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.

Complaints by model year
  1. 1,015

Of the 2008 reports, 33 involved a crash and 5 involved a fire. 20 people were injured and 2 people died.

Primary concernSteering468 reports · 46% of complaints
Owner complaints1,015Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship5 safety recallsNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Steering468
  2. Electrical system244
  3. Exterior lighting107
  4. Service brakes90
  5. Power train89
  6. Latches/locks/linkages76
  7. Electronic stability control (ESC)71
  8. Air bags66

Recalls and investigations

  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  1. Exterior lighting, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jun 23, 2014

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ERRONEOUSLY AND FAILED TO ILLUMINATE DURING DECELERATION. IN ADDITION, THE DRIVER'S SIDE TURN SIGNAL, DRIVER'S SIDE BRAKE LIGHT, AND INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES MALFUNCTIONED INTERMITTENTLY. THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY AND TRACTION CONTROLS ALSO FAILED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS IN COLD WEATHER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

  2. Exterior lighting, Jun 16, 2014

    LOW BEAMS AND DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS NOT WORKING. REPLACE WIRE HARNESS ON BOTH LIGHTS AND LIGHT BULBS TWICE. *TR

  3. Exterior lighting, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Jun 14, 2014

    SOMEONE FOLLOWING ME TO WORK INFORMED ME MY BRAKE LIGHTS WERE ON AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY BUT WHEN I STOPPED AT THE STREET LIGHT, THEY WOULD GO OFF. NOW MY ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AND THE WARNING TO SERVICE MY TRACTION CONTROL AND ESC SYSTEM IS ON. THE CRUISE CONTROL ISN'T WORKING PROPERLY ALL THE TIME. I GOOGLED THE BRAKE LIGHT ISSUE AND FOUND A RECALL FOR MY YEAR OF CAR THAT CAN CAUSE MY OTHER ISSUES. I CALLED GM AND WAS TOLD BY [XXX] THAT MY CAR IS INCLUDED IN THIS AND TRANSFERRED ME TO THE NEAREST DEALER TO MAKE AN APPT FOR MY CAR REPAIRS. THE DEALER SAID THERE ISN'T A RECALL FOR THESE ISSUES BUT I AM UNDER A RECALL FOR THE POWER STEERING RECALL! THEY DO NOT HAVE THE PARTS BUT I CAN KEEP CALLING AND CHECKING . I THEN CALLED GM BACK SPOKE TO [XXX] WHO ADVISED THERE ISN'T A RECALL FOR THE BRAKE LIGHT YET . IT IS UPCOMING SOON THEY ARE IN THE FIRST STAGE OF THIS . NO TIME FRAME WHEN IT WILL HAPPEN. I ASKED WHAT DO I DO IN THE MEANTIME WITH THIS UNSAFE CAR. SHE SAID I CAN GET IT FIXED AT MY EXPENSE. I QUESTIONED IF I WOULD BE REIMBURSED ONCE THEY ISSUE THE RECALL. SHE ANSWERED NO PROMISE THEY WILL. LATER THAT DAY THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE MANAGER CALLED SAYING GM TOLD HIM TO CALL ME! WE COULD MAKE AN APPT TO CHECK MY CAR, PAY OUT OF POCKET , KEEP RECEIPT , AND IF THE RECALL INCLUDES MY PARTS, I WILL BE REIMBURSED OR I CAN TRY TO HOLD OUT FOR RECALL. I AM BEYOND FRUSTRATED. I'M UNDER AN ACTIVE RECALL BUT NO PART TO FIX IT AND THIS OTHER IN BEGINNING STAGES. THIS LIGHT ISSUE HAPPENED TO ME IN OCTOBER 2013. I BOUGHT A NEW BRAKE SWITCH, HAD IT REPLACED BY A CERTIFIED MECHANIC. NOW MONTHS LATER I HAVE THE SAME BRAKE LIGHT ISSUE BUT ALSO MY CRUISE CONTROL, ESC WARNING AND TRACTION CONTROL. THE BEST PART WHEN I ASKED [XXX] AT GM WHAT IF I AM IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE YOU ARE DRAGGING THIS OUT. SHE REPLIED YOU SHOULD CALL US BACK AFTER YOUR ACCIDENT. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR UPDATED 1/14/2015*JS

  4. Exterior lighting, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Jun 6, 2014

    THE BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON WITH MY FOOT OFF OF THE BRAKE PEDAL. WHEN I DO APPLY THE BRAKES THE BRAKE LIGHTS GO OUT. THE CRUISE CONTROL AND THE STABILITY CONTROL WILL NOT WORK. I CONTACTED MY LOCAL DEALER AND THEY SAID THERE IS NO RECALL ON MY VEHICLE THE DEALER IS [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

  5. Exterior lighting, Vehicle speed control, May 30, 2014

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED AND CAUSED THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO REMAIN ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED THE BRAKE LIGHTS FLICKERED ABNORMALLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 93,000.

