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: service brakes
90 reports, newest first. Show all
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
Service brakes, Jun 5, 2014, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL ABNORMALLY TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD AND FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE CAUSING A CRASH TO OCCUR. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED WHERE THERE WAS AN INJURY REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, May 26, 2014
MY WIFE AND I WERE TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE 40 GOING AROUND 75-80 MPH WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL DISABLED BY ITSELF. I COULD NOT GET IT TO ENGAGE AND NOTICED THE TAIL LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE ONLY WAY THEY WOULD GO OFF WAS TO APPLY A LITTLE PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE CRUISE CONTROL WILL STILL NOT WORK AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS ARE STAYING ILLUMINATED. ALSO WHEN BRAKING AT HIGH SPEEDS THE ENTIRE CAR OCCASIONALLY SHAKES AND DOES NOT BRAKE PROPERLY. I HAVE BEEN FORTUNATE ENOUGH THAT I HAVE NOT NEEDED TO APPLY THE BRAKES IN SUCH A MANNER TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. *TR
Service brakes, May 21, 2014
THERE NEEDS TO BE AN OFFICIAL GM RECALL ON THE CHEVY MALIBU 2008. MY BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD NOT WORK. THEY WORKED IN REVERSE. EVERY TIME I PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN OR STOP, THE LIGHTS WOULDN'T TURN ON TO INDICATE TO OTHER DRIVERS THAT I WAS SLOWING DOWN. WHEN MY FOOT WAS OFF THE BRAKE, THE BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD TURN ON. FOR ME, AND THE FAMILY THAT I DRIVE IN THIS CAR, I FELT THIS WAS HAZARDOUS. THIS WAS NOT SAFE DRIVING FOR ME AND FOR EVERYONE AROUND ME. IF I HAD TO SUDDENLY STOP AND APPLY MY BRAKES, I COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THE BRAKE LIGHT ISSUE IS ONLY RECALLED FOR 2004-2007 MALIBU'S. THIS ISSUE HAS CONTINUED ON PAST 2007. *TR
Service brakes, May 15, 2014
BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON WITHOUT MY DEPRESSING BRAKES AND A DELAY WHEN BRAKES ARE ACTUALLY PRESSED. I TOOK CAR INTO THE LOCAL DEALER IN TOWN AND TOLD COULDN'T LOCATE A PROBLEM AND TO BRING CAR IN THE NEXT TIME AS THE PROBLEM WAS OCCURRING, ALSO CRUISE CONTROL TURNS OFF WHILE I'M DRIVING AND HAVE BEEN GETTING SERVICE ERROR MESSAGES . JUST 5/10/14 I NOTICED ANOTHER MALIBU WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS, WHILE THIS CAR WAS ACCELERATING AND GOING AROUND OTHER CARS IT'S BRAKE LIGHTS WERE CONSTANTLY ON. *TR
Steering, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electronic stability control (ESC), Apr 3, 2014
06/18/2013 SUDDEN ONSET OF STEERING PULLING TO THE RT AND POPPING @ BRAKE PEDAL & STEERING WHEEL. SVC: ROTATE & BALANCE * DID NOT FIX PROBLEM. 06/23-SERVICE TRACTION/TRACTION OFF ON DIC. SVC: SCANNED FOR CODES-TOLD TO BRING BACK WHEN DISPLAY ON DIC. 07/22 BRAKE LIGHT OUT. SVC: REPLACED BULB. 07/23 SCANNED FOR CODES 3 TIMES, CHECKED BATTERY/ALTERNATOR. 09/11 BRAKE JOB, TURNED ROTORS, RAN SCAN, PULLED BCM (PASSENGER SIDE) CHECKED FOR FRETTING CORROSION. 09/19 SERVICE TRACTION FINALLY ON DIC- REPLACED BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH, RESET CODES. 57 MILES LATER WARNING BACK ON. SCANNED FOR CODES-MULTIPLE CODES. 09/20 RAN SCAN WHILE DRIVING (SVC TRACTION NOT ON DIC)- MULTIPLE CODES * RECOMMENDED CONTACT CHEVROLET TO BE DIAGNOSED - TOO MANY CODES. CALLED CHEV. CUSTOMER SERVICE- REFERRED TO DEALER. 10/03 @ DEALER: CS REQUEST SCAN FOR CODES - HAS STABILITRAC-TCONTROL ON-BRAKE LIGHT ON BUT PRESS BRAKES AND LIGHTS GO OFF-DIAG ONLY PERF DIAG TEST EBCM CODE C056100 BCM CODE C0277 00. *REPLACE BPP SENSOR, CLEAN APPLY DIELECTRIC TO BCM CONN., RELEARN BPP SENSOR AND CLEAR CODES. $212.23. ON SAME WO: CS: STEERING WILL PULL OR TWITCH LFT TO RT **PERFORM SPEC. POLICY 10183 STEERING ASSIST. $0. **10/21@7:30AM TRANSPORTING MY 2 DISABLED CHILDREN TO SCHOOL, TOOK RT AND COMPLETELY LOST STEERING. CALLED FOR TOW TO DEALER**CSPOWER STEERING LIGHT COMES ON-STEERING TIGHTENS UP-WON'T STEER-THEN LIGHT GOES OFF AND STEERING COMES BACK ON. PERFDIAG TEST CODE C0545 DIAG PS. REPLACE COLUMN & SETUP POSITION SENSOR TURNING & TORQUE SENSOR $763.08. **DID NOT FIX STEERING POPPING & PULLING. CALLED DEALER IN NOV. WANTED $65 DIAG. FEE. 02/02 TOOK TO INDEPENDENT SHOP: LUBED INTERMEDIATE SHAFT PER TSB DID NOT FIX. 02/11 SVC TRACTION BACK ON!!! CALLED DEALER, TOLD TO BRING IN WHEN ON DIC TO SCAN FOR CODES - REALLY! WANTED ANOTHER $65.CANNOT AFFORD TO TAKE INTO DEALER. 04/03/14 STEERING POPPING AND PULLING! UNSAFE CAR!!!
