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: latches/locks/linkages
76 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Dec 31, 2011
IN THIS 4 DOOR VEHICLE, THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS APPEAR TO HAVE A DEFECT THAT HAS AFFECTED NUMEROUS VEHICLES OF THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL. THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS EITHER COMPLETELY FAIL OR BECOME INTERMITTENT. THERE ARE TWO PRIMARY SAFETY CONCERNS WITH THESE ACTUATORS FAILING. THE FIRST BEING THAT NOT ALL THE LOCKS AUTOMATICALLY LOCK WHEN VEHICLE IS PLACED INTO DRIVE, GIVING WOMEN OR MEN A FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY AGAINST CAR JACKING BECAUSE THEY HAVE NO INDICATION THAT ALL THE LOCKS ARE WORKING OR NOT ON ALL FOUR DOORS. SECONDLY, IMPAIRED PERSONNEL OR PREGNANT WOMAN MAY NOT BE ABLE TO REACH (MANUALLY) FROM THE INSIDE TO THE REAR LOCKS TO UNLOCK THE DOOR DUE TO THE POSITIONING OF THE LATCH TO THE FAR MOST AFT POSITION OF THE VEHICLE. NOR IS THERE A KEY SLOT TO UNLOCK THE REAR OR PASSENGER DOORS FROM THE OUTSIDE. THEREFORE, SOMEONE WITH A DISABILITY OR PREGNANCY MAY BECOME INJURED WHILE TRYING TO MANEUVER IN A POSITION TO UNLOCK THE REAR DOORS VIA THE INSIDE LOCK LATCH. A SIMPLE INTERNET SEARCH OF THE ISSUE REVEALED THAT THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT THAT MANY CONSUMERS ARE EXPERIENCING. IN FACT, CHEVROLET RE-ENGINEERED THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR FOR NEWER MODELS AND FOR REPLACEMENT PARTS OF OLDER MODELS, HENCE CONFIRMING THE DEFECT. HOWEVER, NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED TO PROTECT CONSUMERS AGAINST A KNOWN ISSUE. THE SAFETY OF VEHICLE OCCUPANTS AND OWNERS ARE COMPROMISED BY THIS FLAW. CASE IN POINT, OCTOBER OF THIS YEAR IN AL, THREE MEN ROBBED A MAN AND LEFT THE AREA IN HIS CHEVY MALIBU. ASKING A CONSUMER WITH A DISABILITY OR WHO IS PREGNANT, WHO BUYS THIS VEHICLE WITH AUTOMATIC LOCKS, TO CRAWL OVER THEIR SEATS TO SECURE/UNSECURE THEIR VEHICLE IS WRONG. PLEASE HELP. *KB
Latches/locks/linkages, Dec 12, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR COULD NOT BE LOCKED WITH THE KEYLESS ENTRY SYSTEM OR MANUALLY. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE DOOR ACTUATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74,741 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 70,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 04/25/12 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR, WAS ALSO BEGINNING TO DISPLAY THE SAME PROBLEM. UPDATED 04/30/12
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Dec 8, 2011
DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR FAILED IN REAR, DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Nov 5, 2011
