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, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Apr 16, 2017
IT SAYING SERVICE POWER STEERING. THEN I CAN'T TURN THE CAR. I TURN IT OF AND BACK ON THEN IT WORKS. I'VE HAD PROPLEMS WITH THIS CAR SINCE I BOUGHT IT.
Steering, Apr 16, 2017
LOSS OF ELECTRIC POWER STEERING (EPS) ASSIST THAT COULD OCCUR AT ANY TIME WHILE DRIVING
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Apr 3, 2017
WHEN I START THE CAR THE STEERING WHEEL DOES NOT MOVE AT ALL. ON THE DASH IT SAYS POWER STEERING THEN ESC OFF POPS UP. I HAVE TO RESTART THE CAR A FEW TIMES IN ORDER FOR IT TO BE ABLE TO MOVE AND THE MESSAGE IS GONE. WHEN IM DRIVING THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES AND TURNING GETS A LITTLE STIFF. I DRIVE BOTH CITY STREETS AND HIGHWAYS IM AFRAID IT WILL LOCK UP ON ME WHEN IN MOTION.
Steering, Mar 19, 2017
POWER STEERING WARNING IS DISPLAYED ON DIAGNOSTIC CENTER. HARD TO TURN STEERING WHEEL WHEN MAKING A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN. WHILE AT A STOP SIGN OR STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT THE STEERING WHEEL WILL SHAKE.
Steering, Electrical system, Mar 17, 2017
TORQUE SENSOR FOR POWER STEERING FAILURE. LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING. SHAKING OF WHEEL WHEN STEERING.
Steering, Mar 4, 2017
ABOUT A DAY AGO, I WAS TAKING MY WIFE TO WORK AT 6AM AND THE POWER STEERING STOPPED RESPONDING,WHILE I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN AND THE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. I MADE IT BACK HOME AND LATER THAT DAY I WENT TO THE MECHANIC AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE POWER STEERING IS ELECTRIC AND THAT ITS NEEDS A NEW STEERING COLUM SENSOR AND ALSO THEY TOLD ME THAT THERE ARE THREE OPEN RECALLS ON MY CAR AND ONE ADDRESSES THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING, SO THEY DIRECTED ME TO THE CHEVROLET DEALER IN THE TOWN I LIVE IN, AND THE DEALER REFUSES TO FIX THE RECALL FOR THE POWER STEERING AND SAYS THAT IF I WANT IT FIXED I HAVE TO PAY $713.37. I THOUGHT THAT THE ANY CHEVY DEALERSHIP COULD FIX THE RECALLS ON YOUR CHEVY CAR.
Steering, Mar 3, 2017
SUDDEN LOSS OF ELECTRIC POWER STEERING (EPS) ASSIST THAT COULD OCCUR AT ANY TIME WHILE DRIVING.
Steering, Feb 23, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING MODULE AND SENSOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 159,000.
Steering, Feb 17, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL STIFFENED AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE RESTARTED TO OPERATE THE STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 229,000.
Steering, Feb 15, 2017
FOR SOME TIME ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING HAS BEEN HAVING ISSUES. TOOK TO DEALER ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS BUT THEY CLAIMED THEY COULD NOT FIX IT. TOOK VEHICLE AGAIN AND NOW FIND THEIR WAS EXTENDED COVERAGE TO COVER THIS SAFETY DEFECT, HOWEVER, I AM 20,000 MILES OVER WHERE THEY WANT TO COVER THIS ISSUE. (GM KNEW I WAS HAVING THIS STEERING ISSUE, HOWEVER, NEVER TOLD ME IT COULD BE FIXED UNTIL AFTER THE EXPIRATION OF THEIR SPECIAL COVERAGE.) I HAD BEEN REPORTING ISSUES TO BOTH THE DEALER AND GM CUSTOMER SERVICE SINCE APPROXIMATELY 29,000 MILES. I GAVE UP TRYING TO GET IT FIXED AFTER DEALER TOLD ME SEVERAL TIMES THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AT HIGHWAY SPEED AND POWER STEERING STOPS WORKING MAKING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE VERY DIFFICLUT.
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jan 10, 2017
THERE IS A RECALL NO 14116 AND 14116B INVOLVING THE TORQUE SENSOR ON 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU BUT NOT ON MY PARTICULAR VIN. IT CAUSES A LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHICH I AM HAVING. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY MY PARTICULAR MODEL IS NOT COVERED IN THIS SAFETY ISSUE AND WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT IT. I HAVE HAD NO ACCIDENTS YET BUT HAVE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD AND RESTART MY CAR. *TR
Steering, Air bags, Electronic stability control (ESC), Dec 27, 2016
POWER LOCKS HAVE ONLY WORKED FOR FRONT DOORS FOR AS LONG AS IVE HAD THE CAR, ABOUT A YEAR..... OVER THE PAST MONTH - SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON SHORTLY AFTER STARTING THE CAR ONE DAY. A FEW WEEKS LATER, SERVICE ESC AND TRACTION CONTROL POPPED UP AFTER STARTING THE CAR. NOW MY POWER STEERING HAS GONE OUT AND DOES NOT RESET UPON RESTARTING THE CAR.
