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, Dec 6, 2018
POWER STEERING ALL OF A SUDDEN ISN'T WORKING. ENGINE LIGHT AND POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I HAVE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING
Steering, Exterior lighting, Electronic stability control (ESC), Traction control system, Dec 4, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, ELECTRIC POWER STEERING, AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT FELT A STRONG VIBRATION COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE STEERING WHEEL FREQUENTLY SEIZED. THE CONTACT HAD TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND BACK ON TO RESET THE COMPUTER. IN ADDITION, THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14E044000 (STEERING) AND 14V153000 (STEERING). THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED THE SAME FAILURE AS LISTED IN THE RECALL CAMPAIGNS. OCEAN CITY CHEVROLET (2366 OCEAN HWY W, SHALLOTTE, NC 28459, (910) 364-9917) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES, BUT DID NOT DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS TO PROVIDE FURTHER TECHNICAL INFORMATION CONCERNING THE DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES AND RECOMMENDATIONS. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC INDICATED THAT THE FAILURES NEEDED TO BE ADDRESSED BY THE MANUFACTURER TO RECEIVE REPAIRS FROM AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES TO DETERMINE THEIR GUIDELINES TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Steering, Dec 3, 2018
1G1ZG57B0843[XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).' *PM
Steering, Exterior lighting, Air bags, Dec 3, 2018
MY AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON AIRBAG ISSUES, I HAVE HAD MY HEADLIGHTS CHECKED THREE TIMES AND THEY KEEP GOING COMPLETELY OUT THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE HEADLIGHTS THE STEERING IS ALWAYS SHAKY ITS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH MY CAR
Exterior lighting, Nov 28, 2018
THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT. REPLACED THE BULBS A FEW TIMES BUT STILL KEEP GOING OUT EVERY FEW WEEKS. IT IS HARD TO KNOW HOW AND WHEN IT GOES OUT. IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE WITH THIS PROBLEM THAT CAN HAPPEN AT NIGHT MIDDLE OF ROAD. IT IS ALSO EXTREMELY DIFFICULT AND COSTLY TO REPLACE BULB EACH TIME.
Vehicle speed control, Nov 25, 2018
I WAS DRIVING TO WORK LET OFF THE PEDAL CAUSE OF TRAFFIC AND CAR STARTED TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. PRESSING BRAKE BARELY GOT IT TO STOP. I AVOIDED A CRASH THAT DAY. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND IT DOESNT GIVE ANY WARNING NOR OBD CODES
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Nov 15, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL INDICATOR ILLUMINATED NO MATTER WHAT SPEED THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING. ALSO, THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED. THE DEALER (JIM PRICE CHEVROLET, 2150 SEMINOLE TRAIL, CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA 22901, (434) 260-8542) STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,000.
Steering, Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Nov 11, 2018
MY DRIVE SHAFT LINE BROKE BY MY THE GEAR SHIFT
Exterior lighting, Nov 6, 2018
MY PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT KEEP GOING OUT. MY MECHANIC HAS CHECKED EVERYTHING BULB, WIRE HARNESS WIRES EVERYTHING POSSIBLE. I HAVE USED AFTERMARKET AND GM BRAND PARTS AND HAVE THE SAME ISSUES. THE LIGHT WOULD SOMETIMES COME ON WHEN HITTING A BUMP BUT NOW NOTHING. I CAN NO LONGER DEPEND ON MY VEHICLE FOR NIGHT DRIVING. THE LIGHT WOULD ALSO COME ON AFTER A FEW SECONDS AFTER STARTING.
Exterior lighting, Oct 27, 2018
HIGHBEAM HEADLIGHTS DID NOT COME RATHER CAR IS STARTED OR NOT.
