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
1,015 reports, newest first.
Electrical system, Oct 6, 2014
WHEN VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN PARK, THE AUTO UNLOCK FEATURE ACTIVATED UNLOCKING THE DOORS, BUT I COULD NOT REMOVE KEYS FROM IGNITION, (IGNITION WAS IN OFF POSITION). I ATTEMPTED TO RESTART CAR AND KEY WOULD NOT TURN TO THE START POSITION, AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO START, IGNITION FINALLY MOVED TO START POSITION. NOW THE AUTO LOCKS ARE CONSTANTLY TRYING TO UNLOCK EVEN WHEN LOCKS ARE IN UNLOCK POSITION. THIS HAPPENS WITH VEHICLE RUNNING IN PARK AND NOT RUNNING IN PARK WITH NO KEYS IN IGNITION AND MOVING DOWN ROAD. WARNING CHIME CONSTANTLY DINGING BUT NO MESSAGE OR INDICATOR LIGHT IS DISPLAYED. REMOVED FUSE FOR POWER LOCKS PROBLEM WITH LOCKS STOPS (WELL SURE IT DOES, NO POWER TO LOCKS) BUT THE WARNING CHIME STILL IS ACTIVATED BUT NO IDIOT LIGHT ON OR MESSAGE DISPLAYED. VERY FRUSTRATING WITH THIS JUNK GM PRODUCT. *TR
Air bags, Oct 3, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000.
Seats, Oct 2, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT FAILED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED WITH A USED REPLACEMENT SEAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REPLACEMENT SEAT MADE AN UNUSUAL SOUND WHEN IT WAS ADJUSTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Power train, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Oct 1, 2014
2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER STATES HE RECEIVED 2 RECALL NOTICES AND HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH HIS VEHICLE THAT ARE OUTLINED IN THE RECALL NOTICE. *TGW
Power train, Sep 30, 2014
ON OR ABOUT JULY 1, 2014 I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM GM, SAFETY RECALL 14152, BUT WAS INFORMED THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL SERVICE. SINCE THAT TIME I HAVE CALLED THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP, APPLE CHEVROLET IN TINLEY PARK, ILLINOIS (708) 336-3163, WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, ON TWO OCCASIONS AND WAS INFORMED THE PART IS STILL NOT AVAILABLE. TODAY, DURING MY CALL TO THE DEALERSHIP TO AGAIN CHECK ON THE STATUS OF THE PART, AFTER BEING INFORMED THE PART IS STILL NOT AVAILABLE, I WAS DIRECTED TO CALL GENERAL MOTORS DIRECTLY AND WAS GIVEN THE NUMBER 1-800-222-1020. AFTER SPEAKING TO THE REPRESENTATIVE AT GENERAL MOTORS, [XXX], AND GIVING THE LAST EIGHT DIGITS OF MY VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER, I WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART IS AVAILABLE. GM IS SAYING THE PART IS AVAILABLE AND MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP IS SAYING THE PART IS NOT AVAILABLE. CAN SOMEONE PLEASE HELP ME? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Engine, Sep 30, 2014
I WAS TRAVELING ON ROUTE 15 FROM VA TO MD. I STOPPED FOR GAS, GOT BACK ON THE HIGHWAY GOING AROUND 45 AND THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE WHICH DESTROYED THE MOTOR. THE MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE MOTOR SAID THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS PARTICULAR MOTOR AND GM WAS AWARE OF IT, BUT HAVE NOT ISSUED A RECALL. THE MECHANIC SAID THE OIL NEEDED TO BE CHANGED REGULARLY OR THE ENGINE WAS MORE PRONE TO THIS PROBLEM. I DID CHANGE THE OIL REGULARLY AND HAVE RECORDS TO PROVE IT. *TR
Electrical system, Sep 29, 2014
THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF MY CAR STOPPED WORKING (BUT OCCASIONALLY START WORKING OFF AND ON). I DIDN'T REALIZE THIS UNTIL A FEW DAYS LATER. I FEEL LIKE THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE KNOWING THAT AT ANY MOMENT A STRANGER COULD WALK UP TO MY CAR, AT ANY STOPLIGHT OR STOP SIGN AND BE ABLE TO FREELY OPEN MY DOORS AND ENTER MY CAR WITH EASE. THE DOOR LOCKS WILL RANDOMLY WORK HERE AND THERE WITHOUT MY KNOWING AND THIS IS NOT OK! THIS DEFECT RAISES THE PROBABILITY OF SOMEONE BEING ABLE TO GET INTO MY CAR FREELY WITHOUT ME EVER KNOWING, OR BE ABLE TO GET INTO MY CAR WHILE I'M SITTING AT A STOPLIGHT. I AM VERY CONCERNED FOR MY SAFETY IN THIS MATTER AND WISH TO HAVE GM FIX THE ISSUE CONSIDERING THE MANY ONLINE FORUMS WITH THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE ON THESE CARS AT ABOUT 80000 MILES. *TR
Service brakes, Sep 29, 2014, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED. THE VEHICLE CROSSED AN INTERSECTION AND CRASHED INTO AN IRON FENCE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 29, 2014