Steering, Dec 9, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHEN TURNING THE VEHICLE LEFT OR RIGHT, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING WAS FAILING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000.
Steering, Dec 5, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WARNING MESSAGE ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS RELATED TO THE POWER STEERING FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. UPDATED 01/27/17*LJ
Steering, Oct 31, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING COLUMN MADE AN ABNORMAL KNOCKING NOISE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CONTROL ARMS, INNER AND OUTER TIE RODS, SWAY BAR LINKS, BALL JOINTS, FRONT SHOCKS AND THE AXLE WERE ALL REPLACED ON THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14E044000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000.
Steering, Oct 12, 2016
MY STEERING WHEEL SHAKING/VIBRATING WHILE IN PARK, IN MOTION AND WHILE TURNING. WAS A RECALL ON IT. UNFORTUNATELY I BOUGHT THE CAR IN 2015 AND CAN ONLY FIND THAT THE RECALL WAS SUPPOSEDLY DONE. NO ONE CAN TELL ME WHERE, AND I LOOKED ONLINE AND FIND THAT THESE ELECTRICAL POWER ASSISTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED AND STILL YET FAILED AGAIN. CALLED CHEVROLET AND THEY WILL DO NOTHING--MY CASE FOR MY CAR "HAS BEEN CLOSED OUT"...THEREFORE IT WILL BE $700.00 OUT OF MY POCKET. IS THERE ANY WAY TO BE SURE A RECALL WAS DONE AND/OR FIND OUT IF THE PARTS THEY REPLACED WERE ALSO DEFECTIVE? STARTED ACTING UP IN AUG./SEPT AND HAS WORSENED IN THE LAST MONTH. HAVING IT LOOKED INTO WHILE HAVING A SEPARATE RECALL FOR BREAK LAMP MALFUNCTION DONE. OCT. 12, 2016
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Oct 7, 2016
I WAS TURNING RIGHT AT ABOUT 20 MPH, THE NORMAL SPEED I TURN AT. MY MALIBU SLID AND I COULDN'T TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CAR BEEPED AT ME AND IT SAID ESC ON THE DASH COMPUTER. I CALLED ABOUT THE RECALL FOR EPS, AND MY CAR DOES NOT HAVE ONE. KIND OF WEIRD TO SEE WHEN OTHERS ARE RECALLED FOR THIS ISSUE. I DID HAVE THE POWER STEERING TORQUE REPLACED IN 2015. THE CAR IS STILL DRIVABLE, BUT TO ME I FEEL UNSAFE BECAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL NOW HAS A MIND OF ITS OWN WHEN TURNING, AND I CANNOT AFFORD A REPLACEMENT RIGHT NOW, AS WELL AS AN ACCIDENT.
Steering, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Sep 27, 2016
TAKATA RECALL I LOST CONTROL OF MY 08 CHEVY MALIBU AS IT WAS IN MOTION. DRIVING TO SCHOOL THE ABS, BRAKE, TRACTION CONTROL AND BATTERY LIGHT TURNED ON AND THE POWER STEERING LOCKED. I HAD TO FORCEFULLY TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO GET OUT OF TRAFFICS WAY AND PARK SOMEWHERE TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT.
Steering, Sep 16, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY FORCE TO THE STEERING WHEEL IN ORDER TO STEER THE VEHICLE. "POWER STEERING" WAS DISPLAYED ACROSS THE MESSAGE BOARD. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 159,127.
Steering, Aug 30, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE BEFORE THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER A MANUFACTURER RECALL FOR THE POWER STEERING. THE DEALER COMPLETED THE RECALL REPAIR, BUT THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING SEVERAL TIMES MONTHS LATER. THE CONTACT TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND BACK ON TO RESET THE COMPUTER, BUT THE FAILURE PROGRESSED. THE CONTACT WAS TO CHECK WITH THE MANUFACTURER TO DETERMINE IF THEY MAY BE ABLE TO PROVIDE A REPAIR SOLUTION. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,101.
Steering, Aug 2, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL VIBRATION COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE EPS MOTOR CONTROL UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V153000 (STEERING); HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,111.
Steering, Electrical system, Jul 22, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED LANES WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AS HAVING AN ELECTRONIC STEERING MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE ISSUE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000.
Steering, Jun 28, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A FAILURE RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER THE RECALL; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 103,000.
Steering, Jun 6, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, EITHER WHILE DRIVING OR IN PARK, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD MOVE UP AND DOWN AND SIDEWAYS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,000.
Steering, May 14, 2016
STEERING RACK HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES (2011, 2012, 2016) IN 32,000 MI. NOISE & CLUNK WHEN TURNING WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREETS. ROUGHLY 8,000 PER FAILURE. DEALER REPLACED BEFORE TOTAL FAILURE AND/OR ACCIDENT. WORRIED ABOUT FUTURE FAILURES IN SHORT TIMES WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.