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, Power train, May 9, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 80 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO DRIFT AND THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED ERRATICALLY WHILE SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 140,000.
Steering, Apr 20, 2016
LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND THE ELECTRIC ASSIST STEERING, CAR WAS EXTREMELY HARD TO STEER, I CONTACTED GM AND THEY HAVE NO RECALLS, HOWEVER DOING A SEARCH APPARENTLY THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH MANY OTHER GM CARS AS WELL AS THE MALIBU, THE PERSON I SPOKE TO FROM GM SAID THAT THEY OFFERED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY TO MAKE THE REPAIR, BUT ONLY UP TO 150,000 MILES, AND MY CAR HAS 207,000 AND SHE STATES THAT I AM OUT OF WARRANTY. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN AND SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER A RECALL!
Steering, Feb 24, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING) HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Steering, Feb 19, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE STEERING WHEEL MOVED LEFT AND RIGHT ON ITS OWN. AT LOW SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL MOVED IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. THE VEHICLE REMAINED PARKED AT THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER IN 2012 FOR THE POWER STEERING FAILURE. THE DEALER PERFORMED AN ALIGNMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,000.
Steering, Feb 16, 2016
WHEN DRIVING AND GOING INTO A TURN, THE DRIVER ASSIST WARNING LIGHT APPEARS AND THERE IS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. UPON A DIAGNOSTIC, THE TORQUE SENSOR REQUIRES REPLACEMENT. ALTHOUGH SEVERAL BULLETINS INDICATE A RECALL FOR THIS ITEM, BASED ON VIN FOR THIS VEHICLE, THE SENSOR IS APPARENTLY NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. HOWEVER, BECAUSE OF THE SUDDEN LOSS OF STEERING ABILITY, CRASHES ARE IMMINENT AND THEREFORE IT IS A STRONG SAFETY ISSUE. VEHICLE MILEAGE IS 113,000. THIS LOSS OF POWER STEERING OCCURS WHILE IN MOTION ON CITY STREETS AND HIGHWAYS WHETHER MERGING INTO ANOTHER LANE OR TURNING.
Steering, Jan 20, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,328.
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jan 14, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE POWER STEERING AND THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM , ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL , EXTERIOR LIGHTING , SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC , VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Steering, Electrical system, Engine, Jan 11, 2016
WHEN THE CAR WAS STARTED THE INFORMATION PANAL WAS NOT READING, IT CONSISTED OF MOSTLY DASHES. THE CAR WAS RUNNING MUCH LOUDER THAN NORMAL AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. IT STARTED SAYING SERVICE TRACTION AND ENGINE POWER LOSS. I PLACED THE CAR IN DRIVE, THE INTERIOR LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING AND LOCKS WENT UP AND DOWN RAPIDLY. I SHUT THE CAR OFF AND RE STARTED IT, ATTEMPTED TO SEE IF IT WOULD DRIVE BUT IT HAD NO POWER, COULD ONLY REVERSE AND THERE SEEMED TO BE NO POWER STEERING. THE NEXT DAY I STARTED THE CAR AGAIN, THIS TIME NO IMMEDIATE ISSUE UNTIL I PULLED OUT ON TO THE STREET. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TIGHT, AND THE CAR FAILED TO ACCELERATE. LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WAS ON THE DASH, ENGINE AND TRACTION LIGHTS REMAINED ON. RESTARTED THE CAR AND I WAS ABLE TO PARK AGAIN. THE CAR REMAINS AT THE DEALER AFTER BEING TOWED A WEEK AGO, AND THEY ARE UNSURE OF THE CAUSE. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS, ESPECIALLY IF IT WERE TO HAPPEN ON THE HIGHWAY I WOULD NOT HAVE HAD ANY CONTROL OF THE CAR AND MOST DEFINITELY WOULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT.
Steering, Electrical system, Jan 11, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING IN A PARKING LOT, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE TURNING. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY EXTREME PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT WAS NOT NOTIFIED, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REMEDIED. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 12V460000 (POWER TRAIN) AND 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE CONTACT DID NOT RECEIVE NOTIFICATION OF THOSE TWO RECALL REPAIRS AND HAD TO CALL THE MANUFACTURER TO BE REFERRED TO A DEALER TO SCHEDULE THE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Steering, Jan 8, 2016, crash
ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING ASSIST SYSTEM KEEPS FAILING. RECALL WAS REPLACE IN EARLY 2015 AND AGAIN WAS IN THE DEALER ON 12/30/15 FOR THE SAME PROBLEM WITH POWER STEERING FAILING. ON 1/08/15 THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM YET AGAIN FAILED AND THIS TIME THIS POWER STEERING FAILURE CAUSED THE CAR TO GO INTO THE DITCH AND THROUGH A BARB WIRE FEANCE. THIS HAS BEEN A ONGOING PROBLEM WITH MY CAR AND GENERAL MOTORS DOES NOT SEEM TO HAVE SOME KIND OF FIX OR DOES NOT WANT TO ADMIT THERE CAR HAS THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE THE DOCUMENTS FROM THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS SOPOSED TO BE FIXED ON 12/30/15.