AFTER RETURNING GROCERY SHOPPING I COULD NOT GET GROCERIES INTO BACK SEAT, DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK . THIS COULD HAVE BEEN GOING ON FOR MONTHS AS I ALWAYS PUT GROCERIES IN FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AND FLOOR AND NEVER USED REAR DOORS . APPROXIMATELY 1-2 WEEKS LATER OTHER REAR PASSENGER DOOR WOULD NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK. I CONTACTED DEALER WHO STATED GM MIGHT WORK WITH ME TO HELP A LITTLE BUT DOUBT IT AS MY MILEAGE WAS AT 42000 MILES. AFTER CHECKING ONLINE I FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FROM MALIBU OWNERS THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO THEM AT 40,000 - 50,000 MILES AFTER THE WARRANTY IS OVER. THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE COVERED BY GM AS IT SHOWS A DEFECT IN THE ACTUATER IN DOORS GO BAD, AS WELL AS A NEGLIGENT SAFETY HAZARD KNOWING MANY CARS HAVING THIS PROBLEM. IS IT GOING TOI TAKE SOMEONE TO DIE IN REAR SEATS DUE TO THIS DEFECT WHEN AN ACCIDENT OR FIRE OCCURS. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY HAZARD AS CHILDREN IN THE BACK SEAT CANNOT OPEN DOOR IF THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT OR FIRE, AS WELL AS A POLICEMAN/FIREMAN/RESCUERER, CANNOT OPEN EITHER REAR DOORS FROM THE OUTSIDE. YOU HAVE TO CRAWL OVER AND SQEEZE IN BETWEEN FRONT SEATS AND HAVE ENTIRE BODY IN BACK SEATS BEFORE YOU CAN REACH THE DOOR LOCKS TO MANUALLY OPEN THEM. THIS IS GOING TO COST ME APPROX $400-$500.00 FOR REAR DOORS AND READING OTHER CUSTOMERS THIS COULD EVENTUALLY APPLY TO ALL DOORS INCLUDING FRONT DOORS (ANOTHER $400-$500.00). THIS IS MY FIRST CHEVY I PURCHASED BRAND NEW AND WILL PROBABLY MY LAST. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Oct 20, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOORS WOULD NOT UNLOCK WHEN USING THE REMOTE CONTROL OR WITH MANUAL THE LOCK AND UNLOCK BUTTONS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ONLY WAY TO OPEN THE DOORS WAS TO PULL THE KNOB TO UNLOCK IT MANUALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 64,000.
Steering, Latches/locks/linkages, Aug 5, 2011
BACK IN APRIL I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY DRIVER SIDE LOCK. IT WOULD GET STUCK. SOMETIMES THE DOOR WOULDN'T EVEN OPEN. I WOULD PRESS THE BUTTON TO UNLOCK THE DOOR, AND THAT WOULDN'T WORK. I WOULD HAVE TO USE MY KEY, ANS SOMETIMES THAT DIDN'T WORK EITHER. I AM STILL HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE LOCK, AND PRETTY MUCH EVERYDAY I HAVE TO USE MY KEY TO OPEN THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR. I WAS TOLD TO USE WD-40 AND THAT SILL DIDN'T HELP. THE MOST RECENT EVENT WITH MY CAR IS THIS LOUD VIBRATING NOISE THAT HAS BEEN OCCURING OFF AND ON FOR THE PAST TWO MONTHS. I'V HAD SEVERAL PEOPLE CHECK IT OUT AND THEY SAY THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. MY CAR MAKES THE NOISE WHILE SITTING IN PARK, SOMETIMES WHILE I'M DRIVING, OR SITTING STILL AT A LIGHT. ABOUT A 1-1 1/2 MONTHS AGO MY WHEEL WOU;D MOVE BACK AND FORTH. I WENT TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WASN'T ANYTHING WRONG. MY WHEEL MOVES MORE AND MORE. IT MOVES SOMETIMES WHEN I FIRST START MY CAR, WHILE SITTING A LIGHT, AND AT VARIOUS SPEEDS WHILE I AM DRIVING. WHEN I TURN MY STEERING WHEEL BACK IN A NEUTRAL POSITION SOMETIMES IT WOULD TURN THE OTHER WAY. TODAY MY WHEEL WAS MOVING WHILE I WAS DRIVNG AND MY CAR STARTED MOVING IN THE SAME DIRECTION. IT WAS HARD TO CONTROL AND IT WAS VERY SCARY BECAUSE I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY. I'M SO FED UP WITH THIS CAR, AND I TOTALLY REGRET BUYING IT. I AM PROBABLY NEVER GOING TO BUY A CHEVROLET AGAIN, EVEN IF CHEVROLET'S ARE ALL THAT I HAVE EVER OWNED. *TT
