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.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Fuel system, Gasoline, Vehicle speed control, Oct 6, 2008, fire
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. UPON PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED OIL ALL OVER THE FRONT RIMS AND TIRES. THE DEALER REASSURED HER THAT THE OIL CAME FROM THE BRAKES AND THERE WAS NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT. SHE ALSO STATED THAT SHE WOULD NOT GET AMPLE GAS MILEAGE AS STATED AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 70 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WOULD NOT DEPRESS AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GAIN SPEED. ON-STAR PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC AND FOUND THAT THE TRACTION SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED. THE GEARS WOULD NOT CHANGE, THERE WAS A LOUD, PERSISTENT SCREECHING NOISE, AND SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE OFF THE HIGHWAY AND TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS LESS THAN 8,000.
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
Air bags, Oct 5, 2008
AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON DURING THE FIRST 24 HOURS AFTER WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. A PART IN THE STEERING COLUMN HAD TO BE REPLACED. *TR
Visibility, Oct 5, 2008
MODERN VEHICLES ARE BUILT WITH THE SUN VISOR BUILT INTO THE CEILING OF THE VEHICLE TO AVOID "SCALPING" THE OCCUPANTS DURING A CRASH. HOWEVER, ON MY 2008 CHEVY MALIBU LTZ, THE VISOR IS NOT BUILT INTO THE CEILING AND HAS THE ABILITY TO "SCALP" SOMEONE WHEN THEY ARE INVOLVED IN A TRAFFIC CRASH. THIS APPEARS TO BE A DESIGN DEFECT ON THIS NEW MODEL. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical system, Sep 16, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 20-40 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE VEHICLE JERKED VIOLENTLY AND WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TWICE; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 8,432 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,900. UPDATED 10/14/08 *BF UPDATED 10/23/08.*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
Air bags, Electronic stability control (ESC), Aug 16, 2008, crash
HAVE HAD TWO ACCIDENTS IN THIS VEHICLE BOTH FRONT END COLLISIONS AND THE AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. ALSO THE RIMS ARE NO GOOD TIRES KEEP LOOSING AIR. *TR
Electrical system, Aug 13, 2008
I BOUGHT A 2008 CHEVY MALIBU LTZ FROM DAVE SMITH AUTO IN KELLOGG, IDAHO, PICKED IT UP ON JUNE 6, 2008, DROVE IT TO CASPER, WY. ON 7/22/08, CAR WON'T START, FIND OUT IT IS THE BODY CONTROL MODULE (HAS TO DO WITH ANTI-THEFT, ETC.), AS OF TODAY'S DATE, AUGUST 13, IT STILL SITS IN THE SHOP AWAITING THE PART FROM CHEVY, WHO SAYS THEY WILL NOT HAVE A PART AVAILABLE UNTIL SEPT./OCT. BECAUSE ALL THE PARTS NOW ARE BEING PUT INTO THEIR NEW CARS. I HAVE ABOUT 1400 MILES ON IT, AND IT IS INOPERABLE. WHAT GOOD DOES A WARRANTY DO WHEN THERE ARE NO PARTS AVAILABLE TO FIX THEIR DEFECTIVE PARTS? I HAVE CALLED CHEVY'S SO-CALLED CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE, AND THE GIRL THAT'S ASSIGNED TO MY CASE CAN'T DO ANYTHING BUT CALL THE LOCAL DEALER, WHICH I CAN DO, AND CALL THE PARTS DEPARTMENT, WHO GIVE HER INFORMATION CONTRARY TO WHAT THEY'RE GIVING THE LOCAL DEALER. I WANT MY MONEY BACK. *TR