  6. Power train, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, May 16, 2014

    THE VEHICLE TRANSMISSION- CAR IS MOVING WHEN NOT SUPPOSED TO OR CAR GETS STUCK IN PLACE AWHILE SHIFTING GEARS. CAR DRIVES SLUGGISH NOT SHIFTING TO THE PROPER GEAR. LIGHT BULB- LIGHTS GO OUT AND COME BACK ON AT LATER DATES. ELECTRICAL-RADIO SPEAKERS GO IN AND OUT LOCKS DON'T OPERATE NEITHER DIES ALARM. *TR

  7. Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Vehicle speed control, Mar 16, 2014

    THE BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON WITHOUT BRAKING AND GO OFF WHEN YOU BRAKE. THE CRUISE CONTROL SHUTS OFF WHEN THE BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON WITHOUT PUSHING THE BRAKE PEDDLE. THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHT ON THE DASH COMES ON ALSO WHEN THE BRAKE LIGHTS LUMINATES. *TR

  8. Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Feb 5, 2014

    BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON WITHOUT ME PRESSING DOWN THE BRAKE PEDAL. *TR

  9. Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Dec 16, 2013

    BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS NOT DEPRESSED. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED SLIGHTLY, THE BRAKE LIGHTS WILL GO OUT. I REPLACED THE BRAKE PEDAL LEVER SENSOR. THIS CURED THE PROBLEM FOR ABOUT A MONTH, NOW THE PROBLEM HAS RETURNED. THE DEALER DID A PARTS WARRANTY ON THE SWITCH AND SUPPLIED AT NO CHARGE. I PICKED IT UP TODAY, BUT HAVE NOT INSTALLED IT YET. *TR

  10. Exterior lighting, Sep 28, 2013

    BRAKE LIGHTS ARE STAYING LIT WHILE DRIVING AND WILL NOT GO OFF. RETURNED CAR TO DEALERSHIP FOR THE THIRD TIME FOR SAME ISSUE. *TR

  11. Exterior lighting, Sep 10, 2013

    BRAKE LIGHTS STAYING ON WHILE CAR IS MOVING ,THEN THEY GO OFF WHEN BRAKE PEDAL IS APPLIED OFF AND ON AGAIN PROBLEM. *TR

  12. Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Aug 27, 2013

    AS I WAS DRIVING THE DRIVER BEHIND ME TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH MY TAIL LIGHTS. I THEN NOTICED WHILE DRIVING THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS STAYED ON AND WHEN I DID PRESS DOWN ON THE BRAKES THERE WAS NOTHING. THIS POSES A GREAT PROBLEM IN THAT I COULD HAVE BEEN REAR ENDED DUE TO THE DRIVERS BEHIND BE ME NOT KNOWING IF I WAS BRAKING OR NOT. THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. MY FAMILY OWNS 3 CHEVY'S, BUT I AM UNHAPPY WITH THE PROBLEMS I AM HAVING WITH THIS MALIBU. THIS MAY BE OUR LAST CHEVY PURCHASE. *TR

  13. Exterior lighting, Aug 20, 2013

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKE LIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS WOULD REMAIN ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND AN UNKNOWN REPAIR WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. TWO WEEKS AFTER THE REPAIR, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED FOR MOST RECENT FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

  14. Exterior lighting, Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Jul 29, 2013

    THE BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL ISN'T PRESSED. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS PRESSED THE BRAKE LIGHTS ARE NOT ILLUMINATED. TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP MORE THAN 3 TIMES IN ORDER TO RELEARN THE BRAKE PEDAL POSITION. THIS AFFECTS THE CRUISE CONTROL, AS IT TURNS OFF BECAUSE THE CRUISE CONTROL DOESN'T KNOW THE BRAKE PEDAL POSITION. THIS AFFECTS THE TRACTION CONTROL, AS IT TURNS OFF BECAUSE THE TRACTION CONTROL DOESN'T KNOW THE BRAKE PEDAL POSITION. *TR