Power train, Electrical system, Air bags, Oct 19, 2018, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, IT WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. ALL OF THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL UPON IMPACT. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED SIGNIFICANT INJURIES TO THE HEAD AND A TEMPORARY LOSS OF ORIENTATION. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE BACK. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC REPAIRED THE VEHICLE BY RESETTING THE AIR BAG INDICATOR, AND THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT AND GEAR SHIFT ASSEMBLY WERE REPLACED. ED BOZARTH CHEVROLET (5501 DREXEL ROAD, LAS VEGAS, NEVADA 89130, (702) 967-5500) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE CRASH. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT REFERENCED SEVERAL OCCASIONS OF BECOMING LOCKED OUT AND LOCKED IN THE VEHICLE. ALSO, ON ONE OCCASION, THE TRANSMISSION BECAME STUCK IN THE REVERSE POSITION WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE CRASH AND OTHER FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Steering, Oct 10, 2018
IN 2014 THERE WAS A RECALL ON CHEVY MALIBU, WE WERENT EXPERIENCING ANY PROBLEMS BUT TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP INSTEAD. WE ARE NOW EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING. WHILE CAR IS STILL, AND ALSO IN MOTION THE STEERING WHEEL WILL SHAKE VERY BAD. WHEN DRIVING THE STEERING WHEEL WILL LOCK UP, AND JERK CAUSING YOU TO HAVE TO GRIP THE WHEEL EXTRA HARD TO KEEP IT STRAIGHT. THE WHEEL WILL ALSO SHAKE VIGOUROUSLY WHILE STILL AND IN MOTION CAUSING DRIVING TO BE DANGEROUS. TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO ABOUT IT.
Latches/locks/linkages, Oct 5, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR REMAINED IN THE LOCKED POSITION. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO UNLOCK THE DOOR FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. CHUCK NICHOLSON INC (LOCATED AT 7190 OH-39, MILLERSBURG, OH 44654, (330) 275-3522) STATED THAT A WAIVER NEEDED TO BE SIGNED PRIOR TO ANY ATTEMPTS TO UNLOCK THE DOOR DUE TO POSSIBLE DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
Exterior lighting, Sep 27, 2018
PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT KEEPS GOING OUT. CHANGED BULBS, WIRE ASSEMBLIES. PROBLEM STILL OCCURS.
Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 26, 2018
FUEL LEAKS/IGNITION FIRE; TOOK VEHICLE TO CHEVY DEALER TO HAVE RECALL ITEMS FIXED AND INFORM THEM THE FUEL LEAK PROBLEM WITH REGARDS TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN #13E-043 AND THE ARTICLE OF 10/01/12 SITING THAT GM WAS RECALLING 41,000 CARS SOLD IN WARM WEATHER STATES INCLUDING CA, BECAUSE OF DEFECTIVE PLASTIC PART MIGHT CAUSE "FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE MAY RESULT IN A FIRE." GM TOLD NHTSA THAT IT BEGAN INVESTIGATING THE PROBLEM IN 2011 AFTER A DEALER REPORTED FUEL LEAKING AND THAT IT WOULD NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL MODULE FREE OF CHARGE INCLUDING THOSE WHO LIVE OUTSIDE THE STATES AFFECTED BY THE RECALL. THE OFFER IS VALID FOR 10YRS OR 120,000 MILESFROM THE DATE THE VEHICLE WAS SOLD, GM SPOKESMAN ALAN ADLER TOLD THE ASSOCIATED PRESS. CHEVY SUPERSTITION SPRINGS, MESA, AZ WILL NOT HONOR THIS AND WANTS TO CHARGE ME $900 TO REPAIR THEIR MANUFACTURE DEFECT. PLEASE HELP!! I HAVE A CHILD AND FAMILY MEMBERS I TRANSPORT IN VEHICLE WITH POTENTIAL HAZARD OF IGNITING A FIRE WHILE DRIVING.