Steering, Jan 6, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 172,882. UPDATED 05/10/16*LJ *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Air bags, Jan 5, 2016
WHEN DRIVING, 2 MESSAGES APPEARED ON DASH - "POWER STEERING" AND "SERVICE AIR BAG." WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE CAR LATER, IT WOULD NOT TURN OVER, AND THE "ANTI-THEFT" LIGHT WAS ON, ALONG WITH THE OTHER 2 WARNING MESSAGES FROM ABOVE. AFTER OTHER LIGHTS TURNED OFF, THE "ANTI-THEFT" AND "SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT" REMAINED AND THE CAR WOULD NOT START. ODOMETER: 101844
Steering, Dec 22, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WHILE ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE WAS PERSISTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TORQUE SENSOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000.
Steering, Dec 18, 2015, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN AT A LOW SPEED, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT A POWER STEERING MESSAGE DISPLAYED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A CURB AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THE CONTACT DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TORQUE SENSOR ASSEMBLY AND MOTOR CONTROL UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 163,000.
Steering, Dec 2, 2015
WHILE DRIVING ON THE CITY STREETS MY VEHICLE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY HARD TO CONTROL. IT FELT LIKE IT WAS GOING TO LOCK. I HAD TO USE A LOT OF ENERGY AND MUSCLE TO TURN THE WHEEL. IT WAS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN. I TOOK MY CAR TO SMICKLAS CHEVROLET IN OKLAHOMA CITY. THEY INFORMED THAT THE TORQUE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
Steering, Oct 26, 2015
THE AFFECTED STEERING SHAFTS MAY HAVE A YOKE THAT INADEQUATELY SUPPORTS THE U-JOINT BEARING RESULTING IN A PREMATURE FAILURE. IT DOESN'T TURN HALF THE TIME AND MAKES A LOUD POPPING NOISE AND THE BLINKER NEVER TURN OFF.
Steering, Oct 23, 2015
KNOCKING IN STEERING WHEN TURNING WHEEL. I HAVE BEEN TOLD IT IS THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT, WHICH SHOULD NOT KNOCK CONSIDERING THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 27,450 FOR MILAGE. HOW CAN I VERIFY IF THIS WAS A RECALL THAT WAS ALREADY COMPLETED. PLEASE FORWARD WEB SITE.
Steering, Oct 22, 2015
THE POWER STEERING TENDS TO FREEZE FOR A SPLIT SECOND WHILE I AM DRIVING. IT DOES NOT HAPPEN ALL OF THE TIME BUT DOES SEEM TO HAPPENS WHEN I DRIVE ON MOUNTAIN ROADS THAT REQUIRE MORE TURNING OR WHEN MAKING SHARP TURNS. IT DOES NOT HAPPEN FOR LONG PERIOD OF TIMES. TOOK IT TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE IT AND I CALLED CHEVROLET AND THE GAVE ME A SENIOR ADVISER WHO ASKED WHAT DO I EXPECT FROM CHEVROLET AND ALSO ASKED IF I WAS IN THE MARKET FOR A NEW CAR. I HUNG UP ON THEM AND RESPONDED TO THEIR EMAIL.
Steering, Oct 10, 2015
POWER STEERING LOSES POWER STEERING CONTROL INTERMITTENTLY. TOOK IT TO CHEVY DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THE STEERING MODULE IS DEFECTIVE. CAR IS ONLY 6 YEARS OLD WITH ONLY 38K MILES ON IT. LOSS OF POWER STEERING CONTROL CAN HAPPEN WHEN CAR IS EITHER STATIONARY OR IN MOTION.
Steering, Oct 7, 2015
RECALL WAS DONE IN NOV. 2014 AT RYAN CHEVROLET IN MINOT, ND. ON OCT. 3, 2015 THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEED IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA. TOOK CAR IN TO GATEWAY CHEVROLET IN FARGO, ND. REPAIRS WERE MADE AND WAS TOLD BY THEM THAT EITHER THE RECALL HAD BEEN DONE INCORRECTLY OR THE REPLACEMENT PARTS WERE DEFECTIVE.
Steering, Oct 5, 2015
GM ISSUED A NOTICE DATED SEPTEMBER 2015 STATING THAT PROBLEMS WITH THE EPS MAY CAUSE LOSS OF STEERING POWER. NOTICE ALSO STATES THAT I AM NOT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER UNLESS THE EVENT ACTUALLY HAPPEN AND HAVE NOT ISSUED A RECALL NOTICE. I FEEL THAT THIS OCCURENCE COULD PUT MY SAFETY AT RISK ESPECIALLY IN TIGHT TRAFFIC.
Steering, Oct 5, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE UNDERNEATH THE STEERING WHEEL. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHEN MAKING TURNS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT IT NEEDED AN INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT AND THE RACKING PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS ALSO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURE WAS COMING FROM THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000.