JUST BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE USED FROM THE DEALER. THE KEYPAD DIDN'T WORK, SO WE TRIED LOCKING IT BY THE SWITCH ON THE DOOR... STILL DIDN'T WORK. 3 OF THE DOORS WILL LOCK WHEN THE CAR IS PUT IN DRIVE. 3 (MOST OF THE TIME) WILL UNLOCK WHEN THE CAR IS MANUALLY UNLOCKED IN THE DRIVER DOOR BY THE KEY. ONE OF THE DOORS ONLY WORKS BY MANUALLY PUSHING DOWN OR PULLING UP ON THE LOCK NO MATTER WHAT. TO GET IN THE CAR WHEN THE DOORS DECIDE NOT TO UNLOCK, I HAVE TO EITHER HAVE ONE KID CLIMB IN TO UNLOCK THEM OR ROLL THE BACK WINDOWS DOWN SO THEY CAN REACH IN TO UNLOCK THEM. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE TWO KIDS THAT COULD BE TRAPPED IN THE CAR IF WE WERE TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT AND THE DOORS WILL NOT UNLOCK BY THE BUTTON OR KEYPAD. FOR THE CAR TO BE THIS NEW, IT SHOULD NOT HAVE THIS ISSUE. THE CAR ALSO HAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE FUEL SENSOR. ON HIGHWAYS (CONTINUOUS DRIVING) YOU CAN WATCH THE GAS MEASUREMENT SLOWLY GO DOWN. AN EXAMPLE, A 1 HOUR AND 40 MINUTE TRIP LEAVING ON A FULL TANK TOOK THE GAS DOWN TO BELOW HALF A TANK. BUT WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED OR BACK IN THE CITY, THE GAS LEVEL WILL RISE BACK UP TORIGHT BELOW OR RIGHT ABOVE 3\4 TANK. IT WAS BELOW A HALF TANK ON THE HIGHWAY AND WHEN WE FILLED UP BEFORE LEAVING BACK OUT IT ONLY TOOK $10 TO GET IT BACK ON FULL. ALSO ANOTHER ISSUE THAT SHOULD NOT BE OCCURRING IN A NEWER VEHICLE. *TR
Air bags, Sep 29, 2014
AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON DASH, DEALER SAYS THE HARNESS IS BAD, AND AIRBAG WILL NOT FUNCTION AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS NOT COVERED BY ANY WARRANTY OR RECALL, HOWEVER THE FORUMS ONLINE ARE FILLED WITH PEOPLE WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT. *TR
Engine, Sep 26, 2014, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY AND THE ENGINE POWER REDUCED WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE SPEED DECREASED AND ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
Steering, Sep 24, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL AUTOMATICALLY MOVED AND BEGAN TO SHAKE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14E044000 (STEERING); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO REMEDY THE RECALL WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
Steering, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Power train, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Sep 24, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL NOTIFICATIONS FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V460000 (POWER TRAIN), NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL), AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING). THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Electrical system, Sep 19, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE CONTACT WAS NOT SATISFIED WITH THE REMEDY. WHEN THE KEY WAS INSERTED IN THE IGNITION, THERE WAS NO SUPPORT TO MAINTAIN THE STABILITY OF THE KEY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED FOR OVER SIX MONTHS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED AND THE IGNITION SWITCH CYLINDER WAS NOT REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Electrical system, Sep 17, 2014
WHILE DRIVING THE DOOR LOCKS STARTED LOCKING/UNLOCKING. SPEED DID NOT AFFECT THE FREQUENCY OF ROUGHLY EVERY 30 SECONDS FOR 5 MINUTES THEN STOPPED. HEARD ALARM CHIME NO WARNING LIGHTS OR INFORMATION ON THE DISPLAY. CAR CONTINUES TO LOCK/UNLOCK WHILE DRIVING AND WHILE IN PARK. ALSO HAPPENS WHILE THE CAR IS PARKED AN KEYS OUT OF IGNITION?? HAS CONTINUED NOW OVER WEEK. *TR
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Sep 17, 2014, crash
DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, TRIED TO SWITCH LANES AND VEHICLE'S TRACTION WENT OUT OF CONTROL, MAKING THE VEHICLE HAD UNSTABLE, TRIED TO CONTROLLED THE CAR, BUT THERE WERE OTHER VEHICLES DRIVING NEXT TO THE CAR WHICH RESULTED IN A MULTIPLE CAR CRASH, HAD RECENTLY RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER FROM GM STATING THAT THE CAR HAD THAT PROBLEM BUT THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS AVAILABLE, THEY WERE GOING TO CONTACT ME AS SOON AS THE PARTS WERE AVAILABLE BUT UP TO TODAY I HAVE NOT HEARD ANYTHING FROM GENERAL MOTORS. *TR
Electrical system, Air bags, Engine, Sep 17, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE, DOME LIGHT, DOOR AJAR SOUND, SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AT THE SAME TIME. THE ENGINE LOST POWER AFTER THE ABOVE WARNING SIGNALS DISPLAYED. THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE BODY CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED WITH SEAT BELT AND SERVICE AIR BAGS LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN BACK TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,845.