Latches/locks/linkages, Aug 1, 2011
NOTHING OCCURRED PRIOR TO MY PASSENGER DOOR LOCK NOT WORKING, ELECTRONICALLY. IT DOES NOT LOCK/UNLOCK WHEN THE CAR IS PLACED IN PARK, OR USING THE KEY CONTROL OR DOOR PANEL CONTROL. WE ARE HAVING THE DEALER HOPEFULLY FIX THE PROBLEM TOMORROW. *KB
Latches/locks/linkages, Jul 17, 2011
POWER DOOR LOCKS DO NOT WORK PROPERLY... THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR POWER DOOR LOCK WAS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY. THE OTHER THREE REMAINING POWER DOOR LOCKS DO NOT FUNCTION CORRECTLY AND HAVE TO BE LOCKED MANUALLY. THIS IS AN INCONVENIENCE WHEN EXITING THE VEHICLE AND ALSO A HAZARD IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY... *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Jun 22, 2011
THE WAS NOTHING LEADING UP TO THE EVENT, THE CAR WAS WORKING FINE. ONE DAY IN MAY I PUT THE CAR IN PARK, AND NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR DID NOT UNLOCK AS THE REST OF THE DOORS DID. I PUT THE CARE BACK IN DRIVE, THEN BACK IN PARK, STILL THE DOOR DID NOT UNLOCK, I TRIED THE LOCK BUTTON, AND THE REMOTE FOR THE CAR AND NOTHING HAPPENED. I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND SINCE MY WARRANTY IS UP, I WAS TOLD ITS $52 TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. UNFORTUNATELY MY BUMPER-TO-BUMPER WARRANTY ENDED IN DEC 2010. I SEE THAT THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH ONE OR MORE DOORS NOT WORKING AFTER APPROXIMATELY 37K MILES. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Jun 20, 2011
REAR DRIVER DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK WITH POWER LOCKS. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO REACH THE MANUAL DOOR LOCK WITHOUT CRAWLING INTO THE BACK SEAT AND THERE IS NO KEYHOLE ON THE EXTERIOR OF THE REAR DOOR. IT WOULD BE EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO GET MY CHILDREN OUT OF THE CAR IF THERE WERE AN EMERGENCY. *TT
Latches/locks/linkages, Equipment, Jun 13, 2011
DRIVERSIDE REAR PASSENGER DOOR AND FRONT PASSENGER DOOR UNLOCKS NOT WORKING, OR WORK INTERMITTENTLY. HAVE MANUALLY LOCK/UNLOCK BOTH DOORS. *TR
Steering, Latches/locks/linkages, May 31, 2011
2008 MALIBU - DRIVERS DOOR LATCH DOES NOT WORK. OFTEN DRIVER GETS STUCK IN VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THERE IS A LOUD KNOCK IN THE STEERING AND IT HAS HAD A RING GEAR REPLACED ALREADY, SAME PROBLEM 12,000 MILES LATER. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Apr 20, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCK WOULD NOT ACTIVATE UPON THE ENGAGEMENT OF THE KEY FOB OR THE INTERIOR DOOR LOCK DEVICE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,638.
Latches/locks/linkages, Mar 23, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU LTZ. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGERS DOORS WERE UNABLE TO OPENED FROM THE OUTSIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THEY NEEDED TO REPLACE THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS ON THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 47,000.
