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: power train
89 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Nov 23, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12V460000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)) AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO PERFORM THE REPAIRS AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT SHE WOULD HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL JANUARY 2013 TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Suspension, Power train, Electrical system, May 27, 2012
I HAVE A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU 2LT WITH 111,000 KM ON IT. I HAVE BEEN NOTICING A FEW THINGS SINCE I PURCHASED THIS FROM BRAND NEW. OVERALL MY CAR HAS BEEN OK WITH GETTING ME FROM PLACE A TO PLACE B. THE ISSUES I HAVE HAD THAT ARE PRETTY SERIOUS FLAWS ARE THE POWER STEERING COLUMN, THE ALIGNMENT, THE AUTOMATIC POWER TRANSMISSION, AND THE DOOR LOCKS. I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET BY HOWEVER RECENTLY I HAD TO GET THE STEERING COLUMN REPLACED UNDER A SPECIAL WARRANTY POLICY. I HAD TO "KICK AND SCREAM" HOWEVER IN THE END THE PART WAS INSTALLED. THAT WOULD HAVE COST ME ABOUT 900 DOLLARS IF IT WAS NOT COVERED. NOW I AM HAVING AN ISSUE WITH THE "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT" INDICATOR. THIS CAME ON FOR THE FIRST TIME YESTERDAY AND WHEN I CALLED TO GET A DIAGNOSTIC I WAS TOLD THAT THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE POWER TRANSMISSION. IT SEEMS AFTER LOOKING ON-LINE THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME CARE AS MINE HAVING ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSION. NOW I AM GETTING NERVOUS SINCE I JUST PAID 13,000 TO BUY OUT MY LEASE. I HAVE CALLED GM CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY WILL WORK WITH ME AND THE DEALERSHIP TO GET THIS FIXED. BEFORE I GO TO THE DEALERSHIP I WANT TO HAVE ALL MY DOCUMENTATION THAT INDICATES THAT THIS IS A SPECIAL POLICY ISSUE AND NOT SOMETHING THAT I HAVE TO PAY FOR OUT OF MY OWN WALLET. I HAVE PUT ABOUT 38,000 INTO THE PURCHASE OF THIS CAR AND DO NOT HAVE ANY MORE ROOM TO DUMP TONS OF MONEY TO GETTING THIS FIXED ESPECIALLY WHEN OTHER GM CUSTOMERS HAVE PAID OUT OF THEIR OWN POCKET TO REALIZE A FEW WEEKS LATER THAT THERE IS ANOTHER ISSUE ON THE TRANSMISSION THAT NEEDS FIXING. I AM GOING TO DO EVERYTHING IN MY POWER TO HAVE THIS COVERED BY GM. I HAVE BEEN A PROUD GM OWNER ALL MY DRIVING LIFE AND WANT TO MAKE THIS RIGHT. I DREAD NEEDING TO FIX THE CAR AND SELLING IT. THAT IS NOT AN OPTION FOR ME AT THIS TIME. ANY HELP WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. *TR
Power train, Jan 24, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARD AFTER BEING PARKED AND SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START UNTIL AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE SHIFTER CABLE WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,735.