Steering, Power train, Vehicle speed control, Sep 16, 2014
THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE STEERING THAT CAUSE THE CRUISE CONTROL TO ACCELERATE WHILE DRIVING, THERE IS ISSUES WITH BRAKING IN THE, THE TRANSMISSION IS STICKING OR NOT ALWAYS WORKING, AND THE CAR SHAKES OR REQUIRES YOU TO FORCE TURN IT AT LOW SPEEDS LIKE UP EXIST RAMPS. THIS HAS GONE ON FOR QUITE A WHILE I HAVE CALLED SEVERAL DEALERSHIPS AND THE MAIN NUMBER ON THE RECALLS AND THEY JUST KEEP TELLING ME NO PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. THIS IS MY ONLY CAR AND I HAVE NO MONEY FOR ANOTHER HOW DO THEY EXPECT PEOPLE TO DEPEND ON THEIR CARS OR SURVIVE WHEN TRANSPORTATION IS NEEDED. WHY AREN'T THESE PARTS BEING MADE FASTER OR WHY AREN'T PEOPLE PROVIDED ANY OTHER SOLUTIONS? *TR
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Sep 13, 2014
WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH DOWN THE HIGHWAY IN MY 2008 CHEVY MALIBU (106,800 MILES) THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON AND INFORMATION CENTER READ "ENGINE POWER DEDUCED" AND MY CAR SLOWED TO 20 MPH ALMOST IMMEDIATELY WITH NO WARNING TO ME OR THE VEHICLES BEHIND ME. LUCKILY THERE WAS A WIDE SHOULDER AND I VEERED OFF TO AVOID BEING REAR ENDED AS I HAD MY 3 CHILD ALL IN CAR SEATS IN BACK. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP BUT AS THEY WEREN'T OPEN YET, I DID WHAT I HAD TO AS ONE OF MY CHILDREN IS A SPECIAL NEEDS CHILD AND WAS ALMOST TIME FOR HIS SEIZURE MEDICATION AND DROVE THE CAR ON TO MY MOTHER IN LAWS 4 MILES AWAY. I DROVE DOWN THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY FOR APPROXIMATELY 1 MILE TO MAKE IT TO MY MOTHER IN LAWS TURN THEN THE NEXT 3 MILES TO HER HOUSE WAS LESS CONGESTED WITH TRAFFIC LUCKILY. THE CAR HAD A SLIGHT SHAKE TO IT ALMOST AND SOMETHING SEEMED LIKE IT WAS RATTLING ALMOST UNDER THE HOOD BUT A SLOW RATTLE NOT LIKE A KNOCKING SOUND THO. AFTER THE DEALERSHIP OPENED I TOOK THE CAR TO THEM AFTER SHUTTING OFF AND RESTARTING CAR RAN NORMAL AGAIN. THEY SAID THEY COULD FIND THE ISSUE IN THE HISTORY. CHEVY TOLD US THE CAM SHAFT SOLENOID HAD INTERNAL FAILURE AND NEEDED REPLACED. WE GOT IT FIXED AND CHANGED SPARK PLUGS AND DID A SMALL TUNE UP TO MAKE SURE THAT WAS THE WHOLE ISSUE SOLVED. LAST NIGHT JUST A DAY LATER THE SAME THING HAPPENED AS MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING THE CAR. THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH MANY NEWER CHEVY CARS SOME STILL WITH JUST 50,000 MILES ON THEM. IT IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED WITH GM IN A RECALL I AM AFRAID BEFORE MORE LIVES ARE TAKEN DUE TO FAULTY ENGINEERING AND PARTS! PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS FURTHER! CHEVY ALSO FOUND A CRACK IN THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD THAT THEY ARE REPLACING FOR FREE ALREADY AS WELL AS MULTIPLE OTHER RECALLS WE ARE AWAITING PARTS FOR. *TR
Power train, Sep 13, 2014