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical system, Feb 21, 2014
WHILE TRAVELING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WITH MY CAR ON CRUISE CONTROL GOING ABOUT 70MPH, A CAR CUT ME OFF AND I HAD TO SLAM ON MY BRAKES TO AVOID A CRASH. IN THE PROCESS OF BRAKING, MY KNEE HIT A LONG KEY ON MY KEYCHAIN AND CAUSED THE KEY IN THE IGNITION TO TURN TO THE OFF POSITION. I IMMEDIATELY LOST ALL POWER INCLUDING THE ABILITY TO EASILY STEER. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO PUT ON MY HAZARDS AND GET TO THE SIDE OF THE RODE. I THEN PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND IT WAS ABLE TO RESTART. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Feb 5, 2014
BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON WITHOUT ME PRESSING DOWN THE BRAKE PEDAL. *TR
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
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Oct 5, 2013
MY 2008 CHEVY MALIBU HAS A RECURRING BRAKE LIGHT ISSUE. THE BRAKE LIGHTS STAY ON RANDOMLY, AND WHEN YOU STEP DOWN ON THE BRAKE PEDAL YOU GET NO BRAKE LIGHTS RANDOMLY. I'VE ALMOST BEEN HIT COUNTLESS TIMES DUE TO VEHICLES BEHIND ME NOT KNOWING WHEN I'M ACTUALLY STOPPING DUE TO THE BRAKE LIGHTS BEING ON FOR 20 MILES STRAIGHT. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS FOR ME AND MY FAMILY. *TR
Electrical system, Service brakes, Sep 30, 2013
THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH IS FAULTY AND CORRODED. THE BRAKE LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON WHEN BRAKE PEDAL IS PRESSED. CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT ENGAGE. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AS OTHER DRIVERS ARE NOT WARNED OF BRAKING. *TR
Service brakes, Sep 3, 2013
BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON AND STAY ON WHEN YOU DON'T EVEN PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL. *JB
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
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
Traction control system, Service brakes, Jul 5, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE TRACTION CONTROL AND BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE ALSO ILLUMINATED EVEN THOUGH HE WAS NOT DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION BUT THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 08/15/13*LJ
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
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Mar 26, 2013
I FIRST EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM OCTOBER 2011 WHEN THE DASHBOARD MESSAGE INDICATED SERVICE TRACTION AND SERVICE ESC, I TOOK MY CAR TO AN INDEPENDENT GARAGE WHERE THEY PUT DIELECTRIC GREASE ON THE BCM CONNECTORS. THEY STATED IF THE PROBLEM CONTINUES, I WOULD HAVE TO GO TO A DEALER FOR THE BCM TO BE REPROGRAMMED. WHILE THIS FIXED THE PROBLEM OF MY SERVICE BRAKE LIGHTS COMING ON WITHOUT TOUCHING MY BREAK PEDAL AND THEN WHILE BREAKING NO BREAK LIGHTS COME ON, THE FIX ONLY WORKED TEMPORARILY. I TOOK MY CAR TO A DEALERSHIP, BECAUSE LIKE OTHERS HAVE MENTIONED, WHEN YOU SHUT THE CAR OFF IT CLEARS THE MESSAGE UNTIL YOU ARE NO LONGER AT THE GARAGE AND IT COMES BACK ON. I TOO TOOK MY CAR BACK TO THE DEALER AND DID NOT SHUT THE CAR OFF. THE SERVICE WRITER SAW THE MESSAGES WHICH WERE, SERVICE TRACTION AND SERVICE ESC. THE FIRST TIME I VISITED THE DEALER WAS ON JUNE 1, 2012, THEIR REPORT STATES CODE C0131 ABS TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM PRESSURE CIRCUIT. I HAD THIS PROBLEM FIXED ON JUNE 25, 2012 IN WHICH THEY REPLACED AND CALIBRATED BRAKE PEDAL SWITCH, GREASED BCM CONNECTOR, CLEARED CODE, ROAD TEST, REPLACE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FOR A SUM OF MONEY. THIS HAS NOT FIXED MY PROBLEM TO DATE. THE PROBLEM IS ESPECIALLY PERSISTENT DURING DAMP AND WET WEATHER. IT IS AN UNEASY FEELING DRIVING BECAUSE IT HAPPENS AT RANDOM TIMES. *TR
