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: steering
468 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Jul 16, 2014
2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING RECALL. *SMD THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED, THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE, AND THEY WOULDN'T BE AVAILABLE FOR TWO MONTHS. *JB
Steering, Jul 15, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTIFICATION IN JUNE OF 2014. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT PROVIDED THE PART AND UNCERTAIN OF WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE DID NOT EXPERIENCE A FAILURE. ..UPDATED 08-26-14 *BF UPDATED 9/2/2014 *JS
Steering, Jul 14, 2014, crash
THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP PREVENTING THE DRIVER FROM STEERING. THIS CAUSED THE DRIVER TO CRASH INTO A POLE. *TR
Steering, Jul 10, 2014
WHILE DRIVING AT A RATE OF 35 MPH, THE STEERING ON MY CAR BEGAN TO ACT UP. THE STEERING FELT LIKE IT WANTED TO LOCK UP BUT THEN IT WOULD JERK TO THE LEFT THEN TO THE RIGHT. AFTER DRIVING A FEW BLOCKS, IT STOPPED. I REMAINED IN THE "SLOW" LANE BECAUSE I WASN'T SURE WHAT WAS GOING ON. AFTER DRIVING A FEW MORE BLOCKS, IT BEGAN TO DO THE SAME THING. THIS BEHAVIOR CONTINUED UNTIL I REACHED MY DESTINATION. I ALSO INCREASED MY SPEED TO 55 MPH WHEN I APPROACHED THE EXPRESSWAY. I RECEIVED A NOTICE ABOUT A RECALL ON THE STEERING; HOWEVER, THE PART IS NOT AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME. THE DEALERSHIP ONLY REPLIES WITH, WE DON'T HAVE A PART. IS IT SAFE TO CONTINUE DRIVING THE VEHICLE? IS MY FAMILY IN DANGER AT THIS POINT? THIS IS MY ONLY MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION & AS A SINGLE MOM, I NEED MY CAR! PLEASE REVIEW & ADVISE. *TR
Steering, Jul 7, 2014
WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE GOING 65 MPH MY STEERING START JERKING AND LOCKING UP COULDN'T TURN LEFT OR RIGHT PULL OVER TO THE SIDE AND LET THE CAR REST FOR ABOUT 15 MINS. IT STARTING TO DRIVE RIGHT AFTER I LET IT REST THE NEXT DAY THE SAME PROBLEM AND NOW THE POWER STEERING LIGHT IS ON. IF I WOULDN'T HELD TIGHT TO THE WHEEL I MIGHT WOULD HAVE CRASH. *JS
Steering, Jun 15, 2014
THE FIRST INCIDENT BEGAN WHILE SITTING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO ABRUPTLY MOVE TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT, OSCILLATING BACK AND FORTH QUICKLY, WITH NO CONTACT FROM MY HANDS. THE WHEEL OSCILLATED FOR ABOUT 10 SECONDS MADE A CHIME NOISE THEN STOPPED. I DROVE ON TOWARDS THE INTERSTATE AND ALL APPEARED FINE. I WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 60 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO JERK TO THE RIGHT WHEN I WAS TRYING TO DRIVE STRAIGHT. WHEN STEERED TO THE RIGHT TO CHANGE TO THE FAR RIGHT HAND LANE, THE WHEEL JERKED TO THE LEFT. THE PAVEMENT WAS SMOOTH AND CLEAN SO I KNEW IT WAS THE CAR AND NOT THE DRIVING SURFACE. THIS CONTINUED FOR SEVERAL MILES. HOLDING THE WHEN IN AN EFFORT TO DRIVE STRAIGHT THE WHEEL WOULD JERK TO THE LEFT AND THEN THE RIGHT. A COUPLE OF TIMES IT WAS SO FORCEFUL I THOUGHT I WOULD LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THIS PROBLEM REOCCURRED RANDOMLY FOR MONTHS UNTIL I PAID THE DEALER TO REPAIR IT. GOOGLED MALIBU STEERING ISSUE AND READ THAT GM HAS RECALLED MALIBU?S, AND OTHER GM MODELS, DOING THE SAME THING. TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT EVEN THOUGH MY CAR HAD THE SAME IT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. I PAID TO HAVE THE STEERING MOTOR AND SHAFT REPLACED. IT HAS BEEN JUST OVER A YEAR AND THE CAR IS ACTING UP AGAIN. *JS