I STOPPED AT A GAS STATION TO PUT GAS IN MY CAR AND, WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO PUT CAR IN PARK, IT REMAINED IN DRIVE AND WOULD NOT STOP. UPON TAKING MY CAR TO THE AUTO SHOP, AT THE DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR, THEY INDICATED TO ME THAT THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE WAS DAMAGED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH, THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE BY GM (RECALL # 14152). HOWEVER, MY VEHICLE WAS NOT SPECIFICALLY RECALLED EVEN THOUGH I AM NOW HAVING THE EXACT ISSUE THAT HAS BEEN LISTED IN THE RECALL. THE AUTO SHOP IS SAYING THAT I WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR REPAIRS RELATED TO THIS PROBLEM. I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT I SHOULD HAVE TO DO SO. *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Sep 11, 2014
THE DOOR LOCKS WILL NOT WORK AT TIMES... THE DOOR LOCKS LOCK AND UNLOCK ALL THE TIME. WHILE DRIVING AND SITTING IN PARK. *TR
Steering, Power train, Sep 11, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14E044000 (STEERING) AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V224000 (POWER TRAIN). HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Air bags, Sep 2, 2014, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER STOPPING AT A STOP SIGN, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WAS ONE INJURY REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.
Steering, Sep 2, 2014
THERE WAS NO INCIDENT. I CURRENTLY HAVE 4 RECALLS ON MY CAR AND ONLY ONE PART IS AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALLS. I GOT THE FIRST LETTER IN JUNE ABOUT POWER STEERING. I THINK THE RECALLS ARE A BIG SAFETY ISSUE FOR ME. I HAVE A 2 YR OLD SON AND NOT ABLE TO GET THE PIECES FIXED. I HAVE CALLED GM AND THE DEALERSHIP FOR OVER 2 MONTHS AND HAVEN'T GOTTEN ANY SATISFACTION. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Aug 29, 2014
ONLY 3 OF 4 POWER LOCKS WORK, I HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE TWICE SINCE OWNING THE VEHICLE, THE FIRST TIME WHILE IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND WAS ABLE TO HAVE IT REPAIRED, THE SECOND WHILE NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND CANNOT AFFORD THE REPAIR. I EXPERIENCED THE EFFECTS OF THE BODY CONTROL MODULE RECALL ISSUES WHILE ON A ROAD TRIP TRAVELING AT 65 MPH WHEN MY CRUISE CONTROL DISENGAGED AND MY BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD NOT STAY OFF OR ON. I'VE PAID TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED AND I AM NOW AWAITING THE "OFFICIAL" RECALL NOTICE FROM CHEVROLET, DESPITE HAVING RECEIVED THE INTERIM NOTICE AND ALREADY HAVING HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED, IN ORDER TO OBTAIN A REFUND OF THE NEARLY $600 REPAIR. NOW, I'M WAITING TO GET IN TO THE DEALER FOR THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING RECALL REPAIRS AND I'VE BEGUN TO EXPERIENCE ISSUES WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH AND KEY MECHANISM. INTERMITTENTLY THE VEHICLE WILL TURN EVERYTHING ON, BUT NOT TURN OVER OR START THE ENGINE. THE BATTERY IS NEW AND THIS ONLY HAPPENS SPORADICALLY. ALSO, WITH THE SAME INTERMITTENT THE KEY BECOMES STUCK IN THE IGNITION / KEY MECHANISM ON THE STEERING COLUMN AND IT WILL NOT COME OUT WITHOUT SIGNIFICANT WIGGLING AND FORCEFUL PULLING. I'VE ALSO HAD TO HAVE THE EXHAUST CONVERTER, MANIFOLD AND GASKETS REPLACED, A NEARLY $800 REPAIR. NOT TO MENTION AN EARLIER RECALL IN 2012 DEALING WITH THE SAME TRANSMISSION CABLES THAT I NOW SEE ARE BEING RECALLED ONCE AGAIN VIA YOUR SITE, HOWEVER I'VE NOT SEEN A NOTICE FROM CHEVROLET. *TR