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.

Complaints by model year
  1. 1,015

Of the 2008 reports, 33 involved a crash and 5 involved a fire. 20 people were injured and 2 people died.

Primary concernSteering468 reports · 46% of complaints
Owner complaints1,015Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship5 safety recallsNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Steering468
  2. Electrical system244
  3. Exterior lighting107
  4. Service brakes90
  5. Power train89
  6. Latches/locks/linkages76
  7. Electronic stability control (ESC)71
  8. Air bags66

Recalls and investigations

  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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.

  1. Power train, Electrical system, May 15, 2014

    THE POWER DOOR LOCKS DO NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK WHEN THE VEHICLE GEAR SHIFT IS PUT IN PARK OR DRIVE. THE FIRST LOCK BECAME DISABLED WHILE UNDER WARRANTY AND WAS REPAIRED.. NOW THE REMAINING (3) THREE POWER LOCKS DO NOT FUNCTION.. THEY STOPPED FUNCTIONING WHEN THE WARRANTY ENDED... I DID NOT REPAIR THEM BECAUSE THE COST IS A FEW HUNDRED DOLLARS PER LOCK.. I HAVE TO TURN THE CAR IGNITION OFF WHILE THE TRANSMISSION IS IN DRIVE AND THEN PUT THE SHIFTER IN PARK. OTHERWISE I HAVE TO GO AROUND TO EACH DOOR AND LOCK THEM MANUALLY.. VERY EMBARRASSING.. NOT CERTAIN OF THE POSSIBLE SAFETY HAZARD THOUGH. *TR

  2. Service brakes, May 15, 2014

    BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON WITHOUT MY DEPRESSING BRAKES AND A DELAY WHEN BRAKES ARE ACTUALLY PRESSED. I TOOK CAR INTO THE LOCAL DEALER IN TOWN AND TOLD COULDN'T LOCATE A PROBLEM AND TO BRING CAR IN THE NEXT TIME AS THE PROBLEM WAS OCCURRING, ALSO CRUISE CONTROL TURNS OFF WHILE I'M DRIVING AND HAVE BEEN GETTING SERVICE ERROR MESSAGES . JUST 5/10/14 I NOTICED ANOTHER MALIBU WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS, WHILE THIS CAR WAS ACCELERATING AND GOING AROUND OTHER CARS IT'S BRAKE LIGHTS WERE CONSTANTLY ON. *TR

  3. Power train, May 11, 2014

    I JUST BOUGHT THE CAR YESTERDAY AND IT DROVE FINE BUT TODAY WHILE PULLING AWAY FROM A STOP SIGN THE CAR BEGAN TO SHIFT VERY ROUGH EVEN FELT AS THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING THEN A FEW MINUTES LATER THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND I PULLED OVER AND DROVE OFF AND THE CAR DID NOT SHIFT OUT OF FIRST GEAR AND ALSO REVERSE DOES NOT WORK...I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE CLUTCH WAVE PLATE WHICH IS AN ISSUE WITH SEVERAL DIFFERENT GM VEHICLES. *TR

  4. Steering, May 7, 2014

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE WHEELS VIBRATED EXCESSIVELY AND FORCED THE CONTACT TO GRIP THE STEERING WHEEL VERY HARD IN ORDER TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED. THE CONTACT WAS NOTIFIED OF A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL THAT WAS SIMILAR WITH THE FAILURE SHE EXPERIENCED HOWEVER, HER VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

  5. Steering, May 6, 2014

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL JERKED AND SHOOK WITHOUT WARNING. ADDITIONALLY, THE FAILURE OF THE STEERING CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO PULL TO THE RIGHT, WHICH BECAME HARD FOR THE CONTACT TO MANEUVER. THE CONTACT MOVED TO THE SHOULDER WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 14V153000 (STEERING). THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 25,000. ..UPDATED 06/17/14 *BF UPDATED 8/23/2017*CN

  6. Steering, Air bags, Vehicle speed control, May 6, 2014, crash

    ACCORDING TO WITNESS, MY SON WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT ON A TWO LANE MAIN ROAD (ON EACH SIDE). HIS 2008 CHEVY MALIBU WAS ON THE OUTER LANE WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN VEERED TO THE LEFT AS IF HEADING TOWARDS A DRIVEWAY ( WHEN HE ORIGINALLY WAS GOING STRAIGHT TO PICK UP A CO WORKER). THE CAR IMMEDIATELY JERKED TO THE RIGHT, CRASHING INTO A TREE, WHERE PARTS OF THE VEHICLE BECAME EMBEDDED INTO THE TREE. MY SON PASSED AWAY INSTANTLY. THE SPEEDOMETER REGISTERED 66 MPH AT IMPACT. HIS ORIGINAL SPEED WAS APPROXIMATELY 35MPH ESPECIALLY SINCE HE WAS JUST STOPPED AT THE LIGHT. THE WITNESS WAS COMING FROM THE OPPOSITE SIDE AND STOPPED HIS CAR WHEN HE SAW MY SON'S VEHICLE CROSSING INTO HIS LANE TOWARDS ONCOMING TRAFFIC. *TR

  7. Electrical system, May 2, 2014

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE COMPUTER CHIP FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 118, 122.