Steering, Jun 10, 2014
MY DAUGHTER WAS TAKING HER 2 AND A HALF YEAR OLD DAUGHTER TO VISIT A FRIEND WHEN THE POWER STEERING WAS LOST. SHE MANAGED TO CONTROL THE CAR AND GET IT BACK HOME BECAUSE SHE WAS ONLY 2 BLOCKS AWAY. THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN USED SINCE. *TR
Steering, Jun 4, 2014
THE STEERING WHEEL RANDOMLY STARTS JERKING WHILE DRIVING AND YOU HAVE TO VERY FIRMLY GRIP THE WHEEL WITH BOTH HANDS TO CONTROL THE CAR. WHILE THE CAR IS IDLING AT A RED LIGHT OR DRIVE THRU ETC IT WILL JERK BACK & FORTH WITHOUT TOUCHING IT AND THEN IT STARTS TO MAKE A NOISE. SOMETIMES IT WILL SAY CHECK POWER STEERING ON THE INFORMATION PANEL. IT IS JUST REALLY RANDOM SOMETIMES IT DOES IT SO BAD I CAN HARDLY DRIVE IT AND OTHER TIMES IT IS COMPLETELY NORMAL. I CALLED MY DEALERSHIP WHO KNEW NOTHING ABOUT THE RECALL SO I THEN CALLED GM ON 04/22/14 AND I WAS TOLD THE RECALL WAS BEING ISSUED & WOULD START BEING SENT OUT ON 4/28/14. ALSO I WAS TOLD THE DEALERSHIP DO NOT HAVE THE PARTS TO FIX IT WITH YET. SINCE I STILL HAVEN'T HEARD ANYTHING I JUST CALLED GM AGAIN TODAY 6/4/14 & WAS TOLD THE RECALL STILL HAS NOT GONE OUT BUT THERE IS A WEBSITE I CAN GO TO AND PUT MY CAR INFORMATION IN TO BE ABLE TO GET IT FIXED? I HADN'T HEARD THAT ONE BEFORE. WHILE I WAS HOLDING FOR THE REP TO GIVE ME THE WEBSITE INFORMATION THE PHONE CALL WAS DISCONNECTED AND I'M STILL WAITING TO SEE IF THE REP CALLS ME BACK. I HAVE ALSO BEEN TOLD THAT THIS IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE WHICH MEANS THEM GIVING ME ANOTHER CAR TO DRIVE IS NOT POSSIBLE. I HOPE THIS DOESN'T BECOME ANOTHER ISSUE LIKE COBALT AND INNOCENT PEOPLE HAVE TO DIE BEFORE CHEVROLET WILL TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM. WHEN A STEERING WHEEL IS JERKING BACK AND FORTH SO BAD WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING THAT YOU CAN BARELY CONTROL THE VEHICLE THAT IS A SAFETY ISSUE TO ME. WE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN CHEVROLET PEOPLE BUT I AM REALLY STARTING TO WONDER WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO THEM. THESE ARE SERIOUS ISSUES THAT NEED TO BE RESOLVED. I HAVE A CAR WITH 77,000 MILES ON IT AND CAN'T EVEN DRIVE IT EXCEPT FOR SHORT DISTANCES. THAT JUST SHOULD NOT BE! *TR
Steering, May 30, 2014
STEERING WHEEL LOCKING UP AND SHAKING THERE IS SOME CLICKING SOUNDS IN THE STEERING WHEEL THEN THE POWER STEERING LIGHT COMES ON I CALLED THEY SAID IT WAS A RECALL ON MY POWER STEERING BUT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO BECAUSE THE PART HAS NOT BEEN MADE AND THEY CANT GIVE ME A LOANER BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE AN APPROVAL TO GIVE OUT LOANER FOR MALIBU RECALL PROBLEMS. *TR
Steering, May 29, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE TO DO THE REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DELAY. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Steering, May 19, 2014
AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY I WAS ATTEMPTING TO SWITCH LANES AND MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT IN MY CAR CAUSING ME TO ALMOST HIT ANOTHER CAR, I PULLED OVER AND LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD TO SEE WHERE I COULD PUT POWER STEERING FLUID AND DID NOT FIND A PUMP. I GOT BACK IN MY CAR AND STARTED IT UP AND THE POWER STEERING WAS FINE, DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD 5 MILES AND IT WENT OUT AGAIN, I PULLED OVER TURNED THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTED IT AND IT WAS FINE HOWEVER THIS CONTINUED TO HAPPEN EVERY 5-10 MILES. I WAS TOLD OF A RECALL CONCERNING THIS SAME ISSUE SO I CALLED GM AND THEY TOLD ME YES THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE SAME YEAR MAKE AND MODEL OF MY CAR FOR THE SAME THING I WAS HAVING TROUBLE WITH HOWEVER MY VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. I HAD TO PAY 1,158.00 TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED AND I DO NOT FEEL IT IS FAIR. MY CAR HAD THE SAME ISSUE AS THE ONES UNDER THE RECALL AND IT IS THE SAME MAKE MODEL AND YEAR. I FEEL GM SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE. *JS
Steering, Electrical system, May 16, 2014
I WAS DRIVING DOWN INTERSTATE 85 AND APPLIED THE BRAKES BECAUSE THE TRAFFIC HAD SLOWED AND THE IGNITION SHUT OFF CAUSING THE POWER STEERING TO GO OUT AND THE BRAKES STOPPED FUNCTIONING. THIS HAS HAPPENS ALMOST EVERY SINGLE TIME YOU APPLY THE BRAKES AND IT HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUES SINCE DECEMBER OF 2013. AFTER ALMOST BEING IN 3 ACCIDENTS I STOPPED DRIVING THE CAR FOR FEAR OF MY FAMILY'S SAFETY. THIS CAR SHOULD BE A PART OF THE GM IGNITION AND POWER STEERING RECALLS BUT EVERYTIME I CALL GM/CHEVROLET I AM GIVEN CONFLICTING INFORMATION. IN ONE CALL MY CAR IS A PART OF THE RECALL AND THE NEXT CALL IT IS NOT. GM IS NOT BEING FAIR OR HONEST IN THEIR ASSESSMENT OF WHICH VEHICLES NEED TO BE RECALLED. THE CAR WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION BECAUSE OF THESE ISSUES. I TRIED DRIVING THE CAR WITH THE SINGLE KEY AS I HAD HEARD ON THE NEWS AND FOR THE 1 MILE THAT I DROVE THE CAR IN THAT INSTANCE I HAD NO PROBLEMS BUT I WAS AFRAID TO CHANCE IT ANY FURTHER. THE IGNITION SWITCH RECALL NEEDS TO BE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE MORE VEHICLES. *TR
Steering, May 16, 2014
I WAS ENTERING A GAS STATION, I HEARD BELLS, STEERING WAS AFFECTED, WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER, CAUGHT ME BY COMPLETE SURPRISE. I AM 75 YEARS OLD, I DRIVE A CAR WITH LESS THAN 25M MILES, ALWAYS MAINTAINED BY THE DEALERSHIP. NEVER HAVE HAD A SPEEDING TICKET, ONE ACCIDENT (MY FAULT) IN ALMOST 60 YEARS OF DRIVING, AND I ALMOST WIPED OUT, AS A GAS PUMP WAS IN MY WAY. CALLED MY DEALERSHIP, AND THEY SAID GET IT TO THEM RIGHT AWAY AND REFRAIN FROM DRIVING MY CAR. I DID, AND THEN THE STORY BEGINS. TURNS OUT IT WAY MY POWER STEERING MOTOR, AND SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE STEERING COLUMN., BOTH NEEDING REPLACEMENT. AS THERE ARE RECALLS ON THIS SPECIFIC PROBLEM FOR MY MALIBU, SEEMS THAT MY AUTO DOES NOT QUALIFY. IT SUSPENDS LOGIC, THAT THE VERY PROBLEM GM REQUIRED ME TO REPAIR, DOES NOT APPLY TO THIS INSTANCE. THEY DID PAY ALMOST HALF OF MY BILL. BUT WOULD NOT BUDGE ON THE REMAINDER. SO CAN ONE ASSUME ONLY 1/2 WAS THEIR RESPONSIBILITY, ONE HAS TO WONDER WHAT HALF THAT WAS. I HAD THE HELP OF MY DEALERSHIP, THEY TRIED THEIR BEST, BUT WHEN PAYING FOR THE REPAIR, WHICH I THOUGHT WOULD BE COVERED, THERE WAS A WHOPPING CHARGE, AND MY CAR BECAME A HOSTAGE, AWAITING PAYMENT. LITTLE CHOICE AT THIS POINT. I OPENED A COMPLAINT WITH GM,. AND AFTER 10 CALLS LATER, WAS TOLD TO SHOVE IT, AS MY CAR DID NOT QUALIFY BECAUSE OF MY VIN #. HELP *TR
