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, Equipment, Feb 8, 2010
-2008 CHEV. MALIBUE 2LT 2.4 4 CYLENDER WITH POWER ELECTRIC STEERING. PROBLEM: WHEN YOU 1ST STRUP THE VEHICLE THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES BACK AND FORTH. YOU HAVE TO SHUT DOWN AND RE START THE VEHICLE TO STOP THE PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP HAS COMPLETELY CHANGED OUT THE STEERING COLUMN BUT IT STILL DOES IT TWICE IT HAS OCCURING WHILE DRIVING WHEN I 1ST STARTED UP AND I HAD TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND SHUT OFF THE MOTOR ETC. TO STOP THE SHAKING. THIS HAS HAPPENED APPROX: 15 TIMES SINCE I GOT THE VEHICLE NEW IN JAN/08
Steering, Feb 2, 2010
I DRIVE A 2008 MALIBU. 95% OF MY DRIVING IS DONE ON THE FREEWAY. I HAVE 55K MILES ON THE CAR AND THE STEERING STARTED TO SHAKE AND GET STIFF FOR NO APPARENT REASON. I LIVE IN OHIO AND THE WINTERS GET COLD. I FIRST THOUGHT THAT THIS MIGHT BE THE CAUSE OF IT BUT, AFTER READING SOME BLOGS ON THE INTERNET I FOUND THAT THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM NO MATTER WHERE YOU LIVE. I WENT TO MY CAR DEALER AND HE TOLD ME THAT IT IS NOT COVERED BECAUSE OF MY MILEAGE. I DO NOT CONSIDER THIS TO BE THE NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR OF A CAR AND I AM AFRAID THAT IF I DON'T GET THIS FIXED I WILL BE INJURED FROM FAILURE TO CONTROL MY CAR. SOMETIMES I WILL DRIVE DOWN THE ROAD AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP TO WHERE I HAVE TO PULL ON IT HARD TO FREE IT UP. THE ONLY COARSE OF ACTION THAT I SEE THAT I CAN TAKE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE IS PAY GM TO FIX THEIR PROBLEM THAT WAS NOT A RESULT OF ABUSE OR NATURAL WEAR AND TEAR SINCE THEY HAVE NOT ISSUED A RECALL. IF WHO EVER READS THIS WOULD SIMPLY JUST GOOGLE THIS TOPIC YOU WILL SEE THAT THIS IS BECOMING A GROWING PROBLEM THAT WILL RESULT IN INJURIES IF GM DOES NOT RECALL IT. *TR
Steering, Jan 7, 2010
I HAVE A 2008 CHEVY MALIBU, WITH 42,000 MILES AND IT HAS ELECTRIC POWER STEERING AND IT SEEMS THAT THE POWER STEERING IS ABOUT TO GO OUT. A MESSAGE HAS ONLY APPEARED ONCE ON THE INDICATOR SCREEN IN THE DASH ABOUT THE POWER STEERING, BUT THE STEERING WHEEL CONTINUOUSLY SHAKES AND IT STEERING FEELS LIKE IT WANTS TO LOCK UP. NOW MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. THE DIAGNOSTICS SAYS IT HAS TO DO WITH THE CAM ACTUATOR SENSOR???? *TR
Steering, Dec 30, 2009
POWER STEERING ON VEHICLE TEMPORARILY FAILS WHILE DRIVING. ALSO STEERING WHEEL OFTEN SHAKES FROM SIDE TO SIDE WHILE SITTING IDLE. *TR
Steering, Nov 11, 2009
2008 CHEVY MALIBU, MAKES THUMPING SOUND TURNING AT LOWER SPEEDS, WHEEL FEELS MUSHY AND SHAKES. TOLD BY DEALER ITS THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING COLUMN. CONCERNED ABOUT POTENTIAL DANGER. CAR OUT OF WARRANTY, THEY WANT OVER $200 TO FIX IT. SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL, AS I HAVE TALKED TO OTHER GM OWNERS WHO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Sep 23, 2009
I WAS DRIVING APPROX 45 MILES PER HOUR ON A ONE LANE ROAD. MY CAR DIC DISPLAYED POWER STEERING THE WHEEL BEGAN TO SHAKE, PULLED TO THE LEFT AND BECAME VERY HARD TO STEER, ALMOST MAKING ME HIT THE CAR IN ONCOMING TRAFFIC, THE LADY DRIVING THE OTHER VEHICLE SWERVED ONTO THE SHOULDER WHICH PREVENTED THE ACCIDENT. I SHUT THE CAR OFF. A MECHANIC FRIEND OF MINE CAME TO MY LOCATION AND COULD NOT FIND ANY ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE BECAUSE APPARENTLY THE ELECTRIC ASSIST POWER STEERING RESETS ONCE THE VEHICLE IS SHUT OFF. THIS INCIDENT COULD HAVE BEEN TRAGIC AND BY THE GRACE OF GOD IT WAS NOT. AFTER CHECKING ON THE INTERNET MY UNDERSTANDING IS I AM NOT A SOLE INDIVIDUAL EXPERIENCING THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM WITH THE 2005 AND NEWER CHEVY MALIBU. PLEASE PREVENT THESE TYPE OF OCCURRENCES FROM CONTINUING BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED. *TR