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
Electronic stability control (ESC), May 24, 2008
SERVICE TRACTION LIGHT CAME ON AND ACCELERATION WAS DECREASED, COULD NOT GO OVER 50 MPH. TOWED TO DEALER & THEY SAY A MODULE CAUSED THE BRAKES TO STICK. SAID THEY HAVE TO REPLACE 2 BRAKE ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS AND THE MODULE IS ON NATIONAL BACK ORDER. THEY'VE HAD IT FOR 9 DAYS NOW. *TR
Electronic stability control (ESC), May 20, 2008
DRIVING ON DIVIDED HIGHWAY, SUDDENLY THE WARNING LIGHT FOR EMERGENCY STABILITY CONTROL/TRACTION CONTROL CAME ON. DRIVER'S INFORMATION CENTER THEN INDICATED THAT BOTH NEEDED SERVICING, THEN ADVISED "ENGINE POWER REDUCED". MANAGED TO "LIMP" HOME DRIVING THE CAR. WHILE DRIVING TO DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR, SAME THING HAPPENED (BUT NOT ON A DIVIDED HIGHWAY). DEALER FIXED IT, CLAIMING "TRACED PROBLEM TO WIRING HARNESS, CHAFFED AND RUBBING ON TRANSMISSION BOLT - REPAIRED HARNESS & REROUTED HARNESS." CAR HAD LESS THAN 900 MILES ON IT. MAYBE OUR CAR WAS UNUSUAL, BUT I'M THINKING IF WE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE WIRING HARNESS RUBBING AGAINST A TRANSMISSION BOLT, SO BADLY THAT IT STARTED SHORTING OUT IN LESS THAN 900 MILES, THERE ARE PROBABLY THOUSANDS OF OTHER 2008 MALIBUS AT RISK OF THE SAME THING. *TR
Tires, Mar 17, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE VEHICLE HAS UNIROYAL TIGERPAW TIRES. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE VALVE FELL INSIDE OF THE TIRE AND CAUSED IT TO FAIL. THE TIRE VALVE WAS REPLACED. THE MONITORING SYSTEM ACTIVATES AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURS. THE TIRE SIZE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 196 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 156. UPDATED 04/14/08. *LJ UPDATED 04/11/08 *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 26, 2008
I LEASED A NEW 2008 CHEVY MALIBU THE DAY AFTER THANKSGIVING. GREAT CAR, LOVED IT. THEN ON JAN 14TH WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY (IN THE FAST LANE) MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FLASHED ON A COUPLE OF TIMES. CONCERNED I DECIDED MAYBE I SHOULD PULL OFF THE ROAD. LUCKILY THERE WAS AN OFF RAMP CLOSE. AS I PROCEEDED TO THE OFF RAMP I REALIZED THAT THE ENGINE HAD SHUT DOWN SO I WAS NOT ABLE TO DO ANYTHING BUT COAST AS FAR OUT OF THE WAY AS POSSIBLE AND PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. SINCE THAT DAY I HAVE BEEN DRIVING A RENTAL CAR, STILL MAKING MY CAR PAYMENT, AND HAVE NO IDEA WHEN I WILL BE GETTING MY REPLACEMENT CAR. THE DEALERSHIP/GM ARE GOING COMPLETELY THROUGH THE CAR THAT BLEW UP AND HAVE AGREED THEY WILL GET ME A NEW CAR, THAT IS MY ONLY OPTION SINCE THEY WON'T REFUND MY MONEY. THE BAD THING IS I HAVE NO IDEA WHEN THEY WILL GET MY REPLACEMENT. I AM STILL MAKING CAR PAYMENTS FOR A NEW CAR THAT I DO NOT HAVE. VERY DISAPPOINTED IN CHEVY AND PROBABLY WON'T BUY ANOTHER ONE FOR A LONG TIME. ONCE THIS LEASE IT UP I AM DONE. WE HAVE PURCHASED SEVERAL CARS FROM THIS DEALERSHIP, COURTESY. THIS INCIDENT HAS SHOWN ME HOW TERRIBLE THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE IS. THEY NEVER CALL ME, I HAVE TO CALL THEM TO FIND OUT WHAT IS GOING ON. THEY HAVEN'T OFFERED TO REIMBURSE MY CAR PAYMENTS. *TR