  8. Power train, May 1, 2014

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO PARK AND FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE SHIFT CABLE WAS BROKEN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO ADVISED HIM THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V460000 (POWER TRAIN). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 99,928.

  9. Traction control system, Engine, Apr 30, 2014

    MY 2008 CHEVY MALIBU 2LT IS EXPERIENCING ISSUES WHERE IT BASICALLY LOSES POWER TO THE ENGINE. THE CODE THAT CAME UP IS P2135 AND THE MESSAGES WERE SERVICE TRACTION/SERVICE ESC/ENGINE POWER REDUCED. ONCE THE ENGINE IS SHUT DOWN, IT WON'T START UNTIL THE CODES ARE CLEARED. MY HUSBAND & I WERE DRIVING AT 50MPH AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR WOULDN'T LET US GO MORE THAN 20MPH AND WE WERE ALMOST HIT BY CARS BEHIND US AND BARELY HAD ENOUGH TIME TO GET OVER. I AM VERY UPSET ABOUT THIS ISSUE BECAUSE I TAKE VERY GOOD CARE OF MY CAR AND THERE WAS NO WARNING SIGN THAT SOMETHING WAS GOING WRONG PRIOR TO ALL OF THE MESSAGES COMING UP (ENGINE LIGHT ETC). *JS

  10. Steering, Power train, Latches/locks/linkages, Apr 24, 2014

    DOOR LOCKS STOP WORKING TWO YEARS AGO, NOISE WITH STEERING AND POWER TRAIN. EVERY TIME I TURN IT MAKES A CRAZY NOISE. *TR

  11. Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Apr 21, 2014

    BACK DOOR LOCKS WILL NOT LOCK UNLESS PUSHED DOWN MANUALLY. BOTH BACK DOORS WILL NOT LOCK WITH POWER LOCKS OR WITH KEY FOB. I HAVE READ ON MANY FORUMS THAT IT IS THE ACTUATOR NOT WORKING. THE CAR CAN ACTUALLY BE BROKEN INTO BECAUSE THE DOORS ARE ACTUALLY UNLOCKED. *TR

  12. Steering, Apr 19, 2014

    I WAS DRIVING AND IT DID WHAT IT ALWAYS DOES STEERING WHEEL SHOOK AND CAME UP ON INFORMATION POWER STEERING FAILURE BUT THIS TIME IT DIDN'T GO BACK TO NORMAL STEERING AND COULD NOT CONTROL. GOT CAR HOME AND AFRAID TO DRIVE AGAIN. *TR

  13. Steering, Apr 14, 2014

    MY POWER STEERING LIGHT HAS BEEN ON AND IS GOING OUT. *JS

  14. Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Apr 13, 2014

    CHEVROLET MALIBU DOOR LOCKS / LATCHES ARE FAILING TO OPERATE ON THREE OF FOUR DOORS ON THE VEHICLE. REMOTE LOCK AND UNLOCK CANNOT BE COMPLETED DUE TO ACTUATOR / LATCH FAILURE. SAFETY OF VEHICLE IS COMPROMISED AS CHEVROLET MALIBU BODY CONTROL MODULE IS SUPPOSED TO LOCK ALL DOORS AS VEHICLE TRANSMISSION IS PLACED INTO DRIVE AND UNLOCK ALL DOORS WHEN VEHILCE IS PLACED INTO PARK. HOWEVER, DUE TO APPARENT DESIGN / QUALITY FAILURE OF DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR / LATCH MECHANISM (AS EVIDENCED BY FAILURE ON THIS VEHICLE AND NUMEROUS OTHER VEHICLES AS REPORTED IN ONLINE OWNER FORUMS HTTP://WWW.CHEVYMALIBUFORUM.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=7950) SAFETY OF PASSENGERS IS IMPACTED BY INABILITY TO SECURE MOVING VEHICLE AND UNLOCK AND OPEN DOORS TO RETRIEVE SMALL CHILDREN WHEN OUTSIDE OF VEHICLE. *JS

  15. Steering, Air bags, Apr 9, 2014

    ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS I RECEIVED A MESSAGE ON THE CONSOLE "POWER STEERING" AND COULD NOT TURN THE WHEEL. I WOULD BE IN A PARKED POSITION OR PULLING OUT (IN REVERSE) OF A PARKING SPOT. I WOULD TURN THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON AND THE MESSAGE WOULD GO AWAY. ALSO I GOT A MESSAGE REGARDING THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WAS NOT WORKING. THIS WOULD HAPPEN EACH TIME I WOULD START THE CAR AND IT WOULD STAY ON. *TR