Electrical system, Service brakes, Sep 14, 2018
PURCHASED 2008 MALIBU IN EARLY 2017. PREVIOUS OWNER STATED BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON AND OFF ON THEIR OWN. HAD IT CHECKED OUT WAS TOLD THAT THEIR WAS A RECALL ON IT. HAD RECALL 13036 WORK DONE 3/31/17. STILL HAD PROBLEMS. TOOK TO DEALER ON 7/03/17 WAS TOLD THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE AND NO CODES THEY RECALIBRATED BPPS. STILL HAD PROBLEMS DROVE IT THAT WAY TOOK IT BACK TO DEALER ON 7/06/18. WAS TOLD SAME THING AND SAME WORK PERFORMED. SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED. READ ONLINE THAT RECALL DIDN'T SOLVE PROBLEM. ON 9/10/18 DEALER STATED BEEN HAVING A LOT OF SAME PROBLEMS WITH OTHER CARS THEY REPLACED BCM & BRAKE PEDAL SENSOR. HAD WORK DONE. SO FAR SEEMS TO HAVE WORKED. NEVER FELT SAFE WHILE DRIVING WITH BRAKE LIGHTS ON AND WHILE STOPPED NO BRAKE LIGHTS ON. CAN'T BELIEVE THAT THE MANUFACTURER WOULD LET THIS PROBLEM GO ON AS WELL AS DEALERS
Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 3, 2018
STRONG GAS SMELL FROM REAR OF VEHICLE (INTERIOR/EXTERIOR). LEAK CONFIRMED FROM FUEL PUMP WHEN IN MOTION. ALSO, VEHICLE HESITATES WHEN ACCELERATED, USUALLY AFTER VEHICLE SITS FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME.
Steering, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 23, 2018
ENGINE BROKE DOWN 2 WEEKS LATER THEY SAID WE WILL GIVE YOU WARRANTY AND WHEN I REFILL GAS THE FUEL SENSOR DOESN'T REACH FULL TANK AND STEERING LOST ITS GRIP THE SAME WEEK OF PURCHASE
Exterior lighting, Aug 21, 2018
HEAD LIGHT LOW BEAM KEEP GOING OUT AFTER CHANGING LIGHT BULBS WIRE HARNESSES
Power train, Aug 20, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE AT 2 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE SEIZED. THE CONTACT PLACED THE VEHICLE INTO DRIVE, DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, AND THE VEHICLE SEIZED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS LISTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V224000 (POWER TRAIN). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 8-4540543149. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 11, 2018
TAKATA RECALL, MY 08 MALIBU WILL NOT START AFTER DRIVING NO MATTER HOW LONG. I'VE BEEN STRANDED MULTIPLE TIMES. I BOUGHT A NEW STARTER, RELAY SWITCH, IGNITION, SWITCH, AND PAID FOR MULTIPLE DIAGNOSTIC TESTS. EVERY MECHANIC SENDS ME TO THE DEALER SHIP AND SAYS THEY CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM BUT BELIEVE IT'S THE ECM. I'M TAKING IT TO THE DEALER TODAY AND PRAYING THIS DOESN'T COST ME ANOTHER CAR!
Other or unspecified, Aug 8, 2018
SHIFTER GET STIF AND HARD TO SHIFT WHEN WARM
Air bags, Aug 3, 2018
RED AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON ALSO SERVICE AIR BAG MESSAGE IS ON. THIS IS ON WHILE STATIONARY AND WHILE MOVING. NO ISSUES TO THE VEHICLE THAT WOULD HAVE CAUSED THIS TO OCCUR.
Air bags, Jul 26, 2018
PASSENGER AIR BAG ERROR MESSAGE THAT AIR BAG SENSOR DOES NOT WORK.
Exterior lighting, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Jul 25, 2018
WHEN DRIVING BRAKE LIGHT CONTINUE TO STAY ON. WHEN PRESSED THEY GO OFF AND PRESSING TO FLOOR THEY COME ON BUT WHEN RELEASED AROUND 6 SECONDS LATER THEY COME ON AGAIN. WAS TAKEN TO DEALER SHIP TO BE FIXED FOR A RECALL . WORKED FOR LESS THAN A MONTH AND IT CONTINUES AGAIN. HAD BRAKE PEDAL SWITCH REPLACED AND IT STILL CONTINUES. NOW I'M GETTING THE LIGHTS COMING ON SAYING ESC OFF AND ALSO A TRACTION LIGHT. IN MY OPINION ALL CHEVY MALIBU'S SHOULD BE RECALLED AND DONE RIGHT. WORST CAR I EVER OWNED. FIX YOUR MISTAKES PLEASE. THESE THINGS I'M DESCRIBING HAPPENS ANYWHERE I'M DRIVING CONSTANTLY