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.
Steering, Feb 12, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE "POWER STEERING FAULT" MESSAGE DISPLAYED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Steering, Feb 11, 2019
AT APPROX. 140K MILES, THE EPS MODULE FAILED AND CAUSED THE POWER STEERING TO FAIL AND THE CAR IMMEDIATELY CHANGED TO MANUAL STEERING WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THE WARNING CHIME ALERTED ME TO THE EPS MODULE FAILURE. AFTER GETTING TO A SAFE AREA AND TURNING THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON, THE EPS RESUMED WORKING FOR A BREIF PERIOD, ONLY TO FAIL AGAIN THE SAME WAY. THIS OCCURED MULTIPLE TIMES OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS UNTIL EVEN TURNING THE CAR OFF AND ON AGAIN DID NOTHING. THE EPS JUST WILL NOT ENGAGE NOW AT ALL. GM ISSUED A RECALL FOR OTHER 2008 MALIBU'S FOR THIS EXACTFAILURE BUT MY VIN IS NOT LISTED. I HAVE HEARD/READ ABOUT THIS EXACT ISSUE FROM MANY OTHER 2008 MALIBU OWNERS.
Steering, Feb 11, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN, MADE A SQUEAKY NOISE, AND VIBRATED VIOLENTLY. ALSO, THE TIRE PRESSURE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS ADVISED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO FUTURE CHEVROLET OF SACRAMENTO (4811 MADISON AVE, SACRAMENTO, CA 95841, (916) 331-6777), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
Steering, Feb 11, 2019
IN 2014 A RECALL ON THE POWER STEERING WAS DONE BULLETIN 14117A, I HAD IT FIXED IN 2017 AND NOW THE POWER STEERING IS GOING OUT AGAIN CODE CO545! THE POWER STEERING LOCKS UP WHILE DRIVING AND WHILE PARKED RANDOMLY! CAUSING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER! OBVIOUSLY IF THIS IS HAPPENING TO MY CAR AGAIN I AM SURE IT IS HAPPENING TO OTHERS! THE CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT!
Steering, Feb 5, 2019
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HER 2008 MALIBU WHEN POWER STEERING AND SERVICE ESC LIGHTS CAME ON THE DASH. SHE LOST ALL POWER STEERING AND HAD TO PULL OFF THE HIGHWAY. WHEN SHE TURNED OFF HER CAR AND TURNED IT BACK ON EVERYTHING WORKED NORMAL. FIVE MINUTES LATER THIS SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN. IT SEEMS TO HAPPEN OFTEN NOW BUT THE LIGHTS ARE ALL OFF WHEN WE TAKE IT TO GET IT SCANNED. THIS PROBLEM WAS INCLUDED IN A RECALL FOR CERTAIN VIN NUMBERS OF THIS VEHICLE BUT OURS WAS NOT INCLUDED FOR SOME REASON.
Vehicle speed control, Feb 4, 2019
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, REDUCED ENGINE POWER SIGNAGE, AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT. DRIVING HOME ON SECONDARY STREET. FIXED WITH NEW SENSOR FOR THROTTLE PEDAL POSITION SENSOR. 2 WEEKS LATER, SAME LIGHTS ON DASH WHEN STARTED IN THE MORNING.
Engine, Feb 1, 2019
ENGINE POWER FAILURE AND TRACTION CONTROL TURNS OFF, THE CARS POWER IMMEDIATELY REDUCES POWER AND SPEED WITHOUT NOTICE, CAR STALLS OUT. IT IS VERY RANDOM WITHOUT WARNING/NOTICE; QUITE DANGEROUS- IF THE CAR IS TURNED OFF AND TURNED BACK ON IT RETURNS TO NORMAL ONLY FOR A PERIOD OF TIME.
Steering, Jan 30, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN AND THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING ASSIST WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 143,000.
Steering, Jan 29, 2019
VEHICLE MAKES POPPING NOSIE WHEN YOU TURN THE STEERING WHEEL
Exterior lighting, Jan 26, 2019
MY LOW BEAM ON MY 08 CHEVY MALIBU CONTINUOUSLY BURNS OUT AT THE CONNECTOR. HAVE HAD TO TAKE IT IN SEVERAL TIMES TO HAVE IT FIXED WHICH IS COSTLY AND SO INCONVENIENT/TIME CONSUMING. THIS STARTED TO HAPPEN TO MY VEHICLE IN MARCH 2018 IT IS NOW JANUARY 26 2019 AND I AM STILL DEALING WITH THIS ISSUE.