Service brakes, Mar 18, 2013
AFTER PURCHASING MY 2008 MALIBU IN JUNE OF 2012, I HAVE NOTICED MULTIPLE TIMES THAT MY BRAKE LIGHTS STAY ON WHEN ACCELERATING, AND TURN OFF WHILE BRAKING. IF I PUSH THE BRAKE HARD ENOUGH THE LIGHT EVENTUALLY DOES COME ON. I TOOK THIS INTO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT EXAMINED, AND THEY DID NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THIS HAS CONTINUED TO HAPPEN ON A WEEKLY, IF NOT DAILY BASIS. *TR
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
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
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
Steering, Service brakes, Jul 27, 2012
WHILE PRESSING THE BRAKE TO SLOW TO TURN TO THE RIGHT THE ESC SERVICING COMES ACROSS THE DASH. I CALL THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT THE NEXT DAY (CAUSE THE INCIDENT HAPPENED AFTER HOURS) THEY TECH SAYS NEXT TIME THE LIGHT COMES ON BRING IT IN WITHOUT TURNING THE CAR OFF. FOR THE NEXT SEVERAL TIMES IT HAPPENS OF COURSE WAS AFTER HOURS. I TOOK IT IN FOR A OIL CHANGE, AND WHEN LEAVING THE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. I AUTOMATICALLY TURNED AROUND AND WENT BACK. UPON DIAGNOSTIC TESTING IT SHOWS NOTHING IS WRONG AND THE TECH SAYS MY CAR DOESN'T HAVE ANYTHING THAT WOULD SET OFF THIS CODE. CAN ANYONE TELL ME WHAT ESC STANDS FOR ON THIS MODEL CAR????? *TR
Steering, Service brakes, Jun 12, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE CONTACT TRIED TO MANEUVER THE STEERING WHEEL BUT HAD A DIFFICULT TIME DOING SO. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT THE TECHNICIANS WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE SECOND TIME THE FAILURE HAPPENED, THE BRAKES FAILED AS WELL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AGAIN AND THE FAIL STILL RECURRED. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF THE SPECIFIC REPAIRS MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD ASSIST IN HER PURCHASING A REPLACEMENT VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Steering, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical system, Air bags, Apr 11, 2012
WHILE DRIVING OR NOT DRIVING THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES VIGOROUSLY AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT COMES ON. THEN THE BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON WHEN I'M NOT TOUCHING THEM.WHEN I DO APPLY THE BRAKES THE LIGHTS GO OUT. THEN HAVE TO APPLY A GENEROUS AMOUNT OF PRESSURE TO GET THEM TO COME ON. I CONSTANTLY KEEP GETTING THE LIGHT SERVICE ESC THEN IT SAYS IT IS OFF. I TURN OFF CAR AND IT RESETS BUT AFTER 2 OR 3 MINUTES IT COMES BACK ON. I ALSO KEEP GETTING A SEATBELT LIGHT AS TO BUCKLE UP AND I'M ALREADY WEARING SEATBELT. THE STEERING GETS HUNG WHILE DRIVING PULLING TO EITHER SIDE OF THE ROAD. *TR
Steering, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical system, Apr 9, 2012
WHILE DRIVING OR NOT DRIVING THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES VIGOROUSLY AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT COMES ON. THEN THE BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON WHEN I'M NOT TOUCHING THEM.WHEN I DO APPLY THE BRAKES THE LIGHTS GO OUT. THEN HAVE TO APPLY A GENEROUS AMOUNT OF PRESSURE TO GET THEM TO COME ON. I CONSTANTLY KEEP GETTING THE LIGHT SERVICE ESC THEN IT SAYS IT IS OFF. I TURN OFF CAR AND IT RESETS BUT AFTER 2 OR 3 MINUTES IT COMES BACK ON. I ALSO KEEP GETTING A SEATBELT LIGHT AS TO BUCKLE UP AND I'M ALREADY WEARING SEATBELT. THE STEERING GETS HUNG WHILE DRIVING PULLING TO EITHER SIDE OF THE ROAD. *TR