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, 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
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
Steering, Apr 3, 2012
MY 2008 CHEVY MALIBU HAS A LOUD CLUNK NOISE WHEN I TURN THE WHEEL SHARPLY EITHER DIRECTION, THIS OCCURS WHILE IN MOTION AND WHEN COMPLETELY STOPPED. I HAVE READ MANY REVIEWS WHERE IT STATES IT IS THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT AND NEEDS REPLACE. I STILL HAVE 1 YR LEFT ON WAR. BUT TOOK IT TO A DEALER TODAY AND THEY SAID ITS NOT COVERED!! IF GM KNOWS ABOUT THIS WHY HAVE THEY NOT ISSUED A RECALL TO FIT THIS DANGEROUS PROBLEM??!! *TR
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Mar 20, 2012
I JUST PULLED ON AND STARTED TO DRIVE ON A WINDING DANGEROUS MOUNTAIN ROAD -NOT YET ACCELERATING 40MPH- WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT LET ME TURN, ALMOST FROZEN, AND I AM INTO A RIGHT CURVE! I WAS FIGHTING THE WHEEL TO GAIN CONTROL FOR WHAT SEEMED MINUTES BUT WAS ACTUALLY SECONDS AS I SLOWLY PUT ON MY BRAKES WHILE I TRIED TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE WHEEL (MIND YOU I AM IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC ON A MT. CURVE, A CONCRETE WALL TO MY LEFT, A ROCK OUTCROPPING ON MY RIGHT, NO SHOULDER, GUARDRAIL BEGINS WHERE THE ROCKS END. WHEN I FINALLY REGAINED CONTROL, I STILL HAD A HARD TIME STEERING; STEERING WAS UNPREDICTABLE...INTERMITTENT SHAKING OF THE STEERING WHEEL/SOMETIMES FELT LIKE I HAD LOST A BOLT ON MY RIGHT RIM (FOR THOSE WHO DID AT ONE TIME YOU KNOW WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT)/I HAD A SHIMMY ON THE RIGHT LIKE SOMETHING WAS NOT CONNECTED/ALL OF A SUDDEN I FELT LIKE THERE WAS NO POWER STEERING OR CONTROL AT ALL (HARD TO TURN THE WHEEL-TOOK SOME MUSCLE), JUST NOT RIGHT. MY CAR USED TO HAVE SUCH CONTROL- TURN ON A DIME BARELY TOUCHING THE WHEEL. THIS STEERING ISSUE HAS HAPPENED BEFORE AND MENTIONED TO MY MECHANIC AT AN OIL CHANGE BUT THEY DIDN'T FIND ANYTHING, EVEN HOOKED UP TO THE DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE AND EVERYTHING CHECKED OUT, WALLET LIGHTER. I ACTUALLY THOUGHT I WAS GOING OUT OF MY MIND THEN READ OTHER PEOPLE WERE HAVING THE SAME KINDS OF PROBLEMS. IF THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM, WHY HAS IT NOT BEEN RECALLED? FOR THE MOUNTAIN THAT I HAVE TO DRIVE EVERY DAY TO AND FROM WORK, THIS COULD PROVE VERY DANGEROUS-LIFE THREATENING... I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN MY OWN CAR I HAVE ONLY HAD NEARLY A YEAR NOW NOR HAVE THE FUNDS TO SPEND ON COSTLY REPAIRS. I AM READY TO TAKE THE BUGGER BACK AND DEMAND MY MONEY BACK AND GET A MORE DEPENDABLE VEHICLE. I AM DONE SPENDING MONEY- WHY THIS IS HAPPENING? WHY NO ANSWERS OR FIXES? WORSE YET, "EVERYTHING CHECK OUT OKAY" WHEN IT KEEPS HAPPENING! *KB
Steering, Mar 14, 2012
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT A SPEED OF ABOUT 45 MILES PER HOUR, THE STEERING WHEEL ON MY 2008 MALIBU BEGAN TO SHAKE OR VIBRATE WHILE BUILDING SPEED. A POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER PULLING OVER, I TURNED THE ENGINE OFF AND THEN TURNED IT BACK ON WHICH SEEMED TO RESET THE WARNING LIGHT. I KNEW ABOUT PULLING OVER TO RESET THE CAR DUE TO AN ?AIRBAG WARNING? LIGHT THAT HAS RANDOMLY COME ON EVER SINCE I PURCHASED MY CAR. UPON RESUMING DRIVING, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. IT TOOK PULLING OVER AND RESETTING IT FOUR TIMES TO GET TWENTY MILES DOWN THE ROAD. IT CAME ON AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. UPON HEADING HOME, THE STEERING WHEEL IN MY CAR MOVED WHILE SITTING STILL WITH THE MOTOR RUNNING. IT LOOKED LIKE SOMEONE WAS TURNING THE WHEEL BACK AND FORTH AND UP AND DOWN, BUT I WAS NOT TOUCHING THE WHEEL. THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT CAME ON WHILE SITTING STILL, SO I SHUT THE CAR OFF TO RESET IT. IT TOOK THREE TRIES OF STARTING AND STARTING THE ENGINE TO RESET THE WARNING LIGHT. I DROVE HOME ON A CURVY COUNTY ROAD. THE SAME POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT CAME ON FIVE TIME IN LESS THAN TWENTY MILES AT VARIOUS SPEEDS - NO CERTAIN SPEED SEEMED TO PROMPT IT.SOMETIMES I WAS GOING 20 MPH AND SOMETIMES I WAS GOING 55 OR 65 MPH WHEN THE SYSTEM FAILED. I HAD TO STOP IN THE ROADWAY TO RESET THE CAR. EACH TIME, THE STEERING BECAME NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN AND MANEUVERING THE CORNERS WAS NOT SAFELY POSSIBLE AND SINCE THERE WAS NO SHOULDER, I HAD TO STOP IN THE ROADWAY TO TRY TO RESET THE STEERING. THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT CONTINUES TO COME ON AT VARIOUS SPEEDS OR WHILE SITTING IN PARK WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING. *TR