Latches/locks/linkages, Nov 28, 2010
THE DOOR LOCK MOTORS HAVE GONE OUT ON BOTH THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR AND THE DRIVER SIDE PASSENGER DOOR. THE BACK DOOR WENT OUT FIRST FOLLOWED BY THE FRONT DOOR. THE PROBLEM OCCURS ALL THE TIME, THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS DO NOT WORK AT ALL. WE HAVE NOT REPAIRED THIS ISSUES SIMPLY BECAUSE WE CANNOT AFFORD THE EXTRA EXPENSE. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Nov 1, 2010
I OWN A 2008 CHEVY MALIBU THAT WAS BOUGHT NEW OFF THE LOT. THE DOOR LOCKS ON BOTH BACK DOORS AND THE PASSENGER DOOR STARTED MALFUNCTIONING A FEW MONTHS AGO, AND NOW EVEN THE DRIVER DOOR LOCK IS INOPERABLE. I HAVE CHANGED THE BATTERIES IN THE FOBS, TO NO AVAIL. I HAD ONSTAR ALSO DO THE AUTO UNLOCK, BUT THIS TOO IN UNSUCCESSFUL. I PURCHASED ALL EXTENDED WARRANTIES THE COMPANY HAD TO OFFER, BUT UNFORTUNATELY THEY ONLY COVER UP TO 36,000 MILES. I AM CURRENTLY AT 36,000 MILES AND UNFORTUNATELY OUT OF LUCK. THE SERVICE CENTER WANTS $90 JUST TO DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE BEFORE THEY EVEN TELL ME WHAT THE COSTS MAY BE. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Oct 16, 2010
I OWN A 2008 MALIBU LT2. SHORTLY AFTER THE 36,000 MILE WARRANT RAN OUT THE PASSENGER FRONT DOOR LOCK WOULD NOT UNLOCK WITH THE REMOTE OR BY THE UNLOCK BUTTON. IT HAS TO BE MANUALLY UNLOCKED. ABOUT ONE MONTH LATER THE REAR DRIVERS DOOR BEGAN DOING THE SAME THING. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY CHARGED ME $80 DOLLARS TO TELL ME IT WOULD COST $400 TO REPLACE BOTH ACTUATORS ON THE LOCKS. I SEE THERE HAVE BEEN MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON THE DOOR LOCKS ON 2008 MALIBU'S. WHEN IT BECOMES A NORMAL OCCURRENCE THAT PARTS ON A CAR ARE GOING BAD IT SHOULD BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE MANUFACTURER TO FIX THEM. IN READING THE OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THE MALIBU I SEE A LOT ON THE STEERING SHAKING AND JERKING. THIS IS REALLY SCARY AS I DRIVE OVER 400 MILES TO SEE MY SON AT COLLEGE. TO THINK THIS MIGHT HAPPEN WHEN I WOULD BE DRIVING IN THE MOUNTAINS OF VIRGINIA IS REALLY SCARY. CHEVY NEEDS TO STEP UP AND PUT OUT RECALLS ON THIS PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED IN AN ACCIDENT. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Oct 13, 2010
BOTH REAR DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS ARE INOPERABLE. THE DOORS WILL NOT LOCK AUTOMATICALLY OR UNLOCK AUTOMATICALLY. BOTH DOORS WILL NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK WHEN THE POWER DOOR LOCK BUTTON IS ACTUATED. BOTH DOORS WILL NOT LOCK WHEN THE CAR IS PLACED INTO DRIVE. THE REAR DOORS CAN BE OPENED WHEN THE CAR IS MOVING. BOTH DOORS WILL NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK USING THE REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY. BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY, GM WILL NOT COVER THE REPAIRS. *TR
Steering, Seat belts, Latches/locks/linkages, Sep 23, 2010
MY 2008 CHEVY MALIBU 1LT HAS SEVERAL PROBLEMS, LET ME EXPLAIN. FIRST THE PROBLEM WAS A SLIGHT CLICKING, POPPING IN THE STEERING COLUMN WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL, THEN IT STARTING DOING IT EVERY TIME I SLIGHTLY TURN THE WHEEL YOU CAN FEEL IT THROUGH THE STEERING COLUMN, NOTHING BAD BUT ITS ANNOYING, THEN SUDDENLY WITHIN A COUPLE MONTHS OF THAT MY POWER LOCKS SUDDENLY STARTED GOING UP AND DOWN BY THEMSELVES PERIODICALLY WHETHER IT'S PARKED OR BEING DRIVEN, LOCKED ME OUT TWO TIMES, I WAS LATE FOR WORK BECAUSE I HAD TO CALL DOOR UNLOCKING SERVICE, ALSO THE MANUAL LOCKS ON THE DOOR USED TO LOCK AND UNLOCK WON'T WORK AT ALL, YOU HAVE TO MANUALLY USE YOUR HAND, THEN TO BEAT IT ALL MY SEATBELT WONT LOCK I TRIED TO CLICK IT BUT IT WONT EVEN GO DOWN HARDLY AT ALL, THIS IS ONLY THE SEATBELT IN THE DRIVERS SIDE. THIS IS A REAL BAD SAFETY ISSUE AND THE LAW IN KY (CLICK IT OR TICKET) SO FAR THAT'S ALL I CAN SAY IS GOING ON FOR NOW. I DO KNOW THIS FOR A FACT I WILL NEVER BUY A CHEVROLET. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Aug 1, 2010