Steering, Suspension, Power train, Exterior lighting, Seats, Jul 20, 2011
LETTER FROM SENATOR BROWN ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT RE CONCERNS ABOUT 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU (RESPOND TO CLEVELAND OFFICE *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION COOLER LINES AND FRONT HUB ASSEMBLY WERE REPLACED. ALSO, THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE HEADLIGHTS HAD CONDENSATION WHICH CAUSED THE BULBS TO BLOW OUT. THE DEALER FOUND A SEAL AROUND THE PARAMETER OF THE CAPSULE WAS NOT PROPERLY SEALED AT THE FACTORY. THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT AND POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE WERE REPLACED. ALSO, THE FRONT SEAT HEATER SWITCH HAD TO BE REPLACED, DUE TO THE HEATER COMING ON WHEN THE SEAT WAS OCCUPIED. *JB
Power train, Jun 5, 2011
MY 2008 CHEVY MALIBU LTZ 4 CYLINDER HAS A VERY SERIOUS DESIGN FLAW WHICH GM/CHEVY REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE. IT IS PUTTING MY FAMILY AND I AND POSSIBLE DANGER. THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCES VERY SEVERE LAGS AND HESITATION AT VARIABLE INTERVALS WHILE DRIVING EITHER STOP AND GO OR ON A HIGHWAY. LAST MONTH WHILE DRIVING ON RT. 95 IN CONNECTICUT, OUR VEHICLE ACTED UP AND IT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND SHIFT BETWEEN GEARS PROPERLY. THE SERIOUS LAGS WHERE THE VEHICLE IS INBETWEEN GEARS WITH NO ENGINE/TRANS. ENGAGEMENT, LEFT US CLOSE TO BEING RUN OVER BY A TRACTOR TRAILER. *TR
Power train, May 24, 2011
2008 MALIBU V6 ENGINE THE CAR GOING 60 MILES PER HOUR AN GOES TO NEUTRAL HAVE TO HIT BRAKES TO GET IT TO GO BACK TO NORMAL,COULD BLOW UP MOTOR OR CAUSE WRECK. *TR
Power train, Apr 7, 2011
MY 2008 CHEVY MALIBU'S SHIFTING CABLE BROKE. I WAS DRIVING IT AND WENT TO PARK AND IT WOULD NOT GO INTO PARK HOWEVER I HAD IT IN PARK ON THE GEARSHIFT. WHEN I EXITED THE VEHICLE IT ROLLED FORWARD. I HAD TO SET THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO KEEP IT STOPPED. MY CAR IS AT THE DEALERSHIP RIGHT NOW AND I WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. SINCE THE 2009 MALIBU HAS THE SAME PROBLEM AND THERE IS A RECALL ON THE SHIFTING CABLE CLIP, I FEEL THE 2008 CHEVY SHOULD BE INCLUDED AND I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. *TR
Power train, Exterior lighting, Jan 20, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU LTZ (NA). WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55-60 MPH, THE CONTACT APPLIED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE HESITATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PERFORMING AS NORMAL. THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES WHERE THE DEALER PERFORMED A FRONT END ALIGNMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AS THE FAILURE OCCURRED AGAIN. THE DEALER REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION LINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP BUT HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE HEADLIGHTS ALSO DID NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 36,300.
Steering, Power train, Traction control system, Oct 3, 2010
THE VEHICLE JUST RECENTLY PURCHASED HAS HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING. THE DRIVE SHAFT WAS REPLACED WITHIN 2 WEEKS OF THE PURCHASE THEN ANOTHER PROBLEM OCCURRED AND ANOTHER PART WAS REPLACED. BUT NOW ONE MONTH LATER THE STEERING WHEEL STARTS TO JERK AND WIGGLE WHILE I AM DRIVING OR EVEN WHEN I TURN THE CAR OFF. THEN 2 DAYS AGO THE POWERSTEERING ALERT KEEPS COMING ON. ALLOW SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR THE TRACTION LIGHT WILL COME ON AND SOMETIMES I AM JUST SEATING AT A RED LIGHT. *TR
Power train, Sep 4, 2010