Steering, Feb 28, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SHAKE VIGOROUSLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS WHERE THE TECHNICIANS WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
Steering, Feb 5, 2012
PROBLEMS WITH MY 2008 CHEVY MALIBU. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE THE STEERING WHEEL SHUTTERS AND NOISE COMES FROM STEERING COLUMN. THE "POWER STEERING" DISPLAY MESSAGE COMES UP. THE OWNERS MANUAL REFERS TO SEEING THE DEALERSHIP FOR THIS ISSUE, BUT THEY CAN SEEM TO FIX IT FOR ME. IT CAN BE CLEARED, BUT IS VERY ANNOYING TO HAPPEN TO YOUR CAR EVERYDAY. THIS ISSUE STARTED ROUGHLY 3 MONTHS AFTER I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN MARCH OF 2011. THERE'S NO SPEED RANGE THAT THE ISSUE OCCURS IN. IT HAPPENS RANDOMLY AT ANY SPEED. WHILE DRIVING STEERING WHEEL SHUTTERS RANDOMLY, AND STEERING BECOMES DANGEROUS. SEEMS THAT YOU CAN ONLY TURN THE WHEEL IN EXACT 5 DEGREE INCREMENTS, WHICH HAS ALMOST CAUSE SEVERAL COLLISIONS WITH OTHER VEHICLES. IT SEEMS THIS PROBLEM IS EVIDENT IN OTHER MALIBU MODELS EQUIPPED WITH ELECTRIC POWER STEERING, BUT I HAVEN'T SEEN A RECALL OR SERVICE PUBLICATIONS TO REMEDY THE ISSUE. GM KNOWS ABOUT THIS, BUT IS DELIQUENT IN TAKING ANY ACTION TO FIX PERMANENTLY. PLEASE HELP! *TR
Steering, Jan 27, 2012
THE STEERING WHEEL TURNS ON ITS OWN CAUSING A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THERE HAS BEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ON THIS WITH THE 2008 MALIBUS AND OTHERS WITH THE ELECTRIC STEERING MOTORS. I KNOW A FEW OTHER VEHICLES WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM HAVE BEEN RECALLED AND IT IS TIME FOR GM TO RECALL THE MALIBU BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED. YOU TUBE HAS A FINE EXAMPLE OF THIS PROBLEM IF ANYONE CARES TO WATCH. THE VEHICLE DOESN'T HAVE TO BE MOVING FOR THE WHEEL TO MOVE ERRATICALLY BACK AND FORTH. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ASAP. *TR
Steering, Jan 22, 2012
THE FRONT OF THE CAR SHAKES WHEN DRIVEN OVER 45 MPH. WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED THE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT BLINKS AND AN ALERT SOUND BRIEFLY CHIMES. THE CAR IS NOT EASY TO STEER. THE SERVICE POWER STEERING ALERT APPEARS RANDOMLY AND GOES AWAY WHEN THE CAR IS RESTARTED. I HAVE HAD THE CAR REALIGNED MULTIPLE TIMES BECAUSE THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE ALWAYS WEARS QUICKLY. THERE IS AN UNDIAGNOSED OIL LEAK CAUSING THE CAR TO SMOKE FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. *TR
Steering, Nov 23, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 30 MPH WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO VIBRATE VIOLENTLY. THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 22,732. UPDATED 12/29/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE INCIDENT HAPPENED AGAIN WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH. THE CONSUMER STATED SHE PULLED OVER AND PARKED, SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND WAITED 10 MINUTES BEFORE RESTARTING IT. SHE THEN NOTICED THE POWER STEERING LIGHT WAS ON. THE STEERING WHEEL STOPPED SHAKING. UPDATED 12/30/11
Steering, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Parking brake, Nov 22, 2011
THE E-BRAKE STRIPPED OUT TO A UNABLE STATE AFTER 50,000 MILES. NOW IF THE BRAKES FAIL I HAVE NO ALTERNATIVE TO STOP THE CAR. THE STEERING POPS WHEN TURNING FROM LEFT TO RIGHT AND FROM START OFF AFTER A STOP THIS STARTED AT THE SAME TIME. *TR
Steering, Nov 16, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SHAKE SLIGHTLY. THE CONTACT APPROACHED A STOP SIGN AND ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE BUT THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SHAKE VIGOROUSLY. THE FAILURE WAS CONSTANT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE STEERING MOTOR AND MODULE ASSEMBLY WAS DEFECTIVE AND WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,245.