  15. Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Jul 2, 2013

    ABOUT A MONTH AGO I NOTICED THAT MY BRAKE LIGHTS WERE STUCK ON. I DIDN'T PAY IT ANY MIND SINCE THEN UNTIL YESTERDAY 07/01/2013. A FRIEND OF MINES WAS FOLLOWING ME HOME AND ADVISED ME THAT MY BRAKE LIGHTS WERE ON THE ENTIRE TIME. I CHECKED TO MAKE SURE I WASN'T RIDING WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKES ON. NOW MY CAR SEEMS LIKE IT IS PULLING AND THERE IS A BURNING SMELL UNDER MY CAR. I'M NOT QUITE SURE IF THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE OR NOT. I DID FIND AN ARTICLE FROM THE HUFFINGTON POST THAT STATED THAT THERE WERE A FEW COMPLAINTS/ISSUES REGARDING THAT. WHAT COULD BE CAUSING THIS TO HAPPEN. WHY HASN'T THEN BEEN CONSIDERED A RECALL? *TR

  16. Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jun 4, 2013

    BRAKE LIGHTS STAY ON ALL THE TIME, EXCEPT WHEN I FIRST PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL. I HAVE ALREADY APPLIED DIELECTRIC GREASE TO CONNECTOR AND PLUGGED/UNPLUGGED MANY MANY TIMES. WORKS FOR ABOUT 1 DAY. *TR

  17. Exterior lighting, Mar 28, 2013

    THIS HAS OCCURED MULTIPLE TIMES OVER THE LAST YEAR. WHEN DRIVING, THE BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON BY THEMSELVES AND YOU HAVE TO TAP THE BRAKES TO GET THEM TO GO OUT. THEN THEY MIGHT OR MIGHT NOT GO OFF AND TOTALLY CANCELS ANY CRUISE CONTROL OPETATION. THERE IS NO ACTUAL BRAKING AND THIS EVEN HAPPENS WHEN ACCELERATING. THIS LAST TIME, THEY WOULD NOT GO OFF AT ALL AND IT EVEN TRIGGERED A 'SERVICE TRACTION' WARNING ON THE DASH. THE FIRST COUPLE OF TIMES I TOOK IT IN, THE DEALERSHIP SAID THEY COULD NOT FIX/DIAGNOSE IT UNLESS IT WAS DOING THIS RIGHT THEN. WELL ANOTHER SHOP FOUND A SAFETY BULLETIN ON THIS ISSUE AND COMPLETED THE RECOMMENDED FIX. THIS WORKED FOR QUITE A WHILE UNTIL NOW AND HERE WE ARE AGAIN. I WORRY ABOUT ANOTHER DRIVER TAKING FAULTY ACTION THINKING I AM BRAKING, WHEN I AM NOT. ALSO IT HAS BECOME A RECURRING SAFETY ISSUE AND I SEE OTHER OWNERS ARE DEALING WITH THE SAME ISSUE. PLEASE HELP! *TR

  18. Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Mar 23, 2013

    YOU HAVE TO TAKE OFF FRONT END OF CAR TO CHANGE HEADLIGHT BULB(BUMPER, GRILL, BRACKETS). REPLACED 3 HEADLIGHT BULBS IN LITTLE MORE THAN 1 YEAR . PROBLEM WITH REPLACING BULB......YOU HAVE TO TAKE OFF FRONT END TO CHANGE BULB. LAST TIME I CHANGED BULB WAS 3 WEEKS AGO. BULB OUT AGAIN. I AM NOT A MECHANIC OR BODY PERSON SO I HAVE TO PAY SOMEONE TO CHANGE THE BULB. PAID SOMEONE TO TAKE OFF FRONT END AND CHANGE THE BULB. BECAUSE IT ONLY LASTED ABOUT 2 WEEKS OR LESS, I AM ASSUMING THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH ELECTRICAL. I NEVER KNOW WHEN BULB WILL GO OUT. I CAN PAY TO FIX IT AGAIN, BUT, I CANNOT SEE AT NIGHT WITH ONE LIGHT AND OTHERS CANNOT SEE ME. IT IS A HAZARD AND I DON??T KNOW WHAT TO DO. CHEVY QUOTED ME $320.00 TO DO THIS. I PAID 1ST $220.00 2ND 180.00 3RD $180.00 . ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BECAUSE OF LOCK PROBLEM DESCRIBED BELOW, THAT IS WHY I THINK IT MAY BE ELECTRICAL MY BROTHER AND I GOT A CAR (SAME CAR 3 MONTHS APART) HIS CAR DID THE SAME THING - ALL DOOR LOCKS MALFUNCTIONED - HE TOOK IN TO CHEVY. GAVE HIM SOME WEIRD EXCUSE AND SAID IT WOULD COST HIM SO MUCH MONEY TO FIX WHICH WAS A RIDICULOUS AMOUNT. HE TRADED HIS 2008 CHEVY MALIBU IN FINALLY BECAUSE OF ALL THE PROBLEMS AND BOUGHT A TOYOTA CAMRY. THE COST QUOTED HIM WAS THE REASON I DID NOT TAKE MINE IN TO REPAIR. I COULDN'T AFFORD TO PAY FOR CHEVYS MALFUNCTION. *TR ## VIN FAILED ##

