATER THEY COME ON AGAIN. WAS TAKEN TO DEALER SHIP TO BE FIXED FOR A RECALL . WORKED FOR LESS THAN A MONTH AND IT CONTINUES AGAIN. HAD BRAKE PEDAL SWITCH REPLACED AND IT STILL CONTINUES. NOW I'M GETTING THE LIGHTS COMING ON SAYING ESC OFF AND ALSO A TRACTION LIGHT. IN MY OPINION ALL CHEVY MALIBU'S SHOULD BE RECALLED AND DONE RIGHT. WORST CAR I EVER OWNED. FIX YOUR MISTAKES PLEASE. THESE THINGS I'M DESCRIBING HAPPENS ANYWHERE I'M DRIVING CONSTANTLY
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jun 26, 2018
MY TAIL LIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING, THEY RANDOMLY WENT OUT HOWEVER BRAKES BLINKER ECT ALL STILL WORK MULTIPLE FORUMS SAY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE JUST GOOGLE IT. THEY WENT OUT AT NIGHT IN A CANYON, I COULD HAVE BEEN SEVERELY HURT HAD AN OFFICER NOT NOTICED.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Jun 11, 2018
BRAKE LIGHTS RANDOMLY ILLUMINATE! WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE THE BRAKE LIGHTS ARE ILLUMINATING. THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE FOR A WHILE NOW.
Exterior lighting, Dec 19, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EXTERIOR HEADLAMPS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED ON FOUR OCCASIONS WITHIN APPROXIMATELY TWO YEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE HEADLAMPS WHERE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED EACH TIME BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Electronic stability control (ESC), Nov 18, 2017
VEHICLE HAS ELECTRICAL LIGHTING ISSUES INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR, SERVICE AIR BAG AND CHECK TIRE SENSOR IS FLASHING ON THE DASHBOARD WHEN U START THE CAR AND STAYS FLASHING, ON SOME OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE RANDOMLY THROWS OFF THE TRACTION AND THAT LIGHT COMES ON
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Nov 6, 2017
A POLICE OFFICER PULLED BESIDE ME AND SAID MY BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING AT ALL. BRAKE LIGHTS WILL COME ON AND STAY ON OR WILL NOT COME ON AT ALL. TOOK THIS VECHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND IT HAS TO DO WITH THE CONNECTION WITH THE BCM. THOUGHT THIS WAS RECALLED BUT THERE IS NO RECALLS ON MY VECHICLE. I ASKED SOME OTHER OWNERS OF THE SAME MODEL AND THEY ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUES. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY HAZARD.
Exterior lighting, Oct 12, 2017
I WAS PULLED OVER BY THE POLICE ONE DAY AND WAS TOLD THAT I HAD A HEADLIGHT OUT. MAY 1ST, 2016 MY HUSBAND WENT TO CHANGE THE BULB (PASSENGER SIDE) AND DISCOVERED THAT THE ORIGINAL HEADLIGHT SOCKET ITSELF HAD COMPLETELY MELTED (IMAGES ATTACHED). I ORDERED A NEW SOCKET FOR IT, AND IT WORKED FOR A LITTLE WHILE BEFORE GOING OUT AGAIN ABOUT A MONTH LATER. THEN, THE DRIVERS SIDE HEADLIGHT WENT OUT AND WE DISCOVERED ONCE AGAIN THAT BOTH HEADLIGHT SOCKETS HAD MELTED (IMAGES ATTACHED). SO WE REPLACED BOTH HEADLIGHT SOCKETS AGAIN, AND THIS TIME THEY LASTED ABOUT TWO WEEKS AND THEY ARE BOTH OUT AGAIN AND I AM LEFT WITHOUT THE ABILITY TO DRIVE AT NIGHT BECAUSE MY HEADLIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING.
Exterior lighting, Jul 19, 2017
THIRD BRAKE LIGHT WORKS WHEN IT WANTS TO WHEN APPLYING BRAKES, BUT MAJORITY OF TIME IT DOES NOT WORK. DEALER SAYS THERE IS A SHORT IN THE ELECTRICAL FOR IT AND WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION WITHOUT IT BEING FIXED. SO HAVE TO PAY AT LEAST $500 FOR THEM TO PULL OUT BACK SEAT ETC IN ORDER TO REPLACE. THOUGHT THIS WAS COVERED IN A 2014 RECALL.
Exterior lighting, Jul 14, 2017
THE CYCLOPS BRAKE LIGHT DOES NOT ACTIVATE WITH THE OTHER BRAKE LIGHTS. THIS MAY BE A DANGEROUS CONDITION GIVEN ALL THE DISTRACTED DRIVERS. THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE ENGINE IS ON AND CAR STATIONARY. NO RECALL CAN BE FOUND.
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.