Steering, Jan 25, 2019
CAR HAS 145,XXX ON ODOMETER WITH A SHAKING STEERING WHEEL, POWER STEERING CONSISTENTLY GOES OUT SHORTLY AFTER STEERING WHEEL BEGINS TO SHAKE CAUSING HIGHER RISK FOR CRASH WHICH IS UNSAFE FOR ME AND MY FAMILY. EVERY-TIME I DRIVE THE VEHICLE POWER STEERING GOES OUT WHEREVER I AM (CITY STREET, HIGHWAY). I HAVE TO PULL OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD/HIGHWAY TO RESTART MY CAR TO TRY TO "BUY" SOME TIME FOR POWER STEERING AND THEN IT WILL GO OUT AGAIN. THE FIRST TIME MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT WAS WHILE I WAS IN AN INTERSECTION MAKING A LEFT TURN AND NEARLY RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT.
Steering, Electrical system, Jan 15, 2019
ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING FAILURE. ALL OF A SUDDEN THE MESSAGE CENTER BEEPED AND GAVE MESSAGE POWER STEERING AND THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED JERKING OUT OF CONTROL AND COULD HARDLY STEER. SEVERAL TIMES AFTER RESTARTING STEERING WOULD WORK FOR AWHILE. THERE ARE RECALLS ON OTHER 2008 BUT I WAS TOLD MINE HAD A SPECIAL WARRANTY THAT RAN OUT. I JUST RECENTLY BOUGHT THE CAR AND IT ISN'T RIGHT THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY $1500 TO FIX THIS DEFECT. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN YOUR STEERING WHEEL JERKS OUT OF YOUR HAND AND MOVES ON ITS OWN.
Engine, Jan 12, 2019
TAKATA RECALL: TIMING CHAIN AND CRANKSHAFT ISSUE. CAR STARTED TO LOSE SPEED ALL OF A SUDDEN AND THE NEXT DAY I WENT TO START THE CAR, IT WOULDN'T START AT ALL. HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO FIND OUT THAT MY TIMING CHAIN IS LOSE AND CRANKSHAFT SENSOR PIECE WAS MISSING OR BROKEN
Steering, Jan 11, 2019
THE POWER STEERING FAILED IN 2015 WITH 65,900 MILES AND WAS REPAIRED AT A CHEVROLET DEALER THE CAR NOW HAS 94,000 MILES ON IT AND THE POWER STEERING HAS FAILED AGAIN.ACCORDING TO GM THIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE THOUSANDS OF VEHICLES THAT HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THEY ARE REPLACING DEFECTIVE PARTS WITH THE SAME. I CONTACTED GM CASE#9-4978065207 AND THEY SAID THAT IT IS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR AND THAT THEY WOULD BE OF NO ASSISTANCE AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. THE POWER STEERING FAILS WHILE DRIVING AND YOU HAVE TO STEER IT MANUALLY OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES AND GM SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE AND NOT BE ABLE TO HIDE BEHIND SAYING THAT YOUR NUMBER VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL EVEN THOUGH IT IS AN IDENTICAL PROBLEM. THEY TOLD ME THAT JUST BECAUSE ALL THESE PEOPLE HAVE POSTED THEIR SIMILAR PROBLEMS ON THE INTERNET THAT IT DOESN'T MEAN ITS TRUE. I GUESS ALL THOSE PEOPLE HAVE NOTHING BETTER TO DO THAN REPORT IMAGINARY PROBLEMS WITH GM
Electronic stability control (ESC), Jan 9, 2019
THE SERVICE TRACTION LIGHT, ESC OFF, & SERVICE ESC LIGHTS HAVE ALL COME ON IN THE DIC. SOMETIMES ENGINE SLOWS & JERKS WHIE DRIVING. I HAD MY DRIVERS SIDE FRONT AXLE AND WHEEL BEARING FIXED A MONTH AGO. I DONT UNDERSTAND WHY THESE LIGHTS ARE ON.