Steering, Oct 19, 2011
I PURCHASED A 2008 CHEVY MALIBU AT MATT BLATT IN EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP IN NEW JERSEY APPROXIMATELY 5 MONTH (MARCH OR MAY OF 2011) WITH APPROXIMATELY 28,500 MILES. I SPOKE WITH A SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE [XXX] IN REGARDS TO THE POWER STEERING PROBLEM THAT MY VEHICLE WAS HAVING. MY STEERING WAS SHAKING OUT OF CONTROL AND I ALMOST GOT INVOLVED IN TWO VEHICLE ACCIDENTS THIS WEEK 10/19/11. I EXPLAINED THIS SITUATION TO DON, WHO STATED THAT BECAUSE I DID NOT PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE VEHICLE I WILL HAD TO PAY FOR THE SERVICE. I THEN PROCEEDED TO SPEAK TO THE MANAGER [XXX], WHO KINDLY SENT ME TO THE BENNETT CHEVROLET ON THE SAME DATE AND THE PROBLEM WAS CORRECTED. I OWN A 2008 CHEVY MALIBU WITH 30,700 MILES. I ALSO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE POWER LOCKS WHICH I WAS ADVISED THAT I WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS. I BELIEVE THAT MY COMPLAINT WAS HANDLED VERY UNPROFESSIONAL BY [XXX], BECAUSE I WAS VERY SPECIFIC THAT I WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AND HE STATED WE CAN TOWED YOUR VEHICLE, BUT YOU WILL HAVE TO PAY THE FEE. AGAIN I WAS AFRAID BECAUSE THE POWER STEERING MOTOR WAS DAMAGE AND MY VEHICLE WAS DRIVING OUT OF CONTROL. I'M REQUESTING SOME TYPE OF COMPENSATION AND I WILL LIKE THE POWER LOCKS TO BE FIXED FREE OF CHARGE. REMEMBER MY CAR ONLY HAS 30,700 MILES AND WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE I WAS ADVISED BY THE SALESMAN [XXX] THAT I HAD WARRANTY FOR 100,000 MILES OR 5 YEARS BUMPER TO BUMPER. I WILL LIKE SOMEONE TO INVESTIGATE THIS. THANK GOD I DIDN'T HAVE AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING MOTOR. I PURCHASED IN THE PAST A 2 CHEVY IMPALAS AND NOW A CHEVY MALIBU AND I WILL NEVER PURCHASE A CHEVY AGAIN. AGAIN, THIS WAS A SAFETY ISSUE AND WAS HANDLE WRONG BY SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE [XXX] . THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES WHEN VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AND THE THE VEHICLE IS NOT MOVING. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Steering, Oct 18, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD JERK ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD BECOME HARD TO STEER ONCE THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL HAD TO BE RE LEARNED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
Steering, Oct 14, 2011
I HAVE MADE THIS COMPLAINT BEFORE. IT CONCERNS THE FRONT WHEEL SHAKES, VIBRATION. AFTER GETTING TIRED OF THIS I PUT THE CAR ON JACKS REMOVED THE WHEEL AND FOUND THE TIE ROD END BALL NUT TO BE LOOSE AND THE BALL JOINT TO BE FRIGHTENINGLY WORN. I REPLACED THE LOWER CONTROL ARM AND TIGHTENED THE TIE ROD BALL NUT MYSELF. THE PROBLEM HAS COMPLETELY DISAPPEARED. FUNNY THE DEALERSHIP COULDN'T FIGURE THIS OUT.I THINK THAT OTHER OWNERS SHOULD BE WARNED OF THIS POTENTIALLY FATAL CONDITION! *TR
Steering, Oct 6, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU LT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 55 MPH WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL TURNED INDEPENDENTLY AND THE VEHICLE TRAVELED INTO ANOTHER LANE UNEXPECTEDLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 44,000.