  16. Steering, Apr 4, 2014

    I WAS JUST LEAVING A PATIENT AND TURNED RIGHT ON TO HALSTED AVE AT 109TH IN CHICAGO, IL AND MY POWER STEERING INDICATOR POPPED ON, MY VEHICLE BECAME VERY SLUGGISH AND MY SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING BUT THE CAR WAS MOVING I QUICKLY PULLED INTO A GAS STATION AND CALLED MY HUSBAND. THE STEERING AGAIN WAS VERY SLUGGISH AND THE SPEEDOMETER WAS VERY UNSTEADY. HE WAS ABLE TO GET IT HOME. I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP,AND FOUND OUT THERE IS A RECALL ON 2008 MALIBU BECAUSE OF THIS VERY PROBLEM. WHEN I CALLED THEM THEY TOLD ME MY VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL AND A SECOND LETTER WOULD BE SENT OUT ON APRIL 28, 2014. GM IS REALLY TERRIBLE ABOUT THIS THEY KNOW THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THERE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING(EPS) AND YET WANT ME TO PAY TO GET IT FIXED AND HOPE FOR REIMBURSEMENT NOW. NOW IF I WAIT FOR THIS LETTER WILL BE IN DANGER OF A CRASH THAT THEY'RE ARE AWARE CAN HAPPEN..IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE I CAN DO BESIDES THIS COMPLAINT. *TR

  17. Electrical system, Equipment adaptive/mobility, Apr 4, 2014

    I WAS DRIVING, THE CAR JUST STOPPED AND TURNED OFF, I COULD NOT SWITCH GEARS OR TAKE MY KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION. CAR HAD TO BE TOWED AND I PAID $470.00 TO GAVE THE IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED, *TR

  18. Steering, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electronic stability control (ESC), Apr 3, 2014

    06/18/2013 SUDDEN ONSET OF STEERING PULLING TO THE RT AND POPPING @ BRAKE PEDAL & STEERING WHEEL. SVC: ROTATE & BALANCE * DID NOT FIX PROBLEM. 06/23-SERVICE TRACTION/TRACTION OFF ON DIC. SVC: SCANNED FOR CODES-TOLD TO BRING BACK WHEN DISPLAY ON DIC. 07/22 BRAKE LIGHT OUT. SVC: REPLACED BULB. 07/23 SCANNED FOR CODES 3 TIMES, CHECKED BATTERY/ALTERNATOR. 09/11 BRAKE JOB, TURNED ROTORS, RAN SCAN, PULLED BCM (PASSENGER SIDE) CHECKED FOR FRETTING CORROSION. 09/19 SERVICE TRACTION FINALLY ON DIC- REPLACED BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH, RESET CODES. 57 MILES LATER WARNING BACK ON. SCANNED FOR CODES-MULTIPLE CODES. 09/20 RAN SCAN WHILE DRIVING (SVC TRACTION NOT ON DIC)- MULTIPLE CODES * RECOMMENDED CONTACT CHEVROLET TO BE DIAGNOSED - TOO MANY CODES. CALLED CHEV. CUSTOMER SERVICE- REFERRED TO DEALER. 10/03 @ DEALER: CS REQUEST SCAN FOR CODES - HAS STABILITRAC-TCONTROL ON-BRAKE LIGHT ON BUT PRESS BRAKES AND LIGHTS GO OFF-DIAG ONLY PERF DIAG TEST EBCM CODE C056100 BCM CODE C0277 00. *REPLACE BPP SENSOR, CLEAN APPLY DIELECTRIC TO BCM CONN., RELEARN BPP SENSOR AND CLEAR CODES. $212.23. ON SAME WO: CS: STEERING WILL PULL OR TWITCH LFT TO RT **PERFORM SPEC. POLICY 10183 STEERING ASSIST. $0. **10/21@7:30AM TRANSPORTING MY 2 DISABLED CHILDREN TO SCHOOL, TOOK RT AND COMPLETELY LOST STEERING. CALLED FOR TOW TO DEALER**CSPOWER STEERING LIGHT COMES ON-STEERING TIGHTENS UP-WON'T STEER-THEN LIGHT GOES OFF AND STEERING COMES BACK ON. PERFDIAG TEST CODE C0545 DIAG PS. REPLACE COLUMN & SETUP POSITION SENSOR TURNING & TORQUE SENSOR $763.08. **DID NOT FIX STEERING POPPING & PULLING. CALLED DEALER IN NOV. WANTED $65 DIAG. FEE. 02/02 TOOK TO INDEPENDENT SHOP: LUBED INTERMEDIATE SHAFT PER TSB DID NOT FIX. 02/11 SVC TRACTION BACK ON!!! CALLED DEALER, TOLD TO BRING IN WHEN ON DIC TO SCAN FOR CODES - REALLY! WANTED ANOTHER $65.CANNOT AFFORD TO TAKE INTO DEALER. 04/03/14 STEERING POPPING AND PULLING! UNSAFE CAR!!!