Steering, May 15, 2014
THE VEHICLE'S POWER STEERING ASSIST QUIT FUNCTIONING MAKING THE VEHICLE VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER WHEN MY 16 YEAR OLD WAS AT THE GAS PUMP. THE GM DEALER INDICATED IT NEED A NEW STEERING COLUMN AND POSSIBLY A MODULE. WHILE EVERY MODEL SIMILAR, AND EVEN VEHICLES IN THE SAME MODEL YEAR ARE RECALLED, ACCORDING TO GM MINE IS NOT, YET THEY SEEMED TO KNOW WHAT WAS WRONG BEFORE I CAME INTO THE DEALER TO GET MY $90 ESTIMATE. I HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED BY A THIRD PARTY WITH A GM PART. I AM NOT SURE IF THE NEW PART IS ANY BETTER THAN THE PART THEY TOOK OUT, BECAUSE ACCORDING TO GM, THERE IS NO RECALL ISSUE ON MY VEHICLE. *TR
Steering, May 7, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE WHEELS VIBRATED EXCESSIVELY AND FORCED THE CONTACT TO GRIP THE STEERING WHEEL VERY HARD IN ORDER TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED. THE CONTACT WAS NOTIFIED OF A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL THAT WAS SIMILAR WITH THE FAILURE SHE EXPERIENCED HOWEVER, HER VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
Steering, May 6, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL JERKED AND SHOOK WITHOUT WARNING. ADDITIONALLY, THE FAILURE OF THE STEERING CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO PULL TO THE RIGHT, WHICH BECAME HARD FOR THE CONTACT TO MANEUVER. THE CONTACT MOVED TO THE SHOULDER WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 14V153000 (STEERING). THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 25,000. ..UPDATED 06/17/14 *BF UPDATED 8/23/2017*CN
Steering, Air bags, Vehicle speed control, May 6, 2014, crash
ACCORDING TO WITNESS, MY SON WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT ON A TWO LANE MAIN ROAD (ON EACH SIDE). HIS 2008 CHEVY MALIBU WAS ON THE OUTER LANE WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN VEERED TO THE LEFT AS IF HEADING TOWARDS A DRIVEWAY ( WHEN HE ORIGINALLY WAS GOING STRAIGHT TO PICK UP A CO WORKER). THE CAR IMMEDIATELY JERKED TO THE RIGHT, CRASHING INTO A TREE, WHERE PARTS OF THE VEHICLE BECAME EMBEDDED INTO THE TREE. MY SON PASSED AWAY INSTANTLY. THE SPEEDOMETER REGISTERED 66 MPH AT IMPACT. HIS ORIGINAL SPEED WAS APPROXIMATELY 35MPH ESPECIALLY SINCE HE WAS JUST STOPPED AT THE LIGHT. THE WITNESS WAS COMING FROM THE OPPOSITE SIDE AND STOPPED HIS CAR WHEN HE SAW MY SON'S VEHICLE CROSSING INTO HIS LANE TOWARDS ONCOMING TRAFFIC. *TR
Steering, Power train, Latches/locks/linkages, Apr 24, 2014
DOOR LOCKS STOP WORKING TWO YEARS AGO, NOISE WITH STEERING AND POWER TRAIN. EVERY TIME I TURN IT MAKES A CRAZY NOISE. *TR
Steering, Apr 19, 2014
I WAS DRIVING AND IT DID WHAT IT ALWAYS DOES STEERING WHEEL SHOOK AND CAME UP ON INFORMATION POWER STEERING FAILURE BUT THIS TIME IT DIDN'T GO BACK TO NORMAL STEERING AND COULD NOT CONTROL. GOT CAR HOME AND AFRAID TO DRIVE AGAIN. *TR