Steering, Sep 20, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH AND AT ANY SPEED THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO MOVE TO THE RIGHT AND LEFT INSTEAD OF REMAINING INSIDE THE LANE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THE MOTOR/MODULE ASSEMBLY FOR THE ELECTRIC STEERING WAS FAULTY. THE REPAIR COST WAS $800; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOTIFY HER AND LET HER KNOW IF THEY WOULD REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,487.
Steering, Sep 19, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD WOBBLE FROM LEFT TO RIGHT AND WOULD OCCASIONALLY BECOME EXTREMELY TIGHT. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD EVENTUALLY FAIL AND SEIZE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 66,000.
Steering, Sep 9, 2011
STEERING BECOMES ERRATIC AND 2 HANDS ARE NEEDED TO CONTROL THE STEERING WHEEL. STEERING WHEEL WILL SHAKE ON IT'S OWN AT A COMPLETE STOP. UPON MOVING FORWARD, CAR BECOMES DIFFICULT TO KEEP IN A STRAIGHT LINE. CAR HAS BEEN BROUGHT BACK TO DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES TO REPAIR, ONLY TO HAVE PROBLEM COME BACK EVERY FEW MONTHS. *TR
Steering, Aug 29, 2011
DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED OF 65 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY JERKED RIGHT AND LEFT WITHOUT ANY WARNING. IT JERKED HARD ENOUGH THAT IT CAUSED THE CAR TO UNEXPECTEDLY CROSS INTO ANOTHER LANE. THIS HAS BECOME AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM AND MAY HAPPEN WHEN IDLING OR DRIVING. GM NOTIFIED ON DATE OF INCIDENT, 8/29/11, AND AWAITING RESPONSE. *TR
Steering, Aug 25, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED, ALMOST CAUSING A CRASH. THE WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER MADE AN ATTEMPT TO ASSIST THE CONTACT WITH THE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 119,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Steering, Aug 16, 2011
MY 2008 MALIBU HAS A POWER STEERING PROBLEM. ON A DAILY BASIS THE POWER STEERING BECOMES ERRATIC AND FAILS TO REACT PROPERLY UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS, USUALLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. WHILE STOPPED, THE STEERING WHEEL WILL TURN LEFT AND RIGHT ON ITS OWN. WHEN THIS OCCURS AT HIGHWAY SPEED CONTROL OF THE CAR IS DANGEROUS. TWO HANDS ARE NEEDED TO KEEP CAR IN LANE AND NOT CROSS THE LINE INTO OTHER VEHICLES. PROBLEM BEGAN WHEN MILEAGE HIT 45,000 MILES. OCCASIONALLY, A CHIME WILL OCCUR AND INDICATE POWER STEERING IN THE DISPLAY BUT BY THE TIME THE CHIME OCCURS THE STEERING PROBLEM IS GONE. THIS ISSUE IS CONSISTENT AND INTERMITTENT ON A DAILY BASIS. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM FOR CHEVY MALIBU AND HAVE FOUND THAT THOUSANDS OF MALIBU OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM CAUSED BY IMPROPER ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. THIS STEERING PROBLEM IS A FAILURE OF A COMPONENT IN THE STEERING ASSEMBLY THAT IS NOT SUBJECT TO ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. THIS IS A DEFECTIVE PART!!! AS A PERCENTAGE OF MALIBUS ON THE ROAD THAT HAVE THIS PROBLEM I WOULD VENTURE THAT IT IS VERY HIGH AND THE NUMBER IS INCREASING. THE ELECTRONIC ASSIST POWER STEERING IN THE I4 MALIBU'S IS A ROAD HANDLING NIGHTMARE AND GM HAS NO INTEREST IN FIXING THIS PROBLEM. I WOULD EXPECT A SERIOUS PROBLEM LIKE THIS TO BE MADE A RECALL ISSUE BEFORE THERE IS A FATALITY AND THEN GM AND OBAMA MOTORS WILL BE SUED FOR RECKLESS ENDANGERMENT. *KB
Steering, Aug 11, 2011
STEERING WHEEL RANDOMLY JERKS RIGHT AND LEFT WHILE DRIVING. IS VERY "NOTCHY" AND DIFFICULT TO RETURN TO THE PRECISELY DESIRED POSITION. *TR
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
Steering, Aug 3, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME STIFF AND THE POWER STEERING STOPPED FUNCTIONING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIANS WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE DEALER THE POWER STEERING FAILURE WAS A KNOWN ISSUE CAUSED BY A DEFECTIVE POWER STEERING MODULE. THE POWER STEERING MODULE WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000. UPDATED 2/22/12 *CN