I HAVE AUTOMATIC LOCKS ON MY CAR AND I HAVE ALREADY HAD TO TAKE THE CAR IN TWICE TO HAVE THE LOCKS REPAIRED OR REPLACED AND NOW THE LOCKS ARE GIVING ME PROBLEMS AGAIN. THE CAR IS STILL UNDER THE WARRANTY PERIOD, BUT THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THAT I'M GOING TO HAVE TO TAKE THE CAR IN FOR THE SAME TYPE OF PROBLEM. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Jul 27, 2010
BOUGHT A USED 2008 MALIBU WITH 36K, BY THE TIME I HIT 43K THE DRIVER SIDE REAR DOOR LOCK WOULD NOT WORK ELECTRONICALLY. BY THE TIME I HIT 45K THE DRIVER DOOR IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. I LOOKED INTO THE ISSUE AND THERE ARE MANY OTHERS OUT THERE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. CHEVY DEALERS THEN CHARGE OVER $1000 TO FIX THE LOCK MOTORS, EVEN THOUGH IT SEEMS TO BE A FACTORY DEFECT. *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Jun 13, 2010
2008 CHEVY MALIBU AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS FAIL TO OPERATE PROPERLY. BEGAN WITH PASSENGER REAR DOOR AND MOVED TO ALL DOORS. WHEN CAR REACHES 15 MPH THE DOORS ARE SUPPOSED TO AUTO LOCK. THEY DO NOT. KEYLESS ENTRY AND STARTER DO NOT WORK. BATTERY WAS REPLACED IN THE KEY FOB WITH NO CHANGE. TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. COST WOULD BE 250 DOLLARS PER DOOR TO REPAIR. CAR WAS TAKEN IN TO DEALERSHIP PRIOR TO 3 YR 36000 MILE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED WITH INTERMITTENT DOOR LOCKS ON REAR DOOR WORKING AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. DOOR LOCKS COMPLETELY FAILED AFTER 36000 MILE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Tires, May 9, 2010
MY CAR LOCKS ON ALL 4 DOORS HAS TO BE MANUALLY LOCKED, WHEN THEY ARE ELECTRICAL. AND WHEN I USE THE REMOTE TO UNLOCK THE DOORS, AND I OPEN A DOOR, THE ALARM SOUNDS. THE LOCKS ON MY DOORS HAS NOT BEEN WORKING FOR A LONG TIME, AND OF COURSE I AM OUT OF THE WARRANTY TIME. I THINK THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THAT. IT REALLY GETS TIRING. THE WARNING LIGHT FOR THE AIR BAGS AND TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR HAS BEEN COMING ON SINCE FOREVER, AGAIN, I THINK A RECALL SHOULD BE CALLED FOR THESE CARS. *TR
Steering, Suspension, Latches/locks/linkages, Apr 21, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL PULLED TO THE LEFT AND THEN TO THE RIGHT. THE CONTACT HAD TO SLOW DOWN AND GRIP THE WHEEL TIGHT IN ORDER TO GAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY BUT HAD BECOME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER TIME. SHE ALSO NOTICED THAT THE DOOR LOCKS HAD MALFUNCTIONED. THE WHEEL BEARING WAS REPLACED BUT THE DOORS LOCKS WERE NOT REPAIRED WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED FOR THE STEERING FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 40,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 72,000.
Steering, Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Wheels, Mar 8, 2010
I HAVE A 2008 CHEVY MALIBU THAT HAS SOME STEERING ISSUES. THE STEERING WHEEL WILL JERK BACK AND FORTH WHILE DRIVING OR WHILE SITTING STILL, STEERING WHEEL MAKES A POPPING NOISE WHEN TURNING. 2 OF THE 4 DOOR LOCKS COMPLETELY QUIT WORKING ELECTRONICALLY. SO MANY MORE PROBLEMS, THIS CAR IS A LEMON AND GM AND THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE ASHAMED FOR MAKING THIS VEHICLE CAR OF THE YEAR. *TR