Steering, Power train, Vehicle speed control, Sep 16, 2015
MANY BULLETIN'S POSTED #09-07-30-012. MY 2008 CHEVY MALIBU HAD ABOUT 85K MILES ON IT. I HAD ONLY OWNED IT FOR ABOUT 2 YEARS AND BOUGHT IT USED AS A COLLEGE STUDENT AND HAD AN OUTSTANDING LOAN ON IT. I WAS DRIVING TO WORK ONE MORNING AND STARTED TO NOTICE WHEN ACCELERATING GETTING ON THE HIGHWAY THAT IT WAS TAKING MORE TIME FOR MY CAR TO SHIFT INTO GEAR. AS I CONTINUED TO DRIVE MY CAR WAS IT TAKING EVEN LONGER TO SHIFT FROM 3RD TO 5TH GEAR THEN IT WOULD ABRUPTLY SHIFT INTO GEAR DELAYED. I FIGURED MAYBE IT NEED TRANSMISSION FLUID SINCE IT ONLY HAD 85K ON IT, AND THEN WHEN I WOULD REVERSE IT WAS VERY LOOSE FEELING. BROUGHT IN TO THE SHOP AND THEY SAID I NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION AND THE CAR WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. QUOTED ME 2200 FOR A USED TRANSMISSION. LOOKED ONLINE AND SAW SEVERAL PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I AM JUST OUT OF COLLEGE SO DON'T HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY UP FRONT YET AND I HAD A LOAN ON THE CAR STILL. CHEVY SAID I WASN'T UNDER 100K MILE WARRANTY BC CAR WAS MORE THAN 5 YEARS OLD. I LIVE ON MY OWN AND NEED A SAFE VEHICLE TO GET TO WORK EVERYDAY AND DID NOT HAVE THE MONEY FOR A USED TRANSMISSION UP FRONT SO HAD NO CHOICE TO GO LEASE A CAR AND TRADE THIS NOW WORTHLESS CAR WITH THIS TRANSMISSION ISSUE IN THAT I HAD A LOAN ON. SO CAR WAS WORTH A LOT LESS NOW THAN MY LOAN SO I WENT INTO A NEW DEAL WITH NEGATIVE EQUITY RESULTING ME TAKING ON HUGE CAR PAYMENT TO GET OUT OF THIS MESS. CHEVY OR GM NEED TO RECALL THIS DEFECT AND TAKE CARE OF THE CUSTOMERS AFFECTED AND COMPENSATE THOSE WHO WERE AFFECTED AND TOOK A HUGE LOSS IN $ DUE THIS PROBLEM. I BELIEVE GM SHOULD BE COMPENSATING ME SOMETHING FOR HOW MUCH MONEY I JUST LOST UNLESS THEY WANT TO BE KNOWN AS A COMPANY WHO DOESN'T CARE ABOUT THEIR CUSTOMERS AND SELLS CARS THAT TRANSMISSIONS GO WAY BEFORE 100K MILES....I WILL NEVER BUY OR RECOMMEND THEM TO ANYONE EVER AGAIN IF THEY DO NOT RECTIFY WITH GOOD PAYING CUSTOMERS.
Steering, Jul 29, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE STEERING WHEELING BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 195,000.
Steering, Jul 8, 2015
ON DEC. 11, 2014, THE CHEVROLET MALIBU WAS DRIVEN TO THE STORE. UPON RETURNING TO THE CAR, THE VEHICLE WOULD START BUT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS UNMOVABLE. CAR WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP. THE POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE (GM PART # 22837369) WAS REPLACED AT AN OWNER COST OF $665.01 FOR PARTS AND LABOR. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION BY THE OWNER, THERE ARE RECALLS ON THIS EXACT PART AND MODEL OF CAR (PRODUCT SAFETY #14118 AND 14119, SAFETY COMPLAINT ODI#10712564). AFTER DISCUSSING WITH THE DEALER, THE CHEVY REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE, AND THE HEAD OFFICE IN DETROIT, THE MANUFACTURER SAYS OUR VEHICLE'S VIN IS NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL. PERIOD. END OF DISCUSSION. SEEING THAT OUR PS MODULE FAILURE IS IN THE SAME YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL AS THE RECALLED CARS; AND THAT OUR MODULE FAILED IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE RECALL DATE (AUG. 28, 2014), WE FEEL THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE COST OF OUR REPAIR. THE RELATIVITY OF THE RECALL VEHICLES AND OUR VIN, PLUS THE FACT THAT OUR PS MODULE DID FAIL, SHOWS THAT OUR CAR WAS BUILT WITH A FAULTY PS MODULE AND THAT IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. SINCE GM HAS STATED TO US THAT THEY WILL NOT STEP UP, WE ARE ASKING THE NHTSA TO TAKE THE NECESSARY REGULATORY STEPS TO INSURE THAT OUR CAR, AND WHO KNOWS HOW MANY OTHER MALIBUS OF SIMILAR VINTAGE, WILL GET THIS POWER STEERING MODULE REPAIRED AT GENERAL MOTORS' COST.