THE CHEVY MALIBU LTZ SPRING EDITION 4 CYLINDER ENGINE 6 SPEED TRANSMISSION HAS A VERY SERIOUS DELAY OR LAG IN COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE ENGINE AND THE TRANSMISSION. AT TIMES, THE LAG IS SO SEVERE THAT WHEN THE RESPONSE TIME DOES FINALLY REGISTER FOR THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE AND THEN ATTEMPT TO STOP, THE VEHICLE STILL INTENDS TO GO AHEAD AS PLANNED PRIOR TO THE BRAKING OF THE VEHICLE. THIS OCCURS AT ANY TIME, HOT OR COLD ENGINE, DURING HOT WEATHER AND ON SHORT DRIVES OR LONG ONES. THE DEALER AND GM HAS FINALLY ACKNOWLEDGED THERE IS SOME SHORT OF PROBLEM; NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM THROUGH SOFTWARE UPDATES HAVE BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL THUS FAR. *TR
Power train, Aug 10, 2010, crash
I HAVE A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU, IT IS A 2.4L 4-CYLINDER AND 4-SPD AUTOMATIC. FOR A FEW MONTHS NOW MY SHIFTER HAS FELT KIND OF LOOSE WHEN I AM SHIFTING FROM PARK TO NEUTRAL OR REVERSE, AND THE OTHER DAY I PULLED INTO MY FATHERS DRIVE WAY WITH THE CAR AND WENT TO PUT IT INTO PARK AND I SHUT THE CAR OFF AND TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE, THE CAR DID NOT ENGAGE PARK GEAR AND ROLLED FORWARD INTO MY FATHERS CAR. THE CAR WOULD NOT START IN PARK, ONLY NEUTRAL, AND I HAD TO USE THE PARKING BRAKE TO KEEP THE CAR FROM ROLLING. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND FOUND OUT THAT IT WAS THE SHIFT CABLE, AND IT COST ME $365 TO GET IT FIXED. BUT THEN THE NEXT DAY I FOUND OUT THAT GM HAD ISSUED A SAFETY RECALL 09041 ON SEVERAL MODELS INCLUDING THE 2009 MALIBU THAT COVER THE EXACT SAME THING THAT I EXPERIENCED. I FEEL THE 2008 MALIBU SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL AS WELL. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Electrical system, Equipment, Jul 8, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE HEAD GASKET WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT SHE HAD TO REPLACE THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE, THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT, THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR, THE BATTERY, THE STARTER CABLE WIRES, THE SYSTEM COMPUTER AND THE DOOR LOCKS ON BOTH REAR DOORS. ALL OF THE REPAIRS WERE MADE BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,988 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 58,000.
Power train, Mar 7, 2010, crash
STORMY ,WET NIGHT,I STOPPED AT CORNER IN MY 2008 MALIBU HYBRID-STARTING FORWARD,MY CAR SURGED AND LANDED ME IN A BROOK-NOW SOUNDS LIKE SUA. ANY OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THIS SORT. WATER TOTALED THE CAR-THERE WAS NO INVESTIGATION. I AM NOT SURE OF COMPONENT AS I HAVE NO MECHANICAL EXPERTISE. THERE WAS A DEFINITE LOUD SURGE. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Power train, Feb 18, 2010
MY 2008 CHEVY MALIBU LTZ HAS TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. IT STALLS OUT WHEN YOU GO FROM PARK TO THE 1ST GEAR, THAN FROM 1ST GEAR TO 2ND AND FROM 2ND GEAR TO 3RD GEAR. WHAT HAPPENS IS THE TRANSMISSION STALLS OUT LONG ENOUGH TO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT OR OTHER TYPE OF INCIDENT. THIS PROBLEM HAPPENS MOST OF THE TIME AND HAS BEEN GOING ON NOW FOR SIX MONTHS. IT HAS STALLED OUT CLIMBING VAIL PASS, THE EISENHOWER TUNNEL CLIMB AND DESCENT AND I-70 EST OF I-15 IN UTAH THROUGH THE HIGH ELEVATIONS. THIS VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY GOES INTO NEUTRAL AND THAN RE-ENGAGES. FURTHERMORE, WHEN THE CAR SHIFTS FROM 2ND TO 3RD IT GOES INTO A STALL AND THE RPM'S INCREASE TO AROUND 4000 BEFORE IT ACTUALLY CHANGES INTO THE NEXT GEAR... THE OTHER SEVERE PROBLEM IS WHILE DRIVING MY CAR THROUGH A VERY LONG TUNNEL ON 9-17-09; THE FUEL GAGE WENT FROM FULL TO EMPTY (NO FUEL) AND LOW FUEL LAMP CAME ON. ON-STAR SAID "SYSTEM HAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM". THE CAUSE: FUEL VAPOR LINE HANGING UP FUEL LEVEL SENDER CAUSING GAUGE TO READ INACCURATELY J7815 (CODE P0461) FOUND IN BULLETIN #09-06-04-007A. *TR