Steering, Apr 14, 2014
MY POWER STEERING LIGHT HAS BEEN ON AND IS GOING OUT. *JS
Steering, Air bags, Apr 9, 2014
ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS I RECEIVED A MESSAGE ON THE CONSOLE "POWER STEERING" AND COULD NOT TURN THE WHEEL. I WOULD BE IN A PARKED POSITION OR PULLING OUT (IN REVERSE) OF A PARKING SPOT. I WOULD TURN THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON AND THE MESSAGE WOULD GO AWAY. ALSO I GOT A MESSAGE REGARDING THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WAS NOT WORKING. THIS WOULD HAPPEN EACH TIME I WOULD START THE CAR AND IT WOULD STAY ON. *TR
Steering, Apr 4, 2014
I WAS JUST LEAVING A PATIENT AND TURNED RIGHT ON TO HALSTED AVE AT 109TH IN CHICAGO, IL AND MY POWER STEERING INDICATOR POPPED ON, MY VEHICLE BECAME VERY SLUGGISH AND MY SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING BUT THE CAR WAS MOVING I QUICKLY PULLED INTO A GAS STATION AND CALLED MY HUSBAND. THE STEERING AGAIN WAS VERY SLUGGISH AND THE SPEEDOMETER WAS VERY UNSTEADY. HE WAS ABLE TO GET IT HOME. I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP,AND FOUND OUT THERE IS A RECALL ON 2008 MALIBU BECAUSE OF THIS VERY PROBLEM. WHEN I CALLED THEM THEY TOLD ME MY VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL AND A SECOND LETTER WOULD BE SENT OUT ON APRIL 28, 2014. GM IS REALLY TERRIBLE ABOUT THIS THEY KNOW THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THERE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING(EPS) AND YET WANT ME TO PAY TO GET IT FIXED AND HOPE FOR REIMBURSEMENT NOW. NOW IF I WAIT FOR THIS LETTER WILL BE IN DANGER OF A CRASH THAT THEY'RE ARE AWARE CAN HAPPEN..IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE I CAN DO BESIDES THIS COMPLAINT. *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!!!
Steering, Apr 1, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED, MAKING THE STEERING WHEEL VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT ALSO INDICATED THAT WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SHAKE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT NO SOLUTION WAS OFFERED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 14V153000 (STEERING). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED THE SAME DEFECT AS LISTED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000. UPDATED 06/10/14*LJ UPDATED 06/13/14 *JS
Steering, Apr 1, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED NUMEROUS TIMES WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT. ADDITIONALLY, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL SPORADICALLY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE EACH TIME AFTER EACH FAILURE BUT ONLY AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING) HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING COLUMN, POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE AND THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139800. UPDATED 5/21/14*CN THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THE STEERING COLUMN, POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE AND THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT, ALL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 08/07/14