  19. Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Jan 25, 2013

    WHILST DRIVING HOME ONE NIGHT I NOTICED THAT MY BRAKE LIGHTS WERE ON, HOWEVER I WAS NOT APPLYING THE BRAKES. I THEN PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS TURNED OFF. ONCE I LET GO OF THE BRAKE THEY CAME BACK ON AFTER A FEW SECONDS. AT THE SAME TIME, I RECEIVED AN ERROR THAT READ ALONG THE LINES OF: ESC SERVICE TRACTION. MY HUSBAND AND I FOUND A FORUM WHERE OTHER MALIBU OWNERS SEEMED TO BE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE, SO WE REMOVED THE PANEL ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR TO CHECK FOR ANY CORROSION, THEN REPLACED THE PANEL. THE PROBLEM STOPPED, HOWEVER THIS ISSUE IS RE-OCCURRING, AND HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL OTHER TIMES SINCE THEN. I ALWAYS RECEIVE THE SAME ESC SERVICE TRACTION ERROR EACH TIME THIS HAPPENS AND I AM NOT ABLE TO USE CRUISE CONTROL AS THE BRAKE LIGHTS ARE BEING ENGAGED WITHOUT THE PEDAL BEING PRESSED. *TR

  20. Exterior lighting, Latches/locks/linkages, Nov 21, 2012

    THE CHEVY MALIBU 2008 DOOR LATCH ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DOES NOT WORK. IT HAS TO BE OPENED AND CLOSED MANUALLY. WHEN YOU BUY ANEW CAR AND PAY THAT MUCH MONEY FOR IT, YOU EXPECT THE DOORS TO WORK PROPERLY FOR THE LIFE OF THE CAR, AS I DID FOR MY OTHER CARS. THIS IS WRONG AND IT SHOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF BY THE MANUFACTURER, WHETHER IT'S UNDER WARRANTY OR NOT. THIS IS JUST GOOD BUSINESS PRACTICE. ALSO, MY FRONT HEADLIGHT LEAKS INSIDE WHEN IT RAINS. THIS IS TOTALLY UNCALLED FOR. I'VE DRIVEN ALMOST 50 YEARS AND THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED TO ANY OF MY CARS. THIS ALSO NEEDS TO BE TAKEN CARE OF. ..UPDATED 12/11/12 *BF

  21. Exterior lighting, Nov 14, 2012

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED WITHOUT THE BRAKE PEDAL BEING ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

  22. Exterior lighting, Oct 31, 2012

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS ERRONEOUSLY ILLUMINATED. THE BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKE SWITCH HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 91,000.

  23. Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Oct 25, 2012

    ON SEVERAL OCCASION I HAVE NOTICE THAT MY BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON WITHOUT ME EVEN PRESSING THE BRAKES. IT ALSO LIGHTS UP AND WHEN I PRESS THE BRAKES IT GOES OFF. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH OTHER MALIBU OWNER AND THEY COMPLAIN OF THIS SAME BRAKE FAILURE. IT IS VERY FRUSTRATING AND NOT SAFE. *TR

  24. Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Oct 9, 2012

    THE BRAKE LIGHTS, INCLUDING THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT, WERE OBSERVED ON DURING NORMAL OPERATION, WHEN THE BRAKES WERE NOT BEING APPLIED. THIS GIVES A FALSE INDICATION OF INTENDED OPERATION. *TR

  25. Steering, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Latches/locks/linkages, Sep 24, 2012

    TURN SIGNAL ARM DOES NOT STAY IN PLACE WHEN SIGNALING TO TURN. ALSO THE TURN SIGNAL ARM WHEN IT DOES STAY IN PLACE IT WILL NOT RETURN TO NORMAL POSITION/TURN OFF SIGNAL BY ITSELF AFTER MAKING A TURN. WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL IT MAKES POPPING NOISES. DOOR LOCKS ON ALL DOORS STAY EITHER IN THE "LOCK" OR "UNLOCK" POSITION AT ALL TIMES. ONE OF THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR LOCK HAS BEEN REPLACED AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR $300.00 AND THE DOOR LOCK STILL FAILS. THE ONLY WAY TO UNLOCK THE PASSENGER DOORS IS TO DO IT MANUALLY AND CLIMB OVER THE SEATS. THE DRIVER DOOR HAS TO BE UNLOCKED WITH THE KEY AND MANUALLY LOCKED WHEN EXITING THE VEHICLE. *TR