  19. Power train, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Apr 3, 2014

    WHILE MAINTAINING SPEEDS AROUND 35-40 MPH. THE ENGINE SEEMED TO TRY TO CUT OUT AND LOSE POWER. THE SERVICE ESC SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON THE DASH. THE ENGINE WAS TRYING TO CUT OUT. LATER IN THE DAY STARTING OUT AT A STOP LIGHT THE ENGINE STOPPED COMPLETELY AND I WAS STUCK IN THE INTERSECTION. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. IT RESTARTED AFTER ABOUT 5 MINUTES. I TOOK IT TO A DEALERSHIP AND THEY FIXED A FEW THINGS. A FEW DAYS LATER THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN WHILE ON A SIDE ROAD. I COULD NOT GET THE CAR RESTARTED AGAIN AND HAD TO GET THE CAR TOWED. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED A FEW MORE PARTS AND SAID IT WAS OK. AFTER IT HAPPENED FOR A THIRD TIME I TOLD THE DEALERSHIP TO KEEP IT UNTIL THEY GET IT RUNNING PROPERLY. THE CAR WORKS BUT IT STILL FEELS LIKE THE ENGINE WANTS TO CUT OUT SOMETIMES BUT NOT AS BAD. *TR

  20. Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Apr 1, 2014

    REAR DOORS WILL NOT LOCK WHEN PUT IN GEAR OR AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OR UNLOCK WHEN PUT IN PARK. ONLY WILL LOCK OR UNLOCK MANUALLY. THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM. THE REAR LOCK SOLENOIDS GO BAD. AND THAT THEY HAVE BEEN SELLING AND INSTALLING A LOT OF THEM. THE SOLENOIDS ARE PART OF THE REAR DOOR LATCH. I PAID FOR TWO NEW SOLENOIDS AND INSTALLED THEM .PROBLEM FIXED. THE PARTS NUMBER HAS BEEN UPDATED FOUR TIMES? I FEEL GM SHOULD HAVE REPAIRED THIS AT NO CHARGE. WHY IS THIS NOT A SAFETY PROBLEM ? *TR

  21. Steering, Apr 1, 2014

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED, MAKING THE STEERING WHEEL VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT ALSO INDICATED THAT WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SHAKE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT NO SOLUTION WAS OFFERED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 14V153000 (STEERING). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED THE SAME DEFECT AS LISTED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000. UPDATED 06/10/14*LJ UPDATED 06/13/14 *JS

  22. Steering, Apr 1, 2014

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED NUMEROUS TIMES WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT. ADDITIONALLY, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL SPORADICALLY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE EACH TIME AFTER EACH FAILURE BUT ONLY AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING) HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING COLUMN, POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE AND THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139800. UPDATED 5/21/14*CN THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THE STEERING COLUMN, POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE AND THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT, ALL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 08/07/14

  23. Suspension, Apr 1, 2014

    FRONT SUSPENSION STARTED TO MAKE A LOT OF NOISE. FRONT PRO-STEER SWAY BAR & F STABILIZER WAS IDENTIFIED CAUSING THE PROBLEM. ALSO DEFAULTED PART IS THE CONTROL ARM W/BALL JOINT. *TR

  24. Electrical system, Mar 31, 2014

    THE IGNITION SWITCH HAS BEEN DIFFICULT TO MOVE FROM OFF TO START POSITION AND THE GEAR SHIFT HAS BEEN DIFFICULT TO MOVE INTO GEAR; THIS HAS OCCURRED FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS. I CALLED PREVIOUSLY AND WAS TOLD THAT MY VIN WASN'T PART OF ANY RECALL. I HAVE TO BELIEVE THAT GM HASN'T RECOGNIZED THAT THIS VIN ALSO HAS AN ISSUE, BUT JUST HASN'T IDENTIFIED MY VIN OR SENT ME THE INFORMATION. I ALSO HAD TO SPEND $1000 ON ANOTHER ISSUE WITH THIS MALIBU, WHICH I CALLED AGAIN TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL AND THERE WASN'T. PLEASE CHECK OUT MY COMPLAINTS BEFORE ANOTHER ACCIDENT OCCURS. *TR

  25. Steering, Mar 30, 2014

    THE FRONT END MAKES CLUNKING NOISES WHILE TURNING. DEALERSHIP "FIXED" IT. STARTED DOING THE SAME THING A FEW WEEKS LATER. THE STEERING WHEEL ALSO SHAKES WHILE DRIVING. AT TIMES MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. VERY UNSAFE!! *TR