Steering, Sep 2, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN ABNORMALLY SHAKES AS IF WAS LOOSE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ON THREE OCCASIONS, BUT BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT LOCATE DIAGNOSTIC ERROR CODES, OR DUPLICATE THE FAILURE THEY COULD NOT PROVIDE A REMEDY. A COMPLAINT WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 27,000. UPDATED 10/21/09. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED FOR THE PAST 6 MONTHS, WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, IT FELT AS THOUGH SHE WAS LOOSING STEERING ABILITY. THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SHAKE VIOLENTLY FROM TIME TO TIME. UPDATED 10/23/09
Steering, Aug 17, 2009
2008 MALIBU 2LT 2.4L STEERING WHEEL WOULD JERK LEFT AND RIGHT ON ITS OWN. THIS WOULD HAPPEN WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AND PARKED. DEFINITE SAFETY ISSUE WHEN IN MOTION. DEALER STATED THAT THE STEERING MECHANISM WAS LOOKING FOR CENTER. DEALER REPROGRAMMED STEERING UNIT AND SAID SHOULD BE FIXED. THE SAME PROBLEM RECURRED 5 MILES DOWN THE ROAD AFTER LEAVING DEALERSHIP. TOOK CAR BACK SAME DAY AND DEALERSHIP CALLED GM. GM HAD DEALERSHIP REPLACE THE POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE ASSEMBLY. THE PROBLEM IS FIXED FOR NOW. *TR
Steering, Mar 22, 2009
STEERING WHEEL JERKING LEFT AND RIGHT WHILE AT LOW SPEED AND SETTING STILL. *TR
Steering, Mar 20, 2009
2008 CHEVY MALIBU. STEERING BECOMES JERKY, HARD TO CONTROL AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS. THE STEERING WILL FREEZE CAUSING UNWANTED LANE CHANGE, WHEN TRYING TO STEER BACK IT WILL UNLOCK AND CAUSE THE CAR TO JERK BACK. WHEN STOPPED, WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING, THE STEERING WHEEL, AT TIMES, JERK BACK AND FORTH. *TR
Steering, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical system, Feb 23, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 55-60 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THERE WAS A DECREASE IN THE BRAKE LINE PRESSURE AND THE STOPPING DISTANCE INCREASED. IN ADDITION, THE STEERING WHEEL EXHIBITED EXCESSIVE WOBBLING, WHICH MADE STEERING DIFFICULT. THE FAILURES OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND THEY STATED THAT THE COMPUTERIZED SYSTEM FAILED. THE TECHNICIAN REPROGRAMMED THE COMPUTERIZED SYSTEM, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED ON EIGHT SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER SIX TIMES WITHOUT ANY RESOLUTIONS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 700 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 16,000. UPDATED 03/18/09. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED IF FELT AS THOUGH THE BRAKES WERE LOCKING UP. THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ILLUMINATED. UPDATED 03/20/09. *JB
Steering, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Dec 12, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT HEARD STRANGE NOISES WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. HE STATED THAT THERE APPEARED TO BE AN ISSUE WITH THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING/STEERING ASSEMBLY. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS SMOOTH IN THE BEGINNING AND THEN SUDDENLY JERKED TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT. THE WHEEL BECAME VERY LOOSE AS IF HE HAD NO CONTROL OF THE STEERING. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE FAILURE APPROXIMATELY FIVE TIMES, BUT COULD NEVER DETERMINE THE EXACT CAUSE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,500 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 13,000.