Air bags, Structure, Jan 8, 2019
CARS PURCHASED ON OCTOBER 31ST 2018 THE CAR CAN I PASS INSPECTION WITH NO ONE TO DMV THEY GAVE US A CALL BACK SAYING THE CAR WAS TOTALED IN THE SALVAGE CAR DECLARED IN 2016 THE CAR SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN SOLD FOR $2,700 WHEN CONTACTED DEALER HE REFUSED TO GIVE US OUR MONEY AND HE SAID ONLY I CAN GET ANOTHER CAR IF I PAY YOUR CAR NOTES AT THIS TIME WOULD JUST LIKE FOR MY MONEY TO BE REFUNDED THE VEHICLE CANNOT PASS INSPECTION AND IS UNSAFE TO BE DRIVEN ON THE STREET I WOULD LIKE MY MONEY BACK HE'S PUTTING MY LIFE IN DANGER
Steering, Air bags, Jan 5, 2019
DRIVING DOWNTOWN DES MOINES MY MESSAGE CENTER STARTED DINGING, THE MESSAGE OUTPUT WAS: "POWER STEERING" THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN MOVING ON ITS OWN BACK & FORTH, JERKING AND GRINDING. AT ONE POINT JERKED OUT OF MY HAND. IT BECAME ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTINUE. I PULLED INTO A CONVIENCE STORE, BOUGHT POWER STEERING FLUID AND STARTED THE VEHICLE. THE STEERING SEEMED NORMAL. THE CAR WAS NOT LOW ON FLUIDS, I DIDN'T TRAVEL FAR BEFORE IT HAPPENED AGAIN. BY THE TIME I MADE IT HOME MY RIBS WERE HURTING FROM TRYING TO MANAUVER THE CAR HOME. THIS MALFUNCTION IS THE EPS SYSTEM AND RECALLS OF THE 2008 BEGAN IN 2014. MY VIN# WASN'T INCLUDED ON THE LIST. HOWEVER, MY CAR HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. AT ONE POINT MY STEERING WHEEL JERKED SO HARD IT YANKED STEERING WHEEL AWAY FROM MY GRIP AND I CAME CLOSE TO HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE. PRIOR TO THE ABOVE OCCASION, I WOULD BE STOPPED AT A SIGNAL LIGHT AND THE STEERING WHEEL GRINDED JERKED BACK AND FOURTH AND UNFETTERED.
Engine, Jan 5, 2019
2008 CHEVY MALIBU LIGHTS WILL COME ON BUT ENGINE WON'T CRANK. WE WHERE IN THE HIGHWAY AND TRYING TO JUMP A CAR AND IT JUST TURNED OFF AND WON'T START AT ALL.
Electrical system, Jan 4, 2019
IGNITION HEATS UP AND WILL NOT START UNTIL COOLS OFF
Electronic stability control (ESC), Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 2, 2019
TAKATA RECALL MY 2008 CHEVY MALIBU GOT STUCK IN REVERSE WHEN I WAS BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT AND I FIXED IT WITH ZIP TIES BUT THE PLASTIC PIN THAT HOLDS MY SHIFTER TO MY TRANSMISSION GOT STUCK.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jan 2, 2019
I BEEN HAVING ISSUES WITH MY PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT . THOUGHT IS WAS THE BULB THAT DIDNT WORK. I THEN REPLACED THE CONNECTION AND I WORKED FOR A 4 MONTHS NOW IT'S THE SAME ISSUE AGAIN.
Steering, Power train, Engine, Jan 1, 2019, crash
INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS LEAKING BAD, LOSS OF STEERING AT LOW SPEEDS CAUSING FOR MANUEL STRENGTH AND TRANSMISSION WOULDN'T CHANGE GEARS AT 85,000 MILES WITHIN THE 1ST I PURCHASED THE CAR
Steering, Dec 31, 2018
ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS IN THE LAST 2 WEEKS. WHEN STARTING THE CAR, THE WORDS 'POWER STEERING' COMES ON THE MESSAGE BOARD ALONG WITH A YELL ILLUMINATED TRIANGLE LIGHT AND AN 'ESC' LIGHT AND THE CARS STEERING WILL NOT CONTROL. CAR WILL SHIFT BUT STEERING CANNOT BE CONTROLLED. WILL ALSO HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING. STEERING WILL LOCK UNTIL CAR IS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED!
Steering, Electrical system, Dec 12, 2018
THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING HAS WENT OUT ON MY CAR ALL OF A SUDDEN. IT ALSO WOULD COME BACK ON AND WHILE I AM DRIVING IT WILL SUDDENLY GO OUT AS WELL. IT HAS BEEN CONTINUOUSLY HAPPENING.
Steering, Dec 10, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED IN TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE WAS CHECKED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO CONFIRMED A POWER STEERING FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO CHECK FOR RECALLS. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 144,000.