Steering, Nov 3, 2008
APPEARS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING/STEERING ASSEMBLY. STEERING WILL BE SMOOTH THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE STEERING WHEEL WILL JERK TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT AND BECOME VERY LOOSE LIKE YOU HAVE NO CONTROL OF THE STEERING. WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE CAR TENDS TO STEER LEFT. THIS HAPPENS FREQUENTLY DURING DRIVING AND WHILE STOPPED THE STEERING WHEEL WILL MOVE LEFT AND RIGHT. HAVE TAKEN IT TO DEALER ONE TIME BUT THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS. *TR
Steering, Suspension, Oct 6, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE TEST DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK AND THE VEHICLE MAY HAVE BEEN MISALIGNED. THE DEALER BALANCED THE TIRES AND STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER MAY HAVE JUST "THROWN TIRES" ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED A WEEK LATER AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER APPROXIMATELY 6-7 TIMES, AND 12-14 TIRES HAVE BEEN PLACED ON THE VEHICLE. AFTER RETRIEVING THE VEHICLE FROM THE DEALER, SHE NOTICED THAT IT FUNCTIONED PROPERLY FOR APPROXIMATELY A WEEK BEFORE THE SHAKING RECURRED. THE SERVICE MANAGERS FROM THE DEALERS AS WELL AS THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE IMPALA AND MALIBU MODELS HAD A VIBRATION THAT WAS STANDARD WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 40-70 MPH. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 8,149 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 308. UPDATED 11/17/08 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAS A VIBRATION AND ALIGNMENT PROBLEM. GM INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE FIXED. UPDATED 11/24/08. *JB
Steering, Air bags, Sep 5, 2008, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, THE STEERING COLUMN SPONTANEOUSLY LOCKED UP. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY UNTIL MINUTES AFTER THE CRASH. THE CONTACT HAS PICTURES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 88. UPDATED 10/14/08 *BF UPDATED 10/16/08. *JB
Steering, Service brakes, Electric, Jul 30, 2008, fire
2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU 260 MILES PURCHASED ON 7-21-08 ON 7-22-08 RECEIVED WARNING LIGHT "SERVICE TRACTION" AND "SERVICE SCE" PULLED TO THE SIDE AND LOOK IN MANUAL DESCRIPTION OF PROBLEM. MANUAL SAID SERVICE AS SOON POSSIBLE. CAR WAS RUNNING VERY SLUGGISH AND ABS BRAKES WERE CHATTERING WHEN APPLIED. CAR SEEMED LIKE IT WOULD NOT SHIFT GEARS. TOOK TO DEALER ASAP. DEALER SAID THE PROBLEM WAS FROM A LOW CHARGE ON THE BATTERY. DEALER HAD CAR FOR 2 DAYS. DID NOT DRIVE CAR AGAIN UNTIL 7-28-08. DROVE 4-5 MILES AND "SERVICE TRACTION AND SERVICE SCE" WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. DROVE TO DEALER APPROX 2 MILES. WHEN I GOT TO THE DEALER, THE LEFT FRONT ABS BRAKE WAS SMOKING WAS VERY HOT, ALMOST SEEMED LIKE IT WOULD BURST INTO FLAMES. HUBCAP HAD WILTED ON WHEEL. LEFT CAR A DEALER, RECEIVED CALL FROM DEALER SAYING THE PROBLEM WAS PROBABLY DUE TO STEERING WHEEL BEING ADJUSTED TO THE LOWER POSITION, CAUSING THE STEERING ASSEMBLY TO PRESS AGAINST THE BRAKES. IF THIS IS THE CASE IT SOUND AS LIKE A DESIGN FLAW. SINCE PEOPLE ALWAYS LOWER THE STEERING COLUMN TO A LOWER POSITION. DEALER WAS ORDERING PARTS AND WOULD CAR FOR 4-5 DAYS. PARTS TO BE ORDERED WAS A PAD FOR THE STEERING COLUMN (BAND AID) NEW HUB CAP. *TR
Steering, Jun 13, 2008
WHEN ACCELERATING AGGRESSIVELY, THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY VEERS RIGHT AND THE CAR VEERS. HAPPENS ON SOME, BUT NOT ALL SUCH STARTS. SIMILAR THING HAS HAPPENED A COUPLE OF TIMES IN "PANIC" STOPS. *TR
Steering, Jun 5, 2008
THE ELECTRIC STEERING ON MY 2008 CHEVY MALIBU LT 4DR. SEDAN(2.4L-4CYL)IS NOT RIGHT. IT SEEMS TO OVER STEER FOR EVERY CORRECTION THE DRIVER MAKES AND THUS CREATING A CONSTANT MOVING OF THE WHEEL TO KEEP A STRAIGHT LINE. THE ELECTRIC STEERING NEEDS SOME FIXING. THE DEALER SAID I NEED TO GET USED TO IT. *TR